Monday, April 27, 2020 – 4:00pm
COVID-19 PANDEMIC UPDATE #29 – CITY OF NELSON
Council Adopts 25 Point Economic Stimulus and Financial Stability Plan
At a special Council meeting held Thursday, April 23, Mayor and Council adopted a 25 point Economic Stimulus and Financial Stability Plan. The plan is in response to a revenue shortfall of up to $1,600,000 for 2020. In developing the plan, Council worked with the Chief Financial Officer and City departments to identify areas where expenditures could be reduced without compromising essential services.
The key highlights of the financial stability plan include: - Zero percent property tax increase for 2020.
- Zero percent fee increase for Nelson Hydro for 2020.
- Zero percent increase in Nelson Hydro dividend to the City.
- Zero percent wage increase for 2020.
- General hiring freeze.
- The flexibility for the replacement of critical positions and hiring if there are grant-funded positions.
- Minimizing travel, training, legal fees and other discretionary costs.
- The City has negotiated with its benefits carrier to reduce dental and extended health premiums by $40,000 per month.
- An allowance of $100,000 for recovery and/or wildfire response activities.
- A request to the Provincial Government to fund the operating shortfall for transit.
The City will be releasing further information on the Economic Stimulus Program and Community Support measures this week.
To read the full City of Nelson media release:
http://www.nelson.ca/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=432
Dr. Bonnie Henry: We will have a made-in-B.C. plan for re-opening the province.
At today’s Provincial daily update, Dr. Bonnie Henry announced that plans to begin re-opening the province would be coming soon. “We are getting close to that time where we can start to open up,” she announced. She cautioned that we must proceed carefully: “We cannot allow hot spots to flare up and to affect our communities.”
Applications Open Today for $73-billion Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program.
Last week the Government of Canada announced the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) to help employers keep and re-hire workers amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This important economic measure provides a 75% wage subsidy of up to $847 per employee per week, to eligible employers, for up to 3 months, retroactive to March 15. Businesses of all sizes, along with charities and non-profits, are eligible if they have experienced a drop in revenue of at least 30 percent. Canadians can receive the wage subsidy
or the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) — but not both. The CEWS is retroactive to March 15. Payments should begin to arrive on May 7.
Are you eligible? https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy/cews-how-apply.html
CEWS Calculator Tool: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/subsidy/emergency-wage-subsidy/cews-calculate-subsidy-amount.html
To read the full media release: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/news/2020/04/government-of-canada-launches-applications-for-the-canada-emergency-wage-subsidy.html
BC’s Seniors Advocate Announces Additional Funds to Help Seniors and Caregivers.
Isobel Mackenzie, British Columbia’s senior’s advocate, has announced that $500,000 in funding will go to the Family Caregivers of British Columbia, a non-profit that provides support to seniors and caregivers. This funding will allow Family Caregivers of BC to enhance services during the COVID-19 pandemic so that caregivers get the increased support they need to help seniors remain at home, such as expanded toll-free support line hours, emotional supports and health-care navigation.
To read the full media release: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0141-000763?fbclid=IwAR3KvNQai0SK5AEvX-YJeXMi9CC7qNmsHxgYV20hZlrJ2hpJatAcLdIAeHU
The BC Government has provided the following information today:
COVID-19 Case Statistics: (Regional case numbers not provided today)
- Total cases in BC to date: 1998
- Total recovered cases in BC: 1190
- Total new cases in BC: 50
- Total fatalities in BC to date: 103 (Increase of 3 in 48 hrs)
- Total cases in Canada: 48,242
- Total fatalities in Canada: 2705
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Important Resources & Information – COVID-19
Which businesses are open in Nelson?
https://www.nelsonkootenaylake.com/news
BC Government Resources List for Support and Information during COVID-19
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support
Supports for Businesses in BC: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/employment-business-and-economic-development/business-management/small-business/covid-19_small_business_supports.pdf
Wellness Together Canada https://ca.portal.gs/
Anxiety Canada https://www.anxietycanada.com/
BounceBack BC https://bouncebackbc.ca/
Here2Talk for Post-Secondary Students https://here2talk.ca/home
Psychological First Aid – Over 19+ https://www.psychologists.bc.ca/covid-19-resources
Crisis Line Association of BC – 1-800 suicide (1 800 784-2433) - 24/7
www.crisiscentre.bc.ca - 24/7 - crisis and suicide intervention
Mental Health and Information Support Line - 310-6789 (no area code required)
Kids Help Phone – 1-800-668-6868
www.kidshelphone.ca or text connect to 686868 - 24/7
Helpline for Children - 310-1234 (no area code required)
www.youthinbc.com - 24/7
VictimlinkBC – 1-800-563-0808 - 24/7
information, referrals. Immediate crisis support
HealthLinkBC - 811 or www.healthlinkbc.ca
For seniors looking for additional support at this time, call 211 or visit:
www.bc211.ca
Interior Crisis Line Network – 1-888-353-2273 - 24/7
Nelson Transition House – (250) 354-4357
24/7 - Specifically for women leaving or struggling in, an abusive relationship.
Nelson Police Department Victim Services – (250) 505-5657 To help provide important information to our community, the City of Nelson has developed a dedicated webpage nelson.ca/covid19 that will be updated frequently as new information becomes available. Please sign-up for ‘City News’ on NotifyMe to receive automatic updates from the City via text or email.
The City of Nelson relies on Interior Health, BC Public Health, and the Federal Government for information related to the virus itself. If you believe you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, please contact your physician, or call the COVID-19 telephone line at 1-888-COVID19, to be assessed or call the testing clinic hotline at (250) 551-7500 to be triaged for testing. Symptoms of COVID-19 include coughing, fever, sore throat, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms may not present themselves for up to 14 days, but you may be a carrier of the virus; therefore it is important to follow the guidelines set out by the health experts.
To check your symptoms or get updates from the BC Government you can download the BC COVID-19 App or visit this website
We thank you for doing your part to help maintain a safe and healthy community and for understanding the importance of this evolving situation.
Information from the BC Center for Disease Control on COVID-19
Media Contact:
Ginger Lester, EOC Information Officer glester@nelson.ca