COVID-19

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  A Special Council Meeting was held March 27, 2020 where Council adopted a motion to waive penalties that would otherwise be charged for the non-payment of 2020 interim taxes that were due by March 31, 2020. Council’s decision removes any penalties and interest charged on non-payment of 2020 interim taxes until May 31, 2020, effectively deferring the requirement to pay for two months.  Interest charges on arrears outstanding from previous years will continue.

Additionally Council voted to amend the 2020 User Fees and Charges By-law to waive the following fees for the remainder of the year: 1. fees for arrears statements to be mailed April, June, September, and December: 2. NSF fees and 3. Fees related to Extension Agreements.  The Tax Department recommends to those in the community who have further questions or concerns pertaining to their situation to contact them at 705-687-3412 or email taxdepartment@gravenhurst.ca

All Town facilities are closed to public access until further notice.  Town Staff are still available to assist you through phone and email. Do you have a question?

COMMUNITY COVID UPDATES - MAYOR PAUL KELLY

VIDEO UPDATE MESSAGE - MARCH 26, 2020

 

VIDEO UPDATE MESSAGE - MARCH 23, 2020

VIDEO UPDATE MESSAGE - MARCH 19, 2020

CURRENT ADVISORIES
Province of Ontario
Town of Gravenhurst
 District of Muskoka
 MESSAGE FROM DISTRICT CHAIR JOHN KLINCK
 
ENFORCEMENT - PROVINCIAL ADVISORIES
  • Gathering are enforced by the Ontario Provincial Police 
  • Business/Organization infractions are enforced by: Ontario Provincial Police

Who do I contact if I suspect a violation of the Provincial Order related to the closure of Parks and Recreational Amenities?  Concerns of violation of the Provincial Order should be directed to the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.

 

Under Provincial emergency legislation, all gatherings of (5) people or more are prohibited. Only businesses and services deemed essential are permitted to be open.

All organized public events of over (5) people are also prohibited, including parades, events and communal services within places of worship.

Individuals could be fined up to $1,000 while corporations could face fines of up to $500,000

For further information about By-law Enforcement in Gravenhurst please contact: Gravenhurst By-law Division
 FACILITY CLOSURES

No Public Access to the Following Town Facilities until further notice:
 MEETINGS/PROGRAMS CANCELLATIONS
  • All April 2020, Committee and Sub-Committee Meetings
  • Mayors Open Door
  • Coffee with a Firefighter
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER GROUPS
 Gravenhurst Caretagion 2020
A group has been formed, called Gravenhurst Caretagion 2020, by community volunteers to help other residents of Gravenhurst run errands while in isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our goal is to help other community members who do not have a local support network to help them run errands such as picking up groceries, prescriptions, and so on. 

Due to the nature of COVID-19, we will need to make our interactions contact-free and maintain social distancing at all times. Therefore, our plan is to act as runners for people who have already placed orders and provided payment to merchants. If this is impossible, contact us and we will work to find solutions. 

We have a central number that community members can call, and we will assign a volunteer to their task. We are asking that calls take place between 8 am and noon so that we can aim to have volunteers complete tasks the same day. However, calls and voice mails will be returned and tasks completed as quickly as possible if they're received after noon.

The contact number for Gravenhurst Caretagion 2020 is 705-710-4542 or email gravenhurst2020@gmail.com This service will be active as of Friday, March 20.
 FOOD BANK

Gravenhurst Against Poverty continues to take precautions and is open on a take out basis.

Located at 290 Muskoka Road North - Trinity United Church parking lot. 

  • Our Tuesday lunch is offered from 12-1 pm take out only.
  • Our Thursday Supper Club and Fresh food giveaway will also be open.
  • Both are open 4-6 pm, the dinner will be a take dinner. 
SERVICES INTERRUPTIONS/MODIFICATIONS
 COURIER SERVICES
Contractors, Suppliers, Couriers and Deliveries, please contact 705-687-3412 ext 200 or ext 227 or your designated staff member to arrange for entry. 

Prior to entry you will be required to complete a self health declaration.
 SERVICE PROVIDERS/CONTRACTORS - DECLARATION FORM

Covid 19 Declaration Form

Please dowload PDF FORM, Print/Scan and email to publicworks@gravenhurst.ca in advance of your service date. Thank You. 
ASSESSMENT CENTRES IN MUSKOKA/ SELF ASSESSMENT

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, new or worsening cough, or shortness of breath) you must first seek guidance from your Doctor or Nurse Practitioner on whether it is appropriate for you to attend the Assessment Centre. If you require an appointment at the Assessment Centre, it will be made by their office.

If you do not have a Doctor or Nurse Practitioner: 

  • Please call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-767-0000, Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit at 1-877-721-7520 (Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. and weekends 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) or access the Ministry of Health Self Assessment Tool.
  • After following these steps, if you have been advised to attend a COVID-19 Assessment Centre in Muskoka, you must book an appointment by calling 1-888-383-7009.

The COVID-19 Assessment Centres in Muskoka are not open for walk-in visits.

Muskoka Locations

  • Building B, 100 Frank Miller Dr., Huntsville, ON P1H 1H7
  • Rotary Centre for Youth Bracebridge, 131 Wellington St., Bracebridge, ON P1L 1E2

 

At the Assessment Centre:

  • You will be seen by a healthcare professional who will provide you with the necessary care instructions, if required.
  • Not everyone who attends the centre will be tested. Healthcare professionals will test for COVID-19 based on the most up to date guidelines from the Ministry of Health and the healthcare professional’s assessment of the individual. Testing is not available to all patients on request.

 

2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) self-assessment
BUSINESS SUPPORT RESOURCES

The Economic Development team is available to help in one of the following ways:

  1. Tell us how COVID-19 is impacting your business: COVID-19 Business Impact Assessment: www.gravenhurst.ca/businessimpact 
  2. Need help navigating the programs and resources available? Connect with our Business Support Concierge Service. Let us try and help you. If we don’t have an answer, we’ll try to get one. Call 705-644-2207 or email Jeff.Loney@Gravenhurst.ca
  3. Looking for self-serve information? Take a look at the information below:
 What Support Funding is Available to My Business?

Avoiding Layoffs and Access to Wage Assistance

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

  • Provides a flat benefit of $2,000 for up to 4 months for workers or self-employed business owners who are not eligible for EI benefits and have been out of work for 14 consecutive days in any four-week period for reasons relating to COVID-19. 

Canada Small Business Wage Subsidy

  • A subsidy that will provide businesses with up to 75 per cent of an employee's salary on the first $58,700 which could mean payments of up to $847 a week, for up to 3 months.  This wage subsidies will be retroactive to March 15, 2020.

Canada Work-Sharing Program

  • Provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporarily reduced work week while their employer recovers.

Access to Credit

Canada Special Emergency Business Account

  • Will see banks offer $40,000 government-guaranteed, interest-free loans for the first year to cover operating costs for businesses and not-for-profit organizations. If certain conditions are met, the first $10,000 will be forgiven.

Canada Business Credit Availability Program

  • Through Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) businesses can access direct lending and other types of financial assistance.

Farm Credit Canada Loans

  • Loans for producers, agribusinesses and food processors.

Muskoka Futures

  • Provide loans, business planning and mentorship to Muskoka businesses.

Business Improvement Grants

Digital Main Street Funding

  • Assistance, Information and Grant funding to implement digital technology for your business.  Tips for how to market your business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parry Sound Muskoka Community Network (PMCN)

  • Business Technology Improvement Grant (BTIF) and is a grant of 50% up to $25,000 for the costs of adopting digital technology.
 What Will Assist with Reducing My Operating Expenses?
 Time-of-use Hydro pricing
  • Starting March 24, Hydro customers will pay the off-peak rate (10.1¢/kWh) no matter what time of day for at least 45 days. This pricing will be applied automatically.

Payment Deferrals and Interest

Big Bank Loan & Credit payment deferrals

  • The Bank of Montreal, CIBC, National Bank of Canada, RBC Royal Bank, Scotiabank and TD Bank will assist small business customers, on a case-by-case basis, to help them manage through financial challenges.

Canada Business Tax Deferral Program

  • HST and GST payments are being deferred until June.
  • Businesses can differ income tax that becomes owing on or after March 18 and before September 2020, until after August 31, 2020.

Provincial Tax and Fee Deferrals

  • 5 months interest and penalty-free period of provincially administered taxes.
  • Deferring the upcoming quarterly (June 30) remittance of education property tax to school boards by 90 days to allow municipalities to provide property tax deferrals.
  • Up to 6 months of deferred Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) payments.

Gravenhurst Tax Deferrals

  • Council has waive penalties that would otherwise be charged for the non-payment of 2020 interim taxes that are due by March 31, 2020. Council’s decision removes any penalties and interest charged on non-payment of 2020 interim taxes until May 31, 2020, effectively deferring the requirement to pay for two months. Additionally, Council voted to amend the 2020 User Fees and Charges By-law and waive fees related to payment penalties for the balance of the year.
 How Can I Support My Employees?

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

  • provides a flat benefit of $2,000 for workers or self-employed business owners who are not eligible for EI benefits and have been out of work for 14 consecutive days in any four-week period for reasons relating to COVID-19.   

Canada Work-Sharing Program

  • provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporarily reduced work week while their employer recovers.

Canada Small Business Wage Subsidy

  • A subsidy that will provide businesses with up to 75 per cent of an employee's salary on the first $58,700 which could mean payments of up to $847 a week, for up to 3 months. This wage subsidies will be retroactive to March 15, 2020.
What Other Information and Resources Are Available?
 Stop the Spread
 TOWN OF GRAVENHURST CONTACT INFORMATION

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