For Immediate Release
October 9, 2020
STATEMENT: Mayor Crombie Responds to Provincial Rollbacks
“Today, the province announced that Peel Region, Toronto and Ottawa will be moving to a modified Stage 2 that will see bars and restaurants move to take-out, delivery and patio dining only, close movie theatres and banquet halls, along with further restrictions on gyms.
The surge in cases across the province, in particular with our neighbours in the City of Toronto, has raised alarm bells with public health officials.
While Peel Region is not experiencing transmission in these settings with our daily averages remaining relatively stable, we know this can change at any moment. It takes just one lapse to undo all our hard work and push us into a second wave.
Given our close proximity to Toronto, there is concern that closing businesses in one jurisdiction could have an unintended spillover effect in neighbouring regions. For example, if businesses are closed in Toronto, residents may travel to Mississauga to visit bars, restaurants or gyms and cause an unintended spike in our case numbers.
While I know today’s decision is very disappointing for our business community, it is being made by the province to best protect the health and safety of our residents not only in Mississauga but across the GTA. If we do not take measures to control a second wave now, the results could be disastrous. It is incumbent on us to protect the health of our family, friends and neighbours.
I will continue to advocate and do everything in my power to support our business community. In my conversations with Prime Minister earlier this week, I stressed the need for funding to support our foodservice industry, including bars, restaurants and banquet halls.
I’d like to thank the federal government for swiftly responding by introducing targeted supports today that will help hard-hit businesses. This new and expanded programming will assist our business community with rent, wage subsidies and loans that will help them retain jobs and stay afloat during this difficult time.
I also want to thank the Premier for announcing $300 million to support small businesses with fixed costs such as property taxes and hydro bills over the next 28 days.
Council will also be exploring another extension to our temporary patio program at our November 11 meeting to keep patio season going throughout the winter and best support our bar and restaurant industry.
I will continue to encourage residents in the weeks and months to come to rally behind our local businesses and support our Mississauga Made campaign by buying and shopping local.
While difficult, the health and safety of our residents is my number one priority. We need to continue to work together as team Mississauga and closely listen to the advice of our Chief Medical Officers of Health.
Remember – only we can move this virus, and only we can stop it.”
– Bonnie Crombie, Mayor of Mississauga
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