Dear Constituents,

I understand that people of Markham-Thornhill are worried and that many businesses need support as we work through this evolving global challenge of COVID-19. The situation changes daily and so does our government's response to it. These newsletters serve as a way to assure you that our government is doing everything in our power to help and protect Canadians through this.

Currently, our Government is working diligently on getting the support from our COVID-19 Economic Response Plan to Canadians and businesses as quickly as possible. We are launching innovative strategies to ensure stock of medical supplies, help Canadians abroad return home, and creating screening tools to ease the burden on our healthcare systems.

Most importantly, we are continuing to ask that all Canadians STAY HOME if you can, practice social distancing, and continue to wash your hands often. This will reduce the spread of infection and strain on our healthcare systems. I continue to strongly advise that we all follow the advice of Health Canada and maintain good hygiene and monitor ourselves for symptoms.

Please note that my Constituency Office is closed to the public at this time, but my team is still available to help members of Markham-Thornhill by email (Mary.Ng@parl.gc.ca) or by phone (905)-479-8100.

Sincerely,

The Hon. Mary Ng

Member of Parliament

Markham- Thornhill

WHOLE -OF-GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

Canada's Plan to Mobilize Industry to Fight COVID-19

If you are a Canadian manufacturer or business that can assist Canada in meeting the need for medical supplies, your help is needed. Our government is has introduced new measures to directly support businesses to rapidly scale up production or re-tool their manufacturing lines to develop products made in Canada that will help in the fight against COVID-19.

These products could include critical health and safety supplies and equipment, including personal protective equipment, sanitization products, diagnostic and testing products, and disease tracking technology.

If this sounds like something your, or someone else's, business can help with, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business/maintaingrowimprovebusiness/manufacturers-needed.html

Bringing Canadians Home from Abroad

This weekend, the Prime Minister announced new measures to bring Canadians home from abroad. Our Government is working closely with Canadian airlines and foreign governments to provide access to commercial flights for Canadian travellers who want to return home.

Additional measures are in place to ensure the safety of fellow passengers and flight crews by only allowing travellers who are asymptomatic to the board, and all travellers will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days upon entry to Canada.

Recall of Parliament 

In order to fully implement our Government's $82 Billion COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, we must introduce legislation and seek the approval of Parliament. The Government House Leader, Pablo Rodrîguez, has officially asked the Speaker of the House of Commons to recall the House in order to enact these critical economic measures. 

Canadians are counting on all parliamentarians to work together on quick passage of this legislation to ensure Canadians have the financial support needed during this crisis. The House is expected to meet today, March 24.

Self-assessment tool  The Government of Canada has just launched a self-assessment tool that allows Canadians to assess their symptoms and provides information on when to seek medical care. This tool will also help to reduce pressure on provincial and territorial call lines and ensure that those in need of advice from a health professional are able to access help in a timely way.

You can access the assessment tool by clicking here.

MARKHAM- THORNHILL RESPONSE

YORK DECLARATION OF STATE-OF-EMERGENCY

Yesterday, the Regional Municipality of York declared a State of Emergency in response to the evolving COVID-19 Pandemic. 

This decision was made in efforts to reduce the local transmission of COVID-19  and to encourage the advice of public health professionals and all levels of government to stay home and practice social distancing.

All York Region temporary service disruptions and facility closures are listed here. Key services essential to York Region continue, including Paramedic Services, Water, Waste Management, Shelter Services, Long-term Care, Road Operations and York Region Transit.

COVID- 19 ASSESSMENT SITES

In Markham-Thornhill, local resources and assessment sites are still being finalized. Local public health agencies are asking that only those showing symptoms of COVID-19 and/or have reasonable grounds to believe that they have been in contact with the virus should pursue testing.

Below, you will find the details of the closest hospitals to my constituency, as well as details regarding their assessment sites and links to their web pages for locations and protocols of COVID-19 assessments. Please review these instructions or call ahead before visiting a facility. 

Mackenzie Health (Major MacKenzie Drive West between Yonge and Bathurst)

• COVID-19 Assessment Centre located in the Medical Urgent Care Clinic
• Assessments are available by appointment only
• Hours:
  • Monday-Friday: 03:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.
  • Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M.
  • Hours are subject to change and will be updated on the hospital web page

Markham Stouffville Hospital (Ninth Line just North of Hwy 7)

• COVID-19 Assessment Centre cannot be accessed from the main hospital facility, entrance is located on the south side of the hospital and east of the Emergency Department
• The centre is walk-in only and will not take appointments or phone calls
• Assessment Centre will be opening as of Wednesday, March 18th, 2020
• Hours:
  • 10:00 A.M. to 08:00 P.M.
  • Hours and dates are subject to change and will be updated on the hospital web page

Once again, please check the protocols of health care facilities before visiting for assessments. 

Due to the nature of COID-19, government and healthcare responses are changing at a fast pace. While my team and I are doing our best to keep up with the updates, the best sources of information are referring to the official government and public health agency websites.

WHEN TO CONTACT PUBLIC HEALTH

We understand there is a lot of uncertainty and fear surrounding COVID-19. But, in order to lessen the strain on our healthcare systems, we ask that you follow guidelines to determine whether you should pursue medical attention for the virus:

• If you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
• If you are experiencing a fever and/or have a new or worsening cough and, within the past 14 days, have...
  • Travelled outside of Canada, including the United States of America.
  • Been in close contact with someone who has recently travelled to an impacted area and is also experiencing symptoms of COVID-19

If any of the conditions above may apply to you or someone you know, we strongly recommend calling York Region Public Health at 1-877-464-9675 Ext: 73588. It is also recommended by York Region Public Health that as an alternative, you may reach out to your local emergency department or health care provider to arrange for testing as appropriate.

RESOURCES

If you are presenting symptoms or need more information on measures of COVID-19 please contact the following:

York Region Public Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 Government of Canada COVID-19 information line 1-833-784-4397 TeleHealth at 1-866-797-0000

Please note York Region Public Health offices are not testing for COVID-19. Call the numbers listed above for information on testing if you are experiencing symptoms.