March 10th, 2021

Dear Constituent,

It was almost one year ago today that governments began instituting measures to control the spread of COVID-19. Everyone has been impacted in some form or another since then. While we were initially told we needed “two weeks to flatten the curve,” we still find ourselves a year later in lockdowns, observing social distancing measures, working from home, dealing with travel restrictions, and wearing masks just about everywhere. We’ve seen the impacts that these restrictions are having on families, on our mental health and on our small businesses. We all are extremely frustrated and looking forward to resuming our regular lifestyle.

We are not there yet, but there are some positives taking place. Ontario’s vaccine program is expanding, and more and more people are getting their shot. The federal government now assures us that it will continue to procure enough vaccines to keep up with demand. We have heard this before, so I will be keeping a close eye on the numbers. For all our sakes, I am hoping for success. We need this to go well so we can re-open and get something closer to our previous lives back. For the latest on Ontario’s vaccine roll out or to book an appointment click here: Preparing for your appointment (simcoemuskokahealth.org)

In Parliamentary news, I was pleased to participate in a recent debate in the House of Commons on another important issue: the support we give to our Seniors. Seniors are falling behind, and many have suffered tremendously under COVID-19, whether it be health-related, emotionally or financially. Not one day goes by without a Senior calling my office to ask for help or just needing to talk to someone.

The Bloc Member for Shefford, Quebec, introduced an important Motion into the House of Commons. The Motion reads as follows:

That the House: (a) recognize that the elderly were most directly affected by the COVID- 19 pandemic; (b) recall that too many of the elderly live in a financially precarious position; (c) acknowledge the collective debt that we owe to those who built Quebec and Canada; and (d) ask the government, in the next budget, to increase the Old Age Security benefit by $110 a month for those aged 65 and more.

It was a straight-forward Motion without any partisan or difficult-to-support language. On February 25th I was pleased to be able to participate in the debate surrounding it. You may see my question here: https://www.facebook.com/TerryDowdall.2019

When this Motion came to a vote on March 8th, every MP from the Conservatives, the NDP, the Bloc Quebecois and the Green Party supported it. Only three backbench Liberals voted in favour. Just who were the Liberals who oppose giving Seniors an extra $110 for OAS per month? Seniors Minister , Finance Minister and Prime Minister . Seniors across Canada are very disappointed by this government.

Also in Parliament, I sponsored a petition created by Nicolas Martin of calling on the government to reject Bill C-21 and to recognize airsoft and paintball as safe activities that support small businesses and jobs. I am truly disappointed to see that in the middle of a pandemic, the government is more ideologically focused on its own re-election than helping Canadians get vaccines.

Bill C-21 was introduced by the Liberal Government earlier last month. Like just about every other Liberal firearms initiative, it will not make our communities safer. The vast majority of gun crimes taking place in the major cities are committed with illegally obtained firearms, many of which are smuggled into Canada.

Not even one month ago, my friend and colleague Markham—Unionville MP put forward Bill C-238, which would stiffen penalties for criminals in possession of illegally imported firearms. Sadly, 143 Liberals joined with 23 New Democrats to defeat this Bill. Only two Liberals voted in favour of this practical measure to reduce gun crime.

If Bill C-21 passes, we will not be any safer. But what will happen is that an overwhelming majority of Canadian airsoft guns will become prohibited. This will have a dramatic effect on the industry. It will result in job losses, business closures and large amounts of lost revenue. Not to mention, the destruction of a safe and fun hobby that tens of thousands of Canadians enjoy. My colleagues and I will continue working together to ensure airsoft enthusiasts and legal gun owners are treated fairly and their rights are protected.

The petition has been met with a tremendous amount of support! It is presently the most popular of all active petitions in the House of Commons with over 30,000 signatures. If you haven’t already done so, and you wish to sign it, you can do so by clicking here. The petition is open for signatures until March 26th, 2021.

During the two weeks our riding was in red zone, I had the opportunity to tour the Good Sheppard Food Bank in Alliston. I was amazed by the community support and generosity from the local people and small businesses. Thank you to all the volunteers for your hard work, without you none of this could happen!

Tour at Good Sheppard Food Bank, Alliston, ON

I had the pleasure to congratulate Eldon Doucet of E. Doucet Computer Services, Inc. for achieving 30 years in business; selling, consulting and repairing computers. I was also able to personally wish Rose Irvine a Happy 70th Birthday!

Rose Irvine with MP Terry Dowdall Eldon Doucet with MP Terry Dowdall

Unfortunately, with the provincial lockdowns and restrictions I have not been able to personally congratulate many others on their milestones and achievements, but my offices continued to provide congratulatory certificates. If you or someone you know is celebrating a milestone birthday, anniversary or other occasion, you can visit my website or call either of my offices to request a certificate.

While I much prefer meeting people in person, current protocols and restrictions are preventing this from taking place. On a daily basis, I am in Zoom meetings with different groups or organizations locally, or for my Parliamentary duties such as the Standing Committee on National Defence and Question Period. I recently had the pleasure to meet virtually with the Association of Canadian Independent Travel Advisors, to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on the travel industry; as well as the Dairy Farmers of Ontario on the importance of food security and mitigation for CUSMA.

Dairy Farmers of Ontario

Association of Canadian Independent Travel Advisors

A friendly reminder that March 15th, 2021 is the deadline to submit nominations for the Simcoe—Grey MP Community Leader Awards. These awards will be presented to those who show exceptional volunteerism in their community and in Simcoe—Grey. There will be five categories for the Simcoe—Grey MP Community Leader Awards: youth, adult, senior, business, service club or religious organization. The person, business or organization who are the recipients of the awards, will have gone above and beyond in making a positive difference in the lives of others through volunteering here in Simcoe— Grey.

Nomination forms can be found on my website at www.TerryDowdallmp.ca or by calling 1-866-435-1809.

UPDATES:

Travel Restrictions:

As of February 21st, 2021, the government announced new requirements for travel to Canada: • You must meet the new testing and quarantine requirements when coming to Canada. • Click on the links below to obtain up-to-date information for flying to Canada requirement checklists: o Before you travel o Boarding your flight o Arriving in Canada o Completing your hotel and full quarantine o Testing and quarantine exemptions • Click on the links below to obtain up-to-date information for Driving to Canada requirements checklists: o Before you travel o Arriving in Canada at a land border port of entry o Completing your mandatory quarantine o Testing and quarantine exemptions My office has received many calls and emails surrounding the new travel restrictions and exemptions. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) does not grant requests for new exemptions on a case by case basis to determine whether travel is essential. PHAC can only clarify whether an individual does fall under a category of the existing exemptions for the following essential reasons:

• Provide essential services • Maintain the flow of essential goods or people • Are receiving medical care within 36 hours of entering Canada (non-related to COVID-19) • Regularly cross the border to work • Live in an integrated trans-border community

Whether you think you will be exempt or not, the final decision rests upon the Quarantine Officer at the border and while that allows for some flexibility to accommodate unique circumstances of travellers, it also means there is no guarantee for a specific outcome.

You can find more information and stay up-to-date by visiting: https://travel.gc.ca/travel- covid/travel-restrictions/isolation

Passport Canada: The MP Section of Passport Canada is open. Constituents can bring their passport applications to either one of my offices to have them sent for processing. Individuals can also continue to courier their applications directly to the processing centre: Passport Canada 22 de Varennes Street GATINEAU, Quebec J8T 3R1

Please note that my office staff are always available to review your application and supporting documents prior to being sent in. Processing of passport documents may take a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks from the date of receipt due to an influx of applications and reduced staffing in the facility. If you require emergency passport services, Passport Canada recommends you fill out an e-service form to request an appointment at a passport processing facility.

For individuals looking for financial support during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are several new benefits to help Canadians, as well as existing programs for those who are unable to work. If you’re unsure of your eligibility on the benefits available, you can find financial help during COVID-19 here: https://covid-benefits.alpha.canada.ca/en/start

Service Canada • EI Regular Benefits Apply for benefits if you have lost your job through no fault of your own. • EI Sickness Benefits Apply if you are unable to work due to illness, injury or quarantine. Canada Revenue Agency • Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) Income support if you are self-employed or are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI). • Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB) Up to 2 weeks of support if you are sick or must self-isolate due to COVID-19. • Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) Income support if you must stop work to care for dependents due to closures, high risk and caregiver availability.

For businesses, programs such as the Canada Emergency Business Account, Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy and several other federal support programs are still available. Below is a list of financial support, loan's and access to credit for business:

• CEBA (Canada Emergency Business Account) Interest-free loans for small businesses and not-for-profits • CERS (Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy) Rent and mortgage support for qualifying organizations affected by COVID-19 • CEWS (Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy) Help for businesses to keep or rehire employees • BCAP (Business Credit Availability Program) Credit to help cover operating costs due to COVID-19 • RRRF (Regional Relief and Recovery Funds) Help for businesses unable to access other support measures. Apply through your Regional Development Agency

o FedDev Ontario (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario) ▪ For businesses located in Southern Ontario • BEP (Black Entrepreneurship Program) Partnership between the , Black-led business organizations, and financial institutions • Support for Indigenous businesses Short-term, interest-free loans and non-repayable contributions • Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility Financing for Canada’s largest employers facing financial challenges

If you are unsure what business programs are available in your particular situation, you can find out by using the Business Benefits Finder: https://innovation.ised- isde.canada.ca/s/?language=en_CA My offices continue to remain safely open to help the constituents of Simcoe—Grey. Contact one of my offices if you have questions about any new announcements on programs, funding and services. If you have any issues with the CRA, Employment Insurance, Pensions, Passports, Veteran Affairs or Citizenship and Immigration, my staff and I are here to assist you. My offices in Alliston and Collingwood are open Monday to

Friday, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. We are located at 503 Hume St. Unit 4, Collingwood and 452 Victoria St. East, Alliston. You can call any time at 1-866-435-1809.

May the luck of the Irish be upon us all this month!

Yours sincerely,

Terry Dowdall Member of Parliament for Simcoe—Grey

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