COVID-19 Updates

June 8, 2020

Support for Ontario Metis businesses during COVID-19 — The Métis Voyageur Development Fund (MVDF) is announcing an innovative new financing option for Ontario Métis businesses managing the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. More here

Friday May 22, 2020

The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) has introduced a new MNO COVID-19 Support Program to provide emergency financial supports to help affected MNO Citizens and families. Through the MNO COVID-19 Special Needs Support Program, MNO Citizens with special needs children aged 0-21 years can receive a one-time benefit of $500 per child with special needs up to a maximum of $2,000 per family to provide assistance during this time of physical distancing. This benefit is limited to one per household. More information here

Friday May 15, 2020:

Harvesting: COVID-19 has seen many public health measures put into place in an effort to protect the health and wellbeing of the public. This information sheet provides recommendations to MNO harvesters to help them stay safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19. More here

Thursday May 14, 2020:

For the past several weeks the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) has been holding weekly Telephone Town Halls with leadership across the Province to provide updates highlighting the federal, provincial, local and MNO response to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. The MNO’s Chief Electoral Officer has advised that during the voting period of the MNO 2020 Election (May 5 to June 1, 2020) these updates not continue to be provided by current MNO leadership. MNO is continuing to provide regular written updates: Read the latest Update here

Tuesday May 12, 2020:

In the latest of the weekly Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Telephone Town Hall series, MNO leadership continued to provide updates highlighting the federal, provincial, local and MNO response to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more here

Friday May 1, 2020:

A fourth weekly Telephone Town Hall took place Wednesday, April 15 2020 to provide leadership with updates pertaining to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic and the MNO’s response. Included in the call were updates on the status of both federal and MNO-specific financial resources and supports, including emergency funds available to communities, and outlined continuity plans for certain MNO services and programs. Learn more here

Friday April 24, 2020:

To help during this trying time, the MNO is pleased to share a new mental health resource called WellCan. WellCan is a free digital mental health resource app. Learn more at: https://wellcan.ca

Thursday April 23, 2020:

The MNO welcomes the Government of Canada’s April 18th announcement of funding for small and medium sized Indigenous businesses facing challenges and economic hardships due to COVID-19. This distinction’s based approach will see this money flow through Métis Capital Corporations including the MNO’s Métis Voyageur Development Fund (MVDF). The Federal funding announced will allow the MVDF to provide eligible Métis businesses with $40,000 in support. $30,000 of which will be in the form of an interest free repayable loan and $10,000 of which will be non-repayable. Additional resources for the Ontario Métis business community during the COVID-19 crisis can be found here on the MVFD website

Thursday April 16, 2020:

In the latest of the weekly Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Telephone Town Hall series, MNO leadership provided updates highlighting the federal, provincial and local MNO response to the on-going coronavirus pandemic. The April 8 Telephone Town Hall outlined additional COVID-19 Emergency Supports now available for Métis Citizens, and the MNO continues to develop long-term continuity plans for its programs and services. As more data becomes available, the MNO will continue to adapt its response and develop available COVID-19 support programs for Citizens in need. Learn more here

Tuesday April 8, 2020:

The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) has put in place MNOCOVID-19 Support Programs to provide emergency financial supports to help affected MNO Citizens and families. APPLY NOW AT: https://covid.metisnation.org

Tuesday April 8, 2020:

Another telephone town hall was held Wednesday, April 1 to address questions and concerns regarding the ever evolving COVID-19 situation and the MNO’s responses to the crisis. The April 1 call provided MNO leadership updates on new resources and strategies to support Métis citizens and their families throughout the pandemic; an update on the Self-Government agreement; and the existing work of the MNO at provincial, regional and local levels. Learn more here

Wednesday April 1, 2020:

The MNO is here to support its citizens through the COVID-19 crisis. To this end, the MNO will be strategically deploying its portion of the critical funds allocated through the $305 million Indigenous Community Support Fund from the Government of Canada and the $17 billion Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19 fund from the Government of Ontario to meet the needs of Métis communities and to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Learn more here

Wednesday March 25, 2020:

During this unprecedented economic situation consequent to the COVID-19 virus the Métis Voyageur Development Fund (MVDF) is looking to support Métis entrepreneurs in Ontario. For Current Clients the MVDF is taking the following steps to help minimize the cash strain on your business. Effective immediately and until May 31, 2020 they are suspending interest and fees on all loans and deferring all regular scheduled loan payments. Their staff remain at work and you can continue to reach them via email or at their regular phone number and extensions. Learn more here

Monday March 23, 2020:

In a Telephone Town Hall held on Wednesday, March 18 well over 100 participants were updated about how the MNO is moving forward to address COVID-19 to continue to deliver important programs and services to citizens, families, and communities. Their concerns about ensuring that our citizens are supported throughout the pandemic were heard loud and clear. Learn more here

Wednesday March 18, 2020:

Métis Nation of Ontario Chief Electoral Officer Paul Devillers has made the decision to postpone the MNO Election 2020, and extend the period during which MNO citizens will be able to vote online or by phone. This decision is made in accordance with the emergency power provided in Article 44 of the Electoral Code. Election Day is being moved to Monday, June 1 and Advanced Polling day is being moved to Saturday, May 23. Online and telephone voting will be accessible from 12:01 am May 5 to 11:59 pm May 29. Learn more here

Sunday March 15, 2020:

The health and well being of Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) staff, citizens, families and communities throughout the province is our utmost priority and therefore out of an abundance of caution and as part of the effort to reduce the likelihood of workplace or community transmission of COVID-19, the Senior Management Team is directing all Metis Nation of Ontario employees to work remotely between March 16 – April 3, 2020. Read more here

Friday March 13, 2020:

The MNO has been monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely to ensure that informed decisions are being made based upon the advice and direction of health professionals as we would with any other issue which has the potential impacts on the well-being of Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) citizens, families, communities and staff throughout the province. After much consideration, the MNO has made the difficult decision to postpone several upcoming meetings:

• Regional Consultation Committee Training (Toronto) originally scheduled for March 24
• Collaborative Forum with Industry (Toronto) originally scheduled for March 25
• Collaborative Forum with Government (Toronto) originally scheduled for March 26
• MNO All Staff Training Session (Muskoka) originally scheduled for March 31-April 1

These measures are being taken as a precaution, given the nature of the travel requirements and the size of the groups involved. It is important that we consider not only the participants attending MNO meetings but their families and communities when they return home.

Thursday March 12, 2020:

Today, after much consideration, the MNO has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 MNO Infinite Reach March Break Camp taking place March 15 – 20. It is not in the best interest of our Métis participants, their families and communities and our staff to move forward with the Camp. This decision was not made lightly as the MNO knows how meaningful this camp is to our youth. This measure is being taken as a precaution, particularly given the nature of the travel requirements and the length of the stay before return travel. It is important that we consider not only the participants attending the camp but their families and communities when they return home.

In light of ongoing developments with regard to the COVID-19 outbreak the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) has established an internal emergency response team that is meeting daily to assess and make informed decisions in the best interests of MNO citizens, families, communities and staff throughout the province. The team is actively monitoring information from the World Health Organization, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Government of Ontario as well as other resources, to ensure we have the most up-to-date information available.

Wednesday March 11, 2020:

Recently Public Health Sudbury & Districts has identified a man in his late 50’s who has tested positive for COVID-19. This person attended the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Conference held in Toronto, Ontario from March 1-4, 2020. We are aware that a small number of individuals who attended the PDAC Conference in Toronto also attended the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Conference that took place in the National Capital Region earlier this week. The risk to MNO employees and citizens is extremely low, but in the interest of public health and transparency we are sharing this information.

Precautions

The MNO considers its employee’s and citizen’s health and welfare a top priority. We do recommend carrying hand sanitizer and practicing good prevention measures. Currently, public health advice remains:

• For people to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-hand sanitizer;
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze;
• If you don’t have a tissue sneeze or cough in your sleeve; and
• To stay at home when you are sick.

The MNO additionally recommends sanitizing keyboards, laptops, and cellular devices regularly.

Impact on the MNO

The health and well-being of Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) staff, citizens, families and communities throughout the province is our utmost priority and therefore out of an abundance of caution and as part of the effort to reduce the likelihood of workplace or community transmission of COVID-19, the Senior Management Team is directing all Métis Nation of Ontario employees to work remotely between March 16 – April 3, 2020. Read more here

Further Information:

If you suspect you have symptoms of COVID-19, call Telehealth Ontario for medical advice at 1-866-797-0000 (TTY 1-866-797-0007) or Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705-522-9200 (toll-free 1-866-522-9200). Be sure to mention your symptoms and your travel history including the countries you visited. If you are ill and must visit a health care professional call ahead and tell them that you have a respiratory illness. You may be asked to wear a mask while waiting for or receiving treatment to prevent the spread of illness. If you need immediate medical attention call 911 and state your travel history and symptoms.

For more information:

• Sudbury’s top doc says local COVID-19 case was not infectious at PDAC
• First case of COVID-19 reported by Public Health Sudbury & Districts
• Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Outbreak Update
• Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Symptoms and Treatment
• World Health Organization Q&A on Coronaviruses (COVID-19)
• Ministry of Health Information on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Updated: February 3, 2021