Mayor Allan Thompson ‘fighting for Caledon businesses’ as lockdown restrictions remain

Written By ALYSSA PARKHILL

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

Caledon Mayor Allan Thompson has listened to the many complaints of local residents and entrepreneurs regarding the latest COVID-19 enforced lockdown, and is demanding answers from Premier Doug Ford. 

Dozens of community members have reached out to mayor and council members in recent weeks in an attempt to help local businesses stay afloat after the Province forced Peel Region back into a modified Stage 2 in October. 

The modified restrictions included closing down businesses such as fitness centres, cinemas, venues and gaming establishments, and prohibiting indoor dining at restaurants and bars. 

In response to the community members who felt strongly against closing down local businesses who are struggling as it is, Mayor Thompson, alongside Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and Peel Regional Council Chair Nando Iannicca sent letters to the Premier asking that they be included in further discussions regarding any potential changes, positive or negative, to lockdown restrictions across the region. 

In addition, they requested the help of Peel Medical Officer Dr. Lawrence Loh to reach out to the Province as well. 

During the Oct 27 council meeting, councillors in addition to Dr. Loh discussed recent updates to COVID-19 numbers and the impacts local businesses are struggling with because of the restrictions. 

“My understanding is that the restaurants are all following protocol, and I can say that for the restaurants here in Bolton,” said Ward 5 Regional Councillor Annette Groves. “Restaurants aren't the problem, the problem that we are seeing are those large social gatherings.”

Mayor Allan Thompson spoke out about conversations with not only Premier Doug Ford but with Cabinet ministers as well. 

“I did speak with the Premier and several Cabinet ministers and daily to Minister Sylvia Jones,” said Mayor Thompson in a recent statement online. “In every conversation, I'm fighting for Caledon businesses, decisions about public health are made a based-on recommendations by our medical officers of health, not by politicians.” 

Other municipalities such as in Halton region also reached out to the provincial government regarding the hurt small businesses are going through and how residents and overall economy are suffering. 

Mayor Thompson provided an update on Nov 3, after he received a phone call from the Premier stating that restaurants and gyms will be allowed to reopen with some limitations. 

“I'm grateful that the Province has listened to our concerns and is taking a tiered approach to the pandemic restrictions,” he said. “This balances the safety of residents with the tremendous economic impacts to our local businesses.”

The provincial government has released ‘Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework' to ensure keep communities safe, and the flattening the spread of COVID-19 virus, but while keeping schools and businesses open.

The framework introduces measures taken to help avoid future closures and increasing public safety and protocols. Public health unit regions will be categorized into five levels that will outline the type of public health and workplace safety measures businesses and organizations must follow. 

The levels include Green – Prevent, Yellow – Protect, Orange – Restrict, Red – Control and last measure being Lockdown. 

“It's clear COVID-19 will be with us for a while, which is why we are putting in place a framework that will protect the health and safety of individuals and families, while avoiding broader closures across the province,” said Premier Ford in a news release. “This framework, developed in consultation with our health experts, will serve as an early warning system allowing us to scale up and scale back public health restrictions on a regional or community basis in response to surges and waves of COVID-19. By introducing public health measures sooner, we can keep this deadly virus at bay, bend the curve and reclaim a little more of our normal lives.”

Brampton Mayor Brown and Mississauga Mayor Crombie are both equally satisfied with the provinces announcement to keep supporting and assisting local businesses. 

For more information, please visit Ontario.ca.