Health Canada lists the following as symptoms of COVID-19:

• Cough.
• Fever.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Pneumonia in both lungs.

Symptoms may take 14 days to appear after exposure. If you have symptoms you’re required in Alberta to self-isolate for 10 days. 

 

 

I’m here for you

My staff and I have been kept busy helping travellers return to Canada after the federal government ordered them to do so.

A couple of cases come to mind — requests to assistance constituents in Peru, Morocco and on a ship in the South Pacific. 

We’ve also been helping folks to get COVID-19-related benefits promised by the feds and province. 

We’re here to help.

But I’m also interested to know your situation. Are you working from home or an office or shop? Have you been laid off? Are you feeling ill and have to be in isolation? 

Are you getting the help you need from various levels of government or other organizations? Have you had good service or bad when you’ve sought help and information? What can be done to improve the response to COVID-19 and all the challenges of living in these exceptional times? Let me know. I’m always interested in your feedback. 

There are lots of challenges ahead but if my staff and I can answer any questions, point you in the right direction or navigate some red tape we’ll do our best.

All the best, to you and your loved ones. Stay healthy! My e-mail is [email protected]. 

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Edmonton Griesbach cruise ship couple safe

Here’s an update on the story of two Edmonton Griesbach constituents of mine who were aboard the ill-fated Norwegian Jewel cruise ship.

They were among 350 Canadians (and at least a half dozen Edmontonians) aboard the vessel that’d been turned away from allowing passengers to disembark at multiple ports even though there were no cases aboard of COVID-19. 

They reached out to me and I liaised with Global Affairs to try to help.

Good news they where eventually allowed to disembark and are now safely back in Canada.

If you are a Canadian abroad in need of assistance please contact me. As your Member of Parliament I’m here to help. 

“Norwegian Jewel passengers are finally leaving the once-stranded cruise ship” Link. 

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You can find up-to-date information from Alberta Public Health or the Public Health Authority of Canada. 

Alberta Public Health can also be reached by phone at 811. 

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What is social distancing?

 

 

 

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What is self-isolation?

 

 

 

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Benefits available for you and your family

See below for information of measures Parliament has passed to help you and your family: 

Canada Emergency Response Benefit

Employment Insurance

Tax and benefit changes to help Canadians

 

 

 

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Support for Canadian workers and businesses 

 

 

 

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Canadians returning home

There are Compulsory rules for Canadians who return home.

 

 

 

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Help from the Government of Alberta

 

 

 

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In the news

• Alberta reporting five more covid deaths. Link
• Own a business?: Take advantage of the COVID-19 wage subsidy. Link 
• Pro tip from CRA: File your taxes sooner than later. Link
• GOLDSTEIN: The Conservatives were right about COVID-19. Link
• John Robson on COVID-19: We revert to type in a crisis — Trudeau reverted to authoritarian. Link
• Local restaurant makes care packages for families to make at home. Link
• Canadian Blood Services sees ‘dramatic’ surge in donations after making public appeal. Link
• Canadian auto parts makers team up to build ventilators with three companies. Link
• Edmonton Councillor frustrated at lack of financial info ahead of Monday meeting. Link
• Coronavirus: Alberta school boards review fees amid temporary COVID-19 school closures. Link
• Here’s what powers the Alberta government has during states of emergency. Link 
   

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Members of Parliament get the most current, accurate and comprehensive updates regarding the CORONA-19 crisis. Want regular highlights of these? Sign up for my e-newletter. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up here.

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I want to hear from you 

I’m always eager to hear from you. Do you have beefs? Bouquets? Suggestions?

Drop me a note at my e-mail address.

Please note our local Edmonton constituency office is currently still open to serve you but it’s by appointment only. We simply ask that you call ahead to book an appointment.

Thanks so much. Stay healthy!

Email:
[email protected]

Phone:
(780) 495-3261

Mail (postage free): 
Kerry Diotte, MP 
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

• Emergency isolation support:
  Eligible Albertans can receive a one-time Emergency Isolation Support payment of $1,146. See if you qualify here. 
• Utility payment holiday:
  Residential, farm, and small commercial customers can defer bill payments for the next 90 days. This will cover electricity and natural gas, regardless of the service provider. Call your utility provider directly to arrange for a 90-day deferral on all payments.
  
• Provincial student loan holiday:
  Six-month interest-free moratorium on Alberta student loan payments.
  
• Emergency credit and mortage deferrals:
  Emergency deferrals are available for ATB loans, lines of credit and mortgages for up to six months. Contact the ATB, bank or credit union to work out a plan for your personal situation
• Education property tax freeze:
  Residential education property tax rates will be frozen at last year’s level. 

Learn more here. 

• We Conservatives pushed for more support for workers and now businesses in need will receive a wage subsidy equal to 75% of wages paid during the emergency period. That’s up from the original 10% the government proposed. 
• Working Capital Loan and the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) available through the Business Development Bank and and Export Development Canada (EDC).to help support entrepreneurs during the crisis.
• Deferral of Sales Tax remittance and customs duty to June 30, 2020. This is applicable to businesses, including self-employed individuals, on the GST/HST as well as customs duties owing on their imports.  

Support for farmers

• Increasing Farm Credit Canada by an additional $5 billion in lending capacity to farmers and food processors. This will help them bridge cashflow issues during this emergency. 

Learn more here. 

Canada Emergency Response Benefit

The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) provides emergency support of  $2000 a month for Canadians affected by the COVID-19 emergency. 

You can apply here. 

You can contact the department of Finance by email at [email protected] or phone 613-369-3710. 

Employment Insurance

Employment Insurance (EI) remains available for Canadians. 

If you are sick or your employment has been affected by COVID-19 and you qualify for EI you can apply here. 

• Waived the one-week waiting period for EI benefits. 
• Waived doctor’s note requirement to access EI sick benefits.

For more information visit their website or contact EI’s COVID-19 phone line at (833) 381-2725.

 

Tax and benefit changes to help Canadians

• An increased Goods and Services Tax credit (GSTC) payment. 
  Average additional benefit will be near $400 for individuals and near $600 for couples. No need to apply eligible individuals will receive the benefit automatically. 
• Increase to the maximum annual Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment amounts, by $300 per child.
• Tax return date is deferred until June 1.
• Payment for taxes owed is deferred till August 31.
• Interest-free moratorium on the repayment of Canada Student Loans until September 30, 2020. 

Learn more here. 

 

As of March 25, Albertans are legally required under to self-isolate for:

• 14 days if they recently returned from international travel or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19.
• 10 days if they have a COVID-19 symptoms. 

How to self-isolate:

• Stay home.
• Avoid close contact with other people, including household members but especially seniors and people with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.
• Watch for symptoms in yourself or a family member.

If you have no symptoms, you may go outside for a walk or fresh air, provided you practice social distancing at all times and stay two metres away from other people.

Fines for breaching a self-isolation order are as high as $500,000. 

If you know someone who is not self-isolating when they are legally required to you file a complaint here. 

Learn more here. 

 

 

Social distancing or physical distancing  is a method to minimize close contact with others to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Everyone should be practicing social distancing.  

What you can do: 

• Stay 2 metres (6 feet) away from others as much as possible. 
• Stay home.
• Avoid crowds. 

Use technology to keep in touch with friends and family.

Learn more here. 

 

Rules for travelers returning to Canada:

If you are asymptomatic (no symptoms) you can travel directly to your home where you must self-isolate for 14 days. 

You can stay at a commercial hotel or take public transit home though you must practice social distancing. 

If you are symptomatic you will not be allowed to further travel in Canada. Depending on your circumstances you will required to:

• Stay at a federal facility (hotel) to self-isolate. 
• Drive directly home if you live within driving distance and have a private vehicle available. Once home you must self-isolate.  
• The government can facilitate medical transportation to your home. Once home you must self-isolate.
• If you are entering Canada from a land border from the United States with symptoms you may return home in your vehicle. But you can not stop anywhere. Once home you must self-isolate. 
• If returning home would put a vulnerable person at risk, public health can help find alternate accommodation or arrange lodging in a federal facility (hotel) to self-isolate.

Contact information for Canadians overseas and in need assistance in this emergency:

• Global Affairs Canada 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre. They can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (613) 996-8885.

Learn more here. 

 

We all need to work together and stay healthy in order to beat Coronavirus (COVID-19). 

Together our community and our country can manage this crisis.

As your Member of Parliament, I want to hear from you.

I’m always eager to hear feedback from Edmonton Griesbach constituents and other Canadians.

This is all the more vital during this time of a pandemic.

Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government have put together a package of responses to the COVID-19 crisis.

These include everything from financial aid measures to emergency phone numbers and e-mail addresses. 

If you’ve reached out to the federal government during this time of crisis, how satisfied have you been with the service or help provided? It’s essential during a time of crisis that citizens get the best and most timely service from their federal government.

If you’ve got a good story, please share it with me. Write to [email protected].

If you had service which was less-than stellar, I’d like to hear about that too.

By sharing our experiences we can ensure that all Canadians are well-served during these trying times.

If you’ve got any other questions, concerns or comments, please send them my way.

My Edmonton office is still open and I’m here to help you. Please call ahead to arrange an appointment as we are temporarily no longer accepting walk-ins due to COVID-19. I can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (780) 495-3261.   

Please also see below for some useful contact information

You can find up-to-date information from Alberta Public Health or the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Alberta Public Health can also be reached by phone at 811. 

Employment Insurance (EI) claims related to COVID-19:

• Waived the one-week waiting period for EI benefits.
• Waived doctor’s note requirement to access EI sick benefits.

Visit their website or contact EI’s COVID-19 phone line at (833) 381-2725.

For Canadians not covered under EI benefits there is the Emergency Care Benefit:

• This program will provide up to $900 every two weeks for up to 15 weeks for Canadians who are sick, have to take care of others who are sick or children out of school.
• Applications will open in April. Phone and program website are not yet available. 
• When it opens you can sign up with a CRA My Account secure portal, a My Service Canada Account or a yet-to-be disclosed phone number.

Tax and benefit changes to help Canadians:

• A one-time special Goods and Services Tax credit (GSTC) payment in May.
• Increase to the maximum annual Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payment amounts, by $300 per child.
• Tax return date is deferred until June 1.
• Payment for taxes owed is deferred till August 31.
• A six-month interest-free moratorium on the repayment of Canada Student Loans.

Support for small businesses:

• A wage subsidy equal to 10% of wages paid during the emergency period.
• Working Capital Loan available through the Business Development Bank to help support entrepreneurs during the crisis.

Contact information for Canadians oversees and in need assistance in this emergency:

• Global Affairs Canada 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre. They can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (613) 996-8885.

Help from the Government of Alberta

• Emergency Isolation Support:
  A one-time payment of $573.00 for working adult Albertans who meet the Government of Alberta’s criteria for self-isolation. Registration will be available at the alberta.ca website next week.
• Utility payment holiday: 
  Residential, farm, and small commercial customers can defer bill payments for the next 90 days. This will cover electricity and natural gas, regardless of the service provider.
• Provincial student loan holiday:
  Six-month interest-free moratorium on Alberta student loan payments.
• Emergency deferrals are available for ATB loans, lines of credit and mortgages for up to six months.

Our community’s charities are also here for you

• If you’re a senior in need, volunteers at Drive Happiness Edmonton can deliver food and medication. You can visit their website drivehappiness.ca or reach them by phone at (780) 424-5438 
• As senior centres are closing, we must also ensure the social wellbeing of our community’s seniors. Seniors’ Centre Without Walls is a great resource where people can call and interact with others from the comfort of their own home. You can register at (780) 395-2626.
• The Mustard Seed is also still serving less fortunate members of our community.

Good stories in the news

Even though we’re in the grips of an emergency, we Canadians continue to come together. I posted the links to several good news stories below.

• Glass Bookshop – located in City Centre Mall – is offering free online delivery of their books. Link.
• There’s an App for everything these days including, an Edmonton companies App that that shows where scarce goods can be found. (Reminder, there’s no need to hoard goods.) Link.
    
• Inferno Fitness Sherwood Park is offering live-streamed workout classes to clients. Link.
• Alberta distillers shift to producing hand sanitizer during outbreak Link.

Here for our community

As your Member of Parliament, I’m always here for our community.

The civic spirit of our residents and organizations makes Edmonton Griesbach the amazing place that it is.  

The events they host, are essential to the vitality of our community.

In the name of public health these events must temporarily be put on hold.

We must find other ways to come together.

Whether it’s on the internet, by phone or by good works our civic spirit continues.  

Productive meeting with Liza Bouchard, executive director of Drive Happiness seniors assisted transportation service that provided 20,000 rides annually in Edmonton using volunteer drivers.

 

Delivering food with Edmonton Meals On Wheels organization board member Michael Kirk.

 

 

Always enjoy meeting Africa Centre officials. The Africa Centre does a lot good work in our Edmonton community. Thanks for the productive meeting  Youth Programs Manager Emmanuel Onah  and Executive Director Sharif Haji. 

 

At the Ukrainian Christmas Shchedryi Vechir dinner held at Ukrainian Youth Unity Complex.

 

At the Edmonton Chinese Community 2020 Lunar New Year Banquet and celebration of the 90th Anniversary of the Chinese Benevolent Association.

With Christy Morin, executive director of Arts on the Avenue and also a director at Northlands.

I want to hear from you 

Email:
[email protected]

Phone:
(780) 495-3261

Mail (postage free): 
Kerry Diotte, MP 
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We all need to work together and stay healthy in order to beat Coronavirus (Covid-19). 

See below for some useful contact information:

Find up to date information from  Alberta Public Health or the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Alberta Public Health can also be reached by phone at 811. 

Employment Insurance (EI) claims related to COVID-19.
Phone: (833) 381-2725 
Website

For Canadians not covered under EI benefits there is the emergency care benefit.
This new program will provide  up to $900 every two weeks for up to 15 weeks for Canadians who are sick, have to take care of others who are sick or children out of school. Applications will open in April. Phone and program website not yet available. 

Contact information for Canadians oversees and  in need assistance in this emergency.
Global Affairs Canada 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre.
Phone: (613) 996-8885
Email: [email protected]

If you’re a senior in need, volunteers at Drive Happiness Edmonton can deliver food and medication. 
Phone: (780) 424-5438

As senior centres are closing, we must also ensure the social well being of our community’s seniors. Seniors’ Centre Without Walls is a great resource where people can call and interact with others from the comfort of their own home.
Phone: (780) 395-2626