Ford government calls for auto insurance breaks due to coronavirus
Ontario Finance Minister Rod Phillips said Thursday he wants to see insurance companies giving drivers breaks on their premiums that reflect the “devastating impact” of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Insurance companies cutting rates for some drivers but not everyone qualifies
The bureau represents more than 90 per cent of insurance companies across Canada. It said measures announced on Wednesday could help save drivers $600 million over the next three months.
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UPDATED: What emergency relief will insurers offer customers? Here’s what they told us
Canada’s six biggest banks released a joint announcement on Mar. 17 that identified some solutions for customers feeling the financial pinch, after “social distancing” caused some businesses to shut down in an effort to slow the spread of novel coronavirus. In that statement, the banks confirmed they would “work with personal and small business banking customers on a case-by-case basis to provide flexible solutions to help them manage through challenges such as pay disruption due to COVID-19; childcare disruption due to school closures; or those facing illness from COVID-19.”
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Supreme Court of Canada declines to hear insurance company appeal on dirt bike pay-out after two Ontario courts ordered insurer to pay
In 2006, Chris Perneroski from Fenelon Falls, Ontario, was involved in a terrible accident while riding his dirt bike during a vacation in Georgia, USA. Chris suffered a catastrophic brain injury in the accident, he was 21 years old at the time. His injuries were so severe that his doctors were not sure he would survive.
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Opinion: Maybe COVID-19 is what it will take to modernize Canada’s antiquated courts
In Ontario, the court suspended regular operations on March 17. Aside from some very narrowly defined “urgent” and other specified matters, the courts are simply not available. Most criminal matters have been adjourned until at least June. Almost everything in the civil courts has been postponed until further notice. All limitation periods have been suspended. The timelines for doing things like issuing a statement of defence or disclosing documents have been paused. If you are a litigant with an ongoing matter in the court system, there is almost nothing you can do right now except sit tight and wait.
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Is The CERB Basically An Interest-Free Loan Anyone Can Apply For?
OTTAWA — Like thousands of Canadians, René Baron is wondering whether to apply for the
Canada Emergency Response Benefit — quick, needed cash — even though he knows he doesn’t qualify for it.
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Part-time, contract and seasonal workers now qualify for COVID-19 emergency benefits
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced more flexible rules for claiming the Canada emergency response benefit (CERB) in response to critics who pointed out the initial rules excluded too many people, including those working reduced hours.
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Looking for Help
211 is an award winning helpline and website that provides information on and referrals to Ontario’s community, social, health-related and government services.
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Painkillers and sedatives may reach ‘critical shortage’: emergency physicians’ group
TORONTO — As governments attempt to address the dwindling stock of masks, tests and ventilators needed during the COVID-19 pandemic, a national group of physicians is warning of another supply threat.
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Ontario’s Social Assistance Deductions Policy Puts ODSP Recipients At Risk
As it stands, families that receive Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) assistance have income from support programs such as Employment Insurance (EI) deducted dollar for dollar from their ODSP income, while earned income is deducted at a rate of 50 cents on the dollar. With our new reality, the math doesn’t add up for families trying to make ends meet.
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Backgrounder : COVID-19 Disability Advisory Group
During this time of public health and economic crisis, in the spirit of “Nothing Without Us” and the Accessible Canada Act, and in recognition of Canada’s domestic and international human rights obligations, the Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that it considers, respects and incorporates the interests and needs of persons with disabilities into its decision-making and pandemic response.
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Statement by Minister Qualtrough on Canada’s Disability-Inclusive approach to its COVID-19 pandemic response
We recognize that some groups of Canadians are significantly and disproportionately impacted by this pandemic, in particular Canadians with disabilities. For some persons with disabilities, underlying medical conditions put them at greater risk of serious complications related to COVID-19. Others face discrimination and barriers in accessing information, social services, and health care. For others, the need for self-isolation and physical distancing create additional challenges.
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Activists fear for safety of people with disabilities after funding for mobility and medical devices deemed non-essential
Thousands of Ontarians with disabilities may end up in hospital — or not be able to return to the community safely — because the Ford government has temporarily shuttered a provincial program that helps pay the cost of specialized mobility and medical devices, disability activists say.
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Disabled population left out of emergency funding, advocate says
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Disability community feeling left out
The government needs to step up and recognize that the disability community in Ontario is part of the vulnerable population, according to Nadine Law.
