Dear Robert Tremblay,
Please be advised that Council of the Corporation of the City of Pembroke passed the following resolution at its meeting of May 5, 2020: Resolution #013 (May 5, 2020) [was] moved by Deputy Mayor Gervais [and] seconded by Councillor Ed Jacyno.
Whereas the provincial government, under the Emergency Measures and Civic Protection Act, has the ability to declare an emergency in light of serious issues arising in the Province of Ontario and take corresponding action for the health and safety of residents;
And Whereas the Provincial government has rightly declared an emergency given the dire and potentially disastrous situation of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), a declaration that will be in effect until at least May 12, 2020 at which time it will be reassessed;
And Whereas the provincial government is able to deem certain services “essential” under the same legislation in order to ensure their continued, though maybe modified, opening and operation during an emergency and most other “non-essential” services stay curtailed or closed;
And Whereas essential services are the foundation for Ontario’s way of life, socially and economically, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, public transit, major infrastructure development and many healthcare facilities;
And Whereas provincial orders are based on current experiences in large urban centres which may not reflect the health risks and realities of smaller municipalities such as the City of Pembroke which could benefit from more local flexibility to allow for more activities and businesses.
Now Therefore Be It Resolved that Council of the City of Pembroke send a resolution to the Ontario Provincial Government that it is the City’s Council’s belief that the local flexibility to provincial orders (COVID-19) be considered in order to properly address local needs and reopen some activities and reopen businesses in the City of Pembroke.
And Further Be It Resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Premier Doug Ford, the Honourable Christine Elliott, Minister of Health; MPP John Yakabuski, Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Renfrew County and District Health Unit, County of Renfrew, and Renfrew County Municipalities.
Should you have any questions regarding the foregoing, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Terry Lapierre, Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Pembroke
