WHAT TO KNOW
Global COVID-19 cases have reached 36,582,388, up from 34,350,021 at 3:30 p.m. on October 2, 2020. Canada now reports 175,559 cases, up from 160,535 cases of COVID-19 on October 2. Ontario reports 57,681 cases, up from 52,980 cases on October 2.
The Province reports 939 (1.7%) new cases since yesterday. Of the province’s total cases, 49,032 have been resolved (85.0%) and there have been 2,997 deaths (5.2%). The province has now completed 4,306,025 tests and reports 58,173 tests are currently under investigation. More information here.
A province-by-province breakdown of Canada’s COVID-19 case count can be found here.
FEDERAL
The federal government announced targeted aid is coming for some businesses hit by closures as a second wave of COVID-19 hits parts of the country. This support will include an overhauled rent relief program, which the government said will now allow businesses to apply directly for relief through the Canada Revenue Agency until June 2021. More information here.
Today, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, announced the government’s intention to introduce new, targeted supports to help hard-hit businesses and other organizations experiencing a drop in revenue. The government plans to introduce legislation to provide support that would help these businesses safely get through the second wave of the virus and the winter, cover costs so they can continue to serve their communities, and be positioned for a strong recovery. More information here.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of keeping Canada at the cutting edge of health technology to offer the best possible care to Canadians, while supporting economic growth. Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario, announced a total FedDev Ontario investment of $13.4 million for four Toronto-based recipients to advance health innovation. More information here.
On October 2, the federal government announced that, in addition to the border restrictions that remain in place, the Government of Canada is further strengthening the public health presence at the border and enhancing quarantine monitoring. The government is also increasing the use of digital forms and processes to allow critical information to be shared more quickly with provinces and territories. In addition, a process is being introduced to support enhanced family reunification, including those in long-term exclusive relationships, international students and entry for compassionate reasons. More information here.
PROVINCIAL
Today it was announced that Ontario is imposing stricter measures in three major areas including Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19 as the province’s curve climbs ever-steeper. The measures, which go into effect Saturday, include prohibiting indoor dining at restaurants and bars, and closing gyms, movie theatres and casinos. The government is also asking people in those areas to leave their homes only for essential purposes. Schools and child-care centers will remain open as part of the plan. More information here.
Ontario is investing $9 million through the new Reconnect Festival and Event Program to support municipalities and event organizers during COVID-19. This funding will be used to maintain public safety requirements and allow people to reconnect with their communities through online, drive-through and other innovative experiences. More information here.
The Ontario government is continuing to help businesses rebuild, reinvest and create good jobs across the province. Today, Prabmeet Sarkaria, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction, announced Ontario’s Main Street Recovery Plan and intends to introduce the Main Street Recovery Act, 2020, proposed legislation that would support small businesses and modernize rules to allow them to innovate and meet the challenges of today. If passed, the act will remove hurdles faced by small businesses and allow them to pursue new opportunities — while maintaining or enhancing protections for public health, safety and the environment. More information here.
The Ontario government is making the skilled trades more accessible by investing an additional $75 million over the next two years to help apprentices cover living expenses during their in-class training. The government is also appointing a five-member Skilled Trades Panel to provide advice and recommendations to the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development on developing a new approach to training and certification. More information here.
TORONTO
In response to recommendations from Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, the City of Toronto is adjusting recreation programs in its recreation facilities to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Effective Tuesday, October 13, the following recreation programs and services are suspended:
- Registered and instructional programs
- Hockey games and scrimmages
- Drop-in sports programs
- Table tennis, billiards, foosball
- Access to the City’s two conservatories
- Indoor permits for social gatherings and sport games/group fitness
More information here.
On October 8, Mayor John Tory and the Canadian Live Music Association, in partnership with Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area and Ontario Creates, released the results of a long-awaited Toronto venues study, Re: Venues: A Case and Path Forward for Toronto’s Live Music Industry. Among other findings, the study confirms that the total economic impact of Toronto live music venues is $850 million annually, providing the equivalent of 10,500 full-time jobs. More information here.
INTERNATIONAL
| Country | Total cases at 3:30 p.m. | Total cases Oct 2 at 3:30 p.m. | Increase from previous | Active Cases (Increase decrease) | Cases per million | Total recovered | Total deaths |
| Global | 36,989,402 | 34,729,219 | 2,260,183 | 8,119,325 | 4,745 | 27,800,228 | 1,069,849 |
| United States | 7,863,294 | 7,523,424 | 339,870 | 2,603,286 | 23,718 | 5,041,868 | 218,140 |
| India | 6,964,074 | 6,471,665 | 492,409 | 889,994 | 5,033 | 5,966,938 | 107,142 |
| Brazil | 5,035,744 | 4,856,024 | 179,720 | 471,991 | 23,645 | 4,414,564 | 149,189 |
| Russia | 1,272,238 | 1,194,643 | 77,595 | 240,560 | 8,717 | 1,009,421 | 22,257 |
| Peru | 838,614 | 818,297 | 20,317 | 77,300 | 25,339 | 728,216 | 33,098 |
| Mexico | 804,488 | 748,315 | 56,173 | 137,789 | 6,222 | 583,603 | 83,096 |
| Spain | 890,367 | 810,807 | 79,560 | — | 19,041 | — | 32,929 |
| Chile | 477,769 | 466,590 | 11,179 | 14,252 | 24,935 | 450,297 | 13,220 |
| Iran | 492,378 | 464,596 | 27,782 | 62,901 | 5,842 | 401,379 | 28,098 |
| United Kingdom | 575,679 | 467,146 | 108,533 | — | 8,468 | — | 42,679 |
| Saudi Arabia | 338,539 | 335,578 | 2,961 | 9,684 | 9,261 | 324,282 | 4,996 |
| Italy | 343,770 | 319,908 | 23,862 | 70,110 | 5,688 | 237,549 | 36,111 |
| Germany | 319,403 | 297,864 | 21,539 | 40,227 | 3,809 | 269,500 | 9,676 |
| Canada | 177,697 | 162,320 | 15,377 | 18,867 | 4,697 | 149,244 | 9,586 |
| China | 85,521 | 85,424 | 97 | 206 | 59 | 80,681 | 4,634 |
| Australia | 27,229 | 27,109 | 120 | 1,360 | 1,064 | 24,972 | 897 |