COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

 Facilities

While the Township office remains closed to the public, residents have several payment options for property tax that can be done from the comfort and safety of their own home.

Tax payments can be made via online banking through a resident’s financial provider. Cheques can also be mailed to the Township office. Details on these methods of payment are available at www.seguin.ca/taxes.

All payments can also be made via cheque by dropping it at the dropbox located at the Township's main public entrance. Please do not deposit cash via the drop box. To pay by cash or debit, please contact our office at (705) 732-4300 to arrange a time to come in, by appointment only.

Seguin also offers pre-authorized payment for property taxes. Pre-authorized debit agreements are available online at www.seguin.ca/taxes.

Residents can register to receive and view their tax bill online at www.seguin.ca/taxes.

Humphrey Public Library and Christie Public Library are currently open. Contact tracing is in place. Masks are required to enter and no more than five patrons are permitted in the space at a time. Curbside pickup is available at our Rosseau and Foley branches.

Under current provincial policy proof of vaccination is not required to enter the library.

For more information please visit www.seguinpubliclibraries.ca

Update Regarding Building Permits and Inspections

Seguin Building Department will continue to receive, process and issue building permits in-line with the Provincial government's mandate to allow essential services to continue operations.

As of May 19, 2020, all construction projects have been allowed to continue upon revision of the essential services list and lifting of the Order from April 4, 2020.

Inspections for these projects will still be performed with a modified inspection procedure, which is explained in the link below (Letter to Seguin's Valued Construction Industry Re: Covid-19).

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult period.

Letter to Seguin's Valued Construction Industry Re: Covid-19 144kb

Resources: Construction Site Health & Safety (Ontario Government)

Hours of Operation

The Municipal office remains open for business by appointment only for precautionary and safety reasons. If you wish to meet with a member of building department staff, please call (705) 732-4300 to book an appointment. Staff is available daily from 8:30am-4:30pm to assist you, and effective Wednesday, June 3rd, our hours of operation will be extended on Wednesdays & Fridays. On those days, we will be open by appointment only from 7:30am-4:30pm.  

All outdoor public spaces, including beaches, boat launches, sports courts, playgrounds and trails across the district are open with Covid-19 protocols in place.

• Due to high volume and COVID-19 physical distancing requirements limiting the number of entrants at one time, residents are reminded that their expected wait time to enter the landfill may be longer than usual. Please be patient and kind with Staff and other facility users. Thank you.
• The Re-use Center at the Landfill re-opened to the public on June 11, 2021 with COVID-19 restrictions in place.

Everyone is encouraged to limit shopping trips to once per week, to shop for essential items only and if possible, have one-person shop for the household. Plan ahead and make a list of what you need to limit your number of trips into the store(s) to reduce wait times and lineups. The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit has mandated the use of facial coverings in all indoor public spaces. Masks should also be worn when physical distancing is a challenge or not possible.

For new arrivals to the community, you are encouraged to please bring what you need from home and be prepared to self support upon your arrival. This will reduce your time spent waiting in line-ups, reduce your stress and will help us all to continue good physical distancing practices. 

Please be patient, positive and friendly to those working in our stores, the combination of COVID-19 procedural changes, staffing shortages, and an influx of seasonal residents spending more time in the area will cause delays. These staff members are doing their best to serve you in a timely and safe manner. Local grocery stores are generally well stocked with supplies, however due to measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to protect their customers and staff, our grocery stores have special procedures in place to limit the number of people in the stores at one time to ensure physical distancing is possible. This means delays entering the stores and line ups are common. Physical distancing measures are also in place throughout many of these stores including one-way isles and changes to check out procedures.

Rotary Club/Sobeys

The Parry Sound Rotary Club is running a grocery delivery and pick-up service in partnership with Sobeys. This program aims to support vulnerable citizens, those in self-isolation or people otherwise unable to complete their own shopping due to COVID-19.  Many community members accessing this program are able to pay for their groceries and the delivery fee. However for those in need of assistance due to COVID-19, the Rotary Club is looking for food and financial donations to support their grocery requests. 

Food donations can also be made at Sobeys or donations can be made through the clubs website: https://portal.clubrunner.ca/217

Local Food Banks

The need for assistance from the local food banks is currently higher than normal. If you are able to donate, food and financial donations are needed.

Harvest Share - 93 James Street, Parry Sound - (705) 774-9111
Food donations can be made at the side door. Financial donations, please reach out to Harvest Share directly as no walk-ins are currently being accepted.

Salvation Army Food Bank - 61 Gibson Street, Parry Sound - (705) 746-5391

Donation bins are also available at some local grocery stores.

The Rotary Club and Sobeys, as well as the Rosseau General Store, are working together to ensure that residents in the Parry Sound and the surrounding area are able to access groceries and supplies.

This service is intended for seniors, those with health issues and people who are self-isolating / quarantined and unable to shop.

Visit www.seguin.ca/help or www.parrysound.ca/help or call (705) 996-0716 to request assistance.

If you are about to assist with shopping and deliveries, the website also has a place for you to sign up to volunteer or to donate.

Restaurants/Takeout
Most of your local businesses are open and ready to serve you - shop local!

Many local restaurants are offering takeout and delivery options, as well as patio service. Many have reduced seating indoors to allow for indoor seating as well! Please contact the restaurants directly for hours of operation. For a list of businesses please visit seguin.ca/shoplocal!

Food Banks
Harvest Share and the Salvation Army Food Banks remain open.
Harvest share is open by appointment only, however they are offering a delivery service for those in need - 1-833-Food4HS OR 1-833-366-3447

Student Nutrition Ontario - Nipissing, Muskoka, Parry Sound

Student Nutrition Ontario is offering assistance to children, youth and their families to ensure the needs of our community are met during this difficult and uncertain times as schools are closed, and children and youth are still hungry.  Families who wish to receive support are asked to register by emailing, names, address, phone number(s), number of children and the school the children regularly attend to studentnutrition@communitylivingnorthbay.org or by phone at 705-476-3288 ext. 1611

Shop Local - Retail Stores
Keep in mind, many local businesses rely on shoppers and are heavily impacted by the closures. Many have switched to offer pick-ups or deliveries, contact your local merchants before shopping non-local online retailers. Many grocery stores and pharmacies have reduced their retail hours, and many are offering seniors only hours. Visit their websites for up to date information.

With the increasing severity of the COVID-19 outbreak, Ontario has now launched an enhanced and interactive self-assessment tool. This new easy-to-use tool takes the public through a series of questions to inform those who are concerned they may have contracted COVID-19.

Anyone who may have been exposed to COVID-19, have symptoms or may have travelled outside of Canada should self-isolate and use the interactive self-assessment tool or contact the Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808.

West Parry Sound Health Centre, supported by members of the local medical community, is now operating a COVID-19 Assessment Centre located in the Parry Sound Mall. Appointments are necessary and access is only from the rear of the building. Individuals meeting the criteria below may call the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at 705-746-4540 ext. 5030 between the hours of 8:00am-4:00pm, seven days per week. 

The current criteria for assessment:

• Fever (over 38 degrees Celsius) and/or onset of (or exacerbation of chronic) cough AND any of the following with 14 days prior to onset of illness:
• Travel outside of Canada.
• Had close interactions with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19.
• Had close interactions with someone who has symptoms of COVID-19 who recently traveled outside of Canada or to an impacted area within Canada.

Residents can stay informed at www.seguin.ca well as on our social media channels: @naturallyseguin on twitter and facebook.com/SeguinTownship

COVID-19 Health Information

• North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit https://www.myhealthunit.ca/en/health-topics/coronavirus.asp
• Online Self-Assessment covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment
• How to Self-Monitor Click here
• Government of Ontario: www.ontario.ca/coronavirus
• Government of Canada: www.canada.ca/coronavirus
• World Health Organization: www.who.int

Mental health, anxiety, & stress

• CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION INFORMATION WEBSITE
• Choosing Sources of Information Carefully - Tips to help Canadians protect their mental health as they strive to their physical well-being
• Supporting Children & Young People with Worries about COVID-19-Advice for parents, carers and people that work with children and young people
• Mental Health and Physiological Considerations during COVID-19-messages that can be used to communicate and support mental health to different target groups
• Mental Health Tips for Quarantine
• Mental Health First Aid COVID-19 -Self-care and resilience guide which includes numbers for people to call if they need support
• Tips to managing mental health during COVID-19-Tips to preventing anxiety and depression
• Working from Home During COVID with and without Children-Fact sheet suggesting on the best ways to work from home
• Physiological Impacts of COVID - Fact sheet to help people cope in the face of a crisis
• Tips on Talking to Someone in Crisis during COVID-19    

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Wear a face mask when physical distancing is a challenge, and within all indoor public spaces.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you don't have a tissue, cough into upper sleeve, not hand.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

The Federal Government has announced programs for individuals, businesses and industries through Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan webpage

The Provincial Government has announced programs for businesses through the COVID-19 Support for Businesses webpage. 

Financial relief

- Ontario-Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program
- Interest and penalty relief
- Education property tax deferrals
- WSIB payment deferrals
- Affordable electricity bills

 Tax Relief

- Employer Health Tax relief
- Regional Opportunities Investment Tax Credit

How your business can help defeat COVID-19
- Ontario Together Initiative

Guidance for employers

- Your responsibilities
- Emergency leave due to COVID-19
- Sector-specific guidance

Other helpful resources

- Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses: COVID-19 Small Business Help Centre
- Ontario Chamber of Commerce: Pandemic Preparedness Toolkit for COVID-19
- Canadian Chamber of Commerce: COVID-19 Business Resilience
- Pandemic Preparedness Guide for Business
- Regional Tourism Organization RTO12 – Explorers Edge

- Framework for re-opening our Province

In light of the economic impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Council has decided to delay charging penalty on the April 27 tax installment until July 1, 2020.  Council has also approved waiving interest charges on all outstanding property taxes from May 1 to June 30, 2020. 

For more information on how this may affect you and your property tax account, please contact the Treasury Department at 705-732-4300 or email us at info@seguin.ca.

1.    If you already have the approved government grant or interest-free loan, the situation may impact your project.  We recommend you reach out to your funding organization contacts to discuss contingency plan or project timeline extension.  There is an understanding of the situation among all levels of government and you will not be penalized for what is out of your control

2.       The EI program has been restructured.  Any employee requiring sick days or isolation can apply for EI Illness.  The wait week is waived under this program and medical documentation is not required.  Required benefits can also be obtained for employees that have been laid off.  Records of Employment are required but not to start the application.  For more information on Employment Insurance (EI) call 1 833 381 2725 or apply on the Government of Canada website.

3.      Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services and ServiceOntario, is extending the validity period of driving products, services and health cards. These changes reduce the need for in-person visits to ServiceOntario, International Registration Plan offices and DriveTest centres during the COVID-19 outbreak, helping to promote social distancing and contain the spread of the virus.  These new regulations include extensions for driver licences, licence plate validation, Ontario Photo Cards, and Commercial Vehicle Operator Registration certificates, among others. Expiring and expired health cards will continue to provide access to health services.

4.      Parry Sound Muskoka Community Network (PMCN - www.pmcn.ca) is starting to roll out the Business Technology Improvement Fund which aims to encourage businesses to become early adopters of digital technology.  Businesses who are interested in the 50% funding up to $25,000 to adopt technology and add ecommerce are encouraged to visit the PMCN website and leave their email addresses to receive details in the coming days. 

5.      Parry Sound Area Community Business & Development Centre (CB&DC – www.cbdc.parrysound.on.ca) has implemented the following measures, effective March 20:
All outstanding loans will be suspending payments until July 1, 2020
All loan interest during the same period is to be suspended in full
For more information call (705) 746 4455 or e-mail: info@cbdc.parrysound.on.ca

6.      Stop the Spread - Business Information Line now open at 1-888-444-3659