Timmins MPP and Opposition House Leader Gilles Bisson is one of the limited number of members at Queen's Park to vote on emergency legistation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic today.
In a Facebook video, Bisson explained there are two pieces of legislation — a labour bill and municipal bill — along with a motion to give the House the procedural ability to pass the legislation in one day.
According to Bisson, the labour bill "deals with the ability for people to be off and not need a doctor’s note."
“But also to give people the protection that should they need to be off because they think they’ve been exposed, they’ve just returned from travel somewhere where they think they may have been in contact with the virus or they have to take care of a child or a sick loved one, that they can take time off and there will not be any reprisal by the employer,” he said.
Bisson said the municipal bill will change quorum requirements for municipal councils, allowing members to meet electronically.
“That’s in order to allow municipalities to be able to meet and deal with the issues locally without putting councillors and the public at risk. It will also allow councillors and the mayor, if needed, to be able to vote online in that particular circumstance,” he said.
For social distancing, only 26 members will be in the house, including the speaker.
Bisson said he has been in Toronto since Sunday to work with the government on the legislation.
“Once we get to the bills, don’t expect much in a long debate. These are bills that we all support that are going to be unanimously supported,” he said.
In Timmins, there have been no confirmed COVID-19 tests. In this morning's provincial update, 43 new cases were reported, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Ontario to 251.
A COVID-19 Assessment Centre is now open in Timmins and is by appointment only. Find out what you need to know about it here.
