COVID-19 UPDATES
Updated: Apr 5
If you have COVID-19 related concerns, need help accessing supports, or have questions regarding the Métis Nation of Ontario's response to the pandemic please contact us by email or phone at:
Email: covidhelp@metisnation.org
Phone (Toll Free): 1-800-263-4889
Please select the most applicable extension:
Mental Health & Addictions Support: 275
All Other Health Related Concerns: 276
Education and Training Support: 169
Finance Support: 277
Housing Support: 278
Fact Sheets: A list of various financial support programs and resources available to Ontario Métis people and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Find below a list of COVID-19 information resources:
Public Health Agency of Canada:
Ontario Ministry of Health information on COVID-19
Telehealth Ontario: 1-866-797-0000
Find below a list of local health units for each MNO region:
Region 1: Northwestern Health Unit
Region 2: Thunder Bay District Health Unit
Region 3: Porcupine Health Unit
Region 4: Algoma Public Health Unit
Region 5: Public Health Sudbury & Districts
Region 6:
Region 7: Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
Region 8:
Region 9:
Wednesday April 1, 2020:
The MNO is here to support its citizens through the COVID-19 crisis. To this end, the MNO will be strategically deploying its portion of the critical funds allocated through the $305 million Indigenous Community Support Fund from the Government of Canada and the $17 billion Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19 fund from the Government of Ontario to meet the needs of Métis communities and to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Learn more here
Wednesday March 25, 2020:
During this unprecedented economic situation consequent to the COVID-19 virus the Métis Voyageur Development Fund (MVDF) is looking to support Métis entrepreneurs in Ontario. For Current Clients the MVDF is taking the following steps to help minimize the cash strain on your business. Effective immediately and until May 31, 2020 they are suspending interest and fees on all loans and deferring all regular scheduled loan payments. Their staff remain at work and you can continue to reach them via email or at their regular phone number and extensions. More here
Monday March 23, 2020:
In a Telephone Town Hall held on Wednesday, March 18 well over 100 participants were updated about how the MNO is moving forward to address COVID-19 to continue to deliver important programs and services to citizens, families, and communities. Their concerns about ensuring that our citizens are supported throughout the pandemic were heard loud and clear. More here
Wednesday March 18, 2020:
Métis Nation of Ontario Chief Electoral Officer Paul Devillers has made the decision to postpone the MNO Election 2020, and extend the period during which MNO citizens will be able to vote online or by phone. This decision is made in accordance with the emergency power provided in Article 44 of the Electoral Code. Election Day is being moved to Monday, June 1 and Advanced Polling day is being moved to Saturday, May 23. Online and telephone voting will be accessible from 12:01 am May 5 to 11:59 pm May 29. More here
Sunday March 15, 2020:
The health and well being of Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) staff, citizens, families and communities throughout the province is our utmost priority and therefore out of an abundance of caution and as part of the effort to reduce the likelihood of workplace or community transmission of COVID-19, the Senior Management Team is directing all Metis Nation of Ontario employees to work remotely between March 16 - April 3, 2020. Read more here
Friday March 13, 2020:
The MNO has been monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely to ensure that informed decisions are being made based upon the advice and direction of health professionals as we would with any other issue which has the potential impacts on the well-being of Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) citizens, families, communities and staff throughout the province. After much consideration, the MNO has made the difficult decision to postpone several upcoming meetings:
Regional Consultation Committee Training (Toronto) originally scheduled for March 24
Collaborative Forum with Industry (Toronto) originally scheduled for March 25
Collaborative Forum with Government (Toronto) originally scheduled for March 26
MNO All Staff Training Session (Muskoka) originally scheduled for March 31-April 1
These measures are being taken as a precaution, given the nature of the travel requirements and the size of the groups involved. It is important that we consider not only the participants attending MNO meetings but their families and communities when they return home.
Thursday March 12, 2020:
Today, after much consideration, the MNO has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 MNO Infinite Reach March Break Camp taking place March 15 - 20. It is not in the best interest of our Métis participants, their families and communities and our staff to move forward with the Camp. This decision was not made lightly as the MNO knows how meaningful this camp is to our youth. This measure is being taken as a precaution, particularly given the nature of the travel requirements and the length of the stay before return travel. It is important that we consider not only the participants attending the camp but their families and communities when they return home.
In light of ongoing developments with regard to the COVID-19 outbreak the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) has established an internal emergency response team that is meeting daily to assess and make informed decisions in the best interests of MNO citizens, families, communities and staff throughout the province. The team is actively monitoring information from the World Health Organization, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Government of Ontario as well as other resources, to ensure we have the most up-to-date information available.
Wednesday March 11, 2020:
Recently Public Health Sudbury & Districts has identified a man in his late 50’s who has tested positive for COVID-19. This person attended the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Conference held in Toronto, Ontario from March 1-4, 2020. We are aware that a small number of individuals who attended the PDAC Conference in Toronto also attended the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Conference that took place in the National Capital Region earlier this week. The risk to MNO employees and citizens is extremely low, but in the interest of public health and transparency we are sharing this information.
Precautions
The MNO considers its employee’s and citizen’s health and welfare a top priority. We do recommend carrying hand sanitizer and practicing good prevention measures. Currently, public health advice remains:
For people to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-hand sanitizer;
Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze;
If you don't have a tissue sneeze or cough in your sleeve; and
To stay at home when you are sick.
The MNO additionally recommends sanitizing keyboards, laptops, and cellular devices regularly.
Impact on the MNO
The health and well-being of Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) staff, citizens, families and communities throughout the province is our utmost priority and therefore out of an abundance of caution and as part of the effort to reduce the likelihood of workplace or community transmission of COVID-19, the Senior Management Team is directing all Métis Nation of Ontario employees to work remotely between March 16 - April 3, 2020. Read more here
Further Information:
If you suspect you have symptoms of COVID-19, call Telehealth Ontario for medical advice at 1-866-797-0000 (TTY 1-866-797-0007) or Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705-522-9200 (toll-free 1-866-522-9200). Be sure to mention your symptoms and your travel history including the countries you visited. If you are ill and must visit a health care professional call ahead and tell them that you have a respiratory illness. You may be asked to wear a mask while waiting for or receiving treatment to prevent the spread of illness. If you need immediate medical attention call 911 and state your travel history and symptoms.
For more information:
Sudbury’s top doc says local COVID-19 case was not infectious at PDAC
First case of COVID-19 reported by Public Health Sudbury & Districts
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Outbreak Update
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Symptoms and Treatment
World Health Organization Q&A on Coronaviruses (COVID-19)
Ministry of Health Information on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
