TOWN OF MILLET UPDATE

As we continue to go through these unprecedented times, the Town of Millet has been reevaluating operations on a daily basis. Some tasks have proven to be very difficult with the social distancing, but we can assure you we are finding ways to ensure operations continue. We ask that residents please have patience as some tasks will require more time with only one staff allowed on site at once. With the sudden melting the drainage has been challenging in some areas, but we are all working at trying to address every issue as fast as we can.
A reminder that although staff are working from home, the phones are still being answered during regular business hours and if anything comes up after regular hours, there is always an employee on call and can be reached at 780-916-6592.

ESSENTAIL BUSINESSES
Our community has been more than amazing at ensuring respect and distancing while out picking up the essentials. Try to limit your visits to the stores, when possible. A reminder to dispose of your masks and gloves in the garbage, not the parking lot.
Again, I we would like to send a huge thank you out to our businesses and front-line staff that are still working to provide us with these essentials.

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
We know that with a lot of people being at home, some home projects may be on the agenda, if you require permits or information on permits, please contact Michelle at development@millet.ca

OFF LEASH
A reminder that the Off Leash park is closed, therefore all dogs must be on a leash within the Town of Millet, this includes the parks and open areas.

FIRE BAN
Although the Province has issued a Fire Ban, this does not affect the Town of Millet. Back yard fires are still permitted, as long as you have a permit for your fire pit and it is covered by a spark arrestor mesh or grate.

With things changing daily, here is the most up to date information we have from our Federal and Provincial Governments

Federal Government

• The federal government is expanding the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) to include businesses that have paid between $20,000-$1.5 million in payroll totals for 2019. Since the launch of the CEBA on April 9, over 195,000 loans have been approved, totalling more than $7.5 million.
• On Thursday morning, the Prime Minister announced the upcoming Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CEBA) which will provide loans to commercial property owners who will in turn lower or forgo the rent of small businesses for the months of April, May, and June. The Prime Minister stated that the federal government will be working closely with the provinces to roll out this initiative. Details have not yet been announced.
• Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has developed a series of pandemic guidance tip sheets for high-risk and essential workplaces, available for free on their website.
• Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced that the federal government will be providing immediate, temporary relief to sponsors of federally regulated, defined benefit pension plans. This relief will be in the form of a moratorium, through the remainder of 2020, on solvency payment requirements for defined benefit plans.
• Minister of Public Services and Procurement, Anita Anand provided an update on PPE procurement:
o The federal government has signed contracts with Geometric Energy in Calgary to provide millions of nitrile gloves and another with Irving Oil to produce hand sanitizer. Other Canadian companies retooling operations including Bauer making face masks and Stanfields making 100,000 gowns/week.
o 6 flights arrived in Canada and 4 more in the next week with a variety of goods including N95 masks.
o As of today, ordered 300 million surgical masks and received 17 million; ordered 145 million N95 masks and received close to 2 million (1.1 million being delivered to PTs this week as noted by PM earlier in the week).

Alberta

• The Government of Alberta will be providing $53 million to improve access to mental health and addictions recovery services, supports, and resources that needed by Albertans during the pandemic. Approximately $21.4 million will directly fund improving access to phone and online supports, including the Addictions Helpline, the Mental Health Helpline, the Kids Help Phone, an the Community and Social Services Helpline.
• Effective April 15, continuing care workers are required to wear masks at all times when providing direct patient care or working in patient care areas.
• Starting April 16, workers in long-term care and designated supportive living sites will only be allowed to work at one location. This requirement must be fully implemented no later than April 23.