Refer to the Ottawa.ca information on reimbursements for cancellations – March 20.
Recreation and cultural facilities
- All City of Ottawa recreation and cultural facilities, including recreation complexes, community centers, arenas, swimming pools, theatres, libraries and museums are closed. City programs, including March break camps and fitness classes, are cancelled.
- Information regarding credits and refunds for cancelled programs can be found on ottawa.ca.
Corporate real estate
- On Wednesday, March 25, City Council will be considering a motion to adjust rental rates for business tenants, such as cafeterias and canteens, within City facilities that have been closed as part of the response to COVID-19 to reflect the amount of time these facilities are closed.
Children’s services
- The City of Ottawa’s Financial Services Unit will be issuing account credits to eligible families in receipt of a fee subsidy and full-fee families enrolled in Municipal Child Care Centres as a result of childcare services not being available. Families who have a credit balance on their account will be reimbursed using the same method of payment used to make the original payment.
- All reimbursements are being prioritized and will be completed as quickly as possible. In addition, preauthorized bank and credit card payments for April 1, 2020 have been temporarily suspended to help support families and will be reassessed as this situation continues to evolve.
Transit fares
- OC Transpo continues to provide transit service throughout the City.
- Public transit is a critical service to all residents and OC Transpo continues to provide this service throughout the city on all modes: bus, train and Para Transpo
- Refunds will not be issued as this service is continuing to operate.
- There are a number of options for customers who require financial assistance.
- As you are aware, the Government of Canada and Province of Ontario have also announced additional financial supports for residents requiring financial assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Employment and Social Services
- Ontario Works financial assistance may be available for basic living expenses and health expenses.
- Residents should make requests by phone, not in person. Please call 3-1-1 and press 4 for Social Services. Existing clients can call or email their case worker. Ontario Works clients can use the online tool MyBenefits for any updates.
- Staff are waiting on further direction on changes to the Employment Insurance program.
Housing Services
- The City continues to support residents experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless through emergency shelters, support services and outreach. Funding for homelessness programs continues. Some agencies are closed, but staff are available by phone. Agencies that are open have reduced staffing, are social distancing and are following strict hygiene procedures.
- Households and landlords will get housing allowances and rent supplements one week early to assist with cash flow.
- There will be no evictions from social housing during this time. The Social Housing Registry continues to take calls from residents. People fleeing domestic violence can continue to apply for priority housing.
- Housing providers are checking in with vulnerable tenants over the phone.
- Visits to the City’s family shelter are limited to specialized services.
- Ottawa Inner City Health is visiting shelters with a mobile assessment van and has a nurse on call during evenings and weekends.
- On Monday, March 23, the Routhier Community Centre will be converted to a temporary isolation centre for people in the shelter system are required to self-isolate due to COVID-19. This will help mitigate the spread of the virus within the shelter environment.
- The City will consult with Ottawa Public Health to implement best practices for cleaning and maintaining the centre, both as its use as an isolation centre and before it is returned to the City for community use.
- The City is exploring options for families who may need to self-isolate due to exposure, symptoms or testing positive for COVID-19.
Human Services Task Force
- The City has established a Human Services Task Force to ensure we are responsive to the emerging needs of the community.
- In addition to representatives from City departments and Ottawa Public Health, the task force includes partners from all sectors, including United Way East Ontario, Coalition of Community Health and Resource Centres of Ottawa, Ottawa Community Housing, Ottawa Food Bank, Canadian Red Cross, The Salvation Army and Ottawa Inner City Health.
- The task force will plan how to provide food, housing, shelter and psychosocial supports in future scenarios, coordinate information, service changes and emerging needs, and resolve issues, service gaps and community concerns.
- The task force is currently focussing on food security, isolated seniors, transportation of vulnerable residents to COVID-19 assessment centres and medical appointments, and volunteer management.
How residents can help
- If you are looking to support your community during this critical period, you can help by checking in with family, friends and neighbours who may be vulnerable, overwhelmed, lonely or in need of help.
- Where possible, consider calling or video chatting. Do not visit in person if you have a fever, new or worsening cough or difficulty breathing, or if you have been in close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19.
- Help prevent the spread of harmful misinformation by only sharing content from trusted sources like Ottawa Public Health, the Ontario Ministry of Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada.
- The City is not looking for volunteers to help with the COVID-19 situation at this time.
Trail Road Facility
Trail Waste Facility is currently closed.
