2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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Township Services - updated May 31, 2022

The Township of North Dumfries is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and, in consultation with Region of Waterloo Public Health, taking steps to help prevent the spread of infection in the community. The Township continues to adjust operations according to the recommendations of health authorities to protect the health and well being of township residents.

Free ASTM Level 3 masks for small businesses in the Township

Eclipse Automation has generously donated face masks for small businesses in the Township. If you need face masks, complete the Face Mask Application Form.

Current Operational Status

The Township Municipal Office is OPEN to the public. Township Staff are available Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm by phone or email to assist with your enquiries. For select Township services that cannot be delivered on-line, through video conference, or by phone, in-person appointments can be scheduled by contacting (519) 632-8800 or email.
All Township parks are OPEN.

Council and Advisory Committee meetings are being held in a hybrid format: both in person and via Zoom teleconference. Please refer to the Agenda/Minutes page for updates including any upcoming Special Council meetings and details about watching and/or participating in meetings.

Accessing Township Services

See below for guidelines to access Township services

General Inquiries

Email mail@northdumfries.ca
Use the Staff Directory to contact a specific staff member

Building Department

To submit a Building Permit, please email buildingpermits@northdumfries.ca
To book a building inspection (in unoccupied buildings only) please email building@northdumfries.ca

Fire and Engineering and Public Works Departments

All essential services provided by these departments will remain operational.

Making a Payment to the Township

Payment through a financial institution - Customers may also set up Automatic Payments through their banking institutions, which allows payment schedules to be set up by the customer
Telephone and Internet Banking
1. Check with your financial institution to register for telephone or internet banking. Payments can be made under BILL PAYMENTS by Searching for the payee “North Dumfries” and using your property roll number when asked for your account number (all 19 digits are required)
2. For payments other than Taxes, some Banking institutions will allow payment by using a “Customer Number”. This can be found on the top of an invoice the Township has sent and contains 5 alpha and 4 numeric digits (AAAAA0000).
Payment By Cheque - Please include a remittance stub and indicate the tax roll number or invoices number on the cheque memo line, along with a contact and telephone phone number with the payment.
1. Payments can be mailed or couriered to: Township of North Dumfries 2958 Greenfield Road, PO Box 1060, Ayr, Ontario NOB 1E0
2. Cheques may be placed in the black overnight deposit outside the main entrance doors at the North Dumfries Community Complex (NDCC) at 2958 Greenfield Road, Ayr.
3. Please Note: We will accept cheques postdated for the instalment due dates, however once submitted they will not be pulled/returned.
Pre-authorized Payment Plan - The Township offers both monthly or due date pre-authorized payment plans. The following information and forms is available on the Township website:
1. Monthly plan enrollment takes place semi-annually. Monthly plan enrollment deadlines are May 31st and November 15th. Payments are withdrawn on the first business day of each month with the amounts calculated to start each year and recalculated when the final billing has been issued.
2. Due date plan payments are withdrawn on the usual four installment dates. Complete a Pre-authorized Payment Form and submit it to the Township office by mail, email or in the drop box at the NDCC. To change or cancel payments, complete and submit a change or cancel pre-authorized payment form. This form must be received in writing, 30 days in advance of the next scheduled withdrawal.
During COVID-19, Council approved that all penalties and interest on property taxes have been waived for the months of April, May and June (through to July 1st) of 2020. With this exception, at all other times, payments must be received by the due date or will be considered late and a penalty charge will be applied.

Payments by Township to Vendors

The Township has the ability pay to vendors electronically through Electronic Fund Transfer. Please complete the Electronic Fund Transfer Form and provide a void cheque to enroll in this process. Submit any questions to invoices@northdumfries.ca.

Region of Waterloo Updates

Face Covering By-law

The Region repealed the Face Covering By-law on March 21, 2022. Face coverings are still required on public transit. For more information, see the Region of Waterloo website.

Regional Pandemic Control Group

The Region, area municipalities & local community partners meet regularly as the Regional Pandemic Control Group to make sure our COVID-19 response efforts are coordinated throughout the region. This group provides a weekly COVID-19 Coordinated Response Newsletter.

Well Water Testing

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, changes to the Region of Waterloo's private well water testing is available on the Region's website.

Federal Updates

Visit the Government of Canada website for updates on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus global pandemic
Government of Canada Travel Advisories
See the latest news releases issued by the Government of Canada
Information from Public Health Agency of Canada
See Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan for Individuals
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) details
See Canada's Resources for Canadian Businesses
Sign up for a Canada Revenue Agency MyAccount
Connect with your Member of Parliament (MP) Bryan May at 519-624-7440 or bryan.may@parl.gc.ca

Provincial Updates

Strengthening Response To Omicron
New Vaccine Requirements
Reopening Ontario
About Step 3
Visit the Government of Ontario website for updates on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus global pandemic
See the latest news releases issued by the Government of Ontario
Information from Public Health Ontario
List of essential workplaces
Connect with your Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Belinda Karahalios at 519-650-2770 or by email at bkarahalios@ola.org

Safety Tips and Prevention

Coronavirus symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Like the flu, most people recover on their own. Use the Region of Waterloo's COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool to determine if further care is required. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, contact Region of Waterloo Public Health at 519-575-4400.

How to safely wear a mask
How to safely remove gloves
Public Health recommends everyday steps to help prevent the spread of germs and viruses:
1. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
3. Avoid social gatherings and practice social distancing (2 meters or 6 feet from another person).
4. Stay home if possible.
5. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
6. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Please see additional Public Health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the Region.

Any violations of the Provincial Orders issued under the Ontario Emergency Management & Civil Protection Act (opening of Non-Essential Business, public gathering) can be reported to the Region of Waterloo or email Public Health.

Community Supports

211

211 is a free service that connects individuals and families with social supports in their communities, such as access to food and food delivery services, mental health support, and financial supports available. Phones are answered 24/7 in 150 languages by a real person! To access the service, dial 2-1-1 or visit www.211.ca .

BIPOC Sustainability and Recovery Fund

The Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation has created the COVID-19 BIPOC Sustainability and Recovery Fund, a pilot initiative to provide funding to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) organizations in Waterloo Region as they work to recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

Supports for the Vulnerable Population

The Region of Waterloo is working with its municipal and community partners to ensure that vulnerable people affected by COVID-19 get the supports they need. The community supports for the vulnerable page is updated regularly.

Canadian Mental Health Association

Visit the Canadian Mental Health Association website for useful tools and techniques to manage stress for:

Children, Youth & Parents/Guardians
Adults
Seniors and caregivers
Employers and employees
Front line health care

Recreation and Leisure at Home

Visit the Recreation and Leisure at Home page for great ideas to keep you busy!

Everything Local

Visit the Everything Local page for information about businesses in the North Dumfries area.

Support for Ontario Businesses

Support for Small Business

There is Provincial assistance to help businesses with costs relating to COVID-19. The provincial government is also providing a $10,000 grant for small businesses and electricity-rate relief for businesses, workers, and families at home. Support for Ontario businesses call 1-888-444-3659 for details.

Ontario COVID-19 small business relief grant

Get help with COVID costs

Relief within Reach

Relief within Reach is a one-stop shop that includes links to provincial business supports, such as:

Ontario Small Business Support Grant which provides eligible businesses with between $10,000 and $20,000
Main Street Recovery Grant for personal protective equipment
Rebates for property taxes and energy costs
Information on federal programs including the Canada Emergency Business Account and Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy are also available on the site

Agri-Food Open for E-Business

The Governments of Canada and Ontario are supporting the agriculture, agri-food and agri-products sectors to capture online e-business opportunities that will help create new, expanded or enhanced markets and open new retail channels to help generate new revenue streams for future growth.

The Agri-Food Open for E-Business targeted intake will help businesses/organizations quickly expand their marketing channels and respond to new market challenges, increase online sales in the sector and provide consumers with access to more local food.

Resources

Region of Waterloo Public Health
Ontario Ministry of Health
Public Health Canada
Government of Canada employment & social benefits
Waterloo Economic Development Corporation resources for businesses

Media Releases

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) a public health emergency of international concern. On March 11, 2020 the WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.

Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in Waterloo Region on March 5, 2020. Additional confirmed cases are updated daily on the Region's website. Region of Waterloo Public Health is working closely with local hospitals, health care partners, the Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario and national partners to monitor the situation. The City is receiving regular updates and guidance from Public Health.

On March 14, 2022, the Township of North Dumfries ended the declared state of emergency.

Go to the Township of North Dumfries' Latest News to view the current updates and media releases.

Job Opportunities

Agriculture and agri-food jobs for postings related to essential roles in Ontario’s food supply chain to help put food on store shelves and kitchen tables.
Employment Services job board to find essential work during COVID-19.
Job Seekers Hub developed by the Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin, along with its partners the Region of Waterloo, Wellington County, City of Guelph, and Dufferin County.