2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Current Closures and Cancellations

• The Township Municipal Office is OPEN to the public. 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. Gathering limits of 5 apply and 2 metres physical distancing from those outside of your immediate household is required.

• The NDCC walking track is OPEN Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Track users are required to sign-in upon arrival and wear a mask for the duration of their visit.

• Room rentals at indoor community centres will be available starting Tuesday, August 3.
• Ice rinks will reopen later this Summer and in the early Fall.
• Pickleball at the NDCC will resume in the Fall.
• Council and Advisory Committee meetings are being held by teleconference. Please refer to the Agenda/Minutes web page for updated information for Council and Committee meetings, including any upcoming Special Council meetings and details on how to watch and/or participate. 

Accessing Township Services

General Inquiries

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

Building Division

• 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 Department and Public Works

All essential services provided by these departments will remain operational.

Making a Payment to the Township

1. 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
2. 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).

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. During COVID-19, Council has approved that all penalties and interest on property taxes have been waived for the months of April, May and June (through to July 1^st) 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

On Monday July 6, 2020, the Region passed the Face Covering By-law. 

Regional Pandemic Control Group

Did you know, 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

• 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
• Support for Ontario businesses call 1-888-444-3659 for details
• 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.

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 the stresses of dealing with COVID-19. Resources are categorized according to:

• 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

Want to know what businesses and organizations are open in our area during COVID-19? Visit the Everything Local page for more information.

Physical Distancing and Social Gatherings 

If there are concerns about physical distancing and social gatherings occurring in the Township of North Dumfries, contact the Region of Waterloo Call Centre at 519-575-4400. This line is open 24/7. Thank you for your cooperation in helping to #plankthecurve.

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.

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

Support for Ontario Businesses

Support for Small Business

There is Provincial assistance to help businesses with costs relating to COVID-19.

Relief within Reach

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.

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.

Media Appearances

• April 16, 2020 - Township Mayors on 570 News: The Mike Farwell Show
• April 8, 2020 - Mayor Foxton on Rogers TV.