IN FOCUS: Monthly catch-up with MPP Amanda Simard (March)

TVC22 reporter, Thomas Stockting, speaks with the Member of the Ontarian Provincial Parliament for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, Amanda Simard about the current events affecting our region.

COVID-19 Response;

MPP Simard spoke about the Provincial governments delay in creating a portal for people to sign up to for the CVODI-19 vaccinations.

With 3 vaccines now approved (Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca), the rollout for the wider population is about to begin as those 80 years old and above eligible for their vaccines soon.

Continuing on the topic of vaccination, Ms. Simard said she has spoken to the top medical officer in Ottawa, Dr. Vera Etches, about what the plan is for those who want to be selective about which vaccine they take.

MPP Simard's position is that, if the option to choose which vaccine you get increases the total number of people vaccinated then it should be an option.

Each vaccine clinic will be given a certain brand of vaccine and, when signing up for your vaccination the information on which vaccine is available at that center will be displayed.

As the new variants spread throughout the world and, as of last week, the EOHU region, there are some worries that we may enter a third wave, which would result in a third lockdown.

MPP simard says that she would like to see an adaptive approach should we have to move back into zones with greater restrictions.

Speaking of the small businesses who have been restricted to very few customers in stores at a time, the MPP said that, as visible by the data, they are not responsible for the spreading of the virus and that they should would like to seem them granted more leeway in staying open.

Further paid sick days;

In their previous interview, MPP Simard had told Thomas that with the Legislative Assembly sitting again she was excited to be given the platform to push for more paid sick days for those having to take time off work due COVID-19.

Following a vote in the Provincial Parliament the "Stay Home If You're Sick Act" was defeated but Ms. Simard said that there will be amendments made to the bill and it would be resubmitted in the coming weeks.

Broadband in rural areas;

With a provincial goal to provide high speed internet to 95% of people in Ontario by 2025 there have been some moves locally to reach that goal.

A proposal was submitted by the "Eastern Ontario Rural Network" requesting $200m from both the Federal and Provincial Governments. Ms. Simard says that she was present during the proposal and that she thinks it is a good one, before saying that she believe the government have been too slow to get the work done.