County of Renfrew Special Meeting of Council to Address COVID-19

Pembroke, ON : 2pm - The County of Renfrew held a Special Meeting of Council to address the COVID-19 pandemic and to discuss how to best navigate this unprecedented situation while ensuring everyone’s safety. The purpose of this special meeting of council was to give the Chief Administrative Officer and the Warden of the County of Renfrew the authorization to take action and make critical decisions in real time, in the best interest of County of Renfrew residents and staff, without requiring to gather councillors in a formal County Council meeting.

In an abundance of caution and to help ensure the continued delivery of critical services to its residents, all County of Renfrew buildings will only be open for contact via telephone and email. Essential visits, when appropriate, can be set up on a case-by-case basis. Please visit the County of Renfrew website for contact numbers on a service by service basis. We understand that this is a difficult time for everyone and will be working to effectively serve our residents in a safe and efficient way.

“I want to make it crystal clear to everyone that the County of Renfrew is not closing itself off from the public. Daily and sometimes hourly we are reassessing how to best meet the needs of our residents in this rapidly changing environment. We are listening to the advice and guidance of expert health-care professionals, our Emergency Management Co-coordinator Chief Mike Nolan, the Renfrew County and District Health Unit, and the Provincial and Federal governments.” Said Warden Debbie Robinson.

We want to ensure that all residents are aware that the County of Renfrew will do everything possible to protect our residents during this difficult time.

If you suspect you have symptoms of COVID-19, call TeleHealth Ontario for medical advice at 1-866-797-0000 (TTY 1-866-797-0007) or Renfrew County and District Health Unit at 613-735-8654 ext. 577 (Toll-free 1-800-267-1097). Be sure to mention your symptoms and your travel history, including the countries visited.

Residents can also access up-to-date information from the Renfrew County District Health Unit’s website.

The County of Renfrew will continue to post all necessary and pertinent information to the County’s website, Face Book and Twitter Feeds, and update the local media whenever possible.

For More Information Please Contact:

Paul Moreau Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk, County of Renfrew 613 735-7288

Michael Barber Media Relations/Grants Coordinator, County of Renfrew 613-735-7288

Backgrounder

Below for your information is the Warden of the County of Renfrew’s Address to County Council from today’s meeting.

“Good afternoon everyone and thank you for coming to this meeting on such short notice. You will have noticed that the senior leadership team is not in chambers. They are monitoring this meeting remotely as we work at limiting exposure to each other. We have done this as well with council seating arrangements for today.

It is abundantly clear that we are in the midst of a health crisis which demands each one of us to be strong leaders in our community and to anticipate, as best we can, the needs of our employees and the residents of the County of Renfrew.
COVID 19 is a threat to our way of life and as County Councillors it is our responsibility to react in a fair and balanced way to ensure the safety of our staff as well as the general public. It is not business as usual.

We will be forced to scale back non-essential operations, to ensure maximum use of our resources in areas where our services are vital to the safety and security of our community. Paramedic Services, Social Services, Long-term Care, Public Works, these departments must be protected for the well being of us all.

Access to some of our buildings, like Miramichi Lodge and Bonnechere Manor has already been restricted. We recognize this is a hardship for the residents and their families but we must keep everyone safe. I sincerely hope that we are able to create ways for families to connect with their loved ones at the Lodge and Manor. We realize social isolation can have a negative impact on one’s health and well being and if we can lessen the stress it will be to everyone’s benefit.

Our social services staff - Child Care, Ontario Works, and Renfrew County Housing Authority will continue to support people in need in our community, however as this pandemic evolves the way in which we delivery these supports may be modified.

I want to make it crystal clear to everyone that the County of Renfrew is not closing itself off from the public. Daily and sometimes hourly we are reassessing how to best meet the needs of our residents in this rapidly changing environment. We are listening to the advice and guidance of expert health-care professionals, our emergency management coordinator Chief Mike Nolan, the Renfrew County and District Health Unit, and the provincial and federal governments.

Premier Ford’s decision to declare a state of emergency was an extraordinary step, but one that, in my opinion was essential if we want to fight the spread of COVID 19. At this time I understand there have not been any confirmed or presumptive cases of COVID 19 in the County of Renfrew. That will change and we need to be ready.

Going forward decisions are going to have to be made quickly and strategically and that is the reason why we are all here today.

I will now ask Mr. Moreau to take us through the report.”