Yesterday we had an exciting day at each of the offices across Atlantic Canada. We held our very first Virtual Delegate Convention and elected our ACRC Executive. We want to say a big thank you to all our ACRC Delegates for participating and for everyone who ran for positions.
June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
Too all of our Indigenous members, we celebrate today with you!
We would like to wish all our Brothers that are Dads a Happy Father’s Day. You’re teachers and leaders both on and off the job site!
Happy National Nursing Week!
Nursing Week is meant to recognize the contributions that Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses constantly make to our friends and loved ones lives. Their hard work and dedication has never been more apparent than during this pandemic. Please join me in giving a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of them.
Deb Romero
ACRC Executive Secretary-Treasurer
We would like to wish all our Sisters in the Brotherhood that are Moms a wonderful Mothers Day. We appreciate all that you do both on and off the job site! Happy Mothers Day!
I would like to thank the nearly 3000 members that took part in last night’s Tele Town Hall meeting. This was the first time our Council has attempted to reach out to our entire membership body in a live format. Many of you called in with great questions and unfortunately we were unable to get to all of you as we had a limited amount of time on the call. If we didn’t get to your question, I want to remind you that in the next few days someone will contact you to answer your question or address your concern.
If you, or someone you know was unaware of the call please check with us to ensure we have the proper phone number and / or email on file. It is your primary contact number in our system that got called. We did follow up with an email to the membership letting them know if they didn’t get a call or got disconnected there was a number to dial in and they would be able to join the meeting.
These are challenging times and we want to keep the lines of communication open. I look forward to future virtual town hall meetings where members can get updated on what is happening and have their questions answered.
Solidarity,
EST Deb Romero
Brothers and Sisters:
Update on ACRC Response to the Coronavirus Public Health Emergency
A month ago, we could never have imagined that our provinces, our country and the world we live in could have changed so dramatically. As COVID-19 continues to rapidly spread we must ensure we take all possible safety precautions as advised by medical officials and government. In response to those recommendations, last week the Atlantic Canada Regional Council closed our doors to our membership and the public. However, members can still reach us by phone, email, or by texting. If a member needs to see a representative in person, this can be arranged by calling ahead to make an appointment. We are working with a skeleton crew in our offices, but we are still here to serve you.
During difficult times such as these stresses can be at a maximum. Social distancing is a difficult practice for Atlantic Canadians who are normally community-oriented people. Many members and their families are confined to their homes with toddlers, adolescents or teens that are bored out of their minds, or with elderly parents who require special care. Some members have to live alone, as they sit home day in and day out. In addition, finances are uncertain for many. I encourage members to utilize the services provided by our health and welfare plan if the stresses become more than they can handle. In addition, most provincial governments are offering extra services at this time. We will post links to these resources on our website, and send out contact information via email as it becomes available.
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The economic impact COVID-19 is having on our membership and their families is very severe. Two weeks ago, there were close to 5000 members working or in the process of being dispatched in Atlantic Canada and, with the work that was about to start in the coming weeks, we expected that number to reach close to 6000. Today that number has plummeted to approximately 1600. This is a result of most of the larger industrial sites closing and some of the commercial sites reducing workforce numbers to comply with the mandated social distancing policies. Another factor is that many members did not feel safe for a variety of reasons – their own health issues, or health issues of loved ones at home. Each individual member must do what is best for themselves and their families at this time and, whatever their choice, it should be respected.
No one can truly prepare for what I can only describe as the “unimaginable”. Having said that, I will continue to work with the Executive Board and Delegates of the Atlantic Canada Regional Council to ensure that we have a solid plan in place to assist our members through this challenging time, and to ensure that our offices and our membership are well prepared when work commences in the coming weeks. As services and assistance come available, we will keep you informed.
Taking a moment throughout your day to call someone who may be struggling with the self- isolation rules, overwhelmed financially, or simply scared of what is happening around us, is a positive step that may make them and you feel supported during this negative situation. We are versatile people and we will get through this. We are proud Atlantic Canadians. Stay healthy, stay safe and God Bless.
In Solidarity,
Deb Romero
ACRC Executive Secretary-Treasurer
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS:
The Canadian government has announced the following initiatives for individuals:
Temporary: Employment Insurance and Emergency Care Benefit
For Canadians without paid sick leave (or similar workplace accommodation) who are sick, quarantined or forced to stay home to care for children, the Government is:
Longer-Term Income Support for Workers
For Canadians who lose their jobs or face reduced hours as a result of COVID’s impact, the Government is:
Child Care Benefit
HST Credit
Income Tax Deferral
Student Loan Repayment Deferral
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION SUPPORTS:
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS:
Your provincial governments may introduce assistance programs that will apply in your specific province. You can access your provincial government website at these links:
Newfoundland and Labrador: https://www.gov.nl.ca (English)
https://www.gov.nl.ca/snl/frenchservices/french/government-info-french/ (Francais)
Nova Scotia: https://beta.novascotia.ca
Prince Edward Island: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en (English)
https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/fr (Francais)
New Brunswick: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en.html (English)
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/fr.html?_ga=2.240669571.189707919.1584636207-619214704.1584113150 (Francais)
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