May 20, 2021

Nina Tangri, MPP Mississauga-Streetsville

Rudy Cuzzetto, MPP Mississauga-Lakeshore

Sheref Sabawy, MPP Mississauga-Erin Mills

Natalia Kusendova, MPP Mississauga Centre

Deepak Anand, MPP Mississauga-Malton

Khalid Rasheed, MPP Mississauga East-Cooksville

Dear Mississauga MPPs,

Re: Re-opening Ontario for Business

The Mississauga Board of Trade (MBOT) continues its advocacy for a safe and responsible re- opening of the Province of Ontario upon expiry of the Stay-at-Home Order on June 2, 2021. Too many businesses have been either entirely closed or severely restricted for far too long. It is time to get these businesses back up and running fully.

At the same time, we recognize that the Government of Ontario needs to establish a safe re- opening plan. We have heard that the Government does not intend to bring back the colour- coded rating system but rather focus on a sector approach.

Quite frankly, we believe it is time to re-open all businesses, with appropriate restrictions.

The vaccine roll-out will get us to 75% of Ontarians having one dose and 25% having two doses by the June 2, 2021 end of the Stay-at-Home Order. This is a very positive sign and we know that vaccine roll-out will continue in earnest throughout the summer.

At the same time, people are still required to wear face masks while indoors, practice social distancing and adhere to other public health guidelines to stop the spread of COVID.

MBOT would like to suggest the following measures for a safe re-opening in Ontario.

1. Re-open the entire Province at the same time to avoid people travelling out of their If this is not doable, the entire greater-Toronto area should be opened at the same time thereby eliminating “region hopping” after re-opening.
2. Immediately re-open all outdoor business This would include outdoor patios at bars and restaurants, recreational activities and business operations that can be performed outdoors.
3. Establish a gross floor area or maximum occupancy rate for the re-opening of indoor As an example, the Government may want to consider a 50% capacity in restaurants, retail, and fitness centres.
4. Set rules for the wearing of PPE in indoor settings, the requirement for protective shields like plexiglass and other measures that will allow indoor activities to take place in a safe and healthy way.
5. Permit personal care businesses like hairdressers, salons, and barber shops to open with appropriate wearing of masks, face shields, gowns and other protective wear that will ensure the patron and the worker can safely perform the service. This sector has demonstrated its ability to use PPE and practice safe distancing of
6. Encourage businesses to employ rapid testing programs in their businesses for This is one important tool in keeping COVID out of the workplace.

The COVID pandemic has been a long and very difficult struggle for many businesses in Mississauga. While the Government has provided some support, nothing compares with being able to open for business. Now is the time to allow these businesses to safely re-open.

In advance we thank you for sharing this with the Premier and Minister of Health of hope for an effective re-opening on June 2, 2021.

Yours truly,

David Wojcik 

President & CEO

ceo@mbot.com