Resources & Supports for Newcomers & Immigrants During COVID-19

This page is for quick reference to general information and resources. For assistance related to personal or specific situations, please call 211.

Here are the steps:

1. Using a translation app on your mobile phone or other electronic devices, learn to say the name of your language in English.

2. Call 211

3. Tell the operator the name of your language in English

4. The operator will connect you with a translator

For questions related to law or legal matters, contact Grey Bruce Community Legal Clinic at 519-370-2200. Referrals and translation service may be available.

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Follow these steps to translate this web page in Google Chrome:

1. Open the website

2. Place cursor on the page, then right click to see a pop-up list

3. On the pop-up list, click “Translate to” to translate the website

4. To read the website in English, place cursor on t6he page, then right click to see a pop-up list

5. On the pop-up list, click ‘Reload”.

Embedded PDFs are in English. Follow these steps to translate them:

1. Download the PDF file you would like to translate

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3. Click the blue “Browse your computer” button, then choose the file you would like to translate

4. Choose the language you would like to translate the PDF file to, then click “Translate”.

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Health

Updated information on the 2019 novel coronavirus (Covid-19) from the Ontario Ministry of Health:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus

What is Covid-19, and how to protect yourself and your family against it?

https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-stop-spread

Grey Bruce Public Health Covid-19 Questions and Answers:

https://www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca/COVID-19

Self-assessment tools:

Ontario Ministry of Health

https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/#q0

Government of Canada

https://ca.thrive.health/covid19/en

Covid-19 Assessment Centres in Grey Bruce (in English):

https://www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca/Portals/0/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/COVID-19%20Assessment%20Centres%20_webpage.pdf

Financial supports

Federal Government

Help for individuals and families, and how to apply:

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan/covid19-individuals.html

Canada Emergency Response Benefit questions and answers:

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application/questions.html

Help for businesses:

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business/maintaingrowimprovebusiness/resources-for-canadian-businesses.html

Provincial Government

The Covi-19 Emergency Assistance is for individuals and families in financial crisis who are not able to access federal assistance to cover needs such as food, rent, medicine, transportation and other services. Click the link below to apply:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-children-community-and-social-services?_ga=2.10113853.94791556.1585142046-1203295176.1578672991

Food

Free or budgeted community food programs (in English):

https://povertytaskforce.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/community-food-program-list-external_24-april-2020.pdf

Grocery stores (in English):

https://povertytaskforce.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/covid19-grocery-stores-greybruce_17-apr-2020-1.pdf

Housing

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has published a Covid-19 resource page on their website with information for home landlords, owners, small businesses and renters.

https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/media-newsroom/coronavirus-update

Renters

Landlord Tenants Board is suspending the issuance of eviction orders and all hearings related to eviction applications. No tenants can be legally evicted until the suspension is lifted

The federal and provincial governments are putting programs in place to support individuals who face financial challenges cause by the Covid-19 pandemic. Please refer to the “Financial supports” section for information

Home owners

Check with your mortgage holder (bank or mortgage company) whether they allow mortgage deferral

General information on mortgage deferral

https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/finance-and-investing/mortgage-loan-insurance/the-resource/covid19-understanding-mortgage-payment-deferral

Temporary Housing and Homelessness

YMCA Housing Support Services covers all of Grey Bruce, working with people that are housed in temporary housing to stay put and access food. Please call and leave messages at 519-371-9230 ext. 5, or email housing@osgb.ymca.ca

Safe ‘N Sound is available for anyone in need. Their after hours call centre is still operating and covers all of Grey Bruce. 519-470-7233

Detailed description of services (in English)

https://povertytaskforce.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/community-housing-programs-grey-bruce_30-march-2020-1.pdf

Employment-related supports

VPI Solutions provides employment services to residents in Bruce County, including EI and CERB applications. Please call 519-881-4900

YMCA Employment Services provides supports for residents in Grey County, including EI and CERB applications. Please call 519-371-9222 or email employment@osgb.ymca.ca

Life Directions Employment Centre provides services to residents in South East Grey, including EI and CERB applications. Please phone 519-378-5514 or email lifedirections@segss.com

The Agency continues to connect people looking for work with employers. Please call 519-376-4357 or email info@theagencyhelps.com