Ontario is opening businesses - Punjabi

TV - Prime Asia TV Facebook - Brampton, 01/05/2020 - INTERVIEW, Punjabi 

Translated Summary: Nitin Chopra and MPP Deepak Anand - Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced plans for a gradual re-opening of the economy. Prime Asia TV interviewed MPP Deepak Anand. Anand referenced several stories to emphasize that unity is strength. Host Chopra said it was First Responders Day. Anand said a hero is someone going above and beyond, and first responders have been thinking of others first rather than thinking about themselves or their families. Many caregivers are living in basements as a precaution, so it is not an easy job. The host said Ford has made announcements about the re-opening of the economy. Anand said the first requirement was to protect Ontarians, but there will be a day when we need to balance health and safety with the economy. He said the magic number is 7.5%; if the increase in cases is over 7.5%, the outbreak is out of control, whereas below, the outbreak can be controlled. The recent increase was 2.6%. The rate of increase has been declining, so the premier has announced the opening of garden centres, landscaping, essential construction projects, car washes, and auto dealerships for May 4. Chopra said the Province had ignored the ethnic media. He asked where the funding is. Anand said the ministries work with an independent agency to distribute the funds. He said they have seen more coverage in the ethnic media. He said they will continue to advocate for the ethnic media. He acknowledged the ethnic media are rendering a community service and hanging on even though they are not sustainable. Chopra addressed the situation of taxi drivers. Anand said they are in touch with the airport to waive the airport fees for taxis, since the number of passengers has drastically declined. Chopra addressed insurance company fees. Anand said there is a need to balance people's needs and avoiding dictatorial powers for government. However, he had talked to the finance minister and they acknowledge that insurance companies have savings because people are driving less, and people are in financial need. But it was unclear how much of a compensation is enough. Chopra said there was a raise for essential workers, but some essential workers were not included. Anand said grocery store workers were included, but home care and paramedics were initially not included. But the government went back and took swift action to include them. Chopra said a lot of charities are helping seniors. Anand replied that the seniors built this country, and we owe them support. Their income has not changed much, the government has increased their benefits, but they are isolated, and they need food and medication deliveries. He praised the community organizations who came forward to help the seniors.