Frontline Workers Archives - Muskoka411

McDonald’s Canada Thanks Frontline Healthcare Workers Once Again With Free McCafé Coffee & Tea

Kelly Hart — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 22:18:18 +0000

McDonald’s Canada wants to show their appreciation and say thanks to those frontline healthcare workers who are working tirelessly to treat those in need, serve our communities and help keep us safe with further rapid scaling of vaccinations. Starting today, they are offering all frontline healthcare workers, vaccine volunteers, medical testing centre and pharmacy workers as well as emergency services and military personnel a complimentary medium McCafé Premium Roast Coffee or Tea at participating restaurants across Canada for the month of January, available at the front counter or in drive-thru with their valid work ID.

“Our purpose at McDonald’s is to feed and foster communities and this effort is aimed at acknowledging those who are doing so much to care for our communities right now,” said Gemma Pryor, Senior Director, Canada Impact Team. “Throughout the pandemic we saw our franchisees finding creative ways to support their communities in times of need and that’s what we’re seeing again here today with the free coffee offer.”

In March 2020, McDonald’s Canada partnered with its independent franchisees from coast to coast to coast, giving away more than one million complimentary cups of McCafé Premium Roast Coffee and Tea. Since then, their franchisees have continued to show their support within their local communities, on many occasions providing coffee or breakfast to local healthcare workers and volunteers.

Now, McDonald’s is bringing back the offer for a limited time amid the continued push for Canadians to get their vaccine or booster, alongside the ongoing challenges of treating and testing patients in the pandemic. It’s a simple gesture of appreciation for those who continue to be on the frontline, protecting and caring for our communities across the country.

SOURCE McDonald’s Canada

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Ontario Works To Improve Washroom Rights For Truck Drivers And Delivery Workers

Staff Reporter — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 18:12:55 +0000

The Ontario government intends to introduce legislation that would, if passed, allow delivery workers access to company washrooms at businesses where they are delivering or picking up items.

Consultations conducted by the Ontario Workforce Recovery Advisory Committee have indicated that couriers, truck drivers, and people who deliver food, including those for online delivery platform companies such as SkipTheDishes, are often denied use of a washroom at businesses they serve. Details were shared today by Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, who was joined by Deepak Anand, Parliamentary Assistant to Minister McNaughton, and Christine Hogarth, MPP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore.

“This is something most people in Ontario take for granted but access to washrooms is a matter of common decency currently being denied to hundreds of thousands of workers in this province,” said Minister McNaughton. “Workers who deliver and pick up goods have been on the frontlines of the pandemic, ensuring that essential supplies continue to reach the people of Ontario. Providing these hardworking men and women with access to washrooms is a small change that will make a big difference, so they can do their jobs with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

Today’s announcement is part of the government’s broader efforts to protect and support vulnerable workers, such as those who have kept essential goods moving and the economy going through the pandemic. On Monday, the government announced the intent to introduce legislation that, if passed, would require temporary help agencies (THAs) and recruiters to have a licence to operate in the province.

At the start of the pandemic, the government opened additional rest stops for truck drivers to provide them with more places to safely stop and keep critical products moving. The proposed change is another step by the government to show respect and fairness to hardworking couriers and truck drivers.

“For professional drivers and delivery workers who have been on the frontlines of the pandemic for the past 19 months, the inability to access restroom facilities has been a major irritant,” said Francois Laporte, President of Teamsters Canada. “This legislation recognizes the essential work that these men and women have been doing and provides them with the working conditions and respect they deserve.”

This is also part of the government’s broader effort to protect, support and attract workers, making Ontario the top place in the world to work, live and raise a family.

“The Ontario Trucking Association is extremely thankful to Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development for recognizing our drivers as the true heroes they are and encouraging everyone in the supply chain to do their part in treating drivers with respect,” said Stephen Laskowski, President and CEO of the Ontario Trucking Association. “The Minister saw a problem and implemented a solution that will no doubt serve as a model for other jurisdictions across North America.”

Quick Facts

In 2020, on average, 203,700 people in Ontario were working as transport, bus, taxi and delivery drivers.
In 2020, on average, 30,800 people in Ontario were working as mail, couriers, messengers and door-to-door distributors.
The proposed new measures only apply to businesses where workers like truck drivers, couriers or food delivery workers are picking up or delivering food or other items.
The proposed new measures are not applicable to businesses that they are not delivering or picking up items from, or to private residences.

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See You On The Patio To Recognize Frontline Workers Aug. 27

Kelly Hart — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 21:02:12 +0000

As part of a special See You on the Patio night on Aug. 27, attendees are invited to provide their messages of thanks and support to frontline workers.

“As we continue to weather the effects of the pandemic, we encourage residents to keep shopping local and to continue supporting and showing appreciation for all frontline workers,” said Coun. Ted Emond, Chair of the Economic Recovery Task Force. “Our community is strongest when we support each other and we hope that by raising awareness and gathering messages of encouragement and thanks, we can show our frontline workers that we are with them.”

On Aug. 27, 2021 during the See You on the Patio road closure in Downtown Orillia, a large mural will be available at the City’s Visitor Information table located within the Peter Street Arts District, to be signed with messages of thanks and support. The mural will be designed by local artist, Natalie Very B., and available to sign throughout the evening. Businesses throughout the city are also encouraged to participate by decorating their storefronts with words of encouragement. To ensure all COVID-19 precautions are followed, those who would like to sign the mural are asked to maintain physical distancing and wear a mask. Sanitized markers will be provided.

Residents are encouraged to continue showing their support for frontline workers through other actions such as decorating windows, writing letters and posting on social media and being kind and patient when shopping or accessing services.

“We are deeply grateful for the tireless efforts of our frontline workers from all areas. From healthcare workers and first responders to grocery store and postal workers, they have continued to keep residents safe and our community running throughout the pandemic,” said Mayor Steve Clarke. “This has been a long and exhausting experience for everyone and as we deal with the unknowns of a fourth wave, we need to continue to show our support for our frontline heroes and help make them aware that we are thankful for everything they do. One of the most sincere ways we can show our appreciation and support is to continue to follow COVID-19 protective measures and get double vaccinated as soon as possible.”

For more information on local vaccination clinics, please visitsimcoemuskokahealth.org. For more information on the See You on the Patio Program, visit orillia.ca/patio.

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