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Letter to Minister Elliott regarding expanded testing for marginalized people

Dear Minister Elliott and Minister Smith,

Ontario’s most recent COVID-19 modelling, released on April 20, suggests we have reached the pandemic peak. By all accounts this represents a provincial turning point. But gains in slowing the spread of the virus are not equally felt or shared by all. The terms “community spread” and “congregate settings” obscure important differences in how this virus is spreading inequitably, and limit our ability to target scarce community resources where they are most needed.

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Black Health Leaders Respond to CMOH

Dear Minister Elliott and Dr. Williams,

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Ontario must bring a health equity lens to new COVID-19 test technologies and data tools

Dear Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Elliott,

Ontario must bring a health equity lens to new COVID-19 test technologies and data tools

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Letter to Premier Ford, Deputy Premier Elliott and Dr. Williams regarding the need to collect and use socio-demographic and race-based data

Dear Premier Ford, Deputy Premier Elliott and Dr Williams,

We are alarmed to hear the CMOH of Canada's most populous and diverse province say there is no need to collect data that tracks race and socio-demographic information.

During this turbulent COVID-19 pandemic, we rely on our leaders to boldly take action and put interventions in place that will limit the harms posed by the crisis. This makes the comments made by CMOH Dr. David Williams, during the April 10 COVID briefing all the more troubling.

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Over 100 organizations endorse call for access to Emergency Safe Supply

Dear Hon. Deputy Premier and Minister Elliott and Hon. Minister Tibollo,

The deep impact of COVID-19 in Ontario is further complicated by another ongoing crisis - the opioid overdose and drug poisoning crisis affecting people and communities across our province. But while Health Canada has called on communities to adapt behaviours in order to contain COVID-19 and stop its community spread, people who use drugs cannot practice physical distancing without support from trusted healthcare providers.

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Statement from Black Health Leaders on COVID-19’s impact on Black Communities in Ontario

We are in the midst of a global pandemic, one that will fundamentally transform our province. Early losses and rapid escalation have already shown us glimpses of the devastation COVID-19 will leave in its wake. This is an unprecedented moment. To change this pandemic’s trajectory we must be willing to ask difficult questions, including asking who is left behind in current responses and which communities are at increased risk of harm.

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Letter to Minister Elliott and Minister Clark regarding supporting homeless populations in COVID-19 response

Dear Minister Elliott and Minister Clark,

It’s been over two weeks since Ontario’s government declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis has only intensified in the days since. We write to you on behalf of community-led organizations who are deeply concerned about marginalized groups in our province facing a dire situation. We are especially concerned about people experiencing homeless and the precariously housed.

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Ontario’s Social Prescribing pilot project shows strength of community health interventions to systemically address social impacts of COVID-19 measures

TORONTO – March 25, 2020 -- As regular routines are upended and in-person social activities and community programming are suspended to help slow the spread of COVID-19, social and community supports become even more essential. This is especially true for those who are already vulnerable. It’s why we’re sharing our Social Prescribing pilot project’s final report with you today. Here are three implications of our report on the current responses to COVID-19:

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Letter to Minister Elliott and Minister McNaughton regarding supports for seasonal workers during COVID-19 crisis

Dear Hon. Minister Elliott and Hon. Minister McNaughton,

We write to raise urgent concerns impacting migrant workers in our province. Seasonal farm workers are members of our communities and play an important role in maintaining Ontario’s food supply. Health workers providing services to these populations are sounding the alarm about inadequate supports for seasonal workers during the COVID-19 crisis.

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Letter to Premier Ford and Minister Elliott regarding extended coverage for uninsured people

Dear Hon. Premier Ford and Deputy Premier and Hon. Minister Elliott,

The Alliance for Healthier Communities thanks Ontario’s government for waiving the three month OHIP waiting period and covering the costs of COVID-19 service for uninsured people who do not meet the criteria for coverage. This is a critical step in ensuring that anyone in need of care during the COVID-19 crisis can access it. We thank Ontario’s government for taking this monumental step and modelling leadership for all sectors in this time of crisis.

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