The response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been moving very swiftly in the past couple of weeks, so I thought it would be helpful to reach out to constituents and share some information from the City and our Ward 5 office. As you may know by now, the City of Edmonton has declared a Local State of Emergency. You can read more here about what that means. The City has also put forward a number of measures to help with financial stress, including delayed property tax payments, temporarily suspended transit fares, and a recommendation to the Alberta Utility Commissions and utility partners for deferral of bill payments. The City’s COVID-19 information page has more details and is being updated regularly. My office has also put together a directory at www.sarahhamilton.ca/covid19, including links for federal, provincial and municipal resources, information on staying physically and mentally healthy, and some suggestions for keeping you and your families entertained while we all adjust to our new normal. Undoubtedly, each of us is affected by these measures, so I thank all of you who continue to practice good hand hygiene, social distancing, and those who are looking out for elderly and vulnerable friends, family and neighbours. Thank you for staying home if you are sick, for self-isolating if you have been traveling, for offering to get groceries for someone who is self-isolating — these are the acts of kindness that I know define our community and will be our strength in the months ahead. On March 13, City Council chose to suspend council business so that City Administration can focus its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. My staff and I are all working from home at this time. We have full access to email — sarah.hamilton@edmonton.ca — and voicemail — (780) 496-8120 — and will continue to support your needs over the coming weeks and months. Stay healthy, and please continue to look out for one another. -Sarah
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