This letter was first sent as an email to our constituents. To receive regular updates from our office regarding COVID-19, sign up via the "Get Updates" tab.

Constituency Update 

Dear Neighbour,

The challenges of COVID-19 are impacting us all in many ways. As your Member of Parliament for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam, rest assured that our government is working hard for you and I will always advocate for our community. 

Our federal government is unwavering in its efforts to keep people safe, support our economy, and ensure no Canadian is left behind in these uncertain times.

COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving situation across the world, with new information unfolding daily. Each and every one of us must do our part to manage and slow the spread of this virus, so that our public health systems do not get overwhelmed. Working together we can manage this outbreak and keep our loved ones and neighbours safe.  

• Stay home, particularly when you are sick
• Wash your hands regularly
• Limit physical contact, such as shaking hands
• Maintain social distancing
• Wipe down frequently touched surfaces
• Avoid large gatherings

In confronting the COVID-19 outbreak, the Government of Canada is building on well-established protocols and procedures based on comprehensive experience and lessons well learned over the years in previous outbreaks.

This means taking appropriate actions at appropriate times, following the science and sound medical advice, and not getting carried away by fear or panic. We continue to consult and listen to the best advice of experts in the management of infectious disease outbreaks, scientists, and public health experts. As this situation changes daily, I encourage you to visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website for the most up-to-date information.

Our government remains ready and committed to support you, your family and our communities. 

Who to Call?  

If you are concerned that you have symptoms of COVID-19 self-isolate and call 811 or 1-888-268-4319, you can also text 604-630-0300 

Up-To-Date Info

For the latest and most up-to-date information on COVID-19: 

Visit canada.ca/coronavirus or call 1-833-784-4397

Due to the high volume of correspondence at the moment, responses may take longer than normal, urgent requests will be processed first. 

What to do if You are Abroad? 

COVID-19 and Travelling outside of Canada

To assist with flattening the curve, our government has taken measures to ensure the health and safety of all Canadians. 

If you are a Canadian travelling living abroad, we understand that this is a stressful situation and we are doing everything we can to help. We are aware that due to exceptional measures put in place by some countries, many Canadians are encountering difficulties returning home due to a reduction of travel options and a significant increase in costs. We are fully committed to providing all possible assistance to Canadians abroad affected by COVID-19 and to helping them return home safely.

Canadians outside of the country should register with the Registry of Canadians Abroad to receive important updates and that they check the entry and exit requirements of the countries through which they may be transiting.

Canadians in need of consular assistance can contact the 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa at +1 613-996-8885 (collect calls are accepted where possible) or send an e-mail to [email protected]

Canadians abroad will be able to apply for an emergency repayable to loan to assist their return home to Canada. If eligible, contact [email protected] 

COVID-19 Economic Response Plan 

Our government has announced the first phase of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. We are committed to providing immediate support to Canadians and businesses that are most in need and is unwavering in its dedication to Canadians, our healthcare system, and our economy. 

These measures are just the beginning.

We will be there with Canadians every step of the way during these uncertain and challenging times. As your representative for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam, it is my personal commitment to ensure our community is able to weather the challenges we are currently facing and will continue to face in the coming days, weeks and months.  

COVID-19- Support for Individuals: 

• Temporarily boosting Canada Child Benefit payments to provide more assistance to families with children 
• More assistance for low to modest income Canadians through a top-up payment to the GST Credit.  
• Six month interest free pause on Canada Student Loan payments 
• Create an Emergency Support Benefit to help support workers who are facing unemployment and are not eligible for EI
• Waive the mandatory one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits for workers in imposed quarantine or who have been directed to self-isolate. 
• Extend the tax filing deadline for individuals to June 1, and allow all taxpayers to defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after today and before September 2020. 
• Provide a wage subsidy for small businesses to help them keep employees on payroll and to help Canadians keep their jobs.
• Provide $305 million for a new distinctions-based Indigenous Community Support Fund, to address immediate needs in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation communities.
• Address the needs of Canadians experiencing homelessness through the Reaching Home program by providing an additional $157.5 million to address their needs. 

COVID-19 Measures for Businesses

• Allow all businesses to defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing on or after today and before September 2020. 
• Increase the credit available to small, medium, and large Canadian businesses. Further expand Export Development Canada’s ability to provide support to domestic businesses.
• Augment credit available to farmers and the agri-food sector through Farm Credit Canada.
• Launch an Insured Mortgage Purchase Program to purchase up to $50 billion of insured mortgage pools through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

For more information on Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/canadas-covid-19-economic-response-plan-support-for-canadians-and-businesses.html

COVID-19 Constituency Office Hours 

 We are temporarily closing our Constituency office to walk-ins, due to the evolving situation with COVID-19. Our office will continue to provide all MP services, as before. Do not hesitate to contact us at 613-992-9650, or email [email protected], should you need assistance with:

• Canadian Immigration and Visas
• Service Canada: Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) 
• Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
• Passport Canada
• Federal Funding for Organizations
• Any other federal services

Thank you for your understanding. During these challenging times, my priority and that of my staff remain to work hard to meet your needs and ensure your voice is heard. 

For more information, follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter where I will be providing up-to-date information as it becomes available. 

Yours Sincerely,

Ron McKinnon, M.P

Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam