Coronavirus crisis: More than 1,000 Richmond Hill staff temporarily laid off

Affected staff primarily in recreation, culture

Yorkregion.com
April 7, 2020

The City of Richmond Hill has laid off more than 1,000 part-time and contract staff due to facility closures.

Effective April 6, the city has ended contracts for 12 workers and temporarily laid off 1,052 part-time staff who were paid on an hourly basis.

Interim city manager Mary-Anne Dempster announced the decisions in a statement April 6.

The affected staff are primarily in the recreation and culture area, she said in the statement, noting it is a result of the extended closures of public facilities and program cancellations.

Richmond Hill decided April 1 to extend the closure of facilities until May 31 and cancel all city-led and council festivals and events until June 30 in an effort to further curb the spread of COVID-19.

"We value and appreciate our staff and intend to recall temporarily laid off staff as soon as possible," Dempster said.

She noted the layoffs will not impact the city’s ability to deliver essential services, including fire and emergency services, waste collection and bylaw enforcement.

The city has issued layoff notices to the impacted part-time staff so they can access financial relief measures through other levels of government during this crisis period.

The federal government has implemented several financial relief measures, including the Canada Emergency Response Benefit which provides a taxable benefit of $2,000 a month for up to 4 months to eligible workers who have lost their income due to COVID-19.

There are two ways to apply: online or over the phone with an automated phone service at 1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041.