Aurora lays off 280 recreational workers during coronavirus outbreak

Town mourns death of 81-year-old lost to COVID-19

Yorkregion.com
April 8, 2020
Lisa Queen

Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas is blaming the COVID-19 pandemic for the town’s decision to lay off almost 300 employees.

“Millions of people are out of work and struggling to cope with the incredible fallout of this emergency,” he said in a statement posted on his Facebook page April 6.

“So far, the town has been able to keep our staff intact as we provide the essential services our community relies on. However, with the federal CERB (Canada Emergency Response Benefit) starting this week, we are making the necessary adjustment to our workforce. Today, we have notified 280 part-time employees of a layoff under the terms of a declared emergency leave. We did not make this decision lightly.”

The workers mostly provide recreational services in facilities that have been closed down during the coronavirus crisis.

The town is looking forward to “healthier times” when the employees can be brought back to provide services when facilities reopen and programs resume, Mrakas said.

The layoffs come on the same day he shared that an 81-year-old Aurora resident has died of COVID-19.

“On behalf of all residents, I extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones,” he said in a message posted on Facebook.

Dozens of residents shared thoughts about the loss of the senior.

“Condolences and prayers to the person’s family and friends. So sad…no real words can express our we feel,” Elan Imseis said.

Steve Reeves urged people to honour the senior’s death by following rules in place during the outbreak.

“While condolences I am sure will be appreciated by this person’s family, let’s really honour this member of our community by recommitting to our efforts to protect each other so that we don’t lose anyone else from our community,” he said.

“May their memory be a blessing.”