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9 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,A pril 9,2020 theifp.ca Can I deny my former spouse court ordered access to my children as a result of the COVID19 pandemic? ASK THE PROFESSIONAL The advice offered in this column is intended for informational purposes only. Use of this column is not intended to replace or substitute any professional, financial, medical, legal, or other professional advice. We work for you. legal matters Q A COVID19- Child Access Helsons LLP is a firm of 9 Lawyers. We trace our firm back to 1885 in Georgetown, Ontario Frederick A. Helson (1921-2018) Allan W. Kogon (retired) David J. Ashbee John E. Schaljo Mark T. Rush Steven D. Kogon Caley E. Power Jessica A. Krause Jasmine M. Spudic Nicole E. Kucherenko Fiona A. Japaul Nancy L. Carnwath (retired) David J. Ashbee 2018 Large Business of the Year A - The courts are now closed except for urgent or emergency matters. Denying access can be considered an urgent matter based on the premise that continued access would be considered in the best interests of the children. Does the COVID19 pandemic change this? The Hamilton Superior Court of Justice has very, very recently in a case given some guidelines with regard to stopping access based on the COVID19 pandemic. In order to suspended ordered access, you would need to provide the court with specific evidence or plans by the other parent that are not consistent with COVID19 protocols. The access parent would need to provide absolute re-assurance to the court that COVID19 public safety directives would be followed to continue the ordered access. Both Helsons LLP offices are physically closed to the public for the foreseeable future. Even though our physical offices are closed, we continue to be able to provide you with the highest level of client service possible. In that regard we continue to be able to "meet" with you by telephone or video conferencing and we encourage you to share documents with us electronically. Helsons LLP Barristers and Solicitors 132 Mill Street, Georgetown, Ontario L7G 2C6 Tel: (905) 877-5200 35 Mill Street East, Acton, Ontario L7J 1H1 Tel: (519) 929-9333 Email: info@helsons.ca Web: www.helsons.ca Rent soft water Starting at$9.95 *for first three monthsmth .com 5 Mountainview Road North, Georgetown 905.877.6242 - info@culliganwater.ca Serving All-Day Famous Breakfast Special • Lunch • Dinner We are open for TAKEOUT ONLY during this time. The management and staff want you to stay home, stay safe and enjoy yourselves the best that you can! HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE! OPEN FOR TAKEOUT!! RALLIS BURGER & GRILL 294 Queen St. Acton | www.rallisburger.com | 519-853-5775 HOURS Mon & Tues: Closed Wed, Thurs & Fri: 4:30-7:30 Sat: 10:30-2:00 & 4:30-7:30 Closed Easter Sunday Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce GM Kathleen Dills said that while the programs put in place by various levels of govern- ment to help businesses during the COVID-19 pan- demic are appreciated, these businesses need re- lief now. "They cannot afford to wait any longer because expenses are accumulating while revenue is reduced in some cases to nothing," she said. "The (federal govern- ment's) wage subsidy pro- gram will not be available for another six weeks. Gov- ernments are frantically reinventing how they offer these programs so they are effective and accessible. A one-size fits all solution for such a diverse economy is complicated and many questions still need to be answered." Dills noted rent was due April 1 and for many there was no assistance or relief for that with tenants in- stead having to negotiate with landlords. "Everyone is doing their very best in a situation of complete uncertainty," she said. "There are heroes ev- erywhere. Businesses flip- ping operations to provide essential medical prod- ucts, truckers and the sup- ply chain keeping goods moving, technicians keep- ing our infrastructure strong, retail and grocery staff serving people and of course health-care profes- sionals who we cannot be- gin to thank." Chambers across Hal- ton weighed in on the eco- nomic update that was re- cently shared by the prov- ince. In that update the prov- ince noted it would spend around $17 billion on a CO- VID-19 plan. That plan will see $7 bil- lion used to help the health-care system fight the coronavirus and $10 bil- lion in tax deferrals to help struggling businesses and families, but it will also re- sult in a $20.5-billion deficit for the calendar year and essentially torpedo the Ford government's dream of returning Ontario to a balanced budget in 2023. Milton Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Scott McCammon says that while the assis- tance programs the provin- cial and federal govern- ments are bringing for- ward in the midst of the CO- VID-19 crisis are helpful, what's needed now is clar- ity Namely, regarding who can apply, how they can ap- ply and how quickly they can get the funds they re- quire. "We need to know how businesses can access the funds that have been made available for them," said McCammon. He said that like every- where else, some business- es in Milton have been hit harder than others. Industries that rely on the public like restaurants and retail establishments are having a particularly tough time. "For the most part ev- eryone is struggling but coping," said McCammon. "No one knows when the end is coming, but every- one is really looking for- ward to this being over and getting back to some sort of normality." When asked about the province's economic up- date and the measures, such as tax deferrals, being implemented to help busi- nesses during the pandem- ic Drew Redden, President and CEO of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber is en- couraged to see all levels of government working to- gether to support business communities. "We appreciate the lead- ership and measures al- ready implemented; how- ever, this is a challenge we have never experienced be- fore, and we need to contin- ue to stay focused on man- aging the economy and sav- ing jobs," said Redden. NEWS HEADS OF AREA CHAMBERS REACT TO ECONOMIC UPDATE #FINANCIALWELLBEING OF PROVINCE IN UNPRECEDENTED HARD TIMES DAVID LEA dlea@metroland.com Kathleen Dills, general manager of the Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce. Graeme Frisque/Metroland Media