London Mayor Ed Holder has announced the creation of a pair of task forces that will look at how the city can recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, both economically and socially.
Mayor’s Economic Impact and Recovery Task Force and the Mayor’s Social Impact and Recovery Task Force were announced by Mayor Holder and Deputy Mayor Jesse Helmer on Thursday afternoon.
“While both groups have separate areas of focus, they share a common objective,” said Mayor Holder. “We need to understand and hear, first hand, the impact of COVID-19 on key stakeholders in our community so as to identify concrete actions that can be taken by Londoners and London organizations, and, when necessary, communicate those needs to other orders of government. Our provincial and federal partners have been incredibly responsive thus far, and we need to ensure they have accurate information to adjust, as appropriate, going forward.”
According to a news release from the mayor's office, the Mayor’s Economic Impact and Recovery Task Force will work with leaders in the business and industry community to "understand and address the economic impact on London residents, organizations and businesses."
The Mayor’s Social Impact and Recovery Task Force will see the city work with the United Way Elgin Middlesex to "bring together stakeholders who are working in partnership to support those most vulnerable in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic."
“We’ve seen, already, the significant strain this has had on London businesses and workers from a financial perspective,” said Deputy Mayor Helmer. “Equally important however is the strain this has placed on London’s most vulnerable, and organizations and agencies who provide them support. We all have a role to play in helping each other through this unprecedented period, and that’s what we intend to do.”
The two task forces will hold their first meetings, via video and teleconference, on Friday
