Fwd: [Fwd: OUMA Newsletter – COVID-19 Re-Opening]

You are receiving this newsletter as a member of the Ontario Union of
Martial Artists. In this edition of the OUMA newsletter (COVID-19
RE-OPENING)
* COVID-19 Re-Opening Assistance
 * COVID-19 Lobby Action Timeline
 * Ontario Government Response to Letter Writing Campaign
 * Call-to-Action – Send COVID-19 Impact Statements to The Ontario
Jobs and Recovery Committee
 * OUMA Facilitates a Task Force for COVID-19: Competition Guidelines
COVID-19 Re Opening Assistance As many regions of Ontario enter Phase 3,
Martial Arts clubs have the official legal right to re-open as long as
they can satisfy the health and safety frameworks of the provincial
government and their regional health units. But where do you start? The
OUMA has been working with the Middle-Sex London Health Unit, and the
Ministry of Health to provide a framework for re-opening in South Western
Ontario. We have successfully opened out hombu dojo, and are sharing our
resources with registered members.
 Resources include:
  A copy of our Return-To-Play Waiver, which addresses risks associated
with COVID-19 A copy of our re-opening package that we provide each
returning member A copy of our health screening check list that is
submitted before each and every class A copy of all our posters (with
generic branding), copyright free, to help clubs communicate health and
safety protocols.  These resources should help clubs get started, but
remember – you must work with your regional Public Health Unit to
accommodate all of their recommendations.
  YOU MUST BE A MEMBER AND LOGGED INTO THE OUMA WEBSITE TO ACCESS THIS
CONTENT.  IT IS UNDER THE MEMBER’S AREA. You can find the
resources here: https://wp.me/Pa0N6F-nQ  COVID-19 Lobby Action Timeline
The below timeline represents the lobbying activity the OUMA has been
involved in since COVID-19 closures were officially announced with the
Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.  May 11th, 2020: Initial
Letter to the Ministry, confirmed as received.  No response from the
Ministry
https://ontario-uma.ca/advocacy-and-autonomy/covid-19-ministry-letter-asking-for-reopen-guidelines/
  JUNE 8TH, 2020: Contacted COVID-19 Government Service Changes and Public
Closures.  Confirmed as received.  No response. 
https://www.ontario.ca/feedback/contact-us?id=8794&nid=132582 No reply
from the formal contact.   JUNE 9th, 2020:  ONTARIO KARATE FEDERATION
FALSLEY CLAIMS ALL MEMBERS CAN RE-OPEN THEIR DOJOS  Investigation from
this claim has revealed that members still have to follow any health and
safety guidelines that would be imposed by any regional Public Health
Authority Update: JUNE 26th, 2020:  ONTARIO KARATE FEDERATION HAS STILL
NOT PROVIDED ANY FORMAL GUIDELINES TO A NEW DOJO MEMBER WHO HAS SIGNED UP
BASED ON THEIR FACEBOOK CLAIM (AT A COST OF OVER $200) Update: July 3rd:
ONTARIO KARATE FEDERATION EMAILS RE-OPENING GUIDELINES AFTER THE PROVINCE
ANNOUNCES IT IS IN PHASE 3 AND MAJORITY OF ONTARIO CAN RE-OPEN.   JUNE
23RD, 2020: Unfair Prejudicial Treatment and Equal Rights for Non
Provincial Sport Organizations  Created Letter Campaign and formally
mailed out and emailed Letter campaign was received and acknowledged by
the office of The Honorable Monte McNaughton, and agreed to be passed on
to The Ministry of Sport. No response from the Ministry of Sport as of
June 30th. Link to copy of the letter campaign:   JUNE 27TH, 2020: 2020
the Ontario Government removed the restriction that only Provincial Sport
Organizations could re-open their indoor training spaces!  REGIONAL
HEALTH UNIT RESTRICTIONS STILL APPLY. JULY 1ST, 2020: Letter to the
Honorable Mr. Monte McNaughton, Competition Canada, The Honorable Mrs.
Lisa McLeod, Minister of Heritage Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries,
and  The Honorable Lisa Thompson Minister of Government and Consumer
Services. JULY 7, 2020: Middle-Sex London Health Unit confirms clubs in
the region can hold outdoor classes JULY 20TH, 2020: Ontario announces
stage 3 re-opening for 90% of all businesses, on a regional basis 
Ontario Government Response to Letter Writing Campaign (COVID-19
Re-Opening) Letter writing campaign We have been very busy over the past
few months trying to engage the Ministry of Heritage, Culture and Sport,
and other MPPs to provide guidance to our Martial Arts communities in
Ontario regarding safe practice and re-opening guidelines.  We have
reached out to our political leaders via phone calls, emails and a letter
writing campaign. On May 20th we sent formal requests, via standard mail,
to every single MPP in Ontario. We have received responses from various
MPPs, and a significant response from MPP, Mr. John Yakabuski, a member of
the Premier’s Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee. WE HAVE NOT
RECEIVED A SINGLE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OR RESPONSE FROM THE MINISTRY OF SPORT
We have since had responses from the Ministry of Health’s critical
opposition and the other members of the opposition parties, including the
office of Frane Gelinas, the NDP Health Care Critical Opposition, and the
office of MPP Paul Miller from the Hamilton East-Stoney Creek Ridings.
CALL-TO-ACTION!  SEND COVID-19 IMPACT STATEMENTS TO ONTARIO JOB AND
RECOVERY COMMITTEE Martial Artists, Club Owners, Students, Friends and
Families – NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT!!! The only way our community will
be included in Ontario’s recovery plans (both economic and cultural)
is if we communicate the impact COVID-19 has had on our Martial Arts
Culture, Way-of-Life, and the reduction of Martial Arts Practices that
contribute to the Health and Longevity of community members. PLEASE SUBMIT
YOUR IMPACT STATEMENTS TO THE GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO HERE:
https://www.ontario.ca/form/survey-economic-impacts-covid-19 SHARE THIS
LINK WITH ALL OF YOUR MARTIAL ARTS FRIENDS AND HELP US CREATE A COLLECTIVE
VOICE FOR INCLUSION. Examples of some impact statements include:
Community members have not been able to attend martial arts clubs and the
local economy, along with the cultural community has suffered. There is
less money spent within the community and there are concerns that our
local martial arts organization may not be able to re-open if they are not
able to accept students. Martial Arts organizations seem to have been left
out of Ontario’s economic recovery plan. Moreover, they seem to have
been grouped together with Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and other
‘high-impact’ combat sports. The truth is that most Martial
Arts Organizations in Ontario are not MMA and can be practices in a safe,
socially distanced and non-contact way that is appropriate for Phase 1 of
Ontario’s economic recovery plan. Many Martial Arts organizations
have embraced elevated safety protocols according to Ontario Public Health
guidelines in preparation to re-open. Sanitation, social distancing,
traffic and air circulation considerations along with employee training
and establishing Joint Health and Safety Committees are all included in
considerations. The Ontario Union of Martial Artists has provided some
guidelines and has actively been asking for input and recommendations from
the Ontario government for input on best practices. I would like to
include Martial Arts organizations and the practice of martial arts
permitted in locations that allow for social distancing and/or in outdoor
locations like parks. The Ontario government should include Martial Arts
as part of its economic recovery plan as these types of organizations
support families through summer camps (where children can safely
participate), stress relief through physical exercise and mental health
through its cultural practice.  PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR IMPACT STATEMENTS TO
THE GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO HERE:
https://www.ontario.ca/form/survey-economic-impacts-covid-19 SHARE THIS
LINK WITH ALL OF YOUR MARTIAL ARTS FRIENDS AND HELP US CREATE A COLLECTIVE
VOICE FOR INCLUSION.  OUMA Facilitates a Task Force for COVID-19:
Competition Guidelines:  It may seem a long ways away before we are able
to safely hold in-person martial arts competitions that include point
sparring, grappling, and other events that don’t seem to support
social distancing.  But having the conversations today on what conditions
would allow certain types of competition, and what are the safety
considerations for those competitions is an important consider today so we
can plan for the future. The OUMA has reached out to other Martial Arts
Organizations and Leaders to invite them to participate in these
discussions and evolve a proposal to share with the Ontario government. 
We will continue to provide updates as we engage with the leaders in our
Martial Arts Community and define the causes and conditions that will
enable safe competition as a part of a recovery plan. Members from The
Snow-Tigers Martial Arts Association, The World Martial Arts Organization
(Canada), and multiple members of the Black-Belt Hall of Fame have agreed
to participate in the task force.  No longer interested in emails from
Ontario Union of Martial Artists? Please click here to unsubscribe.
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