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Premier Extends Lockdown and Stay At Home Order

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Premier Doug Ford is extending both the stay at home order and lockdown measures until June 2nd.

The current measures were set to expire on Thursday May 20th.

The Premier stated that if numbers continue to drop, outdoor activities will be allowed again on June 2nd.

“I expect by June 2nd, so long as we stay the course, we will be able to open outdoor recreation, and by then we will provide more details on our plan to carefully and safely begin to re-open the province in the days and weeks to follow.”

Premier Ford went on to mention incoming flights into Ontario have played a role in provincial case counts.

“We’ve seen disturbing reports that over 88,000 travelers entering Canada, one-third of travelers on international flights, have been able to bypass the mandatory three day hotel requirement. We have private jets landing all over the province at smaller airports from Hawaii, Arizona, and other sunny destinations. This is not emergency travel.”

When asked about what restrictions the province can expect after the extended lockdown potentially concludes June 2nd, Premier Ford stressed the dangers of loosening restrictions prematurely.

“We just can’t open up too quickly, we just can’t. I just want to make sure everyone has the best July and August and get back to as normal as we can.”

Ford did shift some blame towards Justin Trudeau and the Federal Government, citing provincial case counts being directly related to current travel and border restrictions.

“You want to protect Canadians, you want to protect Ontarians, you want to stop variants from coming in, when 90% of people with COVID has come in through the airports or the land-borders.”

The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) has been vocal in their support for an extended stay-at-home order based on the current number of hospitalizations in the province, along with daily case counts.

Chief Medical Officer of Health David Williams stated earlier this week that daily case counts need to stay below 1,000 if restrictions are to be loosened.

This comes as the province recorded 2,759 cases of COVID-19 along with 31 deaths Thursday.

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Ontario School Plan Receives $381 Million From Feds

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Ontario’s back-to-school plan is being further enhanced by $381-million in federal funding.

Premier Doug Ford says that’s on top of the nearly $900-million provided by the province to allow schools to reopen.

“Our medical experts and education officials have developed the safest, most cautious school reopening plan in the entire country and this funding will only enhance our plan.”

Ford says the money will target high need areas including ventilation systems and enhancing safety on school buses.

The government will use $12.5-million to hire 125 additional nursing positions in public health units across the province to help schools manage potential COVID-19 cases.

Ford says a total of 625 public health nurses will be available for Ontario schools.

Seventy million dollars is being spent on the temporary hiring of educators as well as $30-million to purchase additional Personal Protection Equipment for schools.

The PC government is also setting aside $50-million for any future pandemic learning needs, to ensure Ontario is prepared for every scenario this Fall.

Here is the funding background:

Reopening Plan Implementation – $200 million

$100 million to complement the health and safety components of school reopening plans, in consultation with local public health units, including the hiring of custodians, HVAC, improvements, internet connectivity for students and other local needs.
$30 million to support additional PPE for schools.
$70 million for the temporary hiring of educators as required.
Student Transportation – $70 million

$44.5 million in support of the Driver Retention Program (DRP).
$25.5 million for route protection and to help reduce the number of students on buses.
Special Education and Mental Health Supports Enhancement – $12.5 million

Will allow boards to hire and train additional staff and provide more mental health supports for students.
Additional Public Health Nurses – $12.5 million

Supports up to 125 additional nursing positions in public health units across the province to help schools manage potential COVID-19 cases.
Remote Learning – $36 million

Ensures that every school board offering virtual learning has a dedicated principal and administrative support for both its secondary and elementary virtual schools.

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No Plans To Make Masks Mandatory

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Premier Doug Ford is rejecting a call for a mandatory mask policy across Ontario to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

“You just can’t enforce it. When you go up to the rural areas, way up north, and there’s no cases. As much as we can tell them to wear masks, they aren’t wearing masks. Our MPP’s are telling us up in rural areas they just aren’t wearing masks.

Ford says his government trusts people to make responsible decisions when they leave their homes.

He adds local medical officers of health have the power to implement face mask policies in their respective health regions under existing legislation.

“It’s up to the local Chief Medical Officer. If they want to do it then god bless them. All the power to them. I think it’s a good thing. When you’re out in public wear a mask. Wear a face cover. That’s the reason we’re at the numbers we are because everyone is listening.”

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MPP Calls For Action On Reconciliation

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Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa says the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples bill supporting reconciliation continues to collect dust.

Mamakwa introduced the legislation one year ago and it passed second reading, but has since been left in legislative limbo.

When asked about its status, Premier Doug Ford wouldn’t comment on if it will move forward.

“Well there’s never one step to reconciliation in my opinion. There’s always multiple steps and we have to constantly be doing a better job.”

Mamakwa says it’s clearly time for Ford to get to work so that First Nations basic human rights can be met.

“We must all demand that Indigenous Peoples are treated equitably under the law. After more than 150 years of colonialism, the status quo is no longer acceptable. As we have seen in demonstrations across the continent, the struggle for justice is real. Racial inequalities are not acceptable.”

The NDP critic for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation adds “The people of Ontario must ensure their government respects human rights for Indigenous communities.”

Meantime, the provincial government was asked this week to provide an update on reconciliation efforts with First Nations.

It’s been one year since the release of the final report on the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Premier Doug Ford says it’s all about understanding the communities and relating to their concerns and feeling the pain that they have gone through.

“We’ve built up an incredibly strong relationship right across this province. I give all the credit to Minister Greg Rickford. Greg Rickford was a nurse and lived with First Nations communities for 7 to 8 years. He was in there helping these communities when they needed help most. No one was listening to them. As far as I’m concerned he’s the best minister for Indigenous Affairs. So we’re going to continue working with him and supporting him every which way we can.”

Ford adds they have a phenomenal relationship with First Nations and he appreciates their support and the great work they do on a daily basis.