Premier Doug Ford wants to extend Ontario’s state of emergency to July 15

Thestar.com
June 19, 2020
Robert Benzie

Premier Doug Ford wants to extend Ontario’s state of emergency until July 15 even though the province’s economy is gradually opening up as new COVID-19 cases start to dwindle.

On Wednesday night in the legislature, Ford’s Progressive Conservatives tabled a motion for the change that will be debated by MPPs next week.

His office said he is “hopeful that this will be the final extension.”

The state of emergency, which has been in effect since March 17, is currently set to expire on June 30.

If, as expected, the motion passes, Ontario will have been in such a state for 120 days.

Ford announced earlier Wednesday that all emergency orders in force under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act would remain in effect until June 30.

By law, the orders must be spelled out and renewed every two weeks even during an emergency.

The premier said another extension was necessary to ensure the government can “safely and gradually reopen the province.”

“Extending these emergency orders gives our front-line health-care providers the necessary flexibility to rapidly respond to urgent needs and protect our most vulnerable,” he said.

“Even though we’re seeing decreasing infection rates with increased testing levels, we can’t let our guard down just yet,” said Ford.

“We need to keep these emergency measures in place to support our front-line heroes and we must all continue following the public health advice, so we can reopen more of the province safely and gradually.”

As of this Friday, every part of Ontario except the city of Toronto, Peel Region, and Windsor-Essex, will have moved to the second stage of reopening, which allows additional businesses -- including restaurants with patios, barbers, and hair salons -- to open.

That means more services and freedoms for people in Halton, Durham, York, Muskoka, and Hamilton after months of being locked down.

Later Wednesday, Ford emphasized that local health authorities have the power to slow the openings if they have safety concerns.

“Even if we give them the green light if they want to continue to keep the shops closed, that’s going to be up to them. They know they have the powers to do that,” the premier said.

Health Minister Christine Elliott said Toronto, Peel, and Windsor should learn next Monday if they can open up more of their economies on June 26.

“The system has been set up that we’re looking at things on Mondays, making a decision about an opening on the following Friday, so that businesses in certain areas will be ready to be able to do that,” said Elliott.

“We give them as much notice as possible.”

Effective across Ontario last Friday, the government allowed gatherings of up to 10 people as well as “social circles” to allow households to “bubble” together.

“Social circles are different from social gatherings. A social circle is voluntary, but if adopted should include all household members, and can include family and friends outside the household up to a maximum of 10 people in the social circle,” the government said in a statement.

But Ford reiterated that people should maintain a safe physical distance of two metres while out in public or shopping. On Tuesday, he also urged Ontarians to wear non-medical masks when out and about if they cannot keep two metres apart.

“I highly, highly recommend when you go out, wear a face mask of some sort. Simple as that. You’re going into a store, wear a face mask of some sort.”