What Niagara’s mayors say about not yet reopening
Mixed feelings about delay in business reboot
The province closed non-essential workplaces on March 17 to help stop the spread of COVID-19. On Monday, Premier Doug Ford announced some communities can move into the second stage of a reopening strategy, allowing for more businesses and amenities to operate. Niagara is not one of them.
We asked some of Niagara’s mayors what they thought of the province’s decision to keep the region at Stage 1 of economic recovery.
Walter Sendzik, St. Catharines: “Everything that we’ve done to date has prevented a serious public health crisis in our community … I believe that we’re in a position where we can open, but I also have to be mindful of when the province and public health says give this a bit more time, we have to understand that we’re here because we followed their advice and we’ve got to do it for a bit longer, as painful as it may be.
We have to remember what we’ve prevented by doing what we’ve done. Let’s not waste all that effort by not heeding the advice of where we are today. I’m hopeful we’ll be open soon, but I’m not about to criticize the provincial government because they’ve done a solid job guiding through to where we are today.”
Jim Diodati, Niagara Falls:
“We should have been included (in Stage 2). Our numbers are very good. The only anomaly we have right now is the farm with the migrant workers in St. Catharines, and that is identified and it’s contained. Aside from that, our numbers are excellent. The fact remains, our COVID-19 recovery has been outstanding. We have crushed the curve and we are ready to open … It’s more dangerous not opening at this point. We have more people concentrated in smaller areas. They’re not spreading out because things are not open … I’ve had grown men on the phone with me crying because they’ve burned up their line of credit. They’re now cashing in their life savings, their retirement RRSPS just in the hope that they’re going to get to open up again and be at reduced capacity. They’re panicking. They’re sick about it. They can’t sleep. They’re saying please help me. … Either we get them open ASAP or we better have boat loads of money to help them out, because they’re going to be on social services for quite some time trying to recover from this.” Frank Campion, Welland: “Although it is disappointing that Niagara was excluded from Phase 2 openings at this time, I am hopeful it will not be much longer. I think, among other things, that the population concentration and proximity of municipalities in the Golden Horseshoe from Toronto to Fort Erie may be an issue. Travel and interaction throughout the municipalities is extensive so issues in one municipality may affect adjoining municipalities throughout the Golden
Horseshoe.”
Wayne Redekop, Fort Erie: “We really don’t know what the basis of the government’s decision was. It really hasn’t been transparent so we don’t know what metrics they used in determining if we should go to Stage 2. It would have been better if there had been an explanation, so at least the pubic would have an under- standing.”
Jeff Jordan, Grimsby: “It’s certainly unfortunate for any businesses, but I guess the province knows best … I think the minute we start trying to do our own thing and not respecting the province, I think that could lead to chaotic times.”
Terry Ugulini, Thorold: “Being an eternal optimist, I’m hopeful we’ll get included next week … That would be great. Being omitted this week definitely is a negative, especially for our small businesses in the downtown area — our hairdressers and restaurants that are trying to open outdoor patios. But we’ve been working with them. We’ve been lobbying very hard between the Region and all the cities. We sent a letter to the government and really pushed for this outdoor patio changes that they made and when they announced it, it was even better than we expected. That’s a real positive.”
Bill Steele, Port Colborne: “The GTA is an epicentre. Their numbers are higher. I think that until those numbers come under control, keeping us closed is not a bad idea because we are so close and we’re a great tourist area. We love the people when they come down but, quite honestly, I think all 12 mayors and the regional chair would say now is not the time. Is it disappointing? I suppose to businesses that are rip-roaring to go, but … quite frankly I don’t want to be here in September and October being locked up again. If it takes a couple more weeks, so be it.”
Betty Disero, Niagara-onthe-lake: “If the premier feels that he’s not prepared to open yet, I accept that and we wait for the news to change … It’s tough, I know, for our businesses not to be able to open this weekend — and it’s restaurants and hair dressers — but it will come.”