Quebec delays school reopening in Montreal
Alberta joins Ontario in lifting some restrictions; B.C. opens some parks
MONTREAL— Even as much of Canada took steps Thursday toward resuming normal life, with the promise of reopened national parks and provincial economies, Quebec moved in the other direction by shelving plans to have students return to class in Montreal.
Ontario announced it would lift restrictions on some retailers, seasonal businesses and medical procedures next Tuesday, while Alberta began implementing the first phase of its own relaunch with the reopening of stores, daycares and museums.
In contrast, Quebec Premier François Legault announced that elementary schools in greater Montreal would remain closed for the rest of the school year, saying conditions had not been met to reopen as planned on May 25.
Daycares, which had been scheduled to open the same day, will now remain closed until at least June 1, while businesses will be allowed to open as scheduled only if conditions improve in the province’s largest city.
Quebec has more than half of the country’s COVID-19 cases, with over 40,000 infections and 3,351deaths as of Thursday. The province has already opened elementary schools and stores outside Montreal, but Legault said the situation in the city remains risky.
“We know the situation remains under control outside Montreal, but it remains fragile here,” Legault said during a visit to the hard-hit city. “We’ve concluded that the conditions are not met to reopen elementary schools in the Montreal region.”
In Alberta, retail stores, hair salons, museums, daycares and day camps were allowed to open Thursday, with restrictions. Restaurants and cafés could reopen at half capacity.
The reopenings apply across the province, except in Calgary and Brooks, which will have to wait until May 25.
In Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said some national parks and historic sites across the country would reopen June 1 for select activities, including trails, day use areas and green spaces.
At his daily briefing, Trudeau noted that the coming May long weekend would look different this year due to the ongoing shutdowns and distancing restrictions.
“But this isn’t forever,” he added. British Columbia opened many of its provincial parks Thursday but kept several in and around the Vancouver area closed because of fears they would draw crowds.
In New Brunswick, Education Minister Dominic Cardy warned that all phases of reopening involve risk, including the planned reopening of licensed daycares next Tuesday.