Extending the state of emergency doesn’t mean ‘reopening is on hold,’ Ford says,

Ontario will remain under a state of emergency for another month, but Premier Doug Ford stresses that “does not mean that reopening is on hold.”

As about 40 people rallied outside the legislature to protest against government measures keeping many businesses closed to limit the spread of COVID-19, Ford moved to allay concerns.

“We are working around the clock to move ahead with our economic reopening,” the premier said Tuesday at his daily teleconference.

“Our health officials are working on the option of a regional model because we need a plan that recognizes the reality on the ground in different parts of our province — a plan that will help us reopen safely without taking unnecessary risks because a second wave of this virus is possible,” said Ford. “So, we must … remain vigilant and we must continue to prepare for the long haul.” His comments came as MPPs, who sit again Wednesday, rubber-stamped his call to extend through June 30 Ontario’s state of emergency, which has been in place since March 17.

That gives the government sweeping powers and means much of Ontario’s economy will have been locked down for 15 weeks — and possibly longer since the emergency declaration could again be extended.

In front of the legislature, a smattering of protesters pushed for a rapid reopening of the economy, brandishing signs saying “My income is essential” and “Time to flatten the curve on Ford’s power grab.”

“If you want to stay home and you feel safe at home, stay home. Most people actually feel safe and healthy to be outside, especially in the summer,” said protester Vladislav Sobolev, who wore a T-shirt with the slogan “Hugs over masks.”

That’s a reference to public health officials’ recommendation that Ontarians don face coverings in circumstances where they can’t maintain physical distancing of at least two metres.

Ford said the rally was “totally irresponsible.”

“We’re doing so well as a province. We’re seeing the trend go down because of the support of the people. It’s just unnecessary — so disappointing,” he said. NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said continuing the state of emergency “is the responsible thing to do based on what we’re hearing” from public health officials.

Yet Horwath was frustrated that Ford, who skipped last week’s two question periods, ducked her queries about his handling of the crisis in longterm-care homes, where about 70 per cent of Ontario’s almost 2,400 COVID-19 deaths occurred.

The premier told reporters he fobbed the NDP leader’s queries to Long Term Care Minister Merrilee Fullerton because she “is a lot more knowledgeable” about nursing homes than he is.

“I pass it over to the experts. Dr. Fullerton’s done a great job, has been a doctor for 30 years and honestly, when it comes to health, could run circles around me,” he said.

Also on Tuesday, in an unusual move, MPPs for the first time in Ontario history were able to vote from the public visitors’ gallery to maintain safe social distancing.

They passed a motion to temporally amend the standing orders so that, until Sept. 14, voting will occur in the members’ lobbies outside the chamber in order to keep MPPs two metres apart.

“The ayes shall be recorded in the (government’s) east members’ lobby and the nays shall be recorded in the (opposition’s) west members’ lobby,” the motion said.

Results would then be announced in the legislature.