MPP worries about Queen’s Park mask rules
With winter break over, delegate can expect quiet session — for a while
As Ontario MPPs return to Queen’s Park after the winter break, they can expect a subdued session — at least at first.
Government house leader Paul Calandra, who met last week with his counterparts in the opposition parties, said the proceedings that begin Tuesday after a two-month recess should be low-key and methodical due to the new and more contagious COVID-19 variants.
“It’s going to be a deliberately slow start, a leaner schedule, to ensure all the (pandemic safety) protocols are in place,” Calandra said in an interview.
By order of Speaker Ted Arnott, masks are mandatory throughout Queen’s Park, including on the floor of the chamber.
“This mask or face covering must cover the mouth and nose and must be worn at all times when in any public areas of the legislative precinct, and when physical distancing between people of six feet/two metres is not possible,” Arnott decreed last month.
Calandra conceded there could be one or two MPPs who may challenge the mask mandate, but he is hopeful members abide by the rules to keep everyone safe.
Among the governing Progressive Conservatives there is little tolerance for questioning COVID-19 safety measures.
Premier Doug Ford has turfed two Conservative MPPs from caucus for defying him on the pandemic.
The premier defenestrated MPP Roman Baber (York West) on Jan. 15 for publicly challenging the wisdom of COVID-19 lockdowns.
Last July, Ford ejected Belinda Karahalios (Cambridge) for voting against controversial Tory legislation that expanded the government’s emergency powers. She now sits as a New Blue Party member.
In the 124-member house, there are also 71 Tories, including Arnott who does not caucus with the government, 40 New Democrats, eight Liberals, three ex-PC Independents, and one Green.
For this session, scheduled to continue until June, Calandra said the Tories have divided their caucus into geographical “cohorts” so only MPPs from the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area and Niagara will attend at the same time.
Members representing ridings in the rest of Ontario will be in a separate group.
Ford, Health Minister Christine Elliott, Education Minister Stephen Lecce, Long-Term Care Minister Merrilee Fullerton, and Calandra will straddle both cohorts.
But other key ministers will be made available for opposition and media questioning as demanded.
In terms of the government’s legislative agenda, Calandra said the Tories “have some justice legislation coming forward to help people access the justice system better and faster.”
As well, there will be new bills tackling red-tape reduction and boosting economic activity in northern Ontario.
Despite a call from Liberal house leader John Fraser for debates and the daily question period to be virtual as well as in person — like the Commons in Ottawa — Calandra said “that is definitely not going to happen” at Queen’s Park.
“I am very, very opposed to a Zoom parliament,” he said, praising the clerks and legislative staff and MPPs from all the parties for working to ensure the sessions have been held safely since last spring.
Next month, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy — who replaced treasurer Rod Phillips on Dec. 31 following the latter’s resignation for taking a Caribbean vacation during the pandemic — will table a budget.
While it is expected to eclipse the record $189.6 billion 202021 spending plan, opposition leaders say the Tories can do more to help struggling Ontarians.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath wants the province to reinstate a provincial paid sick-leave program instead of just relying upon the federal benefit few are using because it is complicated to navigate.
To that end, she will be asking for unanimous consent to pass London West New Democrat MPP Peggy Sattler’s Stay Home if You Are Sick Act, which is backed by many doctors, unions, and small business owners. Horwath told reporters that paid sick leave is the New Democrats’ top priority.
But the official opposition will also be pushing for a ban on all evictions during the pandemic, enhanced care for nursinghome residents, higher pay for personal service workers, a 15student cap in school classrooms, and an equity strategy to ensure vaccines are fairly distributes among other measures.
“We’re looking for the support of all MPPs, regardless of political stripe, to get these things all done urgently,” said Horwath.
“Before this house adjourns on Thursday, we could pass these bills and motions to save lives, help stop the spread and give folks what they need to make it to the other side.”
Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca wants to the opposition parties to band together to force the Tories to agree to an Ontario paid sick leave program.
“I’ll work with anyone from any political party to deliver what we need. We should rise above partisanship,” said Del Duca, a minister in former Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne’s government that launched the two days of guaranteed paid sick leave for workers.
Ford’s Tories scrapped that benefit after the 2018 election.
Green Leader Mike Schreiner said reviving the program is “a no-brainer” because it would protect the most vulnerable workers.
“All across the political spectrum, people are calling for it,” Schreiner said.
“It makes no sense to me not to do it.”