Ontario didn't lift COVID-19 restrictions too soon, Ford says
Premier Doug Ford said he doesn’t believe Ontario lifted COVID-19 restrictions too early, despite a recent uptick in hospitalizations and other indications the virus is spreading quickly.
“I don’t think so, considering we were one of the last in North America,” Ford told reporters in Ottawa when asked if the province ended restrictions too soon.
“I’ve been accused of being the most cautious leader in North America. Everyone else in the whole country has taken their masks off.”
Ford also suggested he doesn’t think the government would have to reintroduce COVID-19 restrictions if the numbers surge as they did in previous waves.
“Let’s talk about that—if God forbid that ever happens—at the time. But we’re prepared,” he said. “We’ve learned a tremendous amount over the last two years.”
The Ontario government lifted masking rules in most places on Monday, despite some public health experts suggesting they should remain in place for a few more weeks. The province has also lifted all capacity limits.
Quebec’s mask mandate remains in place, although it has lifted masking requirements in schools. Prince Edward Island also requires masks, which Ford mentioned later in the news conference.
Health Minister Christine Elliott added that the government expected an uptick in COVID-19 wastewater data, which has been reported in recent weeks, as restrictions lifted.
“Dr. Moore did indicate several times that as we reopened Ontario up, we would see higher levels in the wastewater surveillance,” Elliott said. “We are confident that we have the capabilities in our hospitals to be able to take care of anyone who needs a hospital bed or needs to be in intensive care.
“This is something that was suggested we would see in any event, so it’s not surprising to us at all.”
Ford pointed to heightened immunity and high vaccination rates, increased hospital capacity, and an incoming shipment of new antiviral COVID-19 pills from the federal government as reasons the government is prepared.
“Let me assure you: we’ll always be cautious. I’ll always listen to the advice of Dr. Moore and other doctors around the province,” he said.
Province pledges $29.1 million for new Civic campus
Ford was in Ottawa to announce $29.1 million in new funding for the new Ottawa Hospital Civic campus.
The money will go toward planning for the project, which is scheduled to begin construction in 2024 and be completed in 2028.
Ford called the new money “one of the largest planning grants in Ontario history."
The $2.8-billion project will be the largest health care infrastructure project in the city's history.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7013462.1724559182!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Labour board orders rail workers back on the job as Teamsters vow to appeal
Freight trains must start rolling again first thing Monday morning, the federal labour board ruled Saturday as it ordered thousands of rail employees back to work to end a bitter contract dispute that shut down the country's two major railways.
Commercial truck plunges off bridge in B.C. Interior, driver unaccounted for, RCMP say
The driver of a semi truck and trailer that plunged off of a bridge in the B.C. Interior Saturday morning has not been located, according to police.
'Bank investigator' fraud spreading in eastern Ontario: What it is and how to avoid it
Ontario Provincial Police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre are warning people about fraudsters impersonating major Canadian banks.
Brother-in-law of man allegedly swarmed by teens says family reeling from loss
The brother-in-law of a homeless Toronto man who died after police allege he was attacked by a group of teen girls says his entire family is reeling from the loss.
Chappell Roan's comments about invasive fans show that we never really know our favourite celebrities
Sudden fame has weighed heavy on Chappell Roan, but her discomfort became untenable earlier this week. She shared two videos on TikTok in which she criticized invasive fans who have followed her around, 'stalked' her family and demanded photos or hugs in public despite Roan's resistance.
'We have won': Kenyan man granted temporary residency day before deportation order
One day before he was set to be deported to Kenya, Charles Mwangi was granted temporary residency.
Major Canadian rental company warns tenants that hackers may have their banking info
One of western Canada’s largest rental property companies is warning tenants about a cyber security breach it says was discovered earlier this year.
German police arrest suspect in stabbing rampage, official says
A man suspected of a stabbing rampage in the western German town of Solingen has been taken into police custody, a state official told German television on Saturday, some 24 hours after the attack that killed three people.
OPINION The dark side of frugality: When saving becomes an obsession
Is being frugal pushing you over the edge? Personal finance contributor Christopher Liew explains some of the downsides of obsessive frugality and offers some tips on how to balance frugal living with living your daily life.