The provincial government has approved emergency COVID-19 legislation which includes an extension of a State of Emergency to May 12th.
Premier Doug Ford says “It’s the test that will define us as a people and as a province and when they look back on this time, we will be judged on how we looked out for each other.”
He adds “We’re still facing a clear and present danger. As long as COVID-19 continues to spread. As long as our seniors and the most vulnerable are at risk, Ontario must remain in the position to take any and all actions necessary to fight this virus.”
Schools won’t be open on May 4th as originally planned however Premier Ford has failed to give up on the school year.
Ford says online learning will continue and Education Minister Stephen Lecce is poised to announce more details later this year.
He adds the government will continue to actively listen to the concerns of educators and municipalities during the health crisis.
Specific legislation relating to the coronavius was passed Tuesday during the emergency session at Queen’s Park.
That includes:
-Amendments to the Education Act will allow school board to continue charging fees on new construction in order to retain a vital source of revenue for new school projects.
-Amendment in the Education Act will provide a fair and consistent province-wide approach to addressing school suspensions and expulsions as part of the government’s commitment to the safety of students and staff upon the reopening of schools.
-Changes to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act will temporarily suspend student loan payments for OSAP borrowers and initiate a six-month interest-free moratorium on OSAP loans.
-The government is making it possible to suspend certain municipal planning decision timelines during the state of emergency.
-Changes to the Development Charges Act to ensure municipalities can continue to count on revenue that helps pay for local growth-related infrastructure, such as roads, water and sewers as well as fire and police services.
-Amendments to the Police Services Act allows the Solicitor General to give municipalities an extension beyond January 1st to prepare and adopt a community safety and well-being plan.
