Doug Ford screenshot
Premier Doug Ford admits his government “got it wrong” in announcing sweeping changes aimed at curbing the third wave of COVID-19.
In his first public address in almost a week a very emotional and tearful Ford stated, “We moved too fast, and I know that some of those measures, especially around enforcement, they went too far. Simply put we got it wrong. We made a mistake. These decisions left a lot of people very concerned. In fact, they left a lot of people angry and upset.
Ford adds, “I know we got it wrong. I know we made a mistake. And for that I’m sorry and I sincerely apologize. As Premier, as I said right from the beginning, the buck stops with me.”
The province announced last Friday strict new measures allowing police to randomly stop people for violating stay-at-home orders as well as closing outdoor areas.
Playgrounds have since been allowed to reopen and police are no longer required to conduct random checks following considerable backlash.
Other outdoor spaces, including golf courses, skateboard parks and other venues are still not allowed to open.
Ford rejected calls for his resignation stressing his government is working around the clock and doing its best to protect Ontarians.
He says the Ontrario government is also actively working on a provincially run paid sick leave benefit to curb the spread of COVID-19 in essential workplaces.
Ford has long maintained he won’t introduce such a program because one already exists at the federal level.
However, Ford backtracked Thursday stating an announcement will be coming soon.
“It’s going to be one of the best, in conjunction with the federal government, in entire North America. I also want to remind the people of Ontario there’s no other province in this entire country that will have the program that we’re going lay out.”
The premier says he decided to act because Monday’s federal budget didn’t include improvements to the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit that they have been lobbying for and wanted to see.
He notes there’s $700 million that has been sitting there at the federal level for paid sick leave since September, but nothing is being done about that.
Ford says, “I want workers to know, as I have right from the beginning, I will always have your back. I want all of you to know that I will always try to do what’s right and that means if we get something wrong or make a mistake, we’ll fix it as soon as we can like we did this past weekend.
Meantime, Ontario’s Liberal leader is encouraged by the Ford government’s decision to rethink the need for a provincial paid sick leave program.
Steven Del Luca says any program needs some minimum standards, including making it available to everyone.
“It should not be limited by geography or by region. Yes we know there are hot spots that have been a particular problem throughout this crisis but I believe paid sick pay should be available for workers during this pandemic, in particular, in every corner of Ontario.”
De Luca says it also needs to be place until the threat of COVID-19 no longer exists and funded entirely by government.
“We can not face any additional burdens, particularly on small business owners who have been battered so badly during this pandemic.”
(With Files From Randy Thoms: Fort Frances)
