Here are today’s new developments:
- Canada announced a new loan program to support large companies such as airlines and oil and gas firms - there have been widespread concerns about the federal government's commercial rent relief program for small and medium-sized businesses.
- As businesses re-open, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has asked Canada's and Ontario's Ministers of Health to establish clear safety standards on issues like what is appropriate PPE and how it must be used--the Official Opposition has stressed that Ontario's health and safety guidelines don't cut it, and that clear, enforceable rules are needed .
- The Ontario legislature will sit and hold a question period tomorrow, with the Ford government expected to extend Ontario's state of emergency -- In a virtual press conference held today, Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath announced she will table a motion calling for an independent, public inquiry into the province's long-term care system, and will also seek a thorough public inquiry into Ontario's pandemic readiness and response, overall
Here are some concerns the Official Opposition is working on, and solutions we’re pushing for:
- The Official Opposition will table a motion tomorrow that will call for a full, independent public inquiry into why the long-term care sector was in crisis before the pandemic hit, how seniors were left so vulnerable, and what the role of for-profit long-term care will be going forward.
- A second public inquiry sought by the Official Opposition will examine Ontario's readiness prior to the pandemic, and the province's handling of the crisis – giving the province a roadmap for what to do differently next time.
- Official Opposition Education critic Marit Stiles released a statement over the weekend calling out a memo that Education Minister Stephen Lecce sent in which he criticized students, teachers and parents for "inconsistent uptake" of learning via video conferencing.