In a memo obtained by CBC News, Ontario Health CEO Matthew Anderson said that elective surgeries have to be stopped to make room in ICUs for potential coronavirus patients.
Potential.
Ontario
Doug Ford’s Government Violates Its Own LockDown Restrictions…Again
On April 2, Ontario Premier Doug Ford implemented strict Covid19 lockdown restrictions in Ontario, now referred to colloquially as a shutdown. This government-imposed lockdown has occurred despite increased concerns from some health officials around the world as to the effectiveness of heavy restrictions and inconclusive data that may suggest lockdowns exacerbate the problem and help Covid19 spread. This while simultaneously causing catastrophic economic damage to Ontario and Canada. Ontario is one-third of Canada’s entire economic output.
London, ON councillors dismiss motion to research consequences of lockdowns
A motion to begin a study into the unintended consequences of lockdowns, mask wearing and other public health measures in London, Ontario was dead on arrival on Tuesday afternoon after councillors refused to support the initiative.
Ontario’s Doctors say pandemic wake up call needed – calling for stay-at-home order, closure of non-essential businesses, paid sick leave and increased vaccinations.
Ontario’s doctors are concerned that we are entering the worst phase of the pandemic since last spring and urge everyone – all levels of government and every Ontarian – to take the warning seriously and do what they can to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Given the sobering new statistics being released every day – each one representing a person, with worried family and friends – the Ontario Medical Association is calling for five urgent actions:
- a government stay-at-home order, meaning people leave their homes only for essential business such as medical appointments, grocery shopping and outdoor exercise
- closure of all non-essential businesses, although curbside pickup should remain an option
- immunization of all essential workers and disadvantaged workers, and residents of hotspots
- paid sick leave for essential workers
- every Ontarian should take the first vaccination offered to them
School threatens mask-exempt father with Trespass charge for picking up his kids
Chris Hopps has an exemption from wearing masks. And that is a big problem when it comes to dropping off and picking up his sons at Glen Street Public School in Oshawa, Ont.
Indeed, Chris is now considered parent non grata by the elementary school’s principal, Michelle Carter.
London’s health unit issues warning as 50% of new COVID-19 cases involve youth under 22
The Middlesex London Health Unit has issued an urgent notice to young adults telling them to “do their part,” stay home and get tested if they show symptoms of COVID-19.
‘Cases’ are not hospitalizations.
‘Cases’ are not fatalities.
‘Cases’ are not even necessarily serious.
‘Cases’ are the most effective way to develop natural immunity.
Older Ontarians most involved in online spread of COVID-19 myths, study finds
A new study suggests Ontario residents between the ages of 55 and 64 are most involved in spreading misinformation about COVID-19 on social media.
New data shows COVID-19 pandemic now ‘completely out of control’ in Ontario, key scientific adviser says
Variants that are more deadly are circulating widely, new daily infections have reached the same number at the height of the second wave, and the number of people hospitalized is now more than 20 per cent higher than at the start of the last provincewide lockdown, states an analysis from Ontario’s COVID-19 science advisory table published on Monday night.
Ford warns Ontarians to ‘be prepared’ for possible lockdown amid surging wave of COVID-19 cases
The premier made the comments during a news conference on Tuesday, saying that he’s “extremely” concerned with the direction the province is heading.
I’m starting to think Ford isn’t a whole lot different from the guy that preceded him.
Ontario education minister calls on feds to procure COVID-19 vaccines for children
In a letter to three federal ministers, Stephen Lecce said that it is critical that Canada looks ahead and applies the “lessons learned on the importance of forward planning” in obtaining and distributing vaccines to students and children as soon as they are approved by Health Canada.
Why?
BONOKOSKI: Ontario budget blows smoke when it comes to “unregulated” tobacco
Ontario’s new budget shows revenue from tobacco taxes continues to fall like a stone, not because more smokers have quit but because the contraband cigarette trade continues to expand unabated.
When COVID-19 shut down the smoke shacks on Ontario’s reserves, for example, the sale of legitimate cigarettes spiked, proof that quitters played little role in falling cigarette tax revenues.
GOLDSTEIN: Ford’s budget channels Wynne, McGuinty and Trudeau
When Ontario voters elected Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative government in 2018, few could have suspected they would get the reckless financial attitudes and policies of the previous Liberal government.
But that’s what we have with Ford delivering a budget on Wednesday that could have been written by the Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne Liberal governments of 2003-18.
In the lead-up to his election I recall several in the media touting Doug as “Nothing like his brother Rob,” for once the media didn’t lie.
Ford ‘concerned’ about third wave of COVID-19, says another Ontario lockdown would be ‘absolutely terrible’
Premier Doug Ford said it would be “absolutely terrible” if Ontario was forced to go back into lockdown because of the third wave of COVID-19 and that it’s critical people remain cautious and vigilant to protect themselves.
Ontario budget 2021: New cash handouts for businesses, parents and deficits until 2029
TORONTO — The Ford government is continuing with increased healthcare spending and cash grants to businesses and parents as its pathway out of the pandemic will be paved with more than $100 billion in new debt and deficits that are not likely to end before 2029.
The deficit for 2021-2022 is projected at $33.1 billion, down from $38.5 billion last year, with deficits of $27.7 billion and $20.2 billion projected for 2022-23 and 2023-24.
Minimum wage just isn’t cutting it anymore. It’s time for a living wage, says Lakehead Social Planning Council
The growing cost to live a quality, healthy life in Thunder Bay, Ont. has outpaced the provincial minimum wage, according to the Lakehead Social Planning Council.
It’s why they’re looking for businesses in the city to join their living wage campaign, where employers agree to pay their staff a minimum of $16.20 per hour. In other words, pay the minimum amount that the social planning council says is required for people to meet the social determinants of health.