On Mondays, TVO.org provides a primer on what to look for in the coming week in Ontario politics, and features some stories making news now.
Here’s what we’ve got our eye on:
Queen’s Park Keywords
Break’s over: MPPs are back at Queen’s Park after a one-week break.
Masks off: As of today in Ontario, wearing a mask is no longer required — in most places. While schools, restaurants, grocery stores and many other locations will no longer be subject to the provincial mask mandate, you will still be required to mask up hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care homes, congregate care settings (such as shelters and jails), and when taking public transit. “It’s going to be up to the people of Ontario, if you want to keep the mask on, keep it on,” Premier Doug Ford said last week. “If you want to take it off, take it off.” It should be noted that at least one school board is trying to impose its own mask mandate, and students in other boards will still be required to wear a mask in certain cases, such as if they have recently traveled abroad.
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Trade trip: Premier Ford and Ontario Trade Minister Vic Fedeli are headed to Washington D.C. today. According to a press release issued Sunday, Ford will “underscore the province’s important trading relationship with key U.S. partners as he advocates against harmful protectionist policies,” and “will also re-affirm that Ontario is a safe and reliable jurisdiction for investment and business.”
Vulnerable: The province’s COVID-19 science advisory table says that the pandemic continues to hit low-income populations the hardest. According to modeling published late last week, during the Omicron wave low-income neighbourhoods experienced two to two-and-a-half times the mortality rate experienced in the highest income neighbourhoods. Andrew Boozary, a primary care physician and executive director of social medicine at the University Health Network, told CBC News that lower-income groups have been harder-hit during every wave of the pandemic because they normally have jobs that cannot be done from home and tend to be on the front lines of essential work, and are often under-housed.
Order of business
Here is some of what the legislature is scheduled to discuss this week:
- Monday: Bill 88, the Working for Workers Act 2022, a suite of employment law reforms being ushered in by the government, will be debated.
- Tuesday: Debate on the Working for Workers Act 2022 will continue; there will be a tribute to former MPP Claude Frederick Bennett; and independent MPP Randy Hillier (Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston) is scheduled to present a private member’s bill. This last item may see some drama, because the legislature recently voted to give Speaker Ted Arnott the power to not recognize Hillier until he apologizes for controversial statements he made on Twitter.
- Wednesday: It looks like Wednesday will be a busy one. There will be debate on Bill 93, the Getting Ontario Connected Act, which is an effort to reduce delays in high-speed internet construction so that the province can meet its commitment to have all communities in Ontario connected to reliable high-speed internet by 2025. There will also be a ministerial statement on the Journée internationale de la Francophonie. Later, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath will present a motion calling on the government to take steps to address a shortage of health-care workers in northern Ontario. Finally, newly-independent MPP Paul Miller (Hamilton East—Stoney Creek) is scheduled to present a private member’s bill.
- Thursday: Debate on the Getting Ontario Connected Act will continue. There will also be debate on a yet-to-be-announced government bill. And NDP MPP Doly Begum (Scarborough Southwest) will introduce a private member’s bill.
Beyond the Pink Palace
Bear-spray attack: A man is under arrest after an alleged Saturday-morning attack at a Mississauga mosque involving bear spray. The assailant, also armed with a hatchet, was attacked and subdued by worshippers. Police say they believe it was a “hate-motivated incident,” and a few worshippers suffered “minor injuries.” Mohammad Moiz Omar, 24, is facing several charges in connection with the incident.
