Premier Doug Ford says he appreciates that Ottawa sent military resources to help in a handful of long term care homes, he pleaded for more help from Ottawa in dealing with outbreaks at seniors’ homes. “Prime Minister, if you’re listening, I need your help on long term care, we need funding and if you can  provide funding that will help us get through this and have better more sustainable long term care facilities,” said Ford. The province has identified the five long term care homes where military personnel are providing support: Orchard Villa in Pickering, Altamont Care Scarborough, Eatonville Care Centre Etobicoke, Hawthorne Place North York and Holland Christian Home’s Grace Manor Brampton.

Meantime, Ford made his first public statement on his mother-in-law who has been diagnosed with COVID-19. “It’s not about our family, it’s about the 78,000 families in long term care and what they deal with day in and day out,” said Ford.

Health Minister Christine Elliott says elective surgeries could be starting up again soon. “We are planning for them already and as soon as the Chief Medical Officer of Health gives us the indication that peak has passed, then we will be starting those surgeries again immediately,” said Elliott.

With May 1st around the corner, many tenants are feeling anxious about paying the rent. But Doug Ford says his government will provide help including a ban on evictions if you’ve lost your job due to COVID-19. The premier also announced a $900 million rent relief program for small businesses and landlords. The province will announce next week the framework to restart the economy in phases.