Premier Doug Ford waded into the discussion surrounding the growing tension in the United States saying he hopes things get resolved. “Thank God that we’re different than the United States and we don’t have the systemic deep roots they’ve had for years,” remarked Ford. He went on to say it’s night and day when comparing the two countries and added he’s ‘proud to be Canadian.’

In other news from Queens Park:

Ontario’s state of emergency has been extended to the end of this month but Premier Doug Ford says that doesn’t mean the re-opening will be delayed. “Let me be clear, that the re-opening is not on hold, we are working around the clock to move ahead with our economic reopening,” said Ford at his daily COVID-19 briefing. “Our health officials are working on the option of a regional model,” added Ford. This extension also limits gatherings to five people or less but Ford offered not dates for phase two.

Doug Ford calls it “totally irresponsible” for 30 protesters to rally outside Queens park against the extension of the State of Emergency and says he was not impressed that former Tory MPP Randy Hillier joined them. “I’m disappointed in Randy and he should know better and I’m just shocked that he’d go out there,” said Ford.

 

Meantime, the province is ramping up production of PPE by investing $2.8 million in local manufacturers as part of the Ontario Together Fund.

As Ontario reports 446 new cases Health Minister Christine Elliott explains how some 700 confirmed GTA cases were not flagged. “There are a combination of factors that resulted in this misunderstanding between the lab and the hospital and it is something that’s been straightened out by Ontario Health working with public health to do the case and contact tracing that needs to be done here,” explained Elliott. The tests were conducted by the William Osler Health System which has hospital sites in Etobicoke and Brampton as well as a drive-thru assessment centre.