Doug Ford Is Reportedly Thinking About Speeding Up Ontario's Reopening Plan
Sources say he wants to move on from COVID-19 measures.
Premier Doug Ford is reportedly considering new regulations to move up the timeline for Ontario's reopening plan as pressure builds from other politicians in the province.
Sources told CTV News that the premier asked for regulations to be drawn up to speed up the reopening timeline.
The sources said Ford spoke with Progressive Conservatives about wanting to make a decision to leave behind COVID-19 regulations and measures soon, according to CTV.
The news comes amid the Freedom Convoy demonstration in Ottawa, where truckers and other protesters are calling for an end to COVID-19 mandates. Notably, one of Ford's daughters even attended the protest herself.
The next step of the current reopening plan is set to begin on February 21, in which social gathering limits are set to rise to 100 people outdoors and 25 people indoors, and indoor capacity limits for restaurants, cinemas, and other establishments requiring proof of vaccination will be dropped.
Minister of Health Christine Elliott confirmed in a press conference on Wednesday that the plan for reopening will remain "cautious." When asked by a reporter if the timeline will change, she reiterated the current timeline for reopening.
"We always said that we're going to take a very cautious, phased, prudent approach to opening up, and that's the path that we're going to follow," said Elliott.
"We have no plans currently to drop the passport vaccination situation or masking. We believe masking is going to be important for some time to come," she added.