Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath says Premier Doug Ford is rewarding the bad behaviour of protesters by announcing the pending removal of the vaccine certificate program.
Ford’s announcement came the morning after Huron Church Road and the Ambassador Bridge reopened after a week-long blockade.
“It sends a message that the Premier is caving to their demands and their activities,” said Horwath. “Doug Ford is basically caving to the occupiers.”
But Ontario Liberal leader Steven Del Duca indicated he is confident the removal is coming at the right time because the recommendation comes from the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
“I’m comfortable, but again I want to stress, we need to be vigilant. This doesn’t mean that we’re surrendering, it doesn’t mean that we are giving in,” said Del Duca.
Instead of removing the vaccine certificate program, Horwath thinks the government should be focusing on compensating the individuals and businesses that have faced or continue to face losses because of ongoing protests.
“If I were the premier today, that’s what I would be doing. I would be cutting cheques for workers who lost shifts. I would be contacting businesses in the agri-food sector as well to see exactly what it was that they have lost and make those commitments to make them whole again,” said Horwath.
The vaccine certificate program will end on March 1, 2022 if public health indicators continue to be favourable.
