February 26th, 2021

Thunder Bay lockdown: action coming far too late

THUNDER BAY – NDP MPP Judith Monteith-Farrell (Thunder Bay - Atikokan) said Doug Ford should have sent help to avoid Thunder Bay’s third lockdown — rather than letting a week of explosive spread get out of control before applying the so-called emergency brake.

“It’s been like watching a car crash in slow motion. We called for help again and again, but Doug Ford didn’t want to spend the money. Now he’s pulling the so-called emergency brake so late, we’re already in the middle of a wreck,” said Monteith-Farrell.

“Don’t just shut us down. Give us the help we need to stop the spread, heal and re-open.”

Weeks ago Ford announced plans to press ahead with reopening Ontario’s economy without putting in place the protections people and business owners need, like paid sick days and immediate financial support. He promised to use the emergency brake if variants got out of control – only for Ontario to learn that the “emergency” break would be subject to multiple cabinet meetings, data studies and days of foot-dragging before it would be applied.

“Doug Ford has to answer: Why did it take more than a week to pull the ‘emergency brake’ and bring in stricter public health measures and the help we asked for to protect the people of Thunder Bay?” Monteith-Farrell asked.