Niagara officials not consulted about exclusion from phase 2

Niagara MPPs and the region’s top doctor say Premier Doug Ford did not consult with Niagara Public Health before deciding to exclude the region from phase two of the province’s reopening plan.

In his daily address Monday, Ford said the decision to exclude some parts of the province from phase 2 of the reopening plan was made in consultation with regional public health officials.

“We are shocked that the Premier of Ontario would go on TV and say that he consulted with public health, when he didn’t consult with public health,” says Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates.

In an email obtained by CHCH News, Dr. Mustafa Hirji, the Niagara medical officer of health, told regional councilors that Niagara’s exclusion is due to a spike in cases from the Pioneer Flower Farm outbreak, and proximity to Hamilton, Haldimand-Norfolk, the GTA and New York State – where cases have recently increased.

Gates says that not only was Dr. Hirji, the local expert, not consulted about the decision, but neither were local mayors and councilors.

Alongside Niagara and Hamdimand-Norfolk, Durham region, Halton region, Hamilton, Lambton, Peel Toronto, Windsor-Essex county and York region must remain in stage one until further notice.

As of this Friday, gatherings allowed across the entire province of Ontario will increase to groups of 10.

Also across the province, all places of worship are allowed to reopen at a 30 percent capacity.

For those specific regions given the green light to move to phase two, businesses including restaurant patios, hair salons and tattoo parlours will be allowed to reopen.

Also included on that list are splash pads and swimming pools, Ontario Parks beaches and tastings and tours of wineries.

Premier Ford says the areas still not allowed to move to stage 2 will be reevaluated on a week by week basis.