Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger says the city is going to make sure Premier Ford has the right information about the province’s funding commitments amid COVID-19.
This comes after Ford balked at a suggestion the province would pay for staff Hamilton says it needs to ensure proper COVID-19 testing and protocols.
Hamilton residents have been complaining about delays in getting COVID-19 testing results.
People have reported wait times of more than two weeks.
Health officials say it’s an issue with uploading the results into the online portal.
On Friday, the city approved 75 full-time equivalent positions at a cost of more than $2 million.
Eisenberger suggested the province would pick up that cost.
“That’s not a way to operate,” said Ford on Friday, when asked about this by CHCH Queen’s Park reporter Randy Rath.
On Sunday, Eisenberger told CHCH’s Nicole Martin he thought Ford was “blindsided” by the question.
He says the staff are there to ensure that testing, reporting and contact tracing are all happening.
“It’s all COVID-related and the ministry and the province has long ago committed to cover those funds,” said Eisenberger.
