Members of cabinet get tested
Cabinet went through a roller coaster of emotions as the government revealed that Education Minister Stephen Lecce had come in contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus and was awaiting test results.
The test results arrived about half an hour later, revealing that the minister, who participated in Tuesday's press conference with the premier, had tested negative.
"Yesterday I was notified I have come into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. I have been tested and I've been in isolation since, working from home. I was informed minutes ago that my COVID-19 test results have come back negative," Lecce said in a statement that was released during the government's daily press conference.
"The premier and [Health] Minister [Christine] Elliott have been extremely clear: if you feel you need a test, you should get tested. We all have a role to play in combating this virus."
Premier Doug Ford and Elliott declined to participate in the daily press conference because they had come in contact with Lecce at yesterday's presser. Although Lecce tested negative, the premier's office said that "out of an abundance of caution" the premier and the health minister would still receive a test.
Their absence left Minister of Colleges and Universities Ross Romano to do the afternoon press conference on his own. The Sault Ste. Marie MPP explained why the premier wasn't there. "He wants to ensure that everyone on the premises here at Queen's Park is safe, and this is simply a measure of being taken out of an abundance of caution."
He said that cabinet officials are following similar protocols that are recommended for the general public. "It's fair to say that as members of cabinet we are no different than anyone else in this province and we have all been following social distancing protocols and we all continue to do so."
The news of Lecce's contact and the subsequent negative test came one day after the premier's nephew, Toronto city councillor Michael Ford, announced his positive test for the coronavirus. While the premier filmed his cherry cheesecake video at his nephew's residence, a spokesperson from the premier's office says they haven't had any contact within the past two weeks.
Class is in
The government announced the outline for its plan to resume post-secondary classes in the province, including prioritizing disciplines relevant to the pandemic.
The first phase that begins July 2 will see in-class instruction resume for subjects deemed critical to the pandemic, such as nursing, personal support workers and engineering. A hybrid model of virtual and in-person classes will be available to Ontario's post-secondary students in other subjects in the fall. Social distancing will be maintained in all in-person classes.
"It's critical that we allow students to complete their studies and graduate so they can join the workforce in high-demand, frontline roles and help put the province back on the path to prosperity," said Romano.
In a release, the government also said the limited summer reopening will allow colleges and universities to test what works and what doesn't in time for the full fall class slate. The government will share a framework with stakeholders in the coming days that will include more details on health and safety standards.
Post-secondary institutions could also face significant budgetary challenges as students may defer for one year, or foreign students who pay higher tuition may not choose to attend in the same numbers. Romano declined to say whether colleges and universities can expect additional funds to address potential funding gaps, indicating that it's a problem they may have to solve on their own. "I mean our institutions are autonomous, and what we will commit to doing is what we’ve continued to do from the start — have frequent consultations" and discussions with those institutions, he said. "I believe that our faculty will be able to continue to do the amazing work they do, delivering that world-class education."
Ontario Human Rights Commission asks government for more details
The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) is calling out the government for a lack of communication on how the pandemic is affecting vulnerable people.
In a letter to Elliott and Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Todd Smith, OHRC Executive Director Raj Dhir took issue with the lack of details in the government's COVID-19 Action Plan for Vulnerable People, which was released in late April.
"To ensure that the human rights of vulnerable people are protected in a way that is consistent with Ontario’s Human Rights Code, the Plan requires expanded scope and detail, which must be done in consultation with vulnerable groups and human rights experts."
The OHRC also said that it has been stymied in its efforts to contribute to the plan. "Despite our early advice, the OHRC has not yet been invited to COVID-19 planning forums and tables. Nor have we been able to gain access to specific and timely information to better understand the human rights implications of the government’s COVID-19 initiatives."
The letter issues six recommendations to improve the plan, including expanding the scope to include people who aren't mentioned, such as homeless individuals who do not use shelters and drug users. It also calls for targets for how many vulnerable people get tested each day, specific metrics that should be collected, and ongoing public reporting on progress.
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