OTTAWA, ON – John Fraser, MPP for Ottawa South and Interim Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, has released the following statement in response to the removal of masking mandates in Ontario’s long-term care homes:
“Just last week, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health was clear when he recommended that Ontarians should continue to mask in at-risk public settings.
“Now, we’re learning that the Ford Government quietly changed the rules regarding masking in long-term care homes, removing the requirement for visitors to wear a mask when they are alone with residents.
“Our seniors in long-term care are those who are most at risk of COVID-19, and as we enter influenza season and prepare for a rise in respiratory illnesses, we need to continue to keep our loved ones safe, not put them further in harm’s way.
“Doug Ford and Paul Calandra must explain why they made these changes in secret and tell Ontarians what they are doing to protect our seniors in long-term care.”