State of emergency in Ontario extends again, until July 22

The provincial government extends emergency orders for COVID-19 in Ontario until July 22.

The Ford government says the extension is to help ensure the public health and safety of all residents especially the vulnerable people — seniors, and all front line essential workers.

The government also introduces a new bill that they say would help with the province’s economic recovery.

The omnibus bill, “COVID-19 Recovery Act”, proposes to change 20 pieces of current legislation that govern the province’s schools, municipalities, and justice system.

The brought forward motion by the Ford government will also allow emergency orders to be extended and amended for another year even after the declaration has ended. Some opposing critics call this a “power-grab” move stating that some parts of the bill do little to nothing related to the pandemic.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford claims that the sole purpose of the action is to help the people. “I don’t want a power grab,” Ford said.

The province reported 170 cases today, Thursday with 86 from the Windsor-Essex region and remaining cases were found in Toronto and Peel Region.