PM says Ford is playing politics as Premier renews demands for tighter borders
Posted May 13, 2021 11:17 am.
Last Updated May 13, 2021 11:40 am.
TORONTO – Ontario Premier Doug Ford is renewing his calls for tighter controls on domestic travellers and those who arrive through land crossings, saying Ottawa has yet to respond to his requests on these issues.
The Premier has issued another letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, arguing additional measures – such as quarantine requirements for travellers coming into Canada by land – are needed to curb the spread of more contagious COVID-19 variants.
Trudeau said Thursday he’s disappointed with Ford pointing blame at his government.
“They still haven’t said what categories they want to restrict, how they want to reduce international arrivals,” he admitted.
“We’re there to work with them. We’re there to continue to support Ontarians during this difficult time in whatever ways are necessary. It’s just unfortunate that Doug Ford continues to play politics.”
Trudeau said last week that he was willing to work with Ontario to further limit the number of people allowed to enter the province, but said Ford had yet to follow up on his earlier requests.
Though his appearances have been sparse in recent weeks, a relentless Ford continues to insist more needs to be done at borders.
He wrote the Prime Minister in late April, once again asking the federal government to impose mandatory three-day quarantines in hotels for travellers entering Canada at some of the busiest land crossings.
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Ford is scheduled to make an announcement just after noon alongside his health minister and the province’s top doctor.
Meanwhile, Ontarians aged 40 and older can book COVID-19 vaccine appointments across the province today.
The province is opening eligibility to the age cohort through its vaccine booking portal.
People in their 40s could previously take Oxford-AstraZeneca shots at pharmacies and they can now book at other clinics.
The province stopped giving first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine this week, citing the risk of a rare but serious blood clot linked to the shot.
People with at-risk health conditions and more people who can’t work from home also became eligible to book shots this week.
The province is expecting millions of vaccines in the coming weeks and is aiming to get first shots to 65 percent of adults by the end of May.
