November 27th, 2020

Ford’s refusal to invest in Windsor-Essex health forces it into the red zone

WINDSOR-ESSEX – NDP MPPs Taras Natyshak, Lisa Gretzky and Percy Hatfield have released a statement after the Ford government announced this afternoon that Windsor-Essex region will be moving into the Red-Control zone:
“The people of Windsor-Essex have worked incredibly hard to crush the virus and keep our communities safe. But Doug Ford continues to refuse to invest to protect our region, and Windsor-Essex families are paying the price.

It didn’t have to be this way. This is Doug Ford’s responsibility. He lifted public health protections too soon because he didn’t want to spend the money to support businesses. He didn’t prepare for the second wave. He didn’t shrink class sizes. He didn’t hire staff and infection control experts for long-term care. He rationed testing and contact tracing instead of investing in more. He didn’t give workers paid sick days. And he didn’t arrange for isolation or quarantining for migrant workers.

The Ford government must provide urgent relief for small businesses here in Windsor-Essex before we lose our Main Streets forever, including direct financial supports, stopping insurance gouging and preventing businesses from being denied coverage by their insurers due to COVID-19, and a ban on commercial evictions until the pandemic is over.”