Horwath statement on workplace closures in Peel and Toronto

QUEEN’S PARK — Official Opposition NDP Leader Andrea Horwath released the following statement on Peel and Toronto’s move to use their Section 22 powers to close down workplaces in outbreak:

“I want to praise Dr. Eileen de Villa and Dr. Lawrence Loh for having the courage to take decisive action to protect workers in Peel and Toronto by closing down businesses with active COVID-19 outbreaks.

We must protect all Ontario workers, province wide, and provide direct financial support to local businesses that will need our help to weather difficult measures made necessary by Ford’s refusal to take the advice of experts at every turn.

That is why I have called on Doug Ford to close all non-essential workplaces temporarily, give impacted businesses and workers financial support, and provide paid sick days and paid time off to get vaccinated. There is no reason it should be business as usual at places like cosmetic factories when workers are getting seriously ill and dying from COVID-19.”