The Vote for Motion 110 was Unanimous, Forcing the Premier to Keep His Word on The Fixed Election Date of June 2, 2022

Toronto, ON – Liberal MPP Mitzie Hunter led the charge this morning to ensure that Ontarians do not have to deal with an election campaign in the middle of a pandemic crisis. The Progressive Conservative government has agreed not to call a snap election and stick to the fixed election date of June 2nd, 2022. 

“I am elated that Mr. Ford and his party will be focused on the multiple issues surrounding COVID-19 and not on orchestrating an election call that no one wants right now,” said Hunter, the Liberal MPP for Scarborough-Guildwood. “Now we need to see the rest of the plan to deal with the second wave of the pandemic. We are still waiting on leadership from this government. Toronto’s Public Health Officer is still waiting on an answer to her recommendations sent on Friday. The people of Ontario – and especially those in hotspots like Toronto – need a clear plan of action from this government.”

With this second wave happening, it is projected that the number of cases will rise to 1000 per day unless serious actions are taken. Long-term care homes – where most of the early COVID-19 deaths occurred – are bracing for the worst as we head into flu season and the change in weather. This government has failed to plan adequately for a surge in testing and contact tracing and is now backtracking and restricting the ability of people to get tested. The chaos in our education system needs to be fixed. Schools are closing as quickly as they open due to cases of COVID-19, meanwhile the online learning system is in disarray with not enough teachers available for students. Low-income and racialized communities continue to be overlooked by this government, raising concerns by the Toronto Board of Health. 

“Like many infectious diseases, COVID-19 preys on poverty. Vulnerability to this virus is directly connected to the social determinants of health -- income, race and ethnicity, and housing status, to name a few,” explains Councillor Joe Cressy, Chair of Toronto Board of Health. “Our public health data shows that the impacts of this pandemic have not been equally distributed, and that its lasting effects will be hardest on those who are already vulnerable and marginalized in our communities.” 

Gun crime is on the rise, particularly in the City of Toronto where incidents are up 12% and shooting deaths are up nearly 20%. Food bank visits have skyrocketed during this pandemic with The Daily Bead Food Bank reporting a 25% increase in visits since the pandemic hit in March. Ontario is in a housing crisis and the rent freeze for 2021 does not go far enough to address the root causes of unaffordability or predatory practices by some landlords. 

“The patchwork response we’ve seen so far will not address the spectrum of needs that are worsening because of COVID-19.  We can’t afford “generational catastrophe,” adds Hunter. “The government need to plan and take action now. Where is your plan, Mr. Ford? Ontario is waiting.”