Ford government focuses on Ontario’s health system in throne speech

One day after MPPs returned to Queen’s Park the Ford government’s plan for the next four years was mapped out. The throne speech touched on everything from keeping kids in school, avoiding lockdowns, and bolstering the economy as it faces a recession.

Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario Elizabeth Dowdeswell listed the variety of challenges faced by Ontarians over the past couple of years, from COVID-19 and its trickle-down effects on supply chains and inflation, both worsened with the war in Ukraine.

“Ontario, like the rest of Canada and North America, must be prepared for the possibility of near-term economic slowdown,” Dowdeswell said.

The Ford government said it won’t be further diminishing business with future covid lockdowns, “Ontario has the tools to manage the virus and live with current variants for the long term, without returning to lockdowns.”

Dowdeswell read out the province’s expectations that Health Canada will approve a new covid vaccine in the fall that’s specifically made to defend against dominant subvariants of the virus.

The province also, after weeks of downplaying the seriousness of the situation, changed its tone regarding Ontario’s healthcare system that’s struggling with staff shortages due to illness, resignations, and vacation.

While the speech didn’t mention repealing the wage-capping Bill 124, the CEO of the Ontario Nurses’ Association says they’ll continue to fight to do just that.

The speech also rehashed previous election promises including building more highways including Bradford Bypass, Highway 413, and revitalizing auto manufacturing with a focus on electric cars and mining for battery materials in Northern Ontario’s Ring of Fire.