How public opinion polling might affect Doug Ford's back to school decision
The decision on whether to leave Ontario classrooms closed for the remainder of the school year is partly based on public opinion polling, commissioned by the Progressive Conservative government, which pitted schools against the economy.
The internal polling conducted by Campaign Research, obtained by CTV News Toronto, shows a majority of Ontario residents do not want in-person learning to resume if it would jeopardize the economic reopening plan.
Sources have told CTV News Toronto that the government's planning and priorities committee made an initial decision on Monday not to reopen schools for the remaining weeks of June, including on a regional basis.
Premier Doug Ford is set to meet with his cabinet today to make the final decision on whether or not to keep schools closed for the rest of the school year as the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams, local medical officers of health, the Ontario Science Advisory Table and Sick Kids hospital urge for a reopening.
While the premier has been on the fence for weeks about returning students to the classroom, his government made the decision on Monday amid concerns that reopening schools could create between 2,000 to 4,000 cases of COVID-19 by July, according to modelling data.
However, internal polling shows the government is also weighing the impact of schools on the economy.
A survey of 1,246 people across the province asked respondents whether the province should “reopen schools for three weeks in June even if that means Ontario’s reopening plan is delayed by one week from June 14 to June 21st.”
Most — 56 per cent — who responded rejected the idea, and instead said the province “should not reopen schools for three weeks in June if that means Ontario’s reopening plan is delayed.”
The survey also asked if respondents were comfortable with the back to school plan jeopardizing other parts of the economic reopening such as summer camps and retail shopping.
Again, a majority, 63 per cent, said the province should prioritize the economy and jobs over schools.
The internal polling arrived days after premier Ford issued a letter to health and education stakeholders asking for their opinion on returning students to the classroom.
The vast majority supported the decision to reopen schools pointing to low transmission rates, manageable caseloads, and the ongoing mental health effects of extended virtual learning.
Premier Ford is expected to make an announcement at 1 p.m. on Wednesday about the issue.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.