Two of four Ontario party leaders sick with COVID-19
Two of four Ontario party leaders sick with COVID-19
As Ontario's election date approaches, two of the province’s four main political party leaders have tested positive for COVID-19.
Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner announced Wednesday night in a news release that he received a positive result from a rapid test following close contact with a staff member.
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
“I’m feeling fine. Developed a bit of a slight cough this morning. But I’m self-isolating, I’m following all public health guidelines and we’ll be campaigning from home until it’s safe to not do so,” Schreiner told CP24 Thursday morning.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath delivered similar news in a press release Thursday morning and will not attend her previously planned in-person campaign stops in northern Ontario remotely.
"I am really regretful that that's been turned around," Horwath said over Zoom on Thursday morning.
The NDP Leader said she feels like she has a “bit of a bug” but that she is “certainly not 100 per cent."
All four party leaders were in close proximity with one another Monday night for the one-and-only televised debate of the 2022 election campaign.
A spokesperson for Steven Del Duca said the Liberal leader tested negative following the news of Schreiner and Horwath’s positive test results.
During a campaign stop in Mississauga, Del Duca wished Horwath and Schreiner speedy recoveries and underscored COVID-19’s ongoing threat.
"I think this is a good reminder that though we all want to be on the other side of this pandemic, that there are still risks, and that so many here in Mississauga and across Ontario, are still struggling," he said.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the PC Party responded to an email from CTV News Toronto inquiring about leader Doug Ford’s status saying, “He’s not experiencing any symptoms."
Ivana Yelich said, because “it’s been more than 48 hours” since the debate, “he’s not considered a close contact.”
Yelich added he has also tested negative.
Speaking from the campaign trail, Ford encouraged Ontarians to continue following what’s left of COVID-19 safety protocols.
"(If) you have symptoms, please get tested," he said
Speaking to CP24 Thursday morning, University Health Network’s Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control Dr. Susy Hota said the positive cases among party leaders should serve as a reminder that COVID-19 is still being transmitted throughout Ontario.
Ontario Progressive Conservative Party Leader Doug Ford, left to right, Ontario New Democratic Party Leader Andrea Horwath, Ontario Liberal Party Leader Steven Del Duca and Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner debate during the Ontario party leaders' debate, in Toronto, Monday, May 16, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
"There are a lot of social interactions amongst the party leaders and member of the public,” Hota said.
“It is a cautionary reminder there is still quite a bit of COVID-19 out there right now."
Hospitalizations related to COVID-19 in Ontario, which have served as an indicator of transmission in the absence of widely-available PCR testing, have been gradually trending downward in recent weeks.
However, the limited number of tests reported on a daily basis suggest that COVID-19 is still circulating in the province with positivity rates stubbornly resting above 10 per cent.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW | Russia's invasion of Ukraine a 'turning point' in world history: defence chief
Canada's chief of defence says Russia's invasion of Ukraine is going to change the course of history.

Climate goals may be at odds with G7 response to fallout from Russian invasion
G7 leaders opened their summit Sunday with a discussion about shaping the global economy at a time when conflict and unrest are driving up prices and access to key goods around the world.
Protesters at U.S. Supreme Court decry abortion ruling overturning Roe v. Wade
Hundreds of protesters descended on the U.S. Supreme Court on Saturday to denounce the justice's decision to overturn the half-century-old Roe v. Wade precedent that recognized women's constitutional right to abortion.
NEW | Rate of extreme rainfall expected to increase dramatically by 2100
New research looking at the frequency of heavy rainfall across the globe shows that a drastic increase in downpours is expected over the years to come.
From closures to near-normal routines, students look back on COVID-warped school year
The final bell is about to ring at the end of a topsy-turvy school year warped by the COVID-19 crisis and students are reflecting on how the pandemic shaped things.
People with COVID-19 can infect and sicken cats and dogs by cuddling them: study
Cat and dog owners who cuddle their pets when infected with COVID-19 could end up making the animals sick with the virus, according to a Canadian study.
Quebec homeowners say Ottawa must address decades of erosion caused by ship traffic
The higher parts of Angelique Beauchemin's land, she said, are sinking an inch or two a year as they slope ever more steeply toward the river. While she's not a scientist, she says her biggest fear is that one day there will be a landslide and the white house at the top of the hill where she's lived for decades will tumble down.
Live updates: Germany's leader commends unity on Ukraine
The latest on the G7 summit: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says attacks by Russia on residential buildings in Kyiv show the importance of international unity in supporting Ukraine.
Public safety minister eyes steps to strengthen oversight of the RCMP
The federal public safety minister says he is 'deeply committed' to enhancing oversight of the RCMP by strengthening the role of the national police force's management advisory board.