Ontario adds more than 100 labour inspectors as NDP accuse government of 'walking away from business community'
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is accusing the Ford government of “walking away from the business community” and leaving them to deal with the logistical complications around enforcing the new vaccine certificate system “on their own.”
Horwath made the comment during a news conference outside Queen’s Park on Monday morning.
Her criticism comes as the Ministry of Labour adds more than 100 new health and safety inspectors who will largely be responsible for educating businesses on the new vaccine requirement. The ministry, however, has not yet made any additional funding available to businesses to help them cover the costs of enforcing the policy.
“I think it is pretty clear that the government has basically walked away from the business community, particularly small businesses, and left them to deal with this on their own. There is just no doubt that small business is still suffering and we have asked many times for the government to put in place another round of small business supports which would have helped perhaps in allowing them to prepare for an implement these extra measures that they are now expected to undertake,” Horwath said.
“The government should have been much more prepared and should have provided a number of opportunities for tools, for communications, for recommendations around how restaurants should handle the certificate issue but they didn’t.”
A number of groups have raised concerns about the fact that the vaccine certificate system will largely put the onus on businesses to inspect proof of vaccination documentation and adjudicate potential disputes.
They have also expressed unease about the position that it could put some restaurants and other businesses in, should they have to deny entry to someone without proof of vaccination.
During a news conference earlier on Monday, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton conceded that the new policy is “clearly challenging” for small business owners in particular.
But he said that while there have been some instances in which police have had to be called to a particular establishment, it has been “very, very minimal.”
“What I've heard is great things over the last few days, people actually working together, and I have overwhelming confidence in the people of Ontario to treat one another with respect,” he said. “This is a global health pandemic and Ontario is doing a heck of a lot better than many jurisdictions within Canada, for example, so I just want to encourage everyone to work together. This is a challenge for everyone but our goal is to ensure that we keep businesses open and keep workers and customers safe.”
McNaughton said that there are now 507 inspectors working for the Ministry of Labour, which is the highest number ever.
He said that the inspectors are taking a “education first” approach to the new vaccine certificate requirement but did not directly respond to a question about whether any charges have been laid since the requirement went into effect last week.
Meanwhile, Horwath said that she has already heard from a number of businesses concerned about the costs related to enforcing the new policy and is worried there are “just not enough resources out there” given the sweeping nature of the change.
“This is another example of Doug Ford pinching pennies not wanting to spend the money and everybody else having to step up and pay the price,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A 'tragedy that can't be measured': North Bay's forever chemical problem is also the rest of Canada's
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Questlove was not happy with Drake and Kendrick Lamar's beef: 'Nobody won the war'
While some may have been excited and/or amused by the diss-track feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, the man many consider to be an elder statesman of hip-hop appears less than enthused about it.
Here's what 'the hinge' move is, how to do it correctly
When you're picking something up from the floor or bending over to tie your shoe laces, you're performing "the hinge move," according to movement trainers.
Trump heading to Jersey Shore to rally 'mega crowd' in weekend break from hush money trial
After a long week in court, Donald Trump is heading to the Jersey Shore. And his campaign says he'll be joined by "tens of thousands" of his friends.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.