Ontario health minister says premier has 'been around' after last public appearance three weeks ago
In the three weeks since Ontario unveiled its vaccine certificate program, Premier Doug Ford has been notably absent from the public eye, with the exception of videos posted to social media and a virtual address last week in Toronto.
Health Minister Christine Elliott was asked about the premier’s whereabouts during a news conference on Friday, to which she replied he has “been around.”
“Premier Ford is working every day to try and help limit the effects of COVID-19, trying to convince people to please go and get their vaccinations. That’s going to be the most important thing,” Elliott said.
“He’s also working right now on trying to revive our economy, getting people back to work, and bringing businesses to Ontario.”
The premier, who hosted daily news conferences at the beginning of the pandemic, last took questions from reporters on Sept. 1 when the province revealed the details of its vaccine certificate, a concept Ford had rebuffed saying such a program would create a “split society.”
In the face of Ontario’s fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and after British Columbia, Quebec and Manitoba introduced their own systems, the Progressive Conservative government announced the program would go into effect on Sept. 22, though Ford said its introduction was not something he wanted to do.
"This is a temporary tool that we won't use any longer than we have to but ... I know that this is what we have to do right now in the face of the fourth wave because these certificates are necessary to keep our hospitals safe and to avoid another lockdown," he said at the time.
The program was subject to some criticism in the days and weeks following its unveiling with many asking how the certificate would be enforced, how fraud would be prevented, and how potential loopholes may be exploited.
Elliott answered some of those questions earlier this week when additional details about the program were released.
Employees at non-essential businesses, like restaurants, movie theatres, and sport facilities will need to lean on local police forces if they feel threatened when asking for the certificate, though Elliott said she does not expect the demand for calls to 911 to be significant.
“If at any point they feel threatened, we want them to call 911 as soon as possible to make sure that our police officers can be there to assist,” Elliott said Tuesday.
Elliott went on to ask people to be “reasonable” when asked for the passport starting next week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Most of the city is evacuating': Gridlock on Alberta highway after evacuation order in Fort McMurray
Four Fort McMurray neighbourhoods were ordered to evacuate on Tuesday as a wildfire gets closer to the city.
Sask. police seize 1.5M pieces of evidence, lay 60 more charges in child exploitation case
Saskatchewan RCMP have revealed that a historic sexual assault investigation has led to the discovery of alleged crimes against children dating back to 2005.
'Inappropriate' behaviour shuts down Dublin to New York City portal
Less than a week after two public sculptures featuring a livestream between Dublin, Ireland, and New York City debuted, 'inappropriate behaviour' in real-time interactions between people in the two cities has prompted a temporary shutdown.
Bouchard scores late to lift Oilers over Canucks, tie series
After a final frame that saw the visiting Vancouver Canucks claw their way back and tie the game late, a slap shot from the point by Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard with 38 seconds left (until what seemed like certain overtime) iced the 3-2 victory for Edmonton to knot the series.
Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker rails against Pride month, working women in commencement speech
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker railed against Pride month, working women, President Biden's leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and abortion during a commencement address at Benedictine College last weekend.
King Charles III unveils his first official portrait since his coronation
King Charles III has unveiled the first portrait of the monarch completed since he assumed the throne, a vivid image that depicts him in the bright red uniform of the Welsh Guards against a background of similar hues.
Full List Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Alberta announces the 4 health agencies that will replace AHS later this year
The province has released more information on its plan to break up Alberta Health Services and replace it with four sector-based health agencies.
Biden administration moving ahead on US$1 billion arms package for Israel, AP sources say
The Biden administration has told key lawmakers it is sending a new package of more than US$1 billion in arms and ammunition to Israel, two congressional aides said Tuesday.