On April 22, Doug Ford publicly made a tearful statement apologizing for his cabinet’s hasty move towards harsh restrictions, including policing measures against individuals in the midst of never before seen rises of COVID-19 cases in Ontario. However, his incompetence and unwillingness to follow health advice was exposed by continuing to downplay the medical professional recommended actions. He failed to secure actions toward paid sick day legislation, and could not lay out clear priority to vaccinate the essential workers. Saying sorry does not and will not ease the healthcare crisis we are in and it will not address the impacts of his flawed response/plan on this pandemic. It is saddening and angering to hear most recently a 13-year old girl named Emily Victoria Viegas from Brampton died of COVID-19. She is one of the youngest who have fallen victim to the virus. We cannot help but express that for essential workers in Brampton and across Ontario, it is an insult and slap on the faces of those who tirelessly work and risk their health, and lives going to work, come home to their families without the protection of the vaccine nor the option to stay home if they are sick. We must always remember it is us, the essential workers–working class people– that keep the economy afloat in these times of crisis. Hearing Doug Ford say sorry because his cabinet acted too quickly clearly shows what we have been saying all along, Doug Ford does not have the best interest of the majority of the people of Ontario, particularly the workers and the racialized and marginalized people.
His statement is a clear testament that they are not listening to the needs of the people and continue to turn a blind eye on the worsening situation of essential workers and the healthcare system. They have made haphazard responses to the ongoing crisis and this lack of clear plan of action has killed thousands of people, and continues to infect more people, their families and the community at large. Ontario’s current COVID-19 plan under the Ford Conservative leadership has only caused confusion, distrust, and skepticism all around. Ford moves quickly when it comes to imposing restrictions and cutbacks, but snails when it comes to providing paid sick leave, ensuring job security and stability, and finally in a meaningful implementation of the vaccination program.
No amount of expressed regret and apologies will bring back the health, the lives and the livelihood of all the workers who are and were at the frontlines of this pandemic. The existing gap in healthcare continues to be widened under the Ford government with deadly impacts. At the Magkaisa Centre, we are adamant in calling for the needs and protection of the poor, the racialized and working class communities. We need a government that will ensure that the basic fundamental health of people takes top priority, not later, but now!
Paid sick days now!
Vaccinate all essential workers now!
People over profit!
The Magkaisa Centre:
Philippine Women Centre of Ontario
Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance – Ontario
SIKLAB-Ontario