Premier Doug Ford under fire for showing up in legislature without mask

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Premier Doug Ford undermined his own chief medical officer of health’s advice by refusing to wear a mask in Ontario’s legislature this week, opposition leaders say.

Dr. Kieran Moore, at a media conference Monday morning, “strongly” recommended all Ontario residents wear a mask in indoor public spaces and also in social settings around vulnerable individuals, including young children.

Ford and most of his PC caucus were without masks less than two hours later for Monday’s session of question period, and again when proceedings convened in the legislature on Tuesday.

“The premier says, ‘Wear a mask whenever possible,’ and he sits there for an hour without a mask on,” Liberal John Fraser said Tuesday. “People can make their own choices, but if he says wear a mask whenever possible, and he doesn’t, what’s the message?”

Fraser said he believes that Ford has chosen to ignore the masking advice because he fears it would make him unpopular with his supporters.

COVID-19, influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) — described as a respiratory illness “triple threat” — are circulating in Ontario.

Influenza and RSV, in particular, have put a growing number of children in ICUs to the point that the system is now straining to handle the surge in new patients, Moore said.

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He advised masking as a way to protect not only against COVID, but also the other viruses.

NDP Leader Peter Tabuns challenged Ford during question period Tuesday to explain his lack of mask.

“The premier said he will take the advice of the medical officer of health. Why is the Premier not taking leadership and wearing a mask to protect our children?” he said.

Long-Term Care Minister Paul Calandra said the government has led North America in battling COVID-19 and continues to work with the chief medical officer of health.

Health Minister Sylvia Jones added only Japan has been able to get a higher rate of vaccination.

“We have nothing to apologize (for) and certainly no lessons to be shared by you,” Jones told Tabuns.

Jones, who was wearing a mask, told reporters it was a personal choice.

Ontario Liberals are calling for mandatory masking in schools and on public transit, as well as a stepped up public education campaign to encourage more people in the province to get vaccinated and wear masks.

Liberal MPP Adil Shamji said children’s health care is swamped and parents are struggling to find even basic medications.

aartuso@postmedia.com