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Saturday June 26, 2021

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday June 26, 2021

Ontario to move to Step 2 of reopening ahead of schedule allowing for haircuts

April 25, 2020

The Ontario government has confirmed that the province will enter the second stage of its COVID-19 reopening strategy two days ahead of schedule.

This means that starting Wednesday, people will once again be able to host indoor gatherings of up to five people, meet with up to 25 people outdoors, and finally, after months of closure, book personal care services like hair cuts.

Outdoor performances and team sports can also resume and outdoor attractions such as water parks are allowed to reopen.

June 5, 2020

“Because of the tireless work of our health care heroes, and the record setting success of our vaccine rollout, we are able to move into Step Two ahead of schedule on June 30 with the support of our public health experts,” Premier Doug Ford said in a news release issued Thursday.

The further loosening of public health restrictions means that outdoor dining capacity limits can increase to six people per table, essential retail can double to 50 per cent capacity and non-essential retail can move to 25 per cent capacity, up from 15.

Also, shopping malls can reopen with restrictions and larger indoor religious services, like wedding and funeral services, can resume at 25 per cent capacity.

CTV News Toronto reported Wednesday that Ford was considering moving up the second step of economic reopening by two days.

Hair: Toronto Mayor John Tory

Prior to the announcement, the province had expected to enter Step 2 on July 2 at the earliest.

In order to enter Step 2 of the reopening strategy, the government said it needed to see 70 per cent of adults with one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 20 per cent with two doses for at least two weeks.

According to data released by the province, as of Wednesday, over 76 per cent of the population in Ontario above the age of 18 have received their first dose and over 29 per cent have received their second.

Based on Thursday’s announcement, Ontario is expected to enter Step 3 of its reopening plan, which allows for the most lenient of public health restrictions, on July 21 if COVID-19 cases continue to trend downwards and the rate of vaccination remains high. (CTV) 

 

Tuesday September 11, 2007

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday September 11, 2007

Electoral reform on ballot? Who knew?

It would be the most radical change in close to a century in the way we elect provincial politicians.

To find out what people think about the Ontario referendum being held a month from today, the Toronto Star stopped 50 people at Yonge & Bloor Sts. — Just one person knew about it.

Only three others were interested enough to listen to what was being proposed.

On Oct. 10, in addition to voting for the next provincial government, Ontarians will be asked if they want to keep the traditional way of electing MPPs or opt for a new mixed-member proportional system that advocates argue will more fairly represent voters’ wishes.

“I don’t know anything about it” and the ever-popular “huh?” were the most common responses to questions about what people thought about the referendum.

This is all a bit depressing for many on the 104-member Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform who spent months studying electoral systems before choosing mixed-member proportional as the best option for Ontario.

Those who like it say it will give small parties a realistic shot at seats in the Legislature.

Those who dislike it say it will destabilize Ontario with never-ending minority governments. (Source: Toronto Star)