'These aren't risks I am willing to take': London and area schools will not reopen before the end of year
It's official, schools in Middlesex-London and the rest of the province will not be reopening for the remainder of the school year.
"I understand this is going to be difficult for many parents," said Premier Doug Ford during his announcement Wednesday.
The move does not come as a surprise after it was leaked Tuesday that the decision was made at the committee level to leave schools closed.
Ford said that modelling suggested that reopening schools may lead to thousands of new cases, despite calls from medical professionals including Ontario's top doctor to reopen classrooms.
"As your premier, these aren't risks I am willing to take," said Ford.
Ford made the announcement at 1 p.m. with Minister of Education Stephen Lecce and Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliot.
"Our cautious approach will protect our reopening," said Lecce.
In response to the announcement Ontario Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca pointed out that Ford was ignoring the advice of his top doctor and other medical professionals.
"Doug Ford is putting patios before publicly funded schools," wrote Del Duca in a statement. "The experts have been clear - the government should be allowing each Public Health Unit and the local Chief Medical Officers of Health to make the decision whether or not to reopen schools for their own regions."
On Tuesday, CTV News Toronto reported that at committee level the decision was made to not reopen schools, even on a regional basis.
Both major boards in London had said they were ready to open when and if the province gives the go ahead, but now that won't be necessary.
In a statement, Thames Valley District School Board Director of Education Mark Fisher said, “We know that students thrive when they are learning in person at school and we look forward to welcoming all students back to our schools in September."
The board says more information about retrieving belongings from schools, returning board property and year-end recognitions will be shared as soon as it is available.
Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams and the Ontario Science Advisory Table advised the government to reopen in-person learning.
Locally London’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Chris Mackie has long maintained the position that schools should be last to close and first to open.
However, Ontario’s reopening plan isn’t expected to begin until June 14 at the earliest, despite a stay-at-home order expiring Wednesday.
All of Ontario’s schools have been closed since mid-April.
Ford called on schools to host outdoor graduation ceremonies where possible in order for some students to see friends before the end of the year.
It remains unclear if that will happen at the local boards.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.