Ontario's Progressive Conservative government is setting economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic as its focus as it enters a new legislative session - less than a year before the next provincial election.
Lieutenant-Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell delivered a throne speech this morning, outlining the priorities for Premier Doug Ford's PC government, though mostly focusing on past efforts for health-care and long-term care amid the pandemic and touting the province's vaccination rates, while stating Ontario's now in a "new phase" of the pandemic, cautioning against panic if cases rise as people head indoors more often amid the colder weather - even assuring "if additional public health measures are needed, they will be localized and targeted".
Algoma-Manitoulin New Democrat Michael Mantha isn't happy with what was said.
Though the speech did focus upon health and long-term care, Mantha says it was lacking on plans.
Mantha says the speech also failed to show support for other sectors in the province.
The Algoma-Manitoulin MPP says this is especially problematic due to the extended summer break when the legislature was prorogued amid the federal election, warning that Premier Doug Ford's instead putting forward an agenda featuring cuts.