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Ontario’s next budget will set a roadmap for recovering from COVID-19, perhaps doubling as the Progressive Conservatives’ election platform, and many stakeholders are asking the government to shore up the health system by looking beyond hospitals.From hospitals, to long-term care, to laboratories, the health sector bore much of the brunt of the pandemic’s impact.The government pumped more than $5 billion into hospitals to add 3,100 beds since the start of the pandemic and the Ontario Hospital Association said those were welcome investments. Ontario COVID-19 numbers: Province reports 228 people in intensive care Now, to maintain financial stability for hospitals as they restart surgeries and procedures delayed by the pandemic and continue to manage other COVID-19 pressures, they require a 3.5 per cent increase in base operating funding, or $735 million, the OHA said in its pre-budget submission.In addition, the hospital association is seeking dedicated funding for reducing the surgery backlog, and continuing funding for additional beds that was committed over the past two years.The Progressive Conservative government is extending its own deadline for delivering the next budget to April 30, which is around when the campaign for the June 2 election will begin.A spokeswoman for Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy said he “understands the importance of investing in health care to create a more sustainable system in Ontario.”Contributing to the pressures in hospitals is the need for greater funding elsewhere, the OHA noted.

Ontario intensive care unit (ICU) with COVID-19 on Sunday, as the province continues efforts to control the spread of the virus.That’s according to new data released by the provincial government on Sunday. Two years into COVID-19: What’s next? The number of people in ICU dropped on Sunday compared to numbers reported a day earlier.On Saturday 722 people were in an Ontario hospital, 232 were in an ICU.A total of 1,631 new cases were reported, however, experts caution that is likely an undercount due to the more stringent COVID-19 testing rules implemented in the province.

COVID-19 Saturday, with 232 patients in intensive care.The latest number of hospitalizations is an increase of five from Friday’s data.However, this is a drop of over 70 hospitalizations in comparison to last Saturday’s hospitalizations which stood at 795.Of the 722 people hospitalized, around 47 per cent of them were admitted because of the virus, while about 53 per cent were admitted for other reasons but then tested positive for COVID-19. School boards ‘expected’ to follow province in lifting mask mandate: Ontario government There are now 232 patients in intensive care units due to the virus (down by six from the previous day).Last Saturday, 253 people were reported in intensive care units.

Ontario are “expected” to follow the province’s plan to lift mask mandates on March 21, a statement from the education minister’s office says, despite concerns from some boards.Earlier this week, chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore announced a plan to lift remaining COVID-19 restrictions in Ontario, including the mask mandate in many public settings and schools after March break.“Of all the provinces to release plans to lift masking requirements in schools, Ontario has one of the most cautious timelines,” a statement from Education Minister Stephen Lecce’s office said Friday.

Waterloo Region District School Board has a meeting scheduled for Friday night to discuss the recent changes announced by the province with regard to COVID-19.The agenda for the meeting is unclear as the only item listed is “response to March 9, 2022, announcement from the chief medical officer of health.” Lifting of mask mandates in Ontario schools being met with mixed reaction Global News has reached out to the WRDSB for further details on the meeting.On Wednesday, the province announced it would be lifting the mandates for masks in schools on March 21, when students return from spring break. In addition, they would also lift cohorting and physical distancing requirements.“As we continue to ease public health measures, we are also working with the Ministry of Education to align measures in schools and child care with those in the community as much as possible,” said Dr.

COVID-19 public health measures across Ontario in the weeks ahead, including the nixing of an indoor face coverings mandate.Fred Eisenberger told Global News city staff are reviewing Wednesday’s announcement from the province’s chief medical officer of health — setting a March 21 date for removing mandatory masking requirements.“I fully trust that our provincial and local medical officers of health’s advice regarding masking is data-driven and will account for varying situations and local conditions,” Eisenberger said.

COVID-related expenditures, according to a new report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).The report, Disappearing Act: The state of provincial deficits in Canada, that CCPA senior economist David Macdonald released Thursday, finds that the provinces overall are in better fiscal shape than after the last recession.Nine out of 10 provinces are paying less interest now, as a proportion of GDP, compared to after the Great Recession in 2009-10, the report showed.As a result, paying less interest is saving the provinces a combined $6 billion in 2021-22 alone, the report showed. Canada’s Q4 GDP beats estimates, showing Omicron resilience “The important thing to take away from this is that these deficits are no longer being caused by COVID-19.

Ontario will no longer mandate face mask use in schools as of March 21, also bringing an end to COVID-19 cohorting and physical distancing requirements.“As we continue to ease public health measures, we are also working with the Ministry of Education to align measures in schools and child care with those in the community as much as possible,” said Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore.

COVID-19 mask policy following Ontario’s decision to lift the provincial mandate after the March Break.In a release on Wednesday afternoon, Hamilton Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) chair Dawn Danko says their governors will be meeting Thursday to review the province’s move and assess the future of a local mask measure for its younger students.“At HWDSB, the Board of Trustees previously approved a motion that includes mask-wearing for students in Kindergarten to Grade 3,” Danko said.“Trustees will review the motion, the direction from the province and share further details as soon as possible.” Ontario lifts mask mandate in most settings March 21, all directives to drop by April 27 Currently both of Hamilton’s public school systems require masking for all students up to Grade 12 inside their facilities, unless exempt for medical or human rights causes."We know that there are mixed reactions to this change. At HWDSB, we have remained committed to taking a cautious gradual approach to removing safety protocols, along with clear communication with our community when there are changes."Full statement: https://t.co/qOZJ4LW8WZ— HWDSB (@HWDSB) March 9, 2022Dr.

After the March break, students and staff in Ontario schools will no longer be required to wear masks. Caryn Lieberman reports.

Doug Ford has lifted the provincial mask requirements, that does not mean they will completely disappear in Waterloo Region as there are also local face-covering bylaws in effect.On Wednesday, Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, announced that masks will no longer be required in most social settings such as restaurants, gyms, large event spaces and even schools.

Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) says people can expect to be required to continue to wear masks in hospital settings “for some time,” despite the announcement that the mandate will be lifted in most public spaces across the provinceIn a statement issued Wednesday, OHA president and CEO Anthony Dale said this is a “patient safety measure.”Dale said hospitals in Ontario will be “adopting and implementing certain protective measures, including requirements related to personal protective equipment and health care worker vaccination, into their own health and safety policies and procedures.” Ontario lifts mask mandate in most settings March 21, all directives to drop by April 27 The statement comes after the province announced it would be lifting the COVID-19 mask mandate in many indoor public settings beginning March 21.According to the province, while masking requirements will be removed “in most places” later this month, the mandate will remain in place in some settings, including on public transit, in long-term care facilities in retirement homes and other health-care settings, in congregate care settings, in shelters and in jails.The province’s plan says masking requirements in “all remaining settings” will be removed on April 27.However, the plan released by the Ford government on Wednesday said that as directives are revoked, “individual organizations will continue to have the authority to keep requirements in place.”In the statement Wednesday, Dale said hospitals are “committed to protecting patients, staff and visitors, and ensuring safety is a top priority.”“The hospital sector routinely establishes policies and requirements regarding infection prevention and control, personal protective equipment, and

The Ontario government said on Wednesday that it will be lifting the mask mandate in many indoor public settings on March 21. Dr.

Speaking in Brantford, Ont. on Wednesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford discussed the upcoming announcement from Ontario’s top doctor, Dr.

province’s announcement to lift mask mandates in many indoor public settings, Guelph’s top doctor says she will lift her own masking orders on March 21.Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health was the first in Ontario to mandate face coverings in all indoor public settings in June 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, four months before a provincewide mandate was established. Ontario lifts mask mandate in most settings March 21, all directives to drop by April 27 Medical officer of health Dr.

COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday.In a press release issued Tuesday afternoon, the Ministry of Health said Kieran Moore will “provide an update on Ontario’s plan to live with and manage COVID-19.”Moore is scheduled to deliver remarks at 11 a.m.The news comes as the province continues with its plan to gradually lift COVID-19 restrictions. Earlier this month, capacity limits at indoor public spaces including restaurants and gyms were dropped.

Airbnb customers are showing their solidarity with the Ukrainian people by booking reservations that they don’t plan on using.

Ontario hospital with COVID-19 on Sunday, as the province continues efforts to control the spread of the virus.The latest data released by the province on Sunday also said 247 people are currently receiving aid in an intensive care unit (ICU) with COVID-19. Ontario reports 795 in hospital with COVID-19, 253 in intensive care Both the number of people in hospital and those in ICU dropped on Sunday compared with numbers reported a day earlier.On Saturday, Ontario reported 795 people were in hospital, and 253 were in intensive care.However, in a tweet Sunday morning, Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott noted that not all hospitals report data on weekends.684 people are hospitalized with #COVID19.

Canada’s deputy chief public health officer says mask-wearing is a “personal choice” and he’ll personally continue to wear a mask as the ongoing easing of COVID-19 public health measures continues.

Mask mandates in Ontario will be removed by the end of March as long as positive public health trends continue, the province’s chief medical officer of health said Thursday, while acknowledging there may be more than 20,000 new COVID-19 cases per day.

several municipalities in Ontario that is keeping its mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy for its employees.The decision is being made despite the provincial government lifting several pandemic restrictions, including ending proof-of-vaccination requirements in certain settings. Several Ontario municipalities keep mandatory COVID vaccine policies in place for employees In a statement, Guelph’s general manager of human resources Mark Ellis said the city remains committed to ensuring its workspaces and facilities are safe for all staff and residents who use their services.“In addition to public health requirements, the city’s vaccine policy and screening requirements will remain in place for staff,” Ellis said.“Our policy requires disclosure of vaccination status and a regular testing protocol for those who are unable to or chose not to get fully vaccinated.”In August 2020, the city announced that its employees had until Oct.

COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations across Canada has led many provinces to aggressively lift public health restrictions — yet data shows those declines have begun to plateau.Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba ended several measures on Tuesday, including vaccination requirements for businesses and capacity limits. Other provinces, including Quebec, and Atlantic Canada, eased restrictions a day earlier, with Saskatchewan ending them entirely on Monday.Officials have pointed to falling hospitalizations and deaths as the reason for returning to a pre-pandemic version of normal — and those numbers have, indeed, been cut in half from their peaks in January, which were fuelled by the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

Toronto Raptors during the team introductions on Tuesday — a sound they hadn’t heard in two-and-a-half months.The Raptors were permitted a full crowd of 19,800 at Scotiabank Arena for the first time since Dec. 13, after the Ontario government accelerated the lifting of restrictions.“I think it’ll be great. I think (the fans) will be revved up.

Ontario’s proof of vaccination program has ended, but as some businesses keep them, there are questions about what will come next. Mask mandates will soon end, but there are concerns over doing it too soon. Matthew Bingley reports.

Ontario institutions nixing proof of vaccination against COVID-19 policies March 1, Burlington’s top hospital says it will hanging on to theirs for visitors beyond March 1.In a release on Tuesday, Joseph Brant Hospital (JBH) said it’s reducing limits on who can be an essential care partner (ECP) and a visitor and how many can be at a patients side, but not relinquishing it’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement.“As we gradually plan for the resumption of surgical care in the coming months, we will continue to place the highest priority on the safety of our patients and healthcare workers, who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic,” said Eric Vandewall, president and CEO, in an release on Tuesday.UPDATE: As Ontario moves into the next phase of re-opening, we are updating our Essential Care Partner policy, appreciating the important role that loved ones play in the well-being of patients. Our mandatory vaccination policy remains unchanged.

COVID-19 and its capacity limits is a reasonable step based on what public health data is telling us amid the ongoing global pandemic.Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) epidemiologist Dr. Dominik Mertz told Global News that despite some provincial wastewater data showing a bit of an uptick in coronavirus, current health-care metrics continue to improve.

COVID-19 public health measures.Mask mandates remain in place but businesses like gyms, cinemas and restaurants no longer need to check patrons’ vaccination status and remaining capacity limits lifted for venues such as nightclubs, sporting arenas and concert halls. There’s also no longer a limit on the size of social gatherings.In north Toronto, as residents met up with friends and co-workers to grab a bite, several said they were comfortable with the restrictions lifting.Toronto resident Dan Cronin said he thinks it’s time for fewer public health measures.

COVID-19 system has come to an end and capacity limits have been dropped as of Tuesday.The government said the two public health measures would be lifted as part of its reopening plan as the province inches closer to returning to life before the global pandemic began in March 2020.Businesses do have the option of keeping proof of vaccination in place if they choose to do so, the government said.Premier Doug Ford has also previously said the proof of vaccination requirement would be a temporary measure when it came into effect in September 2021.Physical distancing requirements and indoor/outdoor social gathering limits have also been dropped.However, masking in indoor public settings will remain in place. Ontario to end COVID proof of vaccination March 1, mask mandate to remain in place Masking is one of the last remaining provincial measures that has not yet been eliminated.Ontario’s chief medical officer of health Dr.

Ontario hospital with COVID-19 on Sunday, as the province continues to work to control the ongoing pandemic.The latest data released by the province also said 281 people were receiving care in an intensive care unit (ICU). Ontario reports 1,024 in hospital with COVID-19, 284 in intensive care The numbers reflect a drop in both hospitalizations and ICU admissions from numbers provided by the province on Saturday, when 1,024 people were in hospital and 284 were in intensive care.842 people are hospitalized with #COVID19.

Amber Alert has been cancelled by the Ontario Provincial Police for a one-year-old girl who went missing in Kitchener.OPP issued the provincewide alert, at the request of Waterloo Regional Police, just after 6 a.m. on Friday.About 45 minutes later, at 6:45 a.m.

COVID-19 emergency operations team expects bylaws requiring face coverings in the city’s indoor settings to remain for some time despite the province’s chief medical officer beginning a review of Ontario’s mask mandates in March.Mayor Fred Eisenberger says masks will be around “for a while” since the Omicron variant continues to put pressure on Hamilton’s hospital system.“I’d like nothing more than to have all of these restrictions go, but we don’t want to throw away two years of effort to protect people in our community,” Eisenberger said in an update on Tuesday.Dr. Kieran Moore made remarks on the review during his weekly COVID-19 update on Thursday.Moore said he anticipated a review will be done in the second or third week of March, allowing for data to be reviewed after the province lifts capacity limits and the proof of vaccination requirement on March 1.“If and when we transition, it would be from a mandate to mask, to a recommendation to mask,” Moore said.“I would certainly hope that vulnerable members of our community that are at risk for this virus, that are immune suppressed or transplant patients, in public spaces would continue to mask.”Medical officer of Health Dr.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced on Tuesday that the province is eliminating license plate renewal fees and scrapping the requirement for a license plate sticker.

Ottawa for the first time in more than three weeks on Sunday as police continued their efforts to put a final end to anti-government demonstrations that immobilized the national capital.Roadways once choked with trucks and protesters opposed to COVID-19 public health measures and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government were largely clear, though debris and other signs of the blockade dubbed an illegal occupation by its critics were still in evidence.Ottawa Police, working in tandem with forces from across the country, said they’d arrested 191 people and laid 391 charges related to the demonstrations, though Ottawa Interim Police Chief Steve Bell said the mammoth law enforcement operation was far from over.“There is another phase that will identify how we maintain the streets, how we eventually demobilize, once we’ve identified that there is no threat of further protests coming to our city,” Bell said at a news conference. “We aren’t there yet.” Ottawa’s convoy occupation mostly clear, but police ‘not done’ with operation yet Bell said charges laid to date include obstructing police, disobeying a court order, assault, mischief, possessing a weapon and assaulting a police officer.Law enforcement is “with every hour” getting closer to delivering on its promise to clear streets and give them back to residents, he added.Chris Harkins, deputy commissioner with the Ontario Provincial Police, said commercial and private vehicle driver’s licenses have been suspended, while 76 vehicles have been seized and towed in Ottawa.But the massive enforcement blitz also drew attention from Ontario’s police watchdog on Sunday.

Ontario hospital with COVID-19 on Saturday, as the province continues to work to control the ongoing pandemic.New data reported by the province on Sunday also said 324 people are receiving care in an intensive care unit (ICU). 1,191 people hospitalized in Ontario with COVID-19, 329 in intensive care Both the number of people hospitalized and the total number of people in an ICU dropped from numbers recorded a day earlier.

Smoke bombs disperse protesters as police including the RCMP clear Wellington Street in front of Parliament. Protesters from the "Freedom Convoy" in Ottawa are moved from Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill by police officers after blockadi ((Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images))OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) - Hundreds of police in riot gear swept through the streets of Canada’s besieged capital Saturday, arresting or driving out protesters, towing away their trucks and finally retaking control of the streets in front of the country’s Parliament buildings.With protesters in clear retreat under the increasing pressure of one of the largest police operations in Canada’s history, authorities’ hopes were rising for an end to the three-week protest against the country’s COVID-19 restrictions and the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.Interim Ottawa Police Chief Steve Bell said that while some smaller protests continued "this unlawful occupation is over.

Ontario hospital with COVID-19 on Saturday, as the province continues to grapple with the ongoing pandemic.New data released by the province also said 329 people are receiving care in an intensive care unit (ICU) after testing positive for the virus. Ontario COVID numbers: 1,281 people in hospital, 352 in intensive care Both the number of people hospitalized and the total number of people in an ICU dropped from numbers recorded a day earlier.On Friday 1,281 people were in hospital with COVID-19, while 352 were in intensive care.In a tweet on Saturday, Ontario’s Health Minister Christine Elliott said of those in hospital, 50 per cent were admitted for COVID-19, while 50 per cent were admitted for other reasons but have tested positive for the virus.Meanwhile, Elliott said 79 per cent of those in ICU were admitted for COVID-19, while 21 per cent were admitted for other reasons but have tested positive for the virus.According to the data, as of Saturday, 216 people were on a ventilator with COVID-19.329 people are in ICU with #COVID19.

Canadian police lastnight began arresting leaders of the trucker-led protest that has choked the capital's streets for three weeks and provoked the government into calling on rarely used emergency powers.

Ontario fund a new model for outpatient health-care centres to help tackle a growing backlog of surgeries and other procedures.A new report from the Ontario Medical Association outlines a proposal to create Integrated Ambulatory Centres across the province, which would work with local hospitals to perform medical services insured by the province.

After a long and disruptive blockade against COVID mandates was cleared, the Ambassador Bridge border crossing in Windsor, Ontario, is open to travel, despite a heavily police presence. As Mike Drolet reports, a small group of protesters remain.

On the heels of the Ford government’s announcement of the easing of restrictions, business owners in Ontario expressing a cautious optimism over the changes. Erica Vella reports.

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has decided to invoke emergency powers across all of Canada to quell the protests by demonstrators who have paralyzed Ottawa and blocked border crossings in anger over the country's COVID-19 restrictions, a senior government official said Monday.READ: Ambassador Bridge officially reopened after weekThe prime minister met virtually with the leaders of Canada's provinces and planned to address the nation late in the afternoon.In recent days, Trudeau rejected calls to use the military but otherwise said "all options are on the table" to end the protests, including invoking the Emergencies Act, which gives the government broad powers to restore order.The government official who confirmed Trudeau's plans gave no immediate details on precisely how Trudeau intends to use his emergency authority.

Chief political correspondent David Akin has the latest on the Ottawa protests, as police moved in over the weekend to clear the blockage at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario.

Ontario is expanding eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine booster dose to youth aged 12 to 17.The government said beginning Friday at 8 a.m., appointments can be booked through the provincial booking system, as well as at pharmacies that are administering the Pfizer shot.Appointments can be booked 168 days after having received a second dose. Ontario to end COVID proof of vaccination March 1, mask mandate to remain in place Government figures show that so far, 6,760,917 people in Ontario have received a booster dose.The expansion in eligibility came as the government also announced Monday that it was speeding up the province’s reopening plans, with more restrictions now set to be eased on Thursday as opposed to Feb.

COVID-19 vaccine passport system starting on March 1. However, the mask mandate will remain in place.“Ontario will also lift proof of vaccination requirements for all settings at this time. Businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination,” the government said.A firm date for lifting the use of masks or face coverings was not set.“Masking requirements will remain in place at this time, with a specific timeline to lift this measure to be communicated at a later date,” the government said.Capacity limits in all indoor public settings will also be eliminated.Ford made the announcement on Monday morning alongside health minister Christine Elliott and Ontario’s chief medical officer of health Dr.

“Freedom Convoy” protests, started by Canadian truckers opposing a vaccinate-or-quarantine mandate for cross-border drivers, have turned into a rallying point for people opposing the policies of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau‘s government, covering everything from pandemic restrictions to a carbon tax.Meanwhile a social media outcry has been triggered by images of police mingling with a sea of protesters in Ottawa, helping some put a fallen tent back up, and one video showing an Ontario Provincial Police officer telling demonstrators “I support you guys 100%.”The police department said the officer’s comments were “not in line with the OPP’s values” and they were investigating.At least two members of Canada’s Special Operations Forces are also under investigation for allegedly supporting the protests, the military said. Windsor’s Ambassador Bridge border crossing reopens following COVID-19 protest Hundreds of counter-protesters on Sunday blocked vehicles trying to join the protest in downtown Ottawa, frustrated by what they said was police inaction.“We need to come together as people and say this will not stand,” said one demonstrator in front of the city’s police headquarters who said he was an Ottawa resident, but declined to give his name, fearing reprisals.

North America's busiest trade link has fully reopened for traffic following a six-day blockade, Canada Border Services Agency said, after Canadian police cleared protesters fighting to end Covid-19 restrictions.

Police clear a roadway at the Ambassador Bridge US-Canada border crossing blocked by truckers as they protest anti-vaccine mandates in Windsor, Ontario. (Photo by GEOFF ROBINS/AFP via Getty Images) Police moved in to clear and arrest the remaining protesters near the busiest U.S.-Canadian border crossing on Sunday, trying to end a demonstration against COVID-19 restrictions that has hurt the economy of both nations even as they held back from a crackdown on a larger protest in the capital, Ottawa.Local and national police formed a joint command center in Ottawa, where protests have paralyzed downtown, infuriated residents who are fed up with police inaction and turned up pressure on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.The protests have reverberated across the country and beyond, with similar convoys in France, New Zealand and the Netherlands.

COVID-19, as the province continues to endure the pandemic.New data released by the province on Sunday suggests 402 people were receiving care in an intensive care unit (ICU), while 244 were on a ventilator. 1,704 people hospitalized in Ontario with COVID-19, 414 in intensive care The hospitalizations and ICU admissions on Sunday mark a drop from numbers reported the day earlier.On Saturday, the province said 1,704 people were hospitalized, with 414 in ICU.However, in a tweet, Ontario’s Health Minister Christine Elliott noted that not all hospitals submit data on weekends.A total of 2,265 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Ontario on Sunday.