Ford needs to stand up for healthcare workers and small businesses

February 4, 2022

TORONTO — Mike Schreiner made the following statement regarding the trucker convoy:

TORONTO/OTTAWA — Mike Schreiner made the following statement regarding the trucker convoy:

“The Premier needs to stop playing both sides when it comes to anti-vaccine protests. He needs to be unequivocal in his support for the safety of healthcare workers.

Right now healthcare workers are being told to hide their identity during the protests this weekend in Toronto and that is simply unacceptable.

Nobody should feel unsafe in their community or workplace.

Instead of dragging his feet, the Premier needs to be clear that any violence, racism, antisemitism or homophobia or any attacks against healthcare workers and patients will not be tolerated.

What’s happening in Ottawa crossed a very dark line: swastikas, confederate flags, vandalism of 2SLGBTQIA+ businesses and intimidation at shelters.

Ontario needs the Premier to step up and immediately take action to oppose such hateful acts.

We can’t see a repeat of the deafening silence that Doug Ford displayed last week.

I’m calling on Doug Ford to:

• Ensure that access to hospitals, shelters and businesses in the downtown corridor remain open
• Provide the City of Toronto with all resources necessary to protect hospitals, healthcare workers, patients, residents and small businesses
• Send immediate financial assistance to any small businesses in downtown Ottawa and Toronto that are forced to close due to the protests
• Proactively condemn all violence and racist symbolism and messages and ensure that we don’t see a repeat of Ottawa in Toronto.”

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