More of Ontario's workers may soon be back on the job.
Premier Doug Ford hinted during his daily Queen's Park media briefing Tuesday afternoon that the province will announce some "good news" as the province gradually reopens for business.
"It will be stage one of three stages, and it's very important that the people of Ontario follow the protocols and we will hit stage one on Thursday," said Ford.
The premier had laid out a "road map" on April 27, consisting of three stages of reopening Ontario's economy. While Ford declined to discuss the details of what will be announced Thursday, stage one consists of reopening smaller workplaces and allowing more people to gather in public. Ford had made it clear that each stage would not take place unless strict criteria are met.
The province reopened garden centres and nurseries on Friday, and hardware stores and safety supply businesses on Saturday. Retail stores with a street entrance were allowed to reopen on Monday for curbside service only.
Ford's announcement came as the Ontario Legislature met for the first time in two months. The premier said he is looking forward to working with opposition members in the fight against COVID-19.
"We all play a role in working together and getting this resolved," said Ford.
The Legislature also voted Tuesday afternoon to extend Ontario's current state of emergency to June 2.
In addition, a Toronto summer tradition will not be moving forward due to the pandemic. The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), the oldest fair of its kind in Canada, has been cancelled for this year. It is the second time in the fair's 142-year history and the first time since the Second World War that the CNE will be cancelled.
