Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he is against defunding police.
Ford told reporters at his daily news teleconference on Thursday that cutting police budgets would be a mistake. The premier said most Ontarians want police to respond quickly when they call 911.
"I just don't believe in defunding the police. I think it's a massive, massive error," he said.
He said police budgets should be increased to better handle community outreach and mental health issues. Ford said he's willing to sit down with municipalities and police to talk about the best way to move forward.
The premier also said it's too early to open the U.S. border because the province is not ready. He said he has a duty to protect Ontarians and added the important thing right now is that goods are still going back and forth across the border.
"I know it's inevitable and we got to do it but I just don't think we're ready right now. You see what's happening down in the states... you look at Florida, you look at Texas, you look at Arizona, California. I don't want to be those states. I want to protect the people here in Ontario," said Ford.
Premier Ford said he wants Ontarians to stay focused and keep social distancing to ensure Ontario decreases the number of province-wide COVID-19 cases.
Health Minister Christine Elliott told reporters the province is getting long term care homes ready for a possible second wave of the virus as well as the flu season in the fall. Elliott said the key is to keep following the health and safety precautions, have fewer residents in each room, and to continue swab testing.
She also said extra flu vaccines are on order and their doses are stronger to help protect people in congregate settings.
"We are taking precautions for long term care homes with the upcoming flu season and potential second wave as well as for all the other seniors in Ontario and the rest of the population as well," said Elliott.
The premier added the province has given the long term care sector more money to fix a broken system and that some homes have chosen to bump pay for existing workers while others have hired more staff. He also said the head of the independent commission into long-term care will be announced soon.
He also said playground equipment should reopen in Phase 3 of the province-wide reopening when it's announced, but it's up to each individual medical officer of health because every region is different.
