During a visit to Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent on Thursday, Premier Doug Ford did not give any indication the province would take the lead to coordinate efforts to end outbreaks at local farms.
Last week local politicians and health officials sent a request to the provincial and federal governments to assume responsibility and oversee the entire response.
Local leaders have said COVID-19 testing is only one piece of the puzzle and they need someone from the upper levels of government to take the lead and make sure all needs are met like health care and accommodations.
"It's like we have the calvary down in Leamington and Kingsville. We have Ontario Health, we have our top team down here, we have Ontario Public Health down here, we have the Ministry of Health down, we have emergency services Ontario down here and we have the Ministry of Labour," said Ford of the government's efforts in the region.
Also during his visit, Ford announced more funding for the provincial agricultural risk management program. The government has committed an extra $50 million for a total of $150 million annually to support farmers with unforeseen challenges like extreme weather events.
