ONTARIO SEEING MORE RELIABLE SUPPLY OF VACCINE

Our government’s top priority continues to be the health and wellbeing of all Ontarians.

Ontario has finally started to receive a steady supply of vaccines coming into the province from the Federal Government, allowing us to administer over 5.4 million doses to date. As of May 1st, 2021, 40% of adults across Ontario have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. With an expected increase in the vaccine supply, the province is now able to vaccinate more Ontarians faster, especially those in areas that continue to be hit hardest by COVID-19. 

With a predictable supply of the vaccine, it will allow Ontario to continue expanding booking eligibility across the province, with individuals aged 18 and older eligible to book an appointment through the provincial booking system as early as the week of May 24, 2021.   

Ontario is on track to offer first dose vaccinations to up to ten million people by the end of June. We strongly encourage everyone to book an appointment as soon as it’s their turn to help protect themselves, their loved ones and our communities and stop the spread of COVID-19.

With COVID-19, and its variants of concern, our community needs more support now than ever before. That is why our government introduced, and passed, the COVID-19 Putting Workers First Act, providing employees with three full days of paid sick leave of up to $200 per day. This can be used for things like taking time off to get a COVID-19 test or get vaccinated.

Ontario is now the only province with three days of regular pay for those who miss work due to COVID-19.

These latest measures would bring the total number of paid sick days for an eligible worker to 23 days when combining the CSRB’s four weeks (20 workdays) and three provincial paid sick days.

Our government has also pushed to double payments to Ontario residents receiving the CRSB by adding an additional $500 per week to eligible individuals, increasing the total to $1,000 per week.

I am pleased that our government continues to take strong actions that help our community by investing in the health and wellbeing of Ontarians across the province.