TIMMINS - Timmins MPP Gilles Bisson says the provincial government needs to be more open with its communication on the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines. As the pandemic wears on, he believes Northerners need to know how and when the vaccines will be distributed.
But he does expect Northern Ontario to get its fair share when vaccines are available.
“The final decision on that, the government has not announced as you well know,” Bisson said. “I would be very surprised if it was only in Toronto and nothing in Kenora, Timmins or other places.
“I think what they will probably do is start with essential workers first. There are essential workers across the province and other people who are vulnerable. But we don’t know that for sure.”
Bisson said open communication is vital for distribution to go smoothly.
“The government has been a little lackluster at explaining where they are going, what they are doing and who is making the decision,” he said. “I think at this point, even the medical community is probably a little bit frustrated as to knowing how we’re going to deal with this because clearly this is a vaccine coming, probably early in the early part of the new year.”
It is also important that the government listen to medical experts and act on that information.
“So, we’re hoping the government will take the information and decision making from that lead,” Bisson said. “But as we’ve seen in the auditor’s report, it is not clear that the government always takes the advice of the medical community or the chief medical officer of health.
“When we meet with them and ask ‘so, what are the experts telling you?’ they are always a little reluctant to tell us that.”
He said politics is creeping into the government’s handling of the pandemic.
“A lot of the legislation that’s gone through, they say that is COVID related and we need to get quick passage,” he explained. “As you saw, one of the COVID-related pieces was in Bill 213. There was all kinds of stuff in there that had nothing to do with COVID, it had to do with advancing their political agenda.
“The government has all kinds of bills where they call it COVID related, but it is not COVID related.”
He said it is important that legislation not be rushed, so it can be fair to all Ontario residents.
“Another one is the government, rightfully so, brought a bill to the House, Bill 236 I believe it is, in order to reduce delivery charges that these (Internet food delivery) companies charge because the restaurant loses up to 30 per cent of the ticket sale to the delivery company,” Bisson said. “So, the government brought a bill to the house, didn’t give a copy to the official opposition or anybody else, and said let’s pass this sight unseen. Of course, we never pass anything sight unseen, let’s read it and find out what this is all about.
“As it turns out, it doesn’t cover most franchise companies that are the GTA. So, if you are a franchised restaurant, you’re not covered. And if you are in Timmins, Ottawa or anywhere else, it doesn’t cover you at all.”
He said the COVID-19 crisis has made this legislation important for restaurant owners.
“As you know, there are a lot of people who don’t want to go into restaurants as a result of what’s going on (with the pandemic),” he said. “So, take out has become larger and larger for the sales of restaurants. We said no to that and the government says ‘you’re not working with us, you’re being obstructive.’
“We’re doing our job. We’re trying to advocate for others across Ontario. We want that bill to go into committee, but we need to do some amending so communities around Ontario can have a similar rule and it applies to all restaurants, not excluding franchised restaurants.”
