TORONTO — Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he'll only make a decision whether to reopen schools for the final month of the academic year after he hears from numerous experts.
He says he doesn't want to rely on the advice of the province's top public health doctor alone.
The chief medical officer, Dr. David Williams, has made it clear that he believes classrooms should reopen.
Ford wrote to dozens of doctors, public health authorities, scientists and teacher unions yesterday, seeking feedback by 5 p.m. today.
He says he's concerned about reopening schools given the presence of more contagious variants of COVID-19, as well as relatively low rates of vaccinated teachers and students.
Critics say the last-minute letter shows Ford is passing the buck on making a decision about schools.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 28, 2021.
The Canadian Press
