In a regular weekly meeting held yesterday, the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area discussed the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region as they acknowledge the week as the National Nursing Week, for which they expressed gratitude to nurses as they continue to demonstrate courage and professionalism alongside all healthcare workers.

As the COVID-19 case counts are going in the right direction across the GTHA, vaccination rates are also on the rise. For such, surely credit goes to the residents who have exhibited patience in following public health guidelines. These municipalities are making progress in stopping the spread of the virus and getting people of hot spots vaccinated. The Mayors and Chairs reaffirmed their willingness to share in the risks and benefits of their shared citizenship.

The Mayors and Chairs welcomed the week in the GTHA municipalities in undertaking their biggest and busiest week of vaccine dose administration so far. They find work to thank increased supply from the federal and provincial governments to hot spot areas and welcome further additional supply over the coming weeks to ensure they can vaccinate as many people as speedily as possible. They are all concerned to meet or exceed the target set by Premier Doug Ford of the Province of Ontario to have 65 percent of eligible residents vaccinated by the end of May. Any additional supply would help them make that happen. They also rely on the federal and provincial governments for transparent explanations with respect to vaccine supplies.

The current vaccination effort is made easier with a predictable timeline laid out by the province when eligibility will open up to different age groups, professions, and those with health conditions. They believe these clearly communicated timelines have helped people plan their lives and have helped everyone manage expectations.

Currently, the GTHA Mayors and Chairs are asking the Province to provide predictability for the current provincial Stay-At-Home order and what is to follow. As the Victoria Day long weekend approaches, people and businesses have begun to ask perfectly reasonable questions as to where things will stand as of that time, so they can make plans of all kinds, business and pleasure. Accordingly, they think it is important that the Ontario government communicate clearly and as soon as possible whether or not its order will be extended further or modified based on public health advice.