Ontario Moving to Next Phase of Reopening |
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With key public health and health system indicators continuing to improve, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is cautiously and gradually easing public health measures sooner, with the next phase of measures being eased on February 17, 2022 at 12:01 a.m.
Effective February 17, 2022
Ontario will further ease public health measures, including, but not limited to:
- Increasing social gathering limits to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors
- Increasing organized public event limits to 50 people indoors, with no limit outdoors
- Removing capacity limits in the following indoor public settings where proof of vaccination is required, including but not limited to:
- Restaurants, bars and other food or drink establishments without dance facilities
- Non-spectator areas of sports and recreational fitness facilities, including gyms
- Cinemas
- Meeting and event spaces, including conference centres or convention centres
- Casinos, bingo halls and other gaming establishments
- Indoor areas of settings that choose to opt-in to proof of vaccination requirements.
- Allowing 50 per cent of the usual seating capacity at sports arenas
- Allowing 50 percent of the usual seating capacity for concert venues and theatres
- Increasing indoor capacity limits to 25 per cent in the remaining higher-risk settings where proof of vaccination is required, including nightclubs, restaurants where there is dancing, as well as bathhouses and sex clubs
- Increasing capacity limits for indoor weddings, funerals or religious services, rites, or ceremonies to the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance. Capacity limits are removed if the location opts-in to use proof of vaccination or if the service, rite, or ceremony is occurring outdoors.
Capacity limits in other indoor public settings, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, retail and shopping malls, will be maintained at, or increased to, the number of people who can maintain two metres physical distance.
In addition, as of 8:00 a.m. on Friday, February 18, 2022, Ontario is expanding booster dose eligibility to youth aged 12 to 17. Appointments can be booked through the provincial booking system and the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre, as well as at select pharmacies administering the Pfizer vaccine. Appointments will be booked for approximately six months (168 days) after a second dose. To book an appointment online, individuals must be 12 years old at the time of appointment.
Effective March 1, 2022
Ontario intends to take additional steps to ease public health measures if public health and health system indicators continue to improve. This includes lifting capacity limits in all remaining indoor public settings. Ontario will also lift proof of vaccination requirements for all settings at this time. Businesses and other settings may choose to continue to require proof of vaccination. Masking requirements will remain in place at this time, with a specific timeline to lift this measure to be communicated at a later date.
To manage COVID-19 over the long-term, public health units can deploy local and regional responses based on local context and conditions.
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Businesses Looking for a Sustainable Reopening |
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(Toronto, February 14) – Rocco Rossi, President & CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, released the following statement:
“Lifting COVID-19-related business restrictions sooner than initially planned is positive news for Ontario business and economic recovery. To ensure a sustainable reopening of Ontario’s economy, it is critical the Government of Ontario also has a comprehensive and clear plan so businesses can safely re-open and stay open.
The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic crisis have created an unstable and unpredictable environment for Ontario business. Meanwhile, vulnerabilities such as inflation, labour shortages and supply chain disruptions, have been exacerbated by the global state of emergency. The impact of all of this on business and consumer confidence is reflected in our Ontario Economic Report with only 29% of businesses being confident in Ontario’s economic outlook for 2022.
The plan to reduce restrictions will only be successful if it is accompanied by the necessary measures to support business predictability, build public confidence and sustain the re-opening.”
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Federal Government Declares a Public Order Emergency |
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The federal government announced the declaration of a public order emergency under the Emergencies Act, to end disruptions, border blockades and the occupation of Ottawa’s downtown core. The public order emergency grants the Government the authority to apply the following temporary measures:
- Regulating and prohibiting public assemblies, including blockades, other than lawful advocacy, protest or dissent
- Regulating the use of specified property, including goods to be used with respect to a blockade
- Designating and securing places where blockades are to be prohibited (e.g. borders, approaches to borders, other critical infrastructure)
- Directing specified persons to render essential services to relieve impacts of blockades on Canada’s economy
- Authorizing or directing specified financial institutions to render essential services to relieve the impact of blockades, including by regulating and prohibiting the use of property to fund or support the blockades
- Measures with respect to authorizing the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to enforce municipal and provincial laws by means of incorporation by reference
- The imposition of fines or imprisonment for contravening on any of the measures declared under this public order emergency
When a declaration of a public order emergency is made under the Emergencies Act, it allows the federal government to make orders and regulations that it believes are necessary for dealing with the emergency, on reasonable and proportional grounds. The Emergencies Act has stringent, built-in protections which ensure democratic oversight of the use of these powers. Any declaration under the Emergencies Act must be laid before both the House of Commons and the Senate within timelines set out in the Act for confirmation. Any steps taken by the Government under the Emergencies Act must be consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and must be reasonable and proportional to the risks to the public health and safety of Canadians.
More Resources:
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Statement from President & CEO, Canadian Chamber |
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(Ottawa, February 14) - The President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Perrin Beatty, issued this statement following the invocation of the Emergencies Act. Please note that Mr. Beatty was the Minister responsible for bringing the Emergencies Act into effect in 1988.
“The government’s decision to invoke the Emergencies Act indicates how serious the threat to public safety and our economy from the ongoing blockades at various points in Canada has become. The right to protest is fundamental to Canadian democracy, but it must be exercised in conformity with the law and with respect for the rights and safety of others. In the interests of all Canadians, we ask participants to peacefully end the blockades and peacefully return home immediately. The rule of law protects all of our rights and freedoms. It is also critical for our economy’s ability to function. The vast majority of Canadians respect this fundamental aspect of our democracy, which governments at all levels have a responsibility to protect.”
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The Ottawa Board of Trade continues to encourage residents to buy and support local. Businesses drive our local economy, enhance our community culture and shape our future. They support all of us. So now it is time to support them.
How can you get involved?
- Make a decision to buy local as much as possible and encourage others to do the same.
- Promote your favourite local businesses on social media and in person at work or gatherings.
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Special Thanks to our Community Partners! |
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