Whereas protecting Public Health is our job; and
Whereas closing down businesses, negatively impacting people’s livelihood which contributes to a wide-range of health issues, the extent of which will not be fully known for many years to come, is not; and
Whereas our own Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kurji, has told us that businesses are not a material source of spread and that a lockdown wouldn’t make much of a difference; and
Whereas Dr. Kurji’s exact words were, “What we are not seeing are any outbreaks traced to retail establishments. We are not seeing any outbreaks traced to restaurants, or gyms and we haven't been seeing outbreaks from places of worship in York Region either”; and
Whereas the accepted COVID-19 safety protocols of physical distancing, wearing a mask, washing your hands and contact tracing, are already targeted for heavy enforcement by the Region; and
Whereas many businesses have already closed permanently; and
Whereas many more businesses are facing the same fate through no fault of their own; and
Whereas the Ontario government issued a declaration of emergency, effective January 12, 2021, under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA). On Monday, January 25th the government extended this Order for an additional 14 days. It is now set to expire on February 9, 2021, unless extended further;
Now Therefore Be It Resolved:
That York Region Council request the Premier to not extend the Grey – Lockdown/Stay at Home Order past the current February 9th end date in York Region.
A recorded vote was as follows:
For: Barrow, Grossi, Hamilton, Jackson, Jones, Mrakas, Perrelli (7)
Against: Bevilacqua, DiPaola, Emmerson, Ferri, Hackson, Heath, Li, Lovatt, Pellegrini, Quirk, Rosati, Scarpitti, Taylor, Vegh (14)
Defeated