“I’ve heard from hundreds of people in Niagara, who say that Doug Ford’s lockdowns have had a devastating impact on their mental health. They’re asking that outdoor activities that can be done safely be opened up.” – Niagara Centre NDP MPP Jeff Burch
“Families are incredibly frustrated that Doug Ford and his Conservatives are refusing the back down from their ban on outdoor recreational amenities when the science is telling us we should be doing the opposite.” – Ontario NDP Deputy Leader Sara Singh
A News Release from the Constituency Office of Niagara Centre NDP MPP Jeff Burch
Posted May 17th, 2021 on Niagara At Large
Jeff Burch, MPP for Niagara Centre, is pledging to keep pressing Ford government to end its ban on outdoor recreation activities.
Niagara Centre NDP MPP Jeff Burch
NIAGARA, Ontario — Jeff Burch, MPP for Niagara Centre, is going to bat for Niagara residents, pledging to keep pressing Doug Ford’s government to end its ban on outdoor recreation activities during the lockdown. Despite calls from municipal leaders, health experts, the Ontario Medical Association and their own Science Table, the Ford Government government has continued to keep outdoor recreation closed.
Monday in question period, Burch urged the government to support an NDP motion calling for the immediate safe re-opening of amenities like basketball courts, skate parks, golf courses and tennis courts. Shortly afterwards, the Conservatives shot it down by a vote of 63 to 21.
“I’ve heard from hundreds of people in Niagara, who say that Doug Ford’s lockdowns have had a devastating impact on their mental health,” said Burch. “They’re asking that outdoor activities that can be done safely be opened up.”
Many outdoor recreational activities can be done safely, according to the experts.
“Doug Ford doesn’t have any excuse to stand in the way of the safe re-opening of outdoor recreation amenities. The science is clear: workplaces pose a far greater risk of outbreaks. Safe outdoor activities are important to the people of my riding, and I will keep fighting for their freedom to play.
Ford’s Conservatives block NDP motion to safely re-open outdoor amenities
Warning signs like this across Niagara, Ontario and the country became commonplace by March of 2020.
QUEEN’S PARK — Doug Ford’s Conservatives voted down an NDP motion today calling for the immediate safe re-opening of outdoor activities.
NDP Deputy Leader Sara Singh, who put forward the motion on behalf of the Official Opposition, said Ontario’s New Democrats won’t stop fighting to give families the freedom to get outside and participate in safe activities like cricket, basketball practice and golf.
“Families are incredibly frustrated that Doug Ford and his Conservatives are refusing the back down from their ban on outdoor recreational amenities when the science is telling us we should be doing the opposite,” said Singh.
“By keeping outdoor recreational amenities closed, Ford is hurting kids and families who have been cooped up inside for months. Not only is getting outside a relief for people and children coping with anxiety and isolation — it’s safer than being indoors.”
Ford’s Conservatives voted down Singh’s motion by a vote of 63 to 21.
If Andrea Horwath were premier today, she would follow the Science Table’s advice, including:
* Closing non-essential workplaces
* Opening safe outdoor recreation and amenities
* Focusing on hotspots
* Providing paid sick days to workers
To read a report recently posted on Niagara At Large on the Ford-government’s latest lockdown rules, click –https://niagaraatlarge.com/2021/05/13/breaking-news-ontario-extending-stay-at-home-order-until-june-2/ .
NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space Following The Bernie Sanders Quote Below.
Niagara At Large 
The problem in our political leadership environment is exactly as the numbers have posted here ….. and the problem is “parties”.
“63 to 21” represents a vote. However, it cannot represent an effective and fair vote when members of different communities with different outlooks and different needs must all lean they way of the “party”.
Individual seats with absolutely NO party affiliation puts the hopes and dreams of individuals from different climates back into the hands of those who can elect what they locally support.
“Party” is a motion of power where a very few can hold the reigns of all others, because of the “party”.
84 individuals could have and should have voted in line with the individual needs of their constituency …… and the net result could have applied resources and restrictions where they are deemed necessary, by the people.
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