July 3, 2020, Premier Ford announced the Ontario government is investing $3 million towards free online health and safety training through Employment Ontario. The funding is intended to boost business and consumer confidence by ensuring job seekers and workers have the right tools to practice workplace safety.

Premier Ford added that up to 100,000 job seekers and workers will be able to access the online training courses in real time through Employment Ontario. Topics will include infection control, health and safety incident investigations, ladder safety, slips, trips and fall prevention.

Further Details

Premier Ford was joined for the announcement by Monte McNaugthon, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development and Dr. Dirk Huyer, Chief Coroner for Ontario. The Premier took a moment to thank the Canadian Armed Forces as they conclude their work in long-term care homes in Ontario.

In response to questions regarding when Ontario will move into Stage 3, Premier Ford did not provide a concrete date but said that “we will get there very shortly.” The Premier said that all remaining businesses currently shut down will be permitted to re-open in Stage 3 except for large venues. He encouraged Ontarians to exercise common sense outside, particularly at popular beaches.

Regarding the start of the upcoming school year, Premier Ford added that the government is leaving the decision up to each region and praised the Ottawa school board as a model example.

Along with Dr. Huyer, Premier Ford confirmed that Emergency Management Ontario has been deployed to the Windsor-Essex region to coordinate efforts on the ground and to ensure migrant workers have the best care and housing as farmers attempt to mitigate COVID-19 outbreaks. The Premier also admitted that he was given misinformation about migrant workers hiding from health officials – which he suggested in his response to media questions at yesterday’s availability – and reiterated his support to farmers.