Mississauga, Brampton mayors welcome federal, provincial action to mitigate COVID-19 fourth wave

Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie and her counterparts in the GTHA seemed to confirm Monday that a vaccine mandate is in the works for some frontline Ontario workers.

Crombie issued a statement on Monday (Aug. 16) saying that the mayors and chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area are “welcom(ing) the coming move by the Government of Ontario to mandate vaccines for  hospital and long-term care workers.” The statement was issued after the group’s regular weekly meeting to discuss the COVID-19 response across the region.

“This would be a good step forward that will better protect some of our most vulnerable residents and our frontline heroes,” the statement from Crombie’s office adds.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, Hamilton’s Fred Eisenberger, and Oshawa’s Dan Carter would have also been representing their cities at the meetings.

While Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Health Minister Christine Elliott have yet to announce any such move, the likelihood that a group of municipal politicians would co-sign on such a statement without something being in the works seems remote.

Reports out of Toronto said that Ford would meet with his cabinet on Monday to discuss making it mandatory for health-care and education workers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Numerous medical groups and professional associations, including the Ontario Medical Association, Registered Nurses Association of Ontario and Ontario Nurses Association, have called for vaccines to be required for in certain lines of works. 

Ford gave a virtual keynote speech on Monday at the 2021 Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference. The premier emphasized investments that the Progressive Conservative government will make to mitigate COVID-19’s effects — including Brampton’s new hospital — and all future public health crises, but did not mention mandatory vaccines. He offered encouragement for people who have not had a COVID-19 vaccination to do so.

“I encourage everyone to do their part, get your shots and ensure you have the most protection possible, for yourselves and for others,” Ford said.

 Crombie’s statement added that the elected municipal leaders collectively “welcomed the Government of Canada’s move last week to proceed with a vaccination system and to mandate vaccinations for federal workers and air and interprovincial train passengers.”

The statement concluded by reminding residents to continue following public health measures, acknowledging that “the fourth wave is here.”