Province rejects call to make masks mandatory

Toronto Mayor John Tory and Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa announced on Tuesday morning their plan to make masks mandatory in indoor spaces across the city. The plan, which will have to be approved by city council, could go into effect starting July 7 as a temporary bylaw.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie revealed similar policies.

The announcements came a day after mayors representing municipalities across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area called on the provincial government to introduce a new mandatory mask policy.

The Ford government has so far resisted those pleas, with a spokesperson saying the move “isn’t necessary” since local public health units have the ability to introduce those rules.

Toronto’s city solicitor has however said that a mandatory masking policy would be more effective if introduced at the provincial level.

Ford said again on Tuesday that municipalities should make their own rules on masks.

“Each region has the authority to make their own rules,” he said. “I think it’s good, I encourage them to do that.”

CBC