By Charlie Pinkerton (iPolitics) and David Hains

Ontario’s professional sports teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays and the province’s CFL teams, expect the Doug Ford government will soon allow them to increase the number of fully vaccinated fans at their games, according to a well-placed source.

The source, who works in business operations for one of the teams, said the team was awaiting “final approval” on Wednesday to welcome more fans to games, and that it expected the government’s go-ahead within days.

Ontario’s vaccine passport system started on Wednesday, and sporting events are among the places where, to gain entry, people must show proof of having received a second COVID shot at least two weeks prior.

On Thursday morning, the Toronto Blue Jays began selling more than the 15,000 seats they’re allowed to fill. The Jays have six home games left, which will determine whether they’ll make it to the MLB playoffs and host more games.

“We have been working closely with the premier’s office, the chief medical officer of health, and (Ontario Sport) Minister (Lisa) MacLeod’s office on increasing ballpark capacity safely, in line with all public health protocols,” the Jays said in a statement. “To prepare, we are making additional tickets available for our final six home games.”

The source said the team he works for was told that 20,000 people, possibly more, would be allowed at outdoor games. The capacity of the Rogers Centre, where the Jays play, exceeds 50,000.

Limits currently exist because of COVID-19. Ever since the province moved to stage three of its reopening plan in mid-July, outdoor events have been limited to 15,000 people, and the maximum number of people who can attend indoor events is 5,000.

The source said his team was told by government that the number will double to whichever is lower, 10,000 or 50 per cent of a venue’s total capacity, for indoor events such as Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, and Ottawa Senators games.

The Toronto Star reported on Thursday that the Ontario government would indeed raise the number of seats at indoor events before the weekend, in time for the Leafs’ pre-season opener against the Montreal Canadiens.

On Thursday morning, iPolitics asked MacLeod’s office for confirmation that it’s increasing the number of fans allowed at outdoor sports games.

The request was forwarded to Health Minister Christine Elliott’s spokesperson, who replied, “Dr. (Kieran) Moore will provide an update on his recommended changes to capacity limits in specific settings where proof of vaccination is required once they are finalized and approved by cabinet.”

Moore is Ontario’s chief medical officer of health.

MacLeod was scheduled to make an announcement at 2 p.m. in Toronto on Thursday afternoon, but cancelled it just before noon.

iPolitics asked the offices of MacLeod, Elliott, and Premier Ford when cabinet was meeting to make its decision, but none answered.

It's been an extraordinarily difficult 19 months for long-term care in Ontario. As of today, 3,813 residents died to COVID-19 since April 24, 2020. Another 13 staff died. And 13 long-term care homes are currently considered in outbreak, according to the province's latest numbers.

Despite this, Long-Term Care Minister Rod Phillips took to Brampton in "celebration" of the long-term care sector. Acknowledging that there have been significant difficulties, he touted progress as the government opened a new 160-bed building at the Faith Manor facility.

"Our government is fixing Ontario’s long-term care system and building new facilities, like Faith Manor, is a key part of our plan," he said in a statement. "Faith Manor is providing a safe, modern, comfortable place for 160 local seniors to call home — close to family and friends while getting the care they need."

The home provides 40 new beds. It also doesn't have any ward beds, which were especially ravaged by COVID-19, and is instead a mix of private and semi-private beds. The government also touted the fact that the home will have air conditioning, which has been a hot-button issue that the premier promised to fix.

It's part of a larger government investment in long-term care following the tragedy of the pandemic that saw thousands of deaths and horrendous conditions, with the Ford government having promised to build 15,000 new beds within five years. But a review by the Financial Accountability Office (FAO) found that the government is two years behind schedule on that goal, and won't reach it until 2025–26. And the May 2021 report found that even if the 2029 goal of 30,000 new beds is reached it won't keep pace with the growing needs of an aging population, so the province will be worse off than it is today.

The health ministry announced $182.6 million in funding across 133 hospitals and 63 community health service providers. The funding includes $50 million in COVID-19-related dollars.

The funding is provided through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund and the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund.

"Upgrading and maintaining hospitals and community health infrastructure is one more way our government is ensuring Ontarians receive the exceptional care when they need it and closer to home," said Christine Elliott, the minister of health. "These crucial investments will help build the capacity needed to end hallway health care, while ensuring our hospitals have the tools they need to improve the quality of care for patients and continue responding to COVID-19."

The PC government has been criticized for not sufficiently spending to fight against COVID-19. That includes findings from the FAO that it did not spend $2.7 billion in a provincial program set aside to deal with the pandemic. At a press conference on Wednesday Ford vowed that the government would spend every penny and that the FAO report was only a snapshot in time.

In brief: Increased Blue Jays game capacity, a long-term care ‘celebration’ and more

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