Jessica Smith Cross, Author at QP Briefing

‘If you’re struggling, reach out’: A roundup of Ontario COVID-19 news

The province announced funding for online mental health support. ...

Ontario calls on local health units to enforce isolation of people with COVID-19 and their close contacts

Toronto has issued orders to all people with COVID-19 and their close contacts to self-isolate. ...

COVID-19 long-term care crisis worsened by chronic staffing shortages, lack of masks: Associations

Ontario's nursing homes wouldn't be in such a dire situation if they weren't as short-staffed before the pandemic, workers' associations said. ...

Public opinion research shows social distancing messaging is sinking in, but there are holdouts

Recent public opinion recents sheds light on who isn't abiding by public health messaging. ...

Ontario officials creating ethical guidelines for hospitals’ response to COVID-19 they hope to never have to use

The province is freeing up hospital capacity, but is depending on Ontarians to flatten the curve. ...

Ontario plans to ramp up COVID-19 testing capacity sixfold

Ontario should begin chipping away at the testing backlog soon, officials said. ...

Economic update to focus primarily on health care, but it’s only phase one: Ford

Private sector economists said they'll be looking for what kind of economic support the Ford government is willing to provide. ...

‘We want certainty in life’: A roundup of Ontario COVID-19 news

COVID-19 news came fast and furious on Monday in Ontario. ...

COVID-19 watch: Next week is critical as ‘returnees’ flood back into Ontario

Ontario is experiencing community transmission of COVID-19, said Ontario's chief medical officer of health. ...

COVID-19 watch: Ontario passes emergency legislation to give workers protected leave

The premier said no one "should have to worry about losing their job" because they’re putting their health or family first. ...

COVID-19 watch: Doctors left without clear guidance on who to test amid swab shortage

A doctor working at a COVID-19 assessment centre says he and his colleagues lack clear guidance on who to test for COVID-19. ...

COVID-19 watch: State of emergency declaration and hospital funding brings some relief to worried health-care sector

The head of the province's biggest hospital network says he's now 'guardedly optimistic' about health-care system's ability to handle what comes next. ...

COVID-19 watch: Health-care experts slam Ontario for acting too slowly, warn ICUs could become overwhelmed

Health-care experts slammed Ontario for being slow to act and failing to communicate clearly. ...

COVID-19 watch: Ontario quietly narrows criteria for who should be tested as cases shoot up

Meanwhile, Ontario public servants were instructed to work remotely, where possible. ...

Treasury board clamps down on spending in last quarter

Treasury Board President Peter Bethlenfalvy says he's making sure ending March Madness doesn't create "free-for-all February." ...

Spending cuts without real change will lead Ontario to bleak fiscal future, watchdog warns

If the Ford government cuts spending without making structural changes Ontario will be on track for far deeper debt, the FAO found. ...

Ontario to discuss financial and economic consequences of COVID-19 with feds: Finance minister

Phillips wouldn't confirm if there will be any initiatives in the budget specifically targeted to COVID-19. ...

Ontario ‘ready to adapt’ but moving forward with budget plans amid COVID-19 fears: Finance minister

Phillips said the temporary halt in trading Monday morning showed the systems that support the TSX were working. ...

Your Question Period Briefing: Public health pause

What was asked in Question Period for Monday, March 9. ...

The QP Briefing Podcast: Not-so-live from OLP leadership convention

Listen to highlights Steven Del Duca's leadership speech. ...

Premier Doug Ford promises plan to tackle electricity rates in coming weeks

Time-of-use pricing will end, according to the premier. ...

Ontario’s 2020 budget to be tabled March 25: Finance minister

The 2020 budget will be the Ford government's second. ...

Mental health providers call for funding boost as health minister reveals plan without dollar figure attached

The province will make funding announcements in the forthcoming budget, officials said. ...

Province establishes COVID-19 command table as number of Ontario cases increases to 18

The enhanced response structure allows the province to make informed decisions quickly. ...

Despite the ‘noise’ about electricity rates, Ontarians among provinces with lower home-energy costs: FAO

The Atlantic Provinces, Saskatchewan and Alberta have higher home-energy costs than Ontario. ...

In brief: COVID-19 case seven, Trust in Real Estate Act passes

A roundup of news and agenda items for Friday, February 28. ...

Who’s lobbying for whom

A list of new, renewed and amended registrations with the Office of the Integrity Commissioner. ...

UPDATED: Ford government calls for federal vape tax, announces new sales restrictions

Ontario will put a tax on vape products if the federal government won't, the minister said. ...

It’s not time to limit public gatherings to prevent COVID-19 spread, health officials say

Testing for COVID-19 is likely to be expanded to all people with flu-like symptoms soon, according to Toronto's medical officer of health. ...

Ontario opening the door to new models of residential care: Health minister

Hallway medicine is, in part, a housing issue, Christine Elliott said. ...

Ontario preparing plan for ‘local spread’ of COVID-19 as new case is reported

So far, the novel Coronavirus isn't being spread from person-to-person in Ontario. ...

Elliott announces home-care transformation, rebranding and phase out of LHINs

The transition to a new model for home care is expected to take years. ...

Your Question Period Briefing: ‘The other kind of merit’

What was asked in Question Period for Monday, February 24. ...

Rickford calls for clarity on Crown-Indigenous relationship over rail blockade and royal anthem debate

Some NDP MPPs stayed out of the legislative chamber during the singing of 'God Save the Queen.' ...

The QP Briefing Podcast: With special guest MPP Jennifer French

French promises an NDP government will never bring in orange licence plates. ...

Your morning briefing

Your morning roundup of news and agenda items for Friday, February 21. ...

Your Question Period Briefing: An allegation of under-the-cabinet-table labour

What was asked in Question period for Thursday, February 20. ...

Health minister agrees long-term care homes need improved staffing model

The health minister said LTC residents' needs have increased. ...

Growth of tax deductions and credits far outpaces program spending in Ontario: FAO

Tax expenditures are subject to relatively little oversight, the watchdog said. ...

Minister ‘celebrating’ new licence plates that have been criticized as unreadable

The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police says its members are concerned about the visibility of the new licence plates. ...

Your morning briefing

Your morning roundup of news and agenda items for Tuesday, February 18. ...

Math proficiency test rushed, flawed and possibly unlawful, teaching candidates say

Ontario teaching candidates are preparing to take the government to court over the new requirement that they pass a math proficiency test. ...

In brief: A comptroller general, film panel and the mystery ad man

A collection of briefs on the news of the day. ...

Government house leader aims to extend parliamentary privilege with new legislation

MPPs may have been under the 'illusion' they are protected by parliamentary privilege in committee debates, says Paul Calandra. ...

Province launching long-term care home staffing study, a key inquiry recommendation

The province is chipping away at the recommendations from the public inquiry into the crimes of serial killer Elizabeth Wettlaufer. ...

Ontario taking the threat of retaliation out of negotiations with U.S. on open procurement: Minister

Vic Fedeli is using the argument that two-way trade is the right thing to do in his efforts to woo governors into signing procurement agreements with Ontario. ...