THUNDER BAY - Students, teachers, and education staff should find out Wednesday afternoon if they will be returning to the classroom before the end of the academic year.
Premier Doug Ford will be joined by Minister of Health Christine Elliott and Minister of Education Stephen Lecce to make an announcement at 1 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.
According to reports by both CTV News and the Toronto Star, sources have indicated the provincial government is leaning toward keeping schools closed until September, but Elliott said no final decision had been made as of Tuesday.
Families across Ontario have been waiting for an announcement on whether or not schools would reopen this year or remain under virtual learning until September.
Ontario schools have been closed to in-person since April 12 following a devastating third wave of COVID-19, while students in Thunder Bay have been learning from home since March 1 when cases were surging in the city.
Last week, Ford sent a letter to public health units, health care experts, and teachers union and organizations seeking input on whether or not it is safe to reopen schools.
Chief medical officer of health Dr. David Williams has expressed support for a return to in-person learning, as well as Dr. Janet DeMille, the medical officer of health with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.
There are approximately four weeks left in the academic year. Local education officials have said even bringing students back for two or three weeks would be beneficial.
The announcement by Ford will take place from Queen’s Park at 1 p.m.
