THUNDER BAY - Local health and education officials are questioning the timing of a letter written by Premier Doug Ford asking for advice on safely reopening Ontario schools in June.
The letter was received by health units, medical experts, and health care sectors across the province Thursday morning, as well as teachers unions and organization.
In the letter, Ford outlines some of the concerns regarding reopening schools, including the possibility of a six to 11 per cent increase in daily COVID-19 cases, variants of concern, and vaccination rates.
“Ultimately, this is our government’s decision, but in light of the foregoing, and the diversity of perspectives on the safety of reopening schools, I am asking for your views on a number of issues,” Ford writes.
There are several questions asked in the letter, including if schools are safe to reopen, do COVID-19 variants of concern pose an increased risk, is the potential rise in daily cases acceptable or safe, should teachers be fully vaccinated before returning to the classroom, and if schools should reopen prior to indoor gatherings being permitted to resume in July.
Ford requested that responses be returned no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, May 28.
“I think it was a reflection getting that letter that the decision hasn’t been made,” said Dr. Janet DeMille, medical officer of health with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.
“I think there has been a lot of input to the premier around it. So I’m not understanding why he is requesting further information over and above what he’s already got.”
All publically funded and private schools in Ontario have been closed since April 12 while local students have been learning from home since March 1.
The Ford government has been facing growing pressure to reopen Ontario schools for the remaining weeks in the academic year, with the chief medical officer of health, Dr. David Williams, saying it is safe to do so.
Ford has said there is a lack of consensus among health experts and has tried to say teachers have threatened an injunction if schools were to reopen, which has been refuted by union officials.
“I have to say it’s a bit disappointing but at the same time I realize the premier might have other issues that he needs to consider around the reopening of schools,” DeMIlle said. “I would really hope though that the decision is made soon, at least for us.”
DeMille has said numerous times that she would like to see students return to the classroom and even gave local schools the green light to return in April, but that decision was overruled by the province-wide order.
“Our cases are so low at this time, I wouldn’t necessarily anticipate an increase in our case numbers here,” she said. “Given all the measures schools have in place that I would expect they would maintain, I think we would likely be very successful in reopening now. We have done well with our schools.”
Local school officials say there are growing frustrations among teachers, students, and families over the lack of a clear plan for getting students back into schools.
“I think the content of the letter is significant in that it does ask a lot of questions we’ve asked over a period of time,” said Ian MacRae, director of education with the Lakehead Public School Board.
“If there is something definite to it, then it’s all for the better. But we would hope the answers will come in short order because students, staff, parents, the entire school community are getting frustrated with not knowing. Certainly with the numbers here in Thunder Bay and region, we’ve believed all along we could reopen.”
MacRae added that there are some concerns regarding the lateness of the letter in the academic year.
“We had hoped we would have answers to some of those question from the myriad of health authorities dealing with in Ontario and Canada and around the world,” he said.
Pino Tassone, director of education with the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board, agreed the timing of the letter is concerning but he understands reaching out to health experts for input.
“We want to get the information that’s best for children,” he said. “Our concern is we want to go back to reopening as soon as possible, so hopefully we get positive news either over the weekend or Monday.”
Tassone added that the COVID-19 situation in Thunder Bay appears to be under control and getting kids back in the classroom is the best thing for them.
“We know that the best place for our kids to learn is in the classroom,” he said. “That social interaction is extremely important. We are receiving a lot of calls from parents and families that kids have shut down. They want to come back. They want to interact with their teachers and their classmates. We want closure to the year.”
There are approximately four weeks left in the academic year and both MacRae and Tassone said teachers and staff could quickly pivot back to the classroom, requiring between three and five days to do so.
“If we can even get two weeks, three weeks, whatever we can get if we can end the school year in a positive way where kids are back, that’s important,” Tassone said. “The sooner the better.”
