Local News

Ontario education minister Stephen Lecce is defending the Ford government’s decision to end mask mandates in schools, as criticism against the move mounts.

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Paula Stewart tells Lake 88 they’ll be watching schools closely as the mask mandate is lifted on the 21^st, when kids get back from March Break.

Lecce says Ontario is following the lead of several other provinces, including Alberta and Saskatchewan.

But teachers’ unions and the Ontario Principals’ Council both say they oppose the decision.

They say it’s too soon to let everyone remove their masks, particularly because the move coincides with the end of the break, when students may have been travelling or socializing more broadly than usual.

A coalition of children’s hospitals has also urged the province to keep masks in schools for at least two weeks after March break.