Ontario set to extend state of emergency by another week

Ontario is expected to table a motion today to extend the province’s state of emergency until July 24.

The current state of emergency is set to expire on July 15.

According to Premier Doug Ford’s office, the motion being introduced on Wednesday to extend the emergency declaration is to ensure a safe and gradual reopening of the province and that there is no gap between the provincial declaration and when the new bill takes effect.

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The government will debate and vote on the bill next week.

On Tuesday, Solicitor General Sylvia Jones introduced a bill at the provincial legislature, which would allow the government to extend or amend some emergency orders each month, with the law expiring a year after it’s passed.

Under current legislation, the province can only issue emergency orders while the state of emergency is in place.

If passed, it would allow the province to keep some emergency measures in place while the pandemic is ongoing.