May 8th, 2020

Statement from Andrea Horwath on N95 access directive

QUEEN’S PARK — Andrea Horwath, Leader of the Official Opposition New Democrats, released the following statement in response to reports that the provincial government is seeking to change a directive, removing access to N95 masks, because it believes the masks aren't necessary, possibly driven by low supplies:

“It’s dangerous and wrong for the Ford government to consider taking away the right that health care workers have to access personal protective equipment, including N95 masks based on the precautionary principle.

The government’s job is to get enough N95 masks — not to rewrite the rules to withhold them from workers.

Workers in long-term care homes and other frontline jobs are putting themselves in harm’s way daily to save and care for others, and precious lives have been lost. Praise for them rings hollow if this government is not moving heaven and earth to safeguard their lives.

The right to have and to wear an N95 has been settled by the courts, thanks to a court case launched by the Ontario Nurses Association.”