Sincere apology, or comfort to a fool; Premier Doug Ford receives significant backlash from the public

BY AMANDA WILLIAMS

Premier Rob Ford stirred up an uproar and major criticism when he implemented the strictest restrictions in North America in mid-April 2021. Some of these measures included shutting down non-essential construction and outdoor amenities, setting up checkpoints at provincial borders, and reducing mobility across Ontario. Police also had the power to legally stop individuals on the street or in vehicles to question why they are outside their homes.

After receiving significant backlash from the public, doctors, and other professionals, things took a quick turn. Videos circulated on social media as people tore down the caution tape on playgrounds as a way to reclaim their rights to travel, gather, assemble, and allow their children to have some type of normalcy. Police services across the province reacted by issuing statements that they would not randomly stop people or vehicles.

There was a sense of relief when the public heard the police services were not going to enforce such measures; however, the actions of an Ontario Provincial Police Officer enraged others. In a disturbing video that went viral, the OPP officer appears to push a twelve-year-old boy off of his scooter in a skate park in Gravenhurst, Ontario, over masking and social distancing measures. In the video, you can hear the officer saying that the boy fails to identify himself, however, this does not justify his actions. Is this how officers serve their people in the name of health and safety?

Days after implementing such harsh restrictions Premier Ford apologized to the citizens of Ontario for his overreach. “Simply put, we got it wrong. We made a mistake. These decisions, they left a lot of people really concerned,” Ford said. “For that I am sorry, and I sincerely apologize.”

The government has had a year to collect data, yet somehow there is still no evidence to support any of the government and health officials’ measures. It seems that Ford and his camp have always had it wrong. Is Ford trying to do damage control, or does he have another trick up his sleeve?

Lawyer Rocco Galati of the Constitutional Rights Centre Inc. suggests that the statements issued by police services are suspicious. If Ontario police services refuse to implement Ford’s requests, this may provide grounds to bring in the military and enforce martial law, which may be even worse for Canadians. You can watch Rocco’s explanation in a video released on YouTube by WholeHearted Media titled “It’s All Playing Out: Taking a Closer Look at a “Leaked” Email from PMO’s Office From 7 Months Ago…”

While Ford backtracks and reopens playgrounds, other activities such as golf courses, basketball courts, and tennis courts remain closed. How is a children’s playground any more clean or safe than a tennis court? Why are our Toronto Raptors making millions playing basketball while basketball nets throughout the city are either covered or removed? How and why is a large portion of the world back to some kind of normalcy while Canadian citizens are held hostage waiting for instructions on what we can do, where we can do it, who we can do it with, and for how long?

Ford’s apology feels more like comfort to a fool. It doesn’t fix the problems people are currently facing. Apologies do not keep businesses open, put food on tables, grant access to life-altering surgeries and essential health services, nor do they save people from suicide, domestic violence, or support those suffering from physical or mental health issues.

Ontario needs a new plan based on transparency and evidence, not projected modelling. Doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results is what we call “insanity.” When will our government try something new?