Education Minister Stephen Lecce appears to be discouraging individual school boards from seeking an extension to the lifting of the mask mandate in less than two weeks’ time.
Trustees with both the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board have formally asked that the scheduled lifting of the mandate in schools on March 21 be put on hold for an indeterminate period of time.
However, Toronto Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa told CP24 on Thursday that the decision on masks in schools is ultimately “in the purview of the province.” That will pave the way for the return of the 100 permanent staff and 643 occasional staff that were placed on leave in November after failing to comply with the terms of the policy.
But Premier Doug Ford has so far stood behind the decision, arguing that “there has to be a point after two years of going through this where people have a choice.” “For the past two years, the TDSB has prioritized the health and safety of students, staff and school communities. As we move to a more sustainable, long-term approach to managing COVID-19, you are encouraged to continue with the layers of protection that make you feel comfortable,” the memo states.
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