‘Vacuum of leadership’: Local Liberal MPP blasts Ford government handling of sixth wave, Dr. Moore vacation
Posted Apr 13, 2022 10:55:48 AM.
A local Liberal MPP is blasting the Ford government's handling of the sixth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore's decision to go on vacation amid the rise in infections.
Ottawa South MPP John Fraser feels there is a sense of indifference regarding the current wave from the province, and that they are instead focusing on the upcoming election.
“We know we need third doses and second doses for kids — the government should be on that,” Fraser told The Sam Laprade Show on Tuesday, April 12. “On the masking, we should be masking in essential places.”
He adds there is a lack of urgency from the province, while urgency is required due to the fast spreading nature of COVID-19. While reassuring there is no reason to panic, Fraser says there might not be the high rate of hospitalizations compared to other waves, but higher levels of absenteeism could put additional strain on hospitals.
The MPP also feels the decision to not have Dr. Moore hold any press conferences for five weeks came from the government and Premier Doug Ford.
“There have been no briefings, no regular updates that remind us of all the things we have to do and tell people what the situation is like so they get good sound advice so I think that's kind of been the vacuum of leadership,” Fraser explained.
Fraser adds Moore should have been available over the past five weeks, while Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Barbara Yaffe should have been on-hand while Moore was on vacation. He says Moore's vacation also reflected bad timing and a lack of transparency on his end.
“Dr. Moore, he's the one who is going to need to respond to that,” Fraser said.
Listen to the full conversation with Fraser below:
