GTHA Mayors and Chairs welcome the beginning of Step 2 this week and hope vaccine progress continues

HAMILTON, ON – Today, Mayors and Chairs from the 11 largest municipal governments across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area held their regular weekly meeting to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19 across the region.

The Mayors and Chairs welcome the beginning of Step 2 this Wednesday and thank the Government of Ontario for moving ahead with the reopening earlier based on increasing vaccination rates and decreasing COVID-19 infection rates. This is an important step forward that will allow thousands of businesses across the GTHA to open their doors.

To protect the progress we are continuing to make and to make sure we move as quickly as possible into Step 3 of the reopening, the Mayors and Chairs continue to encourage all GTHA residents to get vaccinated – first and second doses. Our health officials have been clear that all of the approved vaccines are safe and effective and the best vaccine to receive is the one that is available.

The Mayors and Chairs also stated their serious concern with regard to a backlog with the Provincial Courts. There is a need for some action to be taken in weeks not months as this pandemic related backlog has a negative impact on justice, finances and a number of other areas.

“Our individual and collective efforts to engage, share information and support family, friends, neighbours and local businesses have reinforced the resiliency of Hamiltonians when we all work together. We must all continue to do our part and complete the vaccine series. We have made progress in vaccinating residents, Step 2 not only moves our city and businesses on the path to recovery, it also affirms that the vaccine works.” - Mayor Fred Eisenberger