Horwath and Natyshak raise Ford failing people of Windsor-Essex

The NDP urges Ford to fund struggling businesses as they reopen

WINDSOR-ESSEX — Immediately following their tour of Leamington, Kingsville and other parts of Essex County, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath and Essex MPP Taras Natyshak took messages from small businesses and families in the region right back to Queen’s Park.

In question period Monday, both Horwath and Natyshak continued the fight for support for the region and its small business community. The Ford government's failure to ramp up and coordinate COVID-19 testing and isolation has prevented the region from reopening at the rate of the rest of the province — something the NDP wants to change. The government has done little to help small businesses survive, and re-open in a new reality.

"The people of Windsor-Essex have done their part to stay home and help stop the spread of COVID-19, and small businesses have done their part to stay afloat and support their staff. But Ford hasn’t done his part. He dropped the ball on a coordinated testing and isolation strategy, leaving businesses to pay the price," Natyshak said.

Horwath and the NDP are pushing the Ford government to supports its Save Main Street plan, which would provide businesses with rent supports, a utility payment freeze and funding to re-open safely.