On Saturday, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Solicitor General Sylvia Jones issued the following statement:
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Ontario’s frontline health care workers have faced challenges unlike anything we have seen before. Across the province, these individuals have demonstrated remarkable bravery and resilience, often putting themselves in harm’s way to care for our sick and most vulnerable citizens. We won’t ever be able to fully express the depths of our gratitude.
At the height of the third wave of the pandemic driven by more contagious variants, significant strain was put on our frontline health care workers and our health care system’s resources to provide care to both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients in our hospitals. When we put out a call for help, doctors and nurses from different provinces and territories graciously stepped up and volunteered to support Ontario. Health care workers from the Canadian Red Cross and from the federal government were redeployed to assist Ontario’s hospitals in addition to the support provided by the Canadian Armed Forces at our hospitals and mobile health units.
While some of these heroes will continue to support our hospitals, many of them are already back or will soon be returning home. We would like to recognize them, who rose to the occasion to help Ontario in our time of greatest need.
Despite working on the frontlines to battle the pandemic in their home provinces and territories, these individuals selflessly went above and beyond to be there for our province, sacrificing precious time with their loved ones and putting themselves at risk. From providing care to patients in intensive care units at William Osler Health System, Humber River Hospital and University Health Network, to offering valuable respite and moral support to Ontario’s health care workers, their efforts have made an enormous difference in the lives of countless Ontarians and in the fight against COVID-19.
On behalf of our government and all Ontarians, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you to our heroes from across the country for their tremendous contributions to Ontario’s pandemic response. Their bravery and dedication to protect the health and well-being of their fellow Canadians is truly inspiring and representative of the Canadian spirit.
We continue to work with our hospital and health care partners to fight this deadly virus, and we want to thank all of Ontario’s frontline health care workers for their tireless work that continues each day to protect the health and safety of Ontarians.”