Premier Doug Ford is defending legislation introduced today that will allow the extension of some pandemic emergency orders over the next year.
Ford denies that continued use of the measures is a ``power grab'' and says the bill is needed to protect Ontario in the event of a resurgence in COVID-19 cases.
He says it will allow his government to move quickly on public health measures as Ontario further eases its pandemic lockdown and will expire in a year.
The legislation would allow the province to issue emergency orders even after a state of emergency is ended, which is not allowed under current legislation.