(Toronto) Two of the leaders of Ontario’s four major political parties have been sidelined due to COVID-19 at critical times in their campaigns, two weeks before election day.
Posted at 4:43 p.m.
Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner tested positive Wednesday evening and New Democratic Party (NDP) Leader Andrea Horwath tested positive Thursday morning.
The four party leaders were relatively close together and had their faces uncovered on Monday evening during a televised election debate. Mme Horwath said she didn’t know where she caught the virus and Mr Schreiner said he tested himself on Wednesday after close contact with a staff member who ended up testing positive.
Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford and Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca both tested negative on Thursday.
Mme Horwath and Mr. Schreiner are now campaigning virtually, but that takes away opportunities for them to meet voters in person at a pivotal moment in the race.
Mr. Schreiner was trying to gain momentum after a debate that won him praise and Mr.me Horwath was about to embark on a tour of the north, a key support area for his party.
“I really regret that this has been compromised,” said Mr.me Horwath on Zoom Thursday morning.
She hopes her schedule for the remaining days of the campaign can be reshuffled so she can travel north, but for now she is isolating herself in a hotel room in Ottawa.
“I feel like I have a little virus, you know, headaches and sore throats, but not really bad,” Ms.me Horwath. I took Tylenol, and it brings down the fever. But I’m definitely not 100%. »
Mme Horwath said she would not resume campaigning in person until she tested negative for COVID-19. Current public health guidelines only require him to self-isolate for five days, but many people say they tested positive for 10 days or more.
Mr Schreiner remained unclear about how long he would be in isolation, saying only that he would campaign remotely for as long as he needed to, to ensure that health and safety were prioritized.
“I’m confident we can continue to campaign and build on the momentum we have,” he said on Zoom.
Susie Heath, a senior consultant at public affairs firm Crestview Strategy and a former Liberal staffer, said both leaders would have liked to have had face time with potential activists and supporters. Giving up on this will present a challenge.
Chiefs can still make media appearances and remote speeches, but they will miss in-person connections, Ms.me heath.
“When they meet people in the constituency […] they are the ones who interact with people on any issue that they might approach them about, and people really watch how they react,” she pointed out.
“It’s a bit more natural environment, I would say. So certainly for any candidate, it’s a bit of an unfortunate (campaign) time for that to happen. »
Melissa Bruno, former national director of the federal NDP and head of government relations at Earnscliffe Strategies, pointed out that Ms.me Horwath is adept at in-person communications, and it will be disappointing for her not to be able to use this line item.
“They come to like her very quickly and obviously that has a pretty big upside to her and the wider party in terms of what it means to translate sympathy into votes,” she explained.
Mr Ford said he tested himself on Thursday morning “as a precaution”.
“I encourage everyone in Ontario to continue to follow the protocols,” he said. (If) you have symptoms, please get tested. »
Mr Del Duca said he would carry out daily tests and wished Mrme Horwath and Mr. Schreiner a speedy recovery.
“I think it’s a good reminder that while we all want to move on from this pandemic, there are still risks, and so many people here in Mississauga and across Ontario are still struggling. “, he said.
“We can’t just pretend that everything is fine, that everyone is fine. »
Meanwhile, advance polls opened on Thursday until May 28, ahead of the June 2 election.