Ontario extending emergency order powers until March

Ontario has extended its power to keep all emergency orders in place under the Reopening Ontario Act until March of next year.

The orders were set to expire Dec. 1, but are now being extended until Mar. 28 after a motion by Solicitor General Sylvia Jones passed at Queen’s Park on Tuesday.

The office of the Solicitor General says the motion that passed extends the legislative authority for orders to be in effect — but adds individual orders continue to be required to be extended in 30 day increments by Cabinet.

Currently there are 28 orders in effect, including the province’s proof of vaccination system.

The next step of the reopening plan is scheduled for Jan. 17 and could see capacity limits gradually lifted in places where proof of vaccination is not required.

The Ford government has said the vaccine certificate could also be gradually lifted at this time.