OTTAWA (May 25, 2021) –
Dear Premier Ford,
As per the Ontario government’s Roadmap to Re-Open, 60% of Ontario residents must be vaccinated to trigger phase one, initially targeted for June 14, 2021. At the current rate of vaccination, this date theoretically can be pushed up to sometime during the week of June 1st.
We hope your government is considering the possibility of an earlier Phase One date.
In addition, we also would like the government to consider moving all of Ontario’s zoos and aquariums reopening time to be in Phase One. We understand there would be capacity limits.
Last summer we implemented well-planned and executed safety protocols at each facility, CAZA members are ready to do it again. In May of last year, we shared these plans with Minister MacLeod. Phase One allows for limited indoor retail shopping, we think our members with indoor facilities, such as Ripley’s and Reptilia, across Ontario should be treated equally.
These are trying times for us all; our members just want to open as soon as it is safe. We believe an earlier than anticipated Phase One date and allowing all our zoos and aquariums to safely open to the public in Phase One makes sense.
Sincerely,
Jim Facette
Executive Director
jfacette@caza.ca
cc: The Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP – President of the Treasury Board & Minister of Finance
The Hon. Paul Calandra, MPP – Government House Leader
The Hon. Raymond Cho, MPP – Minister for Seniors and Accessibility
The Hon. Steve Clark, MPP – Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
The Hon. Doug Downey, MPP – Attorney General
The Hon. Christine Elliott, MPP – Deputy Premier and Minister of Health
The Hon. Vic Fedeli, MPP – Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
The Hon. Merrilee Fullerton, MPP – Minister of Long-Term Care
The Hon. Ernie Hardeman, MPP – Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
The Hon. Sylvia Jones, MPP – Solicitor General
The Hon. Stephen Lecce, MPP – Minister of Education
The Hon. Lisa MacLeod, MPP – Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries
The Hon. Monte McNaughton, MPP – Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development
The Hon. Caroline Mulroney, MPP – Minister of Transportation and Minister of Francophone Affairs
The Hon. Greg Rickford, MPP – Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines &
Minister of Indigenous Affairs
The Hon. Ross Romano, MPP – Minister Colleges and Universities
The Hon. Laurie Scott, MPP – Minister of Infrastructure
The Hon. Todd Smith, MPP – Minister of Children, Community and Social Services
The Hon. Lisa Thompson, MPP – Minister of Government and Consumer Services
The Hon. John Yakabuski, MPP – Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry
The Hon. Jeff Yurek, MPP – Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks
Members of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada
Mr. Dolf Dejong, CEO – Toronto Zoo
Mr. Peter Doyle, General Manager – Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Mr. Mike Takacs, President – African Lion Safari
Mr. Paul Goulet, Founder & CEO, Little Ray’s Nature Centres
Mr. Kevin Dungey, Zoo Director – Little Ray’s Hamilton
Mr. Paul Buhay, Acting Manager – Polar Bear Habitat
Mr. Jim Moloney, Manager and Curator – Riverview Park and Zoo
Mr. Travis Small, COO – Reptilia
Mr. Tim Tykolis, Owner – Safari Niagara
Ms. Marilyn Vann, Owner, Manager – Bird Kingdom
Ms. Meghan Mitchell, Staff Scientist – Science North