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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, A pr il 28 ,2 02 2 | 6 At Village Orthodontics in Oakville, we specialize in beautiful smiles using clear aligners and traditional braces. New Patients Welcome Schedule your complimentary consultation today! 647-496-1424 2-2983 Westoak Trails Blvd. Oakville villageortho.ca Book your Personalized Smile Consultation today For every $100 you raise or donate, you'll be entered to WIN A CRUISE FOR TWO! 1K & 5K Walk or Run SATURDAY MAY 28 Run4Lighthouse REGISTER TODAY! www.Run4LH.com www.LighthouseGriefSupport.org 905-337-2333 In-Person (Oakville) OR Virtual Ontario Premier Doug Ford discussed the pan- demic, supply chain issues, international credential recognition and more dur- ing an event in Burlington on Monday, April 25. Around 400 members of the Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Halton Hills chambers of commerce gathered at the Burlington Convention Centre to lis- ten as past Oakville cham- ber chair Tim Caddigan pitched a number of busi- ness-oriented questions at the premier. When asked about the measures his government is taking to ensure busi- ness predictability in the wake of the pandemic, Ford talked about improve- ments being made in the health-care sector. "I always say without a healthy population, you don't have a healthy econo- my," said Ford. The premier noted his government is investing more than $30 billion in the building of new hospitals across Ontario. The hiring of 8,600 health-care workers and a recent announcement to open a new medical school in Brampton in 2025 were other achievements Ford listed. He also talked about long-term care, noting his government is in the pro- cess of creating 30,000 long- term-care spaces. Ford made the pledge to add 30,000 long-term-care spaces over 10 years if elect- ed in June 2018. "We're going to continue pouring money into the health-care system, driv- ing in lean methodologies throughout the system. Working with CEOs and front-line folks to deliver health care in a more rapid fashion," said Ford. When asked how his government would address the supply chain issues in Ontario, Ford argued there is nothing Ontario cannot manufacture itself if the need truly arises. He said proof of this could be seen during the early days of the pandemic when there was a desperate need for personal protective equipment (PPE) in Onta- rio, and other countries, in- cluding the United States, were unwilling to export the supplies they had. "I remember my press conference where I literal- ly called out for help to make PPE," said Ford. "Talk about the Ontario spirit coming together ... 26,000 companies went on- line and went on our portal and within two months we were manufacturing surgi- cal masks, face masks, medical gowns; the distill- eries were making hand sanitizer. It was really in- credible." When asked if the gov- ernment can assist in the recognition of internation- al credentials, Ford said the government does assist with foreign credential rec- ognition when it comes to the trades and with nurs- ing. When it comes to doc- tors with foreign creden- tials, Ford said, they should have to take an ex- am, at a minimum, to en- sure they are up to North American standards. "We have to recognize credentials from all over the world and get them into the field," said Ford. The premier ended his discussion on a positive note, stating there has been a lot of new investment in Ontario from all over the world and companies are coming to the province in droves. FORD DISCUSSES HEALTH CARE, BUSINESS AND MORE DURING VISIT DAVID LEA dlea@metroland.com NEWS "I always say without a healthy population, you don't have a healthy economy." - Ontario Premier Doug Ford Doug Ford answers questions from the Halton Chambers of Commerce during an April 25 breakfast event. Province of Ontario photo