Premier Doug Ford is dangling the possibility that Ontario's already-delayed March Break for schools could be postponed yet again as the province confronts its third wave of COVID-19.  

Meanwhile, some unions representing teachers and education workers are proposing a different approach to the upcoming school holidays: switching to online-only classes after Easter until at least late April, but keeping the existing plan for March Break. 

The uncertainty comes with Ontario schools reporting a record weekly number of new COVID-19 infections. 

GUEST: Dawn Danko, HWDSB Chair (CALLING IN) backup Shawn McKillop

The Bill Kelly Show Podcast:

Health Canada is recommending the provinces and territories suspend use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for people under 55.

It's to allow time to analyze new reports of patients in Europe developing blood clots. The move follows updated guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.

Why does AstraZeneca vaccine guidance keep changing?

GUEST: Dr. Bradly G. Wouters, Executive Vice President of Science and Research at University Health Network

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The Middlesex-London Health Unit moved to the red-control level from the orange-restrict level of the province’s COVID-19 response framework.

Medical officer of health Dr. Chris Mackie says this is the region’s last chance to avoid “a significant lockdown.”

GUEST: Jonathan Sher, Health Journalist and Investigative Reporter,

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Conversations are beginning about Generation C, the COVID-19 kids. While exactly which ages should be included in this generational label is under debate, what’s clear to researchers of child development is that COVID-19 has led to global shutdowns that have rattled economies, communities and families, and will affect children for years to come.

UNICEF reports the COVID-19 pandemic has upended the lives of children and their families around the world, and that across virtually every key measure of childhood, progress has gone backward. The number of children who are hungry, isolated, abused, anxious and living in poverty has increased. Children’s access to learning environments, socialization, essential services, health, nutrition and protection has decreased.

More and more, we will see the impact of social isolation, the loss social skill development and trauma on young children. Some children will bear the scars of the pandemic for years to come. Addressing those scars, especially for our more vulnerable and at-risk children, is an urgent priority. Access to high-quality early childhood education and kindergarten is not the singular solution to these problems, but is a cornerstone.

GUEST: Dr. David Philpott, Retired Professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Research Associate with the Atkinson Center on society and child development at University of Toronto

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Ontario offers $200 Million in support programs in the hopes of revitalizing the province’s tourism and hospitality industry that was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first is the $100-million tourism and hospitality small business support grant program that would allow businesses one-time payments of up to $20,000, which includes supports for thousands of hotels, motels, travel agencies, water parks, and overnight summer camps.

GUEST: Chris Bloore, Vice President of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario

Just about everyone has seen the video of George Floyd's last moments on Earth and now the trial of ex-police officer kneeling on Floyd's neck in that video has begun. There are some who say this should be a quick and easy trial but once all the evidence has been put forward, will it turn out to be that way?

Guest: Thane Rosenbaum, CBS Radio Legal Analyst

Hamilton has moved into the Grey Zone but there’s more to it than meets the eye. Case numbers aren’t lining up with occupied ICU beds and the tracking isn’t where it should be. Why might this be and is Ontario’s government doing anything about it?

Guest: Ed Tubb, Assignment Editor for the Toronto Star focused on crime, justice and COVID-19 data

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In about a year, we’ll be seeing a provincial election in Ontario and it looks like the Conservatives are getting ready ahead of time. How you might ask? By trying to raise the maximum amount someone can donate to political parties. Could a decision like this change the outcome of an election and does it undermine the very democracy we hold so dearly?

Guest: Duff Conacher, Co-Founder of Democracy Watch

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And after speaking out against China, Canadian MP Michael Chong has been sanctioned by China. We speak with Michael to get his opinion on being singled out and what Canada needs to do.

Guest: Michael Chong, MP for Wellington-Halton Hills