Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath is calling for an independent judicial inquiry into the Ford government's handling of the pandemic.
The NDP Leader says the Premier didn't follow the advice of experts or do enough to protect the vulnerable.
"Our hospitals neared the brink of collapse. Thousands of beloved parents and grandparents were left unprotected and perished in long-term care. And frontline workers worked without proper PPE, without paid sick days and without enough testing and contact tracing to keep them safe."
Horwath is calling for a September start date, and it would examine issues such as the province's pandemic readiness, how quickly the government responded, and the vaccination rollout.
It would also take a look at support for long-term care homes, schools and businesses and workers.
Horwath notes there is a lot to be learned, and other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, have launched similar public inquiries.
"We need to know what went right. There are lessons to be learned from the incredible success stories created through the hard work of nurses and frontline health care workers, local public health authorities, hospitals, teachers and education workers, municipal councils and non-profits and their staff. But a lot went wrong, and sorrow for survivors, victims and families hurt by bad choices and broken systems is not enough. Let’s give people justice and accountability. And let’s make sure that we never, ever again have a government that makes a public health emergency even worse."
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