Increased tourism combined with two minutes of darkness does not constitute 'a danger of major proportions.' Ford should rescind Niagara's declaration

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

This should go without saying, but apparently it must be said: a solar eclipse is not an emergency.

A total solar eclipse will be visible in parts of Canada on April 8, and in Ontario, there will be just over two minutes of darkness starting at around 3:18 p.m. That is certainly exciting, but based on the reaction of some safety-obsessed officials, you would think it is somehow dangerous — beyond the risk that someone might damage their eyeballs by staring directly at the sun. To the consternation of parents of school-aged children, school boards in some parts of the province have cancelled classes, citing “safety concerns.”

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Don't have an account? Create Account

In Niagara, Regional Chair Jim Bradley announced on March 28 that the entire region, from Grimsby and Port Colborne to Niagara Falls, was entering a state of emergency under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA). Bradley said this was “to accommodate this once-in-a-lifetime event and out of an abundance of caution,” because Niagara Falls is expecting an increase in tourists for the event.

This is all over the top, and in the case of Niagara’s state of emergency, illegal. The region’s councillors should rescind their unnecessary invocation of the act, and if they don’t, Ontario Premier Doug Ford should rescind it for them, which he has the authority to do.

The........

© National Post