If you were confused by Premier Doug Ford’s announcement last week that Ontario was again in a state of emergency and his introduction of a stay-at-home order, effective Thursday, you weren’t the only one. Weren’t people meant to be doing that anyway? Weren’t non-essential businesses already closed? What was the difference between a stay-at-home-order and being told to stay at home?

Almost immediately, social media was flooded. Journalists, members of the public and local politicians struggled to grasp exactly what was being announced.

“There is no confusion,” the Premier insisted at his Wednesday press conference. “The message is simple: stay home.”

It’s the same directive Peel residents have been under since November 23. The restrictions have failed to reduce the case counts in the region, and few understand how the latest order will change things.

Reducing business operating times for non-essential shops by one hour seems like lip service at this point. Ford says he “hates” closing anything down, despite claiming for months that he will do anything it takes to keep Ontarians safe.

“I’ve never been in favour of a curfew,” he said Tuesday. “The last thing I’ve ever believed in ever is having a curfew.”

Solicitor General Sylvia Jones did not lay out new rules or detail how exactly the measures would be enforced, but made it apparent that authorities are placing an increased emphasis on policing.

A list of answers to frequently asked questions issued by Ford’s office Wednesday admits, “The Government of Ontario cannot determine what is essential for every person in this province, each with their own unique circumstances and regional considerations.”

The document also says essential work, trips and items cannot be defined.

Around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, five hours before it was due to come into force, the Province released its official order, stating 29 acceptable reasons to be outside the home while the rules are in place. They include obtaining services from a financial institution or selling and buying a house, and one of particular interest to those of us in this industry. ‘Travelling to an airport, bus station or train station for the purpose of travelling to a destination that is outside of the Province.’

So, travel (out of the Province) is not off the table, but we’re not sure about taking a bus to Niagara Falls or flying to Muskoka.

According to the Province, going for groceries, or to the pharmacy, outdoor exercise and work that can’t be completed at home are all acceptable reasons to leave the home.

Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie said at her Wednesday press conference that things like walking the dog or playing basketball with fewer than five members of your household are also allowed.

“A police officer or other provincial offences officer who has reasonable and probable grounds that an individual has committed an offence may require the individual’s correct name,” the new rules state.

Questions remain around how these rules will be communicated and enforced after they were sent to police and bylaw officers so late. With 29 different reasons to avoid any violation, and so much interpretation, it seems unlikely the public will be able to easily remember the list or necessarily know how to demonstrate they’re adhering to it.

Despite this, police and bylaw are being empowered to crack down. Asked at a Wednesday press conference for details on how the rules would be applied, Solicitor General Jones referenced gatherings and their enforcement, but her response was somewhat wanting in clarity.

“If you are not at your place of residence and you need to be fined or ticketed, police have an obligation to ask for your name, date of birth and address,” she said.

The chances of being unable to come up with a legitimate reason to be outdoors given the number to choose from seems unlikely.

However, in Mississauga and Brampton, the vagaries of the new rules and delay in releasing the specifics are causing concern for some. The Peel Regional Police has a well-documented history of discrimination and, toward the end of 2020, vowed to end its systemic problems with racism.

“In the case of discretion, we know that discretion will turn to compulsion when it comes to Black bodies,” Kola Iluyomade, a leader of local equity group Advocacy Peel, told The Pointer.

Iluyomade played a key role in forcing change at the Peel District School Board in 2020 after years of anti-Black racism and has also been vocal in his criticism of the Peel Regional Police.

Stephen Warner, press secretary to Jones, said the Solicitor General’s office has “confidence in our law enforcement personnel to take the necessary enforcement actions”.

Concerns about systemic issues of racism within policing and how it may impact COVID-19 orders were not addressed.