Today, Premier Doug Ford issued the following statement to mark the beginning of the new year:

“As a new year arrives, there’s no better time to reflect on what the past twelve months have brought us. While this has been an incredibly trying year for Ontarians, I am so proud of your tremendous spirit and strength of character. The Ontario spirit remains on full display in communities across this great province. For that, I thank you.

We enter 2022 in the midst our ongoing battle against the new Omicron variant. It’s not lost on me how much each of you have had to sacrifice this past year. While all of us have had to dig deep, we now need to dig a little deeper. That means continuing to follow public health guidelines and getting your booster shot as soon as you’re able.

With all hands-on deck and a full Team Ontario effort in urgently accelerating our booster dose rollout, we can look forward to brighter days ahead and a better 2022 for everyone.

I ask everyone to celebrate the New Year safely with the health of your family, friends and community at the top of your mind.

From the Ford family to everyone across our great province, I want to wish you a safe, healthy and happy new year!”