BREAKING: Ford calls on Ontarians to volunteer, demands self-sufficiency

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced today in a press conference that the government has set up an online portal to connect volunteers to healthcare professionals.

"We're calling for healthcare reinforcements," said the premier. If any Ontarians have useful skills that could be of help to the healthcare system, then Ford is ushering them to do their part for the province.  

Now addressing the healthcare workers, Ford said that "help is on the way ... join the fight today because we need all the help we can get."

So far, Ford has said that thousands of Ontarians have asked to help the province during this crisis.

Ford started the press conference by addressing the deal that was struck between 3M (the surgical mask producers) and the US government.

"I want to start by addressing the deal struck between 3M and the US administration, said Ford. "This news was welcomed."

Ford, however, was keen to double down on his ambition for Canadian self-reliance. "We can't only rely on a global supply chain, we can't rely on other countries, we need the federal government to come through on their commitment to the province. We need to be self-sufficient."

Ford also praised universities, colleges, and businesses for donating masks to the province's healthcare system. Ford personally picked up 1,000 respirators made in a Vaughn factory, and has also personally delivered 90,000 surgical masks to Ontario's healthcare warehouse in his truck.

Ford finally took the time to offer his support to the British prime minister Boris Johnson, wishing him a speedy recovery.