Ford government plays footloose with COVID lockdown rules

Kevin Bacon had it right in the classic 1980’s film Footloose: “From the oldest of times, people danced for a number of reasons. They danced in prayer or so that their crops would be plentiful or so their hunt would be good. And they danced to stay physically fit and show their community spirit. And they danced to celebrate.” Perhaps the premier is a fan of the film, or perhaps he caved to lobby pressure. Because dance classes are now permitted in Ontario. But this arbitrary exemption may cause a constitutional problem. The problem in Ontario is that many other activities remain banned, in a lockdown stricter than anything contemplated by Bomont’s Reverend Shaw. While there are exemptions for dance and indoor team sport training, the ordered closures of yoga studios, martial arts centres, Zumba classes and other fitness centres make little sense.