TORONTO—A visibly emotional Premier Doug Ford apologized on Thursday for new COVID-19 restrictions that sparked a furious backlash as he confirmed the government would bring in a paid sick-leave program for workers after months of refusing to do so.
Choking back tears, Ford said he was sorry for increasing police enforcement powers and closing playgrounds last Friday—measures that were rolled back amid an onslaught of criticism—and that his government got it wrong.
