DOUG FORD: 'There's only so long you can hold back taxpayers from going to their cottages,' hints at May 24 reopening

Ontario Premier Doug Ford hinted at a move forward in lockdown protocol on Monday, hinting at a move for Victoria Day.

The premier told reporters that Ontarians were eager to get back to normal life, saying: "There's only so long you can hold back taxpayers from going to their cottages."

"I had a conversation with one of the mayors of Muskoka ... we did the right thing [by requesting Ontarians stay away from cottage country] but as we see the numbers come down, by May 24, we're going to have a heart-to-heart conversation this week with the mayors."

Ford also said that good news was coming for businesses owners "this week," saying that retail stores and small businesses in cottage country relied heavily on cottage season.

"By the end of the week, I think Wednesday or Thursday I'll get [the mayors] input... There's only so long I can hold the big gates back from these people, they're going to want to go to their vacation property," continued Ford. "As we see the numbers go down, lets just see what happens."