Ontario Premier Doug Ford said that the province will begin talks to “gradually” and “safely” reopen the economy, based on new data projections that indicate COVID-19 cases are currently in the peak stage.

On Monday, Ford said the Jobs and Recovery Committee will start discussing, in a measured way, the reopening of the province in slow stages based on the projections released by health officials in a press conference earlier this afternoon.

Ford said the committee is going to make a framework to have “strict criteria” in place for when the economy can reopen.

He also said that the physical distancing measures and closures are showing “unmistakable signs” that the policies in place are working, meaning that the Ontario government is planning for “what comes next.”

“Based on the modelling shown today there is a light at the end of the tunnel. But we cannot let our guard down, we still have far to go. But we’re in a better position today,” Ford said.

Ontario will now see 20,000 or less total cases by the end of April, compared to the 80,000 originally projected — the province is now trending toward a best case scenario rather than a worst case scenario.

But the premier said “we’re in the middle of this battle” and are “far from over” but if the measures are adhered to, the pandemic can end sooner than what was initially projected.

Ford also addressed the mass shooting that took place in Nova Scotia on Sunday night, which claimed 18 lives, including the suspect and and RCMP officer.

“Nothing could be worse than this unimaginable tragedy,” Ford said.

He sent his condolences to the families of those affected and specifically to RCMP officer Heidi Stevenson.

“My heart goes out to Stevenson’s family. We must support and love one another,” Ford said.

“I want Nova Scotia to know they are getting support from Ontario and every Canadian standing with them.”

Ford’s press conference follows Ontario’s health officials announcement that the coronavirus community outbreak has likely peaked, with cases growing in long-term care homes.

The enhanced public health measures, including staying home and physically distancing from each other, are working to contain the spread of the virus and flatten the curve.

Previously, the health officials said Ontario would hit its peak in May, but that given the enhanced measures, the peak came sooner than expected.

However, health officials said emergency measures must remain in place to continue reducing the number of cases and deaths.

“The province has avoided a significant surge in cases. Total cumulative cases are forecast to be substantially lower than worst case or even moderate case scenarios projected by previous models,” the province said in a release.