Guelph’s MPP says the province made the right call by allowing community gardens to reopen.

Mike Schreiner had been calling for community gardens to be open since mid April, launching a petition that has since garnered about 10,000 signatures.

“Community gardens play a vital role in growing food for individuals and families, but it's also for food banks,” the provincial Green party leader told the Mercury Tribune Saturday.

“A lot of the food-security organizations here in Guelph and in communities across the province rely on community gardens to provide them with fresh fruits and vegetables. I think it was great that the premier recognized that and made the decision he made.”

Schreiner said he first took up the issue, in part, after hearing how the closures would affect organizations that help people access healthier food options.

“I really credit a lot of the food security advocates in organizations here who came to me and said, ‘Mike, you’ve been a champion for local food throughout your entire career,’” he said.

“I did talk to a few people making sure that we could open them in a way that respected physical distancing, and make sure that we’re doing everything possible to adhere to public health measures to stop the spread of the virus.”

The order from Premier Doug Ford, signed Friday evening, removes community gardens from the list of facilities that had to be closed. They can now be open as long as they are “in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of public health officials, including any advice, recommendations or instructions on physical distancing, cleaning or disinfecting,” according to the order.

According to an announcement from the province Saturday, local medical officers of health “will provide advice, recommendation and instructions that the gardens must meet in order to operate.”

Looking forward, with the province soon to release its road map to having some businesses start to reopen again, Schreiner said clear, enforceable guidelines need to be in place to ensure COVID-19 diagnoses don’t start climbing.