Ontario Announces Return to Play Framework for Blue Jays, Other Leagues

The Blue Jays are one step closer to returning to Toronto, but hurdles still remain.

The Ontario Government announced a return to play framework Monday for the Blue Jays, Raptors, and other Ontario-based professional sports teams.

We believe we have the framework in place to greenlight these leagues," Ontario Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries Lisa MacLeod said Monday morning.

Today I announced an accelerated return to play framework for @ticats @REDBLACKS @Raptors @BlueJays @OHLHockey and others in 18 leagues across 6 sports. pic.twitter.com/ylmvG46StR
— Lisa MacLeod (@MacLeodLisa) June 14, 2021

With border restrictions still in place and extensive testing and quarantines mandatory, any feasible return to Toronto for Major League Baseball will still be contingent on an agreement and plan with the Canadian federal government.

Other avenues for Canadian baseball fans to return to Blue Jays games in person remain, but a closed or quarantine-restrictive Canadian border still poses the biggest challenge.

Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro said he has frequent conversations with all levels of government to produce a plan for a Toronto return.

"I’ve come to recognize that until the border is open any proposal would have to deal with that and create a set of circumstances that allows cross-border travel," Shapiro said.

While there is still no specific plan for a Blue Jays homecoming, local vaccination rates continue to grow and barriers preventing the team from playing in Canada start to fall.

“There is a path forward for the Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Raptors to come back home" MacLeod said. "If the federal government permits.”

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