Ontario Premier Doug Ford ripped anti-lockdown protesters at Queen’s Park today, calling them “reckless” and “selfish” for defying physical distancing measures, as he announced new supports for front-line workers.

The provincial government announced a $4 per hour raise over the next four months for front-line workers who are helping fight COVID-19.

Workers will also receive a monthly bonus of $250 if they work more than 100 hours in a month over the next four months.

The premier said the bonus will be eligible for workers with long-term care homes, retirement homes, emergency shelters, supportive housing, social services congregate care settings, corrections institutions and youth justice facilities, home and community care providers and some staff in hospitals.

Ford announced the new measures while admonishing dozens of protesters who gathered outside the provincial legislature in defiance of emergency orders.

He said the actions of the protesters — the size was estimated at about 100 people — could set healthcare workers back by months, and said many of those workers are at multiple hospitals just down the street from the protest site.