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November 18, 2019

42nd Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2019-Nov-18 (PDF)

L126 - Mon 18 Nov 2019 / Lun 18 nov 2019

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 18 November 2019 Lundi 18 novembre 2019

Royal assent / Sanction royale

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Introduction of Visitors

Report, Financial Accountability Officer

Oral Questions

Premier’s comments

Education funding

Education funding

Environmental protection

Judicial appointments process

Francophone issues

Hospital funding

Water quality

Electronic health information

Public transit

Northern transportation

Anti-racism activities

Anti-bullying initiatives

Employment standards

Labour policy

Services for children with disabilities

Provincial data strategy

Introduction of Visitors

Members’ Statements

Poverty

Women’s Habitat

Audrey McKay

Senior citizens

Moose tags

YouthLink

In Our Fathers’ Footsteps

Maternal mental health

Diabetes

Veterans

Introduction of Bills

Defibrillator Registry Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 sur le registre des défibrillateurs

Defibrillator Registration and Public Access Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 sur l’accès public aux défibrillateurs et leur enregistrement

Public Safety Related to Dogs Statute Law Amendment Act, 2019

Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Air Brake Endorsements), 2019 / Loi de 2019 modifiant le Code de la route (inscriptions autorisant l’utilisation des freins à air comprimé)

Health and Safety at Work Day Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 sur la Journée de la santé et de la sécurité au travail

Statements by the Ministry and Responses

Holodomor

Motions

Private members’ public business

Petitions

Animal protection

School bus safety

Library services

Member’s comments

Documents gouvernementaux

Access to personal health records

Equal opportunity

Fish and wildlife management

Affordable housing

Addiction services

Climate change

Orders of the Day

Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 sur les services provinciaux visant le bien-être des animaux

The House met at 1030.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Let us pray.

Prayers.

Royal assent / Sanction royale

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I beg to inform the House that in the name of Her Majesty the Queen, Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor has been pleased to assent to a certain bill in her office.

The Deputy Clerk (Mr. Trevor Day): The following is the title of the bill to which Her Honour did assent:

An Act to implement moderation measures in respect of compensation in Ontario’s public sector / Loi visant à mettre en oeuvre des mesures de modération concernant la rémunération dans le secteur public de l’Ontario.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m told that the member for Flamborough–Glanbrook has a point of order.

Ms. Donna Skelly: I do, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to take this time to congratulate my hometown Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who are heading to the Grey Cup after defeating the Edmonton Eskimos yesterday in an exciting game. The TiCats will be taking on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Calgary in this year’s Grey Cup.

I know that not only the fans in Hamilton but the fans right across Ontario will be cheering them on. Oskee Wee Wee!

Introduction of Visitors

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I was going to do that at the top of my question period lineup. I want to join MPP Skelly in also congratulating the Tiger-Cats on their winning of the Eastern Final. I look forward to the game next weekend.

I also want to thank the members of the AFO executive board, whom I had the great pleasure of meeting with in Ottawa on Thursday last week.

Soyez les bienvenus à Queen’s Park.

Hon. Kinga Surma: I would like to welcome a guest from Etobicoke Centre, Mr. Rick Dresher, who is visiting Queen’s Park today on behalf of the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario.

I also want to welcome a new page from Etobicoke Centre, who is starting his duties today, by the name of Filip Matevski. I look forward to getting to know him better and taking him out for lunch.

Mr. Tom Rakocevic: I’d like to acknowledge the presence of members of the Ontario Real Estate Association; members of the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario; and, of course, my amazing OLIP intern, Vanessa Groves. We’re so honoured you chose our office.

Hon. Jeff Yurek: Today is the 19th annual Environment Industry Day here at Queen’s Park. The Ontario Environment Industry Association is here today. I’d like to recognize the chair of ONEIA, Terry Obal, and the association’s executive director, Alex Gill, and invite all members of the House to Hart House tonight for the ONEIA reception.

Mr. Faisal Hassan: I would like to introduce and welcome to Queen’s Park a constituent of mine, Joseph Carnevale, who is also a member of the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario. Thank you.

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: I’d like to welcome Rick Orr from my riding of Perth–Wellington to the Legislature. Rick is here with the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario. Welcome.

Ms. Judith Monteith-Farrell: I’d like to welcome Bob Pfaff and Karen Hill from the Ontario Real Estate Association, who are from Thunder Bay, and my constituency assistant from Thunder Bay, Karli Brotchie.

M me Gila Martow: Je veux aussi donner un très grand bienvenue à tous les visiteurs de l’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario. On a le président, Carol Jolin; le directeur général, Peter Hominuk; son assistant, Bryan Michaud, et tous les autres dont la chef de l’opposition a déjà lu les noms. Merci et bienvenue.

M me France Gélinas: I’d like to welcome Katlyn Kotila. She is the vice-president of the Students’ General Association at Laurentian University. She is here with OUSA.

I’d also like to welcome Jennifer Savage. She works at Cambrian Insurance and is here with the brokers’ association.

Et j’aimerais souhaiter la bienvenue à M. Daniel Giroux, le président de Boréal, et à toute son équipe.

Mr. Jim McDonell: I want to welcome Brian Erwin from Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry from the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario to Queen’s Park. Welcome.

Ms. Catherine Fife: I’d like to welcome Chris Floyd and Kim Silva from the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario, as well as, from the Ontario Real Estate Association, William Duce, Tania Benninger, Brian Santos and Tony Schmidt. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Andrea Khanjin: I’d like to welcome a new constituent to Barrie, Sergeant Stephen O’Reilly, who is posted to CFB Borden from Garrison Petawawa. Thank you for your service.

Miss Monique Taylor: I would also like to join in congratulating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Yesterday was a fantastic day at Tim Hortons Field. It truly is the heart of Hamilton, being right there in the district of Ticat city.

I’d also like to welcome some guests to the House this morning: our autism parents and advocates. We have Esther Tang, Amy Moledzki, Michau van Speyk and Amanda Mooyer. Welcome back to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Laurie Scott: I’d like to introduce Greg Kruk from the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario. Thanks for coming down from HKLB today.

Mr. Paul Miller: Being a sports critic and from Hamilton and with a long family tradition in the team—my dad’s cousin and his best friend were the trainers for the Cats for 25 years in the old Bernie Faloney days—congratulations to the Cats. Bring it home. It’s been 20 years. Go, Cats, go!

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: I’d like to introduce in the visitors’ gallery today MBA students from the Ryerson University’s Women in Leadership association. I look forward to connecting with you all following question period today. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Marit Stiles: I want to welcome a very important person into this Legislature today: my mother, Kathy Stiles.

Ms. Jane McKenna: I don’t see him here yet, but I just wanted to welcome my dear friend Mark Preston from the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario, who has run many campaigns, starting out with Cam Jackson and myself in 2011. Have a great day here today, Mark.

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: I want to extend a warm welcome to the insurance brokers of Ontario. From London specifically, we have with us this morning Traci Boland, Casandra Haas and Suzanne Pountney. Welcome to the Legislature.

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: I would like to take the opportunity to introduce some guests in the press gallery: Kuwarjeet Arora from Brampton, Maha Abbasi, and Mariya Salhia, who are visiting today.

I would also like to take the opportunity to introduce members visiting from Amritsar today, in the state of Punjab, India, from the International Fateh Academy.

Mr. Gilles Bisson: Today I’m on grandfather day. I have two of our grandkids with us, Nathaniel and Victoria Gardner, who are here for the day, followed by—

Applause.

Mr. Gilles Bisson: And I’d like all of us to wish our granddaughter Eva Wakeford, who is now at SickKids hospital recovering from orthopaedic surgery, a get well. Her bigger sister Elissa, who is back home, is really missing her.

Mrs. Belinda C. Karahalios: I’d like to welcome page Julian Bal from the great riding of Cambridge. Enjoy the next four weeks. I look forward to our lunch together.

M. Guy Bourgouin: J’aimerais aussi souhaiter la bienvenue aux membres de l’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario qui sont ici aujourd’hui avec nous : de la FESFO, Natasha Pelletier et Mélina Leroux; de l’AEFO, Rémi Sabourin et Émile Maheu; de l’Alliance culturelle de l’Ontario, Denis Bertrand; de la Société Économique de l’Ontario, Denis Laframboise; et de l’AFO, Bryan Michaud, Ngoné Diagne, Stewart Kiff et Danielle Roy. Soyez les bienvenus à Queen’s Park.

Mrs. Daisy Wai: I would like to introduce Mr. Barry Strader, a former Queen’s Park staffer who is familiar to many of you as he worked for three former Ontario Premiers. Barry is here today to visit his good friend, and my executive assistant, Maxine McGuigan. Please join me to welcome Barry back to the Ontario Legislature.

Hon. Steve Clark: Speaker, I would like to introduce to you, and through you to members of the Legislative Assembly, three constituents from my riding of Leeds–Grenville–Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes who are here advocating on behalf of the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario. Please welcome Jeff Gatcke, Brian Purcell and Dan Cook. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: I, too, would like to add my welcome to Tim Wylie, who is also here from the amazing riding of Huron–Bruce, representing the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario.

Hon. Todd Smith: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. There are a lot of insurance brokers here today.

I’d like to welcome a former hockey teammate of mine. His name is Brian “Twiner” Erwin. He’s here with Currey Insurance and Investments. It was Hockey Hall of Fame last weekend; we’re both still waiting for the call from the hall, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Don’t hold your breath.

Mr. Gilles Bisson: I would also like to welcome people from the real estate association from Timmins: Anne Marie Vaillancourt and others who are here today as well.

Hon. Ross Romano: I would also like to welcome members from the Sault Ste. Marie Real Estate Board: Andrea Gagne and president Tiffany Rogers. As well, I would also like to welcome Daniel Giroux, president of Collège Boréal, and all of his team from Collège Boréal who are here today.

Hon. John Yakabuski: I, too, would like to welcome everyone here from OREA; I will be meeting with them later today.

I also want to wish our granddaughter Adelaide a happy sixth birthday, which was on Saturday; and happy birthday to our granddaughter May, who is 12 today.

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: I’d like to welcome Mr. Joseph Carnevale to the Legislature this morning. Mr. Carnevale is here this morning in his role as the incoming president of the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario, and he is also a well-respected constituent in my riding of Vaughan–Woodbridge. Mr. Carnevale, welcome to Queen’s Park.

Report, Financial Accountability Officer

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I beg to inform the House that during the adjournment, the following document was tabled: a report, entitled Expenditure Estimates 2019-2020: Ministry of Transportation, from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario.

I also beg to inform the House that during the adjournment, the following document was also tabled: a report, entitled Expenditure Estimates 2019-2020: Ministry of Transportation, from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario.

And I also beg to inform the House that during the adjournment, the following document was tabled: a report, entitled Expenditure Estimates 2019-2020: Ministry of Transportation, from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario.

Oral Questions

Premier’s comments

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Education. Parents and students are anxiously watching the news about Ontario schools this week and looking for a government that’s ready to work with educators in our classrooms. Yet for the last year, the Premier has relentlessly attacked teachers, even referring to them as “union thugs.”

The government refused to apologize for those remarks when given a chance earlier this year, so I’m asking the minister now: Does he think that the Premier’s comments were acceptable?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Indeed, it is the Premier and every member of this team that values our front-line workers: our teachers, our nurses, our doctors—those who add value, that improve the quality of life of every citizen in this country. It’s why, today, as part of an announcement I made this morning—to encourage all parties to turn to mediation so we can ensure we get a deal for the children of this province, so we can ensure that kids remain in class.

Under the CUPE deal, we turned to mediation. It was a prudent tool. It was an independent point of contact that helped bring the parties together, bridge the gap, and get a good deal for all parties. We seek to replicate that with our teachers, because at the end of the day, our focus for this government is keeping kids in class.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The supplementary question.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I dare say, if the minister were serious, he would actually be offering mediation straight to the unions and not through the media. That would be the respectful thing to do.

Most Ontarians respect the work done by teachers in the classroom, but for the last year, the Premier of Ontario has really only been insulting them. He’s blamed them for the failures of his own policies. Last spring, when students across the province walked out of classrooms to protest the government’s education cuts, the Premier claimed that they were ordered to do so by their teachers. He stuck by that claim, even when students came out here to Queen’s Park to tell him that he was wrong.

Does the minister think this is the way to build a respectful relationship? If not, will he apologize on behalf of the government that he serves under for the Premier’s comments and his actions?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: The objective of this government since day one has been to land voluntary settlements with all unions to ensure that the children of this province remain in class. Today we offered mediation, both to the unions but also to the public, because we want families to know that it is our government that is going to going to be constructive and remain mission-focused on getting deals.

Mr. Speaker, when we faced an impasse with CUPE, it was the government and the parties that turned to a mediator, an independent third party, that was able to bring the parties together and get a good settlement—a settlement that helped us achieve the objectives we sought, as well as ensuring we reinvested more monies in the front line, which had over 1,000 front-line workers hired in this province.

We’re going to continue to negotiate in good faith with all unions to get deals for the children of this province.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The final supplementary.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, Speaker, something about negotiating through the media—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Something about negotiating through the media actually belies this minister’s assertion that he is respectfully negotiating, Speaker.

For over a year, the Premier has made it clear that he was spoiling for a fight with the women and men who teach our kids. He called them “union thugs.” He claimed they secretly ordered the high school student walkouts across Ontario last spring. He even blamed them when he was booed at public events.

These aren’t the actions of a leader or a government who want to work productively with teachers in the classroom. So can the minister tell us: Why has the Premier worked so hard to pick a fight with our educators?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: To the member opposite: In fact, the Premier and every member of the government is working hard to get deals for the children of this province. The reason why today we’ve turned to mediation is because we’ve accepted that for the critical few issues that remain at the table, we want to utilize the talents of a mediator, a third party, who can help bring the parties together to get a voluntary settlement.

Every objective we have achieved so far through this process has been focused on good-faith bargaining. One union, in specific, has actually opted to publicize the offers tabled. That has been the decision of OSSTF, not the government. But obviously, our commitment is to negotiate in good faith, with one mission in mind: a good deal that keeps children in this province in class.

Education funding

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Back to the education minister: It’s not just the Premier’s words that are concerning parents and students; it’s his actions. One of his first acts as Premier was to put a plan in place to fire 10,000 teachers. Despite months of denial, that plan is actually still in place.

The Premier claimed that he consulted thousands of educators and students about their hopes for education. So my question is: How many teachers were consulted about the Ford government’s plan to take 10,000 jobs away, and how many parents asked for more crowded classrooms?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Parents of this province have asked us overwhelmingly to do everything we can to keep children in class. That is the issue that the member opposite chooses to avoid. Mr. Speaker, 100% of families want this government to be constructive, student-centric and to get deals. We adopted that approach with CUPE, where we worked in good faith. Notwithstanding the deadline bargaining and notwithstanding the natural ebb and flow and the frustrations of those observing, we got a deal, and we seek to do that with our teachers.

What is frustrating for families is that every three years they have to face the cyclical and omnipresent reality of labour strife, where their children may not be in class on Monday. That is unacceptable. We want a deal that provides predictability to the people of this province.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The supplementary question?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: If the minister were actually listening to the advice of parents, as he claims, he wouldn’t be negotiating through the media by suggesting to the public that mediation should happen as opposed to talking to the unions directly.

Students and parents are looking to government to support excellent public schools that will allow kids to thrive, but for the last year, the Premier has been tearing down the people who make those schools work while making deep cuts in the classroom. After unilaterally imposing classroom cuts that no one asked for, the government unilaterally and unconstitutionally imposed a salary cap.

How can the Ford government make unilateral classroom cuts, unconstitutional intrusions into bargaining, call teachers names and bargain through the media and have the brass to claim that they’re not looking for a fight with teachers?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: We seek a resolution with our teachers because we value their work.

It was this government that opted, in the last budget, to allocate over $1.5 billion to ensure that teachers remained in class.

It was this government that announced, in this most recent economic statement, another $200 million, the highest investment ever recorded in the history of this province, under this Progressive Conservative government.

It was this government that more than doubled the funding envelope for mental health.

It is this government that hired nearly 200 psychologists and psychotherapists for secondary schools.

It’s this government that is revamping our math curriculum and going back to basics.

We’re focused on student success, and we’re not going to be deterred. We’re going to focus on keeping kids in class. We hope that every member of this Legislature will stand with the government and stand with parents in achieving that objective.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Final supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: This minister knows very well that, taking into consideration student population growth and inflation, his raw numbers really mean nothing.

The last year has been tough for parents and students, however. They’ve already seen layoffs for teachers and education workers. Expanded class sizes are a reality. The elimination of thousands of high school classes has taken place, and programs like full-day kindergarten are put at risk.

Instead of working with the teachers and education workers who make our schools work, the Premier has called them names. Parents and students across Ontario deserve so much better than that.

Is the government going to start undoing the damage, or are they going to continue with the Premier’s agenda of cuts in the classroom and picking fights with the educators who make our schools work?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: This government is going to invest in the students of this province. We are on track this year to spend more than $1.2 billion more than we did last year. We’re investing $200 million more in this economic statement, announced by the Minister of Finance.

We’re doing all of this—more expenditure for health and education, the services that are so consequential to the lives of our families—while keeping taxes low, and we’re on track to return to balance. This is a plan for every person in this province, for the next generation, who won’t have to be burdened by the last generation’s transfer of debt.

Mr. Speaker, we believe that by investing in children, by investing in education, we build a society where everyone can achieve their potential, get access to a good job and be able to contribute to this country’s development.

Education funding

Ms. Marit Stiles: This morning, parents heard more concerning news about talks with teachers and disruption in our schools. My question is to the Minister of Education.

For months, the Premier has done his utmost to pick a fight with teachers in the classroom. Today, instead of backing down from their cuts, the minister goes to a press conference and tries to blame anyone but the Premier himself, who started this fight. Bargaining with OSSTF was literally delayed today because the minister had to hold yet another press conference.

Why is the government more focused on escalating tensions and trying to avoid blame, instead of working toward a solution?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Thank you to the member opposite. Mr. Speaker, I often reflect, as a student of history, on what is the common denominator in this experience. What unites Premiers Bob Rae, Mike Harris, Ernie Eves, Kathleen Wynne, Dalton McGuinty and now Doug Ford? Is the commonality the ideology or the values statement or the party, or the fact that in each and every example, unions have opted to escalate?

The fact is that our mission, our practice, is to focus on getting deals. We have seen this story before, and the objective of the government is to say to families that we will do everything within our tool kit to get deals.

Mr. Speaker, today I opted to turn to mediation, encouraging the members of the union and the trustees to consider it as a viable path to get deals. It is a constructive option, it is a third-party option, and it has worked for CUPE just weeks ago.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary question?

Ms. Marit Stiles: Mr. Speaker, I would encourage the minister to go back to history class, but it has probably been cut under his government.

Our teachers, students and families all deserve better than the cuts and the chaos that this government is serving up. Their cuts have rolled back opportunities for our students to succeed and created a crisis in our schools. Catholic teachers today described chaos at the bargaining table, with the government changing teams and proposals mid-negotiation. Instead of working with teachers in good faith to fix this mess, they’re going to the press, trying to avoid blame.

When will the government reverse their cuts to education and start fixing the damage, instead of exacerbating tensions?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: To the member opposite: What I will affirm to the member opposite is that since day one, we have done everything we can to get a deal. When we faced challenges with our partners in CUPE, we offered more dates. We turned to a mediator. We did everything we could to be constructive, because families in this province deserve to know that there are forces at the table that are going to fight to keep their kids in classrooms every day. Mr. Speaker, it is not an abstraction. It is not theory. It is a reality that we got a deal overwhelmingly ratified with CUPE by advancing that mission of keeping kids in class and investing in the front lines.

We seek to do that again with our teachers. We value their contributions. We know that they work hard, and we want to keep them in class, too, working. That’s why we’re going to do everything that we can to work with our parties, including a mediator, to get a deal. I would hope that all parties would look to an independent third party, with the promise that it can help reach deals that keep all of our constituents’ children in class.

Environmental protection

Ms. Lindsey Park: My question is for the Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction. The people of Durham and all across Ontario expect us to work towards and take measures that ensure clean air, clean water and an environment that is protected across this province for future generations. I know that’s one of the guiding principles the minister used in developing his proposal, the Better for People, Smarter for Business package. Would the minister please tell me how the Better for People, Smarter for Business Act is ensuring the environment is protected for future generations?

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: Thank you to the member for Durham. I know the member for Durham cares deeply about the environment and is always looking for ways to work together with industry and others to ensure that our environment is protected for the future generations of this province. With the Better for People, Smarter for Business Act, we’re taking a thoughtful, sensible, targeted approach to fixing Ontario’s broken regulatory framework.

One of the guiding principles of this government while easing regulatory burdens has been maintaining a clear focus on protecting and safeguarding Ontario’s environment. Smarter regulation is not at odds with this priority. When operating properly, these principles go hand in hand.

That’s why our package, for instance, proposes to expand the use of administrative monetary penalties for environmental violations in order to hold polluters accountable. The broader use of administrative monetary penalties will allow the government to take swift action against illegal activity.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary question.

Ms. Lindsey Park: I want to thank the minister for his work on this file. It’s not good enough to just have laws on the books without any consequence for violations, and so I’m really pleased to hear that the minister has been thoughtful in his approach to protecting our environment for future generations.

I’d like to ask the minister to be a bit more specific. Can you tell me how you have proposed to hold those who commit environmental violations accountable?

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: Right now, only 140 facilities in this province can be fined for violations through administrative monetary penalties. The Better for People, Smarter for Business Act, if passed, will increase that number to up to 150,000 facilities in the province.

Mr. Speaker, we’re strengthening enforcement and adding new tools so that if a company is breaking the rules and benefiting financially from doing so, not only will they be fined under this new system; they will be charged for the economic benefit as well and could be further referred for prosecution.

We’ve made it much tougher on environmental violators. What we’re doing through this package is adding yet another tool for environmental officers to do the important work of safeguarding our environment on behalf of all Ontarians and protecting our future generations.

Judicial appointments process

Mr. Taras Natyshak: My question is to the Attorney General. Speaker, as the Attorney General knows, or should know, judicial appointments are lifetime appointments, and keeping the appointments process fair and impartial is vitally important to the justice system. But last week, the Attorney General revealed that the Ford government is planning changes to the judicial appointments process and, to quote one legal expert, the reason is obvious. He said, “They want a bunch of names so they can look down and find a nice soulmate Tory.”

Speaker, why is this government trying to change the appointments process to make it easier to hire their friends?

Hon. Doug Downey: I was expecting the question because I read the papers this morning, and the papers actually talked about the announcement that I made last week in a speech. So it’s no shock at all.

I can tell you, I hear over and over again about our justice system and how we can always do better. This is not a notion that I came to in the last couple of months. Thirty years ago, I was working, training new judges on how to do paperwork. I’ve probably dealt with more judges than anybody else in this chamber. Then I did a master’s in judicial administration, in public administration for courts; then I did a law degree; and then I worked in the judicial system for several years.

Mr., Speaker, I can tell you—

Ms. Sandy Shaw: Legal aid.

Hon. Doug Downey: Legal aid: I took legal aid certificates. Thank you very much.

Mr. Speaker—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Response?

Hon. Doug Downey: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’ll have more to say in my supplementary.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The supplementary question?

Mr. Taras Natyshak: As we just saw with the minister’s response, we’ve seen with the Ford government in action. We know they like to give jobs to their friends, relatives and insiders. Whether it’s hiring a 26-year-old lacrosse-playing buddy of the Premier’s chief of staff to a six-figure job in Manhattan or trying to install the Premier’s friend as chief of the Ontario Provincial Police or firing the acting commissioner of the OPP when he had the courage to blow the whistle, we know that this government can’t be trusted to run a fair appointments process.

Speaker, the judicial appointments process is working well. Why is the Attorney General trying to change that?

Hon. Doug Downey: There is so much more that we need to do. I’m drawing on my experience as an executive member of the Ontario Bar Association and on my volunteer time with the Law Society of Ontario. I’m consulting with former Attorneys General; I’ve talked to several former Attorneys General, both federally and provincially. I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, there is so much more we can do to make our system even better.

The suggestion that we would not be able to improve the system, that we need what we need—Mr. Speaker, if you look at these young pages around us, that was me when this system was brought in. Things change. We need to modernize. We need to move forward. We need to attract the best.

Francophone issues

M lle Amanda Simard: Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Deputy Premier. For months and even years now, the husband of one of the government caucus members, the member for Etobicoke–Lakeshore, has consistently been viciously attacking members of the francophone community, making hateful and racist comments.

Just recently, he targeted a francophone reporter, mocking his French nationality. I could reference so many examples, but here’s just one: He posted online that the president of a leading organization had his nose up in a specific body part of the former French-language commissioner, a body part that—

Interjections.

M lle Amanda Simard: That’s related to a caucus member’s position—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. Stop the clock. Will the member please take her seat? I have to be able to hear the member.

M lle Amanda Simard: No, I need an answer for that—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Okay, we’re going to move on.

The next question.

Hospital funding

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: My question is for the Minister of Health. Over the past 15 years in Ontario, we have seen the problem of hallway health care grow and grow. I’m proud of our government’s plan to end hallway health care. The previous government, supported by the NDP, ignored the problems with our public health care system, and it was especially true of the problems faced by small and medium hospitals.

We recently announced increased funding for hospital operations across Ontario to help address these many years of neglect. Can the minister tell this House about the investments our government is making to end hallway health care across this province?

Hon. Christine Elliott: I’d like to thank the member from Niagara West for the question. The member is quite right: The previous government failed to address changing demographics and prepare our hospitals for the pressures that they are currently facing. Ending hallway health care takes smart investments in our public health care system and a relentless focus on patient care. That’s why our government made a $68-million in-year investment for hospital stabilization and relief. This is in addition to the $384 million more that Ontario hospitals have already received this year.

This investment addresses problems with the funding formula that saw small and medium-sized hospitals shortchanged for years.

This government will continue on our path to end hallway health care and work with patients, families and front-line providers to build a sustainable public health care system for years to come.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The supplementary question.

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: I’d also like to thank the minister for her work for hospitals across Ontario, including in my riding of Niagara West. The previous government’s funding formula saw small and medium hospitals lose out on the operational funding they needed, but our government invested $68 million, and I know this will make a significant impact in small communities like Brockville, Owen Sound, Hawkesbury—communities across Ontario.

Hallway health care is a very complex issue and one that no one, single solution will fix. But it’s why our government has a plan to tackle hallway health care that will encompass many different factors. Could the minister tell the House a little bit more about our government’s plan to tackle hallway health care for my constituents and all citizens across Ontario?

Hon. Christine Elliott: As the member mentioned, hallway health care is a very complex issue and one that’s going to take a comprehensive plan to fix. As part of our plan, we will place a focus on health promotion to keep Ontarians healthy and out of hospital. Understanding that hospitals aren’t always the best place for people to receive care, we are also working to ensure that access to the right care is available in the right place to all Ontarians, regardless of where they live.

We are also better integrating care to improve patient flow, and ensure patients who are ready to leave the hospital can return home with the supports and services that they need. Finally, by investing $27 billion over 10 years in hospital infrastructure projects, we will build capacity throughout the system, including in our hospitals and other community-based care facilities.

We made a commitment to the people of Ontario that we would end hallway health care, and our plan is well on its way to doing that.

Water quality

Mr. Ian Arthur: My question is for the Acting Premier. Today the Toronto Star is reporting something that residents of Tottenham have known for years: Their tap water is contaminated with dangerous chemicals, includeing trihalomethanes, which are linked to pregnancy complications, cancers, and damage to the heart, liver and central nervous system.

What’s worse, these documents show the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has known about this contamination for years. The Liberals knew about it, the Conservatives knew about it, and no one has done anything. How could the government let this happen?

Hon. Christine Elliott: To the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

Hon. Jeff Yurek: I thank the member opposite for that question. Just to add to the record, the correspondence in 2017 between the MECP and the municipality showed the province advised the township to address its halomethane problem with additional treatment measures and operational practices. The letter was from district manager Cindy Hood. The proposed strategies from the ministry were considered but eliminated by the township for various reasons. The ministry provided recommendations, which are not a legal requirement. Hopefully the municipality has taken the proper actions going forward.

But, Mr. Speaker, I can tell you one thing: The water systems across this province are in good, excellent shape. We will continue to work with the town to ensure that the water is going forward. I’ll have more to say in the supplemental further to what’s going on in the area.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary question? The member for Niagara Centre.

Mr. Jeff Burch: For more than 15 years, politicians and health officials in Ontario have known that the tap water in Tottenham was unsafe, yet they didn’t feel it was necessary to let people know. It’s not just Tottenham; in 2016, more than 80 communities have exceeded the allowable guidelines for THM in Ontario, including North Bay, Innisfil, Kawartha Lakes and Timmins, among others.

The Liberals downloaded the cost of source-water protection onto the municipality. The Conservatives have followed the same pattern, further cutting municipal and conservation authority funding. Why does the Acting Premier believe saving a buck is worth getting people sick?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Members, please take your seats.

Minister?

Hon. Jeff Yurek: The town will continue to monitor the THM levels in Tottenham drinking water by sampling in accordance with the requirements of the Tottenham drinking water licence. The town expects to begin construction in 2020 of a transmission main which will connect the Tottenham drinking water system to the Collingwood-Alliston pipeline. Construction is expected to be completed by 2022. In addition, the aeration system in the pipeline is also expected to help reduce THM formation in Tottenham’s drinking water.

We are working with the township. I can’t answer for the previous government’s inaction, but we’re putting action in and working with the town to make sure we clean up the water systems here. We remain committed to ensuring Ontario has the highest standards of drinking water protection and will continue to work with all our partners across Ontario, with businesses, private owners, residences, schools and Indigenous communities. We will maintain Ontario’s world-class drinking water system in this province.

Electronic health information

Mr. Mike Harris: My question is for the Minister of Health. Last week, our government announced a Digital First for Health Strategy. Ontarians have been frustrated by a system that’s incredibly outdated. We’ve had to tell our stories over and over again to different doctors. We’ve had to carry around paper files or send information by fax. It’s time that we put an end to this kind of system. That’s why our government is building comprehensive solutions to these problems and making a difference in the lives of patients.

Can the minister tell this House how our Digital First for Health Strategy will help Ontario access the care they need?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Thank you to the member from Kitchener–Conestoga for his question. Our government’s Digital First for Health Strategy brings the patient experience into the 21st century and helps end hallway health care by offering more choices and making health care simpler, easier and more convenient for patients. This strategy will enable innovation in our health sector, so that front-line care providers are provided access to better and more connected tools.

Thanks to these changes, the new Ontario health teams will be able to use secure digital solutions to improve patient care. With the potential to reduce travel for patients in rural and remote communities, this phase of our strategy will also expand virtual-care options so that patients will have the option of video visits from their care providers. When it comes to bringing Ontario’s health care system into the 21st century, our government is just getting started.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary question.

Mr. Mike Harris: Thank you to the minister. The Digital First for Health Strategy is addressing many long-standing issues with how care is delivered in this province. It is clear this plan will not only help achieve a modern and fully connected health care system but also help with reducing hallway health care.

I am pleased that our government is continuing to make investments to expand digital health solutions that will achieve the real results that Ontarians have needed for so long. With private sector data breaches becoming an increasingly common issue around the world, Ontarians are very concerned with the privacy of their information.

Can the minister tell this House how Digital First for Health strengthens protections for Ontarians’ medical information?

Hon. Christine Elliott: As part of this strategy, our government is strengthening the Personal Health Information Protection Act so that Ontarians can be confident that their medical records are going to be protected. Our government did engage with the Information and Privacy Commissioner as we developed this strategy, and we are very pleased that the commissioner is supportive of the initial proposed changes.

We are also introducing stricter penalties for misuse of personal health information, including creating new offences for re-identifying a person using their health information. Our government believes patients must have control of their health information and private consent in how it is used and shared.

Our Digital First for Health Strategy is about harnessing the imagination and capabilities of Ontario’s digital health innovators while, of course, protecting the privacy of Ontarians.

Public transit

Ms. Jessica Bell: My question is to the Minister of Transportation. Last week, Ontario’s Financial Accountability Office published its analysis of the Ministry of Transportation’s spending plan. The FAO found the government is planning a massive 40% cut to transit spending. How can this government keep its transit promises when this government is cutting funding for the province’s transit capital plan by a massive 40%?

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: We thank the Financial Accountability Officer for his report. As outlined in our budget in 2019, our government plans to spend $67 billion on transit over the next 10 years. This is a 10-year plan that reflects a realistic forecast of construction timelines for major projects planned or under way, in keeping with actual expenditure patterns. The FAO report only focuses on a five-year time frame.

I think everyone in this House knows that our government is making significant investments in transit infrastructure, like our multi-billion-dollar commitment to get subways built in Toronto, and we have a realistic plan to deliver.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The supplementary question.

Ms. Jessica Bell: Back to the Minister of Transportation: The FAO found that not only did this government cut transit spending by 40%, but it’s cutting funding for Metrolinx by 36% as well. Metrolinx has already made drastic cuts to GO bus service because of the government’s funding cuts. This has left riders from Bolton to Oshawa stranded. Metrolinx has also hiked fares on the Union Pearson Express, and they plan to eliminate the GO-TTC fare discount next month.

On paper, this government likes to make a lot of big-ticket promises, but in reality this government is making congestion worse by cutting service and hiking fares. How can this government say it’s helping commutes when transit cuts are making congestion worse?

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: The Associate Minister of Transportation.

Hon. Kinga Surma: Thank you very much to the member for the question, and thank you to the minister for letting me address this.

I think our government has been very clear over the last year and a half that we are committed to getting Ontarians moving. We have made historic investments in public transit in the city of Toronto and in York region, spending $28.5 billion, forming a partnership with the city of Toronto, getting this city moving again.

We have spent $30 billion across this province in infrastructure projects so that we can reach our two-way, all-day GO service. We have improved all of the lines in our core key segments, including Niagara, Lakeshore East and the Kitchener line, where we’ve increased service by 48%, which I know my colleagues in this House are very happy about—not to mention children, 12 and under, don’t pay fees, and, of course, bringing WiFi to the GO network next year.

Public transit is a priority for this government, and we’ve made it very clear in this House.

Northern transportation

Mr. Norman Miller: My question is for the Minister of Infrastructure. Minister, in my past role as critic for northern development and mines, I travelled around northern Ontario and saw the infrastructure needs across the region. I trust our government is working with the federal government, municipalities, community groups, Indigenous groups and businesses to ensure that important infrastructure projects move forward for the benefit of northern Ontarians.

I recently noticed that our government is investing over $33 million in transit infrastructure for the city of Sudbury. Can the minister provide the House with details on these important investments for the people of Sudbury?

Hon. Laurie Scott: I’d like to thank the member for Parry Sound–Muskoka for his great advocacy for the north, because he’s quite right: Our government is investing more than $33 million for transit infrastructure in cities like Sudbury. Sudbury asked for funding for their accelerated bus fleet replacement program, so Ontario is investing more than $11.5 million. In addition, we have committed more than $9 million for the design and construction of a major mobility hub for Greater Sudbury Transit.

We’re also putting more than $8.7 million toward the design of bus rapid transit corridors in the city, which, together with additional investments in various technological improvements and traffic signal renewal, will result in improved transit for the people of Sudbury.

Sudbury officials told us these were their priority projects, and we listened. That’s why we’re committing to more than $33 million in total transit infrastructure investment.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary question?

Mr. Norman Miller: Thank you to the minister for confirming our government’s commitment to investing in priority infrastructure for the people of Sudbury. Those are the kinds of investments that can really have a positive impact on the daily lives of families.

But most of northern Ontario doesn’t have access to public transit. These areas need investments in roads and bridges to ensure that people and products can travel safely around the north. Aside from transit in the city of Sudbury, can the minister tell this House if there have been investments made in other northern Ontario communities?

Hon. Laurie Scott: Mr. Speaker, the member is quite right: Our government is investing nearly $31 million in communities across northern Ontario, from Timmins to Algoma to Cochrane to James Bay, for roads and for transit infrastructure projects.

Municipal officials told us that these were priority projects, and our government listened. I hope the official opposition supports us in this.

Anti-racism activities

Ms. Laura Mae Lindo: My question is to the Minister of Education. Incidents of racism in Ontario’s schools continue to be a growing concern for students, their families and teachers. Students deserve answers, and we know that empty words won’t help students and families feel safe, welcome and respected in their schools.

Recently, the Minister of Education announced a review of the Peel District School Board in light of reports of anti-Black racism that existed under the Liberals and persists under the Conservatives. The previous Liberal government spoke a lot of pretty words after hearing from concerned communities and took no concrete action, and this government has already cut funding from anti-racism initiatives that should fund initiatives just like this.

Can the minister please provide details today outlining how students’, teachers’ and families’ concerns will be taken seriously this time?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: I want to express my gratitude to the member opposite for the question. Indeed, in this province, there is no tolerance for racism, for prejudice against any child. In the case of the Peel District School Board, as I’ve communicated with her over the weekend and with various members of the chamber in the opposition, I take this seriously. I find it unacceptable when serious allegations emerge of anti-Black racism or racism that is targeting children of visible minorities or racialized students. That is unacceptable in this province and in this country.

That’s why, Mr. Speaker, almost immediately after finding out about these allegations being raised by the chair and the vice-chair, as well as one of the directors of education, I immediately took action by calling in two reviewers, who will be bringing forth recommendations to me in the coming weeks, on an expedited basis. Those reviewers will be in the schools and the board in a matter of days and weeks.

More importantly, it gives me the ability, under the act, to impose recommendations to improve equity and improve the experience of every child in a classroom in Peel and across the province.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary? The member for Brampton Centre.

Ms. Sara Singh: Back to the Minister of Education: Since the ministry announced their review of the Peel District School Board due to reports of anti-Black racism, we’ve been hearing concerns from parents and students in Peel that this government will just file another report that will be swept under the rug.

Racism in our schools cannot be tolerated. We all have a responsibility to ensure that racialized students feel safe and welcome at their schools and in our communities.

The minister promised that this review would be transparent, but after promising no teacher would lose their job, this feels like cold comfort. Will the minister ensure that the review has the resources to fully investigate the culture of racism at the Peel District School Board and that a concrete plan of action and those recommendations will be made public?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: I want to express my gratitude to the member for Brampton Centre for the question.

At the end of the day, it is very clear, I think, that every member of this chamber does not accept any form of racism or discrimination for any reason. The anti-Black racism and the allegations that have emerged in Peel—I’ve spoken to both members on this side of the chamber from Brampton, all members from Mississauga and the members opposite.

In each and every communication, I have made clear that we have called in the reviewers with one mission, which is to investigate the systemic allegations and circumstances of bias and prejudice, and to root it out, with recommendations that will be made public and will come to my table this year, that I will impose on the board this year to ensure that every child feels more safe, more welcome and included in the classrooms of this province.

Anti-bullying initiatives

Ms. Donna Skelly: This is also to the Minister of Education.

Mr. Speaker, bullying is a painful reality for the majority of Canadian children and youth. Whether they are the ones that are being bullied or the ones being aggressive towards others, students may find talking to adults about bullying difficult, even though adult intervention is the key to bullying prevention.

In 2001, Ontario designated the week beginning the third Sunday of November as Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week. Eighteen years later, the goal of promoting safe schools and a positive learning environment is more important than ever.

We know that the longer a child is bullied, the more likely they are to develop physical, emotional and psychological scars that can last a lifetime. Can the Minister of Education please tell the Legislature and the government what he’s doing to address bullying in our schools?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: I want to thank the member for her leadership in Hamilton and across the province in raising awareness to combat bullying in all of its forms.

Indeed, it is Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, and I think all members of this House speak with one voice in the denouncement of this form of increasing violence that can target young kids, an increasing form of hate and discrimination.

In this province, we have a zero-tolerance policy. I believe that there are too many examples and too many circumstances of young women and men emerging with stories, and their narratives being told, of them feeling like the system has not been responsive to their needs.

Today and in the coming days, I’ll be making further steps, more announcements, that we can take to improve enforceability, improve training and supports for these children and victims of bullying, and ensure that there is accountability for those who perpetrate these types of heinous activities.

Mr. Speaker, we’re going to work every single day, and work across party lines, to ensure that every student in this province is safe from bullying.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary? The member for Burlington.

Ms. Jane McKenna: Thank you, Minister, for your response. We know that bullying can have serious effects on kids’ mental health. Tragically, as we have seen recently, it can have fatal consequences.

I was pleased to join you, Minister, on October 12 at CAMH, together with Natalie Pierre from my riding of Burlington, for your announcement on mental health education. That day, you provided Natalie the opportunity to share the story of her son, Mike, a grade 12 Corpus Christi high school student who, in 2017, sadly, took his own life.

Minister, can you please give this Legislature some concrete examples of the actions our government has taken to address bullying?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: I want to thank the member from Burlington for her leadership and for introducing me to Natalie Pierre, who is an incredibly courageous woman who tragically lost her son.

It is for Mike, for that young man, and it is for so many other victims of bullying and isolation that we speak, united, today to say that bullying must end in this province.

Our government announced a health and physical education curriculum that in the earliest years, grade 3, starts to remove the visible and invisible differences in the eyes of our young people. We are trying to change the culture in the classroom so people appreciate the inherent dignity of every person, irrespective of faith, heritage, orientation or place of birth.

We’ve invested money to support our principals on de-escalation training, more resources for our teachers and more supports for our victims. There is more to do to strengthen enforcement and strengthen data collection to understand how pervasive the problem is. We’re going to give additional support to support victims of these crimes.

Employment standards

M me France Gélinas: Ma question est pour la première ministre par intérim.

Once again, the flu season is upon us. Despite everyone’s best efforts, many people are getting sick. This government’s Bill 47 will allow employers to request sick notes before workers can go back to work. We’ve seen this movie before, Speaker. The majority of Ontarians feel forced to go to work sick rather than get a sick note.

Getting a sick note for a minor illness is not quality care—much the opposite. People going to work sick spread their disease. People getting a sick note will often be in a waiting room spreading their germs to often frail, sick people around them.

Will the Acting Premier reverse the decision regarding sick notes for minor illnesses?

Hon. Christine Elliott: To the Minister of Labour.

Hon. Monte McNaughton: I’m proud to stand up every day in the House to talk about our record in the last 16 months when it comes to standing shoulder to shoulder with workers right across this province. We’ve created, in 16 months, over a quarter of a million new jobs in the province of Ontario. We have the lowest unemployment rate in nearly three decades today, thanks to the measures that our government has put in place. Wages are going up in the province of Ontario.

One thing that I’ve yet to hear the NDP compliment this government on, and the one policy that I’m most proud of as Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, is the fact that in 2019, people earning under $30,000 per year in the province of Ontario will pay zero income tax.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary question? The member for London West.

Ms. Peggy Sattler: This Premier promised to end hallway medicine, but first he cancelled the two-day sick leave. Now he’s forcing people to get sick notes for minor illnesses, actions that are going in the opposite direction. They are making hallway medicine worse, when workers feel they have no choice but to go to work, potentially making others ill.

Will this government listen to health care professionals, who overwhelmingly agree that asking people to get a sick note for a minor illness is not only a waste of resources, but is dangerous? Will the Acting Premier reverse the provision of Bill 47?

Hon. Monte McNaughton: As the member opposite knows, this is not mandatory; it’s optional.

We assumed office after 15 years of reckless decisions made by the Liberal government of the day, supported by the NDP. Some 300,000 well-paying manufacturing jobs were obliviated—sent south of the border, sent to other places around the world—because of the decisions of the Liberal and the NDP parties in those 15 years.

As I said in the first question, in 16 months, Mr. Speaker, over a quarter of a million new jobs have been created in the province of Ontario. Wages are going up. Unemployment is at a 30-year low in the province of Ontario. And, again, those making $30,000 a year or less will pay no income tax in Ontario.

Labour policy

Mrs. Daisy Wai: My question is for the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. Since taking office, we have been working to make this province open for business while maintaining the rules that keep people healthy and safe. Our government has shown what it means to truly put the people at the centre of every decision that we have. It is in this spirit that the history of hard-working men and women in Ontario should be shared with everyone in our province.

Can the minister please tell us what the government is doing to promote the history of labour in Ontario?

Hon. Monte McNaughton: Thank you to the honourable member from Richmond Hill for that excellent and important question.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to share with the members in this House that Archives of Ontario has launched a new online exhibit titled Ontario at Work. This exhibit commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.

Since taking on this new portfolio in June, Mr. Speaker, I’ve had the opportunity to meet now with over 150 labour leaders across the province, many business leaders and countless workers in Ontario. With every conversation, I learn something new about labour and the diverse workplaces we have right across Ontario.

As our government lays the groundwork for a safer, fairer and more harmonious future, I encourage everyone to visit this new exhibit. I encourage everyone to visit ontario.ca/archives.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary question?

Mrs. Daisy Wai: Congratulations, Minister, on the launch of this new exhibit, and thank you for your answer.

Our government is making the province open for jobs. Businesses and labour in my riding of Richmond Hill have benefited a lot from it. Jobs in Ontario and around the world have certainly changed a lot over the past 100 years. I’m sure that the opportunity to look back at the past will be intriguing and insightful as we prepare for the future. This journey through history gives us knowledge we never had before.

Can the minister please tell us more about this exhibit and what it means for the people in Ontario?

Hon. Monte McNaughton: Thank you again to the member for Richmond Hill for that question.

Mr. Speaker, this exhibit shows three principles that I firmly believe. First, it demonstrates that a safety-first approach is both good for workers and good for the bottom line. Second, it makes clear that stable and constructive labour relations support a competitive and sustainable provincial economy. And third, it illustrates the role of the Minister of Labour, to be fair to workers and responsible to taxpayers.

I’m proud to note that 98% of labour negotiations are resolved without disruption, and Ontario is a leader in health and safety. Since we formed government, our province has 256,200 brand new jobs, unemployment is down and wages are up. Mr. Speaker, make no mistake: We’re building Ontario together.

Services for children with disabilities

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: My question is to the Acting Premier. In the Premier’s very first budget, he cut $1 billion from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. For people who depend on support from the ministry—particularly those with developmental disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder—this was devastating news after 15 years of underfunding and neglect by the Liberals.

Now we’ve learned that this Conservative government isn’t listening to families, but they are willing to pay up to $1 million for a consultant to tell them how to carry out these deep cuts to programs that support people with developmental disabilities.

Will the Acting Premier explain why they continue to purposefully force people with disabilities to bear the brunt of their short-sighted cuts?

Hon. Christine Elliott: To the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Hon. Todd Smith: Everything about that question was counterfactual. It just was not true.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m going to ask the minister to withdraw.

Hon. Todd Smith: I’ll withdraw that, Mr. Speaker.

As the member knows, there is a growing demand for developmental services right across the province. I’ve actually sat at a table with the member opposite, in her own riding of Windsor West, meeting with families myself. Our ministry has taken to the streets, we have taken to every community across the province, and we will be continuing to meet with those who are involved in the sector. Families with children who are affected will be meeting with those who provide the services. It’s the government that will be doing that.

Certainly we know we can do better in this sector after 10 years of zero investment in this sector by the previous Liberal government. She was right about that, Mr. Speaker. We’ve got a lot of work to do. We’re going to work together with the member opposite to make—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you very much. Supplementary question?

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: Actually, the minister did come to Windsor, and he sat across the table from families and individuals with developmental disabilities as they cried and begged for help, and yet he still chooses to spend $1 million on a consultant to cut the services and supports that they need.

People with development disabilities and their families are worried sick about these drastic cuts. The programs the Conservatives are looking to cut provide crucial supports like respite, day programs and in-home caregivers—programs that some families aren’t even able to access because they’ve been on a wait-list for years. Agencies in the developmental services sector, who haven’t seen a base funding increase in over a decade, still do not have their annualized budgets seven months after the fiscal year began. They’re completely in the dark about the future of their funding.

The Acting Premier co-chaired a committee that determined five years ago that families were being “pushed to the brink of disaster.” How can she continue, five years later, to purposefully cause anxiety and chaos for Ontarians with disabilities and the people that support them?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Members please take their seats.

To the minister to reply.

Hon. Todd Smith: Mr. Speaker, I can tell you that we are committed to working with all those in this sector to ensure that we’re actually helping the families that need help. As I mentioned, I sat with the member in her own riding and talked to those families. I understand the challenges that they are facing. They are the same challenges that they have been facing in this sector for the last 10 to 15 years, and the previous Liberal government did nothing when it came to this file, Mr. Speaker.

We recognize the challenges. We are spending $2.6 billion in this sector now in Ontario, but we know we can do so much better. That’s why we have hired the services of an outside firm while at the same time meeting with those who are providing the services in Ontario to ensure that we are going to get the investment and the better outcomes that these individuals deserve.

The wait-list has grown and grown and grown under the leadership of the previous Liberal government, Mr. Speaker. We’re going to do something about it to make it better, to help these families get the services that they need.

Provincial data strategy

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: My question is for the Minister of Government and Consumer Services. Two weeks ago the minister stood in this House and explained the ways in which data has the potential to be a limitless resource for jobs and economic growth in this province. Mr. Speaker, the minister was absolutely right. The minister was also right to point out that the massive potential of the data economy needs to be nurtured and that we need to ensure that the personal information of Ontarians is protected.

Minister, can you explain how Ontarians have had the opportunity to have their say in the provincial data strategy through your consultations? And can you tell us more about what our government has been doing to ensure that the people and business owners of this province are having their voices heard on this important issue?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: I want to thank the member from Niagara West for his thoughtful question. Everyone needs to be assured in this province that our government is focused on creating jobs and growing businesses. The data economy is an industry where we can expect massive growth. That’s why our government is well on its way to launching a first-of-its-kind provincial data strategy that will help foster economic growth, protect the data of Ontarians, and enable smarter, more accessible government.

We know that business leaders and community members across this province know best. That’s why I’m very pleased at the results of the consultations that we’ve had across Ontario. We’ve consulted with people and business leaders in Toronto, Stratford, Ottawa, Peterborough, and most recently in Sarnia and Sault Ste. Marie as well. I want to thank my colleagues for helping out with those consultations, and I’d like to give a shout-out to my parliamentary assistant, Bob Bailey, for the great work he’s done as well.

I’d like to assure everyone that they can also participate in—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you very much. The supplementary question.

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: Thank you very much, Minister, for the response. I want to thank the minister for her answer and also for giving Ontarians the opportunity to have their voices heard when it comes to the development of the first-ever provincial data strategy in Canada—truly groundbreaking. I know many Ontarians were glad to have been given the chance to meet with you and your staff and other members of this government to discuss how our government can ensure economic growth in the data economy is also keeping their personal data safe.

Minister, you’ve spoken in this House about some of the elements that will form the basis of the provincial data strategy, including things like the minister’s task force. Could you please provide an update to this House about the work that has been undertaken by the Minister’s Digital and Data Task Force thus far, and can you tell us more about the next steps for this task force?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: I’m pleased to share with everyone that the appointment of my Minister’s Digital and Data Task Force is a critical

part in the development of our overall provincial data strategy.

The task force is another way in which our government is listening to people. Our government is giving business leaders, academic experts and world-class practitioners the opportunity to bring their experience and their valuable insight to the policy-making process. Since meeting for the first time in July, our task force has been meeting regularly. We’re going to be assessing and making concrete recommendations in response to the consultations that we’ve had.

I look forward to reporting back on this very important initiative.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): This House stands in recess until 1 p.m.

The House recessed from 1146 to 1300.

Introduction of Visitors

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: I’d like to welcome to the House my mother-in-law, Nashi Dervishi. It’s her first time here. Welcome.

Mrs. Gila Martow: I just want to ask the member why she’s not introducing us to the adorable bundle she’s holding. She’ll have to get up and do another introduction because we want to know the name and the weight.

I want to introduce my former legislative assistant, Emily Kirby, and her mother, Karen Hunter, who are here for my statement today. Thank you very much for being here.

Mrs. Robin Martin: I want to introduce my friend Roberta Scott, who is from Cardiac Arrest Response and Education.

Members’ Statements

Poverty

Ms. Laura Mae Lindo: Dear government:

Every year winter comes, and this year is no exception.

The official opposition has stood in this House fighting for a real poverty reduction strategy, telling you stories of people living rough, needing homes, needing help, or being left in the cold—literally.

Last week in Kitchener Centre, the Working Centre, the House of Friendship, and St. Mary’s Church came together to ensure that shelter was available for those who needed it when the cold snap hit.

What were you doing? Where were you when the cold hit?

My community ensured that 100 people had shelter from the cold every night last week because the region of Waterloo’s overflow shelter spaces were not available until November 25. And with this government’s cuts to municipalities, my community is in crisis, and will remain in crisis after that date.

I love and appreciate the community members who came together to address this crisis, but relying on municipalities to fund overflow shelters is not a solution.

The people of Kitchener Centre need an affordable and supportive housing strategy. We need a poverty reduction strategy. We need a government that does more than make superficial announcements.

Like your gas pump stickers, your band-aid solutions aren’t sticking.

Do better. Ontario is watching.

Women’s Habitat

Ms. Christine Hogarth: On November 14, I was pleased to be part of a special fundraising event in my riding put on by our local riding association.

The Women’s Habitat is a 25-bed shelter for women who are fleeing violence. It has been in operation since 1978. They are leaders in making sure that women and children fleeing domestic violence or the fear of violence have a safe place to stay. The work they do in the community, providing support, counselling and advocacy for women, is second to none. They offer a wide variety of programming for both women and children, including shelter services and outreach services, and have many other resources. Collectively, shelter staff speak 18 different languages to ensure that language is not a barrier for anyone receiving services.

Over 50 people participated in this event, where they were asked to bring bedding and other brand new linens to help decorate the bedrooms of our local shelter. The event was held at Cool Beer brewery, and we want to say a special thank you to Bobby Crecouzos from Cool Beer Brewing Co. and all those who worked hard and volunteered to make this event such a success.

November is domestic violence prevention month. Violence against women transcends class, culture, race and ethnicity.

I would like to commend Women’s Habitat for the work they do and encourage all members to reach out and offer to help shelters in their ridings. They do life-saving work, and they all need our support.

Audrey McKay

Mr. Jeff Burch: This past summer, the labour movement lost a dedicated teacher, mentor and advocate in Audrey McKay. A journalism graduate of Conestoga College, Waterloo, Audrey began her professional life as an intern for the Creative Arts Festival in Hamilton, where she developed her skills in organization, promotion and communication. In keeping with her labour sensibilities, Audrey moved on to a lifelong career in the labour movement. For many years, she worked for the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, where she developed many bonds of friendship with colleagues and routed her future path.

Her subsequent years working for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare, where I met her 20 years ago, allowed her to follow her calling: to stand up for the rights and protection of people. Always the activist, Audrey’s passion for education and women’s rights drew the gratitude and admiration of many. A fearless fighter, Audrey was the best advocate to have by your side, whether professionally or personally, to which many of those who grieve her passing can attest. Audrey taught leadership and steward training to health care workers and had a profound impact on the workers she came in contact with. She loved empowering young women.

As a sister, aunt, sister-in-law, cousin, niece, colleague and friend, Audrey will be deeply missed. She had a distinctive style, an intelligence, an optimism and a raw sense of humour that always put things into perspective.

Audrey was a colleague, a campaign manager and a friend of mine.

Those who knew her will have the privilege of feeling her impact on their lives for years to come. May she rest in peace.

Senior citizens

Mr. Lorne Coe: Speaker, you’ll know that many seniors face challenges accessing programs and services that support their safety, mental and physical health, and overall well-being. That’s why I’m pleased that the government is investing more than $77,000 to help seniors in Durham region stay active and socially connected. Of the total funding, $25,000 is part of the Seniors Community Grant Program, which is providing $3 million to support more than 260 projects to benefit seniors in communities across the province.

More than $52,000 is being provided to the Whitby Seniors’ Activity Centre, as part of a $14.1-million investment to support more than 300 Seniors Active Living Centre programs in Ontario.

Speaker, these investments are great news for seniors and their families in the Durham region. The support will go a long way in helping to keep seniors in Whitby active and socially connected, which has tremendous health benefits. Seniors will also have an opportunity to take

part in activities and to build social connections that they may not otherwise be able to do without this government support.

Ontario remains committed—absolutely committed—to protecting what matters most to seniors and their families.

Moose tags

M me France Gélinas: Last week, I had the opportunity to meet with a group of outfitters from my riding. Times are tough for these small businesses.

Outfitters offer lodging, food, boats and all the necessities for anglers and hunters. In my riding, many are water-access only. They love what they do. They choose to live and do business in the bush with all the creatures that live out their way. But this government’s decisions are putting their survival at risk. If you look at the moose population, it seems that all the government can do when the population declines is to cut the tag allocation. Everyone knows that the tag allocation is what makes or breaks an outfitter.

There are other ways to protect these beautiful animals. For instance, last year 14 moose were killed on a stretch of a few kilometres of railroad tracks. Is the government doing anything to protect them? Nothing. We already have quite a bit of snow in my riding. How long before the carnage starts again this year?

I can tell you that 14 moose tag allocations would make a lot of outfitters very happy.

Why not look at the length of the season? Other provinces do it—not Ontario. Promote the outfitters? The Ontario government won’t do that either. But what they do do is increase the price of a road sign from $153 to $480. This is a 300% increase.

When the government makes decisions that put people out of business, they should take some responsibility and offer compensation. Or, as one outfitter said, “Who gave them the right to take our tags away? We should be compensated.” I agree, Speaker.

YouthLink

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: It’s a privilege to rise in the House today and to recognize the important work that YouthLink does to support at-risk youth in Scarborough.

This past June, I had the honour of attending the grand opening of the new YouthLink shelter on Warden Avenue. It is the first and only youth shelter of its kind in Toronto—I am thrilled that it is accessible in Scarborough—providing both emergency beds and long-term beds for youth transitioning out of the foster care system.

YouthLink is helping young adults prepare for the next phase of their lives by providing counselling and teaching; skills like cooking, baking and budgeting; helping youth access education and training opportunities; and providing assistance for finding permanent housing. These supports are unique to YouthLink’s shelter and advance the long-term well-being of their clients so that they can get a good start in life.

The city of Toronto has reported an average of 2.2 deaths per week of people experiencing homelessness in 2019. While the city is in the midst of a homelessness crisis, it is a real shame that, under this government, we have stopped counting the number of homeless people on our streets in this province. This data is needed and required.

YouthLink is providing 10 emergency beds and 41 transitional beds along with resources to help break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. As our temperatures drop, up to 51 young people will have a safe and healthy place to sleep this winter.

Speaker, I want to thank Janice Hayes, Evan Back, the entire YouthLink team, and the volunteers and donors who have made a real difference in the lives of so many young people.

In Our Fathers’ Footsteps

Mrs. Gila Martow: I’m pleased to rise and make a statement about an inspiring journey to keep the thoughts and stories of our Canadian veterans alive.

Karen Hunter from Guelph is here today. She’s the daughter of a Canadian World War II veteran who served in the Netherlands. Inspired by her father’s war memoir that he gave her on his 80th birthday, Karen hopes to rally 200 descendants of these Dutch liberators, like herself, to walk in their fathers’ footsteps in May 2020. The event will commemorate Canada’s liberation of the Netherlands 75 years ago. The group will walk 60 kilometres of the researched routes of the Canadian troops, in what they’re calling “platoons,” with professional guides.

They will hold candlelight vigils and flower ceremonies at Canadian war cemeteries and monuments. They will also celebrate the veterans’ legacy of freedom and friendship with the Dutch at liberation festivals. They will eat from mess kits, plant maple seedlings and dedicate a memory box. The highlight will be their walk into Het Loo palace in Apeldoorn, where they will be met by Princess Margriet of the Netherlands. Karen believes that it’s now up to these veterans’ descendants, the next generation, to carry the torch of remembrance for them.

Information about the event can be found on the website inourfathersfootsteps.com. They can also be found on Facebook, “In Our Fathers’ Footsteps—Join our WWII Dutch Pilgrimage,” and Twitter, @WWII_Liberation.

I wish them luck.

Maternal mental health

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: I rise today, as a mother of a newborn, to discuss a topic that is all too often overlooked: maternal mental health.

The physical recovery from childbirth is already difficult, but the process of postpartum mental health recovery is equally harrowing. Mothers must try to heal physically and mentally from the childbirth experience, while enduring sleepless nights and managing the exhausting day-to-day of newborn care. But there is so much more pressure than that.

Somewhere right now, a mother is feeling a deep sense of failure as someone admonishes her for feeding her baby from a bottle. What they don’t know is that she already wept at the checkout line when she bought formula for her hungry baby, after struggling and failing to breastfeed.

Somewhere right now, a mother is desperately trying to keep up with the mental load of her household, ensuring the safety and wellness of her family, remembering birthdays, school events, dentist appointments, helping aging family members, maybe while working a full-time job. Those around her don’t realize she has been ignoring her own health issues for months.

Mothers often bear the judgment from others for every choice they make for their child.

It takes a village to raise a child, yet in today’s world, we often find ourselves parenting in isolation. Community can be a luxury that many mothers don’t have the time or resources to seek. What community we do find may be cruel and judgmental. Maternal mental health cannot be a luxury.

To all mothers out there, I want to say, I know you’re doing your best. Remind yourself of what your children already know: You’re the best mama in the whole world.

Diabetes

Mr. Amarjot Sandhu: November 14 of each year is marked as World Diabetes Day, which is the primary global awareness campaign focusing on diabetes mellitus worldwide.

Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and lower-limb amputation. Over 425 million people are currently living with diabetes, and most of these cases are type 2 diabetes, which is largely preventable through regular physical activity, a healthy and balanced diet, and the promotion of healthy living environments.

It is important to note that one in two people currently living with diabetes are undiagnosed. Therefore, early diagnosis through regular screening and treatment for complications are key to prevent the complications of diabetes and achieve healthy outcomes.

All families are potentially affected by diabetes, and so awareness of the signs, symptoms and risk factors for all types of diabetes are vital to help detect it early. However, some statistics show that less than one in four family members have access to diabetes education programs. It is important that families be provided with the education, resources and environments to live a healthy lifestyle, because family support in diabetes care has been shown to have a substantial effect in improving health outcomes for people with diabetes. This could reduce the emotional impact of the disease that can result in a negative quality of life.

Let’s spread the awareness of diabetes to combat this silent killer.

Veterans

Ms. Jane McKenna: November 11, 2019, marked the 100th anniversary of the first Remembrance Day across the Commonwealth. Today, Remembrance Day provides an opportunity to honour and remember veterans from the First and Second World Wars, the wars in the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Bosnia and Kosovo, and more recent conflicts like the war in Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom, the Libyan civil war and the ongoing battle against ISIS.

In Burlington, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 60 led a unique project that honoured our local veterans by placing banners with the names and pictures of veterans on the light standards along Brant Street.

On Saturday, Remembrance Day ceremonies were held for veterans at Billings Court and the Brant long-term-care facility. This tradition began 25 years ago in partnership between Burlington MPP Cam Jackson and Bill Reid, fondly known as the singing veteran. For the last 31 years, commuters from Appleby GO station have heard Bill singing wartime songs while pinning on their poppies.

On Sunday, the Burlington cadets began their overnight vigil at the Burlington Cenotaph to remember the men and women who fought for the values and freedoms we enjoy today. Thank you, Shawn Fowler, second lieutenant of the Burlington Army Cadets, for inviting me.

On Remembrance Day, the Burl-Oak Naval Veterans held their sunrise ceremony at the Naval Ships Memorial Monument at Spencer Smith Park. Thank you to Fred Norman, chair of the Burl-Oak Naval Veterans, for his continued leadership.

Up next was the Remembrance Day parade, which wove its way through downtown Burlington. This was followed by a touching ceremony led by our branch 60 Legion at the cenotaph at Burlington city hall. It was heartwarming to see so many people out to remember the sacrifices that our veterans made in service to our country. The Halton Naval Veterans Association held a lunch that was absolutely delicious as well.

To me, veterans are our heroes. They’re the ordinary people who do extraordinary things to protect the freedoms that we have often taken for granted. We have a responsibility to keep the conversation going so that we always remember the dedication, bravery and sacrifice made by both those in active duty and our veterans.

Introduction of Bills

Defibrillator Registry Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 sur le registre des défibrillateurs

Madame Gélinas moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 140,

An Act to enact the Defibrillator Registry Act, 2019 / Projet de loi 140, Loi édictant la Loi de 2019 sur le registre des défibrillateurs.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Would the member for Nickel Belt care to explain her bill?

M me France Gélinas: Absolutely. A quick thank you to Liz Scanlon from Heart and Stroke, Dr. Robert Ohle and Dr. Sarah McIsaac, as well as the Chase McEachern Memorial Fund for funding AEDs to not-for-profits, such as the daycare at Laurentian University.

The bill enacts the Defibrillator Registry Act. The act provides for the creation of a registry of the location of defibrillators installed in premises that are accessible to members of the public, and for the appointment of a registrar to maintain the registry. The registry is to be made available to 911 call-takers and dispatchers in Ontario.

Persons responsible for premises that are accessible to members of the public are required to notify the registrar when installing a defibrillator or when removing or relocating it. The act also sets out certain requirements related to the maintenance of the defibrillators. The minister responsible for the administration of the act may develop programs and services that aim to assist in identifying where to install defibrillators and in appropriately maintaining the defibrillators. The minister is required to develop a complaints mechanism for use by members of the public respecting contraventions of the act.

Defibrillator Registration and Public Access Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 sur l’accès public aux défibrillateurs et leur enregistrement

Mrs. Martin moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 141,

An Act respecting registration of and access to defibrillators / Projet de loi 141,

Loi sur l’accès aux défibrillateurs et leur enregistrement.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Would the member for Eglinton–Lawrence care to explain her bill?

Mrs. Robin Martin: The Defibrillator Registration and Public Access Act, 2019, will provide requirements respecting installation, maintenance, testing and availability of defibrillators on designated premises or public premises.

The act also requires defibrillators at such premises to be registered with the registrar within specified periods of time, and for the prescribed persons to be notified of the registrations.

We look forward to debating this.

Public Safety Related to Dogs Statute Law Amendment Act, 2019

Mr. Nicholls moved first reading of the following bill:

Public Safety Related to Dogs Statute Law Amendment Act, 2019.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Would the member for Chatham-Kent–Leamington like to explain his bill?

Mr. Rick Nicholls: The bill actually repeals provisions in the Animals for Research Act relating to the disposition of pit bulls under the act.

The bill also repeals provisions in the Dog Owners’ Liability Act that prohibit restricted pit bulls and provide for controls on pit bulls.

The act is also amended to provide that if a court finds that a dog, in an unprovoked attack, has inflicted a severe physical injury on a person or has killed a person, the court shall declare that the dog is a vicious dog and may order the dog to be destroyed, and shall order that the owner be prohibited from owning another dog for a period of at least 10 years.

An attack is not considered unprovoked if the person attacked was wilfully trespassing or committing another wilful tort on the premises occupied by the dog’s owner, was committing or attempting to commit a crime, or was teasing, tormenting, abusing or assaulting the dog, or if the dog was protecting or defending a person within the immediate vicinity of the dog from an unjustified attack or assault.

Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Air Brake Endorsements), 2019 / Loi de 2019 modifiant le Code de la route (inscriptions autorisant l’utilisation des freins à air comprimé)

Mr. Sandhu moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 142,

An Act to amend the Highway Traffic Act with respect to air brake endorsements / Projet de loi 142, Loi modifiant le Code de la route en ce qui concerne les inscriptions autorisant l’utilisation des freins à air comprimé.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’ll ask the member for Brampton West to briefly explain his bill.

Mr. Amarjot Sandhu:

Section 32 of the Highway Traffic Act is amended to provide that a person who holds a driver’s licence with an air brake endorsement is not required, upon renewal of the driver’s licence, to retake any examinations with respect to the endorsement.

In addition, a person who applies for an air brake endorsement must take the examinations with respect to the endorsement, unless the person held a driver’s licence with an air brake endorsement that was valid at any time within the three years before making the application.

Health and Safety at Work Day Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 sur la Journée de la santé et de la sécurité au travail

Ms. McKenna moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 143,

An Act to proclaim Health and Safety at Work Day / Projet de loi 143, Loi proclamant la Journée de la santé et de la sécurité au travail.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Would the member for Burlington care to explain her bill?

Ms. Jane McKenna: Yes, I would, Speaker. The bill I am introducing today proclaims April 28 in each year Health and Safety at Work Day. In doing so, we’ll be bringing Ontario in line with World Day for Safety and Health at Work, established by the International Labour Organization, an agency of the United Nations, established in 1919.

On April 28, Ontario will join 187 member states of the ILO to raise awareness of the importance of a health and safety culture in every workplace. This is recognized as fundamental to a prosperous Ontario economy and essential to the well-being of our people.

Statements by the Ministry and Responses

Holodomor

Hon. Todd Smith: I rise in the House today to acknowledge National Holodomor Awareness Week, as set by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. This year marks the 86th anniversary of the Holodomor, which took place from 1932 to 1933.

Holodomor was a genocide. Entire families were torn apart, villages were wiped out, and millions of ethnic Ukrainians died from starvation at the order of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. And Ukraine was forcibly brought under the control of the Soviet Union, which wanted to eliminate the Ukrainian independence movement.

Ontario’s Ukrainian community has worked hard to educate us about these atrocities and ensure that they are never forgotten. We have vibrant Ukrainian communities right across the province, in Toronto, Hamilton, St. Catharines, Ottawa, Thunder Bay and Niagara.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress has an Ontario Provincial Council, with branches across the province that are creating opportunities for public dialogue, and working to engage the next generation of youth and young leaders.

Speaker, in April 2009, this House unanimously passed the Holodomor Memorial Day Act. It was sponsored by my former Progressive Conservative colleague Frank Klees; the former member from Parkdale–High Park, Cheri DiNovo; and a former Speaker of the Legislature, the member from Brant, David Levac. This private members’ bill of the Ontario Legislative Assembly was sponsored by all three political parties.

I am proud that Ontario and the rest of Canada has embraced our Ukrainian friends and neighbours. Canada has welcomed them.

Ontario’s history includes a long timeline of immigration success. We would be nowhere without it. It’s the foundation of our towns and cities, a demonstration of our shared compassion, and the cornerstone of who we are and what we are as a province. Our province’s diversity stems from the fact that each year, thousands of people from around the world choose to make Ontario their new home. We’ll continue to welcome those from around the world who have felt the effects of oppression, dictatorship and communism and continue to live in fear of persecution.

The Holodomor left a devastating mark on generations of Ukrainians around the world and especially in the Ukraine. We stand with those innocent victims and families of survivors of this forced starvation and remember their strength and resilience in the face of an unthinkable tragedy. Mr. Speaker, today we stand with the Ukrainian community.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Responses?

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: It’s a privilege to rise in the House today, on behalf of our leader of the Ontario NDP, my fellow caucus colleagues and the constituents of Parkdale–High Park, to join Ontarians in recognizing National Holodomor Awareness Week. I’m privileged and proud to represent many Ukrainian Canadians from my riding in this Legislature.

This week, November 18 to 24, we commemorate the victims and honour the survivors of one of the most heinous crimes, the man-made famine, a genocide known as Holodomor. With National Holodomor Awareness Week, we raise awareness of the 10 million innocent Ukrainians—men, women and children—who, from 1932 to 1933, died from forced famine under the Soviet dictatorship of Joseph Stalin. We raise awareness that this was

an act of genocide,

an act that attacked Ukrainians through deportations, forced labour and other abhorrent treatment as a means of establishing control over Ukraine and to destroy the Ukrainian people.

Holodomor devastated the country and an entire generation. People’s lands were seized, grain and livestock were confiscated, and borders were closed to prevent Ukrainians from escaping this famine that was imposed on them. In little more than a year, a quarter of the population died by forced starvation.

Sadly, the West was complicit. Journalists who were toured around by Soviet public relations officials returned reporting that there was no issue, that there was no forced starvation, and so aid was not forthcoming. When we think about this almost incomprehensible atrocity, the absolute horror which we memorialize today, we must raise awareness of our complicity. We raise awareness to ensure that the facts and the victims who were subjected to the deliberate, catastrophic famine are remembered by all Ontarians and Canadians. However, Speaker, it was only recently that Ontario joined the world in November to mourn the victims and acknowledge the Holodomor as

an act of genocide. It was only recently that officially in this province we started to collectively remember the crimes committed against the Ukrainian people and celebrate the strength and resilience of the people of Ukraine here in our Legislature, in our schools and in our communities.

I see the resilience and spirit of the Ukrainian people every day in my riding. It was an honour to have worked beside Ukrainian Canadians who pushed the government to recognize this act of genocide that for far too long in this province was not regarded as the genocide that it was. I want to take a moment to appreciate the Ukrainian community, particularly the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, the League of Ukrainian Canadians, the Taras Shevchenko Museum in my riding, and all of my Ukrainian Canadian constituents who worked tirelessly so that now in Ontario, we commemorate Holodomor and raise awareness.

Thank you for your ongoing advocacy, for your efforts to ensure that in this province we continue to raise awareness of Holodomor as a genocide.

In addition, I’d like to acknowledge my predecessor MPP for Parkdale–High Park, Cheri DiNovo, who was a co-sponsor of a tri-party bill—the first tri-party bill of the Ontario Legislature—to have the Ontario government recognize Holodomor as genocide. Because of your work, we raise awareness about Holodomor by supporting the teaching of Holodomor in our schools. I have had the opportunity to visit various Toronto stops of the Holodomor mobile classroom as part of the Holodomor National Awareness Tour. As a result of the determination of the Ukrainian community, students across the province are engaged and educated about this genocide so that we can remember it for generations to come.

For National Holodomor Awareness Week, I ask that everyone in this House and all Ontarians take the time to learn about Holodomor, take time to remember the victims.

This coming Saturday, the fourth Saturday of November, is national Holodomor Memorial Day. I invite everyone to join the Ukrainian community and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Toronto branch, at the commemorative service at the Holodomor Memorial located at Exhibition Place at 3 p.m. For members back in their home ridings this weekend, attend your local memorial services, and this week visit the memorial at the Princes’ Gates on the Exhibition grounds. The statue serves as a permanent memorial for the victims of Holodomor.

I had the honour of joining the Ukrainian community for the unveiling of the Toronto Holodomor Memorial Parkette. I was moved to hear the experience of survivors and will forever remember their stories.

Speaker, Holodomor was a political choice. As legislators, we must be acutely aware of this and honour our duty to be vigilant and to stand up against hate every time. With National Holodomor Awareness Week, we raise awareness of the horrific genocides of the past by commemorating the victims so that we do not turn away from tyranny—and by raising awareness of genocides of our past, we hope to ensure that similar acts never happen again.

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: It is my honour to stand in the House today, on behalf of the members of the Liberal caucus, to talk about the national Holodomor memorial week. I know that my former colleague Yvan Baker, who fought in this House for recognition in so many ways—I’m thinking of him today. He’s now the MP for Etobicoke Centre.

Close to 400,000 Ontarians can trace their Ukrainian heritage. They make invaluable contributions to the fabric of our province and make Ontario a better place to live. This week, we join with them and Ukrainians around the world in remembering the catastrophic effects of the Holodomor genocide, where millions of Ukrainians lost their lives in a deliberate, sustained and avoidable man-made famine. Today we honour their memory, Speaker.

This year marks the 86th anniversary of the Holodomor, but references to the famine were suppressed in Ukraine and in the USSR until decades later. I’d like to thank the Ukrainian Canadian Congress for their tireless efforts to keep this history alive—and making sure that all Canadians know and remember the Holodomor.

Today, in our schools, we teach about the Holodomor and many other atrocities so that students can learn about the history.

Martin Luther King Jr. said, from his letter in a Birmingham prison, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” This is something that we have to keep in mind, Speaker, when we remember the past.

Most Ontarians have never lived through and will never live through an experience like the Holodomor. It is by listening to the stories of survivors and their descendants that we keep their memories alive and that we remember the Holodomor so that we will never again allow this to happen. Memorials that have been set up here in Toronto, like the Holodomor Memorial Parkette, are places where the community can go to reflect and to remember that this will never happen again—not on our watch.

Motions

Private members’ public business

Hon. Paul Calandra: Speaker, I am seeking unanimous consent to move a motion without notice regarding notice for private members’ public business.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Mr. Calandra is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to move a motion without notice regarding notice for private members’ public business. Agreed? Agreed.

Once again, the government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: I move that notice for ballot item number 85, standing in the name of Mr. Sandhu; ballot item number 86, standing in the name of Mrs. Martin; ballot item number 87, standing in the name of Mr. Nicholls; ballot item number 88, standing in the name of Mrs. Wai; ballot item number 89, standing in the name of Ms. McKenna; and ballot item number 90, standing in the name of Ms. Singh, be waived, on the list drawn on July 11, 2018.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader has moved that notice for ballot item number 85, standing in the name of Mr. Sandhu; ballot item number 86—

M me France Gélinas: Dispense.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Dispense? Dispense.

Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Motion agreed to.

Petitions

Animal protection

Ms. Marit Stiles: It gives me great pleasure to table a petition here in the Legislature entitled “Ontario, Let’s Stop Declawing Now.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the surgical procedure known as declawing (onychectomy) is actually a partial digital amputation (PDA) that is the equivalent of cutting off the tip of a human finger at the first knuckle (cutting through the joint below the nail); and

“Whereas Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) oppose the declawing of domestic cats unless there is a medical reason to do so; and

“Whereas the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) has advised against declawing of domestic cats to protect human health even for the animals of persons who are severely immunocompromised; and

“Whereas the procedure is considered inhumane and is already illegal or only performed under extreme circumstances in eight California cities and the city of Denver and in more than 40 developed countries such as: England, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Portugal, Israel and Spain; and

“Whereas Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta and New Brunswick are the first provinces or states in North America to ban declawing of domestic cats; and

“Whereas scratching is normal cat behaviour and a cat’s primary defence, declawing a cat alters that normal behaviour, causes avoidable acute pain and has the potential of causing behavioural problems (such as biting and litter box avoidance) and chronic pain; and

“Whereas it is estimated that over 20 million domestic cats in North America are declawed every year...;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to immediately enact legislation that bans declawing of cats in the province of Ontario.”

I’m going to hand these over—I’ve got quite a few of them here—to page Lennon to table with the Clerks.

School bus safety

Mr. Mike Harris: I have a petition here to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas the current law in the province of Ontario does not require amber warning lights on school buses as part of an eight-lamp system, despite every other province in Canada requiring their use by law;

“Whereas motorists are educated and experienced with the use of amber lights meaning ‘caution’ and red lights meaning ‘stop’;

“Whereas the current law makes the use of buses from Ontario less safe when travelling out of province or into the United States since motorists in those areas are familiar with amber warning lights;

“Whereas all buses manufactured since 1 January 2005 are equipped with an eight-lamp system which can transition to amber lenses with very little cost;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“That the Highway Traffic Act,

section 175 and regulation 612, be amended to require the use of amber lights as part of an amber and red eight-lamp system in school buses in the province of Ontario and that the amber lenses must be installed in all school buses as soon as practical after coming into law.”

I’ve already affixed my signature to this, and pass it to page Julian to take to the table.

Library services

Ms. Judith Monteith-Farrell: I have a petition here:

“Support Ontario’s public libraries;

“Whereas Ontario Library Service–North and Southern Ontario Library Service provide the support for interlibrary loans, staff and board training, bulk purchasing, collaborative programming, technological supports, a shared electronic book collection and other online resources, and a shared catalogue database used by many libraries;

“We, by signature, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“—for the reinstatement of funding to the Ontario Library Service (north and south) agencies to, at minimum, the 2017-18 funding levels, in order for these agencies to continue their day-to-day support of Ontario public library services; and

“—to continue to maintain base funding for Ontario public libraries.”

I will affix my signature to this and give it to page Lennon to bring to the Clerk.

Member’s comments

Mrs. Gila Martow: I have a petition from B’nai Brith of Canada League for Human Rights.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the PFLP is responsible for the gruesome murders of Canadian Lonna Sabbah and Ontarian Howie Rothman, as well as the heinous murders of countless innocent civilians from various nationalities, including children;

“Whereas the member for Ottawa Centre recently demanded the release of senior PLFM member Khalida Jarrar, who was convicted in Israel in 2015 for incitement and promoting terrorist acts, and rearrested in October under suspicion of involvement in terrorist activity;

“Whereas the member for Ottawa Centre referred to Jarrar as his ‘parliamentary colleague,’ and refused requests by B’nai Brith Canada to disavow her role in this terrorist group;

“Whereas the Ontario NDP has stated that it ‘denounces terrorism in any form’;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“To demand that the member for Ottawa Centre publicly apologize for his statements, disavow Khalida Jarrar for her involvement in the terrorist group PFLP, and denounce terrorism as a legitimate means of negotiation.”

Of course, I affix my signature and give it to page Filip.

Documents gouvernementaux

M me France Gélinas: J’aimerais remercier M. Réal Audet de mon comté, qui est bien tanné de se faire appeler « Real » et qui aimerait bien ça avoir un « é » sur son nom.

« Alors qu’il est important d’avoir le nom exact des personnes sur les cartes émises par le gouvernement, tels la carte santé ou le permis de conduire;

« Alors que plusieurs personnes francophones ont des accents dans l’épellation de leur nom;

« Alors que le ministère des Transports et le ministère de la Santé ont » tous deux « confirmé que le système informatique de l’Ontario ne permet pas l’enregistrement des lettres avec des accents; »

J’appuie cette pétition, monsieur le Président. Je vais la signer, et je vais demander à Clara de l’amener à la table des greffiers.

Access to personal health records

Mrs. Gila Martow: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004, currently allows health information custodians to charge a fee that does not exceed the prescribed amount or the amount of reasonable cost recovery, where no amount is prescribed; and

“Whereas given no amount has been prescribed, the amount of ‘reasonable cost recovery’ has been left to the discretion of health information custodians; and

“Whereas in 2006 the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care proposed a regulation for fee enforcement under subsection 54(11) of the act; and

“Whereas in 2008 the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario submitted a recommendation for amendment of the act to include enactment of a fee regulation that is substantially similar to the regulation drafted by the ministry in 2006; and

“Whereas the IPCO’s recommendation is based on the numerous complaints from members of the public about fees charged by health information custodians for access to personal health records; and

“Whereas health information custodians continue to charge exorbitant fees for access to personal health records, against the recommendation of the IPCO; and

“Whereas the Center for Patient Protection recently cited this as one of the most common public complaints; and

“Whereas inaccessible fees continue to (1) be widespread barriers to access of personal health records; (2) cause undue hardship and stress to the public; and (3), inundate a tribunal that could otherwise allocate its resources to other matters.

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“That the government of Ontario enact the ministry’s 2006 fee regulation so as to enable hassle-free access to personal health records, as well as transparency and accountability at health care institutions.”

Of course, I affix my signature and give it to page Alexandra.

Equal opportunity

Ms. Suze Morrison: I have a petition entitled “Don’t Take Away Social and Economic Rights for Women and Marginalized People.” It reads:

“Whereas Bill 47 erased many of the legislative gains achieved through Bill 148, the fairer labour laws and working conditions that had a particularly positive impact on women and marginalized people;

“Whereas statistics show that women, particularly women of colour, are most likely to be employed in precarious work, and the Bill 47 amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and Labour Relations Act, 1995 create conditions that lead to a growth in precarious employment while also eliminating protections for millions of Ontario workers;

“Whereas Bill 66 further erodes women’s and marginalized people’s social and economic rights; and

“Whereas the” Conservative “government continues to remove, cancel or freeze funding for other supports, programs and regulations that would increase women’s equality in the workforce and beyond;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to, at the very least:

“—reinstate paid sick days,” and the scheduled $15 minimum wage;

“—reverse changes to daycare regulations that allow more children per caregiver;

“—reverse the retroactive cuts to funding for the Ontario College of Midwives;

“—reinstate funding increases to sexual assault centres;

“—restore the round table on violence against women; and

“—restore the child and youth advocate commissioner’s office.”

I fully endorse this petition which was shared with us by the Ontario Federation of Labour. I will be affixing my signature to it and providing it to page Luba to deliver to the table.

Fish and wildlife management

Mr. Will Bouma: I’m going to read in a petition.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the ban on hunting and trapping in sections of Ontario to protect the eastern hybrid wolf was put in place without regard for the overall ecosystem;

“Whereas this ban has adversely affected the ability of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), hunters and trappers to properly manage animal populations and Ontario’s ecosystem;

“Whereas this ban is no longer needed and is in fact causing more damage to Ontario’s ecosystem and increasing unnecessary encounters between wildlife and Ontarians;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“That the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry immediately lift the ban on hunting and trapping set in place to protect the eastern hybrid wolf.”

I fully support this petition and will be signing my name to it and giving it to page Laura.

Affordable housing

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I have a petition on affordable housing signed by hundreds of residents of London West. It reads:

“Whereas for families throughout much of Ontario, owning a home they can afford remains a dream, while renting is painfully expensive;

“Whereas consecutive Conservative and Liberal governments have sat idle, while housing costs spiralled out of control, speculators made fortunes, and too many families had to put their hopes on hold;

“Whereas every Ontarian should have access to safe, affordable housing. Whether a family wants to rent or own, live in a house, an apartment, a condominium or a co-op, they should have affordable options;”

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to immediately prioritize the repair of Ontario’s social housing stock, commit to building new affordable homes, crack down on housing speculators, and make rentals more affordable through rent controls and updated legislation.”

I fully support this petition and will affix my name and give it to page Mathias to take to the table.

Addiction services

Mr. Dave Smith: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas currently Peterborough city and county has seen a major increase in the amount of opioid-related overdoses, poisonings, and deaths;

“Whereas in Ontario and across the country it has been deemed that there is a current opioid crisis; and

“Whereas Peterborough currently does not have a consumption and treatment site to help in the reduction of overdoses and deaths in the area;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“Work to put forward an application for a treatment and consumption services site to follow the mandatory services, such as:

“

a) supervised drug consumption (injection, intranasal, oral) and overdose prevention services;

“

b) on-site or defined pathways to addiction treatment services;

“

c) on-site or defined pathways to wraparound services: primary care, mental health, housing, other social supports;

“

d) provide proper harm reduction services such as education, first aid/wound care, distribution and safe disposal of needles, and provision of naloxone and oxygen;

“

e) removal of any discarded harm reduction supplies around the consumption and treatment area;

“

f) support ongoing discussions to address local community and neighbourhood concerns on an ongoing basis.”

I’ll sign my name to this petition and give it to page Suhani.

Climate change

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: “Ontario Must Cease the Appeal of the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act Immediately.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas climate change is a public health emergency requiring action from all levels of government;

“Whereas Premier Ford and the Conservative government are not taking sufficient measures to address greenhouse gas pollution;

“Whereas a legal challenge to the federal carbon pricing scheme is a wasteful use of taxpayer dollars;

“Whereas Ontarian voters elected a federal government that supports climate pricing;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“That the Premier of Ontario and the Attorney General of Ontario cease their pursuit of a Supreme Court appeal of the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act.”

I will sign the petition and give it to page Laura.

Orders of the Day

Provincial Animal Welfare Ser