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March 6, 2023

43rd Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2023-Mar-06 vol. A (PDF)

L049A - Mon 6 Mar 2023 / Lun 6 mar 2023

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 6 March 2023 Lundi 6 mars 2023

Members’ Statements

Housing

Natural gas rates

Wellington Heights Secondary School senior girls volleyball team

Ancaster Community Food Drive

City of Cambridge

Women’s health and safety

Agri-food industry

Questions relatives aux femmes

Hazel McCallion

Rare diseases

Introduction of Visitors

Independent members

Question Period

Autism treatment

Mental health and addiction services

Mental health and addiction services

Paramedic workplace safety

Children’s mental health services

Public transit

Anti-racism activities

Education funding

Firefighters

Children’s mental health services

University and college funding

Mental health and addiction services

Crime prevention

Mental health and addiction services

Visitor

Deferred Votes

Reducing Inefficiencies Act (Infrastructure Statute Law Amendments), 2023 / Loi de 2023 sur la réduction des inefficacités (modifiant des lois sur les infrastructures)

Cancer screening

Introduction of Bills

Supporting Ontario’s Community, Rural and Agricultural Newspapers Act, 2023 / Loi de 2023 sur le soutien aux journaux communautaires, ruraux et agricoles de l’Ontario

Missing Persons Amendment Act, 2023 / Loi de 2023 modifiant la

Loi sur les personnes disparues

Motions

Concurrence in supply

House sittings

Petitions

Probation and parole services

Social assistance

Social assistance

Opposition Day

Mental health services / Services de santé mentale

Orders of the Day

Less Red Tape, Stronger Ontario Act, 2023 / Loi de 2023 visant à réduire les formalités administratives pour un Ontario plus fort

The House met at 1015.

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

Prayers.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I want to acknowledge that we are meeting on lands traditionally inhabited by Indigenous peoples. We pay our respects to the many Indigenous nations who have gathered here, and continue to gather here, including the Mississaugas of the Credit. Meegwetch.

This being the first sitting Monday of the month, I ask everyone to join with me in the singing of the Canadian national anthem, followed by the royal anthem.

Singing of the national anthem / Chant de l’hymne national.

Singing of the royal anthem / Chant de l’hymne royal.

Members’ Statements

Housing

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: Like the rest of the province, Niagara is in a housing crisis and our government is taking bold action to fix this. We’re considering every possible option to get more homes built faster so that young families and newcomers in Niagara can find a home that meets their needs and their budget.

Last year, the people of Ontario re-elected a PC government under the leadership of Premier Doug Ford with a mandate to get 1.5 million homes built over the next 10 years. As hundreds of thousands of newcomers a year arrive in our province, we need to take action to ensure that there are homes being built for them and for all Ontarians.

Bill 23 addresses Ontario’s housing supply crisis. Those who say no to Bill 23 and building the new homes needed in our province must recognize the harmful cost of their opposition. The social harm of abandoning the future generations and millions of new Canadians to a housing crisis which has already impacted the social determinants of health, like poverty, stability and mental health, is something that we cannot accept.

Bill 23 takes transformational action to solve the housing crisis. It gives young families and new Canadians the hope to achieve the dream of home ownership. It helps local charities and community organizations build affordable and not-for-profit housing by reducing development charges for these crucial builds.

Our government is going to continue standing up for every young family in Ontario and in Niagara hoping to get into the housing market. We’re building more homes, creating more housing opportunities and ensuring every newcomer and young family in Ontario and Niagara can realize the dream of home ownership.

Natural gas rates

Ms. Peggy Sattler: Carol Brisseau is a retired London West senior who lives with her adult son on ODSP. They are one of many London West families struggling to afford skyrocketing natural gas bills. Carol doesn’t know how she will afford to heat her home and worries she may have to leave retirement and find a job to avoid her utilities being cut off.

Families like Carol’s are facing an affordability crisis like never before, but this Premier seems more intent on allowing mega-mansions to be built on the greenbelt than in helping people afford basic necessities like food, housing and utilities. This Premier’s rubber-stamping of gas rate increases has meant a doubling of Enbridge gas prices in the last two years and left families at the mercy of price-gouging energy companies and volatile energy markets.

The NDP stands with Ontarians in calling for immediate relief from the rising cost of natural gas. The government should be providing financial assistance to help people struggling to heat their homes. They should be bringing back and expanding rent control. They should be doubling social assistance rates. They should be taking on greedy corporations that are using the guise of inflation to gouge. And they should be funding aggressive energy conservation programs that will help people stay warm and comfortable while cutting back on use.

Will we see these measures in this year’s provincial budget? Speaker, Londoners like Carol will be watching.

Wellington Heights Secondary School senior girls volleyball team

Mr. Matthew Rae: It’s my pleasure to rise in this place to recognize the Wellington Heights senior girls volleyball team. For the first time in their history, the senior girls volleyball team captured the district 4 championship. After losing the first set of the semifinal match against Norwell, the Wolverines battled back, taking the next three straight sets to win. They would go on to beat Westside Secondary in the final to take the district 4 senior girls volleyball championship and earn a spot at the CWOSSA tournament. At CWOSSA, they made it all the way to the semifinals before losing a hard-fought battle with Delhi District Secondary School, ultimately placing third in the tournament.

I want to personally congratulate the entire team on winning the district 4 senior girls volleyball championship and making history. You should all be very proud of each other and your accomplishments and your showing at CWOSSA. Thank you to coach Kosempel and coach Barnard for your supporting this amazing team on their journey. Thank you to the entire community for cheering on your Wolverines. Go, Wolverines!

Ancaster Community Food Drive

Ms. Sandy Shaw: After two years of virtual campaigns, the Ancaster Community Food Drive is back and better than ever. The food drive celebrated its 30-plus-one-year anniversary this past Saturday, and the snowstorm did not slow anyone down. A community of more than 400 volunteers went door to door to collect donations and returned to the Ancaster Fairgrounds, where a mountain of food was weighed, sorted and packed.

The food was then loaded onto trucks to deliver to those fantastic agencies that provide emergency food services to the families and the most vulnerable in our community: Ancaster Community Services, the Good Shepherd Centre, Hamilton Food Share, Mission Services of Hamilton, Neighbour to Neighbour, St. Matthew’s House, the Salvation Army and Wesley Urban Ministries. We thank you for your service.

It was a pleasure to be there with many, many volunteers, local businesses, service clubs and schools, including players from the Ancaster Avalanche minor hockey team. Kudos once again to Jim LoPresti, Tom Ippolito, Jan Lukas, Betty Kobayashi and all the members of the community food drive committee.

We know that the most wonderful magic happens when volunteers come together. It is the power of many hands uniting in a single purpose. Despite the significant snowfall, a collective effort brought the total food collected over the 31 years to 1,970,000 pounds. We can count on it that at the same time next year, the Ancaster Community Food Drive will hit their next milestone, which will be two million pounds of food donated. Thank you very much for your work.

City of Cambridge

Mr. Brian Riddell: This morning I want to share with you a story about my riding, the city of Cambridge, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The city of Cambridge was established on January 1, 1973, when the former communities of Galt, Preston, Hespeler and Blair were amalgamated. Together, we have grown to become one big, caring city and community, along with some lifelong residents like myself clinging to our municipal roots. Yes, I am from Cambridge, but if you ask me, I will tell you I’m from Galt. It’s the same with people from Hespeler and Blair and Preston.

It’s a constant and often comical theme of conversations that are still held to this day. Yes, 50 years later we still take pride in the geographical part of our city that we grew up in, but we have come together to become a prosperous city, with rich architectural heritage, walking trails that are the envy of visitors, and countless arts and cultural celebrations.

Cambridge is one of the fastest-growing and strongest-growing economies in Canada. I am proud to say it is a popular destination for film productions such as Bitten, Murdoch Mysteries and The Handmaid’s Tale. It’s not uncommon to see film crews and well-known actors milling around one of the three downtown cores while fans line the streets for a glimpse of excitement.

The 50th birthday celebration for Cambridge kicked off a winter levee at the city hall last month that will continue throughout the year, with art exhibitions, public events, photography contests and restaurant promotions. If you haven’t been to Cambridge, it’s time you did. You will be glad you did. Happy birthday, Cambridge.

Women’s health and safety

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: I rise today to commemorate International Women’s Day. While there will be time to reflect on the accomplishments of women, I want to make sure that we are all laser-focused on women’s safety and women’s health, especially as the provincial budget will be coming forward in a few weeks.

I call on the members of this chamber to press for real action to ensure women are prioritized in this budget. We are seven months removed from the Renfrew county inquest, which made 86 recommendations to the province to ensure we protect women and children against violence and femicide. Over half of those recommendations are without a provincial response. Ontario can do better. We all know rising inflation and interest rates mean more gendered implications for quality of life, well-being and access to basic needs.

Almost a year ago, my colleague responded to this by proposing that Ontario should offer universal contraception for women, something British Columbia announced they will be doing in this year’s budget. Ontario can do better. We can make a difference for women through this budget, ensuring the organizations that work to keep them safe are funded and women get the support they need.

I would like to see us celebrate women this week not by looking backward, but by looking forward, by working together to ensure we create a budget in Ontario that makes women’s health an economic priority.

Agri-food industry

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: On Saturday, February 25, I was pleased to host a farmer appreciation breakfast at the Richmond Memorial Community Centre in my riding of Carleton to recognize the hard work that farmers do in my riding to contribute to Ontario’s success. Farmers feed families, farmers feed Ontario, and Carleton is home to some of our province’s best.

I was also pleased to host the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to the riding and discuss what our government is doing to get it done for farmers in Carleton and across Ontario. With the release of the Grow Ontario Strategy, our government is strengthening the agri-food sector and ensuring an efficient, reliable and responsible food supply network through new innovation. Our plan will also increase both the consumption and production of food grown and prepared in Ontario by 30%, increase Ontario’s food and beverage manufacturing GDP by 10%, and boost Ontario’s agri-food exports 8% annually by 2032.

Moreover, just last week, our government negotiated a sustainable Canadian agricultural partnership for Ontario that will see upwards of $1.77 billion in support for the agri-food sector over the life of the agreement. Over $569 million will be invested in strategic initiatives, which is a 25% increase over the previous funding agreement.

Mr. Speaker, our farmers play an invaluable role in this province. They are the reliable providers of so many different safe, high-quality and delicious foods we all enjoy. Let’s give our thanks to the hard-working farmers of Carleton and across this province.

Questions relatives aux femmes

M me Lucille Collard: C’est le Mois de la Francophonie et cette semaine nous soulignons aussi la Journée internationale des femmes.

La semaine dernière, j’ai eu l’opportunité de travailler dans un cadre qui combinait ces deux thèmes, soit la francophonie et les femmes. Ainsi, j’ai participé à la réunion du réseau des femmes de l’assemblée des parlementaires francophones. Ce fut une expérience des plus enrichissantes de représenter l’Ontario à cette conférence qui rassemblait des représentants de plusieurs pays, dont la Côte d’Ivoire, le Niger, la Roumanie, la France, la Belgique, la Nouvelle-Calédonie, le Cambodge, le Cameroun et le Maroc, qui était l’hôte de ce rassemblement.

Les discussions approfondies que nous avons eues ont certes révélé que le Canada et l’Ontario ont fait des progrès sur les questions importantes telles que le harcèlement, la discrimination basée sur le sexe et la place des femmes au Parlement. En tant que chef de file, l’Ontario doit continuer d’avancer dans les domaines importants comme la traite de personnes, qui est malheureusement une réalité partout dans le monde.

Il y a deux semaines, cette Assemblée a voté en faveur du projet de loi 41, qui, si adopté, pourrait mieux soutenir les survivantes de la traite de personnes ici en Ontario. J’espère que tous les membres de cette Assemblée feront le nécessaire pour assurer que ce projet de loi important reçoive rapidement la sanction royale.

À toutes les femmes et tous les Franco-Ontariens, je souhaite une semaine et un mois de réflexion sur comment nous pouvons ensemble trouver des solutions à nos défis.

Hazel McCallion

Mr. Sheref Sabawy: On January 29, Mississauga residents and Ontarians throughout the province were devastated to learn of the passing of our beloved former mayor Hazel McCallion. She was a selfless and humble public servant, a fearless leader, a wise mentor and a good friend to me. When Hazel McCallion was elected mayor in 1978, the vast majority of my riding of Erin Mills was farmland. Over the subsequent 36 years, the great Hurricane Hazel oversaw a mass transformation of the city of Mississauga. She built homes and hospitals.

She supported businesses and local communities, and as a member of the Coptic and Egyptian community, I would like to thank her for her tremendous support to all communities in Mississauga.

She never gave up on her vision for a bigger and better city. Even during her last weeks, Hazel McCallion was a fierce advocate for Ontarians, publicly supporting this government’s housing plan. On Thursday, I attended an announcement at Credit Valley Hospital in my riding, the same hospital that Hazel opened in 1985. We were there to celebrate a $75-million donation. Thank you to Blair Wolk and the Orlando Corp. for supporting our vision of an accessible health care system.

Mr. Speaker, we owe it to Mayor McCallion’s legacy to continue following in her footsteps: investing in transit infrastructure, such as the Hazel McCallion Line; supporting the construction of more homes; attracting investment and businesses; and taking meaningful action to make life easier and more affordable for all Ontarians.

On behalf of my constituents in Mississauga–Erin Mills, I would like to thank the late Hazel McCallion for her enduring service to our community and her family for sharing her with us.

Rare diseases

Mr. Brian Saunderson: On February 28, we celebrated Rare Disease Day in Ontario and internationally, and I want to recognize two hard-working constituents from my riding of Simcoe–Grey: Beth and Madi Vanstone from Beeton, Ontario. For over 10 years, the Vanstones have been coming to Queen’s Park advocating for people living with cystic fibrosis.

Through their dedication, perseverance and advocacy, our government was the first province in Canada to expand coverage for Trikafta to include all Ontarians aged six and over through our publicly funded medical drug program. This transformational medication has built on the effectiveness of predecessor medications Orkambi and Kalydeco to improve the quality, health, and length of the lives of people afflicted with cystic fibrosis right here in Ontario.

One in every 3,600 children born in Canada has cystic fibrosis, and there is still no cure. More than 4,300 Canadian children, youth and adults with cystic fibrosis attend specialized CF clinics today.

I was happy to meet the Vanstones last week for Rare Disease Day to discuss the need for a rare disease strategy in Ontario. I recognize there is more work to do, and I look forward to continuing working with Beth and Madi and other stakeholders and the members of this House to ensure that life-saving medications for rare diseases are available to all Ontarians.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you. Once again, I will remind members that statements are to be 90 seconds in length.

Introduction of Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): We have with us in the Speaker’s gallery a very special guest, the Honourable Anthony Rota, Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada. Please join me in warmly welcoming Speaker Rota to the Legislature.

I also wish to welcome one of my constituents, Melanie Frazer from Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce, who is with us here today. Welcome, Melanie. It’s great to have you here.

Mr. Will Bouma: I’d like to welcome the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant, David Prang, to the people’s House. It’s good to see you today, my friend.

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: I’d like to welcome Laura-Jane Benoit and her colleagues from Ontario Autism Coalition to Queen’s Park. As well, I would like to thank and welcome two students from Brock University, St. Catharines—my hometown—Sydney Sloane and Xavier Alexy. Welcome to your House and thank you. Go, Badgers, go!

Mr. Adil Shamji: I’d like to welcome the Ontario Autism Coalition today and specifically Alina Cameron, Bruce McIntosh, Jannet Da Rocha, Tony Stravato and all of the families who are here today. Welcome and thank you.

Hon. Victor Fedeli: In addition to welcoming my MP, Anthony Rota, to the House, I also want to welcome our friends from local chambers all across Ontario and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

Ms. Marit Stiles: I’m very happy to be able to welcome members of the Ontario Autism Coalition—families, even some young people here today, but especially Kate Dudley-Logue and Tony Stravato, who are both vice-presidents of the Ontario Autism Coalition, and Bruce McIntosh, who is also vice-president and founding president.

I’m also happy to welcome so many members of chambers from across this province and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce for their advocacy day today and especially CEO and president, Rocco Rossi.

Finally, last but not least, I’m very happy to welcome all of those representatives from the OPSEU corrections division who are here today, including OPSEU president, JP Hornick.

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: I’d like to introduce Laura and Matt Langford, parents of today’s page captain, Harry Langford. Right after question period, I’m going to have lunch with the page captain and his mother, who was a page here a number of years ago.

Mr. John Vanthof: I’d also like to welcome Anthony Rota. Just to confuse people, he’s also my MP.

I’d also like to welcome the OPSEU corrections division—it’s their lobby day today—specifically, the MERC chair, Chad Oldfield; the vice-chair, Janet Laverty; and their health and safety commission: Ryan Graham, Peter Figliola, Adam Cygler, Denise Sidsworth, Scott McIntyre, Joely Price, Mike Lundy and all the other people here to show us what it’s like in Ontario today.

Ms. Bobbi Ann Brady: I’d like to welcome Alma and Peter Scovil from the beautiful town of Waterford in my riding of Haldimand–Norfolk. Alma and Peter are here this morning to watch their granddaughter, Lindsay Matheson, who is a page in the House. Welcome, and all the best to Lindsay.

Mr. Rudy Cuzzetto: Today, I would like to welcome my son Joey Cuzzetto and the students from the Queens University mining engineering department, who are here for the PDAC convention. These are the engineers of the future who will unleash the power of our mining industry here in Ontario. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: It gives me great pleasure to welcome Graham Henderson, the CEO of the London Chamber of Commerce, who is here for the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s Queen’s Park advocacy day. They will be hosting a reception at 5:30 in room 228. I hope all MPPs can join them.

Mr. Mike Schreiner: I’d like to welcome everyone from the Ontario Autism Coalition who I had breakfast with this morning.

I’d also like to welcome everyone from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, with a special shout-out to Shakiba Shayani, the president and CEO of the Guelph chamber.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: I would like to welcome, from the beautiful riding of Dufferin–Caledon, two friends who are here in the chamber today: Diana Morris, the executive director of the Dufferin Board of Trade, and good friend Doug Harkness, who I think is the current president.

Mr. Joel Harden: I’m just joining the chorus of massive thanks to all the autism advocates who are in the gallery. I’m not going to name you all, but you’re all beautiful. Thank you for the work you do for our children.

M me Dawn Gallagher Murphy: I’d like to welcome Téah U-Ming from the Ontario Legislature Internship Program, who is starting with me today.

I’d also like to welcome, because I see them there, from my riding, Newmarket–Aurora, from the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, president Sandra Ferri and board chair, Al Wilson. Welcome to the chamber.

Mr. Mike Harris: I, too, would like to welcome a good friend of mine, all the way from my hometown of North Bay, Ontario, the Speaker of the House of Commons and the member of Parliament for Nipissing–Timiskaming, Anthony Rota. Welcome.

Miss Monique Taylor: It is always my pleasure to welcome the autism families who are here from across the province and who are watching at home. Thank you for the press conference this morning and for hosting breakfast. This is your House. Hopefully, they’re listening.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): You can’t have political statements in introductions.

Member for Cambridge.

Mr. Brian Riddell: I’d like to welcome, from the chamber of commerce in Cambridge, Greg Durocher and his friend who he’s brought, Kristen Danson. Welcome.

M me France Gélinas: I would like to welcome Sara Kitlar-Pothier, who is from Nickel Belt. She is the vice-president of the northern region of the Ontario Autism Coalition. Welcome, Sara.

Mr. Andrew Dowie: I’d like to recognize a great friend and supporter of Windsor–Essex, the CEO of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce, Rakesh Naidu, who is with us today. Thank you, Rakesh, for being here.

Ms. Jennifer K. French: I’m glad to also welcome the folks from corrections, specifically those that I will be meeting with today: Leanne White, Jenny Diplacido, Richard Jeronimo and Stryder McCormack. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Also, as we’ve had Tony Stravato already welcomed, I won’t do it again. Hi, Tony. And welcome to Peter Garrett from Durham College, who I see sitting in the gallery.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): If there are no objections, I would like to continue with the introduction of visitors.

The Minister of Colleges and Universities.

Hon. Jill Dunlop: It’s great to see the Queen’s mining engineering students here today for PDAC. I would like to introduce Jonah Odlozinski from my riding of Simcoe North. Great to see you here, Jonah.

MPP Jamie West: I’d like to welcome Peter Harding and his colleagues from Sudbury from OPSEU youth corrections.

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: I also would like to acknowledge Peter Garrett from Durham College in Durham, Rocco Rossi from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and all the members from various chambers of commerce around the province and the boards of trades, and a little bit of shout-out to Nicole Gibson, the former head of the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade, and her colleagues, including Glen McFarland. Thank you to all the businesses across Ontario who make this province terrific.

MPP Lise Vaugeois: I would like to welcome Sara Kitlar-Pothier and Alina Cameron, both northern representatives from the Ontario Autism Coalition. Alina lives in Slate River Valley, which is just outside of Thunder Bay, and she’s watching this online this morning. Welcome, both of you.

Mr. Robert Bailey: I’d like to welcome today—I know it’s been mentioned before—on behalf of the Solicitor General and myself, J.P. Hornick, the president of OPSEU; Chad Oldfield, chair of the OPSEU bargaining unit; and also Joel Bissonette, from Sarnia corrections from my hometown. Thank you, and welcome to all of you.

Ms. Doly Begum: I also would like to welcome the members of the OPSEU corrections officers team here to the House, more specifically Bill Hayes, Mike Lundy and Janet Laverty, who I had the chance to meet with this morning. Thank you so much, and welcome to the House.

Hon. Kinga Surma: I was really hoping they would be in the gallery. I have students and staff here at Queen’s Park from St. Demetrius. I just want to express my sincere gratitude to both the students and staff. St. Demitrius school alone has taken in 170 children from Ukraine and have welcomed them in Etobicoke Centre, so my sincere gratitude.

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: I’d like to welcome Laura McIntosh and Catherine Vanett, as well as Michau van Speyk from the Ontario Autism Coalition. Thank you very much for those insightful conversations this morning and that very delicious breakfast.

I also want to extend my congratulations and thank you to JP Hornick, the president of OPSEU, as well as the correctional officers and the leaders from OPSEU that I met this morning: Rhonda Slaven, Ronald Lavigne and Johanna Sinclair. And a very warm, special welcome to Rocco Rossi, a friend and mentor from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. I hope you’re in the House. I can’t see you, but welcome.

Hon. Doug Downey: I would like to welcome Mortgage Professionals Canada, and Susan Thomas in particular, back to Queen’s Park, and Paul Markle and Salim Bardai with the Barrie Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Vincent Ke: I’m delighted to welcome representatives from Mortgage Professionals Canada. They are Lauren van den Berg, president and CEO, and board chair Veronica Love, along with other board members.

I’m also happy to introduce my nephew, Scot Sun, an international student at Rochester university in the United States. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Parm Gill: I want to welcome all members of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, also Milton’s new chamber president and CEO, Bianca Caramento, along with our former chamber president and CEO, Scott McCammon.

Ms. Jess Dixon: I’d also like to extend my welcome to Kristen Danson and Greg Durocher from the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, as well as the representatives from the Christian Labour Association of Canada, whose beautiful and very functional head office is located in my riding of Kitchener South–Hespeler. Thank you so much for coming.

Hon. David Piccini: I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce CEO Brenda Whitehead. Welcome to Queen’s Park. It’s great to have you.

Hon. Kaleed Rasheed: I would like to welcome the son of late former mayor Hazel McCallion, Peter McCallion, to Queen’s Park. Welcome. Your mother was a champion. Thank you.

Ms. Sandy Shaw: I’d like to introduce and welcome to Queen’s Park members from OPSEU: Mike Cranley, Adam Manlow, Paula Van Dusen, Sean MacCormack. Thank you very much for your service and welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Sheref Sabawy: I would like to welcome Peter McCallion, the son of Hazel McCallion. He was here today. Thank you for joining us today for my member’s statement about Hurricane Hazel.

Hon. Graydon Smith: I wanted to welcome Norah Fountain and Viktoria Hamma from the Muskoka Lakes Chamber of Commerce to Queen’s Park. Thank you.

Mrs. Daisy Wai: I’d like to welcome the president and CEO of the Richmond Hill Board of Trade as well as Rocco Rossi, the president of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. Thank you for all your support for non-profit appreciation week.

Independent members

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Ottawa–Vanier has a point of order.

M me Lucille Collard: Mr. Speaker, I am seeking unanimous consent that, notwithstanding standing order 45(b)(iv), the time for debate on opposition day motion number 2 be allocated as follows: 54 minutes to each of the recognized parties and 12 minutes to the independent members as a group.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Madame Collard is seeking unanimous consent of the House that, notwithstanding standing order 45(b)(iv), the time for debate on opposition day motion number 2 be allocated as follows: 54 minutes to each of the recognized parties and 12 minutes to the independent members as a group. Agreed? Agreed.

Question Period

Autism treatment

Ms. Marit Stiles: Good morning, Speaker. This question is for the Premier. Today, the public galleries are full of people who have come here to advocate for core services for autistic kids. They have come here to remind the government that right now, there are over 60,000 autistic children on the growing wait-list. They have come to hold the government to its promise to clear the backlog.

Speaker, my question is to the Premier. Will this government finally provide the funding needed to get these kids off the wait-list and into the services they need?

Interjections.

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

To reply for the government, the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Just the fact that we have doubled the funding, that we have five times more children receiving services than at any time under the previous Liberal government—and let’s be clear, when we came to office, we understood that the old program under the Liberal government had little prospect for delivering services to 75% of the children who were waiting. That’s why we have doubled the funding. That’s why we have created a comprehensive program that is created by the autism community for the autism community. It’s why we’ve expanded beyond the ABA services.

It’s why we have added in—and we heard people: They wanted speech-language pathology; they wanted occupational therapy; they wanted mental health services. We have done that. We have launched foundational family services, the Entry to School Program, caregiver-mediated early years programs, and core clinical services as well. That’s why we built AccessOAP to support families through every step of the journey with care coordinators.

We’re already seeing results: Over 40,000 children are receiving supports today, almost five times more—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you.

The supplementary question.

Ms. Marit Stiles: Mr. Speaker, this government’s words don’t hold any weight with these families that are here with us today because it doesn’t match their reality—not one bit. The wait-list has more than doubled since the Conservative government came into power. Children are waiting a minimum of four years for any kind of services or even assessment—four years that can make all the difference for that child’s quality of life. And this government is sitting on almost $6.5 billion, unspent.

Back to the Premier: You promised to fix the autism program. Will you make good on your promise and clear the wait-list?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: That’s exactly why we expanded the diagnostic hubs. Unfortunately, the opposition sitting across from me has not supported those in its vote. It voted against it. Our government is the one that is providing the services, creating the program—a world-leading program. The previous Liberal government promised results and only delivered support to 25% of the children. As of January, every child in the program had been invited to enrol with AccessOAP. It’s our government that is creating this world-leading program. We have created AccessOAP.

We have been reaching out to families through emails, through phone calls, through letters to make sure that people are aware of the registration process for AccessOAP. This is a comprehensive program created by the autism community for the autism community, and we’re implementing it.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: It’s astonishing that this government never admits the problem, never even acknowledges it. More than 60,000 children are waiting for core services. That is nothing to be proud of. For context, that’s 2,500 classrooms of children; think of it that way.

You want to know the real story? Here’s the real story: By last August, this government had registered fewer than 900 kids for support. At this rate, it’s going to take 66 years just to clear the existing backlog. None of us are going to be here in 66 years. The families here today have come to Queen’s Park from across the province to tell their stories, to be heard, to demand change after this government’s shocking failure to support autistic children. They deserve real accountability. But only one Conservative MPP has agreed to meet with them. Thank you, Speaker.

My question is to the Premier and to his government. Will you meet with these families?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I think I need to point out that I am no longer in caucus with the government side. I am impartial.

The response?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: We knew that the program for autism that we inherited from the previous government, supported by the NDP, was not a program that was serving families as it needed to do. That’s why we built a new program. That’s why we listened at town halls across the province to make sure that we understood. That’s why we created different streams: foundational family services, caregiver-mediated early years programs, Entry to School program, urgent response services.

We listened. People wanted mental health services. They wanted speech therapy. They wanted occupational therapy. We listened, and we put that into the program. We created AccessOAP so that it would be an independent intake organization that would help families navigate with care coordinators. This is a needs-based program based on domains of need. It allows families to have their own unique needs addressed. This is a program that is world-leading, that has never been done before that we understand or researched. It is based on research and clinical evidence, and we’ll continue to implement this important program.

Mental health and addiction services

Ms. Marit Stiles: I have another important question, but I just want to say it’s disgraceful that this government will not meet with the families that are here today. You know what? Five years you’ve been in this office. It’s your mess now.

Under this government’s watch, the mental health crisis facing Ontario has also only gotten worse. We’ve proposed a solution that would make a real difference in people’s lives: reduce the wait-list for children’s mental health care, invest in improved crisis response, expand therapy access and boost community mental health care. We’ve put forward an opposition motion for debate this afternoon for an 8% emergency stabilization investment in community mental health care.

My question is to the Premier: Will he support our motion?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: Thank you for that question. Our government takes mental health in the province of Ontario very seriously. I’m the first minister appointed to look after mental health and addictions issues in the province. We came up with a Roadmap to Wellness, which is a basic plan, a foundational document that looks after lifespans. It looks after investments required for children and youth, for adults, for seniors, for people with addictions and concurrent disorders. We backed it with a $525-million-a-year plan, $3.8 billion over 10 years.

Seeing the crisis, another $90 million in February of last year was invested to create 400 treatment beds, which is the equivalent of 7,000 treatment spots throughout the province of Ontario—not just in southern Ontario, everywhere in the province of Ontario.

Mr. Speaker, the investments continue. When we speak about the investments that have been made with respect to mobile crisis intervention teams, over $40 million has been put in place to create low-barrier access for individuals needing supports. So yes, investment—

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

Supplementary question?

Ms. Marit Stiles: The minister talks about the Roadmap to Wellness. It’s a road map to nowhere right now, I’ll tell you. We are in a mental health crisis in every community in this province, but in Indigenous, northern and rural communities, the government is not even trying to pretend; they’re just failing, miserably. We’ve got epidemic rates of suicide, homelessness, addiction.

The Canadian Mental Health Association shows skyrocketing demand for their services, but in Algoma they’re only getting a 2% increase in base funding over the past 10 years—2%. In Kenora, they got just 2% over the last 22 years. They need an 8% emergency stabilization investment today.

My question, again to the Premier—you’re sitting on $6.4 billion, unspent—will he support our motion this afternoon to provide that 8% emergency funding?

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: Mr. Speaker, once again I reiterate: The province of Ontario, this government, is making substantial, unprecedented investments throughout the province of Ontario to assist anyone in need.

For instance, you mentioned Indigenous communities. Indigenous communities are a focus of the work that we’re doing, providing land-based healing opportunities to allow Indigenous communities to look after the needs of the people in their communities.

In rural and remote communities, we’re investing in mobile health units to allow individuals access to care which they may not otherwise get, given the fact that there are large distances to travel. We continue to make investments and work with all service providers in the province of Ontario to ensure that people are getting the supports they need.

I look back at what we inherited as a government, and I’ve got to call out, once again, what the NDP did: They reduced 13% of the mental health beds. They took away 9,645 hospital beds across the province—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you.

The final supplementary?

Ms. Marit Stiles: Speaker, I don’t even know what to do with that.

Mental health care is life-changing. It’s also a cost savings. It frees up hospital beds. You have less 911 calls, and do you know what? It saves lives. That’s why today we are going to go all out on this issue: because people in Ontario cannot wait any longer, and I’m sure there’s not one of us in this entire room that hasn’t seen the impact on our families and in our communities. So let’s do it: 8% emergency stabilization investment into CMHA. That’s $24 million.

My question to the Premier today: Premier, please, will you take just half a per cent of that $6.4 billion that has been squirrelled away unspent, to help people get the mental health care they so desperately need today?

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: Mr. Speaker, once again I reiterate: The government in the province is making investments across the board in education, by providing prevention and opportunities to help young people with their mental health—unprecedented investments in mental health for children and youth. We made investments last year, increasing 5% to community-based children and youth supports. We’ve continued making investments, speaking with and understanding the issues that need to be addressed in the province of Ontario.

We have an opioid crisis. We’re working to ensure that the supports are in place to assist individuals who want to recover from an addiction.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I can’t help but think of what the implications were when the NDP were in power and they cut $53 million of funding to the psychiatric hospitals—the implications that that had, with the fact that we have a shortage in HHR today directly related back to the fact that places were eliminated—

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

Mental health and addiction services

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: What a shameful answer from the minister. People in this province are dying because they cannot access the mental health supports they need, and that’s the kind of answer you give?

My question is to the Premier. Ontario is facing a mental health crisis. More Ontarians are seeking mental health supports and demand for services has significantly increased under this Conservative government. Across Ontario, people are experiencing anxiety, depression and burnout at higher rates, yet base funding for the Canadian Mental Health Association has fallen significantly behind the rate of inflation. The Mental Health Strategy for Canada recommends raising mental health funding to approximately $5.1 billion in Ontario alone.

Speaker, will the Premier commit to treating mental health care as health care and provide the desperately needed funding for mental health supports?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Members will make their comments through the Chair.

The Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: Thanks again for that question, because it highlights what we know: the fact that investments have to be made. And the government is making unprecedented investments, but the investments that it’s making are ensuring that the continuum of care is being dealt with, the children and youth are being looked after, our adults are being looked after, our seniors are being looked after.

Focusing on addictions and the concurrent disorders that need to be addressed, the 400 treatment beds that have been opened, the 7,000 treatment spots that have been created—these are all increasing capacity to be able to assist individuals. We’re focused on culturally appropriate and sensitive services, creating low-barrier access to individuals in need, ensuring that the supports are there when and where they need them, if they’re ready for them, to recover. But the harm production provisions that we put in place are also assisting individuals.

Mr. Speaker, we are building a system for the province of Ontario after the neglect of the previous government, supported by the NDP.

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

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: About 28,000 children and youth were on wait-lists for mental health treatment in January 2020—that was under this Conservative government—more than double than in 2017, according to Children’s Mental Health Ontario. Again, under this government, the need for those supports has gotten even greater between 2020 and now. Estimates show that more than 200,000 children with serious mental health issues have no contact with the mental health care system—again, under this Conservative government. Windsor, my community, has one of the longest wait times in the province for intensive children’s mental health care, an average wait of 588 days—a failure, minister.

Children can’t wait. They need access to services immediately. Speaker, will the Premier commit today to capping wait times for mental health care for children and youth?

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: Clearly, children and youth need accessible and reliable services if they’re going to grow into healthy adults. And since 2019, $130 million has gone to children and youth mental health services via the Roadmap to Wellness. The Roadmap to Wellness slates another $170 million over the next three years; education, $90 million for school-based supports; and $20 million for an across-the-board 5% funding increase to all government mental health agencies during COVID. That was done and it has improved. It has helped the organizations.

We’re proud of our youth wellness hubs, which have been created now and stand at 22 across the province of Ontario, including one in Sagamok, an Indigenous community.

The Roadmap to Wellness outlines the vision for children and youth: Early interventions keep kids from harmful behaviours and are a great return on investment. We will continue to build a future for our children, to ensure that they have the mental health supports where and when they need them.

Paramedic workplace safety

Mr. Vijay Thanigasalam: My question is for the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

In every community, paramedics are on the front lines each and every day, saving lives. These everyday heroes work tirelessly to bring us medical care when we need it the most. Paramedics, along with ambulance communication officers, regularly encounter risk and traumatic events that can impact their health and safety. Under the previous Liberal government that was propped up by the NDP, there was no advocacy, no action on behalf of these essential emergency workers to address their industry-specific risks. They had years to act; instead, they chose to ignore the needs of our front-line workers.

Speaker, can the minister please explain how our government is protecting the health and safety of these workers?

Hon. Monte McNaughton: I want to thank the member for Scarborough–Rouge Park for this very important question. Ontario’s paramedics and ambulance communication officers are truly heroes in our health care system. They are innovative and always willing to take on new roles to support our government in building a more comprehensive and connected health care system.

Our government created a stand-alone committee under

section 21 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act to develop resources that address unique health and safety risks that these front-line heroes face every single day serving our families and our communities. This new paramedic services committee will complement the existing first responder committees for fire and police services while providing a focused channel for recommendations from experts, employers and workers. Both labour leaders and chiefs and all paramedics have been calling for this committee now for more than 20 years and, under the leadership of our Premier, our government is getting it done for them.

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

Mr. Vijay Thanigasalam: Thank you to the minister for the response. It is clear that workers in this sector are valued by our government and our priority is to advocate for the support, protection, and safety that they deserve. The risks that paramedics and ambulance communication officers face are separate and distinct from other health care worker professionals as they interact with patients in unpredictable and complex situations. Under the leadership of the Premier, Minister of Health and this minister, actions such as this announcement demonstrate our government’s commitment to foster safe workplaces.

Speaker, can the minister please elaborate about how the new paramedic services

section 21 committee will improve safety for this sector?

Hon. Monte McNaughton: Our government was pleased to address this long-outstanding request, as our government recognizes and supports the important work of this sector in our health care system. This announcement demonstrates that our government listened to unions, including Unifor, CUPE, SEIU and OPSEU, representing front-line paramedics and ambulance communication officers, as well as the strong advocacy from paramedic chiefs and the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs, which represents every paramedic service across our province.

This committee is a great opportunity for paramedics, ambulance communication officers and paramedic chiefs to make important recommendations and provide practical guidance for employers and workers. The creation of this committee is a vital investment in the physical, emotional and psychological well-being of our paramedics and ambulance communication officers.

Our government, Mr. Speaker, is working for workers and building a stronger Ontario that leaves no one behind.

Children’s mental health services

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: In Ontario, there are over 28,000 children and youth waiting for community mental health care, with wait times as long as two and a half years. Cutting wait times to 30 days will ensure timely access to care. It will help prevent needs from worsening and the wait-list for more acute services from growing. Providing early intervention programs will also cost the province less and reduce the burden on our health care system.

I’ve tabled a bill to cap wait times for children and youth mental health to 30 days. Speaker, kids can’t wait. My question to the Premier: Will you pass it?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: Children and youth have the highest mental health care needs of any age demographic. We know this. This informs every investment we have made and will continue to make. In 2022, we invested another $31 million in new annual funding to reduce wait-lists and support the mental health and well-being of children and youth. We’re innovating on new ways to treat children and youth and new means for them to access care.

This means: $3.5 million in the Step-Up Step-Down live-in treatment program, helping move kids through levels of intensive treatment; $2.1 million for virtual walk-in counselling, connecting youth to a clinician by phone, text or video chat; $1 million for children and youth telehealth services; and $4.5 million for One Stop Talk virtual walk-in counselling programs for children and youth.

Mr. Speaker, we’re innovating. We’re working with the sector. We’re ensuring that the kids have the supports they need, where they need them.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The supplementary question, the member for St. Catharines.

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: My question is to the minister of health and addictions. In Niagara, we know what is at risk if we do not cap wait times for children that need mental health services. This is because we have nearly 900 children on a wait-list for mental health services with Pathstone, a core mental health service provider in Niagara.

Last week, we heard from teachers ringing the alarm bells about children’s mental health.

However, this problem deserves a comprehensive response, because most of Pathstone’s referrals come in the summer when the schools are closed.

Minister, will your office consult with the experts in the field today, create a cap for wait times, and ensure these core service organizations get the funding they need in the upcoming budget?

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: Mr. Speaker, once again, we know the needs of the children in terms of the supports that are required to ensure they have mental health supports. The initiatives that we’re working on are initiatives to increase access to supports, addressing increased demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, because that has also had implications on their mental health. We’re working to decrease wait times. We’re looking to improve the quality of care for children and youth.

And, yes, I have and will continue to meet with all stakeholders to ensure that we understand the needs not just of children and youth in general, but on a region-by-region basis. That has been the way we’ve done our work to date. We’ve attended meetings. We’ve had round tables throughout the province—in Thunder Bay, in Indigenous communities throughout the north, in southern Ontario, and of course with children and youth mental health.

Mr. Speaker, we’re more prepared than any government in Ontario’s history to build an accessible, equitable and accountable mental health system.

Public transit

Mr. Lorne Coe: My question is to the Associate Minister of Transportation. Many people in Whitby, Ajax, Bowmanville and Pickering want to be more connected to the greater Toronto area. Under the previous Liberal government, supported by the NDP, the people of Whitby and other parts of Durham region were promised year after year that new transit investments would be made, but nothing ever materialized. They’re tired of waiting. They expect our government to take action and deliver on extending much-needed transit infrastructure for the people of the region of Durham.

Can the associate minister please update the House on the progress of the Bowmanville GO expansion project?

Hon. Stan Cho: Thank you to the member for the question and his outstanding work on behalf of the residents of Whitby.

Speaker, I’m really happy to let that member know that Metrolinx will be announcing the successful construction manager of the transformational Bowmanville GO extension later this spring. This successful manager will be chosen from the four candidates that were short-listed by Metrolinx following a very promising proposal window that was closed last October. This is a major step that our government is taking in delivering that game-changing commuting service for GO Transit, for the people of Durham, with two-way, all-day rail service to Bowmanville.

In fact, our 20-kilometre extension of the Lakeshore East line will make it easier for people to connect to local transit, work, health care, education and other critical services across Durham region.

Speaker, while the opposition widened the transit gap for decades, this government is getting it done for the great people of Durham.

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

Mr. Lorne Coe: Speaker, thank you to the associate minister for the update on this very important project. This is encouraging news for many individuals and hard-working families in my riding. Transit infrastructure expansion is vital for Durham region, as it will help connect the people not only of my riding but other ridings in the region of Durham to their families, work, and increase access to critical services.

With the population of the greater Toronto area expected to increase significantly over the coming years, investments in transit expansion are needed now to ensure frequent and convenient service for the years to come. We can’t afford to delay or hold back transit investments. Now is the time to build. Now is the time to get Ontario moving.

Can the associate minister please elaborate on our government’s actions to deliver transit for the hard-working people of the region of Durham?

Hon. Stan Cho: The member is absolutely right; the time is now, because we have a growing population in this province, with hundreds of thousands of people moving here every single year, and that means we need to build transit, fill the gap that was left by the opposition. That’s exactly what we’re doing.

As next steps, Metrolinx will continue to work to advance infrastructure and service planning while engaging with Durham region to make sure that we can deliver this vital project. Speaker, this is going to be a game-changer for the people of Durham region.

The Bowmanville GO extension means that commuters will be able to take a train every 30 minutes and go back and forth to Union station, Bowmanville GO and everything in between. What’s more, the riders will save 15 minutes in their commutes along the corridor, so they can more easily get to work, appointments, wherever it is that they need to go.

It’s clear that the NDP, when they propped up the Liberals for decades, did nothing to build transit. This is the only government getting it done for the people of Durham and for commuters in Ontario.

Anti-racism activities

MPP Jill Andrew: Anti-Black racism wreaks havoc on the souls of Black people—400 years and counting. Health care workers, among others, have long called for this government to recognize anti-Black racism as a public health emergency detrimental to our physical and mental health. RNAO’s Black Nurses Task Force study surveyed 205 Black nurses and nursing students across Ontario and found 88% had reported experiencing anti-Black racism and discrimination at work.

My question is to the Premier: Will you join several cities across the province and take a solid step towards recognizing the impact of anti-Black racism on Black Ontarians by declaring today, the first Monday in March, annually as Black Mental Health Day?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): To reply, the government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Look, I can tell the member this: There are avenues and opportunities for members to bring important pieces of legislation forward, through the private members’ bill process. I know the member has had at least one bill passed in the previous Parliament. It sounds like an interesting initiative, one that we certainly would be very supportive of if she would consider—

Interjection.

Hon. Paul Calandra: I’m assuming that you want to hear the answer, so I’ll continue on, if that’s okay.

I would assume that the member would appreciate bringing forward a private member’s bill that the entire House could consider.

As you know, Mr. Speaker, this government has passed more private members’ bills than almost any other government in its entirety, and we use House time to debate and pass those bills. The member opposite would know this, because that member also had a private member’s bill pass, as did the member’s seatmate and as did a number of members sitting on that side. So I’d be very happy as House leader to consider that in the process of private members’ business.

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

MPP Jill Andrew: Speaker, we actually have tabled the bill, so the government could pass it today if they want. This is the same government that thought a thousand dollars was enough of a budget line to address racism across Ontario in the Anti-Racism Directorate—a thousand dollars. That’s a shame.

For far too many Black children and adults, walking while Black, shopping while Black, driving while Black, learning while Black or having a mental health crisis while Black means experiencing racial profiling, harassment, discrimination, disproportionate use of force and sometimes, sadly, death by law enforcement. Both the target—if they survive—and their families and the larger communities are left fraught with confusion, fear, anxiety and depression. Anti-Black racism is a structural and social determinant of physical and mental health.

Premier, can you share with us what your government is doing, along with your 2023 budget allocation, to specifically address Black mental health in Ontario—specifically, Black mental health in Ontario?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): To reply, the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism.

Hon. Michael D. Ford: Mr. Speaker, I’d like to thank the member opposite for such an important question. I’d like to start off by saying that Ontario’s strength is in our diversity. We are home to people from all around the world. The diversity of our people, skills, backgrounds, cultures and faiths enriches our society in so many ways, including our Black community.

On this side of the aisle, we are focused on building a stronger, safer, more inclusive Ontario where people from all walks of life can live, work and prosper. That is why our government is investing in programs to combat racism and hate in all its forms, promote diversity and inclusion, and ensure that all Ontarians have the tools, opportunities and supports they need to succeed and reach their potential. We will always be a champion and a strong voice for diverse communities and everything they do to make our province the great place it is.

Education funding

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: It’s an honour to rise and present my question on behalf of the people of Scarborough–Guildwood, as I’ve done for the better part of a decade.

My question is to the Premier. We know that the pandemic has been challenging for all Ontarians, and we know that this is especially true when it comes to our children. For years, our teachers have been having to deal not only with the important job of educating our children, but also juggling COVID protocols and outbreaks, including many months of online learning.

What is also well known is that the pandemic disruption in our schools resulted in learning gaps for our children and reports of burnout among under-supported teachers and education workers. And now, the FAO is reporting that the government underspent our education budget by $844 million—this, while school boards are having to consider a return to pre-pandemic staffing levels.

Speaker, why is this government taking money away from school boards at a time when our students’ needs are at an all-time high?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): To respond, the Minister of Education.

Hon. Stephen Lecce: I want to assure the member opposite that this government has increased funding, this school year alone, by $650 million more, an investment in publicly funded schools—a sharp contrast to the closure of schools under the former Liberals: hundreds closed, and opportunities closed with it.

Mr. Speaker, we are building new schools. We’re investing in a modern curriculum, aligned with the labour market needs, so our young people can get a good job. We’re ensuring mental health is increased from when the former Liberals, at the peak of spending, at $18 million in Ontario’s schools—it is today 400% higher. It is at $90 million. Each and every year, we’ve increased those expenditures, because we believe in these kids.

With respect to staffing, Speaker, there are 7,000 additional education workers in our schools and almost 900 additional teachers, because we know our kids need support, particularly because of the pandemic and the learning loss that has been realized in this province and around the country.

This Premier will continue to invest, to give our kids every opportunity to achieve their potential in Ontario.

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

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: Back to the Premier: Year after year, quarter after quarter, this government is holding money back in reserves. We have all heard, and this minister said this morning, that there is the Roadmap to Wellness which has been in place for the last three years; in 2022-23, the annual Ontario school survey cites that 91% of schools are currently reporting need in student mental health and well-being.

Just last week, People for Education reported—they actually sounded the alarm. It shouldn’t be a silent alarm. Every member of this House should hear it—95% of schools report needing some or more support for students’ mental health and well-being; only 9% of schools are having regularly scheduled access to mental health and addiction specialists or a nurse; and 46% of schools are reporting having no access at all.

Speaker, can the minister explain how they can say that they have a plan for mental health and well-being, giving only $45 per student for mental health? Why is this government holding back at a time when our students—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you.

The Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: Once again, I reiterate that there is the Roadmap to Wellness that specifically looks at the needs of children and youth during the education period, which includes prevention, education and building resiliency, which is extremely important. That is being funded, as the minister stated before: $90 million for school-based supports, annualized.

In addition to that, Mr. Speaker, we’re looking at $31 million in new annual funding to reduce wait-lists and supports in the community, which is where the supports are needed for treatment, and $11 million annually so children and youth with eating disorders can heal closer to home, another very important issue that needs to be addressed if we are going to help children and youth.

In addition to that, we’ve invested in beds—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader will come to order. The member for Scarborough–Guildwood will come to order.

The minister has a couple more seconds to finish his response.

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: Investments in children’s mental health in the hospitals: seven new beds at CHEO, five at SickKids, two at McMaster Children’s Hospital, $130 million since 2009 through the Roadmap to Wellness.

There is a plan. We’re implementing the plan, and we are making a difference in the lives of children and youth throughout the province of Ontario.

Firefighters

Mr. Will Bouma: Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. I first want to thank all of my firefighter colleagues across our province for protecting our communities. These everyday heroes work tirelessly to protect our province, and in return, they deserve care and support.

The nature of a firefighter’s work is dangerous and unpredictable. The challenges they encounter can cause lasting impacts on their health and well-being. Tragically, cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters, accounting for more than 74% of line-of-duty deaths in 2022. On average, 50 to 60 firefighters die of cancer yearly in Canada, half of whom are in Ontario.

Speaker, can the minister please explain our government’s actions to increase protections for our firefighters?

Hon. Monte McNaughton: I want to thank the member for Brantford–Brant for that question. But most importantly, to the member, thank you for your service to your community as a volunteer firefighter. Thank you on behalf of Ontario.

Mr. Speaker, our Premier is a tireless advocate for emergency responders who keep our communities safe, and his passion for supporting them is well known. Our firefighters are heroes who put their lives on the line every single day. When others run out of burning buildings, they’re running into them.

On Friday, I was proud to join our Solicitor General and our friend Greg Horton, the president of the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association, who proudly represent more than 12,000 firefighters in communities right across our province. Together, we announced that our government is expanding coverage for firefighters who get pancreatic and thyroid cancer. This change will make it faster and easier for these heroes and their families to access the compensation and supports they deserve.

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

Mr. Will Bouma: Thank you to the minister for his response. Speaker, firefighters provide a vital service to all of our communities. The health and safety of these first responders must remain a priority.

Recently, the World Health Organization reclassified firefighting to its highest level of health and safety occupational risk for cancer. Too many firefighters have suffered with, or lost their lives to, cancer.

Our government must demonstrate leadership to implement preventative measures, early detection and support for these first responders who serve the people of my riding and all Ontarians. Can the minister please elaborate on how our government is implementing changes to better protect and support our firefighters?

Hon. Monte McNaughton: Thank you to the member. Speaker, we’re making these changes so that firefighters who are sick can focus on getting better. We’re streamlining a firefighter’s workplace illness claim, making it easier for them and their families to get quicker access to benefits and services, while providing peace of mind to those who are suffering. This change will apply to all 30,000 firefighters who are full-time, part-time and volunteers, as well as those firefighters employed by a First Nations band council.

Furthermore, the coverage expansion we announced is retroactive to January 1, 1960, allowing those who have suffered from these cancers in the past, and their loved ones, to get the supports that they deserve.

Speaker, our government will always stand up for those firefighters who put their lives on the line every day for all of us.

Children’s mental health services

Miss Monique Taylor: My question is for the Premier. On average, four children a week end up in a Hamilton emergency room for self-harm. There has been a significant uptake of children engaging in self-harming behaviours, yet the wait-list for treatment continues to grow. The health and well-being of our children is critical, but they are not getting the help they need.

I wrote to the minister back in January about this issue and I have yet to receive a response, so I’m asking once again: Will this government support our children and commit to investing in Hamilton’s youth mental health programming and to build human resource capacity?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: Thank you very much for that question. Again, children and youth are extremely important, and providing supports and services to them is a priority for our government. We have made it a priority. Whether it be the investments in the education system, whether it be the investments in community-based treatment, or whether it’s specifically aimed at things like eating disorders and self-harm, investments are being made and we are working to reduce the wait-lists.

There has been, as I mentioned before, $11 million invested specifically to deal with eating disorders, so that kids can have the supports they need closest to home. We invested $8.1 million to create seven beds at CHEO, five at SickKids and two at McMaster. So yes, we are listening. We know that there are needs, and McMaster got two beds as well. In addition to that, $130 million since 2019 has been invested as well.

And our youth wellness hubs are providing an incredible resource to kids between the ages of 12 and 24—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you.

Supplementary question, the member for Toronto Centre.

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: Parents with anti-LGBTQ views recently disrupted a York Catholic school board meeting, making hateful comments such as, “Catholic schools should not allow transgender or LGBT students to attend.” With rising hate crimes, Ontario needs to ensure that all students are safe. The Premier must use his political voice to condemn discrimination and hate against the queer and trans communities who are being bullied and targeted for violence.

My question, Speaker, is, will the Premier fund 2SLGBT mental health supports and commit today to developing a policy to guarantee the mental health and safety of all students in every single publicly-funded Ontario school, including the Catholic schools?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): To respond, the Minister of Education.

Hon. Stephen Lecce: We believe that every single child in this province has a right to be in school, to learn in school, free from intimidation, from bullying and from violence. Every single child, irrespective of their faith or heritage or orientation, colour of skin, place of birth—every child. They need to hear that their government stands with them, recognizing that they face disproportionately high rates of mental health and suicide ideation.

We know this is real, and it’s why the government continues to make the case that our school system must be inclusive and must be respectful and welcoming for all of these kids, that they know that they are loved in our school system unconditionally by the staff and the communities that work with them.

We have increased funding in mental health. We’ve actually worked with Egale Canada and leverage them every single year through the priorities fund of the Ministry of Education to support those children most at risk within our schools.

University and college funding

Mr. Trevor Jones: My question is for the Minister of Colleges and Universities. In my riding of Chatham-Kent–Leamington, St. Clair College is a vital education leader, with a long history of exceptional athletics and academics. In fact, this past weekend, they captured the OCAA Men’s Basketball Championship.

Like all post-secondary institutions in Ontario, St. Clair College serves a critical function to prepare our students for today’s jobs and the economy of the future. Unfortunately, worldwide economic challenges and rising inflation costs are now impacting the financial stability of post-secondary institutions. My constituents want to ensure that fine institutions like St. Clair can continue providing high-quality education for future generations. Our government must take bold action now to ensure stability in this sector.

Speaker, can the Minister of Colleges and Universities please explain what actions our government is taking to help maintain the financial stability of Ontario’s post-secondary education sector?

Hon. Jill Dunlop: Our post-secondary institutions and research institutions are important sources of job creation, skills training, research, innovation, commercialization and obviously great athletes as well, making them leading contributors to our overall economic growth.

I am thrilled to stand up today to talk about what our government is doing to support the sector and our students, including launching our new blue-ribbon panel. Announced last week, the blue-ribbon panel will provide advice and recommendations for keeping the post-secondary education sector financially stable and focused on providing the best student experience possible. Led by Dr. Alan Harrison and an incredible group of panel members, this team will support my ministry in keeping Ontario’s post-secondary institutions on stable footing, now and into the future. As we all know, Ontario’s institutions—like St.

Clair College in the member’s region—support the province’s economy in a number of ways, including by preparing people for the labour market, engaging in research and supporting the prosperity of local communities.

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

Mr. Trevor Jones: Thank you to the minister for her response. Our post-secondary education and research institutions are important sources of job creation, skills training, commercialization and innovation. The strength of our province’s economy is built on the knowledge, skills and expertise that are gained from our post-secondary education system.

Students who attend institutions like St. Clair in my riding are curious about what they can expect from this panel. My constituents want to know further details about how this new panel will work to make a real difference in the post-secondary education sector.

Speaker, could the minister please elaborate on the structure and function of our government’s blue-ribbon panel?

Again, I’d like to congratulate the men’s basketball team from St. Clair College on their recent gold medal win.

Mental health and addiction services

Mr. Jeff Burch: Speaker, through you to the Premier: Last week, the Niagara regional government declared a state of emergency for mental health, homelessness and addiction. Niagara continues to be hard hit, with hundreds of people on wait-lists that continue to grow. There are over 800 children on the wait-list at Pathstone Mental Health. Regional police have seen an increase of 238% in calls involving persons in crisis in the last five years.

The Niagara region and local agencies continue to do great work in a system with inadequate funding from this government.

Will the Premier acknowledge our state of emergency and commit to deliver more funding and support for mental health services in Niagara right now, yes or no?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: When we deal with issues of mental health and addictions, we do look specifically at different regions. To assist in the Niagara region, one of the things we did was open two mobile health units so that the units would be able to provide supports, especially in the rural areas, where it’s difficult for people, because of transportation, to be able to access the services.

Children and youth mental health supports are being placed throughout the province of Ontario, including through our youth wellness hubs. The youth wellness hubs are providing low-barrier supports to individuals. They allow children between the ages of 12 and 24 to be able to attend a place where they can get wraparound supports for everything from primary care to mental health care supports.

We’ve worked with and will continue working with the stakeholders in the Niagara region to provide the supports necessary to assist the children in that region, the way we’re working with all other regions to provide supports.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The supplementary question: the member for London West.

Ms. Peggy Sattler: My question is to the Premier. In the face of an unprecedented health and homelessness crisis, Londoners have rallied behind a transformational whole-of-community response to help those struggling with homelessness, mental health and addictions. With leadership from local agencies, hospitals, emergency services, police, businesses, developers and city council, our community is united in making system-level change, and a generous donor family has galvanized $35 million in direct community funding. But London can’t do it alone.

Will the Premier commit today to funding the hubs and supportive housing units that are core to this first-of-its-kind local strategy?

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: Once again, we have been working with the stakeholders in London to understand the needs of the community. We’ve worked with CHMA; there is a crisis hub which diverts individuals away from the hospitals and provides them with the kind of supports and services they need to effectively give them the treatment and the supports that they need. We understand, in the continuum of care, that there are different aspects, and we are making investments, whether it’s withdrawal management, treatment beds, housing to support the individuals as they transition out.

These are all aspects of the Roadmap to Wellness. They’re all part of the continuum of care, and they all are part of the social determinants of health that go to the very underlying issue of addictions, so we are making those investments and building that continuum of care.

Again, after neglect over 15 years by the previous government, it’s very difficult to put all of these in place and ensure that they’re all working together. But we are filling gaps. We are working with communities, stakeholders—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you. The next question.

Crime prevention

Mr. Amarjot Sandhu: My question is for the Solicitor General.

The people of my riding are greatly concerned about the ongoing problem of car thefts. Many Ontarians rely on their family car to commute to work and take their kids to school. Unfortunately, reports of criminal activity targeting cars are becoming a regular occurrence.

In Brampton, recently released data indicates that since 2019 car thefts have risen 97% in Peel region. I want to echo the words of Brampton mayor Patrick Brown, who stated, “We can’t accept auto theft as a way of life in Canada’s big cities.” The city of Brampton is home to a culturally diverse population, good neighbours and friendly people. It’s not a home for criminal activity.

Can the Solicitor General please explain what actions our government is taking to address this ongoing issue?

Hon. Michael S. Kerzner: I’d like to thank the member from Brampton West for the question and for his leadership in his community.

Let me say this absolutely straight: Car theft is absolutely unacceptable. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their homes, communities, and in their own vehicles.

We’re proud of our record investments and are working hand in hand with law enforcement to tackle automobile thefts across Ontario.

Our government is investing over $61 million in new technology for the police that will allow them to identify stolen vehicles much faster, such as the automated licence plate reader. We’re also investing $267 million through the Community Safety and Policing Grant program.

We are always listening to police on methods, tools and support that they can use to keep their communities safe.

Mr. Speaker, everyone deserves to live safely in their community, and our government will not stop until absolutely everyone is safe.

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

Mr. Amarjot Sandhu: Thank you to the Solicitor General for his response.

Auto theft is not minor criminal activity; this is organized crime. National and international criminal networks don’t just resell stolen cars to generate money. The money they collect is used for further crimes, such as drug trafficking, arms dealing and human smuggling.

Criminal activity and fraud are among the factors that impact overall claims costs for Ontario’s auto insurance consumers. Car theft claims have increased by 31% in Ontario since 2020. Unfortunately, every auto insurance customer is now bearing the cost of these criminal activities.

Can the Solicitor General please elaborate on how our government’s investments will support our local police partners in addressing this ongoing issue?

Hon. Michael S. Kerzner: Once again, I’m very grateful to my friend and my colleague from Brampton West.

Just a few weeks ago, Halton police seized 35 vehicles that were stolen from across the Toronto area on their way to Dubai. The estimated value of these cars was over $2 million. I’d like to thank Halton police, their regional auto theft task force, and especially Chief Steve Tanner for carrying out this operation—it is due to the tireless efforts of people like Chief Tanner and his police officers that keep Ontario safe.

I want to say one more thing: We are imploring the federal government to increase border protections. And as I have said in every conversation with Minister Mendicino, meet me at the border and see for yourself.

Mental health and addiction services

Mr. Wayne Gates: My question is to the Premier.

We have corrections officers visiting us today who’ve been put on the front lines of Ontario’s mental health crisis. That’s because when people can’t get the health care and the services they need in the community, they end up in Ontario’s overcrowded and understaffed jails. Ontario’s chief coroner has found that this broken system is killing people—almost twice as many deaths in custody in 2021 than just two years earlier.

Speaker, will the Premier listen to corrections officers here today and ensure they have the staff, the resources and the training they need to deliver on people’s basic human rights while in custody?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): To reply, the Solicitor General.

Hon. Michael S. Kerzner: Mr. Speaker, I’d like to thank the member for the question. We’re delighted, as was said earlier, that we have members of OPSEU right here with us today, and we are appreciative of their commitments to keep our province safe.

I want to say that our government is acting in spending and investing over $500 million to modernize our correctional facilities. Our government is acting in hiring over 1,400 new correctional officers, some of which just graduated last week. And our government is acting again, Mr. Speaker, understanding that employee wellness is important, and we are providing resiliency training for front-line staff and improving managerial awareness of mental health issues through mandatory training.

We will always appreciate and acknowledge the hard work done every day by everyone that keeps Ontario safe.

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

Mr. Wayne Gates: I always appreciate the response, but if you cared about correctional officers and paramedics, you would do something about Bill 124.

Speaker, my question is to the Premier. Community Addiction Services of Niagara, or CASON, is a vital social services agency in Niagara for those dealing with mental health and addiction issues. Unfortunately, those important services for my community are getting harder and harder to deliver. CASON has not seen an increase to their base funding since 2020 and expect only a 2% increase this year. They have a wait-list and, in many cases, can’t meet the support and resource levels necessary to help their clients.

Will the Premier commit to working with CASON and providing the necessary funding they need to address the mental health and addiction crisis we have in Niagara so they don’t have to lay off employees?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: Thank you for that question. I would very much like to meet with CASON and understand what their needs are. We have had round tables in Niagara to try to understand what the needs of the community are, and as I mentioned earlier, we’re making investments so we do have the funding in place to implement the Roadmap to Wellness and ensure that supports and services are there across the board for children and youth and for adults.

I will certainly take you up on that offer and have an opportunity to meet with them and discuss what other needs are there and how we can continue supporting all the regions in the province of Ontario including Niagara.

Visitor

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Point of order, the member for Kitchener–Conestoga.

Mr. Mike Harris: Speaker, I just noticed that Ian DeWaard is up in the members’ gallery. I just wanted to welcome him from CLAC here today.

Deferred Votes

Reducing Inefficiencies Act (Infrastructure Statute Law Amendments), 2023 / Loi de 2023 sur la réduction des inefficacités (modifiant des lois sur les infrastructures)

Deferred vote on the motion for second reading of the following bill:

Bill 69,

An Act to amend various Acts with respect to infrastructure / Projet de loi 69, Loi modifiant diverses lois sur les infrastructures.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Call in the members. This is a five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1153 to 1158.

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

On March 1, 2023, Ms. Surma moved second reading of Bill 69,

An Act to amend various Acts with respect to infrastructure.

All those in favour of the motion will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Ayes

Anand, Deepak

Babikian, Aris

Bailey, Robert

Barnes, Patrice

Bethlenfalvy, Peter

Blais, Stephen

Bouma, Will

Brady, Bobbi Ann

Bresee, Ric

Byers, Rick

Calandra, Paul

Cho, Raymond Sung Joon

Cho, Stan

Coe, Lorne

Collard, Lucille

Crawford, Stephen

Cuzzetto, Rudy

Dixon, Jess

Dowie, Andrew

Downey, Doug

Dunlop, Jill

Fedeli, Victor

Flack, Rob

Ford, Michael D.

Fullerton, Merrilee

Gallagher Murphy, Dawn

Ghamari, Goldie

Gill, Parm

Grewal, Hardeep Singh

Hardeman, Ernie

Harris, Mike

Hsu, Ted

Jones, Sylvia

Jones, Trevor

Jordan, John

Kanapathi, Logan

Ke, Vincent

Kerzner, Michael S.

Khanjin, Andrea

Kusendova-Bashta, Natalia

Leardi, Anthony

Lecce, Stephen

Lumsden, Neil

MacLeod, Lisa

Martin, Robin

McCarthy, Todd J.

McMahon, Mary-Margaret

McNaughton, Monte

Mulroney, Caroline

Oosterhoff, Sam

Pang, Billy

Parsa, Michael

Piccini, David

Pierre, Natalie

Quinn, Nolan

Rae, Matthew

Rasheed, Kaleed

Riddell, Brian

Sabawy, Sheref

Sandhu, Amarjot

Sarkaria, Prabmeet Singh

Sarrazin, Stéphane

Saunderson, Brian

Scott, Laurie

Shamji, Adil

Skelly, Donna

Smith, David

Smith, Graydon

Smith, Laura

Surma, Kinga

Tangri, Nina

Thanigasalam, Vijay

Thompson, Lisa M.

Tibollo, Michael A.

Triantafilopoulos, Effie J.

Wai, Daisy

Williams, Charmaine A.

Yakabuski, John

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): All those opposed to the motion will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Nays

Andrew, Jill

Armstrong, Teresa J.

Begum, Doly

Bell, Jessica

Burch, Jeff

Fife, Catherine

French, Jennifer K.

Gates, Wayne

Gélinas, France

Glover, Chris

Gretzky, Lisa

Harden, Joel

Karpoche, Bhutila

Kernaghan, Terence

Pasma, Chandra

Rakocevic, Tom

Sattler, Peggy

Schreiner, Mike

Shaw, Sandy

Stevens, Jennifer (Jennie)

Stiles, Marit

Tabuns, Peter

Taylor, Monique

Vanthof, John

Vaugeois, Lise

West, Jamie

Wong-Tam, Kristyn

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Todd Decker): The ayes are 78; the nays are 27.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I declare the motion carried.

Second reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Shall the bill be ordered for third reading? I heard some noes.

Minister of Infrastructure?

Hon. Kinga Surma: Can I please refer it to the committee on heritage, infrastructure and cultural policy?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): It is referred to the committee on heritage, infrastructure and cultural policy.

Cancer screening

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): We have a deferred vote on private member’s notice of motion number 22.

Call in the members. This is another five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1203 to 1204.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Mr. Gates has moved private member’s notice of motion number 22.

All those in favour, please rise and remain standing until recognized by the Clerk.

Ayes

Andrew, Jill

Armstrong, Teresa J.

Begum, Doly

Bell, Jessica

Blais, Stephen

Burch, Jeff

Collard, Lucille

Fife, Catherine

French, Jennifer K.

Gates, Wayne

Gélinas, France

Glover, Chris

Gretzky, Lisa

Harden, Joel

Hsu, Ted

Karpoche, Bhutila

Kernaghan, Terence

McMahon, Mary-Margaret

Pasma, Chandra

Rakocevic, Tom

Sattler, Peggy

Schreiner, Mike

Shamji, Adil

Shaw, Sandy

Stevens, Jennifer (Jennie)

Stiles, Marit

Tabuns, Peter

Taylor, Monique

Vanthof, John

Vaugeois, Lise

West, Jamie

Wong-Tam, Kristyn

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): All those opposed, please rise and remain standing until recognized by the Clerk.

Nays

Anand, Deepak

Babikian, Aris

Bailey, Robert

Barnes, Patrice

Bethlenfalvy, Peter

Bouma, Will

Bresee, Ric

Byers, Rick

Calandra, Paul

Cho, Raymond Sung Joon

Cho, Stan

Coe, Lorne

Crawford, Stephen

Cuzzetto, Rudy

Dixon, Jess

Dowie, Andrew

Downey, Doug

Dunlop, Jill

Fedeli, Victor

Flack, Rob

Ford, Michael D.

Fullerton, Merrilee

Gallagher Murphy, Dawn

Ghamari, Goldie

Gill, Parm

Grewal, Hardeep Singh

Hardeman, Ernie

Harris, Mike

Jones, Sylvia

Jones, Trevor

Jordan, John

Kanapathi, Logan

Ke, Vincent

Kerzner, Michael S.

Khanjin, Andrea

Kusendova-Bashta, Natalia

Leardi, Anthony

Lecce, Stephen

Lumsden, Neil

MacLeod, Lisa

Martin, Robin

McCarthy, Todd J.

McNaughton, Monte

Mulroney, Caroline

Oosterhoff, Sam

Pang, Billy

Parsa, Michael

Piccini, David

Pierre, Natalie

Quinn, Nolan

Rae, Matthew

Rasheed, Kaleed

Riddell, Brian

Sabawy, Sheref

Sandhu, Amarjot

Sarkaria, Prabmeet Singh

Sarrazin, Stéphane

Saunderson, Brian

Scott, Laurie

Skelly, Donna

Smith, David

Smith, Graydon

Smith, Laura

Surma, Kinga

Tangri, Nina

Thanigasalam, Vijay

Thompson, Lisa M.

Tibollo, Michael A.

Triantafilopoulos, Effie J.

Wai, Daisy

Williams, Charmaine A.

Yakabuski, John

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Todd Decker): The ayes are 32; the nays are 72.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I declare the motion lost.

Motion negatived.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): There being no further business at this time, this House stands in recess until 1 p.m.

The House recessed from 1207 to 1300.

Introduction of Bills

Supporting Ontario’s Community, Rural and Agricultural Newspapers Act, 2023 / Loi de 2023 sur le soutien aux journaux communautaires, ruraux et agricoles de l’Ontario

Mr. Sarrazin moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 73,

An Act to amend various Acts with respect to the publication of notices in newspapers / Projet de loi 73, Loi modifiant diverses lois en ce qui concerne la publication d’avis dans les journaux.

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 invite the member to briefly explain his bill if he wishes to do so.

Mr. Stéphane Sarrazin: The bill amends the City of Toronto Act, 2006, the Development Charges Act, 1997, the Environmental Assessment Act, the Municipal Act, 2001, the Ontario Heritage Act and the Planning Act where the act or the regulations made under it require that notices be published in a newspaper having general circulation in a municipality. The amendments allow the publication to be done in a newspaper that is published at regular intervals of a month or less, rather than published at regular intervals of a week or less, as is currently the case.

Missing Persons Amendment Act, 2023 / Loi de 2023 modifiant la

Loi sur les personnes disparues

Miss Taylor moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 74,

An Act to amend the Missing Persons Act, 2018 / Projet de loi 74, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2018 sur les personnes disparues.

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 Hamilton Mountain like to explain her bill briefly?

Miss Monique Taylor: The bill amends the Missing Persons Act, 2018, with respect to vulnerable persons alerts. A vulnerable persons alert can be issued to facilitate a search for a missing person who, because of their age, a disability or other circumstances, whether temporary or permanent, is in a position of dependency on others or is otherwise at a greater risk than the general population of being harmed by a person in a position of trust or authority towards them. The Ontario Provincial Police has the authority to issue a vulnerable persons alert in accordance with a request made by an officer if it also has the authority to issue an alert known as an Amber Alert.

Motions

Concurrence in supply

Hon. Paul Calandra: Speaker, if you seek it, I believe you will find unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice for the arrangement of proceedings for debate on concurrence in supply.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to put forward a motion without notice for the arrangement of proceedings for debate on concurrence in supply. Agreed? Agreed.

Government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: I move that, notwithstanding any standing order, the orders for concurrence in supply for the various ministries and offices, as represented by government orders 4 through 26, inclusive, shall be called concurrently; and

That when such orders are called they shall be considered concurrently in a single debate.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader has moved that, notwithstanding any standing order, the orders for concurrence in supply for the various ministries and offices, as represented by government orders 4 through 26 inclusive, shall be called concurrently; and

That when such orders are called they shall be considered concurrently in a single debate.

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

Motion agreed to.

House sittings

Hon. Paul Calandra: Speaker, if you seek it, I believe you will find unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice regarding the parliamentary calendar.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to put forward a motion without notice regarding the parliamentary calendar. Agreed? Agreed.

The government House leader again.

Hon. Paul Calandra: I move that, notwithstanding standing order 7(a)(i), when the House adjourns on Thursday, April 27, 2023, it shall stand adjourned until Monday, May 8, 2023; and

That the House shall continue to meet in the spring meeting period until Thursday, June 8, 2023.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Mr. Calandra has moved that notwithstanding standing order 7(a)(i), when the House adjourns on Thursday, April 27, 2023, it shall stand adjourned until Monday, May 8, 2023; and

That the House shall continue to meet in the spring meeting period until Thursday, June 8, 2023.

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

Motion agreed to.

Petitions

Probation and parole services

Mr. John Vanthof: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the probation recidivism rate for high-risk offenders is 40% and very high-risk offenders is 57%; and

“Whereas Ontario probation and parole services has the highest number of offenders under community supervision in Canada, and Ontario probation and parole officers have the highest case counts in the country; and

“Whereas Ontario probation and parole officers’ caseloads and workload demands are so high that it is extremely challenging to ensure offender compliance with probation and parole conditions; and

“Whereas the Ministry of the Solicitor General requires probation and parole officers to take on additional initiatives without providing additional resources, adding to chronic and systemic understaffing and under-resourcing; and

“Whereas Ontario’s probation and parole officers issue more than 4,500 warrants each year on offenders who have breached their supervision conditions, and our criminal justice system does not actively seek their whereabouts, posing a significant threat to public safety;

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

“That the Ontario government hire an additional 200 front-line case-carrying probation and parole officers, hire an additional 50 probation support staff and implement a plan to actively seek and enforce the more than 4,500 outstanding breach warrants issued each year by probation and parole services for absconding offenders in order to reduce Ontario’s high rate of probation and parole recidivism, provide more effective client services, ensure the health and well-being of correctional staff and better protect public safety.”

I’ll join the 2,000 other people who have signed this. I’ll add my signature and give it to page Kiera.

M me Chandra Pasma: J’ai l’honneur de me lever pour présenter une pétition qui s’intitule « Soutenez le système d’éducation francophone en Ontario.

« À l’Assemblée législative de l’Ontario :

« Alors que les enfants francophones ont un droit constitutionnel à une éducation de haute qualité, financée par les fonds publics, dans leur propre langue;

J’appuie totalement cette pétition. Je vais y ajouter ma signature et l’envoyer à la table des greffiers avec Yonglin.

Social assistance

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: This petition is titled “To Raise Social Assistance Rates.”

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Ontario’s social assistance rates are well below Canada’s official Market Basket Measure poverty line and far from adequate to cover the rising costs of food and rent: $733 for individuals on OW and $1,227 for ODSP;

“Whereas an open letter to the Premier and two cabinet ministers, signed by over 230 organizations, recommends that social assistance rates be doubled for both Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP);

“Whereas the recent small increase of 5% for ODSP still leaves these citizens below the poverty line, both they and those receiving the frozen OW rates are struggling to survive at this time of alarming inflation;

“We, the undersigned citizens of Ontario, petition the Legislative Assembly to double social assistance rates for OW and ODSP.”

I full-heartedly support this petition. I’ll be signing it and sending it down with Charlotte.

Social assistance

Mr. Chris Glover: “Petition to Raise Social Assistance Rates.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Ontario’s social assistance rates are well below Canada’s official Market Basket Measure poverty line and far from adequate to cover the rising costs of food and rent: $733 for individuals on OW and (soon) $1,227 for ODSP;

“Whereas an open letter to the Premier and two cabinet ministers, signed by over 230 organizations, recommends that social assistance rates be doubled for both Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP);

“Whereas the recent small budget increase of 5% for ODSP still leaves these citizens below the poverty line, both they and those receiving the frozen OW rates continue struggling to live during a period of alarming inflation;

“We, the undersigned citizens of Ontario, petition the Legislative Assembly to double social assistance rates for OW and ODSP.”

I fully support this petition and will pass it to page Bianca to take to the table.

Opposition Day

Mental health services / Services de santé mentale

Ms. Marit Stiles: I move the following motion:

Whereas there is a mental health crisis in Ontario; and

Whereas demand for services provided by the Canadian Mental Health Association has significantly increased, including demand for Assertive Community Treatment teams, court diversion services, and behavioural support services for seniors; and

Whereas base funding for the Canadian Mental Health Association has fallen significantly behind the rate of inflation since 2014; and

Whereas the Canadian Mental Health Association is experiencing high staff turnover and staff vacancy rates due to uncompetitive salaries, staff burnout, and wage suppression under Bill 124, Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act, 2019;

Therefore the Legislative Assembly calls on the government to increase the base funding for each branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association by 8% as an immediate emergency stabilization investment.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Leader of the Opposition has moved opposition day number 2.

I’ll recognize the Leader of the Opposition to lead off the debate.

Ms. Marit Stiles: I am really pleased today to speak to this motion. I want to start by noting that earlier today, in question period, I asked the Premier and the government whether they would support the motion. We didn’t get a clear answer, but I truly hope they will support our call. I think it’s a very reasonable, ask and I also believe this is not a partisan issue. This is about the health and well-being of Ontarians, and that should never be about politics.

It’s long overdue that we recognize mental health care as part of health care, that we make it part of medicare. Right now, anyone seeking mental health supports is met with few affordable options, long wait times, underfunded community health organizations, and underpaid, burnt-out staff. The reality is even more stark in northern Ontario, in Indigenous and rural communities. Stagnant operational funding over the last decade prevented community mental health and addictions organizations from keeping up with demand for those services.

We’ve all seen in our families and in our communities the impact of the pandemic on mental health, on kids and youth particularly, but we also know that BIPOC folks were deeply and differently impacted.

CAMH, in a 2022 survey, found that more than half of young Ontarians reported feeling depressed about the future. Some 39% said the pandemic had made their mental health worse. And 18% reported they were seriously contemplating suicide in the past year. That’s one in five young people saying that. Let that sink in for a moment. That’s difficult to hear.

As a result of all of this, more and more Ontarians are seeking out those mental health supports—in fact, one in four Ontarians today. Requests for mental health support have increased over 50% for adults and over 100% for children since the pandemic began.

Years of underfunding have decimated the mental health sector. They are struggling to meet the growing demand for services and supports, and they are losing staff to exhaustion and burnout. Everything that we hear about this government’s wage-suppression legislation for pay and about working conditions pushing health care staff away is also true about the mental health sector. In fact, over the last two years, those Bill 124 salary-based issues resulted in 66% of resignations at CMHA Ontario, resulting in nearly 250 community mental health and addictions jobs left unfilled.

Staffing issues have devastated the community mental health care sector. I heard first-hand about this just a couple of days ago, when I was in London–Fanshawe, from nurses working on the front line in community mental health. And I’ve heard it in Sault St. Marie and in Timmins and in Hamilton and in Toronto and in Welland and in Ottawa—in every part of this province.

We know that addressing the staffing crisis is absolutely key to providing adequate patient care and community support, and that people seeking support for mental health don’t want to be shuffled between staff members, which means often reliving trauma or repeating their personal stories to new people multiple times. We know that permanent, full-time staff can offer continuity and improve overall quality of care.

We know that mental health care is life-changing, but it’s also costly. So I want to mention this to this government, because it’s a concern of theirs: I want them to remember that mental health care in our community—community supports free up hospital beds. They mean less 911 calls. And, ultimately, it saves lives.

People in Ontario can’t wait any longer. The impact of this crisis on our families and our communities is devastating.

This government needs to wake up and open their eyes to the suffering that’s happening around them. They’re sitting on, again, $6.4 billion in unspent funding—unspent dollars that were supposed to go to education, health care, mental health, and all kinds of things that public money was supposed to be spent on. Instead, they’re squirrelling it away. Our motion calls for something very, very small and simple, to be honest, and that is an investment that would come to only $24 million for the Canadian Mental Health Association. That’s just 0.375% of that unspent funding—just to give you a sense of that. It would dramatically improve Ontarians’ access to mental health care now.

Again, I want to call on the Premier and the government to support this motion, to increase funding for community mental health and addictions organizations, to make up for the decades and decades of underfunding for mental health, to provide better pay and working conditions for staff, and to give people the services they so desperately need.

Honestly, Speaker, how can we expect Ontario to thrive and progress if this government continues to abandon a growing group of people who are suffering from poor mental health?

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bhutila Karpoche): Further debate? Further debate? The member for Windsor West.

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: Thank you, Speaker. I wasn’t expecting to be up speaking so soon. I thought maybe the Conservatives would want to have something to say on this motion.

I want to applaud my leader, the leader of the NDP official opposition, for bringing this very pertinent and timely motion forward.

We are seeing a drastic and very dramatic increase in the need for mental health supports for people in this province. I don’t think there is one member in this House who could honestly say that they haven’t had constituents reach out to them, telling them that their family is desperate to get their child or another loved one in their family the supports and services they need. They’re terrified, and rightfully so, because we are losing children to suicide in this province at alarming rates. We are losing people in this province to overdoses at alarming rates.

And what we are seeing—based on data—is that this Conservative government is not investing the funds and resources into the front-line agencies and workers that actually provide supports and services.

CMHA is asking for an 8% increase to their budget, because their budget has largely been frozen for many years now. What that means is that they can’t get a base funding increase. That means they’re going to lose staff. That means fewer supports in every community around this province. That means more crisis. That means more hospital visits. It means more people being turned back out on the streets because the hospitals cannot support them the way that they want to or should be able to, and that means that more people will die due to inaction by this government.

Speaker, I want to share a story with you—and this is someone I’ve become good friends with. It’s a story that I think many people in this chamber are going to nod their heads at and say, “We’ve heard something similar in our communities.” Frankly, I wish that there were never these stories, ever again. This was from a mom:

“After a few admissions to hospitals for her mental health, our oldest daughter died by suicide at the age of 19. She left behind two younger sisters and a large, close-knit family.

“The health system was not adequately funded or equipped and ultimately failed our daughter. Since then, we have watched another family member struggle and fight to receive mental health services for a loved one.

“Several times, upon arrival at the ER in a suicidal state, this individual has been turned away, or discharged within hours of being admitted to the psychiatric floor because there are no beds available.

“When discharged, the resources provided as an option for follow-up are booked for months in advance. When in a time of crisis, there are no resources available to people experiencing ... mental illness or a mental health crisis. Until our government puts aside bipartisan differences and places the same emphasis and funding for a publicly funded mental health as there currently is on our physical health system, suicide will continue to be an epidemic that plagues our society. After years of talk, isn’t it time for this government to step up and provide adequate funding for mental health services for everyone” in this province?

I want to point out that this family lost their daughter. They waited eight months—eight months. Their small children, their two other daughters, and themselves waited eight months just for intake into the mental health system.

This is not something I talk about personally, usually—my time is running out—but I’m going to do it today. It’s hard to talk about. I lost a brother to an overdose.

Nobody in this province grows up and says, “I want to struggle with mental health.” Nobody in this province says, “I want to struggle with addiction.”

What I can tell you, Speaker, is, if this government doesn’t step up and put more funding into mental health and addictions, more families like mine will lose people they care very, very deeply about.

Do what’s right. Invest in the system.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bhutila Karpoche): Further debate?

Mr. Wayne Gates: I’ve got to say something here. Mental health doesn’t just pick out parties—people with mental health isn’t just the NDP, it isn’t the Liberals, it isn’t the Greens; it’s also the Conservatives. And I believe, from the bottom of my heart, that every one of you over there who have chosen not to speak yet have been affected by mental health and what it does to families, what it does to individuals. So I’m saying to you, support this motion. We have to do more. We have to do more for our kids, for our grandkids. Quite frankly, you have to do more for your own colleagues. I want you to understand that.

I’m just going to give you some examples, and I think it’s fair and reasonable to do this. Niagara continues to see a crisis in addictions. In 2022, there were 657 suspected opioid overdoses responded to by an understaffed EMS. Nearly 70%—70%—of those calls were people between 25 and 44, which in a lot of cases would be our kids and our grandkids. Just from January to February of this year, 2023, Niagara had 88 suspected overdoses responded to by the EMS. And, heartbreaking as this is, approximately 11 of them per month are dying.

Most mental health and addiction groups have had their budgets frozen for years, and they’re struggling to keep up.

Wait-lists are growing, food banks are increasing, house and care costs are going through the roof, rent costs are going through the—and this is causing even more increase in mental health.

So I’m going to say one more time, as my time is up, to the Conservatives: Every one of you guys have been touched with mental health. We need more funding. They need more help in every community right across the province of Ontario. And your colleagues need support—just like my colleagues need support, the Liberals need support, the Greens, and the independents. We can do better. We have to do better.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bhutila Karpoche): Further debate?

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I want to give a shout-out to the compassionate, skilled and exhausted mental health workers from CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services, who have been working tirelessly on the front lines of the pandemic in the face of an unprecedented mental health crisis that shows no signs of improving.

Here’s the reality in my community, Speaker: since 2020, a 137% increase in children’s mental health crisis calls and a 72% increase in mental health support calls; since 2021, a 171% increase in crisis response team interactions. Many of the 75,000 people who have used the crisis lines or participated in programs are first-time users of mental health services. Many are also former or current clients whose crises are worsening. Almost all are presenting with more complexity than ever before—serious mental illness, addiction, poverty, trauma, and homelessness.

You can imagine the moral distress and vicarious trauma experienced by staff as they watch their clients suffer and even die, despite their best efforts, as they’re forced year after year to do more with less and provide care in a chronically underfunded system. Who can blame them if they decide to move to a hospital or school, where salaries are as much as 33% higher, or leave the sector altogether?

The Thames Valley CMHA is looking at a $3-million shortfall if all vacant positions were filled. Without an increase to their base budget, as we call for in this motion, they face some tough choices: Do they leave 35 positions vacant and put even more pressure on current staff? Do they ignore staff burnout and put their own staff’s mental health at risk? Do they deny or delay service for those in desperate need of mental health support, forcing them to go to the ER to access services?

Speaker, our community needs the vital programs delivered by CMHA.

I call on this government to support our motion today and invest in the 8% base funding increase. Lives are at stake.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bhutila Karpoche): Further debate?

Mr. Chris Glover: It’s an honour to rise today and speak on behalf of the motion brought forward by the Ontario NDP to increase mental health funding in this province by 8%, as asked for by the Canadian Mental Health Association.

I’m going to take a slightly different tack than my colleagues have taken. I want to talk about how this investment could save lives because of gun violence—gun violence is closely linked with mental health.

I want to thank One By One Movement, Communities for Zero Violence, Zero Gun Violence Movement, Keep6ix, Danforth families, and the many, many other organizations in this city and across this province who have been working to reduce gun violence. But today I want to focus on one other organization: Operation Prefrontal Cortex.

Research shows that poverty is the primary cause of gun violence. An OECD study shows that the greater the gap between rich and poor, the higher the level of gun violence.

If you look at a map of the city of Toronto, at the areas where there’s poverty, and you overlay a map of gun violence, they almost exactly intersect.

Operation Prefrontal Cortex was started by Director X a number of years ago after he was shot at a party that he was hosting. He asked himself, “Why did this person bring out a gun at this party where everyone was having a good time?” He did research, and what he found was that violent people have a smaller prefrontal cortex and an overactive amygdala. There’s a solution, though. He found that if you do mindfulness meditation, you can actually increase the size of your prefrontal cortex and reduce the action of your amygdala.

This will allow a person to have better emotional regulation and better decision-making and to be less likely to be violent. They’ve done these programs in schools and correctional centres—he wants to move them into the police and into the community. It’s this kind of program that could increase the mental health in communities and that could reduce gun violence.

So I encourage the Conservatives on the other side of the House to support this call to increase mental health funding by 8%.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bhutila Karpoche): Further debate?

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: In St. Catharines, when I look out my window, when I walk through my streets, when I talk to my neighbours, I hear and see the pain and the weight of the mental health crisis. Homelessness, addictions, anxiety, and all the other forms of mental health strife are fixtures not only in my community but across the Ontario community—it’s shared with all of us.

Speaker, it would be easy for me to point out the funding gaps and missed opportunities that Ontario has seen with mental health. It would be easy to highlight what the cost has meant for my community and all the mental health agencies, patients and their families. This is because the problem of mental health, right now, looms so large.

You may have heard that the Niagara region has declared a mental health and homelessness and addictions crisis—a state of emergency.

Speaker, there is no way around it: The solution to fixing mental health in Ontario is all about funding. It means no more freezing of the base budget increases for mental health.

This is why the NDP has put forward an opposition motion being debated this afternoon for an 8% emergency stabilization investment in community mental health care.

Over the last f