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April 29, 2019

42nd Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2019-Apr-29 (PDF)

L097 - Mon 29 Apr 2019 / Lun 29 avr 2019

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 29 April 2019 Lundi 29 avril 2019

Introduction of Visitors

Attacks in Sri Lanka

National Day of Mourning

Wearing of hockey jersey

Oral Questions

Education funding

Climate change

Kashechewan First Nation

Flooding

Kashechewan First Nation

Occupational health and safety

Legal aid

Government accountability

Education

Public health

School nutrition programs

Education funding

Correctional services

Education funding

Mental health in agriculture

Visitors

Leanne Holland Brown

Introduction of Visitors

Members’ Statements

Public libraries

Attacks in Sri Lanka

Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre

Attacks in Sri Lanka

Dietary supplements

Terrorist attacks

Kiwanis Club of Brantford

Kashechewan First Nation

Student fundraising

Cancer treatment / Traitement du cancer

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly

Introduction of Bills

Closing Oversight Loopholes for Home Care Clinics Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 visant à combler les lacunes dans la surveillance des cliniques de soins à domicile

Election Finances Amendment Act (Leadership Fundraising Loophole), 2019 / Loi de 2019 modifiant la

Loi sur le financement des élections (lacune dans les règles de financement des candidats à la direction d’un parti)

Petitions

Education funding

Waste reduction

Veterans memorial

Education funding

Education funding

Long-term care

Long-term care

Education funding

Education funding

Injured workers

Visitor

Opposition Day

Education funding / Financement de l’éducation

Orders of the Day

Protecting What Matters Most Act (Budget Measures), 2019 / Loi de 2019 pour protéger l’essentiel (mesures budgétaires)

Private members’ public business

Protecting What Matters Most Act (Budget Measures), 2019 / Loi de 2019 pour protéger l’essentiel (mesures budgétaires)

The House met at 1030.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Let us begin this morning with a moment of silence for inner thought and personal reflection.

Let us pray.

Prayers.

Introduction of Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Before I ask members to introduce their guests, I want to inform you all that around the Legislature today are representatives from Wilfrid Laurier University, including their president, Deb MacLatchy. I want to welcome them all to Queen’s Park. I also look forward to visiting with my alma mater after question period, and we invite all of the members to attend that as well. It’s in room 230.

Introduction of visitors.

Mr. Joel Harden: It’s with great pleasure that I welcome Kate Logue and Jenny Sturgeon, and other parents who are advocates for autism, into this place. Welcome to your House. Welcome to the people’s House.

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to welcome this morning Holly Huxtable from England and my daughter, Frances Tibollo, both lawyers recently working together at the United Nations genocide tribunal in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Laura Mae Lindo: Today, I’m honoured to introduce Tessa Day from Courtland public school, a 13-year-old in a school in my riding, and her mom, Peggy Zehr. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Monte McNaughton: I’m pleased to welcome from London today a good friend of ours, Don Strickland. Welcome to Queen’s Park, Don.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Good morning, Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to welcome the following guests to the Legislature today: Chief Leo Friday of the Kashechewan First Nation, as well as other members of the community; Grand Chief Jonathan Solomon of the Mushkegowuk Council; Deputy Grand Chief Derek Fox of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation; Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald of the Chiefs of Ontario; Harvey Bischof, president of the OSSTF; Laura Walton, president of the Ontario School Board Council of Unions; Rayne Fisher-Quann, a student organizer; Krista Wylie; and Chuck Kwan as well. Thank you, Speaker.

Mr. John Fraser: I’d like to welcome some moms who are here from Ottawa this morning. They got up at 4 o’clock in the morning to be here for the rally and support their children with autism. We have Kate Logue, Catherine Varrette, Jenny Sturgeon, Rhonda Allaby-Glass, Melanie Brisson and Martina Pietracupa. Thank you very much and welcome to Queen’s Park, again.

Hon. Ernie Hardeman: Mr. Speaker, I’d like to welcome some members of the Ontario Greenhouse Alliance to Queen’s Park. Visiting question period today we have Jan VanderHout, George Gilvesy and Andrew Morse. Please join them today at 5 p.m. in committee rooms 228 and 230 for their reception. Thank you very much for the opportunity.

Mr. Peter Tabuns: It’s my pleasure to welcome Julie, Steve, Emily and Megan Dale, who are here to support page captain Cameron Dale. Welcome to the Legislature.

Mr. Roman Baber: I’m pleased to introduce a constituent from York Centre, Angela Brandt.

Ms. Jill Andrew: Good morning. I am proud to introduce, from CODE, the Council of Ontario Drama and Dance Educators, president Jane Deluzio and former president Sarah Papoff; and from OMEA, the Ontario Music Educators’ Association, president Isaac Moore and Gena Norbury, elementary resources and former president.

Our three guests and other arts teachers and educators from their organizations are joining us at Queen’s Park today for question period and the opposition day motion. Thank you for advocating for the arts.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I remind members to keep their introductions as brief as possible, and with no political statements.

The member for Haldimand–Norfolk.

Mr. Toby Barrett: We welcome people here from the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network. People are invited to room 28 at 12 o’clock. They’re hosting a lunch for liver cancer awareness and also honouring a former NDP MPP, Norm Jamison.

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: It is my privilege to welcome two Windsor mothers who are disability advocates. I’d like to welcome Sherri Taylor and Mary Beth Rocheleau to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Natalia Kusendova: This morning I have a very special guest in the gallery, Dr. Zlatko Kusenda, my father, who is visiting us from France. Bienvenue, Papa. Bonjour.

Ms. Jennifer K. French: I am pleased to welcome Randy and Caroline Nickerson from Oshawa today from snapd Oshawa. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mrs. Amy Fee: I would like to welcome this morning all our new pages to the assembly, especially my daughter Sarah Fee.

Ms. Catherine Fife: It’s my pleasure to welcome page Zoe McCabe. She’s a student from Holy Rosary Catholic elementary school in Waterloo. Welcome, Zoe.

Hon. Jeff Yurek: I would like to welcome Leith Coghlin here from the riding, a former Harris staffer. Welcome to the Legislature.

Ms. Jessica Bell: I’d like to welcome Margaret Furlong, Barbara Gough, Beth Pelton, Mary Alton, Dave Clark, Seth Bernstein, Jay Fisher and Helen Victoros, who are joining us today in the Legislature. Thank you for coming.

Ms. Sandy Shaw: It’s my pleasure to introduce Sultan. He has been a high school co-op student in my office for the past month. I want to thank him for all of his help and welcome him to Queen’s Park.

Miss Monique Taylor: It gives me great pride to recognize the moms who are here today: Faith Munoz, Amy Moledzki, Angela Brandt, Jayana Dhatigara, Amanda Mooyer, Kowthar Dore, Sarah and Mike Klodnicki and many folks from the AAO who will be holding a rally after question period today.

Attacks in Sri Lanka

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m informed that the member for Markham–Thornhill has a point of order.

Mr. Logan Kanapathi: Speaker, I am asking for unanimous consent for a moment of silence in the Legislature to honour the victims in Sri Lanka of the Easter Sunday massacre.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member from Markham–Thornhill is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to have a moment’s silence in memory and recognition of the victims of the bombings in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. Agreed? Agreed.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

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

National Day of Mourning

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’ve been informed that the Minister of Labour has a point of order.

Hon. Laurie Scott: I am seeking unanimous consent regarding the wearing of pins, statements and a moment of silence in honour of the Day of Mourning.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of Labour is seeking unanimous consent of the House to allow members to wear pins in honour of the Day of Mourning, as well as a moment’s silence. Agreed? Agreed. Members will please rise.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

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

The Minister of Labour again.

Hon. Laurie Scott: I’m sorry, Mr. Speaker, but we also were asking for unanimous consent that the independent members be allowed to speak for up to five minutes, followed by five minutes for the official opposition, followed by five minutes for Her Majesty’s government, and the statements be—we’ve already had the moment of silence, but for comments.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of Labour is seeking unanimous consent of the House to allow the opposition to speak for five minutes, the independent members to speak for five minutes and the government to speak for five minutes in recognition of the Day of Mourning. Agreed? Agreed.

I’m looking to one of the independent members. I recognize the member for Guelph.

Mr. Mike Schreiner: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I’ll be sharing my time with the independent member from Ottawa South.

It’s an honour today to rise to remember and to honour workers who have been killed or injured on the job. I just want to give a shout-out to the Guelph and District Labour Council for the moving ceremony that took place yesterday in Goldie Park in Guelph, and to pledge that on this day, and I would argue every day, it is our job to mourn for the dead and to fight for the living.

Mr. Speaker, any worker killed on the job is one too many deaths. Unfortunately, though, in Ontario, workplace injuries are on the rise, up 33% since 2015, and deaths have risen to 228 in 2018. So we have an obligation as MPPs to ensure that we have laws in place that protect workers and enforce workplace safety, and to ensure that we fight for the living.

I would argue that we need to ensure that we not only have laws in place, but that we enforce those laws and that we have inspectors in place for proactive inspections—and that when employers don’t fulfill their obligation to protect workers, we act to punish them in an appropriate way. I repeat: One death on the job is one too many deaths. Every worker should be able to be confident that they can go home at the end of each and every day to their family, their loved ones and their communities.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I share my time now with the member from Ottawa South.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I recognize the member for Ottawa South.

Mr. John Fraser: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased, on behalf of our caucus, to say a few words on the National Day of Mourning.

Everybody expects their brother, their sister, their husband, their wife or their child to come home from work every day. The tragedy when somebody dies at work is a very difficult one because we don’t always say those things we might want to have said before somebody leaves first thing in the morning. It’s an important thing for us to think about every day.

In my riding of Ottawa South, on August 10, 1966, the Heron Road Bridge collapsed. I was seven years old. I remember my uncle going down to the collapse. Sixty people were working on the bridge pouring concrete, and it fell 40 metres—scaffolding and concrete. Seven men died at the scene, never to go home again. Two more died; countless were injured. People’s lives were changed forever. That was 53 years ago this August, and each year we commemorate those lives lost, and other lives lost, at the bridge. The Ottawa and District Labour Council, about four or five years ago, put up a monument, some 50 years later, to that horrific, terrible accident.

Workplace accidents and deaths are preventable, and often it’s because someone, or a number of people, missed an important step or didn’t follow the rules. Workplaces are unsafe. It’s our job here in this Legislature to ensure that those rules and the enforcement of those rules take place so that all of us can be confident that the ones that we love, the ones that we care about, will return home after the workday.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I recognize the leader of the official opposition.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Thank you, Speaker. I’m honoured to rise in this House today and speak on behalf of the official opposition as New Democrats join workers across our province and our country in marking the National Day of Mourning. On the Day of Mourning, we stand in solidarity with all working people and their friends, families and loved ones to remember those who have been injured or killed on the job.

Every year, hundreds of Ontarians are killed on the job. Every year thousands more are injured, and still more are forced to live with complications of work-related environmental illnesses or trauma that they experience on the job.

Every worker has the right to earn a living and come home safely to their loved ones. I want to say that again: Every worker has a right to earn a living and then come home safely to their loved ones each and every day. Every worker, including part-time workers, temp workers, migrant workers and people trapped in unstable employment, has the right to protection and to work in a safe environment.

Every injury, illness and death in the workplace is absolutely unacceptable. Workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths are preventable.

Speaker, we as Ontarians have a responsibility to ensure that every worker makes it home safely each and every day. Particularly in this Legislature, we have that responsibility. As a province, we must honour our obligations to workers, to their families and to their loved ones by ensuring that we strengthen and modernize workplace safety standards so that they reflect the changing nature of our workplaces.

Every injury and every death in the workplace is one too many. Yet every single year, we see tragic, preventable deaths and preventable events on construction sites, on the factory floor, in fields, underground, in correctional facilities, at hospitals and in communities across the province as first responders go about their work. In workplaces and job sites across our province, hazards evolve and workers can’t afford for a government to be out of touch or for safety improvements to be out of reach.

Workers are making it very, very clear to this government that they must take real and immediate action to address safety concerns. When people’s loved ones are suddenly taken from them on the job, whether it’s in the industrial heartland, in the north, in rural parts of our province or in our cities and suburbs, families are left to put the pieces back together again—to put the pieces of their lives back together again. No Ontarian should ever have to worry about whether or not their loved ones will go to work and never come home. That’s why New Democrats are committed to making sure that our province does have strong safety regulations and that these regulations are rigorously enforced.

We often hear words bandied about in this Legislature, like “red tape.” When red tape means that we have to make sure that workers are safe on the job and that workers can come home every single day to their families, then that’s the kind of red tape that we agree with, and I think everyone should. It’s about life and death, and it should never, ever come to that. That’s why we are committed to working tirelessly with employers, with unions, with safety experts and with the WSIB to eliminate workplace incidents in Ontario.

It’s why we will continue to fight for the care and support that victims of workplace illness and injury need, including those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Yesterday, as we marked the National Day of Mourning, Speaker, we remembered the dead.

But today and every day in this Legislature, I think it’s incumbent upon each and every one of us not just to go to events that happen in our ridings at the injured workers’ memorials and not just to get up and have this five-minute unanimous consent to talk about workers injured on the job, but to think carefully about how each and every one of us in our roles—whether you’re a minister of the crown, whether you’re a member of the governing side, whether you’re a member of the official opposition, whether you’re an independent member.

As we go through the work that we do here, we should always keep the working people of our province front and foremost when it comes to policy and regulatory change, so that we know that the policy and regulatory change that is coming about is one that makes things safer for people, not more risky; to make sure that workplaces are healthy places to be, not unhealthy places to be; and that we actually act on the words that we speak on a day like today, as we mourn for the dead but continue to fight for the living.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Next, I’ll recognize the Minister of Labour.

Hon. Laurie Scott: Yesterday, April 28, marked the National Day of Mourning, where we honour and remember those who have died, been injured or become ill as a result of their job. This day was chosen to coincide with the day Ontario’s first Workers’ Compensation Act came to be in 1914, more than 100 years ago.

Over the past year here in Ontario and in many places across the country, thousands of people have come together to pause, remember and reflect on the workers and families who have been impacted by workplace injury and illness. As the Minister of Labour, one of my top priorities is to ensure that Ontarians have the proper protections to prevent and eliminate workplace incidents. These protections start with education and prevention and include legislation, regulation, inspections and enforcement. I am committed to making sure that Ontario’s workplaces remain among the safest in the world.

I’m also proud of the tireless efforts our team and safety inspectors and specialists are making each and every day to ensure that Ontario’s workplaces remain safe.

Safety must be a priority for everyone. The government has an important role, but we can’t do it alone. We need our health and safety partners, job creators and employers, supervisors, managers and employees. We must all work together to help create a culture of health and safety to prevent further workplace tragedies.

The knowledge and resources to prevent injuries exist. We must work together to harness it and ensure every workplace has access to it. On behalf of the government, I offer my condolences to all workers, along with their families and colleagues, who have been touched by workplace illness, injury or death. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I want to thank the members for their thoughtful and compassionate remarks on the Day of Mourning.

Wearing of hockey jersey

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Are there any other members who wish to raise a point of order before we begin question period? The member for Durham.

Ms. Lindsey Park: Speaker, I regret to inform this House that the Oshawa Generals have lost their four-game playoff series to the Ottawa 67’s despite their valiant efforts. So I’d like to ask for unanimous consent to wear the Ottawa 67’s jersey during question period.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Durham is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to wear a hockey sweater during question period. Agreed? Agreed.

Oral Questions

Education funding

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Before I begin, I just think it’s important to acknowledge what many Ontarians are facing with all of the flooding that has been happening—everything from the work that the Mushkegowuk Council and Emergency Management Ontario have done to help evacuate the Kashechewan residents, to the volunteers, the army and the emergency response workers across Ottawa and Muskoka Lakes, Bancroft, Huntsville, and Renfrew county now, apparently. Things have been very tough, and Ontarians have pulled together to help each other, because that’s what our province is all about, and I think it’s important to acknowledge the work that people are doing.

My first question is to the Minister of Education. For weeks, the Ford government has insisted that their budget cuts would not lead to cuts in the classroom. On Friday, the government announced the Grants for Student Needs allocation, and school boards are confirming what we already knew: larger class sizes, fewer teachers, fewer courses available for students.

We are joined today by students, education workers, teachers and school trustees. They deserve a straight answer from the government, Speaker. Will the minister admit that this is a cut in per-student funding that will inevitably lead to cuts in the classroom?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: I am so happy to have an opportunity to speak about the facts, the true facts about where we’re going in education in Ontario to get it back on track.

First and foremost, everybody in this House and everybody watching and listening to question period today needs to know we’re investing more money in education like never before. And over and above that, we’re making sure we are investing the money properly so the number one priority—student achievement—is achieved and realized once and for all.

You know, it’s interesting, because here are the facts: We’re investing almost $25 billion through Grants for Student Needs. Essentially, for people listening and watching today, Grants for Student Needs is the operating envelope, if you will, that school boards need. So we’re investing almost $25 billion in the operating funds for the next school year in 2019-20, and not one teacher—not one teacher—will lose their job because of our proposed changes. Once and for all—

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

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock.

Restart the clock. Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: What every person watching question period today needs to know is that the Grants for Student Needs have been cut by the government, which is not what the minister has acknowledged. In fact, there is an inflationary cut as well to education in their budget, so they are not even funding to inflation, which means, of course, even more cuts to education.

School boards are carefully reviewing the latest news from the ministry, but some things are quite clear already. The Toronto board says that they’re facing a multi-million-dollar shortfall. That’s not just the official opposition. That’s the Toronto board. The Peel board says that course options will be lost. Again, not the official opposition but the Peel board. Toronto Catholic board’s chair says they’re losing $655,000 in grants and eliminating 95 at-risk jobs for youth. These are real cuts affecting real Ontarians. Will the minister put an end to her cuts and restore funding to education?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: I am going to stand in this House every day and put an end to the nonsense that we are hearing from the members of the opposition party. We’re talking about people’s livelihoods. We’re talking about people’s jobs. Shame on you for all the anxiety and all of the fearmongering you’re causing throughout Ontario because the fact of the matter is this: We’re increasing spending in education.

In the budget, people saw where we’re investing $700 million more than the previous government, and that is going to make a difference right in the classroom. Our GSN is up by almost—it’s going to be almost $25 billion, and that is a huge, significant piece of the puzzle when it comes to making sure we are securing what matters most in Ontario, and that is student achievement. For goodness’ sake, we are making sure that not one teacher is going to lose their job because we are setting aside a historic $1.6 billion in attrition protection funding. Not one teacher—

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, Speaker, the minister keeps denying it, but nobody believes her anymore. The Ford government is making cuts to classrooms, and our students are the ones who are going to be paying the price.

Last week, students at Cawthra Park Secondary School in Mississauga were called into the auditorium in their school and staff informed them that they would have to reselect their courses for their graduating year, and that they might even have to take summer school or night school to pick up electives in order to graduate in the time frame they expected to graduate.

The Premier can’t stick his head in the sand and claim that students are fearmongering or that the opposition is fearmongering. These classroom cuts are real. They are hurting students, and they are damaging those students’ futures. Will the minister stand up to the Premier, stand up for the students, get back to the cabinet table and make sure that these cuts are reversed?

Interjections.

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

Minister to reply.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Speaker, I’m going to stand up against all of the nonsense that the leader of the opposition party is trying to discuss. Honestly, I’m telling you, we are investing money like never before. The fact of the matter is, we’re increasing our funding in student transportation. We’re increasing our funding for school per capita. We’re going to be building schools and continuing to repair schools. We’re going to be increasing our funding in French-language education. We’re going to be increasing our funding by $90 million for special education.

Again, Speaker, this is nonsense, what is being perpetuated by the opposition party. We are making sure that our number one priority is student achievement, and that they have the courses and they have the learning experiences they deserve, and we look forward to working with school boards to make sure that they themselves protect what matters most, and that is student achievement and the learning environment in the classroom.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock.

Start the clock. Next question.

Climate change

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is to the Acting Premier. On Friday, the Premier travelled to Ottawa where he made the surprising admission that climate change is real—it was likely contributing to the flooding that we’re seeing in communities across Ontario and that we should expect more of them. Now if the Premier truly believes that, why has the government slashed funding to conservation authorities for flood management programs by half?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The question’s to the Deputy Premier.

Hon. Christine Elliott: To the Minister of Energy.

Hon. Greg Rickford: First of all, Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge the Leader of the Opposition’s comments earlier and commend and thank all of the people, organizations, ministry officials, and volunteers throughout the province who’ve worked in response to these floods.

Understanding the impacts of climate change is essential to help manage risks across the economy to improve our understanding of how climate change will impact the province. We plan to launch Ontario’s first-ever climate change impact assessment. This is a key part of our made-in-Ontario environment plan. We’ll access the best science and information to better understand where the province is vulnerable and to know which regions and economic sectors are most likely to be impacted.

The previous Liberal government, supported by the NDP, wasted taxpayers’ dollars on actions that did little to prepare the province for the costs and impacts of climate change. That’s changing under our government, Mr. Speaker.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, Speaker, I know that the Premier saw what I saw when I travelled to Ottawa this weekend: thousands of volunteers scrambling to hold back rising water, heartbreaking losses to homes and businesses, damage and devastation.

We’re joined today by families from Kashechewan, who are yet again being evacuated from their homes following disastrous flooding. The Premier admitted that once-a-century floods are now happening almost every year. If that’s the case, why is the Ford government cutting the very services that could help us deal with it, including a 50% cut to the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs?

Hon. Greg Rickford: Ontario’s very first impact assessment will enable us to make planning and investment decisions that are better informed by the likely impacts of a changing climate. It will ensure better long-term management of public and private assets and infrastructure and will reduce costs to government, businesses and households.

Unfortunately, the member opposite’s question does not reflect the reality in terms of our investment to Indigenous affairs. We continue to be committed to offering an array of programs and services, uncompromised in our efforts to modernize Indigenous affairs in Ontario and work effectively with our Indigenous stakeholders across the province.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I’ll tell you about the impact, Speaker. The impact is severe, and it’s happening right now, not sometime down the road when they get an impact study done.

The Premier is not just cutting flood management services while the impacts are happening, but the Ford budget also scrapped the 50 Million Tree Program, which, among other things, mitigated flood risk while fighting climate change. This doesn’t even mention the Premier’s decision to roll back environmental protections, scrap climate change programs and download even more costs to municipal governments that are scrambling to protect their communities, and let’s not even talk about the fact that we don’t even have an independent environmental commissioner anymore in the province of Ontario.

They are willing to spend millions of dollars helping Andrew Scheer by slapping campaign stickers on every gas pump in Ontario, but they can’t find the funds to protect families from flooding, much less protect our province from climate change. Is this Ford government prepared to revisit the devastating cuts that they announced in their budget?

Interjections.

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

To the Minister of Energy again to reply.

Hon. Greg Rickford: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll take a crack at that kitchen-sink question and make the following observation: The New Democratic protestors here are bent on exploiting every issue that they can possibly do, and it doesn’t reflect the facts on the ground.

She mentioned the carbon tax. Let’s just talk about that for a moment. Listen to this: Boris Horodynsky owns Horodynsky Farms in Innisfil, one of the top onion farms in the country. He produces over 90,000 metric tonnes of grade A onions, grown, packed and shipped everywhere. He says, “In the end, we’ll have to work these costs into our end product, into the onions. The consumer will end up paying the additional cost when they go into the supermarket to buy some onions or any other products....” He believes that the number is nowhere near the $307 postcard we’ve all been sent by the federal government.

In fact, he says, “It’s not going to be $1,200 or $1,500.... It’s likely going to be an additional $2,000 to $3,000....”

We are not going to miss an opportunity to inform the people of Ontario how much the federal Liberals and the provincial NDP want a cost of living for the people of Ontario.

Kashechewan First Nation

Mr. Guy Bourgouin: My question is to the Minister of Indigenous Affairs. Today, 250 members from Kashechewan First Nation are present at Queen’s Park to remind the minister of the province’s responsibility towards the community.

Speaker, 17 times the people of Kashechewan, including children, elders, and people with disabilities, have been evacuated as a result of the yearly flood. This government has issued a rapid response to the threat of flooding in eastern Ontario—rightly so, Mr. Speaker—yet it has failed the affected people in Kashechewan. Will this government commit to expediting the land transfer process so that the relocation of Kashechewan can begin as quickly as possible? Yes or no?

Hon. Greg Rickford: First, I’d like to commend the officials from my ministry, the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs of Ontario. In fact, ministry officials from no less than five—at least—other ministries have been working hard on a coordinated response under these difficult situations to make this displacement as seamless as possible.

With respect to the member’s specific request, Mr. Speaker, I’ve already taken action. I spoke with Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler last week. We had a great conversation. I’ll be meeting with Chief Friday today and Grand Chief RoseAnne Archibald to ensure that they know that Ontario stands ready at any time, should the federal government decide to come forward and make plans to move this community.

Interjections.

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

Mr. Guy Bourgouin: Let me remind the members of this House that the province is a signatory party of the March 31, 2017 tripartite framework agreement. This agreement stipulated that both the province and the federal government would engage in short-, mid- and long-term solutions for Kashechewan. These solutions include relocating the community to higher and safer grounds.

Speaker, 90% of the community voted in favour of the relocation during the referendum held three years ago. My question: Minister, people have been waiting for 17 years and the province is responsible for this flooding. Promises are over. Will you honour the agreement that the province signed in 2017?

Hon. Greg Rickford: Mr. Speaker, I’m very familiar with this situation and I can assure the member opposite and the people of Kashechewan who are here today that Ontario stands ready. We will make every effort available to us—use every tool—to participate in a process with the leadership of the Kashechewan First Nation community, the federal government and the provincial government to move forward.

This is not talking about it; it’s about taking action. I’ve spoken with Indigenous leaders in the province to ensure not only that we ensure the safe displacement of those members happens now, but in the short-to-medium term there is a plan, a phased-in plan—which I’ve already had substantive discussions with Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler and plan to continue with the leadership of Kashechewan later this afternoon—to ensure that Kashechewan has a home year-round and this kind of displacement comes to an end.

Flooding

Mr. Norman Miller: My question is for the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. Over the past week, we’ve seen flooding in many communities across Ontario, including severe flooding in Bracebridge, Huntsville and Katrine in my riding of Parry Sound–Muskoka. I’ve seen the flooding in all of these communities first-hand. I’ve spoken to the residents, who are anxious about their safety and damage to their property.

I know we have dedicated staff across the province monitoring the situation and responding with the support of the government. In Parry Sound–Muskoka, we also have dedicated municipal leaders and a huge number of volunteers doing everything they can. Can the minister please tell this House what his ministry and our government are doing to mitigate the potential damage from the flood waters?

Hon. John Yakabuski: I want to thank the member from Parry Sound–Muskoka for that question. I know he was out with the Premier last week viewing first-hand the damage in his areas.

Our sympathies go out to everyone across Ontario who has been dealing with flooding, including in my riding of Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke. On Friday, I visited the community of Constance Bay with Premier Ford, and I continued to visit communities in my riding over the weekend.

As we deal with the high water levels, the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre has been fully activated. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has been working with our partners at the Ministries of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Solicitor General and across all three levels of government to coordinate an effective response. Together, we have personnel and supplies strategically positioned across the province to respond to the needs of municipalities as they request assistance.

I want to thank all of the first responders and the volunteers who have put in so much time to deal with this and to help those people who are suffering so greatly at this time.

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

Mr. Norman Miller: I thank you, Minister, for that answer. I understand water levels across much of eastern Ontario are at or have exceeded levels that have occurred in recent history. In Parry Sound–Muskoka, we are seeing record high water levels. Residents of Bracebridge, Huntsville, Katrine and Armour township who are facing flooding have strong local leadership to rely upon. I’ve met with and remain in touch with Bracebridge mayor Graydon Smith, Huntsville mayor Scott Aitchison and Armour township reeve Bob MacPhail.

However, much of my riding also includes unorganized territories where they are also experiencing flooding. Can the minister tell us what role the Ministry of Natural Resources plays in these unorganized territories?

Hon. John Yakabuski: Thank you to the member. As he knows, the municipalities lead the response in their community when circumstances such as flooding occur. Municipalities continue to be in contact with the provincial emergency coordination centre and are leading the response. They are coping well where there have been impacts and remain well equipped and prepared to respond to flooding.

In unorganized townships, MNRF, my ministry, is the lead for flood emergency response, and we work with our partner ministries and agencies to support people living in those areas.

For any Ontarian looking for information from my ministry on current or potential flood conditions, I ask them to visit Ontario.ca/flooding, where they will find maps, weather forecasts and other tools to help to keep them safe. We will be there when help is needed.

Kashechewan First Nation

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: Meegwetch, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Indigenous Affairs. The agreement signed by Canada, Ontario and Kashechewan First Nation in March 2017 is entitled Together We Work for Hope. But I’m not hearing hope from the community. Members of Kashechewan travelled here today to hear about this government’s response to the flooding.

Mr. Speaker, will this government honour the health and the public safety commitments from the 2017 agreement and move forward with relocating the community?

Hon. Greg Rickford: I want to thank—

Interruption.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m going to ask the person who is shouting at the Legislature to cease. You can’t do what you’re doing. If you don’t stop, you’re going to have to leave the chamber.

Once again, I’ll say we welcome guests in the Ontario Legislature. We’re delighted to have you here. But you can’t engage the members while you’re in the visitors’ gallery with comments. It’s against the rules. It makes it impossible for the Legislature to do its business.

The minister had the floor and I’ll allow him to conclude his response.

Hon. Greg Rickford: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the honourable member’s question. What we do intend to honour is a commitment to the community of Kashechewan that ensures, moving forward, we work with the federal government and the leadership of Kashechewan First Nation’s community towards a plan that helps that community move to another location. I had conversations with Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler last week. I’ll be meeting with Chief Friday today. I have a call placed in with Minister O’Regan, who I have had good relationships with on some particular matters in northwestern Ontario.

We intend to ensure moving forward, Mr. Speaker, that there is a plan in place for Kashechewan so they don’t have to be displaced year in and year out as a result of the flooding and the location that that community currently is in.

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

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: In 2005, more than 800 Kashechewan residents had to be evacuated due to E. coli contamination of the water supply. Many of the houses are full of mould due to repeated flooding and trapped moisture. Mr. Speaker, there is no time to waste to fix these health issues. The provincial government has a role to provide health care to the community through Treaty 9 and the 2017 agreement. What specific actions will this government take to protect the health of the community in the face of these floods?

Interjections.

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

Once again, the Minister of Indigenous Affairs to reply.

Hon. Greg Rickford: I appreciate the honourable member’s question. As I said earlier, we intend to honour a process that will see a solution for Kashechewan First Nation. It is unacceptable that they’ve been moved out of their community almost every year for the past 15 to 17 years, Mr. Speaker, and that the conditions in terms of housing are as a result of that flooding.

That’s why I’ve engaged the federal minister and the leadership of Kashechewan First Nation’s community and, frankly, the Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation as well as the grand chief of the Chiefs of Ontario to ensure that we have the appropriate discussions and a plan in place, moving forward, that will ensure this problem is dealt with.

Occupational health and safety

Mr. Rudy Cuzzetto: My question is for the Minister of Labour. Minister, earlier this morning we observed a moment of silence and received unanimous consent to wear the yellow ribbon to remember and honour those who have died, been injured or been ill as a result of their jobs, including my father, who died of asbestosis when I was 18, on December 12, 1985.

Last week and over the weekend, thousands of people across Ontario and in many places throughout Canada also paused to mark the National Day of Mourning. Participants included labour groups, employers, government officials and, of course, friends and family and survivors of those impacted by workplace incidents.

Can the minister inform this House how she as the Minister of Labour observed these occasions?

Hon. Laurie Scott: I thank the member from Mississauga–Lakeshore for the question and for all the fine work he is doing for his constituents, and for sharing his story about his dad. It is because of incidents like your dad that we have the day of remembrance.

Last Friday, I had the honour of participating in the day of remembrance ceremonies at the WSIB, and yesterday I joined the Lindsay and District Labour Council in my riding, as well as we reflected on the devastation caused by workplace injuries and fatalities. I heard from injured workers and their families and colleagues who have been affected by an injury, illness or death in the workplace. I heard and felt their sorrow and their anger.

These injuries and fatalities are not statistics. These are family members, friends and neighbours. We must all make a commitment to do whatever we can to help make our workplaces safe, Mr. Speaker, and I know that we all continue to do that.

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

Mr. Rudy Cuzzetto: Thank you, Minister. I’m sure that the ceremony was moving and thought-provoking.

I know that the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Labour has been travelling through the province, hosting a number of round table discussions with employees, health and safety advocates, and workers, all to identify ways the Minister of Labour can improve its health and safety education, prevention and inspection process. When she attended a round table in my riding, more than 30 people came out to share their experiences and suggestions. This is clearly an issue people care about deeply.

Can you please tell us what else the Ministry of Labour is doing to reduce and eliminate workplace injuries and fatalities?

Hon. Laurie Scott: I do want to thank my parliamentary assistant, the member from Burlington, Jane McKenna, for all the great work that she has been doing at the Ministry of Labour. It is one of our top priorities to ensure that Ontario has the proper protections to prevent and eliminate workplace incidents, starting with education and prevention and including legislation, regulation, inspections and enforcement.

I am committed to ensuring that Ontario’s workplaces do remain the safest in the world. We are currently holding consultations on the development of Ontario’s next occupational health and safety strategy, where we will drive home the message that everyone has a role to play. We need everyone—we as legislators, regulators, our health and safety partners, workers and employers—to promote health and safety to prevent further workplace injuries, fatalities and illnesses. Mr. Speaker, I am confident we can do that.

Legal aid

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is to the Attorney General. Last Monday, the Premier called in to Global News Radio and spoke live on the air to Alan Carter. Among other things, the Premier said, “If anyone needs support on legal aid, feel free to call my office. I will guarantee you that you will have legal aid.”

Will the Attorney General repeat in the House today the Premier’s words, that anyone who contacts the Premier’s office will be guaranteed legal aid coverage, or was the Premier just making stuff up again?

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: As members of this House know well, the Premier is very connected to the people of Ontario through his phone. He takes phone calls and replies to cellphone messages because he wants to hear directly from Ontarians about what matters most.

What he hears over and over again—as we all do, Mr. Speaker—is that what matters to the people of Ontario is to ensure that their government is doing everything they can to protect what matters most to the people of Ontario. That is making sure that our health care system is sustainable, that our education system is sustainable and that our legal services system is sustainable as well. Legal aid provides a vital service to the people of Ontario, Mr. Speaker, and it will continue to do so. The Ministry of the Attorney General is committed to working with legal aid to ensure that those front-line services are preserved and are maintained, and they will under this government.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, it sounds to us like even the Premier is embarrassed by the cuts that he’s proposing, but these cuts are real and they won’t go away just because he pulls over to call into a radio show with empty promises.

Will the Attorney General admit today that the cuts to legal aid will leave people in our province, often the most vulnerable people—in fact, the most vulnerable people—in our province without legal coverage, and that the Premier was wrong to offer a guarantee that he had no intention of living up to, of honouring?

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: Empty promises were made in this House by members of the previous government who promised the people of Ontario a series of promises that added up to $15 billion that they knew they could not pay for.

Our government was elected with a strong mandate to restore fiscal sustainability to this province, Mr. Speaker, and that is what we are doing. Our budget that was delivered earlier this month is an important step in that way. And so I am very proud of the proposals that we have made, of the policies that we have made to make sure that the programs our government offers to the people of Ontario are done so in a sustainable way, all the while protecting the front-line services that the people of this province need most. Health care, education and legal representation for those most in need will be preserved and maintained.

Those who need legal aid can call the Ministry of the Attorney General and can call legal aid. The services will be there for those in need.

Government accountability

M me Nathalie Des Rosiers: Mes premiers mots sont évidemment pour les victimes des inondations à Ottawa et partout en province. Merci aux bénévoles.

Ma question est pour la procureure générale. To respect the rule of law, equality of everyone in front of the law was guaranteed. That’s why governments agreed that they should be held to account. That meant that government should be able to be sued when it does something wrong.

Now, Speaker, the government wants to change that. The Crown Liability and Proceedings Act, which is buried in this year’s budget, would limit the Ontario government’s liability. The Premier himself said this move was designed to prevent groups from launching lawsuits against his government.

No other province in this country has wanted to codify the case law on crown liability. Does the minister believe that Ontario judges are less able than their counterparts to balance the rights of people and the government’s policy scope?

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: The people of Ontario have many ways to bring proceedings against the crown, and those measures are still preserved. I would ask the member opposite to stop putting out information that will lead the people of Ontario to not know what their rights are through the courts and tribunals of this province. The measures that we have brought forward are to ensure that those who bring suits against the crown are able to do so in a way that’s transparent and that also makes sure that those who have claims that need speedy access are able to access that justice in a faster way, Mr. Speaker.

So I would ask the member opposite to make sure when she states her facts that she does so in a way that reflects the facts, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

M me Nathalie Des Rosiers: The Crown Liability and Proceedings Act presumes “dismissed and extinguished” all claims against the government that are included; the wording does go further than what the Supreme Court has said.

Does the minister want to extinguish all claims that include the rights of survivors of the Sixties Scoop, for example, to be prevented from suing the government? Or the rights of Indigenous communities who were deprived wrongly of their land in the past? Or the current lawsuit by people that are in segregation for too long? Or, eventually, the people who are suffering flooding now from suing when indeed there would have been mistakes in planning decisions?

It is important for now and for the future that we protect the ability of Ontarians to sue their government when indeed they have been wronged. That’s just very necessary. The minister knows that this wording goes beyond the scope of the case law. Will she just go back to the drawing board and remove appendix 17 so that there’s more consultation on it?

Interjections.

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

The Attorney General to reply once again.

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: Speaker, I’m very disappointed in the member opposite, frankly, who knows that the people of Ontario have many ways to bring cases against the crown. In this case what the legislation does is it codifies existing case law set by the Supreme Court that states that good faith policy decisions by governments are not judiciable in this case.

There are various ways for people to bring cases against the crown, Mr. Speaker, and the member opposite is just letting the people of Ontario believe things that are not correct.

Education

Ms. Jill Dunlop: My question is to the Minister of Education. Over the past few months, our government has been hard at work finding ways to improve Ontario’s education system. We’ve modernized an outdated curriculum, we’ve taken steps to get spending on track and we’ve put a plan forward to make sure the best teachers are at the front of the classroom. Every day, we’ve been taking action to put student achievement back at the centre of all we do. Yet despite these improvements, the opposition continues to fearmonger, especially when it comes to education. Can the Minister of Education share with the Legislature the details of the government’s plan for teacher job protection?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: I very much appreciate the question coming from the member from Simcoe North. She works so hard at the grassroots level—and you know what, how people are supporting what we’re doing in education. I appreciate this question very much because I absolutely appreciate having the opportunity to stand here today and reinforce our government’s position when it comes to protecting jobs in Ontario.

Despite what the opposition says, we are taking steps to protect. We are investing a historic $1.6 billion in attrition protection funding. It’s attrition funding that will protect teachers from what the opposition is perpetuating. Speaker, this is so, so important, because change is difficult. But we’re going to work through it because the changes we’re implementing have been asked for. We’ve listened to parents, we’ve listened to students and, quite frankly, we’ve listened to teachers as well.

With this investment, I can’t stress enough: No matter what rhetoric comes from the people opposite here, we are not going to lose one teacher job because of our proposed changes.

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

Ms. Jill Dunlop: Thank you to the minister for reaffirming her commitment to protecting jobs here in Ontario. The Minister of Education has been hard at work to get this province’s education system back on track, but every step of the way the opposition has been instilling fear in families and students and undermining the positive changes our government has been making. Can the Minister of Education tell the House the facts about the number of changes she has made to maximize student potential and achievement?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Thank you very much to the member from Simcoe North because I am just absolutely adamant that our top priority—and everyone on this side of the House and in government is absolutely dedicated to student achievement. That is our number one priority, despite what the opposition says. And we’re spending: We’re increasing our investment in every regard to make sure that the learning environment in the classroom is second to none and continues to lead around the globe.

We’re investing $13 billion over the next 10 years to build new schools, and to repair and address the needs that local schools have. And do you know what? The opposition have been so wrong. They were wrong about the $100 million that we invested in repairing schools. They were wrong about the kindergarten rhetoric. They were wrong about so much, Speaker. But what we’re doing, and what they cannot deny, is that we’re getting education back on track—

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

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. Order.

Restart the clock. The next question is the member for Parkdale–High Park.

Public health

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: My question is to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. The government’s unilateral cuts to public health will put public health and safety at risk. This scheme, cooked up in the backrooms without any warning or public consultation, is not about saving money since public health is the most cost-effective way to deliver better health outcomes. And it is certainly not about modernizing the health care system, as our public health care system is one of the best in the world after learning mistakes that led to Walkerton and SARS. Why is the minister going down this disastrous path that will put lives at risk?

Hon. Christine Elliott: I thank the member for the question because it provides me an opportunity to tell the people of Ontario what is actually happening with the modernization of our public health units, aside from some of the overblown rhetoric and incorrect information that other people have put forward. In fact, what is happening is that, over three years, we are modernizing the system. The city of Toronto is being asked to contribute one third of 1% of their budget extra, which is $33 million in the first year, going up to $42 million after three years.

The sky is not falling in, Mr. Speaker. This is an amount that can be managed by the city of Toronto, because the fact is, over the last several years, the city of Toronto has accumulated millions of dollars in surplus funding for public health. So they will be able to find this money. And when you take a look at some of the programs that are being provided, like breakfast programs for children, those will continue to be funded—not through my ministry but by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. That’s where that money comes from. That will continue—

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

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: Thank you, Speaker.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’d recognized the member for Parkdale–High Park and then the government side tried to create a standing ovation.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Start the clock. Again, the member for Parkdale–High Park.

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: Thank you, Speaker. Back to the minister: Since the government first announced their cuts to public health, the minister has failed to explain how she can guarantee that Ontarians won’t be at risk if municipal governments are unable to find funding to pay for water inspections or respond quickly to a food-borne outbreak. School board officials, physicians, medical students, a former deputy health minister and even the former chief medical officer of health have all come forward to say these dangerous cuts will put people at risk. Does the Minister of Health believe she has greater expertise in public health than these people?

Interjections.

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

To the minister to reply.

Hon. Christine Elliott: What I would say to the member—through you, Mr. Speaker—is that it’s a question of priorities. I understand that the department of public health in Toronto, in addition to running surpluses for a number of years, also had an entire department just for advocacy, and also did a study on the health and safety ramifications of reinventing Yonge Street.

I think most people in Ontario would realize, and certainly the members over here on this side would understand, that vaccinations for children are a priority, community breakfast programs are a priority, testing water is a priority, and making sure students with special needs are supported. That’s what I would be spending my money on if I was at the city of Toronto department of public health. That’s what they should be concentrating on. Those are the priorities—

Interjections.

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

Next question.

School nutrition programs

Mrs. Robin Martin: My question is for the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. Over the past week, a member of Toronto city council has been pushing a narrative of outrage and indignation which drives fearmongering with overheated rhetoric and inaccurate information.

To promote the city’s own political agenda and push against our government, the councillor has stated numerous falsehoods that our government is reducing funding with respect to the vital Student Nutrition Program. Speaker, can the minister please correct the record and explain to this House what it is that our government is doing to continue supporting the Student Nutrition Program?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: I’d like to thank the honourable member for her responsible question on an issue that is very important.

Let me be perfectly clear: The statements made by the city councillor in Toronto, as well as the irresponsible opposition, are categorically false. The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services invests $28.5 million into school nutrition programs across the province of Ontario, including over $8.5 million in the city of Toronto.

I will challenge the members of the Toronto city council to ensure that the money that flows from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services for school breakfast programs in the city is maintained, and that they continue to support that program and stop the fearmongering, which is irresponsible and unacceptable.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m going to caution all the members on their inflammatory language. I’m going to ask the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services to withdraw.

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: Sure. Withdrawn.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mrs. Robin Martin: Thank you, Minister, for bringing this information to the floor of the House and ensuring that accurate information is on the public record.

Our government is continuing provincial funding to the Student Nutrition Program, but this city councillor does not seem to take yes for an answer. Last week, TVO published an opinion piece on this, highlighting the funding breakdown of the School Nutrition Program, which Toronto contributes literally one one-thousandth of its budget to. The writer says, “Keeping healthy food in schools is something that Toronto could do if council so chose,” and also that “only city council” can put Toronto’s school nutrition programs at risk.

Speaker, can the minister please explain why city council should step up to the plate and help ensure this vital program continues?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: Obviously, we’re going to continue with our $8.5-million commitment to the city of Toronto through the Toronto Foundation for Student Success. That is a priority for this government. It is protecting what matters most, which are the children of this community.

But let me also be perfectly clear: The rhetoric, the fearmongering that has been engaged upon by the left is unhelpful and it has riled people up, when the facts were not true. I’ll give you one example, Speaker: This is a government that has increased funding in health care by $1.3 billion, yet the official opposition says that we’ve cut it. This is a government that has increased funding in education by $700 million, yet the official opposition suggests there’s a cut. This is a government that has invested an additional $300 million in social services, yet the opposition says that it’s a cut.

The math on the other side of the aisle is atrocious and it contributes to fearmongering, which is unacceptable.

Education funding

Ms. Marit Stiles: My question is for the Minister of Education. This afternoon, trustees from the province’s largest school board, the Toronto District School Board, will meet to discuss the impact on classrooms following Friday’s announcement of more cuts to education. The TDSB’s preliminary analysis shows that the government’s cuts will mean schools in Toronto will face a budget shortfall of at least $21 million a year, but that real number could climb as high as $54 million.

When the minister talks about change, does she mean fewer supports for students with special needs, fewer course options, the loss of teaching positions and EA positions? Mr. Speaker, can the minister explain how taking more resources away from students will help them succeed?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: First of all, I hope the member enjoyed her visit to the best riding in the province. It’s a gorgeous riding on Ontario’s west coast. It was very nice that you came out for a visit.

With regard to the question that was put, Speaker, I have to share with you that we want to work with our school boards. The Toronto District School Board has a budget of almost $3 billion, and I am positive that we can work together with that school board to realize efficiencies at their administrative level, because everyone in this House and across the province should always have student achievement as their number one priority.

It’s interesting. In that spirit of everyone coming together and working together, I actually extended an invitation to our labour partners to start meeting as early as today so that we can put a stop to the fearmongering and anxiety being generated by the opposition party. But unfortunately, I haven’t heard from anyone to date.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: That sounded a little bit like a threat to the TDSB, Minister.

It is not only students in urban schools who will be hurt by these deep cuts, as the minister knows. There will be even bigger impacts on kids in Ontario’s small and rural schools. As the minister noted, on Friday, over 300 parents, students and education workers rallied outside her own constituency office calling on the government to halt this attack on public education. And I was fortunate to visit the beautiful riding of Huron–Bruce last week at the invitation of her constituents. I heard first-hand their concerns about how these cuts will mean teachers are able to provide less support and fewer course options and the viability of smaller schools being at risk.

Speaker, will the minister listen to her own constituents and stop these cuts?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Again, Speaker, I’m very pleased to stand in this House and say that we’re going to be modernizing education in Ontario and getting it back on track, all the while making sure student achievement is our number one priority. And I truly, sincerely hope that the labour partners and our education partners—our school boards—are going to be working with us. Because it’s interesting: When we listened to our stakeholders throughout this province from one corner to another, we heard loud and clear teachers through to parents saying, “Hey, what about the boards?

What can the school boards do to realize some efficiencies? What can they do to make sure that the focus remains on student achievement?”

Let me be perfectly clear: The nonsense coming from that member opposite about threats is ridiculous. I want to work with partners. I am ready to get to the table. I’m ready to get to work. I am absolutely ashamed at the nonsense coming from across the floor. We are a government that is prepared to get to work as of today, because teachers, students—

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

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. Order. The House will come to order.

Start the clock. Next question.

Correctional services

Mr. Ross Romano: My question today is for the Solicitor General. Ontario’s government for the people was elected with a mandate to improve public safety across this province and to provide our hard-working front-line officers in our correctional facilities with the tools and the resources they need to perform their duties safely and effectively.

Correctional officers have a challenging job, and the need for a new institution in Thunder Bay is clear. While in opposition, the PC Party called for a new facility in Thunder Bay to ensure that staff, inmates and the community were safe. Could the Solicitor General please update the members of this Legislature on the status of this new facility?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Thank you for the interest from the member from Sault Ste. Marie. He’s absolutely right. There’s no doubt our front-line correctional officers and staff work hard each and every day to keep our communities safe, protect our families and make sure that the inmates who are in our prisons are protected.

While in Thunder Bay last week, I was pleased to join the Minister of Infrastructure to highlight our government’s commitment to move ahead with building a new, modern corrections complex that will keep correctional staff safe and better protect the people of Ontario.

I want to reinforce that this facility will reflect our government’s vision for building a more effective, efficient and responsive corrections system, with staff well-being and public protection front and centre. The Thunder Bay Correctional Complex will be a model in a correctional system that serves its purpose of keeping our families safe, defending victims and holding criminals accountable for their actions.

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

Mr. Ross Romano: Thank you to the Solicitor General for confirming the government’s support for a new correctional facility in Thunder Bay. This is good news for the people of northern Ontario and across our province.

Reckless and irresponsible spending by the previous Liberal government left the people with a $15-billion deficit. The Liberals put essential services that people rely on, including community safety, at risk.

In the government’s 2019 Ontario budget, tough choices had to be made to protect what matters most. Few things matter more than the security of the people of Ontario. Mr. Speaker, can the Solicitor General please tell the House how this new facility in Thunder Bay will improve public safety, protect staff on the job and provide inmates with comprehensive rehabilitation services?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Independent members, come to order.

The Solicitor General will reply again.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: To the Minister of Infrastructure.

Hon. Monte McNaughton: Thank you to the member from Sault Ste. Marie for that excellent question and leadership on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, last week I had the pleasure of joining the Solicitor General in Thunder Bay to make this important announcement. It was also great to see our friend MPP Michael Gravelle there, too, for this important announcement.

Courts and jails like this one help make our communities safe for people. That’s why our government is committed to investing in the province’s infrastructure. New correctional facilities like this one let in more natural light, create spaces for education and skills training, have more mental health units, will be equipped with scanning technology to prevent smuggled contraband and will include cultural features throughout the facility. Most importantly, as the Solicitor General said, the new Thunder Bay Correctional Complex will minimize risks to staff while also increasing efficiency.

Corrections staff do challenging work. On behalf of our government I want to thank them for their service to all of our communities.

Education funding

Ms. Laura Mae Lindo: My question is to the Minister of Education. Tessa Day, a 13-year-old from Courtland public school in Kitchener Centre, is with us in the gallery today. Her teacher gave her class an assignment: Use slam poetry to write about something you care about. She decided to write about education.

Here’s a part of her poem:

You don’t see

All the children with dreams,

You don’t even hear the screams.

You’re just taking money

From the ones who need it most.

You just want to boast.

Mr. Speaker, Tessa is telling this government that Ontario children, including the most marginalized, should be our top priority. Will the minister reverse the cuts that are putting Tessa’s education at risk?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Tessa, welcome to Queen’s Park. I appreciate that you’ve taken an interesting form of art to share your ideas and thoughts. Don’t stop doing that, ever, because we need people like you standing up and expressing yourself, because it allows a proper dialogue to happen.

I’m glad you’re here, because I have to share with you—I need to be very clear: We are not cutting in education; we’re investing. We’re investing $700 million this year alone in education. We’re increasing student transportation. We’re increasing francophone language. We’re increasing, for example, $90 million in special education needs.

You know, Tessa, I have young people in my family. I think about my stepkids’ kids. I think about the young people in my community. If we’re making these decisions to make sure that you are our number one priority and your student achievement remains—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. I’m going to ask the member from Toronto–St. Paul’s to withdraw her unparliamentary remark.

Ms. Jill Andrew: Withdraw.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Government side, come to order.

There’s still some time left on the clock. I’m going to remind all members to make their comments and direct their comments through the Chair.

Restart the clock. Supplementary question.

Ms. Laura Mae Lindo: Again to the minister: Tessa’s insights are possible because of organizations like Harmony Movement, which provides equity and inclusion training to students and to teachers. Harmony has worked with both the Waterloo Region District School Board and their Catholic board, and it’s work like theirs which has sparked creativity and compassion in students just like Tessa.

Harmony Movement is here with us today, but they are being forced to close their doors after 25 years because of the minister’s attack on diversity and equity programming. Mr. Speaker, can the minister please tell Tessa and the teachers Tessa works with where her teachers will be receiving training that will build inclusion and equity in Ontario’s schools now that Harmony Movement will have to close their doors?

Interjections.

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

Once again to the Minister of Education to reply.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Again, thank you for being here. My number one priority as Minister of Education is helping students realize their dreams. Speaker, everything we do in this government is going to make sure that through education, students do have a chance to achieve their dreams.

The fact of the matter is, there was a lot of waste and mismanagement in the previous government during 15 years of Liberal rule, Liberal chaos in the education system, and so we’re rebranding and refocusing on student achievement. The fact of the matter is, we are going to be looking at priorities and partnerships on the way forward—priorities and partnerships, not education and other funding that proved to be a slush fund for special Liberal projects. We are going to be absolutely ensuring student success, and not one teacher will lose their job because of our proposed changes.

Mental health in agriculture

Mr. Will Bouma: My question is to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Farming is a very rewarding career, but it also has its own unique challenges and stresses. At this busy time of year, farmers often struggle with destructive factors that are beyond their control, such as pests or weather. Farmers often work long hours alone, keeping their worries close to their chests, and this is especially true as our farmers are entering planting season.

When it comes to mental health, far too many of our farmers suffer in silence. It is critical that farmers have mental health resources, not just at planting season but all year round. Can the minister please tell this House about the work our government is doing to ensure that farmers have the mental health supports that they need?

Hon. Ernie Hardeman: I want to thank the member from Brantford–Brant for his important question. I’m proud of the work that our government has done to increase awareness of mental health issues in the agriculture industry. I would like to thank all the farmers who shared their personal stories at our mental health round tables, and I’m grateful for our partnership with the University of Guelph on this issue and for the fantastic research led by Dr. Andria Jones-Bitton. I also want to thank everyone from our farm organizations who participated in our spring planting mental health video campaign for sharing their advice and personal care strategies.

I want to encourage any farmer who may need help not to suffer in silence. Take care of yourself. Take a step back and put your mental health first during this busy time. I ask all those in the agriculture community to look out for their friends, neighbours and family members who may be struggling and to reach out a hand to help.

Thank you very much for the question.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): That concludes our question period for this morning.

Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I understand the member for Guelph has a point of order.

Mr. Mike Schreiner: Thank you, Speaker. I rise on a point of order to welcome two of my constituents here to Queen’s Park today, Leigh LaHaise and Robert Duarte. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

I’d also like to take a moment to give a big shout-out to Peter Bevan-Baker and the PEI Greens for making Canadian history in being elected the first official opposition by the Green Party in Canadian history.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Waterloo on a point of order.

Ms. Catherine Fife: Mr. Speaker, as you know, Wilfrid Laurier University is here today. They are hosting a reception in room 222-223. Please come by and find out what amazing work is going on at this university.

Leanne Holland Brown

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Point of order.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Point of order, the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Mr. Speaker, I believe you will find that we have unanimous consent for a moment of silence to honour the life of Wilfrid Laurier’s dean of students, Leanne Holland Brown, who was tragically killed in an accident last week.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities is seeking unanimous consent of the House to have a moment’s silence in memory of the Wilfrid Laurier University dean of students who tragically passed away last week. Agreed? Agreed.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

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

There being no further business this morning, this House stands in recess until 1 p.m.

The House recessed from 1203 to 1300.

Introduction of Visitors

Mr. Logan Kanapathi: I would like to welcome my good friend from Markham, Arun Prasad, to the Legislative Assembly. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Members’ Statements

Public libraries

Ms. Jennifer K. French: Speaker, when I was younger, I spent a lot of time at our local public library. I loved to read and discover and explore, and the library was a huge part of my foundational learning, as it is for many children. Libraries across the province are hubs and homes to everyone—to those who have a need to read, to use the Internet for learning or work, to those who use the Makerspaces to create and invent and imagine, to those who need somewhere warm, safe, quiet and welcoming. Libraries are the hearts of every community. They are community.

This Premier has unbelievably set his sights on our library system. He is wrong to attack people’s access to library services. This budget cut 50% of the provincial funding to the Southern Ontario Library Service, known as SOLS, as well as to OLS-North. This affects interlibrary loans between different library systems, as well as training and organizational supports. Not every library has every book or resource ever written, so SOLS is the centralized, coordinated organization that delivers across the province to different libraries.

SOLS coordinates and facilitates when a class needs 20 copies of a book, or a senior needs more large-print books than their library has, or a student is working on distance education, or someone needs an out-of-print book for research, or if a visually impaired client needs a book on CD. Homebound patrons, home-schooled children and academics will no longer have access to collections beyond their backyard.

This government talks about wanting to centralize systems and be more efficient. Well, here’s a perfectly good, functioning example, and they’re scrapping it. Smaller communities, remote and First Nations communities will be hit the hardest. And why? This Premier is nickel-and-diming this province to ensure families and folks will have less access to books, resources, learning and libraries. Shame.

Attacks in Sri Lanka

Mr. Logan Kanapathi: I rise today with an extremely heavy heart to speak to the horrific loss of life in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday.

We now know that over 200 men, women and children were killed in this inhumane and indiscriminate act of terror. Unfortunately, we also know that advance warnings were provided of imminent attacks in Sri Lanka that were not acted on.

As a former political refugee from Sri Lanka, this event has deeply impacted me and my family and thousands of the Sri Lankan diaspora living in Canada. Such acts of terrorism have no place in civilized society, and more so when committed on a holy day for Christians.

All too often we see such acts of terrorism and violence across the world at churches, temples, mosques—nd recently at a synagogue in the United States. These tragic circumstances remind us that hate, racial strife and merciless killings remain a threat to democracy, religious freedom and social justice across the world.

Mr. Speaker, we must all stand in solidarity and speak with a unified voice against these heinous crimes and reject divisiveness and hate. Today the world is mourning. As we mourn and keep the lives lost in our prayers, we must also seek the redemption of unity, love and compassion for those of all faiths and backgrounds.

We must continue to stand for a society that ensures the freedom to practise our faith and to live our lives without fear.

Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre

Mr. Jeff Burch: I’m pleased to stand today in this House to speak about the Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre. It is an agency that is near and dear to my heart, not only for the important work they do, but because I spent eight years as the executive director of this organization before being elected to this House.

Niagara Folk Arts is a community-based, non-profit, charitable organization whose team of over 40 professional staff and hundreds of volunteers provides vital settlement services to newcomers as they strive to create a rewarding new life in Canada.

Niagara is home to the Niagara Folk Arts Festival, the oldest continuously running heritage festival in Canada. Every May, the multicultural community opens its doors and its heart and welcomes you to experience the beauty and uniqueness of their cultures, traditions, art, music and food, including games, exhibitions and live entertainment. This year’s festival runs from May 2 to May 26 and features over 20 open houses across the Niagara region.

Over the last five years, Niagara Folk Arts has welcomed many Syrian refugee families to Niagara, helping them to settle and integrate. These families have now founded a group called Syrians in Niagara and have started their own open house, teaching their new community about their experiences and showcasing their culture. I’m very proud of them.

To learn more about the festival and

schedule of open houses, please go to the Niagara Folk Arts Festival website, at folk-arts.ca.

Attacks in Sri Lanka

Mr. Vijay Thanigasalam: Today I rise to speak about the horrific Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka and to honour the victims and their families.

I would like to begin by thanking all my colleagues and the people across Ontario who participated in the dozens of vigils throughout the province. Words simply cannot express the depth of my grief at this horrific attack, and my prayers are with those who perished and their loved ones.

I have said this before and I’ll say it again: Violence of any kind is unacceptable. Discrimination of any kind is absolutely intolerable. I fled a brutal genocide perpetuated by the Sri Lankan state and military. Vicious, targeted attacks against ethnic and religious minorities have been prevalent in Sri Lanka for many years, so these events affect me very personally.

Innocent children, women, men who just wanted to celebrate Easter, a joyous festival in the Christian calendar, will never be able to do so again. And the memories of the survivors will forever be marred by this tragedy.

As we approach the 10-year anniversary of the height of the Tamil genocide, we must reaffirm our commitment to fight crimes against humanity and to strive for justice and peace.

Dietary supplements

Ms. Catherine Fife: Abigayle Lobsinger is six years old. She lives with a rare and aggressive childhood cancer, stage 4 neuroblastoma. For treatment, she endures an aggressive plan of chemotherapy, radiation, surgeries and blood transfusions. As you can imagine, her illness has caused emotional and financial strain on her family.

Cancer has made it difficult for Abigayle to gain and maintain weight, so doctors prescribed a tube feed supplement to help her maintain a healthy weight. Her feed costs $437 per case, at a rate of 1.5 cases per week; annually, that’s over $34,000.

Abigayle’s feed was covered under OHIP+, but as of April 1 it is no longer covered. When Abigayle’s parents went to pick up her feed this month, they were told that they needed to pay out of pocket. The feed isn’t covered under their private insurance plan either.

This government has pulled the rug out from under families by making changes to OHIP+ without warning and without consultation. The changes to OHIP+ were made without considering who would fall through the cracks, and it seems that kids like Abigayle weren’t considered at all.

This government needs to get their priorities straight and cover the nutritional feed through OHIP+ for kids like Abigayle and so many others. Abigayle needs to be a priority for this government.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Member’s statements? The member for Ottawa South.

Mr. John Fraser: Speaker, I’d like to ask for unanimous consent to make a member’s statement today in the independent slot.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Ottawa South is seeking unanimous consent of the House to make a statement at this time in the independent spot. Agreed? Agreed.

The member for Ottawa South.

Terrorist attacks

Mr. John Fraser: Thank you very much, Speaker, and thank you to my colleagues.

I simply want to echo the words of my colleagues from Scarborough–Rouge Park and Markham–Thornhill and express my deepest, my family’s deepest and our party’s deepest condolences to all the families that were affected by the Sri Lankan bombing on Easter Sunday. It’s really a horrific event that has affected the lives of many, many families, not just in Sri Lanka, but here in Canada and in my community of Ottawa South.

I also wanted to extend my condolences to those families affected by the shooting at the Chabad of Poway synagogue in San Diego. We just had New Zealand a little while ago, and Pittsburgh six months ago. It seems like every couple of weeks, we’re standing up or we’re tweeting about something that’s happening in the world. These acts of hate are ferocious. They’re almost instant. We live in a global village and we’re all affected by it.

I think what’s really important for us to understand is that whether it’s anti-Christian, anti-Semitic, anti-Muslim, anti any race, we don’t just have to stand up when things happen in the world and say, “This is wrong”—it’s when those small acts happen: when synagogues or churches are defaced, when mosques are defaced or when people utter words. We all have to speak up. It’s important for us to do that.

I want to thank, again, my colleagues for the time.

Kiwanis Club of Brantford

Mr. Will Bouma: It’s an honour to rise to speak about a very special event that recently took place in Brantford. On April 13, the Kiwanis Club of Brantford had the opportunity to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Having been chartered in 1919, the Brantford Kiwanis club is the third-longest-serving club in Canada. Since that time, the club has served the communities of Brantford and Brant through the volunteerism of its members, exceptional outreach activities and through many different projects.

These projects include some great community fundraisers that go to support organizations such as Brant community health services, Stedman hospice and many, many more. Through projects like these, the Kiwanis Club of Brantford has shown its continued support and dedication to the people of Brantford and Brant.

In addition to local community-oriented activities, the Brantford Kiwanis club has also worked with Kiwanis International by participating in large projects, such as the Eliminate Project, whose goal is to wipe out maternal and neonatal tetanus, and the sustaining iodine deficiency disorders elimination project.

Speaker, in the 100 years since it has been chartered, the Kiwanis Club of Brantford has shown a continuous commitment to making the world a better place, both locally and around the world. I would invite everyone to join with me in congratulating the Kiwanis Club of Brantford on their 100-year anniversary.

Kashechewan First Nation

Mr. Gilles Bisson: Yet again, the community of Kashechewan is being evacuated. This is 17 years of evacuation, time and time again. We spend millions—tens of millions of dollars—each year to move community members out of Kashechewan into Timmins, Kapuskasing, Cornwall and different points in between.

What is really galling and what is really frustrating the community is that there’s been an agreement signed between the First Nation, the province of Ontario and the federal government to move the community. I was there, when I was the member for Kashechewan as the former member for Timmins–James Bay, when we did the signing three years ago. The idea was that we start immediately towards doing what needs to be done to move that community to higher ground.

Mr. Speaker, this is not rocket science. We have done it before. When Weenusk was flooded and people died, we moved that community to higher ground. We no longer hear of having to evacuate anybody out of the old Weenusk, now called Peawanuck. Why? Because we put them on higher ground.

I call on this government to live up to its agreement. We are signatories not only to Treaty 9, but we’re also signatories to the agreement between the community of Kashechewan, the federal government and ourselves to move that community to higher ground.

Let’s get it done. Let’s put people where they should be—on higher ground—so they no longer have to live in fear when it comes to going to bed at night because their community will be flooded.

Student fundraising

Ms. Christine Hogarth: Good afternoon to everyone. I’d like to take a moment to talk about some wonderful student leaders in my riding of Etobicoke–Lakeshore. Students at Bishop Allen Academy, a Toronto Catholic district school in Etobicoke, have been working hard to raise money for a wonderful cause. Bishop Allen’s SLAM team—“SLAM” stands for “Student Leaders and Mentors”—set an ambitious goal for themselves. Their goal was to raise $6,000, with the aim of providing 32 bicycles for students in need at an elementary school in Toronto.

I am so pleased to report that these hard-working students met their goal, and over a week ahead of schedule. In fact, tomorrow, April 30, Bishop Allen school will be welcoming fourth- and fifth-grade students from Lord Dufferin school for the big bike giveaway. These bikes will be given to students so they can enjoy freedom and independence just in time for the warm weather.

I’d like to give a special shout-out to Sophie Constantino for telling us about this great initiative. I also want to thank all the students, the staff, the volunteers and the donors who made Bishop Allen’s fundraiser such a success. I am so very proud to represent a riding with such exceptional students and student leaders like these students.

Cancer treatment / Traitement du cancer

Ms. Natalia Kusendova: April is Cancer Awareness Month. Nearly one in two Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime, while one in four are expected to die from it. Bien qu’un nombre croissant de Canadiens survivent au moins cinq ans après le diagnostic de cancer, le cancer demeure la principale cause de décès au Canada.

Cancer does not discriminate; it affects people from all walks of life, all backgrounds and all professions. This House is no exception. Many who are in this House today have been affected by cancer—including many who once served this province as MPPs.

Liver cancer is on the rise in Ontario. Every year, 2,500 Canadians are diagnosed with liver cancer, and 1,200 will die from this disease in 2019. For more information, please visit survivornet.ca.

Mr. Norman Jamison, MPP for Norfolk county in the 35th Parliament, was taken by liver cancer, too soon, on October 3, 2017. Earlier today, the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network, along with Norm’s daughters Carrie, Shannon and Eileen and his wife, Sharon, along with survivors and caregivers, hosted a legislative reception. Thank you to all my colleagues for attending. It gave us an opportunity to pause, to reflect and to share how cancer affects us all and to honour the life and memory of MPP Jamison. Together, we can be a strong voice and advocate for liver cancer patients and all cancer patients in Ontario.

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly

Ms. Jane McKenna: I beg leave to present a report on television guidelines from the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly and move its adoption.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Does the member wish to make a brief statement?

Ms. Jane McKenna: No.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Ms. McKenna moves the adjournment of the debate—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): No? I guess she has to—sorry; I apologize.

Ms. Jane McKenna: Yes, I move adjournment of the debate.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Ms. McKenna has moved adjournment of the debate. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Debate adjourned.

Introduction of Bills

Closing Oversight Loopholes for Home Care Clinics Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 visant à combler les lacunes dans la surveillance des cliniques de soins à domicile

Ms. Sattler moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 102,

An Act to amend the Health Protection and Promotion Act, the Home Care and Community Services Act, 1994 and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Act / Projet de loi 102, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la protection et la promotion de la santé, la Loi de 1994 sur les services de soins à domicile et les services communautaires et la

Loi sur le ministère de la Santé et des Soins de longue durée.

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 London West care to give a brief explanation of her bill?

Ms. Peggy Sattler: Thank you, Speaker. This bill closes a loophole that excludes from government oversight home care nursing services that are delivered in clinic settings rather than a home. The bill gives the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care the duty to oversee and inspect home care clinics and gives public health units the mandate to conduct annual inspections of these clinics. It requires home care clinic operators to supply the addresses of existing clinics to the medical officer of health for the health unit in which the clinics are operating and also to give notice of their intent to open any new clinics.

The bill requires home care clinic operators to notify the local health unit if complaints are made about infection prevention and control practices, and updates the home care and community services bill of rights to ensure that patients know about their right to make a complaint to the health unit. It also requires posting of the bill of rights in an accessible and conspicuous place within the home care clinic.

Election Finances Amendment Act (Leadership Fundraising Loophole), 2019 / Loi de 2019 modifiant la

Loi sur le financement des élections (lacune dans les règles de financement des candidats à la direction d’un parti)

Mr. Fraser moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 103,

An Act to amend the Election Finances Act in respect of contributions to leadership contestants following the leadership vote / Projet de loi 103, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur le financement des élections en ce qui concerne les contributions faites aux candidats à la direction d’un parti postérieurement à la tenue du scrutin.

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 Ottawa South care to explain his bill briefly?

Mr. John Fraser: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’ll be brief.

It essentially says that contributions to the leadership contestant after the leadership vote shall be made only for the permanently restricted purpose of repaying the liabilities of the leadership contestant incurred for the leadership contest. So it will not allow people who are leadership contestants to continue to raise money after they’ve paid their debt to circumvent the annual donation limits that exist in Ontario.

Petitions

Education funding

Mr. Faisal Hassan: I have a petition here signed by the great people of York South–Weston.

“Stop Ford’s Education Cuts.

“Whereas Doug Ford’s new education scheme seeks to dramatically increase class sizes starting in grade 4;

“Whereas the changes will mean thousands fewer teachers and education workers and less help for every student;

“Whereas secondary students will now be forced to take at least four of their classes online, with as many as 35 students in each course;

“Whereas Ford’s changes will rip over $1 billion out of Ontario’s education system by the end of the government’s term; and

“Whereas kids in Ontario deserve more opportunities, not fewer;

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

“Demand that the government halt the cuts to classrooms and invest to strengthen public education in Ontario.”

I fully support this petition. I’ll be affixing my signature to it and providing it to page Jadon to deliver to the table.

Waste reduction

M me Nathalie Des Rosiers: I’m very pleased to table a petition that comes from a school in Kingston.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas plastic bags and polystyrene are so lightweight that they get blown into trees, streams, lakes and oceans. Only 11% of all plastic in Canada gets recycled annually...;

“Whereas Canadians use 2.86 billion plastic shopping bags per year...;

“Whereas plastic bags and polystyrene are made from petroleum, and mining it adds greenhouse gases to the air, and pollutes the ground and streams;

“Whereas plastic bags and polystyrene break down into microplastic bits and get ingested by marine life and birds making them sick, as well as entering the food chain;

“Whereas up to one million seabirds and 100,000 sea mammals and countless fish die each year from ingesting plastic...;

“Whereas plastic bags take 10-1,000 years to decompose and polystyrene never biodegrades and can be fatal for wildlife...;

“Whereas stores can sell reusable plant fibre bags, and takeout food and drinks can be served in cardboard or reusable containers;

“Whereas the students of Ms. Jerreat’s grade 4/5 class, and all grade 5s from Elginburg District Public School in Kingston, Ontario, and all children in the province of Ontario want and need clean lakes to swim in, clean air to breathe, and a healthy planet;

“We, the undersigned”—and now they have accumulated 1,500 signatures—“petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“To ban plastic shopping bags and Styrofoam (polystyrene) packaging used for drinks and food from being manufactured, or commercially distributed, in the province of Ontario.”

I certainly support this petition and am happy to put my name to it. I will give it to page Caleah.

Veterans memorial

Mr. Percy Hatfield: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas during the war in Afghanistan, Canada lost 159 military personnel;

“Whereas those brave souls were driven along the Highway of Heroes between CFB Trenton and the coroner’s office in Toronto;

“Whereas since Confederation, 117,000 Canadian lives have been lost in military conflict;

“Whereas there is a recognized and celebrated plan to transform the Highway of Heroes into a living tribute that honours all of Canada’s war dead;

“Whereas that plan calls for the planting of two million trees, including 117,000 beautiful commemorative trees adjacent to Highway 401 along the Highway of Heroes;

“Whereas this effort would provide an inspired drive along an otherwise pedestrian stretch of asphalt;

“Whereas the two million trees will recognize all Canadians who have served during times of war;

“Whereas over three million tonnes of CO 2 will be sequestered, over 500 million pounds of oxygen will be produced and 200 million gallons of water will be released into the air each day, benefiting all Ontarians in the name of those who served our country and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice; and

“Whereas there is a fundraising goal of $10 million;

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

“That the current government of Ontario put its financial support behind this fundraising effort for the Highway of Heroes Tree campaign.”

I fully agree with this. I’m going to sign my name and give it to Thomas to bring down to the table.

Education funding

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: This petition is titled “Don’t Increase Class Sizes in Our Public Schools.” I would like to thank the over 100 constituents, Parkdale–High Park parents, teachers and students, who signed this petition last week at my No Cuts to Education town hall. It reads as follows:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the vast majority of parents, students, and educators support smaller class sizes and the current model of full-day kindergarten and want the best education possible for the students of Ontario; and

“Whereas larger class sizes negatively impacts the quality of education; reduces access to teaching resources and significantly diminishes teacher-student interactions; and

“Whereas the impact of larger class sizes will be particularly detrimental to students who need additional support; and

“Whereas Ontario has an internationally recognized public education system that requires careful attention and the investment to ensure all of our students can succeed;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to commit to reducing class sizes, maintain the current model of full-day kindergarten, and make the necessary investments in public education to build the schools our students deserve.”

As a parent of a student and child in the public education system, I fully endorse it and will affix my signature to it.

Education funding

Ms. Judith Monteith-Farrell: This petition is named “Stop Ford’s Education Cuts” and was gathered at a student assembly.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas” Premier “Ford’s new education scheme seeks to dramatically increase class sizes starting in grade 4;

“Whereas the changes will mean thousands fewer teachers and education workers and less help for every student;

“Whereas secondary students will now be forced to take ... four of their classes online, with as many as 35 students in each course;

“Whereas” Premier “Ford’s changes will rip over $1 billion out of Ontario’s education system by the end of the government’s term; and

“Whereas kids in Ontario deserve more opportunities, not fewer;

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

“Demand that the government halt the cuts to classrooms and invest to strengthen public education in Ontario.”

I’m happy to affix my signature and have Leo bring it to the table.

Long-term care

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: I have hundreds of signatures and still more petitions coming in on this very important issue.

“Time to Care Act—Bill 13.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas quality care for the 78,000 residents of (LTC) homes is a priority for many Ontario families; and

“Whereas the provincial government does not provide adequate funding to ensure care and staffing levels in LTC homes to keep pace with residents’ increasing needs and the growing number of residents with complex behaviours; and

“Whereas several Ontario coroner’s inquests into LTC homes deaths have recommended an increase in direct hands-on care for residents and staffing levels and the most reputable studies on this topic recommends 4.1 hours of direct care per day;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to amend the LTC Homes Act (2007) for a legislated minimum care standard to provide an average of four hours per resident per day, adjusted for acuity level and case mix.”

I fully support this petition, sign it and give it to page Rishi to deliver it to the table.

Long-term care

M me France Gélinas: I would love to thank Mrs. Doris Labelle and Mary-Catherine Tremblay. They are at Elizabeth Centre, a long-term-care home in my riding, watching me read this petition. They gathered 450 names on it. It reads as follows:

“Time to Care:

“Whereas quality of care for the 78,000 residents of (LTC) homes is a priority for many Ontario families; and

“Whereas the provincial government does not provide adequate funding to ensure care and staffing levels in LTC homes to keep pace with residents’ increasing acuity and the growing number of residents with complex behaviours; and

“Whereas several Ontario coroner’s inquests into LTC homes deaths have recommended an increase in direct hands-on care for residents and staffing levels and the most reputable studies on this topic recommends 4.1 hours of hands-on care;”

They petition the Legislative Assembly as follows:

“Amend the LTC Homes Act (2007) for a legislated minimum care standard of four hours per resident per day, adjusted for acuity level and case mix.”

I fully support this petition, will affix my name to it and give it to page Thomas to bring it to the table.

Education funding

Ms. Jill Andrew: Good afternoon, Speaker. I rise in support of some very organized young people and community members.

Their petition is called “No More Cuts to Education.”

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Ministry of Education’s changes to the teacher-to-student funding ratio will end up increasing class sizes;

“Whereas larger class sizes can cause a lack of necessary support for students and decrease the amount of ‘one-on-one’ interactions spent with teachers—valuable time that can help students succeed;

“Whereas less teachers will decrease the amount of special programs and extracurricular activities (clubs, teams, choirs, etc.);

“Whereas the government trying to balance the budget is taking priority over investing in our kids’ future;

“Whereas making it compulsory for four credits to be from online courses for secondary school students will be harmful to all students;

“Whereas the Ontario eLearning Consortium website states that online courses are not for all students;

“Whereas not all students have access to a reliable electronic device and high-speed Internet; and

“Whereas all these decisions will be detrimental to all students of Ontario and will result in the loss of thousands of job positions—breaking the Premier’s promise of budget cuts without job losses;

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

“—That the Ministry of Education launch a large and publicized consultation with a large amount of students, teachers, unions, etc. on the new proposed rules that lasts for a reasonable period of time and all results be made public;

“—That a cap which is agreed to by teachers, students, parents, etc. be put on the size of all classes;

“—That the Minister of Education define what involuntary job losses are;

“—That the Premier, ministers and members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario respect the decisions and choices teachers, parents, students, advocates and other members of the community make (work action, strikes, walkouts, protests, etc.);

“That the government restores funding used to repair schools which was cancelled when the cap-and-trade system was abolished; and

“That the Minister of Education give students the choice when it comes to taking online courses.”

I proudly support this petition. I hand it over to page Kate for tabling with the Clerk.

Education funding

Mr. Chris Glover: My petition is signed by hundreds of students from the Ontario College of Art and Design and it’s entitled “Increase Grants Not Loans, Access for All, Protect Student Rights.”

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas students in Ontario pay some of the highest tuition fees in the country and carry the heaviest debt loads, even with the recently announced 10% reduction; and

“Whereas many students will now be forced to take on more loans rather than previously available non-repayable grants; and

“Whereas the Ontario government has failed to take action on the chronic underfunding of colleges and universities; and

“Whereas students must have an autonomous voice that is independent of administration and government to advocate on our behalf; and

“Whereas the proposed ‘Student Choice Initiative’ undermines students’ ability to take collective action;

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

“—provide more grants, not loans;

“—eliminate tuition fees for all students;

“—increase public funding for public education;

“—protect students’ independent voices; and

“—defend the right to organize.”

I support this petition and will affix my signature and pass it to page Leo.

Injured workers

Ms. Jennifer K. French: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario entitled “Workers’ Comp is a Right.”

“Whereas about 200,000 to 300,000 people in Ontario are injured on the job every year;

“Whereas over a century ago, workers in Ontario who were injured on the job gave up the right to sue their employers, in exchange for a system that would provide them with just compensation;

“Whereas decades of cost-cutting have pushed injured workers into poverty and onto publicly funded social assistance programs, and have gradually curtailed the rights of injured workers;

“Whereas injured workers have the right to quality and timely medical care, compensation for lost wages, and protection from discrimination;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to change the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act to accomplish the following for injured workers in Ontario:

“Eliminate the practice of ‘deeming’ or ‘determining,’ which bases compensation on phantom jobs that injured workers do not actually have;

“Ensure that the WSIB prioritizes and respects the medical opinions of the health care providers who treat the injured worker directly;

“Prevent compensation from being reduced or denied based on ‘pre-existing conditions’ that never affected the worker’s ability to function prior to the work injury.”

I wholeheartedly support this petition and will affix my signature and send it with Rishi to the table.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): That concludes the time we have for petitions this afternoon.

Visitor

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I wish to inform members that we have a former member in the Legislature joining us today, the member for Mississauga South in the 38th Parliament, Tim Peterson. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Opposition Day

Education funding / Financement de l’éducation

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I would like to move the following motion:

Whereas the government has announced changes to education funding that will reduce teacher-to-student ratios and make online learning mandatory, resulting in larger class sizes and lost jobs for education workers; and

Whereas larger class sizes will result in less individual attention for students and ultimately reduce course options for students, particularly in applied learning and the arts; and

Whereas online learning is not appropriate for most students, and research shows that it mostly hurts students who are already struggling; and

Whereas rural school boards have expressed concerns that these changes will negatively impact students who live in areas with smaller populations and have limited access to broadband services; and

Whereas school boards have indicated that these changes will disproportionately affect programs and supports for Black, Indigenous and other racialized youth; and

Whereas the government’s changes will result in fewer adults supporting and educating students in our schools, be they teachers, social workers, guidance counsellors, educational assistants;

Therefore the Legislative Assembly calls on the government to reverse their planned changes to education funding, student-teacher ratios and mandatory e-learning and instead work with parents, education experts, educators and school boards to devise education policies that work for students.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Mr. Horwath has moved opposition day motion number 3.

I recognize the leader of the official opposition to lead off the debate.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I want to thank you very much, Speaker, for recognizing me on this particular motion, and to tell you all that I’m very honoured to rise to speak to this motion.

Over the last couple of weeks and months, I, along with all of our caucus colleagues—and, I’m sure, some over there too, but certainly all of our caucus colleagues here in the official opposition—have had the chance to speak to students, parents and educators in communities across the province. We’ve had the chance to hear from so many Ontarians about their vision for education, about the high-quality, fully funded public education system that every young person in this province deserves.

The point is that we have been talking to a lot of folks in the province about what a vision for education would look like if that kind of system were in place, where it was fully funded, where it was about high quality and about the opportunity to provide a great education for every young person in our province. That’s what they deserve.

In speaking to Ontarians about that future that they want for their schools and about the future that they want for their kids who are in school right now, it was truly remarkable to hear how consistent some aspects of that vision are across the province. No matter where you travel in Ontario, people want the same things.

They want a province where public education is valued and fully funded; where local schools and libraries stay open and are in good repair and available to people to utilize; where every student feels safe and valued in their school; where kids have a chance to discover their gifts, whether those gifts are in math, music, computer science or art; where the curriculum teaches students how to be safe and creates a safe environment in the school and in all learning areas.

They imagine a province where teachers and education workers are respected and where they can give every child the specialized, one-on-one time that they need to grow and thrive.

Sadly, we know that isn’t where we are right now because of the decisions of this government. After years of cuts and freezes, of course, from the previous government, short-staffing and crumbling buildings exist in our school system because of the legacy of the Liberal government. Our world-class education system was left hanging by a thread. But instead of investing in students and in education, the Premier and his government are taking public education from underfunded to under attack.

This government is squeezing funding for public schools below the rate of inflation, slashing valuable courses, electives and programs for kids, and firing thousands of teachers and education workers. All the while, we’re supposed to be trying to help kids get better at math. Well, it seems to me that if the Premier wants to help kids improve in math, he shouldn’t be firing their math teachers.

Instead of listening to Ontarians, instead of actually sitting down with students and parents, teachers and education workers to hear what would make things better in our school system, the Premier and his government decided to do something that no one wants, something that no one ever asked for: They raised class sizes for middle school and high school students, jamming even more students into every single room so that there’s no time to give anyone one-on-one help when they need it. Nobody asked for that. Nobody wants that.

Regardless of where I go in the province, parents and young people are telling me that they don’t want their classes to be bigger; they don’t want less time with their teachers.

This government is actually cutting thousands upon thousands of teacher and education worker jobs and getting rid of even more adults out of our schools. The Premier is planning to force all students, regardless of their ability or their learning style—and even regardless of whether they have access to broadband Internet at home or have access to a computer at home—he’s requiring each and every one of our kids to take four mandatory credits online instead of in the classroom with a teacher.

I was in Thunder Bay just last week, and what parents there and across northern and rural Ontario were asking was: How the heck are kids supposed to take e-learning classes if they can’t even access broadband Internet? That is a reality in our province, and shame on the Minister of Education for not even knowing that, or, at the very least, ignoring that fact.

Parents in northern and rural communities are concerned that this government’s education cuts are going to have the same consequences as cuts by previous Liberal and Conservative governments. These communities are still dealing with the consequences of those cuts. They remember the last time the Conservatives were in office and cut education to the quick, and they know what it did to the kids in the system—the class stacking that’s caused when you cut those teachers out, where kids are having to go to classrooms that have not only different grade levels of kids but also ability levels, where students from different streams and grades are forced into one crowded classroom.

People have seen this movie before, Speaker, and they know that it means more school closures, especially in small communities. It means a reduction in the quality of the education we’re providing to the children of this province. It is going in the wrong direction. It also means that more kids, especially in rural Ontario and small-town communities, especially in the north, are asked to have to ride on buses even further as their local schools are closed.

At a time when many families are alr