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May 29, 2025

44th Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2025-May-29 (PDF)

L019 - Thu 29 May 2025 / Jeu 29 mai 2025

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Thursday 29 May 2025 Jeudi 29 mai 2025

Orders of the Day

2025 Ontario budget

Members’ Statements

Government investments

Superstack

Town of Ajax

Shroomfest

Government accountability

Volunteers

Marisa Smith

Emergency services

Take Your MPP to School Week

Report, Financial Accountability Officer

Introduction of Visitors

House sittings

Injured Workers Day

Question Period

Government accountability

Government accountability / Responsabilité gouvernementale

Government accountability

Government accountability

First Nations consultation

Government accountability

Workplace safety

Correctional facilities

Government accountability

Public safety

Public transit

Government accountability

Women’s employment

Government accountability

First Nations consultation

Member’s birthday

Wayne Ashby

Notice of dissatisfaction

Deferred Votes

Time allocation

Affordable housing

Notice of dissatisfaction

Introduction of Visitors

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs

Standing Committee on Government Agencies

Introduction of Government Bills

Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 sur le soutien aux enfants, aux élèves et aux étudiants

MPP Pension and Compensation Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 sur la rétribution et le régime de retraite des députés

Introduction of Bills

Marbro Holdings Ltd. Act, 2025

Captive Wildlife Protection Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 sur la protection des animaux sauvages en captivité

Heat Stress Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 sur le stress dû à la chaleur

Fewer Floods, Safer Ontario Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 visant à réduire les inondations et accroître la sécurité en Ontario

Motions

Consideration of Bill 34

MPP Pension and Compensation Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 sur la rétribution et le régime de retraite des députés

MPP Pension and Compensation Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 sur la rétribution et le régime de retraite des députés

Petitions

Endangered species

Landfill

Road safety

Endangered species

Visitor parking fees

Workplace safety

Tenant protection

Endangered species

Orders of the Day

Plan to Protect Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2025 / Loi de 2025 sur le plan pour protéger l’Ontario (mesures budgétaires)

Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 pour protéger l’Ontario en rendant les rues plus sûres et les collectivités plus fortes

More Convenient Care Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 pour plus de soins commodes

Primary Care Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 sur les soins primaires

Time allocation

Royal assent / Sanction royale

2025 Ontario budget

Private Members’ Public Business

Digital privacy protection

The House met at 0900.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Good morning, everyone.

Prayers / Prières.

Orders of the Day

2025 Ontario budget

Resuming the debate adjourned on May 28, 2025, on the motion that this House approves in general the budgetary policy of the government.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Further debate? I recognize the leader of the third party.

Mr. John Fraser: Thank you very much, Speaker, and good morning. And good morning to my colleagues who were hanging out with us last night. Good sports.

I’m pleased to be speaking to bill number 2. And I want to say that I’ll be sharing my time with the member from Etobicoke–Lakeshore. Because we’re all a bit sleep-deprived this morning—I’m a bit sleep-deprived, although my colleagues look pretty fresh—you only have to endure me for minutes and not hours.

All I simply want to say, because I think it’s important to restate this: If you take a look at the budget and what it does for the two most important things that we do in Ontario, which are health care and education—the promise that was Ontario’s, that has been Ontario’s for so many years, which is, “If you’re sick, don’t worry; you won’t have to reach for your wallet. We’ll take care of you. And your kids will all get equal opportunities.” Well, that is just not the case now.

The government is underfunding education per student since 2018. We can argue about it, but it’s somewhere between $700 and $1,500, annually, less than we were spending in 2018. It’s not like we’re aspiring to make our schools the best schools in the world or give our kids the most opportunity in the world. It’s like the government is just saying, “Well, maybe we’ll let you keep your head above water,” to the schools and school boards.

When it comes to health care—I’ll go back again—too many times in this province we know that whether it comes to cataract surgeries or having to go to a nurse practitioner for primary care that’s not funded by OHIP, people are being asked for their credit card instead of their OHIP card, which is contrary to what the Premier continues to repeat.

If I wanted to bring it down to what I think about this budget, never has a government spent so much, borrowed so much, incurred so much debt—almost half a trillion dollars—to do so little with the things that are most important to Ontarians, and that’s our health care and our kids’ education.

I will yield the floor to my colleague.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the member for Etobicoke–Lakeshore.

Ms. Lee Fairclough: It’s a pleasure to be here in the House to debate the budget this morning with my colleague the member for Ottawa South.

Just to reiterate what he has just said, never has a government spent so much to achieve so little. The budget lays out a plan to spend a record $232.6 billion, with a planned deficit of $14.6 billion next year. It forecasts flatlined spending in heath care and education, and a decline in post-secondary education. It has little for research and innovation, to keep Ontario at the leading edge. It includes a new $5-billion fund, without details, to “protect Ontario,” largely tied to the implementation of Bill 5.

And it invests in transit, including planning for the fantasy tunnel under the 401 and lots of highways, but it is silent again on the basics, such as making the Mimico GO station accessible.

I will say, Speaker, I made a choice to adjust my plan for this debate this morning, given what I witnessed yesterday here in this Legislature, which then forced a line-by-line debate to midnight last night at committee, to review Bill 5. I’m glad that my Liberal caucus colleagues—particularly the member for Kingston and the Islands—were well-prepared to be able to do that, given what Bill 5 needs.

Let’s just consider the picture leading up to that debate. The government called an election in February. Why? Already a majority, they felt it was justified because of threats from the US. Really? Is that what was needed to govern through that period? They spent a record $103.7 million on advertising in the year prior—three times more than the previous year.

Post-election, it takes until mid-April to return to the Legislature. I’m a brand new MPP. I was set up. I was ready to go. We could have come back earlier—on this budget.

We come here, we introduce bills, and then we prepare. We prepare. We come with recommendations. We bring the perspectives of our constituents to the table. We genuinely work with an urgency. We engage fully. And then what happens? Bulldozing again.

A motion was introduced yesterday to just move on—including Bill 24, Bill 9, Bill 11 and Bill 13. They won’t go to committee, won’t be open to revisions. Today we anticipate two more bills—Bills 6 and 17, both highly controversial, could use some input from stakeholders. Yet, according to this government, they deserve no opportunity for debate or opportunity to consider revision.

The finance minister spoke in his speech about unity—needing to come together at a time to collaborate, to be strong as a province, to work with the federation and federal government to make Canada strong. And I agree that that’s what we need to do.

But here’s the thing: I’ve worked in a lot of successful collaborations in my years as an executive in health care, and never did collaboration involve one party of a collaboration deciding the details and all the other collaborators having no comment, no suggestion or compromise to what would actually happen. I actually wanted to hear from people who knew the business best—which is what this Legislature and committee process is meant to do, but the government doesn’t seem to have much interest to do that.

I came here to get things done too. I’m impatient to be sure we can improve things in Ontario. Having a clear plan, outcomes, and responsibly using taxpayer money to get to good outcomes doesn’t have to mean it’s slow; it just has to be thoughtful, and it can happen quickly too.

This government talks about protecting us, protecting you, like some kind of superhero. Frankly, it’s quite insulting to the people we serve in the province to not honour the systems in place to give them a voice. We can do this and govern effectively and efficiently. It seems now the courts will stop Trump on his tariff plans, because by law he doesn’t have the ability to do it. This power-and-control approach that we’re seeing now seems all too familiar.

Let’s turn to Bill 5 and the budget. It includes this $5-billion fund tied to the bill and the concept of special economic zones—or, shall I say again, the “special lawless zones”—they will provide to government with complete control, including overriding environmental protections that I’ve heard from so many constituents about, or designating whatever area they would like to do whatever they’d like. When I first listened to it, I understood, actually, where we were trying to go—the idea that maybe mining projects could move more quickly; that this could open up the Ring of Fire to the benefit of Canada.

I’m someone who likes to see work move ahead, particularly if it has those benefits for those we’re serving. But on Bill 5, the government lost me, because when it started talking about these special lawless zones, with the goal to support more development—it overrides all the protections that were created for a very good reason, and it feels like the greenbelt all over again.

I think the thing that threw me off the most was the inclusion of Ontario Place and Dresden. With Ontario Place, it feels like the law—they just want to justify the clear-cutting that has happened and the $2-billion investment in the Therme spa, giving them permission to do it quietly in whatever way they want, with no accountability or transparency. And with Dresden, it’s very clear that they’re just not listening to the communities that will be affected or even their local representative.

And finally—we’ve heard it loud and clear in this Legislature and outside of it: The First Nations leaders are looking for the duty to consult to be fulfilled, and it’s not happening.

I think that the budget offers little reassurance, as well, to employers or employees on how those $5-billion investments designed to address the tariff threat will actually help them. I get these questions from constituents all the time, from small businesses, asking me for the details. I say, “There’s something, but we’re not really sure how it’s going to help you.” From what we can see, the plan is to provide corporate subsidies without conditions—provide billions to corporations, with no requirement to protect jobs, raise wages or guarantee local investment.

In the budget, we see waste: $2.2 billion on Therme, $1 billion on making sure that booze was more accessible in convenience stores one year earlier, and $1.4 billion to relocate the Ontario Science Centre. It’s $4.6 billion that could have gone to a whole lot of other priorities. There are no tax cuts; it could have gone to that. It could have gone to addressing the rise in homelessness.

During my remarks on Bill 24 earlier this week, I actually included a few areas I was happy to see. Some of you might have been there. I was feeling pleased about the $303 million for community mental health—a seven-year overdue increase in operating budget that was much needed. I like some of the tax adjustments for local business. I think it’s important to give that credit.

But today, in watching everything unfold the last couple of days, the anger people are expressing in Queen’s Park and outside, my mood around being hopeful is changing. Knowing what has happened in the greenbelt and how it’s managed, I just have so little confidence that we’re actually going to make the most of this spending.

Let’s move to the largest areas of spending in the budget.

Each year, when the budget is released, I read it with interest—even before I was elected as an MPP for Etobicoke–Lakeshore. When I made the choice to run to be an MPP, people asked me, “Why would you decide to run?

Why did you choose to run provincially versus federally?” I always state that the reason is, provincial government has incredibly important responsibilities in the areas that really impact people’s lives every day: health care, education, post-secondary education, and the social programs that operate in ways that people experience every day—programs that are fundamentally what we value as Canadians, to ensure that people have an equal footing to contribute to society and our economy in the ways they want to.

And in those moments in life of health or other crisis—that they won’t be decimated, undoing all the good work that they’ve put into their lives. They won’t need to mortgage their home to afford treatment for cancer or their cardiac surgery—know that if there is an economic downturn, which we could experience here, and people lose their jobs or there’s little growth in jobs, their children, our next generation, will also be okay.

Beyond that, though, evidence shows that countries that prioritize these foundations such as health care and education do better economically. They prosper, and the outlook for young people is strong.

In Canada, we have multiple levels of government that all fund things differently. Taxes are collected, and we make choices about where that money is spent.

The provincial government’s role is to use our money to ensure the basics are there. This is not what we see here. Speaker, 68% of the provincial budget is accounted for in health care, education, and post-secondary education, because this level of government actually is charged with addressing them.

Let’s talk about minute 29 of the budget speech. Who remembers what happened at minute 29? Does anybody remember?

Interjection.

Ms. Lee Fairclough: You probably did, yes.

I remember it because it was the first real mention of health care—the single largest investment, and it only gets a real mention, any real attention, more than two thirds of the way through the budget speech. And what does that really say about the government’s intentions to improve hallway health care, ensure people can access a family doctor when they need one?

In business, isn’t it usual to talk about the areas where you are making the largest investments and what you’re going to do to make sure that those investments are successful?

I believe in health care. Honestly, it’s probably one of the reasons I’m even sitting here today as a member for Etobicoke–Lakeshore. We have 22,000 people in our community who don’t have a family doctor. It’s so unusual to see this in an urban area. And then, the government announced the day before the election that they would do something concrete to address it, with $2.1 billion now—required to take a population approach, to ensuring access to team-based care. They’ve set a target of 100% attached to primary care in four years. I can’t help but get behind this; it’s what we ran on as well. It’s what’s needed.

I just really hope that the implementation will manage to actually reach that target, and I’ll be watching closely to see how that number in Etobicoke–Lakeshore reduces.

These are the planned investments in health care: in 2025-26, $91.1 billion; in 2026-27, $92.4 billion, a 1.4% increase; in 2027-28, $93.6 billion, a 1.2% increase. This is for the health sector as a whole. It includes the $2.1 billion for the primary care investment.

How exactly are hospitals, home care providers, long-term-care providers going to pay for the required settled rates in the aftermath of Bill 124? Frozen for so many years, the new contracts provide some much-deserved increases. Inflation in medical supplies is closer to 5%, and we still see the pressures in hospitals. Hospitals in Ontario are the most efficient by far in the country—the lowest per capita spending by a government by over $1,000 per person, and the costs for in-patients stay the most efficient. Yet, the budget, once again, is setting them up for failure.

You’re building hospitals over the next 10 years, and I like that as well. You’re seeing the important completion of hospitals that we announced, like Trillium Health Partners.

But it’s not just about buildings. It’s about services. It’s about funding new therapies. It’s about making sure that we’re keeping pace with innovation. Research is done in Ontario, yet that care—like rTMS treatment for treatment-resistant depression—is available everywhere else in the world and it’s not routinely available here. And then beyond that, the population is growing, so it feels like maybe a 1.1% increase—more than that is needed.

I also want to talk about housing and homelessness. We also need to protect against further exasperating increases in homelessness. It has increased by 25% over the last two years.

I read this quote the other day, but I’m going to read it again, from the Maytree Foundation analysis of the budget: “The government may not be interested in funding supportive housing, but it is certainly not opposed to paying for new beds in other places. To advance its agenda of putting more people in jail and keeping them there longer, the budget includes funding for 942 beds in correctional facilities across the province” really reveals the government’s priorities.

This week, my colleague MPP for Kitchener Centre and I introduced a private member’s bill on homelessness. It calls for us to actively manage addressing this 25% increase in homelessness, recognize the impact for those who are suddenly without a home. We want to measure because we want to be able to manage it. We want to direct investments to the places that will actually address homelessness. If people have a home and then need other support such as health care—it is an important starting point. How can we consider methods to incent the availability of deeply affordable or even supportive housing?

Bill 17, which is also funded through this budget, makes a minor mention of homelessness. I genuinely hope that this might be an area where we could collaborate with the government to fully develop a strategy that would align to their housing goals.

It was good to see the commitment this week that the $200 provided by the federal government for ODSP won’t be clawed back. But can we also think about adjusting the structure of the shelter component of ODSP, so that if somebody is admitted to hospital—I saw this all the time at CAMH. Somebody gets admitted, they lose their apartment, and then they have nowhere to go—back to the street—and then they lose that component of the ODSP benefit. How can we creatively think about adjusting this?

I think that, in the end, we can be much more strategic about our investment to address homelessness versus investing in incarceration. So that’s what the private member’s bill is about.

The reality is, we know with the increasing numbers accessing food banks, who are fully employed, the concerns about becoming homeless are only increasing.

Earlier this week, I also highlighted other areas of the budget, such as education, which has been flatlined, and the spending per child, which is far reduced. I also spoke about—in Bill 24—the transit investments.

But I do just have to mention once again: Before we get carried away with investing millions and millions in fantasy tunnels, can we be sure that the basics are there, such as an accessible train station at Mimico GO, so that if you arrive there in a wheelchair, you can actually get down from the platform?

I could speak to so many more examples in this budget, but I will wrap things up.

Once again, this is all about the government showing us what their priorities are. It has been a focus on a power grab for control and, frankly, bulldozing, without even opportunity for much debate. There’s very little commitment to concrete outcomes that will change the lives of Ontarians.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Questions?

Mr. Rudy Cuzzetto: I was listening to the member from Etobicoke–Lakeshore. I was with her this weekend at the Dorothy Ley Hospice. I’m not sure if she’s aware that we’ve expanded that hospice at Dorothy Ley, with two more beds there. As well, just beside it, we’re building a new hospital.

Are you against what our government is doing in your riding for your people?

Ms. Lee Fairclough: It was great to see you at the hike for the Dorothy Ley Hospice, an important resource in our community.

I said before—I think I mentioned right in my remarks, actually—that I’m very supportive of the investments in Trillium Health Partners, which is located next door.

We need to move even faster, honestly, to expand access to hospice care. We need to think about all these opportunities. This is where the innovation can happen in our health care system, if we actually focus on it and we actually make the money available to do these things. I guess I would ask you back, from the math that I’ve done—do we really think that the 1.1% increase that we’re going to see is going to allow us to do that?

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Further questions?

Ms. Sandy Shaw: I would agree that this budget shows the government’s priorities, and it shows that their priorities are not in the area where the people of Ontario need the help the most. And not only is it their priorities that this budget reflects; it’s their attitude towards the things that we value, which would be due process, which would be principles of democracy. It really shows their arrogance, and the fact that it seems that they just think that what we do here is an inconvenience to ramming through the things they want to do.

We had time allocation, which means short debate on important bills—Bills 10, 11, 13, 24.

And this afternoon, we’re going to be debating a time allocation of Bills 6 and 17.

And last night, we were here until midnight holding the government to account on Bill 5.

So my question to you is, do you think that this government thinks all of this is just an inconvenience for them—ramming through what they think they want to achieve for themselves, and not the people of Ontario?

Ms. Lee Fairclough: Thank you for the question.

I’m a brand new MPP, and this is my first session with this government, and this is what I’m seeing—“We are going to time-allocate six bills.” And it’s not like we’re not prepared to do the work. I come here prepared to do the work. “But we’re not prepared to listen”—they don’t seem to be prepared to listen to stakeholders, experts, the people who know the evidence inside and out. Why can’t we just take that time? It doesn’t have to be long—it can be quality, and we can get to better decisions.

That’s where I have concerns about this budget—and certainly the trust that will be implemented in the way that it needs to be.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Further questions?

M me Lucille Collard: Thank you to my colleague for pointing out all the weaknesses in this budget—unfortunately.

In my riding of Ottawa–Vanier, the acute homelessness crisis is linked to mental health and addictions issues, yet there are no tangible measures or solutions offered in this budget to truly address this crisis, and it’s really, really concerning for the future. I really don’t know what to tell my constituents about what the government is doing or even trying to do to address the crisis.

You spoke about the importance of investing in these areas. I believe you have experience and expertise in this area. You have professional expertise.

Can you speak about what makes you an authority and a good source to talk about the importance of investing in mental health and addictions?

Ms. Lee Fairclough: Thank you for the question.

I’ve worked for 27 years in health care. I’ve worked in hospital leadership. I’ve worked clinically, providing cancer care. I worked most recently at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health as the senior vice-president for clinical care.

What’s needed is a commitment to the development of a full system of care, and understanding the kind of outcomes that we’re trying to get to, and a recognition that we are seeing a rise in child and youth mental health issues that needs to be concretely addressed.

I would love to be able to bring that expertise to work. I’ve talked with the member across the aisle who is responsible for mental health and addictions and offered that—because we cannot let it fail.

Again, it’s going to require investment, and when I look at what’s reflected in here for health care, it’s not going to be sufficient.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Further questions?

Mr. Rudy Cuzzetto: I want to thank the member again for being here today.

I know that you’re a newly elected MPP.

I remember, in 2018, the night of the election, your former Minister of Health George Smitherman admitted that he had starved health care.

And Kathleen Wynne, in Maclean’s, reported that if she had known a pandemic was coming, she would never have starved health care.

In 2018, before we were elected, health care was funded at $59.4 billion; today, it’s $91 billion, and that’s not including the $60 billion to build hospitals, the $10 billion to build long-term care.

Are you against all these investments that we’re putting into health care for the province of Ontario?

Ms. Lee Fairclough: Thanks for that question.

I don’t know what in my remarks would ever have implied that I don’t think we should be investing in health care. Again, what I’m trying to say is that we probably need to be doing some more.

When I look over the course of the next few years, we have not got enough to even keep pace with the labour contracts that we’ve negotiated subsequent to Bill 124 being in place. During that time, that allowed for a lot of waste—a lot of waste into third parties, private providers, agencies etc. That has happened under your watch. It’s part of the reason why I decided to run. I could not stand by any longer and watch these things happen.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Further questions?

MPP Catherine McKenney: You and I actually arrived here together, and my question is not—I’m sure I know the answer, but you must be as surprised, or maybe shook, as I am, at just how undemocratic this government is. It is actually quite shocking.

I know that you were an executive in health care, addictions, mental health.

We have nothing in here, really, for new supportive housing, so we’re not building supportive housing. There’s $20 million in here for shelters, which, again, is not housing.

We’ve got some 430 new beds going into the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre in London, 66 in Quinte, 250 in Brockville, 25 in the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre, and 235 new beds in the Eastern Ontario Correctional Complex. Those are prison beds that we are building.

From your experience, do you see that this is going to have any impact, good or bad, on housing—

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Thank you.

Response?

Ms. Lee Fairclough: Thank you very much for the question.

Again, it’s interesting—the strategy that has been selected here, which is, incarcerate people more and then pay for their incarceration.

The business case on supportive housing is pretty clear. For every dollar that you invest, it’s actually a $1.60 return on all the other services, like health care services; on all the other social supports that could be there. When you look at the cost of what it would take to have somebody in a correctional facility versus actually living in supportive housing—you could fund so many, many more with that amount of money.

Again, I think this just comes down to priorities. We have one of the lowest supportive housing availabilities in the country. It’s another area that just needs to be invested in and seen as an investment.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Further debate?

MPP Paul Vickers: It’s an honour to rise in the Legislature to introduce myself.

Interjection.

MPP Paul Vickers: Thanks, George.

I would like to thank the constituents of Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound for giving me the honour to represent you here at Queen’s Park. It is my mission to do well for you over the next four years.

I wish to take a moment to congratulate our Speaker on her historic election.

As you know, I come to this house from beautiful Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound. What you may not know is that our riding elected the very first female member of Parliament, the great Agnes Macphail, in 1921. Even to this day, 104 years later, she is still a local institution. Children back home quickly learn this fact about their local history. Madam Speaker, it is my wish that 100 years from now, your historic election will be met with a similar sense of pride and young women will draw inspiration from you.

If someone had told me back in school that I would one day become a member of provincial Parliament, I would not have believed them. I was just a skinny farm kid who only ever wanted to work with cattle and ride the tractor. “Most likely to be MPP” was not found in my yearbook.

I took over Vickhaven Farms, our family dairy farm, at a young age, and it has defined my life ever since. From dusk to dawn, if you were looking for me, chances are I was working on our farm on Grey Road 7.

Our farm spans three generations now. We milk 65 head of cattle, and we sell cattle for beef, and we also sell cash crops.

Farming is like no other. It teaches you the value of hard work. Nobody works longer hours than a farmer during the growing season. It also teaches you to trust your gut. Sometimes that gut feeling is to purchase a neighbouring farm that comes up for sale near you. They say you should buy land because they aren’t making any more of it. Well, let’s just say my wife, Karen, who wanted a new kitchen at the time, gave me a lot of quiet time to think about that one. After a few years, she did get her kitchen.

My agricultural career grew from the barn to the boardroom. I have served on many committees and boards.

The first provincial board I sat on was Gay Lea Foods. I was the youngest board member at the time. While young energy is an asset, there was growing I had to do as a board member. My fellow board members were very gracious with their time and everyone truly cared, not only for the co-operative, but also for each other. Ray Robertson, Stu Steckle and Ralph Dietrich were board chairs who believed in me and gave me the opportunity to take a leading role in the co-operative. Alan Fisher and John Hill were two gentlemen I travelled with back and forth from Toronto many times.

They always listened to my points of view, and I learned from theirs. You’d be surprised how many problems a few farmers can solve during a two-hour car ride.

I was fortunate. Gay Lea Foods belonged to the Dairy Farmers of Canada. Each year, we attended their conference in different parts of the country. This took our family to the east coast and the west. Highlights included the Bay of Fundy, as well as Banff and Jasper. Many times, the journey getting there was just as much fun, if not more, than the holiday itself.

Later on, when I became the chair of the board, we had a change in CEO. I was lucky. The CEO was great to work with, and I say that with a bit of a wink; hopefully he’s watching. We had many great conversations about the co-operative and life itself. We were close friends then, and we still talk on a regular basis. Michael Barrett is his name. He is another person who has helped guide me on my journey.

Through this, I learned about the importance of governance and policy and how it impacts the ability to produce the food we eat. I learned just how important Canada’s supply-managed dairy sector is for family-run dairy farms.

Fun fact: Supply management and I were both born around the same time, but I think our nation’s decision to move to supply management will age better than myself.

After my time at Gay Lea, the 2018 municipal election took place. I ran for a council seat in the municipality of Meaford and was successful.

Municipal politics is a difficult job, as many in this House will know. Affecting people’s day-to-day lives can be very gratifying, but people are very passionate, which I quickly learned. You can be lobbied passionately, but you must keep in mind that the decisions you make should be positive for the majority and not for the vocal minority.

Later, I had the opportunity to join the board of Ontario Federation of Agriculture. Through the OFA, I learned a great deal about Ontario’s diverse agricultural sector. Many of the leaders I served with—including Peggy, Drew, Sara and Ethan—and I have all become close friends. I am confident they will carry the torch forward.

As many of my colleagues have already alluded to, it takes a village to make an MPP. Many people have influenced my path to where I stand today. Some of them are no longer with us, except in spirit.

The first was my mother. She was the farmer’s wife who did everything she could to take care of her baby boy. I was the youngest of my siblings and the only boy. I’m the only boy in my family. I have three older sisters. I’m also the youngest of all my cousins. But she always tried to protect me.

I learned that she could have a very sharp tongue. I remember, one day when she was doing laundry, she was—and I was only four or five at the time—using a washing machine we had to pull into the bathrooms. Something happened, and I can’t recall exactly what I said, but I will never forget her words: “Be careful what you wish for, because sometimes wishes do come true.” That line has stuck with me my whole life. Since then, I’ve always tried to think carefully before making decisions.

She was a kind woman, but I don’t think life was always kind to her. Living in the northeast of Grey county on a small dairy farm in the 1960s and 1970s could not have been easy. Money was tight, and there wasn’t much for life’s extras.

Still, she was always there for me and supported me in taking over the farm after my father passed away. She did tell me, though, that if I wasn’t ready to take it on, she would have no problem selling the farm. She had had enough of farming, but I was just getting started.

Interjections.

MPP Paul Vickers: In later years—this is when I’ll need the clapping—when Parkinson’s disease had taken its hold on her voice and her voice was barely a whisper, we would—sorry about this. I planned this a long time ago, and it has taken a while. Kleenexes—I had a cold back then; I don’t know how. Anyway, I appreciate this. Thank you, everyone, for your patience.

When Parkinson’s disease had taken its hold on her voice and her voice was barely a whisper, we would get takeout from Dairy Queen in Meaford. We would sit at the local park, watching the waters of Georgian Bay go in and out. Her soft touch and the loving look in her eyes made those moments the most special and the kindest I’ve ever known.

My father, Harman, passed away when I was 21. To this day, he remains a major influence on my life and career. He taught me honesty, humility, determination and a strong work ethic—values which I’ve tried to carry on with me. He never just told you to do a job; he’d pick up a pitchfork, hand you one too, and get to work beside you. We rarely spoke while working, but I could always feel what he didn’t say. While growing up, politics was often discussed at our home. My father served as a municipal councillor and deputy reeve in our local municipality. He started our family’s foray into political life. He was a good man—just taken too soon.

I’m the youngest of four siblings, with three older sisters. That might have worked in my favour. I’ve been told they paved the way, making things easier for me, or maybe they just wore out our parents, so by the time I came along, I had more freedom.

My oldest sister, Ellen, made my teenage years smoother, and she keeps me humble. She moved back to Meaford and has become a well-loved part of the community. I have even had people tell me they only voted for me because she convinced them that I was a good guy.

Thank you, Ellen.

Barb, my next sister, has always lived in the area and has been a constant in our family’s life. She often tells stories of all the peas she had to pick and pod, growing up, so the rest of us could eat well. She treats our four kids as her own, and our traditional Sunday dinners feel special, with every detail made right.

Lorna, my closest sister in age, moved to the US in the 1990s to grow her nursing career. We don’t see or talk often, but when we do, it feels like she never left.

There have also been many neighbours who have helped shape me. Growing up in a farming community, your neighbours are your first friends and those who help in times of need. Families like the Canns, Ormsbys, Almonds, McCauslands, Jacks, Wileys, Merrifields, Davisons, Pedlars, Kerrs, Fosters, and Sue, who’s a very close friend, have all touched my life in some way. My community at St. James Anglican Church has always been there—a safe place for guidance, good advice, and the occasional nap. Faith is important to me. Families like the Alderices, Woodhouses and Merrifields make this place a special place.

When I served on council, the mayor was Barb Clumpus. She also shaped my understanding of public service. While we didn’t always agree, I have great respect for the way she led our municipality.

Of course, my family deserves the biggest thanks. My wife, Karen, who I met at a Junior Farmers dance, has been our family’s rock. We wed in 1991. She has supported me in all my roles. Soon after, in 1993, we welcomed our daughter Stephanie. Afterwards, our son Franklin, daughter Cassandra, and son Jack were all born. It isn’t easy caring for four children while being a farmer’s wife. There’s a lot of pressure on the one staying at home. Still, she maintained a full-time job and worked in local health care, helping provide the lifestyle our family enjoyed.

My daughter Stephanie was wed a couple of summers ago. And I look forward to my youngest daughter, Cass—her wedding is in just over a week.

MPP George Darouze: Good timing.

MPP Paul Vickers: That’s right.

We raised our family as a typical farming family. We were active in 4-H, Junior Farmers, and minor hockey. Winters took our family to cold arenas across rural Ontario. Often, Karen and I would have to divide and conquer to get everyone where they needed to go. Saturdays in the summer were spent showing dairy cattle at fairs across the area.

Three of my children are graduates of agriculture programs at the post-secondary level.

Sundays on the farm included a nice dinner and drinks.

These are fond memories, and much fun was had, but when you live on a farm, the cows still need to be milked twice a day, every day. They don’t care how much fun you’ve had that day.

My two sons, Franklin and Jack, are now the third generation of Vickhaven Farms, continuing our farming agriculture legacy.

Boys, I know you’ll do great.

None of us get here without a campaign team. My campaign was managed by Karen MacInnis. She also served members of this House as a constituency assistant for Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound for over 20 years. Carol Reaney from Owen Sound was instrumental. She donates her time to so many great community causes. She gave up her February to support me. Don Standen from Wiarton was also a big help. Few know the Bruce Peninsula as well as he does. Lisa LaPierre from Owen Sound kept me on time. Graham from Chatsworth, who walked every single mile that I walked, managed the canvassing and events. Ted Miller and former member of the House Rick Byers joined our door-knocking crew when they could.

I also have to mention that Don Dietrich from Desboro, Bev Nicol from Chesley, and Tom Ruff from Tara were big in helping me secure the party nomination. Meeting the Chesley Coffee Club gave me the momentum that I needed.

Tom Carbert from Meaford and his team took on the wintertime task of managing signs—and there’s snow up in Bruce Grey–Owen Sound. He has supported me in my endeavours over the years. We go way back. His work in farm equipment sales has led to many interactions over the years.

My wife, Karen, and eldest daughter, Stephanie, have been there through all my campaigns; not all were successful. I’m reminded of this as a sign sits on my desk stating, “Third time’s the charm.” Perseverance will serve me well in this house.

February in Bruce and Grey counties is great for skiing and snowmobiling, but not for door canvassing. Our campaign took us from the Wiarton Willie Festival, where he predicted an early spring—the lying little bugger—to doors and communities across our 6,500-kilometre riding. Looking back, I remember this month fondly, although there were struggles at times. Bev Harron, a long-time volunteer, said to me once, “We did a winter campaign once before, and since then I have always been trying to forget it.”

Bruce Grey–Owen Sound is known for some of Ontario’s best landmarks. Tobermory and Sauble Beach are the highlights, but there’s more than that. The shores of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron grace us with beautiful sunrises and sunsets and brisk winter winds. The highlands of South Grey look down on the rest of our province, as the highest point in southern Ontario. I have been fortunate enough to have hiked Machu Picchu and through Nepal, but the Bruce Trail is a personal favourite. You can hike the same parts of the Bruce Trail but go in a different direction, and it gives you a completely different view.

Bruce Grey–Owen Sound is also diverse. We have members of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, with whom I seek to build trust throughout my term. We have new immigrant communities, old-order Amish families and Mennonites, who I’ve had many dealings with.

I welcome the members of the Legislature to come visit Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound and see Vickhaven Farms in action.

As I begin this journey, I bring some lessons about agriculture with me. The first is patience. Good things take time to grow—and our work here is no different. The second is to plant a seed today, knowing you won’t reap its benefits until later in the year.

As we begin this term, if we show patience with one another and know that we may not be the ones who will benefit from the hard work today, we will serve Ontarians well in these hard times.

I’m excited to collaborate with all my colleagues to move big projects forward and to protect Ontario from economic uncertainty.

I value agriculture as an economic driver in this province.

There’s an old saying—and please, the lawyers in the crowd, do not take offence—that a couple times in life, you may need a doctor and a lawyer; however, three times a day, you need to eat. Food comes from a farmer. After all, everyone always has hundreds of different problems, until you are hungry—and then you have one.

While few would have expected the skinny farm kid from Grey Road 7 to make it here, George, I’m here now. As I take my green chair with my golden member’s pin on my lapel, the privilege is not lost on me. It is my mission to make Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound and all those who helped me get here proud of my work.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Questions and responses for the member?

Mr. John Vanthof: I listened intently to the member from Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound, who I have known for many years, respected for many years. As a fellow farmer, he really tugged at my heart.

My father got sick. I quit school when I was 17 and took over the farm, and I ended up here.

MPP Paul Vickers: It’s hard.

Mr. John Vanthof: Yes.

The one about how he occasionally fell asleep in church—we went to the Presbyterian church. I was the only farmer, and I fell sound asleep. The minister said, “Shh,” and everybody left the church. I woke up and thought I died, and I thought, “Well, at least it’s not hot.”

I would like the member to expand on what it really feels like—things that only farmers can understand, like what it feels like when the soil is the right temperature and you can go to plant, or when you know your best cow is going to calve. Can you expand on what it really feels like—something that other people never get the chance to experience?

MPP Paul Vickers: Thanks to my fellow MPP from the north—sorry; I can’t remember your riding, and I can’t use your name. Thanks for just throwing that lob ball in there.

I don’t think a lot of people do understand the smell of dirt in the spring, the smell of fresh-cut hay—and it’s all coming together, the sun and the rain and everything else. It’s hard to explain it to people.

More than a couple of weeks ago—a couple of months, maybe six weeks ago; I can’t remember. We don’t calve out many of our cows anymore, because they calve in another barn. They do it by themselves. If you leave them alone, they’re better off. The less interactions cattle have with people, the better they are. That’s why robots work so well. Anyway, I got up to the barn to feed the dry cows, and one was calving. I thought, “Jeez, I haven’t calved a cow in a while. What do I do? Do I leave it or do I help it? What happens if something goes wrong?” You come back in an hour, and the calf is dead—it’s always not good.

Anyway, I decided to grab some baler twine and went into the pen, put it on the legs, pulled that calf out and watched it take its first breath. You make sure it gets going. I can’t explain what that is, but it’s a feeling that only somebody who has been there can explain. You know it.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Questions?

Ms. Lee Fairclough: Congratulations to the member on your inaugural speech. It was so lovely to hear you speak about a part of the world that I also have such an appreciation for, having grown up up that way. Certainly, as you say, the tip of the Bruce and Tobermory is probably one of the best places in the world to visit, and the hike down to Stormhaven, you’ll never regret—so I’ll look forward to coming up and taking you up on your offer to do that.

I am interested; if you were to pick one thing that you have heard from your constituents that they really hope you will bring into focus while you’re here, what would that one thing be?

MPP Paul Vickers: Thank you for that question.

I guess there were a couple of things. Obviously, health care is a big issue up in our area. We have an aging population, so they want to make sure the health care system is there for them at this point in their life. The other

part is, they want to make sure that I speak for Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound—that I don’t speak for the people of Toronto, I don’t speak for the people up east or up in Ottawa. They want to make sure that their voice is heard. I think you can do that. You don’t always have to be the loudest out here on the floor to do that. There are lots of quiet conversations and opportunities like this to get to know me, and I think I can convey that out.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Further questions?

Mr. Matthew Rae: Thank you to my colleague for his great remarks this morning.

I know he is still a farmer. Being a farm kid, as many of my colleagues will know in this place, I was just wondering if my colleague can elaborate a little bit on what he would think the best lesson—I don’t know; whether it was mucking out stalls on a Saturday—would be, that he’s taking from his time growing up on a farm, and still obviously being an active farmer, to this place.

What do you think is going to help you most in this new role that you have?

MPP Paul Vickers: Thank you for that question, my friend from Perth–Wellington.

I think sometimes less talk and more action is something. I’m trying not to hash in back into last night, because last night was last night—but don’t think that didn’t just gut me as hard as it did. Let’s just get to the work and get it done. I think that’s where I’ll go with it. You’ve just got to get to work. You get up in the morning, you pull your pants on, you go downstairs, you get your glass of water, and you go out to the barn and you start working. It’s just such a natural thing for me to do. So let’s be more active.

MPP George Darouze: And get it done.

MPP Paul Vickers: Get ’er done.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Question?

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: To the member for Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound: What a wonderful inaugural speech you just did. It was very, very heartwarming, may I say. I want to welcome you here.

The reason I say that is because I listened—and you said to me about your mother, and how you were in Meaford and you went to the Dairy Queen. My grandparents had a cottage up in Meaford area, right by Ravenna, so if you blinked your eyes, you missed it. It is beautiful up there, and I will come back and visit.

Next week is probably a very special moment for you. You’ll be walking your daughter down the aisle. So cherish that as much as you just cherished what you just said to this House.

I want to ask you, what wish will you ask that you hope comes true—of your whole journey being an MPP?

MPP Paul Vickers: Thank you for that question.

I hope I can bring awareness. I hope I can bring movement.

It just feels like sometimes we get bogged down. I wish we didn’t have the whole thing last night. We get bogged down in the whole part of that, that I just wish would go quicker.

It’s to bring things back to my community, back to my riding, that are important to them, and make sure that we aren’t forgotten or just known as the beautiful little spot up the Bruce Peninsula.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): I recognize the Minister of Natural Resources.

Hon. Mike Harris: It’s wonderful to hear new members get up in this place and tell us a little bit more about themselves. Often, we get so caught up in the day-to-day that we forget to kind of slow things down and think about the real reasons as to why we’re here.

So thank you for that. It’s a good reminder today.

My grandparents on my mother’s side ran a dairy in North Bay. I’m no stranger to the industry. I used to run in and around the tanks and pull the hoses and all the stuff for them when I was younger. I can still remember the very distinct smell, which was not particularly pleasant, of all the hot water mixing in with the milk—and oh, boy. It gave me an opportunity early on to understand the importance of the agriculture industry to the province of Ontario.

I wonder if you could touch a little bit on some of your experiences and how you’re going to be looking to drive that home to the people of Ontario and truly make sure that you’re helping to raise that industry.

MPP Paul Vickers: Thank you for your question.

I guess the biggest thing—and I think it’s starting to improve. It’s all about recognition or getting the information out about agriculture to all the people who don’t have a real touch, whether it’s in their riding—or never being on a farm before. I think education and trying to make sure that we aren’t the forgotten, lost industry of Ontario, because we are big—$52 billion in GDP. There aren’t many other industries in Ontario that can match that sort of output that the agriculture and the food processing industry has here in Ontario. There are some opportunities. I think we can help move the agriculture industry along—and I hope they get solved. Fertilizer and fuel—

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Thank you.

Further debate?

Mr. Jeff Burch: Who wants to follow that speech? That was one of the best speeches I’ve heard in this place. Maybe we have a Conservative version of John Vanthof here. A lot of memories came back, listening to him. I’ve spent a lot of time in his part of the world, usually at the fishing at the Salmon Spectacular festival. The only experience I have with farming is getting chased out of a farmer’s field when I was trying to catch trout on someone’s private property. There are some beautiful, beautiful areas there.

That was a great speech, so thank you for that.

I was pleasantly surprised to be able to speak to the budget this morning and share a few thoughts. I have a few minutes to do that.

I’ll start by saying that I was pretty optimistic about this budget, frankly. I had an opportunity, a few weeks ago, to attend a Skills Ontario training breakfast here in Toronto. A lot of members of the government were there. It was a great announcement—to spend an extra billion dollars on skills training, in addition to the $1.5 billion that’s already spent. That’s money that’s going to be going to people for some of the most important training that we can be doing now in the province, especially given the tariff situation. My friend mentioned the $303 million, I think, for mental health funding.

That’s also good news. So there’s a lot of good news in the budget, and I was pretty optimistic about it.

Obviously, the last 48 hours or so has soured a lot of people’s expectations because, quite frankly, between Bill 5 and time allocation, this is not the way many of us see government operating and the way that is a responsible way to consult with the public and get folks’ opinion. I’m a soccer fan, and unlike my disappointment with the Leafs—I am a Liverpool supporter, and we actually won this year. This budget, and especially the last 48 hours, kind of reminds me of when a team scores an own goal, which is when you shoot the ball in your own net. I think this was very much avoidable.

What I’ve seen over the last 48 hours is a very clumsy kind of legislative agenda that has left a lot of people out.

I especially don’t like the way that the First Nations that we have a responsibility to deal with fairly—how that has rolled out. I really appreciate the work that my friend from Kiiwetinoong has done in the last few days. He has done a great job—as well as my friend from Sudbury, our mining expert, who has done a great job. I’m really proud of my colleagues for holding government to account, which is our job.

I got a call yesterday about a water leak at Welland Hospital, a hospital in my riding. It was a really bad water leak—so bad, as a matter of fact, that they had to shut part of the hospital down, and a whole bunch of surgeries had to be rescheduled. It’s an old hospital, and it needs to be rebuilt. That’s one of the things that I fought for in the election. I believe most of the people in that area of my riding, in Welland, voted for me because I’ve been talking about it for years and that’s the most important issue to them.

Years ago, under a former government, the health system actually tried to shut down the Welland Hospital completely. My predecessor, Cindy Forster, fought tooth and nail, along with the mayor at the time, and the NDP MP at the time, Malcolm Allen. There was a huge public outcry, and they ended up saving the hospital. Everyone recognizes now what a huge mistake that would have been, under that former government—to close the hospital down. But they have reduced emergency surgeries at Welland Hospital. Everyone in this house has certainly talked about that. It was supposed to be temporary, but it became permanent. After-hours surgical procedures no longer happen there.

People coming from other parts of south Niagara, where, in Fort Erie and Port Colborne, urgent care centres are slated to close in 2028—if they end up at the Welland Hospital, where we already have, by the way, a huge EMS problem and a huge ambulance off-loading issue, they would then have to wait for another ambulance, to be taken to Niagara Falls, where, yes, a new hospital is being built, which the minister continues to raise whenever I ask a question, but that’s not going to be finished until 2028-29.

So health care in the Niagara region is a huge mess.

It absolutely amazes me that in a budget where so much money is spent, there is not more specific health care infrastructure being rolled out.

Specifically, even in Niagara, where the South Niagara Hospital, which is actually in Niagara Falls—those people in south Niagara can’t actually figure out why they call it the South Niagara Hospital, because it’s actually in Niagara Falls—the ability to move forward with those plans is wrapped up with the rebuild plans for the Welland Hospital. In order to do all of that and to renovate and rebuild the Welland Hospital, they need a planning grant, which is simply money that could have been in the budget that would go towards starting the process of planning the rebuild of that hospital.

Here we are in a situation we all know about, and money is being—we’re talking about spending money on infrastructure as stimulus as we go through the tariff issues. We have continually raised the importance of rebuilding hospitals, building new hospitals, addressing the infrastructure issues in our schools, which is a huge problem. And that creates jobs.

I had a young man from the carpenters’ union join my campaign team in the election. He just showed up and said, “I want to go out and campaign.” I said, “By the way, why did you show up?” He said, “Well, you’ve been fighting for a new hospital in Welland, and carpenters build hospitals.”

To be fair, I think this government has done a pretty good job of dealing with the skilled trades. They put a lot of money into training centres. I talked earlier about the skills training money that was rolled out in the budget.

Here’s an opportunity to address specific issues in our ridings and make life better for people by providing better health care, giving them hope by pushing forward plans to build new facilities, like the hospital in Welland. We could keep some of the urgent care centres open that are closing around the province—all kinds of opportunities that I feel were lost in the budget.

Obviously, I’m going to continue fighting for that money.

I hope the government realizes that when we ask questions in the Legislature—we often hear a bunch of numbers rolled out, but when people at home listen to the answers that the government gives, they don’t see that money flowing, actually, where they live in their communities. What they see are problems. They see ambulance off-load delays. They see emergency departments scaling back. They see urgent care centres close. They see 18-hour waits. So the government can talk about all the numbers they want, throw them out here in question period, but somebody sitting there listening to this knows that nothing is improving in their community.

One of the ways that we can give people hope and improve things is if we use budgets to actually flow money to communities for that much-needed infrastructure—so that was a disappointment, not seeing that.

We’ve talked many times about housing. My colleagues from St. Catharines and Niagara Falls asked a question the other day about the south Niagara waste water treatment plant that is absolutely crucial to the Niagara region if we want to continue building housing. All of the mayors have come together, and they’ve approached this government and asked for that infrastructure guarantee. They’ve asked for a one-third/one-third/one-third split with the federal and provincial governments, and they basically feel they’ve been brushed off by this government.

Here we have this budget—once again, a chance to put real infrastructure dollars specifically in the budget to move things like that forward to help meet housing targets. Yet, it hasn’t happened, and the municipality is being brushed off when, in fact, if we could move forward with that treatment plant, the result would be being able to move forward with housing.

Niagara has been pretty successful and has tried very hard to work with the government, even municipalities—smaller ones like the one I live in, Thorold, which has been begging for housing targets so they can get in on funding, and they haven’t been able to do that. There was mention of that in a recent bill, and I hope that happens.

Certainly, these infrastructure dollars, if we’re spending this money—and we’ve all seen the budget forecast. No government has ever spent the amount of money that this government is spending and plans to spend. So people want to see something. That’s their money. that’s their tax dollars. They want to see something in their communities happening, especially when there are crucial needs in health care and in housing, which are the two issues that I most certainly heard about the most in the election campaign.

Folks will know that next Wednesday, I have a private member’s motion coming forward to eliminate hospital parking fees. That’s the third issue that I campaigned on in the election. My issues were health care, housing, and hospital parking fees—because just before the election, in an untimely kind of decision, the health system decided to once again jack up parking fees. Most of the people in my riding feel that no one should have to worry about paying for parking when they go to the hospital.

Right now, people are spending hundreds, even thousands of dollars out of their pocket to access care, whether it’s for regular treatments, emergency visits, or to support loved ones. Most people feel—and I see that from the tens of thousands of folks who have signed our petition—it’s unfair to charge health care workers and patients and their families to park. The workers are literally going to work to save lives.

We had one person in Niagara, who came forward during the election, who had spent $7,000 on parking fees for visiting two sick family members in the hospital. They didn’t have enough money to pay their rent already, and they don’t know how they’re going to pay those bills. That’s not something that should be happening in our health care system—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I truly apologize to the member, but it is now time for members’ statements.

Debate deemed adjourned.

Members’ Statements

Government investments

Mr. Rudy Cuzzetto: As we celebrate AccessAbility Week and look forward to Portuguese Heritage Month, I want to thank the Minister of Finance for providing $16 million in the 2025 Ontario budget to help our friends at the Luso Canadian Charitable Society provide a new facility in Hamilton for Ontarians with disabilities.

I also want to congratulate several organizations in Mississauga–Lakeshore on their recent grants from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

The Learning Disabilities Association of Peel Region will receive $436,000 for exciting new Reading to Animals programs to help youth with disabilities learn to read.

Options Mississauga printing service, which just celebrated their 30th anniversary, will receive $36,000 for more accessible equipment to help their employees with intellectual disabilities provide a wide range of services to customers, just across the street from my constituency office in Port Credit.

Superstack

MPP Jamie West: Speaker, today I’m going to talk about the Superstack, which I know is near to you in your hometown, in Capreol.

The Superstack has a special place in my heart. Construction started the year I was born. Growing up, you would watch the plume and you would watch the Superstack while driving home on Highway 69. It was a beacon, letting you know you were almost home.

I worked at the smelter for 17 years. When I was hired and I told my son—he was a toddler at the time—where I was working, he said, “You’re going to make clouds.”

Well, the year I was elected was the year that we stopped making clouds. The clean-air project that showed that mining could be done sustainably and in a safe way was finally completed and captured all the SO 2 .

In the 17 years I spent in the smelter, I’d look at the stack very often. Smelter workers can tell what’s going on in the plant by what’s coming out of that stack. You’d know how hard your shift was going to be or how easy it would be. There were some days when you would see a tiny little trickle come out, and you would know you would be working really hard that night.

The Superstack has always been something important to me, and the reason I want to talk about it is, because of the success of the clean-air project with Vale and the partnership with the steelworkers and the contractors who worked on it, we’re going to start to disassemble that. After 53 years, the icon of my city is going to start to come down. I think it’s a positive thing for mining and for my community that we had that effect on the environment and that we’ve moved forward to show that in Sudbury we lead the way when it comes to green mining.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I was in Sudbury when they were building it, actually, and I remember when there were some workers trapped on the very top, enduring a storm. Do you recall that?

I recognize the member for Ajax.

Town of Ajax

Mr. Rob Cerjanec: It’s an honour to rise today and wish the town of Ajax a happy 70th birthday this year. It’s important to remember where it all started. Before Ajax’s founding as a town, it was the site of a wartime munitions centre during World War II—the largest shell-filling and assembly plant in the entire Commonwealth.

And just last week, the town of Ajax unveiled a heritage plaque outside the plant manager’s apartment to highlight its significance to our town’s history.

Ajax’s journey from a wartime munitions centre to the vibrant, diverse and growing community we see today is a testament to its resilience, its innovation and its spirit.

As the member for Ajax, I’m proud about how engaged and passionate our community is about its future, and I’m proud to serve as their representative. We’re already getting stuff done together right here in this House.

Happy birthday, Ajax.

Congratulations to all the students in Ajax who are graduating this June. Whether you’re graduating from secondary school and moving on to this next

chapter in your life in the workplace, an apprenticeship, or post-secondary, or for our youngest learners in kindergarten, may you have a wonderful summer full of fun, sun, and time with friends. Congratulations.

Shroomfest

MPP George Darouze: On Friday, May 2, the 18th annual Shroomfest took place in Metcalfe. This men’s-night-out fundraising dinner and auction got its name from the area being one of Canada’s largest mushroom producers. Event sponsor Carleton Mushroom Farms produces more than 10 million pounds of mushrooms each year.

The event was started by Al and Judy Graham as an event to support charities and non-profit organizations. Speaker, 100% of every dollar raised is donated to local charities, hospitals and programs for seniors and youth.

Al and Judy ran a catering company for many years. After catering many women’s-night events, they decided to start a men’s-night fundraiser. Judy was the driving force of Shroomfest, doing all the administration and organizational work.

The event is approaching $1 million for money raised for the community. Last year’s event raised a record $157,000; Al says this year’s total will be more.

A year ago, on May 14, 2024, Judy Graham passed away.

Al has continued Shroomfest with a strong team of volunteers, along with generous donors and sponsors.

Shroomfest has become a beautiful legacy for Judy Graham. She gave her heart and soul to this event and to our community.

Government accountability

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: Last night, the Ontario NDP successfully stalled the passing of Bill 5 at committee—a contentious and unconstitutional mining bill that strips away environmental protections, rips the Endangered Species Act, kicks workers in the face, overrides Indigenous sovereignty and even municipal bylaws and provincial laws, using the excuse of Donald Trump’s tariffs. Only on Tuesday did this government receive over 500 submissions to Bill 5. The next day the government accelerated the clause-by-clause review, which would have allowed them to pass that bill.

Under questioning, we confirmed that the government’s committee members never read the submissions—how could they? There were 500 of them. Yet they wanted to pass Bill 5 under the cloak of darkness, when the journalists and most observers had left the building. This is dirty politics. It’s irrefutable evidence that this government was never interested in public feedback.

First Nations chiefs have advised the government that development is indeed welcome, but only with free, prior and informed consent. Without this, they will bring back Idle No More, a 2012 movement that led to country-wide protests and road, highway and rail blockades.

Speaker, the Premier and his government have been warned. On Monday morning, when the bill comes back to committee, the thunderous roar of the north will be ready to greet them, and so will we.

Volunteers

MPP Billy Denault: It’s always a privilege to have the opportunity to share the wonderful things taking place in the Ottawa Valley.

I want to recognize volunteers and all they do for us in Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke.

This past Saturday, I had the opportunity to join the Palmer Rapids Lions Club to celebrate the club’s 35th anniversary. Such an important milestone was made more apparent with the long list of accomplishments the club achieved over the course of its service to the community.

On Sunday, a local community champion, Gerald Tracey, was recognized for his lifelong community volunteer service with the redesignation of Centennial Park to Gerald Tracey Park. His long list of service and advocacy to the community of Bonnechere Valley and to the Ottawa Valley as a whole fully encapsulates why this dedication is deserving. May it be a beacon to everyone on what you can accomplish with enough grit and determination.

Today, there is a volunteer appreciation day event in Barry’s Bay to recognize the many volunteers for community organizations like Hospice, Valley Manor, Barry’s Bay and area home support, and St. Francis Memorial Hospital. While I am not there physically, I am there in spirit. I want to acknowledge all that you do and extend my appreciation to every one of you.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of our communities. When your volunteer base is healthy, your communities are healthy. And we are pretty fortunate, in the Ottawa Valley, to have some pretty healthy communities.

I want to take the time to commend all those who do so—your efforts are so vital to our rural communities, and they are appreciated not only by myself but no doubt by all of those here in the House today.

Marisa Smith

Mr. Andrew Dowie: It’s an honour to rise today to celebrate the recipient of the 2025 Lois Fairley Nursing Award, Marisa Smith. The Lois Fairley award is presented annually by the Windsor-Essex

chapter of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario, in recognition of exemplary compassion, professionalism and exceptional dedication to patient care and nursing.

Following her incredible career start at Erie Shores HealthCare, Marisa now works as an operating room nurse at Windsor Regional Hospital. In her two years there, she has proven to be a steady, calming presence, ensuring patients are comfortable and well cared for from pre-op to recovery.

Marisa’s clinical experience, expertise and compassionate demeanour make her an invaluable part of the Windsor Regional Hospital team. She ably helps surgeries run smoothly while making sure each patient feels respected and at ease.

Marisa, congratulations, and thank you for your dedication to nursing and to our whole community. You’ve already made a remarkable impact, and we look forward to seeing your legacy continue to shine.

Emergency services

M me France Gélinas: Last Friday, there was a deadly accident on Highway 101, just near Foleyet. Two people were seriously injured. A minor coming off shift, fully trained in first aid, was the first one on the site and was able to help the people seriously injured. He knew to call 911, so he called 911.

Do you know what happens when you dial 911 in my riding? You get, “This number is not in service.” You call again, and then you get, “This number is not in service,” so you dial 0. The person who answers the phone at 0 tells you, “No, you have to dial 911. This is an emergency.” But there is no 911 service in Nickel Belt. The police are there. The ambulance is there. The fire truck is there. But you have to memorize the 1-800, 1-877 and 1-866 numbers that change dozens of times just on that highway.

A 71-year-old man from Chapleau died. The other man is in serious condition in the hospital. Their families are wondering: What if Ontario did what every other province did and brought 911 everywhere? Would their loved ones still be here today? I wonder the same thing.

Take Your MPP to School Week

Mr. Steve Clark: I’m pleased to share highlights from my recent visit to Gananoque Secondary School as part of Take Your MPP to School Week.

I was accompanied by director of education Ron Ferguson, superintendent Lori Taylor, and trustees John McAllister and Michel LaBonté.

We were warmly welcomed by students and led through the school by principal Christena Harrow, whose passion for student success was clear throughout the visit.

We dropped in on the Power Up Program, where students were getting involved in a lively art project.

We also visited a grade 9 math class, where students were actively engaged in learning the Pythagorean theorem.

Admittedly, I was more in my element speaking with the grade 10 civics and careers class about the role of an MPP and the importance of civic involvement at a young age.

Our tour concluded in the school’s hospitality space, which has a well-equipped kitchen facility that supports hands-on learning and career exploration. I learned how the program teaches students more than just food prep. It builds real-world skills like teamwork, time management and customer service that apply not just throughout the kitchen but throughout their life.

Speaker, it was a pleasure to visit Gananoque Secondary School to see first-hand the dedicated students and staff.

I have just one thing to say: Go Trojans!

Report, Financial Accountability Officer

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I beg to inform the House that the following document was tabled: a report entitled 2025 Ontario Budget Note, from the Office of the Financial Accountability Officer of Ontario.

Introduction of Visitors

MPP Lise Vaugeois: I would like to welcome the many injured workers who travelled to be here today to mark the first official Injured Workers Day taking place this Sunday, June 1. There are members here representing the Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups, the injured migrant workers support group, and the Injured Workers Community Legal Clinic. Welcome to your House. Thank you so much for coming.

Hon. Graham McGregor: I beg your indulgence. We have lots of guests this morning from the veterans’ community—many former active service members and organizations that support our veterans. We had the honour, with some of my PC caucus colleagues, to award these folks the King Charles III Coronation Medal this morning, and I want to welcome them to the House.

Please welcome Lieutenant Colonel, Ret’d, Peter MacLaurin, treasurer of the military family resource centre; Rick Seymour, CEO of Together We Stand Foundation; James Hogarth, national executive director of Helmets to Hardhats Canada; Jonathan White from the Boilermakers; Jeff Musson, founder of Coding for Veterans; Laurie Ogilvie, vice-president, military family services, Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services branch; Second Class Sergeant, Ret’d, Russell Dalton, regional manager of Commissionaires Great Lakes; Vic Sing from the Royal Canadian Legion; Alisia DeMelo from the Commissionaires Great Lakes; Corporal, Ret’d, Christopher Lock; Namita Joshi, chief program officer of True Patriot Love; Nick Booth, CEO of True Patriot Love; Commander Paul Smith from HMCS York; Lieutenant Commander Stefan Pohl, HMCS York; Corporal, Ret’d, Alan Roy, Royal Canadian Legion; Bombardier, Ret’d, Todd Stride, senior manager of the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services branch; Lieutenant Commander, Ret’d, Rob Francis, board member of the Vimy Ridge foundation; Richard Martin, chairman of Wounded Warriors Canada; and, last but certainly not least, Captain, Ret’d, John Atkin, Commissionaires Great Lakes.

Let’s give them a big round of applause. Thanks for—

Applause.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Stop the clock.

I recognize the member for Ottawa–Vanier.

M me Lucille Collard: I would like to welcome Colin Saravanamuttoo and Erin Ryan from World Animal Protection, and Kira Berkeley from AEL Advocacy, who is also from my riding of Ottawa–Vanier. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Effie J. Triantafilopoulos: I would like to recognize Ibrahim Siddiqi, who is from my riding of Oakville North–Burlington—he is page captain today—along with his parents, Sophia and Yelman Siddiqi, and siblings Aysha and Yusuf.

Mr. Rudy Cuzzetto: Today I would like to welcome two of my staff members, Nicolas Machado and Jack Perrow, to the House.

Ms. Aislinn Clancy: It’s nice to be able to introduce Margo and her family, who are here for our rally for Bill 6 and to show support for our Legislature and all its members.

It’s nice to see you, Margo.

Ms. Lee Fairclough: I’m delighted to welcome grade 5 students visiting from Our Lady of Sorrows in my riding of Etobicoke–Lakeshore. They will be joining us in the gallery soon.

Mrs. Daisy Wai: I’m pleased to welcome Ross Toms from Richmond Hill, a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal, to Queen’s Park.

I’d also like to acknowledge the following King Charles III Coronation Medal recipients who were unable to join us today—but they will be receiving the medals in June. They include Chungsen Leung, Maryam Rashidian, Michael Lai, Stephen Yau, and Mul Raj Sethi.

I’m also pleased to welcome my constituency and legislative team members to Queen’s Park: Vinus Lee, executive assistant; Will Cho, special adviser to Minister Raymond Cho and executive assistant to myself, as the PA; Madison Gordon, legislative assistant; and Frederic Lai, constituency office manager.

I’d also like to welcome Sina Jafari, a dedicated and exceptional volunteer at my constituency office.

M me Dawn Gallagher Murphy: I’d like to welcome Father Alexander Griffiths from the Toronto Oratory. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Stephen Crawford: I’d like to welcome the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

MPP Tyler Watt: I’d like to welcome the following OLP interns: Richelle Furtado, Devon Jarovi, Sydney Murdock, Gurraj Dhillon, and Stacy Kiseliouk. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Catherine Fife: My brother Ethan Wood and Alison Bell are visiting here at Queen’s Park. Welcome to your House.

House sittings

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the government House leader on a point of order.

Mr. Steve Clark: Thank you, Speaker. A point of order: I just would like to advise members of the House that the night sitting scheduled for this evening has been cancelled.

Injured Workers Day

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the leader of His Majesty’s loyal opposition.

Ms. Marit Stiles: I seek unanimous consent of the House for a moment of silence in recognition of Ontario’s first annual Injured Workers Day and in remembrance of all workers who have been killed, injured, or who have suffered from an occupational disease at work in Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): MPP Stiles is seeking the unanimous consent of the House for a moment of silence in recognition of Ontario’s first annual Injured Workers Day and in remembrance of all workers who have been killed, injured, or who have suffered from an occupational disease at work in Ontario. Agreed? Agreed.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): You may be seated.

Question Period

Government accountability

Ms. Marit Stiles: Speaker, let’s review for a second what Bill 5 does. It guts environmental laws. It weakens protections for endangered species. It forces a massive landfill on a community that doesn’t want it. It overrides the rights of First Nations. It gives government ministers the power to declare no-law zones, wherever they choose, whenever they want.

So my question to the Premier: Did he really think he was going to get away with this without a fight?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Response? I recognize the member from Bay of Quinte.

Mr. Tyler Allsopp: Thank you to the Leader of the Opposition for the question.

There is a consensus across Canada that we need to get things done faster, and it’s one that cuts across political stripes.

Look to British Columbia, where the NDP government introduced legislation designed to fast-track approvals. In his own words, NDP Premier David Eby said, “At a time of uncertainty caused by Donald Trump’s tariffs, it’s more important than ever that we create more good-paying jobs by delivering the critical infrastructure projects people need—faster.” This is a Premier who the leader of the Ontario NDP has praised for doing some great work and taking on big problems and getting results.

Now is not the time for political games. We are facing a once-in-a-generation crisis, and Canada knows that we need to move faster. The federal Liberals know it; the NDP in BC know it; and this Ontario PC government knows it—why doesn’t the Leader of the Opposition?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the Leader of the Opposition for supplementary.

Ms. Marit Stiles: I want to start by thanking everyone who has spoken up against this legislation, from First Nations leaders to the workers to the thousands and thousands of people who have called in and emailed to say no to this shameless power grab—because that’s what it is.

Last night, opposition members did what we could to stop this bill at committee stage. And so now we have given the Premier a couple of more days to listen to the people and maybe to think it over.

But let’s just go to where this needs to end. Will the Premier scrap Bill 5?

Mr. Tyler Allsopp: Thank you to the Leader of the Opposition for the question.

As we know, ladies and gentlemen, there is a chill on right now for investment. Because of the uncertainty and the instability in the global markets, investors and businesses are hesitating on investment decisions. They don’t know if they can make an investment for the next 10, 15 or 20 years, when they don’t know what the political and economic landscape will be like over the next 12 months.

We know that when that dam breaks and all that held-back capital gets let free, we will be in the toughest competition that we have ever had for jobs, for investments, for making sure that we’re providing a great future for the people of Ontario and their children—to have high-paying jobs that will pay the bills and make sure they put food on their family’s table.

That is what we are standing up for. And if you are not standing up for that—there’s your camera—do us a favour: Let everybody know.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Through the Speaker.

I recognize the Leader of the Opposition.

Ms. Marit Stiles: Speaker, the only thing creating anxiety and uncertainty in the province of Ontario right now is Bill 5 and this government. This has been an absolute mess. Nobody wants to take responsibility for it. It has been like playing whack-a-mole with all the ministers. Who’s going to stand up today and take responsibility for this mess?

This is a moment when people want to take action to strengthen Ontario, to fight back against Donald Trump. But this bill is not about that, and the people will not be fooled. It is about this Premier wanting to use this moment to grab more power. The people did not give this Premier a mandate to suspend all laws or to toss out their constitutional rights.

Back to the Premier: Given the harm that this is going to cause to communities, to ecosystems and to our path toward reconciliation, will the Premier scrap this bill?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Response—and I’ll remind the member: through the Chair.

Mr. Tyler Allsopp: Thank you to the Leader of the Opposition for the question.

I’m not the leader of a party—and you’ve pointed out that I’m not a minister either. But if I was the leader of a party, I might not point out that I’m losing a fight with a backbencher. And whether I do this from the backbench, the balcony or standing on a soapbox with a bullhorn on Bremner, the result is going to be the same.

This government has stood up for the people of Ontario. We have created good-paying jobs and attracted high-quality investments. We are going to continue to do that, to deliver for the people of Ontario, and we will not be pushed off by you or anyone else.

Government accountability / Responsabilité gouvernementale

Ms. Marit Stiles: Speaker, I want to go back to this issue because I think it’s important for the people to know what this Premier and this government are up to here. They are creating no-law zones in the province of Ontario. Ils créent des zones sans lois, et ils ouvrent la porte à la corruption aussi. They’re giving themselves unchecked access to power. It’s a power grab. It’s that plain. It’s that simple. That’s what they are doing.

Let me be crystal clear: The government wants to go into your community, your neighbourhood, and they want to suspend all laws, and they’re going to use Donald Trump as their excuse to do it. But we know better.

To the Premier again: Why would anyone be okay with this government—a government under criminal investigation by the RCMP—creating no-law zones?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): To the Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries.

Hon. Sam Oosterhoff: The member opposite, once again, has demonstrated that the members of the opposition will absolutely pass no chance to fail to stand up for Ontario’s economic sovereignty. Once again, they have shown they are not willing to stand up for progress. They’re not willing to stand for legislation or for progress that will support northern Ontario.

The reality is, it can take up to 15 years to approve a mine in Ontario. That’s unacceptable. We trail many of the world’s leading proponents of mines. That’s why we’re bringing forward changes that will actually support unleashing the power of the north, providing opportunities and fighting back against Donald Trump.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the Leader of the Opposition.

Ms. Marit Stiles: I’ll tell you what we’ll do: We’ll stand up for Ontarians when this government will not.

Let me be clear: They thought they could fool everybody into thinking this was about mines, that this was about the north. Well, guess what? It’s not. It’s a power grab, plain and simple.

No consultations. No laws. No guardrails. The government wants a blank cheque for unlimited power, and that’s what this bill delivers them. That is not how it works in Canada. That is not how it works in Ontario.

Ontarians are not going to stand for this. That is why people in every corner of this province are speaking out against this bill.

Again, to the Premier: Why would anyone trust a government under RCMP criminal investigation to have unlimited power with no-law zones?

Hon. Sam Oosterhoff: Let’s talk a little bit about what we’re seeing across the nation. We’re seeing a consensus, with the New Democrats in British Columbia moving forward with legislation to accelerate major projects. We’re seeing even the federal Liberal government place commitments on the table to ensure that major projects are getting moving in the province.

And yet, here in Ontario, until recently, we had some of the slowest permitting times in the OECD. That’s unacceptable. This Premier and this government know that the potential for Ontario is unlimited if we can ensure that we’re bringing forward measures to speed that up.

We are taking action, through this legislation, to ensure that the prosperity of Ontario and Ontario’s economic sovereignty is meaningful today and into the future.

When will the members of the opposition stop their games, stop their theatrics, and move forward with meaningful progress through these types of legislation?

I hope that the member opposite—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the Leader of the Opposition.

Ms. Marit Stiles: It’s really hard to figure out who is responsible for this mess because every time we ask this question, we get another parliamentary assistant or another minister responding. Like I said, it’s like playing whack-a-mole with the ministers here. Nobody will take responsibility for the mess that they have created with this bill.

Speaker, we are in a very difficult moment in the province of Ontario. This bill is creating more uncertainty, more anxiety than we have seen in decades. This is a government that has a record for flip-flops, for reversals, for making a mess of legislation—and where this bill ends up is in the courts. That’s where this ends up—again, in the courts, wasting time.

Will the Premier, once and for all, scrap this bill? And does he ever get tired of being on the wrong side of history?

Hon. Sam Oosterhoff: I can assure all members of this chamber and all those watching today that we will continue to do the work needed to move Ontario and Ontario’s economy forward, regardless of the theatrics that we see coming from the members of the opposition.

When they say no to this bill, they say no to every job that creates in rural and remote communities; they say no to the opportunities that this opens for Ontario workers, that this opens for Ontario industry and, frankly, for the families who rely on those jobs; they say no to Ontario’s economic sovereignty. But we shouldn’t be surprised. We’ve seen this before from the opposition members. They obstruct, they play theatrical games, but they refuse to support common-sense measures that move Ontario’s economy forward.

We’re seeing a consensus across the country, across the nation, that we need to get major projects approved faster in this province and in this country, and we’re on the front of making sure that becomes a reality.

I hope that the member opposite will encourage her team to support this legislation to get that across the finish line.

Government accountability

Mr. John Fraser: My question is for the Premier.

I know that many of us had a late night in committee, and I didn’t think that we would actually know that we would learn so much about sleep deprivation in real time while we were experiencing it.

So, Speaker, will the Premier do the right thing and kill Bill 5 and just go back to the drawing board?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Minister of Economic Development.

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Speaker, Northern Ontario Large Urban Mayors were here, met with the Premier. These are the mayors from Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay, Sudbury, Timmins. They want to see generational projects and investments land in northern Ontario so that our economies can continue to prosper. That is why they came out with a letter in support of Bill 5. They know that as a province we need to move faster. We can’t have projects taking 15 years to get shovels in the ground, or we’ll see companies and jobs flee our province, just like they did when the Liberals were in charge.

We were elected on a mandate to protect and grow Ontario’s economy, and that’s exactly what we’re going.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Supplementary.

Mr. John Fraser: That’s all well and good, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a government put forward as many amendments to their own bill as an opposition party—in the double digits. It points to a bill that is seriously flawed, and the government knows it, because they put all these amendments forward. Once again, the Premier is in a hurry, and the government is making a mess.

Will the Premier kill Bill 5, go back to the drawing board and at least try to get it right?

The competition to land investments is going to be unlike anything we’ve ever seen. We’re living it right now—the chill that is on business. If companies have to wait 15 years to get a shovel in the ground, they’re going to invest somewhere else.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the leader of the third party.

Mr. John Fraser: Sitting through committee last night, I think that all of us kind of got the same feeling—we were thinking greenbelt, ministerial zoning orders, the “notwithstanding” clause. It just felt like Ford is just going to slip into reverse again.

Speaker, through you: Will the Premier do the right thing and kill Bill 5, go back to the drawing board and get it right?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: In the words of British Columbia’s NDP Premier, David Eby, “Now, we cannot allow slow permitting processes and bureaucratic processes to delay what we know has to happen. That will cost us” when we can least afford it. This is someone who the leader of Ontario’s NDP has repeatedly endorsed and praised.

Everyone is on the same page. We need to do things faster in the country to unlock our true economic potential. Well, almost everybody agrees; I see a few over here who don’t.

The Liberals and the NDP in this House continue to oppose every single measure that we put forward that cuts unnecessary red tape and bureaucracy. They don’t want to grow our economy. They want to see our projects tied up in red tape for 15 years.

Keep your political theatrics. We will deliver results.

Government accountability

Mr. John Fraser: Back to the Premier: The Premier and his ministers love to crow about how they’re protecting Ontario. But they didn’t protect the people of Dresden. In fact, the Premier broke his promise to the people of Dresden. He didn’t protect the taxpayer here in Ontario. When it came to Ontario Place, he protected the interests of a foreign-owned spa that had little or no money and no experience. And most egregious of all, the Premier is not protecting what little is left of his government’s relations with First Nations.

I’m going to ask the same question because I haven’t heard an answer: Will the Premier simply kill Bill 5, go back to the drawing board and get it right?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the member for Brantford–Brant.

Mr. Will Bouma: Speaker, let me reassure the leader of the third party that our government is committed to working in full partnership with Indigenous communities to ensure the legislation provides clear, reliable assurances that their rights will be upheld and respected. The bill will enhance transparency, reinforce the duty to consult, and support long-term relationship building.

Speaker, this is about getting it right together. We are focused on ensuring the legislation reflects a path forward that supports economic opportunity, while honouring our commitment to reconciliation.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The leader of the third party.

Mr. John Fraser: If you take a look, Speaker, at Bill 5—and I am glad that the minister mentioned the King, because I want to talk about another king. The powers in Bill 5 are kinglike, right? What it essentially says the Premier can do is—“I’m going to do whatever I want, wherever I want, with whoever I want, and the laws, well, they don’t apply.” That sounds to me a lot like the ability to make a decree. We all know what a decree is, because we see it south of the border. There’s somebody making a lot of decrees down there, and democracy is teetering.

So I’ll just ask once again, because I haven’t heard anything that even comes close to a reasonable answer: Will the Premier kill Bill 5, go back to the drawing board and get it right?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the member for Brantford–Brant.

Mr. Will Bouma: I find it difficult to listen to this today from the leader of the third party. Last night, we had the opportunity to have meaningful debate about amendments to Bill 5; instead of that, the opposition chose to filibuster for five hours, instead of engaging in a meaningful clause-by-clause debate. That time could have been spent to review the legislation and discuss proposed amendments constructively. And yet, last night, they chose theatrics over progress. They said no to every job that this bill would create and no to Ontario’s economic sovereignty. They showed their true colours, standing in the way instead of getting things done.

We remain focused, on this side of the House, on delivering results for the people of Ontario.

This is an ambitious bill, and like any significant piece of legislation, it includes amendments that deserve serious, thoughtful debate. That’s the purpose of committee, not theatre.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the leader of the third party.

Mr. John Fraser: The member was there last night, so he would realize that there was an ability for the committee to sit between 8 and 8 today, and every government member on the committee voted against it. They could have been sitting today, and you voted against it. You voted against that amendment. You could have done it. I don’t understand. You guys don’t know what you’re doing.

I want to go back to what I said earlier. The thing about decrees—if you want to wonder why there’s a problem with First Nations and how they feel about what the Premier is doing here—is that they know a lot about decrees. They’ve seen a lot of decrees—and that’s what this bill does. So maybe on the other side, they could take a look at the bill at face value and the kind of power it delivers to a single person—kinglike—and change it.

Kill Bill 5, go back to the drawing board, and get it right.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The government House leader.

Mr. Steve Clark: We did learn some things last night about the third party. We learned that now that they’re an official party, they have more resources. I think I learned last night that they bought an application, ChatGPT Pro, because I think 90% of their speeches came right out of ChatGPT. They could have decided last night to use those five hours to put partnership over partisanship.

I’ve been here for 15 years; I haven’t seen more 20-minute pee breaks than I saw last night. It’s pretty obvious.

We could have had meaningful conversation. We could have had meaningful discussion. We could have dealt with the amendments on Bill 5 that were as a result of the public hearings that we had, and the ministers.

I think we did learn something else last night. We’ve already heard today that you’ve got New Democratic Premiers in BC and Manitoba who are on board with getting things moving faster. We’ve got even—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Question?

First Nations consultation

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: ᒥᑵᐨ, Speaker. ᒥᓄᑭᔐᐸᔭ

This is what some of the First Nations are saying:

“We signed treaties because you couldn’t beat us. We are not a conquered nation. We signed treaties because we decided we can live together.”

“We are Treaty 9 signatories, not stakeholders. Our ancestors did not give away our lands to be taken by governments.”

To the Premier: Will your government uphold the treaties and Aboriginal title?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the member for Brantford–Brant.

Mr. Will Bouma: Our government respects First Nation and treaty rights under

section 35 of the Constitution and is committed to fulfilling its duty to consult. Our government, by fulfilling the duty to consult, fosters strong Indigenous relationships, supports reconciliation and promotes prosperity. Clear, transparent consultation fosters stronger First Nations relationships and a more stable business environment, enhancing economic opportunities.

We want to be clear: The proposed legislation is about unlocking Ontario’s true economic potential, not overriding Indigenous rights or environmental safeguards. The duty to consult will not be compromised as part of this process.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the member from Kiiwetinoong.

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: Referencing

section 35 of the Constitution is still blowing smoke.

There have been many opportunities to rescind Bill 5, but instead, the government is pushing forward a bill that will violate First Nations’ inherent Aboriginal and treaty rights.

First Nations are loud and clear: If the bill passes, First Nations and rights holders say they will be idle no more.

Will the government learn from the past and start again, with First Nations at the table?

Mr. Will Bouma: First Nations are lead proponents on legacy infrastructure projects.

The special zones outlined in this bill will support both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, businesses and people.

We are working hand in hand with First Nations communities on environmental assessments and infrastructure projects such as Watay Power and the Berens River bridge, and this is the key. By forging true partnerships with First Nations communities, particularly those located near major development opportunities, we are building pathways towards lasting economic reconciliation the right way—together.

Government accountability

Mr. Ted Hsu: Speaker, 25 amendments to Bill 5—that’s how many amendments I submitted because Bill 5 is wrong; it’s beyond salvageable. But who else had to make 25 amendments, some at the last minute, because they also know that this bill is bad? This government.

Thousands across Ontario are telling us Bill 5 is wrong.

Will the Premier admit they blew it, kill the bill, go back to the drawing board, and take this opportunity to simply pass a new “one project, one process” bill—the piece of Bill 5 I know all parties support?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Minister of Energy and Mines.

Hon. Stephen Lecce: We just came from an announcement this morning to ensure our province remains an energy superpower by putting half a billion dollars on the table to get critical minerals processed here in Ontario. To enable that vision, we need to get on with building mines in the province.

We’ve made clear that there is a public policy challenge facing every province and the national government. Even New Democrats in BC accept this premise.

The Liberals of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Liberals of this country, have accepted what some provincial governments have not, or provincial parties have not, which is that the status quo is not working.

The “one project, one process” vision the member rightfully notes is an anchor of this bill to accelerate responsible resource development.

We’ve allowed for amendments to the bill to strengthen the area of consultation, because of critical perspectives shared from Indigenous peoples. That’s a responsible government in action, listening and responding. We’ve committed to consultations through regulation. We’ve committed to listening and investing.

But what we’ve also committed to doing is challenging the status quo, because it’s not working for this country.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the member from Kingston and the Islands.

Mr. Ted Hsu: In BC and with the feds—we see them moving ahead without grabbing the unchecked executive power that we see in Bill 5 and south of the border. The government is complaining about delays in committee now, we heard this morning and last night.

Will the Premier go to the public—the ones who gathered in front of Queen’s Park yesterday, the residents of Chatham-Kent or northern Ontario, First Nations across the province, the groundswell of opposition across the province? Will the Premier go to them, admit that the opposition stopped his deeply flawed Bill 5 yesterday, and then cry about wasted time? Really?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Speaker, it’s always fascinating to hear Liberals lecture governments on respecting local voices.

If it wasn’t the Liberal Party who imposed the Green Energy Act—ignoring the will of every rural community in the province because you knew better.

Unlike the Liberals, who dismissed the local democratic expression of communities north, south, east and west, it was this Premier who codified a requirement of local consent on energy expansion. Imagine that. Imagine actually fulfilling a commitment to the people of Ontario.

I want to thank my colleagues who stood with us as we pursued an agenda of change, because the world has changed. The world has radically changed with the election of President Trump.

If we want to achieve self-reliance, if we want to be strong as a country—the member is rolling his eyes as if it is an inconvenient truth—it’s either we prevail or China prevails; either we stand up or some regime abroad wins the day. We’re choosing Canada every single day.

Workplace safety

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

Protecting workers means creating conditions where people feel safe, respected and supported every time they go to work. As Ontario grows, the demands on our workforce grow too. That means more jobs, more job sites, and more people relying on clear and effective safety rules. Our government understands that. That’s why we’re focused on prevention, not just response.

Through our Working for Workers plan, we’re making workplace safety a top priority. This is about more than just policy. It’s about standing up for the people who build our province and drive our economy forward.

Speaker, can the minister share how this legislation protects workers and shows Ontario’s leadership by once again putting people first?

Hon. David Piccini: I want to thank the member for that question and for having me in his community of Whitby the other day for a very important announcement.

When it comes to protecting workers, this government always listens, takes ideas and brings them to this place, which is why I was proud to stand with that member and incredible leaders like Steve Chaplin from our Prevention Council; Jason Ottey, who has been a champion of this at Local 183; Hugh Heron from Heathwood Homes; and the Mikey Network to announce that, yet again, through Working for Workers 7, our government is taking a first in Canada: requiring defibrillators on job sites over three months in duration. Speaker, it’s taking an important step.

When seconds save lives, we’ve got to step up and show the workers of this province, as we build a stronger Ontario, that we have their backs, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the member for Whitby.

Mr. Lorne Coe: Thank you to the minister for his continuing leadership.

Ontario’s workers are the backbone of our economy. They build our homes, roads and cities, and they deserve a safe place to work. That’s why our government isn’t just setting new rules; we’re helping employers follow them.

Through Working for Workers 7, we’re making it easier to get life-saving defibrillators on construction sites. We’re giving clear guidance, sharing best practices, and working with the construction industry to get this right. It’s about creating safer job sites by working together with employers and workers. When workers know their job site is protected, they can focus on doing their very best work.

Speaker, can the minister outline how this support will make it easier for employers to follow the rules and help reinforce Ontario’s role as a leader in workplace safety?

Hon. David Piccini: Again, thank you to the member for that question.

Speaking of partnership, I want to thank the Residential Construction Council of Ontario’s Andrew Pariser, who was also there. He has also been an advocate.

Speaker, employers, labour leaders and government are all coming together to advance this important initiative through Working for Workers 7. We’re making sure that protecting workers doesn’t become a burden, by providing supports for employers to put these on job sites through the WSIB. We’re going to keep standing up to protect workers.

That builds on important steps we’ve taken—like being the first jurisdiction to require properly fitting personal protective equipment on all job sites for all body types. That has been an important piece that has led to a 30% increase in women registration in apprenticeships—because this side wants to build.

We’re seizing the moment, we’re building a stronger Ontario, and we’re ensuring a healthy and safe workforce to do the job.

Correctional facilities

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: My question is for the Solicitor General.

The Toronto Star has obtained two internal Solicitor General investigations into the horrific two-day-long collective punishment carried out at the Maplehurst Correctional complex in 2023. Some 200 inmates were strip-searched, handcuffed and made to crouch in hallways in their underwear. Staff across the organization are implicated in the violence that the prisoners experienced. One report describes “an absence of competent managerial oversight from the beginning to the end of this incident.”

I’ve met with the families of the sons who were strip-searched. I have asked them, “What question would you like me to bring forward?”

They would like to know, when will the Solicitor General break his silence, apologize, and condemn these violent actions?

Hon. Michael S. Kerzner: This matter is under investigation and the member opposite knows it.

The member opposite also knows that this government has set a very high standard for professional conduct. We will ensure that everyone in Ontario who keeps Ontario safe upholds that high standard, and when they don’t, they will be subject to consequences.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the member for Toronto Centre.

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: Hiding behind an investigation is not leadership.

The most damning details in the Maplehurst reports are that at least 11 staff, including managers, actively misled investigators, while others engaged in a code of silence. Hours of critical video footage has gone missing, due to so-called “technical issues.”

One inmate was tied up like a “Christmas turkey” while his cellmates were forced to sing Christmas carols by the guards.

When will the Solicitor General end this cover-up, stop making excuses, and fix the prisons?

Hon. Michael S. Kerzner: I’ll repeat this again to the member opposite: This matter is under an active investigation.

This government, led by Premier Ford, has sent a message all throughout this province that everyone who helps keep Ontario safe must uphold the highest standards of professional conduct, and when they don’t, there will be consequences. That’s why this matter is under investigation.

Government accountability

MPP Stephanie Smyth: This is for the Premier.

We have seen this before. The government pushes a bill, faces backlash, then scrambles to cover its tracks. We saw it with the greenbelt. We saw it with Dresden. Bill 5, now, is being rushed through without consultation or oversight.

Speaker, my question to the Premier, through you: Why is the Premier always governing by cover-up instead of collaboration?

We just heard in this chamber, “Idle no more.”

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I will caution the member on her choice of words.

I recognize the member from Bay of Quinte.

Mr. Tyler Allsopp: Thank you to the member opposite for the question.

This bill is absolutely critical. At a time when there is so much uncertainty and so much instability in global markets, we need to make sure that when that dam of pent-up capital breaks free, we are in the right place to be competitive on a global scale for those jobs, those high-quality investments that we know are going to keep people in Ontario employed and that are going to make sure they can feed their families and pay their bills.

That’s why we have put this legislation forward—and this is nothing new. Countries all over the world are doing special economic zones. Our friends in the United States are doing special economic zones.

We need to make sure that we are globally competitive to secure the future for Ontario and continue to protect everyone in Ontario, everywhere in Ontario, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the member for Toronto–St. Paul’s.

MPP Stephanie Smyth: The Premier’s pattern is clear: Push laws that benefit insiders, ignore the experts and the communities, and then clean up when caught.

Now, with Bill 5, they have rejected fair process, they have ignored First Nations leaders, and they have gutted environmental protections.

What is it going to take before the Premier learns that accountability is not optional?

Mr. Tyler Allsopp: It is easy to do nothing. It is easy to sit on our hands and watch the rest of the world eat our lunch. We are not going to do that.

We are going to continue to stand up for the people of Ontario. We are going to continue to attract those high-quality investments, those good-paying jobs, just as we’ve done by securing the future of EV production in Canada. That was going to pass us by. This government sprang into action and drew $46 billion of investment—just like we’re doing in life sciences, bringing over $6 billion of investment and 4,800 jobs; just like we’re doing by bringing tens of billions of dollars in tech investments.

We need to make sure we’re competitive for the future. That is what is going to continue to drive our economy, and that is how we’re going to make sure that we deliver prosperity for everyone in Ontario, everywhere in Ontario. We are not going to apologize for doing that.

Public safety

MPP Monica Ciriello: My question is for the Associate Solicitor General for Auto Theft and Bail Reform.

We all know that the threat of auto theft is on the rise. We are seeing it in our communities. Families are concerned, and criminals are getting bolder.

But while others talk, our government is taking action. We’re not sitting back; we’re stepping up to protect people and their property. This means giving police the tools they need to catch criminals and stop theft before it starts. Thanks to the Premier’s leadership, we are making smart investments to stop this growing threat. We’re backing our officers, not with just words, but with real support.

Can the associate minister explain how our government is helping police crack down on auto theft and keep Ontario communities safe?

Hon. Zee Hamid: I’d like to thank the incredible member from Hamilton Mountain for her tireless advocacy on that question.

Our police officers demonstrate extraordinary bravery and courage every single day to keep us safe. In fact, earlier this month, we celebrated Police Week, a time when we remembered, reflected on and celebrated the sacrifice and bravery of our policemen and policewomen in uniform. To them, I say once again, thank you for your service and for your sacrifice.

Under the Premier’s leadership, our government is doing everything we can to keep communities safe and protect our police services. We just announced a $57-million investment in the Joint Air Support Unit, to purchase two H135 helicopters, to add to five more. These seven choppers will give police an enhanced area to cover and put a squeeze on would-be criminals.

Interjection.

Hon. Zee Hamid: Good question.

Operated by Niagara Regional Police Service and Windsor Police Service, these helicopters will protect Ontario’s roads and highways from carjackers and auto theft, but also from stunt driving, impaired driving and racing, and keep our communities safe.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the member from Hamilton Mountain.

MPP Monica Ciriello: Thank you to the associate minister for his leadership on this file.

Auto theft goes far beyond lost property; it impacts how safe people feel in their daily lives. It threatens the safety and security of our neighbourhoods, our roads and our communities. People deserve to feel safe at home, on the street, and behind the wheel.

That’s why our government continues to take strong, decisive action to stop crime and protect what matters most. Under the Premier’s leadership, Ontario is showing what real public safety leadership looks like. We’re not waiting; we’re leading.

Can the associate minister explain how our work to fight auto theft fits into the broader commitment to protect Ontario and keep communities safe?

Hon. Zee Hamid: Our government is focused on keeping communities safe across Ontario.

We’re proposing new legislation through the Ministry of Transportation that, if passed, would give police enhanced search and seizure powers. It would also prohibit ownership of illegal keyless entry devices, fob programmers and related software, stopping car thieves before they even start.

I’ve already mentioned the investment of $57 million to purchase two new helicopters, which builds upon $134 million already committed to the greater Toronto and Ottawa regions.

We’re also supporting police services with initiatives such as the Preventing Auto Thefts Grant, the Major Auto Theft Prosecution Response Team, and the OPP-led Provincial Auto Theft and Towing Team.

I’m proud to say we’re seeing great results. Auto theft, last year, went down by 17% across Ontario, and it’s down 40% in Peel and Halton this year; in the member’s beautiful city of Hamilton, it’s down 8% this year. While these results are encouraging—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Question?

Public transit

Ms. Jennifer K. French: People deserve great transit infrastructure and services.

Instead of transit and services, people are very upset about the secrecy and disrespect they are getting instead from Metrolinx.

The GO expansion project is the biggest public-private partnership contract in Ontario’s history. This contract worth billions or tens of billions is collapsing or has collapsed. A major component of the contract is gone, and Ontario taxpayers don’t even know the basic details. When we or the media or community members ask questions, Metrolinx will not answer, and it doesn’t seem to have to.

Metrolinx should not be allowed to keep the public in the dark in Ontario with impunity.

Why does Metrolinx think that they do not have to answer Ontarians?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Minister of Transportation.

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: Our government and Metrolinx continues the largest expansion of public transit in Canadian history and, for that matter, in North America. We are investing over $70 billion over the next 10 years—including the electrification of the line and improving services.

Just last year, we increased service levels, from an operational perspective, by over 300 trips per week. On that member’s line, on the Lakeshore E