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April 26, 2021

42nd Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2021-Apr-26 (PDF)

L252 - Mon 26 Apr 2021 / Lun 26 avr 2021

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 26 April 2021 Lundi 26 avril 2021

Private Members’ Public Business

Supply Chain Management Amendment Act (Provincial Diverse Vendor Strategy), 2021 / Loi de 2021 modifiant la

Loi sur la gestion de la chaîne d’approvisionnement (Stratégie provinciale pour la diversité des fournisseurs)

Orders of the Day

Executive Council Amendment Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 modifiant la

Loi sur le Conseil exécutif

Members’ Statements

Mental health services

Driving instructors

Employment standards

Armenian genocide anniversary

5n2

COVID-19 response

COVID-19 immunization

Farmers

Aldo Lista

Glen Abbey Golf Club

Emily Victoria Viegas

Question Period

COVID-19 response

COVID-19 response

COVID-19 response

COVID-19 response

COVID-19 response

Employment standards

COVID-19 response

Employment standards

COVID-19 response

COVID-19 response

COVID-19 immunization

COVID-19 response

Health care

School facilities

Deferred Votes

Protecting the People of Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2021 / Loi de 2021 visant à protéger la population ontarienne (mesures budgétaires)

Supporting Recovery and Competitiveness Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 sur le soutien à la relance et à la compétitivité

Paid Personal Emergency Leave Now Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 visant à accorder sans délai un congé d’urgence personnelle payé

Supply Chain Management Amendment Act (Provincial Diverse Vendor Strategy), 2021 / Loi de 2021 modifiant la

Loi sur la gestion de la chaîne d’approvisionnement (Stratégie provinciale pour la diversité des fournisseurs)

Introduction of Bills

Moving Ontarians More Safely Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 visant à assurer à la population ontarienne des déplacements plus sûrs

Petitions

Social assistance

Orders of the Day

Occupational Safety and Health Day Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 sur la Journée de la sécurité et de la santé au travail

Ontario Day Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 sur le Jour de l’Ontario

The House met at 0900.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Good morning. We’ll begin this morning with a moment of silence for personal thought and inner reflection.

Prayers.

Private Members’ Public Business

Supply Chain Management Amendment Act (Provincial Diverse Vendor Strategy), 2021 / Loi de 2021 modifiant la

Loi sur la gestion de la chaîne d’approvisionnement (Stratégie provinciale pour la diversité des fournisseurs)

Ms. Fife moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill 275,

An Act to amend the Supply Chain Management Act (Government, Broader Public Sector and Health Sector Entities), 2019 / Projet de loi 275, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2019 sur la gestion de la chaîne d’approvisionnement (entités gouvernementales, parapubliques et du secteur de la santé).

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Pursuant to standing order 101, the member has 12 minutes for her presentation.

Ms. Catherine Fife: It is a pleasure to join the debate today on Bill 275. Before I start, I want to thank my executive assistant, Emily Trudeau, from Queen’s Park, here, and also legislative counsel for their assistance with this piece of legislation.

I realize procurement is not the sexiest concept going right now in the province of Ontario, but what I do believe, and what we do know for sure, is that this pandemic has taught us some very important lessons about the importance of a procurement strategy which meets the needs of the people of this province. I want to thank everyone in advance for participating in this important debate today. This is an opportunity, actually, for us to work together and to make government work better for all Ontarians, using the existing spending to make our economy more equitable and more inclusive. I hope all members of this House recognize that that is my intent today with Bill 275.

Bill 275 amends the Supply Chain Management Act to require the development and implementation of a provincial diverse vendor strategy. Bill 275 aims to help businesses owned by BIPOC folks, women, those with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ2S+ community and veterans. I want this to be a transparent process. I want the government to follow best practices from other jurisdictions and experts, so the bill allows for the Standing Committee on Justice Policy to study the issue, call witnesses and write a report to the Minister of Government and Consumer Services to aid in the creation of the strategy.

Bill 275 also calls for the minister to undertake a business case study on the potential for supplier diversity, and it establishes a diverse vendor advisory board to assist with the introduction of this program. This bill is the first step for the Ontario government and public sector to really look at their existing procurement buying power and see how it can be used to support diverse small and medium-size enterprises. And it’s good timing, in my view, because of the development of Supply Ontario.

Before I get started, I want to acknowledge and thank all of the organizations we spoke with along the way who have helped inform this legislation: Claudia Dessanti, Michelle Eaton and the whole team at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce; Dr.

Wendy Cukier and her team at Ryerson’s Diversity Institute; Tabatha Bull from the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business; Cassandra Dorrington from the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council; Angella MacEwen from CUPE; Patience Adamu and Prabh Banga from Aecon; Rob Halpin from the Ontario Federation of Labour; Silvia Pencak from the Women Business Enterprises Canada Council; and Dr. Barbara Orser from the Telfer School of Management with the University of Ottawa.

I also want to thank the city of Waterloo economic development committee, Communitech, the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers and the Council of Canadian Innovators, who are having conversations about this important issue.

I also had a great conversation on Friday with the new CEO of the Accelerator Centre, Jay Krishnan. He is still in India, but I think we have this shared passion about the potential of procurement and some of the lessons that India has experienced and a model that could be replicated here in Ontario. For instance, they have looked at job creation. Hub procurement can actually be an accelerator for job creation and skill development within schools to include STEAM and enablement to build small businesses and start-ups. The Accelerator Centre is more than willing to be a partner with the government of Ontario on a go-forward basis, and we’d be very lucky to have that kind of leadership here.

Also, I have sat on the OBIO all-party caucus, the life science caucus, for almost seven years now and I have heard from innovator after innovator about the challenges that they face to get their technology that we support, that we invest in, into the hospitals right down here on University Avenue. So I hope that we can agree that we can do better. I’m thinking of one innovator in particular, Armen Bakirtzian, who was with Intellijoint. All of us have met this young entrepreneur who has struggled to actually get his product into not only our hospitals, but also Ontario bodies. We need this technology. It’s a health benefit for us and will make a more resilient health ecosystem.

As I’ve said, I’ve wanted to introduce a bill like this for years. This in particular was motivated by a successful construction company owner. Her name is Georgia Bolger. She reached out to me. She was able to bid on and build Google Canada space in Kitchener, but when it came to accessing a government contract to renovate a police station, she did not qualify. There is something wrong with that equation. And for various reasons, diverse business owners don’t always have a seat at the province’s procurement table.

I want to share some research with you about why this needs to change and why everyone in this House should support Bill 275. The Conference Board of Canada has written the business case for supplier diversity in Canada. They write, “Supplier diversity initiatives have been common in the United States for more than 55 years, but they are not widespread in either the Canadian private or public sectors.

“There is a strong business case for leveraging businesses owned by women and minorities in larger organizational supply chains. Beyond corporate social responsibility, diverse supply chains may help corporations” and government to increase their revenue and economic development.

So why aren’t supplier diversity programs more common? There are lots of reasons. This report said that there’s a lack of understanding of the benefits of diversifying a supply chain and the positive impact it has. There is little or no commitment among leadership to supplier diversity program revision, there’s internal resistance to change—we know something about that in government—and there is a lack of awareness among senior leaders in the individual departments around procurement.

Also, we heard from stakeholders who said that procurement around local job creation, be it geographical for northern communities or rural communities—that’s not factored in to the selection process when determining vendors of record. It is also not well understood that procurement can drive innovation. This is something outside the traditional thinking around procurement.

The conference board report also said, “By raising awareness of the benefits that supplier diversity creates for businesses and the economy, this briefing aims to help remove or mitigate many of the barriers to its growth in Canada.”

The federal government has been on this road now for about four or five years. I would have to say that it’s not going very well at that level. I would like Ontario to do better. There are good reasons. This pandemic has hit Black-owned businesses hard, and there are ways to ensure that they aren’t left behind.

Nadine Spencer, the president of the Black Business and Professional Association says Black business owners need to have “programs that really seek tangible outcomes to enable and strengthen Black female entrepreneurs. We would like to have policies that have a more equitable framework for Black businesses.” This legislation would do that.

The Indigenous Business Survey found, “During a global crisis, it is more important than ever to focus efforts on collecting quality data to assist with targeted recovery plans.... Indigenous businesses have a unique place in the Canadian economy and will require policies and strategies that meet their individual needs.”

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce wrote an amazing report, the She-Covery Project, confronting the gendered economic impacts of COVID-19. They say: “When the government of Ontario declared a state of emergency and mandated the closure of non-essential businesses, the economic impacts were immediate, acute, and disproportionately borne by women. Several economists have accordingly dubbed the crisis a ‘she-cession or ‘pink collar recession.’

“In March, women between the ages of 25 and 54 lost more than twice as many jobs as men in Ontario.... Women’s labour force participation rate fell to its lowest level in 30 years.” So we have some serious ground to make up, Mr. Speaker

This is also from the same report: “Further, the cliché is right: What gets measured gets done. Setting targets and tracking outcomes around Ontario’s she-covery builds shared accountability among stakeholders and encourages concrete actions that go beyond platitudes.” That is why Bill 275 ensures that the minister is required to publish reports on program success.

“Canada Needs a Feminist Small Business Procurement Strategy.” This is from Dr. Barbara Orser who wrote for Women Business Enterprises Canada. “The ‘diversity dividend’ creates jobs and economic growth, and is one of the most powerful tools that signatory governments have to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”

The city of Toronto has moved down in this direction. They started with a pilot project, and it has gone very well; I think they’re in year 4 or 5 now. The city of Brampton started this process. If you have read the news, they have some issues right now relating to procurement. Their journey may be stalled—or strengthened, quite honestly—because of that ongoing investigation that’s currently going on in the city of Brampton.

There are allies to help government get there, partners like the Women Business Enterprises Canada, the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council, the Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.

So, there are best practices—that’s what I’m saying to the government. If this bill passes today, if it goes to committee, as it should, that justice committee will be tasked with very important work that reports back through the minister and to this Legislature.

What I’m saying to this House today is that the potential of procurement in Ontario is unrealized. Procurement obviously can be a local economic generator, especially for those communities that have been marginalized by this pandemic. I think we can all acknowledge that ensuring that Ontario’s supply chain should be more domestic, should be more diverse, and should ensure that this province has everything that it needs on a go-forward basis as we face future health crises.

I’m looking forward to hearing my colleague’s feedback on this particular bill, I’m looking forward to its passage and I’m looking forward to getting to work to make sure that we build a truly inclusive and fair economy in the province of Ontario. Procurement is one tool that we have at our disposal. We should all be focused on ensuring that everyone in this province has a place at the table in that regard.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Further debate?

Ms. Natalia Kusendova: Good morning, everyone. It certainly is a pleasure to be back and an honour to speak to today’s bill.

Our government’s priority is to stimulate local economies and continue to secure a supply of essential goods and services for the people of Ontario. Creating opportunities for business owners and innovators of all backgrounds and from all regions of Ontario to bid for projects to supply our government has been a key focus of ours.

The highly fragmented procurement system we inherited from the former government was rife with barriers to entry. It was 6,000 public sector entities buying piecemeal. From day one, our government committed to changing the game and opening doors to any vendors willing to put their hand up to supply our province.

The pandemic accelerated and validated our work to support domestic supply and made-in-Ontario solutions for essential supplies that take advantage of our manufacturing and create opportunities for businesses right here at home. And this period, creating opportunities for all types of Ontario manufacturers and suppliers to participate in our procurement process, was the driving force behind the creation of Supply Ontario.

The member for Waterloo may not acknowledge this, but her bill echoes what our government has been saying all along. There is social and economic value in making Ontario’s supply chain system more accessible to a broad range of businesses. That is why inclusivity is a Supply Ontario priority, and vendors of all backgrounds will be able to work with the agency, which is mandated to make it easier to navigate our government’s procurement process.

Supply Ontario will be a single point of access for vendors to reach the entire provincial public sector marketplace, including the businesses identified in Bill 275. The agency will support and build on the values of the procurement process set out in Ontario’s procurement policy framework, including equal access for vendors, transparency, fairness and non-discriminatory practices. Suppliers from diverse backgrounds will be able to more easily navigate an integrated supply chain model that will streamline complex procurement processes and reduce the administrative burden that businesses may face.

ApprovisiOntario est peut-être un tout nouvel organisme, mais déjà, son leadership a établi une gouvernance et il exécute ses plans pour renforcer la capacité organisationnelle pour soutenir les opérations, pour atteindre ses objectifs fondamentaux. Il va sans dire qu’en course de route, nous devons tenir compte de nos obligations en vertu de divers accords commerciaux et lois, mais avec des dépenses annuelles et approvisionnements de dizaines de milliards de dollars dans le secteur public, rassurez-vous, ApprovisiOntario continuera de respecter ses obligations à cet égard.

Notre gouvernement et la ministre des Services gouvernementaux et des Services aux consommateurs ont travaillé d’arrache-pied pour mettre en place cette agence, et nous ne le faisons pas seuls. Dès le premier jour, nous nous sommes appuyés sur l’expertise de la chaîne d’approvisionnement locale et sectorielle.

I am confident in our government’s transformation of our supply chain for the people of Ontario. I oppose this bill, which seeks inflexible legislative changes for what we are already planning and doing and will continue to do through policy. Given our shared objectives, I encourage the member opposite to learn more about work underway at Supply Ontario, which is changing the game for public sector procurement.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Further debate?

Ms. Jill Andrew: I wholeheartedly support our member for Kitchener-Waterloo’s proposed legislation, the Supply Chain Management Amendment Act and the creation of a provincial diverse vendor strategy. We must give entrepreneurs and local businesses owned by women, Black, Indigenous and racialized people and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community a fair chance at government contracts.

Government procurement and who receives or doesn’t receive contracts cannot solely be based on the bidding price only. Due to institutional discrimination and socio-economic barriers, members from the aforementioned equity-seeking groups are disproportionately represented in lower-wage occupations, which, at the onset, impacts the amount of savings they may even have access to, the capital sources to start a business in the first place. Many do not have the luxury of getting a loan from the bank of parents or the family business.

As the saying goes, it’s often not what you know, but who you know. And with an uneven playing field to start with, this is why it is crucial that the government support this bill to ensure businesses owned by women, BIPOC folks, queer and trans community members, people with disabilities, new immigrants and even veterans here in Ontario can have a seat at the table and a viable opportunity to contribute to economic growth and sustainability of our province’s public sector.

This particular bill amends the Supply Chain Management Act to require the development and implementation of a provincial diverse vendor strategy. It allows the Standing Committee on Justice Policy to prepare a report with recommendations relating to the strategy, and it requires the Minister of Government and Consumer Services to undertake a business case study and strike a diverse vendor advisory board to assist the minister in developing a strategy. This bill lays the foundation for the government to leverage their existing procurement buying power in support of diverse, small and medium enterprises.

Across our communities, COVID has ravaged our small and medium businesses. I think specifically about my community along Eglinton West, and mainly Little Jamaica, where Black-owned businesses have not been able to receive the full support of this government through the Ontario small business grant program, which has had many flaws. Case in point: You have community members creating GoFundMe pages—“Rebuild Eglinton West,” a GoFundMe page—to create opportunities for businesses to survive during COVID. Philanthropy should never, ever replace government responsibility.

That’s why, at the start of this pandemic last year, the NDP official opposition put forth a proposal to save our main streets. It included an immediate ban on all evictions, lockouts and eviction threats by commercial landlords, a utility payment freeze and a 75% commercial rent subsidy. We also demanded the Conservative government create designated emergency funds such as grants and low-interest loans for BIPOC small businesses and entrepreneurs through associations, as proposed by the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce.

We demanded the creation of a retraining fund and an office to advance women apprenticeships, as recommended by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. These proposals were denied by this government.

I hope today they will support this piece of legislation, which will support the creation of a provincial diverse vendor strategy, among other benefits, as a step forward in the right direction; a direction that will strengthen and help amplify the excellent work and advocacy of councils such as the Carpenters’ District Council of Ontario, which is actively recruiting diverse young people in the construction industry, more women and more training opportunities at their training centres—for training PSWs, for instance—and refurbishing older LTC homes to get rid of multi-occupant homes in a safe way; and the Toronto Community Benefits Network, where the expansion of transit now happening in parts of our community in St.

Paul’s, for instance, along Eglinton with the Eglinton LRT construction, would result in opportunities for good jobs while creating markets for new businesses that, again, marginalized communities should be able to benefit from.

A sound COVID-19 response and recovery means a continuous commitment to hiring locally and bringing in more apprenticeships. It means government investment in diverse businesses, owners and community leaders. These apprentices will become tomorrow’s business owners, entrepreneurs and leaders, who will have a stake in creating sustainable jobs—green jobs—geared toward expanding our net-zero economy.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): Further debate?

Mr. Deepak Anand: Madam Speaker, I am blessed to represent the diverse riding of Mississauga–Malton, a community with a 78% visible minority population and a 61% immigrant population.

Before I begin, Madam Speaker, I want to thank the member from Waterloo for her intention to include diverse communities, something I am passionate about. I believe if every brick is strong, our wall will be strong; if every wall is strong, our whole building will be strong and we can weather any storm. Our country is built on diverse communities. When these communities grow, our country grows.

At the same time, Madam Speaker, one of the biggest challenges, of course, is the limited number of diverse suppliers in Canada. I would encourage and support more diverse suppliers to start businesses in our province, to expand, to help them participate as a vendor with Supply Ontario.

I want to acknowledge and appreciate my cabinet colleagues for actively using the fiscal firepower to support businesses from marginalized communities and supporting them to grow. For example, aside from the ongoing successful Aboriginal Procurement Program, the 2021 budget doubled investment in the Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program, which will help fast-track long-term infrastructure projects both on- and off-reserve.

Also, we held a round table earlier this year to advance racial equity in Ontario’s workplace with an investment of $1.6 million over two years.

Madam Speaker, this bill calls for a duplicative advisory board, which will add bureaucracy and red tape. This bill mandates certain tasks to be completed within 6 months, a timeline that is nowhere near feasible. Diversity is not something that can be rushed. Supply Ontario was the result of 18 months of stakeholder engagement that has already taken place. Our government is already working to deliver principles highlighted in this bill and will do so without the unintended consequences.

To echo my colleague the member from Mississauga Centre, we’re building a policy in line with the values of Ontario’s procurement policy framework, which includes equal access for vendors, transparency, fairness and non-discriminatory practices. Supply Ontario will open doors for diverse communities as it becomes operational, and I’m very confident about its leadership.

To conclude, Ontario is home to some of the most innovative, industrious and diverse business owners around the world. Creating opportunities for businesses and innovators of all sizes and from all regions of Ontario to supply our government has always been a driving force behind the creation of Supply Ontario. I would like to thank the member opposite for her thoughts and I ask her to come on board. I want to assure you, I will be reaching out to the organization you cited in your speech. Let’s work together to support our residents and build a better Ontario. Together, let’s support Supply Ontario.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): Further debate?

Mr. Taras Natyshak: Right off the top, I want to congratulate and thank my colleague the member from Waterloo for tabling this bill and bringing it forward. This is such an astute perspective on the situation that we face right now and the situation that small businesses in Ontario face. I want to thank her again also for being the champion for the she-covery. I don’t think anyone in this room has mentioned the need to focus on women and female entrepreneurs, business owners, and people of colour—racialized people, Black, Indigenous and other marginalized people.

This bill is very timely and it is something that is certainly doable, but I don’t have a lot of faith that this government actually understands what the issue is outside of these halls, because the comments that have been made so far from the two members opposite don’t indicate an understanding of the challenges and the barriers that business owners face, and particularly marginalized business owners, in entering into the procurement system of Ontario.

This isn’t about diversity for diversity’s sake. This is about changing the system. This is about changing the tributaries in which those businesses access a system which they should always have had access to, but for so many reasons they have not.

The economic benefit around identifying and measuring the impact of inclusiveness and diversity in our procurement system is something that we need to know. There are certainly experts that have called on it and my colleague has received their counsel, spoken with them and received a lot of data around how important it is to diversify—to measure the impact. This government is reluctant to even do that, to take that step.

I think they’re hiding behind a cloak of obliviousness to keep the status quo and to make sure that those preferred vendors or vendors of record are the ones that continue to be a part of that supply chain and receive the benefit from a massive procurement policy and power behind the province of Ontario.

It is a shame that you are not willing to do that, because if it was ever more clear, it is today in those businesses that have suffered, that have developed innovative technologies, innovative products, but yet can’t get access to their very own province’s procurement strategy and process. It is a shame.

We certainly hope that the government members consult with their small business associations in their regions, because I’m sure they would hear a different story from that which they’re getting from their cabinet officers and their backroom channels, because this is what’s happening in the real world in Ontario, where people are left out of the game, and certainly not through their own actions but through systems that have been in place and entrenched in this province for years. It has to change.

My colleague’s bill absolutely takes us in the right direction. This government is stuck in inertia. It is paralyzed. It needs to move forward. We have seen other jurisdictions do that for the benefit of small businesses in their communities. I hope this government sees the way and the light and the benefit of this important legislation. But again, the comments made by several of the government members so far don’t give me much hope that we’re going to see a government that actually takes this issue seriously.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): Further debate?

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: It’s my pleasure to rise today on behalf of my constituents in Scarborough–Guildwood to speak to Bill 275. In my community, we do not have large manufacturers or large service industries and sectors. What we have in Scarborough–Guildwood are many small and micro businesses, and they are indeed diverse. My constituents are creative. They’re skilled. Many of them are essential workers. They too need an opportunity to bid fairly and compete for government contracts. They should not be excluded or written out of this process.

Organizations like the East Scarborough Storefront are looking at how to diversify the supplier network by giving access to skilled trades and opportunities, mainly for young people, working together with the University of Toronto Scarborough campus, because, Madam Speaker, we indeed need to diversify the supply chain in Ontario. This bill is calling for that. It’s calling for filling a gap that we currently have in our provincial procurement system.

I particularly like the diverse vendor advisory board, where oftentimes a government would put policy in place but doesn’t have the capability to actually enact that policy without bringing in those experts from the community. I’m sure the Ontario Chamber of Commerce would support that—and the Black Business and Professional Association, which is working as a non-profit, charitable organization, to relentlessly support suppliers.

Other jurisdictions—the United States, well ahead of us for decades—and municipalities are finding their way, but Ontario needs to lead. I agree: The government is moving ahead with its centralized procurement strategy, and that is a good thing. But when I look at the objectives, diversity is not part of the objectives. So how are you going to achieve it if it is not stated clearly in its goals? If you look at the board members—one woman, four men, and no discernible diversity to speak of. So how are you going to tackle this challenge without even having it as part of your beginning strategy?

I urge the government to adopt a more inclusive lens when it comes to groups that have historically been excluded. Ontario’s sustainability and prosperity must be one that is inclusive, particularly in a post-COVID Ontario. So let’s build back better and let’s make our institutions and our systems in Ontario more inclusive for all people: women, racialized people, people with disabilities and those who are not at the table today.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): Further debate?

Mr. Mike Schreiner: I rise to speak in support of Bill 275, calling on the government to deliver a diverse procurement strategy. We know government procurement has social, community and economic benefits, Speaker.

I would assume this is one of those bills that would have support from all parties in the Legislature, especially after last summer when so many of us sat on the SCOFEA committee, talking about what economic recovery could look like. So many people came to committee, particularly people from Black, Indigenous and people of colour communities, LGBTQ+ and women-owned businesses, talking about the systemic barriers and challenges to accessing government procurement. Also, innovators, clean-tech companies, life sciences companies and small businesses all talked about systemic barriers they face in accessing government procurement, and I can certainly attest to this.

Prior to going into politics, I led an organization that was all about using government procurement to buy more local food. I can tell you, especially for small businesses, and especially for small businesses owned by people of colour and women, they face significant barriers to accessing government procurement.

Speaker, using government procurement to support diversity and inclusion benefits our economy and our communities. Using procurement to help scale and commercialize innovation, especially when it comes to clean-tech companies, is vitally important.

I would argue that Ontario needs to have a greener and more caring recovery. One of the ways to do that is through procurement. Bill 275 delivers a strategy that would help the government do that, so I support it.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): Further debate?

Mr. Dave Smith: I’m cognizant of the fact that, after a private member’s bill last week, I reached out to one of our colleagues from across the aisle and, to put it bluntly, gave him crap for not recognizing that a private member’s bill is something that is about that member’s vision and what that member is trying to do, and that we need to try and stay as positive as possible when we’re talking about private members’ bills because for that individual who is putting it forward, it’s something that has meaning to them.

I thank the member from Waterloo for doing this, for putting the bill forward, because obviously there are a number of things in the bill that she feels very passionate about. What I’d like to point out is that, in our time of need, Ontario manufacturers so far have stood up and they have tried very hard to supply our province. Through two programs that we have, Supply Ontario and Ontario Together, our government’s domestic procurement has resulted in good jobs and stable income for a lot of these individuals.

We have tried very hard to take advantage of what Ontario’s manufacturing might is. Premier Ford said himself that Ontario can never find itself in a position again where we’re relying on other jurisdictions to supply us with things that we absolutely must have. That self-reliance that we are building towards is something that is going to take some time. We didn’t have it at the beginning of the pandemic, but it has become one of the strengths that we have in Ontario now.

Whenever you’re fostering that made-in-Ontario supply, you have to be cognizant that it is empowering our small businesses, it is empowering all business in Ontario, and it will help with our economic recovery because we’re keeping those jobs, we’re keeping that money here in Ontario. But one of the things that we also have to be cognizant of is that we are tied by some of the trade restrictions of treaties that have been signed. We have to be cognizant of that whenever we develop something that is going to improve and build upon made-in-Ontario, supplied in Ontario, purchased in Ontario for Ontario. That takes time.

With Supply Ontario, we have started that process. When I was in software prior to getting involved in government, one of the things that we said—it was kind of our mantra: “I don’t have time to do it quickly; I only have time to do it right.” Because if I do it quickly, I’m going to have to go back and do it again, and I’m going to have to go back and do it again and do it again and do it again. When you do it quickly, you miss things.

Some of the timelines that have been put forward in this bill are too quick, and they don’t give enough time to go through and do it right. There are a lot of good things that have been brought forward in this bill—absolutely, there are, and I recognize that. But I come back to, “Do it right the first time, because then you only have to do it once.” The timelines that have been put forward on this are just not realistic. We can’t turn it around that quickly.

Supply Ontario has been building now for about 18 months the whole process on it. We’ve been doing a lot of that work. We’re getting to the point now where it can move forward. We have the CEO in place, and the CEO is going through the process of building the rest of the team. We need to get it right the first time so that it doesn’t have to be done again and again and again. The agency will mobilize over the next few months to get that critical capacity and those operating systems in place. It’s something that previous governments have ignored. We have done more for “Buy Ontario” than any other government has done previously.

This is not a time when we should be rushing something through; this is a time when we should be doing it correctly so that we only have to do it once. I appreciate that the member has brought forward a lot of these ideas, but unfortunately, the timelines are too short and I can’t support it.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): Further debate?

Mr. Gurratan Singh: I want to start by first commending my colleague from Kitchener-Waterloo for her amazing private member’s bill that really addresses something that is so important to creating more diversity, more equity and more access for vulnerable and marginalized communities and their ability to access government contracts, government support in this government procurement process.

Quite frankly, I’m shocked. I’m shocked that at a time when there is so much mounting evidence that those who are being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 are people of colour, are women, are marginalized communities, are people from the LGBTQ+ communities, this government is very clearly indicating from their comments that they’re not going to come to support those who right now, frankly, need it the most.

We know that systematically marginalized communities have borne the brunt of COVID-19, be it through disproportionate impact of contracting the virus or through the economic devastation that has followed. My colleague has clearly been a champion and articulated this issue, specifically the need for a she-covery.

The government has an opportunity right now to do the right thing, to support something that will help marginalized communities. From the comments, I don’t know if the government is going to make that decision. I don’t know if the Conservative government is actually going to stand up and support those who need help when they have the opportunity to do so in such an easy and positive and well-thought-out process.

It speaks to a government that has continually, from the beginning, even prior to the pandemic, supported the haves over the have-nots.

This will be a clear indication of the purpose of this Conservative government, this will be a clear indication of the motivation of this Conservative government, if they choose to vote down a piece of legislation that at its heart is not partisan, at its heart does nothing other than identify communities at risk, communities that need support, communities that historically have not been able to access government contracts and procurement processes, and rectify that issue—and, quite frankly, not even solve it, because this is something that is going to require a lot more than just one PMB to solve, but begin that process, because we know that, systemically, these communities are not able to access the same resources as others.

We’re beginning that process with this private member’s bill that has been put together so thoughtfully by my colleague. The fact that the government is indicating right now their lack of support for something that is so needed at this moment—we need to be preparing for a she-covery. We need to be preparing to ensure that marginalized communities get the support they need. We need to support small businesses that are struggling. Do the right thing. Support marginalized communities that are right now struggling and ensure they have a more just and fair system—

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): Thank you. I turn to the member for Waterloo.

Ms. Catherine Fife: I should tell the government I did have a briefing on procurement through Supply Ontario. I asked them if they had put an equity lens on the new direction. Honestly, the answer that we got was, “What do you mean?” So it’s not part of the model going forward. In fact, the board is Paul, George, Allan, John and Gillian. That is not diversity. I feel badly for Gillian; she’s really outnumbered.

The member for Mississauga–Malton said that diversity cannot be rushed. Nobody thinks that this government is rushing or moving quickly on diversity. In fact, your own member from Chatham-Kent said last week, “I’m standing up for those white, privileged old men in my riding and throughout Ontario.” That’s on the record that this government has done.

The member from Mississauga Centre said that we’re doing this already. The reason I brought forward this legislation is because it’s not part of the model for Supply Ontario. I was trying to help you help me help the province, and you shot it down. It really is quite something.

My colleagues, I want to thank all of them. The member from Scarborough–Guildwood brought forward an amendment to the budget on gender equality. The government—no offence to you—patted her on the head and said, “Really good effort. Thanks for trying. No.” That’s what they said. It’s such a patriarchal, misogynistic culture that is happening right here in this province, leaving racialized women—the COVID-19-related job losses have been highest among racialized women, particularly Asian and Black women, as well as younger and lower-income women. You have the opportunity and you have a tool in your tool chest to help people in this province.

I’ve never had a private member’s bill not pass. This is incredible to me. Missing persons legislation, Rowan’s Law, fairness for realtors passed, but that procurement equity and diversifying the supply chain fails during a pandemic is a shameful moment for this government.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): Ms. Fife has moved second reading of Bill 275,

An Act to amend the Supply Chain Management Act (Government, Broader Public Sector and Health Sector Entities), 2019. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? I heard a no.

All those in favour of the motion will please say “aye.”

All those opposed to the motion will please say “nay.”

In my opinion, the nays have it.

A recorded division being required, the vote on this item of private members’ public business will be deferred until the next proceeding of deferred votes.

Second reading vote deferred.

Orders of the Day

Executive Council Amendment Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 modifiant la

Loi sur le Conseil exécutif

Resuming the debate adjourned on April 22, 2021, on the motion for third reading of the following bill:

Bill 265,

An Act to amend the Executive Council Act in respect of attendance at Question Period / Projet de loi 265, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur le Conseil exécutif à l’égard de la présence à la période des questions.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): Further debate?

Mr. John Vanthof: It is always an honour to rise in this House to speak on behalf of the good people of Timiskaming–Cochrane and on behalf of my party, to make remarks on third reading of this bill. I do recall, the last time I was here—I wasn’t here last week because of the cohort, but I was here the week before. I recall that I spoke to this bill in second reading.

The majority of this bill—and I think I made this point clear in second reading—is pretty straightforward, with a few caveats. I mentioned cohorts for a reason. We are in the middle of a pandemic. Actually, we’re hopefully coming close to the end of the pandemic. But, quite frankly, I don’t think anyone knows. I really don’t think anyone knows, because 14 months ago, we really didn’t know what was hitting us. I think there are many issues we still don’t know: collateral damage and whether or not the virus will outrun the vaccine. That’s something that we don’t know.

But some of the things we do know is that where the transmission is in this province right now is in workplaces: workplaces where people are crowded, workplaces where people have to work—essential workers. And this is a workplace. We have taken steps, all of us, to make sure that it’s not as crowded. I think that those were good steps.

I think we always need to remember that there are workplaces in this province, not that they haven’t wanted to, but it’s incredibly difficult to take those steps. Those are, in this part of the province, food processing plants, warehouses and distribution centres. In my part of the world, a good example is mines, where they take every step, and still, there are issues. That is part of the pandemic that we really haven’t figured out yet, quite frankly.

The government talks—and I saw there was quite an effort this weekend on Twitter, saying that we have to stop international travel, international variants from other places. That’s a worthy point, but when you really look at the numbers, that’s not the only thing that has to be done, because if you just stop international travel and we don’t address what’s happening in workplaces, a lot of people are going to lose—and not just lose their jobs; they’re going to lose their lives. This is a multi-faceted issue, and you can’t just blame one issue for political gain and ignore the things that your own level of government has jurisdiction over.

For a while, it was all about the vaccines, and do you know what? There are vaccines being administered. I am in that age group, and although I didn’t post a selfie, it was two weeks ago Saturday. It came open in the pharmacies in our area. My wife and I are both in that age, and we both got AstraZeneca. We waited till it was our turn. It’s very important, but it’s not just about the vaccines. The fact that our province and our federal government were having trouble accessing vaccines made it even more imperative that we actually took steps necessary to protect people until they get the vaccine. That’s something that has seized the province and I think seized the people of this province.

Many people have focused, and rightfully so, on something that we have, and that’s paid sick days. If I’m sick and I don’t show up, I still get a paycheque. That isn’t happening for hundreds of thousands of people. Now, the government’s counter is, “Well, we had this federal program.” And at one point: “We’re not going to double dip. There’s only one taxpayer” and blah, blah, blah. Now, the government is also admitting that they knew the federal program wasn’t working either, which is very frustrating.

Because if you know something is not working and it doesn’t have life-and-death implications, okay, you can take your time to fix it; but this had life-and-death implications, and it’s not rocket science.

Under the federal program, you have to be home for a week. You have to stay home for a week, and then you have to apply after you’re home for a week. But what that doesn’t help you with is, if you wake up in the morning and you have a cough and you need your paycheque to feed your kids and feed your family and pay your rent—you’re going to go to work with that cough. You’re going to get tested, and hopefully you’re negative. But if you’re positive, you’ve already been contributing to the spread for two or three days. If you had paid sick days, you could have stayed home on day one and helped stop that spread.

One of the members across is nodding, but we have been talking about this for months and months and months. I hope the members across have also been pushing their government, because at the end—and we’re expecting some kind of movement from the government; the Premier has said so, and I commend him for saying so. We’re still waiting for what it’s actually going to be. But steps like that could have maybe helped stop the third wave and could have maybe saved some people’s lives, because again, it’s not deep-thinking theory. That’s what’s so infuriating and so galling.

I was expecting someone from the government to say, “What has that got to do with this bill?”

Interjection.

Mr. John Vanthof: Well, I’m going to bring it back myself. I’m going to bring it back myself—because here, we have taken steps. We had the ability to. There are those who think we haven’t gone far enough. There are those who would say that we haven’t taken the preparations necessary if, in fact, we do have an outbreak here and we have to go virtual. That, I don’t think, is the ability of this Legislature yet. There are issues with virtual as well, because with virtual, still, the people who conduct the proceedings—someone still has to be here.

So virtual isn’t a saviour for everyone, and I think that is a point that has to be recognized, that a virtual Parliament has to be safe not just for the parliamentarians but for the people who actually make this place work.

I’ve been here for 10 years, and I’d just like anyone who’s watching this, the people who actually make this place work are the people who you don’t hear speak, because without them nothing would happen here. The people who record our words, the people who actually know the rules, the people in broadcasting and all of the people behind the scenes are the people who make this place work. If we could go virtual, we would have to make sure that those people are safe. That is the whole impetus behind this.

All these people who help make this place work are all here for a purpose, and the main purpose of this place is for the government to put forward legislation and for the official opposition to hold the government to account, to criticize—that’s why we’re called critics—to oppose, and to propose improvements.

I’m going to go back for a good example. We have been proposing paid sick days on behalf of the medical community, on behalf of people across this province, on behalf of business groups, on behalf of pretty much everybody except the government. We have proposed it 23 times, and this government has voted against paid sick days 23 times. That is the one policy on which they are pretty consistent. They have not made too many U-turns on paid sick days. Hopefully they’re making a big U-turn now.

Miss Monique Taylor: Until.

Mr. John Vanthof: Yes, until. But it’s our job to hold the government to account. A big part of holding the government to account is being able to question ministers. It’s actually—and I spoke about this the last time: The ability for someone in the opposition to stand in his or her place and question a minister or question the Premier is pretty unique. I have spoken to other legislators from the States who find our system incredible, because in state Legislatures in America you don’t get to directly question secretaries—the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Treasury—because they aren’t necessarily elected legislators. So this is pretty unique.

To make question period function, you need ministers present. That just makes sense. We haven’t had ministers present as much during the pandemic, and that is fully understandable. There are not as many people from the opposition present either, because we are making this workplace as safe as possible, and we all understand that. I think the people of Ontario would understand that as well. I think they do understand that.

This proposed legislation—I believe the government House leader talked about it being housecleaning. If ministers aren’t present enough in the House, they can be financially penalized. This legislation stops that. During the pandemic, I think that’s reasonable, very reasonable. That’s why that part of the legislation we don’t really have a concern with. That makes sense. The part that’s a little bit concerning, and that I brought up the first time I spoke on this, the reason we actually voted against this bill—on the record, we voted against this bill—is because it doesn’t only cover the period of the pandemic; it covers pre-pandemic. That’s a problem, or it could be a problem.

The vast majority of ministers I think want to be here. And you can make an argument that some ministers—perhaps, if you’re the minister of, I don’t know, trade—might have to be away for an extended period. But there are many ministers whose main functions are close to the precinct, so that argument is harder to make. The reason we voted—and I’ve got the votes here—against the legislation in second reading was to clarify why it covered a period greater than the pandemic. There isn’t an argument, there isn’t a debate to be made that we are demanding to have all the ministers here during the pandemic.

That’s not safe. It’s not safe for us all to be here either. But the world was different pre-pandemic.

Usually, when legislation is put forward and later amended—at one point, legislation was put forward, the actual bill which this one amends, to put a penalty on so that ministers would have a financial disincentive to miss too many question periods. Do you know what? I can picture that there are days that ministers don’t like coming to question period. I could picture there’s lots of days they don’t like coming to question period. Ministers are accountable and they answer questions, and they should.

The part about this bill that is concerning is that it covers a period greater; it covers pre-pandemic. Now, it likely wouldn’t have been an issue. Maybe nobody is actually counting how many times the minister has—but the fact that it covers pre-pandemic is an issue. We voted against it. The government chose to put it to third reading right away and, quite frankly, we missed it. We should have stopped that, and we missed it. I’m not going to hide it: We missed it.

But the government was fully aware of what the issue was, because we brought it forward. We brought it forward. The government had the power to put that amendment in themselves. They know the issues there themselves, and they chose not to address them. So, we voted against it in second, and I don’t think it’s going to be a surprise to anyone that we will vote against it on third. We made that very clear. There’s a saying: Is it the hill we’re going to die on? No. But there was an issue there. We identified it, we put it forward, and the government has chosen not to change it.

This bill will pass. The government has a majority. I don’t know if anybody has figured this out, but I think every bill the government wants to pass, it passes. And that is the way our system works. If you win a majority, you have the right to put forward your agenda and you have the right to pass your bills.

You should also take the opportunity to try and make those bills better. We will disagree on philosophical issues all day, but they have the right, when something is identified, to fix their own issue as well. There are many government bills that come forward that are amended by the government before they pass third reading—many of them. No one is expecting a bill to be perfect the first time.

On that, I see my time is up.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): Questions?

Hon. Paul Calandra: I appreciate the opportunity. The member will, of course, understand that the bill seeks to amend a bill the way it was written and is in law. The way the bill which we are seeking to amend is currently written is that it is based on a session. Because this government has not prorogued at all, we need to include the entirety of the session, and that’s what this bill seeks to amend.

We can’t amend a bill the way we wish it would have been written or the way we wish it would have been passed; we must amend a bill the way it is written and the way it is in law. I wonder if the member would appreciate that that is why the length of time is as it is and, with that, allow the speedy passage of this, because, as he said, whilst they might not support it for that one reason, that is why it is in the bill and that is why it’s being amended in that fashion.

Mr. John Vanthof: I appreciate the comments from the government House leader. If the way the bill that this amends is written doesn’t allow that, I think more time should have been put to make sure it could have been amended somehow. I am reminded of when I asked the Minister of Natural Resources about something in a bill and he told me, “Just pretend it’s not there.”

Again, I am not a drafter of bills, but I do believe that if the will had been there, there could have been a workaround somehow to make this so it only applied to the period of the pandemic.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): Question?

Ms. Catherine Fife: It’s an interesting back and forth between the government House leader and our whip on this one issue. I think a lot of it comes down to trust. The House leader has said, “We haven’t prorogued.” Actually, that was another private member’s bill I had back in 2012. It did pass, not like the one that just got voted down.

To the member from Timiskaming–Cochrane, what are your serious concerns about this piece of legislation? And are you not just doing your job as an opposition member by asking a very rational question around the expansion of this time?

Mr. John Vanthof: I’d like to thank my colleague from Waterloo. As I said in my remarks, it is our job to critique legislation. That in its own way helps the government, because it’s better that we critique it and they fix it than if it isn’t fixed and ends up causing problems for the people of Ontario.

The one thing where our jobs are all similar is—and I truly believe this—in the end, we are all trying to do our best for the people we represent. I wouldn’t be standing here and contributing to this process if I didn’t believe that, because then we’d all be wasting our time. I don’t believe we are. It’s our job to critique where we see there’s an issue, and that’s what we’ve done.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): Question?

Hon. Paul Calandra: Okay, Madam Speaker, I’ll try again: To the member from Waterloo’s point, I don’t know that we’re being argumentative by explaining the current law passed by this Legislature when the member for Waterloo or the member opposite were members; I was not a member. The current law as it stands on the book did not envision a pandemic, obviously—I don’t think anybody did—so there’s no malice in it, in any way, shape or form. But in amending a law that is on the books, one must amend the law that is on the books, not a law that we wish would have been on the books.

As such, because this is one of the longest sessions since Confederation, we are required to amend it based on the law that is on the books, which means you would go back for the entirety of this Parliament in order to do that. That it why it has been amended in this fashion.

Given that, would the member agree that we move it forward and get it off the books and move on?

Mr. John Vanthof: Thank you to the government House leader. As I said before, the government has it within its power to move this bill forward under its own volition. It’s our job to point out the problem with this bill. Once the problem is pointed out, it is the government’s job, if they choose to do so, to find a way to do it within the framework that they have. If that way doesn’t exist, that’s not my job, to find whether it’s the government’s job once it’s pointed out that there is an issue and how to deal with it. If you don’t want to deal with it, that’s your prerogative.

We’re pointing out there is an issue. It could be criticized in the future, and we’re pointing this out. If you don’t choose to act on it, that’s your prerogative.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): Question?

Miss Monique Taylor: I’m pleased to have the opportunity to participate in this debate and to thank the member from Timiskaming–Cochrane for his

interpretation of the legislation that’s put before us. Regardless of what the government House leader is trying to tell us, what we read in legislation is what we have to depict off of. That is our job: not just to listen to their

interpretation of the legislation but to what the legislation actually states.

If, by scenario, as we have no idea when this pandemic will come to an end and when it will safely be time for us to gather once again, this legislation would then cover the entire 42nd Parliament, should we not return back to normal circumstances once the health of our province allows us to do so?

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): The member for Timiskaming–Cochrane, minding that it’s almost time for members’ statements.

Mr. John Vanthof: Oh, thank you, Speaker.

I’d like to thank my colleague. She raises an interesting point, and it’s something I raised in my debate as well: Really, none of us know when the pandemic will be officially over. None of us know that, so then none of us really know how long this pandemic carve-out will remain—

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): I apologize to the member for Timiskaming–Cochrane for having to cut him off, but it is now time for members’ statements.

Third reading debate deemed adjourned.

Members’ Statements

Mental health services

Ms. Jill Andrew: Everyone is preoccupied with COVID, and justifiably so. But make no mistake, people are living through other nightmares too and need this government’s help and shouldn’t be ignored.

I rise today on behalf of my community member Durba Mukherjee. Ms. Mukherjee is the mother of the late Arka Chakraborty. Her only son was 12 years old when he died, reportedly by suicide, on June 21, 2019. Arka, according to his mother and his own accounts, experienced both bullying and racism at his school and in his community. This is reportedly also documented in school and police findings.

I wrote to the Minister of Education, forwarded to the Solicitor General and the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, about Durba and her fight for justice for Arka—no response. Durba has also reached out to the Minister of Education requesting a meeting and demanding a public inquiry into Arka’s death—no response, almost two years to his death.

As if Durba’s plate wasn’t full enough, her 80-year-old father is fighting for his life in India with COVID. He has been her rock. Durba is alone in St. Paul’s, her physical and mental health is in crisis, and I am personally worried about Durba and her sanity.

When will the Minister of Education and his colleagues find five minutes of humanity to give Durba a meeting so she knows her voice, her concerns are not going unheard? Please. She is begging for the government’s ear, and she deserves it—

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): Thank you.

Driving instructors

Mr. Deepak Anand: I still remember the day when I received my driver’s licence. I felt empowered. Immediately, the definition of “distance” changed for me.

Every year, driving instructors help thousands of people, like our youth, those who wait for years for that first drive of independence; new immigrants, whose job prospects could multiply with a driving licence; truckers, who need their full G before moving on to their commercial licence.

I want to acknowledge and thank driving instructors for playing an integral and important role in our communities. A special shout-out goes to APDIO and ADSIO for their Ontario spirit. During these tough times, you have stepped up and have supported the community by delivering food and PPE to the families in need.

Mr. Speaker, in Peel, in-vehicle instruction was only allowed for four out of the last 13 months, and due to the pandemic, 294,000 passenger road tests were cancelled. Once the DriveTest centres are open, driving instructors will have to work overtime to fulfill the spike in demand. Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge that our office is working with APDIO to seek the possibility of helping residents looking to get vaccinated and don’t have transportation options.

Through this statement, I would like to thank Ontario’s driving instructors for their hard work and their community service and wish them the best of success.

Employment standards

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: Today, I rise to encourage the Premier to prioritize essential workers and workplaces now. Residents in St. Catharines and across this province—workers are essential. This is why I was not shocked to hear, on Friday, that when National Steel Car in Hamilton shut down due to an outbreak of COVID-19, it affected people in St. Catharines as their family members are essential workers there. This is because Ontario is deeply interconnected. This is why it takes provincial leadership to protect essential workers.

Jeremy Sheehan and his family are an exact example of Ontario’s failure of essential workers. Jeremy works at National Steel Car. His wife and his daughter both have COVID-19 due to workplace spread. Jeremy said, “No doubt people come into work sick when they live paycheque to paycheque.” His family is experiencing that same loss of income, as both income earners are now off sick.

Mr. Premier, you need to do a better job protecting essential workers. Protect the workplaces where COVID-19 is spreading. Ontario needs more consistent support for workplaces that are having outbreaks: Support companies to do more testing. They need to be vaccinated. Paid sick days are needed now.

What we do not need is another announcement of announcements. Start listening to your COVID-19 science advisory table, not your political staffers. It is your job to keep essential workers and their families safe.

Armenian genocide anniversary

Mr. Aris Babikian: As the grandson of a survivor of the Armenian genocide, it is my honour and duty to commemorate the 106th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915. As both an elected official of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and as a Canadian, I am proud of the solidarity I feel with the people of Ontario and all of Canada when discussing the Armenian genocide and how Canadians helped vulnerable Armenians of 1915.

During those darkest days, the Armenian people were blessed with the generosity of Ontarians and Canadians whose moral fortitude to help stand by the grief-stricken Armenian nation—and providing them with a new lease on life. Specifically, this started with a relief effort to bring 120 orphan boys to Canada, who were brought to Georgetown, Ontario.

I am also grateful to the federal legislative and executive branches and the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta for standing up for truth and justice by recognizing the irrefutable historical evidence and upholding Canadian values and traditions.

The Armenian people need closure and healing. As long as the denial policy of the perpetrators is still entrenched in any school curriculums and indoctrinating the future generations and government circles, the peace and the closure which the Armenian people yearn for will elude them. The Armenian people of the world want to put this tragic

chapter behind them and move forward.

Thank you once again to all Ontarians and Canadians who share with us this solemn day to commemorate all of those who have lost their family tree and their loved ones.

5n2

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: It is an honour for me to rise in the House to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of Seema David, founder of 5n2 Kitchens and a local hero whose efforts are providing essential services in my riding of Scarborough–Guildwood.

Seema immigrated to Canada in 2007. While working to build a life for herself and her family, she noticed the numerous food-insecure, hungry and homeless individuals in Scarborough. Seema wanted to help and make a difference in her community, and 5n2, which was launched in 2013, was the answer.

Scarborough was struggling with food insecurity even before the pandemic exacerbated the effects of poverty and hunger. The pandemic drove the need for food to unprecedented levels. Food bank visits in Toronto have increased by a staggering 51%. In Scarborough, the Daily Bread now trucks food to 26 agencies throughout the community—and that’s up from 19.

Rising to meet this challenge, 5n2 added a second kitchen and grew its output last year from 1,300 to 3,500 meals and meal supports each week. The charity also started doing things like food kitchens and gardens to help residents.

To Seema David and the volunteers at 5n2, I say thank you for the 474,000 meals that you’ve provided to our community since 2013 and thank you for your continued heartfelt support for our residents.

COVID-19 response

Miss Monique Taylor: Speaker, the Premier ignored the warnings of his own science table and marched us right into the third wave of this pandemic. As hospitals fill up, there are thousands of families in our province who are worried about their health—not to mention the millions of people enduring yet another lockdown. Last week, the Premier apologized, but he didn’t do what was needed to get us through the third wave.

When the government fails to this degree, my office gets swamped with calls. Education workers are constantly reaching out because they cannot access the vaccines. Essential workers have to go in each and every day without sick days, and they can’t get the vaccines either. I’m hearing from small businesses that still can’t access the government grant program and can’t even get a response to their inquiries. People have reached out, angry about the province giving police extraordinary powers.

More and more people are calling because they are confused about the eligibility for vaccines and they have no idea how to book an appointment. That’s because this government makes confusing announcements and our public health has to scramble to implement their plans.

Overall, the management of this pandemic has been a mess. The people of Ontario are relying on this government, and it is failing. The government must listen to experts and give people paid sick days, vaccinate essential workers and provide generous supports to workers and small businesses in Ontario.

COVID-19 immunization

Mr. Logan Kanapathi: This weekend, I received my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Cornell Community Centre in Markham. I want to take a moment to thank Dr. Shivani, who administered my vaccine, and all of the nurses, volunteers and clerks who made the process so seamless.

Health care workers at vaccine clinics across the province are working tirelessly each and every day to help protect the people of Ontario, one shot at a time. This has been a long and challenging year. Our health care workers, our essential front-line workers, have put their lives on the line each day to keep us safe and help get us to this point.

Mr. Speaker, my wife is a health care professional. I have seen first-hand the hardship they go through each and every day. They cannot do this alone. The vaccines are the light at the end of the tunnel.

To everyone in my riding of Markham–Thornhill and to people across the province, I encourage you to get your vaccine when your turn comes. Vaccines help to protect us and the people around us, including our loved ones and our front-line heroes. If you are eligible for a vaccine, please book your appointment at covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine or call 1-888-999-6488. Together, we can win this battle against COVID-19.

Farmers

Mr. John Vanthof: It’s been an incredibly tough year for everyone. We’re 14 months in. But today I’d like to talk about a subject that—today, farmers across Ontario, for the last couple of weeks—and in my riding, for the first time in history—we’re really going at April. It’s #plant21. This is the time of year when farmers put in their seeds and when beef farmers calve their cows. It’s a special, special time of year.

The farming community is facing incredible challenges, too. Now they’re facing incredible challenges getting parts because of worldwide COVID disruptions. They’re facing incredible challenges. But they are up to those challenges.

There is a feeling when you go in the field the first day when it’s dry and when you’re ready to go. You’ve been preparing for this for months. I think politicians could probably understand that feeling. It’s the feeling of the first day of an election campaign, when all your planning is out the window and you’re just going. Well, that’s the feeling of the first day in the field, or calving and the first calf of calving season. It’s that feeling, quite frankly, that keeps us fed, and I would like to thank the farmers across the province and the people who work for them for keeping us fed.

Aldo Lista

Mr. Rudy Cuzzetto: I rise this morning with a heavy heart to remember and pay tribute to a true icon in the Italian Canadian community, my friend Aldo Lista, who passed away earlier this month.

Born in 1930 in Montalto Uffugo, a mountain town in Calabria, Italy, Aldo became an aerial photographer in the Italian Air Force and a goalkeeper for the national Italian military team. He immigrated to Canada in 1954 and started a family with his wife, Noreen, though he never lost connections to Italy, where his uncle married my aunt.

Aldo was also a visionary soccer coach and assembled teams that won regional, provincial and national championships.

In 1994, with his wife, Noreen, he founded the Old Credit Brewing Co., which became one of the best and most loved microbreweries in Canada.

Aldo’s legacy will live on and have a positive impact in Mississauga for many years to come. On behalf of all members, I want to extend our sincere condolences to Noreen, Frank, Claudina, Joncarlo, Eugenia and the entire Lista family.

Condoglianze.

Glen Abbey Golf Club

Mr. Stephen Crawford: It’s always an honour to rise in the Legislature and bring awareness to the importance of the Glen Abbey golf course in my community. It’s not just a golf course; it’s critical for our local heritage, the environment and providing green space for Oakville.

The golf course is world-renowned and has hosted the Canadian Open a record 30 times. Oakville residents and, indeed, Canadians from across the country visit the course to witness professional golfers make history.

Besides its cultural value, the significance to the environment cannot be ignored. The land plays a role as a nesting area for animals and is home to the Jefferson salamander, which is an endangered species. There are many old-growth trees that fill the property, but are now at risk of being removed for development.

I remain committed to protecting this national treasure and preserving it for future generations. The member from Oakville North–Burlington and I continue to engage with residents, local elected officials and the Save Glen Abbey group. Recently, we hosted a virtual meeting with the Save Glen Abbey group and various ministry officials to address questions and concerns. I have also presented a petition to this Legislature to explore various options to protect the land. Importantly, it was an honour to host the Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries in Oakville a number of months back to visit the course first-hand and see why it needs to be protected.

My office continues to receive thousands of emails from residents in my riding and across Ontario to save the course. I want to thank everybody who has written in. I will continue to advocate for protecting this great green space.

Emily Victoria Viegas

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Brampton East has informed me he has a point of order that he wishes to raise. I’ll recognize him.

Mr. Gurratan Singh: I rise today with a heavy heart to seek the unanimous consent of this House to observe a moment of silence in memory of Emily Victoria Viegas, a 13-year-old from Brampton who has become one of the youngest Canadians to die from COVID-19.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Brampton East is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to observe a moment of silence in memory of Emily Victoria Viegas, a 13-year-old from Brampton who has become one of the youngest people in Canada to die from COVID-19. Agreed? Agreed.

Members will please rise.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you. Members may take their seats.

The member for Don Valley East has informed me that he has a point of order he wishes to raise. I’ll recognize him.

Mr. Michael Coteau: I seek unanimous consent to move a motion regarding the immediate passage of Bill 247, the Paid Personal Emergency Leave Now Act.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Don Valley East is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to immediately move a motion seeking the passage of Bill 247. Agreed? I heard a no.

Question Period

COVID-19 response

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is to the Deputy Premier. We all know that COVID-19 continues to grip our province. Our ICUs are almost at 900 in terms of COVID patients. We just had a moment of silence for 13-year-old Emily Viegas who lost her life to COVID-19 over the weekend. Hospitals are now training their staff on how to talk to loved ones about the fact that their loved one in hospital is not going to be able to get the life support that they need. Dr. Isaac Bogoch said this: “The system is beyond capacity.”

Speaker, why hasn’t this government implemented the urgent recommendations of its own advisers from almost two weeks ago now?

Hon. Christine Elliott: In fact, the medical advisers to the government have been helping us set the course since the beginning of this pandemic. They have advised most recently that we shut the province down with a stay-at-home order, which we have done. They have advised that we cancel all emergency surgeries to preserve hospital capacity, which we have done.

They’ve advised that we make sure that we are able to use the entire health system as one health system, as a total, so that we can make sure that we take advantage of every bit of capacity in our hospital system. That’s why we are transferring patients from one hospital location to another: to ensure that they can receive the care that they expect and deserve. It may not be in the hospital that’s the closest to home, but they will receive excellent-quality health care services as a result of this.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, time and time again, this government has failed to act urgently to save lives in our province. The media has been providing shocking reports of chaotic and disjointed cabinet meetings, which result in a groupthink mentality, where the members of cabinet seem to convince each other not to take action to save lives. As a matter of fact, one source says this: “Just about everyone said they didn’t want to piss off their stakeholders.”

Speaker, why was nobody at that table speaking up—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries come to order.

I’m go to ask the Leader of the Opposition to withdraw.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: “Just about everyone said they didn’t want to” tick “off their stakeholders”—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

The Minister of Health to reply.

Hon. Christine Elliott: We’ve been taking the advice of the medical experts since the beginning of this pandemic, starting with Dr. Williams, our Chief Medical Officer of Health; the preventive health measures table; and the science advisory table. There are numerous medical experts who have been advising us. We have been taking their advice. That’s why we brought forward first the province-wide emergency brake and now the stay-at-home order.

We’ve been advised that we need to limit transmission in the community in order to save our hospital system and to save lives. We’ve been doing that. We’ve ramped down the emergency surgeries, which was recommended. We’ve transferred the patients to make sure that we have adequate capacity across the system. We are continuing to follow their advice every step along the way. They are the experts in this area. That is why both I listen to them, as Minister of Health, and our cabinet listens to them, when they’re making cabinet decisions.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Unbelievably, the Premier is still putting political interests first. In fact, all weekend long, his PC MPPs were twittering and tweeting away in defence of the Premier of this province, instead of in defence of the people who are struggling for breath in the ICUs.

This government has ignored, time and again, explicit warnings and advice from the science table. Back in February, they ignored explicit advice from the science table. Just almost two weeks ago now, they ignored, and continue to ignore at this very moment, explicit warnings and advice from the science table, from their own experts.

People are dying, Speaker. People are losing their lives every day to COVID-19. When will the government implement the urgent recommendations from almost two weeks ago from their own advisers at the science table?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Our government has been implementing the recommendations made by the science advisory table. We have to take into consideration a variety of factors, but we have been listening. We have ramped up the capacity in our hospitals, including in our most recent budget, where we’ve put $1.8 billion more into it in order to make sure that we can be ready for what’s going to be happening, to increase the numbers of people in our intensive care units.

The science advisory table warned us about the variants of concern taking over as the dominant strain in our province, which they have, which we are now prepared for. We have been listening. We will continue to listen. We will continue to take their advice, and we will be able to follow that advice with every measure that we’re going to take to save the health and well-being of the people of Ontario. That’s been our first concern since the beginning and will continue to be.

COVID-19 response

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is also for the Deputy Premier. After being ignored by this government, the science table has resorted to releasing some statements. In fact, I’m going to read from one of them right now. It says—this is advice from the science table: “Vaccines are essential in slowing the pandemic. This means immediately allocating as many doses as possible to hot spot neighbourhoods, vulnerable populations, and essential workers,” specifically 50% of vaccines to 74 hot spot neighbourhoods.

The most vulnerable neighbourhoods still have the lowest vaccination rates in our province. There’s lineups, and we’ve all seen them, hundreds upon hundreds of people in places like Scarborough, Brampton, at Driftwood Community Centre. People are not getting what they need to fight this virus. How can the government not take the advice of the science table? Will they take that advice today, and if they do not, how can this minister justify ignoring public health advice?

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries has to come to order.

Minister of Health to reply.

Hon. Christine Elliott: In fact, there has been no ignoring of the public health advice we’ve received from the science advisory table. They recommended that we vaccinate based on age and risk and looking at priority hot spots: 114 postal codes have been identified as being hot spots in the province of Ontario. We have been allocating more vaccines to those hot spots. We are already, based on the initial recommendations made by the science advisory table, designating 25% of all of the vaccines, from the top, being allocated to those hot spots before the rest is divided up across the province among the 34 health units based on population.

That is what we’ve done. Those 25% levels of vaccines are making a difference. We are starting to see the numbers go down slightly. We’re not able to say it’s a trend yet, but the numbers are going down slightly, in large part due to that recommendation of putting more vaccines into hot spots, which we have accepted from the science advisory table.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, the Minister of Health knows that she has not completely implemented what the recommendations are, and I think everybody knows that.

But here’s another recommendation that the government is ignoring, and I quote from the science table: “Some indoor workplaces have to remain open, but the list of what stays open must be as short as possible. This means permitting only truly essential indoor workplaces to stay open and strictly enforcing COVID-19 safety measures in those places.”

We know that the government has ignored this advice as well. In fact, Dr. Loh and Dr. de Villa had to take measures into their own hands because the government is ignoring the advice of the science table.

So will the government act on this piece of advice today, and if not, how can this Minister of Health justify a decision to ignore public health advice during a pandemic?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development to reply.

Hon. Monte McNaughton: Thank you to the member opposite for this question. We continue to work very, very closely with our local public health units. We support the decisions that they’re making. They are able to make individual choices for their own public health unit region.

From our ministry standpoint, I can tell you, we work closely with all public health units. That’s how we determine which places of work we inspect. That’s why, in the Peel region, for example, we’ve gone to thousands of distribution centres, warehouses, factories, agri-food businesses to ensure that we’re doing everything possible to keep workers safe, to ensure that employers are held to account, that they’re following all of the public health guidelines to protect their places of business.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The science table also recommends “paying essential workers to stay home when they are sick, exposed or need time to get vaccinated.”

Speaker, Ontarians don’t want any more excuses, and they don’t want any more of the blame game. In the situation we have now, when people literally are dying by the dozens every day, will we see the government pass legislation today to bring paid sick days to Ontario? And if not, how will the Minister of Health justify to those doctors who are losing lives every day in the ICU, who are watching people die every day in the ICU—how will this health minister justify her decision not to take the advice of the public health advisers?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Minister of Labour.

Hon. Monte McNaughton: We don’t want any worker in the province to have to choose between their health and their job. That’s why the very first piece of action we took when COVID-19 hit the province was to bring in job-protected leave. If you are a worker who has to be in self-isolation, in quarantine, you can’t lose your job for that. If you’re a worker that wants to go and get vaccinated, your job is protected.

We went further. We eliminated the need for sick notes here in Ontario during COVID-19.

But, Mr. Speaker, we were really disappointed. We know that we have to have a federal partner when it comes to paid sick days to ensure that the payments get out to workers across the province, and we were disappointed with the federal budget last week—over $100 billion in new spending and they still continue to pay workers not only in Ontario but across the country below minimum wage. The federal government has to be our partner, has to step up and do more for workers here in Ontario.

COVID-19 response

Mr. Gurratan Singh: My question is to the Premier. Brampton is in a crisis. We have a COVID-19 positivity rate of over 22%, making it one of the highest in the entire country. People are getting sick and dying at an alarming rate. Our only hospital, Brampton Civic, is struggling to keep up with the surge of COVID-19 patients.

Brampton has been a COVID-19 hot spot since the beginning of this pandemic, and from the beginning we were left behind by the Conservative government. We were left behind when it came to testing and getting access to the resources we need to fight COVID-19 and now, when we need it the most, we’re being left behind again when it comes to getting access to the life-saving vaccine.

Per capita, Brampton has one of the fewest pharmacies giving out vaccines when compared to other municipalities throughout Ontario. We only have one COVID-19 pop-up location, which is not even located in Brampton and actually doesn’t even service our entire city.

When will the Conservative government finally stop abandoning Brampton families and give us the support we need to fight COVID-19?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Minister of Health.

Hon. Christine Elliott: In fact, Brampton has been given significant assistance during the course of this pandemic. There is no suggestion that they’re receiving any less than they’re entitled to. In fact, out of the 114 hot spots that have been identified across the province, there are 25 hot spots in the Brampton and Peel area, allowing access to more vaccines. That 25% that I was speaking about before: 25% of all vaccines off the top are divided amongst those public health regions. Brampton has 25 of them.

In addition, the areas where people can receive vaccines in Brampton and Peel is over 150 pharmacies, seven of which are operating 24/7, 40 primary care sites, four hospitals, 18-plus pop-up sites in high-priority areas and countless mobile vaccination teams. We are certainly well aware that Peel is a hot spot and we are dedicating more vaccines in more places for people to receive those vaccines.

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

Mr. Gurratan Singh: Emily Victoria Viegas was 13 years old when she became one of the youngest Canadians to die from COVID-19. Her father, Carlos, provided and described the agonizing position he was in. See, Carlos was the only member of his family of four to test negative for COVID-19. His wife was at Brampton Civic on oxygen, struggling with the sickness, and when his daughter Emily’s condition started to deteriorate, he didn’t know what to do.

He knew that Brampton Civic was one of the worst-hit hospitals in our entire country with COVID-19, and he was afraid that if Emily went there, she would be sent to a hospital outside of Brampton and be separated from both her parents. So, he did his best to take care of her and he thought that Emily would get better soon. The next day, Emily Victoria Viegas became one of the youngest Canadians to die from COVID-19.

How many more deaths will it take before the Conservative government gives Brampton the support we need to fight COVID-19?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Emily’s death is truly a tragedy, and it’s something that I’m sure all of us send our sincere condolences to her family. She was a young woman who was just starting out in her life, and it is a tragic situation that she passed away.

However, we all need to remember that we are working as hard as we can to bring vaccinations to as many people as possible. We do have the resources in our hospitals to be able to care for anyone who comes in with COVID or with any other life-threatening illness. That is why were are building up the hospital capacity by creating more spaces in our hospitals and also by building up our health human resources so that anyone who needs to be in intensive care in an Ontario hospital will have a place there.

COVID-19 response

Mr. David Piccini: Thank you for the opportunity to ask a question today. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Solicitor General. This weekend, the federal Minister of Public Safety tweeted that less than 2% of Canada’s COVID-19 cases have come from travel. But, Speaker, I think it is important to point out that around 70% of cases in Ontario are now related to variants of concern, including quite a number in my community of Northumberland–Peterborough South.

For many of my constituents who reached out to me over the weekend, I know this can be a confusing and a scary time, with conflicting messages. So, can the Solicitor General please remind Ontarians why variants of concern pose such a threat to the people of this province and our health care system, and what our government is doing about it?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Thank you to the member from Northumberland–Peterborough South. This is such an incredibly important topic, as we deal with these highly contagious, highly transmittable variants of concern. We all know that they are transmitting faster and, unfortunately, are more deadly. As the Premier and our health table have said many times, this third wave in Ontario is actually like fighting a whole new virus.

Speaker, it’s important that we all understand these variants of concern did not arrive at our province by chance. They came to our borders from other countries, and now they make up the vast majority of cases in Ontario. Almost 70% of new cases are actually detected each day with variants of concern.

Ontarians should know that their provincial government is doing everything possible to stop the spread of these variants, and we’re on our way with 35.8% of Ontario residents over the age of 18 now having received their first vaccination.

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

Mr. David Piccini: Thank you to the Solicitor General for that information. I know she would agree that the suggestion by some that travel-related cases make up only a small percentage is indeed misleading. Speaker, this is a concern that has been expressed by many municipalities in my community of Northumberland–Peterborough South. In fact, this is a concern echoed by municipalities across the province of Ontario.

I know Mayor Patrick Brown, in a motion moved by council, said: They call on the federal government “to immediately develop and implement an effective strategy to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 from all destinations.” Mr. Speaker, this is from a mayor in a community right adjacent to where our largest international airport in the country is situated.

It is concerning for folks in my community because these municipalities, doctors and our government know that these travel-related cases have led to variants of concern ravaging communities in our province. So, Speaker, can the Solicitor General please review what actions the government has taken since last year to address this border issue?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Thank you again to the member from Northumberland–Peterborough South. Our government has long been advocating and taking action to strengthen Ontario’s borders. Of course, it was Premier Ford and our government that instituted testing at Pearson in the early part of the year, because we felt that the federal government wasn’t doing enough to protect and ensure that visitors to Ontario were actually COVID-free. So we instituted that testing program at Pearson International Airport for incoming international travellers. This was built through

section 22 through the Chief Medical Officer of Health. Of course, we’ve also closed Ontario’s borders from Manitoba and Quebec for the same reason. We understand that the variants of concern need to be stopped before they come into our communities—all of this, Speaker, while continuing to push the federal government for further action within their jurisdiction.

While it was positive news to hear that three countries have been paused for 30 days, it’s not enough, Speaker. We’ve vaccinated over 4.7 million Canadians—Ontarians, my apologies—but we need to do more to stop the variants.

COVID-19 response

Mr. Wayne Gates: My question’s to the Premier. Last week, Niagara Health announced that ICU capacity is at 104%; level 3 ICU is at 164%; the ICU vented-bed capacity is at 125%, and we have 83 patients with COVID.

Front-line health care heroes are worried they’ll be forced to implement the triage protocol that they’ve been briefed on. They don’t want to make the impossible decision on who is more deserving of life-saving care, like ventilators or trained ICU nurses.

This government is directly responsible for the surge in COVID-19 cases, resulting in deaths. They have repeatedly ignored the advice of public health experts. They are more concerned with how their stakeholders may react than doing what is desperately needed to save lives and avoid having to use a triage protocol.

Mr. Speaker, when will this government listen to public health experts and stop putting politics above saving people’s lives?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): To reply, the Minister of Health.

Hon. Christine Elliott: I would say to the member opposite that, first of all, the health and well-being of the people of Ontario has been our first interest since the beginning of the pandemic and will always be.

The second issue is that there is no triage protocol being activated in Ontario. It has not been activated because we are building capacity to make sure that we can care for everyone who comes into our hospitals and needs to be in intensive care, whether it’s by reason of COVID or by another reason. We’re building the physical capacity to make sure that we can have the beds to house people. We’ve created over 3,100 more beds, and I know I’ve said this before in this House, but that’s also 285 more intensive care beds. That’s within the last year. Even within our last budget, we allocated another $1.8 billion to create more capacity.

But we’re also creating more health human resources in order to make sure that we’ll have the people to operate in those hospitals. I’ll be able to speak about that in my supplementary.

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

Mr. Wayne Gates: Back to the Premier: I just want to say that I think that’s a myth.

Niagara has been a COVID hot spot, with 387 deaths. Some nurses are seeing two and three patients die per shift. This government calls them heroes, but refuses to listen to public health experts.

Last week, the president of Niagara Health said that critical care capacity at Niagara Health is “in a state of crisis.... We’ve opened additional critical care beds in other areas of the hospital but we have limited critical care-trained staff to further increase capacity.”

The medical advisory committee briefed doctors on the triage protocol. This is a result of this government putting stakeholders’ interests over public health advice.

Dr. Dhalla said, “It’s very worrying ... when it becomes clear the cabinet isn’t making science-based decisions.” He said that, not Wayne Gates.

Speaker, when will the Premier immediately implement provincial paid sick days, ensure paid time off for vaccines, close non-essential businesses and get direct financial support for workers and small businesses in the province of Ontario?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development.

Hon. Monte McNaughton: I thank the member opposite for his question. I think all of us, jointly together, can thank all of the people in Ontario. As of today, about 4.7 million people have received their vaccination. That is good news. That’s over 30% of eligible adults in the province of Ontario. That’s how we’re going to work to defeat COVID-19.

But we need to have a federal partner to help us get through COVID-19, working together. That’s why we need more vaccines to the province faster. That’s why we called on the federal government to step up and do a better job at securing Canadian borders.

We need to have a federal partner when it comes to paid sick days. For the federal government to pay Ontario workers less than minimum wage is wrong. We’re calling on the federal government, as well working with other provinces, including the BC NDP, to call on the federal government to step up and work with us. Let’s get paid sick days for everyone in Ontario.

Employment standards

Mr. Michael Coteau: My question is to the government House leader. Speaker, the government has committed to some sort of supplement to the federal program. We learned, after the apology by the Premier, that something is coming, but details have been very limited. We haven’t heard anything. Even today, we haven’t heard any details.

There’s no question that we need in Ontario some type of paid sick program. So I’m asking all members of this House to support Bill 247, which we’ll vote on today, for 10 paid sick days.

Speaker, through you to the minister: If the government has changed its mind and now is supporting paid sick days, will the minister, the House leader, support a free vote for all of his members in the Legislature today?

Hon. Paul Calandra: Mr. Speaker, I’ve already indicated, and members on this side have indicated, that we will not be supporting the member’s bill. I note that his own leader does not support the bill that he put forward in the House.

But more importantly, as I’ve said on a number of occasions, we want to ensure—and as the Minister of Labour has highlighted—that there is a regime in place that protects all workers and gets us through this pandemic. Very soon we will have something to bring forward.

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

Mr. Michael Coteau: It’s unfortunate the House leader has said that he will not be supporting the bill and that the government will not be supporting the bill.

Mr. Speaker, today, this will be the 21st time, either through motions or other previous bills, that the Conservative Party and the Premier have voted against paid sick days, when 83% of Ontarians agree that paid sick days are so necessary. This is not a political issue. This is not a partisan issue. This is about the best science.

My question, back to the House leader, is: What does he base this decision on today—and tell me exactly why he has decided not to support 10 paid sick days today in the Legislature.

Hon. Paul Calandra: I agree with the honourable gentleman: It’s certainly not a political matter, especially when you consider that his own leader does not agree with the legislation that he has put forward to this House today.

We will be working on an important plan for the people of the province of Ontario. These essential workers who are working so hard across this province to keep this economy going, to help us get through this pandemic—they’re our number one priority, Mr. Speaker. They’re our number one priority, not a bill that the member has brought forward that does not meet the needs of these essential workers in these workplaces across the province.

So we’re going to bring a bill forward that will be comprehensive and will protect the people of the province of Ontario, as we have been doing since the beginning of this pandemic.

COVID-19 response

Mr. David Piccini: My question is again to the Solicitor General. Mr. Speaker, in her last response to me, the Solicitor General outlined a number of actions our government has taken to keep our borders secure and keep Ontarians safe from the new COVID-19 variants, but we know that that does not go far enough. In fact, infectious disease expert Colin Furness said this weekend that there are two problems with the federal government’s proposed flight ban:

(1) It doesn’t go far enough; and (2) by targeting only two countries, it actually has the unintended consequence of provoking racism.

Mr. Speaker, we need more decisive action from this federal government to prevent the variants of concern from entering our provinces, hitting an already beleaguered health care system that is dealing with variants of concern that have spread from other areas of the world. Can the Solicitor General please outline for the House some data that demonstrates why further action is needed now to stop variants of concern from entering the province—

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

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Again, I really have to acknowledge the incredible advocacy that the member from Northumberland–Peterborough South has had on this issue. He’s been strongly out there explaining why, but for the benefit of the rest of the chamber, allow me to show some of the data points.

He’s right: More action is needed to keep COVID-19 from crossing into our borders. For example, in the last week alone, nearly 10,000 foreign national travellers entered through Toronto Pearson airport; 22 international flights have landed at Pearson with possible COVID-19 exposures; nearly 80,000 people, not including essential commercial truckers, have crossed Canada’s land borders. Clearly, more action is needed by the federal government to restrict travel and to more properly and thoroughly screen for COVID-19 at our borders.

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

Mr. David Piccini: I appreciate that response. It’s clear that this is an urgent issue that demands attention now. I’ll again go back to comments from infectious disease expert Colin Furness, who did rightly point out that this is deeply concerning for two reasons: that, again, it does not go far enough, and it provokes unintended racism.

Last week, when the federal government announced that they were banning direct flights from India and Pakistan—Mr. Speaker, that leads to that unintended consequence that I referenced earlier. We know that doctors like Dr. Sharkawy have said that this doesn’t go far enough for residents in the province of Ontario.

Mr. Speaker, we call on that government to immediately do more to secure our borders. Much more must be done right now. Can the Solicitor General be unequivocal about what our message to the federal government is today, for the people of Northumberland–Peterborough South and for concerned Ontarians across this province?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: On Friday, Premier Ford joined with the Premier of Quebec to jointly call on the federal government to put a hold on international flights. This is not just an Ontario problem; this is a Canadian problem, demonstrated by Canada’s two largest provinces working together to protect lives.

We asked the federal government to strongly consider the following: first, reduce mobility of COVID-19 variants by further reducing incoming international flights; secondly, roll out further protective actions at the Canada-US land border.

Speaker, we’ve put in place what we can do interprovincially between Manitoba and Quebec in ensuring that only essential travellers come into Ontario, but—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The independent members will come to order.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: —the federal government needs to step up and do more. These new measures should be in place for as long as necessary. We are now vaccinating over 111,000 people a day over the last seven days. We need to have the time to protect our citizens to get properly vaccinated.

Employment standards

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: My question is to the Deputy Premier. This government has had 24 chances to pass legislation that would provide paid sick days for every worker in Ontario. They just voted against it again a moment ago. ICUs in hospitals are overrun with COVID-19 patients. Variants are getting out of control, leading to more and younger essential workers needing hospitalization and dying from COVID-19.

Public health experts, nurses, doctors, business owners, mayors and city councillors, essential workers, those of us in the official opposition and the government’s own science table have pleaded with this government to pass paid sick day legislation and to save lives. Paid sick days prevent workers from having to choose between paying rent, buying groceries, and going to work sick.

At every opportunity, the government has refused to take action and implement paid sick days.

Speaker, why won’t the Premier and his government do the responsible thing and immediately implement paid sick days for Ontario workers? Why do they feel that it’s acceptable to let people get sick and die?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development.

Hon. Monte McNaughton: Mr. Speaker, workers in the province of Ontario shouldn’t choose between their health and their job. That’s why we moved decisively to bring in job-protected leave. If any worker is impacted by COVID-19, if you’re in self-isolation, in quarantine, if you’re a mom or dad who has to stay home and look after a son or daughter because the schools have been closed, you can’t be fired for that.

Mr. Speaker, we went further. We eliminated the need for sick notes. We also ensured that there was job-protected leave for vaccinations.

But we need to have a federal partner. We heard loud and clear from the BC NDP last week, who called for the federal government to step up as well. There is a system in place that’s delivering cheques to workers, but we can’t have the federal government paying workers in Ontario and other workers in other provinces less than minimum wage. They have to be part of the solution.

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

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: That response shows the complete lack of personal responsibility that is letting people get sick and die in this province. It’s shameful. Many essential workers are living paycheque to paycheque. One missed day of wages or a break in income means the devastating choice of paying rent or feeding their family.

Birgit, an ICU nurse working with COVID-positive patients, shared last week that she contracted COVID-19 in October. She and many other front-line heroes don’t have paid sick days. Jurisdictional Ping-Pong doesn’t help workers like Birgit and won’t save lives.

Last week, while COVID cases soared among Ontario workers, the Premier made a non-announcement on paid sick leave that let everyone in this province down yet again. Paid sick days could have saved lives months ago, could save lives tomorrow and in the months to come. The Premier and his government are responsible for the death of every essential worker and their family members that have passed because of COVID-19, because they refused to do what is necessary to save lives.

My question is simple: How many people have to get sick or die before this government listens to health experts, workers and many others and implements paid sick days? What is their magic number?

Hon. Monte McNaughton: Well, we are going to get this right. We need to have a federal partner to help us get through COVID-19. In fact—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order. The opposition, come to order. The independent members, come to order.

Hon. Monte McNaughton: —we need the federal government to step up and get more vaccines for every adult in the province of Ontario. We need the federal government to step up and increase payments to workers in this province. It is an injustice that workers in Ontario are getting paid below minimum wage. The infrastructure is in place to quickly increase those payments to workers. Thirdly, we need the federal government to step up, secure our borders, secure our airports, prevent variants of concern from getting into the province. We’re going to continue, every single day, standing up for the people of this province.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m going to ask the House to come to order. I need to hear the member who actually has the floor and has been recognized to speak, and I can’t when there’s a constant barrage of heckling on both sides of the House.

The next question.

COVID-19 response

Mr. Roman Baber: My question is to the Minister of Health. Last Thursday, the Ontario science table published a science brief entitled Behavioural Science Principles for Enhancing Adherence to Public Health Measures. The science brief advises the government to apply various averse behavioural strategies to maintain and enhance adherence to public health measures. The measures include persuasion and modelling of public health behaviour. It recommends the drawing of various alternatives in the event that Ontarians do not comply. It recommends instilling fear of missing out. It invites incentives to encourage obedience.

My question to the Minister of Health: Does she believe that it’s appropriate for the Ontario science table to recommend that the government engage in psychological manipulation of Ontarians, and does she intend to accept these particular recommendations of the science table?

Hon. Christine Elliott: We have been listening to the recommendations of the science table from the beginning of this pandemic. They recommended that we engage in the lockdown and the emergency brake lockdown, which we then transmitted into a stay-at-home order. They also recommended we ramp down surgeries to make sure that we would have availability in our public hospitals for increased numbers of people who have fallen victim to COVID because of the variants of concern.

They also recommended that we look at the hot spots, that we allocate vaccines based on age, risk and on the basis of the hot spots—114 different hot spots were identified in 20 different public health units. We are following those measures. We are implementing extra vaccines into those areas, 25% more. They have recommended 50% more and we’re studying that as well.

The recommendations that have been made by the science advisory table have been followed, for the most part, by the government, and we look forward to hearing more of their recommendations, because they do contain people who are experts in this area. They have provided us with sound modelling, which has meant they—

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

Mr. Roman Baber: To the Minister of Health: While some Ontarians were moved by the Premier’s apology last Thursday for attempting to impose a police state in Ontario, the government’s policy with respect to its baseless outdoor restrictions since Thursday has not moved one bit. Not a single doctor in the entire province of Ontario agrees with the government’s restrictions on outdoor recreational activities. Every doctor agrees that the risk of transmission is negligible or exceedingly low. In fact, I’ll challenge the minister to present one example of outdoor transmission in the province of Ontario. She won’t, because she cannot.

So my question to the Minister of Health: Why is the government acting against the advice of every physician in the province? Does she agree that the risk of outdoor transmission is exceedingly low? And if so, will she give Ontarians some much-needed relief and let them play outdoors?

Hon. Christine Elliott: To the member opposite, I would say, through you, Speaker, we are taking the steps we are taking to prevent transmission of COVID-19 and the variants of concern, which we all know are much more transmissible, result in more hospitalizations, more ICU admissions and, unfortunately, more deaths. So while we encourage people, especially with the weather being nicer, to go out for a walk, get your exercise, go for a walk or a run, whatever you want to do—however, what is not good is when people are together in larger groups, because that is how the virus is transmitted.

Of course, we encourage people to be outside. Of course, we encourage them to engage in healthy activities. However, it is not good for people to be in larger groups without maintaining the public health measures. That is why we brought in the provisions that we did: to maintain the health and well-being of the people of Ontario.

COVID-19 response

Mr. David Piccini: I’m again highlighting that this week we heard the very concerning reports that the new B.1.617 variant from India has now been confirmed in British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta and right here in Ontario, with over 36 cases. The minister, in her earlier answer, outlined a number of decisive measures this government has taken to secure our borders and to implement testing at our airports.

I draw on an analogy with driving in a car with the roof open in pouring rain. You can put on a jacket, you can do a number of things inside the car, but sooner or later, you’ve got to close that roof to stop the water from getting in the car. Mr. Speaker, municipalities have highlighted this concern. The people of my riding have highlighted this concern. Families in Peel region have highlighted this concern.

My question to the Solicitor General is: When will the federal government do the right thing and close the border? And what more are we going to do to ensure that that happens?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Thank you again to the member from Northumberland–Peterborough South.

The B.1.617 variant of concern has been connected to what is now the largest outbreak in the world. Of course, our hearts break when we see the Indian government and the individuals dealing with this incredibly virulent strain.

Our government has taken extra precautions to protect our border entry points at both Manitoba and Quebec. Every case that comes in through the border is one too many, and that leads to further spread. We must continue to protect Ontario, even as we continue to battle the third wave of the pandemic that has already arrived, which is also why we will continue to call on the federal government to do their part by securing international entry points and further restricting international travel. The time is now.

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

Mr. David Piccini: Thank you to the minister for that answer. It’s never too late to do the right thing: to secure our borders to prevent the next variant of concern from entering this country and ravaging our already strained health care system. The time to act is indeed now.

Notwithstanding the critical issue of protecting our border, Ontario remains in the midst of a third wave that we’re seeing globally. Maintaining public health measures continues to be of the utmost importance to stopping the spread.

Speaker, can the Solicitor General remind Ontarians what they can do to keep themselves safe and their loved ones safe in the province of Ontario?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Again, thank you for the question and an important reminder. One of the first things that we can do is remind everyone and educate everyone on the importance of when that vaccine is available to you, regardless of the type, go get vaccinated. We’ve vaccinated 4.7 million Ontario residents; 35.8% of adults over the age of 18 in Ontario have received their first shot. And we’re only moving forward. In the last seven days, we’ve had over 111,000 people get vaccinated every single day. But we cannot take our foot off the pedal at this point.

I know these restrictions require sacrifice and, for some, are very frustrating when they can’t see their loved ones and their neighbours. But patients admitted to and staff working in our ICUs are even more tired of fighting COVID than we are. In order to continue to stop the spread of this deadly virus, we all know what we need to do: stay at home whenever possible, including avoiding non-essential travel; maintain a physical distance of two metres; wear a mask when required; and, of course, wash our hands thoroughly and often.

COVID-19 immunization

Mr. Faisal Hassan: My question is to the Premier. In my riding of York South–Weston, we are home to many essential workers and have been designated by Toronto Public Health as one of