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May 15, 2024

43rd Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2024-May-15 (PDF)

L159 - Wed 15 May 2024 / Mer 15 mai 2024

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Wednesday 15 May 2024 Mercredi 15 mai 2024

Orders of the Day

Building a Better Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2024 / Loi de 2024 visant à bâtir un Ontario meilleur (mesures budgétaires)

House sittings

Report, Financial Accountability Officer

Building a Better Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2024 / Loi de 2024 visant à bâtir un Ontario meilleur (mesures budgétaires)

Members’ Statements

Mother’s Day

City of Port Colborne

Cornwall Curling Club

Sexual violence and harassment

Mother’s Day

Mental health services

Riding of Scarborough Centre

Health care funding

Jewish and Asian communities

First responders

Introduction of Visitors

Question Period

Sexual violence and harassment

Health care

Hospital services

Taxation

Child care

Taxation

Public safety

Taxation

OHIP coverage of COVID-19 immunization

Consumer protection

Public transit

Taxation

Tenant protection

Taxation

Member’s birthday

Visitors

Member’s birthday

Deferred Votes

Keeping Energy Costs Down Act, 2024 / Loi de 2024 visant à maintenir la facture énergétique à un niveau abordable

Introduction of Visitors

Introduction of Bills

Justice for Soli Act (Stop Criminalizing Mental Health), 2024 / Loi de 2024 exigeant la justice pour Soli (arrêter la criminalisation des problèmes de santé mentale)

Petitions

Hospital services

Hospital services

Northern Health Travel Grant

Social assistance

Tenant protection

Health care funding

Post-secondary education

Health care funding

Social assistance

Health care funding

School safety

Amyloidosis

Correction of record

Orders of the Day

Building a Better Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2024 / Loi de 2024 visant à bâtir un Ontario meilleur (mesures budgétaires)

The House met at 0900.

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

Prayers.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Next, we’ll have a moment of silence for inner thought and personal reflection.

Orders of the Day

Building a Better Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2024 / Loi de 2024 visant à bâtir un Ontario meilleur (mesures budgétaires)

Resuming the debate adjourned on May 13, 2024, on the motion for third reading of the following bill:

Bill 180,

An Act to implement Budget measures and to enact and amend various statutes / Projet de loi 180, Loi visant à mettre en oeuvre les mesures budgétaires et à édicter et à modifier diverses lois.

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

M. Guy Bourgouin: Bon matin, monsieur le Président. Bon matin, tout le monde. Il y a des matins où, il me semble, on se lève et on est pas mal plus rouillé. Bien, pour moi, c’est un matin comme ça. À matin, ça m’aurait pris quatre ou cinq cafés avant de décoller.

Je peux vous dire que j’aimerais remercier—souvent on oublie les personnes qui travaillent pour nous. Si vous me permettiez juste de remercier mes assistants qui ont travaillé, j’ai Adriana Naffa qui est ma législative. Mais aussi, hier j’étais à OLIP et j’ai une nouvelle assistante qu’on a pour la première fois, et je voudrais la remercier pour son travail : Kaitlin Gallant. Je sais qu’elle va faire de belles choses dans sa vie. Fait que, je voulais la remercier ce matin.

En fin de semaine, j’ai fait un Sportsman and Trade Show à Kapuskasing. Ça faisait six ans qu’on n’avait pas eu le Sportsman and Trade Show, et j’ai eu la chance de rencontrer beaucoup de mes concitoyens. Quand je demandais à mes concitoyens ce qu’ils voudraient que j’apporte à Queen’s Park, qu’est-ce que je pourrais faire—et que j’étais pour débattre le projet de loi 180, ce qui est le budget, présenté par le gouvernement—la plupart nous disaient qu’ils étaient concernés avec le coût de la vie. Ça va sans dire.

Puis, je leur ai demandé la question, une question bien simple : j’ai dit, le gouvernement annonce des millions ici et des millions par là—puis, écoute, ce sont des sommes considérables. Je leur ai demandé : « Bien, votre vie, est-elle mieux? Ça va mieux dans votre vie? Le gouvernement fait-il un bon travail? Vous sentez-vous que tous ces investissements-là améliorent votre vie? »

Savez-vous la réponse que j’ai eue? C’était non. Ils ne voyaient pas que leur vie s’améliorait, que ce soit en santé, que ce soit en éducation ou le coût de la vie qui, comme on le sait, est très élevé. Je peux vous dire que beaucoup de mes concitoyens ressentent l’effet de tout ça. On a un budget, dont je vais parler, qui affecte—veux, veux pas—mes concitoyens.

Dans le Nord, on oublie que—moi je dis souvent : « Loin des yeux, loin du coeur. » On est très oublié.

Pourtant, les richesses viennent d’où? Elles viennent des régions. Nos richesses—j’entends le gouvernement parler des investissements pour toute l’énergie verte qu’on veut faire, comme les automobiles électriques, les batteries. On vient de faire une autre grosse annonce encore. Pourtant, les ressources viennent du Nord, et on prend toutes les ressources et on les amène dans le Sud. Pourquoi ne pas générer—tu sais, développer—dans le Nord? Prends ces matériaux-là qu’on prend du Nord, et on pourrait avoir ces usines-là dans le Nord. Bien, non, on amène tout ça dans le Sud. On paque pour le Sud.

Pourtant, ça vient tout de—puis, ça, je le dis souvent en Chambre : on est les enfants pauvres de la province. Pourtant, les richesses viennent de chez nous, que ce soit les minerais, que ce soit tout ce qui va créer ce développement économique pour la province. La nourriture vient des régions; elle ne vient pas de la ville.

On parle de bâtir, quoi, 1,5 million de maisons dont on a besoin, des loyers dont a besoin, puis d’accommoder le monde qui a besoin de logement. D’où est-ce qu’il vient, le bois? Le bois, le bois de charpente, il va venir d’où? Il vient des régions. Beaucoup vient de chez nous. Puis, encore, on voit le manque d’investissements pour le Nord.

Je peux parler d’infrastructure. Je parlais justement à Mario—ce n’est pas Villeneuve? C’est Mario Villeneuve; excuse-moi, Mario—qui est président de Ontario Roads. C’est lui qui bâtit les chemins. Il est président. Son père était président. Justement, Claude a été reconnu par l’association comme un des pionniers. Il me dit : « Guy, on parle de tous ces beaux minerais-là qui viennent des régions du Nord, mais on n’a pas nos routes pour absorber tout l’impact que ça va avoir. »

Quand j’étais justement au « trade show », je parlais, puis j’avais des pétitions. J’avais une pétition sur la santé, j’avais une pétition sur le coût de la vie, et j’avais une pétition sur nos routes : les conditions de nos routes et la sécurité de nos routes. Devinez quelle pétition le monde voulait signer en premier? Les conditions de nos routes.

J’entends souvent le ministre dire qu’on a les routes les plus sécuritaires dans l’Amérique du Nord. Mais je peux vous dire, prenez le temps d’aller voir—il y a un site qui s’appelle « la 11/17 tue » : « Highway 11/17 kills. » Prenez le temps de vous abonner et de voir la réalité de ce qui se passe sur nos routes, surtout sur la 11/17.

Je regardais, justement, quand j’étais à Kapuskasing au « sports and trade show ». Ils montraient un vidéo où on voit un camionneur—et ça, c’est à Matheson. C’est dans le comté de mon collègue Vanthof, qui est de Temiskaming Shores. Il y avait plusieurs camions qui se suivaient de proche. Il y a une personne qui est sortie devant un des camionneurs. Fait que, qu’est-ce que tu penses est arrivé? Ça s’est tout mis à braker. Les trucks ont dépassé. Il y avait un camion qui s’en venait , puis tu voyais sur l’écran les camions se barrent sur un bord. Écoute, il a eu la chance : il a fait deux face-à-face; il s’en est sorti par miracle.

Mais ça, c’est une réalité qu’on a. Pourquoi? Parce qu’il n’y a pas assez de voies de dépassement.

Le gouvernement a dit qu’il y avait un projet-pilote. Je pense que c’est la ministre Mulroney qui avait fait ce projet-pilote, et on la remercie. Mais je pense qu’il est grand temps qu’on passe d’un projet-pilote à d’autres choses, parce que c’est un besoin.

Ça fait longtemps qu’on demande un 2+1. Ce que ça va faire c’est de donner des voies de dépassement tous les 10 kilomètres. Ça va aller sur un bord, puis ça va aller sur l’autre. Ça va éviter des situations comme ça. Ça va améliorer notre infrastructure quand ça vient à nos routes, parce qu’elles sont en piètre état.

Le monde me dit qu’ils ont peur d’embarquer sur nos routes maintenant, parce que veux, veux pas, on n’est pas comme dans le Sud où tu peux faire des « bypass » et tu peux avoir tout ça. Quand j’ai demandé une question cette semaine à un des—je ne me souviens pas quel député—ils ont parlé des millions d’investissements. Ces millions d’investissements, c’est pour les « bypass » qu’ils vont construire—quoi, la 413?

Une voix.

M. Guy Bourgouin: Oui, la 413. C’est bien. Écoute, faites-le pour le Sud. Tant mieux pour le sud de l’Ontario. Mais le Nord a besoin aussi des investissements.

Et on a besoin de garder les richesses qu’on crée dans le Nord. Il va y avoir les mines. Il va y avoir du développement. Mais bien souvent, ces minières ont des gros, gros camps pour accommoder le monde, mais les communautés ne bénéficient pas du développement économique.

Je vais vous donner un exemple. Je dis souvent que je viens du petit village de Dubreuilville qui a une population—dans mon temps, c’était d’à peu près 1 100. Quand je suis parti, c’était à peu près 700 de population.

Ils ont deux grosses mines d’or. Dans ces deux grosses mines d’or-là, il y a deux gros camps pour accommoder les employés. Ils ont bâti des « bunkhouse », si on peut utiliser le terme en anglais—deux grosses « bunkhouses ». Mais ça n’aide pas la communauté à avoir des familles.

Dans cette petite communauté-là, il y a un beau « high school », une belle école primaire, un bel aréna, mais il manque d’enfants, il manque de tout pour remplir ces installations ou ces infrastructures. Puis c’est dommage, parce qu’on voit que c’est une communauté qui se tient beaucoup, qui a tellement à offrir. Mais on a un gouvernement qui dit : « OK, c’est correct de bâtir ces “grouperies”; je comprends qu’il y a un manque de main -d’oeuvre. » Ça, on le réalise tous. Tu sais, que ce soit des hommes de métier—c’est important de comprendre que les minières ont des demandes qu’il faut comprendre.

Mais vous ne me ferez pas croire, on dirait, comme exemple, qu’il faut que 25 % de tes employés vivent dans ces communautés-là. Je vous donne l’exemple de Dubreuilville, mais on peut parler de Chapleau, on peut parler de—la liste continue. Ce sont toutes des communautés qui sont isolées dans le Nord.

Fait que, pourquoi n’est-on pas capable, comme gouvernement, de dire à ces minières-là : « Vous allez investir dans la communauté. Vous allez bâtir des maisons pour des familles pour aider à payer les taxes »? Elles payent des taxes assez élevées pour des petites communautés. Pourquoi? Bien, il n’y a pas la population. Les infrastructures sont après de tomber. Les municipalités font face à augmenter les taxes. Mais pourquoi, comme gouvernement, on n’est pas capable de dire à une compagnie qui va venir : « Prend les ressources, puis elles vont générer de l’argent »— et c’est correct qu’elles fassent de l’argent.

Ce n’est pas ça mon problème. Mais pourquoi est-ce qu’on n’est pas capable de regarder un concept et de dire : « Écoute, il y a un pourcentage—que tu sois un camionneur où que tu sois un “labourer”. » Pourquoi ne peut-on pas investir dans ces communautés-là ?

Et dans le budget, on ne voit aucune mention de tout ça. On ne voit pas la vision—la simple vision—de tout ça dans le budget. Pourtant, ça aiderait cette communauté-là. Ça l’aiderait à générer des taxes, à ramener du nouveau sang dans la communauté, remplir les écoles, aider l’aréna et tout ce qui est attaché avec ça. Mais dans le budget, on ne voit pas ça.

Il faut le reconnaître : on voit de l’investissement dans l’industrie forestière. Puis moi, mon comté est un comté qui a beaucoup d’industrie forestière. Je suis content de voir l’investissement dans la biomasse, parce qu’on sait, dans l’ouest de l’Ontario, ils en faisaient beaucoup; moins dans mon coin, dans l’Est. On sait que c’est 20 %, 25 % ou 30 % qu’on use là-dessus, qu’on utilise de notre forêt. Ça, ça va augmenter.

Je sais qu’à Kapuskasing, on regarde un nouveau projet, de bâtir une grosse biomasse pour aider la papeterie, pour générer de l’électricité, pour pouvoir générer du chauffage et tout ça qui va venir à aider à réduire leurs coûts et, peut-être, à survivre—parce qu’on a vu dans l’industrie forestière qu’on a perdu deux usines à papier, deux papeteries, une à Espanola et une à Terrace Bay.

Quand tu regardes ce que le gouvernement fait pour essayer de sauver cette industrie-là—écoute, n’oubliez pas, j’étais à l’OFIA, qui représente l’industrie forestière, et j’ai écouté la Finlande parler de comment ils utilisent leurs produits. J’étais assis justement à côté d’un consultant qui me disait qu’au Canada, on n’utilise pas notre forêt comme on devrait utiliser notre forêt, puis en particulier pour la biomasse.

Nous, sur notre bord, on travaille avec les travailleurs, les Steelworkers; ils veulent trouver des solutions. Moi, je me souviens de quand on a sauvé Kapuskasing. Il y avait le gouvernement, qui était un gouvernement NPD, il y avait des travailleurs, et il y avait la municipalité—tout le monde est embarqué là-dedans, et même, on y a fait une grosse protestation. On a investi, puis aujourd’hui, l’usine « run » encore. Ça a sauvé la région, il faut le dire. On a fait la même affaire avec Sault Ste. Marie quand c’est venu au « steel plant ».

Alors, pourquoi ne pas approcher de la même approche, de dire : « Écoute, on parle de biomasse »—s’asseoir avec l’employeur, parce qu’eux autres voulaient faire une rayonne, puis probablement que les coûts sont élevés—plus, l’énergie; on sait comment elle est élevée et comment ça coûte cher. Pourquoi ne pas avoir regardé et leur amener l’idée, pour dire : « Êtes-vous intéressés à faire une biomasse à côté, parce qu’on a l’argent pour le faire? »

Créer une biomasse pour prendre ce produit-là qu’on n’utilise pas et créer de l’énergie qui peut réduire leurs coûts d’énergie, baisser leurs coûts de chauffage, et peut-être même si la biomasse est assez grosse, fournir un peu pour la ville, puis le vendre sur le « grid » : c’est quoi qu’il y a de mal avec ce portrait-là? Il n’y a rien de mal avec ce portrait-là. Au contraire.

C’est pour ça qu’on travaille pour ça à Kapuskasing, parce qu’on sait que nos papeteries sont rendues très âgées. Ce sont des usines où il n’y a pas eu de grands investissements et qui peuvent être en péril si elles ne font rien. On voit tous les investissements qui sont faits dans l’industrie EV et ailleurs, et qu’on a une industrie qui est souvent laissée mise de côté. On devrait avoir plus d’investissements parce que je peux vous dire qu’il y a beaucoup de communautés qui en dépendent.

Mais quand on ne réalise pas que quand il y a une industrie comme une papeterie qui tombe, il y a un « domino effect » qui affecte les industries parce que le sciage—qu’est-ce que tu fais avec tes chips? Tu ne peux pas les passer. Ça, ça veut dire des fermetures encore. Puis, après ça, tu as l’industrie forestière qui bûche et qui coupe tout ce bois-là, qui aussi est impactée. Ça fait qu’il y a beaucoup de monde impacté, quand on pourrait avoir une solution qui est là, qui pourrait survivre et avoir encore plus une industrie intégrée.

Là, je regarde mon temps—la santé. J’ai rencontré justement—puis le monde dit « Écoute, on n’a rien qu’à penser à Hearst; 70 % de la communauté de Hearst de 4 000 de population n’a même pas de médecins de famille. » Ce sont tous des orphelins. Puis, quand j’entends la ministre qui nous dit qu’elle n’a aucune concerne pour le manque de médecins—aucune concerne pour le manque de médecins. Écoute, on a un manque de médecins pour 70 %. En plus de ça, c’est une communauté francophone. On sait qu’on a déjà de la misère à avoir des médecins francophones. On sait qu’on a de la misère à avoir du monde francophone.

Je traite avec, aussi, dans la santé pour les soins de longue durée—j’ai parlé au ministre Cho. Vous avez fait en grande pompe en 2022—aux dernières élections, vous avez annoncé 68 nouveaux lits à Kapuskasing pour les soins de longue durée. C’était une bonne chose. J’étais content de l’entendre parce que ça voulait dire de l’investissement. Ça voulait dire un nouveau—parce qu’ils ont déjà 60 lits. Ça voulait dire de bâtir de nouveaux soins de longue durée, Extendicare, pour améliorer—parce que c’est un « C home » puis je peux vous dire qu’elle est en piètre état.

J’ai parlé dernièrement, parce que le gouvernement a annoncé encore—tu sais, c’était à 15 piastres et Extendicare a dit que ce n’était pas assez pour bâtir. Là, ils ont monté ça à 35 piastres. Bravo, ça aide la situation. Ça vient répondre aux besoins qu’on a. Puis, Extendicare me dit : « Mais, Guy, tu sais, on a d’autres “C homes” qui sont plus en piètre état. Peut-être que tu ne le croiras pas, mais on veut demander une extension. » Une extension? Mon monde attend deux ans pour avoir une place dans ce soins de longue durée-là.

J’ai rencontré la « CEO » de l’hôpital, puis je lui ai demandé : « Tous les millions qu’ils investissent, où est-ce que ça va, cet argent-là? » Elle dit : « Ça va dans les agences, Guy. Ils nous donnent moins que l’inflation. Ils nous donnent 4 %. » Ça a l’air des gros chiffres quand on parle des 900-quelque chose millions qu’ils ont investi pour les hôpitaux, mais ça ne représente rien que 4 %, même pas l’inflation. Comment tu veux qu’un hôpital—puis Kapuskasing est quasiment rendu un hub. C’est ça qu’elle m’expliquait. Elle a dit : « On est rendu un hub pour la région et on n’est pas reconnu comme un hub.

Saviez-vous que, nous autres, chez nous, on a un centre d’obstétrique. On est le seul. Puis, si on perd notre centre, si on perd notre médecin obstétricien, de Thunder Bay à North Bay, il n’y en a pas. » Ça, ça veut dire, où est-ce qu’elles vont, les femmes, pour accoucher? On a des femmes qui ont été obligées d’aller à Timmins pour accoucher, parce qu’on n’était pas capable de les prendre à Kap. Elles ont été passer deux ou trois semaines avant ces accouchements à Timmins pour être capable d’absorber—parce qu’elles étaient incapables de le faire avant.

Mais si on perd notre centre d’obstétrique, il n’y a plus personne qui peut le faire dans le Nord. Les communautés comme Hornepayne, comme Hearst, comme tout ça. Puis Hearst, c’est encore pire—quand j’ai parlé de 70 % de la communauté qui n’ont pas de médecins de famille.

Il y a des bonnes choses dans le budget. Je ne suis pas ici pour dire qu’il n’y en a pas. Tu sais, dans tout ce qu’ils présentent, il y a de bonnes choses. Mais il y a des choses qui manquent, qu’au moins je m’attendais à voir dans le budget, que ça soit sur les routes, que ça soit pour la santé pour le Nord, que ça soit le développement quand on parle de l’infrastructure, que ça parle pour les Premières Nations—et la liste est longue. La liste est longue, mais souvent, on voit qu’on s’occupe seulement du Sud, puis souvent le Nord est oublié. Pourtant, les richesses viennent toutes de chez nous.

House sittings

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

Mr. Trevor Jones: On a point of order, pursuant to standing order 7(e), I wish to inform the House that tonight’s evening meeting is cancelled.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): Thank you.

Report, Financial Accountability Officer

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): While I have the floor, I beg to inform the House that the following document was tabled: a report entitled Economic and Budget Outlook, Spring 2024, from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario.

Building a Better Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2024 / Loi de 2024 visant à bâtir un Ontario meilleur (mesures budgétaires)

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): It’s now time for questions.

Mr. John Yakabuski: I want to thank the member for Mushkegowuk–James Bay for his address this morning. I know he’s always passionate about issues in the north. In this budget, he spoke about the north extensively—and affordability. I have to ask the member—in this budget, we are extending the reduction of the gas tax until December 31, 2024. I come from a rural riding, as he knows well, and there are no places more than rural and remote ridings such as yours and mine that the cost of gas is more relative.

I ask the member, does he not agree that this initiative in this budget, which continues and extends that gas tax reduction until the end of this calendar year—does he not agree that this is vitally important to his constituents in Mushkegowuk–James Bay?

M. Guy Bourgouin: Merci à mon collègue pour la question. J’apprécie tout le temps ses questions, puis j’aime beaucoup l’entendre parler aussi. Il est passionné souvent. Des fois, on a ça en commun. On aime s’emporter.

Ce qu’il me demande est sur l’essence, le prix d’essence qu’ils ont baissé de 11 cennes ou de 10 cennes. Mais ce que j’aimerais voir, moi, c’est plus de réglementer le prix du gaz. C’est là qu’on va voir la différence.

Commencez à réglementer. On l’a proposé souvent; vous ne l’avez jamais accepté. On le baisse de 10 cennes ou 11 cennes; il est monté de 11 cennes. Le monde ne voit aucune différence. Au contraire, je pense qu’on prend ces 11 cennes ou 10 cennes-là et ils les mettent dans leurs poches—les grosses multinationales se les mettent dans leurs poches puis disent : « Merci beaucoup. On apprécie beaucoup le surplus d’argent que vous venez de nous donner. »

Mais la réalité des choses, c’est que le concitoyen ne le voit pas. Mais si on réglemente pour dire qu’à grandeur de la province, ça va être le même prix, que tu sois à Toronto, que tu sois à Kapuskasing, que tu sois à Thunder Bay ou que tu sois à Geraldton, le prix va être le même. Puis là, baissez-les de 11 cennes. Là, on va dire que vous avez fait la bonne chose—

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): Further questions?

M. Joel Harden: Merci à notre collègue de Mushkegowuk–Baie James pour ces commentaires ce matin. C’est excellent comme toujours.

Question : la question de la biomasse, de fabriquer la biomasse et les emplois pour les travailleurs et les travailleuses—je crois qu’il y a d’autres exemples pertinents ici; sinon, sûrement toujours les États-Unis, pour un autre exemple. On a aussi l’exemple de la Norvège. En Norvège, il y a une grande industrie de biomasse. Il y a la capacité de générer totalement l’électricité dans ce pays—renouvelable—à cause de l’hydroélectricité et la biomasse, et de la biomasse au nord du pays de la Norvège.

Est-ce que cet exemple-là, mon ami, est un bon exemple que l’Ontario pourrait suivre?

M. Guy Bourgouin: Merci à mon collègue pour la question, et une très bonne question, parce que quand j’étais à l’OFIA, il y avait la présentation de la Finlande, et de la Suède—surtout la Finlande qui était là. Puis comment ils utilisent la biomasse, on devrait prendre comme exemple. Ils produisent beaucoup d’énergie—beaucoup d’énergie. C’est une solution à notre manque d’énergie.

Écoute, il faut reconnaître que ce que le gouvernement propose, c’est un début, mais on aurait dû être beaucoup plus agressif, beaucoup plus agressif sur le dossier—ce que l’industrie forestière, en même temps, précise. On pourrait développer beaucoup plus d’énergie, puis non seulement ça : c’est gérer notre forêt comme il faut. Ça viendrait aussi aider aux feux de forêt, parce que la biomasse qui reste là, ou le résidu qui reste là, est très sujet aux feux de forêt. Souvent, ça cause encore plus—de brûler plus d’hectares.

Mais on a une solution qui pourrait aider non seulement l’industrie forestière, mais qui pourrait aider nos coûts d’énergie et créer plus d’énergie, surtout avec tout ce qu’on veut faire avec les véhicules électriques. Très bonne question. Je l’apprécie beaucoup.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): Further questions?

Dans le budget, ça parle des travailleurs autochtones dans le Nord : 7,3 millions de dollars pour assister avec la main-d’oeuvre. Est-ce que tu supportes ça?

M. Guy Bourgouin: Merci au député de Windsor–Tecumseh pour sa question. Comme j’ai dit, il y a de bonnes choses dans le budget. On n’est pas ici pour dire que le budget n’est pas bon, mais il y a certaines choses qu’on trouve—il y a beaucoup qui manque. Il manque de vision sur bien des points de vue.

Les Premières Nations, oui, il faut investir dans les Premières Nations, la main-d’oeuvre. On sait que c’est la population qui grandit le plus. Mais quand tu vas dans nos communautés autochtones, par exemple, ce qu’on dit et ce qu’on fait, ce sont deux choses. C’est un peuple qui vit dans la pauvreté. Pourtant, ils sont sur leurs territoires ancestraux; pourtant, les richesses viennent de leurs territoires, et ils sont les plus pauvres. Je pense que c’est mon collègue de Kiiwetinoong qui en parle le plus souvent. On a le peuple le plus riche, puis on vit le plus pauvre en Ontario.

Leurs enfants sont obligés d’aller dans des secondaires en dehors de leur ville parce qu’il n’y a même pas d’écoles secondaires, souvent, dans leur propre communauté. On a de la misère quand nos enfants partent pour le collège quand ils ont 18 ans. Imagine-toi quand tu t’en vas au secondaire; tu viens de finir le primaire et tu t’en vas au secondaire. Vous trouvez ça juste? Trouvez-vous ça juste que dans des communautés qui sont—

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): Further questions?

Mr. Peter Tabuns: My thanks to my colleague for his presentation today. I would ask him if he could talk a bit more about the impacts of this budget on his riding with regard to health care and education. You were just talking about education, but perhaps you could expand further.

Mr. Guy Bourgouin: Thank you to my colleague. Great question; une très bonne question.

Quand ça vient à la santé et en éducation—juste en santé, j’ai parlé d’une communauté comme Hearst : 70 % orphelins, qui n’ont pas de médecin de famille. On a des solutions comme—qu’ils proposent, en passant. Justement, j’ai rencontré la directrice de l’hôpital de Kapuskasing. Elle dit : « Guy, on pose des questions. » J’avais la médecin Kwapis aussi qui était là, qui est la « chief of staff ». Elle a dit : « On pose toutes les questions, mais on n’a pas de réponses. Il n’y a pas de suivi. » Ils proposent des solutions, ce que le gouvernement leur demande de faire, mais ils ne les implémentent pas et ils n’ont pas le financement pour être capables de faire les choses qu’ils devraient faire.

Et la question que je leur ai demandée : « Où vont les millions qu’ils vous proposent? » Ils disent : « Ça va dans les agences. »

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): Further questions?

Ms. Laura Smith: Our colleagues know very well that enabling water systems is key to housing and a critical part of the construction process. This budget allows for a system fund of $200 million to $825 million over three years, which is quite substantive.

I’m just wondering if the member will stand with our government to support these endeavours so we can get building going.

M. Guy Bourgouin: Bien, c’est sûr que je suis pour construire de l’infrastructure. On a tellement une pénurie de logements dans mon comté. Mais ce que je ne comprends pas, par exemple, c’est qu’on vous a proposé—et même vos développeurs vous disent qu’ils ne seront pas capables de fournir ou de construire des coops, des logements soutenus, des logements pour les personnes handicapées. Tous ces logements-là, ils disent : « On ne peut pas le faire. Ça doit être le gouvernement qui le fait. » Le gouvernement conservateur avant vous l’a fait et encore vous vous acharnez à dire : « On ne le fera pas. »

L’infrastructure, c’est bienvenu, mais ça ne s’arrête pas là. Vous avez une responsabilité comme gouvernement de construire ces logements-là pour répondre aux besoins pas juste dans le Sud, mais dans le Nord, parce qu’on a une grande pénurie. Il y a du monde qui voudrait s’en aller dans ces centres-là, vendre leur maison pour s’en aller dans une maison de transition, comme j’appelle, avant de s’en aller aux soins de longue durée—s’il y avait des logements qui pourraient les accommoder. Il n’y en a pas.

Où est-ce que vous êtes là-dedans? Zéro. On ne vous voit pas là-dedans. Vous faites de belles annonces, mais quand c’est le temps de délivrer et de répondre aux besoins que même—

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): It is now time for further debate.

Hon. Michael S. Kerzner: I’m honoured to rise today to talk about Bill 180, the Building a Better Ontario Act, our budget measures for 2024.

I want to start by saying that we have to go back to where this session of Parliament started. I remember the throne speech from Her Honour Madam Dowdeswell that day very well. I remember words that she spoke about Ontario’s unofficial anthem in 1967. If some of us remember that—I was a little baby, so I was very young, but I remember hearing it later. It talked about our aspirations. In 1967—this was Canada’s centennial—it talked about our aspirations for what we wanted our province to look like. The words and the lyrics were: “A place to stand and a place to grow.”

This budget today in 2024 takes its roots from 1967 and that theme song. We want to build an Ontario so we have a place to grow, and that is very, very important. This is why we’re building a better Ontario. It’s a better Ontario for everyone in Ontario. It’s a better Ontario for the people that are coming to make Ontario their new home. It’s a better Ontario for families like mine that trace their roots back here in Ontario for over 100 years. It’s a better Ontario no matter what culture we come from, no matter what our religion is. It’s a better Ontario for absolutely everyone.

I want to thank the Minister of Finance for his leadership in recognizing that when we have a better Ontario for everyone, this is something of a legacy that we will leave another generation. That’s exactly why I’m speaking today.

Building a better Ontario is about acknowledging the continuity from generation to generation. It is about understanding the continuity that everyone’s welfare is important. It’s understanding that the historic investments that we make today will be there for another generation to enjoy.

Part of the greatest honour that any of us can have, being elected to this Legislature, is touring Ontario. No matter what side of the House we are on, those who have had the ambition and the opportunity to tour see something amazing.

I think about my tour last year in the riding of Timiskaming–Cochrane. I asked my colleague my friend from Timiskaming–Cochrane to meet me in Cochrane. It was the first time I was there, even though my wife’s family historically traced its roots to South Porcupine in the riding of Timmins.

What fascinated me there in Cochrane was not only a warm community and a great fire service and a great OPP detachment, it was actually understanding the route that people take up to Moosonee in the summer on the rails and how our government, as an example—and we’ve mentioned this before—is making investments to make travel to the north that much easier. You understand the distances by going there to see for yourself.

That’s why we are, as Premier Ford has said so many times in this Legislature, a government that has never raised one tax. That will be etched into the indelible record of the Legislature that people in other generations will understand.

Our budget clearly reflects the need for Ontario to allow for a stronger future. For me, as the Solicitor General, the honour of a lifetime is that every day I work hard so that everyone has an inherent equal right to live safely in their own home and communities, budget 2024 continues on with this fundamental theme as well.

For me, on the public safety side—every time I have an opportunity to debate on anything, I always want to acknowledge everyone who keeps us safe each and every day because without them, we have nothing; with them, we have everything. So we say thank you to the police officers and the firefighters; the corrections, probation and parole officers; the special constables; the auxiliary officers, civilian and sworn; the animal welfare inspectors; and I’ll never forget those 911 call operators.

Public safety matters. Public safety in the themes for building an Ontario for everyone matters because of who we are.

Madame la Présidente, la raison de leur service est pour faire une différence dans la vie des gens lorsqu’ils ne s’y attendent pas, et parce que nous croyons en notre province et notre avenir. Ensemble, nous bâtissons l’Ontario.

Because we believe in our province, and together, we will build a better Ontario.

Today, whether we’re talking about the historic investments that our government has made—when we look at how we transformed our investments on infrastructure, it is really quite impressive.

As questions from the member from Nipissing–Renfrew–Pembroke mentioned, our government has stood up against a wall of opposition from the federal government to fight against the carbon tax. Day after day in this Legislature, questions are asked of ministers, including myself as Solicitor General: What negative impact does the carbon tax mean on our lives?

On public safety, I have said this many times: It means that the police officers have fewer resources to put more cars on the road; the fire departments have fewer resources because they have to spend 21.5 cents per litre for diesel to fill up an average fire truck, which is 200 litres. When you do the math, it’s substantial.

I’ve also said in this Legislature, it’s obvious who’s for the carbon tax and who’s against it. To be clear, and for the record, our government, under the leadership of Premier Ford, is against it. It’s unfortunate that the leader of the Liberal Party of Ontario is for it because, as the mayor of Mississauga, she knew both on the police and the fire side how much this impacted them. But we’re going to stand up against the carbon tax each and every day.

And we’re going to stand up for seniors. We’re going to stand up for seniors so that they have places of residence that are dignified for them. They were there for us; we will be there for them, and I’m proud to say it as a son who is also caring for my own parents, who are seniors.

I want to talk about some of the highlights of the bill, which is important: GO Transit and TTC and Brampton Transit and Durham Region Transit and York Region Transit—the common theme now is that daily riders will save $1,600 per year through our One Fare program. I want to thank my colleague the Associate Minister of Transportation, who has led, until his voice is hoarse—to stress how important this program is.

Our government’s philosophy of putting more money back in people’s pockets is absolute and constant.

We’re ready to build the roads and the bridges and the highways and the transportation infrastructure for another generation. Never before in the history of Ontario have we seen something this ambitious. It’s quite exciting.

To my colleague from Windsor–Tecumseh—and I’ve been down to see him in Windsor–Tecumseh, to see how wonderful his constituency is: Shovels are already in the ground to expand Highway 3, with planning well under way to build a new interchange connecting the 401 to the Lauzon Parkway. I think when I was there, I saw that area, and I know how important it will be for the flow of traffic.

We’re also supporting a new interchange at Banwell Road and the E.C. Row Expressway to support the NextStar Energy EV battery plant. Why is this so important? Anybody can go to St. Thomas to see the area that will help revolutionize what an Ontario of the next generation will look like from our historic investments in EVs, and I have to tell you, it is mammoth; it is on a scale never imagined. And it took the vision and the ambition of Premier Ford to move this forward. It is something to see. I’ve seen this for myself. I’ve been to St. Thomas. I’ve seen the land area, and it’s unbelievable.

To have the third-largest building on the entire planet in St. Thomas is a testament to the conviction of Premier Ford and Minister Fedeli to actually move this forward, and I really wanted to acknowledge that.

In order to build this envisionment of what our economy will look like, we need to have the infrastructure, and that’s the transportation, as well. That’s why, locally, in the GTA, we are advancing Highway 413, which will provide much better relief to commuters. Others have said it’s not necessary. Others have told us to stop. Others have said, “Wait.

You’re not looking at this with a clear lens.” They’re dead wrong, because we know, unless we have an aspirational dream of seeing people live all over Ontario, to combat our housing shortages, to have the ambitions that members in this Legislature had, to set a target to build homes—you know what? We need the roadways. The roadways will be done and enjoyed by generations to come, and I’m proud of that.

In Niagara region—all we have to do is see the commute from Toronto to Niagara, and we know it’s already congested, because people want to live there. Houses are being built there. Hospitals are being built there. That’s why we’re moving forward with the QEW Garden City Skyway bridge twinning project, and I’m really proud of that.

We’re replacing a bridge that I myself have been to, in Little Current—the swing bridge on Manitoulin Island. I’ve been on that bridge, and I’m happy that our government is announcing we’re replacing that, as well.

In northern Ontario, we’re making infrastructure improvements on the roadways. We’re doing this absolutely everywhere.

The other thing that I want to comment on, that I think is very important as we look to the future is, how do we envision the other infrastructures that are required to build homes? You need roadways, but you also need the critical infrastructure, and the Minister of Infrastructure and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing have spoken to this. That’s why we’re not stopping. Again, we are not stopping.

The member from Mushkegowuk–James Bay spoke passionately about communities in his riding. I’ve been to some of them. He spoke about the sensitivities in the resource sectors, which are absolutely real. Governments can’t control commodity prices. If we could, then we’d have a lot more certainty. But we are a government that believes in free enterprise, and the markets dictate commodity prices. But governments have to be there to provide the support as well when we have the fluctuations that provide uncertainty for communities.

I do believe, very much so, that our government has stood up—has stood up for the communities in Hearst, has stood up for the communities in Kapuskasing, has stood up for the communities in Thunder Bay and in Sault Ste. Marie. I’ve had the privilege of visiting some of these communities myself, and I know how important they are to the fabric of Ontario.

I sit right next to the minister of northern affairs. Our government believes the north is important to the south of Ontario. This is important, and that’s why, as a member of provincial Parliament from the greater Toronto area, one of the greatest privileges I have had is to tour the north to see for myself.

Our investments that we’re making are important, are historic and will leave lasting benefit to the communities. The $50 million for northern and rural communities to recruit and retain health care workers is important. The $45 million over three years to enhance the Northern Health Travel Grant is important. We have to look seriously to make sure that health care is provided to everyone in Ontario. The Minister of Health and Deputy Premier has said that everyone who has an OHIP card, that is their proof of payment, and that is important. That’s why our government continues to make record investments in the health care system.

Madam Speaker, if it’s okay with you, I want to give a shout-out to the Humber River hospital in my own riding of York Centre because I see how transformational this hospital has been to our local community. I see the passion in the people that work there. I see the fact that this is one of our first digital hospitals, a hospital of tomorrow, built to help communities like mine today.

Whether we’re talking about assisting with over $128 million to help enrolment in nursing spaces, to have more nurses graduate—we’re building new medical schools. We’re dealing with the fact that the investments we need to make in mental health and addictions are the largest in the history of Ontario, over $400 million over three years. I’m proud to sit alongside Ontario’s first Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. How important is this, that the topic of such serious concern is represented by a person in our cabinet? I think this is very important.

We’re going to continue in new special education projects. We’re going to continue to make investments, especially—and I want to go back to public safety because there’s one thing that’s very important. Just as the people who think it’s okay to steal our cars at 5 a.m., to knock down our doors and to demand our keys—and you know what? It’s not acceptable. That is why the government came forward with a $51-million auto theft grant. And now, in this budget, in Bill 180, we’re now announcing monies to support police services across Ontario by having aerial support and purchasing new helicopters for the GTHA, as an example. This is very, very important.

I want to also give a special shout-out to our firefighters. Between our firefighters, I have to tell you, it has been an honour of a lifetime to stop the car—as I like to say—and visit fire halls.

We listened to the stakeholders at the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs. We listened to the stakeholders of the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association, the OPFFA. I want to give a shout-out to Deputy Chief Rob Grimwood, from Mississauga, and the president of the OPFFA, Greg Horton. These are amazing people. We talked about what we can do to help the fire services, and we came forward in this budget to provide $30 million so that, through a grant-based program, fire services can have the protective equipment. This is very important.

Et pour moi, madame la Présidente, c’est personnel.

I am so happy that our government reimagined not only our province—go back to 1967. For some members around the Legislature—I don’t want to age them, but the member from Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke will have a better, clearer memory than I or the member from Eglinton–Lawrence will have—because we’re the same age. What did Ontario in 1967 envision the Ontario of 2024 to look like? We said it should be a place to grow, a place to stand and a place to grow.

I think our government, under the leadership of Premier Ford, has provided that stability, that constancy, the integrity to say we are building an Ontario not only for today—because we’re living today, we need to have it for today—but for tomorrow and generations to follow. It has been a privilege for me to rise to speak on this bill.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): It is now time for questions.

Vous dites que vous êtes à l’écoute du monde du Nord.

Si « à l’écoute » c’est qu’on a une communauté comme Hearst où 70 % de la communauté sont orphelins, n’ont pas de médecin de famille; si c’est « à l’écoute » des gens du Nord quand, en 2022, vous avez fait une annonce pour plus de lits et un nouveau foyer de soins de longue durée, qui était supposé d’être bâti en 2025 et qui n’est toujours pas bâti, qu’on a des listes d’attente qui ne finissent plus quand ça vient aux soins de longue durée, qu’on voit la situation dont j’ai parlé, qu’Extendicare ne veut pas bâtir—et ça, c’est une liste—et le prix du gaz, quand on pourrait le réglementer.

Si ça c’est être « à l’écoute », je ne voudrais pas voir si vous ne nous écoutiez pas, parce que je pense qu’on ne serait pas pire que ce qu’on est. Parce que, comme c’est là, la communauté souffre. Le monde a besoin d’aide et ils s’attendent—

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): Back to the Solicitor General for a response.

L’hon. Michael S. Kerzner: Je voudrais remercier mon collègue pour cette question pertinente.

Health care is important everywhere in the province. I think when we look at the seeds that we’re planting that will help alleviate the doctor shortages across the province, we’re represented by the investments that we are making in medical schools. We need to have more doctors graduate, and the way we’re doing it is, again, envisioning the seriousness in which we believe by building the medical schools. I want to, again, acknowledge the leadership of the Minister of Colleges and Universities and the Minister of Health. But we need these doctors. We need these nurses.

That’s why we’re working tirelessly to make sure that they are here, that they are in our Ontario to serve not only the south but the north as well.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): Further questions?

Mr. John Yakabuski: I want to thank the Solicitor General for his address this morning. That was really fantastic. It just shows how you are into the job that you are doing and the work you’re doing for those that you represent.

Recently, I spoke to a gentleman in my riding, a lifetime Liberal, who said this budget was a great budget on the part of Premier Ford and the Ontario government—not so happy with the federal government. I was subsequently speaking to a fire chief who said no government has done more to stand up for firefighters than our government, under Minister Kerzner.

Minister, could you elaborate on some of the things that we’ve done for firefighters here in the province of Ontario under your leadership?

Hon. Michael S. Kerzner: I’ll start by saying we’re treating the firefighters with respect, the respect that they deserve. And we’re acknowledging the volunteer firefighters as well: the member from Brantford–Brant and Sarnia–Lambton and others who have served in this place who have on their licence the emblem of a volunteer firefighter.

Madam Speaker, when we look at what we’re doing for the firefighters, we’re looking at treating them with respect; as an example, by changing the rules of inclusivity for those who have suffered esophageal cancer on the presumptive cancer elements. We have to treat them with respect, and that’s why the Fire Protection Grant will go a long way to make sure smaller services have the equipment that they need.

I’m listening to the stakeholders every single day, and just in the last 24 hours, I’ve spoken to both of them and I’m asking them, “What are we doing in 2025? What are your priorities?” So I encourage everyone, stand up for our firefighters.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): Further questions?

Ms. Sandy Shaw: Good morning, Solicitor General. I heard you say, “Everyone’s welfare is important,” and I agree. I’m hoping you will also agree that the welfare of sexual assault survivors is also important in this province. As you will know, almost 3,000 sexual assault cases were thrown out of the justice system due to underfunding.

We had a bill, Lydia’s Law, by Catherine Fife—the MPP for Waterloo’s bill—that was going to bring sexual assault survivors to this House today, and this government discharged that bill directly to committee and didn’t allow those sexual assault survivors the opportunity to be heard.

So while you talk about how you’re tough on crime, and auto thefts are important, I would imagine that the welfare—I mean, these are property crimes, but we’re talking about sexual assault crimes that have allowed sexual assault perpetrators and rapists to go free in our province, and you cannot be happy with that.

Hon. Michael S. Kerzner: No, we’re not happy that anybody feels it’s okay to commit a sexual crime, or any crime. And it’s not okay for human traffickers to feel that they can get away with it either.

Our government is tough on crime. Our government has set a priority that there is no crime, there is no form of criminality that we will accept.

To those victims and to the survivors, we are very, very empathetic and we’re sincere in saying that what you went through is not acceptable. That’s why we’re making investments to support victim services. That’s why we’re making sure there is education at the Ontario Police College. And that’s why we will always stand up for the survivors and victims who have been victimized so inappropriately.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): Further questions?

M me Dawn Gallagher Murphy: Je suis contente que notre gouvernement reconnaisse l’augmentation inquiétante de la criminalité que nous observons se dérouler dans nos communautés. Même dans ma propre communauté, mes électeurs expriment leurs inquiétudes quant à la sécurité de leurs quartiers. J’ai organisé, et je sais bien que le ministre le sait, dans la mairie avec des membres de la communauté et notre police à la région de York—parce qu’il y a une augmentation de la criminalité dans nos quartiers.

Donc, ma question pour le ministre, s’il peut nous raconter: qu’est-ce que c’est, dans le budget de 2024, qui va garder et protéger nos membres de nos communautés?

L’hon. Michael S. Kerzner: Je voudrais remercier ma collègue pour cette question excellente. Comme je l’ai dit récemment lors de la conférence à Ottawa sur le vol de voitures, je prends la sécurité publique très au sérieux. Nous sommes préoccupés par l’augmentation récente de vols de voiture.

Madam Speaker, our communities matter. Our government is not stopping with investments in public safety. Whether that’s the $51 million to fight auto theft or the monies that we’re committing to buy the helicopters, we are taking public safety to a whole new level. And I’ll tell you why: Because everyone in their community has an equal right to live safe in it.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): Further questions?

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: Yesterday, Conservatives used the rules of this House to silence women, to ignore survivors and to shut down debate, sending Lydia’s Law to committee to die. Is the Solicitor General against having the Attorney General report on criminal sexual assault cases that have been held up, analyze the reasons for the delays and address them?

Hon. Michael S. Kerzner: Madam Speaker, we’re here in a Legislature, in a public Parliament of democracy, and part of the democracy is the committee process. When we go to committee—I was at the committee last week on the PUPS bill. People from the opposition asked me questions on the PUPS bill. That was their right.

So I’ll say it again, and to the member who asked the question prior: When it comes to supporting people who have been so brutally victimized, we take this matter seriously. We’ll make the investments in victim services, as we have done. We’ll work across the different ministries to make sure it’s an all-of-government approach. We’ll teach the education at the Ontario Police College. And we will not stop until everyone who feels it is okay to commit these crimes is behind bars.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): We are out of time for questions and answers.

We will continue debate.

Ms. Sandy Shaw: It is my honour to speak to this budget this morning. I want to start my debate to say that, based on the government’s own numbers, you are spending big. I mean, it’s right here in your own budget. This is a budget that has increased the debt and the deficit to extraordinary measures. In fact, this is the most indebted the province of Ontario has ever been.

By your own numbers, this government is paying more interest on the debt than ever before. This government has a net debt-to-GDP that is approaching 40%, which actually doesn’t even meet your own numbers. And so, this ratio—how much debt you owe to how much the province is earning, the GDP—is higher than when Kathleen Wynne left office.

So let’s be clear: Your government is indebted. I would say you are now the most indebted sub-sovereign government in North America. Currently, you have a $9.8-billion operating deficit. Your total net debt is $439 billion. That is your current net debt, and that has grown under your government since 2018 by almost $200 billion, so you are piling debt upon debt on the backs of our future generations.

But let me be clear: What are you spending this on? Because you are also underspending in every category that is important to people. When we look at health care, this government spends the least for every individual in Canada on health care. You’re pulling up the rear when it comes to spending on health care. In education, you’re spending the least in the provinces of Canada. All of these things that people rely on—health care, education, the social services that we all rely on—you are underspending. So you have this huge debt and deficit, but you’re not spending it on people, so where is this money going?

And I would just like to say that it’s quite obvious that this government is not working for the people, they are working for the insiders. They are working for connected donors of the Premier, the developers who went to Vegas and got massages, the developers it was identified that you gave preferential treatment to. That’s who you’re spending your cash on.

You’re also going to spend almost $15 billion on a highway, Highway 413, that nobody really wants except those developers whose land in and around the 413 was going to skyrocket in price, never mind all of the interchanges that will host Costcos and Home Depots. All of that is working for your insiders, but we know, by your own numbers, you are underspending on health care, education and social services.

But let’s go back to where you’re also spending, because the member from Ottawa South talks a lot about the gravy train, and I just have to say that it bears up, what he says, because now we see a Premier’s office that has ballooned in spending—ballooned in spending. There seems to be no limit on the spending when it comes to the Premier’s office. In the Premier’s office, there are 48 staff who are on the sunshine list—48. They’re earning a combined $6.9 million. That’s 48 people, up from 20 in 2019—so, yes, no problem spending money on your insiders.

We also see appointments to boards, to positions and lobbyists that were previous employees of the Premier or who were the friends of the Premier, like Dean French, like Jenni Byrne, like Ron Taverner, who now are receiving exceptional salaries in public appointments. That’s more taxpayer dollars—so absolutely no compunction, no problem spending money—

Mrs. Robin Martin: Point of order.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): I apologize to the member from Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas.

I recognize the member for Eglinton–Lawrence.

Mrs. Robin Martin: I’d like to suggest that the member is actually talking about imputing motive and ask that, pursuant to standing order 25(i), the member from Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas return to the subject matter of the bill and that she not talk about imputing motives. She’s actually said “the Premier” several times in her allegations of motives.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): I will allow the member from Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas to continue.

Ms. Sandy Shaw: Thank you very much, Speaker. Yes, I have mentioned the Premier a number of times because this is the Premier’s budget that I’m quoting from. Through the Chair, I am actually referring to the budget. I’m actually just quoting directly from the debt measures that the government uses that they are not meeting. I’m actually quoting from the consolidated finances of the province’s budget that show exactly how indebted this government is.

In fact, to the member from Eglinton–Lawrence—she may not like to hear the facts and the figures, but unfortunately, they come directly from your own budget. I don’t know what point of order that you are referring to, but when I’m talking directly about your spending and your budget, and I’m reading directly from the charts—

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): I will remind the member from Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas not to use props.

Ms. Sandy Shaw: Speaker, through you, I agree with you that this budget is a prop. I would agree with you on that one, absolutely.

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): I will ask the members to come to order.

Ms. Sandy Shaw: I got a tiny little giggle over there, Speaker, just a tiny little giggle.

Interjections.

Ms. Sandy Shaw: I see I’ve hit a nerve, because this government likes to say that they are fiscally responsible, and their own budget numbers show that you are spending big in the province. The people of Ontario will eventually—or are seeing through. You know why they’re seeing through? Because in our schools, breakfast—

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): The government side will come to order.

Ms. Sandy Shaw: I don’t know what’s going on with the government side this morning. If they are ashamed of the performance of this government, heckling me is not going to change it. I suggest that you have more influence on the Premier and cabinet and put in measures that will actually make you proud of this budget, because quite clearly, you’re ashamed of this.

Evidence that this budget shortchanges the people of province of Ontario: Student nutrition programs are being cancelled all across Ontario—feeding kids. In Hamilton, at a high school in my riding, Westdale, they have a Bring Back Breakfast program that is aimed to make sure kids aren’t going to school hungry. They served over 45,000 meals last year by fundraising through volunteers, but because of the one-time cut of the provincial funding, they have had to close this. We thankfully have the Bulldogs Foundation that will fill the gap for hungry kids, but this is something that I think should be the responsibility of the government, not fundraisers and not private foundations.

I also want to say, shamefully, that patients are now being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, metastasized cancer, in emergency rooms. Dr. Grewal said, “The emergency department is a terrible place to receive this type of diagnosis.”

Why is this happening? I’ll tell you why this is happening. Again, from the government’s own numbers, comparing 2023 interim actuals with this budget, the government plans to spend $1 billion less on health care at a time when we’re seeing longer wait times in hospitals, ER closures and patients being diagnosed with cancer in emergency rooms. Imagine if that happened to one of your loved ones—but I’m sure it won’t, because you’ve got the inside track.

Finally, I have to talk about Lydia’s Law and funding for the justice system in this province. As we know, there were almost 3,000 sexual assault cases between 2022 and 2023 thrown out of court because of the underfunding of the justice system. Now, you have a billion-dollar courtroom, but unfortunately you don’t have any staff in that courtroom. So how is this the case? How is that a good use of taxpayer funding?

What I want to say is, we had a bill yesterday that was going to bring attention to the lack of funding in this justice system. The member from Waterloo, Catherine Fife, her Lydia’s Law—she had almost 100-plus women that were going to come and talk about their experience of being—

Interjection.

Ms. Sandy Shaw: I would think that the member from Eglinton–Lawrence would like to repeat what she just said on the record. Would you like to repeat that on the record?

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): I will ask the member to address her questions through the Chair and remind her not to use names but rather references to members, prior to that—just the riding—and for the government side to please come to order.

Ms. Sandy Shaw: Thank you, Speaker.

So, in the short time that I have left, despite the interjections—which I can only assume are because this is an uncomfortable subject for the government because we know that this government has failed women and continues to fail women. It took you years, kicking and screaming, to maybe consider declaring intimate partner violence as an epidemic in this province.

Oh, and we had a bill coming forward that was a very proactive bill that would represent the women who didn’t have justice served to them in your justice system, then you discharged that bill—the second time they have been denied justice by this government.

You talk tough on crime, but you’re more concerned with Land Rovers than you are concerned with victims of sexual assault in this province. It’s shameful. So I would suggest that you need to look at this budget through the lens of sexual assault survivors, through people that are seeking justice from this government and are denied time and time and time again.

What I would like to end with is by saying, what does this government really have against women? Because we see you underfunding women’s services time and time again. You’ve cut sexual assault agencies, their funding. You did not want to declare intimate partner violence as an epidemic in this program. You spend all kinds of money on highways and helicopters, but you are allowing rapists and sexual assault perpetrators to walk free. You’re denying them justice, and you use this Legislature to victimize women and sexual assault survivors a second time.

So I would say—

Interjection.

Ms. Sandy Shaw: The member from Eglinton–Lawrence: “Oh, the humanity”—absolutely. This is about humanity. I think that you saying, “Oh, the humanity” is exactly the case. You should show your humanity in this House and bring forward a budget that keeps women and sexual assault survivors safe in this province.

Let me once again say how absolutely outraged and disappointed this side, the opposition and women and women’s agencies across the province are in your cowardly move to shut down debate in this Legislature—

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): I have to apologize to the member from Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas. It’s now time for members’ statements.

Third reading debate deemed adjourned.

Members’ Statements

Mother’s Day

Mr. Billy Pang: Speaker, I’m delighted to share with the House a heartwarming celebration of Mother’s Day from my riding of Markham–Unionville.

This Mother’s Day, I introduced a special certificate to recognize the outstanding mothers in our community. The response was overwhelming. We received numerous nominations from individuals, families and organizations, all eager to celebrate their mothers, wives, grandmothers and sisters. It was a wonderful opportunity to honour the incredible women who build and nurture our community through their love for their children and families. This initiative served not only as a celebration but as a vivid reminder of the unique and unconditional nature of a mother’s love. It highlighted the resilience, care and selflessness that define the amazing mothers among us.

I’m grateful for the enthusiastic participation from the families in Markham–Unionville. Their engagement has made this Mother’s Day truly memorable. Such community spirit reinforces the values that strengthen Ontario and supports the fabric of our shared lives. Let’s continue to celebrate and support the pivotal role of mothers in our communities, not just on Mother’s Day but every day.

City of Port Colborne

Mr. Jeff Burch: Residents of the city of Port Colborne commemorated the 15th anniversary of its designation as a fair trade town last week at the farmers’ market. Port Colborne was the first municipality in Ontario to achieve this certification in 2009. Now, over 2.1 million Canadians reside in 16 fair trade towns across the country.

According to the Fair Trade Programs, “Becoming designated as a fair trade town is a great way to unite your local population with the global community of fair trade advocates by making a commitment to support the principles of fair trade through ethical and sustainable purchasing choices.”

At the annual Top Hat Ceremony, which signifies the opening of the Welland Canal and the start of shipping season, the city’s fair trade committee and its members host the popular fair trade pancake breakfast every year as the first ship passes through the canal. Those looking to support Port Colborne’s fair trade should visit the local market at 59 Charlotte Street every Friday from 7 to 12 p.m.

Speaker, I would be remiss if I didn’t congratulate all levels of government, the city of Port Colborne and Niagara’s project team in landing a $1.6-billion lithium ion battery separator plant investment announced yesterday—great news on a productive Niagara Week here at the Ontario Legislature.

Cornwall Curling Club

Mr. Nolan Quinn: This weekend, I attended the Cornwall Curling Centre’s Italian night fundraiser. The sold-out venue of 300 supporters enjoyed a delicious six-course meal, lots of wine and live music by the County Lads on the curling pads. The overwhelming support of this evening allowed the Cornwall Curling Centre to donate funds to each of their two teams headed to the seniors’ nationals this August in Quebec City.

The Cornwall Curling Club is one of the oldest curling clubs in Ontario. The earliest recorded curling activity in and around the Cornwall area was in the 1850s. In its initial stages, curling was played on the St. Lawrence River. Our curlers now enjoy six beautiful sheets of ice, where curlers of all ages enjoy the great sport. The centre offers a large variety of leagues that accommodate a wide range of curlers. Whether you’re a recreational player or a competitive one, if you’re six or 96 or anywhere in between, the Cornwall Curling Club has a league for you.

I cannot stress the importance of the club in our community. It is a place where our seniors go to keep active and socialize. The sport of curling is also thriving with our youth.

Curling is a game of strategy, finesse and strength, which brings our community together. I would like to invite anyone who is interested in seeing some of the world’s best curlers to come to the Shorty Jenkins Classic that is held every September in Cornwall. Last year, the classic welcomed some of the best curlers in the world. I look forward to this year’s classic and hope to see some of you there.

Sexual violence and harassment

Ms. Catherine Fife: This afternoon, we were supposed to be debating my private member’s bill, Lydia’s Law, and this government chose to silence the voice of survivors.

The justice system is failing survivors, especially of sexual violence. In 2022 alone, 1,326 cases of sexual assault were thrown out before the trial date. Behind this number are survivors who will not get their day in court.

For a government that claims to be “tough on crime,” this government has denied justice to so many survivors and their loved ones. They have deliberately starved the justice system. For the survivors who have the courage to come forward, court backlogs, unavailable courtrooms and staffing shortages mean that many do not get their day in court and never see justice.

A few years ago I received a desperate call from Lydia’s mum. She was reaching out to help her daughter. She told me, “My daughter was sexually assaulted. One of the bravest things she ever did was come forward about it and file a police report.”

Lydia asks this Legislature, “How do we expert young girls and women to have faith in the system? Why would they report, knowing how painful the court experience is?”

Our goal with this bill is to answer Lydia’s question of what can we do to help, so that Ontario’s justice system no longer fails survivors, because every survivor deserves justice. They say you can curse the darkness or light a candle. Lydia’s Law was that candle.

Mother’s Day

Mr. Amarjot Sandhu: This past weekend, on May 12, we celebrated Mother’s Day. On Mother’s Day, we recognize the immeasurable contributions that mothers make to our lives and society as a whole. Mothers play a vital role in shaping our world, not only through their nurturing and guidance within families, but also their influence as leaders, educators and contributors in all aspects of society. Mother’s Day provides us with an opportunity to express our gratitude for the love, sacrifice and unwavering support that mothers offer every day. It is a day to honour their resilience, strength, courage and boundless love.

As we celebrate Mother’s Day, let us also recognize the progress we have made in supporting mothers and families, while acknowledging the ongoing challenges they face. It’s essential that we continue working towards creating a society where every mother is empowered to fulfill her potential and thrive.

Speaker, on this special day, let us come together to celebrate the invaluable contributions made by mothers to make this world a better place to live, and let’s cherish their invaluable role in our lives. Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible mothers out there.

Mental health services

Ms. Jennifer K. French: Each one of us is on a personal mental health journey. We all face different challenges at different times. Through the years, there has often been stigma associated with mental health. We’ve made great strides in overcoming that stigma, but this is only a piece of the puzzle.

What is most important is ensuring that someone who is struggling in this province has the resources and supports they need. Building a robust and accessible mental health system—one without wait-lists or financial barriers—is the work that remains ahead of all of us. Whether it is a crisis of acute mental distress or a lifelong struggle to find balance, we all deserve a government that funds the resources we need when we need them.

In Durham region, we are very fortunate to have strong voices who advocate for mental health and youth mental wellness. I am happy to welcome Mike Shoreman back to Queen’s Park. Folks here will know Mike as the adventurous spirit who overcame physical and mental obstacles to become the first person with disabilities to cross the five Great Lakes by stand-up paddleboard. Across Lakes Erie, Huron, Superior, Michigan and Ontario, Mike used his platform to sound the alarm on the youth mental health crisis in Canada, and he has not stopped.

Young people are consistently facing barriers to the mental health care that they deserve. When youth have the courage to reach out, Ontario needs to be there with the excellent professional care and support that we are capable of providing.

For Mental Health Week 2024, the CMHA chose the theme of compassion, the kindness which connects us all. So I call on the government to recognize the power of compassion and invest in the mental well-being of all young Ontarians.

Riding of Scarborough Centre

Mr. David Smith: While spring is here and summer is approaching, I’d like to share the beauty of my Scarborough Centre riding and five great ways to experience its diverse culture and richness:

The Aga Khan Museum showcases Islamic art, culture and heritage through its extensive collection and engaging exhibits;

Thomson Memorial Park’s beautiful vegetation and historic charm provide a peaceful atmosphere;

Discover the new Scarborough Town Centre for a variety of shopping options;

The Scarborough historical museum provides insights into the area; and

Finally, savour culinary delicacies from all over the world in the bustling Kennedy, Lawrence and Eglinton Avenue road strip, which is home to a variety of ethnic restaurants and cafés.

As the elected representative for Scarborough Centre, it is my pleasure to welcome all, on behalf of my constituents, organizations and businesses, to explore the richness of our offerings, where we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Taste of Lawrence block party, which will take place from July 7th to the 9th, Scarborough Ribfest in Thomson park and my grand annual community picnic and barbecue. All are invited. I look forward to seeing you there.

Health care funding

Mr. Adil Shamji: In Don Valley East, thousands of people do not have a family doctor. Meanwhile, my riding has hundreds of foreign-trained doctors who can’t get credentialed in Ontario—doctors who are forced to sit on the sidelines when they should be on the front lines.

Our local hospital, Michael Garron Hospital, is bursting above capacity. We have insufficient acute care beds to meet our current needs, let alone the projected needs, as my riding sees unprecedented development around the intersection of two new public transit lines. We’re in desperate need of funding for expansions and upgrades, and we’re not getting it.

But if the situation is dire in Don Valley East, it’s worse in northern and rural Ontario. Even fewer have access to primary care, and hospitals are collapsing one by one: Minden, Muskoka, Strathroy Middlesex and now Durham hospital.

It started with sporadic ER closures then more regular ones. Now, their emergency room is only open 12 hours a day. This is because this government has ushered in the worst health care worker shortage in our province’s history, and last week, the Minister of Health had the audacity to say she’s not concerned about it.

Now it has suddenly been announced that all of Durham hospital’s in-patient beds will be removed in a couple of weeks—no warning, no consultation and no conversation. Today, the mayor of the municipality of West Grey and over 60 Durham residents have travelled to Queen’s Park to express their opposition to this decision, which will compromise diagnostic testing, cause doctors to leave and put patient care at risk.

Mr. Speaker, the people of northern and rural Ontario and across our province deserve a government that will protect their health care system and give them answers. Fully fund health care and stop the closures.

Jewish and Asian communities

Ms. Laura Smith: May is Jewish and Asian Heritage Month. It’s time to recognize both Jewish and Asian communities and their significant role in developing Thornhill, Ontario, and Canada as a whole. They have been one of the largest communities in my riding of Thornhill, and the Asian community is actually—we have one of the largest in Ontario. But, Speaker, there are so many ways where both communities intersect.

This week, I attended the opening of the Cultural Canvas exhibition, Jewish and Chinese Perspectives. It showcased amazing local artists, including a musical duo composed of a classical guitarist and a traditional pipa, also known as a Chinese musical lute. The two musicians have been playing together for years, seamlessly harmonizing the two distinct instruments.

The historical connection between the Jewish and Asian communities dates back centuries. For instance, there has been a long-standing Jewish presence in China, with records indicating the arrival of Jewish merchants and settlers during the ancient times. Additionally, during World War II, Shanghai served as a safe haven for thousands of Jewish refugees fleeing persecution in Europe. In fact, Jewish people living in the city of Kaifeng prayed in their synagogue in both Hebrew and Mandarin.

I want to thank the Successful Woman Council, along with the Jewish Women’s Club, for putting this amazing and unique experience forward. This exhibit is now featured at the Bathurst Clark Resource Library in Thornhill.

In a world that often emphasizes our differences, it’s crucial to remember the strength that comes from standing united.

First responders

Mr. John Yakabuski: It was a great day on May 1 in the city of Pembroke in Riverside Park on the shores of the majestic Ottawa River, such that the services of the Reverend Dave Henderson, the local town crier, kicked off the ceremony with his customary, “Oyez, oyez.” It was there that the former Fred Blackstein Boulevard was renamed First Responders Way.

May 1 was of course chosen to correspond with First Responders Day here in the province of Ontario. Fred Blackstein, a member of the Order of Canada, had approached the city earlier this year and suggested his name be removed from the street and the street be renamed in honour of first responders. I could go on for hours about the contributions of Mr. Blackstein, but this just serves as another example of his selflessness.

The ceremony was well attended by members of the public and representatives of each group of first responders that we depend on so greatly each and every day. Whether it is police, fire, paramedics, ER doctors or nurses and, of course, our military, it is the dedication and commitment of our first responders that allow us to feel safe during the day and sleep better at night knowing they have our back. For most of us, what they do every single day goes largely unnoticed until we need them, but it is tremendously comforting to know that if the situation calls for it, they will be there.

I want to thank the city of Pembroke for making this happen and, of course, Mr. Blackstein for his kind gesture. But above everything else, I want to thank each and every one of our first responders for their unwavering commitment to making our lives safer and better. This renaming in Pembroke recognizes that in a tangible way.

Introduction of Visitors

Mr. Rick Byers: Good morning, Mr. Speaker and good morning, colleagues. It’s my pleasure to welcome the mayor of West Grey, Kevin Eccles, to the Legislature as well as many, many residents of that beautiful town in Durham in my riding. Welcome to the Legislature. It’s a pleasure to have you here today.

M me France Gélinas: I also want to welcome some good people from Durham, Dawn McNab and Kris Kennedy, who are the co-chairs of the Save the Durham Hospital committee, as well as everybody else who came to join us. Thank you for being here.

Mr. John Jordan: I want to introduce members from Beef Farmers of Ontario: Joe Dickenson, Jim Whitley, Thomas Brandstetter, Evan Chaffe and thank Craig McLaughlin, president, for the meeting earlier this morning. Thank you for all you do to grow Ontario’s beef industry. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Jeff Burch: I’d like to congratulate page captain Antonio Geremia from Niagara Centre for a job well done and welcome his parents, Kerri-Ann and Mario Geremia, to the Legislature. I look forward to having lunch with them this afternoon.

Mr. Stéphane Sarrazin: I would like to welcome Mr. Ross MacDonald to the Legislature today. Mr. Ross MacDonald is page Lise MacDonald’s grandfather. Lise and her grandfather are not from my riding, but Lise’s father, Anthony MacDonald, is a family physician in the town of Plantagenet in my riding. I had the opportunity to meet several times with Dr. MacDonald. He’s probably assisting patients at the Prescott and Russell long-term-care facility as we speak.

Again, I would like to welcome to Queen’s Park Mr. MacDonald. I have to say, he must be really proud of his son and his granddaughter.

Ms. Jennifer K. French: I’m very pleased to welcome Mike Shoreman to Queen’s Park. Mike was the first person with disabilities to cross the five Great Lakes by stand-up paddleboard—folks know him for that—but he’s also an excellent advocate for mental health and a great public speaker. We’re glad to welcome him back to Queen’s Park. Welcome back.

Mr. Amarjot Sandhu: I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the members of Delhi Chandigarh Elite Indian Community. Please bear with me, Mr. Speaker, it’s a long list: Gaurav Shrivastava founder and CEO, Munish Wadhwa, Lalit Keram, Devyansh Kaura, Sanjeev Sharma, Neeraj Tripathi, Rajan Sethi, Vikram Dhawan, Sherwin Trindade, Sumati Makhija, Ekta Wadhwa, Heena Siddiqi, Harsimranjit Walia, Malika Narang, Nisha Sawhney and Kanika Grover. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: I had a great meeting this morning with MPP Burch. As well, in attendance were CAO Ron Tripp from the Niagara region, regional chair Jim Bradley, Daryl Barnhart, Adrienne Jugley, Mark Rupcic and Rachael Ball-Condron. Thank you for the meeting; we had a great time. Welcome to your House.

Hon. Greg Rickford: Today, in the members’ gallery, we are joined by Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill, an amazing leader for Six Nations of the Grand River. They’re holding a reception today as part of their lobby day. We welcome them to this magnificent place. Colleagues, I ask you to drop by rooms 228 and 230 at lunch time to say hello and join us.

Mr. Adil Shamji: This morning, I’d like to welcome Kevin Eccles, the mayor of the municipality of West Grey; Dawn McNab; Kris Kennedy; Dennis Graham; Lucretia Schafer; and the over 60 people who are here and belong to the coalition to save Durham hospital.

Hon. Kinga Surma: I have students from St. Demetrius and staff and volunteers here today to tour Queen’s Park whom I’ll get a chance to speak with and meet, so, of course, I would like to welcome them to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Catherine Fife: I would like to welcome, from my riding of Waterloo, Sara Casselman, who’s the executive director of the sexual assault support centre. Welcome to your House, Sara, and thank you for participating in the press conference.

Mr. Graham McGregor: I see my buddy Jonny Stathakos in the visitors’ gallery, but I’ve got a special guest here in the Speaker’s gallery. I think he’s here to apologize to the opposition for the son he’s unleashed on the Legislature. But please join me in welcoming my father, Duncan McGregor.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): If there are no objections, I’d like to continue with introduction of visitors. I heard a no.

I recognize the Leader of the Opposition on a point of order.

Ms. Marit Stiles: I seek unanimous consent that, notwithstanding standing order 100(e), the member for Waterloo be permitted to designate private members’ notice of motion number 110 as ballot item number 13 to be debated today.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Leader of the Opposition is seeking the unanimous consent of the House that, notwithstanding order 100(e), the member for Waterloo be permitted to designate private members’ notice of motion number 110 as ballot item number 13 to be debated today. Agreed? I heard a no.

Question Period

Sexual violence and harassment

Ms. Marit Stiles: Women have been silenced in the courts and, yesterday, women were silenced in this House. The MPP for Waterloo tabled Lydia’s Law, which would have helped increase accountability and transparency in the handling of sexual assault cases in Ontario. The government shut it down.

Hundreds of survivors and advocates and crisis support workers were expecting a chance to get answers on why this government has allowed so many sexual assault cases to be dismissed before trial. More than 1,300 cases of sexual assault in 2022 alone never saw a trial because the court system is so deeply underfunded and overwhelmed. Those are not just numbers, Speaker, these are survivors—survivors who are not going to get a shot at justice.

So to the Premier: Why are you silencing survivors of sexual assault who deserve justice from our legal system?

Interjections.

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

Government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. As the Leader of the Opposition would know, what we voted on yesterday was, in principle, sending the bill directly to a committee of the Legislature. In fact, all Progressive Conservatives, and I would suggest that probably all members of this House, wanted to see that bill sent directly to committee so that it could be part of the study that the justice committee is doing on intimate partner violence.

I remind the Legislature that this Legislature agreed that we should study that and come back with comprehensive recommendations on how we can provide better services to victims of intimate partner violence. As you know, a former crown prosecutor is leading those efforts on behalf of the government side at committee. It is certainly my expectation that that committee will continue to do really good work and bring back recommendations here, and that we can provide real solutions for those—

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

The supplementary question? The member for Waterloo.

Ms. Catherine Fife: The House leader knows full well that if the government was going to vote for that bill, it would have ended up in justice committee anyway.

Months ago, a young woman named Lydia and her mother came to me and they shared their experience of navigating Ontario’s broken justice system. It took Lydia two years to get justice. She told me that she did not want any other survivor to go through what she went through and asked what I could do to help. I learned through stakeholder consultations just how broken and underfunded and retraumatizing the justice system is for survivors.

Lydia’s story represents the story of so many survivors in Ontario. Speaker, sexual violence disproportionately impacts women, girls and gender-diverse people.

To the Attorney General: You have silenced survivors in the court system, and now you are silencing female voices in the Legislature. What are you hiding from?

Interjections.

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

I remind members to make their comments through the Chair.

Government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Again, in her opening comments, the member opposite frankly identifies that the bill would go to the exact same committee that we expedited the bill to yesterday. We were very clear that we thought that there are very important elements in the private member’s bill that the member brought forward.

But we’re undertaking right now a very comprehensive study into the challenges facing victims of intimate partner violence. The justice committee, which is, on our part, being led by a former crown prosecutor, is to provide recommendations to this Legislature, to the government, on how we can make the system better, how we can make those who provide services for victims of intimate partner violence better, how we can improve the justice system. We want to also ensure that the federal government understands how important this issue is to the people of the province of Ontario.

We’re not silencing anyone, Mr. Speaker. In fact, what we’re doing is showing how important it is and expediting that work, and the committee will continue to do that work.

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

Ms. Catherine Fife: Debate in this House is a key part of our democracy. Lydia wanted the debate to happen. She wanted to hear from the government. She wanted to hear from us, and she deserved to be heard.

Speaker, if this government won’t listen to me, maybe they’ll listen to Lydia’s mother. She said:

“The most difficult thing a parent can ever experience is watching your child suffer. Throughout the over two-year court process for this trial, my daughter’s mental health suffered immensely ... due to court backlogs.

“With every delay, every setback in court, my daughter’s mental health deteriorated. She was revictimized and traumatized over the course of two years, in which during this period of time the accused (who was found guilty of all charges) was free to live his life”—but not Lydia.

To the Attorney General: Why are you attempting to silence voices like these and trying to prevent them from getting the justice that they deserve in this Legislature, in this province?

Interjections.

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

Again, I remind members to make their comments through the Chair.

Government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: To be clear, Mr. Speaker, I thought it was very important that that bill be referred directly to committee because we are undertaking a very in-depth study on intimate partner violence through the justice committee of the Legislative Assembly. As I’ve said, the member for Kitchener South–Hespeler, a former crown prosecutor, is leading the efforts on behalf of the government of Ontario on that committee.

What we want to see is, what are the obstacles that are being faced? We know that there are obstacles in the courts because the federal government seems somehow unable to appoint judges to the bench, which is causing delays, but there’s more to it than that, Mr. Speaker. We want to talk to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. We want to talk to the minister of family and children’s services, to the Minister of Housing—across government, to see what obstacles can we remove? How can we work better together? Are there provinces that are doing things better than we are doing?

And how can we make changes that will provide victims of intimate partner violence real, real change so that they can move forward?

Health care

Ms. Marit Stiles: I’ll tell you, Speaker, no one is buying that. No one is buying what they’re selling, I’ll tell you. I cannot tell you how disappointing this is for everybody here.

Let’s talk about another disappointing issue. While the Minister of Health dismisses and minimizes the doctor shortage in this province, the CEO and president of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, CHEO, says that their hospital has lost dozens of pediatric physicians since this government took office. CHEO is struggling to provide the early intervention that our kids need, and we know that it makes a world of difference for our children.

Does the Premier agree with his minister who thinks vacancies at children’s hospitals are not a major concern?

Interjections.

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

The parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Health and the member for Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry.

Mr. Nolan Quinn: Ontario has some of the shortest wait times across the country, but we know there’s more to be done.

That’s why, this last summer, we announced that our government is investing an additional $330 million each year for over 100 high-priority pediatric-care initiatives across the province. I was at that announcement at CHEO, because that is my local hospital, and I will quote the CEO of CHEO—“the biggest children’s health funding announcement in provincial history.” This would help “unleash creative forces of children’s and youth organizations across the province.”

This investment includes hiring more pediatric surgical staff to increase the amount of day surgeries and increase access to diagnostic procedures for children.

Speaker, we’re ensuring children and youth in every corner of this province can connect to the care they need when they need it.

Our increase in pediatric surgeries has been supported by our government doubling pediatric ICU capacity at both McMaster and CHEO.

We’re taking the bold and innovative action to ensure Ontarians can connect to the care they need when and where they need it.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: Speaker, I shouldn’t have to tell this government how unique CHEO is. It has one of only two level 1 pediatric trauma units in Ontario.

Wait times for MRIs and ultrasounds at CHEO are now the longest in Ontario. We have sick little kids transported out of the region, even out of the province, to get care; parents taking time off work; brothers and sisters taking time off school; little kids separated from their families and their friends while they’re getting treatment. Why? Because of the doctor shortage that this government and that minister refuse to even acknowledge, let alone fix.

So back to the Premier: Is this a major enough concern for his minister yet?

Interjections.

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

The member for Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry.

Mr. Nolan Quinn: I’m very proud of the work they’re doing at CHEO, and I’m extremely proud of the extra $330 million that we invested into CHEO last year.

It took Ontario years of neglect by previous governments that were supported by the NDP unfortunately—and we’re fixing those mistakes that they’ve taken.

The Leader of the Opposition actually voted against our historic $330-million investment, but she doesn’t mention that in the House.

Screening and overall surgical wait-lists have declined to below pre-pandemic levels, with nearly 80% of all Ontarians receiving their surgery within the target time.

The number of pediatric surgeries taking place is up by over 30% of what surgeries were last year, with three of the five Ontario pediatric hospitals operating close to or near 100%.

With our Your Health plan, we’re growing our health care workforce to ensure Ontarians can access the care they need now and for years to come.

Speaker, I will remind the House that for a decade, the NDP propped up the Liberals, and that’s why—

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

The final supplementary?

Ms. Marit Stiles: It’s six long years that this government has been in power, and they’re still blaming everybody else for their failures. Just own up to it.

All you need to do is look at their own numbers: 3,000 physician vacancies right now across the province; a growing population; more physicians leaving the province every single day.

Here’s the problem: A child is sick. They can’t get treated because there aren’t enough doctors. Listen to the CEO and president of CHEO, for goodness’ sake.

What I and parents across the entire province are hearing from this Minister of Health is that this is not a major concern—not a major concern. If the people of Ontario cannot trust this minister to acknowledge the extent of the crisis in our primary care system, how can the Premier trust her to solve it?

Mr. Nolan Quinn: Health care workers across the province have not forgotten about Rae Days. I know the Leader of the Opposition really doesn’t like me to bring it up, but she was a staffer in the Rae government, as well as some of their other caucus members.

It does take time to reverse the poor Liberal policies. Unfortunately, the NDP cut the amount of residency seats by 10%. The Liberals cut 50 seats. We are going to continue making those investments that are needed to ensure that our health care system functions properly after 15 years of a Liberal-NDP coalition that put us into this mess in the first place.

Hospital services

Ms. Marit Stiles: Scraping the bottom of the barrel there.

Since this government won’t do anything for CHEO and their physician shortage, let’s talk about Grey county. Local residents are here today in the hope of finally getting some answers from this government. They are losing all of their in-patient beds at Durham hospital, meaning that patients can’t be kept overnight. Not only that, their emergency room is going to be permanently shut after 5 p.m.

We’ve been raising this with the government for years now. The community has experienced rolling closures in Chesley, in Kincardine, in Walkerton and Durham hospitals. For a month, their local councils have been asking the Minister of Health for a meeting—I mean, a call; frankly, any explanation for any of this. But what they got? Silence.

My question is to the Premier: Will the Premier do what the minister will not and commit to meeting with the people of Grey county today?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): To reply? The parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Health, the member for Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry.

Mr. Nolan Quinn: First and foremost, I think it’s worth noting the hard work the member from Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound has been doing on this file, both meeting with his community and the Ministry of Health.

The South Bruce Grey Health Centre is governed by a local board of directors to best serve their local community needs. When reviewing their community needs, they’ve decided to refocus the resources at Durham hospital to primary care and urgent care. This will result in expansion of care beds at Walkerton and Kincardine hospitals as Durham shifts to primary care and urgent care. With many patients in the Durham region community without a family physician, this focus will be imperative.

The South Bruce Grey Health Centre changes will have no impact on the level of care, while retaining the existing staff. These changes will ensure a stable and sustainable health care system that will better serve the local needs. The Ministry of Health, Ontario Health and South Bruce Grey Health Centre will continue to work together for longer-term solutions to health care in South Bruce Grey.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The supplementary question? The member from Nickel Belt.

M me France Gélinas: To make sure that we understand, we’re talking about the town of Durham, not the region. Those good people are here today.

We’ve seen this all before with the closure of Minden hospital last June. This government starved rural hospitals and emergency rooms with chronic underfunding. They blamed the workers. They blamed the community. They blamed everything but themselves. After being ignored and dismissed by this government when the community of Minden asked for help, their local hospital officially closed their doors last June.

The good people of Durham are here today. They are living the same nightmare that Minden lived last year. Will the Premier assure the good people of Durham that their hospital will stay open?

Mr. Nolan Quinn: Let’s be clear, Speaker: We blame the NDP propping up the Liberals for over 10 years as to why we’re in this situation. Our government inherited a health care system under severe pressure due to the actions of the previous Liberal government.

Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government has made record investments into the health care system. Since 2018, we’ve increased the health care budget by over $18 billion, investing over $85 billion into the system this year alone.

Speaker, we will continue to ensure that we have the best publicly funded health care system all across Canada with our investments into our system.

Taxation

M me Dawn Gallagher Murphy: My question is for the Minister of Energy. The inflation affordability concerns Ontarians are facing right now are a direct result of the federal carbon tax. They are paying higher taxes and higher costs for the necessities of life, like food, gas and housing, and it is only getting worse from here. Families need a break.

However, the carbon tax queen Bonnie Crombie and her Liberal caucus are supporting their federal buddies who want to keep punishing Ontarians. That’s unacceptable.

Speaker, can the minister please tell the House how our government is working for the people while the Liberals are punishing them with higher taxes?

Hon. Todd Smith: Thank you to the member opposite for the question this morning.

The federal government has imposed this torturous federal carbon tax on the people of Ontario and the people across Canada, and we know that the queen of the carbon tax, Bonnie Crombie, is happy to have this carbon tax in place. Her counterpart federally, Minister Guilbeault, her buddy on Parliament Hill, has said that the queen of the carbon tax is happy to have that federal carbon tax in place. We know that the caucus here supports that increased tax and what it’s doing to drive up the cost of everything. The NDP supports that tax, and the Green Party leadership here supports that, as well.

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: What’s the plan?

Hon. Todd Smith: They’re asking, “What’s the plan?” The plan is Powering Ontario’s Growth.

I want them to hear this: Last night, I was speaking at the net-zero forum put on by the Transition Accelerator. They applaud our plan, which is reducing emissions and growing our province’s economy.

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

M me Dawn Gallagher Murphy: Thank you to the minister for his response.

Since the introduction of this regressive tax, the cost of people’s everyday essentials has reached a new high. Businesses are raising prices to keep up with costs, families are cutting back on groceries and seniors are worried about being able to afford heating fuel.

Contrary to what the Liberal members in this House believe, the carbon tax is not in the best interests of Ontarians.

People are looking to our government to keep costs low and deliver real energy solutions. Last week, we concluded the largest battery storage procurement in Canada’s history to meet growing electricity demand. Speaker, can the minister please explain why initiatives like this procurement deliver better results than a costly carbon tax?

Hon. Todd Smith: I want to thank the member opposite for the great question.

We are doing a lot. She referenced the massive energy procurement last week for storage. The largest storage facility is actually going to be in the riding of our good member from the riding that’s way too long to mention—the Brockville region. That’s going to ensure that there is secure, reliable electricity in eastern Ontario for future growth, the kind of growth that we saw yesterday, with Asahi Kasei—I said that wrong, but the Minister of Economic Development is going to support me on this. It was an almost $2-billion announcement down in the Niagara region yesterday, building on the $43 billion of new investment that we’ve seen across the province.

Our Powering Ontario’s Growth plan is working. Even the environmental organizations that I met with last night at the Transition Accelerator are endorsing the Powering Ontario’s Growth plan because we’re reducing emissions, providing reliable clean power for our province and watching our economy grow at the same time.

Child care

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: My question is to the Premier. Your government has failed to implement the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care program. Child care operators, stakeholders and advocacy groups have been raising red flags that your minister has not delivered the $10-a-day child care spaces that were promised. Ola, a child care provider, pulled out of the program, citing a broken funding model.

Everyone wants to know where the money is being spent. Your budget doesn’t even mention the words “child care.” Will the Premier commit to requesting the Auditor General provide a full report of government spending on the $10-a-day child care program?

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

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Mr. Speaker, we took action to sign a better deal with the federal government. The members opposite urged this government to sign the first deal available that would have precluded 30% of the market—70,000 spaces.

The member opposite asks me why operators aren’t receiving support, and yet they wanted us to remove the ability of government to fund 30% of our operators, who are for-profit child care owners, often women that run these businesses, often one or two operations. So you’ve got to pick a lane. You can’t argue that we need more capacity and then single-handedly urge the government to deny 30% of families access to this program.

We are standing up for flexibility and affordability. We are delivering on our commitments, but the one challenge we face is the federal government has imposed a ceiling on growth because of an ideological adherence, the same one the NDP seems to champion today.

Stand up for families. Support choice. Every parent in Ontario deserves—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

The supplementary question?

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: That’s not what we’re hearing on this side of the House, and maybe if this government actually listened to some productive changes to the child care file, we’d actually get the spaces built.

Families, Speaker, are paying the price for this minister’s lack of action and his failure to implement the $10-a-day child care spaces. Wait-lists keep growing, and parents can’t access affordable child care.

Families have lost trust in this government’s ability to deliver affordable child care. This government won’t even publicly report on how many of the 41 child care spaces they created in 2019 are subsidized spaces—they won’t even report on that.

This government has not met with their own advisory group on the funding issue since last June. Families and child care providers want to know why this government continues to hide, and when will they finally come up with a funding formula that will work for kids?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Mr. Speaker, our Premier’s commitment to affordable child care is a sharp contrast to the Liberals. When it increased by 500% under former Premier Wynne, it was Premier Ford who delivered a 50% reduction. You want to benchmark success: $6,000 to $10,000 per child in the bank per year, and we’re just at 50%. We’re going to keep going down and keep reducing rates.

We’ve increased tens of thousands of spaces—31,000 spaces within our schools—and members opposite should make it aware to the families watching that you opposed the expansion of spaces and the reduction of fees. You actually would have made it worse. Wait-lists would have been longer because the opposition wants to impose blind adherence to ideology instead of standing up for every single parent in Ontario. And so the opposition should get on board with what every parent instinctively knows: Child care was too expensive under the Liberals, it’s finally more affordable under our Progressive Conservative government.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

I’ll remind the members to make their comments through the Chair.

The next question.

Taxation

Mr. Steve Clark: My question to the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. The Liberals continue to tell Canadians that their carbon tax is the only way to fight climate change, but the people of Ontario know that paying more for gas and groceries is not fighting climate change. In fact, in my riding of Leeds–Grenville–Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, all we have to do is look across the St. Lawrence River, south of the border, to our biggest trading partner, the United States—they don’t have a carbon tax, but yet they managed to have greater emission reductions than Canada.

My question to the minister is: Please explain why the Liberal approach to fighting climate change through the carbon tax is a misguided approach?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Speaker, any tax hikes are misguided.

Look at what our government is doing. Yesterday, we welcomed a $1.6-billion investment from Asahi Kasei to build an EV separator plant in Port Colborne. We’ve now landed $43 billion in new EV investments in the last four years; that is more than any US state. These investments are creating tens of thousands of good-paying jobs right across our province. How? Because we’ve reduced taxes right across the province. We’ve lowered the cost of doing business by $8 billion each and every year.

Speaker, we’ve shown the Liberals the way: Lowering taxes is how you bring wealth to an economy.

Axe the tax.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mr. Steve Clark: The Liberals need to scrap the carbon tax. It doesn’t matter where you go in Ontario—especially in my riding of Leeds–Grenville–Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes—the tax is opposed by virtually every worker and every business across our country. No one wants to pay more for gas, shelter or groceries.

While Ontario’s economy, as you noted, Minister, has made significant progress since we took office, just imagine what we could do in Ontario if the Liberals scrapped the carbon tax.

Speaker, can the minister explain our approach to economic growth and how it’s so, so different from the Liberal approach?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Speaker, the people of Ontario remember what life was like under the Liberals. They said in their economic statement that they wanted to “restructure the composition of our economy” by wiping out the manufacturing sector and transitioning the economy to a fully dependent service sector. They drove up taxes to crush Ontario’s manufacturing sector, and they chased out 300,000 jobs by doing that.

We took the opposite approach. We have lowered taxes in Ontario. We have cut red tape. We have lowered electricity rates. That’s why 700,000 more men and women are working today and manufacturing employment is now at the highest level in 15 years.

The Liberal agenda of high taxes does not work.

Our message is very clear: Scrap the carbon tax today.

Public safety

Ms. Jennifer K. French: My question is to the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery. Minister, auto theft is happening every day across this province. Car thieves are gaming the system and are able to get new VINs for stolen vehicles at ServiceOntario counters. This government has reportedly been getting advice from current and former law enforcement and insurance experts about how to prevent re-VINing. This is more than a loophole, it’s a highly lucrative scam that this government knows about but isn’t fixing.

So my question is, why is it so easy in Ontario to get stolen vehicles legitimized with a new VIN?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The parliamentary assistant and member for Cambridge.

Mr. Brian Riddell: Speaker, there is no reason people should live in fear of their cars being stolen or their homes being burglarized. That’s why our government is using all the tools available to immediately put an end to the increase in auto theft.

At our ministry, we have implemented many security measures with ServiceOntario. All employees at ServiceOntario centres go through a rigorous screening process and receive constant training to ensure that government services remain safe.

Under Premier Ford, this government takes matters of consumer protection very seriously. We will never stop taking action to protect Ontarians.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

Supplementary question?

Ms. Jennifer K. French: Three years ago, in June, the government posted a

summary of proposal seeking feedback on how to improve the assigned VIN program. The stated objective was “to reduce fraud and help recover stolen vehicles by preventing bad actors from fraudulently applying for an assigned VIN.” I don’t know what you learned or what you did with it, but things are not getting better.

Provincial centres like ServiceOntario do not have a system that checks if VINs already exist in other jurisdictions.

In Ontario, someone can steal a car, register it, make quick cash and be good to go.

So my question is, what is this government doing to protect the VIN registry and Ontarians from car thieves?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Again, I’ll remind the members to make their comments through the Chair.

To reply, the Solicitor General.

Hon. Michael S. Kerzner: Yesterday, there was an incredible announcement with the Minister of Transportation, and I was there. One thing we’re doing, in sending a message for people who think it’s okay to steal cars, is, we’re going to keep your licence suspended—you do it once, it’s 10 years; you do it twice, it’s 25 years; you do it three times, you’re gone, there’s no way of getting it back.

When it comes to fighting auto theft and understanding how serious it is, when it comes to understanding that there has never been a government that has taken public safety more seriously—to work with stakeholders, to work with the auto manufacturers, to work with police services—it is this government that’s standing up for public safety every day.

Taxation

Mr. Graham McGregor: My question is for the high-energy minister—sorry, the Minister of Energy.

The Liberal carbon tax continues to drive up the cost of living for all Ontarians. Families in my riding of Brampton North and across the province are paying more for everything, from fuelling their cars to feeding their families. What’s even worse is that there’s no end in sight for this tax. The federal Liberals are planning to nearly triple the carbon tax by 2030.

While the queen of the carbon tax, Bonnie Crombie, and her Liberal caucus are in favour of making life more expensive for families—they’ve never seen a tax they didn’t like—our government is fighting back against the Liberals’ unjust tax schemes.

Speaker, can the minister please explain how our government is standing up for Ontario families and putting more money back into their pockets?

Hon. Todd Smith: Thanks to the member from Brampton. It’s great to get a question that is tough but fair from him this morning.

Unlike the NDP and the Liberal caucus and the queen of the carbon tax, Bonnie Crombie, we’re against a carbon tax in Ontario. The greens, the reds, the oranges—they’re in favour of a carbon tax.

As families are getting out on the road this summer, maybe the Liberals will be getting into their minivan and travel to southwestern Ontario to visit their members—oh, hold on, they don’t have any members in southwestern Ontario, so they won’t be going to visit their members. But it’s going to cost them a lot more to fuel up that minivan.

Families are fuelling up their minivans; it’s going to cost them more. Energy costs, gasoline costs, groceries—it’s all going up.

The Premier Ford team here in Ontario is making life more affordable for the people of Ontario—cutting taxes, cutting fees, cutting tolls, cutting the carbon tax.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mr. Graham McGregor: Thanks to the minister for that answer.

I’ll note the Liberals don’t have any members in Brampton either. We’ve got Duncan here from Brampton North.

I know the Liberals support the carbon tax. I really hope that they’ll change their tune and finally call Justin Trudeau in Ottawa and ask him to scrap this ridiculous tax.

Speaker, Liberals can tout the carbon tax as a solution all they want, but they’re not fooling anyone. The carbon tax only punishes Ontarians by driving up the cost of daily necessities, making it harder for families to get by.

Our government knows that Ontarians deserve better. That’s why, under the leadership of Premier Ford, we have a plan to build our clean energy advantage.

Speaker, can the minister please explain how our government is securing a clean, reliable and affordable energy future for all Ontarians without a carbon tax?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of Long-Term Care will come to order. The member for Ottawa South will come to order.

The Minister of Energy can reply.

Hon. Todd Smith: Thanks to the great member from Brampton for the question this morning. He’s absolutely bang on.

We do have a plan, Powering Ontario’s Growth, and seeing the types of investment that the Minister of Economic Development and the Premier were at yesterday in the Niagara region—multi-billion dollar investments are coming back. It’s because we’re cutting the costs of doing business and making life more affordable for the people of Ontario.

While the queen of the carbon tax, Bonnie Crombie, is in full support of the federal carbon tax, we are not.

I know we’ve got some good folks here from rural Ontario who are going to the pumps every day. We’ve got some beef farmers here from Grey county as well, and the cost of them doing business is going up billions of dollars over time because of the increased carbon tax. It’s only going to continue to keep going up and up and up.

We’re making life more affordable. I know the member from Brampton really loves the One Fare program that’s been brought in for transit riders. It’s going to cut the cost by $1,600 a year. We’ve cut the gas tax, 10.7 cents a litre, making life more affordable. Cutting licence plate sticker fees, cutting taxes—

Interjection.

Hon. Todd Smith: You’ve got to be really careful—

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

I apologize to the member from Kingston and the Islands for making him wait. I recognize him for the next question.

OHIP coverage of COVID-19 immunization

Mr. Ted Hsu: In late 2021, COVID-19 cases skyrocketed in the Kingston area with the Omicron variant. An enterprising local doctor, Elaine Ma, ran a drive-through mass vaccination clinic. Community members, like my own daughter, volunteered to help. Thousands were quickly inoculated during a critical couple of days. That’s why I was shocked when I learned that OHIP asked Dr. Ma to pay back its $600,000 reimbursement. Why? OHIP said because shots were given in the St. Lawrence College parking lot, not in her office.

Mr. Speaker, this is a follow-up to a letter to the minister’s office that I sent several months ago: Does our government have the backs of doctors who think out of the box and take the initiative to protect us during health emergencies? Would the minister intervene and override OHIP’s action and offer a fair solution?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Of course, we’ll look into that. I know, in my own riding, we had a drive-through vaccination clinic which worked very well.

The COVID pandemic really highlighted the failure of the previous Liberal government to do anything about health care. The reason we had some of the longest lockdowns in North America is because the Liberals left us with such a crumbling, decaying health care system.

And do you know who supported them every step of the way? It was the NDP. In 2011, the Liberals cut the health care budget when the federal government increased it by 6%. Do you know who supported them? The NDP. In 2012, the Liberals cut funding to small hospitals in rural areas across the province of Ontario. Do you know who supported them? The NDP. In 2013, the Liberals cut medical school admissions. Do you know who supported them? The NDP. On every—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member will take his seat.

Supplementary question?

Mr. Ted Hsu: Mr. Speaker, this is not really a partisan question. OHIP asked Dr. Ma to repay about $600,000 in reimbursement for costs incurred. And $600,000 is about the cost for one COVID patient to stay a couple of months in the ICU. So that drive-through clinic was a really cheap way to vaccinate thousands and prevent many additional COVID-19 patients going to the ICU.

Dr. Ma followed the rules, the steps to qualify her mass clinic under the prescribed G, Q and H billing codes and OMA billing practices for mass clinics. She is being punished for no good reason.

The Minister of Health has the power to conduct post-payment review. Will she intervene today? Will she set a healthy precedent so that in our next public health emergency, doctors who take the initiative to protect us in good faith can count on support from the system?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

Government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: In my own home community, Dr. Pearl Yang did the exact—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order. The member for Ottawa South will come to order. The member for Orléans will come to order.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Brampton North will come to order.

Sorry; I apologize to the government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Dr. Pearl Yang in Stouffville did the exact same thing, Mr. Speaker,