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April 14, 2021

42nd Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2021-Apr-14 (PDF)

L246 - Wed 14 Apr 2021 / Mer 14 avr 2021

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Wednesday 14 April 2021 Mercredi 14 avril 2021

Orders of the Day

Protecting Ontario Elections Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 sur la protection des élections en Ontario

Members’ Statements

COVID-19 immunization

Elmira Maple Syrup Festival

Kapuskasing

Small business

COVID-19 immunization

His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Ramadan

COVID-19 immunization

COVID-19 response

Bank Act of 1871

Question Period

COVID-19 immunization

COVID-19 immunization

COVID-19 immunization

COVID-19 immunization

COVID-19 immunization

COVID-19 immunization

Shelter services

Laurentian University / Université Laurentienne

Education funding

Mining industry

COVID-19 response

Small business

Small business

COVID-19 response

Correction of record

Deferred Votes

Intimate Partner Violence Disclosure Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 sur la divulgation de la violence entre partenaires intimes

Notice of dissatisfaction

Royal assent / Sanction royale

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Motions

Private members’ public business

Petitions

Long-term care

Autism treatment

Documents gouvernementaux

Employment standards

Anti-smoking initiatives for youth

Multiple sclerosis

Orders of the Day

Protecting Ontario Elections Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 sur la protection des élections en Ontario

Private Members’ Public Business

Senior Volunteer Appreciation Week Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 sur la Semaine de reconnaissance des aînés bénévoles

Adjournment Debate

COVID-19 immunization

The House met at 0900.

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

Prayers.

Orders of the Day

Protecting Ontario Elections Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 sur la protection des élections en Ontario

Resuming the debate adjourned on April 13, 2021, on the motion for third reading of the following bill:

Bill 254,

An Act to amend various Acts with respect to elections and members of the Assembly / Projet de loi 254, Loi modifiant diverses lois en ce qui concerne les élections et les députés à l’Assemblée.

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

Ms. Donna Skelly: I am very pleased to rise in the House this morning to speak to a bill that would, if passed, make it easier and safer for people to vote or become a candidate, while at the same time protecting provincial elections against outside influence and interference. Bill 254, the Protecting Ontario Elections Act, proposes to modernize elections in an effort to make the system more responsive to the challenges of the day. It’s also an effort to be more responsive to voters’ needs and the way they interact with their democratic institutions.

Mr. Speaker, our government wants to ensure that the electoral system continues to evolve to promote the vital role of individuals in elections and to ensure fairness in the electoral process for everyone. It is almost incomprehensible to think how much the world has changed over the past year because of the COVID-19 pandemic and how much we as a society have evolved and adapted over the past 12 months. Our government’s Protecting Ontario Elections Act includes changes aimed at strengthening and safeguarding Ontario’s electoral system.

We are dedicated to ensuring Ontario’s process is safe and accessible to everyone, whether you’re casting a ballot, running for office, volunteering in your local riding or working with Elections Ontario. Our government is committed to keeping our elections safe, fair and efficient.

Mr. Speaker, COVID-19 has proven that now, more than ever, we need to protect and modernize our electoral system to meet urgent and unanticipated challenges. The Protecting Ontario Elections Act would, if passed, protect against threats such as the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The provisions in this legislation would heighten our preparedness for the impacts of the pandemic, and the proposed changes would make it easier to cast a vote safely at advance polls or on election day.

The proposed changes would put individuals at the centre of the electoral process. They would impose safeguards against under-regulated third-party advertising and they would flag irregular campaign spending and collusion. Our government firmly believes voters in Ontario should determine the outcomes of elections. We believe voters should not be unduly influenced by big corporations or unions or American-style political action groups. The proposed reforms build on the Ontario Legislature’s decision in 2016 to ban corporate and union donations to political parties.

This legislation would not change who can make political contributions. Corporations and unions remain banned from making political contributions in Ontario. We believe Ontarians’ vital voice in election campaigns should be protected. This, again, will ensure individuals remain the focus of our electoral process.

Mr. Speaker, over 19 key amendments have been proposed in this legislation. Fair, accessible and safe elections are the cornerstone of a free and democratic society. As Ontario continues to grow and evolve, we need to protect the electoral process. Over the past year, COVID-19 has underscored how critical health and safety is in all aspects of our lives. The impact of COVID on every one of us living in Ontario will never be forgotten, but our government has taken bold steps in response to these challenging circumstances.

We took decisive action to keep Ontarians safe while continuing to maintain the administration of justice. Through persistent innovation and collaboration we moved our justice system forward by decades—by decades—in just a matter of months.

Last fall, we in Canada watched the turmoil surrounding the election campaign in the United States. Amid a global pandemic, American voters cast aside their concerns about the threat of the coronavirus and stood in long lines at the polling stations. In some areas, voters were willing to wait in lines up to eight hours to cast a ballot.

To make it more convenient and safer to vote in a COVID-19 environment, our government wants to increase the number of flexible advance polling days from five to 10. It would reduce the number of people inside a polling station at any one time. It would also make it easier for shift workers and others on a rigid work

schedule to cast their ballot. We have taken the advice recommended by Ontario’s Chief Electoral Officer in his special report on election administration and the COVID-19 pandemic, and that is why we are proposing to increase the number of advance polling days from five to 10.

In an effort to ensure that individuals remain at the centre of the electoral process, we want to double the amount individuals can donate from $1,650 to $3,300 a year. This would include donations to a candidate, constituency association, leadership contestant or political party. We want to bring Ontario in the middle of the pack across Canada, compared to other provinces, by doubling the amount individuals can donate to any candidate or any party. Our government believes this change would enhance the voice of individual Ontarians in election campaigns.

This is part of our plan to make elections in Ontario about the individual. This new spending limit would still be significantly lower than limits in Alberta, Manitoba and Nova Scotia. Saskatchewan and Newfoundland have no annual political contribution limits.

As a result of the impact of COVID-19, we would extend the per-vote subsidies each party typically receives in an election until the end of December 2024. The Legislature repealed this

section of the Election Finances Act prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Part of the reason for that reform, which was debated at the time, was an expectation that political actors would increase their engagement with the voting public. But COVID-19 has created sudden and significant barriers to increasing voter engagement, and difficulty even maintaining the previous levels of engagement.

Party and riding associations have not been able to interact with their constituents in the same way they had been able to before the pandemic, but we believe the subsidy needs to be extended due to the financial impact of COVID-19. This change will help our democratic institutions be involved in Ontario’s government-led COVID-19 recovery.

We are proposing to extend third-party advertising spending limits from six to 12 months prior to an election period. These proposed changes would strengthen restrictions on third-party advertising by extending the spending time limit. Third parties can determine how many ads they run during this period.

We all watched the election turmoil last year south of the border. We want to guard against that kind of chaos from happening right here in Ontario. We want to ensure that American-style political action groups don’t dominate a dialogue that drowns out the voices of individuals. One thing we can all agree on is that we don’t want our politics to become as adversarial as it is in the United States.

Mr. Speaker, attack ads funded by faceless political action groups, pop-up organizations, unions and corporations fuel the bitterness many people feel about politics. We want voters to make their decision based on what each party stands for, a decision based on the party’s record.

The changes our government is proposing are necessary. It’s troubling that a third party can spend unlimited funds for such a long period of time with no intermittent reporting at all. Elections Ontario has reported that the scale of third-party advertising in Ontario is larger than it is at the federal level. Ontario is the only province in Canada where third-party spending is measured in the millions of dollars—not in the thousands but in the millions of dollars.

During the last provincial election campaign, 2018, including the six months prior, third parties—third parties—spent over $5 million. The longer outside organizations are permitted to spend unlimited amounts of money on political advertising, the more Ontario is at risk of dangerous, unchecked influence on elections.

Again, Mr. Speaker, this change is about putting Ontarians at the centre of the electoral process. Our government wants to clearly define collusion. Currently, collusion can only be established where it can be proven that a third party’s advertising has been done with the knowledge or consent of a political party or a candidate. That being the case, third parties can exert an inordinate level of influence on Ontario elections by coordinating messaging with political parties. Our government wants to strengthen and clarify the rules to guard against the threat of collusion between parties, candidates, third parties and outside entities in our electoral process.

These proposed rule changes include, more specifically, sharing of information, common vendors, common contributors and use of funds from foreign sources. These changes would help guard against third parties coordinating messaging with political parties. They would add new safeguards against irregular campaign spending and collusion.

Mr. Speaker, the term “spot audit” refers to financial audits of candidates, leadership contestants and parties that occur after an audit has already been submitted and deemed sufficient. For parties and candidates, audited financial reports must be submitted annually and after each campaign. These reports are then reviewed by Elections Ontario. Spot audits to reopen and reinvestigate financial statements that have already been audited, closed and approved are burdensome, onerous and an unnecessary duplication. We want to remove this red tape for all members and parties within the Legislature.

Our government wants to provide the Chief Electoral Officer strong enforcement tools to drive compliance. We are proposing the need for broader administrative penalty powers. Penalties could be imposed for offences such as exceeding spending limits, failing to register, releasing election surveys on polling day and failure to submit other reports. Presently, the Chief Electoral Officer must report minor infractions such as political advertising not containing the name of the party or the third party that paid for the ad to the prosecutors in the Ministry of the Attorney General.

The criminal law division of the Ministry of the Attorney General then decides whether or not to prosecute. Our government’s proposed amendment would follow federal precedent by allowing the Chief Electoral Officer to authorize the use of administrative monetary penalties for specific violations. Alberta and BC use administrative penalties as a way to drive compliance within their election legislation.

A number of infractions would be addressed through administrative monetary penalties. In most cases, the fines are up to about $1,500 for an individual and $5,000 for a corporation or other entity. The penalties would be higher for infractions such as political advertising appearing during a blackout period, political advertising without disclosing the source or having no authorization and for failing to register as a third party. By empowering the Chief Electoral Officer to prosecute minor violations through administrative monetary penalties, our government is ensuring that all violations are dealt with in a fair and efficient manner.

Mr. Speaker, I participated in the public hearings at committee for this legislation, and I’m proud that we made a number of amendments at committee with respect to the administrative monetary penalty scheme. First of all, we will ensure that these penalties can be appealed. Second, we will ensure that the Chief Electoral Officer believes on reasonable grounds that an infraction has taken place prior to administering a penalty. Third, the Chief Electoral Officer will have to administer a penalty within two years of discovering that there was an infraction, as opposed to having absolutely no time frame in place.

Currently, independent members of provincial Parliament do not have the same ability or resources as political party candidates to keep campaign surpluses or fundraise outside of writ periods. Our government is proposing to level the playing field by allowing independent incumbent MLAs to form constituency associations, as they do in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. These changes would provide all elected sitting independent members of provincial Parliament with access to constituency associations and related benefits.

The benefits would include fundraising outside of election periods, qualifying for constituency association voter subsidies and keeping surpluses. These changes, if passed, would make it easier for independents to participate in elections, and it would ensure that individuals remain at the centre of the electoral process. These changes would apply to members who were elected under a party banner and are now independents, as well as future candidates who are elected as independent members.

Our government is committed to keeping pace with emerging technologies and threats. We are empowering the CEO to form an advisory committee to establish guidelines on voting equipment and vote-counting equipment. The committee would include representatives from each registered party in the Legislature and experts in the field.

Now, some may ask why we are proposing these changes so close to an election. Mr. Speaker, COVID-19 has underscored the importance of ensuring that elections are accessible and safe. Our government is responding to those concerns by making it easier and safer for people to vote, to become a candidate and to protect provincial elections against outside influence and interference. These proposed amendments will help modernize the province’s electoral process and ensure it is updated to meet urgent challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislative changes will help ensure individuals remain at the heart of Ontario’s electoral process.

We believe the legislative changes that we are proposing would safeguard Ontarians’ voice in campaigns and fortify the integrity of the elections process. We strongly believe that individual voters in Ontario should determine the outcome of elections. There should be no undue influence by pop-up organizations, deep-pocketed conglomerates or faceless political action groups. This proposed legislation would provide responsible protections that would ensure the size and scale of third-party organizations do not drown out the voices of individuals who stand openly and transparently behind their convictions.

The essential voices of individuals should be protected. People are at the centre of the political process. They are at the heart of democracy in Ontario. People form the backbone of our communities. Their spirit and energy drive our economy. People should determine the political direction of Ontario at the ballot box. Mr. Speaker, our proposed changes would reassert the fundamental role of these individuals and put them at the centre of the electoral process.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): It’s time for questions and responses.

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: I’d like to thank the member from Flamborough–Glanbrook for her presentation.

In hearing from this government, we keep hearing them use the term “American-style politics,” which is rather strange when we heard the Premier himself dedicate his devotion to Donald Trump. And back in 2018, during the election, many attack ads about NDP candidates were printed by the Conservative Party, calling us names.

My question for the member: At a time when the province is burning, hot spots like London are being ignored, ICUs are getting overwhelmed, vaccines are being left in freezers and people are dying, does the member think that this survival-of-the-richest bill is an effective use of the chamber’s precious time?

Ms. Donna Skelly: Thank you for the question. We believe that this is important legislation because we are about a year away from an election and we are in the midst of a pandemic. We believe it is absolutely imperative that Ontarians have the ability to cast a ballot at the ballot box. They need access, the ability to safely vote. We have extended the period to vote prior to an election from five to 10 days.

During this pandemic, when people are concerned about their safety, we are putting in every possible measure to ensure that they have the ability to cast a ballot and that the ballot that they cast is not going to be influenced by outside third-party organizations that you referred to. We believe it’s important that their ballot count, and that’s why we are introducing this piece of legislation.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Further questions.

Mr. Norman Miller: Thank you to the member for her speech. During the clause-by-clause stage at committee, our government introduced a number of amendments with regard to the administrative monetary penalty scheme. They were based on the suggestions from some of the people who came before committee: Mr. Guy Giorno as well as Democracy Watch. I wonder if the member might be able to highlight some of those amendments that were made based on the folks who came before committee.

Ms. Donna Skelly: Of course, I’d be delighted to reference these particular changes that were made during committee. There were three key amendments that were made at committee which will make the system more fair, more transparent and aligned with other jurisdictions. First, the amendments will allow monetary penalties to be appealed to the Superior Court of Justice, which aligns with the approach in Alberta. Second, the amendments will require the Chief Electoral Officer to believe on reasonable grounds that there was an infraction prior to administering a monetary penalty, which aligns with federal practices.

Third, the amendments will require the Chief Electoral Officer to administer a monetary penalty within two years of discovering there was an infraction.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Further questions.

Mr. Faisal Hassan: Thank you to the member from Flamborough–Glanbrook. I don’t think the member answered my colleague from London North Centre’s question, which was very important. We are in the middle of a pandemic.

Ms. Donna Skelly: Thank you for the question. We need to make sure that all of the process is accessible and safe to all Ontarians. So we are making and providing these proposed changes in this bill. Elections are a fundamental element of our democracy and it is essential that we protect our elections. We want to be prepared for any eventuality.

We saw the chaos in Newfoundland. British Columbia and New Brunswick have run elections in the COVID-19 era that have moved more smoothly, but you know that in the last two provinces we saw a sharp rise in cases. Speaker, we looked at the experiences of BC and New Brunswick and learned about what happened at the advance polls. We agree with the Chief Electoral Officer that increasing opportunities of advance polls will help maintain physical distancing and provide reassurance to people who may not feel comfortable lining up on election day, giving more Ontarians greater options.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Further questions?

Mr. Mike Harris: Good morning. It’s great to be back here in the Ontario Legislature.

My question to the member: You talked quite a bit about advance polling. When we look at what’s happening with the pandemic, I think it’s obviously very important that we look at ways that we can make things more accessible to people, be able to help them get out and vote. I was hoping maybe she can touch a little bit more on what she thinks this will mean to the people of Ontario.

Ms. Donna Skelly: As many of us have probably experienced in our political careers, often people will call our constituency offices or our electoral offices—our campaign offices—and they will share frustration with an inability to cast a ballot prior to election day at an advance poll, or an inability to even get to their polling station. I think that the changes that we are suggesting in this proposed legislation address many of those issues that were raised, certainly in my experience in my previous campaigns.

We want to remove all of those barriers so that everyone in Ontario who is eligible to vote—and I would encourage everyone who is eligible to cast their ballot—is able to. That means providing barrier-free access and giving them the assurance and the opportunity to cast a ballot safely and conveniently.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Further questions?

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: Here we are on April 14, 2021. It’s about 9:30 in the morning and my team will be going to the voicemail in my constit office, and it’s going to be full. It’s going to be full of voices with stress and anxiety and fear. Why? Because here we are at Queen’s Park in this House debating elections, worrying about if we’re going to get re-elected or if we’re going to have finances in our war chest.

Speaker, my question to the presenter and the government on the other side: On April 14, 2021—in the midst of the third wave; ICUs are packed, at the brink of closing the doors; people are dying—why is this government looking after their paycheque, re-election? The answers are not crystal clear to these citizens on why they’re not answering their phones to small businesses, to people that are educators, to parents.

Ms. Donna Skelly: I’m pleased to respond to that question. Actually, we are answering the phones. I answer calls from people right across Hamilton, residents in Hamilton Centre. I’m dealing with one right now because they can’t seem to get an answer from the representative from Hamilton Centre. I can share that with you afterwards. I deal with constituents from Hamilton Mountain. I deal with constituents from Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas because they tell me they simply can’t get anybody to pick up the phone.

When it comes to dealing with small business, I’d like to remind the member, I have dealt with a plethora of people, including BIAs in Hamilton Mountain and across Hamilton Centre who have come to me to help them fill out their forms because there isn’t one reference on their members’ websites telling them how to get financial assistance. We can do two things. Maybe members opposite should do the same.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Further questions?

Mr. Jim McDonell: It’s interesting, some of the facts and realities around here. Maybe the members opposite don’t know, but there is an election next year, and it is our responsibility to make sure that we’re ready for it and the people of Ontario have the things that they need.

Speaker, we know that COVID-19 has impacted and will impact elections across Canada and around the world. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of ensuring that our provincial elections in Ontario are safe and accessible, including for northern and rural Ontario. Can my colleague please speak on the changes to advance polling periods and where the proposals came from?

Ms. Donna Skelly: I’d love to respond to that query. First of all, we had extensive consultation, and we were listening to recommendations put forward by the Chief Electoral Officer and previous recommendations in his previous report in the fall. We have compiled those proposals and those recommendations and included what we felt was important coming up to the election, which is, as the member stated, a year away. We want to ensure that during the COVID-19 pandemic people have safe access to polls and are able to and feel comfortable casting a ballot.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Further debate?

Ms. Suze Morrison: It’s an honour to rise today and speak to the Protecting Ontario Elections Act. This is the second time now that I’ve spoken to the bill, and my thoughts haven’t changed a whole lot, because the bill hasn’t changed a whole lot as we’ve seen it come back to this House for the next debate.

Speaker, right now our communities are in crisis. The latest stay-at-home order has been devastating for families, for local businesses. People are on the brink right now. Every day, we’re hearing heartbreaking stories about overwhelmed ICUs and about families and young people in hospitals and on ventilators. I just got a message from my staff, maybe five minutes ago.

They’d seen a post come through on our Facebook from a physician who is now having conversations with their college about how physicians are going to be supported when they have two patients who need a ventilator and there’s one ventilator left in the hospital. That’s where we’re at right now in the province: making decisions about who lives and who dies when our hospitals are at capacity.

Instead of focusing every minute we have in this chamber on how to address the third wave that’s before us, we’re here talking about increasing donation limits in our Election Act so that our Conservative and Liberal colleagues can pad their war chests for the next election that we’re about a year out from. I think it’s absolutely shameful.

Speaker, the Premier knew that this third wave was coming. Experts have been warning this government for months. But instead of investing in the public health protections that we need and protecting the people of Ontario, we’ve seen this government continually cut public health, cut our health system, cut the protections that folks need. We need to be doing more right now to keep everyone safe. We need to be investing in the measures that we know are going to work. We need to be investing in workplace testing. We need to be investing in paid sick days and more supports for small businesses.

But, instead, like I said, we are using our very, very precious time in this House to move forward government legislation that doesn’t address the third wave that we’re in.

This bill that has been brought forward by this government doesn’t include a single thing to address the pandemic or a plan for recovery or a plan for rebuilding, a plan to keep workers safe. That’s the only thing that we should be prioritizing in this House right now. Honestly, the priorities are just so backwards, and all we’re doing is leaving the people of Ontario behind right now.

Queen’s Park is supposed to work for everyone in this province, not just those with money. It shouldn’t matter how much money you can donate to politicians. No one’s voice should count any more in this House—but here we are debating a bill that increases election contribution limits. That’s not going to help people get through COVID-19. That’s not going to help our small businesses that are on the verge of closing. That’s not going to help us deal with the ICU capacity issues that we’re about to face, the life-and-death situations we’re asking physicians to make: the triaging of who gets a ventilator, who gets to breathe. That’s where we’re at—that’s the tipping point we’re at right now.

Speaker, ensuring that Ontarians have a voice in this chamber is especially important right now as we consider the experiences of Ontarians who are surviving this pandemic. Particularly, I think of the families of long-term-care COVID victims, of health care workers who are putting their lives at risk every day on the front lines, and so many more whose stories need to be told in this chamber. Those are the stories that we need to be focusing on. Instead, those are the same voices that this bill is actually going to actively shut out of politics.

Because, at the end of the day, this bill is about money. It’s not about getting money to the people that need it the most right now, the folks that have lost their jobs, that haven’t been able to pay their rent in months, the folks that are struggling to keep the lights on, keep food on the table and keep the Internet connected so their kids can participate in online learning. It’s about helping people who want to donate ridiculous amounts of money to the Liberal and Conservative benches. Those are the voices that this government is prioritizing through this bill.

This bill does that by increasing the donation limit to $3,300 a year and increasing the limit by $25 every year after that. For those who aren’t familiar with how political donation processes work, that’s a maximum contribution you can make to your local riding association and then a maximum contribution to a political party; and in an election year you can make that donation again to your preferred candidate, to an active campaign—meaning that every individual person in a household in Ontario, once this bill is passed, will be able to donate almost $10,000 in an election year. That’s a lot of money.

If you’ve got a well-off household of four and you can make that max contribution under the names of four people in your household, you now have the power to donate $40,000 in an election cycle to the political party of your choice. That’s a lot of political capital that we’re putting in the hands of the wealthiest, most well-connected people. I don’t know anyone—I literally don’t know anyone—who could afford to donate $10,000 to a political party. If you went through every name in my phone book, you wouldn’t find a single person capable of donating $10,000 to a political party.

When we think about who this disproportionately impacts, look around the room. How long have we been in this chamber and looked at faces that don’t represent the people of this province? We still don’t have gender parity in this chamber. Sure, we are the most diverse Parliament here in Ontario that we’ve ever had; it’s getting better, but women in elected office still only hold—what are we at? I think 35% of women in the chamber is the percentage right now. We have slightly more racial diversity. We have three Indigenous members now.

Still, overwhelmingly, the folks in this chamber are the folks who have systematically benefited from power, who come from the sort of wealth and power to be able to succeed in this place.

When we’ve got new, young candidates who are coming from poverty, who are young women, who are young, racialized people, who are carrying student debt on their backs, who don’t come from the old boys club or the old money in our communities, who don’t have the financial capital networks to raise the money to fund their campaigns, they’re the ones who get left behind. Those are the people who don’t get elected into this chamber, because they don’t have the money to run the campaigns, because they don’t have the deep-pocketed networks of folks who can write a cheque on the spot for $10,000.

Those are the people who get left behind. It does not help us create a more diverse, more equitable, barrier-free path into politics for people who have been excluded for generations. It benefits people with power and people with money—the same old, same old.

Speaker, this bill is a step backwards. Through this bill, we are returning to the era of scandalous, cash-for-access fundraising that we lived through under the previous Liberal government. These Conservatives are not doing much better. This is back when developers and big businesses would pay thousands of dollars to attend events where they would have exclusive access to the government. These incidents eroded public trust in our elected officials.

It reinforced the idea that politicians could be bought and that they were more interested in spending their time at lavish fundraisers than actually working to make life better for people. If this government is truly interested in improving our democracy, we should not be returning to a time when those with the greatest financial means were able to have the most access through these political spaces.

It’s certainly disappointing, but it’s not exactly surprising. It certainly feels like this government has completely lost touch. We don’t need more money in politics. Do you know where we need more money right now? We need more money in long-term care. We need more money for paid sick leave. We need more money in the pockets of personal support workers and developmental support workers, who are literally risking their lives on the front line of our health care system for barely more than minimum wage right now. Where is the pay increase for the PSWs and the DSWs?

We don’t need more money in politics; that’s the last thing we need. It’s baffling to me that this is a priority of this government at this moment in time.

Speaker, like I said before, $3,300 isn’t exactly a small chunk of change, even under normal circumstances. But, right now, the idea of donating that much to a political candidate is just so out of touch with the reality of the financial crisis that most people in our communities are in.

People in my community are living below the poverty line, for the most part. We have some of the highest rates of child poverty in Canada in my community of Toronto Centre. We have some of the highest food bank use across the province. The donations that folks are thinking about right now are not to political parties.

If folks have got a spare $20 or $30 in their pocket, they’re donating to the community organizations, the folks who are feeding people in our communities, to our shelters, to our women’s shelters—the people who are out there providing supports to folks who are experiencing housing precarity, homelessness and seniors who are living in isolation. There are so many incredible organizations in my community out there trying to ease the suffering that people are feeling.

For the most part, that’s honestly where I see folks who have got any little bit of wiggle room in their budget, that’s where their donations are going these days, rather than political donations.

Political contributions aren’t what people are thinking about right now. If you were to ask anyone in my community—if I were to walk down the street in Toronto Centre, which is just a few blocks away, and stop anyone on the street and say, “Do you know that your Legislature right now is debating a bill to increase political donation limits to $3,300 a year? Do you think that that’s the priority that our Legislature should be working on when we’ve got case counts of upwards of 4,000 cases a day of COVID?” We’re in a third wave. Schools are closing. We’re on lockdown, and our ICUs are about to run out of capacity.

Our shelters are overflowing. People are homeless. People have lost their jobs. Stop anyone on the street, ask them that question: “Do you think that’s the priority that your government in Ontario should be debating in the Legislature today, right now?” I dare you: Go find me one person on the street who thinks this is the priority of the government—find me one. There are very real policy solutions that the government could be putting in place to make life easier for folks. It’s not this.

Speaker, this bill is just completely out of place with the concerns that I’m hearing from folks in my community. People are exhausted; they’re frustrated.

More recently, in the last week or so, they have become incredibly frustrated with this government’s vaccine rollout. When this government made their announcement last week on Friday that vaccines would become available to all adults living in hot-spot neighbourhoods, immediately I started hearing from folks in the community who were eager to get their vaccines. I heard from retail workers who interact with hundreds of people a day and folks with underlying health conditions who have had to isolate from loved ones for over a year now. Getting their vaccine is the light at the end of the tunnel. It will take a huge weight off their shoulders.

Unfortunately, the excitement that folks felt quickly disappeared once they learned that the Conservative government actually had no plan to implement that commitment to open up vaccine access. No one had informed the city or public health or even the hospitals that they had to alter their vaccine rollout on a dime. We didn’t receive any information about where to even send our constituents, who to reach out to, where to go. We still actually have no idea how most people in my community are supposed to get this vaccine. Many of the folks I’ve talked to are incredibly frustrated.

They’re putting their lives on the line every day to support our communities, many as front-line, essential workers, and this government continues to fail them over and over and over again.

What we don’t need is to increase political contribution limits. It’s that simple. I just cannot get my head around how this government thinks that is the most important priority. Speaker, paid sick days have been endorsed by mayors, by municipalities, by medical officers of health and public health experts, as well as the Ontario Federation of Labour and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. We know that paid sick days are vital to stopping the spread of COVID. They’re key to addressing another lockdown, more outbreaks and stopping more businesses from closing.

This government has blocked every attempt my colleagues and I have made to expedite the passage of the NDP’s bill for paid sick days, the Stay Home If You Are Sick Act, and voted against the bill at second reading. What we know, Speaker, is that COVID is spreading in workplaces. People are losing their lives because they went into work, they became sick with COVID and then became seriously ill, and all because they couldn’t afford to take a day off work. They can’t afford to stay home.

When that day off work means you may not be able to pay your rent at the end of the month and you’re a single mom with two kids, what decision are you going to make? Are you going to risk your children becoming homeless because you can’t afford a day off work, or are you going to talk yourself into it? You’re going to say, “Oh, my throat hurts. I feel a little flushed today. I ate something funny the other day, it’s probably nothing. I’m just going to grin and bear it. I’m going to go in. It’s probably nothing. I’ll be fine.

I can’t take the risk of missing a day’s worth of pay.” And then the next thing you know, we have a workplace outbreak that has now cost our health system far more than a paid sick day would have.

That’s the other piece I really don’t think my colleagues on the other bench understand: We literally can’t afford not to give people paid sick days. Our health system is on the brink—physicians are about to be making choices between who gets ventilators and who doesn’t. Life-and-death choices are being made here, and all because this government can’t find it in itself to prioritize actually keeping people safe. Instead, you’re prioritizing increasing political contribution limits. The logic of it baffles me.

From day one, you guys have said you’re the party for the people. For which people? Not for the workers who can’t afford to stay home, not for the PSWs who are risking their lives.

Ms. Doly Begum: Not for seniors.

Ms. Suze Morrison: Not for seniors who have died in long-term-care homes.

Interjection: Not for people on ventilators.

Ms. Doly Begum: Not for students.

Ms. Suze Morrison: Not for the people on ventilators. Not for the students. Any vulnerable person in this province—

Interjection: Parents.

Ms. Suze Morrison: Not for parents.

But you know who you are for in this bill? You’re for the people who can afford to donate $10,000 a year to a political party. You’re for them. You’re for the rich people, the well-connected people.

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: Developers.

Ms. Suze Morrison: You’re for the developers and your deep-pocketed donors. Their priorities, you’re incredibly invested in.

I see I’m just about out of time, but my challenge to my colleagues on the opposite bench is I wish you would find the same prioritization, the same compassion, the same empathy, the same drive that you have to prioritize the interests of the wealthiest in this province and put that energy into prioritizing what the people of Ontario need right now to get through this third wave. Prioritize investing in our ICU capacity. Prioritize paid sick days. Prioritize eviction protections and rent subsidies so we’re not creating the largest homelessness crisis we’ve ever faced, on top of a global pandemic.

I really cannot stress enough the issue of the ICU capacity that we are about to see in this province, that we are already seeing. Physicians are about to be making decisions between who gets a ventilator and who does not. We are running out of ventilators and we are running out of beds in our ICUs. This third wave is coming down hard on all of us.

My ask to every member on the opposite bench: Come into work every day in this place and help us fight for the things that Ontarians need to keep them safe and get through this third wave. Stop bringing us bills like this that are about increasing political contribution limits in the middle of the pandemic. This is not our priority right now. This is not where we should be focused. This is not the work of this House.

Let’s actually get to work to keep people safe and get through the third wave.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Time for questions and responses.

Ms. Donna Skelly: The member from Toronto Centre referenced the vaccine rollout here in Ontario. Mr. Speaker, as you know, our government is doing absolutely everything to ensure that every single dose of Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca that comes into Ontario is injected into the arm of a person who is eligible. But, as we know, and as the world is starting to understand, as we’ve seen on CNN just yesterday, the federal Liberal government has failed Canadians; it has failed Ontarians. Mr. Trudeau had one job to do, and that was to get us vaccines, but he failed. We are short vaccines.

To the member from Toronto Centre: Do you believe that the federal government has done its job in delivering vaccines to Ontario?

Ms. Suze Morrison: Thank you to the member from Flamborough–Glanbrook for the question. This isn’t about jurisdictional ping-pong. It was your job to get the vaccines that you had into people’s arms. Where are those vaccines sitting? They’re sitting in freezers, not in arms.

Your sitting there passing the buck to the federal government is just like a game of hot potato. Stand up and do your jobs, get the vaccines into arms, get them out of freezers and stop the chaos with the vaccine distribution. People in my community can’t get appointments to get vaccines because the demand is so high. You made this 18-plus announcement with absolutely no plan to actually get those vaccines out into our communities.

Do better. Don’t just sit there and blame other levels of government. Do your job.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Next question.

Mr. Guy Bourgouin: I want to thank my colleague from Toronto Centre for your presentation. It was excellent. You mentioned that your office—and I believe all our offices are getting these calls about COVID and vaccinations, and they’re concerned. They’re stressed that they have to live through this, Mr. Speaker. You know, this is—

Ms. Donna Skelly: No vaccines.

Mr. Guy Bourgouin: Well, you should come up north.

Ms. Donna Skelly: There are no vaccines.

Mr. Guy Bourgouin: No, there are vaccines. Just deliver them.

With that being said, this government is so disconnected—

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Stop the clock, please.

Wow, a well-behaved group of colleagues in this place, finally. I’ll give you a fine reputation to live up to: I would expect that the noise level will stay suppressed, and we can continue with questions and responses.

I’ll turn it back to the member from Mushkegowuk–James Bay to ask your question.

Mr. Guy Bourgouin: This government is so disconnected that we’re dealing with contributions in the midst of a pandemic, where people are dying. Like we said, people are dying—between life and death. My question to you: What should we be dealing with right now in this House, with this pandemic?

Ms. Suze Morrison: Thank you so much to my colleague from Mushkegowuk–James Bay for the question. If I could control the government agenda in this House, today I think we’d be debating paid sick days for all workers. We’d be debating a bill to raise the salary, the pay, for personal support workers and developmental support workers in the province. We’d be debating a bill on an eviction ban to protect folks from being forced out of their homes in the middle of a pandemic. Those are the bills that an NDP government would be prioritizing if we had control over the legislative agenda of this House.

Those are the priorities we’d be putting forward, not a bill to increase political contribution limits to almost $10,000 in an election year.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Further questions?

Mr. Will Bouma: Speaker, through you to the member opposite: I’m struggling to understand what I’m hearing in the House this morning. She said emphatically, when she was actually talking about the legislation that we’re supposed to be debating this morning, that this is taking the rights away from Ontarians to have equitable access to elections.

I would just like to get that on the record again, because she already stated, the member from Toronto Centre, that (1) she is against keeping the per-vote subsidy to help political parties, to keep them politically active in times of pandemic, and (2) she is against increasing the advance polling days from five to 10 days on a permanent basis to give more access to people in elections in Ontario.

Please answer that.

Ms. Suze Morrison: Thank you so much for the question from the member from Brantford–Brant. Prior to being elected, I had the great fortune of working with a group called Women and Politics in London; before I moved back home to Toronto, I was in London for a couple of years. That group really focused to identify and break down the barriers that keep women from elected office.

Over and over and over again, the key thing that we have heard from every corner of this province and from every corner of the country is that financial contributions to a campaign, as a woman candidate, are a significant barrier to becoming elected for the first time in this province, and it is why we still, to this day, do not have gender parity in this House and have never once had gender parity in this House.

Making it harder for equity-seeking candidates to raise the funds they need to run winning, successful campaigns by returning to the old days when only old money and big money can finance winning campaigns, is not how we make it more equitable for women and particularly women of colour in this province to become elected.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Further questions?

Mr. Faisal Hassan: I would like to thank my colleague from Toronto Centre for her excellent presentation to talk about what we should be talking about in the middle of a pandemic, the issue of inequity—when we talk about a vaccine rollout, in my own community, to this day, we do not have a permanent vaccine facility.

To the member from Toronto Centre: I know it’s very important to have paid sick days and PSW wages being raised. These are the important issues we should be talking about now, not reforming elections, which we are talking about. Would you be able to talk about the need for distribution for inequity, and to have communities like my community have places to have their vaccines, which we unfortunately don’t have at the moment?

Ms. Suze Morrison: Thank you to the member from York South–Weston for the question. I think you’ve hit a really important piece, which is around the equitable distribution of the vaccine. This has been particularly poignant in my community, as we’ve gone through this business in the last week around the prioritized postal codes.

In fact, when the government’s postal code list came out, I was quite shocked to learn that the Church and Wellesley Village was specifically excluded. All of the neighbouring postal codes were included. Our case counts were just as high in the Village as in the neighbouring postal codes. It was almost like the government had drawn a circle around the queer and trans communities in desperate need of vaccines in my community and excluded them from that list, which I find particularly interesting when you consider the historical context of queer and trans communities being actively left behind and abandoned by every level of government during the AIDS crisis.

Equitable vaccine distribution means you have to take into account those social inequities and those historical inequities that mean that certain populations and communities are disproportionately harmed by the decisions your government makes.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Further questions?

Mr. Norman Miller: Thank you to the member for her comments. She did talk about making it easier for people to be able to come to this place, to run for elected office. Some of the recommendations or changes in this bill do that, including in the nomination process. I know when I was nominated, I don’t think I spent $100 on the nomination, but one of the changes in this bill, as recommended by the Chief Electoral Officer, is to not require financial reporting for a nomination meeting. There’s still registration required.

That’s meant to make it easier and simpler to be able to run for office, as well as a number of other recommendations from the Chief Electoral Officer, including more advance poll days and the use of technology and reviewing that between elections. Does the member support these changes to make it easier to run for office?

Ms. Suze Morrison: Thank you to the member from Parry Sound–Muskoka for the question. I think back to my own nomination meeting and my own nomination bid, which was an exciting nomination. I actually won a tie at my nomination meeting; I don’t know if anyone knows that. But I didn’t find the process of the financial filings to be a barrier, particularly as a young woman running for the first time in my community.

What I did find to be a barrier was when I went through my address book in my phone and started asking people for money for the first time, which, as a young, first-time candidate, we all do. It’s scary when you call people for money for the first time. The people who I had access to in my phone book as someone who had grown up in poverty, who didn’t have a lot of family because of generational harm and the foster care system, who had worked primarily in non-profit—with the people I could raise money from, I was lucky if I could find $50, $75, $100 at a time.

As a young woman running for office for the first time, I didn’t have access to a single person in my phone who could cut a cheque on the spot for $1,000. I think increasing the donation limits in this province—

Mr. Mike Harris: I just checked, and you have several.

Ms. Suze Morrison: I do now. I do now—

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Thank you very much. Time has expired. Sorry. Thank you.

Further debate?

Mr. Mike Harris: It is a pleasure to be here debating the Protecting Ontario Elections Act this morning in the Legislature. I think we’ve talked a little bit about what this bill does. If this bill is passed, it will make it easier and safer for people to participate and vote in elections, and I think all of us here in the House can agree that that’s a great idea.

Electing our government is an underappreciated right that we all have here in Canada. Living in a democracy where we have the right to vote and participate in the electoral process is something that should never be taken for granted, Mr. Speaker. Now, is it perfect? No, not necessarily, but to quote Winston Churchill—which I think is an interesting quote—it is the worst form of government except for all the rest. Now, I’d argue that that might be a bit of an over-exaggeration, but democracy is strengthened when more people have the opportunity to have their say.

The changes we are proposing here will do exactly that, Speaker. Everyone here in this House today—even you, Speaker; even you—received a mandate from their constituents to represent them to the best of their abilities, and this is something I personally take very seriously. I am fairly familiar with our electoral traditions, having grown up in the halls of this building. I watched my father work hard to secure the vote of the people of Nipissing, then, later, the people of the entire province.

A respect for democracy and the electoral process is something I have been raised to hold to the highest standard, which is why I am in full support of the measures in this legislation. These proposed reforms would strengthen our elections, guard against outside influences and protect the essential voice of each and every Ontarian.

We can’t ignore what is happening in the province as we’re debating this bill, and that is the COVID-19 pandemic. Back in 2018 when I was knocking on doors, I didn’t imagine that I would be representing my constituents through the greatest challenge that our province has faced in generations. Never did it occur to me to mention the word “pandemic” on the doorstep, and yet here we are, 13 months into the COVID-19 pandemic, and we’re still battling the third wave. As we continue to vaccinate record numbers of Ontarians every day, there is still some uncertainty about what the future is going to look like.

We’ve watched other provinces across this country hold elections as the terms of their governments came to an end, and just recently south of the border, as they had to navigate that challenge as well. COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of ensuring that elections are safe and accessible. While I cannot promise what the world will look like in 2022, when we are scheduled to go to the polls, I can almost guarantee it will not look like any other election that any of us in this room have ever been part of.

The Chief Electoral Officer of Ontario has advised that we should increase the number of advance polling days. Currently, five days of advance polling is what is required by legislation. Passing this bill would increase that to 10. That is five more days that Ontarians can find their ways to the polls.

When people get to the polls and receive their ballots, they should be free to make the choice that they want, Speaker. That is a fundamental principle that I will gladly stand behind each and every day here in this Legislature. They should also have the confidence that the name they are selecting on the ballot is in fact the one that they are intending to vote for, not someone who has been shaped and promoted to them by third-party advertisements. We’ve seen how third-party advertisers can overpower the voices of individuals and shape the outcome of elections. These “American-style politics” are not something neither I nor anyone I know want to see take hold here in the province.

Just as our illustrious Attorney General has stated, I want to recognize that there is still room for third-party advertisers here in the province. It is a way for organizations that are not part of the party—that candidates can campaign to make an impact. They still have an important role to play, but they shouldn’t overpower the candidate, who is out there knocking on doors and meeting people, whether it be face to face—probably via Zoom calls in the next election, potentially, if we can’t get a good, steady supply of vaccines.

However, the level of activity we have seen in recent years and the amount of money these organizations have spent certainly should raise some eyebrows. We need reasonable safeguards to protect the voices of individuals, especially since we are the only province in Canada where third-party spending is counted in the millions of dollars. In fact, in 2018, $5 million was spent by third parties during the election and the six months prior.

Political parties and candidates are required to be accountable for the funds they raise and to track where they come from, but the requirements are not—I repeat not—the same for third-party advertisers. Without basic safeguards, we run the risk of seeing third-party advertisers becoming the loudest voice in the room.

What we are proposing is that third-party advertising spending limits begin 12 months before an election instead of the current six. To be clear, we would also be maintaining the spending limit of just a little over $600,000 and still allowing them to spend money during the writ period. This is a balance that would responsibly regulate third parties in between and during elections while ensuring that voters still have the loudest voice at the polls.

Members of this House will notice there have been amendments to this bill during the committee stage, and this includes requiring third parties to file interim spending reports to ensure they are complying with the spending limits. To further increase transparency, Elections Ontario will track spending online and publish those interim reports.

I also want to highlight some of the measures this bill includes for the independent members in this House because I think that’s very, very important. Speaker, I know my time is wrapping up. I’d invite them to take

part in debate today so that we can talk more about the impact that this will have on their ability to fundraise and prepare for the next election.

The rules around Ontario elections have long forgotten about independent members, and it’s unfortunate. As it stands, independent members are not able to fundraise outside the writ period, and they cannot keep surpluses from their campaigns.

We have quite a few independent members of Parliament here in the Ontario Legislature. While I certainly do not agree with them on many points, I do believe they should have the ability to bring the voices of their constituents forward. I am not going to argue with them for representing their constituents if, in fact, that is what they’re doing. Of course, the only way to find out if they have the mandate of their electorate is to see what happens at the polls, and that should be decided on a level playing field, not because of inequities in the system.

In this bill, we are proposing to extend the right to form a constituency association to all independent members. This means they would be able to fundraise outside of the electoral period and keep those surpluses, should they have them. They would also be eligible for quarterly allowances to their constituency associations.

Of course, all the rules of reporting and filing with Elections Ontario would still stand. This will give our fellow members of the Legislature the same opportunities we here on the government benches and the members of the official opposition have.

This is not unprecedented, as we’ve heard our Attorney General explain. Three other provinces—British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan—allow for incumbent independent members to form constituency associations. This is just another way we are ensuring that the independent members of this Legislature can participate equally.

Our government House leader has prioritized ensuring independent members have the opportunity to ask questions and participate in debate. Like I said, we may not always agree with them; however, we need to respect their responsibility to represent their constituents and provide them with the opportunity to do so.

These proposed changes would go a long way to ensuring that they have a fair shot in 2022 and subsequent elections.

Another change being proposed that would make our elections fairer is allowing for the certification of candidates who register up to six months before the writ. This would give them the ability to open a bank account and be ready well in advance of an election. I’m surprised the opposition isn’t talking about this change more, Speaker. It would give new candidates the opportunity to better prepare for an election and, by all accounts, it’s a very, very welcome change.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Unfortunately, the time for debate this morning has expired. However, to the member from Kitchener–Conestoga: You do have time left on the clock, as well as the 10-minute question-and-response period afterwards. So when this bill is called back into the House again, you will have that opportunity.

Third reading debate deemed adjourned.

Members’ Statements

COVID-19 immunization

Ms. Doly Begum: Most of the vaccine clinics, which are meant to be immunizing those who are facing the highest risk in our province, are only running during business hours, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. or 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The hotlines set up for registration are also only running between these working hours. And the online registration, well, that’s a complete mess.

The government has turned something as simple as securing a vaccination appointment into an unnecessarily stressful situation, Mr. Speaker. Not only do we not have enough available appointments, these limited hours are making it difficult for essential workers—the very people who are meant to be prioritized and protected—to find a time to get their vaccine.

Large cities like London and New York are running 24-hour vaccination clinics to ensure they can vaccinate as many people as possible. Advocates across the province, especially in the hardest-hit communities across the GTA, have been telling us that pivoting to a 24-hour vaccination program is essential for an equitable and an effective vaccine rollout. Health care workers across this province have risen to the occasion to vaccinate our communities, and this will be no different.

People in communities like mine in Scarborough Southwest work multiple jobs, work odd shifts and simply cannot accommodate some of these hours. I am proposing that the Minister of Health set up a 24-hour vaccine clinic across this province, especially in hard-hit communities, along with equitable distribution of vaccines so that anyone who needs to get vaccinated in our province can get vaccinated without any barriers.

Elmira Maple Syrup Festival

Mr. Mike Harris: We are in the middle of one of the sweetest times of year here in the province of Ontario, and that is maple syrup season. I have the honour of representing the riding—which you’ll know very well, Speaker—that hosts the largest maple syrup festival in the world, the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival.

Traditionally, this past weekend we would have seen tens of thousands of people come to downtown Elmira to celebrate and support the local producers in my riding and across Ontario, and for a great cause too, Speaker. All of the proceeds raised go back to the community through donations to local charities and non-profits. Over $1.6 million has been raised over the past 56 years. In particular, Elmira District Community Living receives a significant portion of these donations, which goes to supporting their work with adults with developmental disabilities.

Unfortunately, last year, for the first time in the festival’s history, it was cancelled. This year, we were not able to get together in person, but, thanks to the hard work of the volunteers and organizers, my family and I were able to enjoy a wide range of virtual activities from the comfort of our home, like the maple taffy demonstration and sugar bush tour. While COVID-19 may be keeping us apart, community spirit is still alive and well in Kitchener–Conestoga, and I am so pleased that our traditions continue to live on, albeit a little bit differently.

With Ontario moving full steam ahead on the vaccine front, and pending any further supply delays from the federal government, I am very hopeful that next year it will be safe for all of us to get together on Arthur Street in Elmira for this special event.

Kapuskasing

M. Guy Bourgouin: Aujourd’hui, j’ai l’honneur de me lever en cette Assemblée pour célébrer le 100 e anniversaire de la ville de Kapuskasing, mon chez-nous depuis 23 ans. Kapuskasing, which in Cree means “bend in the river,” sits on the Treaty 9 traditional territories of Mushkegowuk Cree.

The history of the town of Kapuskasing begins in the early 1900s with the opening of the lands for the transcontinental railway. After that period, the first paper mill and dam are built, and with the expected population boom, the provincial government commissioned a project for the planning of the town. So Kap is the first provincially planned town, with the idea to promote healthy living and environmental and architectural harmony—truly, Kapuskasing owes its designation as Garden City and the Model Town of the North.

Bien sûr, l’histoire de Kap est marquée par l’industrie forestière et papetière, mais elle est aussi marquée par les travailleurs et travailleuses. Kap est une ville ouvrière, dont l’histoire du Kapuskasing Labour Council datant des années 1930, les événements tragiques de la grève de Reesor Siding en 1963, and the response of the community in the 1990s that ended in the purchase of Spruce Falls Power and Paper by the workers and the community.

Il va sans dire que Kap est une ville avec une grande population francophone datant des années 1960 et avec un grand lien avec les arts et la musique, avec la plus grande Saint-Jean hors Québec.

The pandemic may have forced Kap to celebrate virtually, but it didn’t take away our identity, our history and our future. Happy birthday. Bon 100 e , Kapuskasing.

Small business

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: Local small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of our economy. This is true in every community I represent. They are employers, they are contributors and we cannot succeed without them, yet they have paid a high cost during this pandemic, many times over. Despite our government’s unprecedented support programs, many businesses have not survived, and many more are at risk unless conditions soon improve.

Last week, I received letters from members of the Stratford City Centre BIA. They raised many concerns:

—the immense challenge of planning around lockdowns and the costs they impose;

—the physical and mental health effects of trying to keep businesses afloat;

—retaining staff and maintaining their confidence; and

—paying the bills without income, just to name a few.

These challenges are not unique to businesses in Perth–Wellington. They are the daily reality for businesses across the province and beyond. Our government is responding with support programs like the Ontario Small Business Support Grant and, soon, the Ontario Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Support Grant.

I was very pleased that the government heard our call to support accommodation providers, travel agencies and others, but we also know that business operators just want to do what they do best: They want to run their businesses. No support program can replace that, nor can it replace what has been lost. I will continue speaking for local businesses at every opportunity. Their success matters to me—every single one in every single community. We cannot do without them.

COVID-19 immunization

Mr. Faisal Hassan: I rise in the House this morning to speak to the situation in York South–Weston regarding vaccines for our community. York South–Weston is a designated hot spot, and one of high risk. It is home to many hard-working essential workers and seniors who should not be neglected by this government’s COVID response.

Very much like when we had to wait until September 28 for a permanent testing facility, we are now waiting for a permanent vaccine facility. Our residents need access to the vaccine, and that is why we didn’t wait for the government to act; we teamed up with Humber River Hospital to help organize, register and distribute vaccines to seniors’ buildings, places of worship and Toronto Community Housing. I would like to thank Barb Collins and Ruben Rodriguez from Humber River Hospital for their community leadership and for allowing us to assist in their creative endeavours to deliver vaccines.

We would like to continue with those efforts, but the government needs to increase the vaccine supply. I urge the government to deliver more vaccines and, as well, to finally establish a permanent vaccine facility that is badly needed by our community.

His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Mr. Norman Miller: I rise today to pay tribute to His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Beyond being a great support to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip made many contributions to Ontario, Canada and the world throughout his 99 years. Before marrying the Queen, Prince Philip served in the Second World War with the Royal Navy. Over the course of his life, Prince Philip was associated with 992 organizations all over the world. He was most interested in science and technology, the welfare of young people, education, the environment, conservation and sports.

Prince Philip leaves behind a legacy of outstanding service to society that reaches around the globe, especially through his Duke of Edinburgh awards, an international program founded in 1956 that encourages youth to develop to their highest potential in all areas of life. On June 5, 1985, during one of Prince Philip’s, I believe, 38 visits to Ontario, he presented the Duke of Edinburgh gold awards to 100 young Canadians right here in the Legislature. I wasn’t one of those award winners, but the next day, I was honoured to meet Prince Philip during a dinner at Ontario Place, which was hosted by my father, the Premier at the time.

On behalf of the people of Parry Sound–Muskoka, I want to express our condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and to all of the royal family. Prince Philip will be remembered fondly by people whose lives he touched here in Ontario and around the world.

Ramadan

Ms. Suze Morrison: Today, I’d like to extend my best wishes to all of those celebrating the holy month of Ramadan in my riding of Toronto Centre. Ramadan is a time to reflect and worship, to connect with loved ones and to extend generosity and kindness to those in need.

This is now the second Ramadan since the pandemic has started. This year, it may feel especially difficult once again, as communities will not be able to come together and celebrate in person at iftars, at prayers and at community events.

It has been inspiring, though, to see that the local mosques and the Muslim community organizations in my riding have still found ways to celebrate and give back even under these difficult circumstances. I want to thank our local Muslim community for your dedication and your compassion for those in need during Ramadan and all year long. Your support is especially appreciated this year, as so many people in our community are experiencing so much hardship and so much loss.

Speaker, I’d like to recognize Muslim Welfare Canada for their incredible work, providing Regent Park lunch service to folks experiencing isolation and food insecurity. I also want to recognize the Regent Park Islamic Resource Centre for their advocacy and commitment to collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Lastly, I’d like to thank all of the mosques in my riding, in Toronto Centre, for being, really, a cornerstone in our community when people are feeling so isolated and so alone.

I sincerely hope that we can all come together next year. To everyone in my community, I hope you have a peaceful and fulfilling Ramadan. Ramadan Mubarak.

COVID-19 immunization

Mr. Robert Bailey: It’s an honour to rise today and inform everyone in the Legislature and in Lambton county that there continue to be significant shipments of vaccine arriving on a weekly basis in Lambton county. I encourage everyone who is eligible to get their shot when their turn comes.

This week, Lambton Public Health will receive an additional 7,500 doses of vaccine to use at their mass vaccination clinics and pop-up clinics around the county. On average, over 1,000 people per day will be able to receive a vaccine through Lambton Public Health, thanks to their dedicated staff and efficient vaccine clinics.

Moreover, on Sunday, I was able to announce that two additional pharmacies in Lambton county will begin registering eligible individuals and administering vaccines this week. That brings the total number of pharmacies in our community with the vaccine to five. Thousands of vaccines have been made available through the pharmacies to date. They are delivered through a different supply chain and are not counted in Lambton Public Health’s impressive vaccinations number.

When it comes to vaccines, the situation in Lambton county really is a positive and hopeful one. Lambton Public Health alone has administered over 30,000 doses of the vaccine to date, accounting for over 30% of the eligible individuals in Lambton county. Real progress is being made, Speaker. The way out of this pandemic is vaccines. As a province, we are leading the country at getting them in arms.

I encourage everyone in Lambton county and across this province to stay tuned for more good news on vaccine supply, and as I said earlier, when your turn comes, get your shot.

COVID-19 response

Mr. Roman Baber: Almost three years ago, I rose in this House for my inaugural address and spoke about Canadian kindness. I believed then and I believe now that Canada is the best country in the world. And why? Because of Canadians: so kind, so gracious, so charitable—people from coast to coast loving, respecting and caring for each other, because kindness is Canadian.

But, Speaker, I’m so fearful of this COVID dogma. COVID is a risky infection to some folks, and we need to protect them, but this radical obsession with COVID protocols that make ordinary people mistreat other people is putting Canadian kindness in jeopardy.

I was born and lived in the Soviet Union for the first nine years of my life. In autocratic regimes, people don’t show kindness to each other. Thugs bully people into compliance on the street. Teachers tell on children. Neighbours snitch on neighbours. Non-conformity to state edicts results in exclusion, hate and prejudice. It’s unthinkable, it’s evil and it’s most certainly un-Canadian.

So I plead with all the members of this House and anyone watching: Please stop the COVID bullying. Please try to love thy neighbour again. Please remember Canadian compassion, tolerance and accommodation. Please don’t be mean to people in stores or on transit. Please recall what makes us Canadian and bring back the foundation for everything that’s so wonderful about our country. Please try to be nice and compassionate with each other. Please bring back Canadian kindness.

Bank Act of 1871

Mrs. Robin Martin: Today I rise to mark the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of the Bank Act of 1871. The act laid the groundwork for Canada to have a safe, sound, stable banking system, one that is highly regarded by global financial institutions and bodies like the IMF and the World Bank.

According to Joseph E. Martin, a business historian who is also my husband’s father, the Bank Act was one of or, arguably, the greatest single accomplishment of our first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald—other than Confederation itself, of course. Had an earlier proposed Bank Act passed, from 1869, it would have given the Bank of Montreal the status of the Bank of England in the UK, thereby reducing Ontario banks to local county banks without branches, but, at around that time, two banks in Ontario had folded and Ontario MPs were concerned about future banking stability.

The 1871 Bank Act created a national branch banking system based on the ideas of Alexander Hamilton, founding father and first secretary of the US Treasury. Macdonald had studied Hamilton’s ideas and saw the wisdom of a strong central government and a national banking system.

I believe there are many important things we can learn from studying our history. Although Sir John A. Macdonald was undoubtedly a man of his times, we should celebrate not just his role in founding this country, but also his role in founding our sound financial system through the passage of the 1871 Bank Act which is so important to our strong and vital economy, which we will surely need post-COVID-19.

Question Period

COVID-19 immunization

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My first question is for the Premier. Last week, the Premier announced a plan to vaccinate people who are aged 18-plus in hot-spot neighbourhoods. In fact, he said, “We have mobile units as we speak going out there right now to get people vaccinated.”

Why did the Premier tell thousands of Ontarians that they could get vaccinated right now when he knew that there was no plan at all to do so?

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

Hon. Christine Elliott: In fact, there is a plan to vaccinate people over 18 in hot-spot areas. They can’t be booked through the online booking tool, but they can be booked through the public health units and they can be booked through some of the units that are starting up. For example, there is one in a hot-spot area at BAPS Charities on Highway 427. Using their own booking tool, yesterday, within the first hour, they booked 4,500 appointments with people of all ages.

So, yes, in fact, people 18 years of age and older can be done in a number of these clinics, a number of these pop-up units and a number of the mobile testing areas.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Back to the Premier: Health units had no idea that this was coming. They were put in a scramble, with no extra resources and no vaccines. In fact, Maureen Adamson, the chair of Scarborough Health Network board said, “Scarborough continues to struggle with the incomprehensible disparity in vaccine distribution for Canada’s most diverse community and one of Ontario’s most severe hot spots”—in some areas, a 24% positivity rate.

Why did the Premier tell Ontarians aged 18 years and up that they could actually get vaccines when they really had no plan, and, in fact, folks couldn’t get the vaccines as the Premier promised?

Hon. Christine Elliott: There is a plan to make sure that every Ontarian who wants to receive a vaccine can get one. The public health units are very well aware of the plan. They are implementing it in their own ways, because there are different ways. They’re used to their own circumstances, they know their own geography, they know where people are and they know whether mass vaccination clinics are going to work best or whether it should be done in pharmacies or whether it should be done through the other units that are available to them.

What I can say with respect to Scarborough is, the problem there right now is lack of vaccines. We have had problems with all of the vaccines in the most recent times, including three delays in the arrival of the Moderna vaccine, which is scheduled to arrive today, but we have to wait to see if it actually arrives.

We have been moving the vaccines around to make sure that places can stay open, but in the case of Scarborough, it’s the lack of supply. I know the federal government is doing whatever they can to get the supplies to us, but we are reliant on the federal government to send them to us. If we don’t have the vaccines, we have to close the clinics temporarily, but it is only temporary until we get the vaccines. That’s what—

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

Final supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Yesterday, the Premier actually mocked Ontarians by saying it was “very simple” to get a vaccination booked. The reaction from one hot-spot recipient is this, Speaker: “If [Doug Ford] wants people 18-49 to stop complaining that booking a vaccine”—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m going to interrupt the member and remind her that she has to refer to the Premier by the title of “the Premier.”

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I’ll reread the quote with the removal of the Premier’s actual name: “If” the Premier “wants people 18-49 to stop complaining that booking a vaccine is confusing, he could stop lying about the availability of appointments and”—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m going to ask the Leader of the Opposition to withdraw.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I withdraw.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): And conclude.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, my question is this: When is this government, when is this Premier, going to stop insulting Ontarians, when is he going to stop blaming Ontarians for his failure and actually do the work necessary to protect them from this third wave of COVID-19?

Hon. Christine Elliott: I would say to the leader of the official opposition, through you, Mr. Speaker, that that is absolutely not the case. The Premier has been taking every step possible to preserve the health and safety of every single Ontarian. That has been our goal throughout. That is behind every step that we’ve been taking.

We want to make sure that everyone who wants to receive a vaccine can get one. That’s why we’re offering them in so many locations: in the mass vaccination clinics, in pharmacies, in primary care facilities, in specialty clinics, pop-up clinics, mobile clinics. There’s a variety of ways that people can access them—everyone, from those who are 18 years of age and up in hot spots, and people who are at the appropriate ages for appropriate vaccines that are currently available.

That’s what the Premier is working on. That’s what I’m working on. That’s what we’re working on, on this side. Please join us and help out instead of complaining.

COVID-19 immunization

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is also for the Premier. There really is no effective plan to vaccinate essential workers who don’t have the choice to stay home and keep themselves safe. In fact, yesterday this government actually passed the buck to employers, asking them to organize, pay for and operate clinics in workplaces.

Speaker, what happens to those workers whose employers can’t or won’t pay for and operate an on-site clinic? Are they just out of luck?

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

Hon. Christine Elliott: There is a plan to deal with that. Let me use the example of the BAPS Charities in Etobicoke that are opening a clinic to be able to vaccinate people 18 years of age or older. One of the requirements for opening one of these clinics is to be able to vaccinate not just your workers or, in this case, your congregants, but to be able to supply vaccines to people in surrounding areas. As it happens, this is a temple that is in an industrial area in Etobicoke, and they are inviting workers from all of the surrounding areas to come in on their lunch hours, whenever they’re able to do so.

They’ve already booked over 4,500 applicants in the first hour of operation. I have no doubt they’re going to be very successful. They estimate that they will be able to vaccinate over 30,000 people within about a two-week period.

That is significant, Speaker. That is reaching people in those areas.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, I think everybody realizes that essential front-line workers who are going to work each and every day are, right now, the most vulnerable to this virus, to the variants of concern in the third wave. They can’t afford to spend hours and hours and hours trying to find the needle in a haystack that is their booking. They don’t have time and they can’t afford—they can’t afford—to stand in line for hours and hours waiting for their appointment at a pop-up clinic.

So my question is, to this Premier, why is he refusing to provide workers in this province, those front-line heroes, with paid time off to get their vaccination? It is a barrier and it will be removed if the Premier does the right thing here. Why won’t he?

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

Hon. Monte McNaughton: I’m proud to say that across this province employers and workers are working together every single day to ensure that as many people can get vaccinated as quickly as possible.

But let me remind the member opposite that we were the first jurisdiction in the country to pass job-protected leave. If any worker is in self-isolation, in quarantine, if you’re a mom or a dad who has to stay home and look after a son or a daughter because of the disruptions in the school system, you can’t be fired for that.

Furthermore, we’ve eliminated the need for sick notes during COVID-19. But I’m also extremely proud to say that we were the first jurisdiction to pass job-protected leave so any worker can go and get his or her vaccination. We’ll continue to stand with every worker of this province so we get through COVID-19.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: It really is frightening how out of touch this government is, that they don’t understand what vulnerable workers face in terms of an ability to pay the bills and how much they rely on every single hour of wage that they toil for every single day. They just don’t get it.

So we have a Premier that walked us right into this third wave with his eyes wide open. He then had no plan to vaccinate these front-line essential workers. He refuses to give them paid time off to get their vaccine and, certainly, paid sick days are not on the agenda.

My question is, when is this Premier going to stop insulting Ontarians, when is he going to stop pretending that he had a plan in place to get them vaccinated, and when will he do the work necessary to protect those front-line essential workers who are the most vulnerable in our province?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m going to ask the members to take their seats.

The Minister of Health to reply.

Hon. Christine Elliott: There is a plan in place and it is working, because we have already provided over 3.4 million vaccines to people who somehow have been able to find their way through the system and to create appointments. We already have 2.4 million appointments booked to receive doses, of which 59,548 were booked yesterday. Yesterday, we also set a record for the number of daily vaccines administered: 112,647.

So, clearly, something is working. People are finding their way. They are going to the pharmacies. We’ve doubled the number of pharmacies. We have the mass vaccination clinics. Many people are now going to primary care providers because they feel more comfortable, if they have pre-existing conditions, to be able to do that. There is a way for people to make sure that they can get their vaccination. They don’t have to wait in line for hours. They don’t have to wait hours on the phone. It’s quick, it’s easy to do, and we recommend—

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

The next question.

COVID-19 immunization

Mr. Taras Natyshak: The question is to the Premier. There are more and more disturbing questions about how this government has selected its vaccine hot-spot regions and why some of those regions that are represented by government members have been labelled hot-spot regions despite the government’s own data and its own evidence to the contrary.

No one should be playing politics with getting Ontarians vaccines, and I truly hope this is not a case of the government playing politics, because if it were just simply a massive oversight, they could make it right today. They could change the areas in which they distribute and identify vaccine hot spots. That’s why we’ve written to the Auditor General to look into this, because the data does not lie.

Will the Premier come clean and tell us why his government has placed some of the worst-hit areas of COVID in our province so far down on the vaccination list?

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

Hon. Christine Elliott: Unbelievable. Unbelievable that you should make any sort of suggestion, when we’re dealing with the life and death of people across this province, that there was some political interference. In fact, if anything is the case, it’s exactly the opposite.

So let me tell you—

Interjection: What about Kanata?

Hon. Christine Elliott: I’ll tell you about Kanata, if you want to know about Kanata. Based on Public Health Ontario analysis, K2V in Kanata was identified as being in the top three deciles, top fifth, for COVID-19 based on COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality through mid-January 2021. The postal code was also high in factors associated with greater vulnerability and negative impacts of COVID-19, specifically sociodemographic barriers, which resulted in it being prioritized as a hot-spot community. I’ll have more to say in my supplementary, Speaker.

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

Mr. Taras Natyshak: What is unbelievable is that there are people in Windsor and in Hamilton right now who are in desperate need of a vaccine, and no one can explain why they were left out. It is clear Ontarians need transparency about how these decisions were made, not more backroom muddling with urgent public health matters directly in front of us.

Speaker, my question to the Premier again: Will this government fully co-operate with any review the Auditor General may determine is necessary, and do one better and reveal exactly why this hot-spot vaccine distribution system has rolled out so poorly?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Clearly there is a need for more education on this issue on the other side of this House to understand exactly what has happened. I’ve just explained about the K2V designation—

Mr. Taras Natyshak: You’re driving the bus. You’re driving us right over a cliff.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Essex, come to order.

Hon. Christine Elliott: —but I can also advise you that the hot spots were informed by the science advisory table using Public Health Ontario data. Their advice was accepted by the vaccine task force, which is comprised of many people who are outside of government. These are people who are specifically knowledgeable on this issue who accepted the advice of the science advisory table and then directed both the Solicitor General’s office and the Ministry of Health to implement that plan. That’s how it was decided, and that’s what we are relying upon. It’s the advice of the health science advisory table and the medical experts here.

As we receive more vaccines and more hot spots are identified by the science advisory table and the medical experts, we will be able to expand, but, right now, we’re short on supply. We need to receive more—

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

The next question: the member for Parry Sound–Muskoka.

Mr. Norman Miller: My question—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Leader of the Opposition, come to order. The Minister of Health, come to order.

Mr. Taras Natyshak: Give us the truth.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Essex, come to order.

Ms. Donna Skelly: Playing politics with people’s minds.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Flamborough–Glanbrook, come to order. If this continues, I’ll start warning.

The next question.

COVID-19 immunization

Mr. Norman Miller: My question is for the Minister of Health. Just over two weeks ago, the minister stood in this House and told the House that we’ve reached a milestone in administering over two million vaccines. Less than three weeks later, and our province has surpassed another milestone by administering over 3.3 million doses to Ontarians across the province.

I know that the minister and everyone in government continues to work day and night to ensure more and more Ontarians can receive these life-saving vaccines. Would the minister please tell the members of this House how our government plans to ensure vaccines are going to those most at risk in hot spots across the province?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Thank you to the member from Parry Sound–Muskoka for the question and for the great work that you’re doing with your constituents.

Since day one, Speaker, our government has been committed to vaccinating Ontarians as quickly and safely as possible. We also know that COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted certain neighbourhoods and communities across the province, and we understand that administering vaccines to people who live in these areas is critical to reducing the impact of COVID-19 as quickly as possible. That is why, as part of the second phase of our vaccine rollout, we have identified 114 highly impacted neighbourhoods by postal code, which will be reached through mass immunization clinics, mobile teams and pop-up clinics.

Through a collaborative effort with our vaccination partners, we will be administering vaccines in high-risk congregate settings, residential buildings, faith-based locations and locations occupied by large employers in hot-spot neighbourhoods. Mr. Speaker, our government will continue to protect the most vulnerable in at-risk communities across our province.

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

Mr. Norman Miller: Thank you, Minister, and thank you to all those on the front lines for helping us administer vaccines.

Mr. Speaker, it’s reassuring to hear the minister talk about our plan to ensure these areas that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 are going to be receiving the vaccines they need. I’m confident Ontarians can rest assured that we are well on our way to getting a vaccine into the arm of anyone who wants one.

I know a number of factors were considered when determining what postal codes would be included within the 14 public health units that have hot-spot neighbourhoods. Would the minister please tell this House how these hot-spot neighbourhoods were determined?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Thank you to the member. I would be happy to.

Let me be clear: Hot spots have been identified based on historic and ongoing rates of COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations and transmissions. These communities were identified based not only on high rates of COVID-19, but also on outbreak data, research and analysis conducted by Ontario’s COVID-19 science advisory table, low testing rates and sociodemographic barriers that may result in vaccine hesitancy.

Also, many of these areas, particularly in Toronto, have a high proportion of the population living in congregate settings, such as long-term-care homes, condominium buildings, supportive housing and homeless shelters and, as a result, are at higher risk of transmission and outbreaks.

Mr. Speaker, we are determined to have the most effective and equitable vaccine campaign in the country.

COVID-19 immunization

Ms. Doly Begum: Speaker, at around 10:30 p.m. last night, Scarborough Health Network had to make the heartbreaking decision to contact residents across Scarborough to cancel approximately 10,000 vaccine appointments between today and Monday due to vaccine shortages.

Interjection.

Ms. Doly Begum: Mr. Speaker, I would really like to get my question across, because 10,000 people just found out they’re not getting their vaccines. I want the Minister of Education to listen and I want all of the government members to listen. I am outraged; it’s outraging what you guys are doing.

I have stood in this House for months now, months and months, addressing the issue of vaccination for Scarborough like a broken record—I honestly feel like a broken record—and, frankly, begging for an equitable distribution of vaccines, not just for Scarborough Southwest but for all of Scarborough, only to get baseless, empty promises

The cumulative result of all the failures is what we’re seeing right now, with Scarborough Health Network having to close two of their biggest vaccine operations at Centenary Hospital and at Centennial College, because this government failed to provide our community with the minimum amount of vaccines necessary.

Mr. Speaker, where are the 1.2 million unused vaccination dosages, and when will the government take our communities’ pleas seriously?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I would ask the members to please take their seats.

To respond? The Minister of Health.

Hon. Christine Elliott: I certainly have been listening to the requests that you have been providing and I have continued to reassure you that the vaccine doses are allocated based on population and based on risk. Based on population, they’ve been developed equitably across the province. Based on risk, as the member will know, you have a number of hot-spot neighbourhoods in Scarborough and extra doses have been allocated.

However, the issue here is one of supply. That is something that is beyond our control. That is in the control of the federal government.

While we know the federal government is making every effort they can right now to get supplies to us, as the member will know, a number of those vaccine shipments have been either reduced significantly or missed in the last several months. While we now have an ample supply of Pfizer coming in, that wasn’t the case during the middle of February. We also know that we received a shipment of Moderna the week of March 22; it was only 30% of what was originally expected and what we were told by the federal government that we would receive.

The remaining 70% of our allocation, 225,600 doses, was further delayed and delivered to Ontario over the Easter weekend—

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

The supplementary question?

Ms. Doly Begum: Speaker, if the government was actually doing an equitable distribution, then why is it that according to the ICES data, the province has vaccinated fewer people in hot spots than in non-hot spots?

If you are receiving a small amount—and I’m not taking away blame from the federal government. I understand; I understand that both governments have responsibility. But if the federal government was giving us short amounts, you should have prioritized hot spots like Scarborough. Why aren’t you giving us more vaccines?

Last week, the government announced the launch of mobile clinics without giving any notice to public health units, community health clinics, health networks across Scarborough, across the province, or any information about rollouts, registration or any details. Time and time again, this government expects local health networks to clean up their mess.

Scarborough has upwards of a 24% positivity rate. They’re transferring patients to hospitals across the province and our ICUs are full. This week, a couple in their forties was transferred to another ICU while their five-year-old child needed to be admitted because there was no one else to look after them—

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

The Minister of Health to reply.

Hon. Christine Elliott: Every person in Ontario is important, wherever they live. Scarborough is of course included in that.

However, to suggest that the public health units did not know about the pop-up units and the other methods of receiving the vaccines, that they were unaware of that, is simply not the case. We have conversations three times a week with the directors of public hospitals and with the public health units, medical officers of health. They are very well aware of what is in the plan and what they’re going to be doing in their own area. In fact, in some areas, they have identified their own hot spots, which they’re entitled to do, because they can use their own allocation in the way that they see fit.

Also, any suggestion that we are not giving them the information about when we’re receiving the full amounts is not the case. Often, we don’t know ourselves until the day that we’re supposed to be receiving them. Then, we’re told that we’re not going to receive them.

Under the circumstances, we are rolling out the vaccines well. We’ve got over 3.4 million doses in people’s arms. With the latter part of your question about people having to be transferred, that is to preserve the capacity in our intensive care units to make sure that any Ontarian who needs to be admitted to hospital, into intensive care—

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

The next question.

COVID-19 immunization

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: My question is to the Premier. We know that every person in the province is important. The science table has told us, however, that not every person shares the same risk of this virus. The science table has told us that by postal code, we need to manage the distribution of vaccines, because some people are at more risk.

The people of Scarborough have been at the front line of this pandemic for over a year in terms of positivity rates, hospitalization and death, and we must act. We must act. The fact that your government—the Premier announces that people in hot spots over 18 can go and get a vaccine one week, and then today, two leading clinics in Scarborough which have been smoothly administering vaccines to people over 50 have been forced to close and to cancel 10,000 appointments.

My question to this government: Why is the Premier announcing expanded programs with no planning behind them? And why are you leaving the people—

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

To reply? Again, the Minister of Health.

Hon. Christine Elliott: I can assure the member opposite that no one is being left behind. No one in Scarborough is being left behind; no one in any other part of Ontario is being left behind.

The issue is one of supply. The supply is not coming in on the dates that we expect to receive them. It is through the federal government that that happens.

We know they’re working very hard on this. We know they are, but the reality is that sometimes, we don’t receive the supply we need. That is why, in this particular case, this community clinic is required to close for a very short period of time. We did receive the Pfizer vaccine several days ago, but it is now being distributed across the units; this will be a very short-term issue. But the supply is being allocated equitably to all of those areas, including the number of hot-spot areas that exist in Scarborough.

We have been working with community partners since the very beginning, working with community health centres, working with groups that have social activities under regular circumstances. We want to make sure that people can go to places where they feel comfortable, where vaccine hesitancy can be dealt with, and that we can get as many needles into as many arms as possible, as quickly as possible.

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

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: Back to the minister: I believe that the people of this province are concerned about the decisions that your government is making. As I said, one week, you’re opening up mobile clinics to people over 18 in hot spots; the next minute, the clinics vaccinating those most at risk over 50 have been forced to close. One minute, you’re telling schools that they can continue to do in-person learning; the next day, you’re shutting them down. It’s confusing for people, and it shows an incompetence of this government.

We give you ideas. I have asked this government to make paid vaccine leave for people who are essential workers, like the people in Scarborough, a part of the plan so that they can safely get their vaccine, and there has been no action. There has been no action on the advice that’s going to save lives. When are you going to start planning proactively, so that the people of Scarborough aren’t put at further risk?

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

Minister of Health.

Hon. Christine Elliott: We have been planning since the beginning of this pandemic. We have planned to expand capacity. We have created over 3,100 more beds and increased our intensive care capacity by 14%. We’ve also built up a testing system, so that we can now test over 60,000 people a day, which we are doing on a regular basis. We have already administered 3.4 million vaccines, with more to come, in a variety of units. We’ve just doubled the number of pharmacies across Ontario where people can receive the vaccine. There is a plan.

But, as the member will know, COVID is moving very quickly, especially with these variants, and so we have to respond to that, and we are responding to that. We have regular modelling that comes to us from the science advisory table that helps us with the decisions that we need to make going forward.

We are listening to the concerns that have been expressed by other members. In fact, several members suggested that we have pop-up clinics that move into apartment buildings with frail, elderly seniors and others. We are doing that. We are going to where people are, to make sure that we can reach everyone who wants to receive a vaccine.

Shelter services

Mr. Norman Miller: My question is for the Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues. The measures taken to protect Ontarians from the virus have confined families to their homes for extended periods of time. The risk of domestic violence is something many girls and women live with every day.

Even in normal circumstances, it can be difficult for people to know what resources are available to them and to reach out for support. This is even more difficult with less interactions with colleagues, friends and family members. Every person deserves to be safe in their home and feel safe no matter where they go, and if they do not feel safe, they need to know where they can go for help.

Can the minister please explain how the government is providing shelters the resources they require to help those in need?

Hon. Jill Dunlop: Thank you to the member from Parry Sound–Muskoka, my hard-working neighbour to the north. Speaker, our Minister of Finance said in his budget that in order to have a healthy economy, we need healthy people, and I couldn’t agree more. I would add that we cannot have healthy people or a healthy economy without keeping them safe.

Our government and our Premier take the issue of domestic violence very seriously, and we have zero tolerance for anyone who commits these acts. Violence against women is a threat and burden, and its removal should be a priority for every Ontarian and every person in this House.

Speaker, I am proud to say that our government has been making investments since the very beginning of the pandemic to support our heroes on the front lines who are helping those fleeing violence in such turbulent times. Shelters have remained open throughout the pandemic. We have provided $70 million in funding to ensure proper infection prevention and control in residential settings to keep everyone safe, and we also have a public campaign to inform those who are fleeing violence that they are not alone and have a place to go.

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

Mr. Norman Miller: Thank you to the minister for that response. I’m happy to hear that shelters have continued to be a constant in our communities across Ontario during these difficult times, and that our government is prioritizing the safety and well-being of those fleeing domestic violence.

With more women accessing services, I want to know how our government is adequately supporting the shelter system. In order to provide women and children the support they require, we must make sure the tools are available, both in urban areas and rural and remote areas like my riding of Parry Sound–Muskoka.

Shelter staff are front-line heroes serving vulnerable members of our communities during the pandemic. To keep shelter staff and residents protected from COVID-19, shelters have had additional expenses in order to provide adequate supports. Can the minister please share what additional supports there are for women fleeing violence, and what others can do if they think someone is in danger?

Hon. Jill Dunlop: Thank you again to the member for that question. Speaker, our government is taking action to make sure those who are not safe at home have somewhere safe to go. We recognize the increased demands on shelters throughout the pandemic. That is why, through the work of our Attorney General, Doug Downey, we provided an emergency payment of $2.7 million last year to help ensure that over 50 community agencies remain accessible for women and children who are fleeing violence.

We also invested $3.6 million specifically for rural and remote supports so women can get the help they need right in their communities. That allows women access to support without having to drive or fly long distances to get the help they need.

Speaker, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our incredible shelter workers for their tireless efforts to support women and children in our province. These workers have shown resiliency by adapting their work as safety measures continue to change. These workers have shown true Ontario spirit this past year and their work does not go unnoticed.

Laurentian University / Université Laurentienne

Speaker, this minister has failed. He did nothing to protect francophone and Indigenous students at Université de Sudbury. He did nothing to protect nursing, psychology and social work students from Huntington University. He did nothing to protect arts, theatre and women’s studies students from Thorneloe University. He did nothing to protect Laurentian.

If he’s not willing to do anything, then he shouldn’t be the minister, full stop. My question, through you, Speaker: Will the Premier do the right thing and remove him?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): To reply on behalf of the government, the member for Northumberland–Peterborough South and the parliamentary assistant.

Mr. David Piccini: I thank the member for that question. We understand the very personal and difficult situation that many students, faculty and staff are in right now. Let me be clear, Mr. Speaker, that the courses of 90% of students at Laurentian have not been affected. For the 10% who have, we are ensuring that they have a pathway to graduation.

Mr. Speaker, with 45 publicly assisted post-secondary institutions in Ontario, we know that COVID has placed unique challenges on all of them. That’s why the minister and I have had a number of consultation sessions with all of them over the course of the last year and a half. We’ve made investments of over $126 million for additional financial supports to support with COVID challenges, $466 million to address critical capital upgrades and repairs, and doubled mental health funding to support students.

What is the one thing in common on all those measures? That that member voted against every single one of them.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The supplementary question? The member for Mushkegowuk–James Bay.

M. Guy Bourgouin: Ma question est aussi pour le premier ministre.

Lors des dernières semaines, le ministre des Collèges et Universités a indiqué que la situation de la Laurentienne n’affecterait pas les étudiants. Le 10 mars, par exemple, le ministre a dit que les « étudiants ne seront pas touchés par ce qui se passe à l’Université Laurentienne ». Et tout récemment, il a dit qu’il travaillait pour que « les étudiants ... poursuivent leurs études sans interruption ». Évidemment, il n’a pas été capable de passer de la parole aux actes.

Mr. David Piccini: Again, merci pour la question.

Let me be clear. The courses of 90% of students have not been affected, and for the 10% of those who have been affected, we will ensure them a pathway to graduation.

But, Mr. Speaker, let me talk about the financial situation that that member and the other member mentioned that was recently brought to our government’s attention. Those members wrote, identifying $15 million needed in supports. Widely shared media reports have shown over $300 million in liability concerns with that university. Something of this magnitude requires thorough and independent analysis. That’s why we appointed Dr. Alan Harrison to address this. We respect the independent legal proceedings. We respect the independent analysis so deeply needed in this situation.

When the minister said we’ll explore greater financial transparency among universities, I hope that those two members and this party across will support us in those measures.

Education funding

M me Lucille Collard: My question is for the Minister of Education. Mr. Speaker, the need for investment in education has never been so obvious as during the pandemic. Instead, the government has decided to cut nearly $790 million from education. Sure, the announcement today for school infrastructure is good news, but it doesn’t reverse the damage done to our schools, and funding is still deficient.

Teachers are already being laid off for the next school year, including French teachers that are urgently needed to address the ever-present shortage. This means that class sizes are going to be larger, resources will be further spread thin and students’ needs and safety will be further compromised. Thanks to the federal government for stepping up, but education is the responsibility of the province, and this government isn’t pulling its weight.

Why is the minister abandoning our education workers and families by cutting education funding for the next school year?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: I’m very proud that today, with the federal government, Minister Scott and I announced the over $500-million net new investment, a one-time investment to improve our schools, the facilities that our kids depend on to learn. We appreciate that these investments today will help us improve the safety of these facilities as we work to get students back—$525 million for 3,200 net new projects. This is a one-time expenditure; it will help. That’s in addition to the half a billion dollars we invest every single year to build new schools, in addition to the $1.3 billion we invest every single year to maintain excellence within our school spaces.

Mr. Speaker, under our plan, because of our investments, because we followed the science, 7,000 more staff have been hired. We have one of the lowest case rates amongst youth under 20 in the nation. That is because we have invested, it’s because we have listened to the medical officer of health. We will work every single day to improve the safety of schools and get kids back to class.

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

M me Lucille Collard: Again to the Minister of Education: Just this week, the government announced that schools would once again close for an indeterminate amount of time. We have been hearing from education workers, students and parents for months on end that measures in schools have not been enough, that they feel unsafe in schools and that they are in dire need of more supports.

An $8-billion investment in our education system would be a game-changer, but the government thinks that Highway 413 is more important. They are willing to spend $8 billion on an unwanted project that will destroy our environment, taking funding from our education system.

What does the minister have to say to the countless education workers and families who will feel the devastating impacts of the government’s budget cuts, while his government builds an unwanted highway?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: We are investing in public education, as we have done each and every year under our government—more funding than when the former Liberal government was in power at the peak of spending in the education portfolio, $700 million more announced in the most recent budget.

But it’s not just about that; it’s about what we did during the pandemic—a $1.6-billion plan, the most comprehensive protocols that followed the medical advice: We hired 7,000 more staff; 95% of our air ventilation systems within our schools have been improved; a $224-million investment to build up our online learning and remote learning capacity, that infrastructure, to make sure that when we need it, like we do today, based exclusively on the rising transmission in the community that can create risk for our schools. It’s now that these investments are best supporting children in the continuity of learning.

We are going to continue to be there for students, particularly as we look to September, with investments in the Grants for Student Needs, investments in school boards and safety, to ensure kids can have a good-quality education and that they remain safe in 2021 and beyond.

Mining industry

Mr. Norman Miller: About a month ago, the Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines made an exciting announcement about the future of the province’s world-leading mineral exploration and development sector.

Ontario’s Critical Minerals Strategy is the first of its kind in this province. It will help generate investment in the mining sector, increase the province’s competitiveness in the global market and create jobs and opportunities for northern and Indigenous communities. Our government recognizes that the mineral sector needs to be a key driver of Ontario’s economic recovery, given that it contributes over $13.1 billion annually.

Mr. Speaker, the pandemic ha