role="main" class="main-container container js-quickedit-main-content" id="main-content">

May 26, 2026

44th Parliament, 1st Session

< Previous sitting day

Next sitting day >

Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2026-May-26 vol. A (PDF)

L077A - Tue 26 May 2026 / Mar 26 mai 2026

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Tuesday 26 May 2026 Mardi 26 mai 2026

Orders of the Day

Robert Charles Wong

Ed Doyle

Giorgio Mammoliti

Wearing of jersey

Members’ Statements

Dennis Bayley

Peter Palko / Claude Depatie

Small business

Screen time in schools

Addiction services

Rebecca Simpson

Health care

Education funding

Government investments

Kitchener Rangers

Introduction of Visitors

House sittings

Legislative pages

Question Period

Government accountability

Freedom of information

Hospital funding

Health care / Soins de santé

Supportive housing

Hospital funding

Mining industry

Youth services

Defence, Security and Resilience Bank

Government spending

Ring of Fire

Hospital funding

Transportation infrastructure

Highway construction

Notice of dissatisfaction

Deferred Votes

Municipal Accountability Act, 2026 / Loi de 2026 sur la responsabilité au niveau municipal

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Social Policy

Standing Committee on the Interior

Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs

Introduction of Bills

Save a Life Act (Naloxone Kit Registration and Public Access), 2026 / Loi de 2026 visant à sauver des vies (accès public aux trousses de naloxone et leur enregistrement)

Romanian Heritage Week Act, 2026 / Loi de 2026 sur la Semaine du patrimoine roumain

Fighting Extreme Heat in Schools Act, 2026 / Loi de 2026 sur la lutte contre la chaleur extrême dans les écoles

Mining Awareness Week Act, 2026 / Loi de 2026 sur la Semaine de sensibilisation à l’exploitation minière

Smoke-Free Ontario Amendment Act (Vaping is not for Kids), 2026 / Loi de 2026 modifiant la Loi favorisant un Ontario sans fumée (le vapotage n’est pas pour les enfants)

Petitions

Social assistance

Social assistance

Air quality

Collective bargaining

Screen time in schools

Highway safety

Collective bargaining

Education funding

Land use planning

Highway safety

Social assistance

Education funding

Tire disposal

Orders of the Day

Building Billy Bishop Airport Act, 2026 / Loi de 2026 sur la construction de l’aéroport Billy Bishop

The House met at 0900.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Good morning. Let us pray.

Prayers.

Orders of the Day

Robert Charles Wong

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

Hon. Steve Clark: Madam Speaker, if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent to allow members to make statements in remembrance of the late Mr. Robert Charles Wong, with two minutes being allotted to the independent members as a group, five minutes to His Majesty’s government, five minutes allotted to His Majesty’s loyal opposition and five minutes allotted to the third party.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The government House leader is seeking unanimous consent to allow members to make statements in remembrance of the late Mr. Robert Charles Wong, with two minutes allotted to the independent members as a group, five minutes allotted to His Majesty’s government, five minutes allotted to His Majesty’s loyal opposition and five minutes allotted to the third party. Agreed? Agreed.

Today we are honoured to remember and pay tribute to a former member of our provincial Legislature, the late Honourable Robert Charles Wong, who was the MPP for Fort York and Minister of Citizenship and Minister of Energy, during the 34th Parliament.

Joining us in the galleries are Honourable Wong’s family and friends: his spouse, Alice Wong; his nieces and their families, Kimberly Ann Mah-Poy, Barbara MacPhie, Gary MacPhie, Jameson MacPhie, Jessica Maggie MacPhie, Sarah Elizabeth Kargel and Isabella Lauren Kargel; and his friends Greg Wong and Sandra Chow Chee Wong.

Also joining us in the galleries are Steve Gilchrist, MPP for Scarborough East during the 36th and 37th Parliaments, and Robin Martin, MPP for Eglinton–Lawrence during the 42nd and 43rd Parliaments.

Welcome.

I recognize the member for Eglinton–Lawrence.

Mrs. Michelle Cooper: I rise today to pay tribute to Robert Charles Wong, a former member of this House, who passed away on December 16, 2025. Mr. Wong served the people of Ontario with distinction as the member for Fort York from 1987 to 1990.

Bob Wong was born in Fort Erie, Ontario, in 1941. From an early age, he demonstrated a passion for learning and a deep commitment to excellence. He pursued his education at the University of Toronto, York University, the University of Waterloo and Harvard University, studying mathematics, physics and business administration. His academic journey reflected not only intellectual curiosity but also a belief that knowledge could be applied in service of the broader public good.

Before entering elected office, Mr. Wong built a strong foundation in public service. He worked as a special assistant to the federal Minister of National Health and Welfare, and later served as special adviser to Canada’s first Minister of State for Multiculturalism. In these roles, he contributed to the early development of policies that recognize the importance of diversity and inclusion in Canadian society.

In 1987, Bob Wong made history when he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Representing the downtown Toronto riding of Fort York, he became the first Canadian of Chinese descent to sit in this House. His election marked an important moment in Ontario’s evolution as our Legislature began to better reflect the diversity of the people it serves.

Shortly after his election, Mr. Wong was appointed to cabinet, serving as Minister of Energy and later as Minister of Citizenship. In the latter role, he held responsibility for race relations, multiculturalism and the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Through this work, he contributed to strengthening the province’s commitment to fairness, inclusion and respect for all Ontarians.

During his time at Queen’s Park, Bob Wong was known as a thoughtful and principled member. He approached public service with integrity and a clear belief that government should reflect and serve the full diversity of Ontario. He consistently supported efforts to improve opportunities for newcomers and to foster stronger understanding between communities.

Beyond his years in elected office, Mr. Wong made significant contributions in business and community. He was a respected leader in the financial sector, establishing the first brokerage office in Toronto’s Chinatown and earning recognition as analyst of the year in 1980. He also served in leadership roles across a wide range of organizations, contributing to the cultural, professional and civic life of this province.

Earlier in his career, he was also an educator and an innovator, helping to introduce computer science education at the secondary school level and authoring early works in the field. In every aspect of his life, whether in education, business or public service, he sought to break new ground and to create opportunities for others.

Bob Wong’s life was marked by a series of firsts, but it was also defined by consistent commitment to service. He understood that representation matters, and he worked to ensure that Ontario’s institutions were stronger, more inclusive and more reflective of the people they served. He served his constituents and the people of Ontario with dedication and integrity, always striving to contribute positively to public life.

His legacy continues in the many individuals he inspired and in the progress towards a more inclusive province that he helped to advance. I thank him for his years of service and for the enduring impact he had on this House and the province of Ontario.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): I recognize the member from Spadina–Fort York.

Mr. Chris Glover: It’s an incredible honour to rise today to honour the memory of Bob Wong. Today we’re joined in the House by his family members: Dr. Alice Wong, his wife; Greg and Sandra Wong; niece Kimberly Mah-Poy; Sarah Kargel; Isabella Kargel; Maggie MacPhie; niece Barbara; and Gary MacPhie. Welcome to the House and thank you for joining us today on this really important occasion.

I am serving in the legacy riding of Fort York that Bob Wong was elected to in 1987. He served until 1990. Before he was elected, he had decades of public service. He was educated at the University of Toronto, York University, Harvard University and the University of Waterloo. He earned bachelor of science and MBA degrees. He was a special assistant to the Minister of National Health and Welfare, John Munro, from 1968 to 1970. He also served as special adviser to Stanley Haidasz, Canada’s first Minister of State for Multiculturalism, in 1972, so he actually played a role in shaping Canada’s multicultural policy.

He also served as the president of the Toronto and District Liberal Association from 1974 to 1976 and of the Ontario Chinese Liberal Association in 1986. He also chaired the Toronto, Ontario Olympic committee and was a member of the multicultural advisory council. This is all before he became an MPP.

When he was elected in 1987—there’s a famous photo in the Toronto Star. Greg Wong, who is here today, shook up a bottle of champagne and popped the cork. He sprayed Bob and his wife, Alice, with champagne. So there’s a picture in the Toronto Star of just them being drowned in all these bubbles of champagne. It was a really momentous occasion because Bob was the first Canadian of Chinese descent to be elected to this Legislature. I think that deserves a round of applause because that was a truly, truly momentous occasion. I think it was certainly an occasion worthy of being wetted with champagne.

He said, at the time, “It was a historic win. The Chinese community was overly ecstatic and proud to have a member of the community serving in the Legislature for the first time in Ontario’s history.”

His help in shaping Canada’s multicultural policy led to a life-long commitment to Canada’s diversity. He said, “I have always believed that diversity helps to build better governments, organizations and a better country.”

He said, “I welcomed the responsibility of representing the Chinese community and the broader Asian community.” He said that when he was elected, his goals were to fight for “employment equity, settlement issues and harmonious race relations”—the causes he most strongly supported.

After he was an MPP, he also opened the first brokerage in Chinatown where he broke down barriers in the financial sector by helping immigrant and marginalized communities access financial services, investment opportunities and economic participation at a time when they were excluded from Bay Street institutions.

Bob understood that our institutions, media and leadership needed to include and represent our communities and ensure that everyone could participate and feel welcomed. He played an important role in helping secure a licence for CFMT/OMNI Television, Canada’s first multilingual television station. CFMT/OMNI gave immigrant communities access to news, programming and participation in their own language.

Bob also helped open many doors for so many people. His contributions extended far beyond politics. He was an educator in math and physics, and an early leader in computer science education, authoring early computing textbooks. He was a respected business and financial leader and was named analyst of the year in 1980 by the Financial Times of Canada. Bob served as the chair of the Canadian Automobile Association, as well as a Royal Ontario Museum board member.

I’ll just quote one other person that I spoke to, Tonny Louie. If anybody has ever been to Grossman’s, it’s a legendary bar down on—I see a couple of nods—so Tonny Louie and his family are the owners of Grossman’s. They’ve been managing it for decades. They were good friends with Bob. I’ve also heard many great bands there in my earlier days—and also lost a lot of games of pool, I will say, up there at Grossman’s.

But Tonny says of Bob that he was a stockbroker. He first met him when he was an investment broker for a friend.

He said that Bob’s favourite place to go with Alice was to get the Peking duck at Kom Jug Yuen, another legendary place in Chinatown. He said they used to park their car behind Grossman’s, so they had access to Kom Jug Yuen.

He said that Bob deeply, deeply loved Chinatown.

He said, “We remember Bob not only for his accomplishments, but for his integrity, intelligence, advocacy and his commitment to public service.

“I wish to acknowledge and extend condolences to Bob’s wife, Dr. Alice Wong; his family and friends; former colleagues; and the communities he served.

“Bob Wong leaves behind a lasting legacy of inclusion in politics and stronger public institutions. His work opened doors for future generations.”

Thank you very much for joining us, and thank you for sharing Bob Wong with all of us.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): I recognize the member from Kitchener Centre.

Ms. Aislinn Clancy: Thank you for this opportunity to speak about Bob Wong.

Hi. I want to thank the family and friends of Bob for coming today. I’m sure he didn’t do this alone. It takes a village to raise a politician. Thank you to Dr. Alice Wong and all the folks who are here today to celebrate his legacy because I am sure you were always there with him along the way, and that’s why he could do such amazing things.

So 54 years of marriage. I have been married 17 years. I think you deserve an award because being married that long is an amazing partnership. It shows how much you worked together as a team to make your life incredible. I’m sure you have lots of stories to tell, and so hopefully, one day, we can have coffee and you can tell me stories about the incredible life that you led together.

I’m just astounded that somebody could do this in one lifetime. As I learned about his life—all the degrees, all the leadership positions, the impact, teaching so many young people—I’m sure he inspired so many just by being there. So many people—Chinese youth—never got to see somebody in those positions until Bob came along and broke through those ceilings and made it happen.

It is incredible that he accomplished so many of these firsts because I’m sure he faced a lot of racism. I’m sure he faced a lot of discrimination; people telling him that he couldn’t because he was Chinese or other hateful comments that unfortunately still exist today, but I love that he had that spirit of character to persevere and say, “Watch me,” and he did it.

I was a settlement worker, and I know how much it means for people to have a community. Just by helping establish OMNI, we see the ripple effects to this day of how many folks tune in on a Sunday afternoon or a Friday evening to listen to their program in their language, learn about what’s going on in their community, be able to celebrate their traditions and connect with their neighbours in their language in their culture to feel at home in Canada, which often doesn’t feel like home because you are straddling two cultures. You need that piece of home every day, and that’s what OMNI continues to do for so many people in Ontario.

So I appreciate all the accomplishments he achieved in his life, but I think, above all, I truly believe that his life of service has made the lives of the people of Ontario richer and better and more welcoming than ever before.

Thank you for sharing him with us.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): I recognize the member from Kingston and the Islands.

Mr. Ted Hsu: Today, I have the honour of rising and giving a tribute on behalf of the Ontario Liberal caucus to Robert Charles Wong, the former MPP for Fort York and minister in the David Peterson government.

I did not get to know Bob personally, but I’ve heard his friends and colleagues speak about him with a sort of reverence. He was beloved by his colleagues, staff and fellow Liberal activists for his good humour, wit, commitment to teamwork, commitment to service and helping those in need.

Bob was a man who did it all: business, academics and public service. One thing that attracted my attention was the fact that Bob got his start the way I did, working hard to achieve success in math, physics, computing and finance. In some ways, it’s not a complete accident.

I want to tell everybody here that the doors to certain fields of work or the doors to serving as an elected official for somebody of Chinese heritage are a lot wider today than they were 40 years ago—40 years ago, there were fewer choices. When I first ran for office 16 years ago, it was still a real question: “Can a Chinese guy win elected office in a place where there aren’t many ethnic-Chinese voters?” Bob Wong, who worked long and hard and earned prominence and respect, made answering that question easier.

Bob was devoted to serving his community. He was a pioneer in the teaching of computer science in Ontario high schools, and he even co-wrote textbooks. He founded the first brokerage in Toronto’s Chinatown and held senior roles at various financial firms. His community service included leadership positions with a diverse array of professional and civic organizations, and Bob was recognized later in life with various awards for leadership and volunteer achievement.

Bob also took on lifetime voluntary roles with his beloved federal and provincial Liberal Parties.

Beyond politics, Bob was a co-founder of CFMT channel 47, the first multilingual television channel in Canada. It’s now known as OMNI.

Bob was a champion of strength in diversity before that became a political slogan. He said publicly that multicultural diversity was the most impressive thing about Toronto. He was an advocate for employment equity, newcomer settlement and harmonious race relations. He served as an adviser to the first federal Minister of State for Multiculturalism early in his career.

Bob was a leading light at Queen’s Park. He was elected to represent the riding of Fort York in 1987 and was named to cabinet that year as Minister of Energy. While energy minister, he passed legislation which enabled the province to test for energy efficiency and set minimum standards. It was the first of its kind in Canada.

In a Toronto Star interview, Bob said that serving as a minister was his ultimate experience because of the intellectual and physical challenge and the privilege of serving the people.

In 1989, he became Minister of Citizenship, responsible for race relations, multiculturalism and the Ontario Human Rights Commission. As the first minister of Asian heritage in either federal or provincial government, he was also a trailblazer in strengthening race relations, which was a cause near and dear to him. While Bob Wong himself would be the first to note that there is yet work to be done in our multi-ethnic and multicultural society, we could not have been handed the torch by a more capable, passionate and devoted man.

Today, we reflect on Bob Wong’s life, the people he touched, and the differences he made. He is survived by his wife, Alice, who joins us today in the gallery; his brother; and many cousins, nieces and nephews, who should take pride in knowing that his character, ethics and devotion are all uncontestable.

May he rest in peace, and may the rest of us honour him by reaffirming our commitment to work towards the Ontario and Canada he dreamed of.

Applause.

Ed Doyle

Hon. Steve Clark: Mr. Speaker, if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent to allow members to make statements in remembrance of the late Mr. Ed Doyle, with five minutes allotted to His Majesty’s loyal opposition, five minutes allotted to the third party, two minutes allotted to the independent members as a group and five minutes to His Majesty’s government.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): The government House leader is seeking unanimous consent to allow members to make statements in remembrance of the late Mr. Ed Doyle, with five minutes allotted to His Majesty’s loyal opposition, five minutes allotted to the third party, two minutes allotted to the independent members as a group and five minutes allotted to His Majesty’s government. Agreed? Agreed.

Today we are honoured to remember and pay tribute to a former member of our provincial Legislature, the late Mr. Ed Doyle, who was the MPP for Wentworth East and Speaker during the 36th Parliament.

Mr. Doyle’s family and friends are watching from home.

Joining us in the gallery today are Steve Gilchrist, MPP for Scarborough East during the 36th and 37th Parliaments, and Robin Martin, MPP for Eglinton–Lawrence during the 42nd and 43rd Parliaments. Welcome.

I recognize the member from Hamilton-Wentworth-Ancaster—

Ms. Sandy Shaw: Thank you, Speaker. It would be easier if it was still Wentworth East, which is what Mr. Doyle represented.

It is an honour for me to rise and pay tribute to former MPP Mr. Ed Doyle. He served Wentworth East in the 36th Parliament from 1995 to 1999.

First and foremost, Ed was a family man. Together with his wife, Donna, they had four children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. In fact, when Ed announced his candidacy for MPP, he cited family as the reason he wanted to run. Ed wanted to provide a better future for his grandchildren. I’m sure all of us in the House will share in those same hopes.

Edward Andrew Doyle was born in Baie-Comeau, Quebec, on May 30, 1935. Doyle had five brothers and one sister. Baie-Comeau was the hometown of former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and, in fact, Doyle knew the Mulroneys because he was friends with one of the brothers.

Before entering politics, Ed had a long and reputable career in broadcast journalism. He began at a radio station, CFOW, in Montreal in 1958, but he made his biggest mark in Hamilton. He was a trusted presence in local homes for many, many years. First, Ed served as a radio reporter and newscaster on CHML, and then as a news reporter and anchor at CHCH TV.

Doyle then jumped into politics, winning Wentworth East for the Progressive Conservatives in the 1995 election that brought Mike Harris and his Common Sense Revolution to power. Ed Doyle was also the 35th Speaker of the Ontario Legislature, serving a brief stint in 1996.

Speaker, you may be seeing a pattern here: CHCH news, MPP and Speaker. The current 43rd Speaker, the Honourable Donna Skelly, worked with Doyle at the CHCH station and praised him for his public life. She said, “Ed will be remembered for his dedication, professionalism and kindness, and the positive impact he had on people he worked with.”

Wentworth East was a Hamilton riding, so I’m sure none of you will be surprised when I tell you that Ed was not afraid to speak his mind, especially when it came to his constituents.

CHCH Queen’s Park reporter Randy Rath worked with Ed for many years, and Randy told me that Ed was a genuinely nice guy and fun to be around. Ed was an old school journalist who had those golden baritone tones as an anchor—the man with a golden voice. Randy said it was obvious to everyone that he really cared about his constituents and that he made it a personal mission to fix problems and issues that they were facing.

Ed was a dedicated hobbyist, a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and flew a two-seater plane. After he retired, he got into woodworking; when his plans to build his own aircraft didn’t pan out, he used the equipment to replicate antique furniture. This was a hobby that he shared with his wife, Donna. His son Stephen said his dad was well spoken and knowledgeable about many topics and that he was very good at Trivial Pursuit: “He was a great father. You couldn’t have asked for a better guy.” What a nice thing to be able to say about your father.

Ed died on January 26 of this year at the good old age of 90. He is survived by his sons Shane, Sheldon, Stephen and Kevin, as well as seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Donna, who passed in 2011.

When I was researching this I was looking through Hansard, as we all do when we’re doing these tributes, and I was looking at some of the words that Ed spoke in the House. I think it’s fitting that I conclude this tribute with an Irish blessing that Ed read in this very Legislature with those deep, mellifluous tones that he had. I don’t know if I can do this justice, but I will try: “May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.”

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): I recognize the member from Toronto–St. Paul’s.

MPP Stephanie Smyth: Thank you, Speaker. Thank you, also, for the opportunity to pay tribute to Edward Andrew Doyle, who passed away, as we’ve heard, last January at the age of 90. It is a great honour to pay tribute to this former Speaker, MPP for Wentworth East and broadcaster.

As we’ve learned, Ed was born in Baie-Comeau, Quebec, and raised in Montreal, where he began his radio career. In 1978, he moved to Hamilton. In the 1950s, he dabbled as a junior draftsman at Imperial Oil and Northern Electric, working on some of the earliest computers, but he always had an interest in news and journalism, as well as that natural broadcasting voice my colleague was referring to. This led him to redirect his career to journalism and broadcasting.

For 35 years, Ed was a journalist and anchor for various news outlets, including CHML, CKCO TV in Kitchener and CHCH TV in Hamilton. He was of course a very familiar voice in homes right across the province, retiring from journalism in 1993 to help his wife, Donna, manage her medical services company, demonstrating his commitment to family and to helping others.

In 1995, he decided to run for provincial government and was elected to the Legislature to serve as a Progressive Conservative MPP for the Hamilton area riding of Wentworth East. As a member for Hamilton East for four years, Ed was a strong advocate for the issues that most affected his constituents. He opposed city amalgamation. He worked on national pension reform and also worked on local free market housing.

In April 1997, Ed was appointed deputy government whip, signalling the trust his party placed in him. He also briefly served as Speaker of the House, thanks to his intellect and his ability to get along with everyone, a theme that remained consistent throughout both his political and personal life.

In a place where disagreements can often become heated, Ed was known for bringing people together rather than dividing them. He understood the importance of respect in public service, and he carried himself with dignity and humility right throughout his career.

Those who knew Ed often spoke of his kindness and his generosity. He’s been described as your favourite neighbour and uncle all rolled into one, which I think is the way many of us would probably love to be remembered.

Whether in broadcasting or in government, Ed knew how to make the people in his community feel valued and heard. Ed will be remembered fondly for the warmth and the kindness he brought to Queen’s Park and beyond.

He was a loving husband to his late wife, Donna; a loving father to his four sons, Shane, Sheldon, Stephen and Kevin; as well as, we heard, that loving grandfather to seven grandchildren and even loving great-grandfather to three great-grandchildren. As we know, love multiplies, it doesn’t divide. His sons describe him as the best father ever and the undisputed champion of Trivial Pursuit.

Outside of politics, he was part of the Experimental Aircraft Association and even piloted his own home-built two-seater plane. After exiting the political arena, he also took up woodworking.

Ed’s life was marked by a commitment to others, his constituents, his family, Ontarians and Canadians. Though I never had the pleasure of knowing Ed, the positive and lasting impressions he made on others resonates right through this building.

I offer my deepest condolences to his family, to his friends and the many people who had the pleasure of working with him. May he rest in peace.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): I recognize the member from Guelph.

Mr. Mike Schreiner: It’s an honour to rise today to pay tribute to Edward Doyle for his service to the people of Ontario.

Ed served as the MPP for the Hamilton area riding of Wentworth East from 1995 to 1999. He also served as the 36th Speaker of the Ontario Legislature in the fall of 1996. Everyone agreed, when there was an opening in the Speakership, that the kindest person who got along with everyone and was respected and knowledgeable should fill in, and that person was Ed.

There is no doubt, Speaker, that Ed’s knowledge of issues and politics really came from his 35-year career in journalism as a broadcaster, reporter and news anchor. Born and raised in Quebec, Ed began his career in radio in 1958. He also served in Kitchener, but he became most famous for the work that he did in Hamilton at CHML and CHCH.

Ed was known as a straight talker with a great radio voice and a family man. And it was his commitment to family that inspired him to run for the Ontario Legislature in the Common Sense Revolution in 1995. Ed said that he wanted to make sure that balanced budgets were balanced, and that his kids, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren would grow up in a strong Ontario. He was a fierce advocate for his constituents, opposing the amalgamation of Hamilton and co-chairing provincial consultations on the Canadian pension plan.

I want to say to Ed’s family—especially his sons, Shane, Sheldon, Stephen and Kevin; his seven grandchildren; his three great-grandchildren; as well as his late wife Donna—thank you for sharing Ed with us. Ontario is a better place because of his service.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): I recognize the member from Hamilton Mountain.

MPP Monica Ciriello: I have the honour to rise today to pay tribute to former member of provincial Parliament Ed Doyle, whose contributions to this Legislature, to the residents of Hamilton and to Ontario continue to be remembered with great respect. While I didn’t have the opportunity to know Ed personally, I know his legacy—one that is rooted in community and family.

Before entering politics, Ed was already a well-known and trusted figure throughout Hamilton. He had a distinguished career in both broadcasting and journalism. For many years, Ontarians welcomed him into their homes daily through his work on CHCH, where he became a familiar and respected voice in local news.

Ed earned a reputation for professionalism, warmth and integrity—qualities that would continue to define him throughout his time in public life. It was an era defined by broadcasters with a commanding presence and an unmistakable voice, and Ed Doyle was regarded as one of the very best—not just in Hamilton, but across this province. He brought professionalism, credibility and warmth to journalism, earning the respect of colleagues and viewers alike. Wherever he went in Hamilton, he was described as someone who brought class to every story that he covered.

In the 1990s, Ed transitioned from journalism into politics, bringing with him the same sense of professionalism and service that had defined his broadcasting career. In 1995, he was elected to this Legislature as the Progressive Conservative member for Wentworth East, representing the Hamilton area during a significant moment in Ontario’s political history.

He served as a part of Premier Mike Harris’s government and spent four years in this chamber representing his riding with dedication and humility. While Ed served as a dedicated member, he also played a unique and important role in this chamber. In 1996, members from all three parties came together and asked Ed to serve as the Acting Speaker. That decision reflected a tremendous level of respect that he had earned across party lines. As one former colleague said, Ed Doyle was “a true gentleman, a professional, and very well respected on both sides of the floor.”

At a moment when the House required steadiness and dignity, members trusted Ed to guide the House fairly and calmly, and he did just that. Throughout 1996, Ed served as Speaker with composure and fairness, and he had the distinction of becoming the first Hamiltonian to serve in that role—and now, the Honourable Donna Skelly, being the second Hamiltonian to hold that role.

In a chamber that can be shaped by division, Ed demonstrated the importance of civility and restraint. His work in public service also extended beyond this chamber. During his time in office, Ed participated in province-wide consultations regarding the future of the Canadian pension plan and the role that provinces play within it. The work he contributed to helped shape Ontario’s position and supported reforms aimed at ensuring the CPP’s long-term stability for future generations.

But while Ed’s professional accomplishments were significant, what many remember most was his character. He was thoughtful and respectful, he was approachable and kind, and he was known for his wit and his warm smile.

In both journalism and politics, Ed believed deeply in service rooted in community. Hamilton was always at the centre of all the work that he did, and he remained closely connected to the people and the stories of the city throughout his entire life.

Speaker, this Legislature is shaped by individuals who strengthen our democratic institutions through their integrity and commitment to service. Ed Doyle was one of those individuals.

Today, we remember a former colleague who served this House with honour and who leaves behind a legacy of decency and dedication to the people of Ontario.

On behalf of this Legislature, I want to extend my condolences to Ed’s family, friends and former colleagues, and thank them for sharing Ed with us.

Thank you, Ed, for your years of service to this House, to our province and to the city of Hamilton.

Applause.

Giorgio Mammoliti

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: Speaker, if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent to allow members to make statements in remembrance of the late Giorgio Mammoliti, with five minutes allotted to the third party, two minutes allotted to the independent members as a group, five minutes allotted to His Majesty’s government and five minutes allotted to His Majesty’s loyal opposition.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): The member is seeking unanimous consent to allow members to make statements in remembrance of the late Giorgio Mammoliti, with five minutes allotted to the third party, two minutes allotted to the independent members as a group, five minutes allotted to His Majesty’s government and five minutes allotted to His Majesty’s loyal opposition. Agreed? Agreed.

Today we are honoured to remember and pay tribute to a former member of our provincial Legislature, the late Mr. Giorgio Mammoliti, who was the MPP for Yorkview during the 35th Parliament.

Joining us in the gallery today are members of Mr. Mammoliti’s family—his children and their spouses: Christopher Mammoliti, Barbara Mammoliti, Nicole Mammoliti, Isabella Calligario Mammoliti; his siblings and their spouses: Lina Scaccia, Mauro Scaccia, Franco Mammoliti, Len Mammoliti, Janice Mammoliti, Tony Mammoliti, Manuela Mammoliti; and his grandchildren Domenico Mammoliti, Milo Mammoliti, Colton Mammoliti-Hasmatali, Riley Mammoliti-Harsanyi and Violet Mammoliti-Harsanyi.

Also joining us in the galleries are Steve Gilchrist, MPP for Scarborough East during the 36th and 37th Parliaments, and Robin Martin, MPP for Eglinton–Lawrence during the 42nd and 43rd Parliaments.

Welcome to you all.

I recognize the member from Beaches–East York.

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: Thank you very much, Speaker. It’s always a pleasure to rise in the chamber to represent beautiful Beaches–East York residents, but today it is an extremely special day, when I am invited to share a tribute to a former parliamentarian, especially one I worked alongside at Toronto city hall.

Giorgio Mammoliti was a steadfast member of the Ontario New Democratic Party, winning the riding of Yorkview in the 1990 election, at the very young age of 28 years old. He unseated the Liberal incumbent to serve with the new Premier, Bob Rae, and became a parliamentary assistant to several ministries.

After his time at Queen’s Park, he went on to represent Ward 7 York West—now Humber River–Black Creek—as a city councillor from 1995 to 2018, both pre- and post-amalgamation. While at city hall, even though elected officials act as independents, Giorgio left the NDP and joined the Liberal Party—yay!

In 2018, Giorgio Mammoliti announced he would re-enter provincial politics and seek the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party nomination for Brampton Centre.

He was up for any opportunity, anywhere, to serve the public and help people.

Later, he surprised everyone yet again by jumping in to become a member of the People’s Party and run federally in 2023 in Simcoe–Grey—this after running for the mayor of Wasaga Beach in 2022. “Keep them guessing” should have been Giorgio’s mantra.

If you look up “passionate” in the dictionary, you will find the name Giorgio Mammoliti. Whether crusading to bring the famous giant pandas to Ontario as the chair of the Toronto Zoo board or talking about Emery Village BIA—business improvement area—endlessly to anyone who would listen while pushing forth with his dream to help them build the world’s largest flagpole or caring deeply for his constituents and the whole York West community, Giorgio was all in, and he brought others in too with his energy and his enthusiasm.

He was also extremely exuberant about his bold ideas for the city; some he put forth when he ran for mayor of Toronto twice, in 2010 and 2023—proposals like transforming the Gardiner into an elevated garden akin to the High Line in New York City and creating a red-light district on Toronto Island just for some excitement.

Giorgio was never once to mince words—he literally called a spade a spade. His constituents absolutely loved his candour, and it made for many lively and spicy city council meetings. Why not take your shirt off in the chamber at Nathan Phillips? Why not ride an elephant down a main street in the fourth-largest city in North America? This was Giorgio’s thinking when trying to capture people’s attention and actually make them care. His commentary in council meetings was equally colourful and comical. The line I remember most was when he blurted out, “Councillor McMahon, you’d even give a woodpecker a headache.”

When my amazing mother, Gloria, passed away in my first year in office, Giorgio wrote me the most beautiful card, and it touched me deeply. Underneath all that wild and woolly hoopla, there was a man who genuinely cared. He cared for his family, he cared for his community and for his city.

Rest in peace, Giorgio.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): I recognize the member from Guelph.

Mr. Mike Schreiner: It’s an honour today to rise to pay tribute to Giorgio Mammoliti, MPP from 1990 to 1995 who served in the first NDP government in Ontario’s history in the 35th Parliament for Yorkview.

Elected at the young age of 28, Giorgio was a rare politician who really spoke his own mind on many occasions, including voting against his own party, much to the chagrin of the government of the day, which maybe is why Giorgio not only ran and was elected for the NDP, but ran as a Liberal, sought the nomination for the PC Party, ran for the People’s Party—I guess he never decided to run for the Green Party, but we would have welcomed that as well, just to make sure we round things out in his career. But I would say that in a long, distinguished career, he was probably most known for the 18 years he served as a Toronto city councillor.

I found a couple of quotes from the former deputy mayor Mike Colle that I just had to share with you because I think it summed up Giorgio’s life: “Giorgio was a political street fighter who took on all comers and never feared controversy when he believed in a cause, especially if he felt his constituents wanted or needed something done.”

Or former mayor John Tory, who said, “While he was never far from controversy, he always stood up for the people he represented and for better, or sometimes worse, said exactly what was on his mind.”

I think that sums up Giorgio.

I want to say to the many members of his family who are here today: He was a good man, a great servant to the people of Ontario and the people of Toronto, and I want to thank you for supporting him and allowing him to serve the people of this province and the city of Toronto in the way he did. We’re better because he fought for people each and every day of his life.

The Acting Chair (Mr. Ric Bresee): I recognize the Associate Attorney General.

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: I rise in the House today to pay tribute to a loving father, a proud nonno, a caring brother, a gregarious community advocate and a man I was proud to call my friend, Giorgio Mammoliti.

I want to acknowledge the family that’s present here today. His memory will live on through you and through the hearts of all the people that he touched.

Giorgio was, at his very core, a man who was always driven to change the status quo, be passionate about his beliefs and defend the little guy. He would always ask the question “Why?” when told to jump, never “How high?” In thinking critically, he always had the talent of asking the right question at the right moment. That essence of being, that raison d’être, was rooted in the fact that he never forgot where he came from and he never stopped going back. He refused to let go of his journey and he reflected on it when he moved forward.

He arrived in the Emery Village area as a three-year-old boy, the son of Italian immigrants in a neighbourhood, like many in Toronto at that time, that was still finding its spirit as a place where people of different backgrounds could come together. Because of this, he grew up knowing what it meant to be the outsider, the kid with the unfamiliar name, the kid with the accent that didn’t quite fit in. I know that many in this House share that memory and feeling. The fact that many of us are here in spite of our differences is a testament to the success story of the Canadian multicultural experience.

Giorgio was part of that success story as well. He turned that experience of being different into a reason to build something bigger than himself. He was a man filled with “amore e passione” for family, for his city, for his province and for his country.

When you asked Giorgio how he got his start, he would never talk about his ambition to lead. He would tell you about a pair of workboots. He was 19, the first day on the job, working in construction. The shop steward pulled him aside and asked where his workboots were; Giorgio didn’t even know he needed to have them to be working. Within 24 hours, the shop steward delivered a brand new pair of boots to Giorgio. He said, at that point, “I was very impressed with that whole dynamic. I knew I could make a difference.”

He saw someone stand up for a worker’s basic right to a safe pair of boots and firmly decided that he wanted to explore a similar career path, one that was dedicated to service for others. So he became a shop steward, then president of the union at 23. He negotiated three collective bargaining agreements before he was 28 years old.

Then, at that age, he traded in those workboots for a seat in this very Legislature, serving as the MPP for Yorkview and also as parliamentary assistant to Ontario’s provincial anti-drug strategy, the Minister of Correctional Services and the Solicitor General. He later became a highly forceful presence at city council for 18 years. But here’s something that every person in this room should understand. It’s what Giorgio’s colleagues, his friends and family knew well: He never really put those workboots away. Rather, they guided him in his life of service to others. He simply polished them up and continued working with them.

Giorgio had an instinct deep inside him that I believe, Speaker, many of our province’s finest public servants possess. He was always looking out for the underdog. He was always searching for that quiet voice that needed to be amplified. He was never afraid to argue an opinion if he believed something needed to be said or done, and he never did things in the patronizing manner that minimized the struggles and needs of his constituents.

Ward 7, York West, Giorgio’s ward as a Toronto city councillor, had apparently more than 110 spoken languages within its boundaries. What an astounding number, Mr. Speaker. But Giorgio did not see that diversity as a challenge or as a threat. He saw it as a community to celebrate, one that could be woven together. His belief in multiculturalism being a unifying force was, simply put, legendary.

He was never afraid of being in the paper for sticking to his beliefs and defending the underdog. Sure, Giorgio could be considered by some as being disruptive—a firecracker. But that disruptiveness truly gave him an edge. It gave him an unabashed sense of confidence to challenge assumptions and fight for what he believed was right.

Speaker, I’d like to share with the House a personal moment with Giorgio that speaks to the kind of man he was. In 2000, when I was engaging in community work related to mental health and addictions—work that at that time was not fashionable, not always urgent and work that certainly wasn’t easy to support—Giorgio was there for me. Through his work with the Emery Village Business Improvement Association, Giorgio helped raise $10,000 in support of our mission. You see, Mr.

Speaker, the doors were about to close, and when he heard this, he rallied the troops and gave us the money to keep the doors open, to help other people that he didn’t even know. He didn’t have to do that. He had no inherent political value to gain from doing this. He did it because someone needed a strong voice in their corner, someone vulnerable was in need. And that was Giorgio.

Speaker, through sheer determination, through a genuine love and ability to connect with others, Giorgio dedicated himself to the people.

Giorgio was a complicated man; in truth, all honest people are. He was an outspoken man, indeed, outspoken as all courageous people should be. And he was a loving and passionate leader.

I’m a better public servant for having known him, and I believe that this city, the province as a whole, is a much better place for the work that he did.

To his family, thank you for sharing him with us. This House will not forget him. I will not forget him. His legacy will live on.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): I recognize the member from Humber River–Black Creek.

Mr. Tom Rakocevic: Speaker, politicians come in many types. There are some whose goal, above all, is to never rock the boat. There are others who veer straight into the heart of the storm—the kind of guy that might rip their shirt off in the middle of a press conference or even ride an elephant—yes, an elephant—through the streets of Toronto. That’s why, if you lived in Toronto over the course of the last generation, you’ve probably heard of the late Giorgio Mammoliti.

Speaker, it is my honour to rise on behalf of Ontario’s NDP and deliver his tribute today. We are joined by his children Chris, Nicole and Isabella; his daughter-in-law Barbara; his siblings, Franco, Len, Tony and Lina; his in-laws Mauro, Janice and Manuela; his grandchildren Domenico, Milo, Colton, Riley and Violet; and other cousins and friends.

Speaker, Giorgio wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth. A child of Italian immigrants, he grew up in a humble home in the Jane and Finch community. He worked as a maintenance supervisor for the Metro Toronto Housing Authority, later becoming a shop steward, teaching courses on workplace health and safety and drug awareness. Building a strong reputation for himself, he later became the president of CUPE Local 767.

But after years of protest outside of Queen’s Park, Giorgio was finally ready for an office inside the building. So, as life would have it, he was swept into power as a member of the NDP government in 1990, becoming the MPP for the former riding of Yorkview in Toronto’s northwest end.

During his time here, Giorgio served as the PA to the Solicitor General and Minister of Correctional Services, as well as the PA of the minister responsible for the anti-drug strategy.

Among his accomplishments here, Giorgio chaired a committee that toured the province, leading to an important report he offered entitled, Caring for Each Other: The People of Ontario Respond to Alcohol and Drug Treatment Problems.

During that time, Giorgio credited both Premier Bob Rae and former MPP Odoardo Di Santo as his political mentors—Rae, from afar, for his intellect and dedication and Di Santo for taking him under his wing and sharing his wisdom.

Councillor Anthony Perruzza, a friend and MPP colleague of Giorgio at that time, praised Giorgio’s determination and fighting spirit, saying, “There was no one better to have at your side when the fight was on.”

Speaker, Giorgio was a survivor, and when the Rae government fell in 1995, he put his name in for city councillor and came right up the middle in a tough election fight. It is safe to say that the independence of municipal politics was best suited for Giorgio, and it is in that role which he served for many years that most came to know his name.

Speaker, he certainly made municipal politics interesting. A simple Google search will tell you that, but it won’t tell you everything. For instance, Giorgio used his talent for attracting attention for wholesome things too. He rode an elephant down a city street to promote the Toronto Zoo, and he even travelled to China multiple times to successfully negotiate in bringing the giant pandas to Toronto.

Giorgio was also a creator. He founded the Emery Village BIA, the largest business improvement area in Canada. Its executive director, Sandra Farina, commended the role he played in building the BIA, as well as his passion, courage and commitment to his community.

Local businessman and BIA co-founder Steve Sanderson said that Giorgio often fought for the underdog, and if he believed in your cause, he’d defend it to the end.

Giorgio loved his role as councillor and the community he represented. Long-time resident Louise Russo credited his work in beautifying her local park and, like many others, praised his dedication and commitment to community safety.

Speaker, Giorgio developed a great bond with the seniors’ groups of his community. He worked to create recreational spaces and programming for them, and it is no wonder that to this very day, so many remain his most loyal of fans.

In his personal life, Giorgio faced his share of adversity. He underwent life-saving brain surgery and said the experience changed him forever: “Sometimes you have to be a little nicer, a little calmer, and do your job in a way that doesn’t make all the enemies that perhaps comes with being a politician”—and that change almost lasted a week.

Seriously, facing one’s own health challenges pales in comparison to facing the health challenges of one’s child. Giorgio’s son battled and overcame cancer. Chris attributed his father as his caregiver, giving him strength and showing him boundless love throughout. Because, above all, Giorgio loved his family, and nothing made him prouder than being a dad and a granddad. During the holidays, he would gather everyone together at his home in Wasaga Beach, where he would cook for them, treasure their company and even agonize over the perfect decorations to match the moment.

Speaker, over the years, Giorgio sure had his detractors, but you know what? He didn’t mind. He even enjoyed it, because he said what he believed, he relished a good fight and he never backed down. Like the words of Frank Sinatra’s famous song that he so loved, he always did it his way.

Speaker, we remember him and we thank him for his years of dedicated service. May he rest in peace.

Applause.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Orders of the day?

Hon. Steve Clark: No further business.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): There being no further business, this House is in recess in until 10:15.

The House recessed from 1003 to 1015.

Wearing of jersey

Ms. Aislinn Clancy: Point of order.

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

Ms. Aislinn Clancy: Madam Speaker, if you seek it, you’ll find unanimous consent for me to wear my Kitchener Rangers jersey for my member’s statement.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The member for Kitchener Centre is seeking unanimous consent to wear her Kitchener Rangers jersey for her member’s statement. Agreed? Agreed.

Members’ Statements

Dennis Bayley

Mr. Lorne Coe: I’m pleased today to recognize Dennis Bayley from Whitby, one of the recipients of the 2026 Ontario Senior Achievement Award. These awards recognize the wisdom, generosity and positive impact of seniors in all aspects of daily life. This year’s recipients, like Dennis, have made lasting contributions to their communities and empowered fellow seniors by leading cultural, artistic, educational and health care initiatives that foster engagement and inclusion.

Dennis represents the very best of Whitby: compassion, civic pride and a willingness to give back. His efforts have had a lasting impact on countless residents and his example reminds us all of the important role seniors continue to play in building stronger, more connected communities.

Congratulations, Dennis, for your long-standing commitment to protecting and supporting seniors in Whitby and overall in the region of Durham now and for years to come.

Peter Palko / Claude Depatie

M me France Gélinas: Today, I want to honour two heroes from my riding. Their names are Peter Palko and Claude Depatie.

In the early morning on April 27, 2025, Nickel Belt resident Roy Levesque pulled into his driveway, opened the car door and collapsed after exiting his vehicle. His neighbour Peter happened to be looking out his kitchen window and saw Ray collapse, so he put his coat on on top of his pyjamas, put his boots on and went across the street to see what was going on. On his way, he saw that Claude was plowing his driveway and called him over.

When they got to Roy, he was unconscious and his face was turning blue. Claude had learned CPR, but he had never done it before. But he started CPR and Peter called 911. Claude performed CPR for several minutes, until Ray’s heart restarted and he began breathing on his own.

Peter searched through Roy’s garage and found some chairs and cushions to keep him warm and get him off the snow, as Roy was getting cold really fast. It took seven minutes, which felt like seven hours, for the paramedics to arrive. They transported Roy to Health Sciences North, where he made a full recovery.

Claude Depatie and Peter Palko were awarded the citizen heroism award on Tuesday. It was a proud moment for all of us: for Roy, for their families and everyone in attendance. Do you know what, Speaker? Not all heroes wear capes; some wear winter coats on top of pyjamas.

Small business

Ms. Lee Fairclough: Today in Ontario, life is less affordable and it feels like it’s harder to get ahead. Costs keep rising, good jobs are hard to find and good homes are out of reach, especially for young people. When I travel across Ontario, I hear people’s frustration with the Conservative status quo. Ontarians think that they are out of touch and not doing enough to help them get ahead.

I believe that an Ontario that works for everyone is possible, and I believe in fighting hard to make Ontario affordable for everyone. So here’s one practical way to do that, while giving the economy a boost.

Many small business owners have told me about how they are struggling with unaffordable rising rents, and I hear this across Ontario and from the 8,000 small businesses in my own riding. When landlords hike rents sky-high, they threaten many small businesses’ livelihood. The Better Way Alliance wants to ease commercial rents for small businesses, and I support their goals and look forward to meeting with them here today.

Every dollar spent at an independent local business generates four to six times more economic impact than money spent at a big corporate chain. I encourage Ontarians to join me in supporting small businesses in your community. Making life more affordable for small businesses makes like more affordable for all of us.

Screen time in schools

Ms. Jess Dixon: Later on this afternoon, it will be my absolute honour and privilege to present a petition from Dr. Natasha Larocque and Dr. Sarah Khan. That petition is calling on banning the use of screens at mealtimes in schools. Dr. Larocque is a very busy doctor—radiologist—in Timmins and a mom. She ended up with her own children—increasingly hearing across the province about screens being used in schools during lunch times, sometimes with content that wasn’t appropriate. It was often distracting kids to the point that they were not able to eat their lunch because they were excited about the show.

It is an incredibly worthwhile thing to focus on and something that is certainly near and dear to me, as I sometimes tell high schoolers that I’m the one that initially brought the motion to ban cellphones in schools; it doesn’t always go that well. But what I wanted to focus on at this point in time is really commending Dr. Larocque, who is here in the gallery today, on her incredible work. As everybody knows, in the Ontario Legislature, petitions can’t be done online; the signatures have to be collected physically. And despite being a doctor and a working mom, Dr.

Larocque was able to collect over 2,600 signatures in person which she drove to my office—incredible work, incredible advocacy. Thank you, Dr. Larocque.

Addiction services

MPP Robin Lennox: This Conservative government has caused a crisis in our communities. Over the past several months, we have seen an overflow of public drug use in our libraries, on public transit and in our public spaces because people now have nowhere to go. Last year, 16 supervised consumption sites were either defunded, blocked or legislatively forced to close because of this Conservative government. In two weeks, we will see eight more supervised consumption sites close their doors.

The impact on our communities has been extreme. In the first six months after the initial nine sites closed, Ontario paramedics saw a nearly 70% increase in calls for opioid toxicity. Emergency departments saw a 67% increase in ER visits for overdose in the six months from March to September 2025. In Hamilton, we have had the highest number of EMS calls for overdose on record since we started recording it in 2017. Last month, we had 171 calls. The last month the CTS was open, we had 39 calls.

HART hubs are not filling that gap. Most of them are just opening and figuring out how to operate with very little support and direction from this government. We have heard the call from municipal leaders, faith leaders, librarians, transit operators and our neighbours: Stop the crisis in our communities, reopen supervised consumption sites, fund supportive housing and invest in comprehensive mental health care so we can uplift our communities instead of abandoning them.

Rebecca Simpson

Ms. Laura Smith: I would like to take a moment to recognize an outstanding member of the community that I was honoured to know for many years. No matter where she went, the consensus was the same: Rebecca Simpson was the kindest and warmest light when she entered the room, bringing joy to her family and friends and devoting great acts of generosity and kindness that extended to so many worthy causes. She was a board member at Kayla’s Children Centre, Camp Solelim. Her love of her work was only surpassed by that of her family: husband Alan; children Hannah, Raquel, Jared and Eli.

In 2019, Rebecca was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, but her light continued to shine bright in her advocacy and her philanthropy, becoming a strong advocate for early detection of breast cancer, which included the life-saving work at Princess Margaret and Women’s College hospitals.

Sadly, Rebecca lost her fight with cancer last summer, but knowing that her light transcended mortality, her friends and her family formed the team Be Like Becca, as part of the 200-kilometre ride to raise funds for the life-saving research and treatment at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. On June 12 and 13, Rebecca’s journey will continue, as the team will ride from Toronto to Niagara, continuing her legacy and giving hope to a new generation of cancer patients.

Speaker, Rebecca’s diagnosis happened one year before mine and I’m very grateful for the opportunity to tell her story, reminding everyone that there is still time to be like Becca.

Health care

MPP Lisa Gretzky: I rise to speak about my bill, Bill 117, the Access Act, because in Ontario access to health care should never depend on your postal code or financial situation.

Across Ontario, patients are travelling hours from home for cancer treatment, cardiac care, specialists’ appointment, surgeries and diagnostic care that isn’t available in their community. While already facing illness, fear and uncertainty, they’re also faced with taking on enormous costs for gas, hotels, meals and transportation, along with lost work time. For many, these costs are devastating: seniors on fixed income, parents caring for sick children and people living in northern, rural and underserved communities, left behind by a system that’s supposed to provide universal care. Some are delaying treatment.

Some skip appointments altogether and some die without treatment, and that is unacceptable.

Many families in Windsor must travel to London, Hamilton, Toronto or beyond for health care. This is impacting many in my community, which is why I brought forward Bill 117.

The Access Act would help ensure that Ontarians who must travel to access essential specialized medical care outside of their community would receive support for the financial burden that comes with it because access to care means nothing if people can’t afford to get there.

The Access Act is about fairness, dignity and recognizing that health care delayed by distance and cost is health care denied.

We deserve a government that removes barriers to health care, not ignores or creates them. I urge every member of this House to support this Bill 117, the Access Act, and stand with patients and families across Ontario.

Education funding

Mr. Amarjot Sandhu: I rise today to recognize another major investment in the future of education in Brampton West.

Recently I was proud to attend the blessing and official opening of St. Carlo Acutis Catholic Elementary School, a nearly $30-million investment that will provide 435 student spaces and four child care rooms for local families.

Speaker, when families choose a community, one of the first questions they ask is simple: Will there be a school for my child? In Brampton West, our government is making sure that the answer to that question is yes. From the opening of St. Carlo Acutis Catholic Elementary School, Red Cedar Public School and Malala Yousafzai Public School, to the construction of the new Mount Pleasant Secondary School and Brampton’s first ever French-language Catholic secondary school, our government is making historic investments to ensure our education infrastructure keeps pace with our growing community.

These projects are creating thousands of new student spaces, expanding access to child care and helping students learn closer to home in modern learning environments built for success.

Speaker, these investments are not just about building schools; they’re about supporting families, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for the next generation.

Government investments

Hon. Laurie Scott: I am pleased to highlight some recent investments in Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock.

With our primary care action plan, more than 11,000 residents will now have access to health care close to home. The redevelopment at the Ross Memorial Hospital emergency department in Lindsay will help ensure quality care when you need it most.

We remain committed to community safety by supporting local firefighters through the Fire Protection Grant to seven municipalities to fund cancer care prevention initiatives and enhance emergency response capacity; helping Haliburton county with an emergency preparedness grant to improve emergency communications and coordination; and investing in essential water infrastructure in Cavan Monaghan to support new housing and future growth.

We see trucks on our roads continuing to bring reliable high-speed Internet to more homes and communities, ensuring rural residents can stay connected to the services and opportunities they rely on every day.

In Lindsay, our partnership with the John Howard Society of Kawartha Lakes led to the creation of a new integrated care hub which offers emergency shelter beds and vital support for our neighbours in crisis.

Recently with the Ontario Trillium Foundation, we announced funding for the Minden Curling Club and the Grove Theatre in Fenelon Falls, allowing two community pillars to continue to run for years to come.

And on a sweeter note, I am thrilled to share that Kawartha Dairy will be launching their latest flavour on June 22. “The Tragically Chip” celebrates the sweet taste of local tradition and Canadian pride.

Come and join us, and have an ice cream.

Kitchener Rangers

Ms. Aislinn Clancy: This week, the Kitchener Rangers are taking on the country at the 2026 Memorial Cup in Kelowna, BC. This is the first time since 2008 that our team has made it to the national stage, and they made it there by winning the OHL championship and the J. Ross Robertson Cup, in a four-game sweep against the Barrie Colts. They finished the playoffs with a 16-2 record.

This legendary season is not a fluke. It is the work of visionary leaders who brought together talented players to grow a team that is what we have today. Under the leadership of coach Jussi Ahokas and captain Cameron Reid, they’ve become a team that plays together and brings hard work and dedication to every game and practice. But behind every playoff beard is a talented young man.

I want to wish the players an awesome tournament. Thank you for all the joy that you always bring to our community. I hope you savour this experience and make lasting memories.

To the fans: You rock. You’re the best. I got to meet so many of you, of all ages and abilities, at the Rangers rally at city hall last week, when you showed up to cheer on our team.

I want to thank Mike Farwell and Sean Furfaro, the voice of the Rangers; our play-by-play man, Dave Schneider; our mascot, Tex; and all the diehard fans—and a special shout-out to Paul Capel and Rob Hoffman.

I can’t wait to watch you battle it out in the finals and bring home the Memorial Cup.

Let’s go, Rangers!

Introduction of Visitors

Hon. Michael Parsa: I want to welcome Marg Spoelstra, the CEO of Autism Ontario, and the entire team at Autism Ontario to Queen’s Park.

Colleagues, at 5 p.m., there’s a reception in the dining room tonight. I look forward to seeing all of you there.

Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Steve Clark: I want to recognize Robin Jones, the mayor of Westport. She’s also the president of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. She’s here for the vote on Bill 9. I want to thank her for her advocacy.

We’re going to miss you as mayor, I’ll tell you that. Welcome.

Mr. Robert Bailey: It’s a pleasure today to welcome a constituent of mine to Queen’s Park: Ms. Tania Lee. She’s president of the Sarnia duty-free store and president of the Canadian land duty-free. She’ll be joining us later this morning.

Ms. Marit Stiles: This morning, I want to welcome the incredible force and founder behind the Women of Ontario Say No: Emily McIntosh. Thank you for your tireless advocacy, helping to bring about legislative change and true accountability.

Ms. Sandy Shaw: I would like to introduce the mother of page Levon and my phenomenal daughter, Madeline Wilson Shaw.

Hon. Stephen Lecce: I want to introduce my friend Shernett Martin and the entire young delegation from ANCHOR—young Black students making a difference in York region.

Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mrs. Michelle Cooper: I’m pleased to welcome Lauren Coady, from my riding of Eglinton–Lawrence, and Migraine Canada, a national charity advocating on behalf of the five million Canadians affected by migraine and related headache disorders. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

MPP Stephanie Smyth: I’d like to welcome Migraine Canada, as well, to Queen’s Park today for their advocacy day. I look forward to meeting with you this afternoon. Welcome.

Ms. Stephanie Bowman: I’d like to welcome Sophie Edwards, an outstanding young student from my riding, and her mom, Jen. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Sam Oosterhoff: I have a wonderful constituent here: Baraa Fattal, from the great riding of Niagara West. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Amarjot Sandhu: I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome Blessing Ajayi, executive producer of the Brampton Rising Stars Talent Hunt Show, alongside other members—Ukela Prince, Mokshi Virk, Zlata Barchuk, Marie Barchuk. Thank you for creating this platform to discover, empower and elevate young Canadians.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: I’d like to welcome Hazel Devitt, Maggie McHardy and Aasim Syed. They’re summer interns on Team Thompson this year.

Hon. Michael S. Kerzner: I’m pleased to recognize—also from Migraine Canada—Dayana Gonzalez, from the riding of York Centre. Welcome .

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: I’d like to welcome Tatiana Banasik, Martha Bedminster, Nicole Foster and Ruth Blaney-Bendzel from Unifor. Thank you for your meeting this morning, thanks for all your advocacy and thanks for all you do for long-term care.

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: It gives me great pleasure to welcome the amazing London Cares House of Hope team: Chris Moss, Chantelle McDonald, Zoe Koopman, Season Bieronski, Francis Mathew, River Ytbarek and Evan McFadyen. Thank you for all you do. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Lee Fairclough: I’d like to welcome, from the Better Way Alliance, Vijai Singh, Daphne Nissani, Amisha Moorjani, Sean Meagher and Aaron Binder.

I’d also like to welcome Christie Tait from my riding of Etobicoke–Lakeshore, who’s here advocating with Migraine Canada today.

Thank you. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

M me France Gélinas: J’aimerais accueillir Suzanne Murphy et Miska Jones d’Autisme Ontario, ainsi que toute l’équipe—as well as the entire team from Migraine Canada. Welcome to your House.

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I’d like to welcome my good friend Shinade Allder, who’s here from London West. She’s president of Unifor Local 6005 in London and also Unifor’s Ontario regional council chair. Welcome to Queen’s Park today.

MPP Lise Vaugeois: I’d like to welcome PSWs visiting Queen’s Park from Thunder Bay: Danielle Morash, Lisa Fleming, Lilly Aiello, Jennifer Shott and Christina Thompson. I hope we manage to get together later today. Thank you.

House sittings

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

Hon. Steve Clark: I’d just like to advise the House that the night sitting scheduled for this evening has been cancelled.

Legislative pages

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I would now like to ask our pages to gather in front of me to introduce our new group of pages.

Members, representing Mississauga–Lakeshore, Naya Aery; from Ajax, Arshiya Anand; from Mississauga–Streetsville, Philip Gergis; from Niagara Centre, Ian Gervais; from Windsor–Tecumseh, Mason Grisch; from Kitchener South–Hespeler, Lincoln Harris; from Spadina–Fort York, Simon Hill; from Oakville, Kimberly Hu; from Ottawa South, Anika Kaushik; from Toronto Centre, Ruben Le Pichon; from Beaches–East York, Abigail Ledetu; from Scarborough Southwest, Alexander Lewis; from Davenport, Wren Ley; from Toronto–Danforth, Stavroula Makrikostas; from University–Rosedale, Finn Flaherty Mowder; from Etobicoke–Lakeshore, Julia Nelson; from Markham–Thornhill, Vedha Palayadan; from Ottawa Centre, Sara Pham; from Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry, Norah Quinn; from Scarborough Centre, Asahi Seko; from Hamilton Centre, Levon Shaw Dore; from Brampton North, Sarvin Shrestha; from Brampton West, Maneet Tuli; and from York–Simcoe, Arianna Yusuff.

Our new pages, welcome to Queen’s Park.

Applause.

Question Period

Government accountability

Ms. Marit Stiles: This question is for the Premier. Yesterday he claimed that no one is more ticked off than he is over the $200,000 in fees for his private luxury jet, but he didn’t commit to paying it back, leaving the taxpayers on the hook once again for his shopping spree. The people of Ontario simply cannot afford this Premier’s luxury, lavish lifestyle. Why does the Premier think it’s fair for Ontarians to foot the bill for his lavish spending?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Response? I recognize the Minister of Finance.

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: As the Premier said, no one’s happy about any penny extra that we have to pay, whether it’s a $29-million jet or a $244-billion budget.

Madam Speaker, that’s why, as I mentioned yesterday, I’m so proud that our collective efforts of building this economy, being fiscally responsible, has led us to get credit rating affirmations from not only Moody’s, a global credit rating agency, but also Fitch Ratings, which affirmed Ontario’s AA status. This is what’s important to the people of Ontario, that we continue to manage not only the fiscal perspective of the province, but also the economy of the province and the good jobs in the province.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: Well, Speaker, I’ll tell you, I think what the people of Ontario care about right now is that life just gets more and more expensive, and this Premier and his lavish spending are costing us more and more every day, right?

Earlier this month, his friends at Metrolinx settled a $500-million dispute with another buddy of his. Ontarians are literally paying for the air so that that guy who sat at the Premier’s family table at the Premier’s daughter’s wedding can walk away with half a billion bucks. Why does this Premier keep wasting taxpayer dollars for his personal needs?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I’ll remind the members to keep the questions relevant and consistent.

I recognize the Minister of Transportation.

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: That member knows that the Premier nor anyone in this government has any involvement in those proceedings that led to the expropriation.

What we are doing is we’re committed to building the largest subway expansion in Canadian and North American history. That starts in a place like Scarborough, Madam Speaker, where we’re building the Scarborough subway extension—a project that the Leader of the Opposition has opposed.

If the leader takes a look to the left of her, she’ll realize that she has lost her deputy leader from Scarborough, and I wonder why. It’s because they refuse to invest in projects and support projects that this province is putting forward like the Scarborough subway extension, like policies like One Fare that put $1,600 back into the pockets of hard-working Ontarians and transit users, especially those in places like Scarborough.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: Speaker, back to the Premier: This question is again about the outrageous overspending of this Premier on his luxury needs on the taxpayer dime. I want to say that my commitment to the people of Ontario is that when I’m Premier, I’m going to be getting the money back from all of you.

A $30-million luxury private jet for the Premier, unknown millions to pay for his friend for air—for air, Speaker—all these costs and then a half a trillion-dollar debt on top of it all. This Premier, he’s just too expensive. When will this Premier start putting money back into people’s pockets instead of into his friends’ pockets?

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: Madam Speaker, through you to the member opposite, I think I heard the word debt. May I remind this House that we have the lowest debt in over 15 years relative to our economy without increasing taxes, by cutting taxes. Don’t listen to me; listen to S&P, the global ratings agency which upgraded the province of Ontario—a credit rating upgrade to AA.

Don’t listen to just them; listen to DBRS Morningstar, which upgraded the province, again, to AA.

Madam Speaker, this government is proving it’s not either/or—you can be fiscally responsible, have the lowest deficit-to-GDP in the land, the lowest debt-to-GDP in the land, get credit rating upgrades, cut taxes and build Ontario through unprecedented infrastructure, $230 billion, putting many men and women—

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

Freedom of information

Ms. Marit Stiles: Well Speaker, I have news for the Minister of Finance, because for most people out there, what they care about is that life has never been more expensive for people in the province of Ontario.

Speaker, my question again is for the Premier, because this Premier claims: “No one respects judges or the courts more than I do.” That’s a direct quote from him yesterday.

Well, the courts ordered the Premier to hand over his phone records. He appealed that decision. His appeal was rejected. I think you can see where I’m going with this.

So back to the Premier: Is the Premier actually going to respect the courts and turn over his phone records like they have ordered him to do?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement.

Hon. Stephen Crawford: I’ve certainly highlighted the reason why we made the changes we did in the budget, which made updates to our privacy legislation, aligning ourselves with other jurisdictions across Canada and the federal government, including NDP provinces like Manitoba and BC.

But we had constituency week last week. What I heard from the people of Ontario, what they care about, is something that you touched on, which is affordability. Now, unfortunately, the opposition has not supported us in our measures with respect to affordability. In the budget we just passed a few weeks ago, we made a massive tax reduction for new home buyers which is going to spur building in this province, get new homes built, and you voted against it.

So when you speak about affordability, you’re all talk when the camera is on, but when the cameras are away, you’re voting against it.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): A reminder to direct your comments through the Speaker.

I recognize the Leader of the Opposition.

Ms. Marit Stiles: We’ll go back and check the record on that one.

“I’m the most transparent Premier in history.” Those are the words of this Premier. They are laughable, because he is so desperate to hide his personal phone records and whatever is on them that he has gone ahead and changed the law to keep them away from the people of Ontario. He actually took away the people’s right to access government records so that he could hide his own phone records.

Now, I don’t know who he thinks he works for, but on this side of the House, we know that we work for the people of Ontario.

So I want to say to the Premier and ask him if he is going to release those records. Is he going to tell us today? Or why is he trying so hard to hide them?

Hon. Stephen Crawford: It is true: The Premier of Ontario is and has been the most accessible Premier this province has ever had. And again, I encourage the Leader of the Opposition—the people of Ontario are watching—share your phone number. Let them give you feedback if you care about the people of Ontario and you want to hear from them.

Because what the people are saying is they care about building an Ontario economy, about protecting Ontario—and that’s exactly what we’re doing, Speaker. Whether it’s in the areas of finance, where we have an incredible financial community located here in Toronto—we’re working hard to get that defence bank right here in Toronto. Day by day, we’re going to continue supporting workers in that sector. Whether it’s the tech sector in Ontario, where we have 450,000 tech workers—we’re getting new AI companies set up here in the province of Ontario. We’re supporting them through buy-Ontario legislation where we can.

We’re going to continue supporting the businesses of Ontario while you just stand here and criticize and don’t have an open door policy to the people of Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Final supplementary?

Ms. Marit Stiles: It’s so outrageous it would be actually laughable, Speaker. I mean, the most transparent Premier, the most phone calls in the world, in the universe—you know, this Premier is so outrageous. If he wasn’t running from the law, it might actually be funny, right? Calls from his rich buddies—that’s who’s calling him; calls from developers; calls from the guys that he’s making deals with at family events—but we may never know, because this Premier will not hand over his personal cellphone records. That’s the truth.

So I want to ask the Premier again to stand in his place and admit he has no intention of following the court order to hand them over.

Hon. Stephen Crawford: Again, I want to encourage the Leader of the Opposition—I’ll give you this opportunity: Share your number with the people of Ontario. Share it so they can give you feedback and hear what we’re hearing, because you’re not hearing anything. I encourage you, please.

Speaker, what we’re focused on is protecting Ontario, whether it’s finance in Toronto, the technology businesses we’re building at—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Order. Order.

I apologize to the minister—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Come to order or I will start naming people.

Back to the minister.

Hon. Stephen Crawford: Whether it’s the financial businesses here in Toronto; whether it’s technology businesses in Waterloo, Kanata, the GTA; whether it’s manufacturing that we’re bringing back—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The member from Waterloo will come to order. The Leader of the Opposition will come to order.

Hon. Stephen Crawford: Speaker, we are re-energizing the Ontario economy in the threat of US tariffs. Finance, tech, energy—we’re rebuilding energy like we’ve never seen in the province of Ontario. The first G7 small modular reactor is right here in the province of Ontario. We’re going to keep focusing on what the people care about. That’s building jobs and building—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Question?

Hospital funding

Mr. John Fraser: My question is for the Minister of Health. The Ottawa Hospital has been planning a new civic site for more than a decade. In 2016, Speaker, they chose the John Carling site and received their first planning grant. It’s now more than one decade later and there is no end in sight.

Can the Minister of Health please explain to the residents of Ottawa when this new civic site will be finished and how much it costs?

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

Mr. Anthony Leardi: I thank the member for that question. It talks about hospitals and, of course, nobody has invested more in the capital projects across the province of Ontario, in building hospitals, than the government of Premier Doug Ford. In fact, as we speak, we have actually 17 hospital capital projects going on across the province of Ontario. Those projects include not only new hospitals but renovations to existing hospitals.

All hospital projects take a long time because there are four phases they have to go to. But this government has made the investments to make sure that 17 of those projects are actually taking place as we speak, because this government, under the leadership of Premier Ford, is making the investments in our capital hospital program that the previous Liberal government never made.

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

Mr. John Fraser: To the minister: The Ottawa Hospital civic site has gone from $2.8 billion to more than $7 billion—and that’s in 2025 dollars—and all Ottawa citizens have right now is a gigantic parking garage on Dow’s Lake and a big hole in the ground where a hospital is supposed to be built. Nothing else. So those costs, as I said, Speaker, have increased by billions of dollars, and most recently, a major consultant to the project said the hospital won’t be completed until well into the 2030s. We’re talking about 20 years. It’s beginning to sound like the Eglinton Crosstown of hospitals.

Back to the minister again: Can the minister explain to us the excessive delays in this project and why costs have ballooned so much?

Mr. Anthony Leardi: It’s nice to see that the Liberals have finally taken an interest in health care in the province of Ontario. They should have done that when they were in government and had the opportunity to build hospitals, which they did not do.

With respect to the Ottawa campus, yes, a planning grant was awarded, and yes, that project, as the member has just confirmed, is in fact proceeding. And we do in fact have shovels in the ground, as that member has just confirmed. Progress is being made on that project, as well as 17 capital hospital projects right across the province of Ontario, all of which could have been undertaken by the previous Liberal government, were not undertaken by the previous Liberal government, but we picked up the ball under the leadership of Premier Doug Ford. We are providing the capital hospital projects which the previous Liberal government never provided.

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

Mr. John Fraser: Just to let the minister know, if he wants to talk about building hospitals for 15 years, I’ll give him this record: We doubled the size of the Montfort. We actually built up a new heart institute, a regional cancer centre on two sites; we expanded CHEO. Every hospital in Ottawa had a crane and projects got done. This government—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The government side will come to order. The Minister of Transportation will come to order. Order on both sides.

Back to the leader of the third party.

Mr. John Fraser: So the message I get from the minister is that 20 years is okay for the citizens of Ottawa. They can wait that long and their local share can double and triple because this government can’t get their act together and get a hospital built in Ottawa.

One in six Ottawans don’t have a family doctor. People are waiting too long in ERs. People are waiting too long for surgeries. Costs have skyrocketed in this project. Ottawans are getting shortchanged by this government when it comes to health care.

When is the minister actually going to get this job done and build the new civic site?

Mr. Anthony Leardi: In addition to failing to make the investments that were necessary to build hospitals in Ontario, the previous Liberal government failed to make the necessary investments to provide primary care to people in Ontario. But our government, through the primary care action plan, is making the necessary investments.

For example, $110 million in interprofessional primary care teams in the Ottawa area, connecting—listen to this—another 7,800 people to primary care in the Ottawa area; an investment made by this government under the leadership of Premier Doug Ford—an investment which was never made under the previous Liberal government because they did not action any primary care in the province of Ontario. Instead, they cut back on training the number of doctors we needed to serve this population. We will not repeat their mistakes.

Health care / Soins de santé

M me Lucille Collard: My question is for the Minister of Health. After eight long years of promises and announcements, families in Ottawa–Vanier are still struggling to find a family doctor. Speaking about waiting, people wait months for appointments and end up relying on walk-in clinics and overcrowded emergency rooms because they cannot access basic primary care in their own community. Community organizations are doing everything they can to fill the gaps, but they cannot carry a collapsing primary care system on their own without appropriate funding.

So my question is, if the government’s plan is working, why are Ottawa residents still waiting years for care?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The member for Essex.

Mr. Anthony Leardi: And, Madam Speaker, in addition to the primary care investment previously mentioned in the previous question, which attached 7,800 people in the Ottawa area to a primary care provider—in addition to that, our government has provided $8.2 million through the exceptional circumstances project grant to the Ottawa Hospital so that they could continue their programs and their important services to the people of Ottawa.

Once again, this government is stepping up, under the leadership of Premier Doug Ford, making the health investments that are necessary to provide primary care and hospital care to the people of Ottawa; investments which could have been made by the previous Liberal government but were not.

We are stepping up where the Liberals failed. We will continue to invest in our publicly funded health care system where the previous Liberal government failed.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the member for Ottawa–Vanier.

M me Lucille Collard: The member keeps going back to hospitals. I’m talking about access to primary care so people don’t have to go to hospitals for primary care.

Provincial data itself shows that only about one third of Ontarians can access timely appointments. Meanwhile, family doctors are leaving practice because burnout, administrative burdens and underfunding are making the profession increasingly unsustainable. The result is exactly what we’re seeing in Ottawa: overcrowded emergency rooms, delayed treatment and patients falling through the cracks.

Can the minister explain why, after eight years in government, Ottawa families are still being forced to use emergency rooms as substitutes for primary care?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Minister of Colleges and Universities.

Hon. Nolan Quinn: I’ll remind the member opposite that it is her party that voted against our Ontario Learn and Stay Grant that’s going to provide tuition, educational costs and other costs for 1,300 primary care doctors.

We also established the first new medical school in Brampton with Toronto Metropolitan University, something the Liberals promised but never delivered. Under our government, it’s now open and training nearly 200 future doctors in its first year. We also created the first medical school in Canadian history that’s focused on training family doctors at York University.

We’re requiring that all medical schools in Ontario allocate 95% of undergraduate seats to people from Ontario because we understand that we’re going to treat the people of Ontario first, because we know when students grow up in Ontario, study in Ontario, they stay, they work and they practise in Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the member for Ottawa–Vanier.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Minister of Long-Term Care.

L’hon. Natalia Kusendova-Bashta: Merci pour la question. Je suis vraiment honorée de continuer le travail de l’honorable Caroline Mulroney, qui a fait un travail exceptionnel pour la communauté franco-ontarienne.

Pour répondre à la question, on fait beaucoup d’investissements dans la région d’Ottawa. J’étais à Ottawa il y a deux vendredis—deux fois j’étais là-bas pour annoncer de nouveaux projets de soins de longue durée. On travaille avec l’Hôpital d’Ottawa et avec Schlegel Villages pour avoir un campus où on va avoir des soins de longue durée sur le campus de l’Hôpital d’Ottawa. On travaille aussi avec Southbridge Ottawa. On va avoir deux foyers de soins de longue durée, et je vais demander—peut-être qu’on peut aussi faire des lits désignés dans ce campus.

On va continuer ces investissements importants et on va travailler avec la ministre de la Santé, bien sûr, pour aussi avoir des soins primaires pour nos communautés francophones.

Supportive housing

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: It saves the province more money to house someone with full wraparound supports than to leave them on the streets. House of Hope in London has successfully helped move people from encampments into housing, saving lives and saving the province $1.2 million. It’s a proven program that works. The city of London has stepped up with funding, private donors have stepped up with funding, but House of Hope lost provincial investment. They urgently need $1.3 million in matching provincial funding or House of Hope will close.

My question: How can the Premier sleep at night knowing 45 people will soon lose their homes?

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

Hon. Rob Flack: Speaker, indeed the House of Hope has been a great pilot project. I would point out that it was funded not by the province per se, but the pilot project received funding from LHSC, the local London hospital. The business of hospitals is not to provide supportive housing. The pilot’s over; the funding got done.

Here’s the deal: Since 2023, this province under this Premier increased homelessness prevention funding by 40%. London got 63%—$65 million over the last three years plus another $21.8 million coming this year.

We don’t have spending issues; we have a priority issue. It is up to the local service manager to decide where that funding goes. Let them make that a priority. We will support those priorities.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the member for London West.

Ms. Peggy Sattler: To the minister: Keeping people housed is a provincial responsibility.

Speaker, the people who now live at House of Hope were chronically unhoused, some for decades. Many had been living in encampments or been banned from local shelters. There is a huge risk that they will end up living rough again, joining the more than 2,000 Londoners who are already homeless. Two evaluations have proven that the House of Hope works. It costs much less to keep someone stably housed than to pay for repeated police interactions and ER visits.

Why is this Premier allowing yet more people to become homeless in London?

Hon. Rob Flack: Speaker, $65 million was allocated to the local service manager in London. It is up to them to allocate where they see the funding goes best. That is not our role. That’s why we have service managers in this province—$21.8 million more this year, up 63%.

It is a great project. I agree totally with the members opposite: House of Hope has worked. I would argue that David Musyj from—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Order.

Hon. Rob Flack: —to $65 million. Get the service manager in London to take the priority of $21.8 million and fund the project.

Hospital funding

MPP Tyler Watt: Listen, I know it’s been eight long years but, man, does this government need a reality check.

I’d like to remind the member across that it was the previous Conservative government that closed down the Grace Hospital that my mother worked at in Ottawa. Right now in Ottawa, we have a very expensive hole in the ground to show for our new campus. Queensway Carleton and TOH have record emergency room wait times, one of the longest in this province, but you all can’t seem to find Ottawa on a map. You don’t care about Ottawa at all.

The minister last week spoke about nurses’ appreciation week, paramedic appreciation week and these imaginary nurses who are coming up to her on the street saying, “You’re doing a good job.” This minister also likes to complain about her lack of recognition. But here’s what’s going on: The Ottawa Hospital is cutting more than 400 staff, including 200 registered nurses and nurse educators.

Speaker, through you to the Minister of Health: When will this government stop ignoring Ottawa and fix our collapsing health care crisis?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The member for Essex.

Mr. Anthony Leardi: Madam Speaker, as a medical professional himself, the member knows that since this government took office, we have registered over 100,000 nurses in the province of Ontario.

In addition to that, when you calculate the number of nurses who have entered the profession, taking into account also those nurses who have exited the profession with respect to retirements, for example, there has been a net increase in nurses practising in the publicly funded system of 15% since this government took office. That is a 15% net increase in the number of nurses working in the publicly funded system here in Ontario since this government took office in 2018. It is undeniable and it is a fact. Every medical professional should take that into account because that is a remarkable success.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I will ask the members to refrain from talking to each other across the aisle. Thank you. That includes the leader of the third party and the Minister of Education.

I recognize the member for Nepean.

MPP Tyler Watt: Yes, I am a medical professional. I’m a proud registered nurse and I’m here to tell you that I ran for this position because of the state of the health care system under your government.

In my riding of Nepean, we still have over 30,000 people who don’t have primary care through a nurse practitioner or family doctor. That’s just Nepean. That’s not even the entire city of Ottawa that we’re here talking about today.

Walk-ins are often closed by 10 or 12 p.m. because there are so many people who don’t have primary care that are trying to get into there. Then where do they go? They go to the emergency room that is overcrowded in two hospitals that you all completely ignore. You brag about getting things done. But just look at that expensive hole in the ground that we see with the new civic centre and hospital.

Seriously, with record wait times through the roof, nurses are leaving at a rapid pace. Again, you talk about recruitment. All you guys can talk about is recruitment. You’re doing a terrible job at retention. You lost—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Question.

MPP Tyler Watt: Speaker, through you to the Minister of Health, when will this government once again stop ignoring Ottawa and finally address our collapsing health care system?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The member for Essex.

Mr. Anthony Leardi: Madam Speaker, in addition to making the capital investment in the Ottawa planning grant, which is making that hospital in Ottawa a new reality with shovels in the ground as we speak, our government has made the necessary multi-million dollar investments to make sure that people in Ottawa are connected with primary care. An additional 7,800 people in the area of Ottawa have a primary care provider today because of the steps taken by this government under the leadership of Premier Doug Ford, because we have a primary care action plan, which the Liberal Party does not have, which the NDP does not have. They do not have any action plan to connect people with primary care.

We have the action plan. We are implementing the plan. The plan is working. Another 7,800 people in Ottawa have primary care because of the steps taken by this government.

Mining industry

Mr. Matthew Rae: My question is to the Minister of Energy and Mines. We know the members opposite love to lecture us on how roads should not be built, that minerals should stay in the ground and every major project should be tied up for years in delays, as the member from Essex very well mentioned today around hospitals.

But the voters in Ontario choose to put economic stability and fiscal responsibility ahead of an ideologically driven, out-of-touch agenda. For that reason, our government was given a strong and historic mandate for the third time to drive economic growth, create jobs and unlock new opportunities for the good people of Ontario.

Ontario’s mining sector is a huge part of this plan to protect and build Ontario. It supports over 150,000 jobs and contributes $14.4 billion to our GDP.

Speaker, can the minister please share the impact of the recent exciting announcement for northern Ontario and mining.

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

Mr. David Smith: I thank the member from Perth–Wellington for that question. When our government took office in 2018, it took an average of 15 years for a new mine to open in Ontario. That simply was unacceptable. We understood that if Ontario wanted to stay competitive and create jobs, we needed to cut unnecessary delay and make it easy for development in the mineral sector.

I am proud to share that under this government, Ontario has become the second most attractive destination in the world for mining investment. Under the leadership of Premier Ford, we have attracted over $14 billion of investment in Ontario by Agnico Eagle, Canada’s largest mining company and the world’s second-largest gold producer. This investment has created 1,600 good-paying jobs, adding nearly $5 billion to Ontario’s GDP.

Despite the members opposite continuing to oppose development, the government remains focused on delivering results. This historic investment—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the member for Perth–Wellington.

Mr. Matthew Rae: Thank you to the parliamentary assistant for all of the work that he is doing to support Ontario’s critical mineral sector.

Speaker, there are currently 37 active mine projects in Ontario, and these mines support the largest mining district in Canada, but to stay competitive in global markets and create new jobs in the sector, mineral exploration is a necessary step, obviously, in a mine’s life cycle. Unlike the Liberals, who like to add red tape, slow down job creation and economic growth, our government has stepped up through programs like the Ontario Junior Exploration Program. Recently, the Ministry of Energy and Mines announced an additional $10 million in funding for this program.

With Agnico’s vote of confidence already a great example of how Ontario is attracting new mining investment, could the parliamentary assistant share with this House how we are unlocking Ontario’s potential in critical minerals?

Mr. David Smith: I thank the member for the question.

I love to educate the opposition on how we are attracting new mines in Ontario. Our government recently added another $10 million to the Ontario Junior Exploration Program, bringing the total to $45 million. Mining companies can receive grants up to $500,000 for each project through OJEP. This helps with the early costs of exploration in northern Ontario. So far, the program has committed funding to 280 companies—of their own capital in mining exploration.

Under the leadership of Premier Ford, Ontario is now the top province in Canada for mineral exploration spending. We are committed to building new mines, attracting investments and strengthening Ontario’s economy.

Youth services

Ms. Jennifer K. French: My question is to the Premier. Friday night at midnight, the management at Murray McKinnon Foundation in Oshawa locked out its workers—locked them out of their jobs.

I spent Saturday afternoon in the rain with workers who support vulnerable youth, work with custodial youth—some who have spent 30 years doing community reintegration work or support the education of vulnerable young people. Their work matters. This Premier is responsible for underfunding and undervaluing the work that they do every day.

I met a worker who has worked in youth justice, supporting young people’s education needs for 38 years, and this is the first time she’s been out on the street instead of doing her job. Fix this.

Will the Premier fund our public service workers who are absolutely worth fighting for?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Hon. Michael Parsa: I thank my honourable colleague for the very important question.

Madam Speaker, we thank and value the important work that’s being done by every staff in every organization across this province. It’s why we are supporting them, backing them by record historic investments right across every sector that this ministry supports. We have, in one sector alone—the developmental services sector—increased our investments this year to nearly $4 billion. That is an increase of $1.6 billion to better support people who rely on these supports and services.

Our message is very clear: We value the work that you’re doing. That’s why we’re providing these historic investments. We expect both parties to get back to the table, get a deal to better—and continue serving those people.

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

Ms. Jennifer K. French: Many of us stood with the developmental services workers yesterday in Toronto, and they are collapsing under the burnout. Record investment is not paying the bills.

Under Bill 124, this Ford government unconstitutionally stole workers’ wages. They’ve been forced to pay back many workers across Ontario, but they still haven’t paid back community public service workers who keep our communities running—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I will ask the member to withdraw.

Ms. Jennifer K. French: I will withdraw.

Workers in developmental services, child welfare, youth justice, children’s treatment centres, community health care and agencies, and mental health and addictions deserve fair wages, safe workplaces and our thanks, for goodness’ sake.

Will this Premier finally pony up the wages his government withheld so these valuable public service workers can get back to work?

Hon. Michael Parsa: Again, I thank the honourable colleague for the very important question.

And I’ll just say this, Madam Speaker—this is the difference: Here on this side, as a minister, as a government, we will not be pitting parties against one another. We want to bring everyone together. It’s to benefit every single person that’s getting the support.

I encourage the honourable colleague’s support in this space. The member said the investment doesn’t matter. It does matter, Madam Speaker.

We have increased investment in the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services more than a billion dollars this year. Why? Because we want to make sure that nobody in this province is left behind. As I said, we highly value the great work of every single person and every organization in every corner of this province. That’s why the developmental services sector has seen an increase of $1.6 billion since we formed government, Madam Speaker. It’s why we saw $407 million of investment increase in this budget, $310 million—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Question?

Defence, Security and Resilience Bank

Mrs. Karen McCrimmon: This year, the city of Ottawa, founded in 1826, will celebrate its 200th anniversary. The city has existed for 200 years, but with this government, you would never know it. This government and the Premier have continued to ignore the people of Ottawa for eight long years, and now the Premier says that Toronto is the only city that can host the new international defence bank. Why? Because this Premier thinks that Toronto is the only city in Ontario.

Ottawa is home to the Department of National Defence, the embassies of all NATO countries, the largest technology park in all of Canada. So when will this Premier finally realize that he is the Premier for all of Ontario and that he is not the mayor of Toronto?

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

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: Madam Speaker, through you to the member opposite, who represents a riding in Ottawa: It’s just unfortunate, though, that she forgets to mention the new deal for the city of Ottawa that is providing over half a billion—$543 million—in supports. You forgot about that.

Or how about the $29 million for the Ottawa Hospital’s state-of-the-art Civic Campus, which will serve to lead acute care across Ottawa, not just in her riding but right across the whole city? She forgot that.

How about expanding Highway 17 from two lanes to four lanes, so you can get to that hospital faster? Forgot about that.

What about the $8 million for the Alexander Community Centre for sports and recreation? Forgot about that. You’ve got to remember that.

And how about the $181 million for transportation priorities for Ottawa Road 174, and of course, the Ottawa Police Service hub in Rideau Centre? She forgot about that.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the member for Kanata–Carleton.

Mrs. Karen McCrimmon: Ottawa is home to Canada’s National Defence Headquarters; the Canadian Security Intelligence Service; the Communications Security Establishment; Public Services and Procurement Canada; defence operations; major NATO liaison functions; defence policy, procurement and intelligence communities. When will this government and this Premier realize that Ottawa is the natural choice for NATO’s Defence, Security and Resilience Bank?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Speaker, the minister talked about the Ottawa investments, and I’d like to add a couple that have happened recently in Ottawa. Of course, just a week ago, we were at Ross Video to announce an expansion of $122 million, partially from the province of Ontario—125 new jobs that were created there. Before that, we were at Marvell Technology, a $238-million investment; 350 jobs created. Before that was Ranovus: a beautiful expansion of their semiconductor facility; it’s $100 million and 126 new jobs.

That party voted against every one of these financial incentives that we have put in the budget, but we will always be there to support the city of Ottawa and all of our cities in Ontario.

Government spending

Mr. Mike Schreiner: My question is for the Premier. Colleges across Ontario are cancelling programs and closing campuses, especially in rural communities: Georgian College closing its Orillia and Bracebridge campuses; Algonquin closing its Perth campus; Canadore closing its West Parry Sound campus. These closures damage rural economies, hurt local businesses and make filling labour shortages more difficult in rural communities.

Whether it’s colleges or hospitals or roads and bridges, rural communities have been shortchanged by this government’s focus on pet projects in Toronto that people in Toronto don’t even want.

How can the Premier justify wasting $2.2 billion on the luxury spa, $5 billion on the island airport and untold billions on the 401 when rural communities are struggling just to afford basic services?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Minister of Colleges and Universities.

Hon. Nolan Quinn: I would recommend that member tell his rural community that he voted against the largest increase to post-secondary education not only in Ontario’s history but Canadian history. As part of that $6.4-billion investment, $284 million went to small, northern and rural institutes to ensure that the cost of doing the education there is covered.

Another part of that is $3.3 billion that’s going towards our weighted grant units to ensure that the higher-cost programming, including health and human resources, skilled trades and others, are covered fully, as well as $1.7 billion to fund 70,000 new seats for our post-secondary sector.

We’ll continue to be there for the post-secondary sector, especially in rural Ontario.

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

Mr. Mike Schreiner: It would be laughable if it wasn’t so sad that the minister is so out of touch that he would make the claim he just made while rural colleges are literally closing campuses—colleges that train health care workers at a time of unprecedented emergency department closures in rural communities, construction workers at a time when rural roads and bridges are crumbling, tradespeople at a time when we’re facing the worst housing affordability crisis in Ontario’s history.

The bottom line is, Ontario has the lowest funding for colleges and universities in the entire country. How can this government justify wasting tens of billions of dollars on Toronto tunnels, jets and islands when rural colleges are closing, roads and bridges are crumbling and homes are not affordable?

Hon. Nolan Quinn: The real question is, how can that member vote against $6.4 billion for the post-secondary sector? We have a new housing project in Guelph that member is against—new student housing.

But let me be clear: This fall, funding for our post-secondary sector is going to $7 billion, a 30% increase over last year.

Speaker, he votes against every single motion we bring forward and then he’ll stand there and say that he supports it. He does not.

We are there for the post-secondary sector, including the $6.4 billion. We’re bringing 40,000 new seats online into all of the real high-priority programs across the sector. The $1.1 billion is for operating for every single student, as well as $3.3 billion for those high-priority programs to ensure that our health and human resources, our skilled trades program, will continue to be there for decades to come.

Ring of Fire

Mr. Stéphane Sarrazin: My question is for the Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation. Unlocking the Ring of Fire is not just about minerals or infrastructure; it’s about building the workforce, businesses and ownership opportunities that allow First Nations communities to lead and benefit from development. That starts with training.

First Nations and Indigenous businesses have long been leaders in construction, energy, housing, mining and services in northern Ontario.

Can the minister explain how our government is working with First Nations to build the workforce, supply chains and economic opportunities that will allow the north to prosper for generations?

Hon. Greg Rickford: I want to thank the member in particular for his great representation for the Ottawa region.

This is a timely question. We’re taking an enterprise-wide approach. The Ministry of Colleges and Universities is investing in institutes for Indigenous people on 780 seats in high-demand programs.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines has dedicated $10 million for professional careers for Indigenous peoples in resource development.

My own ministry is investing, through the Indigenous Participation Fund, supports for consultation, value-mapping and data management and, in particular, engagement and relationship-building, which has been incredibly helpful for us in developing our community and economic partnerships.

Finally, Madam Speaker, we have a testing centre for skilled trades and Red Seal certificates in Kenora for the better of northwestern Ontario and Indigenous peoples. We’re preparing a workforce for today and tomorrow in northern Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the member for Glengarry–Prescott–Russell.

Mr. Stéphane Sarrazin: Thank you, Minister, for the important update.

Speaker, across northern Ontario, we’re seeing major Ring of Fire infrastructure move from planning into delivery, with First Nations leading the way, of course. These projects are about more than roads; they’re about year-round access, stronger communities, economic opportunity and ensuring First Nations are full partners in the development taking place in their communities.

Speaker, can the minister update the House on how recent progress on the Marten Falls community access road is helping to unlock the Ring of Fire while supporting First Nation communities?

Hon. Greg Rickford: The message has been clear: From Greenstone to Aroland First Nation, Marten Falls First Nation, Webequie First Nation, we mustn’t tarry, Madam Speaker. We need to get shovels in the ground and build the corridor to prosperity.

This represents an incredible economic opportunity and jobs for young First Nations people in that massive corridor. We’re so excited about the communities making economic partnerships with large companies, forming relationships with local unions so they have good-paying jobs to provide for their families and build for the prosperity of tomorrow, and the government of Ontario is right there with them.

Hospital funding

MPP Jamie West: My question is for the Premier. Speaker, hallway medicine was so bad that it cost the Liberals the 2018 election, but, instead of fixing it, the Premier keeps underfunding hospitals. He’s going to brag, and he’ll throw around big numbers, but his funding has never met baseline levels, and the people of Ontario have suffered, Speaker.

Health care workers are burnt out and demoralized. Patients are waiting seven hours to be seen in the ER. In Sudbury, at Health Sciences North, patients are waiting 51 hours for a room. That’s two and a half days—two and a half days sick in the hallway without privacy, without a washroom, without basic dignity.

Question to the Premier: Premier, why are you letting hallway health care be your legacy?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The member for Essex.

Mr. Anthony Leardi: It is this government, under the leadership of Premier Doug Ford, who is making the proper and enormous investments in our health care system.

I’ll remind all members of this House that when this government first took office in 2018, the provincial health care budget was $62 billion, and today it is over $101 billion. That is a multi-billion dollar increase because this government is making the necessary investments in our health care system, which the previous Liberal government refused to make.

It is this government that is investing in our publicly funded health care system and increasing the number of nurses who are working in the province of Ontario, recruiting more doctors from overseas, making sure that Ontario residents get the residency placements they need in Ontario so that our publicly funded health care system can continue on into the future.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the member for Nickel Belt.

M me France Gélinas: On this side of the House, Speaker, we understand what the government is doing to our community hospitals. It is called failure by design.

Did you know the majority of hospitals in Ontario, including HSN in Sudbury, are in a deficit position? They are borrowing money from private banks to pay their staff and keep the lights on. Hospital deficits make wait times so bad t