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February 24, 2020

42nd Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2020-Feb-24 (PDF)

L145 - Mon 24 Feb 2020 / Lun 24 fév 2020

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 24 February 2020 Lundi 24 février 2020

Introduction of Visitors

Members’ Statements

Education funding

Pre-budget consultations

International Mother Language Day

Will Dwyer

Indigenous affairs

Hospital funding

Coldest Night of the Year walkathon

Apollo Restaurant

Invasive species

Branson Ambulatory Care Centre

David Ayres

Visitor

Question Period

Education funding

Education funding

Indigenous affairs

Government’s record

Licence plates

Education funding

Mental health and addictions services

Education funding

Justice system

Midwifery

Long-term care

Education funding

Mental health and addictions services

Education funding

Justice system

Education funding

Introduction of Bills

Ontario Day Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 sur le Jour de l’Ontario

Motions

Committee membership

Petitions

Post-stroke treatment

Road safety

Education funding

Public transit

Long-term care

Public transit

Long-term care

Anti-racism activities

Access to justice

Anti-racism activities

Winter highway maintenance

Public transit

Orders of the Day

Building Transit Faster Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 sur la construction plus rapide de transport en commun

The House met at 1015.

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

Prayers.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I wish to acknowledge this territory as a traditional gathering place for many Indigenous nations, most recently the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

This being the first sitting Monday of the month, I would ask everyone to join with me in the singing of the Canadian national anthem followed by the royal anthem.

Singing of the national anthem.

Singing of the royal anthem.

Introduction of Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Before I ask the members to introduce their visitors, I wish to acknowledge in the Speaker’s gallery this morning special guests: members of the Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance. Welcome to Queen’s Park. We’re delighted to have you here.

We have five minutes for introduction of visitors.

Ms. Judith Monteith-Farrell: I’d like to welcome Mia Bourque, Hannah Mackie, Masoud Manzouri and Farhan Yousaf from our own Lakehead University with the Canadian Federation of Students here today.

I would also like to welcome FASD Ontario. I had the pleasure of meeting with Rick Graham, Eric Kayia and Mary-Kate Bridson this morning.

Hon. Rod Phillips: I want to introduce my dear friends Irv and Lorie Murphy today, here with their grandchildren Clark and Paige Murphy, from the great riding of Ajax.

Miss Monique Taylor: I would like to welcome from the Ontario Autism Coalition Michau van Speyk.

I don’t see them here yet, but the folks from Hamilton FASD are expected. We have Irene McLean, Mary Walford, Dawn Clarke, and I welcome all the other folks from the FASD community here to Queen’s Park today.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Can you stop the clock? I have to acknowledge that the Chair has made a mistake. We’re supposed to be doing members’ statements. I’d like to propose that we continue with introduction of visitors for today only, to complete the five minutes and then revert to members’ statements. Is that acceptable to the House?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you. Start the clock. Introduction of visitors.

Mr. Aris Babikian: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. It is a great pleasure to introduce Reverend Pamela Fitkin from the Canadian Baptists, a good friend and long-time resident of Scarborough–Agincourt. Welcome, Pamela.

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: It gives me great pleasure to welcome Darlene Durand, from the Ontario FASD Action Network. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Steve Clark: Thanks, Speaker. I’d like to introduce to you, and through you, members of the Rural FASD Support Network of eastern Ontario, including Rob and Shelley More and Diane Greer. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Jamie West: I’d like to take the opportunity to welcome members of the Society of United Professionals and their president, Scott Travers, who are in the Legislature today to meet with MPPs. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mrs. Robin Martin: I’d also like to introduce today from the Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance and their member organizations, Devshri Bidaye, Pegeen Walsh, Loretta Ryan, Chris Markham, Stephen Piazza, Daniel Nowoselski, Zahir Din, Gabriella Simo, Jennifer Buccino, Wendy Katherine, Katerina Firlova, Shannon Fogarasi, Monica Sulej, John Armstrong, Nicole Beier, Mariam Botros, Amanda Thambirajah and Akanksha Ganguly.

Mr. Robert Bailey: I’d like to introduce four guests in the lobby, good friends of mine: Bob Woolvett, from Plympton-Wyoming; Tim Wilkins, from Plympton-Wyoming; Muriel Wright, deputy mayor of Plympton-Wyoming; and Gary Atkinson, also of Wyoming. They’re all down here for Good Roads. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

M me France Gélinas: I’d like to welcome the OCDPA member organizations that are making their way in: Alliance for Healthier Communities, Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario, Association of Local Public Health Agencies, Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario division, Canadian Diabetes Association, Canadian Mental Health Association, Cardiac Health Foundation of Canada, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance of Canada, Dietitians of Canada, Health Nexus, Heart and Stroke, Kidney Foundation, nurse practitioners, Ontario chronic disease prevention managers in public health, Ontario Kinesiology, Ontario Public Health Association, Ontario Society for Health and Fitness, Ophea, Parks and Recreation, and Wounds Canada.

Welcome to Queen’s Park, as well as all the midwives who are coming in.

Mr. John Fraser: I would like, as well, to recognize and acknowledge the Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Network. As the member from Nickel Belt has listed everybody, I will not do that, but I will say that they have a reception in room 228 at 12:15 today, and I hope everybody can attend.

Mr. Parm Gill: I’d like to welcome Ian Bourke from my great riding of Milton. Along with him is Zubair Chaudhry, a long-time friend, and he is from your riding, Mr. Speaker.

Members’ Statements

Education funding

Mr. Ian Arthur: I stand today to express a deep gratitude to the 200,000 teachers and education workers who stood on picket lines across Ontario on Friday to protect the quality of public education in this province. Teachers changed my life. They listened, they inspired and they taught. Without our public education system, I would never have had the opportunity to stand in this chamber and deliver this message.

Public education is the great equalizer, and we can never back away from our commitment to it. Not only must the government reverse their cuts, they must provide the in-classroom support and funding that has been asked for through years of Liberal and Conservative governments.

I want to thank the parents and the families who expressed their support with honks, with food, with letters and emails to our office. One letter from Deborah read, “My children are part of the Limestone District School Board. I would like you to know that I am behind teachers all the way. I believe we need smaller class sizes and the cuts” need “to stop. We need the educational support in our schools for our” children “ to succeed.”

I want education workers to know: In the face of these reckless cuts, this attack on a generation by the Ford government, the Ontario NDP, parents and students stand with you—poll after poll, letter after letter, conversation after conversation. You are on the right side of history.

Pre-budget consultations

Ms. Jane McKenna: On February 10, it was my tremendous honour to host a gathering of vibrant and varied perspectives from across Burlington and Halton region as part of my annual pre-budget consultation. We heard a remarkable range of ideas and generous expertise shared from key decision-makers in education, health care, business and locally based charitable organizations, Speaker.

From the education sector, I was pleased to welcome leaders from the Burlington Public Library, Halton Catholic District School Board, Halton Children’s Aid Society, Halton District School Board, Halton Industry Education Council, Learning Disabilities Association of Halton-Hamilton, McMaster University, Mohawk College, Sheridan College and Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services.

From the health care sector, we had leaders from Bethany Residence, Carpenter Hospice, Hamilton Health Sciences, Home Care Ontario and Joseph Brant Hospital.

From the environmental, business and non-profit sectors, we had leaders from the Art Gallery of Burlington, Burlington Bingo Connection, Burlington Chamber of Commerce, BurlingtonGreen, Canadian Federation of University Women, Halton Environmental Network and the Hamilton Halton Brant Regional Tourism Association.

I am deeply grateful to all who made time to share their ideas and insights with me. The sessions sparked a lot of powerful conversations and a number of recommendations that I’ve shared with the Ministry of Finance.

International Mother Language Day

Ms. Doly Begum: On Thursday night, I had the honour of joining a beautiful gathering in Toronto’s Banglatown, near Danforth and Victoria Park, to recognize International Mother Language Day. Around the world, February 21, or Ekushey February, is a celebration of linguistic and cultural diversity and multiculturalism.

It is also a moment to reflect on the sacrifices that have been made to preserve our unique cultural identities. The roots of IMLD are in Bangladesh, with the 1952 language movement in Dhaka, where students took to the streets to demand their right to speak their mother language and faced terrible violence in response. Many lost their lives in order to preserve the cultural heritage of the Bangla language.

In Ontario, the movement to protect language rights is critical, especially as we stand with our Indigenous communities and francophones, who continue to face an increasing threat to their mother languages. For all of us, language is a part of our identity, a part of our development, a part of our culture. It connects us to our roots, and it helps us understand the world around us.

Speaker, I want to thank all the dedicated organizers of Toronto’s Bangladeshi Canadian community who have put the midnight vigil together for many years in the freezing cold. Our community is stronger because of their dedication and grassroots leadership.

This year, work will finally begin in building a permanent IMLD monument in Dentonia Park. We’re grateful for the hard work and vision of the Organization for the Toronto IMLD Monument in making this long-held goal a reality.

Will Dwyer

Ms. Andrea Khanjin: I am honoured and humbled to recognize Will Dwyer, a resident from the riding of the Attorney General, the honourable member for Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte.

Will Dwyer is a 94-year-old World War II veteran who served for 25 years in the military. At the age of 60, he began volunteering at the Royal Victoria hospital. For nine years, he volunteered with the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund and for 24 years, for the Parkinson Society. His numerous awards include the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Order of the Spirit Catcher.

In 1980, cancer took Will’s 22-year-old nephew, the same type of cancer that took Terry Fox the following year. Watching Terry Fox’s determination inspired Will Dwyer to participate in the first-ever Terry Fox Run in Barrie in 1981.

Will has battled cancer himself. He lost two of his children to cancer and lost his mother, who was only 51 years old. Through determination, Will Dwyer set a goal to raise $1 million for the Terry Fox Foundation. Last fall, Will surpassed his goal, through his hard work, dedication, perseverance and knocking on more doors than anyone in this chamber. Now Will has set himself a new goal: to raise another $1 million to fight against cancer.

On behalf of MPP Doug Downey, the community of Barrie and the people across Ontario: Mr. Will Dwyer, thank you.

Indigenous affairs

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: Today, for the first time since I became the MPP for Kiiwetinoong, the British national anthem, God Save the Queen, was sung here in the chamber. For me, the singing of God Save the Queen is a celebration of Ontario’s colonial past. As settlers of this province, there are people in this House who may want to sing an anthem that celebrates violence, oppression and discrimination carried out by the British Empire, but for me as a First Nations person, I will not celebrate colonialism.

Colonialism and racism remain the foundation that the buildings and institutions of this province and country were built on. Because of this, truth and reconciliation demands improved relations between the federal and provincial governments of Canada and Indigenous nations. The report highlights the need for public education on the injustices done to Indigenous peoples throughout Canada’s history.

I see the revival of God Save the Queen in this House as a step backwards, a shift from modern reconciliation to a past that celebrated colonialism, that sought the destruction of cultures, languages and communities. For me, singing God Save the Queen is a celebration of a hurtful and violent colonial past. I cannot be part of it. Chi meegwetch for listening.

Hospital funding

Mr. Jim Wilson: I rise today to encourage all members of this House to support my private member’s resolution this Thursday, February 27. The resolution asks the government to immediately approve the redevelopment and construction of both the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital and Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston.

I have raised this matter several times over many years to remind members of the real need for these projects. I recently sent a letter to all MPPs that included a list of some of the serious deficiencies at each hospital. The problems stem from the fact that these are old buildings; their systems are outdated and they’re simply out of space. These are hospitals that have had virtually nothing done to them since they were built 50 and 60 years ago.

I would also like to point out that during my 30 years as an MPP, all of the hospitals surrounding my riding have either been extensively redeveloped or had new builds. Owen Sound received a new hospital. Barrie has had two new hospitals built and has just submitted plans for a third hospital. A new hospital has been built in Orangeville. The Midland hospital has had extensive upgrades, and Newmarket has had several hundreds of millions of dollars of upgrades over the past 30 years.

Mr. Speaker, I’m thankful to the government for mentioning both the Alliston and Collingwood hospitals in last year’s Ontario budget and P3 market update. Today, Stevenson Memorial Hospital has received stage 1 approval and was given the green light to move to stage 2, and the Collingwood hospital is still waiting to hear from the government on their stage 1 submission. The hospitals need to get moving to the next stages of redevelopment, and I encourage all members to support my resolution.

Coldest Night of the Year walkathon

Mr. Michael Parsa: This year, I am proud to say that the number of participants at the Coldest Night of the Year increased, which was great for us. It’s a pleasure to rise today to bring attention to this very important event that occurred in my riding this past weekend.

As I said, the Coldest Night of the Year walkathon took place this past Saturday in Richmond Hill and in various towns, cities and provinces across Canada. This annual walkathon is organized every year to bring awareness to the terrible plight of homelessness and to raise funds for the building and maintenance of shelter spaces for those in need.

As I said, Speaker, once again I would like to reiterate that I’m proud to say that thanks to all the participants and the organizers, participation had doubled from last year, and this walkathon surpassed its goal by raising over $50,000 in support of much-needed shelter spaces in York region. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Mosaic Interfaith, Rehana Sumar and all the volunteers who made this event possible, and I urge everyone to get involved there and support this great initiative.

Apollo Restaurant

Mr. Jamie West: Speaker, it’s my pleasure today to tell you about the Apollo Restaurant in Sudbury. This March, the Apollo will celebrate its 50th anniversary in Sudbury. There’s not a Sudburian or person from Nickel Belt who hasn’t heard of the Apollo. It’s synonymous with Sudbury’s finest Greek dining.

But it wasn’t always known for Greek food. In the early 1970s, before we had heard of Tim Hortons in Sudbury, the Apollo was one of Sudbury’s favourite early morning coffee shops. It was a family restaurant with a variety of foods that never seemed to close. From breakfast, lunch and supper to late night snacks, you could find Toula Sakellaris or her late husband, George, at the Apollo. It opened at 6 a.m. and closed at 2 a.m. the next morning.

Both Toula and George came from small villages in southern Greece. They met in Sudbury, fell in love with each other, fell in love with our city, and we’ve all benefited from it ever since.

The Apollo is the definition of a small business that continues to grow. It was renovated in the 1970s and then further expanded in the 1980s because of the growing demand. Over time, the Apollo began to shift to a more Greek menu. About a decade ago, the restaurant began selling olive oil, but not just any olive oil—olive oil that came from Toula’s family farm in the southeast of Sparta. This olive oil is so popular that it’s not uncommon to run out of stock. In 2018, the Apollo opened Toula’s Market, featuring Greek products that Toula personally likes to serve or cook with.

The success of a restaurant like the Apollo is people like Toula and her late husband, George. In a recent interview, she summed it up best when she said, “It’s not about the money; it’s about the people.”

Invasive species

Mr. Toby Barrett: It’s Invasive Species Awareness Week in Ontario. Each day of the week focuses on a different aspect of invasive species prevention, monitoring and control. Many resources are available to learn about how invasive species are spread, through horticulture or boating, for example, and good ways to stop it.

So many community groups across Ontario have been successful in preventing the spread of invasive species and reducing damage through community control projects and volunteer surveying efforts. Invasives can harm the biodiversity of an ecosystem, which affects the beauty of our environment, the wildlife within it and our livelihoods by disrupting farming, tourism and sustainable use of our natural resources.

In my riding, phragmites has been a major threat over the years. This invasive plant infests our wetlands and pushes out native species. In recent years, community groups have taken action to stop the spread in the big Lake Erie marshes down at Long Point and Turkey Point. This is a great example of local communities and government working hand in hand to address this common threat.

Our government has taken steps to propose the addition of 13 new plants and animals to be added to the list of invasive species. In 2019-20, Ontario invested over $2 million to support research, monitoring and management of invasive species across our province.

God save the Queen.

Branson Ambulatory Care Centre

Mr. Roman Baber: I have some very exciting news to share with the House.

Branson hospital is a medium-sized health care facility located at the corner of Finch and Bathurst in my riding of York Centre. It has been a pillar of the North York community for 50 years. Unfortunately, with few and intermittent health care services, Branson has been underutilized for the past two decades. In June 2018, just a week before our election, under the watch of the previous Liberal government, Branson’s urgent care centre was shut down, leaving the building largely empty and putting the remainder of the few health care services offered in Branson at risk.

Since before my election, I advocated for the return of health care services to Branson. This is the most important file in my constituency, as North York has one of the lowest rates of beds per capita in the province.

I’m thrilled to share that last Thursday, February 20, the Minister of Health and I announced the development of a new reactivation care centre at Branson hospital. The RCC will consist of 130 new in-patient beds. It will be completed in winter 2020-21 and operated by North York General Hospital. This investment in Branson will provide much-needed relief to the people of North York while leveraging an existing health care asset. It will be an anchor tenant, enabling the entire facility to remain open and be a huge step in ending hallway health care in the GTA and the province of Ontario.

On behalf of the people of York Centre and North York, I am sincerely grateful to the Premier, the Minister of Health and our entire government. Thank you so very much.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): That concludes our members’ statements.

Before I ask for oral questions, the member for Don Valley West has informed me she has a point of order.

David Ayres

Ms. Kathleen O. Wynne: Mr. Speaker, a brief point of order: I just didn’t want this moment to pass without doing a shout-out to David Ayres, the Zamboni driver who had the night of his life on Saturday night, sadly at the expense of the Toronto Maple Leafs, but it’s going to make a great Canadian legend.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Technically not a point of order, but we thank you nonetheless.

Visitor

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): We have in the visitors’ gallery a former member of the Legislature who served the riding of Kingston and the Islands in the 41st Parliament. Sophie Kiwala is here with us again today. Welcome, Sophie.

Question Period

Education funding

Ms. Sara Singh: My question is to the Premier. On Friday, thousands of teachers, parents and students came from across Ontario to send a clear message to this government: Stop the cuts to our classrooms, and stop attacking the people who make our schools work.

The Premier claims he gets text messages of support from parents and teachers, but when he’s asked to produce them, they simply can’t be found. He spent the weekend talking with PC insiders while hiding behind a wall of security. That’s really not leadership. Why is the Premier refusing to listen to parents?

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker: I talk to parents every single day, like each and every one of us, and I’m just saying what I hear: “Keep going. Do not back down. There has to be accountability for the first time in 15 years.” That’s what I’m hearing.

I’m also hearing that these strikes are hurting families. They’re hurting families when thousands and thousands of parents who couldn’t afford a day off, like some people take days off—they couldn’t afford it. They get docked pay. That’s what they’re frustrated with. It’s hurting our kids who should be in school.

Our great Minister of Education is doing everything he can to make sure we strike a fair deal that’s going to be fair to the parents and the students and the teachers.

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

Ms. Sara Singh: Mr. Speaker, I’d like the Premier to hear from a few parents who have reached out to share their stories with us, like Kassandra, a single mother of a teenager who lives in my riding of Brampton Centre. She says, “My daughter Marina has always struggled with school and relied on the support of teachers and quality face-to-face education. I really worry about her falling further behind if she’s forced to take e-courses. She needs the in-person supports to succeed and these cuts would have the opposite effect.”

Marina needs to be in a classroom with proper supports so that she can succeed. What does the Premier have to say to parents like Kassandra?

Hon. Doug Ford: I appreciate what Kassandra said, but I heard another story from a father, actually, who said, “My grade 12 son wants to take online courses.” If they had a choice of doing an online or staying in the classroom, they’ll take the online, because guess what? As he said, his son gets an additional 70 minutes to study for his other courses. That’s what we’re focused on, making sure we keep the students in the classroom.

We want to make sure we look at merit-based pay—not based on seniority, as the NDP believe we should be doing, but who’s the most qualified to teach our kids math. That’s what people are focused on.

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

Ms. Sara Singh: It’s pretty clear that the Conservatives’ cuts are actually keeping kids out of classrooms, and it’s clear they don’t care what parents have to say, so maybe they’ll start listening to what students have to say.

Another student in the riding of Brampton Centre reached out to say that thanks to these Conservative cuts, they don’t have access to the courses they need to graduate. They told me, “Unfortunately, due to teachers being laid off and the increase in class sizes ... I may not be able to complete my requirements to ... be considered into the program of my choice” when they apply to college or university.

Speaker, let’s be real. Conservative cuts are hurting students, plain and simple. Is the Premier going to start listening to people in Ontario and reverse these cuts to education?

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker: Again, I don’t know where they get the cuts from when we’re increasing $1.2 billion of funding into education. We increased $1.6 billion to make sure no teachers lost their jobs.

But do you know what’s hurting the children? It’s when the teachers go on strike. They go on strike and then they pull back their services. Who are they hurting? They’re hurting the parents, they’re hurting the students who should be back in the classroom. That’s the people they’re hurting.

Education funding

Ms. Marit Stiles: My question is to the Premier. Despite months of chaos, this government still, to this day, is refusing to accept that their attack on education isn’t just unpopular, it’s hurting families all across this province. In fact, the Toronto Star reports that over the weekend, behind closed doors, one of the Premier’s top advisers claimed that the education workers protesting outside had grown “fat from ... largesse.” How ironic coming from a government spending millions hiring insiders and relatives. Mr. Speaker, that’s pretty rich.

Does the Premier think that sort of attack is going to improve education in our schools?

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

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Mr. Speaker, it is time for a deal that keeps kids in class in this province. It is why, today, we are negotiating in good faith with the Catholic teachers: because this has gone on for too long. In this negotiation, we want a good deal for students. We are affirming that we want to protect full-day kindergarten. We are committed to maintaining historic investments in special education. We are keeping class sizes low and we are ensuring the hiring of new teachers is premised on qualification, not seniority in a union.

Political actors have to make choices. We choose investment in schools, in students, in curriculum—not in higher compensation for the second-highest paid teachers in this nation.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: A cut to a cut is still a cut.

The government wants to have it both ways. They want to make deep cuts to our education system and then claim they’re enhancing it. They want to rip resources away from kids and say they’re preparing them for the future. They want to replace in-person learning with isolating online courses and claim they care about student mental health.

Speaker, this government can’t even get their vanity licence plates right, and they expect us to trust them with the future of education in this province. Will the Premier finally read the writing on the wall and reverse these cuts?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: What parents want is accountability for their hard-earned tax dollars actually helping their children succeed in life. That’s why, when 80 cents on the dollar is spent on compensation, we know in this party that we can do better for the students of this province. It’s why in the negotiations we believe, unlike the other parties, that merit must guide the hiring of new educators. That is a consequential position that we believe, on a matter of principle, we must advance.

We believe that investments ought to go toward our students, not toward heightening compensation for wage and benefits for individuals, for workers—though we value them. But we pay them—the second-highest in the nation. After a decade of service, they are the highest paid in the nation. We want a fair deal that works for our kids. That’s what we’re fighting for. It starts, Mr. Speaker, with keeping kids in class.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: Mr. Speaker, you’re darned right that people in this province—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. Okay, the excessive clapping is not helpful.

I apologize to the member. Please restart the clock. The member for Davenport has the floor.

Ms. Marit Stiles: Thank you, Speaker.

The minister is darned right that people in this province care about the quality of their children’s education. That’s why tens of thousands of them came out here on Friday to protest this government’s cuts.

The government unilaterally cut classrooms. They can unilaterally reverse them now. There is nothing to stop the Premier from doing that today.

It is unacceptable to be using our children as pawns. Instead of twisting themselves into a pretzel to make it seem like they’ve invested in education, they could actually invest in our kids’ future and stop balancing the budget on their backs.

Mr. Speaker, through you to the Premier, or the education minister, or any one of these members willing to pull their head out of the sand for a minute and face some facts: When will they listen and reverse their cuts?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: I am proud to be part of a government that is investing more in public education than any government in the history of Ontario. It is under this government, under the leadership of this Premier, that more money is being spent and being given to school boards in this province to ensure public education is improved for the next generation. It is this government that is investing at the highest levels ever recorded in special education—$3.1 billion—to support the most vulnerable kids within our schools. It is this government that more than doubled the mental health portfolio to support those in need in our schools. It is this government that has—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I apologize to the minister. The official opposition will come to order to allow the minister to respond to the question that you’ve asked.

Minister of Education.

Hon. Stephen Lecce: It is this government that is investing in a $200-million, four-year math strategy to improve math scores after a decade of stagnation. We’re investing historic amounts in the skilled trades, an initiative that Minister McNaughton and I both believe is so important to the future prosperity of this province.

We’re investing more. We expect more for our kids. We’re going to stand up for that every day in this negotiation.

Indigenous affairs

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: My question is for the Premier. Last night, the OPP gave an ultimatum to the land defenders at Tyendinaga that as of midnight last night they would arrest anyone who had not cleared the camp. Now, as we speak, the OPP have moved in and made arrests of the land defenders there.

When was the Premier made aware of this police action by the OPP, and what role did he, his office and the cabinet play?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines to reply.

Hon. Greg Rickford: From the outset of this blockade, our government, the Tyendinaga police, the Ontario Provincial Police and Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald have facilitated, supported and leveraged a respectful dialogue with the activists at the site of the blockade. Over the past couple of weeks, Mr. Speaker, we have continued to be patient as we believe that an Indigenous-led solution was the best scenario that we could all hope for.

We appreciate the leadership, in particular of the Tyendinaga chief and council and, as I said earlier, Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald, who facilitated discussions that have protected and respected the recommendations from Ipperwash.

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

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: Last week, when I asked the Premier about his government’s commitment to reconciliation, the Minister of Indigenous Affairs replied to say that, “With respect to the Tyendinaga blockade, we moved quickly to leverage support and facilitate Indigenous leadership to bring a resolution to that blockade.”

Now that the OPP have arrested Mohawk land defenders, potentially creating a flashpoint not just here but across the country, what exactly did this government do to facilitate a resolution in this protest?

Hon. Greg Rickford: Mr. Speaker, over the past couple of weeks, at every turn, the Premier of this province, myself, the Solicitor General and the member from Bay of Quinte have worked closely with folks from that community. We’ve communicated frequently with our Indigenous counterparts across the province to come up with a peaceful plan to move forward.

We continue to challenge the federal government and spoke with them frequently, including the Prime Minister, to take leadership on a matter that asked profound questions: the scope and power of hereditary chiefs, the duty to consult hereditary chiefs, the ability and the application of Indigenous law to be considered in the context of resource projects. These were all questions that demanded leadership from the federal government.

Fortunately, here in the province of Ontario, we all worked together towards a peaceful resolution of this challenge. We look forward to working with Indigenous communities across this province moving forward so that this doesn’t happen again.

Government’s record

Mr. Jeremy Roberts: My question is to the Premier. Premier, our government inherited a fiscal and economic mess from the previous government. The Liberals were spending $40 million a day more than they brought in. And what did the people of this province have to show for it? Historic job losses throughout the entire province, companies being forced to close shop and relocate to other places in Canada and the United States and the highest energy rates in all of North America, which forced people to choose between heating and eating in this province.

Premier, since our election two years ago, can you share with the Legislature how the actions that our government has taken have helped to turn this province around?

Hon. Doug Ford: First of all, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank our all-star MPP from Ottawa West–Nepean. They love him up there.

Our plan to build Ontario together is working. Our economy is firing on all cylinders right now. We’ve created over 307,000 jobs—new jobs—since we’ve taken office. That’s 307,000 new opportunities. That’s 307,000 new paycheques that people can go out and put food on their table, pay rent, pay a mortgage and get moving forward. That’s 307,000 more people giving back to the economy. That’s over 500 new jobs each and every day since we’ve been elected. We’re leading the country in job creation: 76% of every job created in Canada—

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

Mr. Jeremy Roberts: Back to the Premier: Those are incredible numbers and show why people are referring to the economic miracle that is happening in our province.

Premier, you said it best that when you trust in the people of the province, when you embrace our spirit of ingenuity, entrepreneurship and decency, this province will always come out on top. When you have a government that understands the workers and business leaders of this province and supports them, instead of working against them, the potential for success is unlimited.

Premier, can you share with the House what initiatives our government is introducing to support the people of this province and build up its potential once again?

Hon. Doug Ford: I want to thank the member. We’ve created more jobs in just 18 months than the Liberals and the NDP have chased out of this province. They chased out 300,000 jobs in a decade. We created 307,000. We’re creating more opportunities than ever before, more opportunities for those forgotten by the previous government.

We stopped taxing minimum wage workers, low-income workers, saving them up to $850 a year. Do you know how many people we’re saving $850 a year? It’s 1.1 million people. The lowest-income folks in the entire province are paying 0% tax.

We’re promoting the skilled trades. We’re connecting our young people with rewarding careers. We’re providing 1,800 placements for students this year in pre-apprenticeship programs alone. That is up 14% since we’ve taken office.

Licence plates

Ms. Jennifer K. French: My question is to the Premier. Ontario’s licence plate fiasco has been a glaring example of what can go wrong when a government is in a hurry to make a name for itself, but not to make responsible decisions. The plates reflect too much and are unreadable. Under some conditions, the letters and numbers disappear and can’t be read. Toronto photo radar can’t read the small letters in the word “Ontario.” Speaker, I received a letter with a photo highlighting yet another issue: The plates can’t be read clearly in broad daylight. Bright sun makes them over-reflect.

If sunshine wasn’t a part of your “exhaustive” testing, what was? A cellphone flash at your photo ops? All of this is absurd, but more than it is ridiculous, it is about safety. So how will you fix this and keep us safe?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of Government and Consumer Services.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to stand in this House today and assure everyone—the members opposite, Ontarians from across one end of this province to another—that safety is a number one concern. I can also share with you that I’m 100% committed to reviewing concerns, I’m committed to continuing to listen, and I’m committed to getting this right. I’m very pleased to share with you that we’re working collaboratively with all of our key stakeholders, as well as 3M, to deliver an enhanced product in the coming weeks.

Speaker, I want everyone in Ontario to know that we have been assured by 3M that they stand by their products and will deliver our enhanced licence plate to Ontarians as quickly as possible.

Again, we have heard, we continue to listen, and we continually work collaboratively with not only our key stakeholders but with 3M to get this right.

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

Ms. Jennifer K. French: Again to the Premier: This morning, CTV reported that the shiny, new blue licence plates cannot be read by automated licence plate readers at our Canadian borders. Border officials are forced to input the plates manually. What is next? We haven’t had a good rain yet. Are the plates going to dissolve? Stop putting more of these unsafe plates on the road.

First, we understood the government had destroyed the leftover white plates, but reporters were told that you do have inventory but just don’t want to use them. Responsible government means responsible decision-making, and this government makes mistakes—big, branded and blue mistakes. One thing is clear, Speaker—and it isn’t the plates—we should not be putting more stealth plates out onto the roads.

Why can’t this minister and Premier see that this is a glaring safety issue?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Unlike the member opposite, who stands up to position herself based on one report, we’re actually working collaboratively with all of our key stakeholders—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Opposition, come to order.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: —with regard to our enhanced plates.

Safety is a number one concern. Speaker, I can tell you that I am really, really proud of the team and how hard they’re working to make sure, as we move forward with our enhanced licence plate, that we’re collaborating, we’re listening, we’re hearing and we’re working very well with 3M. They stand by their product, and we’re standing with them to deliver an enhanced plate in the coming weeks.

Education funding

Ms. Kathleen O. Wynne: My question is for the Premier. Education in Ontario is in a state of crisis the likes of which we have not seen since the last Conservative government in the 1990s under Premier Mike Harris. The current government is intent on imposing policies on schools, including reducing per pupil funding, and disregarding the experience and knowledge of teachers, the best interests of students and their families, and evidence from other jurisdictions.

Today is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day at Queen’s Park, and I know that members of the government will be expressing their concern for young people suffering from FASD.

Can the Premier tell this House and the people of Ontario how the policies they’re implementing will benefit the children in our 5,000 publicly funded schools, and particularly how their cuts will support vulnerable children like those with FASD?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of Children, Community and Social Services to reply.

Hon. Todd Smith: I want to thank the member opposite for that question this morning. I know there are members from the FASD community who are here with us today. We want to continue to raise awareness for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and the expert research that has been done in this area that shows that there is no known amount of alcohol that’s safe to consume during pregnancy. I think it’s important that we emphasize that fact.

Our ministry and our government are continuing to provide services to families dealing with FASD, and we’ll continue to improve on those services every day. Our ministry continues to offer a range of services to families, caregivers, individuals, community-based fetal alcohol spectrum disorder workers and the Indigenous Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder/Child Nutrition Program, as well as family and caregiver support groups across the province. This includes improving outcomes for children, youth and families affected by FASD.

There’s more we can do, Mr. Speaker, and I look forward to the supplementary in answering that question.

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

Ms. Kathleen O. Wynne: The more that could be done is that the government could actually implement the FASD strategy that is on the books, because we put it on the books, Mr. Speaker, but it has not been fully implemented. And in fact, there is much more needed in terms of support in communities, support in schools, and I introduced a private member’s bill last week that would go a long way.

But instead of doing that, what’s happening is that the government is in a pitched battle with teachers and support staff across the province. It almost seems as though the government wants to have a full-out war so that they can then have the Education Relations Commission declare that the students’ year is at risk and then they can bring in back-to-work legislation, which should be a last resort.

Mr. Speaker, is that the plan that the government has put in place, the plan to support students—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Opposition come to order.

Ms. Kathleen O. Wynne: —including kids with FASD, that the government wants—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I stopped the clock. Both sides of the House were interrupting the member for Don Valley West such that I couldn’t hear her question.

I’m going to start the clock again and allow the member to restate her question if she chooses to do so.

Ms. Kathleen O. Wynne: My question was: In light of the fact that students across the province need support, particularly vulnerable kids like kids with FASD, is it the plan of the government to wait until the Education Relations Commission declares that the students’ year is at risk and then legislate teachers back to work? Is that the plan that the government is putting in place?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

To the Minister of Education to reply.

Hon. Stephen Lecce: There is a little bit of irony in the question from the member opposite. However, Speaker, let me tell you what our plan is: It’s to get a deal that keeps kids in this province in class. That’s what we’re negotiating at the table.

What we seek to do, unlike the former Liberal government, which consented to provide 100% of hiring predicated on seniority in the union, is that we are fighting to ensure that qualification, merit and diversity lead the way. In this negotiation, we’re protecting full-day kindergarten. We are committed to keeping classroom sizes low. In this negotiation, we are also ensuring historic investments for special education.

Speaker, we have to make choices. This government, every day, will choose investments in students over heightened compensation. That’s the mission of the government. We want a deal that keeps kids in class.

Mental health and addictions services

Ms. Andrea Khanjin: My question is for the Minister of Health. Minister, people in communities all across Ontario have been struggling to navigate Ontario’s mental health and addiction system for years. Previous governments have simply failed to address the lack of coordination and best practices that have led to differences in quality and availability of services across this province.

But there is hope. Ontarians elected a government that fully recognizes that mental health is health. We have made historic investments. I wanted to ask the minister if she could update this House and this Legislature on the actions our government has taken to help those struggling with mental health and addictions.

Hon. Christine Elliott: Thank you to the member from Barrie–Innisfil for her question. Last week, we formally established the new Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence within Ontario Health. This centre will play a key role in supporting our efforts to build a mental health and addictions system that all Ontarians can be proud of and can use. It will act as a central point of oversight for mental health and addictions care, monitoring the quality and delivery of evidence-based services. The centre will also provide support and resources to Ontario health teams as they fulfill their role in delivering care and helping patients navigate the health care system.

This is the first time that any government has undertaken the hard work necessary to transform Ontario’s health care system so that mental health and addictions services are considered as being as important as physical health services. Working with the new centre of excellence, we will continue to improve the quality and delivery of mental health and addictions services across Ontario as we roll out our mental health and addictions plan.

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

Ms. Andrea Khanjin: Thank you, Minister, for your response and for your leadership on the file. Mr. Speaker, it is clear that our government has worked to make clear, historic, real actions on mental health and addictions services all across our province, to help those who face challenges. From francophone communities to those living in rural and remote communities to First Nations and Indigenous communities and many communities that have diverse needs when it comes to health care, our government is taking action.

I am proud to be part of a government that has a clear commitment to helping those in challenged communities when it comes to investment in mental health and addictions services. I wanted to ask the ministers if they can continuously update this House on the investments we’ve made to mental health and addictions and how we are consulting with all key communities on the next steps of improving our services in mental health.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: I want to thank the member for that excellent question as well. As we develop our mental health and addictions plan, we’re consulting with a wide variety of communities and stakeholders. No government has ever attempted this kind of comprehensive reform before, and as we listen to those struggling with mental health and addictions, we want to make sure that we get this right.

We’re also taking action now to improve services for communities across the province. Recently, I was proud to stand alongside the Minister of Health and the Minister of Colleges and Universities to announce an investment of $1.2 million to improve access to culturally appropriate mental health and addictions services across several Indigenous communities.

Our government, Mr. Speaker, is committed to improving services and making sure that every Ontarian gets the care they need where and when they need it. We know that more work needs to be done, but it’s absolutely critical to make these investments as we continue working to meaningfully improve these services as we finalize our mental health and addictions strategy.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The next question? The member for Essex.

Mr. Taras Natyshak: Thank you very much, Speaker. My question is about freedom of the press and the ethical and democratic standards set forth by the Premier.

People from across the country were appalled this weekend as they watched security guards literally block CBC’s Mike Crawley while he was filing a report about the Progressive Conservative convention. The Premier’s party scrambled to distance themselves from the incident, but the security company was clear: Their orders came directly from the PC Party. Why—

Mr. Taras Natyshak: Why exactly is the Premier and his party sending security forces out to harass reporters when they’re trying to file their—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): No.

Interjection.

Mr. Taras Natyshak: Point of order, Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): There’s no point of order. The member will take his seat.

The next question.

Education funding

Mr. Mike Schreiner: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Premier.

The Premier likes to criticize the math of other opposition parties, so I want to take a moment to look at the Premier’s math. This might be the first government in Ontario history to spend more on education while students actually get less.

The Premier and the education minister talk about a $1.2-billion increase to funding for education that they say is going into classrooms, but public estimates confirm that per student funding is actually going down in Ontario. Can the Premier explain how on earth his government can spend more money on education while students are getting less?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Replying for the government, the Minister of Education.

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Mr. Speaker, what the public accounts confirm is that this government is spending more and providing more for school boards in this province—over $24 billion to school boards in the province of Ontario. What the record will show is that we more than doubled mental health funding and increased transportation, special education, Indigenous education to the highest levels ever recorded in Ontario history.

But it’s not just about investment. We’ve increased investment by 60% since 2003-04, and yet we still have more than half of our kids failing math in grade 6 in this province. We not only have to invest more; we need a commitment to improve the system, to deliver accountability and to ensure results for hard-working taxpayers in this province. That’s what we’re trying to achieve in negotiation: a good deal for kids that sees more money flowing into them, not 80 cents on the dollar in compensation, but more in their schools, in their curriculum and in their future.

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

Mr. Mike Schreiner: Speaker, no one is buying the minister’s spin on this, because there’s clearly a disconnect between what the minister is saying and what the estimates say. And parents get it. On Friday, I spoke with a number of parents who were here at Queen’s Park supporting educators. They told me that they do not want to see class size increases, they do not want to see mandatory e-learning and they especially do not want to see per student funding go down. They oppose this cut.

Speaker, will the Premier, will the education minister listen to parents, listen to students and reverse their cut to per student funding?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Our government is investing more in public education, in health care, in the social services that are consequential to the lives of everyday working people in this province. That is what we’re doing, and we’re doing that while keeping taxes low. We’re doing that while ensuring affordability is the cornerstone of this government’s political mandate. But most important when it comes to our kids is giving them the skills to be job-ready, to unleash the full potential of the incredible ingenuity of our young people and the diversity in this province.

It’s about ensuring a greater return on investment. We are spending more in education, but we’re not getting more in education. I think parents want the government of the day to stand firm for a higher return on investment that sees their child succeeding in life and getting the jobs of the future.

Justice system

Mr. Will Bouma: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Attorney General. I hear from constituents all the time who have interacted with the justice system and asked why their experience could not have been easier, faster and more affordable. They often wonder why they need to hire someone to manage matters that seem simple, only to find out just how complex and outdated our court system is.

Can the Attorney General tell us what our government is doing to improve and modernize the way our justice system operates to make it simpler, to make it faster and to make it more affordable for people to access justice in this province?

Hon. Doug Downey: Thank you to the phenomenal member from Brantford–Brant, a man of great stature. Thank you for the question.

Mr. Speaker, there is no question that we have inherited a badly neglected and very complicated justice system. We’ve heard loud and clear from people across Ontario that the justice system has grown too complex, it’s outdated and it needs to better support the growth of our communities and make our communities safer, while standing up for victims of crime and law-abiding citizens.

That’s why I was proud to table the Smarter and Stronger Justice Act in this House, a bill that proposes 20 smart and sensible reforms that will make Ontario’s justice system more available, more affordable, better for consumers and businesses—and it will make our communities safer, Mr. Speaker, all while we’re getting tougher on crime to ensure that criminals are not profiting from their illegal activities.

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

Mr. Will Bouma: Mr. Speaker, I’d like to thank the Attorney General for that answer. I think we can all agree that crime should not pay.

When the Civil Remedies Act was first created in 2001 by the Progressive Conservative government of the day, it was an innovative crime-fighting piece of legislation intended to deter, and successful in deterring, unlawful activity. This act allows police to seize property and funds used in, or gained from, illegal and criminal activity, and redirect it into the hands of victims and police programs that fight crime.

Unfortunately, while Ontario was once at the forefront of civil forfeiture rules, our province now lags far behind other jurisdictions that have updated their forfeiture laws. Criminals have taken notice.

Can the Attorney General tell this House what he is doing to address this growing problem?

Hon. Doug Downey: The member is absolutely right. Our province’s civil forfeiture laws, along with our entire justice system, were neglected for 15 years by the Liberal government before us. They were more focused on helping their Liberal friends than they were on fixing the system. They let it decay and they let it rot.

We’re here to fix this. This is the first government to take on the important work of modernizing our laws around civil forfeiture so Ontario can support the victims and the front-line police officers, who do the hard work. We’re going to make it harder for criminals to hold on to their proceeds from crime and do things that make our communities feel unsafe, and victimize our young people.

The Smarter and Stronger Justice Act, if passed, will simplify the procedure to seize the proceeds of crime and allow the funds to be redirected faster and more efficiently to the victims and the support programs they need, when and where they need them the most.

Midwifery

M me France Gélinas: Today, we learned that the Human Rights Tribunal has issued a historic win for midwives. They have ordered the Conservative government to end its gender discrimination policy against midwives.

It is shameful that midwives, a profession dominated by women, are not fairly compensated, despite the fact that they are primary care providers. They expertly guide people through their pregnancy, labour, delivery and first six weeks with a newborn.

Speaker, it is the 21st century. Women should not have to fight to prove that they deserve equal pay, but that’s exactly what the midwives have had to do under the Liberal government for close to a decade. It’s time to end gender discrimination and it’s long overdue.

Will the Premier implement the Human Rights Tribunal order to fairly compensate all our midwives?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Attorney General to reply.

Hon. Doug Downey: Thank you for the question, to the member from Nickel Belt, who I know is an advocate for all things health.

Our government values the contributions of Ontario’s midwives, providing safe and accessible 24/7 care for all Ontario families. We are reviewing the decision. Ontario has applied for a judicial review of the tribunal’s decision. As the matter is now before the tribunal, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary question? The member for London West.

Ms. Peggy Sattler: Speaker, for years the Liberals made a show about closing the gender wage gap, while at the same time battling with midwives in court so they could avoid paying them fairly. Midwives had to fight the Liberal government tooth and nail to win the right to fair compensation. Now, rather than awarding these vital health care professionals the compensation they deserve, this Conservative government is planning more unnecessary and costly legal proceedings against midwives.

Speaker, instead of compensating midwives fairly by immediately implementing the Human Rights Tribunal order, why is this Conservative government so determined to do exactly what the Liberals did?

Hon. Doug Downey: Since day one, our government has been absolutely clear, and we won’t apologize for this. We’re doing everything we can to make life affordable for Ontarians, while at the same time respecting the fantastic work that midwives do across Ontario to protect our families and promote good health.

But as I mentioned, it is in front of the tribunal, Mr. Speaker, and we’re reviewing our decision. I hope to have more to say in the days to come.

Long-term care

Mrs. Nina Tangri: My question is to the Minister of Long-Term Care. Last summer, the Honourable Eileen E. Gillese, commissioner of the Public Inquiry into the Safety and Security of Residents in the Long-Term Care Homes System, released her final report. The report included a number of recommendations across several ministries to ensure the safety of long-term-care-home residents. At the time, you committed to reviewing the recommendations thoroughly and working across ministries to take swift action. Could the minister please share the actions our government has taken to address Justice Gillese’s recommendations to strengthen long-term care?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Thank you to the member from Mississauga–Streetsville for that important question and for their great work on behalf of the constituents in the riding. I’m pleased to report that our government has completed 18 of Justice Gillese’s recommendations, with 40 others under way.

Acting on several key recommendations on medication safety, I have issued a directive to the sector on glucagon and hypoglycemia. It puts in place best practices for safe insulin policies, including clear expectations for staff training and the reporting of insulin-related medication incidents. Long-term-care homes will be required to follow clear, proactive guidelines for tracking medication incidents and identifying reoccurring staff compliance issues.

Addressing the public inquiry has given our government an opportunity to take account of Ontario’s long-term-care system so that we can ensure that it meets the standard Ontarians deserve.

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

Mrs. Nina Tangri: Thank you to the minister for that encouraging update. I think all of us on both sides of the aisle can see the benefit of these changes to the safety and well-being of our loved ones.

Proper long-term-care staffing is also crucial to ensuring their safety and meeting their health care needs, but the sector is facing real challenges when it comes to recruiting and retaining personal support workers, nurses and other care staff. It was acknowledged in the public inquiry that there is a shortage province-wide of people to fill these rewarding, in-demand jobs. Could the minister please speak to the steps she is taking to address Justice Gillese’s recommendations on staffing?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Thank you again to the member for the question. As a family doctor for almost 30 years, I know first-hand that personal support workers, registered nurses and other front-line staff are the backbone of long-term care, so recently I was happy to announce the launch of a long-term-care staffing study led by an expert external advisory group. It will help inform a comprehensive staffing strategy that we will be developing and implementing by the end of 2020.

Part of this study will fulfill Justice Gillese’s recommendation to determine adequate levels of registered staff. The study will also identify how we can help the sector to improve staffing, recruitment and retention. This important step will give our government the insight that we need to ensure the sustainability, safety and high-quality care for our growing and aging population in Ontario.

Education funding

Ms. Jessica Bell: I want to talk today about parents in my riding like Nicole, whose eight-year-old daughter is medically fragile. Nicole’s daughter attends the Beverley school in my riding, where children with developmental and physical disabilities work with skilled educators, but Nicole is terrified that due to this government’s cuts, children like her daughter won’t be able to get the attention they need to learn and thrive. In her words, “Learning is different for everyone. If teachers don’t have the resources and training they need to support children like my daughter, kids with special needs will lose their right to an education.”

Speaker, how can the Premier justify his education cuts and its impact on families like Nicole?

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

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Thank you to the member opposite for the question. Obviously for Nicole and for all parents and children in this province, we are committed to ensuring investments continue to flow in the front of class when it comes to special education, to support the most vulnerable kids in our schools.

Speaker, how we’re doing that: In the most recent negotiated settlement with CUPE, where we negotiated a voluntary agreement ratified by the union, hundreds of new EAs are being hired in classrooms right across Ontario. That’s going to help improve support of those children in every region of Ontario. We are investing $3.1 billion more in special education. That’s the highest investment ever recorded in the history of Ontario.

We have doubled the mental health portfolio. We have hired 180 psychologists and psychotherapists. In high schools, we’re making mental health and special education an important, central part of the physical health and education curriculum. We’re absolutely committed to ensuring those kids have dignity, respect and the resources to succeed.

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

Ms. Jessica Bell: I also want to share comments from another parent. Kylie has a daughter at Kensington Community School in University–Rosedale. Because of this government’s cuts, the school has had to lay off several educators and was forced to cancel their Mandarin language program. Kylie’s daughter loved learning the language. When it comes to this government’s cuts to education, Kylie says, “I am heartbroken and furious.”

Speaker, how can the Premier defend taking opportunities away from children who want to learn?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: In fact, in the context of our official languages in this nation, it’s this government, under the leadership of this Premier, that is investing more in French-language education than any government in the history of Ontario, and we are proud of that, proud of ensuring that young people have the competencies of language to apply it in the marketplace.

But in the negotiation more broadly we are fighting and committing to protecting full-day kindergarten. We are ensuring that we’re maintaining historic investments in special ed. We are keeping class sizes low, and we’re ensuring that the hiring of educators is premised on merit. Those are our guiding principles in this negotiation, and it starts with ensuring that kids remain in a positive and safe learning environment.

Mental health and addictions services

Mr. Norman Miller: My question today is for the Minister of Health. Ipsos recently conducted a poll on the importance of mental health services for children and youth. Not surprisingly, Ontarians firmly believe, as does this government, that more should be done to improve the access that children and youth have to mental health services. This includes reducing wait times across the province.

We have acted to establish the Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence within Ontario Health, and a mental health and addictions plan is also on the way. Could you please explain to the members of this Legislature how the centre of excellence can address the barriers that youth face when trying to access mental health services?

Hon. Christine Elliott: I’d like to thank the member for Parry Sound–Muskoka for his question. Through our new mental health and addictions plan, supported by the centre of excellence, we will make sure that the people of Ontario can get the mental health care and services they need, including our children and youth. The Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence will break down barriers in accessing care, ensuring a more consistent patient experience across the province.

The centre will work with experts, providers in the community, people with lived experience, researchers and families to create a consistent set of services and standards for care. This will ensure that children and youth will not only be able to access mental health services, but also ensure that the care they receive is high quality and based on best practices. There is a clear need to expand and improve existing programs and invest in innovative solutions to tackle the gaps that have persisted for so long. Our mental health and addictions plan will be another very important step.

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

Mr. Norman Miller: I want to thank the minister for her leadership on this important issue. Ontario governments have known for many years that our mental health system was insufficient. The Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions, of which the minister was a member, was set up in 2009 and made its recommendations in September 2010—almost 10 years ago. But until now, little has been done to improve mental health services.

Finally, through our continued investment in mental health and addiction services, it is clear that our government is on the right track to deliver meaningful change to the mental health and addictions system. Minister, can you please update the members of this Legislature on the investments we have made in child and youth mental health services?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: I want to thank the member for that excellent question. This year, our government, under the leadership of Premier Ford, invested $174 million more in community-based mental health and addictions services across the province. Included in this investment is nearly $30 million for child and youth mental health services and programs across the province, as well as more than $27 million to fund mental health supports in Ontario’s education system, which will directly benefit schools, teachers and, most importantly, our students and their parents.

We will follow through on these investments, Mr. Speaker, with $3.8 billion in total funding over the next 10 years through our comprehensive mental health and addictions plan that meaningfully improves our system and helps to build healthier communities.

We look forward to sharing more about our new plan in the coming weeks. Together, we can, and we will, create a connected, integrated mental health system that works for Ontarians of all ages—

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

Education funding

Mr. Faisal Hassan: My question is to the Premier. Over the past weeks and months, I have gotten so many letters and messages from parents concerned about cuts to education; like Ann, who wrote to me and said, “The government does not have a mandate to cut funding to our schools, especially when they are using those cuts to fund corporate tax breaks. They never campaigned on removing adults from our schools, on increasing class sizes ... or on cutting supports for students with special needs.”

When is this government going to start listening to parents, do the right thing and reverse these heartless cuts?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Thank you to the member opposite for the question. Mr. Speaker, we are listening to parents and taxpayers, who want accountability for their investment. It’s why we are asking our union partners, who we are negotiating with today, to accept the premise that hiring in this province must be based on qualification. If you want to improve the outcomes of our children, then every member of this Legislature will accept that qualification, merit and diversity must be the cornerstone of hiring new educators in this province. That requires political courage to say it and to negotiate at the table.

It also requires a resolve to say that if we’re going to be putting more money in those children’s schools and their pockets in York South–Weston communities, it ought to go in schools, not in the compensation regime of the second-highest-paid educators in Canada.

That is our goal. It starts with keeping kids in class with a good deal. It keeps classroom sizes low, protects full-day kindergarten and, most importantly, continues to invest in our most vulnerable kids in our schools.

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

Mr. Faisal Hassan: Again, my question is to the Premier. This is exactly what we have come to expect from the minister and his colleagues: Blame teachers, deflect responsibility.

On this side of the House, we are proud to listen to parents and to stand with kids. I have gotten notes of encouragement from parents, thanking me for standing up for their kids. These parents know teachers are on the side of their kids too. Like Vania, from here in Toronto, who told me, “There is too much at stake for families to sit back and accept the unprecedented and unnecessary changes and cuts that Conservatives are proposing.”

Again to the Minister of Education: If parents are thanking me for being on their kids’ side, whose side are the Conservatives on?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: This Progressive Conservative government is squarely on the side of students, fighting to ensure that the best teacher is in the front of the class. We are on the side of students, ensuring that more money flows in classrooms, not in compensation. We are on the side of our youngest kids in class by protecting, in writing, full-day kindergarten. We are on the side of our most vulnerable by continuing to invest more in special education than any government in Ontario. We will continue to do so, as we’ve demonstrated in the CUPE deal months ago, where hundreds of new EAs are being hired to help those very children in our schools.

Speaker, in this negotiation, we want a deal. Our kids deserve it. Let’s get it done.

Justice system

Mr. Will Bouma: After 15 years of successive Liberal governments, we saw Ontario’s justice system become outdated and overgrown with unnecessary complexities. With this continued neglect, the needs of Ontario’s law-abiding citizens and victims of crime also fell to the wayside. They’ve had to endure a system that is unresponsive to their needs and is difficult to access.

Mr. Speaker, can the Attorney General please tell us what he is doing to right these Liberal wrongs and ensure our justice system is working every day for law-abiding citizens and is supporting victims of crime?

Hon. Doug Downey: Thank you to the member from Brantford–Brant for the question. Mr. Speaker, the member is absolutely right again: Our justice system has grown complex and outdated, and we are the first government in 15 years to take on the vitally important role of fixing it. That’s why we are proposing changes as part of the Smarter and Stronger Justice Act that would update so many important areas of Ontario’s outdated justice system. The bill looks to make many changes that will stand up for law-abiding citizens. It stands up for victims of crime. It stands up for the front-line police officers.

One regulatory change we’ve announced will make it easier for victims to sue offenders who have been convicted of distributing an intimate image against their will. It should not be very difficult for anyone to understand that this crime can and has shattered lives, whether it be youth, whether it be people going through difficult divorces—anybody who has had an intimate image potentially sent. We’ve responded to provide victims with more tools to access justice and to send a strong message that cyberbullying will not be tolerated.

I’ll have more to say in my supplementary, Mr. Speaker.

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

Mr. Will Bouma: Thank you to the Attorney General for his answer.

Standing up for victims of crime is a driving force of our government’s efforts to grow healthier and safer communities across Ontario. We know that many victims of cyberbullying, including those who have had their intimate images shared without consent, can suffer emotional, mental and physical pain and feel powerless. Can the Attorney General tell us more about how our government is making it easier for victims of this crime to get the justice they deserve?

Hon. Doug Downey: Many of Ontario’s laws and rules were established before the Internet and mobile devices became staples in the lives of Ontarians. Google registered as a company only 20 years ago, Mr. Speaker, and, man, things have changed.

We want to make sure that the Internet is a safe, accessible place for everyone to connect, learn and grow. Those who choose to use digital technology to exploit victims or to deliberately and repeatedly harm somebody or a group need to be held accountable for their serious actions. That’s why we’ve taken action to amend regulation 456/96 under the Victims’ Bill of Rights that would make it easier for victims to obtain damages in civil proceedings against offenders convicted of these crimes. This is protection and peace of mind that in today’s world is necessary and an important part of keeping everyone, including our children, safe online.

Education funding

Mr. Michael Mantha: My question is to the Premier. Thanks to years of underfunding and neglect from the Liberals, rural communities across the province were already struggling with school closures, dilapidated school buildings and teacher shortages. The Conservative cuts to education are only making life worse. On Friday, tens of thousands of parents, students and teachers raised their voices against this government’s cuts to education.

Speaker, unlike the Liberals and Conservatives, New Democrats are fighting for what matters—good schools for our kids and a strong public education system no matter where you live in this province—and so are thousands of families across my riding, from Manitouwadge to Wawa to Chapleau, from Desbarats to Blind River, Elliot Lake to Espanola and from St. Joseph Island to Manitoulin Island. Why isn’t this government doing the same?

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

Hon. Stephen Lecce: I thank the member opposite for the question. I would agree that under the former Liberal government there was a decade of stagnation in scope and performance. We saw more monies being spent in education than ever before—a 60% net increase since 2003-4, 12% more teachers since then and less than 1% more students—yet, even still, we saw literacy tests stagnate. We saw math numbers, math performance decline. The question is, what was the result for that dramatic expenditure in education?

We expect better. We want to see our students succeed. We want to see graduation rates rise. We want to see more students entering the skilled trades and STEM education. We are going to do that by getting a good deal that protects the interests of rural education after the largest school closure program that devastated rural Ontario under the former Liberal government.

Rural Ontario has an ally in this government. We will maintain the moratorium until we can ensure the economic impacts are totally considered in the PAR guidelines under our review.

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

Mr. Michael Mantha: Once again to the Premier: Schools in my riding and in rural and northern communities across the province were closed down under the Liberals. Students are being bused long distances to get to and from school, preventing them from joining after-school activities and getting the full school experience. Students, parents and teachers hoped that this Conservative government would be different and would actually recognize the unique situation rural, remote and northern schools face. But this government’s cuts to education are hurting kids. Will this government listen to students and stop these cuts?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Thank you again to the member opposite for the question. You know, I just want to draw a contrast between what the former government did and their impacts on schools and what this government is doing. Under the former government, they made a decision to close more schools under one political party than every single government combined. No government closed more schools than the former Liberal government. That is their legacy in rural Ontario.

Our legacy is a $550-million annual capital commitment to build new schools in rural, remote and northern Ontario, to renew the spirit of northern communities and of rural communities who felt abandoned by the former government. We are listening to them. We are working with them to ensure that those kids feel equal, that they’re not second-class citizens when it comes to their experience in education. We’re going to continue to invest in new schools, we’re going to continue to support rural Ontario, and obviously, Speaker, we are going to ensure that every student, irrespective of their locality, succeeds in this province.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): That concludes our question period for this morning. There being no deferred votes, this House stands in recess until 1 p.m.

The House recessed from 1142 to 1300.

Introduction of Bills

Ontario Day Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 sur le Jour de l’Ontario

Mr. Parsa moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 173,

An Act to proclaim Ontario Day / Projet de loi 173, Loi proclamant le Jour de l’Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Would the member care to give a brief statement explaining his bill?

Mr. Michael Parsa: Ontario is home to approximately 14.5 million people, accounting for 38% of Canada’s population. It is a rich and diverse province whose residents, both past and present, have made countless contributions to Canada’s social, economic, political and cultural history.

By proclaiming June 1 in each year as Ontario Day, we are providing the residents of this great province an opportunity to remember, celebrate and educate future generations about the significant roles that Ontario and Ontarians have played, and continue to play, in Canada and around the world.

Motions

Committee membership

Hon. Paul Calandra: Mr. Speaker, I move that the following changes be made to membership of the following committees:

On the Standing Committee on Estimates, Mr. Coe replaces Ms. Park, and Mr. Rasheed replaces Mr. Cho, Willowdale; and

On the Standing Committee on Justice Policy, Ms. Park replaces Mr. Coe; and

On the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, Mr. Cho, Willowdale, replaces Mr. Rasheed; and

On the Standing Committee on Government Agencies, Mr. Pang replaces Mr. Gill.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Mr. Calandra has moved that the following changes be made to membership of the following committees:

On the Standing Committee on Estimates, Mr. Coe replaces Ms. Park; Mr. Rasheed replaces Mr. Cho, Willowdale; and

On the Standing Committee on Justice Policy, Ms. Park replaces Mr. Coe; and

On the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, Mr. Cho, Willowdale, replaces Mr. Rasheed; and

On the Standing Committee on Government Agencies, Mr. Pang replaces Mr. Gill.

Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Motion agreed to.

Petitions

Post-stroke treatment

Ms. Jennifer K. French: I am pleased to present this petition entitled “Ask the Government of Ontario to Support Young Adult Stroke Survivors.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Ontario’s young adult stroke survivors continue to be denied OHIP funded stroke treatment/physiotherapy on the basis of age;

“Whereas stroke survivors on ODSP are denied treatment in violation of existing health care regulations;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly as follows:

“To immediate eliminate all arbitrary age restrictions on post-stroke treatment and deliver publicly funded post-stroke treatment to all Ontarians.”

I wholeheartedly support this, affix my signature and will send it to the table with Connie.

Road safety

Mrs. Gila Martow: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas tow truck operators provide an important service across Ontario’s road network; and

“Whereas motorists deserve reliable, timely service from their provider of choice across Ontario; and

“Whereas towing operators deserve a safe place to work in urban and rural communities across Ontario without being subjected to repetitive and punitive costs; and

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“To protect motorists and towing companies providing important services by addressing issues around highway incident management;

“To include incident scene management in regulations to address the potential for improper actions on scene;

“To support the towing industry and reduce costs to motorists and third parties by mandating a single provincial towing licence;

“To introduce regulations that ensure long-term vitality of the towing industry;

“To implement a towing mobile rideshare application.”

I’m very pleased to sign this petition and give it to page Michael.

Education funding

Mr. Ian Arthur: I have a stack of petitions here that I collected on Friday on picket lines across Kingston.

“Stop ... Education Cuts.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas” the Ford government’s “new education scheme seeks to dramatically increase class sizes...;

“Whereas the changes will mean thousands fewer teachers and education workers and less help for every student;

“Whereas secondary students will now be forced to take at least” two “of their classes online with as many as 35 students” per class;

“Whereas” the Ford government “changes will rip over $1 billion out of Ontario’s education system by the end of the government’s term; and

“Whereas kids in Ontario deserve more opportunities, not fewer;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to demand that the government halt the cuts to classrooms and invest to strengthen public education in Ontario.”

I fully support this petition, will affix my name to it and give it to page Aditri.

Public transit

Ms. Christine Hogarth: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas many Ontarians are looking to their government to demonstrate a real commitment to delivering transit faster for the people in the greater Toronto area, reducing congestion, and connecting people to places and jobs; and

“Whereas everyone can recognize that there is an increasing demand for safe and reliable transportation options; and

“Whereas the city of Toronto has agreed to partner with Ontario to remain committed to removing roadblocks, engage local residents and businesses, as well as Indigenous communities; and

“Whereas Ontario deserves public transit that is more attractive, safe, affordable, and low-stress;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“Help deliver Ontario’s four priority subway projects on time and on budget by proceeding as soon as possible to pass Bill 171, Building Transit Faster Act, 2020, so that:

“

(1) Hearings of necessity for expropriations of property along the transit corridors if expropriations for the purpose of the transit are eliminated;

“

(2) A mechanism is created by which utility companies may be required to remove utility infrastructure, if necessary for the transit;

“

(3) Municipal service and right of way access may be required to be provided for the transit, with the process being based around negotiation, with the possibility for an order if negotiation fails.”

This is a great petition. I am more than pleased to sign my name to it. I will pass it to Paige.

Long-term care

Ms. Catherine Fife: I’d like to thank Jim McLeod from Cambridge for collecting signatures. He has been separated from his wife for two and a half years. This petition is called “Support Bill 153, the Till Death Do Us Part act.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas there are 35,000 people on the wait-list for long-term care; and

“Whereas the median wait time for a long-term-care bed has risen from 99 days in 2011-12 to 152 days in 2018-19; and

“Whereas according to Home Care Ontario, the cost of a hospital bed is $842 a day, while the cost of a long-term-care bed is $126 a day; and

“Whereas couples should have the right to live together as they age; and

“Whereas Ontario seniors have worked hard to build this province and deserve dignity in care; and

“Whereas Bill 153 amends the Residents’ Bill of Rights in the Long-Term Care Homes Act to provide the resident with the right upon admission to continue to live with their spouse or partner;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to direct the Minister of Long-Term Care to pass Bill 153 and provide seniors with the right to live together as they age.”

I will affix my signature and give this to page Hannah.

Public transit

Ms. Jane McKenna: I’m pleased to read this petition, the “Get Transit Projects Done” petition.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas many Ontarians are looking to their government to demonstrate a real commitment to delivering transit faster for the people in the greater Toronto area, reducing congestion, and connecting people to places and jobs; and

“Whereas everyone can recognize that there is an increasing demand for safe and reliable transportation options; and

“Whereas the city of Toronto has agreed to partner with Ontario to remain committed to removing roadblocks, engage local residents and businesses, as well as Indigenous communities; and

“Whereas Ontario deserves public transit that is more attractive, safe, affordable, and low-stress;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“Help deliver Ontario’s four priority subway projects on time and on budget by proceeding as expediently as possible to pass Bill 171, Building Transit Faster Act, 2020, so that:

“

(1) Hearings of necessity for expropriations of property along the transit corridors if the expropriations for the purpose of the transit are eliminated;

“

(2) A mechanism is created by which utility companies may be required to move utility infrastructure, if necessary for the transit;

“

(3) Municipal service and right of way access may be required to be provided for the transit, with the process being based around negotiation, with the possibility for an order if negotiation fails.”

I with pleasure sign this petition, and I will pass it over to Michael.

Long-term care

M me France Gélinas: This petition is for Rhéal and Bertha Levesque from my riding, and I thank Linda Adler for signing this petition: “Support Bill 153, the Till Death Do Us Part act.

“Whereas there are 35,000 people on the wait-list for long-term care; and

“Whereas the median wait time for a long-term-care bed has risen from 99 days in 2011-12 to 152 days in 2018-19; and

“Whereas according to Home Care Ontario, the cost of a hospital bed is $842 a day, while the cost of a long-term-care bed is $126 a day; and

“Whereas couples should have the right to live together as they age; and

“Whereas Ontario seniors have worked hard to build this province and deserve dignity in care; and

“Whereas Bill 153 amends the Residents’ Bill of Rights in the Long-Term Care Homes Act to provide the resident with the right upon admission to continue to live with their spouse or partner;”

Therefore, they petition the Legislative Assembly “to direct the Minister of Long-Term Care to pass Bill 153 and provide seniors with the right to live together as they age.”

I fully support this petition, will affix my name to it and ask Aditri to bring it to the Clerk.

Anti-racism activities

Mr. Will Bouma: It gives me pleasure to read in this petition entitled “Combat Anti-Semitism.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas, on December 29, 2019, five people were maliciously killed at the home of an ultra-Orthodox rabbi during Hanukkah celebrations in Monsey, New York;

“Whereas the horrendous events that took place on December 29, 2019, in Monsey, New York, coincide with an upward trend of instances of egregious acts of anti-Semitic behaviour, including within the province of Ontario;

“Whereas anti-Semitism can manifest in various different ways and cannot be adequately countered if it cannot be properly identified; moreover, anti-Semitism is a multi-faceted problem that requires a multi-faceted solution;

“Whereas the province of Ontario prides itself on being a safe and welcoming place free from religious-based hate;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“Proceed as effectively as possible to ensure that all Ontarians are protected from discrimination and hate amounting to anti-Semitism by immediately passing Bill 168, the Combating Antisemitism Act, 2019, so that the government of Ontario” will “be guided by the working definition of anti-Semitism and the list of illustrative examples of it, adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance plenary on May 26, 2016, when it interprets acts, regulations and policies designed to protect Ontarians from discrimination and hate amounting to anti-Semitism.”

I entirely endorse this and will be affixing my signature on it.

Access to justice

Ms. Sara Singh: I’m pleased to present this petition. I’d like to thank Evan Cameron from Brampton Centre for collecting signatures.

“Ensure that Low-Income Ontarians Have Access to Justice.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the government of Ontario has cut the funding for Legal Aid Ontario by almost one third;

“Whereas injured workers may lose their ability to appeal WSIB decisions without legal aid;

“Whereas access to legal aid is essential to low-income Ontarians who are facing legal proceedings in criminal, family, mental health, poverty law and child protection cases;

“Whereas the cuts will lead to backlogs and delays throughout the justice system, causing chaos in the courts and costing taxpayers more, not less;

“Whereas provincial funding for the immigration and refugee law program at Legal Aid Ontario has been completely cut;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to reverse the cuts to Legal Aid Ontario that have already begun to impact the most vulnerable” Ontarians.

I am very proud to affix my name to this and send this off with page Hannah.

Anti-racism activities

Mrs. Gila Martow: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, the “Combat Anti-Semitism” petition.

“Whereas, on December 29, 2019, five people were maliciously killed at the home of an ultra-Orthodox rabbi during Hanukkah celebrations in Monsey, New York;

“Whereas the horrendous events that took place on December 29 ... in Monsey, New York, coincide with an upward trend of instances of egregious acts of anti-Semitic behaviour, including within the province of Ontario;

“Whereas anti-Semitism can manifest in various different ways and cannot be adequately countered if it cannot be properly identified; moreover, anti-Semitism is a multi-faceted problem that requires a multi-faceted solution;

“Whereas the province of Ontario prides itself on being a safe and welcoming place free from religious-based hate;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“Proceed as effectively as possible to ensure that all Ontarians are protected from discrimination and hate amounting to anti-Semitism by immediately passing Bill 168, the Combating Antisemitism Act, 2019, so that the government of Ontario be guided by the working definition of anti-Semitism and the list of illustrative examples of it, adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance plenary on May 26, 2016, when it interprets acts, regulations and policies designed to protect Ontarians from discrimination and hate amounting to anti-Semitism.”

Of course I affix my signature. I give it to page Daniel M.

Winter highway maintenance

Mr. Michael Mantha: I have a petition that is entitled “Improve Winter Road Maintenance on Northern Highways.” I’d like to thank the community of Espanola and the many who have signed the petition.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Highways 11 and 17 play a critical role in the development and prosperity of northern Ontario;

“Whereas the former Liberal government introduced private winter maintenance contracts, and the current Conservative government has failed to improve winter road conditions in northern Ontario;

“Whereas injuries and fatalities are twice more likely to occur on a northern highway than on a highway in southern Ontario, per capita;

“Whereas current Ministry of Transportation classification for winter highway maintenance negatively impacts the safety of drivers on northern highways;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to:

“Classify all 400-series highways, the QEW highway and Highways 11 and 17 as class 1 highways;

“Require that the pavement on class 1 highways be bare of snow within eight hours of the end of a snowfall.”

I wholeheartedly agree with this petition and present it to page Rudra to bring down to the Clerks’ table.

Public transit

Mr. Dave Smith: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas many Ontarians are looking to their government to demonstrate a real commitment to delivering transit faster for the people in the greater Toronto area, reducing congestion, and connecting people to places and jobs; and

“Whereas everyone can recognize that there is an increased demand for safe and reliable transportation options; and

“Whereas the city of Toronto has agreed to partner with Ontario to remain committed to removing roadblocks, engage local residents and businesses, as well as Indigenous communities; and

“Whereas Ontario deserves public transit that’s more attractive, safe, affordable, and low-stress;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“Help deliver Ontario’s four priority subway projects on time and on budget by proceeding as expediently as possible to pass Bill 171, Building Transit Faster Act, 2020....”

I endorse this petition and will give it to page Paige.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): That concludes the time we have available this afternoon for petitions.

Orders of the Day

Building Transit Faster Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 sur la construction plus rapide de transport en commun

Ms. Mulroney moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill 171,

An Act to enact the Building Transit Faster Act, 2020 and make related amendments to other Acts / Projet de loi 171, Loi édictant la Loi de 2020 sur la construction plus rapide de transport en commun et apportant des modifications connexes à d’autres lois.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Further debate? I look to the minister to lead off the debate.

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be splitting my time with Associate Minister Kinga Surma.

I’m happy to be here today to talk about our proposed legislation, the Building Transit Faster Act, and how it will get people moving in the GTA.

Monsieur le Président, je suis heureuse d’être ici aujourd’hui pour parler de notre projet de loi, la Loi de 2020 sur la construction plus rapide de transport en commun, et de la manière par laquelle ce projet de loi permettra aux gens de se déplacer dans la région du grand Toronto.

It’s no secret that transportation has been neglected throughout our province. Investment has not kept up with demand, and as a result, there’s gridlock, aging infrastructure and overcrowded, outdated transit systems. From Toronto to Ottawa to Kenora, it simply takes people too long to get around. That’s why our government is making transportation a priority. We have a plan that will make it easier for people to get around no matter where they live.

Right across Ontario, we are investing in infrastructure to fight congestion, to connect people to communities and to jobs, and to spur economic activity. Whether it’s adding a bus service to connect rural and northern communities, improving major highways to fight congestion, or building transit infrastructure, our foot is on the gas. And of course, our commitment to delivering four new rapid transit lines in the GTA is a significant part of that plan.

Nous avons un plan qui permettra aux gens de se déplacer plus facilement, quel que soit l’endroit où ils vivent.

À travers l’Ontario, nous investissons dans les infrastructures pour réduire la congestion, pour relier les gens aux communautés et aux emplois, et pour stimuler les activités économiques. Qu’il s’agisse d’ajouter un service d’autobus pour relier les communautés rurales et celles du Nord, d’améliorer les grandes autoroutes pour réduire la congestion ou de construire des transports en commun, nous avons le pied sur l’accélérateur. Et bien sûr, notre engagement à mettre en place quatre nouvelles lignes de transport en commun rapide dans la région du grand Toronto constitue un élément important de ce plan.

Nowhere is the need to get people moving more apparent than in this region. As Minister of Transportation, I hear from a lot of people about the challenges they face getting to and from work in the GTA. I hear it from acquaintances, from my colleagues, and, since my appointment as minister, even from my friends and family.

People are frustrated. They’re stuck in traffic wasting hours of their lives sitting on congested highways trying to get in and out of the city. Or they’re crammed into overcrowded stations and trains that are all too often delayed.

Anyone who has been at the Bloor-Yonge station during a subway delay at rush hour knows what I mean when I say it’s putting people in dangerous situations. When you’re worried about your personal safety or missing appointments or being late for work, it weighs on you. The transportation experience has such a real impact on people’s quality of life. We need to do better. The people who live in this city deserve better, and our government is going to give it to them.

People are suffering because greater Toronto area transit just takes way too long to build. But I’m happy to say that our government is taking action. We have committed to four new projects for riders, and we are doing it in record time—the first as early as 2027.

Building transit is what our government campaigned on, and we are delivering on our promise to build a public transit system that the people of the GTA so desperately need and deserve. People need to get home to their families quicker, and everyone deserves to enjoy all that the greater Toronto area has to offer. From Ontario Place to the airport to the Ontario Science Centre, our plan will get people there quicker.

Our subway plan, now endorsed by the province, Mayor Tory and city council, is realistic, attainable and deliverable. It will bring subway infrastructure to new neighbourhoods across Toronto, Markham and Richmond Hill. That plan includes:

—the signature Ontario Line, delivered as early as 2027, which will bring rapid transit to neighbourhoods such as Liberty Village and Flemingdon Park, and will help address the dangerous overcrowding on the TTC’s Line 1 and at the Bloor-Yonge station;

—the Yonge North extension, delivered by 2029-30, which will extend the TTC’s Line 1 to major employment centres in Markham and Richmond Hill;

—the Scarborough subway extension, delivered before 2029-30, which will finally extend Line 2 further into Scarborough;

—the Eglinton Crosstown West extension, delivered by 2030-31, which will improve connectivity along Eglinton Avenue and enable future access to Pearson airport.

Our government is committed to working with the city of Toronto and the TTC to get shovels in the ground, to lay the tracks, to buy the trains and to deliver more transit for more people, and all with accelerated timelines. These projects and timelines are ambitious, but can we really afford not to be? By 2030, there will be over one million more people in the greater Toronto area, bringing the total population to over eight million. By 2045, that number is expected to hit 10 million.

Our existing transit network is already overburdened. Clearly, something must change. We need more infrastructure, and we need it immediately.

Building transit faster is critical to unlocking gridlock, relieving congestion and generating long-term economic and employment opportunities in the GTA.

Nous avons besoin de plus d’infrastructures, et nous en avons besoin immédiatement. Il est essentiel d’accélérer la construction des transports en commun pour débloquer les embouteillages, pour décongestionner, et créer des possibilités économiques et d’emplois à long terme dans la région du grand Toronto.

More transit relieves overcrowding, connects more people to places and shortens commutes, but it also has a ripple effect on the communities and the roads around it. More people on transit means fewer people on the roads.

In the GTA today, the average commute to and from work is 48 minutes, both ways, and for many people, it’s even longer. Not only is this a significant inconvenience to our daily lives, but it has a cost to our province, and that cost is in a great deal of lost productivity. In fact, the C.D. Howe Institute has said that our region loses $11 billion in productivity each year as a result of gridlock. And according to the Toronto Region Board of Trade, gridlock adds $400 million to the cost of goods in our region. Just think about that for a moment. Those are staggering figures, and they’re just for today.

These problems demand action. The GTA needs more transit to cope with the gridlock of today and the growth of tomorrow. Simply put, we are out of time. We must address our transit capacity as quickly as possible. To do that, the status quo is no longer an option. The current approach takes too long and does not produce transit infrastructure, and so changes need to be made. We need to clear the way of roadblocks and commit to doing things differently.

Mr. Speaker, that’s what this legislation is all about. If passed, the Building Transit Faster Act will cut bureaucratic red tape and break down the silos that have held up projects in the past. It will help us meet our ambitious timelines for our priority subway projects and deliver the transit network that people desperately need.

Madame la Présidente, c’est l’objet de ce projet de loi. Si elle est adoptée, la Loi de 2020 sur la construction plus rapide de transport en commun permettra de réduire les formalités administratives et d’éliminer les silos qui ont entravé les projets dans le passé. Elle nous aidera à respecter les délais ambitieux que nous nous sommes fixés pour nos projets de métro prioritaires et à mettre en place le réseau de transport en commun dont les gens ont désespérément besoin.

Since Premier Ford first unveiled our government’s historic $28.5-billion subway expansion plan last spring, cross-government work has been under way to identify steps in the planning and construction processes where we can speed things up. Because we knew it wasn’t enough just to plan the new lines. We needed to rethink the entire process if we were going to be successful. The legislation we are discussing today is a result of all of that hard work—and it is hard work, so I’d like to take a moment to recognize all of the staff at the Ministry of Transportation and all of the other ministries who were involved in bringing this legislation forward.

I know that there has also been a lot of collaboration with Metrolinx and with Infrastructure Ontario, as well as engagement with the city of Toronto and York region. A lot of work and time and energy has gone into this, but together we’ve identified several key challenges that have been faced in the past—and opportunities for acceleration.

The Building Transit Faster Act addresses five key challenges. The first challenge relates to unknown excavation and construction from neighbouring sites which can conflict with the construction of subway tunnels and stations, creating safety concerns and delays.

The second challenge has to do with securing municipal permits for provincial transit projects, which in the past have faced some delays, stopping work from taking place on schedule.

The third is the process of negotiating permission to enter lands to conduct soil testing or remove trees, which in the past has taken several months, or longer if expropriation is necessary.

The fourth relates to land assembly, where the hearing-of-necessity process can take up to five months and results in a decision that is non-binding, with land expropriation often still necessary.

And, finally, the last challenge is utility relocation. Transit projects can be delayed if utilities are not relocated in coordination with the project schedule, leading to increased project costs.

La Loi de 2020 sur la construction plus rapide de transport en commun répond à six grands défis. Le premier concerne les travaux d’excavation et de construction inconnus provenant de sites voisins, qui peuvent entrer en conflit avec la construction de tunnels et de stations de métro, créant des problèmes de sécurité et des retards.

Le second défi concerne l’obtention de permis municipaux pour les projets de transport en commun provinciaux, qui ont connu par le passé certains retards, empêchant ainsi les travaux de se dérouler dans les délais prévus.

Le troisième est le processus de négociation de l’autorisation de pénétrer sur les terrains pour y effectuer des analyses de sol ou y enlever des arbres, lequel, par le passé, a pris plusieurs mois, ou plus longtemps si une expropriation devenait nécessaire.

Le quatrième concerne le regroupement des terrains, où le processus d’audience de nécessité peut prendre jusqu’à cinq mois et aboutit à une décision non contraignante, l’expropriation des terrains restant souvent nécessaire.

Enfin, le dernier défi est la relocalisation des infrastructures des services publics. Les projets de transport en commun peuvent être retardés si les services publics ne sont pas déplacés en coordination avec le calendrier du projet, ce qui entraîne une augmentation des coûts du projet.

These are the five key challenges that this legislation addresses. Each one has held up a major project in the past and has led to the type of delays that we can no longer afford. To support this proposed legislation, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks will be looking at making regulatory changes tailored to the unique characteristics of these priority transit projects. The current system of environmental assessment does not offer the flexibility needed to align these timelines associated with the projects. For each of these challenges, we’re proposing solutions that will help speed up the process while still treating people fairly.

I’d like to talk a little bit about each of those solutions in more detail, starting with utility relocation. Our proposed solution focuses on getting utilities relocated faster while still treating businesses and consumers fairly. Our legislation, if passed, would give Metrolinx the ability to require stronger coordination of utility relocations within the prescribed time frames.

La solution que nous proposons vise à accélérer la relocalisation des services publics, tout en continuant à traiter les entreprises et les consommateurs de manière équitable. Si elle est adoptée, notre loi permettra à Metrolinx d’exiger une meilleure coordination des relocalisations de services publics dans les délais prescrits.

Coordination with utility companies is an ongoing challenge for Metrolinx and has significant impacts on delivering transit projects through the P3 model. This would give companies deadlines for relocating their utilities, such as gas or telephone lines, that would come along with clear guidelines for the industry to help get it done quickly. Utility companies would be responsible for ensuring that the deadlines are met, while Metrolinx will cover the relocation costs. If that doesn’t happen, they’d be facing financial penalties.

We are also proposing to put in place a system that will ensure that if there are any disputes, they get escalated and resolved quickly so that things don’t draw out for months and months. Madam Speaker, this is not an entirely new concept. It’s similar to how we are already doing things for highway projects. There is no reason why this cannot be applied successfully to transit projects as well.

We also need to make sure that any costs incurred by utility companies as a result of missing deadlines are not passed along to consumers. To do this, we are proposing amendments to the Ontario Energy Board Act that would prohibit the OEB from allowing provincially regulated utilities—electricity and natural gas—to pass costs along to consumers. That way, we’ll ensure that rates are not going up as a result of this legislation. Adopting a more efficient relocation process while continuing to treat businesses fairly and ensuring that costs are not passed on to consumers just makes good sense, Madam Speaker.

We have many utilities already working with us, and I am pleased to say that we have just signed memoranda of understanding with Hydro One, Toronto Hydro and Enbridge. Our changes would help us bring up all utilities to the same standard.

The second area focuses on land assembly, something that often causes delays that plague public transit infrastructure projects. To build infrastructure, we need access to the land to construct stations, to conduct tunnelling and to prepare the sites.

Le deuxième enjeu se concentre sur le regroupement des terrains, qui est souvent à l’origine de retards qui nuisent aux projets d’infrastructure de transport en commun. Pour construire des infrastructures, nous devons avoir accès aux terrains nécessaires à la construction des stations, au creusage des tunnels et à la préparation des sites.

Currently, there are redundant steps in the process that require us to repeatedly demonstrate the need for land related to infrastructure, one property at a time. With the proposed legislation we’d be removing the hearing-of-necessity step for any property related to the four subway projects. That means, once we have sufficiently demonstrated the need for a property, we wouldn’t then have to go back and do the same thing over again at a hearing.

Of course, we will continue to treat people fairly and to compensate owners, tenants and others whose properties are required either temporarily or permanently. Nothing about that will change, as always. We will continue to compensate owners. We must also focus on delivering the urgently needed transit infrastructure while balancing the rights of residents and businesses along the transit corridor.

The next proposed solution addresses the challenges associated with obtaining permission for due diligence work, such as soil testing and tree removal—something that has caused significant delays in the past. The proposed legislation would grant us the ability to enter transit corridor lands to conduct due diligence work and to remove encroachments during the planning and construction phases without consent of the property owner.

La prochaine solution proposée concerne les difficultés liées à l’obtention d’une autorisation pour des travaux de diligence raisonnable, tels que l’analyse des sols ou l’enlèvement des arbres, ce qui a entraîné des retards importants dans le passé. La loi proposée nous donnerait la possibilité de pénétrer sur les terrains des corridors de transports publics pour effectuer des travaux de diligence raisonnable et supprimer les empiètements pendant les phases de planification et de construction, sans le consentement du propriétaire.

Of course, we’d be bound by limits and obligations, such as providing notice and time-of-day restrictions, so we wouldn’t be showing up unannounced in the middle of the night to do soil inspections, and we will continue to be bound by rules requiring that property be restored to its original condition when the work is done, as well as requirements for things like tree replanting and compensation for damages. And this would not give us the right to enter a dwelling. Just like today, the intention would be to first work towards an amicable agreement with property owners to do this work.

But what this proposal does give us is a backstop that will prevent major delays in the case where an agreement cannot be reached. We’re going to continue to treat people fairly, but we are not going to give people the opportunity to delay these projects by months because of a personal objection.

This brings me to the next area of our proposed legislation: requiring owners of adjacent lands to obtain a permit for the development of activities that occur along the transit corridor. This measure will ensure that our priority transit projects are not disrupted as a result of surrounding construction and development.

Cela m’amène au point suivant de notre projet de loi, qui exige des propriétaires de terrains adjacents qu’ils obtiennent un permis pour les activités d’aménagement se déroulant le long du corridor de transport en commun. Cette mesure garantira que nos projets de transport en commun prioritaires ne seront pas perturbés par des constructions et des aménagements environnants.

Our transit infrastructure has been neglected for over a generation. It’s time to place at the top of our priorities the swift and efficient delivery of a modern rapid transit network. This common-sense approach would provide our government with a chance to review all projects surrounding the transit corridor, eliminating any safety concerns and construction delays that would lead to increased costs and the prolonged delivery of transit infrastructure.

People who ride transit to work each day have had to stand by and watch as these types of developments take precedence over investments in the kind of transit system that gets them to work on time. Our proposed legislation prioritizes our subway projects in a way that will dramatically improve connectivity across the region while also delivering significant relief to critical congestion.

Another proposed solution would provide Metrolinx with authority to use or modify municipal assets like roadways and municipal services. We will establish a clear and consistent process that continues to foster a productive relationship with our municipal partners.

Une autre solution proposée donnerait à Metrolinx le pouvoir d’utiliser ou de modifier les actifs municipaux, comme les routes et les services municipaux. Nous établirons un processus clair et cohérent qui continuera à favoriser une relation productive avec nos partenaires municipaux.

This “collaboration first” approach will establish the scope and collaborative process with municipalities because both