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October 21, 2024

43rd Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2024-Oct-21 vol. A (PDF)

L169A - Mon 21 Oct 2024 / Lun 21 oct 2024

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 21 October 2024 Lundi 21 octobre 2024

Resignation of member for Bay of Quinte

Tabling of sessional papers

Independent members

Members’ Statements

Government’s agenda

Fort Erie Lions Club affordable housing project

Small Business Week

Ethel Côté

Government’s agenda

Government’s agenda

Road safety

Government accountability

Farm safety

Public safety

Legislative interns

Introduction of Visitors

Member for Vaughan–Woodbridge

The Speaker

Introduction of member for Bay of Quinte

Question Period

Government accountability

Government accountability

Home care

Taxation

Land use planning

Taxation

Public transit

Health care

Skilled trades

School transportation

Affordable housing

Mining industry

Home care

Small business

Road safety

Notice of dissatisfaction

Introduction of Visitors

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

Introduction of Government Bills

Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024 / Loi de 2024 sur le désengorgement du réseau routier et le gain de temps

Motions

Committee membership

Petitions

Emergency services

Autism treatment

Health care

School safety

Education funding

Anti-vaping initiatives for youth

Tenant protection

Health care funding

Employment standards

Gasoline prices

Multiple sclerosis

Winter highway maintenance

Orders of the Day

Safer Roads and Communities Act, 2024 / Loi de 2024 pour prévoir des routes et des collectivités plus sûres

The House met at 1015.

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

Prayers.

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

Resignation of member for Bay of Quinte

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I beg to inform the House that during the adjournment, a vacancy occurred in the membership of the House by reason of the resignation of Todd Smith as the member for the electoral district of the Bay of Quinte, effective August 16, 2024. Accordingly, I issued my warrant to the Chief Electoral Officer for the issue of a writ for a by-election.

Tabling of sessional papers

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I beg to inform the House that during the adjournment, the following documents were tabled:

—the 2023-24 annual report from the Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario;

—the 2023-24 annual report from the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario;

—a report of the French Language Services Commissioner, entitled Missed Messages: Investigation into Unilingual Out-of-Home Government Advertising Regarding Health Services between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2023, from the Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario;

—a report entitled Expenditure Monitor 2023-24: Q4, from the Office of the Financial Accountability Officer of Ontario;

—the 2023-24 annual report of the Office of the Financial Accountability Officer of Ontario;

—a report entitled Ontario Economic Monitor: January to June 2024, from the Office of the Financial Accountability Officer of Ontario;

—a report entitled Ontario’s Public Transit Agencies: Ridership, Finances and Operating Subsidies, from the Office of the Financial Accountability Officer of Ontario;

—a request by the member for Davenport, Marit Stiles, to the Integrity Commissioner for an opinion pursuant to

section 30 of the Members’ Integrity Act, 1994, on whether the member for Etobicoke Centre, Kinga Surma, has contravened the act or Ontario parliamentary convention;

—the 2022-23 annual report from the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Ontario; and

—a special report entitled Maintaining a Level Playing Field: Addressing Misinformation and Disinformation Threats to Electoral Administration in Ontario, from the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Ontario.

Independent members

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Next, I need to address the House once again on the issue of the participation of independent members. Since the last time we met, the number of independent members eligible to participate in our proceedings has increased from 15 to 16. As a result, our practices must be adjusted accordingly to provide each of them with a reasonable opportunity to participate in our daily proceedings and in debate.

During question period, I will recognize two independent members to ask questions per sessional day. This will allow us to accommodate all 16 eligible independent members in an eight-day rotation. I should add that each independent member recognized during question period will continue to have the opportunity to ask one question and one supplementary question.

There will continue to be one member’s statement allotted to an independent member every sessional day, with each individual member now entitled to participate once per 16-day period.

I want to thank the House for its attention with regard to that statement.

Members’ Statements

Government’s agenda

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I recognize the member for Hastings–Lennox and Addington.

Mr. Ric Bresee: Thank you very much, Speaker. Let me start by welcoming you and all members of this esteemed House back to the Legislature for our fall session. I’d like to extend a special welcome to our newest member, from the Bay of Quinte.

Although most of us have been at Queen’s Park for committee meetings and other activities over the past few months many times, as I came back in today, I was reminded of the awe I first experienced when entering this assembly two years ago. It is a profound recognition of the tremendous responsibility entrusted to us by the people. I’m honoured to participate in the government’s agenda to continue building Ontario for its residents.

Under the leadership of Premier Ford, we have created the conditions for hundreds of thousands of new jobs to be added to Ontario’s economy, bringing prosperity to so many people.

We are committed to investing in our health care and our education systems to meet the needs of our communities while also strengthening our infrastructure and the economy to ensure that these services remain resilient and to secure a brighter future for everyone.

As we work to build a better Ontario over the coming months, I urge all members to remember that we all want to improve this province and we can achieve this more effectively by working co-operatively and collegially in these hallowed halls.

Once again, welcome back, Mr. Speaker, and thank you very much.

Fort Erie Lions Club affordable housing project

Mr. Wayne Gates: The Fort Erie Lions and affordable housing crisis: In September, I attended a fundraising launch for the new Niagara Lions Douglas Heights Seniors Residence project in Fort Erie. The Lions and other volunteers have come together to help solve the affordable housing crisis facing our seniors.

I want to thank the incredible team of volunteers that have made up this committee and that have done so much work getting this project up and running.

The proposed new nine-storey, 62-unit independent living apartment will provide housing for our seniors, including those who are on a waiting list for over 10 years. Forty-five per cent of Fort Erie’s population is 55 years and older, which will grow to 50% by 2041. Nearly 3,000 households in Fort Erie are 65 years and older and considered low-income. They need to raise $1.5 million to qualify for federal funding.

This provincial government has spent $26.7 million on partisan election ads and half a billion on a private spa in Toronto. What this government should be doing is investing in our seniors and in affordable housing. There is nothing more important than ensuring seniors—the people that built our province—have the housing they need and, quite frankly, Speaker, they deserve.

I’m calling on the Premier and the minister to do the right thing, work together and invest in this crucial project for Fort Erie, Niagara and for all our seniors in the province of Ontario.

Small Business Week

Mr. Steve Clark: Speaker, it’s Small Business Week. It’s a time to celebrate the hard-working men and women who operate Ontario’s over 400,000 small businesses. I’m sending my heartfelt appreciation to the entrepreneurs in Leeds–Grenville–Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, whose businesses are the heart of our small towns and villages.

This summer, I was proud to showcase many of these amazing local businesses with members of our government’s cabinet: from the Nut Free Gourmet bakery with Minister Thompson to visiting dozens of vendors at the Brockville Farmers’ Market with Minister Flack; or Alan Browns clothiers, 1000 Islands Brewing, Tory Deschamps Hair Studio, and 1000 Islands pizzeria with Minister Bethlenfalvy; and Devries Power and Utilities Solutions and 401 Electric with Minister Piccini and Premier Ford. These businesses had a chance to speak directly to our government about how we can ensure to continue to support them.

I also want to recognize our local chambers of commerce that are the very important voice of businesses in our community. It was great for me to celebrate with two of our chambers for their awards of excellence, the Thousand Islands-Gananoque chamber and the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce, and to also co-host a breakfast with MP Michael Barrett, our local MP, co-sponsored by both the South Grenville and the North Grenville chambers of commerce.

This week, and every week, I encourage all of us to get out and support our local small businesses and thank them, because they’re the backbone of our communities.

Ethel Côté

M. Guy Bourgouin: C’est avec une grande tristesse que je me lève aujourd’hui dans l’Assemblée pour commémorer la mort d’une membre remarquable de la communauté franco-ontarienne, M me Ethel Côté.

Ethel a consacré sa vie à faire avancer les intérêts de notre communauté et à défendre l’identité, la culture et, bien sûr, la langue franco-ontarienne. Elle a fondé l’organisation de l’entreprise sociale mécènESS dans le but de promouvoir l’égalité des genres, la justice sociale et le développement durable. Alors que nous réfléchissons à sa vie, prenons un moment de silence pour nous souvenir d’Ethel Côté et de l’impact profond qu’elle a eu sur la francophonie ontarienne.

Monsieur le Président, je demande un moment de silence pour la durée de la déclaration de député.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Mushkegowuk–James Bay is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to have a moment’s silence. Agreed? Agreed.

Members will please rise.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you very much. Members will please take their seats.

Government’s agenda

Mr. Hardeep Singh Grewal: It’s great to be back in the Legislature this morning. Over the past few months, I’ve had the opportunity to attend numerous community events and celebrations, and had an opportunity to connect with the residents. These events remind us of the unique tapestry that make our province so vibrant and special. To the many inspiring individuals who volunteer their time, thank you for your commitment to making Ontario such a great place to be.

Under Premier Ford’s leadership, our government has made it clear that Brampton will never again be left behind. I’m so pleased to share that Brampton’s new Toronto Metropolitan University school of medicine is set to open its doors next year in September 2025, a beginning of a new

chapter graduating medical experts right here in our great city of Brampton.

Our commitment doesn’t end there. We’re powering forward as we get ready to build and begin construction on critical infrastructure investments such as Brampton’s second hospital and the much-anticipated Highway 413, a corridor that’s going to alleviate traffic and save drivers up to an hour from work to home every day, letting them spend more time with their families and less time stuck in gridlock.

As our fall parliamentary session begins, I’m excited to be back in the Legislature to debate important bills and continue working on our mandate of making Ontario a powerhouse for generations to come.

Government’s agenda

Mr. Chris Glover: It’s really wonderful to be back in this House and to start working on the issues that people care about most in this province. The Ontario NDP, in this session, we’re going to be focused on housing, health care, education and community safety.

I want to start with housing. This Conservative government inherited a crisis of 21,000 homeless people in this province from the Liberal government; they’ve managed to increase that to 234,000 people who are homeless across this province. In my own riding, we’ve got tent encampments, in Clarence Square and Little Norway, in parks and under the Gardiner. Every community that I visit in this province has tent encampments, and that is the result of the policies pursued by this government. It is a human tragedy.

There are 2,500 people per year who die from the opioid crisis, which is part of this homeless crisis. Forty percent of the people who are homeless have disabilities, mental illness or addictions. The impact of these tent encampments on the communities, on businesses—it makes people feel unsafe in their communities. It means people don’t have access to their public space.

In the last session, I introduced a bill to build 250,000 units of non-market housing, including co-ops, social housing and supportive housing. I’m going to be reintroducing that. We need to get the solution. We know how to solve the homelessness and housing crisis. Ignoring it hasn’t worked. We need to build housing. We need to build non-market housing to bring an end to homelessness and to build affordable housing so that everyone in this province has a home they can afford.

Road safety

MPP Zee Hamid: Exactly a month ago yesterday, one of the constituents in my riding, who I had crossed paths with many times, tragically died in a car accident. A pickup truck was driving on Derry Road in my riding at very high speed when it struck several vehicles, crossed the median, flipped over and struck a vehicle driven by Muhammad Saleem, who was rushed to the hospital, but despite the best efforts to save him, succumbed to his injuries.

At his funeral, several attendees came up and asked me to raise the issue of road safety in Parliament, so it’s very timely that it just so happens that the second reading of Bill 197 is today, the Safer Roads and Communities Act.

One silver lining is that the Milton community came together and quickly raised $124,000 to help the Saleem family. I know that the bill won’t bring Muhammad back, but I’m confident and I have no doubt in my mind that the act will save lives in the future.

Government accountability

Mr. Ted Hsu: Welcome back to work—six weeks late, six weeks of new ministers and parliamentary assistants with nice pay raises not having to face the—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order. The member will take his seat. Stop the clock.

The House will come to order. I didn’t hear anything unparliamentary about what the member said. I apologize to the member for interrupting him.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

Hon. Mike Harris: Nice podium.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of Red Tape Reduction will come to order.

The member for Kingston and the Islands has the floor.

Mr.

Ted Hsu: Six weeks of new ministers and parliamentary assistants with nice pay raises not having to face the Legislature and answer questions: not answering questions from people who still don’t have a family doctor or give up after waiting hours in emergency, if it’s even open; not answering questions from people who can’t afford rent increases, or small landlords ruined by delays at the Landlord and Tenant Board; not answering questions from first responders and health care workers injured by increased violence, or downtown businesses and construction workers in my riding who live and work amongst the victims of addictions, mental health and the homelessness crisis; not answering questions about kids without school buses in Renfrew county, and what’s going to happen in two years when contracts expire for the Tri-Board buses in Kingston and the Islands; not answering questions about special-ed teachers not spending time on special ed because they have to cover education assistants; not answering questions from a family doctor and an engineer in my riding waiting for child care so that they can go to work; not answering questions about this Premier’s obsession with beer, buying boats and burrowing under the 401.

This government is not listening to the people and not making sure that the people’s priorities are the government’s priorities.

Farm safety

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: There was an accident at my neighbour’s farm in Oxford a few days ago that was a stark reminder that farm safety is vitally important. This time of year, farmers are working long days, and they’re at the mercy of weather. Harvest time is limited, and they have got to get it done. This is when mistakes can happen that can cost someone a limb or their life.

Agriculture safety week may be in March, but it’s important to put farm safety front and centre every day. Farm safety is about knowing what to do to avoid accidents and injuries any time you’re working with equipment or livestock. That means keeping equipment fixed up and up to date, taking a break when you’re tired, and not cutting corners when you’re in a rush. When working, shut down equipment before making adjustments and clearing a blockage, keep the safety guards in place, and don’t let kids play around work sites or near equipment. Have a first aid kit and emergency contact numbers handy, and take a charged phone with you when you head out.

For mental health support, the Farmer Wellness Initiative is available to farmers and their families and workers, any time at 1-866-267-6255.

Our farmers are working diligently to provide food for our tables, Mr. Speaker, and it’s vital that we support their safety every day.

Public safety

Mr. Anthony Leardi: Mr. Speaker, I have more great news from Essex county. We have a joint task force in Essex county. It’s a joint task force between the LaSalle police department and the Windsor police department. It’s called the offender management unit, and their job is to track and arrest people who are violent offenders who have violated their bail conditions.

In less than eight months, officers have apprehended 42 offenders on a total of 72 charges. These individuals were arrested and initially charged and/or convicted with serious crimes, including murder, attempted murder, human trafficking, sexual assault and aggravated assault. Seven of these offenders were on bail for charges involving intimate partner violence.

Projects like these are made possible through grants from the government of Ontario as part of the provincial government’s strategy to fix a bail system that’s been left broken by the federal Liberal government. I don’t know how much longer we can afford to keep fixing the Liberal problems, but I’m proud to be part of a government that is fighting intimate partner violence, and even more proud to support our fantastic police officers who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe.

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

Legislative interns

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): We’re going to begin with an introduction of this year’s cohort of the Ontario Legislature Internship Programme, or OLIP, as we know it. They are Ayesha Ali, Caitlin Arizala, Annie Dowd, Sayyidah Jaffer, Nika Lennox, James Liao, Massimo Rigatto, Madeline Ritter, Megan Ryan-Lloyd and Alex Salton.

OLIP is a non-partisan program which allows interns to gain practical experience in the daily workings of our Legislature. Each of the OLIP interns will complete two placements over the course of their time at Queen’s Park, one with a government member and one with an opposition member. The interns are meeting with members this week to determine placements, but there is still time to submit an application. I would encourage all members who are eligible to participate in this exceptional program.

Welcome to Queen’s Park. We’re delighted to have you here.

Applause.

Introduction of Visitors

MPP Jamie West: I would like to introduce Dr. Koka, who is here with the Ontario Medical Association. Dr. Koka is extremely involved in our community in Sudbury and, most notably I think, instrumental in bringing the Northern Ontario School of Medicine to Sudbury.

Hon. Jill Dunlop: Welcome back. I would like to welcome to Queen’s Park representatives from the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association: executive director Stephanie Donaldson; managing director, corporate affairs, Lisa Reinhardt; director of policy, Jennifer McIntyre; managing director of government and public affairs, Shane Gonsalves; and manager of strategic communications, T.J. Goertz.

OPSBA and its board members are recognizing Local Government Week. That raises awareness about the important role government plays in our communities, and that includes our locally elected school board trustees.

Ms. Chandra Pasma: Welcome back. I have several introductions to make this morning, so please bear with me.

I’d like to welcome Dr. Alykhan Abdulla, a doctor from Ottawa West–Nepean here for the OMA lobby day.

J’aimerais aussi présenter M me Gabrielle Lemieux, la nouvelle présidente de l’AEFO, ainsi qu’Émile Maheu.

And from the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association: Stephanie Donaldson, executive director; Lisa Reinhardt, managing director of corporate affairs; Jennifer McIntyre, director of policy; Shane Gonsalves, managing director of government and public affairs; and T.J. Goertz, manager of strategic communications.

Welcome, everyone, to your House.

Mr. John Fraser: I, too, would like to welcome Dr. Alykhan Abdulla from Manotick, Ontario, and all doctors who are here from Ottawa on OMA’s day.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: We have two important associations joining us today. From the Ontario Medical Association, we have Kimberly Moran, CEO; Dr. Dominik Nowak, who is the president; Dr. Cathy Faulds, the chair; and all members of the OMA executive team and association.

Also joining us today from the Association of Ontario Midwives is Althea Jones, board president, and Donika Stonefish, AOM Indigenous midwifery. Thank you and welcome to Queen’s Park.

M me France Gélinas: It is my pleasure to welcome members of the Ontario Medical Association here at Queen’s Park, including their CEO, Kim Moran, and president, the phenomenal Dr. Dominik Nowak. I also want to thank Dr. Popuri Krishna, Dr. Grace Ma, Dr. Dannica Switzer, Dr. Caitlin Krempowich, Dr. David Ohrling, Dr. Amin Meghdadi and Dr. Craig Matheson. Welcome to your House. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Also, a huge welcome to the Ontario midwifery association.

M me Karen McCrimmon: C’est un grand plaisir d’accueillir Gabrielle Lemieux, présidente de l’Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens.

Welcome to Stephanie Donaldson, executive director of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association, and Dr. Alykhan Abdulla from the Ontario Medical Association.

Thank you, all, for your service to the people of Ontario.

Hon. Charmaine A. Williams: Good morning, Speaker. It’s great to be back and I’d like to welcome a constituent from Brampton, Talibah Miller-Johnson. Welcome to the Legislature and enjoy your day here.

Miss Monique Taylor: I would also like to welcome some doctors who I’m looking forward to meeting this afternoon. From the OMA: Benu Sethi; Dr. Gary Chaimowitz; Dr. Katherine Chorneyko; Dr. Israa Abou El Nour; Dr. Karen Trollope-Kumar; Dr. Mohammad Tabari; Dr. Daniel Cordovani; and Dr. Madeleine Verhovsek.

Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Aislinn Clancy: Welcome back, everybody.

I also want to welcome the members of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association: Stephanie Donaldson, Lisa Reinhardt, Jennifer McIntyre, Shane Gonsalves and T.J. Goertz. Welcome to Queen’s Park and thanks for all you do for our local school boards. Happy Local Government Week.

Hon. Graydon Smith: I just wanted to welcome Dr. Tim Redmond from the great community of Parry Sound in my riding here with the OMA lobby day today. Thank you very much and welcome to Queen’s Park.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): We have a number of members who would still like to introduce their guests. I’d like to continue, unless there’s an objection. Agreed? Okay.

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: It gives me great pleasure to welcome some doctors from the OMA, including Dr. Andrew Park, Dr. Linda Groen, Dr. Raghu Venugopal, Dr. Janet D’souza, Dr. David Schieck, Dr. Ross Male and soon-to-be-Dr. Vidhi Bhatt, as well as Rena Menaker from the OMA. It’s also good to see Kimberly Moran. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

M me Lucille Collard: I see we do have a lot of people from the Ontario Medical Association I met this morning. I would like to welcome to this House Dr. Lee Donohue, Dr. Dannica Switzer, Dr. David Barber, Dr. Katerina Nikolitch, Dr. Amanda Jerome, Dr. Cathy Mastrogiacomo, in addition to Dr. Aly Abdulla, who has been named a few times already.

Je veux également souhaiter la bienvenue à Gabrielle Lemieux, la nouvelle présidente de l’AEFO.

Ms. Laura Smith: Welcome back, everyone. It is my very great honour to welcome Thornhill high school student from Westmount Collegiate and future co-op student at my office, Mr. Harrison Perlmutar. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I want to welcome all the members of the OMA who are here today. I’m very much looking forward to my meeting later this afternoon. London West is well represented with many fine physicians, but in particular, I want to recognize my constituents Dr. Andrew Park, former OMA president, and Dr. Cathy Faulds, who sits on the board of the OMA. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Adil Shamji: I’m usually the only physician in the Legislature, but that changes today, because we’re welcoming the Ontario Medical Association.

I must admit, I’m thrilled to have Dr. Dominik Nowak here, as well as Kimberly Moran. There are far too many friends and colleagues in the galleries joining us today, but two warrant a very special mention. The first is one of my best friends from medical school, Dr. Bharat Bahl, and my former OLIP intern, Rhea Saini, who is a first-year medical student at Queen’s. Welcome to you all.

Hon. Michael Parsa: Speaker, I’d like to welcome Jan, Tom and Susan from Kerry’s Place Autism Services, who are joined by their team: Kevin, Carmela, Osman, Kelly and Cheryl. I invite all my colleagues here to join Kerry’s Place tonight for their reception in room 228 and 230. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: I’d like to welcome Dr. Azim Kasmani from the Ontario Medical Association today from the Niagara region. Thank you, and welcome to your House.

Mr. Ted Hsu: I’d like to welcome physicians forming a very strong delegation from Kingston and the Islands today representing the OMA: Dr. Hataley, Dr. Barber, Dr. Zacharias, Dr. Marwaha, Dr. Dockrill, Dr. Smith and Dr. Tabari. Thank you for coming here today.

Hon. Graham McGregor: I just want to recognize—I see Dr. Jobin Varughese from Brampton in the gallery and welcome the other Brampton doctors. If we don’t have a big Brampton delegation, don’t worry; we’ll have a bigger one when that medical school starts churning out students.

Mr. Wayne Gates: I’m going to do something a little different. I’m going to welcome all the doctors here today. For everything you do for us, for our seniors and, quite frankly, I want to thank you for everything you do for me keeping me healthy. Thank you very much for being here. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Sam Oosterhoff: I’d like to welcome Dr. Azim Kasmani, who is the chief medical officer of health for the Niagara region and a resident of Grimsby. He’s an amazing father and takes good care of his kids; I see him at soccer practices. I know he’s going to be here sharing the message with the OMA. I look forward to chatting with you and appreciate all you do.

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: Good morning, Speaker, and welcome back, colleagues. I would also like to extend my voice and add to the chorus of welcomes to the Ontario Medical Association, who is here in huge numbers. Over 100 doctors are joining us at Queen’s Park today.

I’d like to mention a few of them by name, and I’m going to start with the CEO, Kimberly Moran, Dr. Rena Menaker, Dr. Sierra Avrashi, Dr. Jordan Fung, Dr. Ming Li, Dr. Shaheer Aboobaker, Dr. Travis Carpenter, Dr. Ali Kajdehi, Dr. Anita Rao, as well as Dr. Raghu Vanugopal and their associate Melinda Gibson.

I also want to extend a welcome to Cait Alexander as well as Emily Agar, two powerhouse advocates for ending violence everywhere. They’ll be holding a rally outside of Queen’s Park at 12 o’clock.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’ll remind the members that we’re not to make political statements in our introduction of visitors.

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.

Hon. Stan Cho: I’ll be quick. I just saw my good buddy, the past president of the OMA here, Dr. Andrew Park, who I bother for free medical advice all the time. Thank you for being here today.

Hon. Michael Parsa: Again, I’m very pleased to welcome Sarah Klodnicki and Myra Zettel of Balance Support and Self Care Studios, a Hamilton-based non-profit dedicated to helping parents and caregivers of children with diverse needs. Welcome to Queen’s Park. I look forward to meeting with you later.

Mr. Anthony Leardi: I want to welcome an educational professional here today from Essex county. She is the principal of école Saint-Antoine in Tecumseh, and she’s been married to me for 26 years. It’s my wife, Jackie Leardi.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Welcome.

We have two former members present with us today in the House: the member for Scarborough–Ellesmere in the 30th, 31st and 33rd Parliaments, and Speaker of the 35th Parliament, David Warner. He is joined by Karen Haslam, who was the member for Perth in the 35th Parliament. Welcome to Queen’s Park. We’re delighted to have you back.

Member for Vaughan–Woodbridge

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m advised the Premier wishes to raise a point of order.

Hon. Doug Ford: I want to welcome everyone back to the Legislature. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all the doctors for serving the people of Ontario. Our health care wouldn’t exist without the hard work and dedication that they show day in and day out.

We’ve just had another doctor join our ranks here. I want to congratulate Minister—Dr.—Michael Tibollo. He ended up earning his doctorate in psychology.

Dr. Tibollo, I can assure you, you’re going to be busy with psychology in this group here. You can start off with the top ranks right up there and then work your way down. But I want to say congratulations. I know how hard you’ve worked for years to get your doctorate.

Congratulations, Michael.

Applause.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Congratulations to the associate minister.

The Speaker

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Premier has still got the floor.

Hon. Doug Ford: If there was ever a doctorate in serving the people it would go to you, Mr. Speaker. I know you made it public you won’t be running. I want to thank you.

Since 1990 this Speaker has served the people of Wellington–Halton Hills. I know that riding changed at one point, but I want to thank you for your dedication to the people of your riding. Thank you for serving the people.

Applause.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I haven’t died and I’m not going anywhere just yet but thank you very much.

I want to acknowledge that we are meeting on lands traditionally inhabited by Indigenous peoples. We pay our respects to the many Indigenous nations who gathered here and continue to gather here, including the Mississaugas of the Credit. Meegwetch.

This being the first sitting Monday of the month, I want to ask everyone to join in the singing of the Canadian national anthem, followed by the royal anthem. We’re going to look to the member for Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke to lead it off.

Singing of the national anthem / Chant de l’hymne national.

Singing of the royal anthem / Chant de l’hymne royal.

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

Introduction of member for Bay of Quinte

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I beg to inform the House that the Clerk has received from the Chief Electoral Officer and laid upon the table a certificate of the by-election in the electoral district of Bay of Quinte.

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Trevor Day): I have a letter dated September 25, 2024, addressed to the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, that reads as follows:

“Dear Mr. Day:

“A writ of election dated the 21st day of August 2024, was issued by the Honourable Justice of the Superior Court of Justice, serving as Administrator of the government of Ontario, and was addressed to Christine McIvor, returning officer for the electoral district of Bay of Quinte, for the election of a member to represent the said electoral district of Bay of Quinte in the Legislative Assembly of this province in the room of Todd Smith who, since his election as representative of the said electoral district of Bay of Quinte, has resigned.

“This is to certify that, a poll having been granted and held in Bay of Quinte on the 19th day of September 2024, Tyler Allsopp has been returned as duly elected as appears by the return of the said writ of election, dated the 22nd day of September 2024, which is now lodged of record in my office.

“Yours sincerely,

“Greg Essensa

“Chief Electoral Officer.”

Mr. Allsopp was escorted into the House by Mr. Doug Ford and Mr. Clark.

Hon. Doug Ford: Speaker, I have the honour to present to you and to the House Tyler Allsop, member for the electoral district of Bay of Quinte, who has taken the oath and signed the roll and now claims the right to take his seat.

Congratulations.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Let the honourable member take his seat.

Applause.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Congratulations.

I understand the member for London West has a point of order she wishes to raise.

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I seek unanimous consent that in the opinion of this House, based on the recommendation of nearly 100 witnesses over the summer at the Standing Committee on Justice Policy, that the government should immediately recognize intimate partner violence as an epidemic and bring forward Bill 173, the Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act, for third reading.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for London West is seeking the unanimous consent of the House that in the opinion of this House, the government should immediately recognize intimate partner violence as an epidemic and bring forward Bill 173, the Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act, for third reading. Agreed? I heard a no.

Question Period

Government accountability

Ms. Marit Stiles: Good morning, Speaker, and welcome back.

This question is for the Premier. Over the past five months, since the Legislature has been out, things have only gotten worse for working people in this province. They’re telling me they feel like their needs are being ignored, while this government is so bogged down in schemes and scandals like the greenbelt scheme.

We know at least eight people in the Premier’s inner circle have been interviewed by the RCMP. Can the Premier tell us who those individuals are and how many still work in his office?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): To reply, the member for Brantford–Brant.

Mr. Will Bouma: It’s an honour to rise on this side of the House, and I appreciate the question from the Leader of the Opposition. As we have said time and time and time again, our government has been and will be co-operating fully with the RCMP. Any questions about that investigation should be directed towards them.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: I can understand why the Premier doesn’t want to answer these questions, but it is my job to ask because the people of this province want answers.

Now, we knew the greenbelt scheme went as far as Las Vegas, but according to new reporting from the Toronto Star, this scandal might go even further. Can the Premier tell us why the RCMP would be looking at banking records in Europe as part of their investigation into this government?

Mr. Will Bouma: Speaker, again, through you, this is an ongoing investigation with the RCMP and any questions about that investigation should be directed to the RCMP, and I would urge the Leader of the Opposition to do so, if she has inquiries for them.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: The silence tells us a lot. The schemes and scandals of this government are costing everybody in the province. Ontarians deserve the truth. I’m asking these questions because people want us to scrap those schemes. They want us to build homes, hire doctors, fix schools and make life more affordable for people in Ontario.

So I’m going to ask again to the Premier of this province to have the guts to stand up and answer a question about this. Will the Premier tell us who in Europe stood to gain from his greenbelt scheme?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I will caution the members that personal attacks don’t add to the debate.

The member for Brantford–Brant to reply.

Mr. Will Bouma: Again, I will reiterate: Our government is co-operating fully with the RCMP investigation. Any questions related to that investigation should be directed towards the RCMP.

As the opposition leader did bring that up, we are building Ontario in this province. We are building the highways that the people of Ontario need. We are building the hospitals that the people of Ontario need. We have brought 800,000 jobs back to the province of Ontario, after that member and her government saw 300,000 jobs leave this province. We are getting it done for the province of Ontario. We are building the province of Ontario, and we will remain laser-focused on the concerns of the people of Ontario: housing and affordability. We will get it done.

Government accountability

Ms. Marit Stiles: Speaker, I would add, actually, that manufacturing jobs in the province of Ontario are down under this government. Listen, no matter where I now—

Interjections.

Ms. Marit Stiles: Look at the facts.

Interjections.

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

We’re not even five minutes into it. I have to be able to hear the member who has the floor, okay?

Restart the clock. The Leader of the Opposition.

Ms. Marit Stiles: The truth is that no matter where I go in this province, people are feeling stuck. They’re stuck looking for an affordable place to live, they’re stuck trying to find a doctor, and they’re stuck paying the bill for this Premier’s schemes and scandals.

Let’s talk about another one of those schemes: the luxury spa that’s being built at Ontario Place. In the past few weeks, we’ve learned the cost of subsidizing this project is going to cost the people of this province hundreds of millions, even billions, of dollars.

With everything people are facing in the province of Ontario right now, I have to ask: Which struggling Ontario family told this Premier the answer to their problems was a luxury spa in downtown Toronto?

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

Hon. Kinga Surma: The NDP have filed a complaint with the Integrity Commissioner. The Integrity Commissioner is reviewing that complaint at the moment and has specifically asked me not to comment on the matter.

However, like the member on this side of the House said, we will remain laser-focused on rebuilding Ontario Place to make it a place that people can enjoy once again. We will be laser-focused on building more housing for the people of Ontario and making sure that we reduce traffic and congestion in the province of Ontario.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: People can’t even afford to put food on the table in this province and this government is shovelling money into a European spa corporation. Worse, evidence is now suggesting that the bid process for this project may have been compromised from the start. Instead of finding ways to help people, this government was focused on avoiding accountability, passing legislation to give themselves extraordinary new powers and exempting the project from standards of accountability.

I will go back to the Premier. If the Minister of Infrastructure has been told by the Integrity Commissioner that she can’t answer the question while she is being investigated, maybe the Premier can answer this question: Did Therme get preferential treatment in their bid to turn Ontario Place into a luxury spa?

Hon. Kinga Surma: Again, the NDP has filed a complaint with the Integrity Commissioner. The Integrity Commissioner is looking into the complaint. The Integrity Commissioner has asked that I do not comment on that matter.

What I find very surprising is that the Leader of the Opposition walks into this House seeking assistance from the Integrity Commissioner and now is asking me to disrespect him by responding. I will not do that. I respect the Office of the Integrity Commissioner, and I respect the Integrity Commissioner. I will take his advice and guidance.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: This is what happens, I guess, when you have a government under criminal RCMP investigation and with the Integrity Commissioner buried in complaints: They won’t even answer a question. They hide behind it.

This government has lost the plot completely, too focused on their own schemes and scandals to manage the basics that people expect of their government. How else could you explain the extraordinary lengths they apparently went to in order to make sure that Therme got access to this public land? Emails that we’ve uncovered show that Therme was communicating with the government about their bid, despite an NDA, and that the Premier’s now-chief of staff was well aware.

To the Premier again, because he certainly could answer this question: Did the government change the rules to give this company an advantage in this scheme, and why?

Hon. Kinga Surma: While the leader of the official opposition continues to disrespect the Office of the Integrity Commissioner, I will not.

Mr. Speaker, I will tell you what I was busy doing this summer: I was busy travelling the province to announce 54 projects in the province of Ontario that will help build 511,000 homes: for Gananoque, 416 homes; London, $23 million for 17,000 homes; in Brampton, with my colleagues in Brampton, $30 million for 12,000 homes; in Prince Edward county, welcoming our very new colleague, $18 million for 4,000 homes.

Our focus is building more homes and reducing traffic and congestion in the province of Ontario.

Home care

Ms. Marit Stiles: Home care patients, their families and health care workers who support them are in a state of panic. Doctors have described the situation as “utter chaos” after this government suddenly switched suppliers with almost no notice.

The Ontario Medical Association has shared the terrifying impacts of this shortage: home care patients being sent to emergency rooms because their supplies have run out, patients in palliative care unable to get sedatives and people facing life-threatening infections without proper sanitary supplies.

My question, again, to the Premier: How much longer will vulnerable patients have to wait for medical supplies, and what is this Premier doing to fix it today?

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

Hon. Sylvia Jones: The issue that the member opposite raises is absolutely unacceptable. We have been working with Ontario Health atHome to ensure that no patients, no patients’ families, no clinicians are impacted by a logistics issue.

I want to assure the people of Ontario that we have been on this issue since we first learned that there were shortages being delivered. But I also want to remind people that we know this is unacceptable and we are not going to allow this to continue. I am on it. My ministry is on it. As recently as last night, we had another update, reinforcing that this cannot continue in the province of Ontario.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: I would say it is not only unacceptable, it is unethical, actually. This sudden change of suppliers came with absolutely no notice in late September. What was this government playing at?

It is now one month later, and patients and care providers are scrambling to get essential medical supplies. If they get any, they’re getting sub-standard supplies, like gauze that’s not going to reach the standards. This is risking patient safety.

Is this utter disaster in home care because the Premier tried to cut corners yet again? Or is this another scheme to benefit more government insiders at Bayshore?

Interjections.

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

Minister of Health.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: I said it once and I will say it again: It is absolutely unacceptable, which is why I have directed Ontario Health atHome to ensure that any patient, any patient family, any clinician who has gone and secured necessary medical equipment will get reimbursed. It’s unacceptable, full stop.

We’re making sure that, going forward, this cannot happen again, and we want to assure the people of Ontario that we have been on it since we started hearing that there were concerns about deliveries.

Taxation

Mr. Matthew Rae: The federal Liberal carbon tax: The members of the opposition and the independent Liberals groan because they have realized—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m going to ask the opposition to come to order. The member for Perth–Wellington is at high volume, but I still need to hear him. I can’t.

Member for Perth–Wellington.

Mr. Matthew Rae: The members of the opposition and the independent Liberals groan and heckle me right now because they realize they have already lost the next provincial election, because they support the federal Liberal carbon tax.

While members of the opposition parties want more taxes, our government, under the leadership of Premier Ford, has cut taxes. This has led to billions of dollars flowing into Ontario and over 800,000 new jobs created since we took government in 2018.

Speaker, you may be wondering how we achieved this success. Well, we cut the Liberal taxes they raised and we cut the red tape the Liberals put up.

Can the Minister of Economic Development and Trade update this place on what we are doing to attract more investment and create more good-paying jobs?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Wow. Welcome back. He’s had his coffee this morning.

Speaker, 43,200 new jobs were created in Ontario just last month alone; all were full-time and all were in private companies. Speaker, our manufacturing sector now employs more than 800,000 workers, one of the highest levels that we’ve seen in 15 years. That’s what happens when you lower taxes, reduce red tape and create the conditions for businesses to succeed.

We are seeing companies right across the province invest, expand and create good-paying jobs. Speaker, Ontario is an economic powerhouse; you’ve heard the Premier say this over and over. We are an economic powerhouse. We are the envy of the world, and we’ll continue to let everyone know that we are open for business.

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

Mr. Matthew Rae: Thank you to the minister for his response. I’m glad to hear our government will continue to keep taxes low.

Unfortunately, carbon-tax Crombie is promising more taxes for Ontarians and small businesses. This summer, she went on the #onpoli podcast and advocated for a completely new tax, Speaker, during an affordability crisis: the retail sales tax. Speaker, I am just speechless. The Liberal leader wants to raise taxes.

While the Liberals promise more taxes, our Progressive Conservative government will continue to listen to businesses and workers, and ensure the conditions are there so they can continue to succeed. Can the minister please explain how our record of job creation is compared to the previous Liberal government?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Speaker, there is no comparison with the Liberal record. Today, there are now more than 860,000 more men and women working today than since the day we were elected.

In our tech sector, employment has increased by over 100,000 workers. Ontario has added 30,000 AI workers in the last two years. In our auto sector, we’ve landed $45 billion in new investments, saving 100,000 jobs in the auto sector and adding tens of thousands of new jobs across the supply chain. In our life sciences sector, we’ve landed game-changing investments of over $5 billion.

This is what happens, Speaker, when you remove over 500 pieces of strangling red tape, you streamline regulation and you create the conditions for businesses to succeed. We’re leading the way and the world is taking—

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

The next question.

Land use planning

Ms. Catherine Fife: My question is to the Premier.

The Wilmot land assembly is this government’s next greenbelt scandal. Wilmot has become ground zero for farmers across this province. Paving over class 1 farmland for a mega-industrial site makes no sense. This Premier has criticized the region of Waterloo, but we now know that it was this government that set the terms for sale, forced the non-disclosure agreements and are fully funding the purchase and/or expropriation of farmland.

The new provincial planning statement just came into effect yesterday. The Wilmot land assembly is in direct contravention of your own policy.

To the Premier: Will you stop funding and driving this industrial site on class 1 farmland, which overrides local democracies and fails rural communities in Ontario?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.

Hon. Rob Flack: Let’s be clear: It is the sole responsibility of the region to assemble land and to work with all affected communities and stakeholders, including the Wilmot farmers.

The Premier has made it very clear: Our expectation is that the region treat farmers fairly and respectfully in assembling the land, period. It is no different than any other major investment or assembly project, like we did with Volkswagen, that, I might add, the members opposite approved and supported—a project twice the size with no expropriation that will create 3,000 direct jobs and over 30,000 indirect jobs throughout this great province.

Over the long term, we believe in a delicate but important balance between a thriving farm and agri-food sector while supporting growth, new investment and good-paying jobs, also in the agri-food processing sector.

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

Ms. Catherine Fife: The Premier set the terms. You’re funding the displacement of farmers. They are ultimately responsible. Look in the mirror.

Speaker, agriculture generates $47 billion in economic activity in the province of Ontario. Finding the balance between economic development and the agriculture sector is possible, but not at the expense of class 1 farmland, and not by kicking farmers off their land. We don’t even have cost estimates thus far for this entire deal.

This will be another costly mistake and scandal on behalf of this government. There hasn’t been one public meeting—not one public meeting. Farmers in Ontario should not be treated this way.

Premier, will you do the right thing? Will you release the region from the NDA and will you stop funding this mega-industrial project, which displaces and disrespects farmers?

Interjections.

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

To reply, the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Speaker, the region of Waterloo understands that not having shovel-ready site assembly has already cost them job-creating investments. In their own report, which I’m going to quote from: “Over the last three years, $10 billion of potential investment and over 14,000 jobs from businesses considering Waterloo region were lost, as different communities were chosen to invest in.” So while Ontario did win those investments, companies like Dr. Oetker—who planned to invest $200 million and who now employ over 430 people—went elsewhere, because the region of Waterloo did not have any land ready.

We’re doing our part here to help these massive, job-creating investments come to Ontario, and the region of Waterloo wants to be a destination that people choose to come to, but unfortunately, the Liberals and the NDP are content—

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

The next question.

Taxation

Mr. Anthony Leardi: My question is for the new Minister of Energy and Electrification. Mr. Speaker, winter is coming, and that means higher costs to my constituents in Essex county as a result of the Trudeau-Crombie carbon tax. Families in Essex county and across Ontario are already paying higher prices for groceries, gas, goods and housing, and now, because of the Trudeau-Crombie carbon tax, they’re going to pay an extra $400 per year just to heat their homes.

We believe that Ontario families should not be punished just for heating their homes in the wintertime. Can the minister please outline what measures our government is taking to make life more affordable for people in Essex county and across Ontario?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: It’s an honour to stand as Ontario’s new Minister of Energy and Electrification for the province.

Mr. Speaker, let us affirm that our priority is affordable energy for the people of Ontario, because gone are the days where families were paying 300% more for energy under the former Liberals. Gone are the days where seniors were paying $1,000 more per year because of an ideological government that did not put affordability as their number one priority. Gone are the days of choosing energy contracts 10 times above the market, leading to the highest rates on the continent.

Our government and our Premier have a plan to generate, to build, to conserve, to store and to export more clean, affordable energy to our province and the world. We are focused on making life affordable for the people of Ontario, and we will not rest until the federal Liberal carbon tax is totally eliminated from our energy rates, from our bills, from our groceries, for the people of Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mr. Anthony Leardi: I thank the minister for that response. I know my constituents in Essex are going to be happy to know that this government is prioritizing affordability when it comes to helping all families, and we need this, because the Trudeau-Crombie Liberals are imposing a carbon tax which is nearly 28% of the heating bill when you look at the bill that you receive at your house.

Middle-class families are already being hit hard. How can the Trudeau-Crombie Liberals justify increasing tax on heating fuel and other necessities of life, especially when the cost of living is getting so high? But let’s be clear, Mr. Speaker: This government stands by Ontario families and we will continue advocating to scrap the tax, that Trudeau-Crombie carbon tax.

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask the minister, how will our government stand up for people in Ontario and for people in my riding, the riding of Essex, and that we never go back to the short-sighted energy disaster imposed by the previous Liberal government.

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Thank you to the member for Essex for the question and his leadership. Ontario has one of the cleanest energy grids in the world. We are proud of that record. But what we also recognize is that in order to build our energy system, we need to focus on affordability. Mr. Speaker, the Parliamentary Budget Officer in Canada has confirmed that more Ontarians are paying more than they get back under this Liberal scheme.

They want to import this punitive tax to the people of Ontario, bringing the worst policies and ideological convictions of the federal Liberals to the people of Ontario. We say no, because families are paying $700 more today than they were under the previous plan. Our focus is to use technology, not taxation, to drive the reduction in emissions. We believe we can reduce emissions while growing our economy. That is what this government has done because, Mr. Speaker, we are on track to reduce our emissions, hitting our Paris accord targets without imposing a carbon tax on the people of Ontario.

Public transit

MPP Jill Andrew: Speaker, my question is to the Premier. The Eglinton LRT Crosstown project is billions over budget, years late and, frankly, riddled with construction problems. Our St. Paul’s residents and small business owners have demanded transparent and accurate answers from Metrolinx and this government on when the construction will end and when the line will open.

The only person who seems to be benefiting from this mess is Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster, whose salary has risen from half a million dollars in 2018 to more than $800,000 in 2022, and we’ve heard he’s going to go to even above $1 million annually. That’s right: He’s going to receive raises from this government even though he has failed to understand the assignment. Once again, the government’s buddies rake in millions of public dollars while the taxpayer is left with nothing.

Will the Premier stop doubling down on failure and fire Mr. Phil Verster, the CEO of Metrolinx?

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

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: We are undertaking one of the largest expansions of public transit in the history of not only Canada, but North America: $70 billion over the next 10 years. Mr. Speaker, that member knows that we’re in the testing and commissioning phase of that project, and we will continue to do so. We have completed construction on that, and we’ll continue to test it to make sure it’s a reliable and safe system.

Mr. Speaker, this government has delivered like no other for public transit. Let’s talk about the benefits to everyday commuters: One Fare, putting $1,600 back in the pockets of those who use public transit every single day. And do you know what, Mr. Speaker? The members of the NDP and Liberals voted against that measure as we brought it forward. In fact, they have voted against every single one of our public transit projects that we have put forward in this city. We’ve seen record gridlock across our province. Our government has a plan, and we’re getting it done.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.

MPP Jill Andrew: Speaker, back to the Premier: Two years ago, we, the NDP, demanded a public inquiry into this Eglinton Crosstown debacle. Since then, we’ve learned that under Metrolinx, the Finch West LRT and the Hurontario LRT projects are also indefinitely in limbo, with no opening date in sight. And most recently, we learned that Metrolinx cut ties with its chief operating officer, its chief transit planner, and the entire department is in disarray. I mean, how do you plan transit without a chief planner? What is going on at Metrolinx? We’re all asking.

And let’s not forget, it was this government that actually told Metrolinx to keep the opening date a secret from the public. So the schemes and the scandals of this government—they’re not getting my community in St. Paul’s or any Ontarian anywhere.

My question is back to the Premier. Premier, will you agree to a public inquiry into Metrolinx, or will you continue to double down on your record of failure? Good morning, Premier.

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: Mr. Speaker, here are the facts: The NDP and Liberals have gone and voted against every single one of our projects. For 15 years, the Liberals did absolutely nothing in building this province. We see record gridlock because of their inaction.

And the NDP are no different. They want nothing built. The Ontario Line, which they voted against and questioned every step of the way, will take over 28,000 cars off the road and will move 400,000 people every single day.

It’s a shame that the NDP and Liberals don’t want to support those projects, but that’s not new. Every project that this government has put forward—the 413, the Bradford Bypass, Finch, the Eglinton West extension, the Scarborough subway extension—they have doubted those projects every step of the way.

Our government is about building. We have a vision for this entire province. We’re leading North America in our expansion of public transit. We will not do the same mistakes that the previous Liberal government—

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

Health care

Mr. Adil Shamji: For the Premier: Do you know what’s better than the taste of beer? The taste of beer when you have a family doctor.

You know what’s better than beating traffic? Beating traffic on the way to your family doctor.

And you know what’s better than getting money in the mail? Getting money in the mail that you don’t have to spend on an expensive substitute for a family doctor.

Last week, the Ontario Medical Association said that our health care system is in a state of catastrophe. So where has this government been for the last five months? No doubt on an extended vacation.

Health ranks highest on everyone’s hierarchy of needs, but it consistently ranks lowest on the Premier’s list of priorities. Lack of health care is threatening the future of our province. How can teachers teach, builders build or drivers drive if they don’t have health care?

Does the Premier really think that the last-minute appointment of a former Liberal health minister justifies his five-month vacation while 2.5 million Ontarians don’t have a family doctor?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

The Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Speaker, do you know what’s better than 15 years of Liberal dithering and delaying? A government, under Premier Ford, that is getting things done. Two new medical schools in the province of Ontario: Brampton and York. Every single medical school in the province of Ontario has more residency positions, more medical seats available.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Member for Don Valley East, come to order.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: The College of Physicians and Surgeons actually assessing, reviewing and, ultimately, licensing internationally trained and educated physicians who want to live and work in the province of Ontario. And of course—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. The member for Don Valley East will come to order.

Please start the clock. The Minister of Health has the floor.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: And of course, this morning’s exciting announcement: Dr. Jane Philpott, who will be leading and encouraging and expanding on a program that we started in January of 2023 called Your Health plan. We have been able—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you. The Minister for Red Tape Reduction will come to order.

The supplementary question.

Mr. Adil Shamji: This government has accomplished nothing over the last six years except to drive our health care system into the ground.

Last Thursday at the Empire Club, I watched the Premier gush over the United States and China without mentioning health care once. But in his own riding, 32,000 people don’t have a family doctor, which is 10,000 more people than just two years ago.

In the Minister of Health’s riding, 17,000 people don’t have a family doctor—and yes, that is the same health minister who suggested that the recruitment and retention of doctors in Ontario is not a major concern. Maybe that’s why health care is a catastrophe.

As we speak, every hospital in Toronto is in surge, meaning they’re stretched beyond their limits—and flu season hasn’t even started.

How does the Premier expect Ontarians to get through this winter, let alone the next five winters, when 2.5 million people don’t have a family doctor and every single one of our hospitals is understaffed, underfunded and over-capacity?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Ninety per cent—leading Canada—of Ontario residents have access and are connected to a primary care practitioner. We’re not stopping there. That’s why we are doing the expansions in our medical schools. That’s why we are doing the expansion in our residency positions. We are doing the work to make sure that, in the short, the medium and the long term, we will have capacity in the province of Ontario.

I often think if only—if only the Liberals and the NDP, when they were in power, had actually started to plan for an expanding and aging population, we wouldn’t be here. But we are, and we’re getting it done.

Skilled trades

Mr. Aris Babikian: My question is to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. Skilled trades workers are the backbone of Ontario’s economy. Whether it’s electricians, plumbers, carpenters, machinists and so many more, they are all helping to meet the growing infrastructure needs of our province. Yet, with the looming retirement of a generation of skilled tradespeople, it is more urgent than ever that we address this gap.

Given the critical role of skilled trades to our economy, we must act now to provide the right training, incentives and support to build up the workforce for today and for tomorrow. Can the minister please outline what actions our government is taking to address the skills shortage in the trades and ensure that we have enough skilled workers?

Hon. David Piccini: I appreciate the question from the member opposite and thank him for his advocacy for young men and women in the skilled trades. Under the Premier, we have an ambitious plan to build Ontario: a $200-billion investment into infrastructure.

But we know that one in three tradespeople are retiring. We stand on the shoulders of a golden generation of men and women in the trades who have built this province. It’s up to us to inspire more young boys and girls to enter the trades. That’s why I’m proud that in Working for Workers Five, we created more learning opportunities into the skilled trades by expanding OYAP. The focused apprenticeship in the skilled trades, our FAST program, is allowing young students in grade 11 or 12 to get hours that will count towards their level 1. It’s no different than those who take the Dual Credit Program.

We’re also expanding the Level Up! skilled trades career fair to over 35,000 students to open an inspiring new career into the trades and help expand their—

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

The supplementary question.

Mr. Aris Babikian: Ontario’s businesses are telling us that they are struggling to fill vacancies. These vacancies are causing delays to projects that are critical to our province’s economic recovery and growth. This is impacting everything from building new homes and schools to larger-scale infrastructure projects. What’s more, despite the demand, many young Ontarians and women still do not see skilled trades as a viable or attractive career path. Incorrect stereotypes continue that the trades are somehow a “second choice” compared to university education or are only for men.

The skilled trades are high-paying jobs, in demand, that are providing stable employment and pathways to middle-class successes.

Can the minister share what steps our government is taking to promote skilled trades as a career choice for young Ontarians and women?

Hon. David Piccini: As I was just sitting down and listening to that question, my seatmate reminded me that his young son, who I believe was a page in this place, is enrolled at Canadore in aircraft mechanics. It’s exciting to see.

But, Speaker, it’s not just about students. It’s about breaking down barriers for women. Some of the common-sense changes that aren’t that common these days, Speaker, that we’ve done is bring the same expectations on bathroom facilities from Bay Street to Main Street, empowering more women on the job site.

Not only that; we’re keeping women safe. We’ve expanded regulations to ensure properly fitting protective equipment, or PPE, and I hope all members of this place vote in support of our latest Working for Workers bills to ensure women are safe on the job site, getting rid of the days of “shrink it and pink it” and ensuring that we have properly fitting PPE for women.

An economy that doesn’t work for women doesn’t work at all, and I’m proud to see more women enter the trades under the leadership of this Premier.

School transportation

Ms. Chandra Pasma: We are eight weeks into the school year and families in Renfrew county still do not have school buses. The buses haven’t been running because this government broke the funding formula and expected school boards and operators to run student transportation at a loss. But instead of fixing the nightmare they had caused, the government just sat on its hands for weeks on end while families made financial sacrifices to get their kids to school, and now, they have forced the Renfrew school boards to cut classroom resources in order to reach a deal.

If this was Toronto, the government would never have allowed this to happen. How could the Premier and the Minister of Education fail Renfrew families so badly?

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

Hon. Jill Dunlop: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my honour to stand as the new Minister of Education.

Our government’s priority to boards is to provide stability and predictability, which is why every single board received an increase to their student transportation budget for this school year. The members opposite like to mention our funding formula, and I think it’s important that all members know that as a result of the funding formula, school boards actually saw an $80-million increase in funding for school transportation this year. That brings our total investment for transportation in Ontario to $1.3 billion for the current school year.

What does that mean on the ground? That means that every single board in Ontario received a minimum 3% increase. The member knows, in her own area, we’ve seen double-digit increases, and that includes Renfrew county as well.

I can assure you as minister and as a mother as well that my duty is to ensure that students are getting to school.

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

Ms. Chandra Pasma: It’s ironic that the new “new” minister mentioned predictability and stability, because it’s not just Renfrew county; families across the province are dealing with chaos in student transportation, longer walks to school in unsafe conditions, long-term route cancellations and school buses just not showing up in the morning. Meanwhile, school boards are being forced to take resources out of the classroom just to provide this inadequate level of student transportation. This government is failing Ontario families with the funding formula that is another government scheme that is literally leaving our kids behind.

Will the Minister of Education fix the student transportation funding formula so that every child in Ontario can get to school safely every day?

Hon. Jill Dunlop: The funding formula: We went through intensive consultations to arrive at that funding formula, which has, in fact, allowed the increase to be $80 million across the school transportation fund. As I said, that is a minimum 3% increase for all school boards across the province, with some having a double-digit increase.

I want to assure the member that we are providing stability and predictability to our school boards. That’s why, with the change in the funding formula, we were able to increase the funding for school board transportation as well as increasing the funding across the board for all school boards in this province.

We will provide stability to the school boards and ensure that transportation is available to all students.

Affordable housing

Mr. Mike Schreiner: Good morning and welcome back. My question is for the Premier.

People across the province cannot find an affordable place to call home. The situation is dire: Young people leaving Ontario because they can’t afford to buy a home, full-time workers not able to pay the rent in the communities they work in and an unprecedented number of people experiencing homelessness in Ontario. The Premier has to stop distracting from the housing crisis and saying no to affordable homes—fourplexes, mid-rises, non-profit co-op and social housing.

Today, I will give the Premier an opportunity to reverse course to fix this problem: Will the Premier stop saying no, and say yes to quickly building homes that people can afford in the communities they love by legalizing more types of homes across the province to bring down costs for housing?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): To reply, the Premier.

Hon. Doug Ford: The question goes right back to the member from the Green Party: Are you going to stop saying no to every single housing plan we have and start saying yes? Because you’ve voted against every housing project. Every single provincial act we put forward, it’s “No, no, no.” It’s no from the NDP; it’s no from the Liberals; it’s no from the Green Party. You can’t sit your butt on two sides of the fence. You end up getting slivers you know where, and you’ve got more slivers you know where than you could shake a stick at.

We’ve created the opportunities for people to go out there and put a down payment by creating 860,000 jobs. We created more manufacturing jobs last year than all 50 US states combined. This year alone, we’ve seen 165,000 people employed. There are over 137 companies that have invested here, creating 12,200 jobs—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you. The Premier will take his seat.

The supplementary question.

Mr. Mike Schreiner: Let’s be clear: What the government is doing on housing is not working. Why would I say yes to a plan that doesn’t build homes that people can afford? Year-to-date housing starts are down in Ontario. Most housing experts say it will be impossible for the government to reach their goal of 1.5 million homes.

Let’s be clear, people who oftentimes don’t agree—housing activists, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, OREA, home builders and academics—all agree on one thing: The fastest and cheapest way to build homes people can afford is to say yes to fourplexes, gentle density and mid-rise housing. People in rural communities and in big cities all say the province holds the key to unlocking affordable homes.

Speaker, I’m going to give the Premier one more time: Will the Premier say no to wealthy speculators and say yes to legalizing multiplexes and mid-rises so we can get to work on building homes people can afford in the communities—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): And to reply, the Premier.

Hon. Doug Ford: We led the lead to remove the HST on purpose-built rentals; you voted against that. We eliminated municipal fees on affordable and non-profit housing; you voted against that. We introduced over $3 billion in new funding for municipalities to help fund housing-enabling infrastructure; you’re against that. You’re against the $1.2 billion in funding for those who meet or exceed the housing targets; you voted against it.

All the NDP, all the Greens and the Liberals, it’s “No, let’s not build homes. Let’s not build transit. Let’s not create new jobs. Let’s go back the way we were for 15 years.” You bankrupted this province.

We’re creating that environment. We are the envy of the world. We are an economic powerhouse because of our policies.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. Before I start the clock again, I’ll remind all members to make their comments through the Chair, not directly across the floor of the House.

I’ll ask the member for Ottawa South to come to order.

The next question. The member for Peterborough–Kawartha.

Mining industry

Mr. Dave Smith: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since you announced that you won’t be running again in the next election, I want to thank you for all of your service over the last 34 years. You’ve been an exemplar for all of us.

My question is to the Minister of Mines. Ontario is home to vast deposits of critical minerals, particularly in the Ring of Fire. These minerals are important for the building of batteries, electric vehicles and other clean technologies. The minerals are key to driving our domestic industries but also to help make Ontario a global leader in clean energy transition.

However, to fully realize this potential, we need a robust and sustainable supply chain that helps industry and local communities. Could the minister please provide an update on our government’s efforts to strengthen Ontario’s mineral supply chain?

Hon. George Pirie: Thank you very much for this question. There are two important legs to this Critical Minerals Strategy. One is the Ontario junior minerals exploration program. We’ve had phenomenal drill progress and success all across northern Ontario. The latest is cesium that we’ve just discovered north of Timmins. It’s a strategic metal that’s required for national security.

And of course, we’ve got the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund. The first round of funding for this strategy was oversubscribed. To that end, in the budget 2024, we announced an additional $15 million over three years to expand the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund. We’re really excited to announce the winners of this fund so that they can continue to do the great work they’re doing, developing made-in-Ontario solutions.

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

Mr. Dave Smith: Ontario is well placed to become a global leader in the supply of critical minerals. Cesium—I hadn’t heard of that one before; that’s a new one. These minerals, like cesium, nickel, lithium and cobalt, are all important for advanced manufacturing and the clean energy economy. The demand for these minerals is projected to skyrocket as countries around the world transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy.

Speaker, in 2023 alone, the value of critical minerals produced in Ontario was $6.4 billion. Could the minister please highlight some of the success stories that the CMIF program has produced to date and how they are helping to position Ontario as a leader in critical mineral development?

Hon. George Pirie: Thanks again, Speaker, for the question.

Since 2022, the CMIF fund has invested in 12 industry-led, including Indigenous-owned, critical minerals innovation projects. The first project I would like to highlight is a collaboration between Vale Canada and MIRARCO. MIRARCO, or the Mining Innovation Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corp., is a leader in providing innovative solutions for the mining industry. They are currently developing techniques to reprocess mining by-products to extract nickel and cobalt from mine wastes and tailings to use in the battery supply chain.

The second project is Carbonix, an Indigenous-owned company that is helping to refine processing for converting mining waste and other by-products into high-energy-density graphite also used in the battery supply chain.

Our ministry will continue to pursue and support innovations in the mining sector that will continue to drive economic opportunities and secure Ontario’s critical mineral supply chain.

Home care

Ms. Peggy Sattler: My question is to the Premier.

A London West family told me that their father recently suffered a heart attack, a stroke and a hip fracture. He was approved for two PSW visits and four hours of home care per day, plus respite. In the months since, he has never received that level of care on a single day. His family has been forced to step in to attend to his daily needs and they take turns sleeping beside him at night. They haven’t had a single hour of respite.

Speaker, why is this Premier forcing family members to become home care providers instead of fixing the broken home care system?

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

Hon. Sylvia Jones: There’s no doubt that home care and community care needed to have some additional investments, which was why I was so pleased that the Minister of Finance and our government has actually increased home care and community care investments by over a billion dollars.

We absolutely understand that when individuals leave hospital and they continue their treatment pathway in their home communities, in their homes, we need to make sure that the PSWs and the critical infrastructure are there. And that’s why we’re making investments, whether it is increasing the wages for personal support workers, whether it’s expanding the number of opportunities that individuals can learn and become personal support workers, and of course ensuring that we have that critical health human resources when people need it in their homes.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The supplementary question: the member for Nickel Belt.

M me France Gélinas: Not only is home care failing families every single day, the supplies needed to provide home care are not available. Ask any physician in the home; they know that under this government scheme, home care patients are being forced to shop and pay for the supplies they need to stay alive, to stay out of the hospital—supplies that this government decided to contract out to Bayshore.

Speaker, why are large corporations who put profit ahead of quality care continually given preferential treatment by this Conservative government? I’d like to ask the minister: Is this another profit-over-patient-care scandal?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: What this is, is a government that has been committed since day one to ensure that home and community care have the investments and the resources they need to do the job that is so important.

For a decade, the NDP propped up the Liberals as they created the longest health care wait times in Ontario’s history.

I’m going to quote the Ontario Community Support Association CEO: “Home and community care plays a critical role in the future of a strong Ontario health system. Legislative changes that strengthen this vital service will be important for supporting client care in an integrated health care system.”

We’re bringing these pieces together to make sure that our loved ones, whether they are in hospital, in a long-term-care home, in their own home in the community, get the support they need when they need it.

Small business

Ms. Laura Smith: Speaker, my question is to the Associate Minister of Small Business. This week marks Ontario Small Business Week, a time to celebrate and recognize the vital role that small businesses serve in driving economic growth, innovation and job creation across this province and country. Our communities are stronger because of the economic output of small businesses. When they grow and prosper, so does our province.

However, many small business owners continue to face significant challenges. These challenges include high inflation, supply chain disruption, increased operating costs and the harmful Trudeau-Crombie carbon tax.

Speaker, could the associate minister please highlight what our government is doing to support small businesses and why it’s essential to recognize and invest in the entrepreneurs who are key to Ontario’s economic success?

Hon. Nina Tangri: Thank you to the great member from Thornhill for her advocacy for her constituents.

Speaker, there are more than 400,000 small businesses across Ontario, accounting for about 98% of total Ontario businesses. They form the backbone of our economy, employing well over two million people right across our province.

The member from Thornhill is absolutely right: Small businesses are vital in keeping our economy competitive and thriving, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to celebrate them this week.

While the previous Liberal government drove business and investment away from this province, this government has acted to create the environment for businesses to grow by lowering taxes, reducing electricity costs and cutting red tape, enabling an estimated $8 billion in cost savings and supports for Ontario employers every single year.

Speaker, our government will continue to have the backs of small businesses so that they can keep doing what they do best: creating jobs and serving their communities.

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

Ms. Laura Smith: Thank you to the associate minister for her response and her great leadership.

While it’s encouraging to hear about the strong leadership shown by our government, many small business owners, particularly in my riding of Thornhill, are still expressing concerns about the ongoing economic challenges. Many small business owners in Ontario have voiced concerns about the ongoing negative burden that high taxes, excessive regulations and the impact of the Trudeau carbon tax continue to have on their bottom line. Rising operating costs due to these factors continue to put additional strain on small businesses that are already struggling with inflation and supply chain issues.

Speaker, can the associate minister please elaborate on the different supports our government provides to small businesses to ensure that they can start, operate and expand their businesses?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Associate Minister of Small Business.

Hon. Nina Tangri: Thank you, Speaker, and again to the member for the question.

Speaker, under the leadership of the Premier, our government remains dedicated to supporting small businesses on their journey to success. Through initiatives like Starter Company Plus, Summer Company and Futurpreneur, we provide entrepreneurs with training, mentorship and grants to launch successful ventures. Our 47 Small Business Enterprise Centres and many, many business advisory services right across our province offer personalized guidance to help businesses navigate challenges and expand their presence, providing valuable tools and resources to entrepreneurs so their businesses can thrive in today’s competitive marketplace.

Our plan is working, Speaker, and we look forward to continuing to create the economic conditions for small businesses to succeed. I encourage all members and anyone watching to support small businesses and shop local. Happy Small Business Week.

Road safety

MPP Lise Vaugeois: My question is to the Premier. As confirmed by CBC Marketplace, there is corruption in driver training and driver testing, and there are only 28 people to staff inspection stations across all of northern Ontario.

The government has the power, the means and the responsibility to reduce the number of horrific accidents taking place on our highways. The solutions are staring us in the face, so what on earth is stopping the government from ending the carnage?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): To respond, the Minister of Transportation.

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: We have zero tolerance for bad actors on our roads or those who are training these individuals. The ministry of colleges and training also has a robust program when enforcing against those colleges and private institutions that are carrying this out.

We even made significant investments in both front-line officers as well as facilities across the province, including one just outside that member’s riding in Shuniah, where we invested $30 million in a state-of-the-art project to ensure that we keep people safe.

We will continue to work with our partners at the OPP and others across the industry to continue having the safest roads in the world. We have brought a countless number of measures to this House, which those members have voted against, to increase penalties on bad drivers. We will continue to make sure our roads are safe.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): That concludes our question period for this morning.

Notice of dissatisfaction

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Pursuant to standing order 36(a), the member for Ottawa West–Nepean has given their notice of dissatisfaction with the answer to their question given by the Minister of Education regarding student transportation. This matter will be debated tomorrow following private members’ public business.

There being no further business at this time, this House stands in recess until 1 p.m.

The House recessed from 1202 to 1300.

Introduction of Visitors

Mr. Anthony Leardi: Once again, it’s my pleasure to introduce an educator from Essex county, and she’s the principal of école Saint-Antoine, in the town of Tecumseh. We’ve been married for 26 years. It’s my wife, Jacqueline Leardi.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Welcome.

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Public Accounts

M me France Gélinas: I beg leave to present a report on Value-for-Money Audit: Management of Invasive Species, 2022 Annual Report of the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario, from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and move the adoption of its recommendations.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Madame Gélinas presents the committee’s report and moves the adoption of its recommendations.

Does the member wish to make a brief statement?

M me France Gélinas: As a member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, I’m pleased to table this report today. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the permanent membership of the committee as well as the substitute members who participated in the public hearings and the report-writing.

The committee extends its appreciation to officials from all the ministries and agencies who participated in their respective hearings.

The committee also acknowledges the assistance provided during the hearing and the report-writing deliberations of the Office of the Auditor General, the Clerk of the Committee, legislative research and our new Auditor General, who is really good.

I move adjournment of the debate.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Madame Gélinas has moved the adjournment of the debate. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Debate adjourned.

Standing Committee on Public Accounts

M me France Gélinas: I beg leave to present a report on Value-for-Money Audit: Real Estate Council of Ontario, 2022 Annual Report of the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario, from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and move the adoption of its recommendations.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Madame Gélinas presents the committee’s report and moves the adoption of its recommendations.

Does the member wish to make a brief statement?

M me France Gélinas: No, just thank you to everybody who participated. It was a report that was very well done and informative.

I move adjournment of the debate.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Madame Gélinas has moved the adjournment of the debate. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Debate adjourned.

Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

Ms. Jennifer K. French: I beg leave to present a report from the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, pursuant to standing order 113(b).

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Ms. French presents the committee’s report.

Does the member wish to make a brief statement?

Ms. Jennifer K. French: I’m happy to share this report, which is a recommendation for all of the ministries and offices of the government that have to be assigned to the various standing committees—and that is this report.

With that, I move adjournment of the debate.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Pursuant to standing order 113(b), the report is deemed to be adopted by the House.

Report deemed adopted.

Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

Ms. Jennifer K. French: I beg leave to present a report from the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, pursuant to standing order 109.1(a).

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Ms. French presents the committee’s report.

Does the member wish to make a brief statement?

Ms. Jennifer K. French: I do not, but I’m happy to move adjournment of the debate.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Pursuant to standing order 109.1(a), the report is deemed to be adopted by the House.

Report deemed adopted.

Introduction of Government Bills

Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024 / Loi de 2024 sur le désengorgement du réseau routier et le gain de temps

Mr. Sarkaria moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 212,

An Act to enact two Acts and amend various Acts with respect to highways, broadband-related expropriation and other transportation-related matters / Projet de loi 212, Loi visant à édicter deux lois et à modifier diverses lois en ce qui concerne les voies publiques, les expropriations liées aux projets d’Internet à haut débit et d’autres questions relatives au transport.

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 minister like to present a brief statement explaining his bill?

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: This bill is intended to support the acceleration of key highway projects across the province, including Highway 413, the Bradford Bypass, as well as others. We look forward to debating this.

Motions

Committee membership

Mr. Anthony Leardi: I move that the following changes be made to the membership of the following committees:

On the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, Mr. Hamid replaces the Associate Minister of Mines, Mr. Smith, Peterborough–Kawartha, replaces the Minister of Red Tape Reduction, and Mr. Saunderson replaces Ms. Triantafilopoulos; and

On the Standing Committee on Government Agencies, Mrs. Martin replaces Ms. Gallagher Murphy, Mr. Dowie replaces the Minister of Red Tape Reduction, Mr. Hamid replaces the Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products, Mr. Pinsonneault replaces the Associate Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform, and Mrs. Smith, Thornhill, replaces Mr. Sandhu; and

On the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy, Mr. Grewal replaces Mr. Byers, Ms. Pierre replaces Mr. Sabawy, and Mr. Sandhu replaces Mr. Smith, Peterborough–Kawartha; and

On the Standing Committee on the Interior, Mr. Allsopp replaces Mr. Cuzzetto, and Mr. Pinsonneault replaces the Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products; and

On the Standing Committee on Justice Policy, Mr. Sarrazin replaces the Associate Minister of Auto Theft and Bail Reform, and Ms. Triantafilopoulos is added; and

On the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, Ms. Barnes replaces Ms. Hogarth, Ms. Gallagher Murphy replaces Mrs. Martin, Mr. Jordan replaces the Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries, and Mr. Yakabuski replaces Mr. Sandhu; and

On the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Mr. Byers replaces Mr. Bouma, Mr. Cuzzetto replaces the Associate Minister of Mines, Mr. Sabawy replaces Ms. MacLeod, and Ms. Triantafilopoulos replaces Mrs. Wai; and

On the Standing Committee on Social Policy, Ms. Hogarth replaces Mr. Clark, Mr. Allsopp replaces Mr. Grewal, Mr. Bailey replaces the Minister of Long-Term Care, Mr. Leardi replaces Ms. Pierre, and Mrs. Wai replaces the Minister of Colleges and Universities.

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

On the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, Mr. Hamid replaces the Associate Minister of Mines, Mr. Smith, Peterborough–Kawartha—

Mr. Steve Clark: Dispense.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Dispense? Dispense.

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

Motion agreed to.

Petitions

Emergency services

M me France Gélinas: I would like to thank Madame Sylvie Brûlé from Blezard Valley in my riding for this petition. The petition is called “911 Everywhere in Ontario.”

Since we last met, I am really sad to say that three people in my riding tried calling 911 in their times of need and found out that 911 was not available to them. And 911 is not available in many parts of northern and rural Ontario.

Did you know, Speaker, that Ontario is the only province that does not have 911 on all of its territory? Every other province has made arrangements with Bell to make sure that 911 is available—but it is not, and this has to change. Ontario has the technology. We have the knowledge. We have the skills. We should have 911 available to all, and this is what people who have signed the petition are asking for.

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

Because it’s the first day, I’ll remind members that the new standing order compels the Speaker to ask members to briefly summarize the petition and indicate the number of signatures, if they so wish. But a brief

summary—and it’s not possible to read the entire petition, nor enter into a political dialogue on the issue raised by the petition.

Autism treatment

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: It’s my honour to read the following petition into the record. It is entitled “Support Ontario Families with Autism.”

This government cleared the wait-list for individuals seeking therapy, only to create another one. Practitioners left the field, and families were abandoned.

Every year, every hour, every moment without therapy is lost forever, changing the trajectory of countless young lives.

Funding must be based on clinical needs, not on age and income.

I fully support this petition. I urge the government to do the right thing and get funding and supports to children living with autism now.

Health care

M me France Gélinas: I would like to thank Wendy Linklater from Capreol in my riding for this petition. The petition is called “Improve Access to Primary Care.”

As you know, Speaker, medicare is a program that defines us as Ontarians and as Canadians. Care is based on our needs, not on our ability to pay.

We now know that the best way to provide primary care is through a team. There are a number of those teams that exist in Ontario. We have community health centres, we have family health teams, nurse practitioner-led clinics, Indigenous primary health care teams. All of them are willing and able to take on some of the 2.5 million Ontarians who do not have access to primary care, but they need funding in order to do this. So the thousands and thousands and thousands of people who have signed the petition are asking for one thing: for this government to fund primary health care teams so that they too could have access to primary care.

I fully support this petition. I will affix my name to it and ask my good page Nikki to bring it to the Clerks.

School safety

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I’d like to thank the hundreds of London West parents and Londoners who signed a petition to keep classrooms safe for students and staff. The petition recognizes the fundamental importance of safe schools as a place to learn and work in. It also recognizes that there’s a lot of pressure that has been placed on our education system, and we are seeing that manifested in increasing reports of violence in our schools. Crowded classrooms, lack of support staff, underfunding of community mental health supports are all contributing to this crisis.

Therefore, the petitioners are calling on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to take immediate action to address the rising violence in our schools, to invest in more mental health resources in our schools and in our communities, and to properly fund our schools so that students have access to smaller classes with more support staff.

I fully support this petition. I will affix my signature and send it to the table with page Jaimie.

Education funding

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: I’m very proud to stand in the House today, on the first day back from our long summer recess, to provide this petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. It has been presented to me to present to this House from the Elementary Teachers of Toronto, and it’s entitled—“Stop the Cuts and Invest in the Schools Our Students Deserve!”

They’re calling on the government to reverse all the funding cuts to make sure that there are no deficits for the school boards, to ensure that those massive cuts don’t result in large class sizes, reduced special education and mental health supports and the resources that the students need.

They are also calling on this House to make sure that the investments flow so that the buildings that have been neglected are going to be properly fixed and they can be made safe again.

I’ll be proudly affixing my signature to this petition and handing it back to the table with page Lily.

Anti-vaping initiatives for youth

M me France Gélinas: I would like to thank Hélène Boily from Blezard Valley in my riding for these petitions called “Protect Kids from Vaping.”

Frankly, very little is known about the long-term effects of vaping on youth. We know that there could be an acute effect of vaping on youth called popcorn lungs, but the long-term effects are not known.

We know that aggressive marketing of vaping products by the tobacco industry is causing more and more kids to get addicted to nicotine through vaping.

I know that the government has spent millions of dollars putting vaping detectors in our schools, but it would be a better investment to make sure that kids do not pick up vaping in the first place.

There are many things that could be done to prevent kids from picking up vaping—the biggest one is flavours; the second is where it is accessible to them.

The people who have signed the petition are asking to pass my bill, Vaping is not for Kids, to make sure that we protect our kids from the tobacco industry that is behind vaping, to make sure that they do not get addicted to nicotine in the first place.

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

Tenant protection

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: The petition I have to read is entitled “Bring Back Rent Control.”

It’s a shame that in this province so many people are homeless. Part of the government’s solution for the homelessness crisis would be to reimplement rent control—this petition is calling upon the government to pass legislation that is available today to make sure that people are paying the same as the last tenant paid. It would provide consistency, it would provide stability, and it would ensure that people maintain the place that they call home, by plugging the hole of vacancy decontrol. This government, if it cared about renters and if it cared about residents, would do the right thing and pass this legislation.

I’m proud to support this petition—I look forward to the government maybe doing the right thing once upon a time—and will deliver it with page Jakob to the Clerks.

Health care funding

M me France Gélinas: I have this petition that talks about private delivery of surgery. It has been revealed through a report that was done at Kingston university that the cost of surgery in private clinics and independent health facilities costs way more than the same service provided in a publicly funded, publicly delivered hospital—and we’re talking like 100% more to have the same surgery.

We have seen when British Columbia had private clinics for routine surgery that it did not bring down the wait-lists for those surgeries.

We also know that Ontario hospitals have capacity—they have surgical suites, they have OR rooms sitting empty. They would be more than happy to do more hip and more knee surgeries, if only they were to receive the funding that is going to the private clinics. Send that funding to our publicly delivered hospitals, and I guarantee you that they will be able to bring the wait-lists down.

The total amount that the government is spending on private health care facilities has more than tripled in the last mandate that this government has had—so, since 2022, if you look at how much was spent to what we’re spending now, we’re saying three times the amount. We did not see a 300% increase in our hospital budget for surgery, but we are seeing it in the private sector.

Those people are all opposed to this. They want those resources to go to our hospitals so that we can bring down the wait-lists. I fully support them, and I will sign the petition and ask page Nikki to bring it to the Clerk.

Employment standards

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I would like to thank the hundreds of Londoners who have signed a petition in support of my private member’s bill the Stay Home If You Are Sick Act. The importance of this petition is especially timely now, as we see COVID rates increasing in the province.

The petition talks about the evidence that shows that paid sick days are a very effective public health measure to significantly reduce the spread of infectious disease and lessen the burden on our health care system. It notes that the majority, 60%, of Ontario workers do not have access to paid sick days, especially if they are racialized, especially if they are low-wage.

It notes that without access to paid sick days, these workers have to make a choice between potentially losing their employment or not being able to pay the rent and taking a day off work so they can care for a sick child or recover themselves from an illness. It calls on the Legislative Assembly to pass my bill, which amends the Employment Standards Act to provide all workers with access to paid sick days in addition to infectious disease emergency days, and to provide transitional support for small businesses to make that change.

I fully support this petition. I will affix my signature and send it to the table with page Lily.

Gasoline prices

M me France Gélinas: I would like to thank Mr. Marcel Roy from Azilda in my riding for these petitions. The petition is called “Gas Prices.”

I can tell you, Speaker, that the fluctuation in the price of gas in my riding in northern Ontario is through the roof. I will be driving from my house to my office; it’s about a 50-kilometre ride, and I go by about 10 to 12 different gas stations, depending on which way I make my way to the office, and there will be as much of a difference as $1.39 in one gas station to $1.89 in the other gas station—all of this within a 50-kilometre spread.

If I go a little bit outside of my riding—let’s say I go east a little bit, towards Sturgeon Falls, there’s a good chance that the price of gas is at least 20 cents cheaper, and if I go a little bit west of my riding, towards Espanola, the price of gas will be even cheaper.

The people of Nickel Belt want to regulate the price of gas. We don’t want to be gouged at the pump anymore. We want this government to do what other governments in Canada have done and many, many US states have done: regulate the price of gas so that the gouging ends.

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

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I have to say this once again: The standing order indicates that members can briefly summarize their petition but not get into an extensive debate about the merits of the issue raised by the petition. I would ask members to keep that in mind. That’s the standing order as it currently stands.

Multiple sclerosis

M me France Gélinas: I’d like to thank Tom Champaigne from Copper Cliff for these petitions. The petition is called “MS Specialized Clinic in Sudbury.”

Basically, what the petition talks about is that northeastern Ontario has the highest rate of multiple sclerosis in all of Ontario, yet we don’t have a specialized MS clinic in northern Ontario, so people who are often very sick—some become quite disabled because of multiple sclerosis—have to travel long distances down south to gain access to a MS specialized clinic.

The city of Greater Sudbury is a hub in northeastern Ontario, so they are asking the Legislative Assembly to make sure that Health Sciences North receives the funding necessary for an MS specialized clinic to be held in northeastern Ontario, in Sudbury, to serve the people of the northeast.

I fully support this petition. I will affix my name to it and ask my good page Nikki to bring it to the Clerk.

Winter highway maintenance

M me France Gélinas: I would like to thank Melissa Anderson from Val Therese in my riding for these petitions. They are called “Improve Winter Road Maintenance on Northern Highways.”

I know that it feels pretty good right now. It’s 20 degrees outside, but it’s about to start snowing again. There are many highways in my riding—Highway 17, Highway 144, Highway 101, Highway 69—that are poorly maintained and have led to many, many accidents, many of them deadly, as well as multiple road closures.

They are asking for the same standards that exist in southern Ontario to be applied to the northern highways so that the northern highways are better maintained and people feel safer—that would include Highways 11, 17, 69, 101 and 144 to be considered class 1, so that the snow has to be removed within eight hours after the end of a snowfall rather than what we have now, where it often takes more than a day to two days to get the snow removed.

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

Orders of the Day

Safer Roads and Communities Act, 2024 / Loi de 2024 pour prévoir des routes et des collectivités plus sûres

Resuming the debate adjourned on May 28, 2024, on the motion for second reading of the following bill:

Bill 197,

An Act to amend the Highway Traffic Act / Projet de loi 197, Loi modifiant le Code de la route.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bhutila Karpoche): I recognize the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery.

Hon. Todd J. McCarthy: I will be sharing my time with, among others, the member for Milton and the member for Brampton East.

It is indeed a pleasure to rise this afternoon to discuss a vital and forward-thinking piece of legislation, Bill 197, the Safer Roads and Communities Act, 2024. I am indeed proud to lend my voice to this debate, on a matter that affects the safety and well-being of all of the citizens and residents of Ontario. This legislation, if passed, will introduce some of the toughest penalties in Canada for impaired driving, address the epidemic of auto theft, and enhance the safety of our roads through various measures.

Ontario has long been recognized for having some of the safest roads in North America. However, as our population grows and our roads become busier, it is imperative that we continue to take decisive action to protect all of us. The Safer Roads and Communities Act, Bill 197, is a comprehensive set of proposals to address the pressing issues of impaired driving, auto theft, stunt driving, and the safety of e-bikes and commercial vehicles.

As a proud father and someone who has, I must say, dedicated my career prior to public service to law and order, I deeply understand the importance of safety and security in my riding of Durham and across Ontario. The Safer Roads and Communities Act holds significant personal and professional meaning for me, as it directly addresses the concerns and well-being of the families and individuals I am so proud to represent.

Like my parents before me and, I’m sure, many members of this House; indeed, any members of this House who are parents or aunts and uncles or mentors or leaders within their communities—all of us can relate in those roles about how we worry about the safety of our children and our community’s youth on our roads.

That is why I am encouraged by the measures proposed in Bill 197, such as the stringent penalties for impaired driving and auto theft. Knowing that there are tougher consequences for those who choose to drive under the influence or engage in reckless behaviour gives me confidence that all children and residents in Durham and across Ontario will be better protected.

One of the most critical components of this bill is its focus on impaired driving, and I’ve seen first-hand, as so many of us have, the devastating effect that intoxicated drivers can have on any one of us randomly when they get behind the wheel and drive and inflict harm and fatalities. Statistics show that one in three roadway fatalities involves impaired driving by alcohol or drugs. In 2022 alone, more than 20,000 Ontarians had their licences suspended for impaired driving. And over 10,000 impaired driving charges have been laid by the OPP thus far this year. This is a clear indication that more needs to be done to deter this dangerous and reckless behaviour.

Thankfully, the Safer Roads and Communities Act proposes several measures to combat impaired driving and send a strong message that impaired driving will not be tolerated in Ontario.

For instance, the introduction of a lifetime driver’s licence suspension for those convicted of impaired driving causing death is a significant step forward. This measure ensures that individuals who have shown a blatant disregard for the safety of others by driving impaired and causing a fatality will never again have the privilege of driving. This is not just a penalty; it is a necessary action to protect the public from repeat offenders who pose a serious threat to road safety.

Currently, those convicted of impaired driving can voluntarily install an ignition interlock device to reduce their licence suspension. However, the Safer Roads and Communities Act will make it mandatory for all convicted impaired drivers to install these devices. Ignition interlock devices require the driver to provide a breath sample before the vehicle can be started. This ensures that they are not under the influence of alcohol while driving. This measure is crucial in preventing repeat offences and rehabilitating impaired drivers.

The bill also introduces a time-limited zero-tolerance condition for alcohol and drugs for anyone convicted of impaired driving. This condition will begin after the driver satisfies the ignition interlock and rehabilitation requirements. By imposing a zero-tolerance policy, we are making it clear that there is no acceptable level of impairment for those who have already demonstrated poor judgment by driving under the influence.

To further deter impaired driving, the Safer Roads and Communities Act proposes longer roadside licence suspensions that would apply for first and second-time drug- and alcohol-related offences. Currently, drivers receive a three-day roadside suspension for their first incident or occurrence and a seven-day suspension for their second occurrence. This bill, if passed, would increase these suspensions to seven days for the first offence and 14 days for the second offence. These longer suspensions will serve, I submit, as a stronger deterrent and emphasize the seriousness of impaired driving.

Auto theft is something that is addressed, rightly so, in this proposed legislation. Auto theft has become a growing problem across our province, with incidents increasing by 72% from 2021 to 2024. In Toronto alone, auto theft increased by 81% over the same period, and violent carjackings rose by 78% from 2021 to 2022. This epidemic of auto theft not only results in significant financial losses, but also poses a serious threat to public safety.

In Ontario, in the first half of 2023, car thefts added up to more than $700 million in losses, and the Insurance Bureau of Canada estimates these cost every driver in Ontario an extra $130 a year.

That is why I am proud to state that this bill introduces escalating driver’s licence suspensions for individuals convicted of auto theft. The penalties would be as follows: for a first offence, a 10-year licence suspension; for a second offence, a 15-year licence suspension; and for a third offence, a lifetime licence suspension.

The bill also includes measures to support law enforcement in their efforts to combat auto theft. This includes enhanced powers for police officers to stop and inspect vehicles suspected of being involved in auto theft. These stringent penalties and enhanced enforcement measures would deter auto theft and protect Ontarians from the dangers associated with this crime.

Auto theft is not just a property crime; it is a crime that has far-reaching impacts on our communities. Victims of auto theft often experience significant financial hardship, emotional distress and a loss of personal security. By imposing severe penalties on auto thieves, we are taking a stand against this crime and sending a clear message that it will not be tolerated in our Ontario.

Stunt driving is another dangerous behaviour that this bill seeks to address. Stunt drivers put innocent lives at risk with their reckless actions, and we must take strong measures to deter this behaviour. The Safer Roads and Communities Act, Bill 197, proposes mandatory minimum licence suspensions for stunt driving, ensuring that those convicted face significant consequences for their actions.

Currently, courts have the discretion to suspend a driver’s licence following a stunt driving conviction; however, this bill would ensure that minimum suspension lengths are applied in each and every case. For a first conviction, the proposed suspension would be one year; for a second conviction, three years; for a third conviction, a lifetime suspension, reducible to 10 years under certain criteria. Any subsequent convictions will result in a lifetime suspension that cannot be reduced. These mandatory minimum suspensions would send a strong signal to those considering engaging in stunt driving.

Bill 197 also includes measures to improve e-bike safety. E-bikes have become increasingly popular as a mode of transportation, but their use has raised safety concerns. The Safer Roads and Communities Act proposes the creation of regulation-making powers under the Highway Traffic Act to categorize e-bikes into distinct classes, each with its own prescribed safety requirements.

Now, if I may, Speaker, I’d like to allow my time to be shared with the member for Milton.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bhutila Karpoche): I recognize the member from Milton.

MPP Zee Hamid: I’ll mostly speak from my heart.

As many people here know, we have a blended family of six kids between the ages of 17 and 22. My youngest got his G2 this summer, and the older ones are 22, so they haven’t been driving for all that long. Every single time they leave the house, my heart sinks a little bit. I’ve installed a dash cam in all my cars that record forward, backward, sideways and every which way.

While I recognize that Ontario is one of the safest jurisdictions for drivers, there are still bad apples, and the numbers are going up.

Back in the 1990s, when I was in high school, we were legitimately convinced that when our generation started driving