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

November 18, 2025

44th Parliament, 1st Session

< Previous sitting day

Next sitting day >

Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2025-Nov-18 vol. A (PDF)

L037A - Tue 18 Nov 2025 / Mar 18 nov 2025

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Tuesday 18 November 2025 Mardi 18 novembre 2025

Orders of the Day

Plan to Protect Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2025 (No. 2) / Loi de 2025 sur le plan pour protéger l’Ontario (mesures budgétaires) (no 2)

Members’ Statements

Caleb Holland

Affordable housing

Volunteers

Columbus Centre

National Addictions Awareness Week

Barry Callebaut chocolate factory

Tenant protection

Joseph Brant Hospital

Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund

GO Transit

House sittings

Introduction of Visitors

Legislative pages

Question Period

Government accountability

Government accountability

Government accountability

Government accountability

Foreign-trained doctors

Government accountability

Impaired drivers

Long-term care

Cost of living

Energy policies

Seniors’ services

Public transit

Transportation infrastructure

Introduction of Bills

Respecting Workers in Health Care and in Related Fields Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 sur le respect dû aux travailleurs du domaine de la santé et de domaines connexes

Supporting Mobility, Affordability and Reliable Transportation in Ontario Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 pour une mobilité accrue, des prix plus abordables et des transports plus fiables en Ontario

Petitions

School governance

Education funding

Social assistance

International trade

Highway safety

Interprovincial trade

Affordable housing

Tenant protection

Affordable housing

Long-term care

Health care

Financement des soins de santé

Orders of the Day

Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 sur le soutien aux enfants, aux élèves et aux étudiants

The House met at 0900.

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

Prayers.

Orders of the Day

Plan to Protect Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2025 (No. 2) / Loi de 2025 sur le plan pour protéger l’Ontario (mesures budgétaires) (no 2)

Resuming the debate adjourned on November 17, 2025, on the motion for second reading of the following bill:

Bill 68,

An Act to implement Budget measures and to enact and amend various statutes / Projet de loi 68, Loi visant à mettre en oeuvre les mesures budgétaires et à édicter et à modifier diverses lois.

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

Mr. John Fraser: Thank you very much, Speaker—déjà vu. I think I’ve been here before, about nine hours ago, and some of you were here as well, too. I won’t pick up where I left off—if you remember, you struck out last night. Those of you who were here: three strikes.

Actually, I want to talk about what I started on, and the theme is choices. It’s all about choices. What you show us here is what your choices are, and I have a story about choices. About two years after I was elected, I was in a grade 5 class.

I like to go into classrooms and say, “Ask me any question you like—any question.” You get great questions like, “How much money do you make?” Or “What’s your favourite colour?” Or “Who’s your favourite other politician?” But then this one young girl stands up and she says, “What’s the hardest thing about your job?” I was only two years in, and what I used to say is what some of us say: “I sit all day long. I’m not moving and it’s going to kill me.” But that 10-year-old, she’s not going to understand—because she sits all day long and she’s not old like me—so she made me think really quickly.

The answer to that question, the hardest thing about our jobs, is to not do all the things you want to do for people. We have to make choices; we can’t do everything. So we have to do those things that are important. That’s the point I was trying to make with this bill.

We can see what the choices are and what the choices aren’t, and I think the three things in Ontario that you’ve got to get right if you come to this chamber are: make sure people’s health care is there for them when they need it; make sure your school system is great so kids will have opportunity; and make sure your economy is good so young people will have jobs. If you get those three things right, that’s the thing that most people want and most people need.

When I look at this document, I don’t see that reflected. I don’t see a plan for youth jobs, youth careers. We know that 200,000 young people are looking for work—actually, 220,000. We know it’s a big problem, but I don’t see anything here. I don’t see anything here to help those small businesses hire those people.

We know that our hospitals are saying, “We’re $1 billion short,” and that’s a result of the government not providing enough funding and the hospitals having to use something called working capital. As you continue to use your working capital—those of you who are in business—and you’re not backfilling that and paying that off, you begin to have a debt that grows and grows and grows. The hospitals are saying, “We need $1 billion.” I don’t see that in this document. It’s not there. That help’s not there.

Then, if I look for something for our schools, because we know that our schools aren’t safe places to learn or to work—I’ve travelled part of the province, I’ve got more to do, but we know that they aren’t safe places to learn or to work because of three things:

(1) Class sizes have grown. They’re too big.

(2) Special education is underfunded by approximately $850 million a year, so boards have to spend $850 million more than the government is giving them.

(3) We have a mental health crisis in our schools with our kids, partly because of the pandemic but partly as a reflection—and some across the aisle would know—of what is happening in our society.

It’s amazing. You walk in to any place and it says, “Foul language or harassment or any kind of bullying will not be tolerated.” When did that happen? When did you phone somebody and the first message that comes on, when you go through the automated thing, is saying, “You’d better behave.” We’ve got a problem and it’s reflected in our schools and the government is not addressing that. That’s not in this document. That says something about choices. The three things that are most important aren’t there.

But here’s what’s there. I want to focus on one thing in particular and that’s the changes to the Election Act. Here’s the biggest problem with that: These changes are going to make it harder for people to vote, and this is why. You’re taking away the fixed election date—that’s fine. We shortened the writ when we had a fixed election date, to 28 days, because we all knew what was coming. That’s why it’s only 28 days, because we knew when the election was.

Now what you are saying on the other side is, “We’re going to choose when it happens.” To be honest, I’m agnostic about that. Whatever way you want to do it, that’s fine. I wasn’t a proponent of fixed election dates. But here’s what the problem is: The Chief Electoral Officer has said, “I need more time to organize an election,” but you’ve kept the writ the same.

So you can call it willy-nilly any time you want and the people who are responsible for voting in your riding—the 124 ridings across this province and the dozens of places that exist inside those ridings, the returning offices—it takes lot to set those things up. It’s not like a car ignition, folks. You don’t just turn it on and it turns over. You have to plug it in and warm it up. And if you’re not going to give them 35 or 42 days, it’s going to make it harder for them to do the things they need to do for the people in your riding to vote—the people who vote for you, the people who vote for us, all of us.

It’s just going to make it harder. That’s making it harder for people to vote and that’s wrong.

The other thing we do is, all of a sudden, we’ve had to raise donation rates—I heard from somebody—because we’ve got to harmonize it with other provinces. So we’ve got to get to five grand and we’ve got to index it to inflation, but don’t index some things that we do for people to inflation—or the people who help people in our province, we don’t index their funding to inflation—but you guys want to index donations. But you don’t do it for other people.

It’s a pretty self-serving piece of legislation that you’ve inserted here. Although the piece that I don’t think is self-serving is the piece where we are making it harder for people to vote. That’s not good for any of us. You’re making it harder to vote because you’re allowing for a snap election to be called, like last February, where there are 28 days—28 days—for the returning officer to get ready.

I see someone over there, whose name I won’t mention, shrugging at that. These are people who work to make elections fair and free and open and who try to make it accessible for people to vote. That’s their responsibility. They’ve got to find dozens and dozens of polling places.

Of all the stuff that’s in this bill, that is the worst thing. Because you know what? It’s not like the self-serving part, which is pumping up the donations and letting them be indexed to inflation. It’s actually the thing that is most important to people in elections: their ability to exercise their democratic right, the stuff we all talked about before we left last week, about democracy and why we have Remembrance Day and what people died for. We talked about that, and we all waxed eloquent about that.

But on the other side, you’re saying, “Yes, it’s not that important. We’re not going to listen to the people who run elections, who try to make sure that our democracy works.” You haven’t listened, and it’s just in this bill. Because you can do whatever you want over there, because you can pass this in six and a half hours or however long the minister wants to time-allocate it to, or the minister of time—there’s no minister of time allocation, but there might be one.

So, I just think it’s all about choices. I don’t see education. I don’t see health care. I don’t see youth jobs in there. What I do see is election finances that we don’t really need to change. We don’t need to make it five grand. We don’t need to index it. But, actually, not thinking enough about how elections are run and what we need to do to protect the democracy that everybody waxed so eloquently about last week, about how important it is and how people sacrifice so much for our democracy—and then you see this in this bill. It’s called cognitive dissonance, right? That’s what it is, and we should all be concerned about it.

I hope that—today is Tuesday, right?

M me Lucille Collard: Yes, it is.

Mr. John Fraser: Today is Tuesday, so it’s caucus—

Hon. Nina Tangri: All day.

Mr. John Fraser: Tuesday all day. Thanks for reminding me. It was a late night last night, so I kind of lost track of where I was at. I do admit, I did have to nap before I came back here last night. I’m an old guy.

I just hope you go back to caucus today and go, “What’s with this? What’s with this part of the FES bill here?”

Hon. Steve Clark: What’s with your speech?

Mr. John Fraser: Hey, look, it’s 9 o’clock in the morning. You’re all still sitting there. I’m awake, I’m here, I’m going, right? I was here at close last night—

Mr. Matthew Rae: So were we.

Mr. John Fraser: Yes, I know. I have a deep appreciation for that. When you see other people across and they’re actually listening at midnight—it takes a bit of work to get you to listen sometimes, but sometimes it works.

I don’t see stuff in there that talks about our health care system, that invests in the thing that hospitals are asking us to do. I don’t see an investment in education. We know that we have that problem of having schools being safe places to learn and to work. The reality is, we don’t have enough adults in schools. Go and ask anybody in a school; go and ask a principal, anyone. Pick a school in your riding. We don’t have enough adults. It’s a problem. That’s why you have a problem sometimes with violence and civility, and they’re not safe places to work—nothing in there. And I see nothing about youth jobs.

So, it’s all about choices, folks, and the choices that you’ve made are—the things that are important, they’re going to take a back burner or we’re going to put them on the shelf. But the things that are important to us—which is making sure that we can change the election rules without actually thinking that you may be disenfranchising some people because you’re not actually giving the people who protect that democracy that we have, the Chief Electoral Officer, all the returning officers and all the people who work in elections, enough time to get it right.

Elections Ontario only had one week to get ready for the last election—one week in the middle of winter. One week. I know in my riding, they had a returning office in a big box store, likely for more than what some people make in a year. That’s what’s a returning office.

So, it’s not a joke. If we’re all going to, on Remembrance Day, stand up here and talk about democracy, then we have to respect it. Making these changes without recognizing that people need to get ready for an election, the people who are impartial, who take care of these things—if we don’t give them the time to be able to do it, it’s not going to be free and fair because some people will be disenfranchised. Just like in the last campaign, 42% of people showed up—42%, less than half. That’s something that we should be concerned about, all of us. It doesn’t matter where we stand or what colour we wear—42% of people—and this part of the FES bill is going in the wrong direction.

So if you hear anything this morning from me, it’s, you have to say—to the gentleman across from me, who I believe is responsible for this part of the bill—this writ needs to be longer, at least between 35 and 42 days. That’s the right thing to do. That’s what it is federally. That’s what it was before, and you can have a shorter writ as long as you know when the election is. Right now, what you’re saying is, “We’re going to decide whenever,” and that’s fine; I don’t care. Just make it fair and free. Not changing that writ is absolutely the wrong thing to do.

The people who we all work for, who vote for all of us here, or who just vote, they deserve better than what’s in this bill.

Thank you very much. I will turn it over to my colleague from Don Valley West.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): I recognize the member from Don Valley West.

Ms. Stephanie Bowman: I’m grateful for the opportunity to rise today and speak on Bill 68, or the fall economic statement.

I wanted to just do a little reminder. There are so many government ads out, and they spend hundreds of millions of dollars on them, but there was one a while back called, “It’s happening here.” Taxpayers paid $40 million for those ads, Speaker, and they really need a rewrite, so I’m going to give the government some help here.

The economy is trending worse than expected: It’s happening here.

We are forecast to have half as many new jobs expected in 2025 and even fewer in 2026: It’s happening here.

Unemployment will be close to 8% next year: It’s happening here.

Housing starts will only reach half of the government’s yearly target: It’s happening here.

Services like health care, schools, post-secondary education, which are already in crisis, will not get the funding they need to maintain service levels over the next three years: It’s happening here.

Speaker, the numbers show a very stark reality. This government says, “Oh, everything is great. We’re doing a great job. Trust us; don’t worry.” But the numbers show a starkly different picture. Unemployment is at a 13-year high. This government has been elected for over seven years. It’s at a 13-year high. Over the course of 2025, it will average 7.8%, up from 7%. Government-projected unemployment will remain stuck at that 7.8% next year.

Remember when the government promised they were creating a province where businesses would be flocking to invest and grow, where they told the people of Ontario that their policies would unleash unprecedented economic momentum? Well, one look at the fall economic statement shows that simply is not the case. The numbers in their own document show a very different picture, one of falling confidence among businesses, weakening job creation, an economy that does not live up to the government’s hype.

The government likes to talk about economists when it when it suits them and rating agencies. Let’s talk about that for a minute. Private sector forecasts that underlie the government’s assumptions have repeatedly been revised downward for 2025 through 2027. When the 2024 budget was tabled, job creation for the period was expected to total 365,000, then a year later, the 2025 budget: “Oh, sorry, 180,000.” Now with the FES, we’re down to just 171,000, or 190,000 fewer jobs versus the 365,000 projected just a year ago. So, what does that say, Speaker?

Well, it confirms that private sector forecasters don’t believe the government’s policies are moving the dial sufficiently. That’s what we’ve been saying on this side of the House since this government was first elected: Conservatives are not doing enough to boost economic growth and create jobs.

We have over 700,000 people in this province. We have over 200,000 young people unemployed; the highest unemployment rate among youth in the large provinces—Alberta, BC, Quebec—at 16.3%, Speaker. That’s not happening in Alberta. That’s not happening in BC. That’s not happening in Quebec. It’s happening here.

Let’s talk about housing and construction, clearly a driver of economic growth. Canada’s population is growing; we need houses. We’ve been needing houses for a long time. This government even said so themselves and set a target of 1.5 million new homes, which, now, they’re not even talking about because, of course, they can’t get it done. The fall economic statement revealed just how bad it is. We now know that housing starts are projected to reach only half of the annual target needed to meet that broken promise of 1.5 million homes. That’s not a small miss.

According to their updated projections, housing starts are expected to fall. Let me say it again: Housing starts are expected to fall by 17,000 units over the next three years. Keep in mind that’s 17,000 fewer than they themselves promised just six months ago. The gap between their words and their results is simply a big miss. That shortfall would be concerning on its own, but when you consider that Ontario is now headed towards the lowest number of housing starts in more than a decade, that picture becomes even more troubling.

Even with all the “incentives” and housing bills, one after another, that this government has thrown at municipalities, they can’t get the industry moving. At a time when families are struggling more than ever to find an affordable place to live, this government is delivering less, far less than what the moment demands. Failing to tackle the affordability crisis by making housing more attainable—it’s happening here.

But it continues to get worse because, once again, this government is not telling the whole story to taxpayers. The finance minister continues to either be deluded or not be transparent when he forecast the path to balance in 2027-28.

The Auditor General talks about debt reduction strategy in the Fiscal Sustainability, Transparency and Accountability Act. Under this act, the government is not fully in compliance. I’ll say it again: the Auditor General has found that this government is not fully in compliance with the requirement to develop a debt burden reduction strategy, including setting out net debt-to-GDP objectives and providing a progress report on the supporting actions and implementation of the strategy included in the last budget.

So why did they get that failing grade from the Auditor General? Their debt burden reduction strategy is not fully implemented due to the province—listen carefully here—not clearly demonstrating how debt will be managed. This from a government that said reducing the debt and managing the debt was a fiscal and moral imperative. They have the Auditor General of the province, who they laud when it suits them, saying that they don’t have a debt reduction strategy. They’re breaking their own law, Speaker.

And then we have the Financial Accountability Office, who says that deficits are likely to total $50.8 billion through 2030. So what’s going on? Who’s right, the government or the FAO? Well, the FAO recently concluded that the Ontario budget will not be balanced before the end of the decade without finding fiscal savings, reducing program spending or increasing taxes. It’s pretty simple, Speaker.

The cost drivers for health care, long-term care, social services, education all outpace the funding increases in this government’s budget and fall economic statement. Rather than providing the necessary supports and services for the programs that make Ontario a great place to live, that attract investment, that attract people to come and work and build a life here, this government is more focused on pet projects like the tunnel under the 401, moving the science centre to Ontario Place and, of course, the infamous Skills Development Fund and how they help their friends.

Speaker, Ontario’s fiscal situation is getting worse, not better. The debt sustainability measures are all deteriorating. Let’s just look at those numbers: Net debt-to-GDP is rising from 36.2% to 38.4%, almost where it was when this government took office; net debt-to-revenue is rising from 191% to 210%, surpassing the government’s own 200% target; net interest-to-revenue is rising from 5.5% to 6.7%. And on top of all of that, Ontario is approaching half a trillion dollars in debt.

So how can we possibly be spending more and not feeling like it, Speaker? It’s simple: Never has a government spent so much to deliver so little.

If the government continues to go down this path, they will soon run into an even harder situation. As I said, to balance the budget, the government will either have to do cuts to programs, raise taxes or actually, in fact, delay again, like they’ve already done five times; five times they’ve delayed that path to balance. They’ll have to move the date. They will move the goalpost once again. The Premier recently said, if you don’t like the rules, change them. That’s what this government is doing. Every time they set a goalpost for when they’re going to balance the books, they just say, “Oh, sorry, guys. We missed it. We’ll go on to the next year.”

Let’s talk about transparency, because it’s certainly not in the fall economic statement. Let’s talk about the increase on the energy rebate. There will be at least another $2 billion going towards the rebate program, but it’s nowhere to be seen in this document—nowhere. The government knew well about that increase long before they published this document—long before they published this document, Speaker. That means the deficit is worse than expected, it’s worse than reported and the path to balance is even further away.

It’s very simple: Taxpayers are not being told the whole story in the fall economic statement. What story are they being told? Well, yes, we have a situation with uncertainty. We have tariffs, but yet we have very little in relief. Page 152 of the FES document shows new spending consists of the following: a $2-billion increase in programs, but $1.5 billion of that is contingency. That’s not an increase in program spending. Again, the government says it themselves: “We’re setting money aside for a rainy day.” Yeah.

Of the $600 million that is new, none of it is going to hospitals, education or colleges and universities. So, a piddly $600 million in new spending when the government is going on and on about the threat of US tariffs, and yet they can’t find any money. Why? Because they’ve stripped the coffers clean on their pet projects like the 401 tunnel, Ontario Place and, again, the Skills Development Fund, which I’ll talk more about.

Speaker, it’s all because their priorities are wrong. They don’t want to have colleges and universities with the money that they need. They want to help their friends at Therme. They want to move the Ontario Science Centre. Again, an AG report told the government it would be cheaper to keep it where it is and fix it than to move it. I think the government has very clearly turned a blind eye to that Auditor General finding and recommendation.

And then, of course, we’ve got the second feasibility study for a tunnel under the 401. Maybe it’s because they didn’t like what the first one said, but we don’t know, because they won’t share it with us. Again, they talk about the amazing public servants who work here, and I believe that. The public servants did a report on the tunnel, and they won’t tell us what it said. I wouldn’t call that transparency, Speaker. That is taxpayer money. They’re spending taxpayer money on a study. Hard-working public civil servants looked at that, did some assessment, and we don’t know what the results said.

If it only stopped there, Speaker, that would be bad enough. But again, we’ve got this government committing—doubling down—on spending more money on the scandal-plagued Skills Development Fund. It’s almost comical, Speaker. It would be comical if it weren’t so serious.

This government is going to throw another quarter of a billion dollars to the Skills Development Fund in the next few months, which the Auditor General has said was not fair, was not transparent, was not accountable. Instead of admitting, “Mea culpa; yeah, we made some mistakes,” what is this government doing? They’re keeping their labour minister. The Premier says it’s the best program ever. Speaker, if it’s the best program ever, we are in serious trouble. It’s turned out that it’s simply giving taxpayers out to their lobbyist friends and organizations who support them. It’s not about creating jobs.

That seems to be a shield. If only it were about creating jobs, because the 700,000 people who are unemployed and the 200,000 youth who are looking for their first job would really like it to be about jobs.

I tried, during the estimates hearing last week, to get a better understanding of what, if any, controls are in place for the Treasury Board to ensure value for money because that’s what they say they do. Let me just read a bit of their mandate: “The Treasury Board Secretariat provides leadership and advisory services that support evidence-based decision-making, prudent financial and risk management, transparency, accountability, transformation and modernization efforts across the public sector in Ontario. TBS strengthens the way government is managed and helps to ensure value for money in government spending and results for Ontarians.”

Speaker, how can that mandate be true today when we’ve got what’s going on with the Skills Development Fund? I asked the Treasury Board President to tell me what controls are in place to ensure that, after a ministry has been given funding for a project, a ministry whose job it is to ensure value for money, they can actually fulfill that mandate? What did I hear from a government who claims to be fiscally responsible and transparent, who claims to be working for taxpayers?

Nothing, Speaker—silence—because if they had admitted there was a problem, that would be admitting to needing a major course correction, which clearly this government is not ready to do. But we’re here to keep demanding that.

The Ontario Liberals gave this government the opportunity yesterday to fund a program that could make a tangible difference right now. The opposition day motion that I brought forward on behalf of our Ontario Liberal caucus could have created up to 75,000 jobs each year for young people. We heard from high-schoolers from Beaches–East York, the riding of my neighbour here in the chamber, MPP McMahon. These students created a survey among their classmates to understand the job shortage for teenagers in Toronto. Here’s one statement in response to the question, “Do you want a job?”

“Yes, I want one. I’ve applied to 100-plus positions on Indeed as well as walked into places with résumés and references and asked for applications or to speak about employment opportunities. It’s always either a no or no answer at all. Even people my parents know who are hiring don’t want to hire teens.”

Our employers need help to support those teens, and our teens and youth need that help. Instead, this government voted that motion down, maybe because they’re either unwilling to admit that other parties have good ideas, even though again they say those kinds of things, or they simply do not care about the 200,000 young people looking for work in Ontario. Or maybe it’s both.

As I said, I hoped to be surprised in the fall economic statement. I hoped to see bold leadership. I hoped the government could have provided tax relief for middle-income earners. They promised that in 2018—still haven’t delivered it. Tax cuts for small businesses: They say they’ve done it. Speaker, it was 0.2%, 0.3%—hardly anything. We’ve been calling for a 50% cut in the small business tax rate, and they voted it down several times.

We asked for funding for colleges and universities, a jobs program for youth. I was hoping to see funding for hospitals; HST removal for home heating and an HST rebate for all new homebuyers, not just first-time buyers; support for family sports and activities for their kids, but this government chose not to.

Speaker, they can’t have it both ways. They can’t call themselves fiscally responsible while not once tabling a balanced budget. They can’t say they’re protecting Ontario while also not doing more when things get worse.

We’re got a fall economic statement that shows GDP growth slowing, unemployment rising and housing starts falling. That’s what this government tabled in the fall economic statement. And it’s not just about tariffs. This government has had nine quarters of rising unemployment. Housing starts have been falling. It’s just a big fail, Speaker.

We deserve transparency from our government—a government that levels with Ontarians. We deserve a government that treats us with respect by telling the whole story, not just the flattering parts; a government that has the courage to face our challenges directly without pretending they don’t exist or hoping no one will notice. And above all, we deserve a government that provides real solutions, not ads, not spin, not programs for their friends—real solutions, Speaker.

What will the government do to balance the budget? Will they raise taxes, cut services or will they delay it yet again? They won’t say. An accountable government would not mislead people about the actual cost of hydro and an increase in their rebate; would not eliminate fixed election dates through what we thought was a finance bill by giving themselves up to five years in power, when everyone who voted in the last election thought it would be four at the most.

An accountable government would not put forward

schedule 15, amending the Ontario Place act—which the city of Toronto and everyone else is still trying to figure out: What the heck are they going to do with the CNE?

An accountable government would admit their mistakes—real, consequential mistakes, like giving hundreds of millions of dollars in Skills Development Fund money to applicants who didn’t deserve it, simply because they were friends of the Premier, the Minister of Labour, or because they hired their friends as lobbyists, where low-scoring applications leapfrogged higher scoring ones with no justification.

Ontarians expect a government not to hide from its record, but to own it. They expect accountability, transparency, respect for taxpayer dollars and how they spend it. Sadly, Speaker, all three are missing from this bill. It’s a sad day for the people of Ontario and those who thought they were voting for a government that had the capability to see Ontario through these tough economic times.

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

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: Good morning, everyone. It’s been a while since I last saw you in this midnight sitting, crazy scheduling House—which, I would just say, had we come back in September like we usually do, like we normally do, maybe we wouldn’t be sitting to midnight. But that’s a topic for another day.

I’m here this morning to talk about Bill 68, as you know, the fall economic statement. I’m always happy to rise in this House and represent the amazing people in beautiful Beaches–East York. I might deal with a couple of different schedules than my colleague here, which is how we work well together.

We’ll start with

schedule 1: the Cap and Trade Cancellation Act. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. In a place with a group who cannot say the words “climate change,” cannot admit there’s a climate emergency, is allergic to anything environmental—it should be no surprise that you’re cancelling the cap-and-trade act fully.

What you’re doing, as you know—this bill removes the government’s obligation to establish and publish targets regarding the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. It removes the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks’s obligation to produce a climate change plan and report on it regularly. Why would you want to do that in 2025, right? Nothing is happening out there. No floods, no forest fires, no derechos—nothing.

If you recall, the Auditor General, in a recent special report, found that not only is this government forcing Ontario to most likely miss your greenhouse gas emissions, they predict that, in 2030, greenhouse gas emissions will be even higher than initially anticipated. That is something that cannot happen, and I will do my darndest not to make that happen.

Ontario is primarily relying on federal initiatives to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, but currently, current federal and provincial initiatives combined are unlikely to achieve the targets we need. That’s what this government seems to do, is kick the can down the road or point the finger—“Oh, the feds can do that; the municipalities can do that”—and actually just pass the buck. Municipalities are doing it; people are doing it in spite of this government. They’re looking to their leaders to actually lead, but that’s not happening, so they’re doing it in spite of all you.

So you have agencies and not-for-profits doing that work—the colossal work that they shouldn’t have to do fully, because they should have a government that actually cares about climate action.

Many of your municipalities have green councils, and they have declared a climate emergency—they have done that at their council meetings. They have great climate action groups. I wonder what you say to them when you see them on the street.

Toronto has been a green leader for a long time. When I was on council—with the Premier, I might remind you; we were councillors together, when he voted for many green initiatives—we passed the city’s first climate adaptation and mitigation plan called TransformTO, which is still in effect today. Hopefully you won’t meddle with that. I shouldn’t give you any ideas, for crying out loud.

These groups are doing it, in spite of the provincial government. It is our job to be leaders and lead.

And even though they likely overestimate the reduction, they still project that we will not hit our targets.

We absolutely need consistent and trustworthy data that can inform all of our decisions—so, facts and stats and science. We need to listen to that. And we need to listen to experts. This might come as a surprise to you, but we’re not the sharpest knives in the drawer. There are experts out there in certain fields, who are more knowledgeable, more experienced, than all of us, so it is up to us to heed their advice.

We need mandates to ensure that the ministry must consistently evaluate their initiatives to course-correct where necessary—specifically, with the waste sector.

If you were here last night to hear my scintillating speech, which—I know you were hanging on every word. I talked a lot about trash, because I’m very worried about trash, and you should be too, with extended producer responsibility coming down the pike on January 1 and your communities not even knowing about it. In Toronto, one resident actually ripped the Circular Materials sticker off the blue bin because they thought their blue bin had been vandalized.

In Newmarket–Aurora, the member has already spoken—she is talking to Circular Materials because it’s already causing a scene with the big bins in her small areas, where seniors can’t mobilize those bins. So I would get a little bit more proactive if I were you, because it’s coming down the pike and you’re not ready.

The Auditor General found that the province has little to no progress—you’ve made little to no progress on meeting your greenhouse gas emission targets or implementing the 2017 commitment to ban organics from landfills. Oh, my gosh. What are we doing sending organics to landfill sites? Guys, that’s an easy win. Let’s just do it. Let’s just do it together. Trash, the last time I checked, was not a partisan issue. So that’s something I’ll come and talk to you about.

We’re running out of landfill space. Some members live near Southwold, near London. That’s where the city of Toronto’s landfill site, Green Lane landfill, is. It will be at capacity by 2035. Whoa. The last time I checked, that’s 10 years from now. And we’re not ready. I’m not sure if any of your communities want to be a new host site for Toronto. Do you want Toronto’s trash?

Let’s get proactive on waste diversion and waste reduction measures.

Also, we talk about Trump and the tariffs all the time. What are we doing to eliminate our shipping of waste to Michigan? We are still doing that. All that President has to do is wave his finger and end that in a heartbeat, and then we’re in trouble. And that is industrial, commercial and institutional waste going to Michigan daily, in massive trucks that are emitting more greenhouse gases, which you don’t want to track, you don’t want to put targets on. These are easy wins for you guys, and you can look good. I’m helping you. I’m your new brander, your PR agent. I’m trying to help you look good.

We could also talk, as I did last night on Bill 46, about the circular economy. That is a win-win. That is job creation. That is an economic boon. If we focus on deconstruction instead of demolition, think about the cost savings with those materials. We should not, in 2025, be throwing out all the materials from buildings we are demolishing. That is complete baloney. Am I allowed to say that word? All right. That’s all I will say on—

Mr. Chris Glover: Withdraw.

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: Withdraw—it is a food product.

Okay,

schedule 1, we’re done with for now. We’re on to

schedule 3. Oh my gosh. I’m going to need a little drink of water.

Mr. Lorne Coe: You’ve got nine minutes left.

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: All right. I’d better speed up my rant.

Conservation authorities: Okay. Again, I’m not sure how many of you are geotechnical experts.

Ms. Stephanie Bowman: Anyone?

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: Anyone? Anyone? I thought so—nobody.

Hon. Graham McGregor: I’m sure the Speaker is.

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: Maybe the Speaker is.

You’re trying to remove immunity from prosecution for good-faith actions by ministry-appointed conservation authority inspectors and appointed conservation authority administrators. You’re creating the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency, with the mandate to oversee conservation authorities; transition authorities to a watershed-based framework; standardize procedures; and report on the effectiveness of conservation and management in the conservation authorities. But like changes to Ontario Health, in

schedule 2, it may borrow money and is exempt from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

This new agency must provide a report every three years. Every three years? Are you kidding me? How about every six months, every year? Because—I don’t know; has anyone had a flood in their area recently? I don’t know. Flooding—let’s see—cost BC $9 billion. Come on. It cost Alberta $5 billion.

We know the high cost of inaction. The Financial Accountability Officer of Ontario has told you that for every dollar invested in climate action it’s a $3-to-$8 savings in cost avoidance. You guys are the fiscal conservatives.

Ms. Stephanie Bowman: They say they are.

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: I don’t know.

That to me makes sense—dollars and cents. So you have this new agency. You’re taking 36 conservation authorities, which are doing a great job. They know what they are doing. They have the massive expertise and education, boots-on-the-ground training. They know their local watersheds. You have to know your local watersheds, your headwaters, your rivers, your creeks. You need to know and be able to help mitigate flooding as best you can. You need to not be building on flood plains—hello, greenbelt.

It’s already working so well, and yet you’re going to reduce their ability. You’re creating seven entities but with this kind of overarching umbrella because you think the 36 aren’t working? Maybe you think it’s slowing down housing. I’ll tell you what is slowing down housing: political will. We could upzone the avenues in Toronto alone, right here, right now, as-of-right—eight to 10 storeys. Let’s do it. Bring it to Beaches–East York. The Danforth subway line has two to three storeys. Ratchet it up like Europe—eight to 10. Come on. Let’s do it. That’s how you build housing. You be bold. You be brave. You put in sixplexes. You put in co-ops.

You don’t look at big massive watersheds to build housing. Do you think that’s going to be affordable? That is not affordable—$43,000 for a basement flood. Just do it right the first time. Isn’t that a song, Get It Right the First Time? I won’t sing it for you, but I could.

Hon. Steve Clark: I love your singing voice.

MPP Lise Vaugeois: Hey, at least they’re listening.

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: Yes, at least they’re listening.

We talked about the high cost of inaction and investing preventatively. Some 10% of homes in Canada are no longer insurable relative to flood risk. We know that flooding is the number one cause of public emergency in Ontario, right? Flooding is the number one cause of public emergency in Ontario, and you want to rip out the conservation authorities and just play with them and somehow make these seven entities have to go all different places where they’ve never been and they don’t have that expertise, local expertise. You’re messing around with something that is working well.

There is a high cost of inaction, with $1.2 billion total insured catastrophic losses in Ontario in 2022. I don’t know; you’re not paying attention to that.

I could go on and on and on about conservation authorities, but I think we’ll switch over. We will switch to

schedule 18, Wasaga Beach. I missed another one. Okay. We’ll do Wasaga Beach first, my hometown area.

As you know, I spent many a summer in Wasaga Beach, because I grew up in Collingwood. I was actually a lifeguard down there, so I know the area very well. This is an interesting one, because the town would like to develop and add some economic viability—more economic viability. I know Nancy Island. It definitely needs an investment. It’s a historic site. It’s a bit under disrepair, so I’m with you on that. I’m throwing you one teensy bone, one teensy bone you’re getting for that, Nancy Island. That’s the only thing. But I worry this might set precedents, so I’m just telling you, to be very careful with Wasaga Beach.

Ontario Place, on the other hand—there’s going to be no bones thrown for that because that is a dog’s breakfast, what you’ve done with it. The most beautiful, open green space you remember from your childhood, and you could have done something really innovative. You know, a design call with landscape architects or the universities and colleges. A design competition; how fun would that be? Instead, in a time of an affordability crisis, a health care crisis, a climate emergency, you feel the best thing you can do for Ontarians is put in a spa.

A $2.2 billion spa—never mind the parking lot—on Toronto’s waterfront, one of the most gorgeous waterfronts in Canada, I would argue. It’s a gem, it’s a jewel, and what are you doing? A spa. That’s the answer. All your troubles will go away when you’re floating in that hot tub. You’ll forget about the housing crisis. You’ll forget about not being able to get groceries. You’ll just be floating around, all Zen, at peace.

My last thing, in my couple of minutes: schedules 7 and 8, electoral reform. Wow; I don’t know what to say about that. You guys do not have a good record on electoral reform. Look at what you did in the middle of the 2018 election—

Mr. Anthony Leardi: Fixed it.

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: Toronto election; not your municipality, Mr. Essex. Didn’t mess with your councillors; didn’t mess with your mayor.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Address the Speaker, please.

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: Through you, Mr. Speaker, to the member from Essex: You still have all your councillors, but this government chose to target Toronto, cut Toronto city council in half in the middle of an election. Who does that? Who does that? What is that, some wild czar? The Premier would know, as a city councillor, as I do, the workload—the development applications alone are a full-time job, never mind constituency assistance, events, speaking, that kind of thing. But you cut city council from 44 councillors and a mayor. You cut it in half—wow, not a good track record—in the middle of an election.

You also just whip up the idea to have an election day whenever you want. Even my American friends are shocked that a government would just pull a date out of a hat and say, “Hey, this is when I want it.” But what you’re doing with this super-short writ is you’re favouring incumbents. You’re favouring yourself. I’m a term-limit girl, and I ran on term limits—

Interjection.

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: Maybe it’s time.

Here’s the thing: By that super-short writ—it’s an affront on democracy. You are telling people you can’t run for office, because it is very difficult, as you know, to get out there and to get talking to people in that short time.

All I will say to you: Stop meddling in things that are working well and fix what is broken.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Questions?

Mr. Matthew Rae: Good morning, colleagues, good morning. My question will be to my colleague from Beaches–East York this morning. I just was wondering if she supports parliamentary democracy, because that’s the system we’re in and we actually don’t have fixed election dates under the constitution.

But my question is related to

schedule 17. I know she didn’t get time to talk about

schedule 17 in her remarks this morning, because she was going through some of the other schedules. But in

schedule 17, we’re expanding the manufacturing tax credit to foreign-controlled companies operating in Ontario. Some are in my riding.

Last night in the debate from the member from Peterborough–Kawartha was talking about snow plows. Actually, every snow plow is manufactured and assembled in Mount Forest, Ontario, by Viking—American-owned and, obviously, challenges with the steel.

Will the member opposite be supporting

schedule 17 in the fall economic statement and the bill in front of this House, and supporting those good-paying jobs in Perth–Wellington and across Ontario?

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: Thank you to the member from Perth–Wellington. What I will say to that member: Congratulations on becoming a new dad.

And yes, anything I can do to support local businesses in Ontario, I like to do. And you know, that’s an interesting story about the snow plows and that business in Mount Forest. I know you represent a great area.

But what I would say is, what you do with your bills is you sprinkle in a couple of decent things with a million poison pills. How do you expect us to support that when you’re killing the conservation authorities, you’re killing Ontario Place and you’re killing cap-and-trade?

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Questions?

Mr. Chris Glover: I’ll address my questions to the member from Beaches–East York. I want to thank you for your comments today. I could hear the passion coming out, especially when you started using language like “baloney” to describe this government’s bill.

Last Thursday, my staff were going through this bill, Bill 68, and they found in

schedule 15 a

section about Ontario Place. It said that they’re expanding the Ontario Place project to include a bunch of property identification numbers. We asked what those property identification numbers were; it turns out it’s all of the Exhibition grounds. And so, now the Exhibition grounds will be part of the Ontario Place project, where this government has passed legislation that says that they can seize ownership of any property that they need to or they want to, and they can violate any provincial and municipal law. Does that fit your definition of baloney?

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: I should probably use a plant-based description, so maybe vegan baloney—

Interjections.

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: Celery? Tofu?

I know that the member from Spadina–Fort York has been very passionate about the waterfront, as we all are in Toronto, and we all should be in Ontario. And what is happening to Ontario Place is—I’m going to try and use parliamentary language—is shocking, alarming, unnecessary and immensely destructive to Ontarians as a whole.

This little, kind of sneaky business of adding other properties while people aren’t paying attention—for crying out loud, Ontarians have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure out the fine print, as we do. Exhibition Place belongs to itself. There’s a royal winter fair. There’s a—

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Further questions?

Mr. Adil Shamji: My question is for the outstanding member for Beaches–East York.

Interjections.

Mr. Adil Shamji: I’ll certainly clap for that.

It’s well recognized that you are quite the expert on environmental issues. I’ve heard you speak at length about some of the risks to flooding, and I’ve heard you provide a lot of your advice on flood mitigation, flood prevention. Could I ask you to lean on your experience around flooding issues and environmental issues to speak to some of the things that you wish you had seen in this legislation?

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: The conservation authorities have helped protect Ontario for years—they truly have. The members know it because they are in your ridings. They deserve Orders of Canada for the work they do. You don’t mess with them, because once you do, you’re going to have a colossal disaster on your hands. We know the price: In BC, the price tag was $9 billion; in Alberta, it was $5 billion.

We need to be preventative and proactive, and I begged you to do that. I even had a private member’s bill on flooding awareness and emergency preparedness. You guys seemed to want to support it, and then what? You killed it.

Don’t mess with things that are working well. Focus on the messes we need to clean up, health care being one.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Further questions?

Mr. Joseph Racinsky: I listened to the member from Don Valley West, and my question is for her. I tried to follow what she was saying, and it was typical Liberal double-speak. She was talking about the deficit—

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Withdraw, please.

Mr. Joseph Racinsky: Withdraw.

She was talking about the deficit but also the lack of investment. My question is: Does she think we should solve those problems, like we believe, by growing the economy or—

Interjections.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Order. I need to be able to hear the member speak, please.

Interjection: “Double-speak,” he said.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): He withdrew.

Continue your question.

Mr. Joseph Racinsky: Should we solve those problems by growing the economy, like we have done, or should we take a page out of the Liberal playbook and raise taxes?

Ms. Stephanie Bowman: I’m not sure where to begin. I’m going to quote the finance minister. I don’t know where to begin. This government has had nine quarters of rising unemployment. This government has seen debt per capita rise by 15%. This government is on a path to half a trillion dollars in debt. This government inherited a province where we had an unemployment rate of 5.8%. It’s been as high as 7.8%.

This government doesn’t know how to manage the economy; they can’t manage their own books. We have a Treasury Board Secretariat and a President of the Treasury Board who has no control over the Skills Development Fund.

I am not going to listen to the member from Wellington–Halton Hills tell me about how to manage the economy. Last time I checked, he didn’t sit on the board of the Bank of Canada.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Questions?

Mr. Chris Glover: I’ll ask another question of the member from Beaches–East York. You were a city councillor. We asked the government, “Why did you bury in this bill the power to seize control and ownership of Exhibition Place and the power to break any municipal or provincial law on it? Why was it buried in code within this bill with a bunch of PIN numbers?” Their response was, “Well, we want to give ourselves the power to quickly build the Ontario Place project, and we’re doing this in the spirit of collaboration.”

When you were a city councillor, did anybody ever say, “Hey, we’re going to seize control and potential ownership of the property that you own, but we’re doing it in the spirit of collaboration”?

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: Well, I think if they did, they’d go to jail. But that didn’t happen when I was there. I don’t know what this government’s obsession is with Toronto—other than the Premier wanting to be mayor—

Ms. Stephanie Bowman: And Prime Minister.

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: And Prime Minister—but there’s so much municipal meddling, but it’s specifically Toronto-focused—speed cameras, bike lanes, cutting council in half. Why don’t you focus on Ontario?

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Address the Speaker, please.

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: It’s a compliment that you like Toronto but leave it alone; leave what’s working alone. Build houses; get people out of the hallways in the hospitals; invest in climate action; get your act together, get your books together and stop meddling in things that are working well.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): I’ll go to further debate. I recognize the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hon. Rob Flack: Well good morning, Speaker, great to be here today. I didn’t get to enjoy the night sitting last night. I was here for a while but I thought the Speaker did an outstanding job in hosting last night. The House has never looked better, in my humble opinion, at least since I’ve been here.

Obviously, it’s an honour to rise in the House today to speak on Bill 68, Plan to Protect Ontario Act, a plan that reflects our continued commitment to building a stronger, more resilient and self-reliant Ontario.

As I stand here, I am reminded of the strength and determination of the people of this great province: the small business owners who open their doors before sunrise; the families who balance work and caring for loved ones; the health care workers, educators and skilled trades people who keep our communities thriving; the municipalities that play a vital role in making our community strong; and the farmers that feed our cities. These are the people this plan is for.

Around the world, all of us around, we are seeing uncertainty and we’ve got to hit the pause button. Global markets are shifting; interest rates remain high. The international shifting of financial and money market considerations have echoes and impacts here at home. We see it within our housing sector, and as I’ve said repeatedly, it is our job as a provincial government to help Ontario’s small business owners, families, professionals and tradespeople to weather these tough times.

It’s for us to set the foundation for us to grow, prosper and build Ontario. That is why our government is not standing still. We are facing these challenges head on with a plan rooted in prudence, discipline and optimism because our fiscal plan and the measures proposed in this bill will help drive it forward. It is about balance—balance between investing in the public service Ontario depends on and maintaining the fiscal flexibility needed to respond to a changing world. It’s about protecting the progress we have made while ensuring our province can adapt, grow and lead in the years ahead.

This plan recognizes that Ontario’s future depends on empowering our people and businesses to compete, to grow and to lead not just in Ontario, but on the global stage. Ontario has never been a province that waits for opportunity. We build opportunity and through this plan, through targeted investments, responsible fiscal management and an unwavering focus on growth, we are positioning Ontario to be the most competitive place in the G7 to invest, create jobs and do business.

That’s what this bill represents: a clear, confident path forward, one that protects workers, families and businesses today while building a stronger tomorrow for every region and for every community in this province.

The foundation of this plan is a continued and unwavering commitment to the public services that matter most to the people of Ontario such as health care, education and making our community safer. These public services are not just line items on a balance sheet. These are pillars that support strong communities and our growing economy. In a time of global uncertainty, we are maintaining those pillars while staying fiscally responsible in how we protect Ontario both progressively and for our future.

Over the past year, our government has continued to make historic investments to strengthen our health care system. We’re building new hospitals and expanding existing ones in every corner of the province. From the new Windsor–Essex Acute Care Hospital to redevelopments in Ottawa and Bowmanville, these investments would add approximately 3,000 beds over the decade, significantly increasing access to health care.

At the same time, we are investing in the people who form the backbone of our health-care system by expanding training, improving recruitment and recognizing international credentials. We are not just filling vacant job positions. We are strengthening the resilience of Ontario’s health system for the future and creating rewarding, good-paying professional careers.

As the Minister of Finance announced this month, we are also investing $1.1 billion in home care services and hospital-to-home programs, because Ontarians deserve the right care in the right place, and that starts at home.

Speaker, we are doing the same in education, ensuring students have the support and opportunities they need to succeed in a changing world. We are building new schools, expanding access to skilled trades and supporting the delivery of science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs, or STEM programs. These program investments alone will fund 20,500 STEM seats per year at our post-secondary institutions.

That’s not all. Just as it’s important that we ensure our students are set up to succeed, so too are we helping to ensure a pillar of every community in Ontario is set up for success. Municipalities are key partners in keeping our communities strong, and we are committed to supporting them so they can continue serving their communities effectively.

Through this plan, and a measure proposed in this bill, our government is taking steps to strengthen and simplify the administration of education property taxes. We’re proposing updates to the Education Act that will streamline and reduce the administrative workload or burden on municipalities and on school boards. These are practical, good-governance changes to support municipal and school board administrative processes.

Just as we are simplifying processes for our municipal partners, we are also investing in the infrastructure that keeps our province moving. We are continuing to invest in the infrastructure that connects our province: new highways and public transit projects, from the Bradford Bypass and Highway 413 to the Ontario Line and GO Transit expansions. These projects aren’t just about moving people faster; it’s about improving the lives of so many Ontarians. These projects are unlocking economic growth, improving productivity and connecting workers to opportunity. These are all the ways we are protecting Ontario families, workers, farmers and caregivers.

However, we are not done, Madam Speaker. We are making it easier for families to get into their first home. Through our plan, first-time homebuyers can now receive an 8% HST rebate on the provincial portion, helping them keep more money in their pockets as they take this important first step. This is a practical measure that supports working families, encourages home ownership and ensures Ontario’s economy continues to grow in a way that’s sustainable and inclusive.

It is also a strong step towards getting Ontario building, to build the new homes current and future Ontario residents will need. I have said so many times, it takes too long and it costs too much to build here in Ontario, and this bill, this plan, is a strong step forward in reducing the costs, the burdens, to homebuyers and, also, to homebuilders. That alone is worthy of support, and I encourage every member to join in endorsing this important plan.

Madam Speaker, through it all, our government remains guided by the same principles that have defined our approach since day one: responsible stewardship of public dollars, strategic investment in what matters most and flexibility to adapt as conditions change.

We are proving that it’s possible to invest in Ontario’s future without compromising our fiscal integrity. To build a province that’s both compassionate and competitive—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I apologize, but we are out of time, and it is now time to move to members’ statements.

Second reading debate deemed adjourned.

Members’ Statements

Caleb Holland

Mr. Lorne Coe: I rise today to recognize an extraordinary young person in Whitby: the 12-year-old author, Caleb Holland, who’s demonstrating both creativity and compassion well beyond his years.

I had the pleasure of attending a fundraiser hosted by Caleb to support the publishing of his first book, The T-Rex King, a project born from his imagination and dedication.

What makes his efforts truly inspiring is that he’s not only focused on his own dream, but he’s also collecting tween and teen fiction books to donate to other children in Malawi.

Through his actions, he’s promoting literacy, generosity and the belief that stories can empower and uplift. His initiative reminds us that leadership and community spirit can begin at any age.

I encourage Whitby residents to support this young author’s mission and celebrate the impact he’s already making. He’s a shining example, Speaker, of what happens when passion meets purpose.

Congratulations, Caleb, on this remarkable accomplishment.

Affordable housing

Ms. Chandra Pasma: We’re in a housing crisis in Ontario. Rents are sky high and homelessness is at record levels. In Ottawa West–Nepean, large corporate landlords like Accora, Homestead, Minto and Paramount are issuing above-guideline rent increases year after year after year. The number of bad-faith evictions and renovictions is increasing as landlords try to push out renters so they can jack up the rent on the next tenant, like what happened at Aspen Towers last year.

These are the challenges that a government that was truly interested in addressing access to housing would be tackling. Instead, this government is ramming through Bill 60, a bill which helps big corporate landlords, but completely abandons renters.

Tenants already face an uneven playing field at the Landlord and Tenant Board. When tenants are served notice of an above-guideline rent increase or a renoviction, they have to wait a year just to face off against corporate lawyers on Zoom, like the seniors at 2400 Carling, who are fighting an AGI for the second year in a row.

They were denied an in-person hearing that would have accommodated residents who don’t have Internet access and aren’t familiar with digital technology. My office had to coordinate with ACORN just to make sure that the residents were set up to participate. These seniors also don’t have the same resources to hire a lawyer that Paramount has.

The government is pushing this bill through without even allowing people to come and share how this bill will impact them. They don’t want to hear from tenants. They’ve made it very clear what side they’re on and it’s not the side of families, students and seniors.

Volunteers

Mrs. Karen McCrimmon: What a memorable constituency week: poignant Remembrance Day ceremonies and amazing meetings with veterans, students, businesses and constituents, all who inspired me greatly.

On Saturday, I ran into Bani. She was a page here from Kanata–Carleton earlier this session. She was selling bracelets that she had made—multi-talented. My favourite was one that said, “Be kind.” That spoke to me and I’m proud to wear her artistry every day.

Speaker, there are people struggling across our province—people who are lonely, scared, many having a hard time putting food on the table or making ends meet. People need our help. With kindness and generosity, we can make a real difference in the lives of members of all of our communities.

This year, the Kanata Santa Claus Parade is raising funds and donations for the Kanata Food Cupboard, who are celebrating 40 years of helping those in need. Wonderful, committed volunteers—neighbours helping neighbours.

Next month are parades in Constance Bay, Carp and Fitzroy Harbour—all run by volunteers aiming to make the Christmas season just a little bit brighter.

Speaker, I’m just so proud of everyone who puts kindness and generosity at the forefront. We can choose to make a world of difference. Let’s do it together.

Columbus Centre

Mrs. Michelle Cooper: In the heart of Eglinton–Lawrence stands a true landmark of our city’s Italian community: the Columbus Centre.

For more than 40 years, the Columbus Centre has been a gathering place where generations have come together to celebrate culture, language, art and sport. It is where young people learn to swim, seniors share espresso and stories, and families come together to honour their proud heritage.

This centre isn’t just a building; it’s the living soul of Toronto’s Italian Canadian community. From festivals and concerts to fitness and education, it embodies the values of hard work, family and community that help build our province.

I want to thank Villa Charities, its volunteers and everyone who continues to make the Columbus Centre a beacon of culture, inclusion and community spirit in our city, especially in the heart of Eglinton–Lawrence. They have an Italian heritage wall. They are here with us today: CEO Marco DeVuono and his entire team from Villa Charities. It’s such an honour to see you here in the House to be part of this special day with me. Thank you for being here. Thank you for coming to your House and spending time with us here today. Welcome.

National Addictions Awareness Week

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: Yesterday was the beginning of National Addictions Awareness Week. In my riding of St. Catharines, a flag was raised symbolizing hope, recovery, compassion and shared goals of combatting stigma.

Organizations like Community Addiction Services of Niagara, Positive Living, Start Me Up Niagara, YWCA and ARID, to name a few, each work in tandem with our most vulnerable residents, providing critical harm reduction programs and recovery support.

Since the beginning of 2025, Niagara paramedics have responded to no less than almost 400 suspected opioid overdoses, an average of 55 a month. In August, Positive Living Niagara responded to seven suspected overdose calls in a single afternoon. And get this: The provincial average for opioid-related ER visits from January to March of this year sits at 36.9% per 100,000 people, and Niagara sits at an alarming 48.8%.

Opioid-related deaths are 100% preventable. Wraparound services that are accessible and provide targeted care is how we save lives, ease tension in our health care system and alleviate wait times in our emergency rooms. This National Addictions Awareness Week, I call on this government to commit to continue funding our safe consumption sites straight across Ontario.

Barry Callebaut chocolate factory

Mr. Will Bouma: Speaker, last week, I had the pleasure of attending the ribbon cutting of Barry Callebaut’s new chocolate factory in my riding. This $146-million investment into the Brantford facility represents Barry Callebaut’s largest North American investment to date.

Brantford–Brant is quickly becoming one of Ontario’s fastest-growing food-manufacturing regions. Investments such as this bring jobs to countless employees across manufacturing, R&D and customer-facing roles who live our shared values of quality and innovation.

There’s a reason this world-class company chose to invest in our community. It says a lot about who we are: hard-working people, proud of what we make and ready to compete with the best anywhere. And it says a lot about our government, a government that enables and believes in this kind of growth, growth that starts in places like Brantford, in real industries, with real people.

Speaker, I am proud to represent a community that continues to grow and thrive. Achievements like this are the result of hard work by local leaders, trades-workers, and of course, the fantastic team at Callebaut. Last week, I had the opportunity to see the results of that hard work, and our community will continue to see them tomorrow and next week and in the next years as Brantford–Brant continues to be the best place to live, work, play and raise a family.

Tenant protection

MPP Catherine McKenney: Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Carleton University Students’ Association for their excellent report, No Room for Students: Closing the Rent Loophole That’s Driving Us Out.

This report exposes a brutal reality: Seven out of 10 students spend more than 30% of their income on housing. In Ottawa, students pay 25% more than the median rent because of how often they must move. Students are being systematically priced out—not by accident, but by design.

The culprit is vacancy decontrol. While sitting tenants have modest protections, the moment a student moves out—for a co-op, a new academic year—corporate landlords raise the rent to whatever they want. With student turnover rates nearly double the average, young people are being gouged at every turn. And now, Bill 60 makes it worse, cutting notice periods for the LTB, slashing appeal times, silencing tenants.

CUSA’s recommendations are clear and achievable: restore vacancy control and eliminate the post-2018 rent control exemption.

Speaker, when students are priced out, everyone is priced out. This government should listen to these young people, adopt their recommendations and treat housing as the human right it is.

Ontario had vacancy control before. We can have it again. CUSA has shown us the way.

Joseph Brant Hospital

Ms. Natalie Pierre: This past summer, I joined Minister Jones, Associate Minister Thanigasalam, hospital leadership, donors and members of the Burlington community to mark the beginning of a transformative redevelopment at Joseph Brant Hospital.

Together, we kicked off the redevelopment of the new, expanded and modern mental health and addictions in-patient unit at JBH. The new unit will feature private rooms with ensuite washrooms, specialized therapeutic spaces, a new six-bed adult psychiatric intensive care unit and an outdoor courtyard overlooking Lake Ontario. These upgrades will create a safer, dignified and healing environment for individuals experiencing mental health illness.

Speaker, this project is not just about construction; it’s about ensuring people in my community of Burlington and the surrounding areas can access high-quality mental health and addictions care closer to home.

I’d like to recognize the generous donors that helped turn this project into reality, including Michael and Laura Paletta for their generous $5-million donation. I’d also like to recognize the commitment of the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation.

Phase 2 of the redevelopment project will also include a new outpatient unit and a Child and Youth Mental Health Day. This redevelopment will strengthen care in my community for years to come.

I’m proud to support this work and grateful for everyone helping to bring this vision forward.

Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund

Mr. Anthony Leardi: I have more great news from the riding of Essex, this time for the municipality of Lakeshore, which applied for the funding available under the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, a fund offered by the government of Ontario to build housing across the province of Ontario. The municipality of Lakeshore was successful and will be receiving a grant in the amount of $32 million to help build water infrastructure in the municipality—these are water lines, sewer lines—and also to help fix flooding that’s occurring in the municipality.

As a result of this grant, Lakeshore will be able to add many more housing units to its housing inventory, including single-family homes, semi-detached homes, multi-residential homes. Everybody who wants to find a home in Lakeshore will find what they are looking for.

I want to congratulate Lakeshore, and in particular the mayor of Lakeshore, Tracey Bailey, on the success of this grant, and thank the Minister of Infrastructure and the Premier of Ontario for this Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund. Together, we are building in Ontario and building every day.

GO Transit

Ms. Aislinn Clancy: This weekend, trains are finally travelling down the tracks between Kitchener, Guelph and Toronto on the weekend. So whether you’re going to a game or you’re visiting family or, like myself, travelling to Toronto for work, this direct train will mean that life is more comfortable, convenient and affordable for everyone. And it will ease congestion, meaning less soul-crushing commutes for everybody.

I want to give a huge shout out to Aaron and the team at Metrolinx, a shout-out to Minister Sarkaria, regional MPPs, the K-W chamber of commerce, TriTAG, the city of Kitchener, the city of Guelph, the city of Waterloo, the region and the more than 12,000 people who sent emails in the past few months and the thousands more that signed petitions to get this project off the ground. The response was epic, and I’m so grateful we could do this together.

But we know that as many people travel into the region as travel to Toronto for work, so we need to keep pushing for two-way, all-day GO. We know that transit that is affordable, comfortable and convenient is the best way to tackle congestion and climate change right now, together.

Thank you, everybody, for your participation. It’s been great to have everyone involved in this awesome project.

House sittings

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

Hon. Steve Clark: I would like to advise the House that the night sitting scheduled for this evening is cancelled.

Introduction of Visitors

Hon. Mike Harris: We have some distinguished guests here today, but I want to recognize one of them specifically: Chief John Riches from the Waterloo region paramedics is joining us today.

Hon. Trevor Jones: A very warm welcome to the team from Ontario Pork, hosting lunch in rooms 228 and 230 after question period; to Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers—they’re also hosting a meeting in 228 and 230 this evening. And finally, one of our fan favourites is Chicken Farmers of Ontario, who are featuring fresh chicken wings tonight.

Thank you to all the members on both sides of the House for taking meetings with the farmers who feed cities across Ontario and the world. Have a great—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hon. Graydon Smith: I just want to recognize and welcome a special guest from my riding, Matt Thomas. He’s the chief of the Parry Sound District Paramedic Service. Thank you for being here. Thank you for your service.

M me France Gélinas: I would like to recognize Dr. Tunde-Byass, Dr. Evo, Dr. Filipe Santos, Ms. Megan Lacy, Dr. Sarah Khan, Dr. Natasha Johnson, Julie Sobowale and all the international medical graduates, including Dr. Rachis, who are here today. Welcome to Queen’s Park. Welcome—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Don Valley North.

Mr. Jonathan Tsao: Speaker, I wish to introduce Daniel Breton, president and CEO of Electric Mobility Canada. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Mike Schreiner: I, too, want to welcome the pork producers, and the fruit and vegetable growers, but a special shout-out to the Chicken Farmers of Ontario, who just opened their new office in Guelph just last month, with a special shout-out to Carleigh Johnston, communications business partner at Chicken Farmers of Ontario, who’s here from Guelph today.

Ms. Bobbi Ann Brady: From my riding, my friend and community champion Henk Lise, district committee representative for the Chicken Farmers of Ontario. Welcome back to the House, Henk.

MPP Billy Denault: I want to introduce an innovative representative from my riding, Chief Nolan, county of Renfrew’s chief paramedic, who is here with Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs. Chief Nolan, welcome to your House and enjoy question period.

Mrs. Daisy Wai: I rise to wish my minister, the oldest MPP in the House and the most respected senior, who is too busy to grow old—our Minister Raymond Cho, who is only 89 years young—a happy birthday—

Applause.

Mr. Adil Shamji: This morning, I would like to welcome the members of the Lung Health Foundation to the chamber. Notably, I’d like to welcome Scott and Wendy Bailey, who are COPD patient and care advocates; along with Jessica Buckley, the CEO of Lung Health Foundation; Donna Duncan; Husna Malik, Erin Dufour, Kait Allen; and Donna Cansfield.

Hon. Kevin Holland: From Thunder Bay, I want to give a warm welcome to Shane Muir, chief of Superior North EMS.

Mr. Will Bouma: I’d like to welcome a chicken farmer from Brantford–Brant, Ryan Game.

Ms. Natalie Pierre: I’d like to welcome Greg Sage, chief of Halton Region Paramedic Services. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I’m delighted to welcome London West constituent and paramedic chief Stephen Turner to the Legislature today.

Ms. Lee Fairclough: I, too, would like to welcome the Lung Health Foundation, and a special welcome to previous member of this Legislature Donna Cansfield.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: A couple of members from the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs: Greg Sage, the president; Troy Cheseboro, vice-president; and Mike Nolan, vice-president. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Jill Dunlop: Today, I’m pleased to welcome Robert Savage and Tom Roberts, who will be visiting us at Queen’s Park.

Enjoy your day, your lunch and your tour. Thank you for being here.

Mrs. Michelle Cooper: I want to welcome, from Eglinton–Lawrence, Villa Charities to Queen’s Park: Marco, Joseph, Mary, Ingrid, Kathleen, Anto, Therese, Allan, Linda, Gabriella, Tara, Lisa and Daniela, welcome.

MPP George Darouze: Speaker, it’s a great pleasure to welcome the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs to the chamber today.

I’d like to especially welcome Chief Pierre Poirier of the Ottawa Paramedic Service to the House today. Chief Poirier is a great chief. It was a pleasure for me, working with him at the city of Ottawa.

Welcome to your House.

Mr. Joseph Racinsky: I want to welcome my 2025 interns: Xavier Jones and Jason Holliday. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Vijay Thanigasalam: Speaker, I would like to welcome the Federation of Canada Nepal Chamber of Commerce. Welcome to Queen’s Park today.

Hon. Michael Parsa: Joining us from Aurora–Oak Ridges–Richmond Hill is York region chief Chris Spearen, from the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs.

Welcome to Queen’s Park.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): We have a number of special guests with us as well today, as mentioned: the former member for Etobicoke Centre in the 38th, 39th and 40th Parliaments, Donna Cansfield—and joining us in the Speaker’s gallery is a former Speaker, the member for Elgin–Middlesex–London in the 37th, 38th and 39th Parliaments, and the Speaker in the 39th Parliament, Steve Peters.

Legislative pages

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I would now like to invite the pages to assemble for their introduction.

Before I introduce them, I’d like to let the members know that two of our pages are actually the daughters of our assembly family members, so you’re going to have to guess which two; you may tell by the way they blush.

From Ajax, Shriya Bhatt; from University–Rosedale, Jasper Chandra; from Don Valley East, Thridev Chandramouliswar; from Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock, Mairead Charpentier; from Scarborough North, Andrew Darwin; from Oakville North–Burlington, Julian Duan; from Beaches–East York, Emelin Dumessa; from Parkdale–High Park, Oskar Gambhir; from Kitchener South–Hespeler, Murphy Harris; from Toronto–Danforth, Violet Harris; from Sarnia–Lambton, Anna Hatch; from Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte, Luke Hu; from Etobicoke–Lakeshore, Manélie Lavictoire; from Markham–Unionville, Adelaide Lim; from Wellington–Halton Hills, Olivia Morris; from Eglinton–Lawrence, Mila Morzaria; from Don Valley North, Manaswini Nanda Kumar; from Spadina–Fork York, Ojas Sharma; from Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry, Ithaca Silva; from Mississauga–Erin Mills, Raj Somaia; from Mississauga–Lakeshore, Tristan Stefely; from Davenport, David Tabachnick; from Northumberland–Peterborough South, Lucas Alexander Teo; and from York–Simcoe, Emery Warner.

We welcome all to Queen’s Park.

Applause.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): And if you’re wondering which two are our family members, or the daughters of our families—it’s the page from Markham–Unionville and our page from York–Simcoe. So there you go.

Welcome, everyone. I know your parents are proud.

Question Period

Government accountability

Ms. Marit Stiles: My question is for the Premier.

Yesterday, the Premier said that he’s not worried about the OPP investigation into government funds that are going to Keel Digital Solutions. In fact, he bragged that the system is working.

If the system is working, why did it take two years to trigger a forensic audit of Keel Digital Solutions?

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

Hon. Nolan Quinn: As I said yesterday, within 24 hours of receiving the results of this audit, the matter was referred to the OPP.

Let me tell you what we are doing for the publicly funded system. Over the last two years, we’ve invested almost $2.5 billion into our post-secondary system. This year, in budget 2025, which the opposition did vote down, we invested another billion dollars into the post-secondary system—our publicly assisted post-secondary system. That’s another 100,000 funded seats that have come online to all institutions, whether they’re colleges, universities or Indigenous institutes. Of those seats, over 20,000 of them are new STEM seats—on top of the 70,000 STEM grads who are graduating every single year.

We’ll continue to be there, time and time again, for the post-secondary system, whether it’s with new nursing seats, new teaching seats or new construction-related seats. We’ll continue to make those strategic investments for the post-secondary system.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Supplementary?

Ms. Marit Stiles: Speaker, back to the Premier—but I’ll add that 10,000 good jobs gone in the college sector is nothing to brag about.

The only reason the Premier thinks that the system is working is because it’s letting him and his ministers run a friends-and-family scheme on taxpayer dollars.

We now know—because the Toronto Star has also reported—that bureaucrats were sounding the alarm about Keel’s SDF application. But instead of listening to the experts, the Minister of Labour hand-picked that company anyway.

So, back to the Premier: Why did his minister ignore the flags that were raised by experts about Keel’s application?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The Minister of Labour.

Hon. David Piccini: Speaker, the projects selected advance the priorities of government and the program which, at its core, is to train people.

We know a priority of this government is mental health. In fact, just later this week, I’ll be meeting with the Police Association of Ontario to talk about mental health for their front-line responders. It’s a priority of this government, and in some services, with 20% off with PTSD, we have to do more to support them.

The reality is, we have a risk assessment process for the SDF program, that I developed with the ministry, where the deputy minister is able to deselect an applicant if they feel the risk of the project is too high. That’s what I say when I say we work with the ministry to continue to improve the integrity of the program.

I appreciate the opportunity to highlight more in the supplementary on additional programs we’re doing to support mental health of construction workers.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: Back to the Premier—but now it’s the deputy minister’s fault?

Follow along here: Endless, endless embarrassing headlines, and yet the Premier just keeps digging his heels in to protect this Minister of Labour. He claims the system is working—but working for who? Not for the honest, hard-working people of Ontario, I can tell you. But for the Premier’s lobbyist friends, for the Conservative Party donors—yes, for sure, you betcha.

An audit, an OPP investigation, warnings from ministry evaluators—but apparently nothing was going to stop this minister from getting millions in taxpayer dollars to that company.

Back to the Premier: Why were these red flags not enough to prevent the Minister of Labour from giving government grants to Keel Digital Solutions?

Hon. David Piccini: Speaker, as I said, it’s a back and forth with our ministry officials. Over the course of successive rounds, we’ve implemented monthly reporting, from spot audits to now a full audit, the risk assessment process after projects are selected that support the priorities of government and the program.

I want to talk about another one: the De Novo Treatment Centre in Huntsville, a union-supported training centre—another program we’re supporting to tackle mental health and challenges. We know it’s a problem that affects the construction sector, which is why I was proud to visit it with the member for Parry Sound–Muskoka this past summer, where we met with workers who are getting back to work faster, driving productivity and driving this government’s build agenda—a $200-billion plan that’s advancing critical projects in public transit; critical projects for roads, highways, bridges; new nuclear.

These are projects we’re investing in that are supporting workers. The members opposite vote against each and every one of these nation-building projects.

Government accountability

Ms. Marit Stiles: Speaker, back to the Premier again. The Premier may not want to face it, but the Auditor General’s report on this fund exposed very serious issues about how this minister is administering public funds, and every day it just gets worse.

I want to remind you that the auditor’s report points very clearly to the fact that this government is using the SDF fund as a pay-to-play scheme, but that’s not all. If you look on page 23 of the Auditor General’s report, she warns as well about other Ministry of Labour funding streams that are administered the same way as this fund. I want to know, does this mean the minister has his hand in all of those pots too?

To the Premier: How many government funding streams is the Premier using as pay-to-play schemes?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The Minister of Labour.

Hon. David Piccini: Speaker, as I said, this government is supporting the training of workers—the training of workers that will help in uncertain economic times when we’ve got a President south of the border leading an all-out assault on key sectors of Ontario’s economy.

This was implemented in the wake of the pandemic, and, as I said, we’re working with the Auditor General to continue to strengthen the program. I’ve implemented a number of measures as minister to improve the integrity of the program and we’re continuing to train people. At its core, 100,000 workers have gained employment within 60 days or less. It’s people getting better training for better jobs with bigger paycheques.

Just yesterday, I was at Union Station—Alberici—and I met Marvin, one of the graduates of the Hammer Heads Program, that is helping socio-economically disadvantaged youth from across Ontario. He’s now a 10-year employee working on the most ambitious public transit project in Ontario’s history. We’re proud to make those investments—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Supplementary?

Ms. Marit Stiles: I tell you, Speaker, it really boggles the mind here how this minister can use working people of this province as a shield for his behaviour. It is shocking.

There is a very dark cloud hanging over this government and every single government member—every single member of this chamber knows it. The only person who doesn’t seem to understand that is the Premier, right? He’s the only one who doesn’t seem to understand that this minister needs to go. He is digging his heels in to defend this minister while Ontario is in the middle of a jobs disaster.

What is it going to take for the Premier to take this seriously and fire this minister?

Hon. David Piccini: Speaker, we stand beside workers. We stand beside them to advance their best interests—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Order.

Hon. David Piccini: Just yesterday, I was at Rosedale Valley, a bridge with Bridgecon, where I met Lewis there, another worker I stand beside. Through Oaks Revitalization—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Order.

Hon. David Piccini: —he’s gotten a second chance at life. He is now a taxpaying member of Local 183—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Order.

Hon. David Piccini: It has changed his life, and he is working on the critical infrastructure that they oppose.

It’s no wonder organized labour has abandoned them in droves—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Order.

Hon. David Piccini: —because they don’t support building. At its core, that’s what this is about: building. That puts these members to work—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Order.

Hon. David Piccini: —supporting the training for new nuclear plants. Again, they oppose those new nuclear plants, like the one we’re exploring in my own riding, Speaker, or small modular—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I apologize to the minister. I will caution the comments that I’m hearing on the opposition side. If it happens again, someone will be warned.

Back to the minister.

Hon. David Piccini: Speaker, these are factual projects that the government is investing in to nation-build. At a time when we’ve got to stand up for Canada, stand up for Ontario and support our workers, we’re making the investments to build a better tomorrow for our grandkids. We’re not going to apologize for that, Speaker.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: Everyone in this room, and all across this province, knows what needs to happen. It is disappointing, to say the least, to see the Premier continue to condone this behaviour and to see this Minister of Labour drag working people and their unions in them through the muck because of his behaviour.

Workers at CAMI at Ingersoll or in Brampton and Windsor are literally putting their lives on the line to save their jobs. At Titan Tool and Die in Windsor, the workers put their bodies between the trucks taking tools across the border and moving parts south.

Meanwhile, all the Premier seems to be worried about is protecting this minister and keeping his gravy train on track: $2.5 billion of taxpayer dollars used to fill the pockets of the Premier’s insider friends instead of turning around this jobs disaster.

If you will not stand with Ontarians, Premier, and fire your minister, why should anyone trust you?

For many of us who immigrated here who are part of a generation that nation-built, we’re doing that again. That’s what this Premier and this government are focused on: nation-building projects of consequence. Organized labour recognizes that their members get a better job with a bigger paycheque thanks to the investments of this Premier, this finance minister—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Question?

Government accountability

Mr. John Fraser: It’s another day, and more news about the $2.5-billion skills development scandal. Some of that news is, yesterday, the Premier was asked if he or his office intervened on behalf of any skills development clients. His answer was no, which is, I think, kind of hard to believe, because in all the scandals that we’ve seen, like the greenbelt and Ontario Place, we know that all roads lead to the Premier’s office.

So my question to the Premier is—because I want him to be absolutely sure—in this $2.5-billion Skills Development Fund scandal, does he want us to believe that neither he nor anyone in his office—while money was being shovelled out the door to PC insiders, to lobbyists, to people who were friends of the government and friends of the Premier—had absolutely nothing to do with it?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The Minister of Labour.

Hon. David Piccini: We’ve established that skills development funding is supporting rapid training. The only members that are looking at those affiliations is that member opposite. We’ve established it supported funds led by former candidates of the Liberals. But that doesn’t matter; what matters is the training they’re doing. That’s what we’re investing in, Speaker.

We’ve improved the program since its inception. As I mentioned, I incorporated a risk assessment process that my team and I developed with our ministry officials that incorporates that after selection, that gives the deputy the ultimate final say, should the deputy feel that any projects were of high risk. This is a back and forth, a dialogue or a relationship that we have to support training in this province.

Speaker, we also support the recommendations of the Auditor General and are already implementing it today as we speak. But the reality is, we’ve got to support training—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Supplementary?

Mr. John Fraser: I guess that risk assessment process missed the $10 million they gave to the strip club owner. But we’ll talk about that maybe more later.

Speaker, so many of these people are connected to the Premier, like their party donors, their former campaign managers, like Kory Teneycke. You see them in press conferences and in photo ops. Just get on to YouTube and you’ll see the Premier with a whole bunch of Skills Development Fund recipients—some of them that didn’t score so well, Minister.

I know the minister is being protected by the Premier and I’ve got to figure out: Why is that? In any other job, he would be gone. But you know what? If all roads lead to the Premier’s office, once the minister falls, we know where we’re going.

Does the Premier actually want us to believe that his office and himself did not have anything to do with intervening on behalf of any skills fund recipient?

Hon. David Piccini: There we go again, the member denigrating the hospitality sector for some of the largest event spaces in downtown Toronto in a world-class city—front of house, back of house—or other priorities this government selected, like carpenters, like operating engineers; investing in better training, better equipment to build world-class infrastructure, because the first government to truly build on a large scale is this government.

The investments we’ve made—as I mentioned today, Union Station, Highway 413, Bradford Bypass. In fact, the tower cranes we saw in operation just yesterday require highly skilled men and women to operate them, and they need training to do that.

This government will continue to invest in new nuclear in communities like mine, in small modular reactors, in record investments in public transit. Every time, those members vote against it. It’s not surprising that they don’t support the training either.

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

Mr. John Fraser: I hope the Premier and his caucus have a great chiropractor, because it’s going to take more than one session to fix their necks from looking the other way for so long.

This $2.5-billion Skills Development Fund scandal smells, but Keel Digital Solutions sticks out like a sore thumb. We know the minister is in conflict because his friend was lobbying for them. We know that the ministry said they’re going to buy their own software from themselves. We know that it underwent an audit. We know it went to a forensic audit, and now it’s at the OPP anti-rackets squad.

My question for the Premier is, are the Premier and his office incompetent, looking the other way or complicit?

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

Hon. Nolan Quinn: Thank you, Speaker. As I mentioned to that member opposite yesterday, within 24 hours of receiving the forensic audit, we recommended it to go to the OPP at that point.

Again, I’ll tell the member opposite the investments we are doing into our publicly assisted post-secondary system. Through budget 2025, which I’ll remind that member he voted down, we invested another billion dollars into the post-secondary system. That’s on top of $1.3 billion we invested last year into the system—almost $2.5 billion we’ve invested into post-secondary in the last 18 months.

Some of those investments include $750 million into new STEM seats; another $75 million in construction-related seats, skilled trades and planning; $56 million for another 2,200 nursing seats, because we know we need more nurses; as well as $55 million for more teaching seats—there will be another 2,600 new teachers coming online by 2027.

We’ll continue making those strategic investments while the member opposite is no help to anyone.

Government accountability

Mr. John Fraser: I would just like to remind the minister that while they were shovelling money out the door from the Skills Development Fund, he let go 10,000 people from our colleges. I just want to remind him of that.

My next question is for the minister responsible for the Treasury Board. We know that Keel Digital Solutions was the subject of an audit that was later sent to the Treasury Board for a forensic audit, and we now know it’s with the OPP anti-rackets squad. The questions that I have are:

(1) When did the audit begin—the date?

(2) When was the audit finished?

(3) When was the Treasury Board informed of the need for a forensic audit, when did that audit start and when was it received?

Does anybody have an answer to those questions over there?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I’ll remind the member to direct your questions through the Speaker.

The Minister of Colleges and Universities.

Hon. Nolan Quinn: As I just said—I don’t think member was listening—within 24 hours we acted swiftly upon the results of the audit and reported it to the OPP.

Again, Speaker, let me tell you what we are doing for the system: $1 billion in budget 2025 went into the post-secondary system. That’s on top of the $1.3 billion, the largest investment in over a decade. On top of this, we’re doing a funding formula review for the sector. We’ve been listening to the 47 publicly assisted colleges and universities to understand where their needs are.

We’ll continue to make those investments, whether it’s in STEM, nursing, skilled trades. We’ll continue to be there for the sector time and time again, as we always have. It’s the people of Ontario that elected this government because they trust us with the taxpayer funds.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Supplementary?

Mr. John Fraser: You had to give them money because you starved them for so long that they were going to collapse, and you couldn’t let that happen. They fired 10,000 people, Minister. Have you not figured that out?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Through the Speaker.

Mr. John Fraser: That’s embarrassing in this province.

The next question is, how is it that a company under a forensic audit, where we’re saying, “We don’t believe what you’re telling us. We think you’re hiding something”—that’s what a forensic audit is, in case anybody doesn’t know—actually got another grant from government? Does anybody talk to each other? Is anybody taking care of the people’s money there? What else is going on that we don’t know about that you’re not taking care of?

So just how is it that they could receive more money when they were in the middle of a forensic audit or they’re even being audited in the first place? It’s incompetent. How does that happen?

Hon. Nolan Quinn: Twenty-four hours, Speaker: We acted very swiftly upon the recommendation and reported it directly to the OPP.

But you know what? I’ll continue to share the investments we are doing in our post-secondary system: $750 million going into 20,000 STEM seats. That’s 20,000 new STEM grads that are going to come online into our sectors that are needed the most. That’s on top of the 70,000 grads we are graduating annually in the STEM systems.

We have also invested $75 million for 7,800 new seats for construction-related programming.

The first few months on this job, I was at AMO. I heard from our municipal partners, and they were worried about planners—a lack of planners in the system. We invested strategically into the system to bring more planners online. We’ll continue to make those strategic investments, like the $56 million into nursing seats, the $55 million into teaching seats. We’ll continue to make those strategic investments.

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

Mr. John Fraser: Ten thousand people lost their jobs, young people can’t get a course that they need and this minister is crowing about his record. It’s unbelievable.

Maybe I’ll make this easier for the minister. I asked the date. I’m glad you did it in 24 hours, but was it last November, last December, last March? What—October? When? What are the dates? I don’t care that it was 24 hours. That’s great. Besides, it wasn’t you guys that referred it; it was the public servants, because they have an obligation. So stop taking credit for the work, especially when you’re overriding it all the time.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Through the Speaker.

Mr. John Fraser: Sorry, Speaker. It’s just so hard. It’s just so hard not to do that sometimes.

But what I want to know is, what are the dates, Minister? What are the dates that I asked for? Don’t give me “24 hours.” When did you know?

Hon. Nolan Quinn: Last week, within 24 hours of getting the report back, we reported it to the OPP. I don’t think I can be any clearer to the member opposite. Within 24 hours, we swiftly acted upon the recommendation and reported it to the OPP.

I know he doesn’t like to hear it, but we’ve invested a billion dollars. Without the support of the opposition, we’ve invested a billion dollars in budget 2025: $750 million going into new STEM programming, $75 million into construction-related seats, $56 million into more nursing seats, because after 15 years of Liberal governments, we’re continuing to catch up because of the lack of foresight that the Liberal government had.

We’ll continue to be there for the publicly assisted post-secondary system, unlike the member opposite who just keeps speaking down on the system.

Foreign-trained doctors

M me France Gélinas: Ma question est pour la ministre de la Santé.

Ontario is facing a severe shortage of family physicians: 2.5 million Ontarians don’t have access to primary care. Yet, the government has introduced a last-minute policy preventing most internationally trained physicians, like those in the galleries today, from applying in the first round of residency placement, despite the fact that 60% of IMGs choose family medicine and have to come and work in underserved communities like the one that I represent.

Why is the government creating new barriers that will prevent physicians from practising in Ontario?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: It is hard to square when we see expansions of medical schools in the province of Ontario. Just yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak to the new learners at TMU in Brampton, who are so excited to be able to train in Brampton and ultimately practise in the province of Ontario.

Our government was actually the government that has expanded primary care access in the province of Ontario with an investment of $2.2 billion. Why are we doing that? Because we know, as we train more learners, as we accept more residency students in the province of Ontario, we are going to have opportunities that have been unheard of in the province of Ontario.

I am proud of the fact that it was Premier Ford’s leadership that has TMU in Brampton today, that in the years to come we will see a new medical school in York region. We are making and laying a foundation to ensure that people across Ontario who want to train in our medical schools have that opportunity.

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

M me France Gélinas: We all know that the students at TMU that she’s referring to won’t be allowed to practise for another six years minimum. The IMGs sitting in the gallery are practice-ready.

The government’s new rule disqualifies international medical graduates from the first round of residency applications based solely on where they attended high school, a factor that has nothing to do with medical competence. Most of us don’t know where our physician went to high school and, frankly, don’t care. But it harms francophones; it harms immigrants; it harms racialized physicians; and Canadians who studied in other provinces, like francophones in Quebec, or studied abroad.

How does this government justify an exclusionary, non-evidence-based policy that restricts equity in medical training and that will harm patients?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Under Premier Ford’s leadership: an expansion of 1,290 medical seats in the province of Ontario. Under Premier Ford’s leadership: an expansion of 1,730 residency spots that were not available previously. We are absolutely welcoming the world to Ontario to make sure that as we see our population rise, as we see our population expand, we are ready, we are accepting.

When I came in as the Minister of Health, I specifically directed the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and the College of Nurses of Ontario to quickly assess, review and ultimately license internationally trained and educated physicians, clinicians. Why did we do that? Because people were waiting too long and they wanted to work in the province of Ontario.

We’ve made those changes. We are now seeing licences getting granted within 10 days. The system is working. We are absolutely working with—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Question?

Government accountability

Mr. Stephen Blais: Ontario’s young people are in crisis. More than 200,000 are out of work. For teenagers, one in four can’t find a job. The Skills Development Fund that was supposed to be there to help them has turned into a billion-dollar boondoggle.

The Auditor General found that it’s not fair, transparent or accountable, with politically connected, low-ranked projects getting funded over higher-scoring ones. Now a forensic audit has uncovered tens of millions of dollars in irregular spending so serious that one recipient was referred to the OPP—the same recipient who took the Minister of Labour to a Leafs game and had him to his fashion week wedding in Paris.

Madam Speaker, the Minister of Finance is supposed to be the guardian of the public purse. So to the minister, through you: Did he budget for the SDF and increases to the SDF before or after he knew about political interference and the fundraising scheme that has caused such a scandal?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The Minister of Labour.

Hon. David Piccini: When it comes to the youth of this province who are seeing the uncertain economic times we’re in, they’re seeing a Premier that’s got a plan to build—youth that were abandoned by that party who let apprenticeship rates slide, who turned their backs on working-class men and women of this province. Let’s go to another sector: Their high-tax agenda drove out manufacturing, crushing our manufacturing sector.

It’s this Premier that has cut taxes, this Premier that has created a climate for economic development growth, Speaker, that is empowering young people—young people who are joining new residency spots, new doctor spots, new nursing spots; young PSWs who are getting trained to enter the workforce. Many of these programs are supported through the Skills Development Fund with one goal: to train.

We’re going to continue doing that, Speaker, to offer a better tomorrow for Ontario, to nation-build, to stand tall on a global stage and to domestic and onshore our supply chains.

We’ve had no support from the members opposite, who voted against each and every measure we’ve taken to nation-build and to build a strong—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Member for Orléans.

Mr. Stephen Blais: Last week, I took the minister’s advice: I visited All-Pro Electric in Ottawa, an SDF recipient that’s actually working—young people in trades; real jobs, real skills; no lobbyists, Madam Speaker. Their message to me was clear: Don’t let the scandal destroy the program. Clean it up.

Employers and trainees who are doing everything right are now terrified that this successful program will be cancelled because of the government’s mismanagement and political favouritism. We don’t want the SDF to be cancelled. We want it to be cleaned up and for ministers to be held accountable.

I’ve always thought that the Minister of Finance was an honourable person, so, Madam Speaker, through you, what measures is he going to put in place to ensure that his budget measures aren’t abused by political insiders and a fundraising scheme that’s holding down this government?

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: Madam Speaker, I—

Interjections.

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: Thank you.

Why doesn’t the honourable member opposite do something right for the province of Ontario and vote for the fall economic statement? Can you do that? That, Madam Speaker, would be the honourable thing to do.

But let me tell you this: Is the member opposite voting for the 18,000 new construction jobs at Darlington, new jobs, good jobs in our nuclear industry? No, he’s voting against it. While their government was in power, what did they do for the 300,000 manufacturing jobs that left this country? They didn’t stand up for Ontario workers. They didn’t stand for Ontario businesses. They keep voting no.

Which way are we voting, yes or no?

Interjections: Yes.

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: Which way are they voting?

Interjections: No.

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: Which is the right way to go? The answer for Ontario is yes.

Impaired drivers

Mr. Tyler Allsopp: My question is for the Attorney General.

Public safety is a pressing concern back home in Bay of Quinte and across Ontario. People want to feel secure, and they want to know that their government is standing up for them. Speaker, under the leadership of the Premier and the Attorney General, our government continues to advance the ongoing work to safeguard Ontario families and communities.

This morning, the Ministry of the Attorney General issued a news release on protecting Ontario families by holding impaired drivers accountable. This initiative was built on the recently passed legislation in the Safer Roads and Communities Act, 2024. This release really hit home with me as, just last week, I attended a Mothers Against Drunk Driving memorial in Quinte West for Rebecca Beatty, who was killed by a drunk driver at just 22 years of age.

Speaker, can the Attorney General please share more information about this legislation and how it will enhance public safety and hold offenders accountable for victims like Rebecca and for families like the Beattys?

Hon. Doug Downey: Thank you for the question from the member of Bay of Quinte.

I am happy to announce that no child should have to bear the weight of a loss of a parent due to impaired driving. That’s why our government is evaluating measures that would require impaired drivers to pay financial support if they kill a child’s parent or guardian.

This work builds on the recent actions of my colleague to crack down on dangerous driving—

Interjection.

Hon. Doug Downey: I can’t believe I’m getting heckled on children who are left behind.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The member for Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas.

Hon. Doug Downey: Madam Speaker, I cannot believe the NDP are heckling me when we are talking about children who lose their parents due to drunk drivers.

This government will build on the work of the Minister of Transportation in the Safer Roads and Communities Act and reinforce our commitment to hold impaired drivers accountable.

The devastating impact reaches far beyond the immediate loss. It leaves a child struggling both emotionally and financially. We will stand with our children, Madam Speaker. We will hold drunk drivers accountable for their actions. I will have more to say in the supplementary.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The member for Bay of Quinte.

Mr. Tyler Allsopp: Thank you to the Attorney General for his response. It is encouraging to see our government continue to take decisive action on serious issues that impact Ontario communities. By introducing measures that protect Ontario families and hold impaired drivers accountable, we are sending a strong message: Reckless driving will not be tolerated.

The Attorney General mentioned new measures that would require impaired drivers to pay ongoing child support if they cause the death of a child’s parent or guardian. This is a significant step towards ensuring that families affected by such tragedies receive the support that they so desperately need.

Speaker, through you, can the Attorney General please share further details on these new measures and whether additional penalties or consequences are being considered to further strengthen accountability?

Hon. Doug Downey: Thank you again to the member from Bay of Quinte. It is true that our province has some of the toughest penalties in North America for impaired and reckless driving. We are doing our

part in holding impaired drivers accountable.

As mentioned, as part of the upcoming legislation, we are exploring the best way to improve the system to access financial support for surviving minor dependents and victims killed by impaired drivers. Families already have the ability to sue impaired drivers in civil court, but that’s not enough. Additional measures, such as requiring a convicted impaired driver to pay financial support, would strengthen accountability and help ensure children receive meaningful support in the wake of such tragedies.

Our province will also explore similar requirements in other jurisdictions, such as Texas, which outline how impaired drivers convicted of intoxicated manslaughter must pay child support to surviving minor dependents.

We will engage with impacted stakeholders, including victims’ families, legal experts, law enforcement and community partners, to help evaluate the most effective approach.

Madam Speaker, under the leadership of the Premier, we are going to make a difference in the lives of children.

Long-term care

MPP Wayne Gates: My question is to the Premier. The Patient Ombudsman’s new report raises serious red flags about long-term care. Quality of care is now the number one long-term-care complaint: 25 mandatory reports were filed because residents were put at risk. Four out of five seniors who complained about hospital discharge felt it was premature and unsafe. Instead of fixing the system, the government passed Bill 7 to push seniors out of the hospital faster.

Seniors built our province. They deserve safety and respect. Speaker, given the Ombudsman’s clear warning, what immediate steps will the government take to fix long-term care and ensure our seniors are safe and have the support they need?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the member for Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston.

Mr. John Jordan: One thing I can guarantee everybody: The long-term-care homes of today are not the long-term-care homes of 2018 that were inherited by this government. There are more staff to reach four hours of care per resident per day. There’s air conditioning. There are sprinkler systems. We have over 24,000 new and reconditioned long-term-care beds in this province. Our government has been taking real actions to improve and strengthen Ontario’s long-term-care sector, ensuring the safety and well-being of every resident.

That’s why we introduced the Fixing Long-Term Care Act in 2021, the most robust safety framework in North America, providing new enforcement tools and enhanced accountability measures. Under Premier Ford’s leadership, we’ve invested $72.3 million to double the number of long-term-care inspectors in this province.

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

MPP Wayne Gates: Well, that member is right: In 2018, the RCMP wasn’t investigating or wasn’t called into the long-term-care homes in Oshawa.

Back to the Premier: This government can pat themselves on the back all they want, but the facts don’t lie. This government just set a record: the highest number of complaints to the Patient Ombudsman ever recorded. And it’s no coincidence that it happened while the government is privatizing Ontario health care.

We saw during the pandemic that private long-term-care homes performed much worse than public, not-for-profit homes. Yet the Premier is doubling down on investment-led, for-profit long-term-care homes.

Why is the Premier letting the conditions in long-term-care homes get worse through privatization? We need to protect our moms, our dads, our aunts, our uncles, our grandparents in l