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November 15, 2022

43rd Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2022-Nov-15 vol. A (PDF)

L027A - Tue 15 Nov 2022 / Mar 15 nov 2022

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Tuesday 15 November 2022 Mardi 15 novembre 2022

Orders of the Day

Progress on the Plan to Build Act (Budget Measures), 2022 / Loi de 2022 sur la progression du plan pour bâtir (mesures budgétaires)

Members’ Statements

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 258

Living Wage Week

Gregory A. Hogan Catholic School

Labour shortage

Cadets

Children’s health care

Mississauga Hospital

Children’s health care

Medical Equipment Modernization Opportunity

Crime prevention

Introduction of Visitors

Legislative pages

Question Period

COVID-19 response

Hospital services

Land use planning

Education on intolerance

Health care funding

Skilled trades

Paramedic services

Health care

Mining industry

Education funding

Government fiscal policies

Agri-food industry

Home care

Assisted housing

Personal support workers

Visitor

House sittings

Introduction of Visitors

Introduction of Bills

2103890 Ontario Limited Act, 2022

Notwithstanding Clause Limitation Act, 2022 / Loi de 2022 visant à limiter le recours à la disposition de dérogation

Protecting Vulnerable Persons in Supportive Living Accommodation Act, 2022 / Loi de 2022 sur la protection des personnes vulnérables dans les logements supervisés

Petitions

Long-term care

Dairy industry

Nurses

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Land use planning

Health care

Injured workers

Alzheimer’s disease

Services d’urgence

Highway safety

Orders of the Day

Progress on the Plan to Build Act (Budget Measures), 2022 / Loi de 2022 sur la progression du plan pour bâtir (mesures budgétaires)

The House met at 0900.

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

Prayers.

Orders of the Day

Progress on the Plan to Build Act (Budget Measures), 2022 / Loi de 2022 sur la progression du plan pour bâtir (mesures budgétaires)

Mr. Bethlenfalvy moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill 36,

An Act to implement Budget measures and to enact and amend various statutes / Projet de loi 36, Loi visant à mettre en oeuvre les mesures budgétaires et à édicter et à modifier diverses lois.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Would the minister care to lead off the debate?

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: Yes, thank you. Today I rise to speak to the second reading of the Progress on the Plan to Build Act (Budget Measures), 2022. I will be splitting my time with my two parliamentary assistants, the member for Oakville and the member for Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound. I’m glad to see them here in their seats.

Yesterday, I introduced the Ontario economic outlook and fiscal review and tabled our first ever Building Ontario Progress Report. The progress report and fall bill highlight how our flexible and responsible plan is positioning the province to be ready to manage uncertainty and risk as the world faces emerging economic challenges. It is my honour to continue to discuss the highlights in that report that showcase how we have progressed on our plan to build and to discuss the measures in the fall bill that are aimed at furthering the progress spelled out in our fall economic statement.

Monsieur le Président, le rapport d’étape et le projet de loi de l’automne montrent en quoi notre plan flexible et responsable met la province à même de gérer l’incertitude et le risque à un moment où le monde fait face à des difficultés économiques émergentes. C’est pour moi un honneur de continuer à discuter des points saillants de ce rapport qui mettent en évidence les progrès que nous avons réalisés au regard de notre plan pour bâtir et de discuter des mesures prises dans le projet de loi de l’automne pour faire suite aux progrès annoncés dans notre énoncé économique de l’automne.

I am pleased to say that we have made significant progress on our plan. I will first take a moment to list the key pieces of legislative business contained in the bill.

Related to the Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income Act, we are proposing to temporarily double the Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System payment. This temporary measure would be for 12 months, starting in January 2023. This step is a way that our government can help keep costs down for low-income seniors.

Mr. Speaker, we are also proposing an extension of the gasoline and fuel tax rate reductions under the Gasoline Tax Act and the Fuel Tax Act. We are also working to keep costs down and put more money back in the pockets of the people of Ontario by including the cut to the gas tax and the fuel tax. Statistics Canada noted that the province’s rate cut was a contributor to the decline in gas prices in Ontario for the month of July, helping to lower consumer price inflation.

This bill also proposes amendments to the Ontario Production Services Tax Credit under the tax act of 2007. The proposed amendments would expand eligible expenditures for the Ontario Production Services Tax Credit to include location fees to help attract domestic and foreign film and television production to the province, and incentivize more on-location filming in communities across Ontario.

De plus, nous proposons des modifications au crédit d’impôt de l’Ontario pour les services de production, prévues dans la Loi de 2007 sur les impôts. Les modifications proposées permettraient d’élargir les dépenses admissibles aux fins du crédit d’impôt de l’Ontario pour les services de production en y incluant les frais de lieux de tournage pour attirer la production télévisuelle et cinématographique canadienne et internationale dans la province, et encourager davantage les tournages dans des localités de l’Ontario.

We are also proposing to extend the current freeze on the salaries of members of provincial Parliament. We also have proposals related to the acts that provide the government with the usual spending authority it requires to carry on operations for the 2022-23 and the 2023-24 fiscal years.

In relation to the Securities Act, we are proposing to introduce rule-making authority to allow public companies to digitize access to certain financial documents. This proposal shows how Ontario is moving ahead with modernizing the way public companies communicate with investors and the market to reduce regulatory burden and support the digitization of the economy.

We are also proposing amendments to the Pension Benefits Act related to the framework to target benefit pension plans. These amendments will allow the government to work with stakeholders to develop a clear and fair framework for their pension plans, specifically around funding, governance and communication.

Finally, Madam Speaker, we are proposing amendments to authorize the creation of a provincial clean energy credit registry. This proposed change would launch a voluntary clean energy credit registry in 2023 to help boost competitiveness, attract jobs and provide businesses with more choice in how they pursue their environmental and sustainability goals. These legislative changes and amendments are part of our government’s plan to build Ontario. This province, its people and our government are focused on getting things done.

Our Building Ontario Progress Report shows how we are making progress in attracting investments and creating good jobs. It is our government that has, over the last two years, helped attract $16 billion in transformative global auto investments of electric vehicles and electric vehicle batteries in Ontario. And it is our government that is investing $2.5 billion to help make Ontario a world-leading producer of low-carbon steel. I’m sure the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade would completely agree with me. We got a thumbs-up.

Hon. Graydon Smith: He does.

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: He does.

It is our government that is building Ontario’s workforce by making progress in training and educating students and workers to succeed today and tomorrow. And it is our government that has already added over 11,700 health care workers, including nurses and personal support workers, to our health care system.

It is our government that is building infrastructure for Ontario by getting more shovels in the ground on critical projects all across the province. It is our government that is building to ensure this province is a leader in Canada and across the world because, Madam Speaker, this province has had decades of underinvestment. Because of this underinvestment, this province today needs many things. It needs highways and more transit. It needs more hospitals and more schools. Ontario needs more long-term-care homes and Ontario needs schools, subways and highways.

On that last point, I’m proud to report that today, preliminary fieldwork is under way for Highway 413. Early work construction is under way for the Bradford Bypass that will serve the rapidly growing communities of Simcoe county and York region and help ease traffic in the greater Toronto area.

Madam Speaker, our government is also making progress in ways that directly impact every person and family in Ontario, no matter where they live.

Madame la Présidente, notre gouvernement fait également des progrès qui ont une incidence directe sur chaque personne et chaque famille, partout en Ontario.

To help keep costs down, our government has eliminated licence plate renewal fees, as well as licence plate stickers, and refunded the past two years’ fees for eligible vehicles. These actions have helped make life more affordable for nearly eight million vehicle owners in Ontario. To further contribute to the savings every day for households in Ontario, we temporarily cut the gas tax and the fuel tax starting on July 1, 2022. These actions build on others that the government has taken to make life more affordable, such as child care support for eligible families through the Ontario Childcare Access and Relief from Expenses tax credit.

We know that, in order to make social and economic progress, we also need to address the current labour shortages. That is why our government is focused on supporting job creation and economic growth. Simply put, we want everyone who is able and wants to pursue a job to pursue and reach their goal. We want them to know they are not alone in their pursuit—that their government is in their corner. That is why one of our key investments is in skills training. We have supported groundbreaking programs that connect jobseekers through our Skills Development Fund.

It is giving people the skills and training they need to pursue a new opportunity. And I announced when I introduced the 2022 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, we are investing an additional $40 million for the latest round of this program. Madam Speaker, this brings total funding for the next round to $145 million.

We know that the skilled trades present an opportunity for successful careers for thousands of people. High school students need to know that in Ontario today, they can have a great life in the skilled trades or working with children. That is why I am pleased to share that our government is expanding the Dual Credit Program. That is creating direct pathways for high school students and learners seeking a career in the trades or in early childhood education.

Thanks to this program, students are getting the opportunity to complete credits towards both in Ontario’s secondary school diploma and college credential, or a certificate of apprenticeship, giving them the opportunity to work and begin work earlier. Madam Speaker, there is a future for young people in the trades. There is a future in building in Ontario.

Our government continues to build Ontario’s economy, to build Ontario’s workforce, to build Ontario’s infrastructure and keep costs down for families and businesses. Each and every day, in every corner of our province, we are getting it done. There can be no uncertainty about the immense geographic size of the province we call home.

But, Madam Speaker, there is uncertainty about the economic times we find ourselves in. Today, all across the globe, we see emerging fiscal challenges.

L’économie d’aujourd’hui est source d’incertitude. Partout dans le monde, des difficultés financières se manifestent.

In Ontario, we are not immune to these pressures. In 2022, Ontario’s consumer price inflation reached highs not seen since the early 1980s, when I was a young man. We are seeing 40-year price spikes because of many things: the consequences of a worldwide pandemic and because of Russia’s illegal war on the Ukraine, which has caused supply disruptions across various industries. While inflation eased slightly in September, the Bank of Canada increased interest rates another 50 basis points in October, so the cost of groceries and everyday goods that all businesses and families rely on continue to remain stubbornly high.

The next couple of years are likely to be marked by ongoing economic turbulence, by uncertainty and by challenges. Understandably, Ontario seniors, families, workers and businesses are feeling financial pressure. The challenges of ongoing labour shortages and supply chain disruptions are being felt throughout our economy. Our government knows this reality is stressful for many. This is why our government has built a flexible and responsible fiscal plan, one that takes a targeted approach as we navigate these uncertain times together.

It’s the right plan, and no matter what lies ahead, I have confidence in the resilience of Ontario’s economy, I have confidence in its workers, and I have confidence in its businesses and people. I have confidence in our plan.

C’est le bon plan. Quoi que l’avenir nous réserve, sachez-le : j’ai confiance en la résilience de l’économie ontarienne et dans les travailleurs, les entreprises et les populations de l’Ontario. J’ai confiance en notre plan.

Awareness of these challenges informed our work as we prepared the 2022 fall economic statement. It is why we have included in it new targeted measures to advance our plan and help families, workers, seniors and businesses. It is why we have included new plans and programs to support those families, seniors, businesses and workers.

Through these times of great economic instability and uncertainty, our government remains steadfast. We are resolved to our task. One of these areas we are determined to advance progress in is attracting investment and bringing good manufacturing jobs back to Ontario. Our government is using the strength of Ontario’s supply chain to support globally competitive, homegrown manufacturing, and build things such as the next generation of hybrid and electric vehicles and batteries right here in Ontario, for sale right across North America.

We know that manufacturers are looking for ways to remove emissions from their supply chains, and that is why our government is proposing legislation to launch a voluntary clean energy credit registry. This registry would, if passed and approved, boost competitiveness for the province and give Ontario businesses another tool as they compete for global capital. Manufacturing is Ontario’s legacy and it’s Ontario’s future.

This registry is among the outside-the-box initiatives we are exploring and undertaking as we pursue making the province the destination of choice for global investors. That is why we are refocusing our approach to cutting red tape to clear up supply chain delays as well as supporting Ontario’s agri-food system so we can get goods and services to customers faster and help create more jobs.

We know that these are challenging financial times for many in our province. This government understands that the last thing the people of Ontario need right now is a tax increase at the pumps. That is why we are proposing to extend the gas and fuel tax for another 12 months, until December 31, 2023. Extending these cuts would mean households of this province would save $195, on average, between July 1, 2022, and December 2023.

Many of us will know and appreciate that seniors built this province and we owe them all a debt of gratitude, but for too many low-income seniors, covering day-to-day costs has become a source of anxiety. That is why our government is proposing to double the Guaranteed Annual Income Supplement, also known as GAINS, so seniors can receive a maximum increase of almost $1,000 per person for low-income seniors for the year.

These and other measures in the bill and the 2022 fall economic statement make the picture clear. Our government has a responsible, flexible plan, needed to help Ontario’s businesses, workers, families and seniors, as the province navigates this period of uncertainty. Whatever the economic uncertainty may bring, our government has a plan.

Before I turn it over to my two able parliamentary assistants, I also want to acknowledge my previous parliamentary assistant. The member happens to be opposite today—right over there—the member from Brantford–Brant. I want to thank him for his great support and work when he was my parliamentary assistant. Gentlemen, you have a very high bar to match.

With that, I would now like to call on the member for Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound, who will also speak to the measures contained in this bill.

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): The member for Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound to continue.

Mr. Rick Byers: Good morning, colleagues. Today, I rise to speak in support of the second reading of the Progress on the Plan to Build Act (Budget Measures), 2022, in follow-up to the Minister of Finance introducing the 2022 Ontario economic outlook and fiscal review yesterday, and Minister Bethlenfalvy initiating second reading of the bill this morning.

These documents—our progress report and the bill—include new targeted measures that advance our plan on many fronts. They move forward our work to build the economy, address the province’s labour shortages and help families and businesses keep costs down. The progress report and bill highlight how our responsible, targeted approach is positioning the province to be ready to manage uncertainty and risk as the world faces emerging economic challenges. It’s my honour to discuss the specific measures in the bill that are aimed at furthering the themes of progress articulated in our fall economic statement.

I’ll begin by listing the key pieces of legislative business contained in the bill. I will then discuss them in more detail.

In relation to the Securities Act, we are proposing to introduce rule-making authority to allow public companies to digitize access to certain financial documents.

We’re also proposing amendments to the Pension Benefits Act, to consult on pension funding and governance policies to strengthen target benefit pension plans.

For the Ontario guaranteed annual income support, or GAINS, we’re proposing to temporarily double the payment to low-income seniors.

Interjections.

Mr. Rick Byers: Hear, hear.

Another item is the Legislative Assembly Act—you won’t clap for this. Here, we’re proposing to extend the current freeze on the salaries of members of provincial Parliament.

We also have proposals related to the Supplementary Interim Appropriation for 2022-2023 Act, 2022, and Interim Appropriation for 2023-2024 Act, 2022. These proposals are customary legislative business, aimed at providing the government with the spending authority it requires to carry on operations for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 fiscal years.

Madam Speaker, we’re also proposing an extension of the tax rate reduction under the Gasoline Tax Act and the Fuel Tax Act.

As well, we are proposing amendments to allow companies to claim location fees for the purposes of the Ontario Production Services Tax Credit under the Taxation Act, 2007.

Finally, we’re proposing amendments to authorize the establishment or designation of a provincial clean energy credit registry.

Now I will focus on each item in a little more depth.

First, the Securities Act: rule-making authority in respect of the access-equals-delivery initiative. The amendments proposed here would provide the Ontario Securities Commission with authority to make rules enabling public companies to make certain documents such as prospectuses or financial statements accessible to investors online on a central website. These rules would replace the current approach, which requires public companies to provide investors with either physical or emailed copies of prospectuses or financial statements.

Under the proposed model, investors would still retain the option of requesting physical or electronic delivery of documents if they so choose. It will also encourage companies to adopt a digital and environmentally conscious approach to engaging and communicating with investors. The proposed amendment directly responds to recommendations made by the Capital Markets Modernization Taskforce in 2020 and furthers the government’s commitment to modernize capital markets in Ontario. The amendments would come into effect on royal assent.

Now for the Pension Benefits Act, specifically pension funding and government policies for target benefit pension plans: Target benefit pension plans have been operating under temporary regulation since 2007 that will expire in 2024 unless replaced by a permanent framework. These amendments will allow the government to work with stakeholders to develop a clear and fair framework for these pension plans, specifically around funding, governance and communication.

This supports the government’s 2022 budget commitment and will provide employers, plan administrators and members with certainty, stability and confidence in the pension plans. Implementation of a permanent framework will also pave the way for more employers to offer workplace pension plans, increasing the opportunities for workers to save for their retirement.

As I mentioned earlier, we’re also temporarily doubling the Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System, or GAINS, payment. These proposed amendments would temporarily double the payment for all recipients for 12 months starting in January 2023. This act provides a monthly payment to eligible low-income seniors. Currently, the maximum payment for an eligible senior is $83 per month. Under the proposed amendments, the maximum payment would be doubled to $166 per month, meaning many seniors will now be receiving almost $1,000 extra in supports in 2023.

This measure, if approved, would help about 200,000 of Ontario’s lowest-income seniors manage their costs. And we’ve also committed to introducing measures to expand the eligibility of GAINS in the future to ensure more seniors who need financial help get it. As with most of the measures contained in this bill, these amendments would come into force on royal assent.

Next, I turn to the Electricity Act and the clean energy credit registry. Here, the proposed amendments would authorize the establishment or designation of a provincial clean energy credit registry by early 2023. To support investment in the province and alignment with Ontario’s low-carbon hydrogen strategy, the government is seeking approval for legislative amendments that will allow the designation or establishment of a clean energy credit registry. The registry would attract the transfer and retirement of clean energy credits from clean electricity generated and consumed in Ontario.

Launching a voluntary clean energy registry would boost Ontario’s competitiveness, attract jobs and investment in the province and provide businesses with the information they need to pursue their environmental and sustainability goals.

Now I come to the Legislative Assembly Act, where we are extending the current freeze on MPP salaries. The Legislative Assembly Act limits Ontario MPP salaries at $116,550—that is, the salary that has been in effect since 2009. The act currently states that the MPP salary freeze ceases to have effect as of April 1 of the second fiscal year immediately after the provincial budget returns to surplus.

As a result of the provincial surplus reported by my honourable colleague Prabmeet Sarkaria, President of the Treasury Board, in the 2021-22 public accounts of Ontario, the salary freeze would end automatically on April 1, 2023, triggering an MPP salary increase. However, we are proposing in the bill to extend the freeze indefinitely until a further amendment is made to the Legislative Assembly Act. So MPP salaries will not be increasing at this time.

I now turn to pieces of legislation that relate to government spending. First, the Supplementary Interim Appropriation for 2022-2023 Act, 2022, is required to provide the government with spending authority to carry on operations. A new supplementary interim appropriation act is normally introduced in years in which the amounts in the interim appropriation act for the year were insufficient to recover expected expenditures. A new supplementary interim appropriation act would provide supplementary interim spending authority for anticipated government expenses, pending the vote of supply.

All expenditures under the proposed act would be in addition to amounts already authorized under the Interim Appropriation for 2022-2023 Act, 2021. The supply act for 2022-23 would replace and repeal the proposed act.

Second, the Interim Appropriation for 2023-2024 Act, 2022—a lot of numbers. As you all know, a new interim appropriation act is normally introduced each fall to provide the government with the spending authority it requires to carry on operations. A new interim appropriation act would provide interim spending authority for anticipated government expenses, government investments and the expenses of legislative offices for the fiscal year April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, pending the vote of supply.

All expenditures under the proposed act would have to be charged to the proper appropriation following the vote of supply for that fiscal year. The supply act for 2023-24 would replace and repeal the proposed act.

Madam Speaker, our government understands that families and businesses are feeling financial pressure. That’s why we are also proposing to extend the cuts to the gasoline tax rate and diesel fuel tax rate. In April, our government passed legislation to temporarily cut the gasoline tax rate and fuel tax rate to nine cents per litre, which took effect July 1, 2022. On January 1, 2023, both taxes were scheduled to revert back to their rates before the temporary rate reduction.

Our proposed extension of the cuts to the gas tax and the diesel fuel tax rates mean that the rate of tax on gasoline and diesel would remain at nine cents per litre until December 31, 2023. This is a temporary extension of a further 12 months. It is part of our plan to help keep costs down for Ontario families and businesses.

And now I come to the Taxation Act, 2007: Ontario Production Services Tax Credit and location fees. We are proposing an amendment to include location fees as eligible expenses for the purposes of determining the Ontario Production Services Tax Credit. The proposed amendments would allow productions to include rental fees for on-location filming as eligible expenditures for the purposes of this tax credit up to a maximum of 5% of qualifying production expenditures. The amendment would apply to expenditures incurred after November 14, 2022.

To increase the economic and cultural benefits of the province, the government is also proposing to make regulatory amendments to require that recipients of the Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit provide a screen credit acknowledging government support. This requirement would be effective for productions that began principal photography after December 31, 2022.

Madam Speaker, we are in uncertain economic times, and this bill and our 2022 fall economic statement clearly show that our government has a responsible plan with targeted new measures to help navigate these economic challenges. Whatever the economic uncertainty may bring, the people of Ontario should know that our government is prepared.

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): The parliamentary assistant to continue debate.

Mr. Stephen Crawford: Thank you, Speaker, and thank you to my colleague for leading the way here, and to the minister, to talk about the fall economic statement we’ve put forward.

Speaker, I rise to speak to the measures contained in the Progress on the Plan to Build Act (Budget Measures), 2022, measures that will help build the economy, address the province’s labour shortage and keep costs down for businesses and families. These are the core principles and guiding ideas that inform our progress report, the 2022 Ontario economic outlook and fiscal review, and the measures contained in this bill.

Our plan is flexible and responsible. We have new, targeted measures that benefit families, seniors, students, workers and business owners throughout this great province. These are the key take-aways I’m here to drive home today.

To start on the core of my discussion, let me say that Ontario’s economy has proven resilient amid economic uncertainty due to global geopolitical conflict, elevated inflation, rising interest rates and ongoing supply challenges. Through our plan and the measures in this bill, we are working to ensure the province is in a strong position to manage risks in a challenging global economy, while investing for the long term to build a stronger Ontario. By preserving flexibility, the government is prepared to provide targeted support to people and businesses, while maintaining a responsible plan to eliminate Ontario’s debt.

Speaker, our government recognizes we are facing a difficult road ahead. Private sector economists continue to revise their growth projections. An economic slowdown in the near term is a very, very real risk. When faced with this degree of uncertainty, governments need to be ready for anything. They need to be flexible and forward-thinking, with a plan that can support people and businesses when and if the time comes, while at the same time laying a strong fiscal foundation for future generations.

But for too long, structural deficits were allowed to grow, debt was allowed to pile up, spendthrift fiscal planning was in style. And now, with interest rates on the rise, this kind of debt accumulation and deficit spending is no longer an option.

This Ontario government is taking a targeted approach, making record investments in the priorities that matter to the people of this province. Supported by our fiscal plan, Ontario’s projected deficit in 2022-23 is $12.9 billion. This is an improvement of $6.9 billion from the 2022 budget. Eliminating Ontario’s deficit while delivering on Ontario’s Plan to Build is a critical part of our government’s long-term vision for this province.

After unprecedented and essential spending in response to the pandemic, now is the time for governments to show restraint. More spending by government today will only make inflation more painful and contribute to dragging out an economic downturn. We know the economic road ahead may not be easy, but, Speaker, there is nothing that we cannot do together.

Our government is building a stronger province: a province with a strong economy and good-paying manufacturing jobs; a province where it is easy to start and grow a business; a province where you can learn new skills and seize new opportunities; a province where you can start a career and raise a family; a province connected with new highways, new roads and reliable public transit.

With the 2022 Ontario economic outlook and fiscal review, Ontario’s Plan to Build: A Progress Update, our government is delivering the first-ever progress report on our plan to build Ontario. The progress update also profiles new, targeted measures that advance our plan to build the economy, address the province’s labour shortage, and help families and businesses keep costs down. We plan to continue to help grow the economy by getting shovels in the ground to build key infrastructure projects and by investing in skills training for Ontario workers and newcomers.

The progress update provides a refreshed economic and fiscal outlook for Ontario. It highlights how prudent and responsible our plan is and how it positions the province to be ready to manage uncertainty and risk as the world faces emerging economic challenges. The measures contained in the bill represent the legislative changes we propose to help make changes necessary to position the province for these short-term uncertainties and long-term opportunities.

While Ontario experienced strong economic growth through 2021 and the first half of 2022, economic uncertainty remains. As of the second quarter of 2022, Ontario’s real gross domestic product, or GDP, has surpassed the pre-COVID-19 level by 2.2%. Employment was 141,700 higher in September 2022 than the pre-pandemic level in February 2020. That is 1.9% higher.

As detailed in our progress update, Ontario’s real GDP is projected to rise 2.6% in 2022, 0.5% in 2023, 1.6% in 2024 and 2.1% in 2025. Government forecasts for 2022, 2023 and 2024 have been revised lower since the 2022 budget. This is in line with private sector economists.

The reality is that the world has changed so much since just last spring when the budget was released, so it is clear, for the purposes of prudent fiscal planning, these protections by the government are set slightly below the average of private sector forecasts. It is undeniable that the 2022 Ontario economic outlook and fiscal review is being released, and this bill tabled, when global economic conditions remain very challenging.

This uncertainty is driven by a variety of factors beyond the Ontario government’s control. Obviously these include supply chain issues globally, the war in the Ukraine and inflation throughout the world. As a result, for the progress update, the Ontario Ministry of Finance developed faster-growth and slower-growth scenarios. These scenarios project the various paths the economy could take over the next several years. By providing these projections, the government is providing more transparency about how alternative economic scenarios could impact Ontario’s finances.

The government is now projecting a $12.9-billion deficit in 2022-23, nearly $7 billion lower than the outlook published in the 2022 budget.

Regardless of whether Ontario’s economy winds up following the faster-growth or the slower-growth model, the reality is that our government is using targeted measures to steer the province’s course into the future. Helping to keep costs down for everyday life is one of these measures.

This government understands that costs are rising for the people of Ontario. That is why one of the key pillars of our plan is keeping costs down. I’m pleased to report that, throughout 2022, our government has implemented changes for new initiatives that have supported this goal. In January, we implemented a general minimum wage hike from $14.35 to $15 an hour. That has subsequently gone up to $15.50 an hour, which is among the highest minimum wages in Canada and, indeed, North America.

In March, we not only eliminated licence plate renewal fees and stickers for eligible vehicles, we also eliminated double fares for riders connecting to and from GO Transit on most municipal transit systems. This has been a great help to commuters across the province of Ontario. Whether you take the GO train, the bus or drive a car, your costs are coming down.

We nearly doubled Presto discounts for youth and post-secondary students. We know that students feel the brunt of an economic downturn and spiraling costs. Helping them save on commuting will give them more money for their education.

In April, we made it so that there were no more road tolls on the 412 and 418 highways. I know many commuters throughout Ontario, and particularly in Durham region, were absolutely thrilled that they no longer had to pay just to drive a highway and commute to work, drive their family to soccer practice or go to work.

People who filed their taxes in April may have recognized supports provided to them through their 2021 income tax returns. These included the low-income individuals and families tax credit, or LIFT credit, which provides tax relief for low-income workers. This was among the largest tax cuts to any group of people in the history of the province of Ontario, affecting the lowest-paid workers, allowing more dollars for those folks to pay their daily bills.

The Ontario Childcare Access and Relief from Expenses tax credit, or CARE tax credit, provides tax relief for eligible child care expenses. We know under the 15 years of Liberal rule, child care expenses went up in this province by over 400% to be the highest in Canada. Our government is helping provide relief to families on this very high expense.

We also brought in the Seniors’ Home Safety Tax Credit, which provides tax relief to help make eligible seniors’ homes safer. We know seniors in this province did so much to build this province; they want to stay in their home when they can. Helping them with up to a $10,000 investment in reconfiguring their home, in order to stay in it, through a tax credit will help many seniors stay in their homes longer, putting less pressure on long-term care, retirement homes and hospitals, and most importantly, allow families to stay together longer.

The Ontario Jobs Training Tax Credit will help people with eligible training expenses. We also know that the skilled trades have been undeveloped in this province for many, many, many years, and we have an extreme shortage of skilled trades workers in this province. Helping those workers retool their trades so that they can participate in the labour force—in good-paying jobs—will help the labour shortage, help our province grow and help a lot of families to provide good-paying jobs.

These measures will provide support in the 2022 tax year as well. I will flag how Ontario taxpayers will also see new and improved tax measures when they file their 2022 income tax returns, including an enhanced LIFT credit, which I already talked about. We are increasing the income eligibility, moving up from $38,000 to approximately $50,000, allowing that many more workers to be able to work and pay lower taxes so they can spend that money on their families, on their kids’ education, on their kids’ activities, on whatever cost that they need.

On the new Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit and the new Ontario Staycation Tax Credit—we all know that the Ontario hospitality industry suffered tremendously throughout the pandemic. Restaurants, hotels and many businesses were affected dramatically with a dramatic downturn in business; many struggled to survive. Our government made the conscious decision to help these businesses weather the tough time by business supports, but we’re also now extending that out.

We want the folks in Ontario to travel and see our great province, and at the same time, help the businesses that have struggled so much in our province in the hospitality sector. So we would certainly encourage all Ontarians to take advantage—travel this great province—stay in the great areas, whether it’s Niagara, the Ottawa region, the northern region.

You’re certainly welcome to come to my community of Oakville. Come and stay in the community. Have a meal, spend some time with your family and help our great local businesses that have worked so hard to recover from this pandemic.

What are some other things we implemented in 2022 to help keep costs down?

Beginning in July, we cut gas and diesel fuel tax rates for six months, and we know when that was first introduced the public was overwhelmingly supportive. They recognize that the cost of driving an automobile has skyrocketed. Having an automobile and driving is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. Again, whether people need to go to work, drive their families to see loved ones, drive the kids to soccer practice or hockey practice, whatever it may be—businesses—our goal as a government is to help people weather this inflationary pressure. Unfortunately, gas prices have gone up dramatically.

The war in Ukraine and supply and demand issues globally have shot up gas prices throughout the world. Unlike the federal government, which is actually pushing the price higher to make things less affordable for families and hard-working people in this province and throughout the country, we’re trying to do our part to weather the storm, to get through this economically uncertain time of high gas prices, high fuel costs, and get through in a manageable way. So we’ve extended this gas tax cut—or we anticipate we will, if passed—through this legislation for another 12 months.

We know the people of Ontario, businesses in Ontario will be very happy once this passes.

In October, we increased the general minimum wage from $15 an hour to $15.50 per hour. We know that workers deserve a living wage. We know that people need to be able to get by through this difficult inflationary period. So our government has increased the minimum wage not once but twice in the last 12 months.

In that month, we also rolled out the direct catch-up payments to parents for child education expenses like tutoring or learning supplies and equipment. Again, people have lived through a difficult period. We know students have faced a very difficult period over the last couple of years. I’m sure many members in this Legislature have children in school and they know what they’ve gone through. I know, as a parent of four school-age children, my kids have required extra tutoring supports—no doubt about it—to get through. They have missed some of the quality education that we take for granted in this province.

We do have a great education system in Ontario, one of the best in the world. Through no fault of their own, and through the circumstances which happened globally, kids did not get the education that we would expect in this province. So our government made the conscious decision to invest with parents so that would help them weather the storm in education, help them with tutoring supports to help their kids catch up in education. This is critically important. We know that the EQAO and the various measures of students have shown that students have fallen behind, and they do require a catch-up.

Whether it’s building new schools, investing in education or helping parents—there’s not one way to help students get through this; it’s a multi-faceted approach. So our government has taken that approach to help parents, kids and the education system as a whole.

Here we stand, in November, with more measures to help keep costs down and promote economic growth.

We’re launching, as my colleague mentioned, a voluntary clean energy credit registry via the bill that would, if approved, boost competitiveness, attract jobs and provide businesses with more choice in how they pursue their environmental and sustainability goals, as enabled by proposed legislation.

Our goal here in Ontario is to be the economic engine of Canada. It’s also to be a leader in environmental stewardship, and we believe we can have both here in this province. Ontario is among the cleanest grids in the entire world; 90% of our energy is emission-free. We have a great nuclear industry, particularly, I know, in the Durham region. We have great companies that are innovating. Ontario has the critical minerals required for electrical vehicle manufacturing.

We have a stable government that provides law, order and good government, and is a good place for companies to invest, take the minerals in an ethical and responsible way and contribute to the auto supply chain and the electric vehicle manufacturing chain that we will be building in Ontario.

We’ve had record investments in automobile manufacturing and electric vehicle manufacturing right here in Ontario, whether it was GM in Oshawa, Stellantis in Windsor or with the Ford Motor Co. of Canada, which has been in my riding of Oakville since the 1950s—they’re going to be reconfiguring that plant to make electric vehicles. We are going to make Ontario the global leader in electrical vehicle manufacturing. Ontario will also be a global leader in environmental stewardship, with great sectors and a great opportunity for our province to excel in this in the future.

As noted in the 2022 Ontario economic outlook and fiscal review, Ontario’s Plan to Build: A Progress Update, the government is also providing Ontario’s small businesses with $185 million in tax relief over the next three years. We know businesses in this province have suffered throughout COVID. They are going through supply chain challenges; they are going through labour shortages. There’s turmoil, there’s turbulence in the marketplace, but we have absolute full faith in the businesses and the people of Ontario that we will get through this and come out stronger than ever. But if we can give a helping hand to those entrepreneurs and businesses here in the province to get through it, we will.

The proposed extension of the phase-out of the small business tax rate would benefit approximately 5,500 small businesses right here in our province. We know that small businesses are the backbone of our province. This, of course, is in addition to automatically matching property tax reductions for small businesses within all municipalities that adopt the small business property subclass.

We’re also investing an additional $40 million in the 2022-23 year, for a total of $145 million for the latest round of funding in the Skills Development Fund, which will benefit job seekers. This fund has already helped over 393,000 people take the next step in their careers in in-demand industries. A special shout-out to our Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Monte McNaughton, for the work he has done in developing the skilled trades here in this province.

We’re also investing an additional $4.8 million over two years, beginning in 2023-24, to expand the Dual Credit Program. This will encourage more secondary school students to enter a career in the skilled trades or in early childhood education. Again, the skilled trades have been an area that we have not promoted in schools, and consequently, we have a huge shortage in these great, high-paying jobs.

Our government has taken the initiative to encourage this both in and outside the school and the classroom to get more young people into the skilled trades—more people who traditionally may have not been in the skilled trades, be it women or folks with disabilities. We’re also investing $4.8 million over two years, beginning in 2023-24, in the Dual Credit Program, which I had mentioned.

Now, these last few points in the bill are focused on fostering jobs here in Ontario. Speaker, our province is faced with an historic labour shortage. There are over 387,000 jobs currently unfilled across the province. That’s over 387,000 paycheques going uncollected, 387,000 opportunities not seized. Thousands of businesses are not able to meet customer demand, and I’m sure every one of us in this chamber has experienced that. Whether it’s driving by the ONroute and seeing that some restaurants are closed, seeing restaurant hours diminished—it’s across sectors, across all different types of businesses and industries here, this labour shortage.

Awareness of the challenges that are holding back our economic activity informs our proposal to extend the cuts to the gas tax and diesel fuel tax rates through the bill. The tax rate on gasoline and diesel fuel tax would remain at nine cents per litre until December 31, 2023, putting more dollars back in the pockets of families and businesses here in this province. Extending those cuts would mean that households in this province would save an average of $195 a year between July 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023.

Helping to manage the costs for Ontario’s 200,000 lowest-income seniors is why, in this bill, we are proposing changes to double the Guaranteed Annual Income System payments for all recipients. This measure, if approved, would span 12 months, starting in January 2023, and be a maximum increase of almost $1,000 per person in 2023. This will have a tremendous impact on the lowest-income seniors in this province.

Another bill proposal relates to how Ontario is home to a robust film and TV production industry. Proposing to expand eligible expenditures to the Ontario Production Services Tax Credit to include location fees would help attract yet more domestic and foreign film and television production to the province. It would incentivize more on-location filming in communities across Ontario to the benefit of those places, whether urban or rural.

Ontario is a great location. We have some of the best talent in the world making movies, TV shows. Let’s incent them and bring more of those folks back to see the beauty of our great province.

Let me close my comments on the Ontario economic outlook and fiscal review and bill by echoing Minister Bethlenfalvy: Together, we have come so far. This government has attracted investments and good jobs. This government is training thousands of skilled workers and helping keep costs down for families. We have made great progress. Working together has got us here, but there is no doubt there is a tough road ahead. We must navigate these uncertain economic times together.

Our government, with this plan we’re proud to report back to the Legislature and the measures in this bill we ask the Legislature to approve, will see Ontario through the days and years ahead. We have a fantastic and great future ahead of us.

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): We’ll now go to questions and answers. I recognize the member for Ottawa Centre.

Mr. Joel Harden: I listened intently to the comments the member made about the electric vehicle industry and how the government wants to make it a priority, but I’m wondering if the member can explain for me why this government is cancelling its energy agreement with the province of Quebec? I ask because, in April 2023, Quebec offers Ontario five-cents-a-kilowatt-hour hydroelectricity, emissions-free electricity. It is desperate to sell this energy to Ontario, yet the government is ripping up its agreement with Quebec.

This is precisely what electric-vehicle manufacturers want. They want affordable, emissions-free energy to build their automobiles, and it’s what consumers want to power their automobiles. Can the member please explain to this House why you are ripping up an energy agreement with Quebec that would stand to benefit the automotive industry, consumers and a livable future for our kids?

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): To answer, the parliamentary assistant.

Mr. Stephen Crawford: To the member opposite, I would certainly agree that we do want a reliable Ontario energy grid. We do have one; we need to move forward, of course, in the future.

With respect to the Quebec hydro, the issue with that is the unreliability and the intermittentness of it. In other words, a lot of the times that Quebec hydro is available for export are times where we don’t need it, and vice versa.

Our focus is having a clean energy grid that will support both families and industry here in Ontario, and that would certainly include the new SMR technology we’re bringing to the forefront of Ontario.

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): The next question? The member for—I want to get it right—

Ms. Donna Skelly: Flamborough–Glanbrook.

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): Flamborough–Glanbrook.

Ms. Donna Skelly: My question is to the member from Oakville. As we know, there is a huge labour shortage in the province of Ontario, partly because of an aging population but also because of the work that the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and our Premier have done since we were elected over four years ago. We have currently almost 400,000 jobs in the province of Ontario going unfilled. I was just at a job site in my hometown of Hamilton, Heddle Shipyards. They build ships and are restoring Ontario to its once very proud status of being the number one shipbuilder in all of the country.

But they are struggling to find people to fill the jobs that they have at their site. Can the member from Oakville please share with the Legislature what this government is doing to create more jobs in Ontario and to fill those jobs?

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): To answer, the parliamentary assistant.

Mr. Stephen Crawford: Thank you to my colleague. I wish I had a lot more time to talk about this, because Ontario has done so many great things to create an environment for jobs here in the province, whether it’s reducing red tape, business costs have gone down by about $8 million in the last four years, attracting investment here. We’ve encouraged the skilled trades.

We see a job shortage in Ontario in almost every sector. Whether it’s manufacturing jobs, skilled trades, hospitality sector workers, we want to encourage people to go into a lot of these high-demand professions. There is a lot more work to be done to fill the gap. We want to get the economic activity really rolling in the province of Ontario and we will continue to encourage students to get into professions where there are opportunities for great-paying jobs.

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): Next question, the member from Toronto Centre.

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: To the member across the House, the member for Oakville, thank you very much for your remarks and especially your comments about the fall economic statement.

I recognize that you were talking about the minimum wage that’s now been established, and I think I heard you very proudly boasting of a 50-cent increase. You also referenced and said, “Workers deserve a living wage.” But I think you realize that, in this week—this is Living Wage Week—this is not a living wage. In many places in Ontario, and I think almost every community in Ontario, $15.50 does not constitute anywhere close to a living wage. We have communities in Windsor that have a living wage requirement of at least $18, London and Elgin is $18, Hamilton is $19, Brant and Niagara is $20, Dufferin and Waterloo is $20, and the city of Toronto is $23.15.

Can you explain to us why you were calling it a living wage when clearly it’s not a living wage?

Mr. Stephen Crawford: I thank the member opposite. I did highlight that Ontario has increased the minimum wage twice in the past year, which I’m not sure many jurisdictions have done. It is among the highest minimum wages not only in Canada, but indeed North America. Further to that, I think we need to look at the context of what our government has done to help low-wage workers. The LIFT tax credit has helped workers that have an income under $50,000 dramatically.

They pay significantly—significantly—lower taxes than they did in Ontario before our government came into power, helping workers in a very meaningful way. Not to mention, of course, helping with other initiatives such as the gas tax credit, which, most people have vehicles and pay for gas, and public transit, which I touched on as well. So let’s take it in the context. We’ve helped low-income Ontarians more than any government in recent memory.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Mississauga–Malton.

Mr. Deepak Anand: I just want to acknowledge and thank the member from Oakville for doing an incredible job and supporting the residents not only in his riding but across Ontario. Mr. Speaker, we know we are going through a time of uncertainty. I just want to ask the member—at this time, through this bill. Could the member tell us what you are proposing to keep the costs down while investing in the priorities that matter most to the people of Ontario?

Mr. Rick Byers: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the member for the question. The people of Ontario work hard, and our government understands that taxpayers are under pressure, whether it’s Russia’s war in Ukraine, tension in Asia, and inflation that we’ve not seen for four decades. We recognize the impact that inflation’s having on families, and our government is here for them. Our government is committing to putting and keeping more money in the pockets of the people of Ontario. We have a plan to keep costs down.

We’re moving forward with one of the most ambitious plans in Ontario’s history, including plans to build highways, hospitals, broadband and public transit. It’s outlined in the 2022 budget, Ontario’s Plan to Build. We’ve dedicated $158.8 billion—I’ll repeat, $158.8 billion—over the next decade, including $20 billion in 2022-23, to support our projects such as transit, highways, schools and hospitals.

Mr. Speaker and honourable member, this government is there for the people of Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Question?

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: Inflation rates are set at 6.9%, cost of rent has gone up 30%, food costs are so high that people can’t afford the basics. Butter is over $6, milk is over $5, bread is over $3.50 a loaf. Food banks were reporting that, as of March 2022, they’re up 35% in usage, and most of those are now seniors and students. The government is doubling the GAINS for one year, starting in January 2023. My question is, will this government make a commitment today to maintain the GAINS at the double payment and stop using seniors as a financial yo-yo?

Mr. Stephen Crawford: Thank you to the member opposite. I’ll tell you, this government has made a commitment to seniors, whether it’s the Seniors’ Home Safety Tax Credit, which is helping keep seniors in their homes much longer, keeping them with their families—seniors want that.

With respect to the GAINS, which the government is doubling over the next year for low-income seniors, this is a government that is here—we know that inflation is a reality, although we believe it will likely come down in the next 12 to 24 months, and it’s certainly projecting it will come down. That’s great, but in the meantime we still have a little bit of time here with inflationary pressures, and our government is—I’ll tell you, we have a government that’s committed to helping seniors and we have a Minister for Seniors that I think we owe a great round of gratitude to for all the work he has done standing up for seniors.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): There is no more time for questions.

Second reading debate deemed adjourned.

Members’ Statements

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 258

Mr. Vijay Thanigasalam: I am deeply honoured and proud of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 258, a vital institution within the Highland Creek community. The Highland Creek branch was founded back in 1934 and has advocated for veterans and their families ever since. They have always led a successful poppy campaign, and this year was no different.

They have actively supported local causes by sponsoring local cadets as well as hockey and baseball teams, and they have contributed to many charities because they believe strongly in Canada and its values. More than that, the Legion has always served as a place for long-time friends and neighbours to gather and have a drink and a good laugh.

Four years ago, when I was a newly elected MPP, they welcomed me with open arms, and for that I will always be grateful. Ever since, we have made it a tradition that I come every Canada Day with a freshly baked cake. In many ways, it is one of my favourite events of the year.

This year the old Legion hall was closed and Branch 258 has moved to its brand new location at 305 Morrish Road. I know this a bittersweet moment for many of us, but I’m confident that we will share many good times in the years ahead.

Living Wage Week

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: Speaker, yesterday marked the start of Living Wage Week, an important reminder to all of us to recognize the need for a livable wage in Ontario.

The Ontario Living Wage Network released their yearly living wage rates for the province for 2022. The stark reality is that there isn’t a single one of the 51 communities analyzed where the livable wage has been identified under $18 an hour, far above the current minimum wage.

Many people in Ontario are finding themselves fully employed yet unable to afford the cost of living as inflation rates continue to soar. The cost of groceries, housing, utility bills and transportation have all increased, while wages have remained stagnant. We know that those making the lowest wages in this province are the most impacted when the cost of living increases.

In my community of Windsor, a livable wage has been identified as $18.15. That’s the lowest hourly wage someone needs to make to be able to put a roof over their head and food on the table. The minimum wage is currently set at $15.50—a $2.65-an-hour difference, equalling $5,500 per year that people are coming up short, yet the Conservatives were just bragging about their minimum wage. That doesn’t account for the employees who are forced into precarious part-time positions where hours are not guaranteed.

Many Ontarians are working two or three jobs just to make ends meet. Ontarians deserve to be able to afford the basic costs of living.

It’s time for big corporations, which made record profits this year, to step up and pay a fair wage.

We must support Ontarians and raise the minimum wage.

The Conservative government’s empty slogan, “Working for workers,” doesn’t cut it. If they genuinely supported workers, they’d ensure they get paid a living wage. Poverty is this government’s policy choice.

Gregory A. Hogan Catholic School

Mr. Robert Bailey: It’s an honour to rise in the Legislature today to share the news of another important investment in Sarnia–Lambton by the government of Ontario.

Mr. Speaker, on October 6, I was honoured to join members of the St. Clair Catholic District School Board family, along with Indigenous partners from the Kettle and Stony Point and Walpole Island First Nations, at the site of the new Gregory A. Hogan Catholic School in Sarnia. This new, state-of-the-art facility, which will include spaces for 659 students and a five-room child care centre, is being made possible by an investment of over $24 million by the Ontario government. This new school will provide more student spaces in a new, quality learning environment for the growing student population in Sarnia–Lambton, as well as affordable child care spaces for those local parents.

In total, the government of Ontario is delivering more than $26.6 billion in education funding for the 2022-23 school year, including an increase of over $600 million this past September, which is the highest investment in public education in Ontario’s history.

Mr. Speaker, the funding for the new Gregory A. Hogan Catholic elementary school is great news for our community. This investment will ensure that families and students have access to a quality learning environment in the years ahead and that every young person has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Labour shortage

Ms. Doly Begum: Speaker, Canada is facing an enormous labour shortage. In fact, recent data from Statistics Canada shows that the “unemployment to job vacancy” ratio in Canada is at a historically low level.

Here in Ontario, our health care sector is a prime example of where we are seeing extreme labour shortages, which has added to the health care crisis, especially as we try to tackle the challenges of overcapacity in our emergency rooms and insufferably long wait times for treatment.

According to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, more than 60% of their businesses and workplaces are facing difficulty with hiring, whether it’s in health care, retail, construction, just to name a few. Our province simply does not have the human resources to fill this gap.

The Minister of Labour himself said that there are over 370,000 jobs across the province but not enough people to meet the demand. This demand is continuing to rise with a continuing increase in retirement and a slowdown of immigration, especially during COVID-19, owing to the massive immigration backlog on the federal level, and we are seeing thousands of jobs go unfilled.

Immigrants contribute greatly to every sector of our province, be it academic, scientific, cultural, manufacturing, food and agriculture, health care, and many more.

I am calling on the Premier and the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to work collaboratively with the federal government to improve Ontario’s immigration process and address the massive immigration backlogs so that those who want to contribute to this province are able to do so and have the opportunity to build their life in this great province.

Cadets

Mr. Will Bouma: As many of you are aware, my riding of Brantford–Brant is home to a vibrant, motivated and active cadet movement. We are home to Admiral Nelles, Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps; 104 Starfighter Air Cadets; 56th Field Regiment Army Cadets; and Admiral Landymore Navy League Cadet Corps. After a two-year hiatus, this Remembrance Day cadets representing all four corps held a nighttime vigil at the Brant County War Memorial.

I stopped by the Dalhousie Street cenotaph to spend some time with the cadets, officers, volunteers and family members as the youth stood in silence paying tribute to Canadian and Allied soldiers who fought, were wounded and paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

I spoke to several officers who were supervising the cadets. Lieutenant James Messecar, commanding officer with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, said, “The remembrance vigil is a living act of remembrance that the young people of Brantford–Brant and Six Nations take

part in. It has endured since 2011 not only because of the commitment of the community, local leaders, officers, but most importantly the sea, Navy League, army and air cadets who hold the torch of remembrance high each year as they mount their vigil.”

Speaker, witnessing first-hand the solemn respect and sheer professionalism these youth displayed for the fallen soldiers of our country, which far exceeded their young years, I was moved and impressed.

Brantford–Brant has some of the best volunteers in Ontario, and I urge all to support your Legions and cadet corps and encourage them to keep up the great work they do week after week.

Children’s health care

Ms. Peggy Sattler: Speaker, London West parents are worried. One mother wrote to me: “Parents are looking for guidance from our leadership right now and we are getting nothing. As a parent to a three-year-old son, I am terrified when I see the news about pediatric ICU beds.” Another said, “The state of our health care system, particularly pediatrics, is horrifying. As the mom of a toddler who has been sick with COVID, hand foot and mouth, and pink eye in the past six weeks, I am terrified....

While we have been lucky to not have to go to the ER yet, I am fearful of what we will experience when we arrive.” What she will experience at London’s Children’s Hospital is a stressful hours-long wait in a crowded emergency room that was built to handle about 100 visits per day but is being overwhelmed by 200 or more sick children—double the usual volume.

Parents of teens admitted to ICU now face the prospect of admission to an adult ICU bed, which has ICU nurses concerned about taking on teen ICU patients without specialized pediatric training.

Children’s Hospital emergency room director Dr. Rod Lim warned, “It may get worse before it gets better. I think November and December are going to be tough.”

Speaker, London parents are asking me, “What is this government doing about this crisis?” From the budget that was tabled yesterday, my answer is, clearly, “Not enough.”

Mississauga Hospital

Mr. Rudy Cuzzetto: On Friday last week, the President of the Treasury Board joined me in Mississauga–Lakeshore for a tour of the construction site at Mississauga Hospital, where work is well under way on a new eight-storey parking structure with spaces for almost 1,500 vehicles. This is an important first step towards the complete reconstruction of the entire hospital. The new 24-storey facility will be almost triple the size, with almost three million square feet of space and almost 1,000 hospital beds, over 80% of which will be in private rooms. It will add over 20 new, state-of-the-art operation rooms.

This will be the largest and most advanced hospital in the history of Canada. The fall economic statement yesterday reported that the RFP has closed, and it has confirmed our government is committed to this historic project.

So I want to thank the Minister of Finance for his statement yesterday—and this Minister of Finance cares about Mississauga–Lakeshore. Again, I want to thank him and the President of the Treasury Board for their support for this important project. We have been looking forward to a new, modern hospital in Mississauga for many years, and it is very exciting to see shovels in the ground.

Children’s health care

Mr. Adil Shamji: Mr. Speaker, I stand before you with a grim realization: Our children are being let down by this government.

It has been said that “the true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.” All of us bore witness to this government’s failure of our elders in long-term-care homes during the pandemic. Most recently, this government took aim at our lowest-paid education workers by trying to trample on their charter rights. And now it is our children who our government is failing, and they don’t have a voice to advocate for themselves.

We’re grappling with over-capacity pediatric ICUs, ERs and critical care that are overwhelmed, kids in adult ICUs, and surgeries being delayed. This summer, when this government was nowhere to be found, I called for the government to take measures to prepare for the upcoming respiratory season. And yet the fall vaccination campaign was non-existent and the plan to stay open has not eased the emergency care crisis in the slightest.

I would be remiss if I did not address the current state of the Ontario Autism Program. Under this government, the OAP’s wait-list for core services has more than doubled, skyrocketing from 28,000 in 2018 to 57,000 in 2022. That is enough children to fill the Rogers Centre and then some. This government needs to be transparent with families. How many children are registered? How many are wait-listed? And how many are receiving core services? I eagerly wait for those answers.

Medical Equipment Modernization Opportunity

Mr. Kevin Holland: I recently had the opportunity to attend a fundraising dinner for the Medical Equipment Modernization Opportunity, or MEMO for short, in Thunder Bay.

Since 2004, MEMO has shipped 100 containers to Cuba, El Salvador, Liberia, Nicaragua and Zimbabwe, totalling millions of dollars in equipment and saving countless lives along the way. Every container holds 10 tonnes of medical equipment and supplies that are redundant according to Canadian health standards but remain useful and continue to save lives in developing countries. The organization is completely run by volunteers so that every dollar donated goes entirely to support the work.

I want to recognize Dr. and Mrs. Jerome Harvey, whose dream began 18 years ago while looking outside their kitchen window at the soon-to-be-closed 250-bed Port Arthur General Hospital. He wondered what was going to happen to all the medical equipment left behind in this hospital, as well as the other old hospital to be closed, the 375-bed McKellar hospital.

He discovered that because of Thunder Bay’s isolation, the cost of removing and shipping made the contents of the two old hospitals valueless. Reluctantly, the hospital administration admitted that most of the equipment would be sold to a scrap dealer for $180 a tonne. This led to a meeting with a Cuban doctor and Cuban ministry of health officials that assured him that anything MEMO could send would be helpful, as Cuba had an adequate supply of well-trained doctors but was woefully inadequate in medical equipment and supplies. Thus, MEMO was formed under the auspices of the Evangelical Free Church of Canada.

I commend Dr. Harvey for his initiative and leadership in this venture that is making a difference in the lives of residents in developing countries.

Crime prevention

Mr. Vincent Ke: I’m hearing from many constituents in my riding of Don Valley North who are extremely concerned about a dramatic increase in instances of vehicle theft and carjackings in our area. According to an

article in the Toronto Star, 70 vehicles were stolen in North York during the week of October 13 to 19. The previous week, the number of stolen cars in the area was 54. There is one vehicle stolen every six minutes in Canada, and the proceeds from stolen vehicles are often used to fund global organized crime and terrorism.

This issue is being addressed by the police in our community and through public safety initiatives in our province. But without proper registration and procedures to hold accountable those who alter vehicle identification and to prevent stolen vehicles from exiting Canada, we are far from solving this serious public safety issue.

I hereby call out to the federal government to tighten border controls and stop stolen vehicles from being exported overseas.

Introduction of Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): With us in the Speaker’s gallery today are two distinguished former members of this assembly who are being honoured today by the association of former parliamentarians, and some of their guests.

We have with us the member for Nickel Belt in the 29th, 30th, 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 34th, 35th and 36th provincial Parliaments: Floyd Laughren. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Also with us is the member for Carleton–Grenville in the 31st Parliament; the member for Carleton–Grenville in the 32nd and 33rd Parliaments; the member for Carleton in the 34th, 35th and 36th Parliaments; the member for Lanark–Carleton in the 37th and 38th Parliaments; and the member for Carleton–Mississippi Mills in the 39th Parliament—he moved around: Norm Sterling. Welcome back.

With them are friends and family Joan Sterling, Jack Laughren, Josh Laughren, Tennis Laughren, Harry Yeamans, Fraser Matt and Liat Podolsky.

I also understand Jim Bradley is being honoured today by the association of former parliamentarians. These three members served with distinction for decades in the Ontario Legislature, and we honour them and thank them for the service that they provided to the people of Ontario. Thanks again for coming.

Also with us in the Speaker’s gallery today is a delegation from the United States representing the Council of State Governments Midwestern Legislative Conference, which is, as we know, an inter-parliamentary association to which the Legislative Assembly is a key partner. Visiting from the Michigan Legislature are Senator Roger Victory, Senator Jim Stamas and Representative Amos O’Neal. They are accompanied by Ilene Grossman and Mitch Arvidson of the CSG Midwest office. Please join me in warmly welcoming our guests to the Legislative Assembly.

Another former member has just arrived: the member for St. Catharines in the 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 34th, 35th, 36th, 37th, 38th, 39th, 40th and 41st provincial Parliaments, Jim Bradley. Welcome back to the Legislature.

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: This morning it is a great honour, as the member for St. Catharines, to recognize former MPP Jim Bradley, regional chair for the Niagara region. Thank you, Jim, for your 42 years of service to St. Catharines. Welcome back to your House, and thank you for coming this morning.

Also, I would like to welcome Ethan Gardnere, Anthony Coulter and Callum Robertson. And a special shout-out to Brock University in St. Catharines: Go, BUSU! Go, Badgers! Andrea LePage from Brock University—she’s a hometown student attending Brock. Thank you for coming. Welcome to your House, and thank you for your meeting yesterday.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: I am pleased to welcome today chair of Ontario Pork, John de Bruyn, as well as GM Ken Ovington. They will be hosting a reception in room 228, the Gathering Place, immediately following question period today.

Mr. Guy Bourgouin: I had the honour to meet the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance this morning. I’d like to present Stephanie Ye-Mowe, Lara Weisenberg, Simranjeet Singh et, en particulier, une petite fille que j’ai vue grandir, une jeune demoiselle de chez nous, de Kapuskasing, Anaik Tremblay. Bienvenue à l’Assemblée législative.

Hon. Jill Dunlop: As Minister of Colleges and Universities, the best part of my job is representing students. So I am pleased to welcome the student leaders from the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance who have joined us today. They are hosting their annual student advocacy conference and will be meeting with several members of the Legislature throughout the week, so please join us for breakfast tomorrow morning. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

MPP Jamie West: I’d like to join the minister in welcoming members of OUSA. From Sudbury, we have Avery Morin, the president of Laurentian University Students’ General Association, and her vice-president, Ana Tremblay. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mrs. Robin Martin: In my role as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Health, it’s my great honour to introduce and welcome Home Care Ontario and their CEO, Sue VanderBent. They’re holding their annual Home Care Ontario awareness day in the Legislature today. Home care providers across the province are here to meet with our MPPs, so welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Doly Begum: I am pleased to introduce Mr. Emamul Kabir, a renowned Bangladeshi veteran guitarist, who is here today. A recipient of numerous prestigious awards, he has published over 22 musical notations and released over 50 music albums. He is known for playing Bangladeshi liberation music, even when he was forbidden to do so. He’s here with his daughter, Nahid Kabir, another talented musician in Scarborough, and his granddaughter, Angkita Sarwar. Please welcome them.

Hon. Neil Lumsden: My riding of Hamilton East–Stoney Creek is well represented today, and I’m proud to say so. I’d like to welcome John Hands and Kaitlin Guarasci from Bay Area Health Trust, a Hamilton-based organization that plays a critical role in Ontario’s health care system. And I’d like to welcome Dylan Atack and his dad, Ritch, to Queen’s Park today. I’d also like to echo: Go, Badgers! Welcome.

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: Good morning to everyone. I’d like to welcome the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations, OCUFA. They are here in a very large contingent. They will be meeting a number of MPPs today. They hosted a wonderful breakfast for us. I wanted to specifically name Jenny Ahn, the executive director, as well as Nig Narain.

Mr. Anthony Leardi: From the beautiful riding of Essex and the lovely town of Kingsville, one of our newest pages: Ms. Kalila I’Anson. Please welcome her to the Legislature.

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I am pleased to welcome the delegation from OCUFA today, including several faculty members from London: Benjamin Muller is here from King’s and Tom Peace from Huron. Meris Bray from the University of Windsor is also here and Tim Murphy from Brock, as well as Manisha Aggarwal. I had the pleasure of meeting with them this morning and warmly welcome them to this chamber.

MPP Jamie West: I also want to join in welcoming Jenny Ahn and Joel Duff from OCUFA, and, in particular, from NOSM in Sudbury, Lorrilee McGregor is here.

M me France Gélinas: I have to say hello to my good friend Floyd Laughren, who is part of the reason why Nickel Belt has been represented by the NDP for 55 years—because of your hard work, Floyd. Thank you.

Legislative pages

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): It is now my distinct pleasure to invite the pages to assemble for their introduction.

From the riding of Eglinton–Lawrence, Nicholas Baryliuk; from the riding of University–Rosedale, Joel Bozikovic; from the riding of Peterborough–Kawartha, Isabelle Casselman; from Timiskaming–Cochrane, Kennedy Dabner; from Glengarry–Prescott–Russell, Mabel Follis; from the riding of Essex, Kalila I’Anson; from Brampton East, Serena Joseph; from Sudbury, Ema MacAulay; from Niagara West, Camilla Moscato; from Mississauga–Malton, Yusuf Muinuddin; from the riding of Toronto–Danforth, Aiden Perritt; from Willowdale, Oriana Sethi; from the riding of Markham–Thornhill, Eric Sung; from the riding of Mississauga–Erin Mills, Hussain Umar; from the riding of Algoma–Manitoulin, Havana Rose Thibideau Bello; from the riding of Northumberland–Peterborough South, Alexandra Vanden Bosch; from the riding of Pickering–Uxbridge, Max Weatherhead; from Elgin–Middlesex–London, Scarlett Wilson; and from Sault Ste.

Marie, Grace Curran.

Welcome to the Legislative Assembly.

Applause.

Question Period

COVID-19 response

Mr. Peter Tabuns: My question is to the Premier. Our children’s hospitals are overwhelmed. Parents are worried. They’re anxious about their sick children. Yesterday, the Chief Medical Officer of Health strongly advised all adults to wear masks indoors to protect our children. The Premier said he will take the advice of the medical officer of health. Why is the Premier not taking leadership and wearing a mask to protect our children?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): To reply, the government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Look, the member will know full well that this government has been taking leadership right from the beginning of the pandemic, even in instances where the members opposite refused to work with the government to ensure that Ontarians’ health and safety was put first. Every single time that we put a measure in place to improve health care in the province of Ontario, they have voted against it. Bringing on new nurses: They voted against it. When we brought on significant funding for our small and medium-sized hospitals, they voted against it.

The most rapid buildout of long-term care in the history of this province, if not the entire country: They have voted against it, Mr. Speaker. We have brought forward incredible vaccinations in this province. We have led North America in terms of vaccinations. We have led the entire North America in terms of our battling of COVID, and in every single instance, they have voted against it.

We will continue to work hard, working with the Chief Medical Officer of Health to ensure the health and safety of all the people in the province of Ontario, regardless of whether the Leader of the Opposition wants to work with us or not.

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

Mr. Peter Tabuns: I go back, Speaker: The medical officer of health recommended that, to protect our children, all adults wear masks indoors. The Premier can send a very strong signal to adults across Ontario that this is serious and that they need to act. And so I ask: Why is the Premier not showing the leadership that’s required at this moment and wearing a mask?

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

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Since the beginning of this pandemic, there is nothing that the Premier hasn’t done to protect our children and our most vulnerable. From the very beginning, when we had no vaccines in the province of Ontario or worldwide, we made sure that the initiatives that we did, the programs that we put in place protected our most vulnerable, protected our most senior, protected our children. We will continue to do that as a government because we understand that when you make investments in people, you make investments in community. We’ve done that from the start.

As the House leader mentioned, the investments that we have made in health care in the province of Ontario are truly historic, and yet when we asked members of the opposition to stand with us and work with us, they refused and they voted against our initiatives.

We’ll make the investments. We’ll continue to do what the Chief Medical Officer of Health recommends, because we know it’s the right thing—

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

The final supplementary.

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Leadership is not simply repeating talking points in the House. Leadership is taking the advice of the medical officer of health, something the Premier says that he does, and acting on it. We need public education to move people. I’m not seeing those programs. We need vaccination teams, because the vaccination levels are at incredibly low levels. I’m not seeing that. We need 10 paid sick days so people can do what the medical officer of health says: Stay home when you’re sick.

What is it going to take for the Premier to show leadership and actually act on the recommendations of the medical officer of health?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Second in the world; only Japan was able to get a higher vaccination rate and therefore protection rate for their communities. Second in the world—we have nothing to apologize for and certainly no lessons need to be shared by you.

When we make the investments, when we make sure that vaccines are available, we see results, and we have. We have seen the numbers of people who stepped up and said, “I want to protect my elderly,” “I want to go visit my senior in a long-term-care home,” “I want to be part of the solution.” Part of the solution, frankly, is making sure that your vaccines are up to date. We’ve done that, we’ve made those investments, and results prove that they have made a difference.

As I said, we will continue to make those investments to ensure that the people of Ontario have vaccines, have boosters, have flu shots when they need them. We’ll do that work. I’m not going to take any lessons from the member opposite, who refuses to support—

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

The next question.

Hospital services

Ms. Jessica Bell: My question is to the Minister of Health. Children’s hospitals are in crisis. At SickKids, care departments are running at 127% to 145% above capacity. And it’s not just SickKids; across Ontario, pediatric hospitals and care units have reached maximum capacity. What is this government’s plan to help children’s hospitals meet the increased demand for care?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: We have already put in place so many initiatives that are making a difference in CHEO and Ottawa. Imagine the ability for them to literally ramp up a second ICU because they saw the need in their community. These are clinicians, these are hospital leaders who are doing the right thing, who are stepping up when we give them the investments and supports.

Our early efforts—of course, we anticipated a surge in pediatric and took early steps to support the challenging fall virus season. We’ve already done early operational guidance. We’ve provided support fall and winter surge preparedness in pediatric capacity. We saw that in CHEO. We see now SickKids nurses who are doing education to ensure that nurses in other community hospitals know, anticipate and are prepared for an uptake that we have anticipated and we are working towards.

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

Ms. Jessica Bell: Minister, SickKids and hospitals don’t just want to imagine; they want the investments so that they can deal with the very serious issues they’re facing right now.

Yesterday, SickKids began cancelling surgeries to cope with surging demand in its ICUs in its emergency department. SickKids already has a surgery wait-list of more than 3,400 children waiting beyond the clinically acceptable time frame. What is this government’s plan to help children get the surgeries they’re waiting for?

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

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: Mr. Speaker, I had the pleasure and opportunity to table the fall economic statement here yesterday, and our opposition said, “Where’s all the new money for health care?” If they were here in August when I tabled the budget, which was voted on yes by this side and no on that side, they would recognize that there was $5.6 billion of new investments for health care.

It was this government that recognizes that we’re investing in the surgical backlog, we’re investing in home care, we’re investing in community care—in acute care, more beds. We have a plan to stay open. We came back in the Legislature in August to get the job done for the people of Ontario, and we will not rest until the investments that were neglected by the previous government—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Response.

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: We’re going to get it done.

Interjections.

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

Ms. Jessica Bell: Thank you, Minister. The SickKids emergency room is also at a breaking point. The average wait time in the emergency room at SickKids is now 12 hours. That is triple what it was in 2019. No one wants to wait 12 hours in an emergency room with a baby or a child in pain, and that is what is happening today in hospitals in downtown Toronto. What is your government’s plan to ensure emergency rooms can quickly help the children who need care?

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

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Speaker, I’ve said it before, and I will say it again: We planned for this expected surge. We have worked with our clinicians, with our hospital leaders, to make sure that they have the resources to properly assess where children and adults need to be in our health care system when they need that care.

That work is ongoing. Those investments in emergency departments, in over 11,900 new health human resources—these are people who are working in our systems today in the province of Ontario who did not have a job in health care before the pandemic. We’ve made sure that those investments translate into ensuring that when we see surges, whether they are for RSV, flu or other COVID-related pandemic issues, we have the capacity and will continue to serve those parents and children.

Land use planning

Mr. Jeff Burch: Speaker, through you to the Premier: Despite promising the people of this province not to “touch the greenbelt,” this government has put forward a plan to remove 7,400 acres of land from the greenbelt, claiming they need more land to build housing, yet the province’s Housing Affordability Task Force reported that a lack of land was not the problem. We have already have all the land we need for housing. The greenbelt was created to preserve valuable farmland and connect the forest and wetland ecosystems. Every expert is saying that removing parts of it threatens all of it.

Will the Premier tell the people of Ontario the true nature of his motives in putting their farmland, food security and conservation lands in jeopardy when his own experts are saying that we have plenty of land available for development?

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

Hon. Michael Parsa: Thank you very much, Speaker, and I thank my honourable colleague for the question. Yet again, you will see the NDP find any excuse to object to building houses. After the previous government failed the people of this province, we made a commitment to the people of this province. We will not follow their path. We will not let down the people of this province. We have a shortage of homes here in this province right now. We will have a further shortage if we don’t do something about it. After they failed—they held the balance of power for years.

Was housing a priority, colleagues, for this government? Never. It took this Premier, this party to say, “We’re no longer going down that path.”

We will not let down the people of this province. We will build homes for the people. We will build. As newcomers come in, we will build the homes that they need. We will not let them down. We will find ways to make sure that the people of this province have a home to go to every night.

Interjections.

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

Mr. Jeff Burch: Speaker, there are many places to build new condo towers and subdivisions that aren’t in the greenbelt or on a wetland.

Some of the owners of the protected land the government is opening up to development purchased the land just a few months ago. One parcel of land was bought by the Rice Group back in September and was described as a prime opportunity for “land banking.” What interesting timing, Speaker.

Developers like the Rice Group’s CEO, Michael Rice, and TACC Development’s CEO, Silvio De Gasperis, have donated tens of thousands of dollars to the Ontario PC Party. Four companies controlled by members of the De Gasperis family own 20 properties on the land this government is opening up for development.

Speaker, the greenbelt is vital to keeping Ontario’s watershed systems and environment healthy and working. Without it, we increase the risks of flooding, droughts and food security. After promising not to touch the greenbelt, why is the Premier carving it up and serving pieces of it to his hungry friends like one of his homemade cheesecakes?

Hon. Michael Parsa: Mr. Speaker, maybe the opposition could spend some time actually reading initiatives, because if they had seen it—we’re expanding the greenbelt by 2,000 acres while building 50,000 new homes.

Whether it’s in Niagara, whether it’s east, west, north, in Toronto, the GTA, the people of Ontario will not be let down by this government, Mr. Speaker. We will build homes for them.

At the federal government’s recent announcement, with 500,000 new Canadians coming here—we will not let down the new Canadians that are coming here to look for homes, Mr. Speaker. We will not let down the previous generation.

We will expand the greenbelt. We will build homes in every corner of this province, because that’s what we promised to the people of this province.

Unlike the opposition—it doesn’t matter what the previous government did; they supported them along the way. With us, it’s a little different: We’re actually for housing in this province.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. We’re going to pause for a few minutes to let calm prevail. Order.

Start the clock. The next question, the member for Barrie–Innisfil.

Education on intolerance

Ms. Andrea Khanjin: Thank you, Speaker. I want to thank you for the opportunity to rise in the Legislature today to address a really crucial topic. Unfortunately, there have been reports about steady increases in racist incidents within our education system, including a spike in anti-Semitism and racism within our school settings. I know I can speak for everyone in this Legislature in saying that any form of hate should be removed from our classrooms.

There are new findings by Western University and Liberation75 that find that, when it comes to Holocaust education and awareness, there’s a worrisome 42% of students that were surveyed that have unequivocally witnessed an anti-Semitic act or event in their school.

Speaker, can the Minister of Education tell us what else we can do to combat anti-Semitism and stomp out this hate decisively?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: I want to thank the member from Barrie–Innisfil for her exceptional leadership in this space of countering hate in all forms.

Mr. Speaker, democracies and free people around the world have declared, “Never again.” And yet, in this country, according to the study cited by the member from Barrie–Innisfil, one in three students in Canada believe the Holocaust was fabricated or exaggerated, and 42% of students have explicitly seen an anti-Semitic incident in their schools. Mr. Speaker, these are startling data points for any government, and we are absolutely committed to confronting this hate through education, to improve the lives of all citizens and to make sure these kids are in schools where they are respected for their inherent dignity, not because of their difference.

And so I am proud, for the first time in Ontario’s elementary schools, to be mandating mandatory elementary learning on the Holocaust to embed in our schools, to ensure students learn from it and to truly keep every child safe in Ontario.

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

Ms. Laura Smith: Thank you for the opportunity to speak about this vital issue that deserves further attention. Students and families in my riding have been negatively impacted by anti-Semitic hatred and discrimination, whether in our schools or public settings. All students deserve the opportunity to learn free from hate and discrimination, especially the students from my riding. To take meaningful action in combatting what’s happening today, we must ensure that young people in this province are aware of the past. This includes Jewish history, culture, perspectives and contributions to Canada.

Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Education: Why was it only our government that recognized the urgency in taking immediate action by expanding Holocaust education in the curriculum?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: I want to thank the member from Thornhill for her commitment to fighting hate in all of its forms.

Mr. Speaker, we’re taking action to counter anti-Semitism and hate in all of its forms because those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. That’s why, through education, we’re mandating, for the first time in Ontario’s history, mandatory learning within our elementary schools on the Holocaust, to ensure students understand the horrors of the greatest atrocity in modern history. It is absolutely necessary that we do this now, because 90% of anti-Semitic incidents take place in grades 7 and 8, and so we’re introducing it in grade 6, following the advice of CIJA, the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal and other leaders across our country.

Mr. Speaker, we are ensuring that respect, diversity and inclusion triumph within our schools, and we’re taking action together to confront hate in all of its forms.

Health care funding

Ms. Catherine Fife: My question is for the Premier. My constituent Lindsay’s youngest son, who is three years old, recently had to be admitted to an ICU for respiratory distress, requiring high-level BiPAP support. A few days after her son was discharged, Lindsay had to take him back to the hospital again for assistance with his breathing. In both instances, she was told by the overworked health care staff that they would like to keep him for observation, but there were no beds. They were sent home and told to come back if it got worse.

Mr. Speaker, this is a nightmare for parents. One ER doctor has asked this Minister of Health, “Did you know that we’re resuscitating three to four kids at a time now?” We are seeing a wave of respiratory illness in young children, with limited capacity to properly treat patients, and yet there is no new funding for health care in the fall economic statement.

How can the government justify this, after everything that children and parents have endured during this pandemic? Why will you not acknowledge that six months past their first budget, additional funding is needed to address this crisis, because the crisis is real?

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

The Minister of Health to reply.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: The member opposite’s story reinforces how valued and important it is that we have a health care system and health care support workers who are there when we need them. We have done that. We have prepared, through the budget that was passed—without your support, I might add—in August, less than three months ago. We were preparing for what we anticipated was a fall surge: fall and winter COVID, potentially flu and, of course, RSV.

We’re doing that investment. We’re making those investments. We’ve had hospital CEOs and presidents say this is not a money problem; this is a health human resources challenge, and we are working through that, with investments that we are making with colleges and universities, to expand the number of health systems. We continue to build a stronger health care system because we know the people of Ontario need and deserve that.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): And I’ll remind members once again: Make your comments through the Chair, please.

Supplementary question.

Ms. Catherine Fife: Speaker, we believe the Financial Accountability Officer on this one, because there’s a huge gap in where resources should be and where they are going. No amount of government talking points will be able to distract from the fact that more needs to be done to protect families and children. You can’t even get the Premier to don a mask in the Legislature. We need to invest in our health care system and the people who are working right now down the street at SickKids. None of us should have constituents like Lindsay begging the government for a basic standard of health care for her family while her child fights to breathe.

Adding more pediatric ICU beds means investing in training and retaining—this is the missing part from your fall economic statement—and paying health care workers a fair wage. When will you repeal Bill 124, which is a wage-suppression piece of legislation? It is driving people out of this province. At the very least, Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health needs to address the repealing of Bill 124. It should have been in the fall economic statement.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The President of the Treasury Board to reply.

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: Let’s look at the facts. Since our government has made these historic investments, an over $6.2-billion year-over-year dollar increase in health care spending—that is the largest increase in health care spending on record for this province, and, I might add, the members opposite voted against each one of those dollars being added to our health care system.

Over 11,700 new health care workers since March 2020: Every single one of those workers, the members opposite voted against. When we put forward $342 million to support retraining and upskilling our registered nurses and RPNs, the members opposite voted against that. When we put forward a measure to increase pay for PSWs and DSWs, the members opposite voted against. Every measure that we have put forward as a government to support health care, to invest in health care, the members opposite have voted against. We will continue to do what we can to support health care in this province.

Skilled trades

Mr. Kevin Holland: In my riding of Thunder Bay–Atikokan and across northern Ontario, I am hearing from many businesses, notably in the mining and forestry sectors, that unfortunately cannot find the workers they need. Businesses in my community want to hire more skilled tradespeople, but face a critical shortage of workers to fill all job vacancies. Over 21,000 jobs are currently unfilled in northern Ontario, many of which are in the skilled trades.

Speaker, I want to thank the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development for his visit to Thunder Bay last week, and ask him to share with the House what our government is doing to address the skilled-trades shortage in northern Ontario.

Hon. Monte McNaughton: I want to thank the member from Thunder Bay, who is doing a great job representing his community here at Queen’s Park. Just last week, I had the pleasure of visiting Thunder Bay with the member to announce that our government is investing $1.5 million in Thunder Bay training projects with the Carpenters Union Local 1669 and Confederation College.

Our government, under the leadership of Premier Ford, is on a mission to give people in every corner of Ontario a hand up to life-changing careers in the skilled trades. These crucial investments will make it easier for people across northern Ontario to start rewarding careers that provide meaningful work, good pay with defined pensions and benefits. For anyone anywhere in Ontario who wants a hand up, our government is here to help. We’re building a stronger Ontario that leaves no one behind.

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

Mr. Kevin Holland: Thank you, Minister. Speaker, we know the demand for tradespeople is continuously growing in northern Ontario. Unfortunately, many young people do not know about the opportunities in the skilled trades that are widely available. In fact, it was surprising to learn the average age of an apprentice in Ontario is 29 years old. Given that the province is facing an ever-growing shortfall in the skilled trades, with a third of tradespeople nearing retirement, urgent action is needed.

Can the minister please share how our government is helping more young people learn about the opportunities available to them in the skilled trades, especially in the communities in northern Ontario?

Hon. Monte McNaughton: Again, thank you to the member for this very important question. Last week, while in Thunder Bay with the CEO of our new agency, Skilled Trades Ontario, we promoted upcoming skilled-trades career fairs for students across northern Ontario. Today and tomorrow, thanks to the Ministry of Education and our ministry, fairs are under way in Sudbury, and on November 29, the fair will be in Thunder Bay.

For the first time in Ontario’s history, students in grades 7 to 12 can learn about the 144 different trades available in Ontario from union leaders, employers and tradespeople all under one roof. One of the best kept secrets in Ontario is the fact that many people in the trades are earning more than those with PhDs. To build a stronger Ontario, we need more hard-working people in the skilled trades.

Paramedic services

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: My question is to the Premier. Paramedics across northwestern Ontario, including in the riding of Kiiwetinoong, have been raising the alarm. They are dealing with high call volumes, a huge geographical area and understaffing.

What is this government doing to improve ambulance coverage for patients in the area, as well as working conditions for these paramedics?

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

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Thank you to the member opposite for the question. It gives me an opportunity to highlight some of the many initiatives that we’ve been working on with our community paramedics, end paramedics and other health care providers, like Ornge air ambulance, which would, of course, be of particular interest to the member opposite.

We’ve ensured that we have opportunities other than paramedics having to drive only patients to their emergency departments. In fact, in some communities, we’ve seen success and satisfaction rates of over 85%. It means that someone who doesn’t need to go to an emergency department and can get services within their community, with the patient’s consent, can go to that long-term-care home, can go to that palliative care home, can go to access other opportunities.

I think it is really an example of the innovation that we’re embracing in our health care system.

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

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: Paramedics in the Kenora region have the challenge of ensuring ambulance coverage in a region that has 10 ambulance bases spread across 400,000 square kilometres. The current set-up isn’t working for the patients or staff. Residents deserve better attention from the levels of government that fund the Northwest EMS. When we don’t fund these services properly, the lives and the health of the people of northern Ontario suffer.

What is this government doing to improve this crisis of care across the region?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: As I said, we are working with our partners, we’re making sure that programs like the nurse offload program ensure that we have funded an exclusive individual to assist in making sure that as paramedics bring their patients in to the emergency department, there is a paid physician funded by our government to make sure that they can stabilize that patient while they are waiting for care internally. That one initiative ensures that those paramedics can go back out into the community.

We talk about all of the different ways that our health care providers work together to improve the system. These are the initiatives, these are the proposals and changes that our government is funding to make sure that we have the appropriate care and we have the appropriate health human resources doing that work.

Health care

Mr. Stephen Blais: My question is for the Premier. Children’s hospitals across Ontario are facing unprecedented challenges. In Ottawa, CHEO is operating at 113% capacity, while its intensive care unit is at over 180%. CHEO is cancelling surgeries and converting that space for more intensive care need. There are shortages in the lack of children’s pain medications, which is forcing more and more parents to go to the emergency room to seek care for their kids. Under the watch of this government, CHEO has had to cancel appointments and surgeries because of this influx of patients and the lack of sufficient resources to deal with the surge.

They don’t have sufficient resources because of Bill 124. They don’t have sufficient resources because this government is fixated on election gimmicks instead of investing in our health care. The hospitals don’t have sufficient resources because this government doesn’t have their back.

Mr. Speaker, what is this government going to do today to fix the health care crisis in our hospitals, in particular our children’s hospitals?

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

Hon. Sylvia Jones: I’m going to start with the pediatric pain medication. I wonder if the member opposite has spoken to the federal government and talked about what they are doing to actually ensure that the pain medication that our parents and our children need and deserve is available in the province of Ontario.

I know that I have been speaking to Minister Duclos, on almost a daily basis, to get updates, and I have assurances that that is happening. But I wonder if the member opposite has done the same. I wonder if the member opposite has actually congratulated CHEO on doing something that has added capacity in a very expedited manner. These are the leadership qualities that we need to encourage and make sure that we’re acknowledging, we’re funding and we’re supporting. We’re doing that, as our government is; I wonder if the member opposite has done the same.

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

Mr. Stephen Blais: My supplemental is also for the Premier, Mr. Speaker. Almost every aspect of the health care system is in crisis. Under this government’s watch, we’ve seen the time for ER visits for admitted patients increased to over 45.2 hours. We’ve seen ambulance offload delays go from 83 minutes to 90 minutes in September. That extra seven minutes is almost the entire provincially legislated time for response for an emergency. This has led to a dramatic increase in level zero events right across the province. That means an ambulance isn’t there to respond to your 911 call.

Despite the level zero crisis we’re facing, neither the word “paramedic” nor the word “ambulance” is mentioned one time—not once—in the fall economic statement. The city of Ottawa is asking for $5 million to strategically position paramedics at hospitals across the city to help with offload delays. Will the government provide the city this funding to reduce level zero events and ensure an ambulance is there to respond to 911 calls?

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

Hon. Sylvia Jones: In August, we passed a budget that had an increase in the health care budget of over $5 million. The member opposite voted against that initiative. You cannot stand up—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order. Order. The House will come to order.

Minister of Health, please continue.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: You cannot stand up and demand that we make more investments in health care without actually doing the work. We’ve done that. We’ve made that commitment in our most recent budget. The member opposite can stand up and say that more needs to be done; but, frankly, maybe the first thing that needs to happen is that you actually support the initiatives our government has been bringing forward.

Mining industry

Mr. Will Bouma: My question is for the Minister of Mines. Ongoing global economic uncertainty driven by inflation and geopolitical instability is causing disruptions in worldwide supply chains, leading to negative consequences here in Ontario. The mining sector in our province represents an opportunity for Ontario to assume the role of a global leader. For example, as the world moves toward more electric vehicle production, the critical minerals required in constructing these vehicles can be extracted right here in our province. Speaker, could the minister please tell this House about what our government is doing to make Ontario a leader in mineral production?

Hon. George Pirie: Thank you for the question from the member for Brantford. The opportunities for the Ontario mining industry have never been greater than they are now, and that’s why we introduced the Critical Minerals Strategy in the spring of this year. It’s the perfect marriage of the opportunity of minerals in northern Ontario with the manufacturing might in southern Ontario.

In the words of OMA president Chris Hodgson: “As the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, faces increasing geopolitical uncertainty and as the race to halt climate change accelerates, Ontario is primed to continue contributing meaningful solutions, while capitalizing on rising global demand for green and critical minerals.”

I couldn’t agree more. Ontario will produce the critical minerals and metals that are fundamental to modern life and key components in the clean energy transition. Just last month, we celebrated the grand opening of the Vale Copper Cliff South expansion that was followed by the Creighton mine. That would be $1.8 billion that will secure a local supply of the critical minerals we need for the EVs.

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

Mr. Will Bouma: Thank you, Minister, for that response. Ontario’s mining companies set the standard for responsible and safe operations worldwide. Ontario’s mineral exploration and mining industry represent a great comeback story, as our government is willing to step up and provide leadership after the years of neglect they faced under the previous Liberal government.

Opening new mines and expanding existing ones will mean producing jobs—good jobs that good people here in this province can rely on. It will increase our economy’s revenue, which means we can help pay for the critical services that benefit all Ontarians.

Speaker, can the minister elaborate further on this industry’s critical role in our province and what supports we can provide?

Hon. George Pirie: Thank you again for your question. As a former miner myself, I am passionate about this great industry. I used to be part of the Ontario Mining Association, which, for the past 44 years, has advocated for the sector, built positive relationships and celebrated this dynamic, innovative industry.

Mr. Speaker, today we are celebrating the Ontario Mining Association’s Meet the Miners Day at Queen’s Park. I encourage everyone to join me at the Meet the Miners reception at 5 p.m. in the Terrace room at the Gardiner Museum. It is an opportunity to speak with miners, learn more about the importance of the sector and engage in policy discussion that can move this sector forward.

Education funding

Ms. Chandra Pasma: Yesterday, the Financial Accountability Office reported the government is on track for a $6-billion shortfall in education spending over the next few years, including $400 million this year alone, but yesterday’s economic statement didn’t do anything to address this gap.

The Premier has now used pandemic disruptions to schooling, largely caused by this government, as an excuse to trample on the rights of low-paid workers and to spend public money on private tutoring companies. If the Premier is so committed to our kids’ success, why doesn’t he do the obvious thing and adequately fund public education?

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

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: Mr. Speaker through to you to the member opposite: I’m sure the member opposite has read the budget, which included a $3.6-billion increase for education funding this fiscal year—$3.6 billion. We tabled that budget in April 2022, took it to the electorate, and that budget was roundly endorsed by the people of Ontario. When we recalled the Legislature back in August to pass that budget, did the member opposite vote for that $3.6-billion increase? No.

Do you know what’s in that increase? That’s funding a large funding envelope for child care so we can—more child care funding to build more schools. The previous government closed 600 schools. You don’t need child care spaces when you close schools. We’re putting them in new schools, in existing schools—mental health supports, tutorial supports, HEPA filters. We’re investing in our children.

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

Ms. Chandra Pasma: It’s funny the minister should mention child care, Speaker, because it’s not just school-aged kids this government is letting down. The FAO also revealed that the government’s child care expansion plan is shockingly inadequate. Even if the government builds all their planned 71,000 net new spaces by 2026, and that’s a big if, it won’t be enough to keep up with increasing demand. Over 200,000 children will be unable to access $10-a-day child care in Ontario.

The government could ensure access for all with a serious expansion plan and by addressing the workforce crisis with better wages and working conditions for child care workers. My question is, why isn’t the Premier doing that?

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

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Mr. Speaker, let me remind the members opposite that their advice to government six to 12 months ago was to accept a deal that would have precluded a third of children in the province of Ontario. They would have exacerbated the very problem they cite today—the irony of the member opposite posing that question.

But I am proud to report that, because of the reforms our government undertook, 92% of operators in this province have opted into our program to ensure accessible, affordable child care, an incredible achievement that’s going to help so many families receive 25% on average savings this fall, roughly $6,000, rising to $12,000, roughly 50% on average, of savings by January 1, 2023. This is a monumental achievement.

And while we have created the conditions of 46,000 child care spaces since we came to office, in the deal we signed, 86,000 more will be built to increase access, and the federal government has $1 billion on the table for capital. We urge them to release the dollars so we improve access for families across this province.

Government fiscal policies

Ms. Stephanie Bowman: A month ago, I visited the Holland Bloorview children’s rehab hospital in my riding of Don Valley West. This world-class organization develops tre