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December 2, 2021

42nd Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2021-Dec-02 vol. A (PDF)

L028A - Thu 2 Dec 2021 / Jeu 2 déc 2021

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Thursday 2 December 2021 Jeudi 2 décembre 2021

Wearing of team memorabilia

Orders of the Day

Providing More Care, Protecting Seniors, and Building More Beds Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 visant à offrir davantage de soins, à protéger les personnes âgées et à ouvrir plus de lits

Members’ Statements

Nurses

Santa Claus parades in Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock

Food banks

Student achievement

Government services

Housing

Big Bruce

Domestic violence

Ontario Legislature Internship Programme

Visitors

COVID-19 deaths

Question Period

Small business

COVID-19 response

Long-term care

Cultural diversity

Long-term care

Hospital funding

Special-needs children

Small business

Public transit

School facilities

COVID-19 response

Affordable housing

Gun violence

Land use planning

Notice of dissatisfaction

Deferred Votes

Supporting People and Businesses Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 visant à soutenir la population et les entreprises

Condominium legislation

Introduction of Bills

COVID-19 Memorial Day Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 sur le Jour commémoratif de la COVID-19

Racial Equity in the Education System Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 sur l’égalité raciale dans le système d’éducation

Petitions

Optometry services

Gun violence

Anti-racism activities

Dog ownership

Community planning

Child care

Education funding

Optometry services

Post-stroke treatment

Anti-racism activities

Anti-racism activities

Business of the House

Orders of the Day

Providing More Care, Protecting Seniors, and Building More Beds Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 visant à offrir davantage de soins, à protéger les personnes âgées et à ouvrir plus de lits

Royal assent / Sanction royale

Providing More Care, Protecting Seniors, and Building More Beds Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 visant à offrir davantage de soins, à protéger les personnes âgées et à ouvrir plus de lits

The House met at 0900.

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

Prières/Prayers.

Wearing of team memorabilia

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Point of order: the member for Hamilton East–Stoney Creek.

Mr. Paul Miller: I’m seeking unanimous consent to wear some Tiger-Cats memorabilia today.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Hamilton East–Stoney Creek is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to allow him to wear some Tiger-Cats attire today. Agreed? Agreed.

Orders of the Day

Providing More Care, Protecting Seniors, and Building More Beds Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 visant à offrir davantage de soins, à protéger les personnes âgées et à ouvrir plus de lits

Mr. Phillips moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill 37,

An Act to enact the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021 and amend or repeal various Acts / Projet de loi 37, Loi visant à édicter la Loi de 2021 sur le redressement des soins de longue durée et à modifier ou à abroger diverses lois.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’ll recognize the Minister of Long-Term Care to lead off the debate.

Hon. Rod Phillips: I rise today to speak to the third reading of the proposed Providing More Care, Protecting Seniors, and Building More Beds Act, 2021. The mission of long-term care homes across Ontario is to give our seniors their highest quality of life so they can experience their best quality of life and a high quality of care. Mr. Speaker, this legislation supports that mission. If passed, this bill would repeal the previous Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007, and replace it with a new act, the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021.

After decades of neglect, our government continues to take action to fix long-term care in Ontario. For decades, not enough beds were being built, not enough staff were being trained and not enough attention was being paid to the concerns of the people who live and work in long-term care homes. Mr. Speaker, the legislation before us would help fix these problems so that every resident experiences the best possible quality of life, supported by safe, high-quality care in Ontario’s long-term care homes.

We have a plan that we’re executing to fix long-term care and ensure that Ontario’s seniors get the quality of care they need and deserve, both now and in the future. Our plan, as I’ve said before in this Legislature, is built on three pillars: staffing and care; accountability, enforcement and transparency; and building modern, safe, comfortable homes for Ontario seniors.

The Providing More Care, Protecting Seniors, and Building More Beds Act, 2021, is a key part of that plan, Mr. Speaker, to fix long-term care. I’d like to begin by talking about the first pillar: staffing and care. As we all know, seniors entering long-term care today are older and have more complex needs than they did just a decade ago. The level of care that residents need has increased, but unfortunately, the time that they receive in terms of care has not. In the nine years between 2009 and 2018, the amount of care that each resident received increased by only 22 minutes.

Residents need more direct care, and that is what we are providing. That is why, in our 2020 budget, the government committed to ensuring that residents receive an average of four hours of care per day per resident. This means the daily care from PSWs and nurses will increase by 42%, or an additional one hour and 22 minutes, over just the next four years. This is something that advocates have been calling for, for decades.

This proposed legislation we are debating today will take that commitment first made in 2020 one step further. Mr. Speaker, it would make our commitment to increase the hours of direct care provided to residents by personal support workers, registered nurses and registered practical nurses to that average of four hours per resident per day, by March 31, the law in Ontario. This will make Ontario the leader in quality long-term care in Canada. It also sets out annual requirements in law that necessitate that the government report on the progress being made towards four hours of care each and every year.

Jerry Dias, the president of Unifor, said that if this is passed, it will be “the first time we will see minimum standards of care written into law,” and that that will be a “victory for LTC workers” and that it should not “be overlooked or overstated.” Of course, in this way, he is absolutely right.

But what does that mean for residents, Mr. Speaker? What does four hours of care mean? It means more quality time that staff can spend with residents. It means an extra bath. It means more attention at meal time. It means another opportunity to chat and speak and support our residents.

It would also establish our government’s commitment to increase direct care with allied health professionals. This legislation sets out our expectation that allied health professional support will increase by 20% over the next two years. The care provided by these professionals would include such workers as social workers, dietitians and physiotherapists, and is in addition to the four hours of care to be provided by PSWs and nurses.

This legislation makes it clear that getting residents the care they need is a clear priority of this government. That is why the Minister of Long-Term Care will be required to report publicly each and every year on the government’s progress, and if the targets are not achieved, the minister would be required to identify the reasons why and to develop a plan to reach those targets.

This legislation complements our government’s historic staffing plan, the largest long-term care recruitment and training drive in Canada’s history. We know that we need more staff to provide more care for our long-term care residents. That is why we are following the recommendations of the long-term care commission and hiring more nurse practitioners in long-term care. Mr. Speaker, in our government’s fall economic statement, we committed to close to $58 million, beginning in 2022, to hire 225 nurse practitioners.

We all know in this Legislature that nurse practitioners have a positive impact on the quality of care in long-term care homes. They bring together medical knowledge and the values and skills of nursing, and provide a wide range of direct support care services as well as improving overall the quality of care in long-term care homes. But, according to the long-term care commission, they’ve not been embraced by the sector. In fact, the commission stated that there are currently 60 to 70 nurse practitioners working in long-term care homes in Ontario.

The previous government did recognize the role of nurse practitioners, but were slow to act. In fact, in March 2014, the former Premier, Dalton McGuinty, promised to hire 75 nurse practitioners over the next three years. The last of those nurse practitioners was hired in March 2021, seven years after the initial promise. We will hire triple that number of nurse practitioners over the next thee years. We have set aside the investments to make sure this happens, because we understand the importance of nurse practitioners in our long-term care homes.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting with nurse practitioners at a symposium organized by the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario. They shared their excitement about how they can help improve the care in long-term care.

Now, as you know, Mr. Speaker, this bill just came from committee, where the official opposition moved an amendment—it was amendment 10, to be precise—that would have watered down our government’s commitment to four hours of care by trying to include those nurse practitioners in the four hours of care calculation. That is not what we’re doing. The critical care these new nurse practitioners provide is over and above the four hours of care being provided by RNs, RPNs and PSWs. That is what our seniors deserve and that is what we are going to deliver.

This new investment in nurse practitioners is in addition to the $270 million of investment we announced in October to support 4,050 new long-term care staff this year. Lisa Levin, the CEO of AdvantAge Ontario, said that this funding was a watershed moment in long-term care in Ontario and putting the dollars exactly where they need to be: increasing front-line staff to improve the care of residents. This investment will allow all homes to hire and retain the staff that they need to increase daily direct care so that we can meet our annual goals as set out in the legislation.

In an unprecedented step, we have provided funding clarity to each and every home so that they can see the path to four hours of care and see the path to the increased staff that will be required. This increase in staff to support increase in resident care has been championed by residents, families and advocates for decades, and it is this government that is taking the action to make it reality.

We are also investing $12 million over the next two years to expand mental health and addictions supports for front-line health and long-term care workers, and I’d like to recognize the work of my colleague the Associate Minister of Mental Health in advocating for the importance of this. This is on top of $194 million of funding for mental health that the province has already provided since the start of the pandemic, and it is essential given the toll that working on the front lines through this pandemic has had on our health care workers.

In total, we’ve committed to invest an unprecedented $5 billion over four years to hire more than 27,000 new front-line staff. This investment is working today. Those investments are supporting 16,000 students training to be PSWs and opened up 2,000 new positions for nursing students, because we need more staff today and we need more staff for the future.

I have had the benefit of visiting a number of these PSW classes and had great conversations with these bright, enthusiastic, dedicated people. I’ve spoken with PSW students at Canadore College in North Bay; Seneca College in Vaughan; Algonquin College in Ottawa; Clarkridge Career Institute in Brampton; George Brown College in Toronto; collège La Cité in Ottawa; Archbishop Anthony Meagher Catholic Continuing Education Centre in Oshawa, which is run by the Durham Catholic District School Board; and the City Adult Learning Centre, which is run by the Toronto District School Board.

These graduates begin to graduate this fall. In fact, many have graduated already, and they’re equipped with the knowledge and the skills to care for our loved ones in long-term care.

I want to talk a little bit about when I dropped by the PSW class at the City Adult Learning Centre in the Toronto District School Board just last week, last Thursday. I had the opportunity to speak to a number of the students there: Carine, Joel, Taofeek and Jessica. I asked them, why did they make a decision at this stage in their life to become PSWs, to support us in our plan to fix long-term care? Mr. Speaker, it was very interesting. Many of the students were embarking on second careers.

Joel is 45 years old. He had worked in live music security and more recently worked as a crossing guard. He said that he saw being a PSW as an opportunity to support and help people.

Jessica had previously worked in the tourism and hospitality sector. She saw the important role that PSWs were playing and decided it was time for her to change careers.

Taofeek was currently working in retail. He actually is the manager at a Best Buy store but has made the decision that he wants to spend the next phase of his career supporting our long-term care residents.

Now, the students in this class and the other classes I visited represent a cross-section of Ontario, some of our best and some of our brightest. They come from different backgrounds and different phases in their life, but they share a common commitment to wanting to help others. Often people ask me, as I’ve only been in this role for about six months, “How can you be so optimistic about fixing long-term care?” because there are many challenges. That optimism comes from spending time across Ontario with people like Taofeek, Carine, Jessica and Joel.

I’d encourage every member of the Legislature to take an opportunity to meet with these committed people who are committed to helping and committed to fixing long-term care.

We want more people like these students to pursue careers in long-term care. That’s why we recently launched a digital marketing campaign—and that will be supported later this month by a radio campaign—to encourage people to explore their options in a rewarding career in health care, and specifically the long-term care sector.

We also want to create opportunities for current health care workers to expand their careers in long-term care. That’s why, on October 27, joined by my colleague the Minister of Colleges and Universities, we announced a $100-million investment that will make an additional 2,000 nurses available to long-term care over the next four years. This is done by attracting PSWs and registered practical nurses to the long-term care sector and by helping them as they take the next steps in their career. It’s an investment in two complementary programs.

The first will help attract staff to long-term care and support them with their future education, and the second will ensure that the courses they need are available and that they appreciate the reality of the busy lives our front-line health care workers live.

We’re working with WeRPN on this initiative. Their CEO, Dianne Martin, said, “Over the coming decade, Ontario will need thousands of nurses to meet the health care needs of our long-term care residents—initiatives like this are key to building a much-needed steady supply of nurses and retaining more of these dedicated professionals in our health system.” So, with our partners, we’re helping to educate, hire and support more long-term care staff, because we know that more staff equals more care.

During her committee appearance, Ms. Martin said that the establishment in law to increase the average hours of care per resident to four hours per day by March 31, 2025, and the increase in care provided by allied health care professionals is commendable. She also commented—and this is relevant to some of the comments made by our critics—that while some may criticize the interim annual targets and want four hours of care to come into effect sooner, the reality is that Ontario doesn’t currently have an adequate supply of nurses and allied health care professionals to deliver that level of care per resident.

That’s why we have a prudent, well-thought-out, financed four-year plan to do just that.

At this time, I do want to take the opportunity to thank everybody who has been advocating for the standard of four hours of care. It is they, supported by this government’s resolve to fix the long-standing problem, who will make Ontario the leader in Canada when it comes to care.

These investments, combined with the legislation, will help us reach the staffing and care levels that advocates have been calling for.

I’ll quote one final deputant at the committee: Smokey Thomas, the head of OPSEU, said, “We are glad to finally see a government that is following up on its words and doing something.”

Madam Speaker, the second pillar of our plan to fix long-term care is protecting residents through better accountability, enforcement and transparency. The proposed legislation includes a number of items that would support this bill. It would update the residents’ bill of rights. These updates would include the recommendations we’ve received from third-party reviews and, of course, the long-term care commission. They include the addition of the right to be supported by a caregiver and the right to be provided with care and services based on a palliative care philosophy.

The pandemic has underscored the important role that caregivers play every day in resident health and well-being. This update to the residents’ bill of rights recognizes that important contribution and protects it. The proposed legislation would also align the language of the residents’ bill of rights with the grounds for discrimination in the Ontario Human Rights Code and make the residents’ bill of rights easier for residents and family members to understand.

This proposed legislation would introduce a new

section dedicated to quality improvement in long-term care, to enhance residents’ quality of life and to enhance residents’ quality of care. It will also include a requirement that all homes implement a palliative care philosophy and a plan of care for each and every resident. As we heard at committee—and I want to reassure the members that a palliative care philosophy allows a resident to live their very best life right up to the very end.

As Dr. Hugh Boyd, chair of the long-term-care

section of the Ontario Medical Association, said when testifying at committee, “When residents receive in-home palliative care, they experience better symptom management, shorter or fewer hospitalizations, and have better overall experience and quality of life.”

The legislation allows the minister to establish a long-term care quality centre to focus on training, research and best practices. This will allow long-term care homes to provide better care and better quality of life. If passed, the legislation would also establish emergency planning provisions that will include planning for pandemics, as recommended by the long-term care commission.

I should say, Madam Speaker, as part of our broader plan to fix long-term care, it is essential integration that we’ve seen during the pandemic between local public health units, between the Ministry of Labour, between the Ministry of Health, between our acute care sector—all of these points of integration are part of our plan to fix long-term care.

Central to the legislation are measures that would strengthen enforcement. People in Ontario—residents, families and citizens—need to trust that our most vulnerable will be safe and be able to enjoy the quality of life that they deserve in every long-term care home in Ontario. That is why this legislation includes increasing of fines. If passed, it would double the fines on conviction of an offence for an individual, to $200,000 for a first offence and $400,000 for a second offence; for corporations, it would see an increase of 150% to $500,000 for first offences and $1 million for second offences.

These fines, as financial deterrents for non-compliance, will be the toughest and largest in the country.

If passed, the act would give a ministry director or the Minister of Long-Term Care the authority to suspend a licence and take over a long-term care home without having to revoke a licence and close that long-term care home. This change would allow a long-term care home supervisor to be appointed, allowing the ministry full control of the home until the suspension is lifted, or the licence expires or is revoked, or another solution is found.

What this means is that in an emergency situation where the well-being of the residents is in peril, the ministry would be able to act quickly to step in and protect residents. This quick action is not available under the current act, and it reflects similar provisions that colleagues will be familiar with that are currently available with regard to supervisors in both hospitals and school boards.

In addition, if passed, the act would also prohibit a licensee from hiring staff, accepting volunteers or having a board member that has been convicted of an offence or found guilty of professional misconduct, as provided for within the regulations.

The proposed legislation would support the second pillar of our plan to fix long-term care, which is to protect residents through better accountability, enforcement and transparency. Now, these penalties are important, but they aren’t effective on their own. The legislation complements the investment announced on October 26 to more than double the number of long-term care inspectors in Ontario. We are investing $72 million over three years to increase enforcement capacity in long-term care. This includes hiring just under 200 new inspection staff by the fall of 2022.

Last year, there were 156 long-term care inspectors in Ontario. At the end of our hiring blitz, there will be 344 on-the-ground inspectors, and I’m pleased to report to the Legislature that our hiring is well under way. This will make Ontario’s inspector-to-home ratio the best in Canada.

These new inspectors will allow us to conduct proactive inspections in long-term care homes. I’m pleased to announce that that program is already under way. This program allows inspectors to identify problems in our long-term care homes so that they can be resolved earlier. This change in our inspection regime was recommended, as are so many parts of our plan, by the long-term care commission. It is also supported by people like Smokey Thomas, the president of OPSEU, who said, “We’re pleased to see proactive inspections back on the province’s priority list....

Comprehensive and unannounced annual inspections are the only way to ensure these homes are operating to the highest standards of ... care.”

In addition, inspectors will be trained in provincial offences and performing investigations to address more complex and serious issues and lay provincial offence charges where necessary.

Before I leave the topic of inspectors and enforcement, I want to draw attention to amendment 32 that was put forward by the official opposition at committee. This would have made it easier for homes, should they choose to, to evade accountability by only being required to provide inspectors with requested information during normal business hours. Madam Speaker, our commitment to the safety of residents cannot end at 5 p.m. on a Friday, and we will not do anything to water down the supports and protections that have been placed in this bill.

I do want to assure the official opposition and others tuning in that our long-term care inspectors, who are, incidentally, members of OPSEU, are professionals with a diverse set of health care backgrounds. They are certified nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists who are tasked with promoting health, safety and supporting the rights of long-term care home residents. To complement that skill set, as I’ve said before in this Legislature, we’ll be adding some individuals with more specific investigative backgrounds. I’ve had the privilege of accompanying many inspectors on unannounced inspections, and I can speak to the tough work they do.

It was noted at committee that higher fines and more inspections alone will not improve the quality of our residents unless there are real consequences for the people who don’t follow the rules. Madam Speaker, I couldn’t agree more. That is why, through this legislation and our investment in increasing the number of inspectors, we are creating the conditions to ensure the rules are followed and enforced in long-term care in Ontario.

We’ve also heard that transparency is critical for residents, families and the general public to have trust in long-term care homes. This legislation requires the introduction of a survey for all long-term care residents and their families. In the regulations to support the legislation, we plan to make this a standardized survey and present home-by-home data. This survey will be developed, and is being developed, with input from the Ontario Association of Residents’ Councils and Family Councils Ontario.

We will also be launching a user-friendly portal later this month that will allow residents, families and the public to have access to information on all long-term care homes. And in this year’s fall economic statement, we committed $22 million to implement an Ontario-made technology that will integrate the clinical information between hospitals and the long-term care sector.

In addition to streamlining admission to hospital and readmission for homes, this sharing of information has been shown to avoid the need for transferring residents, where inappropriate in the first place, but make sure that they receive the level of care they need. These actions, combined with the proposed legislation, if passed, will mean more enforcement, more accountability and more transparency.

Donna Duncan, the CEO of Ontario Long Term Care Association said, “Ontario’s long-term care homes share the Ontario government’s commitment to accountability and transparency, and remain steadfast that enshrining these principles in legislation is necessary to build the confidence required to transfer the system to meet the wishes and needs of Ontarians as they age.”

The third and final pillar of our plan is building modern, safe and comfortable homes for our seniors. As outlined in the fall economic statement, we are building Ontario’s future in many fronts, with shovels in the ground across the province and working on all kinds of much-needed infrastructure—I take the moment to commend the work of my colleague the Minister of Infrastructure and my many other colleagues working to build Ontario—and long-term care is no exception. This legislation puts in measures that will support this important pillar.

These measures would modify the requirements under licence provisions to streamline the building of new homes but increase transparency. The changes would allow licensees to focus their resources on redeveloping homes and resident care.

If passed, enhancements would include streamlining the process for licences requesting small changes to already existing licenses, like a small, minor bed change. This legislation would complement the unprecedented investments that we’re making in long-term care. In the fall economic statement, we committed to invest another $3.7 billion to build an additional 10,000 new long-term-care beds and upgrade over 12,000 existing beds. This brings our total funding commitment to $6.4 billion and will lead to more than 30,000 net new beds and 28,000 upgraded long-term-care beds across the province.

This, as I’ve mentioned elsewhere, is the largest long-term care redevelopment in Canada. We already have 220 projects under development and construction. That’s over 21,000 new beds and 16,000 upgraded beds.

As I’ve said before, not-for-profit homes are an integral part of our plan. That’s why, today, I’m pleased to share with the Legislature that we are taking action to address one of the long-standing issues facing not-for-profit beds: financing. We will be launching the not-for-profit loan guarantee program. This program will unlock close to $400 million in financing through Infrastructure Ontario for Ontario’s not-for-profit long-term care homes. Not only will the not-for-profit loan guarantee program support the financing of not-for-profit homes, but it will also save those homes an estimated $62 million because of lower interest payments.

The new not-for-profit loan guarantee program is part of how we are addressing our plan to fix long-term care to ensure that not-for-profit homes can be an important part of the solution when it comes to long-term care in Ontario. It will help provide support for many not-for-profit development projects that are currently in the pipeline and support those projects in the future. I’m looking forward to talking more about this at an announcement at the Rekai Centre later today.

As I said, we are committed to building over 30,000 net new beds and upgrading 28,000 beds this decade. That’s important, because between 2011 and 2018, as people have heard many, many times across the province, only 611 net new beds were built across this province, and that’s at a time when the population over 75 had grown by 20%, Madam Speaker. To bring this home to you and I, I want to talk about what that means in Durham region. Out of those 611 net new beds, none were built in Durham. By comparison, today there are over 1,000 new beds in development and 700 redeveloped beds just in Durham region alone.

Now, we all know as legislators that this lack of new beds has had very real impacts on the lives of our constituents, and I’ve spoken specifically to that on a number of occasions in the Legislature, and we know the enthusiasm with which local communities are embracing the building of new beds. One example: I was with my parliamentary assistant, the member from Oakville North–Burlington, for the announcement of two new 320-bed homes in Oakville and the mayor of Oakville, Rob Burton, said, “My heart is overflowing with gratitude right now. For 15 years we’ve been asking Ontario to deal with our deficit in long-term-care beds in our town. And in one fell swoop, man are you delivering.”

Madam Speaker, that’s what we’re hearing in communities across Ontario. Like you, time and again I’ve heard from constituents about the impact that not enough long-term-care beds has in real people’s lives. This shortage of long-term-care beds is the reality of families and communities across Ontario, and that’s why these investments and support for these investments is so critical going forward, so that we can alleviate the challenges today and for the future.

We issued a new call for development proposals on October 20, and that 10,000 additional new beds will bring us to our 30,000-net-new-bed goal. Madam Speaker, as you would expect, you will start to hear announcements about these new beds very soon.

To provide the best quality of life and quality of care, it’s important not only that we build new homes and upgrade the beds we have, but that we support the continued maintenance and improvement of the older homes in our portfolio. That’s why we’ve invested $143 million in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems to improve residents’ safety and comfort.

I like to tell the story about when I was in Hamilton visiting Dundurn Place Care Centre in the Leader of the Opposition’s riding and I had the opportunity to meet with Peter Bartlett. Peter is the head of engineering at Dundurn Place Care. Peter long had a vision about being able to provide air conditioning and cooler air for residents. Peter showed the dedication that we have in our long-term care system, not just in our front-line health care workers but in other parts of the operation. He had masterfully ensured that home-wide air conditioning was provided. He said he could only do that because the resources were provided.

So, Madam Speaker, we have to build new beds, we have to redevelop new beds, but we also have to support the existing reality in our homes. That’s why I’m proud to be part of a government that is doing that. It’s taking action now and for the future to protect seniors. We’re helping build healthier and safer spaces, and we are making sure that the future is going to be brighter with more new beds.

I’ve had the opportunity over the last several months to visit many of the development and redevelopment projects. I would just like to name a few of them, Madam Speaker: a 160-bed home being built in North Bay; a 320-bed home being built in Ajax; a 160-bed home being built in Brampton; a 256-bed home in Vaughan; a 256-bed home in Ottawa, in fact, in Stittsville; a 320-bed long-term care home in North York; two new homes in Mississauga, with a total of 632 new beds; and, as I mentioned before, two new homes in Oakville.

Madam Speaker, that project in Oakville, I’d say, is very interesting, because it was built also with support from the provincial government. It involved provincially owned lands to make sure that, in an area where land is expensive, homes can be built. But 640 new beds, just that one location, more than all the beds that were built in the seven years before that—640 new beds for Oakville, and we’re not done yet.

In addition, we are investing $82.5 million to expand existing community paramedicine programs that support communities. We are ensuring that those who are waiting for long-term-care beds are also getting the support they need. That additional money, Madam Speaker, means that all eligible residents in Ontario are going to be eligible for that program.

As I wind down my remarks, I do want to again thank residents, families, staff and advocates for having shared their stories and shared their experiences and their advice with myself, with the committee, and with others. All of you have helped shape the plan, and all of you will continue to help and shape the plan.

I would also like to thank the members of the official opposition who, at committee, supported the government amendments to make this a better bill. Those amendments included recognition of psychological care for residents, including mental health in the plan of care, and recognizing the importance of the emotional needs of our seniors. These amendments will benefit all residents.

Madam Speaker, it’s worth noting that I would like to thank the participants in the long-term care strategic round table, which include the leaders of organized labour, leaders from the long-term care community, representatives of families and representatives of residents. Co-chaired by my parliamentary assistant and by the deputy minister, this will be an important table that will work not just on the important work right in front of us, but over the next number of years as we roll out our plan to fix long-term care. We are open to these ideas. We are open to input. We know that we need to move quickly.

That was the advice of the many commissions and reviews, but we also know that we need to move smartly. So I thank all of those individuals for their active engagement and involvement in the process.

Importantly, this proposed legislation will help us achieve tangible progress under the three pillars of our plan: improving staffing and care; protecting residents through better accountability, enforcement and transparency; and building more modern, safe and comfortable homes for our seniors. Strengthening these pillars will lead to Ontario providing residents with the highest number of hours of care per day, on average, in Canada, making Ontario the leader.

It will ensure that Ontario has the best ratio of inspectors per home and the toughest, highest long-term care fines in Canada, again making Ontario the leader. And it will lead to Ontario developing and redeveloping the greatest number of beds in Canada, again making Ontario the leader, as it should be.

As we strengthen each of these pillars, Ontario’s long-term care system is growing stronger. It grows more resilient to crises like pandemics, which we are still experiencing, and it becomes a system where every resident in every home experiences the best possible quality of life, supported by safe, high-quality care. This is why we are proposing the Providing More Care, Protecting Seniors, and Building More Beds Act, 2021, which would repeal the current Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007, and replace it with the improved Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021.

This is a crucial part of the government’s plan to fix long-term care. To make transformative change in a system as complex as long-term care requires not only historic investments but also bold legislation.

Our government knows that bold action is the only answer, and the pandemic has further impressed upon everyone in this province the importance of ensuring that our most vulnerable are protected and that the long-term care sector finally gets fixed. I am confident that we can achieve this. I am confident because I see the progress we’ve already made, and I’m confident because of the amazing people who are working in long-term care—both in the sector and those who support them. Together, we will fix long-term care by investing in more well-trained staff, by investing in new and redeveloped facilities, and by a clear commitment to accountability, enforcement and transparency.

We are creating the conditions that will allow us to shift the system to a more people-centred, people-first system that responds to a resident’s physical, psychological, social, spiritual and cultural needs and is respectful of every resident’s individual history and individual identity. Speaker, the proposed Providing More Care, Protecting Seniors, and Building More Beds Act, 2021, will make Ontario a better place to live and a better place to age.

When I speak with Ontarians, almost every one of them has a connection to long-term care, whether they are a resident living in a home, a worker providing care, a family member trusting a home with the care of a loved one or a citizen who is concerned about the state of our long-term care system. This proposed legislation would benefit each and every one of these people. That is why I hope that the honourable members on the other side will look to the importance of this legislation and look to support this act as it comes to a vote.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): I understand the minister is sharing his time, but before we continue, I ask all members to please silence their devices. Thank you.

Hon. Raymond Sung Joon Cho: Thank you, Minister Phillips. Good morning, Madam Speaker. Today, I’m here to speak to proposed amendments to the Retirement Homes Act, 2010. My colleague Minister Phillips has already outlined the proposed bill’s impact on seniors living in long-term care homes.

I would like to reiterate the benefits of our proposed amendments to the Retirement Homes Act—benefits which are important to providing seniors living in retirement homes with the care and dignity they deserve. Minister Phillips and I are committed to protecting Ontario’s seniors, including those living in retirement homes and in our long-term care facilities. We are determined to improve the level of care for all seniors in this province and provide them with the highest quality of life.

We have all seen the devastating impact of COVID-19 on seniors in Ontario, and clearly, we have much work to do. Unfortunately, COVID-19 is not over, and we are still fighting this pandemic. This does not mean that we can wait to start applying the lessons we have learned already. We are confident that the proposed bill is an important step toward addressing the needs of Ontario’s seniors in long-term care facilities as well as in retirement homes. This is why we are taking action and proposing amendments to the Retirement Homes Act.

If passed, the proposed amendments would improve quality of care for seniors living in retirement homes, further ensure residents’ protection and strengthen governance. As a result, seniors living in retirement homes and their loved ones will have the confidence of knowing that elderly care in Ontario is second to none. Therefore, Madam Speaker, I am once again asking the House to unanimously support the passing of Bill 37, because seniors in retirement and long-term-care homes deserve the care, protection and respect that our proposed bill delivers.

As you know, this request is beyond partisanship. It will demonstrate the kind of legacy we want to have as lawmakers, regardless of party. People in retirement homes and long-term care facilities deserve better. Together, working across the lines of partisan politics, we can give it to them. And we can do so quickly by supporting and passing this proposed bill.

Madam Speaker, let me be more specific about what we are asking the House to support. As mentioned before, COVID-19 has been an assault on our elder care system, a system designed to care for and protect some of our most vulnerable Ontarians. This pandemic’s effects are not felt by talking about systemic challenges, but rather by reflecting on the effect it has had on individuals, their families and all those who care for them.

Each of us has heard from or been personally touched by the ravages of our COVID enemy. COVID-19 is tough. It doesn’t sleep. It never takes a break. Madam Speaker, COVID-19 may be tough, but together we are tougher. We have heard from family members with loved ones in retirement homes and from residents themselves. They have experienced the pandemic in deeply personal ways. What they demand of us is change, to do better.

Madam Speaker, if passed, the proposed amendments will ensure that residents will be better cared for, better protected and will experience the dignity they deserve.

I also want to take this time to recognize that according to a recent survey by the Ontario Retirement Communities Association, 95% of retirement home residents were extremely satisfied with the care they receive, and they felt safe and well cared for. We know that our changes need to help enhance the retirement home sector without compromising the care already being provided.

You may ask, Madam Speaker: What problems are we trying to resolve? I will begin by addressing concerns that have been raised about the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority, or RHRA. The RHRA administers the Retirement Homes Act. It has faced many challenges overseeing retirement homes during these extraordinary times. This is because the RHRA doesn’t always have the necessary authority or information to respond quickly in urgent situations. We want to change that.

Seniors thinking about moving to a retirement home and those living in licensed retirement homes and their families have difficulty accessing pricing information early in the decision-making process. This can make it difficult to plan financially for the next stage in their lives. We can do better. If Ontarians are able to go online and see the price of a hotel room nearly anywhere in the province, they should be able to see the potential cost of a retirement home. This is a common-sense change that delivers on the ethic of customer service embodied by our Premier, Doug Ford.

Madam Speaker, our proposed amendments would promote a better quality of care for residents and their families, as well as future residents. They would enhance safety and security, and promote consumer choice and protection. In addition, they would ensure that residents are better informed and that they benefit from a more effective regulatory authority.

To do that, improving care will be our first priority. We will improve protection for seniors in unlicensed homes. The RHRA will now be able to require unlicensed homes to provide the same protections as in licensed homes during the licence application period. This ensures that residents in those homes start receiving the benefits of the RHA even before the home is fully licensed.

Next, we will enhance consumer protections. This is an area where we have received a lot of feedback. To take action on what we have heard, we will strengthen protections against financial abuse by permitting regulations to be made to prevent borrowing, receiving or holding residents’ money.

As you know, any system that manages such a vulnerable population demands regulation. Any regulation needs to be strong, yet nimble. Residents and those who care for them want to know that retirement homes are governed in such a way that puts the best interests of seniors first. We are therefore proposing amendments that would strengthen the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority. Specifically, we would provide the RHRA with new compliance and enforcement tools, including enhanced order-making powers, that would allow it to be a more agile and effective regulator.

The proposed amendments would also allow regulations to be made to improve data collection to support more effective, timely and data-driven decision-making. For example, our proposed amendments would allow regulations to be made to identify new categories of information for collection by the RHRA. The RHRA would also be allowed to gather resident contact information for specified purposes, as well as require operators, if needed, to pass communications on to residents. This will enable residents to be kept connected during emergencies and ensure they have access to the information they need, when they need it.

It will also help promote awareness of residents’ rights and protections under the Retirement Homes Act.

Madam Speaker, under our proposed amendments, the RHRA would also have the power to share information with law enforcement about prospective inspections. This would further promote residents’ safety and well-being by allowing the RHRA to be more proactive.

Overall, the proposed amendments would vastly improve outcomes for seniors in retirement homes. It will build confidence among Ontarians that the care provided in retirement homes is best-in-class, especially in challenging times.

Our vision, Madam Speaker, is that the proposed amendments would lead to a much stronger Retirement Homes Act, providing meaningful improvements to the safety and quality of life for seniors in retirement homes across this province.

Our proposal before you is a direct response to the lessons learned from COVID-19. It also is informed by the challenges identified during the 2015 Retirement Homes Act legislative review, feedback received from the ministry’s 2019 province-wide consultations on a seniors’ strategy and the Auditor General’s December 2020 value-for-money audit of the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority.

The proposed amendments to the Retirement Homes Act also serve to complement the many other initiatives our government has undertaken to protect Ontario’s seniors and improve their well-being, initiatives such as vaccinating residents in retirement homes and establishing mandatory vaccine policies for staff, or the Accessible Drive to Vaccines program that provides door-to-door service so that mobility is not an obstacle to receiving a vaccine. We are ensuring seniors get to vaccination centres in their community and then get home safely afterward. We’re also investing in several programs that help seniors remain active and engaged in their local community.

Each of those initiatives is making a meaningful difference in the lives of our seniors, and so too would the many enhancements we have proposed in the bill before the House today, which is why I’m again asking for my colleagues’ unanimous support. They can surely see the benefits of an improved Retirement Homes Act that strengthens care, protection and respect for residents and their families.

The challenges facing Ontario’s long-term care homes and retirement homes were put under a spotlight during COVID-19. These challenges have existed far too long across governments of all political stripes. I believe that when it comes to the care and protection of Ontario’s seniors, we can all find common ground and do what’s best for seniors across this province. Let’s all here today be the ones to make a change for better. Let’s pass Bill 37, Providing More Care, Protecting Seniors, and Building More Beds Act, 2021.

Thank you for your consideration, and thank you for your time.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Thank you—and a reminder to all members that you must refer to all members of this House by their title or their riding only. The first name, last name thing is not appropriate.

Questions and comments?

Mr. Michael Mantha: My question is to the Minister of Long-Term Care.

Being part of the committee work, there were many individuals, organizations that came in, and they were quite clear with two specific concerns—is that this legislation is mission-driven, and it takes away from the standards that everybody is asking for. What it does is it averages things out, as far as the care for individuals. It actually is going to reward those who are the bad apples throughout the entire long-term care home system. Also, this is a path—it’s a freeway—towards for-profit models.

Again, a lot of the people coming in and testifying at the committee stage were asking for more expansion of the not-for-profit and municipal long-term care homes. Why did we not do that? Why are we not looking at rewarding those, instead of rewarding shareholders with the for-profit model that this government is—

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Thank you. Response?

Hon. Rod Phillips: Thanks very much to the member from Algoma–Manitoulin for his question.

Respectfully, I disagree about the feedback we’ve received on this bill, both at committee and elsewhere. I would say there is excitement across the sector, again, from labour leaders, from leaders in the community, from all corners of the sector.

Specifically to the question—I would commend to the member the comments I just made about the announcement about more availability for not-for-profit homes. Not-for-profit homes are a very important part of the future, going forward. There has been a challenge for many years—a challenge for financing, for those projects. That is why, with Infrastructure Ontario, we are making available up to $400 million to support the development of an important part of our long-term care sector.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Further questions?

Mr. Lorne Coe: In the fall economic statement, you know that the government announced $58 million in funding to hire 225 new nurse practitioners. Speaker, can the minister please describe the impact on long-term care residents as a result of more nurse practitioners in this sector, and how this will fit into the overall health care staffing mix in long-term care homes, for example in the region of Durham?

Hon. Rod Phillips: I’d like to thank the member from Whitby. He and I visited one of the homes on one of my unannounced inspections, and one of the things we found and that I’m sure others have found is the important role that the very limited number of nurse practitioners—currently, as the long-term care commission pointed out, approximately 70—across the system can make. They have impacts in terms of direct care and they have impacts in terms of supporting the overall care in the homes.

With the support of the registered nurses’ association—in fact, with the advice of them and the nurses’ association of Ontario—we’ve moved to expand the number of nurse practitioners: 75 a year for the next three years. We will work collaboratively, and I’ve called on those sectors to help us to make sure that we have those trained professionals. This will not only support service in long-term care, it will also support a trajectory and a career path for nurse practitioners, because we need more of them in Ontario.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Further questions?

Ms. Sara Singh: I’d like to thank both the ministers for their comments on this bill. What we heard in committee were serious concerns with respect to Bill 37 and the fact that not one home is being held accountable here in the province of Ontario for what happened throughout the pandemic—homes like Orchard Villa.

Can the minister please explain why none of those homes where inspections found grave and horrific conditions for seniors are being held accountable, and why penalties are not retroactive?

Hon. Rod Phillips: We are taking very seriously accountability, enforcement and transparency. That’s why it’s a key part of our initiatives going forward. Again, all of the reports that the member talks about have been made public and transparent, as they would expect.

But while the opposition wants to focus on looking backward, we are also focused on going forward, Madam Speaker. In Brampton—the member’s own home community—zero beds were built. Zero beds were built in the seven years before. There are over 600 beds that are being built—680, in fact—in that community. Indus community centre, the Guru Nanak Long-Term Care Centre: These are all new beds.

We’ll make sure of accountability, transparency and enforcement. That’s why we’ve doubled the number of inspectors. But we’re also going to focus on the future, and we’re going to focus on the future in Brampton.

Interjections.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Stop the clock. The heckling will stop. I’d like to be able to hear both the questions and the responses, regardless of people’s feelings about it. This is how this will proceed. Thank you.

Further questions?

Mr. Amarjot Sandhu: I would like to thank both the ministers for their remarks.

Minister of Long-Term Care, you mentioned that Brampton was ignored for far too long—zero beds in seven years. I want to thank the government, yourself, the Premier for announcing 600 beds in the last three years, and also for announcing the two new long-term care homes in Brampton—the Guru Nanak long-term care the Indus community long-term care centre—because there is a need for culturally based long-term care homes in the community. Thank you, Minister, for that.

Also, can the Minister of Long-Term Care describe what has been done and the type of consultations that have been held in order to inform the proposed legislation and to ensure the voices of residents, families, labour unions, professional associations and other stakeholders were incorporated in this bill?

Hon. Rod Phillips: Thank you to the member, and thank you for his advocacy for those new long-term-care beds in Brampton. Thank you also for his and the rest of the government team’s support for our program announced today, almost $400 million of financing. Unlike beds that were announced but never delivered before, we’re make sure that not-for-profit beds like Guru Nanak will actually get built.

This legislation is based on extensive consultation and conversations with the sector. But as I mentioned in my comments, that conversation is going to be ongoing. We’ve established a table, chaired by my deputy minister and my parliamentary assistant, with leaders from organized labour, leaders from the long-term care sector, representatives of families and representatives of residents to keep that conversation going.

The challenges in long-term care happened over many, many years, and fixing long-term care is going to take more than just this legislation. But that’s why we will continue to consult and continue to work with those sectors, and that’s why we’re so pleased with the positive response we’ve received thus far.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Further questions?

Ms. Jessica Bell: I listened to the member for Ajax talk about the issues in the long-term care home sector and how there is a shortage of PSWs and nurses. Minister, many of the decisions this government has made have contributed to the shortage we are facing right now in the long-term care home sector: Bill 124 that freezes wages, the decision to not permanently increase personal support workers’ wages so that they can earn a living wage doing very hard work.

My question to you is, can this government permanently increase personal support workers’ wages so that we can increase staffing in long-term care homes and give these people a decent income?

Hon. Rod Phillips: I thank the member for her question and respectfully disagree about the enthusiasm that is currently out there, the enthusiasm I’ve seen in the nursing community, enthusiasm in the PSW community. Literally, the sign-up, partly because of the government’s support for these programs, paying tuition, paying the other costs—the number of people who are registering for PSW programs is at a record level.

But to the specific question, as the Premier has said, we’ve also committed to make sure that PSWs have the kind of wage they deserve. That’s a program we’ve worked on. We’ve had several extensions of the temporary wage increase, and this is something that we will work on with the sector.

But, Madam Speaker, the enthusiasm of the individuals moving into long-term care, moving into the health care sector is something we should be proud of: 16,000 PSW students being trained right now in Ontario—that’s the answer to the long-standing neglect related to PSW training.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Time for a quick back-and-forth.

Speaker, since taking on this portfolio, the Minister of Long-Term Care has made long-term-care bed development a priority. I’m wondering if the minister can expand further on why expediting the building of these long-term-care beds is such a pressing concern. Of course, having heard that between 2011 and 2018 the previous government was only able to build a net total of 611 beds, why is this such a priority for our government?

Hon. Rod Phillips: We all, as elected representatives, hear from constituents about what the impact of the shortage of beds means for individuals. That’s why a record $6.4 billion is now being invested to see those 30,000 net new beds, to see those 28,000 redeveloped beds. What that means in communities is higher-quality service, access and support for our residents. What that means is that Ontario finally has a plan to fix long-term care, and that plan includes providing those safe, comfortable homes for the members of our communities.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Further debate?

In the time that I’ll have today, I’ll be presenting the voices and concerns of stakeholders from across the province who have shared those concerns through the committee process, as well as through written submissions that were submitted to the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly with respect to Bill 37.

It is critical to understand that we are at a very important point in the history of this province when it comes to our long-term care sector. Many are still reeling and will continue to feel the impacts of COVID-19 and the over 4,000 deaths we saw in long-term care that we could have prevented if previous governments had taken—

Third reading debate deemed adjourned.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): I’m sorry to interrupt the member, but now is the time for members’ statements.

Members’ Statements

Nurses

Ms. Laura Mae Lindo: Thank you to Kathy Moreland, an RN for 40 years, a professor of nursing and an executive member of RNAO Waterloo chapter, for this letter. And I read:

“Registered nurses in this province have warned the government of the evolving shortfall of RNs for years. Nurses are critical to the functioning of our health care system. Throughout the pandemic nurses have fought to serve and protect Ontarians. They have struggled, worked understaffed and at times been unsupported while saving our citizens’ lives. Many are exhausted, fed up with the lack of compensation and are leaving for other jurisdictions or careers. More are planning to. Our health care system is heading for collapse if this shortfall continues.

“This government has acknowledged registered nurses as the heroes of the pandemic but has done little to show it. Bill 124 has held nurses’ compensation to a 1% annual increase since 2019. It has limited their collective bargaining power and made them work harder for less money than the cost of living increase of 4% this year. This is disrespectful and a kick in the head to our most trusted profession especially when other regional front-line workers like police and firefighters are getting substantial raises.

“When will this government recognize that nurses are leaving because they are tired of being disrespected? When will this government realize that losing these nurses will cost us a lot more in the long run than compensating them now? When will this government realize that opening new spots in schools of nursing will not replace the experience or efficiency of those leaving? When will this government repeal Bill 124?”

Santa Claus parades in Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock

Ms. Laurie Scott: I rise today in the House to recognize the anniversary of a wonderful holiday tradition in my riding of Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock and in many communities across the province.

Annual Santa Claus parades mark the beginning of the holiday season and are an opportunity for community members to celebrate the spirit of Christmas and join in holiday cheer. This year, the village of Coboconk is celebrating their 50th annual Santa Claus parade.

Santa Claus parades have been spreading joy for over 100 years and they’re one of the world’s oldest annual parades. But festive community events like these would not be possible without the fantastic people who run them, so I would like to thank all of the local organizations and volunteers who dedicate so much of their time to ensure this year’s holiday parade is not only fun but also safe for all those involved.

We know just how much these annual parades mean to our communities, especially during these uncertain times. I encourage everyone to join in the holiday cheer this Sunday at the 50th annual Santa Claus parade in Coboconk and, if you are able, bring with you a donation to the local food bank.

I look forward to the many Santa Claus parades in Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock yet to come throughout December and to seeing everyone in festive spirit.

Food banks

Mr. Paul Miller: Operating for over 30 years, Hamilton Food Share is Hamilton’s emergency food shipping and receiving hub and emergency food system coordinator for the network of agencies it supports, with a clear mission of working together towards a hunger-free community.

Instead of closing or restricting services over the pandemic, Hamilton Food Share has expanded their reach, providing more food resources to 16 member agencies operating 23 emergency food programs, including hot meal and food bank programs. They see almost 8,500 visits every month, representing over 12,565 unique individuals residing in 5,500 households. Children make up 36% of Hamiltonians accessing a food bank.

Approximately 9,000 households this holiday season will not have enough resources to celebrate the holiday. Hamilton Food Share is changing all of that. The Hamilton Food Share and the Emergency Food Network will be distributing 9,000 Christmas hampers throughout Hamilton. This is why they need everyone’s support today. This is what the Christmas season is all about.

Happy holidays, Hamilton. Let us all remember to keep our neighbours in need top of mind this holiday season, and if you can, please give to your local food banks.

And today, go, Cats, go!

Student achievement

Mr. Billy Pang: This summer, I was happy to host a graduation ceremony for Markham–Unionville students and their families with a former MP for Markham–Unionville, Bob Saroya.

In this event, we were also joined by the Minister of Education and YRDSB trustees Allan Tam and Ron Lynn. Adhering to public health protocols, the ceremony was hosted outside of Markville mall, which graciously lent us their space.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many students were not able to attend their graduation this summer, and this event was a great occasion for students to come together, see each other in person and celebrate one another’s achievements. Graduates of all ages, from kindergarten all the way to master’s, joined the ceremony. As students came up to the stage one by one to receive the Premier’s scroll and the certificate our office prepared, you could see the joy in the students’ and families’ faces.

Ontario is home to the brightest and smartest students in all of Canada. Being able to connect with the graduates and hear their ambitions and goals, I know the future of Ontario is bright and it’s left in their safe hands.

Government services

Ms. Judith Monteith-Farrell: These days, you need identification for almost everything. For many of us, it’s something we barely think about. We have identification in our wallets and we have our birth certificates tucked away safely. Unfortunately, having ready access to identification isn’t the case for everyone. Far too many people fall through the cracks, and one of the major barriers is cost. People struggling with other issues in their life, such as being underhoused or having health issues, shouldn’t have to worry about spending money on identification.

Yesterday, I reintroduced the Awenen Niin Act (Who Am

I) Respecting Identity Documents, 2021. If passed, it would remove fees for birth certificates and photo ID, and form a committee to address systemic barriers. Everyone needs identification, like new parents who have to pay for birth certificates for their child and seniors who can no longer drive and need to get photo ID.

Especially in these difficult times, all levels of government should be making critical services both free and accessible. So many organizations across Thunder Bay–Atikokan are working on ID issues. Some are the members of the ID action group of Thunder Bay, Kinna-aweya Legal Clinic, and NorWest Community Health Centres. They all see an urgent need for change. The work they do is so important, and I thank them.

I hope my words will resonate with many of you and that you will support my bill. Let’s make ID services more accessible to everyone in Ontario.

Housing

Mr. Mike Schreiner: Yesterday, I tabled a motion that proposes key strategies to addressing the housing affordability crisis that’s at a breaking point. My motion calls on the government to immediately begin aggressively investing in affordable rental housing and attainable home ownership options, including but not limited to building 100,000 permanently affordable rental homes; extending financial support to 311,000 Ontarians; building 60,000 permanent supportive housing spaces, with wraparound mental health and addiction supports; and creating a $100-million fund to support co-op housing providers. These strategies were made in close consultation with housing experts.

The burden of addressing the homeless crisis has fallen onto social service providers. I am grateful that Guelph has so many competent and passionate non-profits that are doing whatever they can to care for the unhoused in our community: organizations like Stepping Stone, Royal City Mission, Kindle Communities, and Stonehenge Therapeutic. Business leaders in the Guelph chamber are stepping up to help.

Guelph is so lucky to have so many engaged problem-solvers, but they need more support, Speaker. I look forward to working with the ministries of mental health and housing to bring much-needed supportive housing projects to my community and to communities across the province.

Big Bruce

Mr. Bill Walker: I want to acknowledge my intern, Tori Llewellyn, who is in the gallery with some of her colleagues today, for writing this statement. I hope you’ll enjoy it.

I rise today to recognize an important figure in the great riding of Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound: Big Bruce. It was love at first sight for local beef farmer Harvey Davis when he first saw the giant steer on a trip to Wisconsin and he knew he just had to bring it home to Bruce county, the beef capital of Ontario.

After almost five years of lobbying, Davis convinced the local cattlemen’s association to purchase Big Bruce for $6,000—what a deal. Big Bruce then travelled across Ontario in support of local farmers and brought endless smiles to faces along the way, including the 1976 International Plowing Match in Walkerton.

Sadly, in 1980, Mr. Davis passed away after a battle with cancer. However, Big Bruce continues to stand proud in Chesley as a legacy to his vision.

Now, Big Bruce has a new claim to fame. Over the summer, he took home the title of Ontario’s greatest roadside attraction in TVO The Agenda’s 2021 roadside attraction showdown, beating other iconic landmarks like Sudbury’s Big Nickel and Kenora’s Husky the Muskie. Sorry about that, Mr. Rickford.

I want to sincerely congratulate the Davis family, the Bruce County Beef Farmers and the municipality of Arran-Elderslie, formerly Chesley, on this wonderful achievement. Mr. Davis’s son Mark Davis is currently Arran-Elderslie’s deputy mayor and continues the strong legacy of his dad of promoting agriculture and strong local government.

Big Bruce is not just an iconic landmark, but represents Bruce county’s proud agricultural roots and the strength of Ontario’s beef industry, which contributes $2.69 billion annually to the province’s GDP and sustains more than 61,000 jobs.

I want to give my sincere thanks to all of our farmers and agricultural workers, who are the backbone of this province and who helped keep food on our tables during the pandemic. I am proud to recognize this iconic landmark and our province’s amazing agricultural industry.

I invite everyone to visit the beautiful riding of Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound to see Ontario’s greatest roadside attraction, Big Bruce in Chesley, and experience the best beef in the province.

Domestic violence

Ms. Sara Singh: November 25 was International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. For the next 16 days, community partners across the Peel region will be engaging in 16 days of activism and have launched the Break The Silence campaign to help end violence against women by building awareness in our communities.

Women, girls, trans and non-binary people disproportionately experience violence. The United Nations human rights commission estimates that one in three women will experience sexual or physical violence in their lifetime.

As Sharon Floyd, the CEO of Embrave: Agency to End Violence in Peel, says, “Gender-based violence is a serious pervasive problem in our community and continues to have adverse significant impacts on the lives of women, trans, non-binary people, and their children. It is important that survivors of violence can bring their whole selves when they reach out for support. We must all work together to ensure that supports are available when survivors need us the most and that no one is left behind.” We must also recognize and honour missing and murdered Indigenous women, the LGBTQ+ community and two-spirited people and ensure that they have support and healing for their families.

COVID-19 has made it very difficult for women and others in our communities experiencing violence and isolation, and I want to thank the Canadian Women’s Foundation for launching the international Signal for Help. I think it’s important to share that here in the House, so that if anyone is experiencing violence at home, they can please use the signal for help.

You need to put your hand up, one thumb down, and put all your fingers together. This is the signal to call out for help, and I encourage everyone to understand the importance of this signal, identify it and please call for help if you see someone using the signal in your community. Thank you very much. Have a great day.

Ontario Legislature Internship Programme

Mr. Norman Miller: I rise today to share my support for the Ontario Legislature Internship Programme.

For 46 years, OLIP has been providing recent graduates with the opportunity to gain first-hand, in-depth experience working with members on all sides of the Legislature. Chosen by a rigorous application process, the 10 non-partisan interns spend half their 10 months at Queen’s Park working with opposition members and the other half with government members.

At the same time, they attend regular meetings with former interns, sponsors and past and current political leaders; conduct study tours to other Legislatures; and complete a major academic paper of their own. Since being elected in 2001, I’ve had the privilege to host 16 interns, which I’ve been told is a record.

Each intern has supported the work of my office in substantive ways. OLIP is unique in that the interns interview and choose the MPPs they would like to work with, so I am honoured to have been selected by all 16 of my interns. I would like to thank them for the hard work, diligence and enthusiasm they have brought to my office over the years.

I strongly recommend applying to OLIP. I say this not just to recent graduates with an interest in politics and governance but to future members of this Legislature. The program helps us members with our work and certainly provides the next generation of Ontario’s leaders with a variety of profound learning opportunities.

I understand the interns are going to be introduced shortly, Mr. Speaker, so I thank you for the opportunity to make this statement.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): With that, our members’ statements are concluded for today.

Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m very pleased to inform the House that page Nathaniel Gardner from the riding of Whitby is today’s page captain, and we have with us today at Queen’s Park his mother, Julie Bisson, and his father, Christopher Gardner. Welcome to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. We’re delighted to have you here.

All of us in this House support the Ontario Legislature Internship Program.

Also in the Speaker’s gallery today we have some of this year’s OLIP interns cohort, and I want to introduce them: Habon Ali, who is currently placed with the MPP for Humber River–Black Creek; Melody Greaves, who is working with the member for Parry Sound–Muskoka; Sharika Khan, who works currently with the member for Markham–Thornhill; Tori Llewellyn, who is placed in the office of the member for Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound; Iqra Mahmood, who is currently in the office of the member for Nickel Belt; Clare Simon, who is working with the member for Spadina–Fort York; Janine AlHadidi, who is placed currently with the member for Aurora–Oak Ridges–Richmond Hill; and Alexander Horbal, who is currently working with the member for Sudbury.

We’re absolutely delighted to have you with us in the chamber today. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

COVID-19 deaths

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I understand the Leader of the Opposition has a point of order she wishes to bring.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, this week Ontario passed a grim milestone, with more than 10,000 lives lost to the pandemic. I seek unanimous consent, therefore, for the House to observe a moment of silence for the 24 Ontarians who succumbed to COVID-19 since we last paid tribute to the victims of this deadly virus.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Leader of the Opposition is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to observe a moment of silence for the 24 Ontarians who succumbed to COVID-19 since we last paid tribute to the victims of this deadly disease. Agreed? Agreed. Members will please rise.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you. Members may take their seats. It is now time for oral questions.

Question Period

Small business

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is to the Premier, and it’s a question that has to do with what looks like is becoming the weekly billion-dollar boondoggle. First, it was the billion-dollar boondoggle in the handover of $1 billion to the corporation that runs the 407. Now it’s a billion-dollar boondoggle when it comes to COVID-19 funds that went to businesses that were not eligible. Some of them weren’t even reporting any COVID-19 losses whatsoever. The auditor said the government “did not make any attempts to recover funds paid to ineligible recipients.” Meanwhile, hard-hit businesses that needed the money were literally boarding up their windows.

My question to the Premier is: Why is the Premier doing nothing—nothing at all—to get these funds back from the poorly planned program that he personally launched?

Hon. Doug Ford: I want to thank the Leader of the Opposition. Mr. Speaker, when we were in a massive crisis and companies were ready to close their doors, we saved 120,000 businesses. Even if you multiply—and I’m being conservative—five people per business, that’s 600,000 businesses. And guess what, Mr. Speaker? The Leader of the Opposition voted against it: voted against the $3.4 billion to support the businesses, voted against 600,000 families that needed that support.

Well, Mr. Speaker, I can tell you what that did: It created another 45,000 jobs. We lost 1.1 million jobs; now we’re above that. We’ve created 45,000 more jobs.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The Premier’s priority, we will all recall, was big-box stores over small businesses. A year ago, as he usually does, he boasted about this program that the auditor literally describes as “troubling” because absolutely nobody—absolutely no one—was watching the funds. Out-of-province businesses actually received Ontario cash. The accuracy of the financial information that was submitted was literally not even checked.

Premier Ford shovelled this money out the door in two days of putting together a back-of-the-napkin plan after dragging his feet for 10 months while businesses were going under. But with no questions asked whatsoever, that money flew out the door. How could the Premier hand out literally $1 billion without any accountability whatsoever, while struggling businesses lost everything and shut their doors?

Hon. Doug Ford: The Leader of the Opposition is saying “struggling businesses”; she didn’t care about the businesses. She voted no. If it was up to the Leader of the Opposition, she wouldn’t give a red cent.

What the Auditor General reported is not 100% accurate. What it is, it’s a time—it’s one month they took. It was one month, and you’re telling me businesses only lost money for one month? They lost it throughout the whole pandemic.

Again, with a snapshot in time of $225 million, are we going after bad actors? We’ll go after bad actors; 100% we’re going to go after them. But for the Leader of the Opposition to sit there and criticize, when she was against 120,000 businesses and wouldn’t give them one red cent—we would be short 120,000 businesses if it was up to the Leader of the Opposition.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, Speaker, it is a $1-billion tax-dollar boondoggle, as a matter of fact, and that’s bad enough. But the auditor says—contrary to what the Premier just claimed—that it’s not going after the money. The Premier is not going after the money, is what the report says: 14,500 ineligible businesses received funds. I quote the Auditor General when her report says that the government “did not attempt to recover these amounts, and subsequently wrote them off as uncollectible in August”—just a couple of months ago.

A billion dollars was wasted that could have gone to struggling small businesses; instead, they closed. Nursing shortages that are really causing trouble right now in our health care system; instead, we are still 20,000 nurses short. Smaller class sizes that could have protected our kids; instead, the cupboard was bare.

When was the Premier briefed about this billion-dollar boondoggle? And when did he decide not to do a single thing?

Hon. Doug Ford: It’s really disturbing when the Auditor General does just a snapshot of one month—April; doesn’t do the 20 months, but does one single month.

Again, the opposition didn’t give two hoots about the small businesses. They didn’t care if they went bankrupt. They didn’t care if 600,000 people lost their jobs. We’re a government that cares for small business. We take care of the little guy or the little gal running a business, working their back off. They did not even support the $3.4 billion, did not support the 120,000 businesses. They would leave them out on the street starving if it was up to the Leader of the Opposition.

I’ll tell you, our government’s not going to let anyone starve. We’re going to support them, and I ask the Auditor General to make herself a lot more accurate and not as—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

Hon. Doug Ford: —what she mentioned.

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

COVID-19 response

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is also to the Premier. We all know that over 10,000 folks lost their lives tragically to this pandemic. Every one of them was a person who was loved. Many of them left this world completely alone, without family, traumatizing loved ones and caregivers alike. Front-line workers gave their all; some even their lives. Our health care heroes didn’t have access to the PPE they needed and risked their lives. Thousands of small business owners had to walk away from their dreams. The responsible thing to do is to make sure that this never happens again.

My question to the Premier is, when will the Premier be reviewing how Ontario handled this pandemic to ensure that we are prepared and that this never does happen again?

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: I actually appreciate the question from the member opposite. We started, actually, during the pandemic. We were one of the first governments that undertook a review of the long-term care system. And during the pandemic, we have been standing up organizations to help us deal with some of the shortcomings we saw.

In her question, she talked about the inadequacy of PPE during the initial stages. We saw in other jurisdictions what they were doing and how they were doing it better. That is why the Minister of Government and Consumer Services is standing up a new organization to ensure that we have access to PPE. That’s why the Minister of Economic Development ensured there were home-based resources to access PPE.

That’s why the Minister of Education learned, in the early stages, some of the things that we needed to do to ensure our students could return to school safely, including leading the country with respect to ventilation. The Minister of Health, of course, increased testing capacity from 5,000 to 100,000. So we have been learning the entire time.

The pandemic is not over. There’s still more work to do—

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: What we need to do is ensure that the best interests of people and their safety always come first. We have to ensure that we always have an adequate PPE stockpile. We have to ensure that small businesses are supported and protected from the very beginning. We need to ensure that our classrooms are a place where kids can still go safely and not be out of school for inordinate amounts of time. We need to ensure, frankly, that this never happens again.

Now, we know that the Liberals had the SARS commission, and we clearly didn’t learn what we should have from it. The government must learn from the mistakes and the things that went well. Ontarians deserve that kind of accountability.

My question is, when will the Premier launch an open, public and transparent review of how Ontario handled the pandemic?

Hon. Paul Calandra: Look, obviously there are going to be lessons to be learned from how the government dealt with the pandemic. I do agree with the Leader of the Opposition. There was the SARS report and the previous Liberal government did absolutely nothing to learn from the lessons of SARS. That is why we were faced with PPE shortfalls. That is why we had a testing capacity of only 5,000 tests per day.

That is why we had an ICU capacity where with 800 people in ICU in the province of Ontario, one of the wealthiest jurisdictions in North America, it was brought to its knees longer than any other jurisdiction, because the previous Liberal government failed to make the investments in ICU capacity. They failed to make the investments in critical care capacity. They failed to make the investments in education. They failed to make the investments in long-term care. There is a lot to learn.

Mr. John Fraser: Okay. Give it up. Give it up.

Hon. Paul Calandra: I hear the member from Ottawa South upset because he was a parliamentary assistant in that government that failed the people of Ontario so badly, Mr. Speaker.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, Speaker, that’s a very disappointing response from the government House leader, because this is not a partisan issue.

Ontarians know how hard this was and how hard it still is. We can and must learn from it—all of us. We can and must do better. That’s what Ontarians deserve. We have to be ready for anything else that’s coming our way.

The UK promised a public inquiry last May. The federal government says a review is warranted. Any responsible government will call a public inquiry into the pandemic and how it was handled so that the lessons can be learned this time. That’s what Ontarians deserve.

Will the Premier, therefore, do the responsible thing and commit to calling a full independent public inquiry into how the COVID-19 pandemic was handled here in our province of Ontario?

Hon. Paul Calandra: Again, Mr. Speaker, I can appreciate that the member opposite doesn’t want to talk about the failings of the previous Liberal government, but I think it is important. There was a time, of course, when the Leader of the Opposition worked hand in hand with the Liberal Party and helped facilitate the failings that we have.

But I will say this, Mr. Speaker: Obviously, it is very important that we look at the lessons from COVID and what happened. There were a number of shortcomings with respect to PPE supply. There were a number of shortcomings with respect to ICU capacity. There were shortcomings with respect to infection prevention and control measures. There were shortcomings in the school system. But these are things we knew about as we came to office in 2018. That’s why the Premier had a focus on rebuilding the province of Ontario from the ground up, Mr.

Speaker: more hospitals, 30,000 long-term-care beds, expanding ICU capacity, reopening some of the 600 schools that were closed by the previous Liberal government.

Are there lessons to be learned? Obviously there are, but once we are out of the pandemic, then we can start to learn those lessons, not in the middle of it.

Long-term care

Ms. Sara Singh: My question is to the Premier. A new report from the Auditor General shows that the Ford government has made almost no progress on the recommendations to improve long-term care. To make matters worse, Speaker, the Auditor General’s report also shows that the meals being offered to residents don’t even contain enough nutrients to keep people healthy. We all read the horrific stories from the Canadian Armed Forces report of how residents in long-term care were being force-fed and that the meals had too much sugar, too much salt, not enough fibre. But the government isn’t doing a thing to improve the conditions for Ontarians and loved ones in long-term care.

When will the ministry take the long overdue steps needed to guarantee that residents in long-term care homes are provided safe and appropriate meals in accordance with their plans of care?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: The member will know, of course, that there is very important legislation in front of this House right now with respect to improving conditions in our long-term care homes, which includes a focus on inspections, which includes groundbreaking, North America-leading standards of care—four hours of care, Mr. Speaker. It is something that has been talked about for years. It is something that this government is finally delivering on. But in order for us to do that, we have to hire 27,000 additional PSWs, which we’re doing right now. We are working, of course, with our community colleges to ensure that we can bring on these 27,000. That’s why we are hiring 2,000 new nurses.

Also, we have to build that capacity. I talked about this a little bit yesterday, that we were housing seniors in our acute care system, in our hospitals. That’s completely inappropriate. That is why, before the election, we knew that we had to rebuild long-term care, and it starts with 30,000 additional beds. There is not one community across this province that won’t have access to a new state-of-the-art long-term care facility, with 27,000 additional PSWs to ensure that our seniors—

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

Supplementary question.

Ms. Sara Singh: With all due respect to the government House leader, it is one thing to hire PSWs; it’s another thing to pay them fairly for the work they do, with permanent pandemic pay.

The government can try to blame the pandemic for their failures to act on the Auditor General’s past recommendations as well, but while they were sitting on their hands, non-profit leaders like AdvantAge Ontario quickly stepped up to make sure their member organizations made progress towards targets outlined in the Auditor General’s report. For example, AdvantAge Ontario delivered four webinars related to food and nutrition, and offered their members strategies to help direct care staff access and implement resident care plans.

Speaker, advocacy groups shouldn’t be left alone to implement all of the recommendations from the Auditor General’s report. It’s actually the ministry’s job to do that. When will the ministry take these reports seriously, help long-term care homes build the capacity they need, and improve conditions for vulnerable residents in long-term care?

Hon. Paul Calandra: Mr. Speaker, we started working on that from day one. In fact, before we were even elected, we highlighted the need to improve long-term care; we highlighted the need to work on hallway health care. We are doing that by hiring 27,000 additional PSWs and by building 30,000 new long-term-care beds.

But it is more than that. It is about the Ontario health teams that the Minister of Health is bringing in. It is about world-class leading investments—billions of dollars for a new Ottawa hospital. And just yesterday, in the member’s own region of Peel, one of the largest investments in health care in Canadian history—in Canadian history.

Mr. Speaker, you will know, as I’ve said on a number of occasions, that our two members from Brampton have been working extraordinarily hard to improve health care in their own community by bringing a new hospital for the people of Brampton, and I congratulate those two members. I’m disappointed that the member opposite and the rest of her colleagues voted against all of these investments, but we’ll get the job done.

Cultural diversity

Mr. Vijay Thanigasalam: My question is to the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. As we all know, Ontario benefits from our remarkable diversity. It is truly one of our province’s great strengths. Diversity has been shown to increase innovation, reduce risk and open new opportunities for economic development and growth. However, there are people in our province who are impacted by systemic barriers that limit their employment potential. That is why addressing these barriers is not just the right thing to do, it is good for jobs and it’s good for businesses.

Can the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism please tell this House what our government is doing to make Ontario more inclusive for everyone?

Hon. Parm Gill: I want to thank the member from Scarborough–Rouge Park for the question and also for his hard work on behalf of his constituents.

It’s always an honour and a privilege to rise in this House and to speak about the tremendous work our government is doing, under the leadership of our Premier, to build a stronger and more inclusive province for everyone. By investing an additional over $8 million in our recent fall economic statement, our government continues our commitment to working with our community partners to bring real programs that deliver real change.

As a former small business owner myself, I know first-hand the challenges that some of our Black, Indigenous and other racialized communities face when trying to find work or to start a small business to support their families. This government will continue to fight for equal opportunities for all of us in our province of Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mr. Vijay Thanigasalam: I would like to thank the minister for his answer. I’m pleased to know about the remarkable progress our government is making for the people of Ontario. These actions are an important step forward for building an even more inclusive province for everyone. As our government focuses on recovery, we know that addressing systemic and complex issues like discrimination and intolerance is critical to Ontario’s economic success.

Speaker, through you to the honourable minister: What is this government doing to ensure that our recovery includes all Ontarians from all walks of life?

Hon. Parm Gill: I want to thank my colleague for that important question. Again, our government is absolutely committed to identifying and taking immediate action to addressing anything that might limit someone’s potential in this province. That is why we said yes to $1.6 million for a business resource hub to help employers diversify their workforce, and we said yes to a $5-million business grant to help racialized entrepreneurs start or grow their business.

I want to thank, of course, the Premier, the Minister of Finance and all of my colleagues for working with me to build these programs that will go to help ensure greater economic inclusion and build an even stronger province.

Long-term care

Mr. Tom Rakocevic: This question is for the Premier. For three years, Vibert, who can no longer speak, has been a resident at Cheltenham Care Community, a for-profit long-term care home operated by Sienna Senior Living. On October 2, Pamela Britton noticed that her 74-year-old brother Vibert had developed a bed sore on his side. On November 5, more than a month after Pamela discovered it, Vibert’s wounds got so bad that Pamela could smell rot through his bandages. Fearing for her brother’s life, Pamela had to fight the home to have him taken to hospital, with the home telling paramedics that it was a non-emergency.

Vibert had gone septic. When he was first admitted to hospital, he was put on 17 IV bags of antibiotics a day. The doctor at North York General told Pamela that if Vibert had gotten to the hospital any later, he would have died.

I’m asking a page to deliver this envelope to the Premier. Within it is a horrifying image of the gaping wound, larger than a fist, that Vibert has endured while unable to speak. This image is an embodiment of all the wasted time to fix long-term care in Ontario while so many are there right now suffering in pain and on death’s door. Premier, after all that has happened now, how can this still be allowed to happen in Ontario?

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: Not knowing the case—and I appreciate the honourable gentleman for bringing that forward. Obviously, an incident like this has no place in the province of Ontario. We are one of the richest jurisdictions in North America, Mr. Speaker. Despite the challenges we have faced during COVID, there is no excuse for people not being treated properly, both in our health care system and in our long-term care system. That is why we are making the immediate investments to increase care to four hours a day, to bring on 27,000 new additional PSWs, to bring on 30,000 new long-term-care beds in all parts of the province.

We knew that this was an issue before we came to office. I suspect all members knew that this was an issue before they came to office. As we were campaigning, we heard when we went door to door that something had to be done with long-term care.

Now, Mr. Speaker, before we leave this place, the members opposite will have an opportunity to help build on that by voting in favour of a bill that we’ve brought forward to improve long-term care for generations to come, and I hope that they will do that.

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

Mr. Tom Rakocevic: Fast-forward to today: Thankfully, the hospital saved his life, but nearly a month after he was first admitted, Vibert is still in the hospital and receiving six bags of antibiotics a day to treat his infection. Now Pamela, his sister, said that the hospital has told her that Vibert must go back to the private long-term care home so he doesn’t lose his spot at Cheltenham. Pamela told me that she does not want him to go back there and she is worried that if he does, he might not survive.

Premier, what will you do right now to help this family in desperate need?

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

Government House leader to reply.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Again, obviously I’ve not spoken—and I doubt that he’s spoken with the minister in advance of this, but I appreciate that he would bring this question forward. It’s an important question. I think it has its place in question period, because it does highlight the challenges that we are facing in long-term care.

We have never said that long-term care shouldn’t be a priority in the province of Ontario. In fact, we have been disappointed that for far too long, long-term care was not a priority of the four previous Liberal administrations. They had four different administrations over 15 years to help us move in a better direction in long-term care.

It is no secret that our population is aging. That is why we are moving so aggressively. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing is bringing forward MZOs to ensure that we can build new long-term-care beds. They’re against that, Mr. Speaker. They’re against 27,000 additional PSWs. They’re against all of the investments that we’re making to improve the system. But he has an opportunity to vote in favour of a new bill.

Hospital funding

Ms. Lindsey Park: My question is for the Minister of Health. As stated in the throne speech for this parliamentary session, the pandemic has exposed the failure of successive governments, both provincial and federal, to provide adequate funding to our hospitals. The clear consequence was a health system ill-equipped to handle a crisis. Not only do we need to continue to do short-term planning for surge capacity through the winter, but also continue to build our long-term health care capacity.

The minister has recently announced moving forward with a number of expansions in Peel region. My question is, when will the Bowmanville Hospital expansion move to the next stage of approvals?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Thank you very much to the member opposite for the question. I am very pleased to provide an update on Lakeridge Health’s redevelopment project at its Bowmanville site. Lakeridge Health’s redevelopment project in Bowmanville aims to renew infrastructure and expand facilities for programs and services such as the emergency department, in-patient units, diagnostic imaging and some ambulatory services and support services.

The project is included in the government’s multi-year infrastructure investment plan and is currently in the early stages of the Ministry of Health’s capital planning project. The ministry is continuing to work closely with the hospital to advance this project through planning to implementation. Our government is committed to making investments in the health system based on system needs and priorities, as well as sound fiscal planning and ensuring these investments are carried out efficiently.

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

Ms. Lindsey Park: The previous government didn’t do much beyond sign off on a news release on this project. I’m thankful for the money the Ministry of Health has put on the table during my term to support the expansion in the form of a planning grant, as well as financial support to create a new temporary helipad at a safe location for the course of the redevelopment.

The hospital is eager to move to the next stage of the planning process and get this project closer to construction. The minister has shown more support than any other minister for this project. Will she be the minister who is more than talk and take action to get this expansion built?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Thank you again for the question. I am pleased to say that as part of Lakeridge Health’s major redevelopment project at their Bowmanville site, the interim helipad relocation project has been approved. This involves the construction of a helipad at a site made available to the hospital through a leasing arrangement with the municipality of Clarington in Durham region.

The use of an interim helipad, once completed, will enable Ornge and the hospital to resume the transfer of critical patients to or from the Bowmanville site, where required, by air ambulance and ensure patient safety and operational efficiency while the Bowmanville site is being redeveloped.

Our government will continue to invest in hospital capital projects to ensure that our hospitals can keep pace with patient needs and increase access to high-quality care for patients and families across Ontario.

Special-needs children

Mr. Bill Walker: My question is to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. I want to commend and thank her for the stellar job she’s doing in this very important ministry and for the people of Kanata–Carleton.

There’s a growing demand for services for children and youth with special needs. When children in Ontario begin school, almost 30% have at least one developmental vulnerability that could pose a risk to their lifelong health, learning and behaviour. Due to this, there is great need for support for children and youth with special needs.

Last year, over 110,000 children and youth received rehabilitation services, including occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech-language pathology, through children’s treatment centres in community-based settings across Ontario. My question, Speaker, through you to the honourable minister: What is our government doing to make it easier for children with special needs to gain access to the care they require?

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

Mr. Bill Walker: Thank you again to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services for her answer and her work.

The government recently announced an additional $240 million in funding over four years to reduce wait-lists and build additional service capacity for early intervention and rehabilitation services for children and youth with special needs. This government’s actions are addressing the critical needs of children and youth with special needs. Such support for children with special needs and actions like this investment set up these children to have the best outcomes for their health and happiness.

Speaker, through you, my question for the minister is, can the minister please elaborate on the benefits and services this new treatment centre will provide?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Once again, thank you to the member for the question. For children with multiple or complex special needs, 1Door4Care will bring together teams of professionals under one roof to support children with special needs through a coordinated plan of care. CHEO currently provides these services in eight locations across the region, which can make it difficult for families and providers to coordinate services and to support children and youth as they grow into adulthood.

We are making special-needs supports more accessible with 1Door4Care. 1Door4Care will help reduce wait times for services so more children and youth can receive services on an annual basis, address capacity issues so there is more space available for service delivery, and bring together teams of professionals working together under one roof to support children’s special needs.

Mr. Joel Harden: My question is for the Premier.

Speaker, tomorrow marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities. It’s a time to celebrate the contribution that people with disabilities and the disability rights movement have made to this province. But there is a painful sadness this year. For the first time, in a letter to the leaders of Ontario’s political parties, the AODA Alliance has acknowledged with frustration that the Ontario government will fail to meet its obligation to ensure that Ontario becomes fully accessible to the 2.6 million Ontarians with disabilities by 2025, which is what the statute here requires.

This is due to years of stalling and broken promises by Liberal and Conservative governments since the Legislature unanimously passed the AODA in 2005.

My question to the Premier, Speaker, through you: Will this government lay out what specific steps this government is prepared to take during its last remaining months in office to fulfill its duty to make Ontario accessible to people with disabilities?

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: I do appreciate the question from the member opposite. I know he has been a very powerful critic in the role and also, in many instances, a partner with the minister in helping him understand issues of importance to the community.

I acknowledge that there is still a lot of work that needs to be done across the province of Ontario, and we are continuing to work on that. There are a number of reports that have highlighted that, both, I would suggest, federally and provincially and with our municipal partners. So there’s a lot of work that has to be done. I suspect it’s something that we will begin to focus on right here at home in our own Legislature over the next little while.

I don’t want to give the member an answer that doesn’t befit how important this issue is. It is very important to the minister. It is something that we are working on, and I do appreciate the urgency of it.

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

The Honourable David Onley gave this government a report more than 1,000 days ago. In this report, Mr. Onley describes soul-crushing barriers facing people with disabilities in Ontario in health care, in school, in employment, in their usage of public space.

We don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Mr. Onley and people before him have shown us the way. What we need is a plan in the last six months of this Parliament. I’ve risen in this space, as the House leader mentioned, and I’ve offered my own plan. My question is, will you embrace it or will you propose your own? That’s what people with disabilities and their families want. We need an answer.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Again, I do appreciate that. We have started, obviously, with aging in place and ensuring that people can make retrofits to their own homes. That will allow persons with disabilities or persons who need assistance at home—can make the retrofits at home. So we can start there.

I know that the minister in charge of the Ontario Trillium Foundation is also ensuring that there are significant investments that go to community organizations across the province. The minister responsible for seniors and disability also has a number of programs to help kick-start in a number of ways this very important work. All of the new long-term care homes we are bringing into the province are going to be completely accessible, are going to have all of the features that you would have expected many years ago.

I acknowledge there is more work to be done. The Onley report highlighted it. Our minister responsible is getting that work done, and I’m sure we’ll have more to say very soon.

Small business

M lle Amanda Simard: Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Auditor General revealed that this government sent almost $1 billion to businesses that weren’t eligible for the small business grant or that they were given more than their losses warranted. She found a troubling absence of controls that resulted in the approval of suspicious applications, including from businesses with addresses outside Ontario.

Mr. Speaker, this government is basically a terrible version of Oprah, and with taxpayer money: “You get the grant. You get the grant. Outside of Ontario? You get a grant as well. You’re not eligible? Whatever, you get the grant anyway. Everybody gets a grant. Oh, but you in the back, in sectors that we singled out at the outset, you obviously don’t get a grant. Too bad. We get to decide which ineligible business gets the grant.”

Mr. Speaker, this is unacceptable. When will this government stop making gaffe after gaffe after gaffe that is costing hard-working Ontario taxpayers billions of dollars?

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

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and, through you, to the member opposite for that question. You know what’s unacceptable is the premise of that question, Mr. Speaker. Does the member opposite not think that supporting small businesses in this province is the right thing to do? Does the member opposite not realize that the Auditor General is talking about a point in time, that businesses have suffered for over 21 months, and that since the beginning of this pandemic, we have supported small businesses, starting in March of 2020 when we launched a $19-billion action plan?

Mr. Speaker, I don’t think the member opposite would want to go to those small businesses and say, “You’ve struggled, you’ve had hardships, and we want your money back.” They applied in good faith. They are hard-working people of this province, and this Premier and this government will continue to support the small businesses and their families in this province.

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

M lle Amanda Simard: The Premier is saying that the problems in the small business grant were because he rushed so quickly to get the funds out the door—well, well. The program was launched in January 2021, 10 months after the pandemic began—10 months, Mr. Speaker. What’s more, the Premier said, “Unfortunately, you’re going to see some fraud,” now shifting the blame onto businesses when actually it was their system that couldn’t even filter out businesses that don’t qualify or that aren’t even in Ontario.

Mr. Speaker, this government has betrayed Ontarians, betrayed our trust, and betrayed our confidence in this administration. Almost at the end of their mandate, is it even worth asking the question: When will the Premier get a functional administration?

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: I don’t know where to start with that question. The problem with the—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: The problem with member opposite is that—maybe there’s a little lapse of memory from all the members in terms of this government: in March of 2020, a billion dollars of rent relief for small businesses, billions in WSIB premium relief, a billion dollars in tax deferrals and cash flow deferrals in March of 2020. And we continued that program.

So, are you going to go to those small businesses, many of the ones that I’ve met in my riding of Pickering–Uxbridge, who said that this small business grant—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The opposition has to come to order. I apologize to the Minister of Finance.

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Many of those small businesses have said the difference between our supporting them in their time of need was the difference between keeping the lights on and turning them off for good. This government will support those families and those small businesses and all our main streets in Ontario.

Public transit

Ms. Laurie Scott: My question is to the Minister of Transportation. Speaker, after 15 years of Liberal government in Ontario, life got harder for people living in northern Ontario. The previous Liberal government failed on winter road maintenance. They cancelled passenger rail, and they failed to make meaningful, targeted highway investments the region so desperately needs.

Ontarians are counting on this government to be different when it comes to the north. Speaker, through you to the Minister of Transportation, please tell us what the government is doing to make up for over a decade of neglect and deliver much-needed transportation to support the north.

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: Thank you so much to the member from Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock for the question. I was very pleased to be in Thunder Bay earlier this week to announce an investment of $171 million to refurbish 94 GO Transit bi-level coaches at the Alstom plant located in Thunder Bay. Speaker, this is a deal that’s good for transit and good for the hard-working people of Thunder Bay. These refurbishments, on top of our partnership with the federal government and the TTC to purchase 60 new streetcars in May, will maintain, according to the president of Alstom, 400 good manufacturing jobs at the facility.

Speaker, this PC government will always have the backs of hard-working northern Ontarians. After years of neglect by the previous Liberal government, we are supporting good local jobs and ensuring that Metrolinx has the fleet required to support GO expansion across our rail network.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Ottawa South, come to order.

The supplementary question.

Ms. Laurie Scott: Thanks to the minister for her response and her hard work to help northern Ontario.

This is great news for northwestern Ontario and GO expansion. I understand the minister is also leading work that will benefit the northeast. Following the Liberals’ irresponsible decision to abandon passenger rail, many in the area are desperate for change and are looking to our government for support.

Speaker, to the Minister of Transportation, through you: What is the minister doing to right the wrongs of the previous Liberal government and bring back passenger rail to the north?

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: Thank you again to the member for the question. As the member rightfully put it, the Del Duca Liberals let down the people of the north when they abruptly cancelled passenger rail service. Last year, our government invested $5 million into the necessary track audit to bring passenger rail service back. In this year’s fall economic statement, we announced that the terminus station for the Northlander will be in Timmins, one of the largest hubs in the north. Two weeks ago, the ONTC ran the first passenger rail test train, from North Bay to Toronto.

This is a huge step toward completing the updated business case for the project and making this return to service a reality.

I am pleased that our work to get passenger rail back on track is being so well received. We made a promise to the people of northern Ontario and our government is keeping that promise.

School facilities

Ms. Peggy Sattler: My question is to the Premier. Speaker, Alexandra Lind lives just a two-minute walk from Sir Arthur Currie Public School, a school in my riding built four years ago that now has 22 portables on site. Chronic overcrowding means that when Alexandra’s 18-month-old daughter starts JK, she will very likely be bused out of the neighbourhood to a school on the other side of the city. Alexandra told me, “To say I am panicking would be an understatement.”

When a new school opens in their neighbourhood, surely the students who live in that neighbourhood deserve to be able to attend. Will this government confirm today that the funding requested by the Thames Valley District School Board will be approved for the new schools that London families urgently need?

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

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Thank you to the member opposite for the question. I recognize there is fast growth in London specifically. I have spoken to the member, MPP Jeff Yurek, as well about this issue and to Mayor Holder some months ago about the growth. I can commit that we will continue to invest in capital improvements in new schools and expansions—in London, specifically—in this round of the capital approvals, which will be unveiled in short order.

We have invested roughly $14 billion over 10 years. This year alone, we announced, in partnership with the Minister of Infrastructure, a renewal and an expansion of 26 new schools, 20 permanent additions and over 3,000 affordable and accessible child care spaces within our publicly funded schools.

I know there’s more to do in London and across Ontario, and the Premier and our government are committed to getting the job done.

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

Ms. Peggy Sattler: Sir Arthur Currie Public School was at capacity almost the day it opened four years ago. Now the school is bursting at the seams, with double the number of students it was built for. In fact, the Thames Valley District School Board is planning for two new schools to accommodate northwest London population growth.

Charys Martin has one child at Sir Arthur Currie school and another at the child care, and is concerned about their safety and learning. She says that government funding for schools that are too small from the start is “short-sighted, fiscally irresponsible, and would end careers in any other industry.”

Speaker, will this government commit to new school funding that will accommodate both current and projected capacity in rapidly growing northwest London?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: We can absolutely commit to continue to invest in new schools and expansion of schools in the city of London. We know how important it is for children to have access to safe, local, quality educational facilities within their communities. That’s exactly why we’ve invested over half a billion dollars on an annual basis to build net new schools, in sharp contrast to the 600 schools closed under the former Liberal government.

It’