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November 25, 2025

44th Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2025-Nov-25 vol. A (PDF)

L041A - Tue 25 Nov 2025 / Mar 25 nov 2025

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Tuesday 25 November 2025 Mardi 25 novembre 2025

Orders of the Day

Buy Ontario Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 visant à encourager à acheter ontarien

Wearing of scarves

Members’ Statements

West Whitby fire hall

Remote Care Monitoring program

Archpriest Datev Mikaelian

Primary care

Injured workers

Police

Health care

Co-operative housing

Gender-based violence

Gender-based violence

Visitors

House sittings

Introduction of Visitors

Question Period

Government accountability

Government accountability

Government accountability

Government accountability

Supportive housing

Government spending

Energy conservation

University and college funding

Government accountability

Government spending

Small business

Injured workers

Health care funding

Special report, Ombudsman

Deferred Votes

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

Introduction of Visitors

Introduction of Government Bills

Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 visant à maintenir les criminels derrière les barreaux

Barrie — Oro-Medonte — Springwater Boundary Adjustment Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 sur la modification des limites territoriales entre Barrie, Oro-Medonte et Springwater

Introduction of Bills

Speaking Out About, and Reporting On, Workplace Violence and Harassment Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 sur la dénonciation et le signalement des violences et du harcèlement au travail

Commissioner for Democratic Rights Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 sur le commissaire aux droits démocratiques

Petitions

Soins de la vue

Social assistance

Consent education

Social assistance

Health care funding

Endangered species

Water quality

Tuition

Sécurité routière

Education funding

Financement des soins de santé

Northern Health Travel Grant

Orders of the Day

Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 visant à œuvrer pour les travailleurs, sept

The House met at 0900.

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

Prayers.

Orders of the Day

Buy Ontario Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 visant à encourager à acheter ontarien

Mr. Crawford moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill 72,

An Act to enact the Buy Ontario Act (Public Sector Procurement), 2025, to repeal the Building Ontario Businesses Initiative Act, 2022, to amend the Highway Traffic Act with respect to the installation of certain signs and to amend

section 10.1 of the Legislation Act, 2006 with respect to certain provisions of the Protecting Condominium Owners Act, 2015 / Projet de loi 72, Loi visant à édicter la Loi de 2025 visant à encourager à acheter ontarien (approvisionnement du secteur public), à abroger la Loi de 2022 sur l’initiative favorisant l’essor des entreprises ontariennes, à modifier le Code de la route à l’égard de certains panneaux et à modifier l’article 10.1 de la Loi de 2006 sur la législation en ce qui concerne certaines dispositions de la Loi de 2015 sur la protection des propriétaires de condominiums.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the minister.

Hon. Stephen Crawford: Thank you very much, Speaker. I’d also like to state that I will be sharing time with the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and the Minister of Energy and Mines.

As I reflect on why I ran for office back in 2018, it was really out of a passion to serve my community, my province and my country. I think this act really exemplifies why I ran for public office, and that is to protect the province of Ontario.

It’s a pleasure to rise today for the second reading debate about our transformative initiative that promises to reshape and fortify the economic landscape of our province and our country: our government’s proposed Buy Ontario Act.

Speaker, through you to Premier Ford, I offer my sincere gratitude for his leadership on this vital piece of legislation, and to my cabinet colleagues for presenting such compelling arguments in favour. And likewise to my colleagues the Honourable Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, and the Honourable Rob Flack, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, not to mention the wide variety of private sector stakeholders who have spoken in support of this game-changing new legislation, I offer you my sincerest gratitude.

I know I can speak for every member of this House when I say how proud I am of the people of Ontario and how they’ve responded to one of the greatest challenges we have ever faced as a country and a province. We have stood united with resolve, with strength and with pride, and this period of history will be remembered as one of the toughest battles yet.

But the best news is that Ontario has everything we need to face these challenges and come out stronger: a strong economy with a wide variety of industries, abundant natural resources and hard-working, skilled people. And now Ontario is once again building on its existing suite of policies, legislation and other initiatives so that we can further shore up defences, our economy and our resolve to emerge victorious from the most serious threat we have faced since the pandemic.

As part of today’s second reading, again, I’ll be joined by the Honourable Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines, and the Honourable Todd McCarthy, Acting Minister of Infrastructure, to outline aspects of the proposed act that are relevant to their ministries’ areas of oversight.

Speaker, Bill 72, the Buy Ontario Act, would squarely put Ontario public sector procurement behind the millions of businesses and workers who are struggling in the light of US government tariffs. These people need to know that their government is supporting them in these trying times. But this legislation would accomplish so much more than that. The Buy Ontario Act is multi-faceted, touching not just a multitude of areas of our economy, but also touching the lives of virtually every person, family and business in our great province.

This new legislation and associated measures would apply to public sector organizations that are identified in regulation and policy. This may include municipalities. It would also apply to contractors that are helping to deliver the province’s more-than-$220-billion plan to build using Ontario goods and services first, with respect to infrastructure. These measures would deliver on the government’s commitment to protect Ontario by ensuring, in the face of US tariffs and economic uncertainty, Ontario tax dollars are going to support Ontario workers and using Ontario-made products such as steel, lumber, cars, trucks and many, many more.

Ontario workers’ and business owners’ livelihoods are under attack from President Trump’s tariffs, and they’re counting on us to step up. Every year, the province spends more than $30 billion procuring goods and services to help the people of Ontario. We’re making sure that every single procurement dollar, where possible, can be spent in Ontario, so we can protect our workers and build a more competitive and self-reliant and resilient economy.

The government of Ontario recognizes the concern of many people, communities and businesses resulting from the tariffs imposed by the US and is committed to using every tool at its disposal to protect our province. We’re working in conjunction with our partners at the federal level and with many industry advisers to address the impacts of tariffs swiftly, comprehensively and decisively.

Canada and the US have the world’s most fulsome and dynamic trading relationship, one that supports millions of jobs and the economic well-being of both countries. We are each other’s largest trading partners, with US$2.5 billion worth of goods and services crossing the border every single day; 2.3 million Canadian jobs are tied to US exports and 1.4 million US jobs are tied to exports to Canada. It’s because of the enormity of this trade volume that these unfair tariffs are hurting families, businesses and consumers on both sides of the border so deeply and betraying the historic bonds between our two great countries.

While there are no winners in a trade war, Canadian countermeasures in every province must focus on protecting and defending Canada’s interests, consumers and workers. We, as a government, owe the people of Ontario, who elected us to serve and to protect them.

In municipalities across our great province, government and business leaders are joining the counteroffensive to protect their communities against job losses and shuttered storefronts. In King township, for example, the local chamber of commerce and the mayor’s office are teaming up to reinforce the buy-local message throughout their neighbourhoods. People are responding like never before to support local entrepreneurs and small businesses. It was moments like these, in part, that inspired our government to introduce Buy Ontario, Buy Canada Day, which we first kicked off this past June.

It’s not just Ontario that is tackling this challenge head-on. British Columbia, one of the country’s other large economies, has also found it necessary to address the newly imposed US tariffs in ways that are similar to Ontario. Under new measures, its government, health authorities and certain crown corporations must comply with procurement prescriptions outlined in BC’s Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act, which is also encouraging municipalities to adopt parallel procurement policies. Like Ontario, it has removed US alcohol products from its provincially run liquor stores—this is only one example.

Several other Canadian provinces have followed suit with countermeasures of their own, prompted by the leadership of our federal government and encouraged by the successes we here in Ontario are witnessing with our own innovations to supply chain and procurement policies.

The Buy Ontario Act would, if passed and once in force, enable Ontario to make sure all public sector organizations buy from Ontario businesses first and Canadian businesses second in public sector procurements. This proposed new act is a strategic commitment to protect Ontario’s economy, safeguard jobs and ensure that public dollars work harder for the people, businesses and communities in this great province of Ontario. We all know that procurement is about more than just purchasing goods and services. It’s a cornerstone of public trust, economic development and responsible governance.

Speaker, we don’t have to look very far to find real-world examples of companies—in fact, entire industries—that are feeling the effects of the tariff war currently being waged on Canada by the US. Just last week, I had the honour of visiting Etobicoke Ironworks—they’re a scaffolding and structural steel company in North York—where I was proud to publicly announce our introduction of the Buy Ontario Act, 2025. Based in Toronto and boasting a 70-year legacy in manufacturing, Etobicoke Ironworks is a terrific example of a company that has proudly shaped the Toronto-area business landscape.

It’s also an example of just the kind of homegrown business we’ll support so that they can help grow Ontario’s economy in the face of current trade challenges.

Etobicoke Ironworks was also the perfect backdrop for my announcement of the Buy Ontario Act because raw materials sectors such as the steel and aluminum industries have been especially hard hit by unjust American tariffs, alongside the automobile sector. I ask you this: What would be the repercussions of allowing not just one large company—one that’s been supporting major commercial, industrial and institutional projects across the GTA since 1955—but thousands of other big and small businesses to endure the senseless US financial penalties without a firm helping hand from our government?

This past spring and summer, I was also pleased to tour a number of Ontario’s local businesses and institutions that are pulling together to drive our economy full steam ahead. From coffee to lumber to tools and so much more, these manufacturers and businesses, with the help of the proposed Buy Ontario Act, are well poised to take on responsibility for more public sector procurement opportunities.

During this tour, I heard loud and clear from all these hard-working owners of homegrown local companies how hard things have become to compete, not just for consumer businesses but for highly prized business opportunities to do business with our Ontario public sector and the public sector at large.

Likewise, my visit to the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters forum in June offered some critical insights on the current business environment its members are experiencing.

Dennis Darby, the president and CEO of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, has said that his organization heartily welcomes our government’s introduction of the Buy Ontario Act. Further, Mr. Darby states, “Through CME’s Ontario Made program, we have long championed the critical importance of local procurement, and this forward-thinking legislation demonstrates the government’s commitment to turning principles into action. By prioritizing Ontario-made goods and services in public procurement, this legislation strengthens local supply chains and safeguards manufacturing jobs.” Mr.

Darby continues: “Ensuring Ontario tax dollars support Ontario workers and businesses will help manufacturers remain competitive, invest in innovation, and drive growth across the province.” That says it all right there, Speaker.

When we introduced the procurement restriction policy in April of this year, it began having an immediate effect, designed to level the playing field for Ontario and Canadian-based businesses who were bidding on Ontario public sector procurement contracts. With our very own crown agency, Supply Ontario, at the helm, we’ve been able to achieve remarkable success in whole-of-government contract spending that protects and bolsters our economy.

First, it ensures continued economic development, making it easier to do business with our government, including supporting local job creation and growth across all sectors. It’s also building supply chain resilience, getting the goods and services we need, when they’re needed, even during unexpected events. And last, but certainly not least, it’s delivering value for our residents and communities, ensuring that Ontario gets the best value for taxpayer dollars through data-informed decision-making and by leveraging the full-scale buying power of the province.

As stated earlier, Ontario’s public sector purchases more than $30 billion in goods and services each year. These goods and services are absolutely essential in helping us continue to provide quality services to the public in a timely manner.

Through the Building Ontario Businesses Initiative, or BOBI, and the Building Ontario Businesses Initiative Act, or BOBIA, both introduced by our government in 2022, the province has been leveraging this spend to help grow local Ontario businesses, including the technology and manufacturing sectors. The Buy Ontario Act would expand and replace BOBIA because we need much stronger tools, like the ones we’re proposing, to respond to the threats we’re facing today. Because economic crises manifest in real-world consequences: job losses, shrinking GDP and weakened consumer confidence.

During these times, nations often face external shocks. Volatile currency markets, disrupted imports, and the rising costs of foreign goods and services are among the results. When global supply chains falter, reliance on external sources of goods, raw materials and services becomes a serious vulnerability. Ontario and Canada can simply not afford to be vulnerable in today’s trading climate.

Price is a big factor when any organization seeks out goods and services. For government, value for money is especially important. But in the face of today’s trade challenges, value is also about keeping public sector contract money in Ontario and Canada. Procuring goods and services produced by local suppliers means more work for Ontario manufacturers, more Ontario products and more Ontario success stories. That’s a big win for everyone in the province.

With the support of this House, the Buy Ontario Act would, if passed, serve as an important pillar in our government’s plan to protect Ontario, anchoring the province’s long-term economic prosperity by ensuring that domestic companies have more opportunities to grow, expand and create good-paying jobs for our workers. Speaker, I’m sure that we can all agree that these aims are of vital importance now more than ever.

Since the present American federal administration took office and imposed unfair and unjust tariffs on imported Canadian products and materials, Ontario and Canada have responded swiftly and decisively with a number of measures to counteract their impact on our economies. Just this past spring, I participated in the introduction of Bill 2, the Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025, a critical piece of legislation designed to protect Ontario jobs and businesses in the context of ongoing trade pressures due to US trade policies.

Now enshrined into law, Bill 2 makes Ontario’s economy more competitive and open to trade and investment by removing trade barriers with other provinces and territories, including through mutual recognition, with reciprocating jurisdictions, of goods and services.

Bill 2 also formally recognizes Buy Ontario, Buy Canada Day, a province-wide call to action encouraging all individuals, families and businesses to support locally made, grown and owned products. This annual initiative was celebrated for the first time on Friday, June 27, 2025, and will be held on the last Friday of June every year, affirming our shared commitment to strengthening Ontario’s communities, local jobs and building a resilient economy.

Also in April 2025, I spoke in support of the government’s Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025, introduced by the Honourable Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. With the implementation of Bill 5, we took another bold step towards an economy that is more competitive, more resilient and self-reliant. It’s also helping establish Ontario as the most competitive place in the world to invest and ensure the long-term prosperity and security of our economy.

The Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement’s focus in Bill 5 was our one-window permitting program for businesses, the reduction of red tape and the support of domestic procurement.

Both acts, which received royal assent in June 2025, are key pillars in a much bigger plan to secure our supply chain, self-resilience, retain and create domestic jobs, protect and grow our communities, and encourage investment and local entrepreneurship.

Our aim is simple and critical: Make Ontario’s public sector, governments, hospitals, schools and more buy from Ontario businesses first and Canadian businesses second. This supports local jobs and helps our economy grow, and it means more jobs, stronger communities and the smarter use of public dollars. This new bill will keep more money in the province of Ontario, supporting job creation and retention by setting clear rules so everyone knows what’s expected when bidding on government contracts.

Over the past seven years, our government has worked tirelessly to bolster Ontario’s economy, support local business and ensure public funds benefit our communities. We’ve always advocated on behalf of Ontario businesses and consumers.

As already stated, in 2022, the government introduced the Building Ontario Businesses Initiative, or BOBI, with the goal of enhancing Ontario’s businesses’ access to procurement opportunities, creating jobs, strengthening supply chain resiliency and supporting economic recovery.

BOBI then gave rise to the Building Ontario Businesses Initiative Act, or BOBIA, which received royal assent in March 2022. This landmark legislation was introduced to strengthen Ontario supply chain resilience, support local businesses and create jobs in our communities. It recognizes that Ontario businesses often face higher costs because they comply with our province’s strict environment, labour and safety standards. Under BOBIA, these businesses have enjoyed a much better chance to be able to procure public sector contracts.

It’s also achieved a number of benefits for Ontario. It levelled the playing field for Ontario businesses against international competitors, who may not follow the same standards we have here in Ontario. It has helped keep jobs and investment in Ontario, driving economic growth and innovation. And it has enhanced supply chain innovation, making us better prepared for future challenges.

Speaker, and fellow members, under my ministry, we took BOBIA and operationalized it with a clear commitment to action. And we are maximizing this initiative to ensure goods and assets bought by our government are made within Ontario or Canada wherever possible. Because every dollar that goes into the pockets of our province’s local, homegrown business owners gets injected into our economy and makes it stronger.

But now that our province and our country are under siege from our trading partner to the south, and business owners and consumers are feeling the economic pinch more than ever, we need stronger laws that will combat these unjust tariffs. That’s exactly why our government is replacing BOBIA with the Buy Ontario Act. Speaker, we must ensure that Ontario’s procurement policies are dynamic, and that they evolve to meet the changing economic challenges, technological advancements and public expectations. We cannot simply wait around and see what the White House will impose next.

We must take proactive, bold action to preserve not only our economy but our way of life, and to ensure that we do what’s right for future generations of Ontarians.

No matter what is thrown in our direction, from global economic pressures to financial penalties enacted by hostile trade partners, Ontario and Canada will not only survive but thrive thanks to the legislation we’re debating today, should it pass and receive royal assent. By prioritizing fairness, value and local economic development, we can ensure that procurement remains a powerful tool for building a stronger and more resilient Ontario. It’s imperative, now more than ever, that we unite, leverage our collective strengths and fight for our province and our country with everything we’ve got.

The Buy Ontario Act is more than just a piece of legislation. It’s a promise—a promise to protect Ontario jobs, empower local businesses and build a province that thrives in the face of global challenges. It also is a promise to the people, the communities and the businesses of Ontario, the very same people who elected us to a historic third majority, to do what’s best for the province of Ontario.

Make no mistake, the time is now to continue strengthening our supply chain resiliency. We are at a pivotal time in our history, a time when global uncertainty challenges the very foundations of our economy. Economic crises, whether triggered by recession, supply chain disruptions or geopolitical tensions, demand that we do everything in our power to ensure our resiliency—and resiliency begins at home.

As I hope I’ve demonstrated, one of the most powerful tools we have here in Ontario and Canada to safeguard our economy and ensure stability for the long run is through domestic procurement. By leveraging procurement strategically, Ontario is not only buying goods and services, it’s securing a stronger future for all Ontarians.

I would ask all House members, no matter what their political stripe, to dig deep and do what’s right for Ontario. It’s an honour to serve as Ontario’s Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement as we stand poised to unite in our efforts to protect Ontario consumers and businesses.

Speaker, I think we can all agree that economic crises don’t just test our resolve, they also reveal our strengths. Domestic procurement is more than a policy; it’s a principle—a principle that says that when the world is uncertain, we stand together, we invest in ourselves and we emerge stronger. I know that doing business isn’t easy. As a former business and investment leader, I’ve seen markets rise and fall, but I can state with confidence that the economic threats we face today are unlike anything we’ve ever seen since the Great Depression or World War II.

When Washington imposed sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods—steel, aluminium, automobiles, even agricultural products—it wasn’t just an attack on trade. It was an attack on Ontario workers, families and businesses. Those tariffs threatened to shutter factories, raise prices and put thousands of jobs at risk. They could have made us bend. They could have made us break. But Ontario does not break: We build, we innovate and we fight for what’s right.

In that spirit, I have every confidence that we have the right tools and resources in place to not only stand up to this attack, but to emerge stronger than ever for having fought the battle. We have Supply Ontario, our very own agency devoted to ensuring the province’s procurement policies and legislation are leveraged to the furthest extent possible to protect our businesses, workers and communities. We have the procurement restriction policy, strategically designed to support businesses and workers here at home from those who seek to undermine us.

And since the spring, we also have the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act and the Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act.

Of course, we’ve also implemented the Buy Ontario, Buy Canada Day on the last Friday of every June to encourage residents to purchase locally made products and services. This has been wildly successful, encouraging businesses and the public in Ontario to support local businesses and profile the various programs available to support purchasing products made in Ontario or elsewhere in Canada. A recent Angus Reid survey found that 78% of Canadians are committed to buying more Canadian products overall. Ontario and Canadian residents are stepping up. Ontario wine sales have surged 60% since American wine and alcohol was removed from the shelves at the LCBO.

As part of Buy Ontario, Buy Canada Day, we are promoting Ontario businesses and shining a light on these options to create momentum that will spur long-term, close-to-home buying habits. As a result, the people of Ontario have shown their love for this country and province. The White House’s unfair, unjustified and illegal tariffs have been met with a wave of patriotism like we have never seen before, with many consumers and businesses boycotting American products in favour of our own local Ontario- and Canadian-made products.

“Made in Canada”—we all see those words on the store shelves, part of a growing movement encouraging us to buy Canadian and support the local economy. This does not just apply only to store-bought products; there has also been a steady and dramatic decrease in travel to non-Canadian destinations too, and a marked decline in visits to the US. That’s a great way to support our local economies as well: travelling within Ontario and within Canada to keep those tourism dollars right here in our own province and country. Turning beliefs into action more and more, we continue to choose Canada and Ontario every single day, more and more and more.

As a government, we continue to explore ways to help consumers make everyday decisions to buy goods and services made or originating right here at home. By doing so, we are already helping to build a stronger and more resilient environment for local businesses. Our government’s job is to listen, act and deliver.

Make no mistake about it: Our work to combat these trade attacks is not a one-and-done endeavour; it’s part of a much larger, ongoing effort that involves many people and stakeholders keeping their eye on the future. We cannot slow down, Speaker. Now more than ever, we need to take bold action to protect the workers, families and businesses in this province. It’s time to protect Ontario’s economy for the long term. Our government must stay right there with Ontario’s businesses and workers every single step of the way.

Let the current challenges stand as a call to action for all of us. I know that Ontario and Canada will rise above whatever obstacles are in our path, now and well into the future. By working together with key partners in the broader public sector, the federal government, other provinces, industry and other stakeholders, we can build a truly united, prosperous nation.

The proposed Buy Ontario Act would play a critical role in accomplishing this goal. That’s why I strongly encourage you to support Bill 72, because with your support, we can bring this home for all Ontarians. We believe in local, homegrown leadership, and we believe that when government, business and communities stand together, there’s no limit to what we can achieve.

Speaker, I want take a moment to highlight the direct, tangible impact that the Buy Ontario Act will have in my own riding of Oakville, a community that stands as a microcosm of Ontario’s economy. Oakville’s economy is built on a foundation of advanced manufacturing, health and life sciences, technology and digital media, and professional services. These sectors are not only vital to Oakville’s prosperity; they are also precisely the kind of industry that public institutions rely on every single day.

The Buy Ontario Act is designed that when our hospitals, schools, municipalities and provincial agencies spend public sector dollars, Oakville businesses are at the front of the line to benefit. Oakville’s advanced manufacturing sector is a powerhouse, employing over 9,000 workers. Under the Buy Ontario Act, manufacturers in Oakville and across Ontario who supply Ontario-made goods will see a stronger preference for their bids in public sector procurement.

This means more opportunities for local companies to win contracts for fleet vehicles, transit equipment, infrastructure components, logistics services—helping to ensure local jobs stay right here in our community no matter what the threat.

Take Mancor Industries, for example, a precision metal components manufacturer founded in 1963 and headquartered in Oakville. Under the Buy Ontario Act, companies like Mancor Industries which manufacture Ontario-made goods and maintain a strong, local presence will be well positioned to receive preference in public sector procurement, helping to secure contracts for fabricated metal products, engineered components and other goods essential to provincial infrastructure and services.

Oakville is home to a vibrant health and life sciences ecosystem, anchored by the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital and surrounded by pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies. The Buy Ontario Act’s preference rules means that local suppliers of medical devices, pharmaceuticals, lab services and hospital logistics will have a fairer shot at competing for hospital and health care sector purchases.

When our hospitals and health workers are required to look first to Ontario suppliers, all of our local health innovators win. For example, Hospital Logistics is an Oakville-based health care logistics provider serving hospitals and health facilities across the province. With the Buy Ontario Act’s local emphasis on supporting Ontario businesses, Hospital Logistics could see increased opportunities to provide logistics and supply chain solutions to hospitals, clinics and long-term-care facilities, ensuring that the public health dollars spent in this province come right here from the province of Ontario.

By prioritizing Canadian-based companies like Mancor Industries and Hospital Logistics, the Buy Ontario Act will help reinforce our reputation for an advanced manufacturing and health care innovation hub while supporting local jobs and growth in our community.

Similarly, Oakville’s pharmaceutical and biotech firms—many of which are developing cutting-edge treatments and technologies—will be better positioned to serve hospitals and clinics across the province, provided they meet clinical and cost requirements. This not only strengthens our health care sector but also encourages continued investment in research, development and high-skilled jobs.

Oakville’s ICT and digital media sector is thriving, with firms providing software, cyber security, digital transformation and content services to ministries, agencies and school boards. The Buy Ontario Act’s service preference provisions mean that Ontario’s tech industry will gain an advantage over non-Ontario vendors in RFP evaluations. This is especially important as public institutions rely increasingly on digital solutions.

Local companies specializing in managed IT services, digital platforms and cyber security solutions—such as those profiled with Invest Oakville—will be able to compete more effectively for contracts with the town of Oakville, the region of Halton, our local school boards, Sheridan College and other regional agencies. By prioritizing Ontario-provided services, the act helps to ensure our local talent and creative industries are recognized and rewarded for their contributions.

Speaker, the Buy Ontario Act is not just a policy, it’s the catalyst for economic growth and resilience in this province. I’m proud to support this legislation, knowing that it will deliver real benefits to the businesses, the workers and the people of Ontario. I once again urge all members of the House to support Bill 72. I will continue working to build a stronger, more self-reliant Ontario.

I’m now happy to turn the floor over to my fellow cabinet ministers who will share in the reading of the Buy Ontario Act, starting with the Honourable Todd McCarthy, Acting Minister of Infrastructure. Thank you for your time today.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): I recognize the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and the Acting Minister of Infrastructure.

Hon. Todd J. McCarthy: I am honoured to join the debate in the House this morning, both as Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and Acting Minister of Infrastructure. I want to add to what the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement has stated in this House with respect to our proposed Buy Ontario Act, Bill 72.

My focus will be on our government’s historic capital plan and infrastructure investments that will shape Ontario’s future. This is about maximizing every tax dollar, turning investments into opportunities for businesses and workers across our province. We are at a critical moment. Ontario is ready to build, and we will build with Ontario-made strength.

In my short time covering the crucial infrastructure portfolio for Minister Kinga Surma, I have definitely come to appreciate the range and the scope of our ambitious infrastructure agenda and the positive ways that our projects touch so many aspects of our lives: transportation, schools, housing, health care and so much more. Our investments are not just building infrastructure; they are building prosperity for everyone.

And so today I am pleased to share how the proposed Buy Ontario Act would accelerate our plan to build and protect Ontario. Let me start with the context for the Buy Ontario Act. The long-standing partnership with our American friends has been derailed—derailed but not broken. We will continue reinforcing that we are stronger together, that we are each other’s best customers and that when we share innovation and expertise across supply chains, we all win: more jobs, better competitiveness and more opportunities for American and Canadian workers.

For decades, Canada-US co-operation has delivered growth and raised the standard of living for all. I have faith that the spirit of partnership will endure, regardless of the economic headwinds that lie ahead. But the reality is that the cause of this conflict is indeed the unwarranted and unjustified US tariffs. They are hurting our workers, they are punishing our companies and they are hurting our most critical economic sectors.

The people of Ontario gave our government a historic third majority mandate to protect Ontario. One powerful tool that we have is public sector purchasing power. That is the essence of what I wish to speak about today, Mr. Speaker: the opportunity that we have to work strategically with our public sector and industry partners, so that every dollar invested by the government is put to the best possible use.

I can tell you that our partners in the private sector most definitely understand the opportunity before us. These partners include Dennis Darby, the president and CEO of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, who recently stated, “CME welcomes the government’s introduction of the Buy Ontario Act. Through CME’s Ontario Made program, we have long championed the critical importance of local procurement, and this forward-thinking legislation demonstrates the Ontario government’s commitment to turning this principle into action.

By prioritizing Ontario-made goods” over foreign goods and services “in public procurement, this legislation strengthens local supply chains and safeguards manufacturing jobs. Ensuring Ontario tax dollars support Ontario workers and businesses will help manufacturers remain competitive, invest in innovation, and drive growth across the province.”

Mr. Speaker, I submit that Mr. Darby is absolutely right. Our government’s capital plan of more than $220 billion is a landmark investment after years of stagnation under the previous Liberal government. This is what our historic plan is delivering: over 50 new and upgraded hospitals; 41 new and expanded schools, just this fall alone; new and expanded highways, roads and bridges; and 800,000 new homes can be built through our strategic investments in water, roads and bridges, not to mention the largest and most ambitious transit expansion in Canadian history.

We are also working closely with other provinces and the federal government to advance nation-building projects. This includes the east-west energy corridor. This will unlock new markets while providing energy security for our province and our nation.

Each one of our projects supports supply chains and skilled workers, from electricians to carpenters, HVAC technicians, plumbers, drywallers, concrete finishers and everyone in between. In fact, there are 579,000 people employed in Ontario’s construction sector. Our infrastructure investments are a backstop for the sector, providing certainty for the industry and protecting jobs across local communities. Buy Ontario means that we are creating new opportunities for those workers to participate in critical public sector work.

LIUNA has responded to our Buy Ontario legislation with this recent statement: “LIUNA stands in support of the proposed Buy Ontario Act, legislation that puts Ontario workers, Ontario business, and Ontario-made materials at the forefront of the province’s growing infrastructure and energy build-out.”

LIUNA goes on with this statement: “With the historic $220B+ infrastructure investment planned over the next decade, this act ensures that Ontario dollars fuel local economic growth, strengthen domestic supply chains, and support the proud, skilled, unionized workforce that drives our province forward.

“From steel and concrete to advanced manufacturing and construction, choosing Ontario-Canadian built, means supporting good local jobs, stable industries and a more competitive future.”

Mr. Speaker, let us take a closer look at some specific projects to fully understand how Ontario’s infrastructure investments are creating local jobs. The QEW/Credit River Improvement Project in Mississauga: 250 workers daily on-site. On November 14, I was pleased to join Premier Ford and Minister Sylvia Jones to celebrate the grand opening of the newly completed West Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Grimsby; 270 workers are on-site daily at that Grimsby site. The Weeneebayko Area Health Authority Redevelopment Project in Moosonee and Moose Factory is expected to support close to 400 workers on-site.

And the Peter Gilgan Mississauga Hospital and Shah Family Hospital for Women and Children: More than 3,000 workers are expected on-site daily.

It is the men and women who work hard every day in our construction sector who deliver the infrastructure that keeps our province moving, and protecting Ontario means defending our workers from the economic attack on our province and our country by supporting the work they do.

Nadia Todorova, executive director at the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario, or the RCCAO, said this in response to this proposed legislation:

“Ontario’s construction workforce depends on strong local supply chains and procurement practices that recognize the value of skilled labour across our communities.

“By prioritizing Ontario-made goods and services, the province is helping ensure that public investments translate directly into local jobs to help confront economic instability caused by our trading partners.

“RCCAO welcomes this legislation” accordingly.

Mr. Speaker, beyond those direct construction jobs, there is also an extensive supply chain, a myriad of companies found in every corner of our province providing the countless components that together make a new hospital or a new transit station possible. From the structural steel suppliers to the concrete companies, the heavy equipment companies to the internal trim suppliers, the HVAC suppliers to the signage providers, and everything in between, that is what this is about.

Let me share a little more about one such company. Last Thursday, I joined the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement to announce the proposed Buy Ontario Act at the Etobicoke Ironworks in Toronto. It is an impressive company with a long history, and its members provided us with a warm welcome. The Etobicoke Ironworks has been in business 70 years, manufacturing structural steel and operating as a scaffolding supplier for major construction projects across the GTA.

And if we continue to create the right conditions and protect Ontario businesses from unwarranted US tariffs, then there is no doubt that EIW will continue to celebrate and be in business and thrive for at least another 70 years.

Let us remember that Ontario is Canada’s workshop. We have thousands of innovative and ambitions companies just like EIW helping us to get things built right here at home and around the world. So buy Ontario means an opportunity to work with the market to increase our capacity to deliver at home and abroad, and to strengthen our economic power on the world stage.

John MacKay, chair of the Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel Association, also welcomes the Buy Ontario Act, noting that it “reflects what our industry has practiced for decades: supplying essential, close-to-market materials that keep public dollars and jobs in Ontario.”

The good news about the timing of Bill 72 as a proposed act is that the existing construction supply chain in Ontario is robust. In fact, most concrete, non-structural steel, aggregate and drywall is already sourced locally, so that is a great start. Virtually all labour is domestically sourced, which creates good jobs for Ontario and Canadian workers, and almost every product is purchased from a Canadian supplier, with much of the content manufactured in Canada.

But there are gaps. For example, electrical components, HVAC, structural steel and some types of glass are heavily imported. Other materials, including plastics, tiles and ceramics, are manufactured domestically, but a significant portion is imported. Why do these gaps exist? The reality is that in some niche areas, Canada doesn’t manufacture these products, or, if we do make these goods domestically, it is not at the volume required to keep pace with the needs of our construction industry.

We are not suggesting that our government can wave a magic wand and suddenly achieve a 100% end-to-end supply chain, but the trade challenges Canada and Ontario face have served as a catalyst. They have galvanized our collective resolve like never before, so now more than ever we need to be self-reliant. We need and want to bolster our manufacturing base so that we can create what we need domestically and support our companies in diversifying our exports and selling across the world.

Building this robust supply chain is critical to reducing our reliance on foreign markets as well as reducing our vulnerability to tariffs, trade disruptions and geopolitical shocks. And that is what our proposed Buy Ontario Act is all about. We can be strategic. We can fine-tune our procurement approach for capital projects to prioritize first Ontario and then Canadian goods and services, and we want to do this in a way that still maintains value for money for Ontario taxpayers and that keeps us moving forward efficiently to build infrastructure.

Infrastructure Ontario, building on its strong connections with the construction sector, will engage with stakeholders such as steel manufacturing associations and trade associations to understand present and forecasted manufacturing capacity and the origin of materials.

Should the bill pass, we look forward to rolling out these measures to ministries, agencies and the broader public sector. Through these measures, we will ensure that contractors and subcontractors that are helping to deliver public projects would also use Ontario goods and services first, as much as possible, because it makes sound business sense and because everyone who works at Ontario companies shares the pride we feel when we see these labels: “made in Ontario” and “made in Canada.”

Ontario’s more-than-$220-billion capital plan is the largest infrastructure investment in Canadian history, as I have stated. With our government’s proposed Buy Ontario Act, we are putting in place a framework to work effectively across a broader public sector so that every dollar we invest represents an opportunity to achieve—to achieve more—in terms of our ability to build in Ontario and across Canada and delivers maximum benefit for the people and for families.

We will support Ontario workers and businesses today and for the future. Our province is ready to seize this opportunity by increasing our capacity to make things, build, and to deliver today, we are investing in our own future, supporting the hundreds of thousands of workers and ensuring that made in Ontario and made in Canada will remain proclamations of excellence, not just at home but around the world.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): I recognize the Minister of Energy and Mines.

Hon. Stephen Lecce: It’s an honour to rise in support of Bill 72. I want to extend gratitude to the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement, the parliamentary assistant to the minister, Mr. Riddell, and to everyone involved in this enterprise of standing up for Canada.

The mission of this bill is to buy Canadian, built by Canadians. It is a continuous commitment to stand with Ontario workers as we are under assault from President Trump and other geopolitical adversaries. The backdrop of this legislation is well timed to give a fighting chance for Canadian business in Ontario’s supply chain to succeed and, frankly, to compete in the supply chain.

I believe this bill is at the heart of Premier Ford’s vision of creating jobs, of strengthening the competitiveness of our business, of giving opportunity to Ontario businesses, small and large, to be a part of our procurement vision. I believe when 40% of our manufacturing goods are exposed by US tariffs, it is this type of common-sense policy that moves the yardstick forward. It builds upon previous legislative iterations that have come before this House, which our government has spearheaded with one mission, which is to really elevate the jobs and the opportunity for Canada.

You will note the first bill this Legislature was seized with was a bill entitled the Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act. It was designed to eradicate the interprovincial barriers that impeded the movement of goods and products and people across the nation. We needed to be more of a unified east-west federation, more oriented to supporting each other than to helping or prioritizing exports to foreign markets. That was an important bill, which we supported.

Then this Legislature brought forth Bill 40, a bill that I introduced, the Protect Ontario by Securing Affordable Energy for Generations Act, which fulfills the spirit of this legislative piece today. It’s about buying more Canadian. It’s about ensuring that as we spend billions of dollars, we really give prioritization to the supply chain—to businesses, to workers, to families and communities—and I believe this is how we do it.

Bill 72 really builds upon this concept by giving legislated preference to the Canadian industry, business and worker. And I’m proud that in the Ontario energy supply chain, in our sector, we are leading by example. Bruce Power’s Life-Extension Program—$13 billion—is a case study, of which 98% stays within the province and country. We’re talking about 22,000 direct jobs that are benefiting from this arrangement. They’re going to be delivering about 90% of its supply chain staying within the province of Ontario alone. Canadian at our core is the commitment of Bruce Power and they’re living it out with funds staying within the province.

At Hydro One, 93% of their $2.9-billion annual spend stays in this country and province. It has exceeded its directive of 5% of sourceable spending to Indigenous-owned businesses as well.

At Ontario Power Generation, 90-plus per cent of our investment, when we refurbish our nuclear reactors, made-in-Canada tech, uranium—the whole gamut, the whole supply chain—is really indigenous to this country: 90-plus per cent goes to Canadian suppliers, Ontario businesses. It’s a reminder that the $3 billion we expend annually helps to keep 2,000 suppliers busy, active with purchase orders and guarantees.

Just for the refurbishment of Darlington, there are 200 Ontario-based businesses alone involved in the parts and services to help deliver this refurbishment on time and on budget. It really demonstrates an opportunity for our province to lead—lead in Canada, lead in the world and, most particularly, ensure that Bill 72 keeps investment in the province, where we know it is so desperately needed.

Because in the recognition of the US tariffs and the attacks on our industry, it is up to us in government to send a signal to our supply chain, to our workers and to our manufacturers that we will, by intention, use every lever possible to buy more Canadian and to give opportunity to the workforce.

When I think about the importance of diversifying our exports away from the US when 80% of our trade is dependent on one source, the fact is that the Premier and various other ministers of government have been working to diversify exports outside of the US into the Asia-Pacific, into European markets, into the Middle East, into the gulf and certainly into South America. My point is that there is massive, tremendous economic opportunity. The world wants our resources, our ethical resources, our manufactured goods, our quality steel and materials.

It just begs the question: If it’s not Ontario, our government or this Legislature who will buy more Canadian, then who else will? The workforce of Ontario is depending on us to be intentional and to be proud of the products we make here at home.

Minister Crawford has brought forth a bill that helps to deliver a meaningful dose of investment in the supply chain, a bill by its intention to support the very Canadian businesses we represent today. When we recognize that so much of our supply chain is feeling economic contraction and pain, this is the most defensible investment in the economic prospects of our nation.

It is a commitment to the national identity of Canada by saying to the workforce and the skilled worker unions and the businesses and the investors that, yes, here in Ontario, you have a government on your side prepared to buy more made in this country. At its core, it is about ensuring that Canadians succeed in this moment, and I am proud.

The first bill we introduced was to unlock the barriers east and west. A successive bill was to strengthen the purchasing of Canadian materials in our energy buildup. Now there’s this bill, Bill 72, designed even further incrementally to advance the cause of purchasing, buying and supporting Canadian business. That is the economic nationalism I believe Canadians expect of their government, to be proud of our country and to intentionally buy from within. I’m proud of this legislation, and I recognize, Mr. Speaker, that with so much at stake, there’s an opportunity for us to do more at home.

As I mentioned, we have legislation before this House, Bill 40, another statute, another plan of investment to supercharge economic opportunity, employment and, frankly, supply chain advancements for Ontario business.

When you are looking at quantums of 90%, 93%, 97% purchasing from within, I think it is fair to say we are doing good, but we can be great. That good-to-great principle is at the core of this bill. It’s a challenge function to every agency, board and commission, from school boards all the way to energy businesses, that they can and they ought to be doing more purchasing from within. It sends the right signal. I think it gives hope to the supply chain that there’s more investment to come following the passage of this bill.

I hope all members of this Legislature will stand with this government as we double down on buying Canadian, on ensuring the stamp, that maple leaf, a symbol of freedom and democracy and ethical products made at home, is sent to every region of the world. That is what we can do as a Legislature. It’s what we ought to do as a Parliament. I urge all members opposite to join this minister and government in passing this bill.

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

Ms. Jessica Bell: It’s interesting that we’re debating this bill today, I’ve got to say.

My question is to the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement. I read the bill, and it looks like this government is looking at giving itself the power to pass some significant legislation. However, I’m concerned on this side of the House that there’s a lot of bark but no bite. Are you actually going to do what you say you’re going to do?

So my question is this: Can you commit that no foreign company will get a P3 contract in Ontario to build a hospital or a school if there is a qualified Canadian company also bidding on the job? Yes or no?

Hon. Stephen Crawford: Thank you to the member opposite, and thank you for taking an interest in this important bill. I think this bill is going to set the stage for procurement. You’ll see other provinces across the country actually following our lead in supporting Canadian and Ontario businesses.

The idea of this legislation is that any company will be welcome to bid on any contract. However, what has not been done before is to put a preference and a weighting on Ontario and Canadian businesses. I think that’s absolutely critical, that we support our local businesses where we can—100%, we will support them.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): I recognize the member from Ajax.

Mr. Rob Cerjanec: My understanding is, under the current definition in the Building Ontario Businesses Initiative, any company with 250 full-time employees in Ontario qualifies as an Ontario business. The reason why I mention this is, when I speak to folks in the education technology space that have started companies created here in Ontario, they’re concerned about their ability to compete with much larger international, multinational-type corporations.

I think this bill is a good step, but what is the government then doing in order to support and grow an Ontario ecosystem so they can actually compete on fair footing with very large international companies?

Hon. Stephen Crawford: Thank you for the question. I think your point is taken. In terms of where we can, we want to support local Ontario companies, whether it’s technology companies or service companies. We want to prioritize them. We want to put a larger weighting on that.

Having said that, as a province, as a country, we also want to encourage foreign investment. I think we all can agree that we need foreign investment. We want to be a leader in not only domestic procurement, domestic investment, but attracting global investment. That’s how a province, a country thrives and prospers into the future.

So we do want to encourage foreign companies to invest right here in Ontario, but we want to see job creation. We don’t want a company that comes to Ontario, has two people working here, and they have a little building with the Canadian flag on it, and they have no business, really, in Canada outside of that.

We want to focus on going deeper into the products that are being manufactured. Are they Canadian-made? Is the supply chain benefiting our local economy? That will be absolutely critical.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): I recognize the member from Whitby.

Mr. Lorne Coe: My question is for the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement. People in my riding want to know that when the public sector buys something, we’re supporting local workers and local businesses—in my case, Whitby. With this new bill that gives preference to Ontario suppliers, can you please explain how it will strengthen local supply chains while still keeping the process fair and competitive?

Hon. Stephen Crawford: Thank you to the great member from Whitby for that very good question. We’re in total agreement. We need to ensure value for money. Let me be clear: This bill is not “buy Canadian at any cost.” If you’re triple the price and you’re trying to take advantage of the government procurement policies, that’s not going to work.

We’re going to be looking at value, price, timeline. But what I want to emphasize is, we are going to be placing an emphasis on how you are benefiting the local economy, how you are benefiting the supply chain right here in our province. Are you investing dollars into employment in local communities? Are you investing in capital goods and infrastructure right here in a local community? Is that going to benefit our friends and neighbours in our communities? That is going to be a key component to our procurement directive going forward.

So it’s not one or the other. It’s all the above, with a focus on supporting local businesses.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): I recognize the member from University–Rosedale.

Ms. Jessica Bell: I want to go back to the question of who is eligible to apply for these contracts and how you define Ontarian or Canadian. In the current rules, if a foreign company has 250 employees in Ontario, then it can claim that it is a local company and not a foreign company. Are you closing this loophole in this new bill?

Hon. Stephen Crawford: Yes, again, as I mentioned to the member from Ajax with his question—he essentially asked a very similar question. Our focus is supporting Ontario and Canadian businesses. So let me be very clear about that: We want to put procurement dollars back into our communities. If a company is headquartered in Toronto or Ottawa, it doesn’t matter—anywhere in the province. If it’s a foreign business but has a major economic impact on our communities and is supporting our local communities, creating jobs, investing here, we welcome that as well.

We have a sign, when you cross the border into Ontario from New York or Quebec, that says, “Open for business.” We want to encourage foreign investment. Does the NDP not stand with it? Do you not want foreign business to invest here in our province? That’s what is going to help drive our economic growth.

We want to encourage investment here, but we want to support Ontario and Canadian businesses first.

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

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: Good morning, everyone. I have a question for the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement—it’s a mouthful.

I think we can all get behind buying Ontario products, shopping locally and buying Canadian products any time, but especially because of the tariffs from the President down south.

Your Bill 72 has three schedules.

Schedule 2, the Highway Traffic Act—I just wonder how this

schedule got in this bill when it’s the Buy Ontario Act, but your

schedule 2 directs that the minister may direct a municipality to install signs for community safety zones. Why not just leave the speed cameras where they were effective?

Hon. Stephen Crawford: Thank you to the member for that question.

We are filling in to be able to ensure that we have signs in our local communities and municipalities, to ensure we have traffic-calming measures in place with the removal. We passed legislation, as I’m sure you’re well aware, in the last week or two that is banning the speed cameras. So we’re going to ensure that we have traffic-calming measures such as signs in the municipalities to be able to support our local communities.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): I recognize the member from Essex.

Mr. Anthony Leardi: My question is for the Minister of Energy.

As we all know, energy is the number one ingredient in everything that we make and everything we do. My question is about energy sovereignty. We never want this country or this province to be dependent on anybody for energy because, as I said, energy is the number one ingredient in everything we make, whether it’s an automobile, whether it’s a tomato grown in Leamington or whether it is any other product in the province of Ontario. There are countries who are literally at war with one another and still purchasing energy from each other because they are so energy dependent. That is a position we never want to be in.

So, my question to the Minister of Energy is this: What is this government and what is the minister doing to make sure that Ontario and Canada always remain sovereign with respect to energy?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: I want to thank the member from Essex.

Well, energy sovereignty starts by doubling down on the greatest indigenous technology to this country, which is our Candu reactors. Eighteen of 19—

Hon. Greg Rickford: We can do it.

Hon. Stephen Lecce: We can do it, to the Minister of Indigenous Affairs. We can and we should, and 18 of 19 are operating in the province.

Members obviously speak about renewables. And I’ll tell you, when we’re talking about sovereignty or domestication, 80% of solar and 60% of windmills are built in China. So if the mission of this government and this bill is to domesticate and build more in the country, then we will actually double down on those technologies, like hydroelectricity or nuclear, that is made here at home. In fact, it is exported around the world, and I believe this is important.

Another issue of consequence to the nation, as a taxpayer of Canada, is the sovereignty of our pipelines and the fact that we have an energy supply that goes through the US, like line 9, which is fundamental. One hundred per cent of aviation fuels, 50% of our petroleum is coming through a line that goes through the US state of Michigan, where the Democratic governor, like the Republican President, has committed to closing these pipelines.

It’s in the national interest to build—

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Thank you.

It is now time for members’ statements.

Second reading debate deemed adjourned.

Wearing of scarves

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Point of order: I recognize the associate minister for women’s economic and social development.

Hon. Charmaine A. Williams: Speaker, if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent for members to wear purple scarves in the House today for Wrapped in Courage.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): The minister is seeking unanimous consent. Do I have unanimous consent from the House? Agreed.

Members’ Statements

West Whitby fire hall

Mr. Lorne Coe: One of Whitby’s fastest-growing areas will soon be getting enhanced fire service after I and the Solicitor General of Ontario, the Honourable Michael Kerzner, as well as town officials broke ground on a new fire station in west Whitby, scheduled to be opened in 2027. The new fire hall will create 20 new firefighter positions and is expected to generate several construction-related jobs.

With west Whitby’s rapid growth, it’s vital that community safety initiatives take place. That’s why I was proud to advocate on behalf of the town of Whitby to secure this new critical parcel of land for the new fire hall from the Minister of Transportation. Thank you, Minister Sarkaria and ministry officials, for your leadership and commitment towards hard-working families in Whitby.

Speaker, the new west Whitby fire hall will not only enhance emergency response but will strengthen community safety for years to come. This is yet another example of what is accomplished when the Ontario government and towns and cities collaborate to accomplish a shared goal.

Remote Care Monitoring program

Ms. Jessica Bell: My member’s statement is about an individual called Margaret Gauthier. She’s 70 years old, a Toronto renter and she lives alone.

Margaret was referred to the remote monitoring program a year and a half ago. That means she has a button she can press if she falls or needs help, so a health care professional can quickly come to her. Margaret said to us, “I always take it to the shower with me, because I’ve had a few close calls. It’s scary.”

In September, Margaret took a fall and the remote alert button was on a table next to her chair. She had sciatica in her right leg, so she couldn’t get back up. When she pressed the button, she kept getting a “no connection” message. That’s how Margaret found out that she was one of 18,000 people who had been cut from the remote monitoring program, cut off because funding to the program, which was operated by the Toronto Grace hospital, has been cut by a third by the Ministry of Health. Now Margaret pays $30 a month for the for-profit service, and her device is malfunctioning.

Margaret wants to live safely in her home. She doesn’t want to go to a hospital. She doesn’t want to go to a long-term-care home, because both are far more expensive options for her and for our health care system. But Margaret needs support to stay.

I wrote to the minister last week calling on her to return funding to the remote monitoring program, so seniors can live at home and stay safe for as long as possible. I’m waiting for a response, and 18,000 seniors are waiting for a response as well.

Archpriest Datev Mikaelian

Mr. Jonathan Tsao: Speaker, along with my colleague the member for Scarborough–Agincourt, I rise to honour the 40th anniversary of the priestly ordination of Archpriest Reverend Father Datev Mikaelian of St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church in Don Valley North.

Father Datev began his vocation in Aleppo, Syria, where he entered the priesthood with a heartfelt prayer from the Psalms: “In you, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed.” Those words have guided him through a lifetime of ministry.

Due to the Armenian genocide, a priest of the Armenian tradition is not only a spiritual leader but also a guardian of Armenian identity, history, language and culture wherever communities have rebuilt their lives around the world. Father Datev has embraced that responsibility with both honour and devotion.

Over the years, Father Datev has become a pillar of spiritual strength for Armenian Canadians. His ministry has been shaped by the message he chose for his very first sermon: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” That message reflects how he has lived and how he has served.

Remarks in Armenian.

Speaker, 40 years of priestly service represents dedication of the highest order. I ask all members of this House to join me in recognizing Archpriest Reverend Father Datev Mikaelian for his unwavering commitment to his congregation, his community—

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): I recognize the member from Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock.

Primary care

Hon. Laurie Scott: I want to share wonderful news in Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock: how together with local health care partners and the Ministry of Health, we’re welcoming new primary care health professionals and health professionals to our hospitals.

Haliburton Highlands Health Services welcomed eight new doctors—three of them emergency physicians—and 28 new nursing staff, as well as 30 other support staff. This fall, the Haliburton Highlands health recruiters were able to recruit two new family physicians and a nurse practitioner to their teams. I want to thank the recruiters up in Haliburton for the great job they’ve done.

Also, this past summer with the Kawartha Lakes Haliburton Ontario Health Team, I had the pleasure of announcing, under the first phase of our intake, $3.49 million of funding to connect nearly 7,000 more people to primary care. These expanded, interprofessional primary health teams in Coboconk, Woodville and Minden are up and going and have already attached close to 1,000 new patients.

Under the Kawartha North Family Health Team, I want to extend a warm welcome to the two new doctors that will be practising in communities of Bobcaygeon and Fenelon Falls this year. Thank you to the Kawartha Lakes Health Care Initiative and recruitment for attracting our health care professionals, and we welcome any new doctors and nurses to come to Haliburton.

Injured workers

MPP Lise Vaugeois: The world of work has changed significantly, but Ontario’s workers’ compensation law has not kept up with the changing times. When the age of 65 cut-off for wage-loss compensation was first introduced, most people were expected to retire by that age, but this is no longer the case. Today, more Ontarians than ever are working past age 65—including quite a few, I might add, in this Legislature.

Yet if these workers are injured on the job, the law assumes their working life is already over. This assumption is not just outdated; it’s unfair. It punishes older workers for their age and ignores the reality that many continue to fully contribute to the economy well beyond age 65.

Other provinces, including Alberta and BC, allow injured workers to continue to receive crucial benefits beyond age 65. There are options that Ontario can and must look to for guidance because it’s time to bring the workers’ safety insurance act into line with today’s realities. Ending the age 65 cut-off isn’t just an urgently needed law reform; it’s a matter of fairness, dignity, justice and respect for every worker in this province.

Police

Mr. Sheref Sabawy: Peel police has announced a huge accomplishment this year. In 2025, Peel police accomplished Project 300, their goal of recruiting 300 new police officers to Peel Regional Police. These are well-trained officers entering the workforce as front-line officers to serve and protect the community.

Speaker, our government is supporting law enforcement recruitment by continuing to invest in our police and police training. In September, we announced that we are opening a new police college in Cornwall. This will allow an additional 121 recruits. Additionally, we have eliminated the tuition fees for the basic constable training program, eliminating hurdles for people wanting to become police officers.

Speaker, by expanding the number of police officers, we are cracking down on crime and ensuring that our communities are safe. Last week, Peel police also began their annual RIDE campaign in partnership with Mothers Against Drunk Driving: Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere. This campaign focuses on the importance of safe driving, including never driving impaired by alcohol. Our government is taking a strong, principled stand against drunk drivers.

Thank you to Peel police for all their hard work keeping us safe on and off the road.

Health care

M me France Gélinas: So many parts of our health care system are in crisis: 2.5 million people without access to a family physician, a broken home care system, a mental health and addiction system overwhelmed. When parts of our health care system fail, people rely on our hospitals for their health care needs.

Did you know, Speaker, that hospitals are not allowed to have a deficit budget? Yet 72% of hospitals in northern Ontario are facing a deficit. The OHA says, just to maintain what we have in our hospitals, they need a 4% budget increase, but the Ford government gave them a 0.7% increase. Hospitals have no choice. They have to cut costs, which means cutting services and laying off staff. North Bay Regional Health Centre has issued layoff notices to 40 front-line health care workers: 13 RNs, three RPNs, one occupational therapist, the list goes on. A brand new billion-dollar hospital in the north is laying off staff. Let that sink in.

The member from Sudbury and I went to North Bay on November 12 to hear from the hospital workers. The member from Sudbury even wore his yellow tie in case we saw the member from North Bay, but he didn’t show up—whatever. What we heard was devastating: knowledgeable, caring front-line hospital workers being laid off, and they are worried about what will happen to their patients who need them, who depend on them. I’m worried, too.

We know how to fix our broken health care system, and privatization is not the solution.

Co-operative housing

Ms. Laura Smith: Speaker, co-operative housing actually plays a positive and pivotal role in my riding of Thornhill. Thornhill is home to Crown Heights co-operative, William Lyon Mackenzie housing co-operative, Thornhill Green and Eamon Park housing co-operative. And I’m proud to say that I’ve truly enjoyed spending time with these great communities and the people who live there.

Crown Heights is a vibrant place—just celebrated their 40th anniversary—and Eamon Park was actually the runner-up for the best vegetable garden award by the Co-operative Housing Federation. I’ve been to many of the street festivals and parties hosted by Crown Heights and Eamon Park. It is clear that they are a vibrant and close-knit community that takes pride in what they do.

Today, we’re privileged to have the opportunity to learn more about co-operative housing and how we can support them. The Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada, which represents 550 not-for-profit housing co-ops in Ontario, is here at Queen’s Park for their reception day, and members will have the opportunity to hear more from their leadership and development industry partners. Their support and representation of co-op housing in Thornhill and throughout Ontario plays an essential role in the overall success of these properties. As well, you can learn more about several proposed and newly developed housing co-ops from all across Ontario that represent $1.14 billion in economic activity.

I encourage all members to attend and learn more about how we can support the co-op housing—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Members’ statements.

Gender-based violence

Ms. Jess Dixon: Speaker, this year, the 16 Days of Activism will also include the publication of the report on intimate partner violence and sexual violence in Ontario, which is an 18-month effort built from the voices, the experience, the expertise and the lived experience of survivors, front-line workers, educators, advocates, health care professionals, justice sector partners, researchers and community organizations across the province.

I want to express my gratitude to every single person who came forward to testify, who shared their expertise and who trusted us with their experiences. This report sits on decades of work done by those who came before, long before this ever had a name at Queen’s Park, and I’m so grateful for the work they’ve done and continue to do every day.

I also want to recognize Dr. Jennifer Kagan and Sonia Robinson, whose work with Keira’s Law has continued to put a huge focus on intimate partner violence and especially making sure the public stays aware of how provincial and federal governments are responding to it.

I also want to thank a few specific people from behind the scenes: my assistant Bonita Dua, who handled all the constant scheduling and coordination that went into this; my close friend and project manager Stephanie Fillekes, who I don’t know why she puts up with me but she does; and finally, over at the government House leader’s office, three remarkable women, Beth Wenzel, Rav Gill and Kaleena Lee. Without your guidance, this would have been so much harder, so thank you all so much for everything that you’ve done.

Gender-based violence

Mr. Mike Schreiner: It’s an honour to rise today on the International Day for the Elimination of Gender-Based Violence to commit to working across gender identities and party lines to stand up against gender-based violence.

Wrapped in Courage Day is a time to honour the courage and resilience of survivors, to remember and honour the women killed by femicide and to thank staff and front-line workers at women’s shelters, and also to welcome and thank the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses for the vital work you do to support women and children to escape violence. I especially want to thank Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis for the essential work that you do in my riding: last year alone, 1,286 clients served, 2,551 crisis line calls, 460 clients supported through their Transitional and Housing Support Program, and 107 clients supported in the Sexual Assault Centre with trauma counselling.

I want to close by calling on all of us who identify as men to take responsibility for violence against women and children. We have an obligation as men to call it out and as legislators to take action to end gender-based violence.

Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Members, if I could have your attention: We have with us today the father of page captain Murphy Harris: Michael Harris, the member for Kitchener–Conestoga in the 40th and 41st Parliaments. Welcome back.

Also joining us today is the president of Mohawk College, Paul Armstrong. Welcome.

House sittings

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Introduction of visitors? I recognize—you know, before we get to that, I made a mistake. I’m going to recognize the government House leader on a point of order, and I think you’ll all be very upset.

Hon. Steve Clark: Thanks, Speaker. I just want to advise the House that the night sitting scheduled for this evening has been cancelled.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): So sorry.

Introduction of Visitors

Hon. Michael Parsa: I want to introduce the amazing Marlene Ham and all the other fantastic partners who are visiting us from the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses. Thank you all for all you do, and welcome to Queen’s Park. I look forward to meeting with you after question period.

Hon. Kevin Holland: Joining us today from the Faye Peterson House in Thunder Bay is Debbie Zweep. Welcome to the House.

MPP Alexa Gilmour: Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, and the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Housing is in the Legislature for Wrapped in Courage.

Their members include the Redwood Shelter; Birchway Niagara; Kingston Interval House; North York Women’s Shelter; Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis; Timmins and Area Women in Crisis; Women’s Shelter, Saakaate House; Yellow Brick House of York region; Faye Peterson House; Naomi’s House; Barbra Schlifer; Red Door; Nellie’s; Juliette’s; YMCA; Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke; Nisa Foundation; Luke’s Place; Aura Freedom International; Nova Vita; the Interval House of Ottawa; Nelson House; and Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre.

We appreciate you. Welcome to your House.

Mr. Mike Schreiner: I’d like to quickly introduce Sly Castaldi, the executive director of Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis, and welcome everyone from OAITH here to Queen’s Park today.

Mr. Ted Hsu: I’d like to welcome Kimberly Campeau from Kingston Interval House to Queen’s Park today.

I also wanted to welcome Dorothy Noronha, who’s a retired teacher who stuck her neck out and ran in the last provincial election. She’s from Baltimore, Ontario.

Hon. Stan Cho: Watching from home, I want to say hi to Hayden Park, Young Ju Kwon, Caleb Park and Peyton Park. Enjoy the show.

Hon. Rob Flack: I’d like to welcome to Queen’s Park the Co-operative Housing Federation and their representatives: Sarah Jensen, Courtney Lockhart, Denise McGahan and Simone Swail. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Marit Stiles: Speaker, this morning I’d like to welcome Marissa and Danielle from Aura Freedom Davenport. Thank you so much for your advocacy and the advocacy of so many others here against gender-based violence in our communities.

As well, please join me in welcoming the WSIB injured workers who are here today for their Rights Don’t Retire campaign, including Debora De Angelis with UFCW. Thanks for being here today, and welcome to your House.

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: I’d like to welcome some wonderful people from the Water Environment Association of Ontario: Chandra Baker, Caroline Brunet, Mary Beth Holmes and Dean Iamarino. Thank you for keeping us safe and all of Ontario safe.

Ms. Aislinn Clancy: I’d like to welcome to Queen’s Park delegates from the co-operative housing federation: Elana Harte, Simone Swail, Shelly Watts and Jessica Kunkle.

Shelly and Jessica are members from my riding. We’re grateful to have you here. Welcome to your House.

Mr. Rudy Cuzzetto: Today, I would like to welcome the group from Armagh House, the first transitional home in the region of Peel.

Hon. George Pirie: I’d like to welcome Julie Nobert-DeMarchi from the Timmins and Area Women in Crisis and Mitch Dumas, the president of Northern College.

Hon. Todd J. McCarthy: I would like to welcome to Queen’s Park today Ms. Meggen Janes, the executive director of the Canadian Brownfields Network, a network devoted to economic growth, revitalization of communities and sustainable land use.

Ms. Natalie Pierre: From Halton Women’s Place, I’d like to welcome Laurie Hepburn and Sarah Byrne.

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: I want to wish a warm welcome to Niagara College staff and representatives to our chamber today; also, Sarah Burnett-Murray, Monica Brodeur, Angie Armstrong and Doug Sider; the Golden Horseshoe Co-operative Housing Federation; and the collective housing co-op from St. Catharines. Thank you for coming, and welcome to your House.

Ms. Sandy Shaw: I’d like to welcome, from OAITH and from Hamilton, Erin Griver from Inasmuch House; the wonderful Daniela Giulietti and her team from YWCA; and Tessa Mcfadzean, director from Good Shepherd. Welcome, from the Hammer, here to the House.

Ms. Lee Fairclough: I’m pleased to welcome Carla Neto, the executive director of Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke and her dedicated team: Lina Almanzan, Alicia Whyte, Christine Boeck, Sheila Baroro, Leslie Burrow and Pancha Panzo. Welcome to your House.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I’ll add a few more seconds because we were slow on the mikes.

The member for Don Valley East.

Mr. Adil Shamji: It gives me great pleasure to welcome members of the co-operative housing federation to our chamber this morning. Thank you for joining us.

Mr. Andrew Dowie: I’d like to wish a warm welcome to Michael Silvaggi, president of St. Clair College. Welcome to the House.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): And I want to apologize to everyone who is here today. If your member did not introduce you, it’s my fault. I’m a stickler for time, but we can come back at 3 o’clock and introduce our guests. You’re still all very welcome.

I recognize the member from Orléans.

Mr. Stephen Blais: I seek unanimous consent that, notwithstanding any standing order or special order of the House, the order for second reading of Bill 74,

An Act to Amend the Christopher’s Law (Sex Offender Registry), 2000 with respect to the disclosure of information obtained from the sex offender registry, be immediately called; and

That the Speaker shall immediately put the question on the motion for second reading of Bill 74 without debate or amendment; and

That upon receiving second reading, the bill shall be ordered for third reading, which order shall immediately be called; and

That the Speaker shall immediately put the question on the motion for third reading without debate or amendment; and

That the votes on second and third reading of the bill shall not be deferred; and

That if a recorded division is requested on the second or third reading votes on the bill, the division bells shall be limited to five minutes.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The member for Orléans is seeking unanimous consent that, notwithstanding any standing order or special order of the House, the order for second reading of Bill 74,

An Act—

Interjection: Dispense.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Dispense?

Interjection: Don’t interrupt the Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Dispense? Dispense.

Question Period

Government accountability

Ms. Marit Stiles: My question is to the Premier. Yesterday, the Premier looked Ontarians in the face—Ontarians who called this government out for their bad laws that are hurting working people—and he told them to go find a job. People are absolutely desperate to be heard, to have a government and a Premier who give a hoot about making their lives more affordable, but the Premier and this government are just ignoring them. Instead of listening, the Premier told them to go get a job.

How can the Premier tell anyone to get a job when he has created such a jobs disaster in this province?

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

Hon. David Piccini: Speaker, this Premier and government are focused on creating the conditions for investment and job creation. Since the last year of Liberal government, we saw about $8 billion in foreign direct investment; fast forward to this year, over $40 billion. The net result last month was a 55,000-job increase, which included jobs in health care, jobs in retail, jobs in construction.

I want to highlight in particular today, given the importance of today, Youth Without Shelter, one of the remarkable organizations supported by this government, making a real impact—case work, wraparound supports, helping youth find meaningful employment, addressing precarious housing situations and supporting them with real pathways. Steve and the team have done an incredible job. I recently heard about Steph’s story. Steph has now found meaningful employment, had the wraparound supports she needed and is on her way to a job.

That’s what we’re fighting for on this side of the House: creating meaningful employment opportunities for youth in every corner of Ontario’s economy.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the Leader of the Opposition.

Ms. Marit Stiles: The Premier wants to be on American news so badly; well, congratulations, Premier, you are officially an international embarrassment. The New York Times took notice of the Premier sneering at hard-working Ontarians while making their lives absolutely impossible. While he is yelling at people, telling them to go get a job, Ontario is in the middle of a jobs disaster. The only jobs he is creating are for his lobbyists and his insiders, his favourite night club owner, his campaign manager, his donors.

With this many connections, it is hard to believe the Premier wasn’t involved himself, so I want the Premier to explain his involvement in decisions regarding the Skills Development Fund.

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

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: Madam Speaker, there is no government that is doing more to boost Ontario’s economy than this Premier, this government, all the people who are here every single day. Do you know what? We’ve been working tirelessly to support Ontario. It starts with a strong balance sheet—our fiscal foundation is strong—so that we can invest in health care, we can invest in education, social services, that we can build infrastructure—$201 billion in infrastructure. You know what that means? Good construction jobs for many Ontarians.

The fall economic statement—which the opposition will have a chance to support Ontario workers today—lays out the vision and the plan to continue to grow Ontario’s economy. I look forward to the opposition supporting the fall economic statement.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Supplementary.

Ms. Marit Stiles: Here’s a fact: second highest unemployment rate in Canada. That’s where we’re at—the highest youth unemployment rate in Canada. One in four young people cannot find a job in this province. There is also growing evidence of preferential treatment and direct ties between the Premier and successful applicants to the Skills Development Fund—applicants who scored low but were hand-picked by the minister to jump ahead of everybody else.

While people in London and Oshawa and Hamilton and Brampton and Ingersoll and Sault Ste. Marie are losing their jobs, how can the government justify such a shameless scheme?

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

Mr. Tyler Allsopp: Thank you to the Leader of the Opposition for the question. I’m glad that she’s proud of all those members who were yelling from the balconies, disrupting democracy and throwing things onto our members, risking the safety of our security guards. I’m glad you’re proud of those people.

What I’m proud of is our record on jobs. We created a million more jobs in this economy since 2018, and we are growing job growth across the province. Take a look at our regional development programs for eastern Ontario and southwestern Ontario. We’ve put forward $210 million to support 167 projects that created over 4,000 great jobs in ridings across the province.

We are growing employment in every sector of this province and every area, and we will continue to drive real growth for the people of Ontario.

Government accountability

Ms. Marit Stiles: Let me tell you: First of all, this is the people’s House; this is not your House. You shut down democracy, and you will see the consequences.

After weeks and weeks of asking questions, it is really disappointing to hear responses like we’ve heard today from the Minister of Labour again and again and again. I have been paying attention to his responses, though—to what he’s saying—and numerous times in this House, the Minister of Labour has said that he conducts monthly audits of Skills Development Fund recipients.

I would like the minister, if he could, please, to elaborate on what those audits include and how they are reported.

Hon. David Piccini: I’m sorry the leader doesn’t like my responses, but this government and this Premier are focused on job creation—55,000 net new jobs, as we said.

How are we getting youth into employment? I would encourage the Leader of the Opposition to visit one of our Level Up! career fairs. We saw a 49% increase in Oshawa. Tomorrow, we’re going to see Mississauga, the largest Level Up! careers fair, giving youth hands-on experience for pathways into construction.

Do you know where we saw significant growth in the last month? In the utility sector—an 8% jobs increase. That’s because this Premier, this Minister of Energy, have a plan to build new nuclear.

If they were at the helm speaker, we would see Pickering shutting down. We would see Darlington shutting down. Wesleyville, new nuke—forget about it. SMRs exported to the world—forget about it, Speaker.

These meaningful construction pathways are inspiring a next generation of youth, breaking down barriers. I hope to see her at our Level Up! careers fair.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Leader of the Opposition.

Ms. Marit Stiles: The minister obviously doesn’t want to answer the question. I was pretty specific: Did those audits that you claim you’ve been conducting include anything, and how were they being reported? Nothing—nothing. Actually, this is consistent with what the Auditor General has told us, which is that the reports are missing, right?

If you were doing audits, then you knew that this money was being used for executive salaries and being used by companies to pay them themselves. If you were actually doing audits and you knew and you didn’t do anything, then that is actually worse.

Is it that you didn’t know or that you didn’t care?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): A reminder to ask your questions through the Speaker.

Hon. David Piccini: The funds go to directly training workers, and all organizations have to follow the terms of their agreement. The industry and our team have strict risk assessment processes, monthly expenditure monitoring, have the ability to freeze accounts etc.

We will continue to work to support meaningful projects that are breaking down barriers for youth. I spoke about youth without shelter. When the Leader of the Opposition attacks these projects, let’s be clear who she’s attacking. She’s attacking union training—training like IBEW, breaking down barriers for youth through their pathway program. I’ve visited and seen the youth they’re training to join our utility sector that, as I said, saw an 8% increase last year in employment; 55,000 jobs created under this Premier last month alone.

We create the conditions and we create meaningful pathways to enter rewarding careers in the trades. It’s a shame the Leader of the Opposition doesn’t support those union training pathways.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the Leader of the Opposition for supplementary.

Ms. Marit Stiles: The only one dragging unions and working people in this province through the muck is this minister and this government. I am asking some pretty specific questions, and I guess now that the Premier is being benched, the minister doesn’t have a lot of answers.

Why won’t the Premier fight for Ontarians the way that he fights for this minister? By this point in the greenbelt scandal—which, by the way, is still being investigated by the RCMP—the former Minister of Housing had resigned. Another member had been kicked out of the caucus.

My question to the Premier is, how much more of this scandal has to unfold before the Minister of Labour resigns or he fires him?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The Premier of Ontario.

Hon. Doug Ford: Madam Speaker, to the Leader of the Opposition, I fight every single day for every single person. I don’t care about their creed, colour or race, unlike you, inviting Fred Hahn, the anti-Semitic racist in here. You actually invited him. He was up in the gallery. You have to get an invitation. I know it wasn’t the Liberals because they don’t do stuff like that.

The shenanigans that happened yesterday, throwing stuff from the rafters, is absolutely disgusting. It’s disgusting behaviour, but that is your base. You invited an anti-Semite. You know something? I support—no matter if it’s Islamophobia against people like that, they need to leave; anti-Semitic comments like Fred Hahn. But he was invited by one person and that was you. You should be embarrassed. You should be embarrassed—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Response?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Order. Order. I will start naming people.

Interjections.

Ms. Catherine Fife: Donald Trump north here.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The member for Waterloo will come to order. The government House leader will come to order.

I recognize the leader of the third party.

Government accountability

Mr. John Fraser: What a difference a day makes. The Minister of Education, he’s going to release the EQAO results, and today, I’m just hoping that he saw the light. Maybe the Premier will see the light today too. I guess the Skills Development Fund, well, that’s just like this big, $2.5-billion dark cloud hanging over his government. It’s all about money to strip club owners, bars and nightclubs in downtown Toronto, dental brokerages, vet clinics, all sorts of things. Software companies—we don’t know what they do. So I think Ontarians deserve to see the Premier’s Skills Development Fund report card.

So will the Premier release the scores of the Skills Development Fund?

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

Hon. David Piccini: When we’re investing in training, let me talk about some of the scores and results: carpenters’ programs, Speaker, breaking down barriers for a next generation of carpenters. That’s how we’re going to build the homes we need.

New apprenticeship registration: They exceeded it by 120%. That’s a score, the Premier, this government and I can get behind, because it’s breaking down barriers for youth to register in apprenticeships.

That from a leader of the interim third party who ravaged shop classes, who destroyed apprenticeship registration when they had the opportunity—this Premier is creating opportunities, building infrastructure, putting these men and women to work.

When he attacks this program, let’s be clear who he’s attacking: He’s attacking hard-working men and women in unions in every corner of this province, who are breaking down barriers.

We’ve seen a historic increase in registration in apprenticeships, Speaker. We’re going to keep breaking down barriers, and the data and results and the scores speak for themselves.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Supplementary?

Mr. John Fraser: Well, we know a study showed that the lower-ranking proposals got the most money. So I’m not quite sure, Speaker, on what planet you do less and you get more, you score low and you get more. How does that work? It’s really hard to understand how that works. There’s got to be a second set of books. There’s no other discernible reasoning. So if you donate, you endorse, you’re a friend, your score goes up. But I’m not asking about that book; I think that’s all plain to see for all of us.

What I’d like to see, Premier, through you, Speaker, is: Let’s see the scores. If you’ve got nothing to hide, Premier, you should be able to put them out.

Hon. David Piccini: It’s not hard to understand, Speaker. When you advance government priorities of building the critical infrastructure we need and you’re delivering incredible, world-class union training, you get support. The Ontario Construction Secretariat speaks to the strength of union-led training: higher completion rates, attaching meaningful employment opportunities, and we’re seeing that in every corner of Ontario; a historic increase in the number of youth between the ages of 15 and 24 registering for apprenticeships; the almost doubling of the number of women registering for apprenticeships. That’s because we’re actually building.

On this side of the House, the Premier creates the opportunity, this government creates the opportunity for economic attraction, investment to create new manufacturing jobs, to build new infrastructure—hospitals, roads, bridges. Well, guess what, Speaker? You’re going to have to have men and women to build it.

When he attacks this program, he attacks those union-training programs like LIUNA 183, breaking down barriers for youth that I met at the Bridgecon project just the other day. They’re building a stronger Ontario—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Leader of the third party.

Mr. John Fraser: It’s all plain for us to see. The Premier is just hanging the Minister of Labour out there to dry. He’s using him as a shield, because he knows something is wrong. He knows. He knows that hard-working Ontarians are struggling to get by, but the people who are getting rewarded are lobbyists, donors, insiders, endorsers. The Premier knows that. It’s plain for us to see. We don’t need to see that report card; it’s already out there.

I guess the real question is, when is the Premier going to stop hiding behind the Minister of Labour and stand up for the program that I’m sure his fingers are all over?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Doug Ford: It’s pretty rich coming from a member that was personally involved in setting up $25,000-a-plate dinners for the previous Premier. You were a part of it—$25,000 a night just to be with the Premier. And he’d get four of his cronies together; they’d raise $100,000. It’s well documented, but I find it very rich.

I just left the firefighters’ association, and I’m so proud that SDF funding went to the firefighters, creating training for 28,000 firefighters. I’m so glad that when I went to another event, the carpenters were showing me their facility with trainees that were building to have a career for the rest of their lives. I’m proud about supporting LIUNA, the largest construction trade union in the country. The electricians’ union, the HVAC unions—that’s who we support.

Do you know why they’re ticked off? Because the unions don’t support them anymore. They support the PC Party, because we care—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Leader of the third party.

Government accountability

Mr. John Fraser: The Premier gives me too much credit, Speaker.

Let’s just get down to the nuts and bolts of it. My second question is for the President of the Treasury Board. We know that Keel Digital Solutions was the subject of an audit and then a forensic audit. During that time, Keel Digital Solutions—you may be aware, Premier—received money from this government, tens of millions of dollars. That should be a concern to all of these people in the room, even the ones heckling me in the back row there. People’s money—no one’s watching it.

Can the President of the Treasury Board tell us the month that the internal audit was completed and flagged for forensic audit? The month, please.

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

Hon. David Piccini: Speaker, we’ve got a phenomenal minister of the Treasury Board.

As you heard from the Minister of Colleges and Universities, within 24 hours—and as you heard from the Premier, we’re going to keep fighting to create meaningful training opportunities in every corner of Ontario.

The member opposite, when he’s attacking this fund, is attacking the unions that are delivering the world-class training, and he’s upset because they’ve abandoned members of that party. When we saw members of that party at recent building trades, they were a fish out of water, Speaker, because they don’t understand what they’re doing. They don’t understand that better completion rates are actually getting youth into the trades, and that’s what the Ontario Construction Secretariat said. That’s why we’re making investments in training—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Supplementary.

Mr. John Fraser: Maybe the Premier will give the President of Treasury Board permission to speak.

Here’s how I understand it: All internal audits are a function of the Treasury Board. Forensic audits are a function of the Treasury Board. The whole audit process is under the Treasury Board. When you flag something for a forensic audit, here’s what the process is: You let the Premier’s office know, you let the finance minister’s office know and you let the relevant ministries know that someone’s under a forensic audit.

It’s a big red flag, and it’s really important because all agencies dealing with this organization should be concerned about the risk to the public purse. We’re talking about tens of millions of dollars that was given to Keel Digital Solutions, who the minister is in conflict on because his friend was the lobbyist, Michael Rudderham, so I don’t take his answers with any weight.

When did the Treasury Board inform the Premier’s office, the minister’s office and the finance minister’s office about the forensic audit? What month?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Doug Ford: We’re doing stuff that the Liberals and NDP have never done. We are actually auditing the money that is given—

Interjections.

Hon. Doug Ford: Madam Speaker, I’ll just wait for a second. We’re doing audits that they never, ever did. We’re the ones bringing in the Auditor General to find every single dollar of waste.

And do you know what else we’re going to audit? All these great organizations that funnel money to ACORN, like CUPE and all the rest of them. We give money to agencies and they funnel it quietly to these left-wing radical groups, and they’re not using it for what we thought they were going to use it for. But I promise the NDP, we will be auditing all these so-called charitable organizations that are funnelling money, so stay tuned on that one.

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

Mr. John Fraser: The Premier is doing lots of stuff, and the stuff that he’s doing isn’t so good. It’s not that I’m concerned with the public service; they know what to do. Cabinet Office and Treasury Board staff have been doing the right thing. They’ve been doing the right thing in the Ministry of Labour.

The Premier here is who I’m concerned about. I want to know: Did it not get flagged? Did the money continue to flow because of political interference? Was it the Minister of Labour, was it the Premier, was it the President of the Treasury Board who said, “Don’t worry about it; they’ll be okay”?

We know the minister was in conflict because he overrode the public servants to give the company his friend was lobbying for money. So I guess the question is, how did we get here? Is it incompetence? Is it looking the other way? Or is it deliberate?

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

Hon. David Piccini: What’s hard to understand is how over 15 years they transformed Ontario’s economy into a service economy, one that drove out 300,000 manufacturing jobs that fled Ontario. The highest increases we saw under their leadership were tax increases and utility bill increases, punishing increases that had a real impact on everyday working-class Ontarians.

This Premier is creating opportunities. He recognizes that training takes place in more than just classrooms. It takes place in union training halls; it takes place on job sites in every corner of Ontario.

When that member attacks this fund, let’s be clear on what he’s attacking. His plan would strip away these very training delivery agent providers that we’re supporting. He wouldn’t fund them, wouldn’t support them. And it’s not surprising, because when they had the opportunity, we saw shop classes pulled out of high schools; we saw a decrease in the number of apprenticeship registrations.

We’re turning that around because we’ve got a plan to build, a plan to build a stronger Ontario: new nuclear, new hospitals, new schools, highways, roads and bridges. Perhaps, had they supported those highways, they would have more members in this place.

Supportive housing

MPP Alexa Gilmour: On this day meant to prevent violence against women, it is disappointing to hear a bully wrap himself in the courage scarf and threaten to audit in such a vindictive manner.

Ontario shelters are turning thousands away because the core funding has not kept pace with the need, the inflation or the rising rates of violence. The shelters are full, and thousands of children and families are being forced to stay in unsafe situations. The staff are burning out, and survivors are staying longer than ever because they have nowhere else to go.

Will the Premier stop pretending that this epidemic isn’t happening and commit to permanent, sustainable core funding that meets the demands of the shelters and the transitional homes?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity.

Hon. Charmaine A. Williams: We had a very important opportunity for all parties to come together and review a report. I have to say that I was deeply disappointed, and, actually, I found it quite disrespectful that the members opposite did choose to walk out of committee, to the point where they had people standing outside with cameras to watch them walk out.

Madam Speaker, we have continued and we will continue to listen to the people who are working every day on the front lines to keep women safe. That’s why we invested $26.7 million and announced over 300 shelter beds to 65 organizations across the province to make sure that women have a place to go when they need it.

Madam Speaker, I have to give a shout-out to Marlene Ham, who said, “Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses applauds this government for heeding our call to invest in more shelter spaces across Ontario.”

We’re listening, and we’re going to—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Before we move on to supplementary, I just want to remind people again to take your phones off your desks. It affects the translators; it goes right into their ear, and it’s very disturbing. I know it’s not intentional, but it is a problem for our audio.

I recognize the member for Parkdale–High Park.

MPP Alexa Gilmour: The official opposition takes its job very seriously, and all will be revealed in time as to why these members decided to remove themselves from that committee.

But Speaker, I want to point to the $8.25 million for the shelter bed expansion this year. Listen, the Premier is going to spend $9.1 million on his fantasy tunnel idea, which tells me everything I need to know about this government’s priorities.

Meanwhile, OAITH, YWCA and the Barbra Schlifer clinic have told us that without housing, women can’t leave violence.

If this government won’t commit to fully funding shelters, will the government commit to a real intimate partner violence housing strategy that includes second-stage and supportive housing and emergency units for women and children and their pets and ensure that survivors are not forced to go back to their abusers?

Hon. Charmaine A. Williams: It’s been a journey working with many of the members in this House currently watching. They’ve been speaking to us and sharing with us the challenges they’ve been facing.

We take violence against women so seriously, and under our leadership of Premier Ford, when we released Ontario-STANDS, which is Ontario’s strategy to end gender-based violence, we committed $1.4 billion over four years to this strategy. This has been transformative to organizations, because they are seeing dollars flow to make sure that they are able to provide the services.

We’re not going to stop there, because we know that violence against women is so deep-rooted in our society it is endemic in our society. That’s why we are committing every day to listening and working with these organizations to keep women safe.

Government spending

Ms. Lee Fairclough: Speaker, Ontario has the lowest hospital funding per capita in the country, and our average hospital stays are the lowest of any other province. Yet the fall economic statement was silent on the billion-dollar deficits facing hospitals.

We now know that $742 million—56% of the Skills Development Fund—went to applicants who did not earn those dollars on merit. Some of the lowest-ranked proposals in the entire province were funded. Meanwhile, 670 high-ranked applicants got nothing.

To the Premier: When our hospital system is in crisis, how does the government justify wasting $742 million in taxpayer money on projects that don’t even meet your own standards?

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

Hon. David Piccini: Speaker, let’s talk about projects that are driving adoption and folks into meaningful careers in health care.

As I said, just last month, 56,000 jobs created—we led the nation in health care jobs. Why? Because we’ve got a plan—a plan to build hospitals, a plan to train more residents, a plan to break down barriers—54,000 PSWs supported through the Skills Development Fund, breaking down barriers to support a next generation of young men and women in our health care field.

You’ve got to have a plan to actually build hospitals, to actually expand capacity. In my own community, a previous liberal government didn’t get it done for Campbellford. We did. We delivered a net new hospital for Campbellford. But that’s just one of so many across Ontario under construction under this Premier, Speaker. We have more hospitals under construction today than at any point in Ontario’s history. It’s going to take men and women to build those hospitals. It’s going to take men and women to staff those hospitals. This Premier and this government have a plan, and we’re delivering better—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Etobicoke–Lakeshore.

Ms. Lee Fairclough: Speaker, we have a crisis in our emergency departments.

Today, there are dozens of organizations that are here urgently seeking action to end the crisis in gender-based violence and to get up stream to prevent it. Meanwhile, we are wasting almost $1 billion to low-ranked projects with insider connections through the Skills Development Fund. It’s just wrong.

Speaker, to the President of the Treasury Board: Will this government freeze all funding to low-ranked SDF applicants and commit these funds to these very serious crises?

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

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Speaker, with the greatest of respect, we have a member opposite who is talking about the investments that they want to see in our hospital sector, and then immediately turns around and says, “But freeze all the funds.” Where are you going with this?

Ontario has the best hospital systems in Canada. We lead in wait times for surgeries. We lead in attachments to patients and their family physicians. We lead in access to emergency department wait times.

To suggest in any way that we are not investing in our hospital and in our health care system suggests to me that the member opposite is not looking at the hospital and the budget investments that we’ve been able to make. Consistently, in the last three years, we have had hospital partners that have received 4% annualized funding to ensure that they can continue to provide exceptional services—services like SickKids right here in Toronto, leading the world in pediatric services; Toronto General Hospital consistently being named in the top hospitals in North America.

We are investing in our hospitals—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Question?

Energy conservation

Mrs. Michelle Cooper: Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Energy and Mines. As electricity demand continues to grow, it has never been more important to keep more money in people’s pockets. Families, seniors and small businesses across Ontario are all looking to our government for practical and affordable ways to reduce their monthly energy bills.

Unlike the previous Liberal government that stood by and watched as energy costs skyrocketed, our government is taking action. Last week, I joined the minister and the parliamentary assistant to announce that our government is expanding energy-efficient programs to include new rebates on appliances to families. This was done at a local appliance store in my riding of Eglinton–Lawrence.

Speaker, can the minister explain the critical role energy-efficiency programs play in supporting Ontario’s long-term plan to maintain a clean, affordable and reliable electricity system for generations to come?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the member for Scarborough Centre.

Mr. David Smith: First of all, I’d like to thank the member from Eglinton–Lawrence for the hard work that she’s doing in her riding. Thank you very much.

Madam Speaker, last week’s expansion announcement is part of the largest energy-efficiency program in Canadian history—$10.9 billion over the next 12 years, and we are now providing up to $200 back into pockets of families for eligible energy-efficient appliances like fridges, washing machines and ranges. These programs, collectively, will reduce peak electricity demands by more than 3,000 megawatts by 2036. That’s the equivalent of removing the electricity load of three million homes.

Speaker, by cutting waste on this scale, we avoid costly infrastructure, keep system costs down, but importantly, keep energy affordable.

Mrs. Michelle Cooper: Thank you to the parliamentary assistant for that response.

It’s encouraging to witness our government continue to invest in practical measures that keep life affordable today, while securing a stronger energy future for generations to come.

Speaker, families in my riding want to do the right thing. They want to save money, reduce energy waste and make their homes more efficient and comfortable. But many homeowners also tell me that while they are eager to participate, the process can feel overwhelming, particularly for seniors and newcomers. They want more insight on where to start, what upgrades qualify, or how to navigate assessments, contractors and multiple programs.

Can the Minister of Energy and Mines explain what steps our government has taken to make participation simple, accessible and easy to understand for families across Ontario?

Mr. David Smith: The member is right. The success of any program depends on how easy it is for people to participate. When our government launched this initiative in January, we made sure families would have a single, streamlined portal to access every rebate in one place.

Since January 2025, tens of thousands of applicants have been receiving these benefits. Our energy efficiency programs have reduced energy consumption by 15%. With the expansion of these programs last week, we are already on the track of exceeding 2025 targets and taking the equivalent of more than 220,000 homes off the grid so far. Energy efficiency is a collective effort. This is about helping every family, no matter their income or where they live in Ontario.

University and college funding

Ms. Peggy Sattler: My question is to the Premier. This Premier is a jobs disaster, and a new Abacus poll proves it, with three quarters of Ontarians expecting widespread job losses in the next five years. At the same time, 82% see a strong post-secondary education as critical to protect jobs and strengthen Ontario’s economy—something this government obviously does not understand.

Why is this Premier standing by as college campuses close, hundreds of programs are cut, thousands of staff are laid off and local employers can’t find the skilled workers they need?

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

Hon. Nolan Quinn: I asked that member why she continues to vote against our budget—the $1 billion we invested into our publicly assisted colleges and universiti