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February 22, 2022

42nd Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2022-Feb-22 (PDF)

L033 - Tue 22 Feb 2022 / Mar 22 fév 2022

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Tuesday 22 February 2022 Mardi 22 février 2022

Orders of the Day

Parliamentary broadcast and recording service

Resignation of member for Ajax

Tabling of sessional papers

Members’ Statements

Alzheimer’s disease

John Curry

Black History Month

Chinese New Year

Home care

Government accountability

Staff appreciation

Cost of living

Long-term care

Visitors

Aileen Carroll

Visitors

Question Period

Government accountability

Government’s record

Government accountability

Automotive industry

Child care

Federal government policy

Ontario economy

Highway tolls

Government accountability / Responsabilité gouvernementale

Long-term care

Small business

Employment standards

COVID-19 response

COVID-19 response

Private members’ public business

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Government Agencies

Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills

Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills

Select Committee on Emergency Management Oversight

Select Committee on Emergency Management Oversight

Select Committee on Emergency Management Oversight

Introduction of Bills

Freeing Highways 412 and 418 Act (Toll Highway Amendments), 2022 / Loi de 2022 sur l’utilisation gratuite des autoroutes 412 et 418 (modifications concernant les voies publiques à péage)

Fewer Fees, Better Services Act, 2022 / Loi de 2022 pour de meilleurs services et moins de frais

Statements by the Ministry and Responses

Human trafficking

Black History Month

Black History Month / Human trafficking

Black History Month

Human trafficking

Black History Month

Petitions

Injured workers

Winter highway maintenance

Land use planning

Injured workers

Optometry services

Emergency services

Optometry services

Retirement homes

Celiac disease

Optometry services

Travailleurs blessés

Orders of the Day

Provincial Day of Service Act, 2022 / Loi de 2022 sur la Journée provinciale du service

Member’s conduct

Provincial Day of Service Act, 2022 / Loi de 2022 sur la Journée provinciale du service

Private Members’ Public Business

Lifejackets for Life Act, 2022 / Loi de 2022 sur le port obligatoire du gilet de sauvetage par les enfants

The House met at 0900.

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

Prayers.

Orders of the Day

Parliamentary broadcast and recording service

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I recognize the government House leader to move the motion.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Speaker, I move that the guidelines for the television broadcast system be updated to read as follows:

Television guidelines

The guidelines for the television coverage of the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario are as follows:

(1) The television coverage of the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly should be an accurate, factual and coherent record of the legislative proceedings which is understandable to the viewing public and which does not dramatize or editorialize such proceedings.

(2) The guidelines shall be enforced by the Speaker. Specific concerns of members regarding the televising of the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly should not be raised in the House. Such concerns should be raised in private with the Speaker. The television guidelines shall stand referred to the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly. The committee shall conduct periodic reviews of the televising of the legislative proceedings and consider such matters or concerns as may be referred to the committee by the Speaker, and it shall report its opinions and observations upon any matters referred to it.

(3) The proceedings in the legislative chamber beginning with the Speaker’s parade and prayers until the adjournment of the assembly shall be recorded, broadcast live on the Ontario Parliamentary Network and streamed over the Internet. Proceedings of standing and select committees in committee rooms 151,1 and 2, and media studio press conferences will also be recorded and streamed live over the Internet and on the Ontario Parliamentary Network when the House is not meeting.

(4) Only the member who has been recognized by the Speaker shall be the primary focus of the camera shot recorded, broadcast or streamed. If approved by the House, a sign-language interpreter may also appear onscreen.

(5) The initial shot of the member shall be of his or her head and shoulders, or a medium shot showing some of the members who are seated on either side of the speaking member.

(6) When the Speaker is standing, the active camera shall always include the Speaker. A wider shot of the chamber may be used during a division in the chamber.

(7) In Committee of the Whole House, when the Chair of the Committee of the Whole House is speaking, the active camera shall always include the Chair. A wider shot of the chamber may be used during a division in the chamber.

(8) When the Speaker or the Chair of the Committee of the Whole House is giving a ruling or calling the House or committee to order, the active camera should include the Speaker or the Chair.

(9) Except as provided in paragraph 10, coverage of the legislative proceedings should be limited to the strict confines of the floor of the House and cameras should not deliberately record shots of public interruptions or demonstrations. When the Speaker stands to address a disruption in the public or members’ galleries, only the Speaker’s microphone will be activated.

(10) Medium close-up shots may be taken of any distinguished visitors sitting in the Speaker’s gallery who are introduced by the Speaker.

(11) Applause shots may be taken; however, care should be taken to ensure that the decorum of the chamber is maintained.

(12) The name, constituency, portfolio and political affiliation of a member, as the case may be, shall be shown periodically on the screen while he or she is speaking.

(13) Factual information shall be shown in print across the bottom of the screen from time to time to explain the proceedings. Such information should be shown only after consultation with the Clerks-at-the-table.

(14) The television content which is produced by the Legislative Assembly may be broadcast or streamed by television stations, news organizations and/or cablecast live or by means of recordings.

(15) Copies of the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly may be obtained from broadcast and recording service. Access to this service shall be according to the following priority: members of the Legislative Assembly, officers and officials of the House, members of the press, and the general public. This service shall be provided free of charge. Broadcast and recording service will provide a link where the file can be downloaded.

(16) Broadcast and recording service shall ensure that a complete record of the day’s proceedings is archived. This material should be kept indefinitely.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader has moved government notice of motion number 9.

Does the minister care to lead off the debate?

I recognize, again, the government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Let me just welcome back all members, Mr. Speaker—you and all the table officers as well.

I’ll be deliberately brief on this. The legislative committee reviewed the guidelines back in 2019—much of the language of the review. The last time this was done, I believe, was in 1986. Much of the changes reflect the fact that, obviously, the world has changed and we can now stream out the broadcast, the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly, over the Internet. It reflects the fact that over the last year or so, both the committee rooms have now become fully functional in terms of being able to record and broadcast proceedings over the Internet as well.

Given those changes, given the fact that it was reviewed by a parliamentary committee—and if I’m not mistaken, all of the recommendations of the committee were accepted—I think I’ll just leave it at that. Of course, don’t assume anything, but hopefully all of the members will see to approve these changes today.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Further debate?

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I’d also like to welcome everyone back to what will be a very interesting session of the Legislature.

I will be equally brief in my comments on these updates to the television broadcast policy for the Legislative Assembly.

The guidelines were last approved in 1986. It has been almost 36 years since they have been formally updated, and a lot has changed in those almost 36 years. We now have the ability to stream, to download footage digitally, and to make broadcast recordings available through file-share services. So the updates that we’re looking at today simply reflect the changes in technology and enable the actual policy to reflect the practice of this assembly.

I also want to recognize the Clerks, who brought forward the recommendations that have been incorporated into these guidelines. The guidelines really are non-partisan. They are to the benefit of all the citizens of this province in terms of the ability to watch the proceedings of this place. It is important that those guidelines be non-partisan and reflect the reality of the current technology.

Speaker, we do support the changes and look forward to seeing, as I said, the policy reflect the practice of the Legislative Assembly.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Further debate? Further debate? Further debate?

Mr. Calandra has moved government notice of motion number 9 relating to the Legislative Assembly’s television broadcast system guidelines. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? I did not hear a no, so I declare the motion carried.

Motion agreed to.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Orders of the day? I recognize the government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: No further business.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): No further business. This House stands in recess until 10:15 this morning.

The House recessed from 0912 to 1015.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Before I invite members’ statements, I have a number of announcements to make to the House.

Resignation of member for Ajax

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I beg to inform the House that, during the adjournment, a vacancy has occurred in the membership of the House by reason of the resignation of Rod Phillips as the member for the electoral district of Ajax, effective February 2, 2022. Accordingly, I have issued my warrant to the Chief Electoral Officer for the issue of a writ for a by-election.

Tabling of sessional papers

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

—a copy of my warrant, issued in accordance with the adoption of the House on December 9, 2021, of the report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts respecting the production of documents relating to Laurentian University, which was served on Claude Lacroix by the Sergeant-at-Arms on December 10, 2021;

—a copy of my warrant, issued in accordance with the adoption of the House on December 9, 2021, of the report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts respecting the production of documents relating to Laurentian University, which was served on Robert Haché by the Sergeant-at-Arms on December 10, 2021;

—a report concerning Vijay Thanigasalam, member for Scarborough–Rouge Park, from the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario;

—a report concerning the Honourable Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation and Minister of Francophone Affairs, and Stan Cho, the member for Willowdale, from the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario;

—a report entitled 2022 Budget Outlook, from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario;

—a request by the member for Kitchener–Conestoga, Mr. Harris, to the Integrity Commissioner for an opinion pursuant to

section 30(1) of the Members’ Integrity Act, 1994, on whether the member for University–Rosedale, Ms. Bell, has contravened the act or Ontario parliamentary convention;

—a request by the member for Kitchener–Conestoga, Mr. Harris, to the Integrity Commissioner for an opinion pursuant to

section 30(1) of the Members’ Integrity Act, 1994, on whether the member for University–Rosedale, Ms. Bell, has contravened the act or Ontario parliamentary convention;

—a request by the member for Kitchener–Conestoga, Mr. Harris, to the Integrity Commissioner for an opinion pursuant to

section 30(1) of the Members’ Integrity Act, 1994, on whether the member for Hamilton Centre, Ms. Horwath, has contravened the act or Ontario parliamentary convention;

—a report entitled Ontario’s Energy and Electricity Subsidy Programs, from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario; and

—a report concerning Stephen Crawford, the member for Oakville, from the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario.

Members’ Statements

Alzheimer’s disease

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: Speaker, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia steal memories and take loved ones away much too early. One quarter million Ontarians live with this disease which cannot be prevented or cured—a number which will double in 20 years. It’s clear that the best place for these folks is at home, with support from great organizations such as Alzheimer Society Southwest Partners.

Supporting individuals with dementia is the right thing to do, but it also saves money. Dementia costs our health care system and caregivers billions of dollars per year and is only set to increase.

Every day in Ontario, thousands of patients sit in ALC beds while they wait for a spot in long-term care.

Care partners, the family members and loved ones of those who live with dementia, are the unsung heroes whose efforts hold up our precious health care system. A staggering 70% of home care in Ontario is provided by care partners. If we don’t help those who care for others, they could end up being patients themselves.

I urge the government to implement the Alzheimer Society’s fiscally prudent and thoughtful budget request to support individuals with dementia and their families by investing in at-home services and expanding innovative models to divert people living with dementia from ER rooms.

The most precious resource we have is time—time spent with our loved ones. A solid investment in dementia care will keep our loved ones with us, at home, where they belong.

John Curry

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: Mr. Speaker, it’s with a heavy heart that I rise in the House today. On February 5, 2022, Mr. John Curry, a staple in the Stittsville, Richmond and Ottawa Valley communities, passed away.

John was a fountain of knowledge. He was smart, funny, and he always had so much charisma. He was willing to give his time to his community and the many organizations he was a part of.

John was a dedicated editor and publisher of the Ottawa Community Voice, Stittsville-Richmond. He would often be seen at community events ready to report with his camera and notepad in his pocket. He was a proud journalist, historian, storyteller and a friend to many.

John also served on the board as a trustee with the Ottawa Catholic School Board for over 20 years. His last project with the school board was assisting me in helping to build the first public Catholic elementary school in Findlay Creek.

John will always be remembered as a gentleman who loved his community and spread positivity wherever he went. He was passionate about celebrating the youth of the community, always ready to report on celebrations, birthdays and graduations. Throughout his many decades of service, John touched the lives of so many people in Stittsville, Richmond and the surrounding communities in the Ottawa Valley. He was a role model and an inspiration to many. John had an incredible impact on the community he had met, including myself. He was always so warm and humble, with quick wit and humour.

John, you will be missed dearly. We were blessed to have you. You were and will always be an icon, and you made our community better. Thank you for all you have done. You will forever remain in our hearts and memories. Rest in peace.

Black History Month

Mr. Faisal Hassan: I rise today to once again speak on behalf of the decent and hard-working community of York South–Weston. I am honoured to have the opportunity to recognize February as Black History Month.

Our province and our country has a long, rich history of Black excellence, one that is too often ignored. For generations, Black Canadians have been contributing to the political, cultural and economic fabric of our society. There are so many examples of Black excellence in our community, from leaders and community organizations doing tremendous work to the mothers, fathers and grandparents helping to raise a family and instill good community values of helping others and standing up against injustice.

As youth opportunities critic for the official opposition, I meet young people across the province on a regular basis. I am so inspired by how they know their Black history and how they have the energy and commitment to try to do their best for themselves and their community, often when it is not easy to do so.

Black History Month is a reminder that we need to know our past and to be aware that often nothing changes without us lifting our voices.

The late Archbishop Desmond Tutu left us with these words to reflect on: “There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.”

Chinese New Year

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The next statement, the member for Markham–Thornhill.

Mr. Logan Kanapathi: Xie Xie, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate this time to express my sincere wishes in what was a wonderful 15-day lunar Chinese New Year event across all of Markham–Thornhill, Ontario and Canada. This Chinese holiday has ancient roots in China. It is one of the most celebrated festivals in the world. It is also an annual opportunity to celebrate the harvest, worship the gods, and seek a good crop in the coming years. This time it was not just a New Year’s celebration, but it was a time for renewal and new beginnings.

We all know the pain of this pandemic as loss and sorrow. I have seen our Chinese community, for their resilience, perseverance and generosity—including our front-line workers, who continue to play a vital role in our community.

During these challenging times, COVID-19 has also brought another hardship to the Asian communities, in the face of discrimination. The Ontario government has made racial equity a top priority, and everyone deserves to be treated with dignity.

Diversity has always been the strength of the beautiful city of Markham, this province and this entire country.

Our communities in Markham rose together to celebrate the new year with their families, some virtually and some with family. Many of our businesses like Pacific Mall, T&T Supermarket and Gibson community centre celebrated with food and friends, embracing these ancient traditions, which is considered good business etiquette—healthier, prosperous and more optimistic, filled with a strong hope and fortune and joy.

From my family to all your families, we continue to wish you all a happy lunar new year.

Gong Hay Fat Choy.

Home care

M me France Gélinas: The Ontario Community Support Association released the latest stats: 26% of nurse and 14% of PSW positions in home and community care are vacant. In my community that means that a young lady with a severe infection—she lives 40 minutes away from the hospital and does not drive—must find a ride to the hospital three times a day for the next 14 days because they cannot find a nurse to come to her house.

Mrs. Rock from Whitefish is partially blind and has had multiple amputations. She qualifies and is supposed to get home care daily. In December, she was only getting care twice, maybe three times, a week. Now she goes five days at a time with no help at all. Mrs. Rock needs care daily. Her cries for help are really hard to listen to, Speaker.

After two weeks in hospital, Jennifer in north Durham was released from Markham Stouffville Hospital. Thirty minutes into her drive home she was told that there were no nurses to provide home care. She had to turn around and be readmitted to the hospital.

According to Dr. Hamilton in London, there is a record number of emergency visits and admissions of palliative care patients because there are no nurses to care for them in their community.

Our home care system is broken. It fails more people every single day. Let’s bring pay parity to the home care workers as a first step to ease this crisis.

Government accountability

M me Lucille Collard: I think everyone in this Legislature will understand where I’m coming from when I say that my city has gone through incredible torment and fear for more than three weeks. The media has widely reported on the symbols of hate and obvious disrespect by these occupiers, not only for authority but for the right of people to live peacefully.

But what the media didn’t get to see is the hundreds of emails and calls I’ve been getting from Ottawa–Vanier residents—residents who have faced abuse, harassment and constant hate for wearing a mask; residents stressed out by the loud horns and their quality of life affected by the diesel fumes; residents who have not been able to go and support their local restaurants or favourite small businesses because they’ve been closed because of this occupation.

From the start of this protest, the Premier has been absent. On the last weekend of January, indoor dining, gyms, retailers, shopping malls and cinemas could reopen—but one of the most vibrant economic and tourism sector of Ottawa was forced to remain closed, not for an additional weekend or an additional few days, but for more than 24 days.

Mr. Speaker, it was not lost on anyone in my riding and downtown Ottawa that the important measures that were needed to help didn’t get the attention of the Premier before the situation became problematic at the Ambassador Bridge. Residents in Ottawa feel that this government has failed them, and I agree.

Staff appreciation

Mr. Jeremy Roberts: I rise today to pay tribute to a group that often goes uncelebrated: my constituency team in Ottawa West–Nepean. Over the past several months, my constituency team has been hard at work running dozens of pop-up clinics around my riding to print off wallet-sized vaccination QR codes for folks in the riding who need it. Whether it be seniors who might not have a phone, vulnerable groups who needed some support, or just everyday, run-of-the-mill residents who wanted to have access to that QR code in their wallet, we were able to provide this service.

At the end of this process, we had printed off over 4,500 QR code cards across our riding—a tremendous feat. We ran these pop-up clinics around the riding. Whether it was at seniors’ homes, condos, apartments, the Carlington Community Health Centre, the Nepean Museum or Carlingwood mall, we were there and my team was hard at work getting this job done.

Today I would like to recognize my amazing constituency staff: Pam Crawford, Brandon Purcell, David Gibbons, and Braedan de Bakker. Thank you for your tremendously hard work. And a big shout-out to three volunteers who helped us along the way: Marilyn Trudel, Schona Fitzgerald and—a special volunteer—my mother, Janine Roberts.

To all of those who helped make it possible and to all those who came out to our QR-code clinics, thank you so much.

Cost of living

Ms. Doly Begum: The cost of living in Ontario is at an all-time high. The past two years have deeply impacted the financial security and income of many in our communities, especially seniors, young people, those working minimum wage jobs, folks with disabilities, and many more. With the skyrocketing price of basic necessities like rent, groceries and electricity, we are looking at an affordability crisis.

I have heard from many in my community, some families with two incomes, where missing just one or two paycheques due to isolation or illness has made it impossible to buy their usual amount of groceries. So many in my community have lost days of work and income during this pandemic and have faced a similar or worse reality, while the price of day-to-day items has gone up unbelievably. Just in the last year, the price of cooking oil has gone up over 40%; gas, over 34%; meat, close to 15%.

With inflation being at 5.2% and the average income and support payments remaining unadjusted to the cost of living, those already struggling continue to fall through the cracks in our system. And yet this government is providing little to no hope, despite the extraordinary circumstances, record-high inflation and public health crisis. They failed to prioritize issues of affordability, fair wages, concerns of tenants and small landlords, families looking to buy their first homes in our province, or even a young person simply trying to get started.

Ontario’s affordability crisis is making it impossible for people to make a living in this province. We need urgent action from our government to help Ontarians and protect the future of our province.

Long-term care

Mr. Sheref Sabawy: This government has been working tirelessly since 2018 to build Ontario and protect what matters the most for the people of Ontario.

Just two weeks ago, I was with the active Minister of Long-Term Care, announcing 128 new long-term-care beds in Mississauga with the Church of the Virgin Mary and St. Athanasius. I want to thank Bishop Mina and Father Angelos for their service and their vision to serve the community in Mississauga. This is the first facility that will serve Arab, Egyptian and Coptic residents in their own native Arabic language in Ontario.

In Mississauga alone, we have budgeted and approved 1,880 long-term-care beds. By adding 1,251 new beds and upgrading another 629 beds in Mississauga, we will increase access to modern long-term-care capacity, we will reduce wait-lists, and we will ease hospital capacity pressures that have been neglected for years.

After 14 years of neglect and careless management by the previous Liberal government, the past two Liberal administrations only built 611 net new beds in all of Ontario. Liberals have failed Ontarians, and they have put Ontario in a vulnerable position.

On this side of the House, we continue to work for all Ontarians and are building an inclusive, equitable and public health care system, reducing hallway health care.

Promise made, promise kept.

Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I am very pleased to inform the House that page Tanisha Hossain from the riding of Scarborough Southwest is one of today’s page captains, and we have with us today at Queen’s Park her father, Abdullah Hossain, and her brother Tameem Hossain.

Also, we are joined by the parent of our other page captain, Zane McKinnon from the riding of Waterloo: his father, Don McKinnon.

Welcome to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. We’re delighted to have you here.

Aileen Carroll

Hon. Paul Calandra: Speaker, if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent to allow members to make statements in remembrance for the late Mrs. Aileen Carroll, with five minutes allotted to Her Majesty’s government, five minutes allotted to Her Majesty’s loyal opposition, and five minutes allotted to the independent members as a group.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to allow members to make statements in remembrance of the late Mrs. Aileen Carroll, with five minutes allotted to Her Majesty’s government, five minutes allotted to Her Majesty’s loyal opposition, and five minutes allotted to the independent members as a group. Agreed? Agreed.

I recognize the Attorney General.

Hon. Doug Downey: It’s an honour to be able to pay tribute to a remarkable parliamentarian, the Honourable Aileen Carroll. Our community in Barrie, our province and our nation lost her on April 19, 2020. I would like to extend greetings to Kevin Carroll, her husband, and her two children, Joanna and Daniel, who are watching today.

Kevin and Aileen Carroll married in 1968. They were very accomplished separately, and even more so together.

I’ll talk about Aileen Carroll’s formal record so that you hear it and it’s captured in Hansard, but the story of this Haligonian born in 1944 needs context so you understand the presence she had before she came to Queen’s Park. She didn’t take a traditional path to this place. In fact, she didn’t take traditional paths to most places. She was a woman of firsts. Aileen was the first woman to graduate from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. She was the first federal member of Parliament from Barrie to become a cabinet minister. And she was the first federal cabinet minister to become a provincial cabinet minister.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Born and raised in Halifax, Aileen had Maritime charm. She was welcoming, friendly, smart, driven, and she was a fierce competitor.

My fondest memory of Aileen was when she was accompanying Kevin to a law conference. Kevin was past president of both the Ontario and Canadian bar associations at the time. We were at a small dinner at someone’s home in Niagara-on-the-Lake. At this small dinner, here was this very accomplished woman engaging me as a young volunteer, and she knew my politics, as I had been in campaigns that she was involved in, and not on the same side. But that didn’t matter to her. She was engaging. She was sharing ideas as if we were equals, and we very clearly were not. That humbleness and inclusiveness are reflective of her character.

But Aileen was also a competitor. Patrick Brown, who ran against her twice, spoke from personal experience in 2020 when he said this: “She was probably the toughest opponent I ever faced. I thought the 2004 and 2006 elections were like nothing I’d ever gone through.”

Ms. Carroll was a federal member of Parliament for three terms and a city councillor before that. Her roles as a federal MP included parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs between 2001 and 2003, and then Minister of International Cooperation between 2003 and 2006. Aileen Carroll was then a member of provincial Parliament from 2007 to 2011, and served as Minister of Culture and Minister Responsible for Seniors during three of those four years with Premier McGuinty’s government.

She won provincially because she built a federal-provincial “big red machine,” as she called it, and she attracted all the heavyweights of the Liberal Party to the riding several times, including the Premier. Eileen was a Liberal red force in a county of blue. In 1995, she took Joe Tascona’s seat on council when he became an MPP, and years later she would take his seat in the provincial Legislature after a very hotly contested election.

Her perspective on provincial versus federal politics was this, and everyone here will relate: “Provincially, it’s an entire different world, way more different than I anticipated, with greater opportunities to impact more quickly the course of activities. You’re closer to the ground. Good decisions get felt quickly and bad ones come back to haunt you.”

Again, Patrick Brown summed it up: “She was not someone to be underestimated.... I also admired that she was well connected in the city and had deep roots and a lot of respect across partisan lines.”

You see, Aileen saw herself as a policy wonk, and she was engaged in many issues of the day. She counted among her local accomplishments the Lake Simcoe airport, Georgian College, the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre and re-establishing the GO train to Barrie. Those are just some of the things that she was very active in and made happen. She was in the middle of issues like cultural and performing arts centres in Barrie. As the minister responsible, she had a lot to say—and the debate continues to this day.

Her riding, at one time, was Barrie–Simcoe–Bradford. Today, that spans three ridings: Minister Mulroney’s, PA Andrea Khanjin’s and mine. She was immersed in the Innisfil boundary issues and the growth pressures of our time.

Upon her death, the newspapers reported that Aileen Carroll resigned from public life in 2011. I think it’s more accurate to say that she resigned from elected public life. She continued to be engaged in the Barrie community with Hospice Simcoe, Habitat for Humanity, the David Busby Centre, the Barrie Public Library, and the Grey and Simcoe Foresters, among many other things. She was a part of our community fabric; she was before she was elected, and she certainly was afterwards.

I saw her most recently at the installation of Honorary Colonel Renee van Kessel to 16 Wing Borden. Aileen was there adding gravitas to yet another occasion.

The Honourable Aileen Carroll will be remembered for her extensive public service. She was a woman of class, grace, depth and character.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I recognize next the member for Nickel Belt.

M me France Gélinas: I want to offer my condolences to Mrs. Carroll’s family, who are watching today—her husband, Kevin; her children; her grandchildren—all her friends, and everyone who knew her.

Mrs. Carroll and I were elected to the Ontario Legislature for the first time in the October 2007 election. Back in 2007, I sat on this side of the House, in the middle of the House, third row, and she sat kind of the same but in the second row, so we looked at one another quite a bit. She was sworn in as Minister of Culture, and she was also the minister responsible for seniors’ affairs. I was the critic for seniors’ affairs for our party. From the first time I met her, I liked her.

It was in the spring of 2008 when I crossed the aisle for the first time to go and sit beside her, and I started telling her about a complicated case of elder abuse that I had been made aware of, as she was the minister for seniors. I started telling her, and then she put her hand on my arm and gestured me to stop. I could see tears in her eyes as she turned to face me. I stopped talking. She took a deep breath and asked, “What can I do to help?” This is who she was. She was there to serve the people of Ontario with integrity, and this is what she did.

I had many other conversations with Aileen over the four years that she was at Queen’s Park. She was always in a good mood and willing to listen and willing to help the people of Ontario.

As I got to know her better, we had conversations about health care projects in Barrie. Royal Victoria Hospital had just hired a new CEO, Ms. Janice Skot. I knew Janice Skot very well. She used to work at Laurentian Hospital, and she and I had worked together. Aileen was keenly interested in the expansion of the Royal Victoria Hospital as well as the development of a new cancer treatment centre for Barrie. Before being elected, I worked in health care. I was working at Laurentian Hospital when they built our cancer treatment centre in Sudbury, so we had a lot to talk about.

Aileen stayed very interested and kept a keen eye on these projects, and she helped bring them to success as much as she could. I must extend my congratulations to her and to everyone involved—from the very first temporary radiation site in Barrie’s hospital to doubling the size of the hospital and opening up a full cancer treatment centre. Aileen and I had many conversations on these projects, and I know that she did everything she could to help them along, to push them along.

Aside from the many work-related conversations, there was another reason I admired Aileen: I liked the way she stood, the way she walked, the way she moved, her posture. It did not take long before she shared with me her keen interest in ballet. Her body positioning and her movements were an integral part of the ballerina training that she had taken. She had the strength to move gracefully, and I admired that in her. I know a whole lot more about ballet than I did before I met her; I can tell you that much, Speaker.

I would say that her strength in movement was also obvious in the way that she behaved as a minister and as a politician representing Barrie. She was strong, she was smart, she was knowledgeable, and she was funny. It was really hard to have a conversation with her that did not end up with a few good laughs. She had a great sense of humour, and in a place like Queen’s Park where infighting makes the front page of the paper, having and keeping a good sense of humour is something that requires effort, and she made those efforts.

I know that there is a lot to say about the millions of dollars she was responsible for as the Ontario Minister of Culture. We saw big changes at the Royal Ontario Museum, at the Art Gallery of Ontario, as well as many smaller visual arts centres and performing arts centres around our province during the two years that she was Minister of Culture.

We did not always see eye to eye, though, Speaker. If you check the Hansard, you will see that Minister Carroll and I had exchanges during question period on issues where we did not agree at all. A lot of it had to do with regulating retirement homes. The Liberals had made a promise that they were going to regulate retirement homes. She was the minister responsible for seniors’ affairs, and nothing was moving. But I can tell you, it didn’t matter how many times I stood in this House and asked her about seniors’ issues; she was always polite, she was always respectful.

I pulled one of the many questions and answers on that subject and realized that she always started her answers the same way, by saying, “I am delighted to reply to my colleague from across the way.” Then she would go on to her response, which I did not agree with at all. But at least she always started in a very polite and respectful way.

After she was released from her ministerial duties, she became a member of the public accounts committee where I was also a member. I got to know her even better then, once she was no longer a minister, through the work of public accounts.

In a place that’s hyper-partisan like Queen’s Park, I thought I would try to show a side of this MPP, a side of Aileen Carroll that most people would not know. When I think about her, I remember her smile; I remember her laugh; I remember the gracious ways she moved.

I was very surprised and saddened to hear about her passing shortly after the pandemic started. I’m glad we got to spend a few minutes to talk about her today.

To the people of Barrie: I can assure you that she tried her best to bring positive changes to your community. She loved her community and dedicated a lot of time, effort and energy to making it better.

To her family and friends: Thank you for sharing her with us. She was a good politician, she was an effective member of Parliament, and she was a great minister.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Next, I’ll recognize the member for Don Valley West.

Ms. Kathleen O. Wynne: I’m really honoured to join my colleagues from Nickel Belt and Barrie—

Hon. Doug Downey: Springwater.

Ms. Kathleen O. Wynne: —Springwater, yes, in honouring Aileen Carroll today and paying tribute to her.

When I learned that we had lost Aileen in 2020, I wrote that she was a feisty, funny, smart woman, and her political supporters and opposition alike saw her in that way: fierce, feisty, principled and really funny. She was a funny woman.

Aileen served the people of Barrie and the area at all three levels of government. I got to know her in Dalton McGuinty’s cabinet, where she served as Minister of Culture. She loved serving the people of her community, and she loved the cut and thrust of policy discussion. That was where she was at her best. She really understood more than most of us that the decisions made by elected officials are important, no matter what level of government they are serving at.

Margaret Aileen O’Leary was born in 1944 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 1965, she was the first woman to graduate from Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. That fact reads like a smooth victory, but for those of us who were young women in 1965, what I read between the lines is that she put up with a lot of discrimination and—I’ll say “nonsense,” in order to preserve the decorum of the House—in that male bastion. So she was pretty much preparing for her political life, Mr. Speaker.

As a young woman, Aileen ventured far from home. She volunteered in Algeria and worked for the Canadian International Development Agency. But she came home, she married Kevin Carroll in 1968, and they lived in Barrie with their children, Joanna and Daniel. Aileen ran her own small business before she entered politics, as she was raising her kids.

Her love for the music and lyrics of Stan Rogers might be a clue to what Mayor Jeff Lehman called her “Maritime belief in community”—all those trials and tribulations at sea, and still, the beauty of a song.

Aileen’s staffers described working for her as a quest for fun. Lisa Clements never knew when her boss was going to break into French, not to be pretentious, but just because “écoutez” or “doucement” were the better words.

John-Michael Poon remembers that life and all the good things in it were “delicious” to Aileen, and that word went way beyond food for her.

Emma Wakelin, who was her candidate aide on her first federal campaign in 1997, divulged that they would tell their campaign manager that they had to book an hour every morning for mass. Instead, they would go for ice cream and just catch a moment to talk and get away from the campaign—every morning, while at the same time she was teaching Emma to drive a stick shift throughout the campaign.

Lynda Murtha, a long-time friend and associate, described her integrity as unquestionable. She just wanted to do the right thing.

Aileen Carroll was passionate and loving, and she was all-in. I benefited from her enthusiastic commitment during my leadership campaign, but I was just one of many women who felt the warmth of her support in public life.

The most interesting people in life, I think, are unpredictable. We never knew exactly how Aileen was going to put us all on notice, but whether the issue was the protection of Lake Simcoe, funding for libraries or women living in poverty, we all knew where she stood. We all knew she cared. Her zest for life, for the well-being of the people she served and for the state of our democracy was never in doubt.

On behalf of one part of Aileen’s Liberal family, we thank Kevin, Joanna and Daniel and Aileen’s beloved grandchildren for all the time you shared this woman you loved so much with all of us. We loved her too, and she’s sorely missed.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Guelph.

Mr. Mike Schreiner: I’m honoured to rise today to pay tribute to the Honourable Aileen Carroll, former Liberal MPP and cabinet minister, for her distinguished service.

Ms. Carroll’s accomplishments are truly extraordinary. Born in 1944, as the member noted, she was the first woman to graduate from Saint Mary’s University. Throughout her life, she became a leader, a community builder, a volunteer extraordinaire, a city councillor, a member of both the federal and provincial cabinets—and, yes, served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

She inspired women to enter politics, and she knew that women could rise to the highest heights of politics, such as the member from Don Valley West and other colleagues.

Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman said, “She, very quietly sometimes, worked tirelessly for marginalized residents in Barrie and causes that were very close to her heart in the city.” While Ms. Carroll obviously enjoyed the cut and thrust of politics, as a policy wonk, if I can say that, she understood that sometimes it’s those quiet accomplishments that truly make a difference in your constituents’ lives.

I want to say thank you to Ms. Carroll’s family. I want to offer you my condolences and let you know that the province of Ontario and the country of Canada are better because of Aileen Carroll’s service.

Applause.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I want to thank the members for their presentations as together we give thanks for the life and public service of Mrs. Aileen Carroll.

Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Ottawa South has a point of order.

Mr. John Fraser: Just a quick point of order: I want to welcome—I know we don’t have guests in the gallery, but the members from SEIU and CUPE are here today to deliver some postcards. They can’t get in, but they’re here, and I want to welcome them to Queen’s Park even though they can’t hear me.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): It is now time for oral questions.

Question Period

Government accountability

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Before I start, I want to wish everybody a happy Canadian agriculture day. It’s a day that we celebrate our farmers and farm families for not only providing the food on our table but great jobs and great fuel to our economy. Celebrate ag more than ever.

My first question this morning is to our Premier.

We know that residents of Ottawa, particularly, have lived through a terrifying three and a half weeks under siege in our province and in our country’s capital. Thankfully, things are finally turning around, but we definitely need to focus on moving forward now. I think the first step in doing that is to have this government acknowledge their role in letting that hate fester for three and a half weeks in the city of Ottawa and dividing this province.

My question to the Premier: He went out of his way to apologize to the occupiers. Will he now or has he yet had the opportunity to apologize to the people of Ottawa and the people of Windsor, and if not, will he do that today?

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

Hon. Sylvia Jones: I appreciate the opportunity to talk about what has been a very challenging time for many individuals in Ottawa, in Windsor, in Niagara and numerous other communities. It speaks to the value of working together.

The fact that Chief Bell and the OPP and the RCMP and numerous other police agencies have been able to remove the illegal operation in Ottawa safely, carefully, to ensure a minimum of injuries, speaks to the integrity and the professionalism of what we have seen with our front-line officers. It is incredible to me to see how well these officers from different agencies, from different police departments have worked together. I’m proud of the work that they have done, and I am proud of the work that has happened as a result—safely being able to deal with these illegal operations.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, the reality remains that this Premier had the tools to end this occupation much, much sooner. I think we’re all grateful that it is over. And we’re all very grateful for all the people on the front lines who helped to make that happen. But this government could have acted sooner.

We and others repeatedly called for the government, for this Premier to step up and revoke commercial vehicle operating licences, but the Premier said he couldn’t, and of course we all know that wasn’t accurate. It took the dump truck association to provide the proof that that wasn’t accurate.

This government could have protected our communities and protected our economy much, much sooner, but they chose not to do so.

My question is, why did the Premier not use the tools that he had to stop the occupations sooner, rather than let them fester in Ottawa and in Windsor for three weeks?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Again, I will remind the member opposite that in fact the tools that the police have been using safely, professionally, carefully, have been working.

If there is anything that I regret about this instance, it’s the fact that a member of this parliamentary Legislature was encouraging people to block 911 calls.

If you want to talk about how we can do things better, we can make sure that individuals respect the rule of law, understand that there are opportunities—they were given multiple warnings, they were asked to leave, they were encouraged to leave, they were told what was going to happen if they did not leave. That has happened, and, again, I will say it has happened safely.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I think it’s shameful that the government is not acknowledging that they had an important role to play here and they absconded when it comes to their responsibility. They were completely, completely MIA.

The bottom line is, Ottawa is still going to need support. We know that the federal government is providing some financial support to businesses that were impacted, but the small businesses that I met with in Ottawa were very, very worried about the thousands of workers who are also impacted, who have also lost wages because of what happened for over three weeks.

In Windsor, Unifor members were talking to me about the impact on the workers in the auto sector—manufacturing, parts and other supply chain workers. The bottom line is, they lost hours and they lost wages as well.

My question is, will this government step up now to support those workers who lost so much because they didn’t move quickly enough and make sure that they are made whole, because the Premier decided to sit on his hands and could have ended this sooner but chose not to?

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

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: It’s nice to see everyone again in this House, so hello to all my colleagues.

Mr. Speaker, many have been impacted by these numerous blockades and measures that the Solicitor General mentioned were, at various points, illegal. The families, the people who wanted to go to their jobs, the people who have the small businesses like in Ottawa have been impacted; there’s no question about that.

That’s why, since day one, we’ve been there to support the small businesses. We’ve been there with the small business grants they are eligible for. We’ve been there with the property tax rebates and the electricity rebates, which they are eligible for. We’ve been there for property tax and various provincially administered tax deferrals, up to $7.5 billion.

We recognize these are very unique circumstances, and that’s why I will have more to say in the very near future about supporting those businesses.

Government’s record

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is also for the Premier.

We all know that everything costs more than ever here in the province of Ontario. Folks are having a hard time making ends meet. Inflation is running at 5.7%, but nobody’s wages are going up like that.

In fact, the Premier has decided, through Bill 124, that he is going to keep wages as low as possible. In fact, as was mentioned earlier, folks are going to be on the lawn today to protest that wrong-headed decision.

But when it comes to gas prices, Speaker, this Premier said, regarding the $1.50 gas price that was happening, in the election, “I can tell you, that’s not going to happen under our watch.” Well, the government’s own gasoline price tracker is showing that gas prices are in fact $1.59 in most of Ontario; in the north, $1.63 is the price of gas; and in the meantime, oil companies are flush with cash.

So my question is, why did the Premier break his promise to keep the price of gasoline below $1.50 a litre?

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: Speaker, it is really rich to hear the Leader of the Opposition talking about affordability for the people of the province of Ontario when on every opportunity the Leader of the Opposition and her colleagues had the opportunity to vote with Ontarians, to vote with this government, when we have reduced taxes for the people of the province of Ontario to put more money back in their pockets.

Colleagues, you’ll remember this: When we said that the carbon tax would cost the people of the province of Ontario too much, they fought against us. We said it would cost too much. We said it would cost everything too much: the produce in your stores, driving your kids to sports—everything would be more expensive because of a carbon tax. They said that wouldn’t happen, but we are seeing that today.

Over the next months, as we have done over the last three years, we’re going to work harder to put even more money back into the pockets of the people of the province of Ontario, Mr. Speaker. We made announcements with respect to val tags from the Minister of Transportation, removing tolls from the 412 and the 418, putting more money back in the people of the province of Ontario’s pockets. And I’m sure that—

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, the Premier said that he’d lower hydro bills by 12% as well, and of course we all know that that hasn’t happened. He said he was going to do that “without shady accounting tricks.”

The FAO report, however, said that hydro has gone up every year since this Premier has been in office, including during the pandemic. The FAO said, “The government does not intend to lower electricity bills by 12% from 2018 levels.”

Despite spending billions and billions of dollars, the government continues to increase the price of electricity in this province each and every year.

My question is, why did this Premier outright break his promise to reduce electricity rates for the people of Ontario by 12%?

Hon. Paul Calandra: What the FAO did say was that the price of electricity was coming down for the people of the province of Ontario. What he also highlighted was that the contracts that we had to take over, that we had to assume, supported every step of the way by the Leader of the Opposition, these high prices for electricity, for power that we didn’t need, that we could not afford—again, all in this attempt at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, when we knew that the reason we had the cleanest electricity sector in North America was because of the hard-working men and women who work in our nuclear sector.

That is what happened. That is why we were able to bring that down, and because of the hard work of our government back in the early 2000s—Harris and Eves—to eliminate coal-fired generation. That is what has helped us on greenhouse gas emissions.

Now, all of a sudden, the NDP and the Liberals care about people’s pocketbooks. Give me a break, Mr. Speaker.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Oh boy, Speaker, this member needs to take a history lesson or two.

Nonetheless, I think we all saw: It’s the first day back in the Legislature, the last session of this term, and the gimmicks and promises are rolling ahead like they did before the last election.

Unfortunately, the people of Ontario are still suffering. In fact, one of the promises that this Premier actually kept was one that is making the cost of rent for people skyrocket in Ontario. He said he would end rent controls in 2018, and, boy, did he do that. Now renters are facing rent increases of up to 25%. Can you believe that? Twenty-five per cent.

Last week, a study showed that the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the province of Ontario in various cities was skyrocketing. In Hamilton, you had to earn $70,000 a year to afford a one-bedroom apartment; in Ottawa, $73,000 a year to afford a one-bedroom apartment; in Toronto, $90,000. That’s more than two to three times the average wage of a minimum wage worker.

What is this Premier going to do to undo the damage of the one promise that he did keep and address the crisis of unaffordable rents in our province?

Hon. Paul Calandra: Mr. Speaker, we’re seeing across the province of Ontario, for the first time in decades, more rental housing being built. We’re seeing that because we are taking action to ensure that we can bring housing online much more quickly.

Look again at affordability: We’re seeing auto insurance rates come down in the province of Ontario, not because of the stretch goals that the Leader of the Opposition wanted, but because of the policies of this government. We’re seeing a reduction in taxes for the people of the province of Ontario, more money in their pockets. We’ve eliminated tolls. The only two parties to put tolls in have been the NDP and the Liberals. We’re removing them and putting more money back in the pockets of the people of Ontario. We’re reducing red tape and regulation so that businesses can thrive in the province of Ontario.

And we’re seeing jobs come back. The Minister of Economic Development and Trade is bringing back jobs through the auto sector.

The economy is starting to boom again, Mr. Speaker, and it’s because of the policies of this government. Despite the fact that they vote against everything and worked so closely with the Liberals to destroy this economy, we came into power and made sure that they couldn’t—

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

Government accountability

Mr. Joel Harden: Like others have done today, I want to begin my question, which is to the Premier, by acknowledging what our city, Ottawa, has lived through: an occupation that has lasted three weeks, which at one point involved over 500 vehicles, Speaker. I have to admit, through you, that it has been tough for me to realize why my city became a target—a target of sabotage attempts in apartment buildings, including arson attempts, the locking of doors, the shutting off of water and electricity systems, of constant blaring of truck and car horns, and of harassment of people walking in the street—verbal and physical—for wearing masks. Speaker, I ask the Premier, why did this happen?

Having talked to convoy participants myself, and so many residents, I believe that many people who are part of this movement were taken advantage of by extremists who convinced them that the source of their problems involved harassing Ottawa residents.

What I believe, Speaker, is that hate and division grow when people feel unheard. Our city’s pleas for help went unheeded by a response from this government for 14 days. As those 14 days elapsed, that hate grew.

My question, through you, Speaker, to the Premier: Why did it take you so long to happen—why did you let this hate grow?

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

To reply on behalf of the government, the Solicitor General.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: There is no doubt that the city of Ottawa and the people of Ottawa have experienced a very challenging three weeks. However, the assertion of the member opposite, to suggest that there was no involvement or engagement from the provincial government, from provincial resources, is categorically false. From the beginning—actually, before the protests even appeared in Ontario—we were having, through the OPP, through the RCMP, conversations with police chiefs of jurisdictions to ensure that all information, all intelligence, was shared, so that people could prepare.

If the member opposite is suggesting that there needed to be a role where we directed police, I respectfully decline that. Our job is to ensure that the police have the resources they need to effectively do their job.

The fact that we had an operation that, again, came from the city of Ottawa, came from the RCMP, came from the OPP and had co-operation with police services from across Ontario, and, in fact—

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

Mr. Joel Harden: Speaker, I find that to be a really tiresome answer.

We’ve had to, in this parliamentary session, talk about this government’s relationship to people like Faith Goldy and Charles McVety. Let’s add to the list. What about Pat King? What about BJ Dichter? What about people who’ve made their life’s work hating on our Jewish neighbours; our Muslim neighbours; our queer, transgender and non-binary neighbours? Where has your repudiation of them been in 14 days?

I want to ask that question on behalf of small businesses and workers—workers like Liv. Liv works at a coffee shop just a stone’s throw away from Parliament. There were anti-mask hate folks who came into her workplace, demanded she take off her mask and wouldn’t leave until they were escorted to leave. They hung around outside the door after, trapping the workers inside the building. That’s how toxic it was on the first day of this protest.

Security officials told us this was coming.

Will this government today, with us, as an entire Legislature, commit to condemning this hate, working to deprogram it, rebuilding and healing our community? That’s what we need today, not words.

Interjections.

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

To respond, the Solicitor General.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Speaker, our government has consistently condemned hate, wherever it comes from and to whomever it is directed.

I want people to understand that in the city of Ottawa, in Windsor, in Niagara, we had coordination. We had participation. There is opportunity for us to learn from those and to see how well-coordinated police can work together.

To suggest in any way that this is somehow directed by a government, by individuals within government, I think really is beneath the member opposite.

We did what we needed to do. We gave the police services the resources they needed, through the emergency measures. We have pulled CVORs to ensure that individuals who were participating in these illegal operations were dealt with, and dealt with quickly. We’ll continue to work with our police partners.

I want to underline and remind the member that this was an illegal operation that was dealt with—

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

Automotive industry

Mr. Dave Smith: My question is for the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

Ontario’s automotive sector and the nearly 100,000 people directly employed by it are critical to Ontario’s economy. Our auto sector is currently undergoing a transformational shift towards the production of electric vehicles—the car of the future.

Can the minister please inform this House how our government is making the necessary investments to ensure Ontario is a world leader in electric vehicle production?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Our government is committed to protecting jobs in Ontario’s auto sector today, while also investing in the technology of the future. That’s why we were in Hamilton with the Premier last week to announce a generational investment in the largest private sector employer in the city. We were proud to announce $500 million of support for ArcelorMittal Dofasco’s $1.8-billion investment to produce green steel. With our support, AMD will replace their old coal-fired coke ovens and blast furnaces with new electric arc technology.

This is a game-changer, Speaker, for Ontario’s auto sector. You can’t create the electric vehicle of the future with steel that’s made from burning coal. Investments like these position Ontario’s automotive sector and our supply chain for the success we know will happen.

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

Mr. Dave Smith: Through you, Speaker, I’d like to thank the minister for that. This is a significant investment that will secure the economic future of Hamilton and the entire automotive supply chain.

The link between green steel and Ontario’s automotive sector is clear. Can the minister update this House on what else Ontario is doing to secure the future of Ontario’s automotive sector?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: We announced phase 2 of our Driving Prosperity plan. Since then, Ontario’s automakers have announced $6 billion in new investments; over $4 billion of that is in electric vehicles. We are supporting these manufacturers. We are working day and night to support electric vehicle battery production right here in Ontario.

In addition to the $500-million investment in green steel, we’re investing $12 million in our automotive parts, and tool, die and mould makers.

We’re also supporting our auto tech sector with $54 million to expedite electric driving developments.

And finally, we are investing in our critical minerals sector, where we’ll bring northern Ontario into the automotive game for the first time in 120 years.

The signal from our auto sector is clear, Speaker. They’re committing to producing the cars of the future, and we’re committed to supporting them.

Child care

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: My question is to the Premier.

Every province and territory has signed the federal $10-a-day child care agreement—except Ontario. Last week, the federal government revealed that they are still waiting for the Ford government to submit Ontario’s child care plan, needed in order to access $10.2 billion in funding.

Speaker, my question is simple: Does this government even have a plan?

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: I appreciate the question from the member opposite.

Of course, we’ve said right from the beginning, Speaker, that we wanted to ensure that we had a child care plan that worked for the people of the province of Ontario. It had to be stable, it had to be long-term funding that met the goals of the $10-a-day child care program. Surely, members opposite would all agree that we have to get to that point. We have seen what federal promises have done in health when they promised 50% and then reduced it to 22% funding.

We will not enter into a new program that does not give the people of the province of Ontario surety that they will continue to get the support that they need.

Interjection.

Hon. Paul Calandra: We’re hearing the Leader of the Opposition hollering across the aisle. We know what she would do, because for her it’s about stretch goals that accomplish nothing, Mr. Speaker. That is the history of the NDP in this place.

For us, it’s about accomplishing things for the people of the province of Ontario—despite all of the hollering that gets nowhere.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Leader of the Opposition will come to order.

Supplementary question.

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: Speaker, through you, I say to the minister: Enough excuses. To delay any further is the Ford government telling the people of Ontario that their political games are more important than helping families.

If the government has a plan, as the minister says, then why the stonewalling? Every other province and territory has managed to get this done. Why not Ontario?

Hon. Paul Calandra: Speaker, we have a significantly different child care program than almost every other province in this country—a program that was made ostensibly more costly and expensive for the people of the province of Ontario because of the policies of the previous Liberal government, supported by the NDP, who could not often enough get their hands in the pockets of the people of Ontario. It wasn’t enough that they increased taxes. It wasn’t enough that they increased hydro rates. It wasn’t enough that they drove away jobs. They also made it unaffordable to put your kids in child care.

They’re suggesting we should sign a deal that isn’t guaranteeing $10 a day—to just put our hands up and say, “We’ll take whatever you have to offer because the people of the province of Ontario can afford to pay it.” Well, I’m telling you they can’t. That’s why we will stand up for a child care deal that works for the people of Ontario, that gives us long-term stability, that ensures that we get to $10 a day. That’s our goal. I’m surprised to hear that the opposition doesn’t share the same goal.

Federal government policy

Mrs. Belinda C. Karahalios: Speaker, my question is for the Premier.

Last night, the federal Trudeau Liberal government, with the support of the NDP, passed a motion to extend the continued use of special policing measures for a situation that no longer exists or requires them.

The Conservative Party of Canada opposed the extension of these measures, which give the federal government the ability to freeze bank accounts and credit cards, put in police checkpoints and separate parents from children—all without due process ordinarily given under the law.

Why does this Ontario government continue to prop up Justin Trudeau—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

Mrs. Belinda C. Karahalios: —this time by supporting the continued extension of these authoritarian and unwarranted special federal measures, when the situation used to justify them no longer exists?

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

I had difficulty hearing parts of the question because the member for Orléans was heckling loudly and the member for Carleton was heckling loudly. I’d ask you to come to order.

Start the clock.

To reply on behalf of the government, government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: The federal Parliament made a decision yesterday that was supported by a majority of the House of Commons, and we of course will respect that decision.

I think what you hear, Mr. Speaker, is the ongoing issues with respect to the COVID-19 response. It has been very difficult. As the member for Ottawa Centre said, people are frustrated and they are angry. We have to make sure that we do a better job of understanding what that anger is about.

We heard from farmers. Farmers were protesting, Mr. Speaker. We heard from different families who were protesting. Some people were protesting the high cost of living. Some people were protesting the fact that a carbon tax put so many more costs on farmers and their ability to bring their food to market. There’s a whole range of issues that need to be addressed by our Legislature and by Legislatures across this country.

Of course we’ll let the federal government make decisions on behalf of the federal government, but ultimately, we all have to do a better job of understanding what it is that brought people to Ottawa.

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

Mrs. Belinda C. Karahalios: Premier Moe of Saskatchewan and Premier Kenney of Alberta both opposed the Trudeau government’s authoritarian special measures. Member of Parliament Leslyn Lewis—who the Premier gave a government appointment to on the Ontario Trillium Foundation—herself said that the Trudeau government’s special measures are about one thing: to financially attack and silence people he despises for disagreeing with him. Even Premier Kenney, who Premier Ford once stood shoulder to shoulder with, announced that Alberta is filing a court challenge against the federal government’s special measures.

Why won’t this government stop propping up the Trudeau government and, instead of being in the back pocket of the Prime Minister, try standing up for Ontarians and join Alberta in court to challenge the federal government’s unnecessary, destructive and authoritarian measures?

Hon. Paul Calandra: Again, Mr. Speaker, I think it is that type of language that helps to inflame and get people really misunderstanding how government has responded to the COVID-19 crisis.

First and foremost, we wanted to ensure that the people of the province of Ontario were safe through the COVID-19 crisis, Mr. Speaker.

Let’s be honest and let’s be clear about what we saw in these protests. It doesn’t matter who is on what side of the chamber; nobody supports symbols of hate. Nobody supports the absolutely ridiculous aims of the protest organizers. We’re all on the same page on that. But let’s be clear: There were farmers there who were protesting the high cost of fuel. There were families who were there protesting the cost of living in this country. There was a whole other subset of people who were there for different reasons. We can continue to inflame that—I’m not sure why—or we can look at what it was and what has caused people to go to Ottawa, what has caused them to go to the Ambassador Bridge.

But make no mistake about it; we will always stand up for law and order. We will always stand up for the authority of the state. That is our job, and we will continue to make sure that that happens.

Ontario economy

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: My question is for the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

When our government took office, Ontario had become a high-cost jurisdiction. Manufacturers were leaving the province. Ontario’s economy and our families were suffering.

Through you, Mr. Speaker: Can the minister please outline how the previous government, propped up by the NDP, allowed this to happen and what our government has done to rebuild Ontario?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: The previous government gave up on Ontario’s manufacturing sector. Here are a few excerpts from, thankfully, what turned out to be their final report on the economy. Here is what they wanted to happen: “The structure of the Ontario economy will continue to shift from goods-producing, to service-producing sectors ... in particular, manufacturing—to service sector industries.” They gave up on manufacturing. They threw in the towel.

Well, we did not give up on our manufacturers. Instead, we reduced their burden to regain our long-held position as the economic engine of Canada.

We will never give up on the people of Ontario, like the previous government did.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: Through you, Mr. Speaker: Those statements from the Liberals’ last report on the economy were shocking to hear—a government that gave up on one of our most important sectors. Business owners in Ontario deserve to know that they have a government that will continue to have their backs by making meaningful investments in Ontario businesses that are creating good jobs and helping to protect our economy.

Through you, Mr. Speaker: My question to the minister is, what other actions is our government taking to bolster the economy and reduce the cost of doing business in Ontario?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: When our government took office, we knew the cost of doing business under the Liberals was too high. That’s why we moved very quickly to introduce policies that lowered the cost of doing business, like lowering WSIB premiums without reducing benefits, which resulted in a savings of over $2 billion annually.

We’ve introduced a capital cost allowance so Ontario companies could write off new equipment in-year. That’s a $1-billion savings every year. We introduced eight red tape reduction bills and reduced the burden on business, saving them nearly $400 million a year. The latest savings are the reduction of commercial and industrial hydro rates by 15% and 17%, respectively.

These actions and more are saving businesses $7 billion each and every year, and that’s why businesses have a renewed confidence in Ontario.

Highway tolls

Ms. Jennifer K. French: My question is to the Premier.

Everyone knows that the last Conservative government made wrong decisions about the 407 toll route. Now, clearly, this Conservative government is too, and the public, both times, is losing out.

According to a Toronto Star investigation published today, the Premier did indeed have the power to demand a $1-billion congestion penalty from the operators of the 407 ETR toll highway. Last year we were told there was no congestion anywhere, so there was no justification for collecting a congestion penalty. But now we have proof of what everyone knew back then: All the highways were congested except for the 407 ETR, because the tolls were too high. The tolls were too high because the Premier refused to enforce the contract.

Why did the Premier give a $1-billion gift to the private operators of the 407 toll highway while failing to relieve congestion on all the other highways?

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

Hon. Stan Cho: I’m happy to answer that question this morning. I’d like to welcome all my colleagues back to the chamber as well.

These last two years have been very difficult. We’ve experienced some unprecedented circumstances that all Ontarians have faced. They’ve had to comply with stay-at-home orders while fighting multiple waves of COVID-19, and this resulted in the 407 invoking the relief clause under the contract with the Ministry of Transportation.

At the very beginning of the pandemic, our government froze tolls on Highways 407 east, 412 and 418 to deliver more relief for drivers, and we will gladly compare our record on tolls with the Liberals, supported by the NDP, Speaker.

We have gone even further. We’ve recently announced the permanent removal of tolls on Highways 412 and 418. But there’s more to be done, and that’s why we are doing more this morning. Our government announced the elimination of validation fees for drivers across this province. This is real relief, Speaker. We’re going to continue to support drivers across this entire province we’re back on that road to recovery and prosperity.

Ms. Jennifer K. French: Again to the Premier: As every other highway was congested last year, Highway 407 was so underused that a plane could land on it without difficulty. One billion dollars is a lot of money to forgive. Imagine how much $1 billion could support existing infrastructure. But even more interesting is the story that can be told if we allow congestion to grow, instead of better utilizing the 407. This government is bent on justifying building the 413 through hill and dale.

The Premier would rather let the private operators of the highway keep collecting excessively high tolls from drivers than enforce the contract and maximize traffic flow throughout the highway network. And now the Premier is using congestion as an excuse to waste $10 billion of public money on an unnecessary new highway through the greenbelt whose main beneficiaries are friends and donors of this Premier.

So my question is this: Instead of wasting all of that money, why won’t the Premier simply make better use of the underused Highway 407 that is already there and, while he’s at it, collect the $1 billion?

Hon. Stan Cho: Speaker, there are some puzzling contradictions in the question here. On the one hand, the member is talking about congestion and how it affects Ontarians. We agree. In fact, the GTA is going to grow to eight and a half million people in the next 10 years. There’s unprecedented growth on the way. That means more congestion on our highways, more need for transit systems, more need for highways. I think that’s what the member is saying.

But I’m also hearing the member say it has been a very difficult time for Ontarians, which means that people in this province need more relief. That’s exactly why we have removed tolls on Highways 412 and 418. That’s why we’re making life more affordable for drivers across this province, by doing the things that matter to people’s pocketbooks.

I don’t blame people for wanting to move to this great province. We’re going to plan for the future, unlike the Liberals and the NDP.

Government accountability / Responsabilité gouvernementale

Mr. John Fraser: My question is for the Premier.

Thanks to officers from Ottawa, Ontario and across Canada, the three-week occupation of Ottawa has come to an end. It should never have come to this: lawlessness, intimidation, threats to schools and lost paycheques. The member from Ottawa Centre was right: Residents were not safe in their own neighbourhoods.

For two weeks, the Premier’s message to those residents was, “You’re on your own.” He wanted it to be somebody else’s problem.

On February 6, the Solicitor General said 1,500 OPP officers had been sent to Ottawa. That number was closer to 150. It took a four-day blockade in Windsor before the Premier took any action.

Speaker, through you: How can any community in Ontario have confidence that this Premier will be there for them and not abandon them the way that he did the people of Ottawa and Windsor in this situation?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Solicitor General.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: When you actually do the math of how many officers there were per day over the course of the illegal operation, you see that there was participation from the RCMP, from the OPP, from Peel, from Toronto, from York, from Hamilton. I could go on.

Interjection.

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

Hon. Sylvia Jones: The point is that the chief of police in Ottawa worked with the OPP commissioner. They came up with an operational plan that was agreed upon by all three—two commissioners and the Ottawa chief—and it was executed.

Mr. John Fraser: Three weeks—three weeks.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Again, I have to say, what is your option, sir? Was your option that you expected political people to be interfering with policing operations? I respectfully and categorically refuse that. We need to have police doing their jobs. As politicians, we have absolutely given them additional resources—

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

Interjection.

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

The member for Ottawa–Vanier.

M me Lucille Collard: I’ve seen this occupation first-hand; in fact, I was practically in the middle of it. I just want to say, on the ground, I didn’t see these thousand more officers. The question I’ve been asked the most by people in Ottawa is, where has the provincial government been? The businesses and workers have been feeling abandoned by their government—workers who have lost their paycheques because they couldn’t go to work; businesses that had to remain closed because they couldn’t open.

Les résidants d’Ottawa demandent, où était le gouvernement pendant ces dernières trois semaines?

The province needs to step up, to at least match the federal $20-million fund that is being offered, provide hydro bill forgiveness, a moratorium on evictions—because businesses are worried.

The Minister of Finance says, “Help is on the way; I have more to say.” We’re listening.

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

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: Thank you to the member opposite for that very important question.

As I said earlier, Mr. Speaker, many businesses across Ontario—in fact, right across this nation—have been impacted over the last two years, and none more so than Ottawa in the last couple of weeks. That’s why it’s important that we reiterate that they qualify and have qualified for the property tax rebate, the electricity rebate—and by the way, the portal is still open. Portals are still open for the grants. They still have the opportunity to defer the provincially administered taxes, of which there are over a dozen, which add up to about seven and a half billion dollars. That will be interest-free and penalty-free.

We’ve been there since day one for businesses—over $6 billion. We’ll continue to be there for businesses right across this great province, including the businesses in Ottawa.

Long-term care

Ms. Natalia Kusendova: My question is to the Minister of Long-Term Care.

Long-term care, as a sector, has been long neglected by successive governments. Between 2011 and 2018, the previous Liberal government only managed to build 611 net new beds. That is an increase of only 0.8%, while the population of Ontarians aged 75 and over grew by 20%. Speaker, that is only 611 beds for over 176,000 people.

The citizens of Mississauga Centre have long called on previous governments to deliver new long-term-care beds that will serve the linguistic and cultural needs of our seniors. That is why I was so proud to recently welcome the minister and my Mississauga colleagues to my riding to announce an allocation of 128 beds to a flagship organization of Mississauga, the Coptic Church of Virgin Mary and St. Athanasius. This was long-awaited and absolutely phenomenal news.

Speaker, through you, can the minister please elaborate on our government’s plan to fix long-term care?

Hon. Paul Calandra: Let me just thank the honourable member for her hard work, not only in helping to secure this new long-term-care facility, but of course, she has been on the front lines and has been working every single day to make Ontario an even better place.

And let me just congratulate all of the Mississauga members of Parliament. Their hard work helped us to secure funding and the ability to bring a new long-term-care facility to the community.

She referenced 128 new beds. Again, Mr. Speaker, put that into contrast—128 new beds. That is on top of the other announcements we’ve made for new beds and upgrades. That’s over 1,200 new and upgraded beds for Mississauga alone.

She isn’t mistaken when she says that the previous Liberal government was only able—the previous two Liberal governments, and in four of those years, of course, supported by the NDP, only brought in 611. That is a record of futility that we will never match, and that is why we are well on our way to creating 30,000 new spaces for our seniors.

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

Ms. Natalia Kusendova: Thank you to the minister for that response.

Minister, 1,251 beds is an incredible number. That’s one bed shy of double what the previous government built in seven years, and that’s just in our city of Mississauga.

We have heard from Ontarians across the province that meeting the linguistic and cultural needs of our seniors in long-term care is vital to ensuring their well-being. That is why I was so proud to bring my motion on linguistically appropriate care last year and see it passed unanimously.

I also want to acknowledge the passionate work of my colleague the member from Mississauga–Erin Mills, who is an absolute champion for Mississauga’s Coptic and Egyptian community, and whose advocacy continues to be positively impactful for our city.

With this recent announcement, we are continuing to consider the cultural, linguistic and spiritual needs of our seniors as we build these new homes.

Back to the minister: Can you please explain, what is our government doing to ensure that seniors in Mississauga and across Ontario receive culturally and linguistically appropriate care?

Hon. Paul Calandra: That’s a really good question.

It’s something that we heard right from the beginning from people across the province—that as much as it’s important to bring new long-term care online, in a province as diverse as the province of Ontario, it is also important to bring in long-term-care homes that respect people’s culture, that people can communicate in.

That’s why I was very happy when the Mississauga team—of course, led by our first Coptic Christian ever elected, in Mississauga–Erin Mills, and the entire Mississauga team. But we didn’t stop there. The members from Brampton talked about the Hindu and Sikh community having a home specific for them, and we were able to bring that online, Speaker. The member for Markham–Thornhill, of course, talked about the importance of the Chinese Canadian community in his community and in mine, so we were able to bring that online.

It is actually shocking that in the province of Ontario this wasn’t something that we ever thought of. So, along with their hard work, along with the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, we’re able to work together to ensure a quality of care second to none, Mr. Speaker, and—

Interjections.

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

The next question.

Small business

Mr. Faisal Hassan: My question is to the Premier.

Small businesses have struggled during the pandemic, and I have heard from many of those in my community of York South–Weston. Many have complained about the Ontario Small Business Support Grant program and the many difficulties navigating that program.

Hao Nhat Chau, owner of Shell’s Nails and Spa, was forced to close due to the COVID-19 restrictions, and despite applying for the grant, neither approval nor denial was received.

What is the government doing to address a grant program identified by Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk as a problematic situation here?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction.

Hon. Nina Tangri: I want to thank the member opposite for his question.

Our government recognized that small businesses impacted by public health measures required immediate support so they could continue serving their communities and employing people across our province. Our goal was to get money to these businesses quickly, because we knew these employers were affected by these strengthened public health measures.

Through the Ontario COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant, we’re providing an additional $10,000 for eligible businesses. This builds on the nearly $3 billion that we provided last year through the Ontario Small Business Support Grant to over 110,000 businesses right across our province. Speaker, this is an extraordinary, historic level of support that went out to all of our small businesses.

I’ll have more to say in the supplementary.

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

Mr. Faisal Hassan: Back to the Premier: Here is a letter I wrote to the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, and we have no answer yet. My constituent Hao Nhat Chau took meticulous notes of her interactions with the ministry. Failure by the minister to respond in time or at all is unacceptable.

When we know that the government awarded $210 million to ineligible recipients, how is it that Hao Nhat Chau, who did everything right, could not even get a resolution to her application? I’m calling on the government to review her case to determine what went wrong. Will the minister, also, respond to my letter addressing this case? As a new round of business supports come online, we need to ensure this mismanagement does not occur again.

Hon. Nina Tangri: Once again, thank you to the member opposite for the question.

I think it was critical that our government, as soon as possible, got the funding out to the eligible businesses that applied. Through public health measures, we had to close down a number of businesses, including gyms, and restaurants for indoor dining, and we wanted to make sure those who received the second round of grants previously—we sent them a very quick email where they were able to respond that they were still in business and that they were under 100 employees, and the turnaround time to get that $10,000 to them was just a few days.

This is historic for any government to be able to get money into the hands of those businesses that desperately needed it. Not only that, we allowed the businesses to use those funds as they saw best. This is their business and they knew where they needed that money, whether it was to pay for rent, for taxes or anything else.

We’ve responded in many other ways: Property tax relief, many other areas of relief for them; for example, PPE. We gave them a thousand dollars for PPE—

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

Employment standards

Mr. Mike Schreiner: My question is for the Premier.

The health care system is hanging on by a thread. Nurses are at a breaking point, feeling overworked, underpaid and underappreciated. The ONA says we’re facing a nursing shortage of as high as 20% in hospitals. ICUs have reduced capacity because we don’t have nurses to staff them. The surgery backlog is getting worse because we don’t have nurses to staff them. This directly affects patient care.

Nurses are at Queen’s Park today asking for fair compensation, fair wages and benefits, like access to mental health supports and services.

Will the Premier do the right thing, show nurses the respect they deserve, and finally revoke Bill 124 so nurses can negotiate the compensation they deserve for working so hard caring for us?

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

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: Our government is incredibly grateful for the contributions of Ontario’s health care workers throughout this pandemic, and our government has been there to support our health care systems and our health care workers throughout this entire pandemic. That is why this government invested over $342 million in 2021 and 2022 to add over 5,000 new upskilled registered nurses and registered practical nurses as well as an additional 8,000 personal support workers. This included providing 500 registered nurses with specialized acute-care training and 420 registered nurses through the existing community commitment for nursing.

Our government’s priority is the health and safety of all Ontarians, and we have been singularly focused on ensuring that everyone is kept safe through this—

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

Mr. Mike Schreiner: Back to the member opposite: The government has been there to cap total compensation for nurses at 1% over three years, which represents a significant pay cut given the inflation we’re experiencing.

Nurses are not only asking for fair wages, but they’re asking for benefits, such as access to mental health supports and services.

After two years of the pandemic, I can tell you all Ontarians are asking for additional access to mental health supports and services.

If the government is going to clearly say no to paying nurses a fair wage and fair benefits, will the government at least say yes to my motion to make mental health care more affordable and accessible by expanding mental health care services coverage under OHIP?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): To respond, the Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: I’d like to remind everyone what we are, in fact, doing for our front-line workers. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve seen how significant the impacts have been on the mental health of Ontarians across the province, including the front-line health care workers. That’s why our government invested $12.4 million over two years to provide existing and expanded mental health and addictions supports for all front-line health care workers across the province.

This investment will protect our progress in the fight against COVID-19 by supporting the workforce in the acute-care sector, and the long-term care and home and community care sectors as well. That is what our intention is—to ensure that we do have these supports in place.

We also took action to invest another $23.6 million to expand access to Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy to further support our front-line workers, and over 70,000 people have subscribed to the program, as well as 10,000 health care workers. We are doing everything we can to help support our health care workers.

COVID-19 response

Ms. Catherine Fife: My question is to the Minister of Education.

In an announcement yesterday that was months overdue, the government said it would finally be providing HEPA filters for school and child care settings. Two years into this pandemic, we’ve known for some time that this goal to get indoor air closer to outdoor air with constant, well-mixed ventilation and to lower CO 2 as much as possible with the help of portable HEPA filters in order to keep students safe at school needs to happen. We have all heard this from parents, from community leaders, from medical professionals. Yet the government has operated with zero sense of urgency to get an adequate amount of HEPA filters to schools and to child care centres.

Mr. Speaker, can the government explain why these 49,000 filters are only being sent to school boards now, when we are over halfway through the school year and two years into this pandemic?

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: Of course, we’ve known how important it is to improve air quality in our schools and in settings. That’s why even in long-term care we’ve provided over 8,000 HEPA filters. The Minister of Children, Community and Social Services has been at the forefront of helping us better understand the importance of that in combatting COVID-19.

Having said that, when it comes to our education sector, actually, 70,000 units have been delivered to schools across the province of Ontario. So I’m uncertain as to where the member is coming from. Not only have 70,000 been delivered, but we’re actually increasing that by 3,000, because there are additional options, whether it’s to ensure that units stay in the best condition to continue to provide service—but as I said, 70,000, and of course the Minister of Government and Consumer Services has also been on the forefront of securing that.

I don’t think there’s a jurisdiction in Canada that has done better than these ministers have in helping to keep our schools safe.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.

Ms. Catherine Fife: Well, let me help the House leader, then. Mr. Speaker, for months, the Premier, the Minister of Health, the Minister of Education wanted us to believe that schools already had these air filters and HVAC upgrades that they needed. In fact, last September, the Minister of Education guaranteed that he had given school boards enough money and time to get mechanical ventilation or HEPA units into every classroom.

In my riding, as recently as last week—Thursday, to be exact—just one in five Waterloo Region District School Board classrooms had HEPA filter units in every school. School boards even had to go to such lengths as to fundraise for HEPA filters. We are asking community members, teachers and educational staff to fundraise for basic health and safety measures in Ontario. This has become a full-blown equity issue, Mr. Speaker.

Can the minister guarantee that with these additional filters that were just announced yesterday, every single school, every single classroom, every single child care centre will have the health and safety measures they need and a HEPA filter in every classroom?

Hon. Paul Calandra: I think it’s worth noting that the opposition actually voted against these measures, Mr. Speaker. It is very rich to hear they’re now suggesting, “Well, we should put HEPA filters in our classrooms,” when they actually voted against the initiative.

We’ve, of course, provided 70,000 HEPA filters and we’re providing even more. We’ve provided the tools, whether it’s rapid testing, whether it’s screening in our schools, whether it’s bringing vaccination clinics right into the schools so that our kids could have the safety and security that all Ontarians have asked for. That has allowed us to move forward in education.

Of course, it’s not just about that. Moving forward, we want to have the best quality of education in the country. We want to move ourselves away from the legacy, again, of the previous Liberal government that saw our kids last when it came to science, saw them last when it came to math. We want to prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow, and that is what we are doing, and we can do that by making sure our schools are safe. That is what we have done in the pandemic, that’s what we were doing before the pandemic, and we will continue to do that for many years to come.

COVID-19 response

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: My question is to the Premier.

My riding of Scarborough–Guildwood has been a COVID-19 hot spot throughout this entire pandemic, including the most recent Omicron wave.

Last week, a peer-reviewed

article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal outlined what everyone in my riding already knows: that areas in this province that face systemic inequities and social determinants of health and have vibrant Black, Indigenous and other equity-deserving communities with recent immigrants have higher rates of COVID-19 transmissions. This

article concludes that there needs to be a geographical prioritization of resources and services that are tailored to addressing these inequities.

Speaker, the science is clear. People’s lived experience and tragedies with COVID-19 have confirmed it.

Will the Premier follow the science and create tailored programs to address inequities in our province?

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

Hon. Christine Elliott: Thank you very much to the member for the question.

As the member will know, during the course of this pandemic we did target specific areas where we knew that there was a higher level of transmission, that there were many issues that were involved. We specifically targeted with more vaccination clinics and more opportunities for people to be vaccinated, so that those inequities would not continue. As a result, we did see in many parts of Ontario where the areas that were targeted had higher rates of vaccination than other areas.

That is continuing now, of course, with the testing. People can have access to the rapid antigen tests because Ontario was able to secure a significant supply. We have 5.5 million tests going out per week to 2,385 pharmacies and grocery stores across the province, plus in community partners, we have 500,000 tests per week. Those are going to places like community health centres, homeless shelters and other places where we know there could be that level of inequity. That’s where we’re making sure that they get those volumes of tests to address those issues.

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

Private members’ public business

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I beg to inform the House that pursuant to standing order 101(c), changes have been made to the order of precedence on the ballot list for private members’ public business such that Mr. Hassan assumes ballot item number 30, Ms. Begum assumes ballot item number 33, Mr. Mantha assumes ballot item number 61, Mr. Burch assumes ballot item number 41, and Mrs. Gretzky assumes ballot item number 66.

There being no further business this morning, this House stands in recess until 3 p.m.

The House recessed from 1157 to 1500.

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Government Agencies

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I beg to inform the House that today the Clerk received a report on intended appointments dated February 22, 2022, of the Standing Committee on Government Agencies. Pursuant to standing order 111(f)(9), the report is deemed to be adopted by the House.

Report deemed adopted.

Standing Committee on Public Accounts

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I recognize the member for Essex.

Mr. Taras Natyshak: Thank you very much, Speaker. Good to see you back in the chair, in good health, “en bonne forme.”

I beg leave to present a report on Acute-Care Hospital Patient Safety and Drug Administration,

section 3.01, 2019 Annual Report of the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario, from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and move the adoption of its recommendations.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Mr. Natyshak presents the committee’s report and moves the adoption of its recommendations. Does the member wish to make a brief statement?

Mr. Taras Natyshak: I move adjournment of the debate.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Debate adjourned.

Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Mr. Taras Natyshak: I beg leave to present a report on Emergency Management in Ontario—Pandemic Response,

chapter 1, special report on COVID-19 Preparedness and Management of the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario, from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and move the adoption of its recommendations.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I recognize the member.

Mr. Taras Natyshak: I move adjournment of the debate.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Debate adjourned.

Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Mr. Taras Natyshak: I beg leave to present a report on Public Accounts of Ontario, 2020 Annual Report of the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario, from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and move the adoption of its recommendations.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Does the member wish to make a brief statement?

Mr. Taras Natyshak: I move adjournment of the debate.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Debate adjourned.

Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Mr. Taras Natyshak: I beg leave to present a report on Value-for-Money Audit: Blood Management and Safety, 2020 Annual Report of the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario, from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and move the adoption of its recommendations.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Mr. Natyshak presents the committee’s report and moves the adoption of its recommendations. Does the member wish to make a brief statement?

Mr. Taras Natyshak: I move adjournment of the debate.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Debate adjourned.

Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Mr. Taras Natyshak: Finally, as Chair of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, I’m pleased to table these five reports today. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the permanent membership of the committee and substitute members who participated in the public hearings and report-writing process.

The committee extends its appreciation to officials from all ministries and all agencies who participated in respective hearings. The committee also acknowledges the assistance provided during the hearings and report-writing deliberations by the Office of the Auditor General, the Clerk of the Committee and legislative research.

I beg leave to present a report on Value-for-Money Audit: Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority, 2020 Annual Report of the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario, from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and move the adoption of its recommendations.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Mr. Natyshak presents the committee’s report and moves the adoption of its recommendations. Does the member wish to make a brief statement?

Mr. Taras Natyshak: I move the adjournment of the debate.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Debate adjourned.

Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills

Mr. John Fraser: I beg leave to present a report from the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills and move its adoption.

The Clerk-at-the-Table (Ms. Valerie Quioc Lim): Your committee begs to report the following bill without amendment:

Bill 50,

An Act to proclaim Hungarian Heritage Month / Projet de loi 50, Loi proclamant le Mois du patrimoine hongrois.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Shall the report be received and adopted? Agreed? Agreed.

Report adopted.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The bill is therefore ordered for third reading.

Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills

Mr. John Fraser: I beg leave to present a report from the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills and move its adoption.

The Clerk-at-the-Table (Ms. Valerie Quioc Lim): Your committee begs to report the following bill without amendment:

Bill 51,

An Act to proclaim the Provincial Day of Service / Projet de loi 51, Loi proclamant la Journée provinciale du service.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Shall the report be received and adopted? Agreed? Agreed.

Report adopted.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The bill is therefore ordered for third reading.

Select Committee on Emergency Management Oversight

Mr. Daryl Kramp: Pursuant to the order of the House dated October 7, 2021, I beg leave to present the 16th interim report of the Select Committee on Emergency Management Oversight.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Mr. Kramp presents the committee’s report. Does the member wish to make a brief statement?

Mr. Daryl Kramp: Mr. Speaker, as I have two more subsequent reports, I will comment at the end of the third one.

Report presented.

Select Committee on Emergency Management Oversight

Mr. Daryl Kramp: I beg leave to present the 17th interim report of the Select Committee on Emergency Management Oversight.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Mr. Kramp presents the committee’s report. Does the member wish to make a brief statement at this time?

Mr. Daryl Kramp: No, I will make my statement after the last one, Mr. Speaker.

Report presented.

Select Committee on Emergency Management Oversight

Mr. Daryl Kramp: I beg leave to present the 18th interim report of the Select Committee on Emergency Management Oversight.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Mr. Kramp presents the committee’s report. And I will now invite the member to make his brief statement.

Mr. Daryl Kramp: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thought, being as how I haven’t spoken lately too much in the House, that I would put them all into the one, so thank you.

As Chair of the Select Committee on Emergency Management Oversight, I am pleased to table today the 16th and 17th and also the 18th interim reports.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the membership of the committee—a really good committee, Mr. Speaker—for their wonderful work: Tom Rakocevic, the Vice-Chair, who ably filled in for me during my absence; Bob Bailey; Gilles Bisson; John Fraser; Christine Hogarth; Robin Martin; Sam Oosterhoff; Sara Singh; Donna Skelly; and Effie Triantafilopoulos, as well as substitute members Lorne Coe, Stephen Crawford, France Gélinas, Michael Parsa, Dave Smith and Marit Stiles.

The committee extends its appreciation to the Solicitor General, the Minister of Health and the Associate Minister of Digital Government, as well as the House leader and minister for appearing before this committee.

The committee also acknowledges the assistance provided during the hearings and the report writings and deliberations by the Clerk of the Committee and the excellent staff in legislative research.

Report presented.

Introduction of Bills

Freeing Highways 412 and 418 Act (Toll Highway Amendments), 2022 / Loi de 2022 sur l’utilisation gratuite des autoroutes 412 et 418 (modifications concernant les voies publiques à péage)

Ms. French moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 83,

An Act to amend the Highway 407 East Act, 2012 with respect to toll highways / Projet de loi 83, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2012 sur l’autoroute 407 Est en ce qui concerne les voies publiques à péage.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Would the member for Oshawa like to briefly explain her bill?

Ms. Jennifer K. French: I would be glad to. The Highway 407 East Act, 2012, currently designates Highway 407 east as a toll highway. The bill amends the act to restrict the designation of Highways 412 and 418, which are described in the act as the “King’s Highways (except Highway 35/115) that connect” the highway between the easterly end of Highway 407 and Highway 35/115 to Highway 401, as toll highways. The bill also amends the act to restrict the Lieutenant Governor in Council from prescribing any toll that is payable for the operation of a vehicle on Highways 412 and 418.

It’s been a compelling issue across my riding and region, and while the government’s recent regulation is to pause the tolls through May 2023, this proposed legislation would make the removal permanent. Again, I’m happy to reintroduce and propose a solution.

Fewer Fees, Better Services Act, 2022 / Loi de 2022 pour de meilleurs services et moins de frais

Mrs. Tangri moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 84,

An Act to enact two Acts and amend various other Acts / Projet de loi 84, Loi visant à édicter deux lois et à modifier diverses autres lois.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Would the associate minister care to briefly explain her bill?

Hon. Nina Tangri: Thank you, Speaker. This legislation, if passed, will continue to build on our past supports for people and businesses by streamlining government processes and, where practical, eliminating fees. We’ve come a long way in modernizing provincial regulations. Cutting red tape and putting money back into the pockets of Ontarians remains a hallmark of our ministry’s mandate. As we cautiously move away from restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, our aim is and always has been to create a business-ready, family-friendly, government-supported environment.

We are doing this while keeping Ontario workers and families safe and healthy. We’re also protecting the environment and public interest, making government easier to access by removing excess processes and more predictable by developing service standards. We’ll help Ontario be top of mind for those considering where to invest.

Statements by the Ministry and Responses

Human trafficking

Hon. Jane McKenna: Today is Human Trafficking Awareness Day—a day dedicated to raising awareness about one of the fastest-growing crimes in the world. Human trafficking is a serious crime in Ontario. Often referred to as modern-day slavery, it involves the illegal trade of human beings through recruitment or abduction by means of force, fraud or coercion for the purposes of forced labour, debt bondage or sexual exploitation. It is a vicious crime that shatters lives and creates long-term emotional, physical, spiritual and mental trauma.

Across Canada, women, children, men and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals are being trafficked. The most common form of human trafficking in Canada is sex trafficking, but labour trafficking also occurs in a wide range of sectors, such as agricultural work, construction and domestic work.

Unfortunately, the majority of police-reported incidents happen right here in Ontario, Speaker, and it’s known to happen along the 401 corridor. These circuits are easily travelled by car. Although anyone can be a victim, young women and girls are particularly vulnerable, especially those from Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities due to the legacy and impacts of colonialism and slavery.

According to the latest research by the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking, 77% of Canadians are not confident they could recognize the signs. That’s why raising awareness—and learning how to recognize the warning signs of human trafficking—is a critical step in prevention.

I’m pleased to be here today with my colleague, Ontario’s Solicitor General, to not only raise awareness but also share our government’s progress on the anti-human trafficking strategy. In 2020, we released our comprehensive, five-year, multi-ministry anti-human trafficking strategy. The $307-million plan includes key actions to raise awareness, intervene early, protect victims, support survivors and hold offenders accountable. It is the largest total investment in dedicated anti-human trafficking services and supports in the country.

We’re also increasing community-based services by investing $96 million over five years to provide more supports for victims and survivors. This includes $46 million for new community programs, including services led by and for Indigenous people and supports led by survivors. These programs are already in operation and are providing critical supports.

We know that children and youth are targeted by human traffickers. We have prioritized community-based programs that focus on protecting them, Speaker. We have launched two new specialized intervention teams called Children at Risk of Exploitation Units, which pair child protection workers with police officers to develop relationships with these children, locate them when they are missing and protect those at high risk of sex trafficking. These multi-sector teams began operating last summer in the city of Toronto and in Durham region, with an investment of $11.5 million over three years.

We’ve also opened two specialized residences in Toronto and Durham dedicated to serving children and youth who have been sex-trafficked. These licensed residences provide 24-hour supervision, specialized programming and wraparound supports to respond to the complex trauma experienced by children and youth who have been sexually exploited.

In addition, our government has launched new human trafficking awareness tools and resources, like our interactive digital tool for children and youth called The Trap and our Indigenous-focused awareness campaign, Speak Out: Stop Sex Trafficking.

And last year, we released our Keeping Students Safe policy, the first of its kind in Canada’s education sector, which requires that school boards have a plan in place to protect students. This policy empowers school communities to play a key role in fighting sex trafficking.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I recognize the Solicitor General.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: I am pleased to join my colleague Minister McKenna in the House this afternoon to mark Human Trafficking Awareness Day. It is our shared goal to raise awareness about the devastating impact human trafficking can have on victims and their families, and to encourage Ontarians to assist in combatting this heinous crime.

Many colleagues have assisted in our all-of-government effort to combat human trafficking. Leading by example, Premier Ford met with survivors, organizations and law enforcement to hear first-hand how Ontario could lead Canada with our anti-human-trafficking strategy. That strategy is now supported by legislation, thanks to Minister Dunlop, who co-led the Combating Human Trafficking Act with me. In opposition, Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock MPP Laurie Scott served on the Select Committee on Sexual Violence and Harassment and introduced the Saving the Girl Next Door Act, paving the way for our work.

Many more have made an impact, including Minister Lecce through a critical education campaign in our schools; Minister Mulroney launched an educational partnership to combat human trafficking with the Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada; and Minister Downey, through critical justice reform, has made it easier for survivors to get protections through restraining orders and increased investments to support them through the proceeds-of-crime fund. I also want to acknowledge PA Kusendova’s work and many colleagues who have hosted awareness campaigns in their communities.

Trafficking is vicious. It’s violent, not only causing unconscionable trauma, but also fuelling other criminal activities, like illegal drug and gun smuggling and gang activities. To turn the tide, we need to continue to strengthen our ability to prevent this crime before it happens and to apprehend, charge and convict perpetrators. Conviction rates are too low, as Minister McKenna and I have heard first-hand from survivors, community organizations and the justice sector.

Our government’s anti-human trafficking strategy has prioritized raising awareness of the issue, protecting victims and intervening early, and holding offenders accountable. Through the strategy, we are strengthening