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October 24, 2023

43rd Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2023-Oct-24 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Tuesday 24 October 2023 Mardi 24 octobre 2023

Orders of the Day

Convenient Care at Home Act, 2023 / Loi de 2023 sur la prestation commode de soins à domicile

Members’ Statements

Automotive industry

Housing

Volunteers

Cat Lake First Nation

Scooty Mobility Inc.

Tenant protection

Non-profit organizations

Islamic Heritage Month

Automotive industry

Highlands Cinemas

House sittings

Member for Hamilton Centre

Introduction of Visitors

Question Period

Government accountability

Housing

Housing

Cost of living

Government accountability

Economic development

Government accountability

Municipal funding

Long-term care

Health care

Government accountability

Northern Ontario development

Long-term care

Consumer protection

Paramedic services

Notice of dissatisfaction

Deferred Votes

Convenient Care at Home Act, 2023 / Loi de 2023 sur la prestation commode de soins à domicile

Notice of dissatisfaction

Introduction of Visitors

Petitions

Addiction services

Dental care

Housing

Social assistance

Gasoline prices

Labour legislation

Front-line workers

Mental health services

Winter highway maintenance

Long-term care

Multiple sclerosis

Subventions aux résidents du Nord pour frais de transport à des fins médicales

Orders of the Day

Honouring Our Veterans Act, 2023 / Loi de 2023 visant à rendre hommage à nos anciens combattants

Private Members’ Public Business

Affordable housing

Adjournment Debate

Government accountability

Government accountability

Municipal funding

The House met at 0900.

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

Prayers.

Orders of the Day

Convenient Care at Home Act, 2023 / Loi de 2023 sur la prestation commode de soins à domicile

Resuming the debate adjourned on October 23, 2023, on the motion for second reading of the following bill:

Bill 135,

An Act to amend the Connecting Care Act, 2019 with respect to home and community care services and health governance and to make related amendments to other Acts / Projet de loi 135, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2019 pour des soins interconnectés en ce qui concerne les services de soins à domicile et en milieu communautaire et la gouvernance de la santé et apportant des modifications connexes à d’autres lois.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Further debate?

Mr. Jeff Burch: It’s a pleasure to rise today to speak to Bill 135, Convenient Care at Home Act. The Ontario NDP caucus will not be supporting this piece of legislation. I’ve been speaking with folks in my riding of Niagara Centre, and it’s clear our health care and home care system is broken. We have another health care bill from this government that fails to address the crucial issues impacting our home and health care services. This bill fails to provide any measures that will recruit the health human resource workforce we desperately need to sustain our health care system.

The bill fails to prevent private companies from taking over public home care services—or have any accountability structure.

Bill 175, Connecting People to Home and Community Care Act, repealed the Home Care and Community Services Act. Bill 175 opened the door to the privatization of home and community care services by allowing services to be administered by Ontario Health instead of the Ministry of Health.

This bill creates an arm’s-length agency to oversee home care, with board-of-directors members appointed by the government. They can easily make decisions that further privatize our home care.

A few weeks ago, I was joined by thousands of people, on the front lawn of Queen’s Park, who fully reject any attempt by this government to further privatize their health care services. I was joined by countless folks from across Ontario, including the Niagara region and organizations like the Niagara Health Coalition, SEIU, Unifor, CUPE, and many others.

Rabble reported that Peter Groves, a Hamilton Health Coalition member, said, “The system” this government “is implementing isn’t working. A lot of home care is being privatized. When not-for-profit contracts are up for renewal, more and more are not being renewed....

“We have to get enough people stepping forward saying the system isn’t working. Doug Ford, you’re making it worse, not better.”

The

article goes on to say, “Private companies are more costly to the public system and if the Ford government were to start charging user fees for home care, that would be a financial burden Groves and his wife would not be able to budget for.”

So, again, we see nothing in this bill to prevent private companies from taking over public home care services without governance, without any public accountability structure and without public interest protections.

There’s nothing in this bill that will help recruit the health resource workforce our health care system desperately needs.

Home care workers were already the lowest-paid in the health sector. Bill 124 made it impossible for non-profit and public income care providers to recruit and retain staff. Home care organizations had to decrease services and expand wait-lists due to staffing pressures. Elderly people and people with frail health reported missed appointments and unmet care needs. And 12.8% of the sector’s key front-line positions—PSWs, RNs and RPNs—are currently vacant.

Home and community care services are dramatically underfunded. As a result, people cannot be discharged to go home from the hospital. Post-surgical rehab and recovery must happen in the hospital because services are not consistently available in the community and that, of course, is much more expensive.

Recently in my office, I met with front-line health care workers, including PSWs. They told me that morale is low because of how this government treats health care workers. I was shocked when they told me that PSWs in Niagara, along with other workers in the Niagara Health system, are still fighting for their $3-an-hour pandemic pay. One worker pointed out that wages are so low, they would actually make more working at Costco. Yet, this government can’t figure out why there are so many vacant positions in health care. This is another bill on the topic of health care that could have addressed this, along with other pay equity issues within the health care system.

Home Care Ontario has been advocating for this government to do more. Sue VanderBent, the CEO of Home Care Ontario, said, “We aren’t doing enough to shore up the health care system outside the hospitals,” and that “the low wages are a deterrent to both recruitment and retention of front-line staff.”

CTV News reported:

“In its pre-budget report to the province, Home Care Ontario said the vacancy rates for nurses in home care stands at 17% and personal support workers sits at 12%.

“An entry-level nurse in home care earns $11 less than the same role in a hospital....

“A personal support worker in home care makes, on average, $4.61 less per hour than one working in a hospital....

“A home care personal support worker makes, on average, $20.30 per hour. An Amazon warehouse worker earns $20.37 per hour and a cashier at Cosco earns $19.87 per hour.”

The report goes on to say, “Our research indicates that a 10% increase in PSW wages would add 1,265 PSWs to the home care workforce, while a matching increase for nurses and therapists would have a similarly significant positive impact on recruitment and retention efforts going forward.” Yet, the bill before us today does none of that.

This bill does not even guarantee that Ontario Health and Ontario Health atHome workers will be unionized and full-time or full-time-equivalent workers with benefits. There’s nothing in this bill preventing Ontario Health atHome from contracting services to a temporary nursing agency rather than a home and community care agency. Provider organizations must be prevented from using temporary agency workers and mandated to use full-time or full-time-equivalent unionized workers.

This bill does not specify that the health service providers that receive contracts must be non-profit. This will allow for-profit companies to take over the home and community care sector. So again, this bill does nothing to help recruit the health human resource workforce needed to sustain our health care system.

How can the people of Ontario trust this government when they promise to fix home care when they still have not fulfilled their promise from five years ago to resolve hallway health care? In my riding, the Welland hospital recently lost its after-hours emergency surgical services. The Port Colborne urgent care, along with the Fort Erie urgent care, lost its overnight services. Both are slated to close in 2028.

Recently, I held a town hall in Port Colborne pertaining to the closure of urgent care hours. We had many folks share their experiences with the Port Colborne urgent care and the recent changes made to their hours. One resident of Port Colborne shared that they “rely on the urgent care for their primary care,” and that “53% of residents do not have a primary care physician” in Port Colborne. This shows that there’s a health care crisis on our hands, and that many folks do not have regular access to adequate health care.

Another Port Colborne resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared that they and many other people close to them have resourced what is known as “hospital shopping,” going from hospital to hospital in the hopes that they’ll be able to see them in a shorter period of time for their health concerns.

Another resident, Leanne, pointed out that our riding has a rapidly aging population and that the health care crisis in Niagara Centre will exacerbate the effects on seniors, some of whom are unable to drive, or require the means to get to a hospital, or when urgent cares are closed—which they are for 12 hours of the day now in my riding—or after hours of their primary care physician. How can this government commit to home care when they have failed to commit to basic health care?

This government is not suited to fix the health care crisis. Neither is it their priority. How are they going to promise my constituents that they will have access to home care if they do not have access to regular health care? There are local hospitals that run over 100% maximum capacity and have limited hours for emergency surgery. The Port Colborne and Fort Erie urgent cares are now only available to accept patients from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, as if people choose when to have an emergency. They’re also deprived of access to a family physician.

My constituents and the people of Ontario need to have these health care issues addressed before they can believe that this government is going to provide proper care.

Speaker, the Ontario NDP caucus will not be supporting this legislation because it is clear our health care and home care system is broken, and this bill is another missed opportunity by this government. It fails to address the crucial issues impacting our home and health care services. The Ontario NDP official opposition has long been calling for a one-billion-dollar investment into home care, investing in new, reliable, expanded services, a $400 monthly caregiver benefit. Sadly, we see none of that in this bill.

Furthermore, this bill fails to prevent private companies from taking over public home care services or any accountability structure. PSWs, along with other workers in the Niagara Health system and across Ontario, are still fighting for their $3 pandemic pay. This government needs to treat health care workers with respect, and that starts with paying them what they deserve.

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): We’ll go to questions.

M me Dawn Gallagher Murphy: The goal of this bill is to amalgamate the existing local health networks to become the service organization, Ontario Health atHome, Over time, a gradual transition, it will be through the Ontario health teams, of which we have 57 approved in this province that are in strategic locations across this province, servicing Ontarians. What’s going to happen is we are going to go from a system that has been fragmented, where there has been inconsistency of service; timeliness of service has not been there. We’re going to get it to the point where it will be one service provider and then managing it through these 57 approved OHTs. So it’s going to be care close to home.

My question to the member opposite: Do you not agree that we cannot stay with the status quo, and by doing this with this bill, we are going to get home care to your constituents and my constituents faster?

Mr. Jeff Burch: Thank you to the member for the question. It’s not going to be care close to home because the government—regardless of what they put in this bill, which is really tinkering—have not properly supported health care workers in our system. That’s the problem in our system.

In my area, it’s ridiculous to say that this is going to create care close to home because I have emergency departments shutting down hours. I have people in Port Colborne that have to drive now to Welland to find that the hospital in Welland has reduced hours, and now they have to get taken in ambulance to Niagara Falls. It’s getting worse and worse and worse. Nothing in this bill is going to make it better.

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): Next question.

Ms. Peggy Sattler: As MPP for London West, one of the things I hear about most from constituents is around the home care that they receive. Either they don’t get enough hours allocated; there’s a revolving door of PSWs who don’t show up; they don’t get enough notification of when the visit is going to be. I also hear from PSWs who are constantly frustrated by their inability to provide the care and support that they were trained to provide. They are underpaid, overworked and certainly very much undervalued.

We understand the problems with this government’s approach to home care. I wondered if the member could elaborate a little bit about what an NDP government would do to improve home care in Ontario.

Mr. Jeff Burch: Thank you to the member from London West for the question and for her advocacy for health care workers in her community. The problem is clearly that we’ve treated health care workers so badly they’re leaving the system. I think everyone knows that. It’s incredible that this government has not acknowledged that problem. I just met with PSWs in my riding that haven’t even received their $3 pandemic pay. When you treat people like that, how can they have any faith that they’re going to be treated properly in their profession?

What we would do is start treating health care workers with the dignity and respect they deserve so that they stay in the system and continue to provide quality care to our constituents.

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): Thank you. Next question?

Mr. Billy Pang: The Convenient Care at Home Act, 2023, if passed, could consolidate the 14 home and community care service organizations into a single organization and make the service more convenient. Ontario is investing an additional $10.3 million in 2023-24 to support Ontario health teams to implement better ways to connect primary hospitals, home and community. With an investment of more than $124 million, Ontario health teams and other health service providers are also investing in digital and virtual care options for people in Ontario.

My question to the member is, if he said he’s not supporting this act, does he mean that he wants nothing from this bill to support his community? Yes or no?

Mr. Jeff Burch: Thank you to the member for the question. If there are no workers in the system, it doesn’t matter what kind of tinkering you do with the organization, there aren’t people to take care of folks. That’s the bottom line.

I just described what’s happening in my riding with the shutting down of emergency services, with employees that haven’t even received their pandemic pay. People are leaving for jobs in other places. That’s continuing to happen and it’s largely because of this government’s actions: Bill 124 and the way that they’ve treated workers.

They can put whatever they want in this bill to reorganize things in the health care system, but if they don’t start treating workers properly, there’s not going to be anybody there to take care of people.

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): The next question.

Mr. Chris Glover: I thank the member for his comments today. You’re talking about Bill 135 as a bill that’s teeing up our health care system for further privatization. You also mentioned that there’s a shortage of PSWs that could be partly addressed if they actually increased PSWs’ wages. You said that they would be able to attract another 1,200 PSWs into our home care system.

Do you think the people of Ontario would rather have their tax dollars invested in paying PSWs better so they have better home care, or do you think the people of Ontario would rather see $650 million invested in a mega spa at Ontario Place?

Mr. Jeff Burch: Thank you to the member from Spadina–Fort York for his question and also his advocacy on the Ontario Place issue.

I think people in Ontario are mystified. When they look at what’s happening in their own community—and we’ve heard of people from Minden and other places whose emergency departments have been shut down—and then they see $8.3 billion boondoggles, they see private spas being built, they see this lavish spending and trips to Las Vegas; and here in their community their emergency department is shutting down. Clearly something doesn’t add up there. I think people are increasingly growing frustrated and are befuddled by this government’s lack of priorities.

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): Next question?

M me Dawn Gallagher Murphy: To the tune of 3,031 PSWs enrolled as of February 2023 who have taken

part in the great program that we have provided for those interested in becoming a PSW, paying for their tuition and their books to be able to do this. In September 2022, 6,776 PSWs. They’re coming through because of the programs our government has provided.

But, to this bill: This bill is all about the fragmented system that we currently have in providing home care. That is why we are making this legislative change, to put it into one Ontario Health atHome. Back to my question from earlier: Why is the status quo of a fragmented system and going to a coordinated system—why would you not want to break the status quo and come with us and vote for this bill?

Mr. Jeff Burch: Thank you to the member for the question. Look, they can put whatever they want in this bill. They can talk about a fragmented system, but if there’s nobody to work in the system, we’re not going to have health care. We can have this discussion all day long. They can talk about, you know, any kind of changes to the organization that they want to make, but they’ve treated health care workers terribly. They are coming into my office—haven’t even received pandemic pay, for goodness’ sake. They’re leaving the system, because they’re being treated badly.

So you can make whatever changes you want in this bill; if you don’t start treating workers properly, they will continue to leave and our health care system will continue to deteriorate.

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): One last question? The member for Ottawa Centre.

Ms. Chandra Pasma: Ottawa West–Nepean.

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): The member for Ottawa West–Nepean.

Ms. Chandra Pasma: All of Ottawa is lovely; I just think Ottawa West–Nepean is the best part.

Thank you to the member for—I want to get this riding name correct—Niagara Centre for those wise remarks on this bill.

Earlier this month, Seniors for Social Action released a report looking at the shortcomings of our home and community care system in Ontario, which they say is driving more seniors to actually consider MAID. One of the observances they make in that report is that the Ontario government provides six times as much funding for institutional care as they do for home care.

I know many of the home and community care organizations in my riding are reeling from the lack of funding and have been begging for funding from this government to actually be able to keep their doors open.

So my question to the member is, why doesn’t this government fund home care like it actually matters?

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): For a quick response?

Mr. Jeff Burch: Thank you to the member for Ottawa West–Nepean and for the work that she does in pointing out what’s happening in her community with privatized health care, which is a problem that’s growing.

She’s absolutely correct. Institutional care costs so much more than home care. It’s a real puzzle to us why this government, if they really want to save money, if they really want to provide better care, don’t provide better care in people’s homes much more cost-efficiently, rather than—

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): Thank you.

Moving on to further debate, recognizing the member for Mississauga Centre.

Ms. Natalia Kusendova-Bashta: Madam Speaker, good morning. I’m proud to rise today to support Bill 135, Convenient Care at Home Act.

Before I address the bill, I just want to say that the fearmongering that’s coming from the opposition yesterday and continuing today—no wonder that some of our young people are questioning whether a career in health care is the right one. Because if you sit on that side of the House, it’s doom and gloom, but on this side of the House, we have some good news. Madam Speaker, you know what the good news is? That last year we had a record number of nursing students enrolled to become nurses in Ontario—30,000 nursing students, under the leadership of this government and this Minister of Colleges and Universities.

Under the leadership of this government, we allowed colleges to offer stand-alone baccalaureate programs such that just down the street from here, in an NDP riding, we have a francophone college for the first time that will be training French-language nurses right here in downtown Toronto. That is under the leadership of our government.

We have added 12,000 internationally trained nurses into the system, just last year. So despite what the opposition is saying, which is completely lacking of statistics, we on this side of the House have the numbers to show for it. In terms of PSWs, PSWs are our respected partners in care.

You know, when I was a nursing student, I trained with PSWs. I’ve learned from them, and even now when I deliver care, I often rely on the support from PSWs. They’re knowledgeable. They’re skilled and they’re part of our health care workforce.

Guess what, Madam Speaker? We have invested, into the accelerated program, into the training of 16,000 PSWs since we took office. That is a record number. I don’t know where that NDP math is coming from, but here on this side of the House, we have the numbers to support what we’re doing. I’m so proud to be part of this government, which is transforming the way we deliver health care in the province of Ontario.

So let’s talk about home care. Already, new models of home care delivery are being implemented to enable a more integrated experience for clients and their families, from the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa, to Newmarket, to the University Health Network right here in Toronto, to local Ontario health teams. But we know that there is more work to do to ensure our loved ones have access to care they deserve in their home, when they need it.

The Convenient Care at Home Act is a game-changer. This act, if passed, will mean that patients and families will see real, tangible improvements in how home care is delivered. But don’t just take my word for it.

Sandra Ketchen, president and CEO of Spectrum Health Care had this to say: “Today’s announcement is an important step in modernizing Ontario’s home care system. We look forward to continuing to work together to provide the best possible care to patients, in the comfort of their homes.”

And Matt Anderson, president and CEO of Ontario Health, said, “This ‘connected care’ approach, and the provincial investments to support it, will help transform health care delivery and support the vision of all Ontarians having full access to the care they need, across the spectrum of health care—all working together to deliver integrated care, through their Ontario health team.”

Our health system partners know that changes are needed and that the status quo is simply not working. We will continue to engage with our partners across the home care sector to support this much-needed modernization.

And our constituents, the reason we all wake up every morning and show up here at work—I wake up at 5 a.m.; I’m sure a lot of the members here do too. They are the reason why we come to this place and why we work so hard, and they have told us that we need to transform home care, to centre home care around the patient.

For example, in my riding of Mississauga Centre, I have a beautiful co-op housing—it’s called Camille’s Place. A lot of seniors live at Camille’s Place. I recently hosted a Thanksgiving lunch with the seniors, and they told me that they have concerns with how home care is delivered—PSWs do not always show up as scheduled—and that a change is needed, and that it has to be more localized in the community and more responsive to their needs. But I also heard so many positive stories, just chatting with the ladies over some turkey. They told me that their PSWs have become a part of their family.

They show up day in and day out, respond to their needs, and over time they have become family members.

Again, this goes to show how indispensable the PSWs who work in our system are. They are part of our communities, and that’s why they need to be embedded locally into our Ontario health teams—instead of this fragmented approach that we are currently seeing.

It is so important to ensure our seniors have access to dignified, compassionate care as they age, close to their loved ones and community. Our seniors built our communities, our province and our country, and it is imperative that we take care of them. They have done their job; now it is time that we do ours. Our government is continuing to invest in services for our seniors as well as their families and caregivers.

I would like to speak a little bit about my private member’s bill that I introduced, together with the member from Thornhill, Bill 121, Improving Dementia Care in Ontario Act, because it is kind of related. We’re doing the hard work to support those living with dementia. A lot of those living with dementia, of course, need home care. That is why we have to have an all-government approach and all-government strategy to work with persons living with dementia, whether they are in their home, whether they are in a long-term-care facility, or whether they happen to be in the hospital.

So, in the 2022 budget, the government announced a $15-million investment over three years towards Ontario’s Dementia Strategy, to expand community-based dementia services such as home care or day programs. And in 2022-23, the ministry allocated the first $5-million installment of the $15-million investment towards initiatives that reduce patient flow from hospital to a more appropriate care setting.

I had the opportunity to visit a hospital, Brantford General Hospital, where they have done something new, something innovative, something out of the box. What did they do? Well, they invited dementia care specialists into their emergency department. So any patients who are coming into the ER for only dementia-related symptoms actually get seen by these dementia care specialists. They are not admitted to the hospital, because we know that patients with dementia do not do well if they are admitted to the hospital, because it is not a place that is conducive to them getting better.

So these patients are being held overnight in the ER, then they are assessed by the dementia specialist and they’re actually referred to services back into the community. What does this do?

(1) It reduces admission rates so those beds that are critically needed for critically ill patients are not occupied by patients who actually don’t have to be there.

(2) It provides better care for the patient themself and their family.

(3) It reduces the amount of cost.

So that is exactly the kind of solution that we need to look for with our partners, because the government doesn’t have all the solutions. We need to work with our partners and local communities like the Brantford General Hospital to bring forward innovative ideas to address some of the challenges that we are facing in home care.

These innovative initiatives specifically focused on expanding dementia-related admission diversion and discharge supports, such as behavioural support programs and programs delivered by Alzheimer Society of Ontario chapters. Investments in these initiatives were identified through the government’s ALC—which is alternate level of care—five-point plan.

I originally prepared a speech for 20 minutes, but since I only have 10 minutes, I will fly through some of these things. In 2023-24, the ministry expanded community-based programs through increased investment in the ASO First Link program and GeriMedRisk. The Convenient Care at Home Act builds on our work to date to ensure Ontarian seniors can remain at home if they wish. Our government is making a historic $1-billion investment into home care, which will help to stabilize and expand this vital sector for years to come.

I know I’m not the first to say this, but the only thing better than having care close to home is actually having care in your home. People don’t want to be institutionalized unless they have really complex health care needs and, at that point, they do need to move into our long-term care facilities. But it is really critical that we help expand the sector and localize it within our Ontario health teams because people prefer to stay at home. Actually, research shows that people who are at home with the right supports have a much better quality of life, and so that’s exactly the hard work that we are doing through Bill 135, the Convenient Care at Home Act.

I really wish that the opposition would get on board and finally support these initiatives because we need a whole-of-government approach, but I’m not hearing any solutions coming from that side of the House.

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): We’ll move to questions.

MPP Lise Vaugeois: I think we can all agree that home care done well is what seniors want, and we certainly support that. But home care done well is not by any means going to come out of this bill. We have seen the effects of privatized long-term care brought in first by the Mike Harris government and entrenched further with this government, and with this plan we see up to 30% of tax dollars going into shareholder profits from that large amount of money.

My question is, why should taxpayers be paying for shareholders profits when that money could be going to support pay for PSWs and quality care for our seniors?

Ms. Natalia Kusendova-Bashta: You know, Madam Speaker, what is by any means not going to come out is any solutions to our health care challenges that we are facing from the member opposite and her party. But on this side of the House, what we are proposing on top of this legislation—we are also investing an additional $10.3 million this year to support Ontario health teams to implement better ways to connect primary, hospital and home and community care for patients with diabetes, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and many other options.

On this side of the House, we are proposing solutions, and all you guys are doing is saying “no” to every single one.

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): Next question?

M me Dawn Gallagher Murphy: Thank you to the member from Mississauga Centre for her great remarks this morning. In 2018, our government was elected on a promise to invest in health care in this province and end hallway health care in our hospitals, because under the previous 15 years of the Liberal government, supported by the NDP, they failed our health care system miserably.

My question to the member from Mississauga Centre is, how does this legislation fit in with our government’s broader strategy to really support Ontarians and provide them with the health care they need, when and where they need it?

Ms. Natalia Kusendova-Bashta: Thank you so much for that question, and it is true, since day one, since we got elected in 2018, we went to work to end hallway health care, or hallway nursing, as I like to call it, in Ontario.

Madam Speaker, do you know what we have done since then? We have currently shovels in the ground for 50 hospital infrastructure projects across the province of Ontario, and if we were to look on those benches over there, probably many of their communities are currently getting either a brand-new hospital or a redeveloped hospital. Over the course of the pandemic, we have built 3,100 new acute care beds. That is the equivalent of seven community hospitals.

So we, on this side of the House, again we’re investing in infrastructure. We are modernizing our home care. We’re embedding home care within local communities, within the 57 Ontario health teams, and we will continue to do that important work because that’s what the people of Ontario expect from us.

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): Next question?

Mr. Chris Glover: This government keeps talking about privatizing health care. They call it “innovation,” but it’s privatization. You just talked about some hospital projects that are being built, but they’re being built through P3s, which cost the taxpayer an additional 28%, according to the Auditor General.

You’re talking about this bill. It’s teeing up our home care system for privatization so that a portion of our tax dollars will be going into private, for-profit corporations rather than directly into care. You keep talking about numbers, but we have a crisis in our health care system in the province, and I’ll give you one number. We have 500 emergency room closures just from January to August of this year, and you’ve closed the Minden ER permanently. Why is this government not investing in public, not-for-profit health care and actually fixing the system?

Why are you creating a crisis in our public health care system in order to privatize it and to shovel more of our tax dollars into corporate profits?

Ms. Natalia Kusendova-Bashta: Yes, on this side of the House we like to talk about numbers because, guess what? Budgets don’t balance themselves, and we need to do the hard work that Ontario taxpayers sent us here to do.

But if you want to talk about investments, this government is investing $14 billion more into health care than the previous government. This government also invested $90 million to build a francophone college in your riding. You should go and visit it and talk to those health care providers, those future nurses and PSWs. For the first time in the history of this province, we have francophone health care workers being educated just steps away from here, in your riding. So I highly suggest you go visit them and maybe listen to them for some innovative solutions.

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): Next question?

Mr. Will Bouma: It was very good to hear my friend from Mississauga Centre speak this morning about this great bill. I think probably the greatest thing about this job is the great people you get to meet, and being able to listen to someone who has been on the front lines of health care her entire career and continues to serve where she can and when she can is absolutely amazing.

Rather than calling the progress we’ve made in hiring nurses, in building hospitals and committing millions and millions of dollars to home care, “tinkering,” we’re actually getting stuff done. Constituents in my riding have told me how important it is for them that they are able to stay in their home and in their community as long as possible as they age.

I was hoping the member could tell us a little bit more about how important this is and how this bill will ensure that seniors from my community, and indeed across Ontario, are able to age in place.

Ms. Natalia Kusendova-Bashta: Thank you for that question. Like I said, people feel more comfortable at home rather than being institutionalized. If they can stay with the right supports, they will. That is why this government has put forward legislation like this one that we’re debating today to modernize the way home care is delivered in the province of Ontario. To have the right support means to have PSWs that are trained in dementia and gentle, persuasive approaches.

That is why the member of Thornhill and I introduced Bill 121, Improving Dementia Care in Ontario Act, to make sure that our PSWs, when they graduate from our colleges, are actually fully equipped and fully prepared to work in the realities of home care and long-term care and acute care as well. So this is a whole-of-government approach. The member for Thornhill and I had one specific idea on dementia care but it is fully supported by this government. We will continue to do the hard work because our seniors deserve it.

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): Next question?

Ms. Peggy Sattler: The members on this side of the House have pointed out some of the problems with the government’s bill, but the biggest problem really is that it fails to address the real root cause of the health care crisis we have before us, which is a health care workforce that is not able to meet the demands of the people of Ontario.

We heard the member talk about all the nurses and PSWs who are going into our college and university system. However, when they graduate, they are moving into roles where they are not supported, they are in high-pressure-cooker environments and they are leaving. They’re leaving Ontario because the wages are too low. They’re leaving the profession because the demands are too high.

Can the member tell us why this bill did not do anything to address the health human resources crisis that we are facing in this province?

Ms. Natalia Kusendova-Bashta: As the member knows very well, not everything can be in one particular bill. We have a whole health-human-resources strategy that has been announced, is fully costed and has been introduced through the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

But do you know what else, Madam Speaker? We are building two new medical schools in the province of Ontario. How about that? We’re going to have more doctors graduating every year from one in the community of Brampton—we’re very proud for the first time to have our own medical school in the region of Peel—and we have another one that is being built in Scarborough. Many of your members come from Scarborough. You should be celebrating this.

Guess what? We are taking a whole-of-government approach and a whole-of-continuum-of-care approach, meaning we’re investing in our PSWs, in our nurses and in our physicians and we will continue to do that.

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): One last question.

Mr. Billy Pang: To our member from Mississauga Centre: I think you are aware that in the past 15 years, the joint force of the NDP and Liberals worked so hard to destroy our health system. Now we are rebuilding it, taking care of the well-being of Ontarians, so now they are putting up obstacles after obstacles after obstacles.

I know that you still have a lot of good news to share, as you are a first-hand member of health care. Can you share more about how this bill, Bill 135, will serve Ontarians?

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): A quick reply.

Ms. Natalia Kusendova-Bashta: The good news in this bill is that we are localizing health care and we’re bringing it closer to home, so that local partners will be the ones who are really at the helm and the leadership of this.

But what I want to say is that my local hospital, Etobicoke General Hospital, has recently received a $2.5-million extra investment to hire more staff into the ER. I’m very proud to share that, because that is new funding and that will help with some of the capacity challenges.

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): We’re going to move to further debate. Further debate? Further debate?

Ms. Jones, Dufferin–Caledon, has moved second reading of Bill 135,

An Act to amend the Connecting Care Act, 2019 with respect to home and community care services and health governance and to make related amendments to other Acts.

Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry?

All those in favour of the motion, please say “aye.”

All those opposed, please say “nay.”

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

A recorded vote being required, it will be deferred until the next instance of deferred votes.

Second reading vote deferred.

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): Orders of the day?

Hon. Todd J. McCarthy: No further business.

The Acting Speaker (M me Lucille Collard): There being no further business, the House stands in recess until 10:15.

The House recessed from 0944 to 1015.

Members’ Statements

Automotive industry

Mr. Trevor Jones: ElringKlinger is a leading automotive manufacturing company providing innovative solutions to industry since 1879. With its headquarters in Germany, the company has expanded its operations all over the world and established itself as a reliable and trusted brand in the mobility industry. My community of Leamington is proud to serve as their flagship and only Canadian-based operation. Founded back in 2000, it has expanded several times to cover over 147,000 square feet of state-of-the-art manufacturing space and employing over 170 local employees.

The Leamington facility recently was approved for provincial grant funding of up to $1.5 million of eligible costs in a total investment of $58 million. This facility manufactures cam cover modules, cockpit cross-car beams and oil separation modules. They also produce fuel cell systems and lithium-ion battery systems, while conducting substantial R&D.

Recently, this company made international headlines with their announcement of another expansion. The expansion is a testament to the company’s commitment to its strategically located operations in Leamington and the company’s firm belief that Ontario is the best jurisdiction in the world to do business in.

I want to celebrate and thank ElringKlinger for their commitment to Leamington, to Ontario and to the jobs of the future.

Housing

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: Later this afternoon, I’m pleased this House will debate my motion calling on the province to establish a new public agency to finance and build at least 250,000 new affordable and non-market rental homes at cost on public land. There will be plenty of time to debate the merits of that motion, but this morning, I would like to share with my colleagues why this kind of housing matters.

I ask you all to think for a moment about the many benefits that good housing brings us as individuals, as families and as communities, not just in terms of keeping us dry and warm, but also in providing a safe, stable place to raise our families, and a sense of mental, physical and financial stability that cannot be understated.

The impact goes beyond just housing. Stable housing changes everything. When people have stable housing, they can raise a family, they can retire, they can have something to leave behind. Secure housing impacts families for generations. A good place to call home is a source of dignity with benefits that radiate to a family, a community, to an incredible province like Ontario in a great country like ours.

I hope you will vote yes to bring dignity, security and affordable good housing to the families of Ontario.

Volunteers

Mr. Ric Bresee: I rise today, in all honesty, to brag about the amazing folks and the community members in my riding of Hastings–Lennox and Addington. I recently had the opportunity to join in a wonderful celebration. The Lennox and Addington County General Hospital has had a volunteer service that has been active for 60 years now. The general public may not realize it, but these volunteers provide an amazing addition to our health care services. While these people might not put a cast on your arm or deliver a baby, they do provide an added level of care and comfort for the people at the hospital.

For six decades, they have been helping people find their way around the hospital. They have been providing a coffee or a quick bite to eat in the cafe and making get-well cards and small gifts available for the visitors. I, along with the hospital CEO and hospital board chair, had the chance to tell these volunteers just how grateful we are for what they bring to our local health care.

In celebration of that 60 years of service, the organization donated another $60,000 to the hospital foundation. And that’s on top of the millions that they’ve raised over that 60 years.

My thanks go to all of the volunteers and the members of that organization, and to their president, Marg Isbester, for inviting me to join in that celebration.

Cat Lake First Nation

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: Remarks in Anishininiimowin.

Cat Lake is one of the 31 First Nations in Kiiwetinoong. In December 2022, Cat Lake First Nation sent a letter to the Ministry of Northern Development and the Ministry of Mines about mining activity in their territory. Cat Lake has a full moratorium on mining activity on their title lands. The moratorium means no permits—exploration permits, winter roads—and no drilling on the lands and waters until their Anishinaabe-led assessment is done.

Whatever consultation that was attempted with Cat Lake First Nation was inadequate. With COVID and severe addiction issues happening that take immediate priority, there is little time for mining.

The plan for the proposed mine includes draining a crystal clear lake full of lake trout. This lake trout is rare. These lakes are rare. Only about 1% of Ontario’s lakes contain lake trout. These waters and the fish are very important to the ways of life, and what happens there should be decided through an Anishinaabe-led assessment of the project.

Speaker, it is the will of the Cat Lake people that they will decide whether to consent or not to mining. They are fully considering their options and next steps. Their process must be respected.

Scooty Mobility Inc.

Mr. Graham McGregor: I want to rise today to highlight the great work of Scooty, a micro-mobility company based out of Brampton and, dare I say it, a made-in-Brampton success story.

Founded in 2019 by a group of immigrants dedicated to improving mobility, Scooty has quickly grown to complement Brampton’s existing transit options—including an exclusive agreement with Metrolinx to deploy their e-scooters at all GO stations in Brampton.

Speaker, this would not be possible without the hard work of the Scooty team. Let’s give it up for Shoaib Ahmed, Yashin Shah, Moaz Ahmad, Wasif Khan, Shahid Pasha, and their team of fantastic employees. I saw their dedication first-hand at their facility in Brampton this summer, where the team ensures that their scooters are maintained and delivered to neighbourhoods all across the city.

With a $1-million investment through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network for Scooty, our government is committed to ensuring that innovators have the tools they need to succeed and develop made-in-Ontario transit solutions.

The magic isn’t just in their scooters but also in their software that allows them to compete on an international scale.

This is an example of great Brampton minds creating a true Brampton success story and helping to elevate us to a truly global city.

I can guarantee you, Speaker: If we put the great minds behind Brampton businesses up against any other city, pound for pound, Brampton will get it done.

The team at Scooty is getting it done.

Tenant protection

Ms. Chandra Pasma: This past Saturday, I joined tenants of Accora Village in Bayshore who have received notice of a 5.5%-rent increase, despite the fact that their landlord has neglected tenants’ requests for maintenance and repairs for years. These tenants were speaking out in defence of their rights against a corporate landlord all too happy to jack up the rates but not willing to respect the most basic tenant rights.

Sadly, their stories were all too familiar to me.

I have been hearing many stories like this from tenants across Ottawa West–Nepean—tenants in the Voyageur apartments, where Paramount served residents with eviction notices despite having failed to provide 60 days’ notice of rent increases; tenants in a CLV apartment, where the landlord has ignored safety concerns for tenants but has been all too happy to raise the rent, with the rate for one apartment going from $1,400 to $1,900 to $2,600 in the space of just six months; tenants in the Duchess, a Homestead building, which is brand new, not subject to rent control, where tenants are getting served with rental increases while being unable to get significant and dangerous maintenance and repair concerns addressed.

These landlords are feeling empowered to do whatever they want, thanks to this government killing rent control and destroying the Landlord and Tenant Board.

It’s time for the government to respect the right of all Ontarians to an affordable, properly maintained place to live. Reinstate real rent control, crack down on renovictions, and fix the Landlord and Tenant Board.

Non-profit organizations

Mr. Billy Pang: Today, I would like to recognize some remarkable non-profit organizations in Markham–Unionville that enrich our community:

Founded in 1919, the Unionville Curling Club embodies more than just a sport. It’s where friendships flourish and a strong sense of community is nurtured. Thanks to a recent generous grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the club will be able to upgrade their facilities and equipment. It will continue to thrive as a hub of curling passion and community spirit.

The Unionville community centre, another vital non-profit in my riding, serves as a vital community connector. The centre offers diverse programs that promote seniors’ well-being, fitness and social engagement. With funding support from our government, they have extended their reach through virtual programming to meet our seniors’ evolving needs. Their work ensures our seniors stay active, healthy and connected.

There is also our cherished Markham Museum that bridges the past and the present. It preserves Markham’s history while showcasing the tools shaping our ever-changing world. This government acknowledges the importance of supporting organizations like the museum, which enrich the lives of Ontarians. They have recently secured a Seniors Community Grant to craft tailored pottery programs for our seniors.

Speaker, I’m immensely grateful for the positive impact these organizations have on Markham–Unionville. Their dedication strengthens our community. I am glad about our government’s support to them and extend my heartfelt thanks for their invaluable work.

Islamic Heritage Month

Mr. John Fraser: October is Islamic Heritage Month here in Ontario, and that was made possible by the member from London–Fanshawe, who graciously invited members from other parties to sign onto her bill. It was unanimously passed in this Legislature. What it’s done is it’s created a time for Muslims across Ontario so they can celebrate and share their history and culture with all Ontarians.

The five pillars of Islam are: shahda, faith; salah, prayer; saka, almsgiving; salm, fasting; and the hajj, pilgrimage.

During my first three elections, the holy month of Ramadan fell, and so I’ve been to a lot of iftars and a lot of breaking of fasts. What it taught me, what I learned was the openness and welcoming of Muslim communities in my riding. And it’s not just in my riding; it’s across Ontario.

So I’d like to say in particular a word of thanks to these communities in my riding: the AMA community, or the Mosque of Mercy; the Assalam Mosque; the Ali Masjid mosque; and also the Ismaili community centre on Conroy Road. Thank you for all that you’ve done to build community in Ottawa South by opening your doors and welcoming people and supporting us during COVID and many other things that have come along.

I’m looking forward this weekend to Celebrating Muslim Women in the Arts and Sciences this Sunday afternoon at the AMA mosque.

Automotive industry

Mr. Anthony Leardi: I want to take this opportunity to talk about the incredible automotive investments that are coming into the province of Ontario. I had the opportunity last week to talk about the man with the yellow tie who is bringing hope to all of these places right across Ontario, from my area in Essex county all the way up to St. Thomas, all the way up to Oshawa—jobs being created by the multi-billion-dollar investments being brought to Ontario due to the incredible policies put forward by this government and the leadership of our Premier.

When I say billions, I’m not talking about $4 billion or $5 billion; I’m talking about $27 billion to date. And that’s just the primary investments. Everybody knows that when the automotive industry gets geared up, there are suppliers, secondary suppliers, tertiary suppliers, and then suppliers to the suppliers. It is an incredible supply chain, and here in the province of Ontario we are the locus and the centre and the nuclei of a burgeoning electric vehicle industry that is going to move us into the economy of the future.

I want to once again take this opportunity to thank the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade for the fantastic investments being made in the province of Ontario. Thank you.

Highlands Cinemas

Ms. Laurie Scott: The documentary The Movie Man made its way to its home in Kinmount at the Highlands Cinemas this fall. The premiere of the movie was hosted by what is arguably the most unusual movie theatre in North America, perhaps the world. For 40 years, the Highlands Cinemas has been a landmark, entertaining locals, tourists, camp-goers, prime ministers, rock stars and movie stars themselves. With five screens and over 550 seats, the theatre can host its entire town and more.

This would not have been possible without Kinmount’s own Keith Stata, the Movie Man himself. When movies premiere in the big city, they also premiere at the Highlands Cinema. Yes, even Barbie and Oppenheimer debuted there. As movie theatres closed in North America, Keith collected relics of cinematic history, imagery and pop culture, creating a museum of movie memorabilia that is a must-visit.

The director of the film, Matt Finlin, was inspired by Keith when he could come to the theatre in Kinmount as a young boy. The resulting work captured the whimsical uniqueness of the theatre and the thrilling experience of going to the movies.

As The Movie Man makes its debut this spring, be sure to see it at the Highlands Cinemas in Kinmount for the best movie museum experience and, of course, the best popcorn you’ll ever eat. See you at the movies.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): That concludes our members’ statements this morning.

House sittings

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Before I introduce the guests in the Speaker’s gallery, I have a couple of announcements.

I beg to inform the House that pursuant to standing order 9(g), the Clerk has received written notice from the government House leader indicating that a temporary change in the weekly meeting

schedule of the House is required, and therefore, the afternoon routine on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, shall commence at 1 p.m.

Member for Hamilton Centre

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I also beg to inform the House that there are now 15 members sitting as independents. However, given the order of the House dated October 23, 2023, the member for Hamilton Centre is not currently eligible to be recognized by the Speaker in debate. Therefore, there will be no changes to the speaking allocations for independent members at this time.

Introduction of Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): We have with us in the Speaker’s gallery today, Kristina Thony, consul general of the Federal Republic of Germany in Toronto. She is accompanied by Barbara de Tschaschell, the deputy consul general, and Florian Schrieverhoff, the vice consul. Please join me in warmly welcoming our guests to the assembly today.

We also have with us a former member of the Legislature who served the riding of Kitchener Centre in the 38th, 39th and 40th Parliament, John Milloy. Welcome back to the Legislature, John. Good to see you.

Members will know that traditionally, British Speakers have had a dangerous job as messenger to the monarch, and some of them actually lost their heads in the course of their duties. In Ontario—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): No, don’t clap for that. In Ontario, there is a different tradition for Speakers, and that is the adoption of former Speaker Steve Peters’s brother. I am honoured to introduce in the Speaker’s gallery this morning my new brother, Joe Peters.

Mr. John Vanthof: I’d like to introduce some very special people in my life: my wife Ria, my daughter Vicky and her partner, Joe Mascaro.

M me Lucille Collard: From the University of Ottawa, de l’Université d’Ottawa, j’aimerais présenter M. Jacques Frémont, recteur de l’Université d’Ottawa; Jill Scott, provost et vice-rectrice; et Kathryn Moore, directrice des relations gouvernementales.

Welcome to Queen’s Park. Bienvenue à Queen’s Park.

Hon. Michael Parsa: I want to welcome to the House my good friend Dr. Saeed Faizi and all the colleagues from the Al-Nadwa Educational Islamic Centre from Richmond Hill: Dr. Luqman Khan, Dr. Sarah Azhari, Afnan Akhzar, Omar Ahmad, Tariq Husain, Mubeen Siddiqui, Nurul Ain Ashraf, Abid Hussain Nadwi and Uzair Arif Qureshi. Welcome to the House and I look forward to meeting with you afterwards.

Mr. Chris Glover: I’d like to welcome to the House Andrew Yang, who is a volunteer researcher in my office and is now going to a new job in Ottawa, and also Simon Ding, who has recently moved to Ontario from British Columbia. Welcome to your House.

Mr. Trevor Jones: It’s my pleasure to welcome my EA, my friend and our community leader, Nammar Cristofari, to the Legislature today. Welcome to your House.

Mr. Will Bouma: I would just like to take a moment to welcome Warren Kinsella to the House today.

Mr. Graham McGregor: I want to welcome the team from Scooty. We’ve got Shoaib Ahmed, Yashin Shah, Moaz Ahmad and Wasif Khan. Welcome to the Legislature.

Ms. Effie J. Triantafilopoulos: It’s my pleasure to recognize and welcome to the House Senator Leonidas Raptakis, the state senator from Rhode Island, who is also the president of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association. Welcome.

Hon. Greg Rickford: Kirk Markowski is here, originally from Dryden. He works in the city and he’s a first cousin to our page Paxten, from Fort Frances. Welcome, Kirk.

Mr. Stéphane Sarrazin: I would like to welcome Monsieur Eric Larocque and Monsieur Jean-Michel Fournier. Mr. Larocque is the long-term-care administrator at the Prescott and Russell Residence in Hawkesbury. Mr. Fournier is the housing services supervisor. They’re looking forward to the opening of the new 224-bed long-term-care facility next summer in Hawkesbury. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Hardeep Singh Grewal: I’d like to welcome some of my friends from Brampton I brought today, as well as Bradford. I’d like to welcome the deputy mayor of Bradford, Raj Sandhu. I’d like to welcome Swami Sampuran Anand, who is visiting us from Haryana, India. I’d like to welcome Gurpreet Chahal from the transportation industry, J Line transportation; Satnam Sarai from Sarai trucking and transportation; Vipin Mishra, who’s visiting us from Germany; Bob Dosanjh Singh, who we all know is a well-known media personality in our community; and, as well, Jaswinder Sidhu. Thank you for joining us and welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: I just also wanted to welcome everyone from the University of Ottawa here today and remind everyone that the University of Ottawa is having a reception, so come join us. As a University of Ottawa alumna graduate, it is the best university in Ontario.

Hon. Parm Gill: I’d like to welcome a few individuals from my riding of Milton, representatives from the Landscape Ontario horticultural trades association: Joe Salemi, Jon Agg, Chris Morrison and Gerald Boot. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Question Period

Government accountability

Ms. Marit Stiles: This question is for the Premier. Early last year, the government’s own hand-picked Housing Affordability Task Force made 55 recommendations to encourage new housing supply. The task force said that a shortage of land was not the cause of the housing crisis. They recommended, in fact, that the greenbelt and farmland be protected.

Instead, the Premier and his government went ahead anyway and they tried to make their friends richer. Now they’re being investigated by the RCMP.

To the Premier: Why did his government rig the system to benefit a select few insiders instead of the people of Ontario?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Government House leader and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hon. Paul Calandra: As I’ve said on a number of occasions, we have been guided since 2018 by the principle that we had to build more homes across the province of Ontario. We had to undo the obstacles that had been put in the way by the previous Liberal and NDP coalition in this province for over 15 years.

Having said that, we made a public policy decision with respect to the greenbelt that was not supported by the people of the province of Ontario. That is why we have taken steps to put that land back and codify it in law.

Again, make no mistake about it: We will meet our housing targets. We will ensure that the next generation of Ontarians can have the exact same dream that previous generations have had, and that’s the dream of home ownership. We will not be moved from that goal, and we will get it done.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: Speaker, this government’s greenbelt grab, their MZOs, their urban boundary changes: They’re not about building housing at all. One of the task force’s recommendations was to allow four-storey multiplex housing in every neighbourhood. The NDP tried to add this into the government’s most recent housing bill and the government said no. In fact, the member for Perth–Wellington said the government was doing just enough—enough. Doing enough to address the housing crisis? Doing enough while housing starts across the province are going down and not up?

Back to the Premier: When will he start putting people’s needs ahead of his own backroom deals?

Hon. Paul Calandra: Well, Mr. Speaker, we’ve actually been doing that right from the beginning and the member voted against every single initiative that we have done—every single initiative. We said we want to build more homes around transit infrastructure. I know they don’t know anything about transit infrastructure because for 15 years they helped the Liberals build nothing. We are saying that we’re not only going to build transit, we’re going to build homes around that transit. We’re going to build thousands of homes. She and her party voted against that.

The Leader of the Opposition talks about MZOs. There are MZOs that we have done at the request of the city of Toronto to build social housing in her own community that she voted against.

So let me be very clear to the Leader of the Opposition: There is one party in this House that stands for the next generation of this province, who wants the exact same dream that everybody else has had for generations—why people have come here, why my parents came here, and that was the dream of home ownership. We will untangle the mess that they left behind and we will get it done for them.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: The reality is that even before last year’s forced urban boundary expansions, there was already enough land available in the province for new builds to accommodate three cities the size of Paris. But we have a government that’s rigged the system. They have put a plan in place where only if you’re a well-connected insider and you have a stag-and-doe ticket do you get the zoning changes that you need. They’re prioritizing that over building the homes that Ontarians need.

The Premier has wasted over a year enriching his friends, throwing the planning system into chaos and making it harder to build the homes that Ontarians actually need, in the neighbourhoods where they want to live. Back to the Premier: How many homes would have been built by now if he hadn’t put shady backroom deals first?

Hon. Paul Calandra: I think the evidence is clear: When the opposition had the opportunity, working with the Liberals, to actually get homes built in the province of Ontario, what did we see happen? Nothing, Mr. Speaker—nothing. In fact, housing starts were at their lowest levels at the conclusion of their time in office with the Liberals. What have we seen? Month after month after month, housing starts have increased. This year we’re at the highest level in 15 years.

But we didn’t stop just at housing. We knew that we had to do more on purpose-built rentals as well. They know nothing about this because at the time that they had with the Liberals, nobody was building rental housing across the province of Ontario. We have the highest starts in over 15 years. And you know what, Mr. Speaker? That is continuing to grow in Ontario.

We are going to continue on this path to ensure that we build more homes across the province of Ontario. Ostensibly, what we have to do is continue to remove the obstacles that they love and that they’ve put in place. We’ll continue to get that job done.

Housing

Ms. Marit Stiles: Well, it’s a creative response; I’ll give him that.

Speaker, expert after expert has shown that we need to build at least 1.5 million new homes. The Ontario NDP supports this goal, but so far the government has relied entirely on half measures. Their whole housing plan is predicated on backroom deals, and now they’re under an RCMP criminal investigation. According to the government’s own figures, housing starts in Ontario—as I said—are projected to go down, not up. Clearly this government’s plan is not working, so back to the Premier: Will he get his government out of the backrooms and off the massage tables and start building the homes our province actually needs?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Well, Mr. Speaker, the only thing that was actually credible in that was that we’re being creative, because we are being creative. And we had to be creative because of the obstacles that they put in the way.

We have removed over $8 billion of obstacles, obstacles that stood in the way of small, medium and large job creators—including home builders—from doing what they do best: building homes. That is why, in the province of Ontario, we have a housing crisis. Do you know why we have a housing crisis? Because they supported the Liberals to put obstacle after obstacle after obstacle in the way, Mr. Speaker. We’re removing those obstacles. We’re seeing the trend on new home starts in the province of Ontario this year has continued to move forward.

Equally exciting, colleagues, is the fact that purpose-built rentals are at their highest level in over 15 years. Do you know why? Because we’ve been creative about how we’re doing it.

This is a member who votes against housing in her own riding. She voted against MZOs for social housing that were requested by the city of Toronto. She voted against long-term-care homes, she voted against purpose-built rentals, and she votes against individuals who have—

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

Supplementary question?

Ms. Marit Stiles: Speaker, the thing is that this province used to build housing. We used to be in the business of building non-market homes. We used to fund and finance tens of thousands of public, non-profit and co-op housing every year—homes that are built based on need, not on profit. That stopped in 1995, when, yes, the Conservatives abandoned that responsibility completely, and that set the stage for our housing crisis today.

So back to the Premier: Will he support the NDP’s solution to build the non-market housing that our province so desperately needs?

Interjections.

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

The Premier.

Hon. Doug Ford: The Leader of the Opposition has voted against every initiative we’ve done to speed up housing. They’ve voted against building 1.5 million homes, even though we set a record on building homes: The 30-year record in 2021 is 99,000 homes we put forward and they’re building; 2022, 96,000 homes that we’re building; and since the start of this year there have been 57,000 housing starts.

But, Mr. Speaker, they’re against building. They’re against building purpose-built rentals—

Interjection.

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

Hon. Doug Ford: They’re against building affordable housing, attainable housing. They’re against building roads to get to that housing. They’re against building highways to get to the housing. And then they’re against, when the community comes together, the long-term-care homes. They’re against the hospitals. They’re against absolutely everything.

They say one thing in front of the media, and then when they’re in here, they vote against everything, especially—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order. Order. The Premier will take his seat.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Premier will take his seat. Order.

The final supplementary.

Ms. Marit Stiles: Do you know what the truth is, Speaker, the truth about housing in this province?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

Ms. Marit Stiles: Record renovictions, homeless people living in the streets all across this province—that’s the reality under this Premier.

Housing is a human right, just like health care and education and retirement security. If the private sector won’t build enough homes that are affordable for everyone who needs one, then the public sector must step up. It is clear this government’s plan isn’t working, Speaker. Those of us on this side of the House, we want to make sure every Ontarian has a good home they can actually afford.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

Ms. Marit Stiles: Speaker, back to the Premier: When will the government start taking this housing crisis seriously?

Interjections.

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

I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Doug Ford: This is really rich, Mr. Speaker. You know something? We’ve implemented 21 of the housing affordability task force recommendations as we’re moving forward. We led the country in getting the federal government to knock off the HST. We’re knocking off the PST for purpose-built rentals. We have eliminated skyrocketing municipal fees on affordable and non-profit housing—and, by the way, they voted against that. They voted against the previous. We introduced a Building Faster Fund: $1.2 billion in new funding for municipalities, large municipalities, and another $500 million—and guess what, Mr.

Speaker? They voted against that. All the parties voted against it, by the way. They’re anti-development; they’re anti-housing, anti-infrastructure, anti-everything.

If they were in charge, this province would be a disaster, like they were for 15 years, Mr. Speaker.

Housing

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: My question is to the Premier. Speaker, 30 years ago, the Harris government got us out of the business of building housing. If governments had continued to build at that rate, we would have built 1.2 million homes since then. Instead, Ontario needs to build 1.5 million homes to meet the current need.

Why doesn’t this government think it has a responsibility for building truly affordable homes?

Hon. Doug Ford: Let’s just remind everyone in the province: When the NDP were in power, they increased taxes 45 times on the backs of businesses, on the backs of homes. They chased hundreds of thousands of jobs out of this province. They escalated the debt, under the NDP, by hundreds of billions of dollars, Mr. Speaker.

And I am proud to say my father was part of that government. They created 700,000 jobs when they were in power. I know Mike Harris Jr. is proud of what his dad did too. They’re the ones who accelerated the economy, accelerated the boom on housing. I’ll go to toe any day about Bob Rae versus Mike Harris. The Bob Rae days—don’t forget the Bob Rae days.

Interjections.

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

Start the clock. The supplementary question.

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: Speaker, I’m so honoured that the Premier got up just to point fingers and not to lead by voting for this motion.

This government has routinely given laundry lists of projects that did not work. Now is the time to think big. Private developers have said they can’t solve this crisis alone. The Canadian Housing Statistics Program recently revealed that housing supply slowed last year—slowed under this government.

Why won’t this government join us and get Ontarians back to work in good jobs, building the truly affordable housing that Ontarians need?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hon. Paul Calandra: I don’t even know what to say about that, Mr. Speaker. I don’t even know what to say about it. So let me be very clear: We’re not voting for a program that was taken out of the playbook of Communist Russia. It’s just not happening, all right? So let me just put that.

I would suggest to the member opposite, don’t listen to the NDP socialist caucus. Listen to what is happening and what is working; vote with us to remove obstacles because, when you do, housing starts go up. Vote with us to remove taxes because, when you do, housing starts increase, Mr. Speaker.

And you know what else you can do? Call your friend in Ottawa, Mr. Singh—Jagmeet; 1-800-Jagmeet—and say, “Remove carbon taxes,” because that will put more money back in people’s pockets. Don’t do what you did here: support a Liberal government that brought the province to its knees, Mr. Speaker. That is what they do.

Very clearly, we’re not voting for government building homes. We’re going to let the private sector do what they’re doing in record numbers, under this government, and that’s build—

Interjections.

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

Start the clock. The next question.

Cost of living

Mr. Will Bouma: Speaker, my question is to the Premier. Tomorrow, the Bank of Canada will announce their decision on whether they will implement another interest rate hike. Sadly, for many Ontarians, this decision could lead to devastating economic consequences. If another painful interest rate hike is announced, many individuals and families might not be able to pay their bills, pay their rent, mortgage or be able to keep their home. It is hard-working, ordinary people across this province who are being hit hardest and are having to pay a heavy price at the checkout and at the pumps.

The people of our province need to know that our government hears their concerns and understands their fears. Speaker, can the Premier please continue to advocate on behalf of the people of Ontario about the damaging impact that another interest rate hike would have on them?

Hon. Doug Ford: I want to thank the member from Brantford–Brant and for leading caucus as well. So thank you to the member.

I wrote a letter to the Governor of the Bank of Canada insisting that he does not raise interest rates. Do you know what the difference is? The Governor of the Bank of Canada is sitting in his ivory tower not talking to the common folks.

I took a call this morning about a married couple with kids that are going to have to sell their home. They’re going to have to sell their home because their mortgage has tripled. It has absolutely tripled and went up thousands of dollars. They won’t be able to afford it.

See, the Bank of Canada is way out to lunch, in my opinion, Mr. Speaker, way out to lunch. They’re creating inflation. They’re creating inflation on groceries. Then we have the carbon tax that the federal government implemented; it created inflation on building homes. They’re doing nothing but creating inflation. They’re living back in the 1970s. They need to get their act together. If anything—

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

The supplementary question.

Mr. Will Bouma: Thank you, Premier. In this time of economic uncertainty, everyone should be working together to make things better for the people of Ontario. The Premier is correct in saying that this issue is not just impacting Ontario alone, but every Canadian is being hurt by these interest rate hikes.

Premiers of all political stripes agree that further increases are counterproductive and will do more harm than good. Now is the time for the federal government to work with the provinces to address the long-standing root causes that have led to inflation and to high interest rates.

Speaker, can the Premier please share what priorities should be addressed with the federal government that will help to provide real relief to struggling families and businesses.

Hon. Doug Ford: I thank the member for Brantford–Brant. Coincidentally, we’re all getting together in Nova Scotia, all the Premiers, of all different political stripes. But we always have one thing in common: making sure we take care of our people; making sure we’re building infrastructure across the country and, specifically here in Ontario, making sure that we’re building the 413 and the 410.

What we’re all against is making sure we get rid of the carbon tax. Folks, let me tell you what we have done. We’ve cut the gas tax by 10.7 cents per litre. We scrapped the licence plate stickers for eight million people. We cut the tolls for 412 and 418. We increased ODSP by 5% tied to inflation. We cut income tax to 1.1 million low-income workers. We increased minimum wage. We extended the 10% tuition fees to take the burden off the students going to colleges and universities. We’re doubling the payments for low-income seniors, which will provide a maximum increase of almost $1,000. And what we’re asking the federal government: Knock off the 14.5 cents of carbon tax.

Government accountability

Mr. Jeff Burch: Speaker, through you to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing: This government’s greenbelt grab exposed a deeply troubling pattern of shady deals and preferential treatment for well-connected land speculators. Now we see evidence of the same activity around urban boundaries and MZO land deals.

Just last week, the Auditor General confirmed an investigation into this government’s questionable use of MZOs. Yesterday, after the flip-flop announcement on urban boundary expansions, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing said he was still reviewing previous MZOs and emphasized, “The vast majority ... I am not concerned with.”

My question, Speaker: Which ones is he concerned about?

Hon. Paul Calandra: A very good question from the member opposite. What I’m concerned with are those MZOs that have led to no action being taken. The MZOs that I’m pleased with, of course, are the ones that the Minister of Long-Term Care has asked for, the ones that the Minister of Education has asked for, the ones that the Minister of Health has asked for. Across the province of Ontario, we have received requests from municipal leaders, but there are a couple of MZOs where they were issued and no work has been done to advance the goal of building homes or building long-term care or building hospitals.

So I’m reviewing those, and if we’re not seeing the action to do what the MZO was issued for, I’ll revoke them.

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

Mr. Jeff Burch: Speaker, this government has issued more MZOs since coming to office than the previous 25 years combined. Just last week—

Interjections.

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

Restart the clock. The member for Niagara Centre.

Mr. Jeff Burch: I would wait until after the investigation before I clap, but I guess that’s just me. Just last week, this minister bragged about them. He claimed they were being used to build nursing homes and affordable homes for immigrants. Now, he’s not so sure.

Since this minister is now so busy throwing the former minister under the bus, why won’t he just tell us what he’s concerned about?

Interjections.

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

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hon. Paul Calandra: My advice to the member: When your question is answered the first time, you might want to change your second question on the fly. He says he wants to wait to clap until he hears the investigation. Well, it didn’t stop him from coming to a long-term care opening in his riding, right? You know, the long-term-care home that you voted against and now you say we shouldn’t have sped up, right? He was more than happy to come to that.

But let’s look at some of the things that we’ve done. Social housing in the city of Toronto: 44 additional social housing units in the city of Toronto; hospital expansions; in Ajax, a 320-bed long-term-care home; a long-term-care home in Oakville; a long-term-care home in Toronto; a medical park in Oro-Medonte. Do you want me to go on? I can go on if you like—modular housing; 252 supportive housing units in Toronto. The Leader of the Opposition doesn’t want that, right? I can go on, Mr. Speaker. If you give me extra time, I’ll go on.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): You’re out of time.

Economic development

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: My question is for the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. The previous Liberal government, supported by the NDP, put up mountains of red tape that hurt every sector of our economy, but it especially hurt our tech sector, making it impossible for tech companies to innovate, grow and create good-paying jobs.

Thankfully, when our government took office, we immediately took action to reverse the disastrous Liberals’ anti-growth agenda. As a result, we have seen investments and job creation in our tech sector.

Speaker, through you, can the minister please provide an update on the state of Ontario’s tech sector?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: With more than 420,000 tech workers at more than 25,000 firms, Ontario is the global tech leader. By cutting red tape and reducing the cost of doing business by $8 billion annually, we’ve created the conditions for the tech sector to prosper. That’s why we’ve seen the creation of more than 100,000 good-paying tech jobs since we took office.

In just this last year, cutting-edge tech companies like Snowflake, DNEG and USEReady invested $142 million to expand their operations and have created 950 good-paying jobs. As a result, Ontario is now one of the largest IT clusters in North America. Our message is clear, Speaker: If you’re a tech worker, researcher or firm, there’s no better place to be than right here in Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: Thank you to the minister for his answer.

Our government knows that Ontario is competing in the global tech race. We’ve created the conditions for businesses to succeed, but there is heightened competition when it comes to attracting skilled tech workers. Tech companies from across the world are ramping up their efforts to attract and retain talent.

Speaker, through you: Can the minister please share how Ontario is dealing with the increased competition for tech talent?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Despite fierce competition from around the globe, Ontario is winning the race for tech talent and investments. In July, in a 48-hour period, we saw over 10,000 US tech workers apply for permanent residency here in Ontario. And according to CBRE’s latest tech talent report, released yesterday, Ontario has more tech jobs available than anywhere else in all of North America.

The brightest tech workers and leading tech firms are packing their bags and coming to Ontario, reaffirming their confidence in the thriving tech ecosystem that we have built.

Our government will continue to do absolutely everything to ensure Ontario remains a global tech powerhouse.

Government accountability

Ms. Sandy Shaw: My question is to the Premier.

Environmental Defence and Ecojustice filed a freedom-of-information request late last year. They say the purpose of the request was to find out what kind of influence developers had on the Ontario cabinet and Premier in its greenbelt decision. This government unlawfully ignored their request. So the Information and Privacy Commissioner ordered the government to comply with the law. The government then unlawfully ignored the order. Now Environmental Defence and Ecojustice are suing to enforce the order.

Why is your government breaking the law to avoid disclosing these records?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m going to caution the member on her language and ask the minister to reply.

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hon. Paul Calandra: We will compile whatever requests that we are required to compile, and we will turn that over to the Information and Privacy Commissioner when that is completed.

At the same time, as I have been saying constantly and as this government has been showing, we will not stray from our desire to build 1.5 million homes for the people of the province of Ontario. That is our goal. It is the overriding goal of everything that we’ve been doing since 2018. It includes why—the reason why we’re building transit across the province of Ontario. It’s to support the over 700,000 jobs that have been created in the province of Ontario, not by government, but by the private sector. They’re coming back to Ontario, and the province is booming as a result. We want to build more homes, so we will not stray from that.

I know they’re going to try to put obstacle after obstacle after obstacle in the way. They’re good at that. We’ll untangle the mess that they left behind, and we’ll get the job done.

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

Ms. Sandy Shaw: Clearly, Ontario still doesn’t have the full story about how the government selected lands for removal from the greenbelt. The freedom-of-information request submitted by Environmental Defence and Eco-justice might help fill in some of the remaining information gaps. On October 13, the Information and Privacy Commissioner ordered the ministry to take steps to recover records that may have been deleted or destroyed.

The Premier can’t keep ignoring freedom-of-information laws and IPC orders. Do I need to remind the Premier and the minister that the Liberal government’s gas plant scandal cover-up sent the Premier’s chief of staff to prison?

Hon. Paul Calandra: If I recall correctly, that spiked the trauma that the people of the province of Ontario were in when the Liberals were in power. And you held the balance of power. You still continued to support them and keep them in office. That is what an NDP balance of power means.

It really is an awkward question, coming from the member opposite. What it is an attempt to distract from the challenges that the opposition has. They’re offside with the people of the province of Ontario. They support a carbon tax; nobody else in the country does. They hold the balance of power in Ottawa. Tomorrow, they could have their federal leader insist that the carbon tax be removed and millions of dollars be put back into the pockets of the people of Ontario. Will they do it? No.

But what we will continue to do is focus on the priorities of the people of the province of Ontario, building strong communities, building the environment where we can continue to create jobs. We’re seeing jobs come back, housing starts are at their highest level—

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

The next question.

Municipal funding

Mr. Mike Schreiner: My question is for the Premier. This government has wasted years failing to address the housing crisis. Breaking all the rules, so a handful of wealthy well-connected insiders can cash in paving over farmland. Greenbelt, boundary expansions, MZOs: It’s past time to start building homes that ordinary people can afford in the communities they want to live in, on land already approved for development.

To do this, local governments will need money for sewer and water lines, streets and transit operations in order to service new homes, but this government took that money away and residents are now facing big property tax hikes and delayed home building, making the affordability crisis worse.

Will the government make people and municipalities whole by closing the financial gap they created?

Hon. Doug Ford: Last night—I usually don’t watch the news—I was flicking the channels, and Mister Green was on the show saying we need more housing. In Guelph, they have the lowest—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m going to ask the Premier to refer to the member for Guelph as the member for Guelph.

Hon. Doug Ford: Code name: Green—he actually had the nerve to stand up there and say that we need more housing. Guelph has the lowest housing starts in the entire province out of 440 municipalities. Guelph voted against housing units for students across from Guelph University. Where was the member from Guelph? He never spoke up. He has voted against every housing initiative we’ve had. He’s voted against every infrastructure that we’ve had. He is anti-builder. He’s all about making sure he puts little rose bushes in, and everything is hunky-dory. No highways—you don’t want to expand Highway 7, do you? You don’t—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Premier will please take his seat. I’ll remind members to make their comments through the Chair.

Supplementary question?

Mr. Mike Schreiner: I’m okay to be referred to as Mister Green any time. I just want to be able to say one thing: Do a simple Google search. Guelph does not have the lowest housing starts in the province. As a matter of fact, it’s higher than Peterborough’s, if you want to look at the record.

Last week, Guelph city council approved a major housing project for students. Guelph has passed rules for multiplexes. Guelph is ready to build. Here’s the challenge municipalities including Guelph face: The government took $1.5 billion away from municipalities. Municipalities need that money for sewer lines, water lines, to build the infrastructure needed for new homes. I want those new homes to have sewer and water lines. They won’t be built if it doesn’t happen.

The government a year ago said they would make municipalities whole. They have failed to deliver that. Will they commit to it today, Speaker?

Hon. Doug Ford: We have the member from Guelph on record—and I hope the media is listening to this—that he’s going to vote for our infrastructure plan, he’s going to vote for our housing plan, he’s going to make sure he holds the mayor accountable—and by the way, I like your mayor; he just can’t get up there and make a decision, so he always wants to pile it onto the province. He’s a good guy actually; I like him. But your whole council in Guelph are a bunch of left-wing lunatics. It’s simple as that.

Anyway, I’m glad that you’ve agreed to vote for our infrastructure and housing plan, Highway 7, Highway 413. It’s going to benefit the people from Guelph.

Long-term care

Mrs. Daisy Wai: My question is for the Minister of Long-Term Care.

As the needs of Ontarian’s seniors become more medically complex, the services to address those needs must be available. After years of neglect by the previous Liberal government, we are seeing excellent progress in creating a long-term-care system that Ontarians can be proud of, but there is still more that needs to be done. The ability to provide in-home diagnostic services has been limited by the availability of equipment and trained staff.

Can the minister please explain how our government is supporting long-term-care homes to better address the care and needs of our seniors?

Hon. Stan Cho: I’m happy to expand on that important topic the member brings up for Richmond Hill, who works very hard for seniors in her riding. Thank you for that.

Just last Tuesday, Mr. Speaker, I was at Belmont House—about a click up the road here from Queen’s Park, not far at all—to announce $10 million in diagnostic funding. This funding will allow long-term-care homes in the province to purchase specialized equipment that will help manage or treat conditions that normally lead to an emergency room visit or a hospital visit. Nobody wants that, of course, for our seniors—so think minor ailments, fractures. Instead of the senior going to the hospital for diagnostics, imagine the diagnostics coming to the senior—the right care in the right place.

This would also enable specialized staff training to make sure they can diagnose residents within the comfort of their own home. It’s this Premier that’s investing record capital dollars into expansion, record dollars into making sure that we have the human health resources and into diagnostics for better outcomes for our amazing seniors in Ontario.

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

Mrs. Daisy Wai: Thank you, Minister, for working so hard to prepare this. It is great to hear that our government is continuing to invest in both equipment and people.

The purchases made with this funding will prove critical in supporting seniors across our province. It is reassuring that residents with complex needs can get the diagnostic services they deserve in the comfort of their home instead of a hospital.

However, our government must remain focused on implementing solutions that will continue to ensure our seniors receive the quality of care they need. Can the minister please elaborate on how our government is expanding specialized services in long-term-care homes?

Hon. Stan Cho: The member focuses on a very important term, quality of care. That’s exactly what we’re focusing on in this government. It’s not enough to just build record beds; we are. It’s not enough to just invest record dollars into health human resources; we are. It’s also about improving outcomes for our seniors.

This fund will make sure that specialized teams of nurse practitioners and registered nurses will be available in underserved communities. This fund, along with the Local Priorities Fund, will make sure that long-term-care homes have access to specialized equipment. We know seniors are living longer, coming to long-term-care homes with more complex needs. We need to be aware of that situation and adapt with the times.

That’s what we’re doing here. We’re not building beds; we’re building homes in this province for our seniors. Let’s remember, our seniors built our communities. They built this province. They built this country. They built our lives. They took care of us; we’re going to take care of them. It’s this government that’s getting it done for seniors.

Health care

MPP Jill Andrew: My question is to the Premier. My caucus colleagues and I have heard from a number of seniors in our communities who are struggling to find flu shots, RSV vaccines and COVID-19 boosters. From reports of limited eligibility for seniors in my own riding of St. Paul’s to RSV doses costing seniors $200 to $300, this government is once again failing to support vulnerable Ontarians, especially those in rural communities, quite frankly, heading into another respiratory illness season.

My question is for the Premier, and hopefully he’ll answer today: Why haven’t you ensured all seniors in Ontario have reliable access to vaccines to keep them healthy?

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

Hon. Sylvia Jones: I have to say, what we’ve been able to do with a brand new RSV vaccine that was not available ever—we, for the first time, have made that available, free of charge, for our seniors in our most vulnerable settings. Of course, those are our long-term-care homes and our high-risk retirement homes. Why did we do that? Because we understand and we know that with limited supply, you focus on the people where it’s going to make the biggest impact. We are doing that.

Of course, we are also making it available through our pharmacy channels, because we know how valuable and important our pharmacy partners are in accessing and giving those flu and RSV shots to individuals in community who want it. But first and foremost, free of charge, using your OHIP card, we are providing it to high-risk seniors in retirement and long-term care.

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

MPP Jill Andrew: Thank you to the Minister of Health for that response, and I do hope that you will respond to the letter that I sent to you by hand on long COVID.

Anyway, back to the Premier: Hospitalizations for COVID-19 have increased, but Ontario seniors can’t find vaccines and boosters. People in Haliburton were told they would have access to shots by early October, but their local pharmacies say they haven’t received the doses. Did we learn nothing from the chaotic and inequitable distribution of vaccines in the early stages of the pandemic, courtesy of this Conservative government?

My question is back to the Premier. COVID-19 vaccines were promised by October. Why are seniors across this province still unable to access them?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Well, again, I’m going to respectfully say that if you have limited supply, you focus on where it’s going to make the biggest impact. That is what we have done. We absolutely are making it available in pharmacies; that rollout is actually happening by October 30.

It is exciting, in fact, that people are interested and engaged and want to get that vaccine as soon as possible. We are making sure that we have put in place all tools and all pathways to make sure that people get the flu shot, the vaccine, the RSV—whatever they want—and we are doing it through multiple channels, whether it is through our primary care partners, our pharmacy partners, and of course, our public health teams.

We’ll continue to do the work. If you want to talk to Health Canada about increasing the supply, I’d be happy to take it.

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

The next question.

Government accountability

Mr. Stephen Blais: My question is for the Premier. The RCMP has announced a criminal investigation into the $8.3-billion greenbelt land giveaway. Yesterday, the Minister of Municipal Affairs announced he would reverse the controversial changes to urban boundaries that were imposed by his predecessor. The minister admitted that there was too much involvement from the previous minister’s office in these decisions and that they failed to meet the standard of public trust.

Mr. Speaker, given the criminal investigation into the greenbelt and the similarities with the decisions on the urban boundary expansions, will the Premier take responsibility for leading the government under a shroud of secrecy, leading to criminal investigations, or will he continue to throw his ministers under the bus and back it up again?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Look, what we had decided to do back in 2018 was to look at where the province of Ontario was, and thankfully the people of Ontario took a good look in that election. That’s why they reduced the Liberal Party from a majority government to a bunch of independents.

Why? Because they put obstacle after obstacle after obstacle in the way of the economy. What did that mean? Thousands of jobs were lost, thanks to the Liberals, supported by the NDP. It meant housing starts were nonexistent in the province of Ontario, thanks to the Liberals, supported by the NDP. It meant that our taxes were the highest in Canada, thanks to the Liberals, supported by the NDP; the highest level of red tape, thanks to the Liberals, supported by the NDP. We were the highest-taxed jurisdiction, the most indebted jurisdiction, and what do we have to show for the excesses of the 15 years of Liberal/NDP government? Nothing, Mr. Speaker—absolutely nothing.

And what do we have now? Some 700,000 people who have the dignity of a job, roads, transit, transportation, a better education system, a better health care system, more long-term care and the highest level of housing starts in over a decade.

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

Mr. Stephen Blais: My supplemental is also for the Premier. The Minister of Municipal Affairs is undoing everything his predecessor did. “Getting It Undone” is a beautiful tagline; I can see it on the billboards now, Mr. Speaker.

The government delayed the approval of Ottawa’s official plan by a year, dragging it out throughout the election, and it seems that they spent that time fundraising on changes, or potential changes, to the plan that could be seen if they won re-election. Not only did they get caught with their hand in the cookie jar; they took a giant bite out of the cookie and are trying to put it back in without anyone noticing.

Mr. Speaker, given the criminal investigation into the greenbelt and the similarities with the decisions on the urban boundaries, will the Premier invite the RCMP to expand their investigation to include these urban boundary decisions as well?

Hon. Paul Calandra: This coming from a member who was in charge of building a transit system in Ottawa which had to lead to an investigation by this government. This coming from a member whose party’s infrastructure prowess saw them building a bridge upside down.

So yes, it is about undoing things. It’s about undoing 15 years of Liberal mess across the province of Ontario. That is why we were elected not only once, but we were elected with an even bigger majority. Look around you: Progressive Conservatives everywhere, here and there, and all of us getting things done for the people of the province of Ontario; 700,000 jobs thanks to this Premier and this huge group of Progressive Conservatives working every day for the people of the province of Ontario. We won’t stop undoing the mess that you left behind, supported by this crew of radicals over there.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m not sure if pirouettes are out of order or not, but I’ll have to consider that and think about it for later on.

Start the clock. The next question.

Northern Ontario development

Mr. Anthony Leardi: My question is for the Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Northern Development. The previous Liberal government, propped up by the NDP, drove jobs out of Ontario and failed to unlock our province’s full economic potential. Many of those jobs were in the manufacturing sector. Small businesses were also negatively impacted and endured hardships. The previous Liberal government could have helped northern, Indigenous and remote communities, but sadly they chose to ignore them, calling them a “no man’s land.”

Unlike other parts of the province, the north faces unique barriers to starting and growing businesses. Speaker, what is the government doing to support small business and economic development projects across northern Ontario?

Jean’s Diesel Shop in Hearst is getting additional capacity to reduce customer wait times and more storage space. In Hearst, we’re helping a logging company purchase new equipment for increased demand from local sawmills and the Lee Golf Club in Cochrane for new equipment to allow the facility to operate all year long.

Mr. Speaker, they’re so excited about these opportunities. It’s too bad that no less than two NDP members and an independent member voted against it.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.

Mr. Anthony Leardi: I listened to the minister’s response, and it’s clear that our government is serious about building up every corner of the province, including northern Ontario. Small businesses are an integral part of any community, and we are proud to support them. In addition, northern and Indigenous communities can be proud of the many attractions and opportunities they offer in the hospitality and tourism sectors. That is why it is important that our government continues to invest in projects that will develop more cultural and tourism spaces.

Speaker, I’m asking the minister to please explain how our government is supporting and expanding opportunities for economic prosperity in northern communities.

Hon. Greg Rickford: Let’s move out to northwestern Ontario, where we supported Sioux Narrows’s beautiful Crawford’s Camp for expanded facilities in lodging accommodations. This is going to expand the tourist industry in Sioux Narrows and create new employment.

In Kenora, the Lake of the Woods Brewing Company public relations manager is onboarding, including a community outreach and events coordinator. Down in Fort Frances, D.J. Roach Electric is hiring an electrician apprentice to work in a busy construction and maintenance field. And in Dryden, the Clever Corvid Art and Art Workshops with Rhonda Beckman has built a beautiful facility just outside of the town.

These investments are going to create more cultural profile, attract more tourists and foster artistic capacity in our communities. Fortunately, their member from Kenora–Rainy River voted in favour of these projects, Mr. Speaker.

Long-term care

Mr. Wayne Gates: My question is to the Premier. In October 2021, the Premier made a promise to the people of Ontario. The Premier promised he would double the number of long-term-care inspectors so we would have one inspector for every two homes in the province. But last week, CBC reported that although there are 624 long-term-care homes in the province, there are only 234 inspectors currently working. That means this government is 78 inspectors short.

Speaker, why did the Premier choose to break another promise to the people of Ontario and once again fail our seniors?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): To respond, the Minister of Long-Term Care.

Hon. Stan Cho: Speaker, unbelievable, isn’t it? The NDP support the Liberals when they do nothing for long-term care; they do absolutely nothing. We see the holes in the system throughout a difficult time of the pandemic, and then it’s this Premier, this government who comes around and says we’re finally going to invest into our seniors, not just with record capital and building beds but into improving the inspectorate—in fact, $72 million over three years to double the number of the inspectors to actually have one inspector for two every two homes in this province, Speaker.

But we go further. We say we’re not just going to have reactive inspections; we’re going to have proactive ones. We’re going to hit a goal of 2025 of having one proactive inspection per home per year. The numbers that the CBC

article quotes are aligned with our framework of getting to that goal, Speaker.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order. Opposition, come to order.

Hon. Stan Cho: This is an opposition that ignored our seniors. This government is taking care of them. We will take no lessons from the NDP.

Interjections.

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

The supplementary question.

Mr. Wayne Gates: Just three days ago, this minister admitted that he had been on the job for six weeks when we announced a long-term-care facility in my riding. We worked on that for 10 years. So when you stand up and say that we didn’t care about long-term care—we built new homes in Fort Erie; we’re working in Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake. So I don’t need a lesson from you on what we have to do with long-term care, but I’ll finish my next question.

One thing we can always count on with this government is breaking promises. The Ombudsman revealed there were no long-term-care inspectors—zero—for seven weeks in the spring of 2020. Think about seniors who suffered in long-term care, and let’s talk about the number of seniors who had died in long-term care. Close to 6,000 seniors have died in long-term care. Think about the families that will never be the same again.

Speaker, how many more seniors need to die in long-term care before this government holds for-profit long-term care accountable and has the number of inspections that we need to protect our seniors every single day in the province of Ontario?

Hon. Stan Cho: “We announced,” Speaker? It was this government that announced the new long-term-care beds in that member’s riding. Importantly also, that member voted against those very homes that got built in his riding. The member also mentions that I’ve been—

Interjections.

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

Interjections.

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

Start the clock.

The Minister of Long-Term Care has the floor.

Hon. Stan Cho: Speaker, the member opposite mentions that I’ve been on the job for six weeks. I have, and in six weeks we’ve done more than long-term care than they did in 15 years for our seniors—an unbelievable question from the member opposite. So I’ll repeat: the largest investment into inspections in this country’s history, doubling the inspectorate; the largest capital investment to build and redevelop 58,000 beds, homes in this country, in this province; the largest investment into health human resources in this country’s history. That is the legacy of this Premier and this former long-term-care minister. We are taking care of seniors, because they didn’t.

Interjections.

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

Order. Order. The member for Carleton is anxiously awaiting the opportunity to ask her question. I would ask the House to come to order so we can start the clock again and resume question period.

Start the clock. Member for Carleton.

Consumer protection

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: My question is for the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery. Yesterday, our government introduced new consumer protection legislation. This is an important milestone, as the existing Consumer Protection Act has not had any meaningful review since 2005. I’m pleased to see the proactive stance that our government is taking by introducing a bill that, if passed, will strengthen protections for Ontarians from unfair business practices.

The reality is that the marketplace of today has evolved significantly. With an increase in online shopping and the use of apps, Ontarians deserve better protection.

Through you, Mr. Speaker, can the minister please elaborate on how our government is proposing to modernize laws to better protect the rights of consumers?

Hon. Todd J. McCarthy: I thank the member for Carleton for that excellent question. The Better for Consumers, Better for Businesses Act, 2023, tabled for first reading yesterday, is the first initiation of a comprehensive reform to Ontario’s consumer protection laws in almost two decades. This government and our Premier strongly believe that Ontarians deserve to feel protected when spending their hard-earned dollars, and this legislation, if passed, is a testament to our government’s promise to always listen to the needs of Ontarians.

After years of insufficient attention from the Liberal Party, in 2019, our ministry embarked on a long and extensive consultation journey. We conducted a comprehensive review of existing legislation, gathering feedback from stakeholders, consumer groups, advocates, the legal community and everyday Ontarians. The reality is that Ontarians have long deserved consumer protections to be updated. We’re getting it done.

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

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: It is clear from the minister’s response that our government is taking action when it comes to protecting Ontarians from unscrupulous business practices and safeguarding their personal information. It is also encouraging that in developing this bill, our government is carefully consulting with the individuals that would be most impacted by any changes.

Sadly, many Ontarians find themselves in difficult and upsetting circumstances when it comes to issues such as leasing equipment and signing contracts. That is why it is essential that our government takes action to increase trust and implement greater consumer protection measures for all Ontarians. Speaker, though you, can the minister please explain how the Better for Consumers, Better for Businesses Act, if passed, will help to strengthen trust between consumers and businesses?

Hon. Todd J. McCarthy: Thank you again to the member for Carleton for another important question. I’m sure everyone in this chamber would agree that when consumers feel confident and protected and they feel that the government has their backs, everyone in our economy is a winner. The proposed bill would, if passed, strengthen consumer rights, empower consumers and give the ministry stronger enforcement powers to crack down on bad actors. It would also address the concerns and harms of our most vulnerable citizens when facing contract amendments, subscription traps, high termination costs in long-term leases and unfair business practices used by door-to-door sellers.

It is our government’s goal to protect Ontarians with common-sense policies that reduce red tape and make it easier for consumers and businesses alike, because when Ontario citizens feel secure in spending their hard-earned dollars, we can all focus on what matters most: a strong, vibrant economy.

Paramedic services

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: My question is to the Premier. Paramedics in the Niagara region are facing a violence epidemic. Within seven months, there have been 56 incidents, which has added to staff attrition. No one should ever feel unsafe going into work.

Premier, paramedics should not be made to feel like second-class first responders. Will you commit to a provincial staffing strategy to address compensation, training and resources to ensure the safety of our paramedics and combat burnout?

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

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Well, the one thing where I will agree with the member opposite is that there is no one in our health care system who should feel unsafe when they are doing a job and protecting the people of Ontario.

We have worked very closely with our paramedic chiefs and associations to make sure that we have resourced them appropriately. Of course, the member opposite knows we are a 50-50 partner with our municipal partners to make sure that we fund 50% of any expansion of the paramedic services in the province of Ontario. We will continue to do that, but I want to make it very clear that we do not tolerate violence in our health care system, including, of course, with our paramedics.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: Back to the Premier: Our paramedics, our local heroes, are facing rising violence on the job. They stand on the front lines daily, risking it all. Let me repeat that: They stand on the front lines daily, risking everything.

Premier, you control the purse strings. Can we get your commitment today to scrutinize the critical situation of our paramedics in Ontario and ensure they receive the same level of resources as other first responders? They deserve nothing less.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Again, I will repeat: We have zero tolerance for workplace violence. One incident is one too many.

But I must say, I’m also incredibly proud of our government and our Premier when we announced a PTSI centre with Runnymede to ensure that our first responders—including our paramedics, who we know historically have had a higher rate of PTSI—have the supports they need with an expansion of that centre.

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

Notice of dissatisfaction

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Pursuant to standing order 36(a), the member for Guelph has given notice of his dissatisfaction with the answer to his question given by the Premier concerning funding to service new homes. This matter will be debated today following private members’ public business.

Deferred Votes

Convenient Care at Home Act, 2023 / Loi de 2023 sur la prestation commode de soins à domicile

Deferred vote on the motion for second reading of the following bill:

Bill 135,

An Act to amend the Connecting Care Act, 2019 with respect to home and community care services and health governance and to make related amendments to other Acts / Projet de loi 135, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2019 pour des soins interconnectés en ce qui concerne les services de soins à domicile et en milieu communautaire et la gouvernance de la santé et apportant des modifications connexes à d’autres lois.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Call in the members. This is a five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1143 to 1148.

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

On October 16, 2023, Ms. Jones, Dufferin–Caledon, moved second reading of Bill 135.

All those in favour of the motion will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Ayes

Anand, Deepak

Babikian, Aris

Barnes, Patrice

Bethlenfalvy, Peter

Bouma, Will

Bresee, Ric

Byers, Rick

Calandra, Paul

Cho, Raymond Sung Joon

Cho, Stan

Coe, Lorne

Crawford, Stephen

Cuzzetto, Rudy

Dowie, Andrew

Dunlop, Jill

Flack, Rob

Ford, Doug

Ford, Michael D.

Gallagher Murphy, Dawn

Ghamari, Goldie

Gill, Parm

Grewal, Hardeep Singh

Hardeman, Ernie

Hogarth, Christine

Jones, Sylvia

Jones, Trevor

Jordan, John

Kanapathi, Logan

Ke, Vincent

Kerzner, Michael S.

Khanjin, Andrea

Kusendova-Bashta, Natalia

Leardi, Anthony

Lecce, Stephen

Lumsden, Neil

Martin, Robin

McCarthy, Todd J.

McGregor, Graham

Mulroney, Caroline

Pang, Billy

Parsa, Michael

Piccini, David

Pierre, Natalie

Pirie, George

Quinn, Nolan

Rae, Matthew

Rickford, Greg

Riddell, Brian

Romano, Ross

Sabawy, Sheref

Sandhu, Amarjot

Sarkaria, Prabmeet Singh

Sarrazin, Stéphane

Saunderson, Brian

Scott, Laurie

Skelly, Donna

Smith, David

Smith, Graydon

Smith, Laura

Smith, Todd

Surma, Kinga

Tangri, Nina

Thanigasalam, Vijay

Triantafilopoulos, Effie J.

Wai, Daisy

Williams, Charmaine A.

Yakabuski, John

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): All those opposed to the motion will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Nays

Andrew, Jill

Armstrong, Teresa J.

Begum, Doly

Blais, Stephen

Bourgouin, Guy