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April 18, 2019

42nd Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2019-Apr-18 (PDF)

L096 - Thu 18 Apr 2019 / Jeu 18 avr 2019

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Thursday 18 April 2019 Jeudi 18 avril 2019

Orders of the Day

The People’s Health Care Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 sur les soins de santé pour la population

Introduction of Visitors

Report, Chief Electoral Officer

Wearing of hockey jersey

Anniversary of attack in Toronto

Oral Questions

Education

Teachers

Education

Public transit

Government advertising

Taxation

Education

Climate change

Public housing

Climate change

University and college funding

Library services

Health care

Kashechewan First Nation

Home care

Visitors

Member’s birthday

George Binns

Easter holiday

Legislative pages

Private members’ public business

Deferred Votes

The People’s Health Care Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 sur les soins de santé pour la population

Royal assent / Sanction royale

Introduction of Visitors

Members’ Statements

Education funding

Yezidi New Year

Youth Job Link program

Anniversary of attack in Toronto

Legal aid

Jason Helmond

Stryker Canada

Education funding

Petitions

Education funding

Beer and wine sales

Driver education

Education funding

Gasoline prices

Autism treatment

Taxation

Education funding

Education funding

Public transit

Tuition

Fish and wildlife management

Driver education

International trade

Education funding

Private Members’ Public Business

Family support services

Lower Automobile Insurance Rates Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 pour des taux d’assurance-automobile plus bas

Teach the Reach Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 sur l’enseignement de la méthode d’ouverture pivot

Family support services

Lower Automobile Insurance Rates Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 pour des taux d’assurance-automobile plus bas

Teach the Reach Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 sur l’enseignement de la méthode d’ouverture pivot

Family support services

Lower Automobile Insurance Rates Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 pour des taux d’assurance-automobile plus bas

Orders of the Day

Protecting What Matters Most Act (Budget Measures), 2019 / Loi de 2019 pour protéger l’essentiel (mesures budgétaires)

The House met at 0900.

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

Prayers/Prières.

Orders of the Day

The People’s Health Care Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 sur les soins de santé pour la population

Resuming the debate adjourned on April 17, 2019, on the motion for third reading of the following bill:

Bill 74,

An Act concerning the provision of health care, continuing Ontario Health and making consequential and related amendments and repeals / Projet de loi 74, Loi concernant la prestation de soins de santé, la prorogation de Santé Ontario, l’ajout de modifications corrélatives et connexes et des abrogations.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): When the House last debated Bill 74, the member for Barrie–Innisfil had the floor, and I believe she still has some time. I recognize the member for Barrie–Innisfil.

Ms. Andrea Khanjin: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I was leading off on my remarks the other day, I was discussing how we have a very antiquated system, and it’s time to bring our health care system back to the 21st century to make sure we have a state-of-the-art, publicly funded health care system so patients can rely on our health care system, because when patients know that their health care providers have access to this information, they will feel well-prepared and have certainty for their next appointments and for their families who are very concerned.

It will be reassuring for patients to know that their health care team has the latest and most up-to-date information about their care, their history, and that it can be accessed by a touch of a button.

Our health care modernization plan, Mr. Speaker, will ensure a greater peace of mind knowing that health care providers can easily pull up records and have the latest information. Patients will be able to have help navigating the system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We are about customer service on this side of the House. It’s time that taxpayers get value for their hard-earned taxpayer dollars. The government is listening, making life easier, not just affordable, for all Ontarians.

It’s time to fill the much-needed gaps in our system. This model, Mr. Speaker, will ensure that patients get the care that they need. In Barrie–Innisfil, I will tell you many of my constituents are very thrilled about this issue. In Barrie, we have already had a similar concept in place and it has been a great success. We’re fortunate enough to have the Barrie and Community Family Health Team. The family health team is an organization that includes a team of family physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, social workers, dietitians and other professionals who have worked together to provide much-needed community care. This is the first step in the right direction.

After speaking at length on this bill and just about wrapping up my time, I did want to share the rest of my time with the member from Mississauga Centre.

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

Ms. Natalia Kusendova: Thank you, Speaker. Good morning. It is with great pleasure that I rise in the House today to speak in support of Bill 74, The People’s Health Care Act. It was just a little more than a month ago that our honourable Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care introduced The People’s Health Care Act.

Through this legislation, our minister laid out a blueprint for Ontario to modernize its health care system, to centralize it under one single agency capable of seamlessly connecting patients and health care providers across the province, creating Ontario health teams able to deliver quality service. The bill outlines a plan which includes digitization, use of technology, streamlining of services, modernization, investing money in the front lines and centring the care around the patient.

The day our minister introduced Bill 74 was a day long overdue. Actually, Speaker, I think it was 15 years overdue, and let me tell you why. As I often do in this House, I will speak to my personal experience as a registered nurse who worked in the emergency room of a local GTA hospital. The ER is as front-line as it gets, Mr. Speaker. Let me paint you the picture of a day, or even a few hours, in the life of an RN on a shift in Ontario.

My shift as an RN starts at the crack of dawn, at 7:30 when I report for duty. I start by checking the assignment board to see where in the ER I am actually assigned and, more often than not, as a new nurse, I would get the dreaded back hall shift. Baptism by fire, they would call it. I would proceed to the back hall, which is the hallway perimeter around the emergency room. It’s an L-shape. It is about two metres wide and probably 20 metres long on each side. So this two-metre space would become my office for the next 12, 13, sometimes 14 hours.

Let me describe to you how my shift actually looks in a hospital that operates at 130% capacity every day. I would take a report from the night nurse, and I would first start by restocking my little supply cubby. I would open up the drawers and I would see that vital supplies—basic tools such as needles, syringes, alcohol swabs—would be missing. So what would I do? Instead of checking on my patients, I would just eyeball them and I would proceed to the inside, leaving my patients unattended, just simply to restock my cubby.

Then I would proceed to look for a vital sign machine, because that is a vital tool that I need in order to check my patients’ vitals in the morning. Well, guess what, Speaker? Most times, a vital sign machine was not available because either it was broken or there were simply not enough.

Then I would proceed to look for an oximeter, because I would need to check my patients’ pulses and heart rates. Guess what, Speaker? Most of the time, that was not available, so I would have to sneak into another nurse’s room and borrow one quickly just to be able to perform that basic vital sign check in the morning.

Then comes checking for the diabetic patients—glucometer. A glucometer is a hot commodity in the emergency room, as there are only three available for all 24 of the staff RNs. I would have to search and search until I finally found it.

Then it came time to administer medications. I would have to line up inside of the main emerg—once again leaving my patients unattended for 10-15 minutes—to be able to pull the medications out of the drawer. Finally, when it was time to hang the medications, I would have to search for a simple pump and a simple pole around all of the perimeter of the first floor to be able to provide the basic care.

When it came to changing my patients or providing personal hygiene, I would have to physically take a patient’s stretcher and go into the little nook between rooms 3 and 4 to be able to provide some dignity and some comfort as I performed that personal hygiene.

Let’s not even talk about the bariatric and overweight patients. I would really need some help and support from other nurses and personal support workers. But guess what, Speaker? There’s only one personal support worker available for all 24 RNs on shift. That is simply not enough.

So it is about 9:30 a.m., just two hours since nurses started their shifts, and what I just outlined is the turmoil that hundreds, if not thousands, of nurses experienced this morning putting their personal licence on the line as they care for patients.

Speaker, you are probably exhausted from just listening to this; imagine how the nurses feel. Better yet, imagine how patients feel being cared for in a hallway with no privacy, no dignity and inadequate tools, for everyone to hear, see and, frankly, sometimes smell some of the most difficult, intimate and personal moments of their health care journey.

A hallway is not a place of work and it is definitely not a place of healing. Our health care system is on life support. In fact, our health care system has been receiving CPR for far too long. If real intervention does not come fast, we will lose it. That is why Bill 74 is coming not a day too soon.

True leadership means taking bold and decisive action. True leadership means less talk and more action. It means challenging the status quo. That is why we are so lucky to have such a leader in our Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

Let me tell you, Speaker, how Bill 74 that she introduced will transform our health care system so that CPR can stop and life-saving measures can be administered, and the road to recovery can begin. As a result of Bill 74, gone will be the days of the endless confusion patients have to experience when they need to be looked after. Gone will be the days of having to spend countless hours repeating your health history to every new care provider you see.

Speaker, pursuant to standing order 48, I now move that the question be put.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Ms. Kusendova has moved that the question be now put. I am satisfied that there has been sufficient debate to allow this question to be put to the House.

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

I heard a no.

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

All those opposed to the motion that the question be now put please say “nay.”

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

A recorded vote being required, this vote will be deferred until after question period today.

Vote deferred.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Orders of the day.

Mr. Stephen Lecce: No further business.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): There being no further business, this House stands recessed until 10:30 today.

The House recessed from 0911 to 1030.

Introduction of Visitors

Mrs. Belinda Karahalios: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. It is my pleasure to introduce, from the riding of Cambridge, Mark Trueman, Kimberly MacFadyen, Jim Trueman and Judy Trueman. Thank you for coming to Queen’s Park. Enjoy your day today.

Mr. Stephen Crawford: It’s great to speak here today. Unfortunately, it’s that time of the legislative session when our pages are leaving. It’s our last day. I do have two parents here for a page from the town of Oakville who has been a great page, Katie Bowie. It’s my pleasure to introduce Lynn McDougall and Trevor Bowie, the parents of Katie, here today. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Marit Stiles: It gives me great pleasure to introduce, in the members’ gallery, one of my best volunteers in my campaign, Jimmy Francis.

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: It’s my pleasure to welcome Jeff Mole from Community Enterprise Network to the Legislature. Also, from my riding of Scarborough–Guildwood, Bendale Junior Public School will be touring today, so please make our students feel welcome.

Miss Monique Taylor: It gives me great pleasure to welcome Faith Munoz back to the House again today. Faith is mom to six-year-old Jeremy, and she’s been here every day this week. Thanks so much.

Report, Chief Electoral Officer

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I beg to inform the House that the following document has been tabled: the post-event report 2018 on Ontario’s 42nd general election from the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Ontario.

Wearing of hockey jersey

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I understand the member for Niagara West has a point of order.

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: I ask for unanimous consent, sadly, for the member for Durham and myself to wear the Oshawa Generals jersey as, unfortunately, Niagara can’t win every time.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member is seeking unanimous consent to wear the hockey jersey. Agreed? Agreed.

Anniversary of attack in Toronto

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Willowdale on a point of order.

Mr. Stan Cho: I seek the unanimous consent of the House for a moment of silence to mark the one-year anniversary of the Yonge Street van attack that took place in my riding of Willowdale on April 23, 2018.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Willowdale is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to have a moment of silence to acknowledge and recognize the victims of the van attack a year ago. Agreed? Agreed.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

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

Oral Questions

Education

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Before I begin, I just want to wish everyone all the best this holiday weekend. For those of us who are celebrating Easter, I hope you have a great Easter weekend with your families and a great constituency week. See you all back here when we return.

Speaker, my question is to the Premier. Parents and students are worried about the impacts of cuts in the classroom and the Premier’s plan for larger class sizes and fewer course options for students. Across Ontario, teachers are receiving notices from school boards, informing them that they don’t have a position next year.

Is the Premier committing that every one of the thousands of teachers and education workers receiving redundancies and layoff notices this week will be in the schools educating our kids full-time, come September?

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker: I want to echo the Leader of the Opposition. I want to wish everyone a very happy Easter and a happy Passover. It falls on the same weekend. I wish everyone all the best.

Regarding education, myself and the minister had an opportunity to sit down and talk to a teacher this morning and, boy, was that an eye-opener. It was an eye-opener like you’ve never seen. It’s amazing how much this teacher agreed with what we’re doing. Absolutely, there were some tweaks that were happening, yes.

Believe it or not, out of the EAs and the teachers, of the 200,000 teaching folks out there, there’s a tremendous amount of them who agree—because all they’ve been hearing is the rhetoric and rhetoric through the opposition. When you sit down and actually explain the plan, it’s amazing how they sit back, as the minister saw, and say, “Wow, what a great plan.” They appreciate the $700 million we’ve increased from the previous government, and they fully understand the scare tactics that the opposition is doing about these layoffs. This is—

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I also want to acknowledge that Passover is this weekend and many of our Jewish friends are celebrating, as well.

Speaker, the people who run our schools and work in them every day simply don’t believe the Premier. In Peel, where 369 layoff notices have gone out to teachers, the superintendent of human resources says that this is not normal; it is not routine. This is real, and it is bad. He is clear that there are teachers and education workers who are now not going to have jobs in September. Very, very clearly he is stating that. Does the Premier think he’s not telling the truth?

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker: You heard the same story leading up to this, then all of a sudden the opposition got caught flat-footed. They got caught flat-footed when we announced $700 million more from the previous budget—from the previous budget, when it came to the Ministry of Education, that they supported. We’re funding $700 million more than what the NDP approved and the Liberals approved.

For years and years, not just this year, the Leader of the Opposition knows that these school boards will send out these notices—it has been happening forever—until they get their budgets. Then they get their budgets and they sort things out and they rehire the teachers.

I’m here to tell you, Mr. Speaker, that not one teacher will lose their job. I can’t wait until September, when all the teachers are back in the classroom teaching our students, when the Leader of the Opposition will stand up and say, “You were right once again.”

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, Speaker, I would advise the Premier not to hold his breath.

Students and their parents simply don’t believe the Premier. They see the plan for larger class sizes and fewer courses. They hear the Premier’s overheated rhetoric, and they don’t see a plan for education. They see a recipe for cuts in the classroom and chaos in our schools.

What evidence can the Premier offer to prove that every single one of the educators receiving a layoff notice will be in school nonetheless, come September?

Hon. Doug Ford: Involuntary notices—again, these scare tactics out there, actually telling parents, telling teachers and telling the students, “Be prepared.” They’re saying there are going to be 50 people in the classrooms. They’re saying there are going to be 45. That’s not going to happen. We will prove the Leader of the Opposition wrong once again and again and again.

These scare tactics are not going to work. There are no teachers losing their jobs. We’re putting $700 million back into education. We’re going to start focusing on the students, who are on the lowest tier in our entire country when it comes to our math tests. We’re going to make sure that we give the teachers the support they need to be able to teach the math courses until everyone’s scores come up.

There’s nothing wrong with accountability. I can assure you that there will be accountability in our education system.

Teachers

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, since I couldn’t get an answer from the Premier, I’m now going to go to the Minister of Education.

Yesterday, the minister seemed unable to answer this question, but it’s important to parents and students. The minister says that no teacher will lose their job. Does she consider it a job loss if a teacher is laid off from a full-time position but is offered occasional supply teaching instead?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Again, I am getting so tired, as are Ontarians across the province, of the rhetoric and the nonsense that the Leader of the Opposition and her party are trying to perpetuate.

It’s absolutely disgusting, what they’re trying to do, because the fact of the matter is, this is a routine process that happens year in and year out, where school boards take a look at their roster, identify how many people are coming back from a long-term leave, and identify how many are retiring.

If I was to quote a particular education director from Thames Valley—she actually said on March 6, I believe, “At the end of the day, we don’t anticipate any job loss.” The front-line workers are even saying that they don’t anticipate any job loss

So, this is nonsense, what she’s doing. The whole party would be well served if they just stopped the fearmongering.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I hope the minister has followed up with that particular person to make sure that she knows what the budget says, because her opinion might have changed by now, Speaker.

Parents and students don’t need hundreds of supply teachers waiting at home for work opportunities. They need educators in our schools, helping our students to succeed.

This week, over 2,000 educators have received a letter saying that there’s no job for them in September; 2,000 educators have received a notice that there is no job for them in September. Is the minister’s solution to offer them all a chance to come back from time to time as supply teachers?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. The member for King–Vaughan will come to order, the member for Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry will come to order, and allow the members to ask their questions so that I can hear them.

Start the clock. The Minister of Education to reply.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Again, I can’t stress it enough: Across Ontario, we’re standing with teachers. We’re standing with education workers. We want to make sure that they have the best learning environment possible in the classroom. We are standing with students and parents because that’s what they deserve.

Again, I absolutely dismiss all of the rhetoric that’s coming from that leader of the NDP party. Again, shame on all of you for perpetuating the fearmongering.

Again, I’m going to quote a particular person from Guelph’s Upper Grand District School Board. Gundi Barbour goes on to say, “We’ve ... been lucky.... As long as I’ve been president of the local and even when I was vice-president, we never had teachers go into the next school year without being recalled and I’m certainly hoping that will be the case this year.”

Do you know what? It just is the exclamation point behind the point that this is a routine process that happens year in—

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

Final supplementary.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Parents and students don’t want larger classes, fewer courses—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I apologize. Stop the clock. Okay, we’re not going to put up with it today. Stop it.

Start the clock. I apologize to the Leader of the Opposition.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Thank you, Speaker. Parents and students don’t want larger classes, fewer courses and thousands of teachers’ jobs lost. They don’t believe the Ford government’s promises anymore. As one of the many teachers who received a layoff notice put it, “Only in Doug Ford’s Ontario could I receive an award of distinction one week and a letter confirming my job loss for September 2019 in the next week.”

Instead of denying the facts, will the minister reconsider her plans to increase class sizes and cut supports to our classrooms?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: And you know what we’re hearing? We’re hearing that our education focus in the budget—the budget that’s focusing on what we need to be protecting and caring for most—is sitting really, really well with people across Ontario, and that includes teachers. That includes students. That includes directors of education and that includes parents, quite frankly. Because, again, we’re demonstrating that we care.

We are going to get back to the basics and we’re going to make sure that every cent is focused in on student achievement in that classroom. After years of mismanagement, I can understand people’s frustration. But people are actually applauding the fact that we are coming forward with a plan, under the leadership of Premier Ford, that resonates with what we’ve been hearing. We were in opposition for seven years and we heard loud and clear what wasn’t working in the education program and system, and quite frankly we’ve listened and we’re getting it right. Ontarians are celebrating the fact that we are a government that actually is going to walk our talk and get—

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

The next question.

Education

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My third question is back to the Premier, and I do hope that the members on the other side do get a chance over the holidays to chat with some of those people around Ontario to hear what they’re really saying about their concerns of this government’s direction in education, because earlier this week, I had the pleasure of hosting a meeting on education with 170 students, parents and educators.

One of the students who attended, Angel Roberts from Emery Collegiate, brought forward a concern that I’d like to share. She said, “Within our school, the technology is outdated and has not been upgraded to stand up to the current technological needs of students. With Doug Ford’s recent push towards e-learning, the need is clear. We need better tech.”

What does the Premier have to say to students like Angel whose schools haven’t received the investments they need for the technology to support his ill-conceived e-learning scheme?

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker: My answer to that is, very simply, you and the Liberals destroyed the education system for the last 15 years. The Leader of the Opposition voted with the Liberals 98% of the time to help destroy the education system. We’re coming in to save the education system, to support the teachers, to stand by the teachers and give them the support. Mr. Speaker, between the EAs and teachers, we have 200,000 people—

Interjections.

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

Hon. Doug Ford: Mr. Speaker, do you want to—thank you. Between the teachers and the EAs, we have 200,000 of them. We have two million students. Can the NDP do the math? Two million, 200,000—that’s one for every 10. Again, we’re going to be supporting the education system. We’re going to make sure there’s accountability.

When we met with a teacher this morning, when he saw us—

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

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock, please. Thank you. I’m going to remind members to make their comments through the Chair. I’m also going to remind members to refer to each other by their riding names or by their ministerial title, as appropriate.

Start the clock. Supplementary.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Thank you, Speaker.

For weeks, students, parents, teachers and school boards across the province have been trying to get the government to hear their concerns, but the government, shamefully, is not listening. A teacher at Monday’s meeting asked us to pass along a message: “It would be wonderful if you would call out the education minister for ignoring the hundreds and likely thousands of emails she’s received from angry and concerned citizens regarding the proposed changes ... no one I know has received so much as an automatic reply. How can the minister simply ignore Ontarians who are asking for answers?”

It’s a good question, Speaker, a very good question. Does the Premier have an answer for this teacher?

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker: My answer to that teacher is that we’re there to support them. We’re there to support the teachers. We’re there to make sure they have the tools so that they can actually teach the students.

Again, I want to remind the Leader of the Opposition that she was part of the whole gang that destroyed the education system, that didn’t have the $700 million of funding that we’re putting in right now. That is what has destroyed the education system. Under the Leader of the Opposition, supporting the previous administration, they supported the cuts, they supported when they went on strike and they supported when the students weren’t in the classroom. It happened.

I want to remind everyone again, under their previous leader, Bob Rae, it was an absolute disaster when the teachers went on strike. They went on strike under Mike Harris, under McGuinty, under Wynne. They just believe in striking, holding the population of Ontario hostage. They aren’t going to hold—

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

Public transit

Mr. Vincent Ke: My question is to the Premier. Last week, the Premier, the Ministers of Transportation and Infrastructure, the parliamentary assistants for transportation and infrastructure and the member from Etobicoke–Lakeshore made a historic transportation announcement. The Premier unveiled a transit plan for the 21st century, a transit network that will get people moving and reduce gridlock: a $28.5-billion expansion to build subways. For the first time ever, our government is taking the lead and building new subways in this province.

I know my riding of Don Valley North is thrilled with this transit announcement.

Can the Premier share with the Legislature more details about the Ontario Line and how we will get the GTA moving again?

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the incredible member from Don Valley North. I’ll tell you, his constituents are absolutely over the top about getting a real, modern-day transit system that Toronto and the region have not seen in over 30 years. We’re committing a total transit system of $28.5 billion. It’s not just a Toronto transit system, Mr. Speaker; it’s a regional transit system. There are over 40,000 commuters that come in from the 905 every single day. Then you go down Line 1, right by Bloor and Yonge—it’s packed. It’s actually dangerous, Mr. Speaker.

They can’t get on to the trains. They watch these trains fly by as they’re full. Sometimes they have to wait three, four or five trains. But we’re going to bring relief to that line and make sure the region gets moving and Toronto gets moving—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you. Stop the clock. Members take their seats.

I had to stop the clock. I couldn’t hear the Premier.

Start the clock. Supplementary?

Mr. Vincent Ke: Thank you to the Premier for your great leadership. I’m so thrilled to hear that our government for the people is addressing the gridlock that is happening on Line 1. Traffic is a health and safety issue and will only get worse if not properly addressed. I can tell you that this is a project that not only myself and the residents of Don Valley North but everyone in Toronto and the GHTA want addressed, and as soon as possible. This project will relieve overcrowding on our subway network and connect new neighbourhoods.

Can the Premier further elaborate on the benefits of the Ontario Line?

Hon. Doug Ford: Again, I want to thank our great MPP from Don Valley North.

My friends, the crown jewel of this transit system—and the Leader of the Opposition should be doing cartwheels down the centre of the Legislature here, because they’re going through all the NDP areas. They should be happy downtown. They should be absolutely happy with getting a modern transit system to get away from the horse and buggy days, that they’d rather be on right now.

I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, our Ontario line will not just run from Pape to Queen, but it’s going to run from the Ontario Science Centre all the way down to Ontario Place. Mr. Speaker, I’m sure that you’ve been to a couple of rock concerts down at Ontario Place. You see the parking and you get on the Lakeshore—you can’t move. Now people are going to have a rapid transit system that can deliver 400,000 people a day. That’s what we need. We’re going to connect to the Eglinton line. We’re going to get people moving in this province. It is the—

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

Next question?

Government advertising

Mr. John Vanthof: My question is to the Premier. A week ago, the Premier revealed a budget that asked families across Ontario to expect less from their government, but there was one exception: When it comes to promoting themselves and their partisan agenda, the Ford government believes in big government, spending millions of taxpayer dollars on partisan sticker ads, telling businesses that they’ll face huge fines if they don’t display them.

Will the Premier tell us how much of the public’s money he plans to spend on his partisan sticker ad campaign?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of Energy.

Hon. Greg Rickford: Let’s see now, Mr. Speaker: I think we’ve all received our postcard telling us that we may be getting $307 back. We’re hearing the radio stations talk about the carbon tax. It seems like the federal government—there’s no amount of money that they will spend to talk about and tout this job-killing, regressive carbon tax.

We feel differently. We think that a sticker at a gas pump with some public notice is an important way of letting the people of Ontario know how much this tax scheme is going to cost them. Imagine them putting their hands in one pocket and saying, “It’s not going to cost you. We’re actually going to give you more than it’s going to cost.” Yeah, right, Mr. Speaker.

That’s why the stickers on the price of bread are changing in grocery stores as we speak. That’s why sports teams way out in northwestern Ontario are now having to figure out whether they should change their schedule, because the bus from Dryden to Thunder Bay is going to cost the Dryden Ice Dogs a lot more money.

Let’s be clear: This isn’t just the individual. It isn’t just the family. It isn’t just the seniors. It’s schools and hospitals. We won’t stand for it, Mr. Speaker. We’re going to—

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

Supplementary question.

Mr. John Vanthof: Families want to see investment in their schools and their health care system, but instead, they’re getting cuts while the government invests all their time and money promoting the Premier and his partisan agenda.

Earlier today, New Democrats wrote to Elections Canada—I’d like to give this letter to the Premier as well—because it looks like the Premier’s stickers fit the definition of election advertising under federal election laws.

Will the government be taking the stickers down during this year’s election campaign, or will they force gas stations to register as third-party advertisers?

Hon. Greg Rickford: Mr. Speaker, this is an issue of transparency. It’s our ability and our right as a province and as a government to let the people of Ontario know how much this job-killing, regressive carbon tax is costing.

It’s not available to the federal government to spend unlimited resources on touting a tax that is going to kill jobs in the province of Ontario, cost more monies for families and for seniors, and compromise the additional funds that we’re putting into education and health, when the carbon tax is actually going to compromise some of those resources by costing those institutions more. That’s a fact. That member knows it. He’s got farmers up in northern Ontario who spend a lot more money on heating and operating their vehicles than just about anybody else in this province. They don’t want the carbon tax.

I’ve heard from them. I’m happy to let them know, through that sticker, how much it’s costing—

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

Next question.

Taxation

Mr. Rudy Cuzzetto: My question is for the great Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. Speaker, while the people of Ontario call for life to be affordable in Ontario, they’ve been met with a federally imposed carbon tax that does the exact opposite. As our government continues to work hard to fight against the unconstitutional tax, as of April 1, Ontarians have been met with a burden of increased costs to everything.

Yesterday, I was pleased to welcome our Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and the Solicitor General to my riding of Mississauga–Lakeshore to speak about how the federal carbon tax will impact costs to our community. Can the minister tell this this House what the imposition of this carbon tax means to our local correctional facilities and our OPP detachments?

Hon. Rod Phillips: Mr. Speaker, through you to the member for Mississauga–Lakeshore, I know the Solicitor General and I very much enjoyed visiting with the member and hearing from his constituents what a great job he’s doing in that constituency.

We know that Justin Trudeau’s carbon tax is going to cost the average family $648, but what we’re only learning now is the cost to vital institutions. My colleague mentioned some of them. Let’s talk for a moment about security. Let’s talk about OPP detachments: $1.4 million in additional heating for OPP detachments and correctional facilities; $2 million for additional fuel for OPP vehicles. That money could pay for 60 new cruisers. It could pay for 32 new correctional officers, something the opposition is often calling for: more correctional officers. But no, Mr. Speaker. That money, if the carbon tax goes ahead, will be drained out of security, drained out of those vital institutions.

That’s why we’re fighting the carbon tax. We need to make sure people know that, and we need to stop this job-killing, regressive tax.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mr. Rudy Cuzzetto: I thank the minister for his answer. I know the residents of Mississauga–Lakeshore are concerned to hear how much this carbon tax is going to take away from their safety. We want police, firefighters, paramedics, correctional officers and other front-line responders to be able to continue providing the potentially life-saving services we rely on. The federal carbon tax threatens these services and the affordability that the people of Ontario are longing for.

I know the Minister of the Environment worked hard on the plan that will ensure Ontario does its fair share, and I am proud to be part of this government that puts the interests of the people of Ontario first. Can the minister tell this House what our government is doing to ensure Ontario understands the true cost of the Trudeau carbon tax?

Hon. Rod Phillips: Mr. Speaker, the NDP may want the people of Ontario not to have the facts, but the good news is that people are catching on. They’re catching on that over $3 million is going to be the cost for the OPP and corrections. They’ve caught on that it’s going to be $27 million for hospitals and over $20 million for schools.

I was at the Ajax GO station just this morning. I was sharing the good news, with the Minister of Transportation, about the two new trains: everyday rush-hour trains that are going to reduce greenhouse gases. But someone stopped me and said, “You know, how much more is it going to cost to fuel those trains? What money is going to come out of transit? How much more is transit going to cost because of the Trudeau carbon tax?”

Mr. Speaker, the good news is, the Minister of Transportation and I are going to let them know. We’re going to let them know how much this carbon tax is costing vital services, because Ontarians want to know. We’re going to use all the tools we have to let them know. And we’re going to try to stop this carbon tax.

Education

Mr. Joel Harden: My question is for the Minister of Education. Yesterday, we learned in Ottawa that cuts to education will put 300 Ottawa public school teacher positions at risk. If the minister wants to quarrel with that number, it doesn’t come from us; it comes from Mike Carson, the CFO of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.

The Premier said that not one front-line job would be cut, but hundreds of teaching jobs in Ottawa are at risk. And, Speaker, those teachers and EAs—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Government side, come to order.

Mr. Joel Harden: —bad news. They have to go back into the classroom. Imagine what that feels like.

Can the minister explain how 300 fewer positions is going to help teach students in the city of Ottawa?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. Once again, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, come to order; Mississauga East–Cooksville, come to order.

There is someone over here who was shouting at the top of their lungs. I don’t know who it was. Come to order.

Start the clock.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Again, it’s just unbelievable that this party will go to every extent to continue to fearmonger and create havoc when they shouldn’t be. It’s very irresponsible of all of you to continue on this path, because the fact of the matter is, we are investing, as it came out in our budget—we’ve set aside $1.6 billion in attrition protection. Not one teacher is going to involuntarily lose their job. The only reason—the only reason—the party opposite is continuing to choose to fearmonger over something that isn’t even real is because they want to distract from the amazing things that we’ve brought forward in not only our education plan but our budget.

Our education plan has hit the mark. We’re getting back to the basics. We’re focusing on math. We’re supporting teachers. We’re investing in teachers. Anyone who wants to take an additional qualification course—

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

Mr. Joel Harden: What I would remind the minister is that what she’s actually saying in her response is that the CFO of the Ottawa-Carleton school board is fearmongering. She’s actually saying that the officials who do the work every day on the front line are fearmongering. That is despicable, Speaker.

More than 300 teachers, 40 early childhood educators—these people are having to go back into the class with pink slips hanging over their heads. Parents are telling me they’ve had enough. Students are telling me they’ve had enough. They can’t wait for the pink slips of this government to be issued. It can’t happen soon enough.

Will the minister listen to teachers, will they listen to parents, and will they stop these callous cuts?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Again, we are investing and setting aside $1.6 billion so that no teacher involuntarily loses their job. Over and above that, we’re working with our school boards on a regular basis, and they know that they’re going to be receiving their GSN—Grants for Student Needs—envelope by the end of this month.

I would dare say, and I’d like to share with everyone right now, that both the Peel board and the Toronto District School Board have confirmed publicly that they will not be making any final staffing decisions until they have received their GSN. That’s proof in the matter that this party is doing nothing but fearmongering.

Shame on you. Ontario students deserve better. Ontario parents deserve better. Ontario teachers—and they’re getting it from this government. Shame on—

Interjections.

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

Start the clock. Next question.

Climate change

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

This government has a habit of making head-scratching pivots when trying to dodge a question. When asked about sex ed, they answer with math scores. When asked about cash-for-access, they answer with spaghetti. When asked about climate change, they answer with litter pickup.

Today I heard one of the government’s partisan ads and learned that they believe trash collection is a better solution to the climate crisis than making polluters pay. I’m all on board with picking up litter, but I’m unclear how it will significantly reduce GHG emissions.

Mr. Speaker, can the Premier, based on the government’s scientific calculations, tell us how much trash pickup will contribute to reducing Ontario’s carbon emissions?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of the Environment.

Hon. Rod Phillips: Mr. Speaker, I’m going to answer the member’s question, but I know there’s a chance in the supplementary, so I’m going to take this opportunity to thank the member.

When the member from Guelph and the other people who mock things like trash talk down to Ontarians who are upset because there’s litter and garbage, when they say that the only people who can talk about the environment are the ones who can fly to Switzerland for a conference in their private jets, when they say environmental sophisticates are the only people allowed to talk about the environment, they feed a cynicism that is not helpful. Our made-in-Ontario plan addresses that.

The reason it talks about litter, I’ll say to the member from Guelph, is because the people of Ontario care about it. That’s why we’re going to talk about that and we’re going to talk about the other issues that affect the environment.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. Members take their seats. The member for Markham–Stouffville will come to order. The member for Mississauga East–Cooksville, come to order. The member for Hamilton East–Stoney Creek, come to order.

Hon. John Yakabuski: The flight leaves at 4, Mike.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, come to order.

Start the clock. Supplementary?

Mr. Mike Schreiner: I participate in many litter pickups and I invite the minister to join me in one of them. But given the answer that was given, I think the government should spend less time concerned about math scores and more time concerned about their grasp of basic science.

Last year alone, the climate crisis cost Ontario $1.2 billion. It cost the average household $350. The Bank of England yesterday announced that there’s $20 trillion of infrastructure at risk due to the global climate crisis. The Premier responds with stickers.

So I would like to ask, can the Premier tell the House today how much the government’s partisan ad campaign will cost the taxpayers of Ontario?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The question has been referred to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

Hon. Rod Phillips: Speaker, through you to the member—and I do know he’s involved in many litter pickups. You’ll be pleased to know—and I know it’s part of our environment plan—we will have the first province-wide litter pickup day, and I’ll invite you to join me in Ajax for that.

I promised the member an answer. Let’s talk about science. Let’s talk about the National Inventory Report, something the member knows quite well. It came out this week, Mr. Speaker. I’ve quoted it before. It says that Ontario has reduced emissions since 2005 by 22%, while the rest of Canada—

Interjections.

Hon. Rod Phillips: Which is worth applause—the rest of Canada has increased emissions by 3%.

The new numbers are out and the good news is, Ontario continues on its path. Our made-in-Ontario plan will get from the 22% to the 30%. But, Mr. Speaker, what was very interesting from the science is that the rest of Canada has gone up not 3% but 6%.

Why does the opposition and why does the member of the Green Party want to punish Ontario families when Ontarians are doing—

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

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. Order. I ask the government side to come to order. One of the government members wants to ask a question.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I ask the member for Hamilton East–Stoney Creek to come to order.

Start the clock. The member for Scarborough–Rouge Park.

Public housing

Mr. Vijay Thanigasalam: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the amazing Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. The safety of Ontarians, especially our most vulnerable, is a top priority of this government. As it currently stands, social housing providers are not allowed to refuse to offer a unit to a tenant who has already been evicted for serious criminal activity. This has created unsafe environments for those living in community housing across Ontario in their homes, where they should feel protected.

Can the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing please share with the House the steps he’s taking to protect those living in community housing?

Hon. Steve Clark: I want to thank the member for Scarborough–Rouge Park for that outstanding question. I also want to thank him for the tremendous advocacy that he does in his riding and in this House. Speaker—

Interjections.

Hon. Steve Clark: Yes. Give him a hand. He deserves it.

Speaker, the member is right. People have a right to feel safe within their homes and in their communities. Our government has already taken real action on violence in our communities thanks to our Attorney General and our Solicitor General, who are combatting guns and gang violence across Ontario. However, there are very serious concerns about people, especially those who are our most vulnerable, feeling safe in their own homes. That’s why our government is making community housing safer.

We are giving community housing providers the authority to refuse to rehouse a tenant previously evicted for a serious criminal offence. It’s going to provide greater protection to individuals living in community housing so they’re not fearing for their safety.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mr. Vijay Thanigasalam: Thank you, Minister, for that informative answer and for showing the commitment our government has in keeping the people of Ontario safe.

Mr. Speaker, I have heard stories of individuals in community housing encountering unsafe situations because people previously evicted for a serious criminal offence get rehoused. This is not fair to the law-abiding residents who want a safe place to call home. This also creates heightened stress on community housing providers as they try to help those who need it most.

This is a long-standing issue for the city of Toronto. Mr. Speaker, can the minister please tell us more about how his proposed reforms will protect some of the most vulnerable in our province?

Hon. Steve Clark: Again, I want to thank the member for that question. Speaker, the member is right. The request for enhanced powers to keep communities safe came from the city of Toronto to the previous Liberal government, who ignored the request.

However, I want to quote Mayor John Tory. This is what he said yesterday about our proposal: “We have a duty as governments to do everything possible to stop the misconduct of a small group of people who are disrupting the lives of law-abiding Toronto Community Housing residents.... This change by the province sends a strong message to criminals that they are not welcome in TCHC, and we will not tolerate them threatening the peace and well-being of our communities.”

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable, whether they be in our communities or in our housing spaces. Through an all-of-government approach, we are getting that done. These proposed changes will not only help the residents in Toronto Community Housing, but tenants across this province.

Climate change

Mr. Ian Arthur: Speaker, through you, my question is to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. The government’s first budget cut over $350 million from the Ministry of the Environment. Its budget is less than half of what it was previously.

The bulk of the cuts was from conservation programs that helped people lower their hydro bills and reduce their GHG emissions. This is the low-hanging fruit, Mr. Speaker. This is the most cost-effective thing we could do to tackle climate change in Ontario, and the government doesn’t even support that.

How does this government expect to meet even its reduced GHG emission targets when it has cut the programs that encourage reductions from households and businesses in Ontario?

Hon. Rod Phillips: I am pleased to answer the question, although I’ll note that conservation programs are part the of the Minister of Energy’s budget. But I do want to talk about the budget and what the member mentioned.

When we look at the budget and when we compare the budget—the member knows this—year over year, the budget from last year of course included the cap-and-trade carbon tax. It included the revenues from that. It included the Drive Clean program—two things that this government got rid of.

Mr. Speaker, we will talk all day about putting $1.2 billion back in people’s pockets by getting rid of the carbon tax. We’ll talk all day about eliminating Drive Clean—$40 million back in people’s pockets. We have preserved programs for conservation, we’ve preserved the essential programs, and we have a plan that’s not the largest carbon tax in the world, to hit our GHG targets.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Hamilton East–Stoney Creek will come to order. The member for Niagara Falls will come to order.

Supplementary question.

Mr. Ian Arthur: Speaker, through you, again, to the minister: Last year, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change asserted that carbon pollution must end—end, Speaker—by 2050 to avoid a devastating degree of climate change.

This government is competing with Nero for negligence. The minister has cut conservation programs for families and businesses, he’s made deep cuts to the Ministry of the Environment, and he has no credible climate change plan. Climate change is real. It’s here, and it’s now. This must go beyond partisan politics.

When will this government stop campaigning for Andrew Scheer and get to the business of dealing with climate change once and for all?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Members, please take their seats. Government side, come to order.

Minister of the Environment to reply.

Hon. Rod Phillips: Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to talk about our made-in-Ontario plan and the climate portion of that.

There are pragmatic steps in that plan that take us, you’ll remember, from that 22% reduction to the 30% reduction that was agreed in Paris, that was agreed by the Prime Minister; that, in fact, was agreed by the last Prime Minister. These are the targets our country has set and these are the targets that Canada will meet.

We are going to do it through a sensible approach, through a practical approach, not through the highest carbon tax in the world. The carbon tax that Justin Trudeau is bringing in is going to raise gas prices by 11 cents.

The NDP member’s carbon tax would increase the price of gasoline by 45 cents a litre. If that’s what you stand for, stand up and say it. If you want a 45-cent-a-litre increase in gasoline, stand up and say it in this Legislature.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. The government side will come to order so that one of the government members can ask a question. The opposition will come to order. The independent members will come to order.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Start the clock. The member for Niagara West.

University and college funding

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: My question is to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. I understand the minister has recently announced measures to tie operating grant funding provided to universities and colleges to performance-based outcomes for students.

Frankly, Speaker, I was shocked to hear that for the last 15 years the previous Liberal government failed to do this. Instead of shovelling billions of dollars out the door without demanding results, our government is ensuring the billions of dollars taxpayers give to universities and colleges across Ontario actually deliver the skills and training that our students need to compete in the modern economy. I’m proud to see that our government sees how irresponsible it is to spend billions of tax dollars without ensuring accountability and results for students.

My question to the minister is simple: Can the minister tell us more about how our government will ensure that students are getting the skills they need for a high-quality job after graduation?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Thank you to the member from Niagara West for his hard work and advocacy for our students.

Our government has introduced a made-in-Ontario mechanism to encourage the training and skills needed to find high-quality jobs for our young people. Our plan is based on measurable metrics. These metrics will include: student graduation rate; experiential learning opportunities; graduate earnings; graduate employment; and skills and competencies. These metrics will encourage universities and colleges to take active steps to improve the outcomes they deliver for our students.

Importantly, this is not about competition between universities and colleges. It is about institutions improving themselves based on their historical performance to deliver better results for their students.

Our government is putting students first by making Ontario a world leader in outcomes-based funding.

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

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: Thank you to the minister for that excellent answer. It’s great to hear more details about how Ontario is working to put students first and ensure that our tax dollars are actually delivering results for the people.

In addition to the nine standardized metrics the minister spoke about, I know the minister will also be working with colleges and universities on an individual basis to select an institution-specific metric.

It’s great news that the minister’s plan reflects the diversity of colleges and universities across Ontario, but can the minister also tell us about how her reforms strengthening post-secondary education are being received by colleges and universities across the province?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: The reactions of universities and colleges speak for themselves. Linda Franklin, president and CEO of Colleges Ontario, says, “The government’s emphasis on outcomes aligns with the colleges’ position in last year’s provincial election.

“Our research has found most people want higher education to prepare students for successful careers. In polling results we released a few years ago, over 60% of respondents said the main purpose of post-secondary education should be to teach specific skills and knowledge that can be used in the workplace.

“We’re excited by this initiative to transform higher education. This is a tremendous opportunity to ensure more people acquire the professional and technical expertise that is essential to success in the new economy.”

Speaker, I am looking forward to working collaboratively with our institutions to create positive outcomes for our students.

Library services

Ms. Jill Andrew: My question is to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Yesterday, the Southern Ontario Library Service announced that the ministry informed them that their budget would be slashed by over 50% this fiscal year. Shame. The Ontario Library Service–North program will also be cut by 50%.

This cut will devastate Ontarians’ ability to access library services. These services provide essential support to smaller libraries, ensuring that rural communities have equal access to all of Ontario’s library collections.

Why is the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport taking away Ontarians’ access to books and other vital resources that libraries provide to Ontarians every single day?

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: Thank you for the question. Libraries across Ontario continue to receive funding for operations from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

After 15 years of reckless and out-of-touch Liberal government, the people of Ontario voted for a change, and that change is here. For the past nine months, we have worked to restore accountability, sustainability and trust in Ontario’s finances. In our recent budget, we are keeping our promises to the people of Ontario and putting the province back on a path to balance, so that we can protect what matters most to Ontarians.

Our government for the people recognizes the importance of libraries to Ontario’s communities across the province. We continue to maintain strong partnerships with our municipal and Indigenous libraries, assisting them in making sure that the services we fund are in line with our mandate of providing—

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

Supplementary question?

Ms. Jill Andrew: Ontarians should be shocked but not surprised by this cut from this government. After all, it was this Premier who, while a city councillor, voted to slash the Toronto library budget by nearly $4 million. He infamously said that he would close libraries in his own community: “Absolutely.... In a heartbeat.”

These cuts mean that libraries will have to make difficult, lose-lose decisions about what staff and services they can keep.

What does the minister have to say to the people in southwest or rural Ontario or remote First Nations communities in the north, who will no longer have access to the books and services they’ve come to rely on?

Interjections.

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

The minister to reply.

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: Once again, I would like to reiterate: The libraries continue to receive funding for operations, and the ministry continues to support them.

We continue to maintain strong partnerships with our municipal and Indigenous libraries. We assist them in making sure that the services we fund are in line with our mandate of providing quality public services for the people of this province while ensuring that they’re getting value for their money.

Let me repeat once again that after 15 years of abuses, reckless spending and $1.4 million a day in interest payments, we are doing what is responsible and we are servicing and supporting the libraries. The previous Liberal government’s wasteful and—

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

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Don Valley East, come to order. The member for Toronto–St. Paul’s, come to order. The member for Hamilton Mountain, come to order.

Next question.

Health care

Ms. Lindsey Park: My question is to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. Speaker, our 2019 budget takes a reasonable and pragmatic approach to balancing the budget. It restores confidence in Ontario’s finances while protecting what matters most. That’s our health care and our education systems.

As the Minister of Health has said, every part of the government’s plan to end hallway health care and build a modern, sustainable and integrated health care system starts and ends with the patient. I’m extremely proud of a government that is investing in the front lines of our health care system in Durham and province-wide.

Can the minister please inform the members of this House of what our government is doing to support Ontario’s hospitals and front-line workers?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Thank you very much to the member from Durham for this question and for the great work that you’re doing in your community.

Our government is building a health care system for the patients, families and caregivers of this province, one that we can be proud of. We’re taking a comprehensive approach to modernizing our public health care system, and by relentlessly focusing on the patient experience and on better connected care, we will end wait times and hallway health care.

That’s why we are investing in the front lines of our health care system with hundreds of millions of dollars for operational funding in hospitals. This is just one part of our plan to create a connected and sustainable public health care system that respects and empowers front-line workers, to provide the best possible care to patients in the province.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Ms. Lindsey Park: I thank the minister for her response. I’m proud to be part of a government that supports front-line workers and hospitals while strengthening our public health care system.

My constituents in Durham and everyone in Ontario will certainly benefit from this investment in our public health care system. Could the minister explain how these investments will benefit my constituents and all patients in Ontario?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Thank you again to the member. These investments will ensure that our hospitals are able to deliver the high-quality, patient-centred care that Ontario patients expect and deserve while addressing wait times and ending hallway health care. Because of this investment, Ontarians will have more access to essential health care surgeries like hip and knee surgery, lung surgeries and life-saving stroke treatments. Our plans to modernize the health care system will ensure that people have faster, better, more coordinated access to health care services.

The people of Ontario have been and always will be the focus and the centre of all of our investments in health care.

Kashechewan First Nation

Mr. Guy Bourgouin: My question is for the Minister of Indigenous Affairs. Last week we learned that Kashechewan declared a state of emergency and began its pre-emptive evacuation this Monday. In total, this involves 2,500 people, including children and elders, who will be relocated to Timmins, Kapuskasing, Cornwall and Thunder Bay. Just imagine your family having to move every spring, having to leave everything behind and live in hotel rooms for months every year, Mr. Speaker.

Minister, when will you listen to the people of Kashechewan and work with them to create a solution?

Hon. Greg Rickford: Unlike the member opposite, I’ve actually had that experience, with eight years of living and working in these isolated communities. I’ve visited Kashechewan and been part of an evacuation.

The people of Kashechewan deserve a long-term, stable location to live in. I’ve been in Kapuskasing. I’ve been in Timmins to support these families in previous roles that I’ve been involved in. But I can assure the member opposite that we continue to work with Kashechewan.

Mr. Gilles Bisson: Where do you live now?

Hon. Greg Rickford: I live in Keewatin, actually.

We continue to offer assistance to Kashechewan to ensure that people stay safe. We’re working with the federal government, who have acknowledged their responsibility in ensuring that there’s a long-term plan in place. Ontario will be there to ensure that whatever crown lands are identified or whatever decision is made that’s community-driven, we’ll be there to support that community, Mr. Speaker.

Where does the member from Timmins live?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

Supplementary question.

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: Meegwetch, Mr. Speaker. The people of Kashechewan are beneficiaries of Treaty 9. Their ancestors signed the treaty with Ontario to share the land, but this government does not seem to be interested in helping the people of Kashechewan by holding up their end of the treaty. The people suffer from these relocations that happen each year—every year, Mr. Speaker. The trauma caused by these relocations and seeing their homes destroyed by flooding over and over again would not be acceptable anywhere else in Ontario.

Chief Friday from Kashechewan will be at Queen’s Park on April 29. Through you, Speaker, is the minister willing to meet and listen to the chief, yes or no?

Hon. Greg Rickford: The short answer is yes. Hopefully we’ll have a chance to have a discussion in the not-too-distant future, and that discussion will take place with all of our partners, not just in the context of the evacuation that’s going on and the incredible work that ministry officials are doing to coordinate the safe evacuation of community members to the towns and cities that have been identified, Mr. Speaker, but as well to identify a long-term solution to this problem, including a location for that community to move to.

Mr. Speaker, offers have been made to that community in the past and they’ve said no and we have respected that. We’ve respected that, Mr. Speaker, but we hope, moving forward, that the federal government will identify the lands that they see as safe and agreeable to the community. Ontario will be there to facilitate and support that opportunity, Mr. Speaker.

Home care

Mrs. Amy Fee: My question is to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. I’m proud that our government for the people has created a sustainable plan that will take us to balance in five years, while protecting the essential services that people in my riding of Kitchener South–Hespeler value the most. It restores confidence in Ontario’s finances while protecting our health care system. I’m proud to be part of a government that is building a coordinated, connected public health care system that puts the patient at the centre of care.

Can the minister please inform the members of this House what our government is doing to support Ontario’s home and community care workers?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Thank you to the member from Kitchener South–Hespeler for the question and for the great contributions you’re making both to the community and to our province.

Our government is investing $267 million in home and community care, including new investments of $124 million for home care and $20 million in community care. These new investments in home care will provide patients with more access to care and services across the province. This funding will directly support 1.8 million more hours of personal support services, 499,000 more nursing visits and 102,000 more therapy visits.

By relentlessly focusing on the patient experience and on better-connected care, we will reduce wait times and end hallway health care. We are building a sustainable and connected public health care service and system for the people of Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): That concludes question period for today.

Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of Transportation has told me he has a point of order.

Hon. Jeff Yurek: Mr. Speaker, we had three visitors join us late up in the Speaker’s gallery. Page Virginia Will’s family are here for the last day: Melanie Will, Selena Will and Gale Rader. Welcome to the Legislature.

Member’s birthday

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Hastings–Lennox and Addington on a point of order.

Mr. Daryl Kramp: Tomorrow is a very special day, of course. Members in this House will have a chance to return back to their ridings and work for their people there.

It’s also a very special day for my seatmate. She will be a young—I think it’s 29 tomorrow; I’m not sure. Happy birthday, Daisy Wai.

George Binns

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Scarborough–Guildwood on a point of order.

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: I just have to wish a member from my constituency a happy birthday today. He’s 80. George Binns is loved by all. Happy birthday, George.

Easter holiday

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

Mr. John Fraser: I just want to wish all my colleagues here a happy Easter and a great time with your families this weekend. I really look forward to seeing you in a week.

Legislative pages

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m going to ask our pages to assemble. It’s now time to say a word of thanks to our legislative pages.

Our pages are smart, trustworthy and hard-working. They are indispensable to the effective functioning of this chamber, and we are indeed fortunate to have all of them here. Our pages depart having made many new friends, with a better understanding of parliamentary democracy and memories that will last a lifetime.

Each of them will go home, continue their studies and no doubt will contribute to their communities, their province and their country in important ways.

We expect great things from all of you. Maybe some day some of you will take your seats in this House as members or as staff. We wish you all well.

Please join me in showing our appreciation to this group of legislative pages.

Applause.

Private members’ public business

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I beg to inform the House that, pursuant to standing order 98(c), a change has been made to the order of precedence on the ballot list for private members’ public business, such that Ms. Khanjin assumes ballot item number 81 and Mr. Rasheed assumes ballot item number 101.

Deferred Votes

The People’s Health Care Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 sur les soins de santé pour la population

Deferred vote on the motion that the question now be put on the motion for third reading of the following bill:

Bill 74,

An Act concerning the provision of health care, continuing Ontario Health and making consequential and related amendments and repeals / Projet de loi 74, Loi concernant la prestation de soins de santé, la prorogation de Santé Ontario, l’ajout de modifications corrélatives et connexes et des abrogations.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): We now have a deferred vote on a motion for closure on the motion for third reading of Bill 74.

Call in the members. This is a five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1143 to 1148.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m going to ask the members to please take their seats.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m going to ask the members once again to please take their seats.

On April 10, 2019, Ms. Elliott moved third reading of Bill 74,

An Act concerning the provision of health care, continuing Ontario Health and making consequential and related amendments and repeals. Ms. Kusendova has moved that the question now be put.

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

Ayes

Anand, Deepak

Baber, Roman

Babikian, Aris

Bailey, Robert

Barrett, Toby

Bethlenfalvy, Peter

Bouma, Will

Calandra, Paul

Cho, Raymond Sung Joon

Cho, Stan

Clark, Steve

Coe, Lorne

Crawford, Stephen

Cuzzetto, Rudy

Downey, Doug

Dunlop, Jill

Elliott, Christine

Fee, Amy

Ford, Doug

Fullerton, Merrilee

Ghamari, Goldie

Hardeman, Ernie

Harris, Mike

Hogarth, Christine

Jones, Sylvia

Kanapathi, Logan

Karahalios, Belinda

Ke, Vincent

Khanjin, Andrea

Kramp, Daryl

Kusendova, Natalia

Lecce, Stephen

Martin, Robin

Martow, Gila

McDonell, Jim

McKenna, Jane

McNaughton, Monte

Miller, Norman

Nicholls, Rick

Oosterhoff, Sam

Pang, Billy

Park, Lindsey

Parsa, Michael

Pettapiece, Randy

Phillips, Rod

Piccini, David

Rasheed, Kaleed

Rickford, Greg

Roberts, Jeremy

Romano, Ross

Sabawy, Sheref

Sarkaria, Prabmeet Singh

Scott, Laurie

Skelly, Donna

Smith, Dave

Smith, Todd

Surma, Kinga

Tangri, Nina

Thanigasalam, Vijay

Thompson, Lisa M.

Tibollo, Michael A.

Triantafilopoulos, Effie J.

Wai, Daisy

Walker, Bill

Yakabuski, John

Yurek, Jeff

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

Nays

Andrew, Jill

Armstrong, Teresa J.

Arthur, Ian

Bell, Jessica

Berns-McGown, Rima

Bisson, Gilles

Bourgouin, Guy

Burch, Jeff

Coteau, Michael

Fife, Catherine

Fraser, John

French, Jennifer K.

Gates, Wayne

Gélinas, France

Glover, Chris

Gretzky, Lisa

Harden, Joel

Hassan, Faisal

Hatfield, Percy

Horwath, Andrea

Hunter, Mitzie

Karpoche, Bhutila

Kernaghan, Terence

Lalonde, Marie-France

Mamakwa, Sol

Mantha, Michael

Miller, Paul

Rakocevic, Tom

Schreiner, Mike

Singh, Gurratan

Singh, Sara

Stevens, Jennifer (Jennie)

Stiles, Marit

Tabuns, Peter

Taylor, Monique

Vanthof, John

West, Jamie

Yarde, Kevin

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Todd Decker): The ayes are 66; the nays are 38.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I declare the motion carried.

Ms. Elliott has moved third reading of Bill 74,

An Act concerning the provision of health care, continuing Ontario Health and making consequential and related amendments and repeals. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? There are many noes.

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

All those opposed will please say “nay.”

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

Call in the members. This will be a five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1152 to 1153.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Ms. Elliott has moved third reading of Bill 74,

An Act concerning the provision of health care, continuing Ontario Health and making consequential and related amendments and repeals.

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

Ayes

Anand, Deepak

Baber, Roman

Babikian, Aris

Bailey, Robert

Barrett, Toby

Bethlenfalvy, Peter

Bouma, Will

Calandra, Paul

Cho, Raymond Sung Joon

Cho, Stan

Clark, Steve

Coe, Lorne

Crawford, Stephen

Cuzzetto, Rudy

Downey, Doug

Dunlop, Jill

Elliott, Christine

Fee, Amy

Ford, Doug

Fullerton, Merrilee

Ghamari, Goldie

Hardeman, Ernie

Harris, Mike

Hogarth, Christine

Jones, Sylvia

Kanapathi, Logan

Karahalios, Belinda

Ke, Vincent

Khanjin, Andrea

Kramp, Daryl

Kusendova, Natalia

Lecce, Stephen

Martin, Robin

Martow, Gila

McDonell, Jim

McKenna, Jane

McNaughton, Monte

Miller, Norman

Nicholls, Rick

Oosterhoff, Sam

Pang, Billy

Park, Lindsey

Parsa, Michael

Pettapiece, Randy

Phillips, Rod

Piccini, David

Rasheed, Kaleed

Rickford, Greg

Roberts, Jeremy

Romano, Ross

Sabawy, Sheref

Sarkaria, Prabmeet Singh

Scott, Laurie

Skelly, Donna

Smith, Dave

Smith, Todd

Surma, Kinga

Tangri, Nina

Thanigasalam, Vijay

Thompson, Lisa M.

Tibollo, Michael A.

Triantafilopoulos, Effie J.

Wai, Daisy

Walker, Bill

Yakabuski, John

Yurek, Jeff

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.

Arthur, Ian

Bell, Jessica

Berns-McGown, Rima

Bisson, Gilles

Bourgouin, Guy

Burch, Jeff

Coteau, Michael

Fife, Catherine

Fraser, John

French, Jennifer K.

Gates, Wayne

Gélinas, France

Glover, Chris

Gretzky, Lisa

Harden, Joel

Hassan, Faisal

Hatfield, Percy

Horwath, Andrea

Hunter, Mitzie

Karpoche, Bhutila

Kernaghan, Terence

Lalonde, Marie-France

Mamakwa, Sol

Mantha, Michael

Miller, Paul

Rakocevic, Tom

Schreiner, Mike

Singh, Gurratan

Singh, Sara

Stevens, Jennifer (Jennie)

Stiles, Marit

Tabuns, Peter

Taylor, Monique

Vanthof, John

West, Jamie

Yarde, Kevin

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Todd Decker): The ayes are 66; the nays are 38.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I declare the motion carried.

Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.

Third reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): This House stands in recess until 1 p.m.

The House recessed from 1156 to 1300.

Royal assent / Sanction royale

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I beg to inform the House that in the name of Her Majesty the Queen, Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor has been pleased to assent to a certain bill in her office.

The Clerk-at-the-Table (Mr. William Short): The following is the title of the bill to which Her Honour did assent:

An Act concerning the provision of health care, continuing Ontario Health and making consequential and related amendments and repeals / Loi concernant la prestation de soins de santé, la prorogation de Santé Ontario, l’ajout de modifications corrélatives et connexes et des abrogations.

Introduction of Visitors

Mr. Michael Parsa: I’d like to welcome my friend Rabea Allos, from Richmond Hill, to Queen’s Park. Thank you for coming.

Members’ Statements

Education funding

Ms. Jessica Bell: I recently received a letter from Rosedale Heights School of the Arts, one of the many excellent high schools in my constituency. The letter was written by students of the school, and it was about the Ford government’s cuts to education. Attached to the letter were 16 pages of handwritten signatures—nearly 400 students signed their support.

I’d like to share some of their words here: “The Ontario government’s changes to education threaten the learning experience of students across the province. These changes have been implemented under the impression that all students learn the same way. It is not fair to assume that all students will benefit from ‘going back to basics’ or from learning online.

“The Ontario government is depriving students of excelling in courses that they are passionate about. It is also unjust that students are encouraged to attend post-secondary institutions upon graduation, but are being denied the necessary loans and grants that will get them there.”

Here’s how the letter ends: “We are writing to you to speak out against the changes, as our education is what determines our future.”

Speaker, the passion and dedication of young people in my community is an inspiration. Our students know that education is the key to their future; they’ve said so right here. It’s a shame that the Ford government doesn’t agree.

Yezidi New Year

Mr. Michael Parsa: Yesterday was the Yezidi New Year, also known as Sere Sal. It’s with great pleasure that I am privileged to rise and wish the Yezidi community in Ontario and all over the world a happy new year.

Sere Sal, which literally translates to “head of the year” or “beginning of the year,” is celebrated on the first Wednesday after April 14. This day is also known as Charshema Sor, or Red Wednesday.

This rich and historical celebration dates back 6,769 years, and it centres around fertility and renewal. Every aspect of this auspicious event is a symbolization of the story of creation, immortality, death, rebirth and incarnation in the renewed cycle of life and fertility.

The Yezidi community all across Ontario and all over the world began their celebration of this ancient tradition on Tuesday evening. During this festive period, celebrants dress in colourful clothing and decorate their homes and communal areas with bright colours and symbols of fertility and renewal.

This sacred day is not only viewed as the beginning of a new calendar year, but it is also a time when the body and spirit are also renewed.

Last night, I joined Sheikh Mirza and other members of the Yezidi community in Richmond Hill as they celebrated the arrival of the new year. I had an absolutely fantastic time. Once again, I would like to thank the Yezidi community for inviting me, and I wish them all a happy new year full of joy—a healthy and prosperous Sere Sal.

Youth Job Link program

Ms. Rima Berns-McGown: On April 1, managers at the Neighbourhood Group in Beaches–East York woke up to a cruel joke. Out of the blue, they received a memo to let them know that the Youth Job Link program, funded by Employment Ontario, had been abruptly cancelled, effective immediately.

This meant the immediate loss of a front-line worker whose job it was to help young people figure out how to get their first jobs, grow their job search skills and plan a career. She was working with a caseload of 50 youth. This front-line worker lost her job with no notice; it just evaporated. On Friday she had a job; on Monday she didn’t.

Think about the cruelty of the process for a moment. For months the neighbourhood group asked their contacts at Employment Ontario about the status of the program. For months they were met with silence. Then, suddenly, the notice that it wasn’t going to be coming. Meanwhile, the neighbourhood group was left to pay layoff, termination and notice period costs.

The Premier campaigned on a promise that no one would lose a job, then that no front-line worker would lose a job. I would like the Premier to look into the eyes of the woman who lost her job on April 1 and admit that he has failed to meet that promise, and into the eyes of the youth whose paths to employment just got that much harder.

All across Ontario, 300 Youth Job Link front-line workers learned via equally cruel processes just how empty the Premier’s promises were. That’s not okay, Ontario.

Anniversary of attack in Toronto

Mr. Stan Cho: On Tuesday at 1:30 in the afternoon, my community of Willowdale will fall silent to mark a difficult anniversary. A year ago, on a sunny April 23, the first truly warm day of the year, Willowdale suffered a tragedy none of us could ever have imagined: A man intending to cause harm and terrorize our community drove a rented van up onto the sidewalk of one of the city’s busiest streets, ending the lives of 10 people and injuring 16 others.

Like many of my neighbours, this event shook me to my very core. We were scared. We had been attacked in our home, on the streets we walk every single day. It was a terrible reminder that even in an amazingly diverse neighbourhood, a loving and supportive community, we can be vulnerable to unimaginable hate. There is no place for such hate in Ontario.

But in this most terrible moment, our community came together. We stood up against those who sought to divide us. Within moments, everyday heroes in my community leapt into action. They delivered first aid, they gave each other shelter and comfort, and they reached out to strangers to let them know that they were not alone. This is what makes Willowdale special. This is what makes Willowdalers so great.

This morning we rose for a moment of silence, and I want to thank my colleagues on all sides of the House. And while I believe it’s important, Mr. Speaker, to mark this day and to take a moment to remember, we must also act. We must continue to be everyday heroes, to comfort our friends, to stand up against intolerance and hate, and to bring our communities together. Mr. Speaker, we must.

Legal aid

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: The Ford Conservative government’s 30% cut to legal aid funding is discriminatory, xenophobic, possibly unconstitutional and a blatant attack on the rights of people already pushed to the margins of society. Legal aid is accessed by the most vulnerable to ensure their rights are upheld and that people gain a sense of security and dignity: people such as low-income tenants and seniors facing illegal eviction from big landlords, domestic violence survivors, workers fighting workplace discrimination and people being cut off social assistance.

Studies show that every dollar retracted from legal aid leads to a $3 to $5 increase in areas of government expenditure such as homelessness, health, family breakdown and incarceration. Eligibility for legal aid was already so low a single mother working a minimum wage job 40 hours a week didn’t qualify for a legal aid certificate.

This government has also ceased all funding for immigration and refugee issues. This means Canadian citizens and permanent residents seeking to reunite with their spouses, or migrants and refugees in immigration detention, will get no help. Refugees fleeing situations of serious harm will get no help and could be deported and face persecution, maybe even death.

We are not a province that believes only the rich should have access to due process. We are appalled that this government thinks so. We call on this government to reverse their decision and ensure Ontario is a place where everyone has access to a fair legal process.

Cuts to legal aid means that this government is making Ontario a place to grow inequality and oppression.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Scarborough–Guildwood.

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: I seek unanimous consent to present a member’s statement on behalf of the member from Simcoe–Grey.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member from Scarborough–Guildwood is seeking unanimous consent of the House to make a member’s statement on behalf of the member for Simcoe–Grey. Agreed? I heard a no.

Jason Helmond

Mr. Doug Downey: I’d like to take this opportunity to talk about Jason Helmond, an exceptional young man in my riding of Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte, and Barrie-Innisfil. He’s known throughout the area. He’s a pillar of our community. He’s an avid volunteer, an active fundraiser, a Special Olympian and a man of many talents.

While Jason has volunteered for a number of different causes, the Terry Fox Run is the closest to his heart. For the past three years, Jason has run his own community fundraiser, called Razors of Hope. Every year, Jason raises money from within the community and holds a head-shaving event—he shaves his own head—in support of the Terry Fox Run. Last year, Jason raised over $5,000 on his own. He’s hoping to beat that goal this year.

Jason embodies what it means to be a good citizen. He is kind, he’s caring and he always puts others ahead of himself.

Thank you to Jason for all your hard work in supporting our community and inspiring local youth to follow in your footsteps.

On May 11, he’ll be doing his event at Barrie city hall. Please join me in wishing him success as he begins another year of fundraising for a great cause.

Stryker Canada

Ms. Donna Skelly: Today I would like to talk about yet another multi-million-dollar private sector investment in the city of Hamilton and, more specifically, in my riding of Flamborough–Glanbrook.

On April 9, Stryker Canada celebrated the opening of its new headquarters in Waterdown, a nearly $100-million commitment. This 130,000-square-foot building will be the new home of their corporate offices and operations, employing over 200 people. This move allows Stryker to consolidate all aspects of their business under one roof.

Stryker is a world leader when it comes to medical technology and equipment. They offer innovative products and services in several areas, including orthopedics and neurotechnology, that help to improve patient and hospital outcomes.

For years, Stryker Canada has had a huge impact on the way health care is delivered in the city of Hamilton. For example, they supply hydraulic stretchers found in all Hamilton ambulances. Stryker is also the company that built a robot that was used by surgeons at St. Joe’s health care in Hamilton to perform the first-ever partial knee replacement surgery in Canada.

I’m thrilled to see companies that use 21st-century technology and innovation, like Stryker, call Hamilton home and expand their operations in our very own backyard.

Once again, I would like to congratulate Stryker on the opening of their new headquarters in Waterdown. I wish them all the best as they continue to create state-of-the-art technology in our health care system.

Education funding

Mr. Gurratan Singh: The Conservatives’ cuts to education hurt both students and teachers. Schools across Brampton are already chronically overcrowded. These cuts will take things from bad to worse for our students’ quality of education.

These cuts have a real impact in our city. Peel will see over 360 teachers lose their jobs. Over the past few days, my office has been flooded with phone calls from teachers who have just learned that, come September, they will be out of a job—teachers like Priti. She’s a young mother. She has been working tirelessly to be a teacher. For more than seven years she has been doing post-secondary education and volunteering. Finally, last year, she landed a permanent position, only to learn on Tuesday that that permanent job is now gone come September—a job that she cared about, that she was passionate about.

She made investments in her life because of this job, and now she doesn’t know how to manage the upcoming year financially.

Despite losing her own job and being put in such a precarious situation, when I talked to her, she was more concerned about the students and their education. She already has 27 kids in her class, and she finds it hard to manage. The other classes in her school have as many as 28 to 30 kids per class. Under these Conservative cuts, that class size is bound to grow.

Teachers deserve better. Students deserve better. We need to build a society where we strengthen education, support our teachers and provide opportunities for our students, not tear down their future.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Members’ statements? Is it a point of order?

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: A member’s statement.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Scarborough–Guildwood is standing, but I don’t believe you’re entitled to do a member’s statement today.

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to present a member’s statement so that we can commemorate the tragic loss of lives in Toronto a year ago.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Scarborough–Guildwood is seeking unanimous consent of the House to make a statement in recognition of the lives that were lost one year ago. Agreed? There’s a no.

There’s still time for one more member’s statement from the government side. Members’ statements?

The member for Scarborough–Guildwood.

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: Speaker, I’m seeking unanimous consent of the House to present a member’s statement to commemorate the 10 lives that were lost.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The House decided not to grant a member’s statement at this time.

Petitions

Education funding

Mr. Faisal Hassan: I have a petition here signed by members of my community of York South–Weston, entitled “Stop Ford’s Education Cuts

“Whereas Doug Ford’s new education scheme seeks to dramatically increase class sizes starting in grade 4;

“Whereas the changes will mean thousands fewer teachers and education workers and less help for every student;

“Whereas secondary students will now be forced to take at least four of their classes online, with as many as 35 students in each course;

“Whereas Ford’s changes will rip over $1 billion out of Ontario’s education system by the end of the government’s term; and

“Whereas kids in Ontario deserve more opportunities, not fewer;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to:

“Demand that the government halt the cuts to classrooms and invest to strengthen public education in Ontario.”

I fully support this petition and I’ll be affixing my signature to it and providing it to page Gajan to deliver to the table.

Beer and wine sales

Mrs. Gila Martow: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the government for the people was elected on a mandate to make life more affordable for Ontarians; and

“Whereas restricting sales to the LCBO limits consumer choice and makes it less convenient to purchase beer and wine; and

“Whereas the people of Ontario are responsible consumers and adults can be trusted to make responsible personal decisions;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“To make life better for Ontarians by expanding the sale of beer and wine to corner stores.”

Of course, I affix my signature and give it to page Sanjayan.

Driver education

Ms. Natalia Kusendova: This petition is titled “Protect Cyclists: Teach the Reach.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas hundreds of Ontario cyclists are injured every year in collisions with car doors; and

“Whereas the Dutch reach helps ensure people exiting a vehicle take a clear look for passing cyclists before opening their door; and

“Whereas teaching drivers the Dutch reach can help reduce injury and death while supplementing other measures, like separated bike lanes and vulnerable road user legislation; and

“Whereas state Legislatures in Illinois, Massachusetts and Washington and the UK Department for Transport have adopted the Dutch reach method in driver training;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to:

“Pass Bill 89, the Teach the Reach Act, so that the Dutch reach is taught in drivers’ education in Ontario.”

I fully agree with it and will affix my signature.

Education funding

Mr. Mike Schreiner: I have a big stack of petitions from students in my riding.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas students in Ontario pay some of the highest tuition fees in the country and carry the heaviest debt loads, even with the recently announced 10% reduction; and

“Whereas many students will now be forced to take on more loans rather than previously available non-repayable grants; and

“Whereas the Ontario government has failed to take action on the chronic underfunding of colleges and universities; and

“Whereas students must have an autonomous voice that is independent of administration and government to advocate on our behalf; and

“Whereas the proposed ‘Student Choice Initiative’ undermines students’ ability to take collective action;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to:

“—provide more grants, not loans;

“—eliminate tuition fees for all students;

“—increase public funding for public education;

“—protect students’ independent voices; and

“—defend the right to organize.”

I support this petition. I will be signing it and asking Mirren to bring it to the table.

Gasoline prices

Mrs. Gila Martow: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas the government for the people was elected on the promise to put more money in people’s pockets; and

“Whereas high gas prices contribute greatly to the already high cost of living in Ontario; and

“Whereas Premier Ford campaigned on a promise to lower gas prices ... ;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“To move forward with a reduction in the gas tax to further lower the cost of gas in Ontario and put more money back in the pockets of the hard-working people of Ontario.”

Of course, I affix my signature and give it to page Elizabeth, who I’m going to miss.

Autism treatment

M me France Gélinas: I would like to thank Shannon and Chris Lavoie, Laurie Zaldiner, Chantal Chartrand, Sean Staddon and everyone on the Northern Ontario Autism Alliance for collecting those petitions. They read as follows:

“Support Ontario Families with Autism....

“Whereas every child with autism deserves access to sufficient treatment and support so that they can live to their fullest potential;

“Whereas the Ontario Autism Program was badly broken under the Liberals, and the changes introduced by the Conservatives have made it worse;

“Whereas the new funding caps are based on age and income, and not the clinical needs of the child;

“Whereas Ontario needs a true investment in evidence-based autism services that meets the needs of autistic children and their families;”

They “petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to direct the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to invest in equitable, needs-based autism services for all children who need them.”

I fully support this petition, will affix my name to it, and ask my good page Katherine to give it to the Clerk, and thank her for all of her work.

Taxation

Mrs. Gila Martow: I also have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas the government for the people campaigned on a commitment to support northern Ontario; and

“Whereas the cost of living and doing business in the north is very high; and

“Whereas many must rely on air travel as the only means of accessing some communities;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“Move forward with a reduction in the aviation fuel tax to support the economic growth and development of northern Ontario.”

I’m very pleased to affix my signature and give it to page Ben, who we’re all going to miss greatly.

Education funding

Mr. Tom Rakocevic: This petition is entitled “Don’t Increase Class Sizes or Cancel Full-Day Kindergarten.

“Whereas the vast majority of parents, students, and educators support smaller class sizes and the current model of full-day kindergarten and want the best education possible for the students of Ontario; and

“Whereas larger class sizes negatively impacts the quality of education; reduces access to teaching resources and significantly diminishes teacher-student interactions; and

“Whereas the impact of larger class sizes will be particularly detrimental to students who need additional support; and

“Whereas Ontario has an internationally recognized public education system that requires careful attention and the investment to ensure all of our students can succeed;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to commit to reducing class sizes, maintain the current model of full-day kindergarten, and make the necessary investments in public education to build the schools our students deserve.”

I support the petition, will be affixing my signature to it and giving it to page Erynn.

Education funding

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: I rise to present a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas students in Ontario pay some of the highest tuition fees in the country and carry the heaviest debt loads, even with the recently announced 10% reduction; and

“Whereas many students will now be forced to take on more loans rather than previously available non-repayable grants; and

“Whereas the Ontario government has failed to take action on the chronic underfunding of colleges and universities; and

“Whereas students must have an autonomous voice that is independent of administration and government to advocate on our behalf; and

“Whereas the proposed ‘Student Choice Initiative’ undermines students’ ability to take collective action;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to:

“—provide more grants, not loans;

“—eliminate tuition fees for all students;

“—increase public funding for public education;

“—protect students’ independent voices; and

“—defend the right to organize.”

This is presented by 130 Centennial College students, and I will sign it and give it to page Sanjayan.

Public transit

Mrs. Gila Martow: I have yet another petition.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas students living in York region attending York University’s Keele campus will be affected by the two-fared system from York Region Transit (YRT) and the TTC; and

“Whereas students will pay $3.75 with a Presto card or $4 cash for a ride on the YRT and have to transfer to the subway contracted under the TTC at Pioneer Village station and pay an additional $3 with a Presto card or $3.25 cash fare; and

“Whereas many students would have to walk more than 20 minutes to get to some of their classes to avoid paying additional fares;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“To remove the two-fared system and allow students who ride the YRT to transfer to the TTC without paying an additional fare, regardless of ... whether or not they use a Presto card.”

Of course, I affix my signature and give it to page Stella and wish her a happy Easter.

Tuition

Ms. Rima Berns-McGown: My petition is “Support our Students: Stop Cuts to OSAP!

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Ontario has the highest tuition rates in Canada, lowest per-student funding from the province and highest student debt, and the government’s changes will only make the situation worse;

“Whereas removing the interest-free six-month grace period means students will end up paying more, and are pressured to pay their loans even before finding a job or starting a career;

“Whereas the Conservatives’ decision to cancel grants and force students to take loans instead is another barrier to college and university;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“Direct the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities to reverse the recently announced OSAP cuts, protect the existing tuition grants and reinstate the six-month interest-free grace period after graduation.”

I agree with this petition and will be signing it and giving it to page Saniya to take to the Clerk.

Fish and wildlife management

Mr. Mike Harris: I have a great petition that I wholeheartedly support here today.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the ban on hunting and trapping in sections of Ontario to protect the eastern hybrid wolf was put in place without regard for the overall ecosystem;

“Whereas this ban has adversely affected the ability of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), hunters and trappers to properly manage animal populations and Ontario’s ecosystem;

“Whereas this ban is no longer needed and is in fact causing more damage to Ontario’s ecosystem and increasing unnecessary encounters between wildlife and Ontarians;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“That the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry immediately lift the ban on hunting and trapping set in place to protect the eastern hybrid wolf.”

As I mentioned, Mr. Speaker, I fully support this petition. I have affixed my signature and I’m passing it to page Elizabeth to bring to the table.

Driver education

Ms. Marit Stiles: I’m proud to present the following petition on behalf of my constituent Corey Sullivan. It reads:

“Protect Cyclists: Teach the Reach.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas hundreds of Ontario cyclists are injured every year in collisions with car doors; and

“Whereas the Dutch reach helps ensure people exiting a vehicle take a clear look for passing cyclists before opening their door; and

“Whereas teaching drivers the Dutch reach can help reduce injury and death while supplementing other measures, like separated bike lanes and vulnerable road user legislation; and

“Whereas state Legislatures in Illinois, Massachusetts and Washington and the UK Department for Transport have adopted the Dutch reach method in driver training;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to:

“Pass Bill 89, the Teach the Reach Act, so that the Dutch reach is taught in drivers’ education in Ontario.”

I’m very pleased to sign this petition and I’ll hand it over to page Virginia to table with the Clerks.

International trade

Mrs. Gila Martow: I’ve yet another petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas the government for the people was elected on a mandate to protect Ontarians’ jobs and improve conditions for job creators in our province; and

“Whereas we stood side by side with our federal partner and offered our full support throughout the USMCA negotiation process to make sure a deal got done; and

“Whereas, though a deal was reached, we remain concerned that the federal government’s concessions on class 7 milk, access to our dairy market and remaining steel and aluminium tariffs could negatively impact Ontario workers and businesses; and

“Whereas our government is consulting with representatives from these affected industries to determine the impact of this deal; and

“Whereas the government made a promise to vigorously defend and advance Ontario’s economic interests, and make sure that we protect our economy, jobs and the people of Ontario;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“Continue to protect Ontario jobs by calling on the federal government to compensate Ontario dairy farmers for the negative impacts that result from USMCA concessions.”

I affix my signature and I give it to page Julien and wish him a happy Easter.

Education funding

Ms. Sara Singh: I’m proud to present this petition on behalf of a wonderful volunteer named Gurdeep Singh, who has been collecting signatures around the province.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas education is a right, not a privilege;

“Whereas not everyone is ready to leave high school right after graduation and needs more time to develop and figure out what they want to do;

“Whereas many students in the past have benefited tremendously from the extra year in high school. Without the extra year, those students would have had a harder time to excel in the future. It is not fair to deny current students this opportunity;

“Whereas the best investment is to invest in our youth, as the youth is our future;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“Direct the Ministry of Education to allocate funds toward those students who take a victory lap in high school and to eliminate the 34-cap limit.”

I’m proud to affix my name to this petition and I’ll send this off with page Katie.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): The time for petitions has expired.

Private Members’ Public Business

Family support services

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: I move that, in the opinion of this House, the government of Ontario should immediately provide Merrymount Family Support and Crisis Centre with the $607,408 necessary to maintain its current level of family resource and residential/respite programs provided to London area families.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Pursuant to standing order 98, the member has 12 minutes for his presentation.

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: It’s a great honour to stand in this House today and put forward a motion that would help countless families in the London area. Today’s motion requests funds for Merrymount Family Support and Crisis Centre, an organization in my riding of London North Centre.

Merrymount provides care and assistance to families going through difficult transitions and periods of crisis. They offer a wide range of services for around 8,000 families and 4,000 children in the London area each year. Merrymount focuses on early intervention services that give children and families a firm foundation so that they can cope with complicated emotions in a healthy way. They do so by providing around-the-clock care in a non-judgmental setting that helps families manage trauma.

By taking a proactive approach, Merrymount addresses early behavioural and emotional problems before they become deep-seated and require intensive intervention. This helps children avoid poor performance in school, violence and family breakdown. In doing so, Merrymount helps keep families together.

Any community would be lucky to have an organization like Merrymount, but their services in the London area are vitally important. London has one of the highest rates of child poverty in Ontario. One in four children in London live in poverty, Speaker, and that number is only going up. There has been a 5.3% increase in London’s child poverty since 2005, which is 6.5% higher than the average rate in Ontario. For many families, Merrymount is the only place they can get the help they need.

Unfortunately, Speaker, Merrymount is experiencing a funding shortfall. Without support, Merrymount will have to scale back the services so many London families rely upon. That’s why I’ve put forward this motion that provides Merrymount the funds they need to continue two of their programs: the crisis respite/residential program and the family resource program. Let me briefly discuss them both for the House.

Merrymount’s respite/residential program provides care to children in situations where the family is experiencing problems that make them temporarily unable to provide appropriate child care. When a parent or caregiver experiences crisis, the respite/residential program is there to help. It provides children with healthy homemade food, clean clothing, and a comfortable and colourful bedroom. There are toys, movies and games onsite to help children feel like they’re in a safe and loving home.

This program is a lifeline for those who need temporary assistance providing for their children. Janet, for instance, is a grandmother and the only caregiver for her grandson. She said, “Being a senior raising a child on my own has been challenging.” But when Janet suffered a heart attack, Merrymount was there to give her support. They provided care for her grandson while she recovered. Janet said, “Without having the respite care, it would be very stressful, even unhealthy for me.”

Jackie is another single parent in London who has benefited from Merrymount’s services. They have helped her as she balances parenting with her mental health struggles. Jackie said that Merrymount allowed her to rest and attend counselling programs. “This program allows me to rejuvenate myself. Having a break from my daughter allows me to care for myself which in return helps me to be a better parent.”

This program operates 18 beds for children, but Merrymount will have to close seven of these beds if they cannot obtain support. Speaker, we need to ensure that children facing crisis have those beds available when they need them the most.

This motion also requests funds for the family resource program. This program offers a variety of support-based and psycho-educational programs for parents and children. Their programs help strengthen the bond between parents and child by fostering understanding. They allow parents to discuss personal challenges and to learn to understand their child’s behaviour. But without proper funding, the family resource program will lose around 4,200 hours of programming services.

Speaker, London-area families deserve a government that funds the programs and services that support them through times of crisis. Londoners rely on Merrymount for assistance, and their services are critical during a time of increased child poverty and long waits for mental health services.

Merrymount staff are able to address trauma and crisis in a way that promotes attachments between children and their parents or caregivers. They help mitigate the effects of trauma, build trust, and empower families by giving them the tools they need to stay together as a healthy family. Merrymount provides support for London families, and now it’s time the government supported Merrymount.

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

Mrs. Gila Martow: I have to admit that I didn’t know about the Merrymount centre until there were some news reports that came out in the winter that they were concerned about their funding going forward. I think it’s quite clear that we have a lot of challenges here in Ontario. We’re all concerned about the economy. The economy is what gives people an income. People pay taxes. The government collects the revenue. We all know that we have a terrible, terrible deficit and debt situation in Ontario where we’re spending $1 billion a month just on servicing the interest, at low interest rates, on our debt. We have to get things under control. We know that.

They are tough decisions, to decide between funding. We fund children’s aid societies, we fund crisis centres, we fund youth and adolescent mental health capacities, and we know it’s not enough. We know that the community also does a lot of fundraising. There’s a foundation for Merrymount. People work very hard to support the organization and the good work they do. I look forward to maybe someday visiting because, as I said, I’ve never even heard of it, let alone visited it. I’m really happy that the member has brought this to all of our attention so we can learn more and look for ways that we can offer support.

We know that we want to have strong communities. The government is there to support all the services and the good work they do. In the 2018-19 fiscal year, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and children and youth services provided over $1.8 million to the organization to offer child and youth mental health and child welfare services in their community. Of this, nearly $160,000 was dedicated to building family capacity and keeping parents and children together, which—just to mention, I have quite a few friends who are social workers at Metro children’s aid and at Catholic Children’s Aid.

I know that there’s a very big effort made to keep children with their families whenever possible and to provide the support that they need so that children can stay with their families. We know that, long-term, being with your family members is a much more positive quality of upbringing for the children. But not everybody has the background and the ability to provide their children with the nurturing, with the support—physical, mental and emotional—that all children deserve and should have in the province of Ontario.

In addition to the $160,000 dedicated to building family capacity, there’s also over $58 million that was provided to local children’s aid societies, which offers a wide range of services to families and children. Obviously, our government is very resolute in supporting children and their families.

We know that there’s discussion today about offering more support to our municipal police services as well as the OPP. It’s a big concern, I think, to all of us in the House, the human trafficking of children, young adults and adults in the province of Ontario. Partly because of all the advances in electronics and the Internet and websites, the traffickers have a much easier time at finding a market for their product; that’s how they see these children, youth and adults. They see them as just a commodity. They can get their commodity out there and get them on the market, and they move them around the province.

We know that it’s not enough to just offer support for victims; we have to do more to prevent so many people becoming victims.

We all have a job to do. It’s a very multi-faceted job here representing our communities, representing the families and the youth in our communities, and ensuring that we’re doing more on prevention in terms of safety and that everybody has the character and the strength to understand, before they get trafficked or abused or in a difficult situation—that they know, I want to remind people who are watching at home, that they should be aware of where our offices are and to come in, even if you’re a child. Come in and tell us if you need help. We are there to offer our support whenever we can.

We know that the ministry is doing everything within a limited budget to support the children, youth and families in all of our communities, but of course, to talk to this specific private member’s bill is asking us to do away with the process of application and funding. We all know that we’ve been visited in our offices by people who are frustrated by how government works—whether it’s slow, whether it’s a family resource office, whether it’s applying for your health card or for a birth certificate. But there’s a process that has to be followed.

It’s not just about picking up a phone and saying, “Somebody made a mistake on the form,” and changing it. You have to go, you have to get the form again, you have to fill out the form and start the whole process over.

We’re all looking at efficiencies in all parts of the government, looking at ways to streamline, to cut red tape for businesses, for individuals, for families; to streamline the process for organizations to apply for their funding. If they were getting funding on a one-year basis, they weren’t able to plan for the future. How can you sign a lease, Madam Speaker, if you only get one year of funding?

We know that there’s a process. We know sometimes it’s too slow. We know sometimes it’s frustrating, and sometimes we feel it’s not fair. But let’s all work together and ensure that the process is vigorous, that the funding is going to where it’s supposed to be going, and that there’s accountability and sustainability.

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

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: I’d like to start off by saying what a pleasure it is to be here on Thursday afternoons to talk about private members’ bills, and specifically to congratulate the member from London North Centre for bringing this very, very important bill forward to this House f