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May 10, 2023

43rd Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2023-May-10 vol. A (PDF)

L075A - Wed 10 May 2023 / Mer 10 mai 2023

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Wednesday 10 May 2023 Mercredi 10 mai 2023

Orders of the Day

Queen’s Park Restoration Act, 2023 / Loi de 2023 sur la restauration de Queen’s Park

House sittings

Members’ Statements

Cadets

Highway safety

Coronation of King Charles III

Edith Cavell Public School Fresh West Market

Manotick Legion Youth Education awards

Colour the Night Gold

Public safety

Events in Beaches–East York

Community Living Day

Loreena McKennitt

Wearing of ribbons

Introduction of Visitors

Question Period

Doctor shortage

Doctor shortage

Hospital services

Life sciences sector

Consumer protection

Municipal development

Tenant protection

Transportation infrastructure

Public transit

Long-term care

Public safety

Kashechewan First Nation

Housing

Social assistance

Red tape reduction

Workplace safety

Reception

Visitors

Reception

Deferred Votes

Building More Mines Act, 2023 / Loi de 2023 visant l’aménagement de davantage de mines

Introduction of Visitors

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Justice Policy

Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs

Introduction of Bills

Superior Corporate Services Limited Act, 2023

Parrington’s Food Market Limited Act, 2023

Petitions

Hospital services

Police services

Homelessness

Education

Hospital services

Homelessness

Hospital services

Land use planning

Taxation

Hospital services

Homelessness

Member for Scarborough–Guildwood

Orders of the Day

Queen’s Park Restoration Act, 2023 / Loi de 2023 sur la restauration de Queen’s Park

The House met at 0900.

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

Prayers.

Orders of the Day

Queen’s Park Restoration Act, 2023 / Loi de 2023 sur la restauration de Queen’s Park

Mr. Calandra moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill 75,

An Act to enact the Queen’s Park Restoration Secretariat Act, 2023, and to make certain amendments to the Legislative Assembly Act and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act / Projet de loi 75, Loi édictant la Loi de 2023 sur le Secrétariat de la restauration de Queen’s Park et apportant certaines modifications à la

Loi sur l’Assemblée législative et à la

Loi sur l’accès à l’information et la protection de la vie privée.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’ll look to the Minister of Legislative Affairs to lead off the debate.

Hon. Paul Calandra: I’m pleased to be able to lead off debate today on this. At the outset, let me just take a moment to thank my parliamentary assistant, the member for Kitchener–Conestoga, and the Chair of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, the member for Oshawa, for the tremendous work that they’ve both done in helping guide us here today, as well as the members of the standing committee, who have done a tremendous amount of work in helping, as I said, guide us to where we are today on the bill which we are on third reading of.

Just as a quick overview, Mr. Speaker, as you know—I’ll let others talk about the building and why we’re doing this—the bill itself just establishes the framework by which we will begin the process of restoring the Legislative Assembly. It will obviously necessitate a decanting of this building, finding another location for the Legislative Assembly to temporarily do its business before we’re able to come back into the building at the conclusion of that.

What the bill does: It does establish a secretariat which in itself will help oversee the reconstruction of the building. What that does, by establishing a separate secretariat, is ensure that the accountability mechanisms that are required through government—through estimates, through budgeting—are of primary concern when it comes to the financial outlay, and that parliamentary oversight of the project, parliamentary oversight of parliamentarians—what happens to this building rests with the members of provincial Parliament.

It is an exciting project in the sense that, as was raised by many of the committee members, frankly, this is a project we are undertaking that—probably most of us will never sit in this chamber after we vacate the chamber; well, maybe a couple. I have never been that lucky to be loved in opposition, Mr. Speaker, so I tend to ride away. But that is the good part of what we are doing here.

It also, I think, reflects the growing importance of the work that the members of provincial Parliament do, which was really highlighted—it’s been highlighted ever since the place opened and since Ontario’s first Parliament sat. Certainly, during COVID we were able to see some of the restrictions and impediments that not having made changes or upgrades to the place—the position that it put us in in trying to communicate, often, with people. Mr. Speaker, that’s why we’re very, very excited to be here.

As I say, the committee has done a tremendous amount of work, both in ensuring that it is a depoliticized process and that members put first and foremost their needs, the needs of the people who work here, and the future needs of parliamentarians who will be sitting in here, reflective of the fact that Ontario is a very large trillion-dollar economy and it is the fifth-largest government in North America. If it was a country, it would be a G20 country all on its own.

This institution needs to reflect the growing and continued importance of the province of Ontario, not only, frankly, in national affairs but also in global affairs, in the sense that we are an economic powerhouse and the work that needs to be done by all members on all sides of the House needs to be done in a way that they can undertake their roles.

It also needs to reflect, Mr. Speaker, the abilities of Canadians and Ontarians to actually come to this place. We know full well the challenges that many Ontarians face in accessing this place. We will be able to undertake all of that in the project in the coming years ahead.

I didn’t want to speak too long, but before I conclude, I just wanted to highlight that the bill does come back virtually the same as at second reading, but there were a couple of important changes led, again, by the committee in helping us improve the bill. The first one I wanted to speak of was just some clarity in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. It was highlighted through the committee process that the original bill left open for

interpretation what documents would be protected and which ones wouldn’t be. To avoid those types of misunderstandings or debate over what would be protected and what wouldn’t be protected, the committee came with amendments that would clarify that, at the same time as protecting the authorities of the House. Members will see that reflected in the copy that’s in front of them.

The other thing, Mr. Speaker—again, I thank members of the committee for their help on this—it does also include changes to legislative protective services. Again, members will see some of the changes in that, reflecting the fact that we are, of course, eventually going to be decanting. We will have a much wider parliamentary precinct. We will have, potentially, a precinct that is over a number of places. Offices could be different than the chamber; we don’t, obviously, know.

Our legislative protective services, although they continuously currently are being asked to do more and more, just given the increasing amount of threats that all parliamentarians face and the assemblies across the country face—but, in addition, Speaker, the reality of what will be a decant and trying to protect parliamentarians and the people who work in Parliament over multiple locations could not be done, in our estimation and the committee’s estimation, with the current rules under which the legislative protective services operates, so you’ll see that the bill does ultimately allow certain members of the LPS to act as peace officers, frankly, across the province of Ontario, and a number of other important upgrades to the already fine work that the LPS is doing for us.

Ultimately, those are the two big changes in this. Again, I thank the committee members for their work on this. I thank them in advance for what will be a very long, difficult and challenging process. I think they’ve seen that reflected in the meetings that they have had already, not only with other jurisdictions that are doing changes but over the complexity of some of the issues that we will, as parliamentarians, be asking them to reflect on over the next number of years.

Ultimately, Mr. Speaker, just to say that I’m very excited by the opportunity that this affords us, very excited by the ability for us to truly make this place accessible to all Ontarians, excited by the opportunity that this gives us to allow parliamentarians to do their jobs better and more effectively—the work that we can do not only with the legislative protective services but with the employees through the Clerk’s department to make sure that the work that is done here, Ontarians can truly appreciate and access.

But also, it gives us such an opportunity to showcase this place not only as the main working place where rules and laws are debated and brought forward but also a place where we can potentially celebrate the works and the treasures that we have. The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport often talks to me about the amount of treasures that we have sitting in archives across our various museums. This is a place that we can think about bringing those here as well.

It really does give us an incredible opportunity. Again, just to conclude, I thank all of the members for their incredible work on bringing this bill back in a better form than it left after second reading.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’ll invite questions to the Minister of Legislative Affairs, if there are any.

Further debate?

Mr. John Vanthof: It’s always an honour to be able to stand in this House and today speak on Bill 75 on behalf of the official opposition, the third reading of

An Act of enact the Queen’s Park Restoration Secretariat Act, 2023, and to make certain amendments to the Legislative Assembly Act and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and to follow the government House leader.

I’ve been here for 12 years. This is—I believe all Parliaments are, but this is the only I’ve experienced—a unique place, a unique work environment, and a place very few Ontarians have the privilege of ever working in. What we should strive for is that as many Ontarians as possible can experience this place. That’s one of the goals of the restoration act.

But to truly understand what this place means, just think about what we’ve discussed in the last week. Bill 60, a health care act: The official opposition are incredibly opposed to that. We made it very clear, which is our right. The government believes in what they’ve proposed, which is their right. We voted. The vote was over. The mining act: We will be voting on that after. We voted for it in second reading because we believe in the principles. How we vote in the end will be based on what we heard in the committee.

They are both partisan but very important. This one is as important, but this one is non-partisan. We all want to serve. We want this place to serve the people of Ontario, to allow those of us who are lucky enough to get elected to represent the people, who are fortunate enough to work here, to be able to serve the people of Ontario to the best of our abilities and their abilities. I think this bill and how it has come to this point is an example of how sometimes this Legislature can work very well, where amendments are proposed that actually weren’t even in order, but we agreed to put them forward.

I will touch on them a little bit, but it shows how, when there are issues that we all—when we need to, when we should, that we all can pull in the same direction, and I think that’s very important.

I think everyone, when they walk through the doors for the first time, and I’m sure the vast majority—I can’t speak for all of us, but I still have that feeling when I walk through the doors that it’s something special to walk through the doors in this place. When I walked through the first time, I thought it was the most—it was like walking into a cathedral for me, a cathedral of democracy. It really was. That’s one thing that we don’t want to lose, ever.

But now that I have worked here for 12 years, there are structural things that prevent or make it harder for the people here to do their jobs. There comes a time when—can you imagine how big a project this was to build in the first place? There was a picture once in the cafeteria—the cafeteria is one of my favourite places, by the way. There was a picture in the cafeteria of this building and University Avenue, and University Avenue was all trees. It was forest. Can you imagine what it took for parliamentarians to decide to build a place like this? And when part of it burned, what it took to rebuild again?

Now it’s time to rejuvenate. If you’re going to rejuvenate the precinct, the legislative building, it is a major undertaking, because, yes, if 12 years ago, before I walked into this building somebody said, “Well, everybody is going to have to move out and we’re going to have to do”—I would have said, “No, no, you can just do a piece at a time.” But that’s not how this place works, because in this hall, in the legislative chamber, there will be a time today where emotions run high and we will, at points, not be very friendly to each other, and that wouldn’t work in a setting where we are much closer.

It just wouldn’t work. There is a reason why there are these spaces. There’s a reason: to allow us to do our job, to allow us to debate, to allow emotions to run high, and now to allow them to cool down.

To rebuild, to rejuvenate this structure so that it actually can perform the way modern buildings should, but that it can maintain this cathedral of democracy, is going to take a lot of effort, a lot of planning. The effort and the planning actually have just begun. I would also like to commend the committee for the work they’ve done so far, and I’d like to commend the Legislative Assembly staff for the work they’ve done so far, but the work is just beginning.

It’s just beginning, because we have the opportunity now to actually make this cathedral of democracy accessible to all, accessible to all cultures, all people, and that’s not a small undertaking. I would like to say, we—particularly the staff—have all done what we could to make it accessible with what we’ve got. But we have a chance now to truly make it accessible, to make democracy accessible to all Ontarians.

If you look at the carving of the Seven Grandfather Teachings from Indigenous people, we need to take the time—and the committee is going to do that—to truly make not only the structure but our system a partner to Indigenous people in this province so that they see their own history here. Because in many ways, the history of this building starts in 1867, but that’s not when the history of Ontario starts. We should think about what we can do to make sure the history before this building was built is included now that the building is going to be reconfigured.

I don’t want—we don’t want—the building to be rebuilt. There are parts of this building, many parts, that we all treasure, that Ontarians treasure. When schools come, when kids come—my riding is a long ways away; I don’t get as many children, school kids coming as others sometimes. But when I do get them coming, for many, if you’re coming from New Liskeard or Cochrane and you tour through this building, it’s a place like you’ve never seen. We don’t want to lose that. But it has to be a place that functions and a place that includes everyone.

I would also like to speak to the two fundamental changes that have been made—“fundamental” is perhaps not the right word—to the bill itself. One is the clarification of, as the project continues, what is subject to freedom of information and what won’t be. Quite frankly, that is a concern among some people, and rightfully so. Sometimes, this is a fractious place. This is and would be a G20 economy, this province.

Just to clarify, what is not subject to freedom of information for 20 years is any documentation that comes from the assembly itself. As for what comes from the new secretariat—the contracts to build—that would still be subject. It’s not that we’re throwing this in a big dark hole and no one will ever know how much this is going to cost or did cost. That’s not the case. But there is very sensitive information that the assembly holds, and some of that is going to be needed for the secretariat to make these decisions.

That documentation is also not subject to freedom of information now, so when that is going to be used in the future, it should also not be subject to freedom of information laws for 20 years. That, I think, is a good clarification.

The second, regarding legislative protective services: When—it’s a word I have never used before until I got here. When we do decant, when we move en masse to another location, the legislative protective services are going to have to not only follow us, but protect not only us but the information that flows. It’s going to be much more spread out, so it makes sense that they should have the ability to do that off this site. It makes sense.

Also, it makes sense that they have the training—in the subject matter where they are trained, they are equivalent or better trained than any other police service in this province. It also makes sense that they should have the ability to be peace officers outside this legislative precinct; for example, in our constituency offices. I think in both cases, those changes make sense.

This is going to be a long, long road. There’s no doubt about it. I think there are times we are all going to shake our heads and wonder what we’re going to do next. When we toured the Parliament buildings in Ottawa—I personally didn’t truly understand the scope of the project until I did that tour. I can’t remember his title, but to the person who was giving us this tour I suggested it would be the best reality home reno series ever seen, because it was incredible.

I look at this place differently now. When I walk through and I see cables taped to the wall, I say, “Well, they’ve got to go, but wait a second, that moulding, that can’t go. That is going to have to be taken apart, to be coded, stored somewhere, perhaps refinished—for sure—and placed back.” That is a lot of—I’m a bit of a rough carpenter myself, and I like to demo; you just take the sledge hammer and demo everything, you buy all new and put it back in. That’s not the case here, and it certainly shouldn’t be.

We want to rejuvenate, but we also want to protect so people who walk through these doors for the next hundred years have the same feeling that we do. If we can use the spaces in this place that aren’t used efficiently now, because times have changed—the legislative library was full of books. We don’t use a lot of those books anymore. It’s digital.

There’s room for big ideas, and I encourage Ontarians to think big. We encourage Ontarians often: “Don’t settle. Think big.” With this project, I encourage parliamentarians from all sides, because there isn’t really a side on this one, to think big. If you think too big, you know what, it’s not going to happen, but we’re at the point where there’s no such thing as a bad idea right now. Now is the time for ideas. The first big one is that we are deciding to actually take this step, and it’s a big one.

Now that we’re deciding, now we have the chance to really envision what our forebears envisioned when they built this place in the middle of a forest, what they envisioned and what Ontario has become.

We disagree on some of the things that happen in this province, but we all agree that it is one of the greatest places in the world to live. That is why we work so hard to get here to represent the views of the people in our various part of the province. Always in the back of my mind is, what can we do to envision the next 100 years?

We are in favour of Bill 75. We want to work together with all parliamentarians, with all the staff, with all Ontarians. Often when we introduce people, we say, “Welcome to your House.” We now have a chance to do everything we can to make sure that people from all walks of life, all parts of the province, all races, all colours, all creeds, feel like this is their House. I encourage all parliamentarians, all Ontarians, to think big and to take that chance.

With that, Speaker, I would like to move the adjournment of the debate. Thank you.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Patrice Barnes): Mr. Vanthof has moved adjournment of the debate. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Motion carried.

Third reading debate adjourned.

House sittings

Hon. Paul Calandra: Just on a quick point of order: Pursuant to standing order 7(e), I wish to inform the House that tonight’s evening meeting is cancelled.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Patrice Barnes): Orders of the day?

Hon. Paul Calandra: No further business.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Patrice Barnes): There being no further business, this House is recessed until 10:15.

The House recessed from 0932 to 1015.

Members’ Statements

Cadets

Mr. Will Bouma: As many of you are aware, my riding of Brantford–Brant is home to a vibrant, motivated and active cadet movement. Our community is home to 135 Admiral Nelles, Royal Canadian Sea Cadets; 104 Starfighter, Royal Canadian Air Cadets; 2659 Royal Canadian Army Cadets; and the Admiral Landymore Navy League Cadet Corps.

Today, we welcome the top cadets as chosen by their commanding officers for their dedication, excellence and willingness to make our community the best that it can be. The cadets of Brantford–Brant are back to full training this past year from a challenging past two and a half years of virtual and hybrid training. These cadets made the transition back to in-person training with ease.

For the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets: Chief Petty Officer First Class Aurora Linnington and Chief Petty Officer Second Class Charlie Downey, joined by Acting Sub-Lieutenant Kyle Au Coin.

For the Royal Canadian Air Cadets: Corporal Danika Parasram and Sergeant Tobias Ven Berkel, joined by commanding officer Captain Celina Corner.

For the Royal Canadian Army Cadets: Master Warrant Officer Kyrianna Jorgensen and Warrant Officer Ethan Russell, joined by commanding officer Captain Josh Jennie.

For the Navy League of Canada, we have Leading Cadet Alissa Bartlett and Ordinary Cadet Nathan Learned, joined by commanding officer Lieutenant Richard Carpenter and Sub-Lieutenant Celina Barnard.

Cadets, officers, the people of Ontario salute you for your hard work and contribution to Brantford–Brant. Thank you.

Highway safety

Mr. John Vanthof: Last week, I made the House aware of three events that happened near the town of Engelhart on Highway 11: a tragic head-on transport crash, a transport driver who forced a school bus into a ditch and fled the scene, and another transport who passed another transport on a hill.

On Saturday—and I posted the video—a transport passed another transport with another car plainly in view and pushed it off the road. This is within a few kilometres of a little town. This happens right across our two-lane Trans-Canada Highway.

I am imploring the government: We want to work together with the government to make sure that transport drivers and all drivers are adequately trained, but that we actually get aggressive drivers off the road and the companies that hire them. The names of the companies are on the sides of the trucks. We know it’s happening. It’s happening every day—four times in a month just outside my hometown.

We cannot keep on letting this go, because the next people who get killed—it’s on us because we know it’s going to happen. We all know it’s going to happen.

Coronation of King Charles III

M me Dawn Gallagher Murphy: Mr. Speaker, Saturday, May 6, at 6 a.m., I held a coronation viewing event at my local Aurora Royal Canadian Legion for my community members of Newmarket–Aurora. It was absolutely amazing to have the community come together for this momentous, historical event. The fascinators and vintage hats were as beautiful as the smiles on everyone’s faces. I think the tasty scones and the coronation quiche also helped with those smiles.

The holy coronation service was all so riveting, officiated by Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. We were all eagerly watching the traditional event: the recognition, to the coronation oath, to the anointing, to the investiture and, finally, to the enthronement and homage.

One of my personal points of interest was the Sword of Offering, which symbolizes the protection of good and the punishment of evil. It was delivered to the archbishop and then placed in the King’s right hand. The King rose, and the sword was fastened to His Majesty’s waist using the sword belt.

I would like to quote the archbishop, from his sermon at the coronation: “With the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the King is given freely what no ruler can ever attain through will, or politics, or war, or tyranny: the Holy Spirit draws us to love in action.”

May God bless our sovereign. Long live the King.

Edith Cavell Public School Fresh West Market

Mr. Jeff Burch: I want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible work of some grade 4 and 5 students in my riding in west St. Catharines at Edith Cavell Public School. Last week I toured their Fresh West Market, which has provided over 400 bags of fresh fruit and vegetables to families in the community with the support of the United Way, Niagara Region Public Health, Links for Greener Learning and a great team of educators at the District School Board of Niagara.

In February, they provided close to 800 pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables, and surpassed that in the following month by providing over 1,200 pounds of fresh produce. On why they started the program, students told me, “We realized that although there are some grocery stores in our area, it is hard to get fresh fruits and vegetables at a low cost. Our goal is to increase our communities’ access to a variety of fresh, affordable produce.” With almost 300 pounds total provided to the community, Speaker, I would say they are well on the way to reaching their goal.

Special thanks to all those involved with this program, including public health nurse Austin White, teacher Alison Edward, principal Robyn Scheubel, Ashleigh Doyle from United Way and, of course, the incredible students at Edith Cavell. I look forward to their next market dates taking place on May 11 and June 8.

Manotick Legion Youth Education awards

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: On April 30 I had the pleasure of attending the Manotick Legion Youth Education award ceremony organized by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 314, one of the many amazing Legions located in my riding of Carleton. The Royal Canadian Legion’s youth education program plays an essential role in my riding of Carleton in fostering the tradition of remembrance amongst youth, not just across Ottawa, but across Canada.

The awards that 25 winners from my riding received are in recognition of the excellence they have shown in the Legion’s youth education program. However, the journey of completing their work is much more important than the awards they received. Whether it be through artwork, a poem or an essay, what they have created provides an important bridge between today’s world and some of the most important and defining moments in Canadian history. Those defining moments in our history were made possible by generations of heroes whose hardships and sacrifices created the template for Canada to become the best country in the world.

Through the Legion’s education program, we are not only teaching our youth about our past but are preparing them to become leaders in the years to come. So thank you to Roy Blair, Lynn Charron, the entire legion and all 25 students for helping keep our rich history alive. I was honoured to present all 25 youth with certificates on behalf of the province of Ontario, to recognize and honour their artwork and poems about Remembrance Day.

Colour the Night Gold

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: Working without thought of self or thought of reward is the true nature of service. On Saturday, I had the honour of attending the London Central Lions and East London Lions Clubs’ Colour the Night Gold event in support of Childcan—two great clubs working together for a wonderful cause.

I sat with Greg and Catherine Millar, who had sent me many petitions about optometry since 2021. It is a small world sometimes, as I also ran into Greg and Catherine face-to-face at their home when I was out knocking on doors, speaking with the good people of London North Centre.

At our table, Luca told me about how nurses should be paid what they’re worth, allowed to bargain fairly and that there should be incentives to bring back retired nurses whom this government has insulted, demeaned and pushed out of practice. Luca also told me, “I used to be anti-union. But since Premier Ford, I am pro-union. You can tell him that.” Message delivered, Luca.

I want to thank the Lions for supporting Childcan. Families of children who receive the diagnosis of cancer are on the most difficult journey one could imagine. We heard about how Childcan helps families right from diagnosis, treatment, and through their recovery or bereavement journey. This great organization helps take the burden of external worries, allowing families to focus on what matters most: their children and their care.

Thank you once again, Lions and Childcan, for your true service to people in our community.

Public safety

Mr. Graham McGregor: I want to rise in the House this morning and raise a very important issue to not only my riding of Brampton North, but, quite frankly, the province of Ontario. In Ontario, a car is stolen every 48 minutes. Auto theft has been on the rise over the last number of years, with a 72% increase from 2014 to 2021; last year, that increase was 14%.

As we know, the GTA is a hot zone for crooks to steal cars. And the hard-working residents of Brampton North are fed up. They work hard for their money, and with 90% of homes in my riding having a driveway, they deserve to feel safe and to have the peace of mind that their cars will stay on their driveway—not poached by some low-life scumbag. But since 2021, in Peel region, carjackings have risen by 45%.

Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah has described the impact of vehicle theft on public safety as “tremendous.” He also stated: “It is one of the fastest-growing problems that we have in not just the Golden Horseshoe, but right across Ontario.”

Speaker, that’s exactly why our government is taking decisive, strong action. Last week, our Solicitor General announced a $51-million investment to combat auto theft. We’re supporting new measures to help police identify and dismantle organized crime networks and put thieves behind bars, where they belong. Our government is providing police services with the resources they need to make Ontario safer for all car owners, reduce auto theft, and bring those involved in these criminal networks to justice. I support it wholeheartedly. Let’s get it done.

Events in Beaches–East York

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: While the member from Guelph may disagree, I think I have the greenest riding in all of Ontario. The climate activist groups and eco-tastic events are making changes in Beaches–East York and beyond.

This past weekend, I participated in the EcoFair held by Beach United Church and organized by the amazing Mary Anne Alton and her terrific team. There were 35 vendors, exhibitors and speakers, all with one major thing in common: a love of the planet.

Out of my office, we run Green East, a community group engaged and interested in serious climate action. To name just a few others: Terrific Toronto East End Climate Collective are residents concerned about and fighting the climate crisis. Sensational 32 Spokes is comprised of cycling champions promoting cycling safety. The great garden at Kimbourne church is a project using permaculture principles to grow food in the community. Sensational Save Small’s Creek is a group working to preserve the nature of beautiful Small’s Creek ravine.

If we could replicate the care and climate action from Beaches–East York across the province, we could make a real difference in addressing our environmental footprint.

To my eco-tastic residents and all Ontarians, I will continue to represent you as an environmental and climate advocate at Queen’s Park.

Thank you for listening so intently.

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

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): We’re going to wait a second. I’m going to ask the House to please quiet down.

Members’ statements.

Community Living Day

Mr. Anthony Leardi: The month of May is recognized as Community Living Month here in Ontario. This year’s theme is “#InclusionMatters.”

Community Living Ontario and its over 115 Community Living associations across the province support over 80,000 people with an intellectual disability and their families.

From my community of beautiful Essex I’d like to welcome Community Living Essex County, who is here with us today. Thank you for all that you do.

These agencies offer a wide range of supported living, social, respite, planning and employment supports, all with the goal of fostering inclusive communities by supporting the rights and choices of people with an intellectual disability. It’s important to recognize the hard work of staff in developmental services sectors because without them, none of this would be possible.

This year, Community Living Toronto is celebrating its 75th anniversary. I’m happy to share that Community Living Ontario and Community Living Toronto would like to invite all members to their reception today at 5 p.m. in the dining room. I look forward to seeing everyone there.

Loreena McKennitt

Mr. Matthew Rae: It’s my pleasure to rise to recognize the talented Loreena McKennitt of Stratford. Many will know Loreena for her work as a talented singer, actress and composer. She is also a two-time Juno Award winner.

However, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Loreena on a new accomplishment: Loreena was recently inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. She also received a fine tribute at the Opera House in Toronto during International Women’s Day. This is a great achievement and will add Loreena to an exclusive list of Canadians to receive such an honour, including Alanis Morissette, Bryan Adams, David Foster and many other legends. Along with these great accolades, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame at the National Music Centre in Calgary is dedicating a permanent exhibit to Ms. McKennitt.

Loreena has been a lifelong resident of the city of Stratford and has contributed so much to our community through her volunteer work and by putting on many charity performances. She has also long contributed to the yearly Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Stratford cenotaph. As an honorary colonel in the Royal Canadian Air Force, she has worked hard to keep our memories of our veterans alive and in the minds of all Canadians.

Congratulations again, Loreena, on all of your hard work and all the success you’ve had over the past four decades.

Wearing of ribbons

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I understand the member for Markham–Unionville has a point of order.

Mr. Billy Pang: If you seek it, you will find unanimous consent to allow members to wear purple ribbons in recognition of May 10 being Lupus Awareness Day.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Mr. Pang is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to allow members to wear purple ribbons in recognition of May 10 being Lupus Awareness Day. Agreed? Agreed.

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

Mr. Mike Schreiner: I’m seeking the unanimous consent of the House that, notwithstanding standing order 100(a)(iv), five minutes be allotted to the independent members as a group to speak on second reading of private member’s Bill 100.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Mr. Schreiner is seeking the unanimous consent of the House that, notwithstanding standing order 100(a)(iv), five minutes be allotted to the independent members as a group to speak on second reading of private member’s Bill 100. Agreed? I heard a no.

Introduction of Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): We have with us today in the Speaker’s gallery Mr. Harman Idema, who is the consul general of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Toronto. He is joined by Elizabeth Witmer, who served as MPP for Waterloo North during the 35th and 36th Parliaments and Kitchener–Waterloo during the 37th, 38th, 39th and 40th Parliaments. Please join me in warmly welcoming our guests to the Legislature.

Also with us today in the Speaker’s gallery is Dr. André Lecours, the president of the Canadian Political Science Association. He is joined by Dr. Peter Constantinou, academic director of the Ontario Legislative Internship Program. For over 47 years, the Ontario Legislative Assembly has partnered with the Canadian Political Science Association to host the OLIP program. Later today I’ll be joining Dr. Lecours and Dr. Constantinou at the annual OLIP spring reception and I hope that many members and other program alumni will be there as well. Once again, welcome to the Legislature. We’re delighted to have you here as well.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: It’s a pleasure to be able to join and have people welcome Michael, Kate and Elizabeth Demczur and mom Jackie. We’re here because Kate is the page captain today. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Miss Monique Taylor: I would like to welcome all of the folks from Community Living who are here today. I had the pleasure of meeting with the chief operating officer, Joe Passaretti, and executive project manager, Sarah MacDonald. They will be having their reception in the dining room today from 5 until 7. I hope all members will join in, and I’d like to welcome everybody to the House today.

Mr. David Smith: I’d like to welcome the Nigerian delegation to Queen’s Park. They are a 50-member delegation. They are from all parts of Nigeria. The team ranks from mayor, commissioners, senior staff and CFOs. They are here today to observe our parliamentary session and to visit and tour the legislative facility. They will be having a gathering in room 247 from 11:45. All are welcome.

I’d also like to recognize the team that has put all the pieces together: Glenn De Baeremaeker, former deputy mayor; Jim Karygiannis; Mike Yorke; Tom Perdikis and Jeremy Beamer, along with my two staff, Ms. Novlette Mitchell and Cathy Quinton. Thank you.

Mr. Chris Glover: I’d like to welcome from the Save Minden Ontario Emergency Room group: Brenda Culver; Diane Forbes; Cathy Barnes; Wendy Ladurantaye; Kim Galen; Deloris Bailey; Jim and Bernie Davis; Dave Hammond; Judy Toye; Dean Curtice; and Pat Bradley. Thank you so much. Welcome to your House.

Mr. Mike Schreiner: I would like to welcome everyone from Community Living Ontario, and especially welcome Judy Noonan and Michelle Maloney, constituents of mine from Community Living Guelph Wellington who are at Queen’s Park today.

I would also like to welcome CareNow Ontario to Queen’s Park for their lobby day and acknowledge that May 12 is international awareness day for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and environmental sensitivities. Thank you for the work you do and welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Joel Harden: I have a smile on my face because my Kingston family is in the House today. That’s my brother Adam up there, his partner Jen, and my two nephews, Ethan and Jonah. Welcome to this House; this is your House.

Mr.

Will Bouma: For those who missed them earlier, proudly representing Brantford-Brant in the chamber today are: for the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, Chief Petty Officer First Class Aurora Linnington and Chief Petty Officer Second Class Charlie Downey, joined by Acting Sub-Lieutenant Kyle Au Coin; for the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Corporal Danika Parasram and Sergeant Tobias Ven Berkel, joined by commanding officer Captain Celina Corner; for the Royal Canadian Army Cadets, Master Warrant Officer Kyrianna Jorgenson and Warrant Officer Ethan Russell, joined by commanding officer Captain Josh Jennie; for the Navy League of Canada, we have Leading Cadet Alissa Bartlett and Ordinary Cadet Nathan Learned, joined by commanding officer Lieutenant Richard Carpenter and Sub-Lieutenant Celina Barnard.

Thank you for joining us today in your House.

M me France Gélinas: I’d like to introduce a few more members of Save Minden ER: my good friend Louise Baker, who’s from Minden now; Randy and Pat Baker; Sue Sisson; Wendy and Dave Mycroft; Linda Boulton; Darla Noris Sward; Kathy Lee; Diane Forbes; Linda Cutler; Martha Indovina; and Gary Spring. Welcome to your House.

Hon. Michael S. Kerzner: Please let me introduce some great Ontarians, leaders in the agri-food business that help keep Ontario fed every day and the founders of St. Helen’s Meat Packers: Robert Bielak; his wife, Gloria; and their daughters Rachel and Jaclyn. Welcome to the Legislature of Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): If there are no objections, I’d like to continue with the introduction of visitors.

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: From my area, I’d like to welcome everyone from Community Living, but especially Community Living Essex County. Karen Bolger and the team at Community Living Essex County do an incredible job, not just for Essex, but for all of Windsor and Essex county. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Nina Tangri: Later this morning, joining us from India is the high priest Swami Govind Dev Giriji Maharaj. I’d like to welcome him to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Jennifer K. French: I am also pleased to welcome folks from Community Living Ontario, specifically from my riding, Amber Taylor, who is a council member, and the vice-president of CLO council, Niko Pupella. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Effie J. Triantafilopoulos: I’d like to welcome Community Living Oakville: Alexandra Hoeck Murray, the executive director, Nazeem Lahashmi, Hugo Troccoli and Andrea Interior.

Mrs. Daisy Wai: I would like to welcome Carlene Wisdom and April Cleugh, area and regional managers from Christian Horizons. Christian Horizons is a non-profit organization providing services for adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities in Ontario and Saskatchewan. Back in 2019, I met their central district executive director Irene Moore and listened to their ideas of supporting for more affordable housing access. They now—

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

Hon. Raymond Sung Joon Cho: I’d like to welcome the grade 10 students from Francis Liebermann Catholic High School who are visiting Queen’s Park today. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Catherine Fife: I want to give a special welcome to Elizabeth Witmer. Kitchener–Waterloo was well-served by her and that continues today. Thank you very much, Elizabeth.

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: I have two remarkable constituents who are here today, the president of Community Living Ontario, Michael Jacques, and his father, Marcel. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Billy Pang: Today being Lupus Awareness Day in Ontario, I am excited to welcome an amazing delegation from Lupus Ontario who have done so much to improve the lives of people. They include Diana Bozzo, Tanya Connacher, Yadira Castro, June Alikhan, Linda Keill and 16 others.

Mr. Todd J. McCarthy: I welcome to the Ontario Legislative Assembly today Mr. John Olah, leading Ontario trial lawyer and a 1973 fellow graduate of Osgoode Hall law school with the late Honourable Jim Flaherty.

Ms. Natalia Kusendova-Bashta: Good morning. I’d like to welcome my fellow Polish Canadian Kryss Weiss from Community Living Toronto. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

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

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Thank you, Speaker. I knew it would come around to me eventually. I see that Patricia Franks is here from the beautiful riding of Dufferin–Caledon, no doubt to mark Community Living Day, so welcome.

Ms. Jess Dixon: I’m welcoming Allan Mills and Devon Fernandes to the House this morning, the executive director and vice-chair of Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region.

Hon. Michael Parsa: I’d like to welcome Community Living Ontario, Community Living Toronto and other local Community Living agencies across the province to the Legislature this morning. I’d like to, in particular, give a shout-out to Brad Saunders, Chris Beesley, Jo-Anne Demick, Shawn Pegg, Petronilla Ndebele, Brianna MacLellan, Sarah MacDonald and Julia Silani. I look forward to meeting with all of you later on this afternoon at the reception. Thank you, and welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Anthony Leardi: On behalf of myself and the member from Chatham-Kent–Leamington and the member from Windsor–Tecumseh, we would like to welcome Karen Bolger, executive director of Community Living Essex County, and Brianne Taggart, Ray Renaud, Beth Renaud, Marilyn Godard, Shelbey Pillon, Cynthia Castellucci, Amanda Pritchard and Kirti Ladwa. Welcome.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you very much. That concludes our introduction of visitors for today.

Question Period

Doctor shortage

M me France Gélinas: Ma question est pour la ministre de la Santé.

Over 2.2 million Ontarians do not have a family doctor; more than 360,000 of them are children. That number increases each and every month. It will reach three million people by 2025, as fewer medical students choose family practice and more family physicians retire. The growing physician shortage will put more pressure on already overwhelmed hospitals, emergency departments, urgent care and even our long-term-care homes.

Family doctors need this government’s support to continue to provide top-quality care to us, like access to team-based care, like reduced administrative burdens, like an electronic health record that actually works. Will this government listen to Ontario family physicians and act upon their recommendations?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Not only are we listening, we are working with the OMA, our partners in universities. When we made our most recent expansion of residency spots, both students incoming and post-secondary and post-graduate, I had university provosts and presidents say this is the largest expansion they have seen in their university health expansions in historic numbers. They are thrilled that, as an example, we are seeing more individuals choose to study medicine, and we, as a government, are committing through residency spots increases to ensure that those young people who want to practise medicine in the province of Ontario have that opportunity here in their communities. Thank you.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary question: the member for Humber River–Black Creek.

Mr. Tom Rakocevic: Minister, more than 500,000 people living in Toronto and Mississauga don’t have a family doctor, including over 136,000 of the lowest-income earners. Half of the people without a doctor in Toronto and Mississauga live in racialized neighbourhoods.

Doctors are only human. They can only take about 1,000 to 1,200 patients, although many doctors have much larger rosters. At this rate, the GTA will need about 400 more doctors to meet the demand in the region. What plans does this government have to immediately recruit hundreds of more doctors in the GTA?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: As we passed Bill 60 this week, it was very exciting to now have the opportunity to have as of right in the province of Ontario. As of right means that physicians who are practising in other Canadian jurisdictions right now have the opportunity to practise in the province without having to go through the red tape.

Why are we making those investments? Because we understand that there are short-, medium- and long-term plans that we can put in place and that we have put in place, including an investment of $33 million to make sure that an additional 100 graduates are going to have the positions and availability to practise, train and teach and practise in the province of Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Next and final supplementary, the member for Kiiwetinoong.

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: In northern Ontario, there’s a shortage of 350 family doctors and specialists. We also know that nursing stations on reserves are staffed by federal and agency nurses. It’s like this: Federal nurses have to reach out to on-call doctors by phone to provide a diagnosis. That’s normal in the north. That doctor shortage leads to unnecessary suffering. It leads to unnecessary deaths of patients in far northern Ontario.

I ask, how is this going to immediately help the people of northern Ontario suffering because of the doctor shortage?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Since 2018, we have added an additional 1,800 physicians in the province of Ontario. We have put in place programs specifically for northern Ontario to match emergency departments with peer-to-peer ED doctors to make sure that they have access to peers who are there for them to be able to work through issues and problems as they appear before their emergency departments.

We’ll continue to do that work. It is not one issue; it is not one solution. We are doing everything with our partners, including in a partnership to increase family medicine by a partnership between Queen’s University and Lakeridge that actually is focused on training new family docs to make sure that we have the capacity in the province of Ontario to serve our growing population.

Doctor shortage

Ms. Catherine Fife: My question is for the Minister of Health.

Nearly 65,000 people in Kitchener-Waterloo do not have a doctor. A quarter of those people are among the lowest income earners. They can’t afford to pay an annual subscription to a clinic or fees for virtual care. Thousands of people who could be getting proactive, preventative care are going to the emergency room when their illnesses have progressed. So many lives can be saved with early intervention.

What will this government do to support family doctors to hire more administrative and clinical support so that they spend more time with their patients, as the Ontario College of Family Physicians has recommended this government do?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of Colleges and Universities.

Hon. Jill Dunlop: I find it very rich coming from the opposition today while every one of you stood up yesterday and voted against Bill 60. If you had read the bill, do you understand—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I will ask the minister to take her seat. I’ll ask the official opposition to come to order.

The Minister of Colleges and Universities can conclude her answer.

Hon. Jill Dunlop: By passing Bill 60, we are adding an additional 24,000 PSWs, 1,000 registered nurses, 500 RPNs, 455 new physicians, 52 new physician assistants and 150 nurse practitioners. You’re asking us what we’re doing? You’re voting against every single measure we take.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. Members will please take their seats. The House will come to order.

Restart the clock. The supplementary question, the member for Oshawa.

Ms. Jennifer K. French: Minister, the shortage of family doctors puts additional pressure on our hospitals and emergency rooms. Angie in my community went to Lakeridge hospital’s ER with chest pains and emailed me while waiting in emerg. She was told that only one doctor was on duty and there were 119 patients waiting. I wonder how many of those people could have received faster care or avoided the ER if they were able to have seen a family doctor?

Premier, over 44,000 people in Durham region don’t have a family doctor. Can I tell people who are writing to their MPPs from the emergency room to keep waiting, or that help is on the way?

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

Hon. Sylvia Jones: This is really an important opportunity to highlight the many different programs that we’ve put in place to assist our ED physicians, to assist our hospitals, to assist our paramedics. One of them I would highlight is, of course, the Dedicated Offload Nurses Program—funding specifically to ensure that a nurse, a respiratory technician or a paramedic is off-loading and taking care of those patients to ensure the paramedics can get back into community.

Another one of course is the 911 models of care, where we don’t just force paramedics to take individuals to emergency departments. We have the opportunity now, whether it is for long-term care, palliative and now actually expanding it into diabetes and epilepsy—

Interjections.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: I understand that the members opposite don’t want to hear the good things that are happening in the province of Ontario, but I will tell you that I am getting feedback that says these changes are making a difference and are working—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. Member for Waterloo will come to order. Member for Hamilton Mountain will come to order. The member for Brantford–Brant will come to order. The Minister of Energy will come to order.

Restart the clock. The final supplementary: the member for Thunder Bay–Superior North.

MPP Lise Vaugeois: The region of Thunder Bay has at least 45,000 people without access to primary care. Greenstone is losing two doctors at the end of the month, and seniors are being left without access to any care whatsoever.

There are solutions: Further increase enrolment and create a learn-and-stay program for doctors at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. Establish more nurse practitioner-led clinics. Reduce the administrative burden on doctors and create a centralized electronic records and referral system now, not in five years.

Will the government finally invest in the solutions so clearly identified by medical professionals that are not happening now?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Speaker, Northern Ontario School of Medicine: 20 additional residency spots were just announced last week.

There is no one in this chamber who doesn’t understand and appreciate that with a growing and aging population, we need to do better. What I will say to the NDP and the Liberals is, where would we have been if they hadn’t cut those 50 residency spots? We would have had 250 additional practitioners in the province today.

We’re putting the work in. We’re making those investments. The member opposite can either choose to work with us or continue to complain. But you will see that there are already improvements happening in community because we are making the investment, as a government.

Hospital services

Mr. Chris Glover: I just heard the Minister of Health talk about getting care into communities. We have people from Minden today whose emergency room is being shut down. You’re taking the care out of their community, and it’s absolutely shameful.

When I asked in this House about the closure of the Minden emergency room last week, the Minister of Health said that the decision was made at the local level and refused to take responsibility for it. The Ontario Health Coalition informs me that this is the first time in Ontario that a Minister of Health has refused to take responsibility for a hospital closure. Because of this closure, lives will be at risk over the summer because of the long ride to the Haliburton hospital.

Does the minister understand that those lives will be her responsibility?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Speaker, while I appreciate that I cannot correct a member opposite’s record, the Minden hospital is not closing. I want to be clear. The local decision made by hospital leadership, supported by a volunteer-voted board, has made a determination that in Haliburton health sciences, they want to combine the Minden and Haliburton emergency departments. All of the other critically important services that currently happen in the Minden hospital will continue to happen in the Minden hospital.

There is no doubt that when changes happen, including emergency department closures, it is very challenging for the community. But I want to reassure and remind the member opposite that these are local decisions made by local leadership, local hospitals.

Interjections.

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

The supplementary question. The member for Nickel Belt.

M me France Gélinas: The emergency department in Minden needs to stay open.

A police officer arrives at MilCun Training Center for pistol, carbine or rifle training—sometimes things go wrong. They’re 11 minutes to the emergency department in Minden.

The brand new Nesbitt arena has tournaments and training camps all year round. A kid gets hurt—it is three minutes’ drive to the Minden emergency department.

The 62 residents who live at Hyland Crest Long-Term Care need urgent care—it’s a zero-minute drive. They are attached to the hospital, but they won’t be able to go there anymore.

The residents of Minden and the surrounding area are here today at Queen’s Park. They came to Queen’s Park to ask for the minister’s help. They want her to use her power as Minister of Health to put a one-year moratorium on the closure of the emergency department of Minden hospital. Will she listen to them? Will she help them?

Interjections.

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

Minister of Health.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Speaker, so often in this chamber, we talk about the importance and value of community leadership, of ensuring that community has a voice. And now the member opposite is suggesting that we need to override community hospital leadership decisions and board-supported decisions. It is very unfortunate that they have not supported the local decision made by hospital leadership at the Haliburton health sciences.

Life sciences sector

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

Ontario is home to a world-class life sciences sector, with our researchers continually pushing the envelope for better health outcomes for all. But if there’s anything that the last few years have shown us, it’s the importance of having an established medical manufacturing sector that tops the life sciences agenda. That’s why last week’s Moderna announcement was so welcomed.

Will the minister please speak further to the progress that this government is making to ensure that Ontario will never again be left behind and left reliant on others for critical goods?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Speaker, supply chain issues caused by the pandemic created global shortages of many vital health care devices. One such shortage was epidural catheters, the medical standard when it comes to providing adequate pain relief during labour—or so we’ve been told.

We put out a call to re-shore manufacturing of epidurals right here in Ontario. One company, Canadian Hospital Specialties, answered that call and will now manufacture epidural catheters at their plant in Oakville. Last week, with our MPPs from Oakville and Oakville North–Burlington, CHS announced a $1.5-million investment to fill that critical supply gap and hire 10 people along the way. What a great example of seeing a problem and solving it right here in Ontario. Premier Ford calls that “the Ontario spirit.”

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

Mr. Graham McGregor: Thanks to the minister for his answer and, quite frankly, for his leadership on the file.

It’s great news that Ontario will now domestically produce epidural catheters. This announcement is a welcome relief to hospitals that struggled to manage their supply of epidural catheters and secure inventory.

Because of the leadership demonstrated by the Premier and this minister, Ontario manufacturers have begun to produce an increasing number of critical medical supplies.

With the ongoing rollout of the life sciences strategy, what further initiatives can we expect to see from our government as we continue to bolster our manufacturing industry, create jobs and position Ontario as a world leader in the medtech and biotech sectors?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Speaker, Ontario has a very rich history of life-saving medical breakthroughs. From discovering insulin right here in Toronto to detecting the gene that causes cystic fibrosis to developing the world’s first cardiac pacemaker, millions of lives have been vastly improved because of the groundbreaking work being done right here in Ontario’s life sciences sector.

Our new Life Sciences Council will help to accelerate commercialization and encourage adoption of made-in-Ontario health innovations. Much like when we did the auto sector’s Driving Prosperity plan, we’ve now introduced Taking Life Sciences to the Next Level. It’s their plan for Ontario’s first life sciences strategy in over a decade. This will ensure that Ontario is the global life sciences centre for our world’s innovators.

Consumer protection

Ms. Chandra Pasma: Five years after paying deposits to Greatwise Developments, homebuyers in Ottawa West–Nepean are still waiting for their promised homes. They’ve been sent notice of delay after notice of delay, with no delivery date currently provided. The developer also gave inaccurate information, blaming the city for delays when actually the developer failed to file the permits. My constituents complained to the Home Construction Regulatory Authority, expecting some support. Instead, 22 months later, they haven’t even received a decision.

Why is the Premier continuing to allow unscrupulous developers to run roughshod over Ontarians who just want to move into their new homes?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery.

Hon. Kaleed Rasheed: Thank you to the member opposite for the question. It is this government that believes all Ontarians deserve a home and will not waiver when it comes to protecting new home buyers’ investments in their future.

Under this Premier, it is this government has not only committed to building 1.5 million new homes, but it is adding new ways to improve protection for Ontarians across our province. The changes we implemented over the last few months have put bad developers on notice and made bad developers think twice before trying to take advantage of our homebuyers. Hard-working Ontarians can rest assured that our government has their backs when they make the biggest purchase of their lives, with or without the support of the opposition.

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

Ms. Chandra Pasma: Two years to get a decision from the HCRA isn’t protecting anyone but developers, Speaker.

It gets worse. While my constituents are in limbo, receiving bad information or no information, a clause in the contract allows the developer to unilaterally cancel the home purchase if the developer believes there is a dispute between the homebuyer and the developer. This means that if my constituents speak up publicly, they lose their new homes. It is unfair that a developer can behave with impunity and then take away someone’s home if they complain.

Will the Premier protect homebuyers in Ontario by banning gag order clauses from home sales contracts?

Hon. Kaleed Rasheed: Thank you to the member for the question. The member opposite has a lot to say about helping Ontarians, but when push comes to shove, they choose to play politics rather than vote for real support for Ontarians. Speaker, when our great Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing introduced a bill in the fall that would not only punish bad developers with fines of hundreds or thousands of dollars, but for the very first time the money will go—

Interjections.

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

Hon. Kaleed Rasheed: —back into the pockets of the affected individuals, what did the members opposite do? They voted against that bill. They voted against stronger protection for the people of this province, voted against providing families the relief they needed in this bill.

Speaker, on this side and on that side too, we are here—

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

Interjections.

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

The next question.

Municipal development

Mr. Hardeep Singh Grewal: My question is for the honourable Premier. Peel region is one of Ontario’s fastest-growing municipalities, and over the next few years we know that thousands of individuals, families and newcomers to Canada will settle in our communities.

With an abundance of job opportunities available, along with thriving businesses, community organizations, schools and health care facilities that are already there, Peel region is a great place to call home. However, we know that there’s a shortage of available housing throughout Peel region and throughout Ontario.

For too many Ontarians, finding the right home is still too challenging. Our government must keep moving ahead with measures to tackle the critical shortage in housing. Can the Premier explain how our government is increasing Ontario’s housing supply?

Hon. Doug Ford: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I want to thank the member from Brampton East. You’re doing a fantastic job. As a matter of fact, all five members from Brampton are doing a great job.

We’re in a housing crisis right now, a desperate housing crisis. No matter if it’s new Canadians coming in or young people looking for a house to buy and they just can’t afford it. It’s very simple: It’s supply and demand. We’re going to build 1.5 million homes.

We’ve set a record here in Ontario. We’re the fastest-growing region in North America—not just in Canada, not in Ontario but in North America: 445,000 people moved into our great province last year, the reason being, that’s where they see the economic growth in North America—right here. Because of my great friend, right beside me, the Minister of Economic Development, about 650,000 more people are working today than there were under the previous Liberal government.

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

Mr. Hardeep Singh Grewal: It’s good news that so many housing projects are under way and that our government is creating conditions for more construction to take place. This will benefit my community of Brampton East and benefit other communities across our great province.

Rapidly growing communities like mine need access to convenient transportation networks. The previous Liberal government ignored the need to build and expand vital transportation infrastructure, like roads and highways, to keep up with future growth. Their failure to address the needed expansions to public transit and highway networks is making life inconvenient for individuals, families and businesses. Transportation infrastructure is vital to address the highway congestion, create jobs and support Ontario’s economy.

Speaker, can the Premier please explain how our government is building stronger transportation networks which will further support our communities?

Hon. Doug Ford: Again, another great question from the member from Brampton East. As we see the population grow, as we see the economy grow, we need to get people from point A to point B. Through our great Minister of Transportation and Minister of Infrastructure, we’re spending over $184 billion not just building new highways like the 413 or the Bradford Bypass, but also, where I was yesterday in Kitchener-Waterloo, we’re building Highway 7; in southwestern Ontario, we’re widening Highway 3.

Mr. Speaker, we’re pouring money into infrastructure, no matter if it’s 50 projects and the $50 billion through new hospitals and expansions, or long-term care through the Ministry of Long-Term Care. The previous government built, what, 618 in 12 years? We’re building 68,000 new long-term-care beds to make sure that when the population grows, they have a place to live and call home.

Right now, Ontario is on fire and we’re going to continue making it sure the economy grows, putting money back into people’s pockets.

Tenant protection

Ms. Jessica Bell: My question is to the Premier. A new report by the city of Toronto is raising fears that the Conservatives want to override Toronto’s laws and make it easier for developers to knock down rental buildings, kick out tenants and replace rent-controlled homes with luxury condos. When renters are facing a demolition, they need better protections, not an eviction notice.

To make our city more affordable, can this government commit to strengthening municipal rental replacement laws instead of weakening them?

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

Hon. Steve Clark: We have not made any changes to existing rental replacement bylaws that are currently in effect in some municipalities. They remain in place. In fact, we’re proposing to build on those bylaws by explicitly requiring that municipal rental replacement bylaws include compensation and the right for the tenant to move back in at the same rent.

For example, we’re exploring right now a framework where a municipality could require that replacement units have the same core features, like the same number of bedrooms, as they did previously, and requiring that tenants are given the right of first refusal to move into that new, modern accommodation at a similar rent. Those are the facts, Speaker.

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

Ms. Jessica Bell: Minister, we’re currently debating a bill where you’re looking at taking these rental protections away, so that’s a very interesting response.

My question is back to the Premier. Average rents in Toronto have reached an alarming high of $3,000 a month, which means losing your home to demolition is devastating. Right now, there are 73 rental homes approved for demolition and conversion in Toronto, putting over 3,400 rental homes at risk. Tenants living in these buildings, like those at 55 Brownlow, 25 St. Mary and 145 St. George, are rallying at city hall today because they want to save their homes.

I’m going to ask the minister again: Can you commit to strengthening rental protections when a tenant is facing a demolition instead of weakening them?

Hon. Steve Clark: Again, Speaker, I have to continue with this member to express the facts about what this government is doing. Again, the question I have back to her is: Are you going to support the tenant protection measures that this government is putting into Bill 97? Do you support the tremendous work that the Attorney General has done to ensure that the Landlord and Tenant Board moves forward with double the amount of adjudicators and also staff support to deal with the backlog? That’s the question before the House. Do you support tenant protections, yes or no?

Transportation infrastructure

Ms. Bobbi Ann Brady: My question is to the Minister of Transportation. I rise for the third time since last August to ask about the reconstruction of the Caledonia Argyle Street bridge. I will continue to stand in this House on this issue until reconstruction begins, because it’s a matter of safety.

Last August, the minister said the detailed design of the Argyle Street replacement was already complete and that the ministry was in the process of obtaining final approvals to proceed to construction. The minister also said, “We will not take any shortcuts when it comes to getting critical infrastructure built.”

The ministry may not take shortcuts, but the long way around could see this bridge collapse under this government’s watch. My constituents are fearful to cross the bridge and they become anxious when they are stopped in the middle during bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Speaker, through you to the minister: What is the holdup? What is the date reconstruction will begin?

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: I want to thank the member opposite for her important question. Our government understands the importance of the Argyle Street bridge in her riding as Argyle Street is the main street that connects Caledonia and Haldimand county. The bridge remains safe for limited use, including emergency service vehicles. The bridge is closely monitored by MTO and load limit restrictions are enforced.

As the member opposite knows, for years the previous Liberal government simply ignored important infrastructure investments like this one in rural Ontario. This bridge, which was built in 1927, has reached the end of its service life and it needs to be replaced. That’s why our government is saying yes to making these investments in rural Ontario and that’s why we’re investing in replacing the concrete Argyle Street bridge with a new five-span steel arch bridge.

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

Ms. Bobbi Ann Brady: Once again, this is cold comfort with respect to a reconstruction project that is more than 20 years overdue. The ministry has said it’s a priority and the minister said that again. This government has had five years to get the job done and yet reconstruction is idling.

Ministry staff has said that the structure is safe and the minister alluded to it this morning by saying that for some traffic, including emergency service vehicles, provided that the load restriction is followed and enforced, the bridge is safe.

The truth is, the majority of Haldimand county is crossing over that bridge on a daily basis. If the bridge is only safe if load restrictions are followed, the travelling public has a right to know how many infractions have occurred and are occurring on a daily basis. Locals know what is travelling that bridge.

Speaker, through you to the minister: How many fines have been issued since the load restrictions were put in place?

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: I can report that the ministry has not observed a high rate of offenders. The ministry has installed an electronic road monitoring system to assist with load restriction enforcement—the issue that the member opposite is raising. Letters are sent to commercial vehicle operators reminding them of the posted load limit restrictions, and all commercial vehicles that are repeatedly found to be in violation of the restrictions after receiving the notification letter may face sanctions and the loss of their permission to operate their commercial vehicle.

I can assure the member opposite, as well as all members of this House, that safety has always been and will continue to be our top priority.

Public transit

Mr. Logan Kanapathi: My question is for the Associate Minister of Transportation. Public transit is the primary form of travel for many people living in my riding of Markham–Thornhill and also for many people living across the GTA. It should be easy for them to travel across the entire transit network. However, the transit fare system under different transit agencies is unfortunately inconsistent. This leads to confusion and misunderstandings for many individuals.

People who rely on public transit are counting on our government to remove barriers so that using public transit is simple and convenient.

Can the Associate Minister please share what our government is doing to deliver more options for riders to make transit a more convenient experience in Ontario?

Hon. Stan Cho: I’m very happy to talk about transit this morning—a much better subject than talking about hockey.

Speaker, through last summer and into this winter, we introduced Presto’s credit card tap option for riders on the GO network and the 905 with terrific success, and over one million credit card taps have successfully been logged.

I’m happy to say that last Tuesday, our government, under the leadership of this Premier, launched a debit card tap feature on Presto and GO Transit and major local transit agencies in the 905—that includes York region, in that member’s riding. This is game-changing stuff, changing the way that people are able to get from point A to point B and pay their transit fares. With a simple tap of a debit card or a credit card, riders can now take transit and get to work, school, appointments, everything in between—

Interjection.

Hon. Stan Cho: I meant to say “tap,” of course.

This is something that the Liberals simply didn’t do. They left behind the commuters of this province. This government won’t do the same. We’re building record transit and making the experience better all along.

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

Mr. Logan Kanapathi: Thank you, Minister, for that answer. It is good news that our government is providing new payment options that make it easier to travel on our public transit networks. Access to more payment options is long overdue and is important to many individuals and families.

Public transit is an essential service, and our government must continue to invest in public transit infrastructure so that people can be better connected to jobs and travel.

Can the associate minister please explain what our government is doing to ensure that reliable and convenient transit service is available for all Ontarians?

Hon. Stan Cho: Speaker, the member is absolutely right; the world moves at a fast pace, and there’s a language young people today are speaking that I really don’t understand. There are things being developed that are very quick and difficult to keep up with.

The government has a responsibility to keep up with the times. That’s why we can’t limit ourselves to just paying for transit through physical cards. That’s why people on the GO, 905 and UP Express network can now use their credit and debit cards and smart phones or smart devices—with a simple tap of your smart device—to ride transit.

It doesn’t end there, because new Presto devices are also being installed on the TTC to deliver new payment options—like credit, debit and smart pay—to Toronto riders later this year. Progress has been very solid. In fact, I’m glad to update the House that the hardware refresh has been completed on buses and streetcars; the work is ongoing for stations.

Unlike the down bad opposition, this government is getting it done for commuters in Ontario.

Long-term care

Mr. Wayne Gates: My question is to the Premier.

Last year, we learned that Orchard Villa, owned by Southbridge and one of the worst private long-term-care operators in our province, wants a 30-year licence renewal. Now Southbridge wants an MZO from the province to expedite a planned expansion. Pickering council saw first-hand the neglect at this company and firmly said no to their plan at a recent council meeting.

Will the Premier listen to the concerns of residents, families and the city of Pickering, or does he plan to renew these dangerous for-profit homes with a 30-year licence renewal and fast-tracked expansion?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Minister of Long-Term Care.

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

Let me be very, very clear: The Premier of this province gave me a very clear mandate to ensure that I build 60,000 new and upgraded long-term-care beds across the province of Ontario. Part of that mandate was to increase the level of care to four hours. Part of that mandate was to hire 27,000 additional health care providers, health care workers, for those 60,000 new beds.

Let me be clear to the people of Pickering: They are waiting for a long-term-care home. What we are talking about here is tearing down an old, outdated home, Orchard Villa, and replacing it with a brand new, state-of-the-art home for the people of Pickering. And let me be very clear to the member opposite: Although he is opposed to this, I will do whatever it takes to remove the obstacles, to make sure that that home is built, because the people of Pickering deserve nothing less.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

The supplementary question.

Mr. Wayne Gates: Mr. Speaker, to the Premier: I just want to stop the dying in these long-term-care homes.

Back to the Premier: The Premier wants to build more beds, but under a private, for-profit owner-operator, those are just more beds for seniors to die in.

To the minister and the Premier: Look at the history of this company—military intervention, bedbugs, a staff shortage, rotten food, residents left in soiled diapers, a class action lawsuit. Eighty residents died, some from dehydration. It seems likely the government will not only grant them a 30-year renewal, but are advocating for them to expand further.

We know the public, not-for-profit system is safer. How can the Premier justify even considering renewing the Orchard Villa licence? How can you even consider that?

Hon. Paul Calandra: To be very clear, the very same unionized people—the Ontario Nurses’ Association and SEIU—work in the same long-term-care home that he is now criticizing, Mr. Speaker. Let’s be very clear about that.

What we are talking about in Pickering is tearing down an old, outdated home that should have been torn down long before we came to office. That is what he is advocating against.

This really isn’t the first time in Pickering. We have two applications for brand new homes in front of Pickering council. One was this brand new Orchard Villa. The second home was an Afro-Caribbean-centred home, the first of its kind in Ontario, and they turned it down. That is who the NDP are protecting, Mr. Speaker.

What I’m going to do is tell this member, tell the NDP, and tell Pickering council very clearly: The Premier gave me a mandate to build 60,000 new beds for seniors across Ontario. I’ll remove the obstacles and I will get it done despite the fact—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. Order. The member from Niagara Falls come to order. The government House leader will come to order. Thank you.

Start the clock. The next question.

Public safety

Mr. Hardeep Singh Grewal: My question is for the Solicitor General.

Sadly, I’m hearing concerns from the people of my community about increased criminal activity. Of course, the issue extends beyond our local community of Brampton East. We’ve all heard media reports about a rise in attacks on religious institutions and hateful graffiti. Hate-motivated incidents that target individuals, families and businesses based on their ethnicity, religion, race or gender have many feeling vulnerable and threatened.

The public safety of all Ontarians must be our government’s highest priority. The people of my community and all Ontarians are counting on our government for support and solutions.

Speaker, can the Solicitor General please explain how our government is addressing crime and increasing protection for Ontario communities?

Hon. Michael S. Kerzner: I want to thank my friend from Brampton East for his question. As I said before, everyone in Ontario has a right to feel safe and free from harassment, hate and discrimination. That’s why we’re building an Ontario for everyone, where everyone belongs and everyone can contribute and prosper. This is our Ontario.

Mr. Speaker, I want to assure this House that our police work day and night to protect all Ontarians from violence, and this government will always have the backs of everyone that keeps Ontario safe.

Recently, I visited the Ontario Police College, where I saw for myself the police training—the training for investigations and hate crimes, so that they are prepared to keep us safe.

Mr. Speaker, let me be clear: Our government has a zero tolerance towards hate and violence of any kind.

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

Mr. Hardeep Singh Grewal: I appreciate the Solicitor General’s direct response in addressing this very serious issue, and his continuous efforts in keeping all Ontarians safe.

It’s reassuring that our police services are well-trained and well-equipped to protect our communities. We value the dedication and service of our front-line police officers.

Ontario is one of the most diverse places in the world, and everyone is responsible to be respectful and welcoming to all. The words and actions that we all use must help build stronger, safer and more inclusive communities across our province.

Speaker, can the Solicitor General please explain what other actions our government is taking to support the safety and protection of all Ontarians?

Hon. Michael S. Kerzner: Speaker, I want to thank my friend again for the question. I am proud to say that just last Friday I joined our great Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism in announcing a new $25-million anti-hate security and prevention grant. This grant will help religious and cultural organizations enhance safety and security measures to prevent hateful incidents. We were joined in that announcement by leaders of multiple faiths. Our government is working on all fronts to combat hate, and I commend my colleague for this initiative.

Let me be clear: There is no excuse for anti-Semitism, Islamophobia or racism of any kind. It’s totally unacceptable. Hate is toxic to our democracy. And if anyone here or anywhere engages in this type of behaviour and feels you can double down or triple down on this, we have a message for you: We will call you out.

Kashechewan First Nation

Mr. Guy Bourgouin: Ma question est pour le premier ministre.

Premier, once again, due to flooding, the community of Kashechewan had to be evacuated to multiple communities across northern Ontario. Families with children are bound to live in hotel rooms for a recurring issue: the spring flooding.

Five years ago, the federal and provincial governments, with Kashechewan, signed an agreement to move the community to a safer location. My question: Premier, what has your government done in those five years to move Kashechewan to their new location?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Minister of Northern Development.

Hon. Greg Rickford: As we support the ongoing logistical challenges of that community, there is no question that there is a need for us to move on that location—“us” involves the community itself and some neighbouring communities. The federal government and the provincial government remain committed to that process and continue to work with not just Kashechewan but Fort Albany First Nation to ensure that they actually want to do this and we can proceed with a couple of important processes to make that move. Our door remains open, and we’d like to facilitate that process. It shouldn’t take this long. It’s twice in my own political career that this has happened.

I can assure the member opposite that we remain committed to facilitating that, providing it has the support of the nearby communities to Kashechewan.

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

Mr. Guy Bourgouin: Again to the Premier: I had the opportunity to speak to community members of Kashechewan who have been evacuated in Kapuskasing. They tell me that nothing has been done. The road has not even been built to access the new site.

Premier, what will your government do to expedite the moving of the community that has to be evacuated year after year due to flooding?

Hon. Greg Rickford: First of all, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the city of Timmins, Cochrane, Kapuskasing, Val Rita and Thunder Bay for their extraordinary efforts to support the move. I think that’s the thing that should be acknowledged first and foremost in this place. People do tremendous work—volunteers. It’s a real community-based effort.

Frankly, we continue to urge, particularly, Fort Albany First Nation to work with Kashechewan First Nation so that we can proceed with things like the environmental processes that are required to actually build the road that the member speaks about. It’s not that nothing is being done. Efforts are being made to get things started. That has been going on for a couple of years. I suspect the member knows that.

We would be happy to have a conversation with the leadership of those First Nations communities to trigger those processes and move that community to a place where we signed on the dotted line that we were committed to do that.

Housing

Mr. Graham McGregor: My question is for the Associate Minister of Housing. As Ontario faces an affordable housing crisis, individuals and families are struggling to keep pace with the costs of housing due to rising mortgage and interest rates. These economic challenges are, unfortunately, preventing many hard-working Ontarians from achieving the goal of home ownership.

Unfortunately, years of inaction by the previous Liberal government left vulnerable individuals without the housing supports that they desperately need. That’s why it’s crucial for our government to take immediate action to increase the construction of safe, stable and affordable housing for those at risk.

Speaker, can the associate minister please share what steps our government is taking to deliver great housing supply to Ontarians?

Hon. Nina Tangri: I really do want to thank the member from Brampton North for this very important question.

It was a pleasure to be joined by my Peel caucus colleagues and representatives from the region’s municipalities last month to echo our government’s investment of an additional $202 million every year in our Homelessness Prevention Program and Indigenous Supportive Housing Program. This brings our total annual investment to nearly $700 million. It’s record investments.

But this funding is vital as it helps service managers, like the regional municipality of Peel, provide supportive housing and other supports for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Speaker, we know that supportive housing provides stability that opens doors to better health, employment and independence for those in need. That’s why our government is stepping up and delivering greater investments to the people of this province, which benefit our communities and our economy as a whole.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mr. Graham McGregor: Thanks to the minister for that answer. That 38% increase for Peel is just massive for the region, massive for the community. I was happy to be there with the minister and a lot of Peel caucus colleagues as well. And good gosh, Speaker, after that election, we’ve got a lot of PC caucus members in Peel, don’t we?

These investments are welcome news and demonstrate our government’s commitment to provide support to the housing needs of all Ontarians. However, many constituents in my riding of Brampton North are very concerned about the surging costs of rent and mortgage interest rates. Now, many individuals and families are worried about finding an affordable place to live. That’s why our government must take urgent action to support those who are experiencing hardships and implement practical and long-term solutions to address homelessness.

Speaker, can the associate minister please elaborate on what our government is doing to improve housing services for the people of Ontario?

Hon. Nina Tangri: Once again, thank you to the member from Brampton North for his question.

Our government met with partners and stakeholders right across our province this past fall, and their valuable feedback was key to our improvements to Ontario’s supportive housing system. We recognize that the availability and affordability of housing are closely linked to the supply of homes in our communities. That’s why we’re committed to increasing the supply of housing in the coming 10 years.

We’re pleased to see that many municipalities in Ontario share this goal, like Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon, who have collectively pledged to build a total of 246,000 homes. These pledges demonstrate a solid commitment to increasing housing supply and ensuring that residents have access to affordable housing.

Speaker, only by working together can we ensure that all Ontarians have access to safe, affordable and suitable housing.

Social assistance

Ms. Peggy Sattler: My question is to the Premier. Last week, the Middlesex-London Health Unit wrote to this government urging an increase to social assistance rates. Their letter states, “Middlesex-London residents with low incomes cannot afford to eat after meeting other essential needs....” At a time of unprecedented inflation, food insecurity is higher than ever before. Our health unit is telling this government that people on ODSP and Ontario Works are not eating.

Speaker, why is this government keeping social assistance rates so low that those who rely on social assistance are force to go without food?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Hon. Michael Parsa: I thank my honourable colleague for the question. It’s been this government that has been there for every single Ontarian when we said we’re not going to leave them behind. I will just remind the member of all the decisions that they have voted against.

First of all, the largest increase to support the most vulnerable here in the province—what did the opposition do? They voted against it. Then the rates were aligned to inflation, which was the right thing to do to provide more support for Ontarians at a time of high costs and everything as a result of the carbon tax that they supported, that we are against, Mr. Speaker. Time and time and time again, it’s this government that’s fighting for Ontarians.

The NDP will say one thing when the lights are on and the cameras are rolling, and then when it comes to actually voting and supporting Ontarians, they’ll continue to turn their back on them, just like they failed, supporting the Liberals in 15 years, Mr. Speaker. We said from the beginning—

Interjections.

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

Supplementary question.

Ms. Peggy Sattler: Again to the Premier: Food banks in London and across Ontario are stretched to the limit. In just the last year, the London Food Bank saw a 40% increase in demand. The Emergency Food Cupboard at the Northwest London Resource Centre in my riding is seeing five or six new families a day. When people can’t afford food, their physical and mental health suffers. It causes more chronic conditions, more non-communicable diseases, more infections, depression, anxiety and stress.

Speaker, will this government listen to the Middlesex-London Health Unit, lift people on social assistance out of legislated poverty and increase social assistance rates?

Interjections.

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

The Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Hon. Michael Parsa: Mr. Speaker, we have invested more than $1.2 billion towards helping communities through the Social Services Relief Fund—$1.2 billion to help with food, to help with the cost of housing; investing $83 million through the Ontario Trillium Foundation to support non-profit organizations, including food banks; $8 million in support for funding Feed Ontario. Mr. Speaker, every single measure that we’ve taken to help Ontarians during the cost of high prices everywhere, the NDP continuously votes against. They will never support lowering costs in this province. You’ve seen them; you’ve heard them.

They’ll say one thing here in the House, but as soon as it comes to actions, they’re MIA. They don’t exist.

It’s this Premier and it’s this government that says we’ll make sure that every single Ontarian is supported and no one is left behind, and we’ll put—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

The next question.

Red tape reduction

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Red Tape Reduction. Reducing red tape is a key part of building a stronger economy and improving services for all Ontarians. That’s why our government must bring forward red tape reduction solutions to deliver on our promise to improve government services and make it easier to do business in Ontario. The Less Red Tape, Stronger Economy Act should help to pave the way for better services, provide greater support for businesses to grow and help to save people time and money.

While it is unfortunate that the opposition does not believe in the benefits of cutting red tape, this legislation could help ensure Ontario remains a key destination for investment, opportunity and prosperity.

Mr. Speaker, through you, can the minister please explain how our government is reducing regulatory burdens on people and businesses in Ontario?

Hon. Parm Gill: I want to thank the member from Carleton for that important question.

Time and again, the only thing we ever hear from members opposite is no. What they fail to realize is that reducing red tape is about the impact these changes are having on real people and businesses across our great province—changes like helping businesses embrace new technologies like carbon capture and storage. Reducing red tape on these projects will unleash innovation, and it will create hundreds of millions of dollars in new investments right across our great province.

While our government knows there is a tremendous economic and environmental potential for carbon storage, the opposition wants to keep the red tape barriers in place. Mr. Speaker, we are never going to let that happen. Our government will never stop fighting for a better future for Ontarians and make sure our province is prosperous.

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

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: Thank you to the minister for his response. It’s clear that the changes our government is making to eliminate red tape are working. For example, removing the ban on carbon sequestration enables new technologies and supports Ontario’s economic competitiveness. Efforts to reduce unnecessary burdens that are holding back Ontario’s economic growth and prosperity are vital, perhaps now more than ever. We saw what happened to our economy when the previous Liberal government introduced destructive economic policies and burdensome regulations that made life more difficult.

That’s why it’s so crucial for our government to continue to listen to the people of Ontario and the solutions they bring forward.

Through you, Mr. Speaker, can the minister please explain how these red-tape-reduction changes can create real benefits for people and businesses in our province?

Hon. Parm Gill: I want to thank the member for the important question once again. I always look forward to receiving great ideas, recommendations from Ontarians right across our great province through our red tape portal on Ontario.ca.

I also want to point out that I’ve yet to receive a single idea from any of the members opposite. They don’t even have a critic responsible for red tape reduction. While this is disappointing, it is not unexpected. That’s because, as we all know, the Liberals, supported by the NDP, came up with the highest burden the province had in the country.

However, since 2018, our government has taken strong action to cut Ontario’s regulatory burden by over 16,000 regulatory compliance requirements, which helps businesses big or small with, on average, $700 million annually.

Workplace safety

MPP Lise Vaugeois: This question is to the Premier.

Young people are particularly vulnerable to permanent brain damage due to diesel fuel exposure. With young people beginning skilled trades training as early as grade 11, can the Premier explain to parents why the government has not reduced the diesel exposure limits to the level long recommended by health and safety experts?

Mine workers have been lobbying this for years. In fact, members of the United Steelworkers have stickers on their hard hats recommending it be much reduced from the level that the government has recently moved to. For me, particularly knowing how badly WSIB is serving the interests of injured workers, I can’t imagine how parents will feel.

My question is: Why has the ministry not moved the rate down to the recommended level?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

Hon. Monte McNaughton: Mr. Speaker, the health and safety of every worker is our government’s top priority. That’s why I was proud to go to Sudbury to be joined by the Minister of Mines, to stand with the United Steelworkers union, to lower diesel particulate requirements in mines to the toughest standards in all of North America. This was a request by the United Steelworkers union.

But, Mr. Speaker, I want to pay tribute to those 29,000 miners across northern Ontario who are building the future of this province. They are in well-paying jobs with pensions and benefits. These are the jobs that our government, under the leadership of Premier Ford, is investing in to ensure that we have more young people joining these amazing careers out there. As we’ve said before, and as the Premier often says, when you have a career in the skilled trades, you have a career for life.

Reception

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Markham–Unionville has a point of order.

Mr. Billy Pang: I would like to invite members to join the delegation from Lupus Ontario for a group picture at the grand stairs after the question period.

Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Newmarket–Aurora has a point of order.

M me Dawn Gallagher Murphy: I would like to introduce one of my constituents, William Hulme, who just made it to the gallery with his group, Community Living Ontario. Welcome to the chamber, William, and I hope you enjoy your day at the Legislature.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks apparently has a point of order.

Hon. David Piccini: Yes. Thank you, Speaker. My apologies. I’d like to welcome Robert Smith to the Legislature, who I’m having lunch with. He’s with Community Living Ontario as well. I look forward to speaking with you later today. Thanks for being here.

Reception

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Scarborough Centre appears to have a point of order.

Mr. David Smith: I’d like to remind the House that in room 247, the Nigerian delegation is there. You’re welcome to join us there today.

Deferred Votes

Building More Mines Act, 2023 / Loi de 2023 visant l’aménagement de davantage de mines

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

Bill 71,

An Act to amend the Mining Act / Projet de loi 71, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les mines.

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

The division bells rang from 1149 to 1154.

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

On May 8, 2023, Mr. Pirie moved third reading of Bill 71,

An Act to amend the Mining Act.

On May 9, 2023, Ms. Kusendova-Bashta moved that the question be now put.

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

Ayes

Anand, Deepak

Babikian, Aris

Bailey, Robert

Barnes, Patrice

Bethlenfalvy, Peter

Bouma, Will

Brady, Bobbi Ann

Bresee, Ric

Byers, Rick

Calandra, Paul

Cho, Raymond Sung Joon

Cho, Stan

Clark, Steve

Coe, Lorne

Crawford, Stephen

Cuzzetto, Rudy

Dixon, Jess

Dowie, Andrew

Downey, Doug

Dunlop, Jill

Fedeli, Victor

Flack, Rob

Ford, Doug

Ford, Michael D.

Gallagher Murphy, Dawn

Ghamari, Goldie

Gill, Parm

Grewal, Hardeep Singh

Hardeman, Ernie

Hogarth, Christine

Holland, Kevin

Jones, Sylvia

Jones, Trevor

Jordan, John

Kanapathi, Logan

Kerzner, Michael S.

Khanjin, Andrea

Kusendova-Bashta, Natalia

Leardi, Anthony

Lecce, Stephen

Lumsden, Neil

MacLeod, Lisa

Martin, Robin

McCarthy, Todd J.

McGregor, Graham

McNaughton, Monte

Mulroney, Caroline

Oosterhoff, Sam

Pang, Billy

Parsa, Michael

Piccini, David

Pierre, Natalie

Pirie, George

Quinn, Nolan

Rae, Matthew

Rasheed, Kaleed

Rickford, Greg

Riddell, Brian

Romano, Ross

Sabawy, Sheref

Sandhu, Amarjot

Sarkaria, Prabmeet Singh

Sarrazin, Stéphane

Saunderson, Brian

Scott, Laurie

Skelly, Donna

Smith, Dave

Smith, David

Smith, Laura

Smith, Todd

Surma, Kinga

Tangri, Nina

Thanigasalam, Vijay

Thompson, Lisa M.

Triantafilopoulos, Effie J.

Wai, Daisy

Williams, Charmaine A.

Yakabuski, John

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

Nays

Armstrong, Teresa J.

Bell, Jessica

Blais, Stephen

Bourgouin, Guy

Bowman, Stephanie

Burch, Jeff

Collard, Lucille

Fife, Catherine

Fraser, John

French, Jennifer K.

Gates, Wayne

Gélinas, France

Glover, Chris

Gretzky, Lisa

Harden, Joel

Kernaghan, Terence

Mamakwa, Sol

Mantha, Michael

McMahon, Mary-Margaret

Pasma, Chandra

Rakocevic, Tom

Sattler, Peggy

Shaw, Sandy

Stevens, Jennifer (Jennie)

Tabuns, Peter

Taylor, Monique

Vanthof, John

Vaugeois, Lise

West, Jamie

Wong-Tam, Kristyn

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Todd Decker): The ayes are 78; the nays are 30.

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

Mr. Pirie has moved third reading of Bill 71,

an Act to amend the Mining Act. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? I heard some 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 is another five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1159 to 1200.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): On May 8, 2023, Mr. Pirie moved third reading of Bill 71,

An Act to amend the Mining Act.

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

Ayes

Anand, Deepak

Babikian, Aris

Bailey, Robert

Barnes, Patrice

Bethlenfalvy, Peter

Bouma, Will

Brady, Bobbi Ann

Bresee, Ric

Byers, Rick

Calandra, Paul

Cho, Raymond Sung Joon

Cho, Stan

Clark, Steve

Coe, Lorne

Crawford, Stephen

Cuzzetto, Rudy

Dixon, Jess

Dowie, Andrew

Downey, Doug

Dunlop, Jill

Fedeli, Victor

Flack, Rob

Ford, Doug

Ford, Michael D.

Gallagher Murphy, Dawn

Ghamari, Goldie

Gill, Parm

Grewal, Hardeep Singh

Hardeman, Ernie

Hogarth, Christine

Holland, Kevin

Jones, Sylvia

Jones, Trevor

Jordan, John

Kanapathi, Logan

Kerzner, Michael S.

Khanjin, Andrea

Kusendova-Bashta, Natalia

Leardi, Anthony

Lecce, Stephen

Lumsden, Neil

MacLeod, Lisa

Martin, Robin

McCarthy, Todd J.

McGregor, Graham

McNaughton, Monte

Mulroney, Caroline

Oosterhoff, Sam

Pang, Billy

Parsa, Michael

Piccini, David

Pierre, Natalie

Pirie, George

Quinn, Nolan

Rae, Matthew

Rasheed, Kaleed

Rickford, Greg

Riddell, Brian

Romano, Ross

Sabawy, Sheref

Sandhu, Amarjot

Sarkaria, Prabmeet Singh

Sarrazin, Stéphane

Saunderson, Brian

Scott, Laurie

Skelly, Donna

Smith, Dave

Smith, David

Smith, Laura

Smith, Todd

Surma, Kinga

Tangri, Nina

Thanigasalam, Vijay

Thompson, Lisa M.

Triantafilopoulos, Effie J.

Wai, Daisy

Williams, Charmaine A.

Yakabuski, John

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

Nays

Armstrong, Teresa J.

Bell, Jessica

Bourgouin, Guy

Burch, Jeff

Fife, Catherine

French, Jennifer K.

Gates, Wayne

Gélinas, France

Glover, Chris

Gretzky, Lisa

Harden, Joel

Kernaghan, Terence

Mamakwa, Sol

Mantha, Michael

Pasma, Chandra

Rakocevic, Tom

Sattler, Peggy

Shaw, Sandy

Stevens, Jennifer (Jennie)

Tabuns, Peter

Taylor, Monique

Vanthof, John

Vaugeois, Lise

West, Jamie

Wong-Tam, Kristyn

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Todd Decker): The ayes are 78; the nays are 25.

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): There being no further business at this time, this House stands in recess until 3 p.m.

The House recessed from 1204 to 1500.

Introduction of Visitors

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: Speaker, there are friends throughout the gallery; I think it would take up the five minutes that we have if I went through the list.

I do want to welcome all of my friends and supporters who are here today. Thank you for taking the time and for supporting me in the decade that I have served.

I would like to acknowledge that my mom, Yvonne Hunter, is here. My eldest brother, Maurice Hunter, is here. And I always call him my little brother—my youngest brother, Andrew Hunter, is here, as well.

I also want to acknowledge my constituency staff who are here. Mohammed Patel is here. Julianna Atanasovski is watching—and Jonathan Patch, and also my intern, Daniel.

Thanks to all of you for being here and for joining me today. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Chris Glover: I’d like to introduce Richard and Sandra Bradley from Save the Minden ER. And there are two other Minden residents up above who are also with Community Living Ontario.

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Justice Policy

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: I beg leave to present a report from the Standing Committee on Justice Policy on the estimates selected by the standing committee for consideration.

The Clerk-at-the-Table (Mr. Christopher Tyrell): Ms. Ghamari from the Standing Committee on Justice Policy presents the committee’s report as follows:

Pursuant to standing order 63, your committee has selected the 2023-24 estimates of the following ministries for consideration: Ministry of the Attorney General; Ministry of Francophone Affairs; Ministry of Indigenous Affairs; Ministry of the Solicitor General; Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery.

Report presented.

Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: I beg leave to present a report from the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs and move its adoption.

The Clerk-at-the-Table (Mr. Christopher Tyrell): Your committee begs to report the following bill without amendment:

Bill 85,

An Act to implement Budget measures and to amend various statutes / Projet de loi 85, Loi visant à mettre en oeuvre les mesures budgétaires et à modifier diverses lois.

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

Report adopted.

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

Introduction of Bills

Superior Corporate Services Limited Act, 2023

Mr. Fraser moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr25,

An Act to revive Superior Corporate Services Limited.

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

First reading agreed to.

Parrington’s Food Market Limited Act, 2023

Ms. Brady moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr24,

An Act to revive Parrington’s Food Market Limited.

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

First reading agreed to.

Petitions

Hospital services

M me France Gélinas: It is my honour to present 17,107 names that were collected by Save the Minden ER. That’s 95% of the population. It reads as follows:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Haliburton Highlands Health Services board of directors has, without consultation with the affected stakeholders, announced the permanent closure of the emergency department located in the municipality of Minden Hills, Ontario, effective June 1, 2023;

“We, the undersigned, petition” the Legislative Assembly “that a moratorium of this decision be implemented by the” Ministry of Health “immediately for a period of a minimum of one year to allow for consultations with all affected stakeholders to occur.”

I fully support this petition, Speaker, will affix my name to it and ask page Christopher to bring it to the Clerk.

Police services

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: My petition is titled, “Petition in Support of Ontario Getting More Boots on the Ground by Making It Easier to Recruit and Train Police Officers.

“To the Solicitor General:

“Whereas the government of Ontario is committed to ensuring the safety of Ontario communities; and

“Whereas the government of Ontario is committed to supporting our hard-working women and men in blue, who put their lives on the line every day in police forces across the province of Ontario to keep our communities safe;

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

“To support the passage of Bill 102, Strengthening Safety and Modernizing Justice Act, 2023, to ensure the following:

“

(1) Make it easier for police services across the province to recruit and train more police officers by removing tuition fees for the basic constable training program at the Ontario Police College, known as OPC, and immediately expand the number of recruits that could be trained each year;

“

(2) To expand the Basic Constable Training Program at the Ontario Police College, OPC, immediately to accommodate an additional 70 recruits per cohort from 480 to 550;

“

(3) Starting in 2024, expand the Basic Constable Training Program to four cohorts per year instead of three;

“

(4) Additionally, to support recruitment efforts at a time when local police officers have signalled challenges in doing so, introduce legislation that, if passed, will eliminate the post-secondary education requirement to become a police officer as set out in the Community Safety and Policing Act, also known as the CSPA, and if passed, the act would amend the Community Safety and Policing Act, CSPA, to provide that a secondary school diploma or equivalent is sufficient education for the purposes of being appointed as a police officer; and

“

(5) To make the elimination of the tuition fee for the basic constable training program at the Ontario Police College retroactive to January 1, 2023, and recruits who paid for their 12-week basic constable training earlier this year to be reimbursed.”

I proudly affix my signature to this petition, and I will give it to page Sophie.

Homelessness

M me Lucille Collard: I have a petition entitled “To Address Homelessness in Ottawa.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas, per the 2023 Ontario budget, the province of Ontario has allocated $48 million in additional funding to address homelessness in Toronto, yet only $845,100 for the city of Ottawa;

“Whereas this amounts to 60 times more funding for Toronto, despite being just three times the population of Ottawa;

“Whereas this shortfall in funding for Ottawa will severely compromise the city’s 10-year housing and homelessness plan;

“Whereas this will result in the cancellation of 54 new housing units scheduled to be completed within 18 months, and hundreds more over the next 10 years in the second-largest city in the province;

“We, the undersigned citizens of Ontario, petition the Legislative Assembly to provide Ottawa with its fair share of funding to address the homelessness crisis and alleviate the suffering of its most vulnerable citizens.”

Mr. Speaker, I agree with this petition. I will sign it and give it to page Mackenzie to bring to the table.

Education

M me Dawn Gallagher Murphy: “In Support of Improving Accountability and Transparency in Ontario.

“To the Minister of Education:

“Whereas the government is committed to delivering a world-class education system that helps prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow; and

“Whereas the legislative changes proposed through the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, together with future regulatory amendments, would, if passed, lay the groundwork for a truly world-class education system, unified with a singular focus to improve student outcomes in important lifelong skills like reading, writing and math; and

“Whereas Ontario school boards are not consistently working toward the same priorities, school board performance varies across the province on indicators related to literacy, math, graduation and student attendance; and

“Whereas some parents can review and assess their school board’s performance while other boards do not proactively share this information; and

“Whereas in response Ontario is taking action through proposed legislation to set student achievement priorities and expectations for Ontario’s education sector, and proposed legislative and future regulatory changes, if passed, would allow the Minister of Education to set provincial priorities to:

“—focus boards in important areas of student achievement like reading, writing and math;

“—require school boards to report on progress toward these priorities and enable the Ministry of Education to support struggling boards sooner;

“—allow the minister to require school boards to make any report that the minister may require from the board available to the public;

“—require enhanced school board financial reporting on funding and spending, planned and actuals;

“—allow the minister to strengthen rules around financial accountability and transparency;

“—allow the minister to prescribe school board limitations in participating in business activities that could place school boards in financial risk;

“—allow the minister to enhance the financial accountability of school board-controlled entities, promote greater school board-municipality co-operation on delivering child care and enable an accelerated apprenticeship pathway;

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

“To support the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023, and ensure its passage.”

I’m happy to sign my name to this petition and provide it to Christopher.

Hospital services

Mr. Chris Glover: What I hold in my hand is just part of 17,107 signatures.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Haliburton Highlands Health Services board of directors has, without consultation with the affected stakeholders, announced the permanent closure of the emergency department located in the municipality of Minden Hills, Ontario, effective June 1, 2023;

“We, the undersigned, petition that a moratorium of this decision be implemented by the Ministries of Health and Long-Term Care immediately for a period of a minimum of one year to allow for consultations with all affected stakeholders to occur.”

I fully support this petition. I will affix my signature and pass it to page Frederick to take to the table.

Homelessness

Mr. John Fraser: I have a petition to address homelessness in Ottawa:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas, per the 2023 Ontario budget, the province of Ontario has allocated $48 million in additional funding to address homelessness in Toronto, yet only $845,100 for the city of Ottawa;

“Whereas this amounts to 60 times more funding for Toronto, despite being just three times the population of Ottawa;

“Whereas this shortfall in funding for Ottawa will severely compromise the city’s 10-year housing and homelessness plan;

“Whereas this will result in the cancellation of 54 new housing units scheduled to be completed within 18 months, and hundreds more over the next 10 years in the second-largest city in the province;

“We, the undersigned citizens of