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October 30, 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-Oct-30 vol. A (PDF)

L104A - Mon 30 Oct 2023 / Lun 30 oct 2023

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 30 October 2023 Lundi 30 octobre 2023

Orders of the Day

Greenbelt Statute Law Amendment Act, 2023 / Loi de 2023 modifiant des lois en ce qui concerne la ceinture de verdure

Members’ Statements

Events in Etobicoke–Lakeshore

Thunder Bay fire service

Elaina Beardy

Events in Kitchener South–Hespeler

Gender-based violence

GRIT Engineering

Mike Shoreman

Perley Health

Events in Mississauga–Erin Mills

Victims of violence in Sault Ste. Marie

Introduction of Visitors

Wearing of ribbons

Question Period

Government accountability

Government accountability

Government accountability

Taxation

Indigenous health care

Taxation

Education funding

Housing

Taxation

Affordable housing

Taxation

Gender-based violence

Taxation

Tenant protection

Energy policies

Nutrient management

Deferred Votes

Indigenous health care

Visitors

Introduction of Bills

Harvest Season Road Safety Week Act, 2023 / Loi de 2023 sur la Semaine de la sécurité routière pendant la saison des récoltes

Eastern Children of Israel Congregation Act, 2023

Motions

Committee membership

Petitions

School safety

Alzheimer’s disease

Addiction services

Alzheimer’s disease

Sexual violence and harassment

Labour legislation

Health care

Social assistance

French-language post-secondary education

Alzheimer’s disease

Children’s mental health services

Access to health care

Visitor

Orders of the Day

Better for Consumers, Better for Businesses Act, 2023 / Loi de 2023 pour mieux servir les consommateurs et les entreprises

The House met at 0900.

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

Prayers.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Next we’ll have a moment of silence for inner thought and personal reflection.

Orders of the Day

Greenbelt Statute Law Amendment Act, 2023 / Loi de 2023 modifiant des lois en ce qui concerne la ceinture de verdure

Mr. Calandra moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill 136,

An Act to amend the Greenbelt Act, 2005 and certain other Acts, to enact the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve Act, 2023, to repeal

an Act and to revoke various regulations / Projet de loi 136, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2005 sur la ceinture de verdure et d’autres lois, édictant la Loi de 2023 sur la Réserve agricole de Duffins-Rouge et abrogeant une loi et divers règlements.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Would the minister care to lead off the debate?

Hon. Paul Calandra: Thank you very much, Speaker. Thank you for the opportunity to rise today. Let me just say that I will be splitting my time with the Associate Minister of Housing and the parliamentary assistant, the member for Perth–Wellington.

Thanks again, Speaker. It is, of course, always an honour to rise in the Legislature to begin debate on this important piece of legislation that has a number of different elements to it, but ostensibly, to reimpose protections over parts of the greenbelt and the Oak Ridges moraine, and to also expand the greenbelt and to ultimately codify those boundaries into legislation.

As you know, of course, Speaker, the greenbelt itself is over two million acres, or 800,000 hectares, across the greater Golden Horseshoe. It is a protected area of land that has many different facets to it in an area that is expected to have very rapid population growth. Of course, the greater Golden Horseshoe is one of North America’s fastest-growing regions. It is an area whose population is forecasted to exceed 15 million people by 2051.

As set out in the Greenbelt Act, changes to the greenbelt boundary can currently be made through regulation. The Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, which is part of this, was established under the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act in 2002. It provides direction on land use and resource management for the land and water located within the moraine. The Oak Ridges moraine portion is 470,000 acres, or 190,000 hectares, of land. Together, allowing the Niagara Escarpment, they form the greenbelt lands.

The proposed Greenbelt Statute Law Amendment Act, 2023, would amend the Greenbelt Act, 2005, the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act, 2001, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Act, and enact the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve Act, 2023. So the legislation restores 15 areas of land that were removed or redesignated from the greenbelt and the Oak Ridges moraine areas in late 2022. These parcels of land amount to approximately 7,400 acres across 10 municipalities, those being Vaughan, King, Richmond Hill, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Marham, Pickering, Ajax, Clarington, Hamilton and Grimsby.

Those lands, as I said, will be added back into the greenbelt. We are also proposing to restore the protections to the greenbelt lands that they had before the 2022 amendment, and we will, as I said, be doing even more to enhance the protection of the greenbelt.

Speaker, I talked about enshrining the boundaries of the greenbelt in legislation. As you know and as colleagues will know, currently, changes to the greenbelt can be made through an order in council and with a posting on the environmental registry. What we are proposing to do is ensure that the boundaries, should they ever be changed in the future, would need to have legislative approval, meaning the government of the day would be required to bring legislation to the House and follow through the procedures of passing a bill in the House.

All of the same tools with respect to postings on the environmental registry would continue in addition to the protection of the boundaries through legislation.

As I said, we are revoking the existing Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council regulation-making authority with the passage of this bill. Now, this is obviously an unprecedented level of protection across the greenbelt. It stems from the fact that people obviously want to see an enhanced level of protection across these lands while still making the lands available for important infrastructure, as was intended when the bill was passed by the House in 2005.

In addition, we will be adding over 9,400 acres of land to the greenbelt across 13 urban river valley areas. These include:

—Stoney Creek;

—Wilmot Creek;

—Soper Creek in Bowmanville;

—Harmony Creek by adding Darlington Provincial Park, which is partially located in both Oshawa and partly in Clarington;

—an expanded urban river valley for the Oshawa Creek;

—an expanded urban river valley for Fourteen Mile Creek in Oakville;

—an additional one for the Don River in Toronto by adding Burke Brook, Wilket Creek and Taylor-Massey Creek; and

—an expansion of the Humber River urban river valley by adding Humber Creek and Black Creek.

That is obviously good news for all of those areas—probably areas of natural heritage which should have been put into the greenbelt before but are being added in now.

At the same time, we will be restoring the protections that were brought to the area through the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve Act, 2005. What we propose to do is reinstate the protections provided for the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve easements and covenants. This would recognize the importance of agriculture land and ensure its sustainable use for present and future generations, and I think that is obviously very, very important. It builds on the work of ensuring that these lands are not only protected but that we ensure we protect the lands that are reserved for farming in this area.

It builds on some of the work that was done by some of my colleagues who served federally when some 5,000 acres of land were removed from what is still on the books as the Pickering airport lands. Speaker, you know there is a massive swath of land in this very same area in the eastern part of Toronto which encompasses a huge part of Durham: Pickering, parts of Uxbridge, Whitby and Oshawa. These are the Pickering airport lands. It is still on the books federally, but back in 2015, thousands of acres were taken out of that on the York region side and put into the Rouge National Urban Park.

Those lands, as they were transitioned out of the Pickering airport lands and put into the Rouge National Urban Park, were protected for farming—the first time that long-term protections were granted to our farmers in that area. Part of that was to ensure that farmers were given long-term leases in this area. Prior to that, they were on one-year leases, which made it very hard for the local farmers to ensure that they could make positive infrastructure improvements on the land drainage and so on and so forth. That was very good news.

The restoration of the Greenbelt Act, preserving it through legislation and reinserting the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve covenants I think will all add to the protections that are in place without limiting future governments’ ability to add infrastructure to the area if this House should approve.

There is a provision in the original 2005 act. There was a provision in that act for a review, and it’s a 10-year review. I think the last time the review took place it was started in 2015 and concluded, if I’m not mistaken, in 2017. So I’m looking at making some changes to how the review process will take place in the future. I outlined a little bit of this already, but what we want to do is—obviously, when we do the review, we will remove the review from politics and put it back to where it belongs.

We will ensure that any future review will be guided by non-partisan experts in conservation and agriculture, and environmentalists, and we’ll engage with Indigenous communities and municipalities.

Once final, the experts’ recommendations will be provided to the Auditor General and the Commissioner of the Environment for consultation to ensure that the review process was fair and guided by recent recommendations to improve the process. We have said that we will undertake a review, and the future review, of course, will be, as I’ve said, guided by protection of natural heritage, the protection of water resources and the preservation of agriculture across the greenbelt lands. We’ll have some additional information on that in the near future.

I suspect that we will want to begin our consultations with a very robust process that starts with First Nations partners in the area who have been so instrumental in helping us arrive at this piece of legislation.

I also want to just briefly talk about some of the reasons or the rationale that began this process. I’ve said it on a number of occasions in the House, and as the Integrity Commissioner put in his own report, the initial impetus was, of course, to ensure that we could build housing across the province of Ontario as quickly as possible, in particular, throughout the greater Golden Horseshoe which, as I said at the start of my speech, is expected to grow to over 15 million people in this region by 2051.

But what was very clear, as this process went further, was that people were not brought along in a fashion that engendered public support for removing the lands from the greenbelt. The decision, of course, was made to re-protect those lands and to move forward.

At the same time, it does not and will not diminish from the government’s commitment to build 1.5 million homes by 2031 across Ontario. We have seen over and over again how important a goal that is for people. You’ve heard the Premier, myself and virtually every single member of the Progressive Conservative caucus talk about the importance of building homes for people. We are welcoming to this province, thankfully, thousands of people each and every year who are coming to Ontario to help us build a bigger, better, stronger province of Ontario. These are people that we need.

But at the same time, we have generations of Ontarians who have benefitted from an Ontario that offered their parents endless opportunity, and many of them right now are feeling, in terms of housing, that they might not be able to enjoy the same opportunities that the parents had. At the same time, Madam Speaker, they’ve been very clear in a lot of instances in the sense that they are doing everything right: They are saving money; they are working hard; they’ve done everything that they have to do in order to be able to afford a new home. However, we have not been able to keep up pace to allow them to live out this dream.

So we will be doubling down on our efforts to ensure that all Ontarians can share in this dream. This will include, of course, ensuring that our partners in municipalities across Ontario are as aggressive as we are at getting shovels in the ground.

We will continue to remove obstacles. We will continue to work with our partners in the home-building industry to ensure that they have the opportunity to build communities as fast as we possibly can. We will continue to build long-term-care homes. We will continue to focus that development around transit and transportation infrastructure because we know, in order to build livable communities, that you have to not only build homes but you have to build communities around those homes, which include transit, transportation; which include schools; which includes offering a whole host of services that make a community great.

Madam Speaker, in a nutshell, this bill will restore the lands. It will improve the protection of the greenbelt lands. It will ensure a review process in the future that is guided by the original principles of the Oak Ridges moraine, that uses outside experts to ensure that review process is fair, that assesses that fairness through a reference to the Auditor General and the environment commissioner, and ultimately requires approval of the Legislature to make any further changes in the future. With that, I will yield my time to the Associate Minister of Housing.

Hon. Rob Flack: Thank you, Minister. I appreciate the opportunity to speak about Bill 136, the proposed Greenbelt Statute Law Amendment Act, 2023.

As the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing stated, we are following through on our commitment to restore greenbelt lands, enhance the protection of those lands with this proposed legislation, and in fact, grow the total acreage of Ontario’s greenbelt. Speaker, as the minister said, we’re adding an additional 9,400 acres, which will make it absolutely pristine, and I am excited about the lands going in as well as the land staying in.

This bill would ensure that any boundary changes can only be made through a public and transparent process that would require the approval of this Legislature.

As you are aware, Speaker, from other legislation currently before this House, we are also following through on our other commitment, the commitment to build homes right across this province.

Achieving both these commitments means working together with our municipal, our private sector and our not-for-profit partners. We remain focused on strengthening protections for the greenbelt while at the same time ensuring that community home builders in municipalities across the province can get shovels in the ground quickly to build the homes to meet our collective housing targets.

Speaker, we all know, too many people in Ontario are struggling to find a home that meets their needs and their budget. They are struggling to find an affordable place to call home. Our government is determined to help these people by creating a collaborative environment to build 1.5 million homes by 2031. We’re going to do that by working together under Premier Ford’s leadership and by updating and improving the processes that get housing built, and built faster.

Fortunately, Speaker, we are well on our way, with 11% of our target already achieved. But we all know so much more is needed and so much more is required to meet the need to meet and exceed the 1.5-million-homes-built target.

Since the beginning of our mandate, we have put forward numerous measures to help increase the supply of housing. We’ve done this by:

—encouraging increased density through Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act—as we say, build in, build up, where possible;

—working with municipalities to remove red tape and eliminate duplication in the planning process—that is essential;

—announcing the expansion of strong-mayor powers to heads of council who have committed to the housing targets provided by the province; and

—proposing to revise the definition of “affordable residential units” through Bill 134, the Affordable Homes and Good Jobs Act, to reduce the costs of building much-needed affordable units.

These are just a few of the many measures we have taken to build new homes and prepare for the population growth we know is coming.

As I have said before in the House here, many years ago when I was in high school, the province was about 7.5 million people. Today, it’s 15.5 million and growing fast. In fact, I would argue the growth is already here. We talk about these targets, but I think, we are going to be a population of 20 million people before we know it. That is why our government has a bias for action and sense of urgency to get the job done.

Ontario is expected to grow by two million people over the next 10 years—my personal opinion is I think it will be more—with approximately 70% of the growth taking place in the greater Golden Horseshoe, one of the fastest-growing regions not only in the province or in the country but in North America, as the minister said and outlined, this is an integral part of the growth of this province. By 2051, this region alone, as the minister said, will be 15 million people—the size of Ontario today.

We must act now to make it easier to build more housing to accommodate these newcomers—whether it’s seniors, newcomers, students or whether it’s first-time homebuyers—all these collective people will be in the greater Golden Horseshoe area and, in fact, throughout the province.

In our third housing supply action plan, Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster, we introduced measures that encouraged the creation of up to three units on most urban residential lots. For example, a main residence, a basement apartment and laneway house will be accommodated for and, where applicable, this housing will help accommodate thousands of Ontarians looking for housing stability. This means enabling these additional housing options on residential lots where neighbourhoods already exist without lengthy planning approvals and development charges.

Increased density could accommodate extended family members, increase the mix of rental housing options and help homeowners pay their mortgage. These additional housing options would be facilitated where housing and infrastructure already exist. It will make it easier for people to live closer to family, to their jobs and to the communities. It will take both short-term strategies and a long-term commitment from all levels of government to drive this change. As we make it easier to build housing, we will continue to ensure that municipalities are planning for sufficient land supply over the long term to accommodate growth.

Our More Homes Built Faster housing supply action plan is working to streamline municipal planning responsibilities to remove duplication in the planning process. The plan will help cities, towns and our rural communities grow with a mix of ownership and rental housing types that meet the needs of all Ontarians—from single-family homes to townhomes and to mid-rise apartments.

Since 2019, we have released four housing supply action plans, taking significant action to unlock more housing supply. Our government’s previous housing supply action plans and other significant measures we have taken thus far are having a positive effect on housing supply, helping us transform Ontario to meet the needs of the future. We have been making meaningful progress, but as we’ve said, more is needed to be done.

Both in 2021 and 2022, we saw the most housing starts in over 30 years in Ontario, with close to 100,000 housing starts recorded in each year. In fact, as I already mentioned, we’ve already achieved 11% of our housing target, but, again, we need to accelerate the pace upon which we’re getting homes built. In 2022, Ontario recorded close to 15,000 purpose-built rental housing starts, the highest number on record, up 43.5% year-over-year. However, to accelerate the creation of housing supply, we need to take steps to support the efforts of our municipal partners and achieve our goal of building at least 1.5 million new homes—again, at least 1.5 million—by 2031.

We’ve got some heavy lifting ahead, Speaker. It will take all stakeholders, whether it’s the federal government, the provincial government, our municipal partners, along with the not-for-profit and, yes, the private sector, including financial institutions, to help us get the job done.

To help facilitate working together, this province is expanding strong-mayor powers to additional municipalities as long as heads of council have committed in writing to the housing target provided by the province. These municipalities would then receive strong-mayor powers by October 31, 2023. These powers will provide the tools the mayors and these municipalities need to help drive increased housing supply, speed up local planning approvals and help make council decisions more effective, and enable mayors to bring forward budgets that would allocate resources to priority items like housing.

We are further incentivizing the municipalities to build more housing with the new Building Faster Fund. As announced at AMO, the Building Faster Fund is a three-year, $1.2-billion fund that will provide up to $400 million per year to municipalities that meet and exceed their annual housing targets. It will provide financial support for municipalities that can be directed toward housing-enabling infrastructure and related costs that support community growth.

The fund can be accessed by the 50 municipalities, as said, who have been assigned and have agreed to their housing target. A portion of the funding will also be reserved for small, rural and northern communities that have not yet been assigned a target. This is an important plank in the strategy. This new program will put municipalities and the province on a path to achieve our common objective of increasing our housing supply.

As I have mentioned, all levels of government must work together to address this housing crisis. Ontario is also working closely with the federal government to increase the supply of purpose-built rentals. Following our long-standing call, Ontario absolutely welcomes the federal government’s decision to provide HST relief for new purpose-built rental housing. In fact, last Friday, while I was in my riding, I met with some local not-for-profit folks, and they were very excited about this opportunity, especially when they’re looking at new builds. These new builds are going to obviously complement the need for more housing options in our province and in our region.

As we await more details, we are looking forward to working with the federal government to ensure Ontario’s portion of the HST is removed from qualifying purpose-built rental housing as soon as possible. Removing both the federal and provincial portions of the HST is a measure that will make it easier and more cost-effective to build this important housing segment in this province.

I’ve also met with some colleges and universities of late. Again, in my own community, I look back at how many kids were around in August. I could name three who were heading off to different universities and colleges but didn’t have a place to call home yet. Their parents were phoning. They were struggling. They were worried. They were quite perplexed, driving back and forth to the different cities to try to find housing options. Fortunately, every one of them got them, but not their first choice. We need to also help enable our universities and colleges to get shovels in the ground faster through effective funding and effective measures.

We also need to get shovels in the ground faster to start building homes for the workers of tomorrow. We are focused on creating the conditions for growth and construction to take place and making it less expensive to get housing built. We are also working to strengthen local economies and create more good-paying jobs.

Again, I will continue to stand up and scream about the wonderful news St. Thomas got earlier this year in March, when we welcomed the news that Volkswagen, Europe’s largest auto manufacturer, will establish its subsidiary PowerCo electric-vehicle-battery manufacturing facility right there, outside of St. Thomas. When completed, this will be the fourth-largest manufacturing facility in the world. It will bring thousands of good-paying jobs and even more families to the beautiful community in southern Ontario.

I met with the warden of Elgin county last week and the mayor of Central Elgin, standing just south of St. Thomas, looking out at the county building and looking across. We drove through and looked at the site that’s being prepared. It was a daunting feeling. We sat there and talked. We’ve got 3,000 people coming directly to work at that plant and 30,000 tertiary jobs that will be in that community and throughout the province.

As I’ve said all along, we do a great job in this province. We’re creating economic growth. We’re creating jobs. From my agri-food sector, we are feeding everyone and we will continue to feed everyone as we continue to grow, thanks to the innovation and ingenuity of our farmers and food processers.

The third leg of the stool that we still need so much more work to do is getting roofs over people’s heads so when these people come to work they have a place to call home.

To help facilitate this job creation we recently proposed the Affordable Homes and Good Jobs Act. If passed, this legislation would help support Volkswagen and their historic investment and give the city of St. Thomas the authority to provide PowerCo SE municipal-based incentives that were negotiated in partnership with the municipality.

The battery-cell manufacturing facility will be the largest of its kind in Canada, as I said the fourth-largest plant in the world—just think about the economic prosperity, the jobs and the opportunity in southwestern Ontario. The auto sector, as many of my colleagues will have realized from down there, has been shrinking since I moved to London many decades ago—Dorchester—our manufacturing sector, has waned, continued to decrease. With the historic announcements, both with Stellantis in Windsor and Volkswagen in St. Thomas, we’re going to see in this important sector great-paying jobs with benefits and pensions.

We’re all very, very excited. It’s going to be a boon for the future. It’s going to help future generations for years to come.

By delivering on these cost savings for critical infrastructure we are also creating the right conditions for not only Volkswagen to come but other companies as well.

But again, housing affordability, housing attainability—housing, period—is the leg of the stool we have to improve upon. Ontario will be hard-pressed to attract new investment, new companies and new employers if we can’t get the housing built that we need. In addition to helping create the conditions that foster new jobs, Bill 134, the proposed Affordable Homes and Good Jobs Act, would, along with other measures, support getting more affordable residential units built in Ontario.

Again, Speaker, I was speaking to a manufacturer who is coming to the London region—excited about coming—and when we were talking about what the biggest risk was, I said, “You’ve got to find homes for the people that you’re going to employ.” So he’s looking at new and bold initiatives, looking at the modular sector, the tiny-homes sector, to get shovels in the ground and get these homes built as soon as he can so once he starts the plant we’ve got people with roofs over their heads.

The proposed changes recently introduced in the act would bolster our efforts to lower the cost of building, purchasing and renting affordable homes across the province. These proposed changes affect the collection of municipal development-related charges related to affordable housing. These charges are development charges, community benefit charges and parkland levies.

We know that including income as a measure of affordability in Ontario is essential to making both home ownership and rental housing more affordable. That is why we have proposed a revised definition of “affordable residential units.” The definition would determine which residential units should be eligible for municipal development-related charge discounts and exemptions. It takes local income into account, in addition to local market factors.

Affordable residential units—both rental and ownership—that meet the province’s new definition would be eligible for discounts and exemptions from municipal development-related fees. Discounts and exemptions on these fees could help to ensure more Ontarians in all parts of the province can truly find an affordable home. Far too many people are struggling with the rising cost of living and finding housing that meets their family’s needs. By strategically exempting and discounting municipal development-related charges on affordable residential units, we will be counting on the community home building sector to step up and help build significantly more affordable housing.

The proposed change to the definition of “affordable residential units” under the Affordable Homes and Good Jobs Act considers the important feedback we received through two technical advisory tables. We also welcome further feedback on the proposed amendments through our postings on the Environmental Registry of Ontario and the regulatory registry. We welcome feedback from people throughout Ontario, whether they live in the greater Golden Horseshoe, eastern, northern or southwestern Ontario.

Speaker, as you can see, our government is getting it done by following through on our commitments. We have a big task ahead of us and, again, it’s going to take all partners throughout this province to get the job done. We are committed to providing the tools needed to help our municipal partners meet and exceed their housing targets. We are committed to increasing housing supply in Ontario, and through the actions we have already taken and the actions we will continue to take, we will keep building homes while enhancing protections for the greenbelt’s lands and its boundaries.

Well done is better than well said, Speaker. I think back again to the opportunity we have before us, especially my task, to a certain degree, in the modular homes sector. We are looking at government lands where we can facilitate affordable and attainable housing builds throughout the province. We have a housing summit planned for later in November. We’re looking at every avenue. Again, government by itself here is not going to solve the problem. We have to work collaboratively with our municipal, federal, non-profit sector and private sector, including, I want to add, financial institutions, as I already have.

Our mission is a call to action. It is our collective mission throughout this province.

With that, I’d like to turn the floor over to the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bhutila Karpoche): The member from Perth–Wellington.

Mr. Matthew Rae: It’s an honour to share the government’s time today as the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and speak to the Greenbelt Statute Law Amendment Act, 2023. As the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing outlined in his remarks just a few moments ago, our government is introducing legislation that would, if passed, restore all properties that were redesignated or removed from the greenbelt and the Oak Ridges moraine areas in late 2022. We’re also proposing to keep 9,400 acres that were added to the greenbelt in 2022.

The proposed legislation would enhance protections by ensuring any future changes to the greenbelt boundaries can only be made through the legislative process.

At the same time, Speaker, we remain focused on and committed to tackling Ontario’s housing supply crisis. We can’t lose sight of the fact that Ontario’s population continues to grow at an unprecedented rate. While the Associate Minister of Housing has spoken about our housing supply action plans and the changes they have driven, today I’d like to update the Legislature on what we have done and our progress stemming from the Housing Affordability Task Force.

The task force is comprised of industry leaders and experts. They consulted with municipalities, both urban and rural, the public and industry to identify measures to address the housing supply crisis and get homes built faster. The urgency behind the work of the task force is clear. Housing prices in Ontario have almost tripled in the past 10 years, growing much faster than incomes. This has placed home ownership beyond the reach of most first-time homebuyers across the province, even those with well-paying jobs. Finding affordable rental accommodations has also become an immense challenge. We know the system isn’t working as it should.

The report from the Housing Affordability Task Force was published in February 2022. It serves as a long-term road map for our government as we work to boost the supply of new homes and address the affordability crisis we’re currently in. The report sets out, as many will know in this place, 55 high-level recommendations. To implement these effectively, some recommendations require multiple actions. When these actions are included, we arrive at a total of 74 recommendations from the report.

I’m pleased to report that of the 74 recommendations, 23 are fully implemented, 14 are in progress and the remaining 37 are under review. Speaker, as you will know, the Minister of Municipal Affairs, when he assumed his role a few weeks ago, reached out to the municipalities to get their feedback on the remaining 37 and 14 currently in progress from the Housing Affordability Task Force recommendations, and I know that deadline just recently passed.

I know, talking to my own local municipal colleagues, they really appreciated that the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing reached out to consult on those implementations and to get their ideas and feedback on how best we can continue to implement those moving forward, working with our partners, as the Associate Minister of Housing mentioned—our municipal partners and our federal colleagues—to ensure that we continue to build homes in communities across Ontario, whether it’s in downtown Toronto or downtown Listowel.

The 23 recommendations I’m going to discuss today have been all implemented by our government, either in their entirety or with some amendments. Recommendation number one was to set the bold goal of building at least 1.5 million new homes in 10 years. This recommendation is now at the heart of our government’s housing strategy. Everything we do to boost housing supply is driven by the goal of building at least 1.5 million new homes in the province by 2031. This has included introducing legislation, re-examining the process and, in some cases, enshrining new ways of working, similar to what brings us here today.

A number of recommendations and actions that have been taken have helped streamline the planning process. Recommendation number 3 was to limit exclusionary zoning in municipalities through binding provincial actions. Related action 3(

a) was to allow as-of-right residential housing for up to four units and up to four stories on a single residential lot. The More Homes Built Faster Act amended the Planning Act to override zoning by-laws to allow as-of-right; in other words, without the need to apply for re-zoning, the use of up to three units per lot in most existing residential areas.

Municipalities are also encouraged to adopt official plan policies, the zoning by-law amendments that exceed the three unit per lot minimum, as some municipalities have chosen to do so, as my colleagues in this place will know. This will help them meet their provincially assigned housing targets. I know it was great to see many of the municipalities who were assigned housing targets sign on to those pledges and their commitment to work with our provincial government to meet our shared housing objectives.

Ontario is supporting this outcome through measures such as the Building Faster Fund, as the Associate Minister of Housing referred to in his remarks. The fund will provide financial incentives for municipalities that meet or exceed their housing targets.

Recommendation number 5 was to permit as-of-right, secondary units, garden suites and laneway houses province-wide. The More Homes Built Faster Act amended the Planning Act by overriding bylaws to allow as-of right. As I have mentioned, this would permit the use of up to three units per lot in most residential areas that currently exist. One of these three units can be an auxiliary structure, such as a laneway house.

Another recommendation, number 12, was to create a more permissive land use, planning and approval system. Related action 12(

a) was to repeal or override municipal policies, zoning or plans that prioritized the preservation of the physical character of a neighbourhood. The More Homes Built Faster Act amended the Planning Act to limit the scope of site plan control. It did this by removing the municipal ability to regulate architectural designs and aesthetic aspects of the landscape design. The next action under this recommendation, 12(b), was to exempt from site plan approval and public consultation all projects of 10 units or less that conform to the official plan and require only minor variances.

The More Homes Built Faster Act amended the Planning Act to remove all aspects of the site plan control for most residential developments up to 10 units.

Speaker, I’ll now tell you about the recommendations and actions that strike a balanced approach to reviews and consultation. Recommendation number 15 required the mandatory delegation of site plan approvals and minor variances to staff with pre-approved, qualified, third party technical consultants. This would be accomplished through a simplified review and approval process without the ability to withdraw council’s delegation. The More Homes for Everyone Act amended the Planning Act to require that site plan control decisions be made by staff instead of municipal councils or committees of council.

The next two action items under the umbrella recommendation number 16 are preventing abuse of the heritage preservation and designation process. The first action, number 16(a), was to prohibit the use of bulk listing on municipal heritage registers. Changes to O. Reg 9/06, criteria for determining cultural heritage value or interest, established that non-designated properties included on a municipal register must meet one or more of the criteria outlined in the regulation.

The More Homes Built Faster Act amended the Ontario Heritage Act to introduce requirements that properties can only remain listed for a minimum of two years. If not designated during that time, they must be removed from the register and cannot be relisted for a period of five years.

The second action under this recommendation—16(b)—was to prohibit reactive heritage designations after a Planning Act development application has been filed. The More Homes Built Faster Act amended the Ontario Heritage Act to introduce a requirement that only properties that were already listed on a municipal heritage register can be considered for designation. This pertains to where a property is subject to certain Planning Act applications. This new requirement provides property owners with increased certainty. It also prohibits reactive designation on properties not previously noted as being of potential cultural heritage value or interest to a municipality.

Recommendation 18 was to restore the right of developers to appeal official plans and municipal comprehensive reviews. The More Homes, More Choice Act removed restrictions on “de novo” hearings by repealing sections 38 to 42 of the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal Act. “De novo,” in this context, means where the hearing starts anew, focusing on facts without any reference to decisions already taken. This broadened the grounds of appeal and supports the Ontario Land Tribunal in making the best planning decision.

The task force’s recommendation number 19 suggested enshrining in legislation timelines at each stage of the provincial and municipal review process. The Planning Act now includes statutory decision-making timelines with an ability for applicants to appeal matters to the Ontario Land Tribunal if timelines are not met. This is also addressed through gradual fee refunds for rezoning and site plan if decisions are not made within timelines.

Recommendation number 20 of the task force was to fund the creation of “approvals facilitators” with the authority to quickly resolve conflicts among municipal and/or provincial authorities and ensure timelines are met. The Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act amended the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Act to allow for the appointment of up to four deputy facilitators in the Office of the Provincial Land and Development Facilitator.

Recommendation number 24 was to allow wood construction up to 12 storeys. Amendments to Ontario’s building code allow encapsulated mass timber buildings to be constructed up to 12 storeys high.

Under recommendation 27, the expert panel put forward measures to prevent abuse of process. The Ontario Land Tribunal has the authority and processes in place to deter appeals that are without merit.

A related recommendation—27(b)—was to require a $10,000 filing fee for third-party appeals. Third-party appeals for consents and minor variances were eliminated as a result of amendments to the Planning Act made by the More Homes Built Faster Act. This means only certain persons, such as the applicant or relevant municipality, are allowed to appeal minor variance or consent decisions. However, increasing the filing fees for third-party appeals may result in concerns about access to justice.

Recommendation number 28 was to encourage greater use of oral decisions issued the day of the hearing, with written reasons to follow. This allows those decisions to become binding the day that they are issued. The Ontario Land Tribunal is providing updated training to members to encourage use of oral decisions when appropriate. In some cases, the complexity of the matter before the tribunal may require the member to reserve the decision.

Recommendation number 34 was to prohibit interest rates on development charges higher than a municipality’s borrowing rate. The More Homes Built Faster Act made changes to the Development Charges Act to set a maximum interest rate that can be levied for the development charge freeze and deferral provisions. The rate is the Canadian banks’ prime rate plus 1% per year.

Recommendation number 38 was to amend the Planning Act and Perpetuities Act to extend the maximum period for land leases and restrictive covenants on land to 40 or more years. The More Homes Built Faster Act amended the Planning Act to allow these land lease communities with leases for periods of up to 49 years to be exempted from subdivision control and the need for any approval. The exemption applies if a land lease community’s proposal has gone through the site plan control process. Changes to the Perpetuities Act were not required.

Speaker, the expert panel recommended calling on the federal government to implement an urban, rural and northern Indigenous housing strategy. Ontario has called on the federal government to implement these Indigenous housing strategies. The province has also raised the issue at both bilateral and multilateral federal-provincial-territorial meetings.

Other recommendations and actions pertain to developing workforce skills for housing. Recommendation number 45 was to improve funding for colleges, trade schools and apprenticeships, as well as to encourage and incentivize municipalities, unions and employers to provide more on-the-job training. Ontario is, as my colleagues will know in this place, investing $224 million to build and upgrade training centres across Ontario. This funding will help unions, Indigenous centres and industry associations to build new training centres or upgrade and convert existing facilities into new training centres with state-of-the-art equipment and technology.

The next recommendation, number 46, was to undertake a multi-stakeholder education program to promote skilled trades. Ontario has invested more than $1 billion in the skilled trades over three years, along with the launch of Skilled Trades Ontario, as part of its strategy to attract more people into the trades.

Recommendation number 47 was that the federal and provincial government prioritize skilled trades. It also called for an adjustment to the immigration point system to strongly favour needed trades and expedite immigration status for these workers. The recommendation also encouraged the federal government to increase from 9,000 to 20,000 the number of immigrants admitted through Ontario’s program. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, also known as OINP, plans to use 40% of its 16,000 allocation for 2023 to nominate individuals in the skilled trades.

Changes have been made to the expression of interest scoring system to award more points to candidates in priority occupations and sectors. The federal government is also prioritizing selection of some skilled trades occupations through category-based selection. Ontario will encourage the targeting of additional occupations through federal immigration selection programs.

Other recommendations and actions deal with keeping track of our progress. Recommendation 52 was to resume reporting on housing data and require consistent municipal reporting. Through the municipal planning data reporting regulation, large and fast-growing municipalities are now required to provide the province with planning application data on a regular basis. Ontario is working with municipal partners on reporting data and tracking progress.

As mentioned earlier, the Building Faster Fund is tied to performance in meeting provincial housing targets. We’ll launch an online tracker tool once reporting processes are finalized.

Recommendation 55 was to commit to evaluate the task force’s recommendations in the next three years, with public reporting on progress. An online tracking website went live in September—those who are interested can go online and see it for themselves—so that any interested parties can monitor the government’s progress in implementing the task force’s recommendations.

Speaker, I appreciate your indulgence on that in highlighting key initiatives we’ve taken on our 74 recommendations from the housing task force. The reason I did so was to provide an update to this House, but also to highlight that when we work with our municipal colleagues, we can continue to get more homes built. We can continue to work with our non-profit sector in implementing the things that they are saying to us. I know many individuals in this place meet with them often and hear their recommendations on how we can get more homes built faster.

I know some of it may seem mundane and extremely detailed, but these are the important things that we need to get more homes built faster, working with our planning departments and working with our municipal colleagues to streamline the process, to get more homes built.

I know I’ve mentioned in this place on a couple of occasions, particularly around amending the appeals process—in my community, there was a proposed development. Not to the same extent as downtown Toronto, only a few storeys high—this was before our government came into power in 2018—and they were proposing to build it for seniors in my community, to allow those seniors who helped build that community to remain in their community. Unfortunately, this development was appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal and it held up the development for over a year. It added an extra $1 million in costs to the home builder, and the project still has not begun.

Now we’re challenged with higher interest rates, and those seniors do not have a place to remain in their community, the community they built. They don’t have a place to, as many will hear as well—some of our seniors are over-housed. They live in bigger homes and they want to downsize now that their families have homes of their own or have moved out, and they can’t do that. They can’t stay in their own community, and it’s because of this appeal where this one project, for example, wasn’t able to move forward. So it’s just one example of the changes we have made.

Speaker, I know our government, in the last election, ran on a policy of tabling a housing supply action plan—a minimum of one every year of a four-year mandate. Some colleagues may wonder, “Why wouldn’t we just do it all at once?” The challenge with that is, we’re not sure what will work in what community, so by tabling a housing supply action plan every year for four years, it gives us an opportunity to move forward, to see what’s working, to see what’s not working, to work with our municipal colleagues, to build on the successes we’ve had, whether that’s as-of-right of three units, or whether that’s also working to streamline the development process.

So tabling a housing supply action plan every year of a four-year mandate will allow us to correct that. It’s not just one sweeping solution to this housing supply crisis. I always tell people that if there was one magic bullet, no matter the government, they would have fired that bullet already. I know our government appreciates that feedback from all our municipal colleagues and community-builders across Ontario, and I think we’re seeing great progress in that.

The associate minister, in his remarks, mentioned that our housing starts in 2022 were at record highs. Purpose-built rentals were also at record highs in 2022, which is very important to see—to ensure that we do have those truly affordable units coming online for all Ontarians. It doesn’t matter your budget. You should all be able to have a place to call your own, Speaker. I know our government continues to work to achieve that goal through all of our housing supply action plans.

Really, again, as I mentioned in my remarks, achieving our 1.5 million housing target is at the centre of our government. Every single ministry is focused on helping us achieve that target, whether it’s the Minister of Infrastructure, whether it’s the Minister of Transportation or working with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing on transit-oriented communities. It’s ensuring that we continue to build those communities that will thrive for generations to come, Speaker. It’s working across government to ensure that we achieve that.

It’s working with the Minister of Finance and recommending to the federal government that we rebate the HST on purpose-built rentals, ensuring that we get more of those online, continuing to build on past successes.

Speaker, the challenges ahead are immense—I’m not going to mince words—but I know that by working together with our municipal colleagues, we’ll be able to achieve those targets and ensure that every family, whether you’ve been here for a few generations or whether you’ve just arrived to our shores, is able to call a place their own. I know on this side of the House and in the majority middle over there, we continue to strive to ensure that home ownership remains a dream for Ontarians and ensure Ontario remains a great province to live, work and play.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bhutila Karpoche): It’s time for questions.

Mr. Peter Tabuns: I won’t select which person I need a response from, but the question I have for the government is—I appreciate the rollback of the attack on the greenbelt. I want to ask why the lands that are part of the greenbelt that are going to be destroyed by Highway 413 aren’t being protected in this bill.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bhutila Karpoche): The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Speaker, as you know, the bill and the greenbelt, as it was contemplated back in 2005, ensures that important pieces of infrastructure can be built within the greenbelt area lands. We’re not changing that. Obviously, it’s very important that, as I said in my speech, with the Golden Horseshoe to expand to 15 million people by 2051, they do need to have opportunity to move around the province and get product to market. We will continue with the 413 because it’s an important piece of infrastructure.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bhutila Karpoche): Questions?

Mr. Lorne Coe: As part of the restoring of protections and policy of the Greenbelt Act in its entirety, the government has also included a need for a review every 10 years. Can the parliamentary assistant to the minister expand on what this review will look like and some of the underlying principles that guide that work?

Mr. Matthew Rae: Thank you to the member from Whitby for his very important and good question. The review is in the act right now, as the member may know, but we’re going to, obviously, codify the greenbelt in legislation. That review will consult with environmental experts. It will consult with, as the minister mentioned as well in his remarks, the Indigenous community. And it will consult with the municipalities in the greenbelt, obviously, as well, ensuring that all voices are heard through the process and ensuring that we have a robust greenbelt for years to come.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bhutila Karpoche): Questions?

MPP Lise Vaugeois: Many communities in my region of northwestern Ontario cannot afford to build housing. It’s far too expensive to bring in the workers, bring in the materials. I know that those communities have been waiting for the announcement, from the building homes faster, about the rural and northern program part. You mentioned that today; the associate minister mentioned that today.

When will the details of that program be announced? We need dollar amounts, application details and so on.

Hon. Rob Flack: I appreciate the question and I understand the concern. We are conducting a housing summit later in November, bringing all partners together to determine action plans going forward. We will be focused specifically on modular, attainable and affordable housing in all regions.

I would also point out that 10% of the Building Faster Fund will be delegated to smaller and rural municipalities to help with infrastructure, to help with building more homes faster. There are a number of tools in the tool box. Stay tuned. We have a full-fledged plan coming forward.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bhutila Karpoche): Questions?

Mr. Andrew Dowie: I would like to direct my question to the parliamentary assistant, given that I know he is a young Ontarian and I know that across Ontario, including in my hometown of Windsor–Tecumseh, our communities are growing. They’re growing phenomenally, at a great pace like I’ve never seen. Ontario’s population surpassed 15 million people for the first time ever last year. We know that this growth is continuing, with another four million new Ontarians projected to arrive by 2031.

At the same time we know that young Ontarians like the parliamentary assistant—students, young hard-working professionals and new families—are being priced out of the housing market and finding it difficult to find a home that they can afford.

I’m wondering if the parliamentary assistant can explain how this new legislation, if passed, will build on our work to keep Ontario the best place to work, live and raise a family. How does this legislation, if passed, complement the other work our government is doing to create a better future and more opportunities for future generations?

Mr. Matthew Rae: Thank you to my colleague for his question. Colleagues, don’t let the grey hair fool you; I am, thankfully, still young.

They are very important points raised by the member from Windsor–Tecumseh. As another young member, if I can be so bold as to say that, of our caucus, I am really focused on ensuring, as I mentioned in my remarks, that home ownership remains a reality for Ontarians, ensuring that new Canadians are able to purchase their own homes.

As well, Speaker—I mentioned a bit of it in my remarks, and to answer my colleague’s question—some of the changes were made around life leases. Life leases and an ownership in one of those communities provide an avenue to build some equity, to start that process for young people in that community. I know our government remains focused on ensuring that those are viable options, to ensure that we have housing for all individuals in Ontario.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bhutila Karpoche): Questions?

Miss Monique Taylor: It’s definitely an interesting time in the Ontario Legislature. Once again we’re watching the government walk back legislation and moves that they have been working on for the past two years and, quite frankly, wasting time for people who are desperate for housing. The housing calls come to our office—and people seriously desperate, with five children, living in tents, with fears of children’s aid societies taking their children from them.

My question is a very serious question to this government: We hear a lot of lip service, but when are they actually going to provide the immediate housing that the people in the province need today? Not plans for the future; no more wasting time like we’re doing now, backtracking on their bad legislation.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bhutila Karpoche): The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hon. Paul Calandra: I don’t know about that, Madam Speaker. I think what we’re doing is restoring a certain amount of acres back to the greenbelt that were pulled out of the greenbelt. In fact, the government is moving very aggressively on all of its initiatives to build more homes across the province of Ontario.

I’ve used ministerial zoning orders and will continue to use ministerial zoning orders to help ensure that housing gets done faster. That includes social housing and affordable housing across the province of Ontario. Our housing supply action plans have been moving forward each and every year, and of course the Housing Affordability Task Force—we are well on our way to accomplishing a number of the recommendations there.

We are not stopping building homes. In fact, we have the highest level of starts in over 30 years and the highest level of purpose-built rentals in over 30 years. I think the policies that we’ve got in place are working very well, but we have to double down and do even more.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bhutila Karpoche): Questions?

Mr. Anthony Leardi: I listened intently to the speakers this morning and I was thinking about back in my area of Essex county, about all the great builders we have in Essex county—and I’ve mentioned them here in this House before. I have mentioned the builders who are building homes, like Norville Construction and others. Many, many projects are going up in Essex county, including multi-level and multi-unit residences. Those are going to provide great homes for people who want to retire and stay in their communities, but also possibilities for people who are just starting out.

I’m wondering if any of the speakers would like to stand and elaborate on what the government is doing to help people who want to retire and perhaps downsize remain in the communities where they lived and grew up.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bhutila Karpoche): The Associate Minister of Housing.

Hon. Rob Flack: Thank you to the member from Essex. There’s lots we’re doing to help seniors. I’ll give you an example. We own a lot of land in this province. We’re looking at opportunities where we can repurpose surplus lands and get modular, attainable, affordable housing, not only for new homebuyers but for newcomers and seniors who want to downsize. Because we understand that seniors that want to downsize don’t have the option today. In our community, for example, where I live, a lot of seniors want to downsize, but they have to spend as much for a smaller home as they do for the one they have.

If we have more options, we’re going to get the job done. I’m convinced, as the days go by and months go by, we’re going to see lots of new housing opportunities on the grounds that we own in this province.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bhutila Karpoche): Very quick question.

Miss Monique Taylor: I did not hear an answer to my question. We have people in tents across this province. Winter is literally on our doorstep. Families have nowhere to go. They cannot afford the rent. What is the plan for immediate housing for these people who are in crisis?

Hon. Paul Calandra: Again, we’ve increased funding by over $200 million to a record-setting level of over $700 million for immediate housing. At the same time, we’ve asked our federal partners to assist in communities across the province that are having challenges. We’ve acted unilaterally in that instance with a $49-million fund, including in the member’s community, to ensure that the underhoused have access to housing. At the same time, we are continuing with our housing supply action plans to make sure that we actually build the 1.5 million homes—

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Bhutila Karpoche): Thank you very much. It is now time for members’ statements.

Second reading debate deemed adjourned.

Members’ Statements

Events in Etobicoke–Lakeshore

Ms. Christine Hogarth: It’s always great to stand and speak about the great things that are happening in Etobicoke–Lakeshore. First of all, I’d like to recognize Pat and Murray Wood, who reside in Tapestry at Village Gate West retirement home. They were recognized for the good work they did to make their home a better place. It was recognized by the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority’s 2023 Resident Champion Award. I had the opportunity to have coffee with Pat and Murray, and what a lovely time it was to learn about their residence and what they do to make everyone’s lives that much better in our community. So thank you to both of them.

Then I walked across the street to see the community centre that they’re building. It’s under construction, but I want to thank our government for an almost $200,000 investment into this wonderful place, which is going to be a meeting place for the community members to have barbecues, to watch plays, just to get together and have that conversation, because so many of our seniors out there need that companionship.

Lastly, I know Remembrance Day is coming up, and I’d like to take the time to remember and honour those who have fought for our freedoms and continue to keep us safe. May they never be forgotten.

Thunder Bay fire service

Mr. Kevin Holland: I rise today to celebrate the recent graduation of 10 new recruits to the Thunder Bay fire service. These recruits, now qualified firefighters, have gone through an extensive 14 weeks of training and education, clocking in over 500 hours each. I stand with much respect reflecting on their graduation, as the recruits have now stepped into their roles protecting and serving the residents of Thunder Bay.

Speaker, becoming a firefighter is not a job; it is a calling. It is a commitment to protect and serve others, often in the face of great personal danger. It’s about providing comfort to someone in their darkest hour, offering a helping hand in times of need and being a pillar of strength when all is lost. It is a vocation that demands unwavering courage, compassion and selfless dedication to public safety.

Throughout my 21 years as a firefighter, I have experienced the camaraderie, sacrifice and determination alongside my fellow service members, and I have been blessed with being part of the fire service family.

This province has a long history of supporting our first responders, and I’m proud to say that these new firefighters are a valued addition to the family. To the most recent graduates in Thunder Bay, welcome to the noble profession of firefighting. May you return home safely at the end of every shift.

Elaina Beardy

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: Good morning. Remarks in Anishininiimowin.

I wish I was standing up here this morning to share good news, but the news from the north is sad today.

Elaina Beardy, age 11, took her own life in my home community of Kingfisher Lake First Nation.

At this time, words are not enough. Her family, classmates and all of Kingfisher Lake and Sachigo Lake are affected. Their grief is unimaginable.

I am going to share what was sent out by her family:

“Elaina was always a happy young lady, always had a ready smile for everyone. She was always willing to lend a helping hand, especially to her friends that she left behind. We called her Princess Elaina or ‘Baby,’ because that was who she was with us. She loved everyone around her. Princess Elaina will be forever missed and will be forever in our hearts.”

Her family requests continued prayers for her friends.

Meegwetch for listening, and if you have a moment today, think of Elaina, her family and friends. Our hearts and prayers are in Kingfisher Lake and Sachigo Lake today.

Applause.

Events in Kitchener South–Hespeler

Ms. Jess Dixon: I hosted my very first community event last week, which is admittedly a little bit delayed, as I was elected in June 2022, but it takes me a while to get around to these things. It ended up being absolutely wonderful, and I have a lot of people to thank.

We held it at Steckle farm, which is a beautiful heritage working farm in my area, and I can thank my friend Corey for that idea. For those who are old hat at holding MPP community events, I look forward to the day where I have your outlook. We were doing a pumpkin patch and funnel cakes, courtesy of the Funnel Cloud. I had some moments of extreme fear where I thought it was just going to my dog George and I sitting alone on 200 pumpkins, eating funnel cakes for an entire community, and no one would come. But that did not happen. We had an absolutely wonderful turnout of people from the community.

I have to give a ton of thanks to a lot of people. My dad, as always, was a huge help in that, and also my friend Corey and her husband, Todd, who brought all the pumpkins, and my volunteers Bonita, Monica, Gerry, Marie, Angie, Megan and Steph. It was wonderful to see people from the community come out. We had Fauzia from Cambridge Muslim women and Wisam from the coalition of Muslim women, and it’s just lovely to see people that I’ve spoken to coming to my event.

Anyway, thank you so much to everybody that helped me put it on and make it such a success.

Gender-based violence

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: We’re all deeply saddened and horrified by the recent tragedy in Sault Ste. Marie. Angie Sweeney and her three children were killed in a case of intimate partner violence.

The sad reality is that such tragedies happen far too often. Last year, in Ontario, 52 women, which is nearly one per week, were killed at the hands of their intimate partners, and by September of this year, there were already 46 similar cases.

Shelters and support organizations are overwhelmed by the demand for help, and these numbers are not going down; they are on the rise. Over 30 municipalities in the province have already declared intimate partner violence an epidemic.

The Renfrew county inquest last year made 86 recommendations. The first recommendation was for Ontario to formally declare intimate partner violence an epidemic, which this government has refused, arguing that intimate partner violence isn’t an epidemic because it’s not an infectious disease that spreads from person to person. This kind of petty debate over language in the face of such tragedy is ridiculous. Declaring intimate partner violence an epidemic is important because it means the government acknowledges the urgency of the problem and is committed through resources to address a very real threat facing women and families.

I urge this government: Show some leadership. Declare intimate partner violence an epidemic. We don’t have time to waste.

GRIT Engineering

Mr. Matthew Rae: Perth–Wellington is a place of vibrant energy and growth, and today, I want to celebrate an incredible success story of one of our small businesses.

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of attending the grand opening of GRIT Engineering’s brand new, expanded location in Stratford. GRIT Engineering, founded and led by Montana Wilson, is a shining example of what small businesses can achieve when they combine determination, dedication and vision. They offer a wide array of high-quality services, including geotechnical engineering, civil engineering, surveying and environmental services.

It’s no exaggeration to say that GRIT Engineering plays a vital role in building our great province. It was wonderful to walk through their state-of-the-art facility, witness the cutting-edge technology they employ and meet some of their dedicated team. What’s even more remarkable is that GRIT Engineering is one of the few female-led consulting engineering firms in Ontario. The company also provides 24 individuals in our local community with well-paying jobs, with the majority of employees being under the age of 40. They’re not just building infrastructure, Speaker; they’re building careers and opportunities in Perth–Wellington.

Montana’s recent recognition as the recipient of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association inaugural Service Professional of the Year award is a testament to the outstanding professionalism and integrity that she brings to everything she does. She is truly a role model for young women everywhere.

Speaker, it’s great to see the continued success of small businesses in our rural community. I want to wish Montana, Nick and their whole team much success.

Mike Shoreman

Ms. Jennifer K. French: Mental health matters, and it is my honour to recognize a member of our community in Durham region who is making an immeasurable difference in the lives and futures of young people across this country.

Mike Shoreman was living an active life as an athlete, coach and paddleboard instructor, with plans and a bright and unfolding future. He was struck suddenly in 2018, however, with a rare neurological condition called Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which left him with permanent nerve damage on his right side. Struggling, and with the heavy prognosis of never being able to paddleboard again, he had to relearn the basics of walking and functioning. Imagine the news, the shock and the depth of emotional challenge that comes with a life change like that.

Mike’s mental health was dealt a very heavy blow, and yet, because of the support he had and the ultimate personal power that wasn’t ready to give up, Mike began his climb back onto his paddleboard and, slowly, his climb out of despair and into hope. He worked hard to get back on the paddleboard and regain his footing. He went from relearning to remarkable.

Mike undertook the challenge of paddling across all five Great Lakes, and with his remarkable, inspiring support team, they did it: Mike Shoreman became the first person with a disability to cross all five Great Lakes.

On World Mental Health Day at Ontario Shores, I joined Mike and community members for the screening of his feature-length film When Hope Breaks Through. Sharing the journey was about sharing the pain and the hope with youth who might also be struggling with mental health and also struggling to stay afloat.

Mike has been raising money and working tirelessly to bring awareness to the need for systems of support for youth mental health. Mike Shoreman is awesome, and I hope that everyone will watch and share When Hope Breaks Through. Thank you, Mike.

Perley Health

Mr. John Fraser: I’d like to say a few words of congratulations to an important organization in Ottawa South, Perley Health, formerly known as Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre.

Perley Health is a unique long-term-care and independent-living home that is home to more than 600 seniors and veterans. They’re a leading advocate for improving the well-being and quality of care for the senior population through education, clinical innovation and research. With over 800 employees and 400 volunteers, they work hard every day to improve the lives of the seniors they serve. Through the Centre of Excellence in Frailty-Informed Care, they provide a space for future caregivers to learn through hands-on experiences.

Today, I’d like to highlight their wonderful achievement of completing their $10-million campaign, Answering the Call. It is their largest fundraising campaign ever, and it aims to foster innovation and excellence in Ottawa and across Canada. On November 20, they will be honouring those who have answered the call to highlight their important contributions to improving the everyday lives of the seniors and veterans at Perley Health and, indeed, in Ontario and across Canada.

To everyone at Perley Health: Thank you for caring for the people we care for most.

Events in Mississauga–Erin Mills

Mr. Sheref Sabawy: Last weekend, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association organized a charity youth run in Mississauga to raise funds for the Trillium Health Partners cancer research program. These enthusiastic youths are making a difference in our community—an example of the amazing things that Ontario’s youth can offer, and it reminds us that it continues to be our responsibility, as leaders of this province, to show them our full support.

I recently joined the Minister of Education and the member from Brampton West for the grand opening of a new daycare campus in Peel—the largest child care centre in Canada. Lullaboo child care is just one of the many organizations that are supporting our children in Mississauga and across Ontario. Our government has cut child care fees by 50%, and our investments are continuing to support children and families. I thank the minister for his dedication to this important cause.

I was honoured to be joined in my riding on October 27 by the Minister of Long-Term Care for the groundbreaking of a new long-term-care project. Ivan Franko Homes long-term care’s new campus on Winston Churchill Boulevard, with 160 modern beds, will provide seniors with convenient and culturally connected care. This plan was over six years in the making, and now it’s finally under way. This is a great success for Mississauga–Erin Mills and a success for all of Ontario—yet another promise made, promise kept.

Victims of violence in Sault Ste. Marie

Mr. Ross Romano: My community of Sault Ste. Marie has endured quite a lot over the course of the last six weeks or so—as many of you know, recent events. It has been a very, very difficult and trying time.

On September 5 of this year, Constable Orrette Robinson, a Soo police officer, was killed in a traffic accident.

The very next day, on September 6, Mikayla Ouellet was involved in a traffic accident. She was 27 years old. She passed, along with her unborn child.

On September 7, the very next day, a horrific stabbing incident occurred. An individual took the life of 22-year-old Taylor Marshall in a horrible stabbing incident, and then he proceeded to our boardwalk, where he attempted to murder another.

The community as a whole did not know how things could get any harder. We are a small city of just about 75,000 people. Those three days felt like the worst three days we could have imagined.

Then, October 23 happened: Angie Sweeney was murdered—41 years old. Then, the individual proceeded to the residence of his ex-partner, where he proceeded to shoot her and shoot his three children and then himself. We held a vigil last week on Friday. We had about 1,000 people arrive, including Angie’s father. Our community is mourning. Our community needs to heal. Our community did an exceptional job of coming together in solidarity to attempt to heal. I want to thank everyone here for all of their kind words that I’ve received to date. We appreciate that you’ve been thinking about us. It’s something that has been helpful.

I know I’m over time here, Mr. Speaker, but I want to quote the words of Shirley Marshall. She had me read a letter. She was the mother of Taylor. She said, “Sault Ste. Marie: small city, big heart.” We really are that community. Then, the father of Angie Sweeney spoke at the event and said that in times like this, it’s everybody’s love that’s making it easier to get through. So please share that love. Continue to share that love. It doesn’t cost a thing. It’s free.

Applause.

Introduction of Visitors

M me France Gélinas: I just want to remind everybody that Hospice Palliative Care Ontario will be in rooms 228 and 230. They are coming into the chamber. As well, the traditional-Chinese-medicine group will be in room 228 at 5 o’clock; the hospice is at noon. Please come and say hello.

Mr. Dave Smith: Up in the Speaker’s gallery, we have two of my constituency staff, Sally Carson and Andrea Dodsworth. In the members’ gallery, we have Halle Kunjah, C.J. Carson, Jonah Mamers and Leif Wilson. And today, we have 42 Trent University political science students here. I won’t name them all, but Dr. Devin Penner is the professor.

Mr. Chris Glover: I just want to welcome to the House Michael Mesure, who’s the executive director of FLAP Canada; Brendan Samuels, who’s the research coordinator of FLAP Canada; and earlier today, we had Dr. Robert Phillips, who’s also known as Elder Bob. They were speaking about bird-safe windows. They’re going to be having a rally in front of Queen’s Park at 12:30. All members are welcome to come out and join us.

Mr. Mike Schreiner: I am honoured to welcome two of my constituents who are in the Members’ Gallery, Derrick Rutherford and Julio Rodriguez from Valentini Hair Design. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Andrew Dowie: It’s my tremendous privilege to recognize the Munim family. We’ve got Purvin Girish Kumar Munim, Hiral Purvin Munim, Pearl Munim and—I apologize for my pronunciation—Pahel Munim. They’re the great family who operate the AutoCity Hamburgers and Poutine on Ouellette Avenue in downtown Windsor. Such a delight to welcome them here today. Thank you for being here.

M me Marit Stiles: Monsieur le Président, ça me fait grand plaisir d’accueillir la famille de notre capitaine des pages, Danté, de la merveilleuse circonscription de Davenport : sa mère, Nyllia Cocito Zanabria; son père, Francis Cronier-Thériault; et sa grand-mère Claire Cronier. Bienvenue dans votre Assemblée législative.

Hon. Vijay Thanigasalam: Today, I would like to welcome all the representatives from the Ontario Public Transit Association to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Joel Harden: I want to join the associate minister in welcoming the Ontario Public Transit Association to Queen’s Park—in particular, Matthew Wolstenholme, who’s here from OC Transpo. Thank you, Matthew, for your service.

Mrs. Robin Martin: I just wanted to recognize my friend Adina Isenberg who is here. She’s a breast cancer advocate.

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: I’d like to welcome Caroline Lidstone-Jones, who is the CEO, and Allie Kinnaird, the director of policy from the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council. Meegwetch for coming.

Hon. Todd Smith: I’d like to welcome a number of guests from the Association of Power Producers of Ontario: the wily veteran David Butters, Grant Berry, David Timm, Stephen Somerville, Lynn Wizniak, Pat Dalzell, Charles Conrad, Safouh Soufi and Nick Best. They have a reception this evening in room 230 between 5 and 7. I encourage all members to attend. Welcome, everyone.

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: I’d like to introduce a good friend of mine Salman Sima to the Ontario Legislature today.

I also would like to make a quick point of order.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Carleton is asking to do a point of order.

I recognize the member for Carleton.

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: I’m not going to speak about this too much; I’ll bring it up in a member’s statement next time I speak. But yesterday, I was attending a peaceful rally here in front of the chamber, outside Queen’s Park. It was a unity rally to celebrate Cyrus the Great Day, which is part of our Persian culture and heritage.

Halfway through our peaceful rally, which we had a permit for, we were told by police that we had to wrap it up because there was a counter-protest of 4,000 people coming our way and they couldn’t guarantee our safety. So I just wanted to stress how—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): It’s not a point of order, but thank you for the information.

Wearing of ribbons

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Point of order: the member for Flamborough–Glanbrook.

Ms. Donna Skelly: I am seeking unanimous consent to wear this blue ribbon in support of Special Constable Hannah Demik, a 34-year-old woman who died suddenly one year ago today. Hannah was the youngest-ever member of Hamilton Police Service to be promoted to the position of supervisor.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member from Flamborough–Glanbrook is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to allow members to wear a blue ribbon in memory of the Hamilton Police Service special constable. Agreed? Agreed.

Question Period

Government accountability

Ms. Marit Stiles: Good morning, Speaker. The walls are closing in on this government. They’re cleaning house and have brought in a high-level fixer to try to provide crisis response. They’ve lost numerous ministers and senior political staff to the greenbelt scandal and are desperately trying to change the channel.

Speaker, the people of this province are concerned about being able to pay their bills or find a family doctor. To the Premier: When will this government clean up this mess of their own creation so they can start to help people who are struggling right now?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): To reply, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Speaker, we have been doing that, really, since the beginning. Since 2018, we’ve brought in a number of measures to improve housing supply across the province of Ontario. At the same time, we set out almost immediately to eliminate red tape—useless red tape—across the province of Ontario. We brought in additional measures to help support our small, medium and large job creators, and the impact of that has been significant, Speaker.

Look, we’ve seen the creation of 700,000 jobs because of the policies that we have brought in place. That is 700,000 people who have the dignity of a job today that didn’t when we took office. We’re seeing $28 billion worth of investments in our economy. We have over 300,000 jobs that need to be filled. Our housing starts are at their highest level in over 30 years. Our purpose-built rental starts are at their highest level in over 30 years. We’re on the right track, Mr. Speaker, and we’re going to continue that progress for the people of the province of Ontario.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: Speaker, the clock is ticking on just how long this government can keep their backroom deals from the public. The RCMP has now appointed a special prosecutor, who is investigating this government—a criminal investigation. Environmental organizations are suing to get access to government documents that the government is desperate to hide.

To the Premier: Is he concerned about what the greenbelt documents will reveal to the RCMP special prosecutor?

Hon. Paul Calandra: As we’ve said the entire time, we will assist the RCMP in its work, but that’s not going to stop us from doing what we set out to do: That is ensuring that we build more homes across the province of Ontario.

Look, we’re encouraging and inviting over a million people to come to Ontario each and every year. That is a million people who will help build our economy, who will help build our province to make it a bigger, better, stronger Ontario, but, at the same time, we have to worry and help those who want the dream of home ownership.

I was just out on Sunday, I came across a young Ontarian who has done everything right: Christina. She said the same thing: “I’ve done everything right. I had a 20% down payment, but the increase in interest rates is hurting me. It’s hurting my family. You have to do something about it.” We’re doing something about it. We’re reducing taxes for all the people in the province of Ontario. The Premier has shown leadership with encouraging the Bank of Canada to stop its rapid rate increase. We’re going to continue to do everything we can to support Ontarians and the economy.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: This Premier has said they have: “The most ethical, most transparent and most accountable caucus” he’s ever seen. Well, that was before a damning Auditor General’s report that highlighted a pattern of preferential treatment and deleted emails, that was before a minister broke ethics laws twice—and let’s not forget the fact that this government is currently under an RCMP criminal investigation for its dirty deals.

Speaker, my question is for the Premier: Would the Premier like to take the opportunity to correct the record?

Interjections.

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

The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Speaker, look, we have been focused since day one on improving the economy of the province of Ontario.

It is no secret that we inherited a government and a province that was really hurting. We were the most indebted jurisdiction. We were the highest-taxed jurisdiction. We were the most over-regulated jurisdiction in Canada. We had out of control hydro rates. People had to choose between heating or eating. Companies were fleeing Ontario. Investment was fleeing Ontario. All of that changed in 2018 when Ontarians elected a strong Progressive Conservative majority.

What have we done? We’ve put in the environment to create 700,000 jobs. We’ve reduced taxes, eliminated useless red tape. We’ve cut the cost of doing business in Ontario by $8 billion while at the same time, cutting taxes for the lowest-income Ontarians and building, with the largest investment in transit and transportation in the history of the province. We’re getting the job done for the people of the province of Ontario and we will not stop.

Government accountability

Ms. Marit Stiles: From red tape to brown envelopes, that’s where we are today.

Speaker, this question is for the Premier. The NDP has found that the Premier has issued as many fast-track minister’s zoning orders benefiting just the guests alone at the Ford family wedding reception as the previous government issued during its entire 15 years in power—18 MZOs.

Speaker, my question is for the Premier: Why is the Premier’s government handing out MZOs to his friends like party favours?

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: What are we doing? We’re handing out MZOs to people who want to build long-term-care homes. We’re handing out MZOs for people who want to build social housing across the province of Ontario. We’re handing out MZOs so that we can build more schools. We’re doing MZOs so that they can get transit and transportation built faster. We’re doing MZOs so that we can build more hospitals all across the province of Ontario, and we’re giving out MZOs so that we can meet our goal of building 1.5 million homes across the province of Ontario.

I can tell you, as the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, I will not stop on that mission to ensure that we can meet our goal of building 1.5 million homes, because they may want the next generation to live in their parents’ basement, we want the next generation to have all of the same advantages that we have had: The dream of home ownership to become a reality, and we will not let obstacles stand in the way.

In her own question, she highlights just how bad the previous Liberal and NDP coalition government was. They got nothing done for the people of Ontario. We’re doing just the opposite. We’re getting it done.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: The Premier’s friend Shakir Rehmatullah attended the Premier’s daughter’s wedding reception last year. He owns Flato Developments, which has received more MZOs than any other developer, including one in Markham where new homes were supposed to be built. It instantly increased the value of the land by 20 times, generating hundreds of millions in speculative profit for Mr. Rehmatullah, all without building a single home. Then Flato sold part of the land.

To the Premier: Did Mr. Rehmatullah get these MZOs because he is the Premier’s friend?

Hon. Paul Calandra: Actually, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Rehmatullah got the MZO because both the city of Markham and the town of Stouffville requested that an MZO be created so that we can get more homes in the ground faster. The development the member talks about will include housing for seniors; it will include purpose-built rental housing. It is part of an area that had been delayed for many years, and both the city of Markham, Mayor Scarpitti, and Mayor Lovatt asked for a ministerial zoning order so that we can make progress on getting shovels in the ground faster.

Now, the member opposite might be opposed to that, but in my community, we are very much in support of that. Do you know why, Mr. Speaker? Because more purpose-built rentals and more seniors-focused housing means more homes available for the next generation who want to get out of their parents’ basement and into the community. That’s why we’re doing MZOs.

The member is opposed to that. I am not; this Premier is not; this Conservative caucus is not. We’ll get the job done for the people of the province of Ontario. We’re in a crisis, and we will ensure that we meet the goal of 1.5 million homes.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: If only it ended there. After Mr. Rehmatullah, the Cortellucci family has been the second-biggest recipient of MZOs. Mario Cortellucci sat next to the Premier at the infamous wedding reception. Several other members of the Cortellucci family were seated nearby. Do you know who else was at the Premier’s table? Developer Carmine Nigro, whose company received a favourable MZO as well.

To the Premier: Did the government give preferential treatment to the Cortellucci family, Mr. Nigro or any of the other guests at the reception?

Hon. Paul Calandra: For our MZOs, we ensure that we have support of the community when we do those MZOs. Now, it is true that there have been instances when we have done MZOs that were not supported by the community, ostensibly to build long-term-care homes. I’ve said this in this House that, whether it was in Port Hope or in Pickering, when those communities voted against building new long-term-care homes, I requested an MZO, despite the fact that the local council was not supportive of that.

But when we’re talking about building homes, what you see is that municipalities, towns, are asking us to bring these MZOs. There is a favourable motion from their council because they want the exact same thing: They want to build homes for people. This Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and this Premier are bringing billions of dollars of investments to communities across the province, and they need housing. When long-term-care homes are built with four hours of care, that means more nurses, more PSWs. They need to have a place to live. We’re building that in different communities, and we’re going to continue to get the job done.

Government accountability

Mr. Jeff Burch: Speaker, through you to the Premier: Last year, I asked the former Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing about a minister’s zoning order issued in Oro-Medonte for a medical innovation park. The innovation park was never built. Instead, the owners attempted to sell the land, unchanged, for about 10 times what they paid for it before getting the MZO. The former minister said he would revoke the order, but he never did.

Why is the Premier allowing this speculator to keep the profits from an MZO for a medical innovation park that was never built?

Hon. Paul Calandra: That is part of the review. If something has been issued that has not progressed in the fashion that we want it to have progressed, if it does not meet the goal of 1.5 million homes, if it does not meet the goal of bringing jobs and economic activity to a community, then we will revoke that MZO. That is part of the review. But let there be no doubt that when it comes to building homes for the people of the province of Ontario, we will continue to be aggressive. When it comes to meeting opportunities for job creation in communities, we will continue to be aggressive.

We have so much to untangle, left behind by the previous Liberal and NDP administration, but we’re on the right path: 700,000 jobs, 700,000 people who have the dignity of a job who had lost the dream of that under the Liberals and NDP, who were moving to every other part of this country because they didn’t see Ontario as a place to live, work, invest or raise a family. That all changed in 2018. We’re on the right path, and we will not be distracted by the opposition.

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

Mr. Jeff Burch: If you’re a friend of the Premier, this government will hand out MZOs like candy, but if you’re building affordable housing, this government makes you wait. Years ago, the city of Toronto requested MZOs to fast-track several affordable housing projects. Unlike many of the MZOs this government gives out to its friends, there was public consultation, a staff recommendation and council approval. The government approved all the city’s MZO requests except one, an affordable housing building at 175 Cummer in Willowdale. It remains in limbo to this day.

Speaker, will the Premier tell us, did the government single out that affordable housing project for delay because it was opposed by the PC donor who is building luxury homes across the street? Yes or no?

Interjections.

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

The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hon. Paul Calandra: So let me get this straight, colleagues. Let me just get this straight, because they are flipping and flopping all over the place, the NDP, right? Now he wants me to do an MZO, but he’s against the hundreds of social housing that Toronto did get and is building and has completed because of an MZO in their own communities, in some of their own backyards.

What is it? Do you want an MZO, or do you not want an MZO? This is the dilemma of the NDP. One day they want a carbon tax; the next day they don’t. But hallelujah, last Thursday, they voted with us to repeal the carbon tax. So we’re making progress; we’re making progress. But let me tell the member opposite, I’m encouraged by the fact that despite what his leader has said, he is in favour of doing MZOs to build the communities faster. The division within that party continues, but he can count on us to get the job done.

Taxation

Mr. Will Bouma: My question is for the Premier. Premier, the impact of the carbon tax is truly devastating for all Ontarians. Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Officer has warned that the federal carbon tax will cost the average Ontario family far more than they would ever get back in rebate cheques. The average Ontario household will have a net loss of $478 in 2023 thanks to the carbon tax, even after the rebate. But things are going to get much worse. The original carbon tax is going to keep going up until 2030, and the carbon tax on gasoline will also keep rising.

According to the same Parliamentary Budget Office report, the carbon tax hikes will turn a $478-a-household loss this year into a staggering $1,820 loss in 2030.

Speaker, can the Premier please share his views on what impact the carbon tax is having on the people of Ontario?

Hon. Doug Ford: I want to thank the member from Brantford–Brant. You’re doing a great job out there. I hear it when the calls are coming in.

The carbon tax—and I’ve said it from day one—is the worst tax you could ever put on the backs of people, on the backs of businesses. It’s making us uncompetitive around the world. It is a tax imposed by a bunch of elites and extremists on one side of the aisle that hurts working families across our province. When I heard what the Parliamentary Budget Officer said, I couldn’t believe it. Ontario families will be out nearly $2,000 a year once 2030 comes around because of the carbon tax. It’s unbelievable: $2,000. And by the way, that’s after-tax dollars, Mr. Speaker. This is wrong. It’s not fair to the people.

The carbon tax is making life more expensive every single day in every part of our province—

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

And the supplementary question.

Mr. Will Bouma: Thank you, Premier. We can see the negative impact that the carbon tax is having on everyday essential items that the people of Ontario need. Whether it’s the clothes we wear or the food we buy or the fuel that we put into our cars, every single thing that we buy has an inflation built into it now because of this carbon tax. We need to take action to scrap the carbon tax in order to give our hard-working families much-needed relief. Unfortunately, the opposition Liberals and the NDP continue to vote against the measures that we’ve taken, measures that would make life more affordable for the people of Ontario.

Speaker, can the Premier please share his views on the opposition once again saying no to making life more affordable for the people of Ontario?

Hon. Doug Ford: I find it very ironic hearing the Liberals and NDP talking about affordability and cost-of-living issues when they vote against every single bill we put forward to take the burden off people. These issues are made even worse by the carbon tax, the tax they have both championed for years after years after years.

Now it appears that the NDP and the Liberals are trying to confuse Ontarians about their record when it comes to their support of the carbon tax. The Liberals now seem to be uncertain about where they stand. We saw just last week that the Liberal member from Orléans voted in favour of our motion to remove the carbon tax on groceries—thank you, my friend; I appreciate it—while the rest of the six members that they have voted for it. Even the NDP members voted this one time against the carbon tax and they have the carbon tax king sitting over in the corner that has voted for the highest carbon tax—

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

The next question.

Indigenous health care

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: My question is to the Premier. I introduced a motion last week to recognize Indigenous determinants of health across ministries. Speaker, the health care system in Ontario does not work for Indigenous people. Not doing enough to improve that makes this government part of the problem.

The chiefs of the Sioux Lookout area declared a public health emergency and social crisis related to mental health and addictions. Will this government support the motion to improve Indigenous health outcomes in Ontario? Yes or no?

Interjections.

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

The Minister of Northern Development and Indigenous affairs.

Hon. Greg Rickford: I want to acknowledge the unfortunate passing—the suicide—of a young lady, Elaina Cecilia Nancy Beardy, who committed suicide in Sioux Lookout on Sunday evening. She’s from Kingfisher Lake, the member from Kiiwetinoong’s home, and has family in Sachigo Lake. Her grandfather, Titus Tait, is a friend of mine. We grieve with the communities. I just wanted to acknowledge that first and foremost.

With respect to the private member’s bill, there is a good way of working through the Legislature with respect to those private members’ bills. When you want to put a report on the table for us to consider and debate, maybe put it out a little bit sooner than one day before the motion is tabled.

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

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: The government says it recognizes that health outcomes for Indigenous people are lower than other Ontarians. Elaina Beardy, age 11, of Kingfisher Lake First Nation, took her life this weekend. Elaina should have had all the opportunities other kids in Ontario have to grow up, Speaker, but she did not.

Whatever this government thinks they’re doing isn’t happening fast enough. Will this government support my motion to recognize colonialism in being an Indigenous determinant of health? Yes or no?

Interjections.

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

To reply, the Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: My heart goes out as well to the young lady, to the family and to the entire community with respect to the grave loss that occurred on Sunday.

Mr. Speaker, we know that there are gaps in care that are faced by Indigenous communities and those in the north, and we have been and will continue making investments to ensure that these gaps are filled. In August I was in Sioux Lookout to announce the opening of new safe, sober and withdrawal-management supportive treatment beds with an investment of over $4 million.

In addition to that, annually, we’re investing $40 million in Indigenous care organizations and are building productive working relationships to ensure that Indigenous communities throughout the province have access to culturally appropriate mental health and addiction supports.

We know that more needs to be done, Mr. Speaker, and we are working to ensure, through the different investments that are being made, that the care that is culturally safe and appropriate is being provided to all communities in the province.

Taxation

Mr. Dave Smith: Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Energy.

Last Thursday, the Prime Minister finally recognized what the Premier has been saying for years: The carbon tax is raising the price of everything. After years of pushing energy costs higher, the Prime Minister has finally announced he was pausing the carbon tax—but only on home heating oil and only for three years.

Over the weekend, I heard from many of my constituents who heat with natural gas or propane, who are concerned that the federal government is leaving them out in the cold this winter. No one should be choosing between heating and eating.

Speaker, to the minister: Is it true that the federal government is going to continue to raise the carbon tax on my constituents who heat with natural gas or propane?

Hon. Todd Smith: Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, the member from Peterborough is correct yet again. The Prime Minister clearly stated that this pause that was announced last week to the federal carbon tax is only going to apply to those who use home heating oil, which is only 2.5% of the people in Ontario, Mr. Speaker.

The vast majority of the people in Ontario—more than 70% of them, Mr. Speaker—are using lower-emission forms of energy, like propane and natural gas, and what they’re going to see is the carbon tax continue to go up and up and up. That means more money out of their pockets, Mr. Speaker, at a time when affordability is tough for people across Ontario.

As the Premier just mentioned, the carbon tax is driving up the price of gasoline—it’s driving up the price of housing, it’s driving up grocery prices, Mr. Speaker.

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

Supplementary question?

Mr. Dave Smith: Thank you to the minister for that.

I truly do not understand why the federal government is intentionally leaving out Ontarians from relief on their federal taxes on their energy bills.

Families and businesses in my riding have told me that they’re already feeling the impact of the carbon tax on their bills every single month. They can’t afford higher taxes that the opposition Liberals and the NDP want to impose.

Speaker, does the minister know how much higher the good people of Peterborough–Kawartha can expect their energy bills to go if the federal government continues to deny any relief to Ontario?

Hon. Todd Smith: Speaker, I’m not surprised that families in the member’s riding are already feeling the impact of the federal carbon tax.

Just this year alone, the federal tax is adding almost $300 to households on their natural gas heating alone, Mr. Speaker. That’s more than $24 a month. The same goes for households that heat with propane, which are already paying $250 more in taxes this year.

But it’s not going to stop there, Mr. Speaker. By 2030, the federal government—with the opposition parties’ support here at Queen’s Park that includes the current Liberal caucus and the NDP opposition, Mr. Speaker—wants to nearly triple the carbon tax across Canada. The feds aren’t done yet, is the bottom line.

Ontarians can’t afford higher taxes, especially at this time, Mr. Speaker, and these parties—the Liberals, the NDP and the federal Liberals—couldn’t be more out of touch. While we’re reducing the cost of living, they’re continuing to make it more and more expensive for the people of Canada.

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

The next question.

Education funding

Ms. Chandra Pasma: Our kids deserve support, but this government is critically underfunding schools across the province. Despite years of high inflation and the need for greater supports, education spending is down $1,200 per student, thanks to this government.

The minister’s attempts at creative accounting and messaging can’t hide the impact, and it’s our kids who are paying the price. Will the government commit to restoring per-student funding to where it was before their cuts?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): To reply, the Minister of Education.

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Mr. Speaker, kids pay the price when the NDP sit on the sidelines and do not urge their union friends to get a deal with this government that keeps kids in class. That’s when they pay the price, when you lack the courage to urge your union federation friends to get off their hands and sign a deal that keeps kids in class. They pay the price when you vote against a budget that increases funding to a historic high of $700 million more this year just compared to last year.

They pay the price when the NDP and the Liberals vote against 2,000 additional front-line educators supporting our kids with an emphasis on literacy and math. Mr. Speaker, you pay the price. These kids pay the price when they oppose our efforts to go back to basics in the classroom, which every parent in this province wants.

We’re going to stand up for common sense in our education system, for a more quality-focused system that lifts standards on reading, writing and math. We’re going to stand up for students and demand better for the people of this province.

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

Ms. Chandra Pasma: There is one person in this chamber who can do more than anything else to protect our kids’ school year, and it is that minister, who is refusing to set negotiating dates with unions.

Teachers and education workers are united in fighting for better conditions for our schools. They’re looking for more supports for our students with special needs, mental health resources, a strategy to address violence in schools and for an acknowledgement of the staffing crisis that we are facing. Both the elementary teachers’ federation and the Catholic teachers have won strong strike mandates.

Will the minister finally come to the table now and bargain in good faith to protect our kids’ school year?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Mr. Speaker, there the member goes again, standing with the unions on a strike vote instead of urging them to sign a deal that keeps kids in school. They have a duty to stand up for their constituents, and while it’s clear that this is an issue that brings a great sense of defensive energy from the NDP—because I know they’re now finally being acknowledged for standing with unions instead of standing with parents and demanding kids stay in school.

We’re going to go back to basics. We’re going to increase funding and increase staffing, and we’re going to demand better for Ontario’s students in this province.

Housing

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: Good morning, everyone.

My question is for the Premier. The government is scared. They’re scared of what the RCMP criminal investigation might uncover about the $8.3-billion greenbelt deal. They’re scared of what might be revealed in the 7,000-page FOI to be released later today. They’re scared that they just can’t maintain their promise to get 1.5 million homes built by 2031. They’re scared that they just don’t have it in them to get it done. That’s why they have to water down the deal.

Mr. Speaker, a bed is not a home, and it should not count as such. We desperately need more long-term-care units, but classifying them as housing is complete malarkey, as experts and analysts did not include these much-needed beds in Ontario’s housing needs. The Premier himself has said that the target numbers actually should be 1.8 million homes, given recent population growth. So why water it down now?

My question—

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

To reply, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Speaker, do you know the last time I was afraid? It was in 2018, when we had to look at the books of the province of Ontario.

Now, let’s listen to what the member opposite just said—and to be clear, the Leader of the Opposition today doubled down on this. They have both said that long-term-care homes are not homes. Well, let me tell you something: When I was the Minister of Long-Term Care—and this Minister of Long-Term Care is doubling down because, you know what, it is a home. It is a home for every single—

Interjections.

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

Let’s start again. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has the floor.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Let me say this: I dare the members opposite to go into a long-term-care home and tell a senior that the home they are living in is not a home. There are 30,000 seniors who will have a brand new home because of the work that this province and this Premier and that Minister of Long-Term Care are doing, Mr. Speaker. That is 30,000 seniors who will have a home that never could have imagined it under the Liberals and the NDP.

Interjections.

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

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: Enough of the distractions, Mr. Speaker. The bottom line is, this government is failing on its promise to build homes. The province is relying on accounting trickery, and it’s not even Halloween yet. Rather than actually moving forward with getting homes built, they find loopholes to attempt to reach their goal, like counting long-term-care beds.

Can we just, for once, stop with the distractions, with the debauchery, with the dynamics and focus on the task at hand: to actually build housing—in a housing crisis, no less? There are simple solutions. Be bold. Legalize building up on transit corridors and on provincially owned lands. Start with Danforth Avenue, which runs through the middle of my riding.

My question to the Premier is: When will the government commit to building up along transit corridors and building in our own backyards on provincially owned lands?

Hon. Doug Ford: Well, Mr. Speaker, you know something? I have a great respect for Triple M over there, but sometimes the cheese slips off the cracker.

In your own riding, Triple M, we created 370 long-term—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. I’m going to caution the Premier on his language, and I’m going to allow him to continue.

Hon. Doug Ford: Thank you, Mr. Speaker—370 homes in her riding alone. We are building 30,000 long-term-care homes. Your party in 15 years created 611. Thirty thousand versus 611—a big difference.

But they voted against creating more long-term-care homes. They voted against hospitals, voted against the roads to get to the hospitals, voted against the highways to get to the hospitals. They would be against a permit to build a doghouse; they’d vote against it. That’s what they’re about. We get the job done. They sit back, and all they do is complain.

Taxation

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: My question is to the Minister of Energy. My colleague the member for Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston has put forward a strong motion that calls on the federal government to take immediate steps to eliminate the carbon tax on fuels and inputs for home heating.

For many individuals and families, especially in northern Ontario, the use of fuels to heat their homes is a necessity, not a luxury. Unfortunately, for many people in rural, remote, and northern Ontario cities, they are extremely limited in the options they have when it comes to heating their homes. It is not right and it is unfair that they are being punished by this regressive carbon tax simply because of the fuel that they need to survive.

Speaker, through you, can the minister please speak to what impact eliminating the carbon tax would have on the energy bills of so many Ontarians, especially in rural, remote and northern communities?

Hon. Todd Smith: I want to thank the member from Carleton for a great question. She’s absolutely right once again: Heating fuels like natural gas and propane are often the only options for people in rural and remote parts of Ontario, including our First Nations. Over 70% of Ontarians heat their homes with natural gas and propane. Just this year alone, the federal carbon tax, as we’ve already established, is adding hundreds of dollars to those customers’ bills, making life more unaffordable—it’s about $25 a month per family.

These families and households are still facing the same challenges as the 2.5% of people who use home heating fuel. They’re the only ones that are being exempted from the carbon tax by Canada’s federal government. It doesn’t make any sense. Why are we not exempting all of those other people that are heating with natural gas and propane from the carbon tax as well?

I want to thank the member from Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston for a great motion, and hopefully the Liberal caucus here will stop turning themselves in knots—

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

Supplementary question?

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: Thank you to the minister for his response. The carbon tax is driving up the cost of utilities, as it is driving up the cost on everything. I, myself, live in a rural

part in the riding of Carleton, and I’m on propane, and the bills have gone up exponentially. Life is simply more unaffordable today because of the imposition of the federal carbon tax. Sadly, it is even forcing individuals and families to once again have to choose between heating and eating. This is especially concerning as we are approaching winter.

Unfortunately, not everyone in the Legislature shares the same view about the negative impacts that the carbon tax has had on so many Ontarians and our electricity system. As we saw last week, the opposition Liberals voted against our motion to remove the carbon tax on groceries.

Speaker, through you, can the minister please share the concerns of so many Ontarians regarding why anyone would ever support this regressive carbon tax?

Hon. Todd Smith: It’s actually shameful that the members of the Liberal caucus here, all nine of them, are sitting here in the Legislature and support a carbon tax every step of the way. We’ve seen the movie before. That’s why this party has been reduced to nine seats in the Legislature. They wait until the very last minute, when people can’t afford to heat or eat in their communities, and then they try to do something about it. This party continues to support the federal government in this carbon tax, one that is going to triple over the next number of years, driving more people into energy poverty—

Interjection.

Hon. Todd Smith: I can’t believe the member from Ottawa South is chirping over there. He sat there in his seat when the provincial Liberals were driving up the cost of everything in our province.

The Premier has already said it this morning: The carbon tax is wrong. It’s not fair to the people of Ontario. We need the opposition parties in this Legislature to join us and encourage the feds to scrap—

Interjections.

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

Affordable housing

Mr. Wayne Gates: My question is to the Premier. It has become quite clear to the public that this government is far from meeting their promised housing target of 1.5 million homes. Now we learn that they have quietly included long-term-care beds in their total housing-built numbers. I’m not sure if the minister’s old documents got mixed up with his new portfolio, but he should be clear that Ontario has both a housing crisis and a long-term-care crisis. We’re not fixing either by just padding the numbers.

Could the Premier tell us the real numbers today and let Ontarians know how far off they are from meeting their housing goals?

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

Hon. Stan Cho: The member asked for some numbers. Let’s give him some numbers, shall we? The 15 years when they propped up the Liberals, they build 611 beds for seniors in this province. That’s over 15 years. This government, since 2018, has built or shovels in the ground, 18,000.

Now, the member questioned counting those spaces in long-term-care homes as homes. Well, I dare the member to go to Pleasant Manor in Niagara Falls, where we just announced hundreds of new beds, and tell the amazing seniors who live there that they are not living in homes. Because our government disagrees, Speaker. They are absolutely homes, and we are building 58,000 of them under this Premier’s leadership. We are not going to take lessons from NDP. We’re going to make sure the seniors in this province have the respect and dignity they—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

The supplementary question.

Mr. Wayne Gates: Mr. Speaker, I want to be clear. If you’d invest in home care, we wouldn’t have the number of seniors that are going to live in long-term care. And that’s where they want to live. That’s the reality. Their home is home with their families.

You don’t need to take lessons from me; I’ll teach you. As we witness the declining housing starts in the province of Ontario, the people of our province are left in dire need. Your solution: just add the numbers together and hope nobody notices. But it’s not accurate, and it means we’re far off from tackli