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May 10, 2021

42nd Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2021-May-10 (PDF)

L260 - Mon 10 May 2021 / Lun 10 mai 2021

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 10 May 2021 Lundi 10 mai 2021

Private Members’ Public Business

Christopher’s Law (Sex Offender Registry) Amendment Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 modifiant la Loi Christopher sur le registre des délinquants sexuels

Report, Financial Accountability Officer

Members’ Statements

COVID-19 immunization

Pipelines

COVID-19 immunization

Firefighters

National Nursing Week

COVID-19 response

Firefighters

Human trafficking

Sandra Winspear

Mother’s Day

Wearing of ribbons

Question Period

Long-term care

COVID-19 response

COVID-19 response

Border security

Employment standards

Long-term care

Border security

Long-term care

Child care

Border security

Post-secondary education

COVID-19 response

COVID-19 immunization

COVID-19 response

Automobile insurance

Deferred Votes

Inherent Right to Safe Drinking Water Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 sur le droit inhérent à de l’eau potable saine

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on General Government

Standing Committee on General Government

Standing Committee on General Government

Introduction of Bills

Day of Remembrance and Action Against Anti-Asian Racism Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 sur la Journée du souvenir et d’action contre le racisme anti-asiatique

Long-Term Care Commission’s Recommendations Reporting Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 sur la communication des recommandations de la commission d’enquête sur les foyers de soins de longue durée

Statements by the Ministry and Responses

Police Week

Petitions

Optometry services

Optometry services

Long-term care

Optometry services

Optometry services

Documents gouvernementaux

Consideration of Bill 112

Orders of the Day

Lupus Awareness Day Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 sur la Journée de sensibilisation au lupus

Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 ouvrant des perspectives dans les métiers spécialisés

The House met at 0900.

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

Prayers.

Private Members’ Public Business

Christopher’s Law (Sex Offender Registry) Amendment Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 modifiant la Loi Christopher sur le registre des délinquants sexuels

Mr. Dave Smith moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill 281,

An Act to amend Christopher’s Law (Sex Offender Registry), 2000 / Projet de loi 281, Loi modifiant la Loi Christopher de 2000 sur le registre des délinquants sexuels.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Pursuant to standing order 101, the member has 12 minutes to make his presentation.

Mr. Dave Smith: Christopher’s Law—I’ll give a little bit of background on it first—was first introduced and passed in 2000. The reasoning behind it was, we know that when a child is abducted, police agencies have about 24 hours to find the individual in order for them to be safe, and after 48 hours, the likelihood of finding that individual safe diminishes significantly. Christopher, the child the bill is named after, was one such individual who they did not find safe. He had been abducted by a convicted sex offender.

What Christopher’s Law does is, it creates a registry of sexual offenders in Ontario and it allows police enforcement agencies to have access to it because, if a child is abducted and the police know of someone who is a registered sex offender in the neighbourhood or in the area, and they have the address and contact information for that individual, they have a starting place to look. It’s not to suggest that in every case this will prevent something horrible from happening to one of these children; it’s just another tool in the tool box.

We are 21 years since this law first came into effect and, at present, the only organizations that have access to it are law enforcement agencies. I firmly believe that in this case, an ounce of prevention is worth far more than a pound of cure. What I’m proposing in this bill is to open up the sex registry to make it more public.

I have had people who have reached out to me and said, “Will this not create vigilantism?” The purpose of this change is not to create vigilantism. It is not so that the average person can see that their next-door neighbour may or may not have been put on the registry. What this is for is to help with companion agencies so that others can have access to it.

Think about this for a moment: The children’s aid society of Ontario is there to protect children. The only way that they have access to this registry is if there is an open and active joint investigation with the police.

I’m going to talk about a specific incident. I will change some of the facts so that you can’t identify who it is, but in one case during COVID-19, a child needed to be placed with someone else because of some COVID-19 issues. The logical choice was a family member, because the CAS tries, wherever possible, to place someone with kin. A close family friend, who has a child the same age—these children are very good friends—stepped forward to CAS and volunteered to take the child temporarily because of this COVID-19 issue.

There was an investigation done by CAS to determine who would be the best to take the child. In the end, they decided to go with the close family friend because they lived in the same neighbourhood; there would be far less disruption. It turns out that the family member is a convicted pedophile and CAS did not have access to that information. But for the grace of God, a family friend stepped forward, knew that there was an issue—did not know exactly what the issue was but did not feel comfortable with that family member. Luckily, a crisis was averted as a result of it.

Had CAS had access to the Ontario Sex Offender Registry, they would never have considered this individual. We dodged a bullet. We have a child today who is safe because a family friend stepped up to do what was right, because they felt uncomfortable. They didn’t know why, but they felt uncomfortable. We almost placed a vulnerable child with a convicted pedophile because we did not have something in place that would have prevented it. The only way that CAS would have had access to that information is if there was a joint investigation with the police. Then the police could have shared that information. That’s a miss. That’s where an ounce of prevention is worth far more than a pound of cure.

We have sexual assault centres that do fantastic work in this province, counselling and helping those who have been victims of sexual assault. They do not have access to this information. When someone comes into a sexual assault centre and discloses that they have been sexually assaulted, if one of the workers there had access to the registry, they could determine if this is a pattern of behaviour from the perpetrator and help in their counselling to let that individual know they did nothing wrong—to help them that way. We currently do not give them these tools, and that is a miss.

When someone comes into the emergency room after being assaulted, hospital staff do not have access to this information. Frequently, what I have been told is that when someone comes in, they do not want to press charges. They do not want to go to the police. They make excuses for the individual who assaulted them. If they had access to that information, they could demonstrate that it’s a pattern of behaviour and it is something that is not the victim’s fault. You can demonstrate that at that moment and help them.

It’s not about adding additional punishment; it’s about preventing the next sexual assault from happening. Anything that we can do to prevent that is something that we should do. This is a tool in the tool box. It is a powerful tool because it demonstrates a pattern of behaviour.

I have another individual who used to be in my riding, and three times now—three times—he has been charged with sexual assault of an individual under the age of 15. Twice he has been convicted. Twice the federal system has released him. He’s on the Ontario Sex Offender Registry. If access were given to that, perhaps there wouldn’t be a fourth victim of his—we know there are two that he has been convicted of; we know he’s before the courts right now for a third. This individual is in his thirties. He will reoffend. He no longer lives in my community. My community knows of him. He has moved.

His new community does not know that he is a predator. His new community is at risk, and we need to prevent that.

We need to make sure that no vulnerable person is put in the position where they can be attacked or abused. We need to make sure that those who have a repeat history of doing these heinous crimes have every opportunity of doing it taken away from them, because it’s the right thing for us to do.

I’ve had people push back to me, as well, and say, “Christopher’s Law, the Ontario registry, allowed for those who are found not guilty because of mental health reasons—they were put on the registry at one point.” The Supreme Court of Canada has overturned that, and those individuals will be taken off the registry.

My concern is with those who are on the registry. If we know you are a convicted sexual predator, we should be doing everything possible to make sure you cannot take advantage of another human being. This is a tool in the tool box. At present, it is limited to just law enforcement agencies.

The Police Association of Ontario is supportive of these changes. They want the companion agencies to have access to it because it will prevent more sexual assault, more sexual abuse. They want to be able to share that information with those who are doing the work to help victims of crime, but they agree we need to make sure that we’re cautious with it as we move forward so that it doesn’t create a situation of vigilantism.

I truly understand the thought process behind the vigilantism. I will freely admit that I am a father of two daughters, and I’m not sure how I would react if someone were to assault one of my daughters, but I’m sure I would not react in a positive way. So I understand that desire for vigilantism.

That’s why we want this to go to committee. We want to get as much feedback as possible, to make sure that we’re crafting it in the most appropriate way, to allow the best access, to prevent these heinous crimes from continuing, to stop the next person from creating another victim, to stop that cycle of abuse. And the sooner we can get it to committee to make sure that we have all of those things done correctly, the better it will be.

I truly hope that everyone in the House sees this as something that we should do and will get behind it and support it.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): Further debate?

Mr. John Vanthof: It’s always an honour to be able to stand in the House—and this morning, to debate Bill 281, the bill brought forward by the member from Peterborough–Kawartha. I listened intently to his remarks, and as a father, I appreciate his remarks—as a member of this House, as well.

Christopher’s Law is over 20 years old. Our Sex Offender Registry is over 20 years old. It was the first registry of its type introduced in Canada. I think Ontarians should be proud of that. “Proud” perhaps isn’t the right word. It would be better if we didn’t need such legislation. It would be better, but the human race is the human race. The focus should be on protecting the vulnerable. That’s why it was named Christopher’s Law in the first place—to commemorate a tragic incident.

We look forward to this bill going to committee. We look forward to a sober committee process, where experts are brought forward to make sure that the goal the member has stated—to protect the vulnerable and also to protect against vigilantism—is accomplished. The way to do that is to bring this bill to committee, give ample time for those who we need to hear from to depute, have a healthy debate, and truly consult with the people who deal with these issues, sadly, on a regular basis.

This is an issue that will be decided by us, those elected to represent, but it should be informed by people who have expertise—also those who have personal stories to share—on how we can best serve the young people of Ontario, protect them and all Ontarians in the best way possible.

I commend the member for bringing this bill forward. Private members’ bills is a time when all of us try to bring forward bills that perhaps aren’t—and some are—on the political radar of the day, but are issues that are incredibly important. The member brought forward several anecdotes of why he brought this bill forward. I commend him for that.

Once again, we look forward to this bill going to committee. We support Christopher’s Law, and we support this bill going forward. If Christopher’s Law can be made to serve all the people of Ontario in a better fashion, we support that, as well.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): Further debate?

Mr. Will Bouma: I appreciate the opportunity to speak briefly to Bill 281, Christopher’s Law amendment act, brought forward by my friend and colleague from Peterborough–Kawartha.

Bill 281 would require the Ministry of the Attorney General to make the information recorded on the Sex Offender Registry available to the public in accordance with the regulations. Bill 281 states that any disclosure of personal information made public would be deemed to be in compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

We’ve already heard that Christopher’s Law came into effect back in 2000 and requires individuals who are convicted of sexual offences to register with the Ontario Sex Offender Registry and report to probation on a regular basis, including when they change their address. Currently, however, only police agencies have access to this registry.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all seen the data that there has been an increase of instances of sexual violence. Speaker, it is incumbent on everyone to raise awareness of these issues and highlight how our most vulnerable are often the target of predators. Studies have shown that within the first five years of release, 14% of sexual offenders had a new charge or conviction for a sexual offence. We must use every resource available to prevent the tragedy of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, particularly when vulnerable individuals are involved.

This bill proposes more public access to the registry, specifically for organizations that work tirelessly to keep vulnerable sectors safe.

Locally, in my riding of Brantford–Brant, we hear about these horrific acts. Published in the Brantford Expositor on November 4, 2020: “A 37-year-old man is facing child pornography charges after police say they executed a search warrant Nov. 3....

“The man faces separate charges of accessing, possessing and distributing child pornography and two counts of failing to comply with an undertaking.”

Speaker, another recent publication from the Brantford Expositor, on February 8, 2021: “A 40-year-old Brantford man is facing child pornography charges after police said they executed a search warrant Feb. 2....

“Police said ... they seized several computers, electronic devices and a prohibited weapon in the culmination of a month-long probe by the Internet Child Exploitation unit, prompted by online conversations that resulted in the investigation of child luring.”

And another Brantford Expositor publication, from March 15, 2021: “A vehicle stop by Brantford police ... led to an arrest and three electronic devices being seized related to child pornography.

“Police say they stopped a vehicle on Wayne Gretzky Parkway at about 2:40 a.m. and discovered the 25-year-old driver ... was bound by a condition not to possess electronic devices capable of storing images and videos.

“Police say they found a cellphone in the vehicle, which contained child porn.

“The driver was arrested for breaching his recognizance of bail and possession of child pornography.

“The next day, the Internet Child Exploitation unit of the Brantford Police Service executed two search warrants at two residences associated with the arrested man.”

Again, it is incumbent on everyone to raise awareness of these issues and to highlight how our most vulnerable are often the targets of predators. We must use every resource available to prevent the tragedy of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, particularly when vulnerable individuals are involved. That’s why I’m thankful that this bill has been brought forward. I look forward to supporting it.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): Further debate?

Ms. Jane McKenna: Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise in the House today to speak to the member for Peterborough–Kawartha’s private member’s bill.

Sexual violence crosses all social boundaries. It affects people of every age, culture and background, and it has devastating and lasting impacts on the lives of survivors and their families.

Madam Speaker, anyone can be a victim of sexual assault, but women and girls are especially at high risk. Females are more than six times as likely as males to be victims of sexual assault, and children are particularly vulnerable: Approximately 67% of all victims of reported sexual assaults are under the age of 18, and more than half of these victims are under the age of 12.

Unfortunately, the sexual abuse of adults and children is not only widespread, it’s vastly under-reported.

Back in 2000, the Ontario Legislature passed Christopher’s Law (Sex Offender Registry). The goal of Christopher’s Law is to:

—ensure the safety and security of all Ontarians;

—provide police forces with access to information about the whereabouts of sex offenders in order to assist in the important work of maintaining community safety;

—provide information and investigative tools that police forces need to prevent and solve crimes of a sexual nature.

The Ontario Sex Offender Registry is a database that provides 24-hour support for police services throughout the province. The registry is operated and maintained by the OPP on behalf of the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Currently, the Sex Offender Registry is made available as a resource only to police services. Bill 281 would amend Christopher’s Law to require the ministry to provide more public access to the information recorded on the Sex Offender Registry; specifically, for organizations that work tirelessly to keep vulnerable sectors safe, like children’s aid societies and rape crisis centres.

Madam Speaker, it is estimated that in Canada, one in three women and one in eight men will experience sexual violence. Looking at data from the 2016 census, there were 101,260 victims of violent crime and criminal traffic offences causing death or bodily harm reported by the police in Ontario. Overall, 9% of police-reported victims were victims of sexual offences and nearly 87% of all victims were female. As a mother and grandmother, it is particularly concerning that 46% of all female victims of sexual offences were under the age of 17.

Madam Speaker, we know that most sexual offences are committed by people who are known to the victim—a close relative, friend, acquaintance or co-worker.

We also know that within the first five years of release, 14% of sex offenders had a new charge or conviction for a sexual offence.

Ontarians expect law enforcement to use every resource available to prevent the tragedy of sexual violence and misconduct, particularly when children are involved. That’s why this bill is so important.

If passed, Bill 281 will provide access to the Ontario Sex Offender Registry, for the first time, to organizations that work with those most at risk. This simple change could make a big difference. That’s why I support this bill.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): Further debate?

Ms. Donna Skelly: I am pleased to rise in the House this morning to speak to Bill 281,

An Act to amend Christopher’s Law, a proposal to require the ministry to make information recorded on the Sex Offender Registry available to the public.

I want to begin by commending the member for Peterborough–Kawartha for introducing this amendment—an amendment which I believe will have a profound impact on preventing the sexual assault of children and adults by making criminal history more accessible to more people.

Madam Speaker, currently, the Sex Offender Registry is a resource only available to police services, and that is simply not good enough. As we have heard this morning, studies have shown that within the first five years of release, 14% of sexual offenders have had a new charge or conviction for a sexual offence, and yet unsuspecting victims may live near or work alongside a repeat sexual offender for years without ever being told of their criminal past. Could knowledge of the criminal history of a sexual offender prevent an assault? I believe it could, and I believe that Bill 281 will go a very long way in doing just that.

Before entering politics, I worked as a journalist for over 30 years. Much of that time was spent either in a courtroom or behind a desk reporting on the sexual assault of children, women and men. I have been out of the newsroom for many years and yet, on any day of the week, I can pick up a newspaper or turn on a television set and tune in to a newscast and what I see is a disturbing trend that simply hasn’t changed. In fact, it’s probably worse today than it was when I was in the newsroom—and that, of course, is the number of cases of sexual assault by repeat offenders.

Bill 281 addresses that ugly reality. If passed, Bill 281 will amend Christopher’s Law—which is the Sex Offender Registry passed 21 years ago, and it will allow the public to view the registry.

People who work with and care for children have a right to know if someone they are considering hiring has sexually assaulted a child. That knowledge could prevent the unimaginable. Could you imagine how many times a child predator has been given access to a child in foster care or was working as a volunteer, simply because he or she did not have their sexual history made public?

Organizations that support vulnerable adults should be permitted access to the Sex Offender Registry to ensure that a potential volunteer or employee has never been convicted of sexual assault. That critical information should not be withheld.

Madam Speaker, while Bill 281 will provide a valuable tool to increase awareness of, and hopefully prevent, sexual assault, it will do so within specific guidelines. This act would allow disclosure of such a criminal history, as long as:

(

a) That information is in accordance with the regulations;

(

b) Any disclosure of personal information is deemed to be in compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act; and

(

c) Limitations and restrictions will apply to the disclosure of information.

It is necessary that we raise awareness of these issues. We must use every resource, every tool available to prevent the tragedy of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, particularly when vulnerable individuals are involved.

Once again, I commend the member from Peterborough–Kawartha for bringing forward Bill 281, and I look forward to voting in support of such an important public safety measure.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): Further debate? Further debate? I return to the member for Peterborough–Kawartha.

Mr. Dave Smith: I want to thank the member from Timiskaming–Cochrane, the member from Brantford–Brant, the member from Burlington and the member from Flamborough–Glanbrook for their comments.

When I first proposed this and started talking about it with different individuals in my community, we had a number of people who came forward and suggested that the debt to society was paid once someone had come out of jail. I would argue that your debt to society is paid, if you’re a sexual predator, once you’re taken off the registry—and you’re not taken off the registry ever, and you shouldn’t be, because you’ve committed a heinous crime. You have damaged someone else’s life, if they were able to live, and you’ve taken away other lives. So you should be stuck on that registry for the rest of your life, and people should know the risk that you put forward.

It’s not possible to look around and say this person will be a sexual predator or that person will be a sexual predator. You can’t look at a single career and say people will navigate to that or migrate to it.

Since March of last year, in my riding, two school teachers—one retired elementary teacher and one current high school teacher—have been charged with sexual crimes against children. We have a radio personality who has been charged.

We have to get this bill through, to protect as many people as possible.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): The time provided for private members’ public business has expired.

Mr. Smith has moved second reading of Bill 281,

An Act to amend Christopher’s Law (Sex Offender Registry), 2000.

Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? That’s carried.

Second reading agreed to.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): Pursuant to standing order 101(h), the bill is referred to the Committee of the Whole House.

The member for Peterborough–Kawartha.

Mr. Dave Smith: Could I refer it to justice policy, please?

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): Is the majority in favour of this bill being referred to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy? Agreed. The bill is referred to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy.

Orders of the day. The member for Barrie–Innisfil.

Ms. Andrea Khanjin: No further business.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): There being no further business, this House stands recessed until 10:15.

The House recessed from 0934 to 1015.

Report, Financial Accountability Officer

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Before I invite members to present their members’ statements, I beg to inform the House that the following document has been tabled: a report entitled 2021 Ministry of Health Spending Plan Review, from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario.

Members’ Statements

COVID-19 immunization

Ms. Doly Begum: Speaker, I continue to hear from families whose loved ones in their eighties or nineties are homebound and still have no answers from this government regarding when they can get vaccinated.

My constituent Mary Fitzpatrick has been caring for her father, Thomas, who is 97 years old. He is almost blind. He has diabetes, congestive heart failure, kidney disease. And he is unable to walk. This family spent weeks on the phone trying to get answers from the LHIN, TPH and the Ministry of Health, and just recently, Thomas finally got his vaccine.

Ontario’s COVID-19 science advisory table suggested that there are 75,000 homebound Ontarians aged 65 and up, out of which 12,000 live in Scarborough. Many have been isolated from their families and caregivers for months and months. These people are suffering severely from physical and mental health deterioration. All of these individuals were eligible in phase 1 of the vaccination rollout, yet they’re still waiting.

After months of calling on this government, we’re finally entering a phase of stable supply and getting more needles into arms. Pop-ups in Scarborough have been administering close to 10,000 doses a week. We now finally have more vaccine supply, but the government’s vaccine rollout plan is continuing to leave people behind.

Speaker, we need to ensure equitable access to vaccines for all vulnerable populations, and that means having a strategy for those homebound community members eagerly waiting to get vaccinated.

Pipelines

Mr. Robert Bailey: It’s a privilege to rise in the House today to speak once again about a very important subject for the people of Ontario: line 5.

In just a few short days, we will have arrived at the May 12 deadline to shut down line 5 imposed by the governor of Michigan. Line 5 is a critical piece of energy infrastructure that helps heat homes and businesses and that provides the light crude oil that refineries in Ontario, Quebec, Michigan and Ohio turn into more than 6,000 products—from medicines and vitamins, to eyeglasses, phones, computers, cars, bicycles, cleaning products and solar panels, line 5 helps make it possible.

Forcing the shutdown of line 5 will create an energy shortage that will lead to a spike in energy and fuel prices at a vulnerable time for the people of Ontario, Quebec and the Great Lakes regions—by disrupting the supply of crude oil to 10 regional refineries. The trucks and trains that will be added to the roads and railways to try to make up this difference will add to congestion and compete with agricultural and other products, while increasing safety risks and emissions.

In March, members of this Legislature voted in support of recognizing that natural resources like oil and gas are responsible for thousands of jobs in Ontario and that energy pipelines like line 5 are the safest way to move energy resources.

COVID-19 immunization

Ms. Rima Berns-McGown: The vaccine rollout in Ontario has been chaotic and horribly inequitable.

In Beaches–East York, there are hot spot postal codes that are still not on the provincial list, even though Toronto Public Health and Michael Garron Hospital know that they are hot spots and have been treating them that way since the beginning of the pandemic. The riding has some of the deepest pockets of poverty in the city—communities of essential workers who struggle to get vaccinated because the only way the hospital can deliver vaccines is via first-come, first-served pop-ups that depend on people lining up for hours.

Beaches–East Yorkers who don’t live in hot spot areas are also frustrated and, at this point, enraged by the rollout and at the fact that the government paid General Hillier $20,000 a month to leave us with this disaster.

Many people don’t have the time or Internet savvy to spend hours following volunteer Twitter accounts to track the elusive vaccine. If you don’t have a car so you can drop everything and drive across the city to some pop-up that happens to have extra slots, or if you don’t know someone who knows someone who can get you hooked up, you’re out of luck.

Getting a vaccine when the city of Toronto is still on fire with COVID-19 should not feel like hunting tickets to a sold-out concert. It shouldn’t feel like The Hunger Games.

Lives depend upon the government getting this right. It’s high time the Premier fixed it.

Firefighters

Mr. Lorne Coe: Last Wednesday, Ontario’s fire marshal announced a groundbreaking partnership with Wounded Warriors Canada that will provide a clinically facilitated, digital mental health program, titled Core Trauma Concepts, to Ontario’s fire services. Funding for this program was received through the government’s mental health and addictions fund.

Speaker, Core Trauma Concepts introduces important trauma fundamentals by providing culturally appropriate education and training to enhance the resiliency of trauma-exposed organizations, such as Ontario’s fire services.

Wounded Warriors Canada is situated in my riding, and I would like to thank them for their continued leadership in providing new and innovative mental health programming for our veterans, first responders and their families.

National Nursing Week

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: This is National Nursing Week.

As we all know, nurses do incredible work under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. They are educated, skilled and compassionate people.

During the pandemic, they’ve gone above and beyond what is reasonable to expect from any person. They are burnt out, underappreciated. And many nurses are leaving a career they love but can’t physically, emotionally or mentally carry out any more.

Speaker, I thought it was fitting that on National Nursing Week I share thoughts directly from Birgit Umaigba, who is an ICU nurse. Birgit wrote:

“As she took her last breath,

“I held her hand gently, stroked through her curly hair as tears rolled down my cheeks, and around my tightly fitted N95 mask. Her family couldn’t be with her in that moment.

“I was her family, and her nurse....

“Nurses week reminds me of the many times we’ve had to play the role of family and nurse to a dying patient. The heartbreaking moment of holding an iPad, as we cried with families watching their loved ones die....

“ ... of how committed we are to our patients despite inequitable policies constantly working against us. We show up despite being exhausted, overworked and underpaid. Today, we mourn our patients and nurses who have lost their lives to COVID-19....

“We remember our fallen colleagues as we advocate for safer work-conditions, vaccination of nurses and all frontline workers, mental health support, and the elimination of #Bill124. There is no #NursesWeek without equitable policies for nurses....

“There is no nurses week without adequate, permanent, universal TEN paid sick days.”

Speaker, the theme for nurses week is #WeAnswerTheCall. This nursing week, let’s listen to nurses and answer their call.

COVID-19 response

Mrs. Belinda C. Karahalios: It has been 14 long months of flip-flop decisions and gaslighting from this government, led by Premier Ford. Every lockdown, every restriction, every decision with regard to COVID-19 has, apparently, been because the government was listening to the doctors, following the science and the advice of their science table.

Well, Speaker, two days ago, on May 8, it was reported that the Canadian Paediatric Society is calling on this government to “immediately reopen outdoor recreation spaces, saying the closure is having devastating effects on children and youth amid the COVID-19 pandemic.” They cite a study led by SickKids which showed that 70% of Ontario children aged six to 18 years of age reported deterioration in their mental health.

I quote from the letter from the CPS: “Social isolation is by far the biggest predictor of poor mental health for children, and it is completely preventable.”

Dr. Isaac Bogoch agrees that closing recreational activities does not make sense. He said, “The science is clear: Outdoor transmission is extremely rare.”

Dr. David Fisman, a physician on the Premier’s own science table, has said that you’re taking away the safe options from people.

I don’t know what science the Premier was following when he made the decision to close tennis courts, baseball diamonds, golf courses and soccer fields, but the Premier needs to reopen our outdoor recreation spaces and let our children get back to school.

Firefighters

Mr. Will Bouma: I rise in the House today to reflect on May 4, International Firefighters’ Day. Worldwide, we took a moment to remember and acknowledge those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty and the countless men and women working daily to protect us.

Today I wish to recognize the dedication of our firefighters, both career and volunteer, here in Ontario and in my riding of Brantford–Brant. These past 15 months have added an additional layer of stress to the work of these first responders, and I commend them for their dedication to our communities.

As a volunteer firefighter, I witnessed first-hand the bravery and commitment of my colleagues. Often, we see life at its worst, whether that be the destruction of property by the ravages of fire or the tragedy of an accident. To run into a burning building when everyone else is running out requires selflessness.

And here, we also need to take a moment to recognize the families and friends of our firefighters, who know the daily risks but surround them with their support and love.

The firefighter’s creed so accurately sums up the values by which these men and women live: “I shall sell my life dearly to my enemy fire but give it freely to rescue those in peril. With God’s help.”

Let our appreciation for the work they do be expressed throughout the year.

Human trafficking

Mr. Jamie West: The Ontario Newspaper Awards celebrate excellence in journalism among newspapers outside Toronto.

I’m proud to report that Sudbury Star reporter Mary Katherine Keown’s December 11

article “Trafficked: An Examination of Human Trafficking in Greater Sudbury” has earned her an Ontario Newspaper Award for beat reporting.

I’m going to share a portion of this excellent article. “Human trafficking happens everywhere, including Greater Sudbury. It is more common than we think ... and it affects all stratospheres of society.”

“On a slow night, Wendy”—it’s not her real name—“says she would meet with at least five men.

“‘A lot of them had wedding rings on,’ she says. ‘I have met with lawyers, doctors, police officers; all sorts of higher-ups you wouldn’t think would be into this underground world, but there are a lot of shocking people you come across. And there are those at the lower end of the scale, but for the most part, it’s professional men.’

“Wendy was shuffled between cities; she says it is known as touring. She went from Sudbury to Timmins, then Barrie, Orangeville, Mississauga, Toronto, Hamilton and Sault Ste. Marie.”

“Wendy asked that her real name not be used.” Of course, Mary Katherine complied. “It was a no-brainer. Once you hear what she endured, you, too, would understand why she wishes to remain anonymous.”

As the MPP for Sudbury, I want to thank Sudbury Star reporter Mary Katherine Keown for putting a local spotlight on the province-wide scourge of human trafficking. I invite all members of this House to read the article.

I also challenge the Conservative government to ensure there’s adequate funding for affordable housing, transitional housing, legal aid support and all programs that provide immediate and long-term support and aid to people being trafficked.

Sandra Winspear

Mr. Norman Miller: I rise today to pay tribute to an amazing woman who has dedicated the last 25 years to ensuring palliative patients are as comfortable as possible and their families receive the support they need all right in Muskoka.

Sandra Winspear retired as executive director of Hospice Muskoka as of April 30. After watching her grandmother pass away in a ward room in hospital, Sandra devoted her life to redefining how we look at end-of-life care and became the driving force behind Hospice Muskoka. Working with the Andy Potts foundation and the community as a whole, Sandra oversaw the building and opening of Andy’s House, a beautiful hospice in Port Carling. After years of fundraising and construction, Andy’s House opened last year. The opening was one of the last public events I attended before the pandemic hit.

Sandra also started conversations about end-of-life care and about grieving. When she saw that our community didn’t have a lot of supports for grieving families, she created a support group for people dealing with the death of a loved one.

Sandra didn’t retire until she found the right person to take over her position. Hospice Muskoka is in great hands under the direction of Donna Kearney. Donna has been working at Hospice Muskoka since last August in the position of nurse practitioner and director of care.

On behalf of everyone whom Sandra has supported and all the residents of Parry Sound–Muskoka, I want to thank Sandra for all her work and wish her well in her retirement.

Mother’s Day

Mr. Stan Cho: Yesterday, on Mother’s Day, I, like many Ontarians, celebrated Mother’s Day in my community, including with my own mom, by dropping off a gift for her. Of course, for the second year in a row, because of this pandemic, Mother’s Day looked a little bit different. I know it’s hard for many people not to be able to give their mom a hug, because it has been very hard for me too.

My mom has been my biggest supporter and the heart of our family. She’s the most incredible woman I know. As an immigrant, an entrepreneur and an educator for over 20 years, she gave everything she had to me, my younger sister, my younger brother, and her community, and every opportunity to me and my siblings. My mom still turns on the Legislative Assembly channel every day to watch me in the House, and I know because I often get text messages telling me to fix my hair or sit up straight. I am so incredibly lucky to have her cheering me on. Although I don’t say it enough, I’m really proud of her.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of delivering carnations to mothers and grandmothers living in retirement homes in Willowdale. Although this year I could only drop them off at the door, I hope they brought a smile to the incredible women who quite literally raised our community.

This morning, I want to take a moment to thank my mom, Sandy, and all of the mothers in Ontario for everything that they do, to recognize their tireless work in keeping their families and communities safe, healthy and happy. We need more moms in this world, and on Mother’s Day, and every day, we should be thankful for these amazing women. So, no matter how you celebrated yesterday—in your household or by Zoom—I hope you know how special you are.

And Mom, I can’t wait to give you a big hug soon.

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

Wearing of ribbons

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader has informed me that he has a point of order that he wishes to raise.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Thank you, Speaker. I believe, if you seek it, you’ll find unanimous consent for members to wear a purple ribbon in honour of World Lupus Day.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to allow members to wear a purple ribbon in honour of World Lupus Day. Agreed? Agreed.

Question Period

Long-term care

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, my first question is to the Minister of Long-Term Care—so perhaps somebody on the government side will be able to respond.

The long-term-care commission report, as we all know, has been public for some time. The report has some pretty interesting points in it, one of which is, “26 residents died due to dehydration prior to the arrival of the” Canadian Armed Forces team. “They died when all they need was ‘water and a wipe down.’” That’s from the submission that the Canadian Armed Forces report made to the commission.

The question that I have for the Minister of Long-Term Care is the same one I asked for over a week now and still have not had an answer to. The question is: When did the Minister of Long-Term Care learn that seniors in our long-term-care system were dying from neglect and dehydration?

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: Obviously, once we heard of this, the ministry reached out to the commission at the same time. The chief coroner has been engaged. We’ve ask for full documents with respect to all the deaths in long-term care. Of course, we will be acting on the recommendations of the chief coroner.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The Globe and Mail has a story today that says pretty clearly that those 26 deaths that occurred in a long-term-care centre in Downsview, called Downsview Long-Term Care Centre—but those deaths also occurred in other homes.

In fact, the CAF said this in their report: COVID-19 fatalities pale in comparison to deaths from other causes, like dehydration, neglect or starvation.

Cathy Parkes, who lost her father in Orchard Villa to COVID-19, said this: “If I had had my father living at home with me and I didn’t feed him and I didn’t give him water and I didn’t give him medication or send him to the hospital, I would be criminally charged.”

My question to the Minister of Long-Term Care is, when did she find out—when did she know—that seniors in long-term care in our province, here in Ontario, were dying of neglect and dehydration?

Hon. Paul Calandra: Again, as I just said, once the final report was issued by the commission, of course, the ministry did reach out to the commission at the same time.

The chief coroner has been engaged to look at all deaths in long-term care, as I’m sure all members would expect. Once that documentation has been received and thoroughly reviewed by both the coroner and by the ministry, we will be acting on recommendations that we receive.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The minister’s notebook was obtained by the commission. One of the notes that was found therein was written by the minister on April 17, 2020. She wrote, “Military plan needed, get them in within 24-48 hours.”

That was on April 17. It took 12 whole days for the Canadian Armed Forces to arrive at Hawthorne Place, and in fact, it wasn’t until early June that they showed up at Orchard Villa.

So my question is, when did the Minister of Long-Term Care learn that Ontario seniors living in long-term care were dying of neglect and dehydration?

Hon. Paul Calandra: Obviously, we’re very grateful for the work that the Canadian Armed Forces did in assisting us. It’s one of a whole series of measures that the government took during the first wave. As you know, it was a very challenging time.

We are, of course, engaged with the chief coroner. As members would expect, all deaths in long-term-care homes will be reviewed by the chief coroner. Once we see that additional documentation, we will be taking action.

COVID-19 response

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is for the Minister of Health.

Speaker, this morning the Financial Accountability Office issued a report that talks about the surgical backlog here in Ontario. In fact, the chief financial officer said this: It’s a 419,200-surgery backlog that we have right now in this province—as well as 2.5 million people waiting for diagnostic procedures as of this September alone.

Speaker, this is pretty frightening. This is a matter of life and death. These are people who are waiting in pain, anxiety and worry about the procedures and the surgeries that have been postponed.

Where is the minister’s plan to get rid of, to deal with, the surgical and procedural backlogs in our province?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Thank you to the leader of the official opposition for the question.

We are aware that there are a number of surgical procedures, diagnostic procedures and surgeries that have been delayed between the first and second waves, and now during this third wave. However, it should also be noted that since the beginning of this pandemic, there have been over 420,000 surgeries that have been performed.

There is an analysis that is done on anyone with a significant problem, be it cancer care or cardiac care. If they need surgery, if it’s a life-and-death procedure, they will get that surgery. But for other procedures that can be delayed, unfortunately, they have to be. I know this isn’t great news for people who have been waiting for a long time, but we simply need the space right now for COVID-19 patients.

But we do have a plan. We’ve had a plan since the beginning of this pandemic, which I would be pleased to outline in the supplemental, Speaker.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, Speaker, 419,200 surgeries is a heck of a lot of surgeries, and 2.5 million diagnostic procedures is a heck of a lot of procedures. The FAO predicts that it’s going to take at least three years—at least three years—to clear these backlogs, the surgery backlog particularly.

In British Columbia, 95% of the backlogged surgeries were cleared as of just this past March, March 2021.

The FAO found, unfortunately, that instead of spending the money necessary, with a real plan to reduce the backlog, this government has been cutting corners and has barely funded half of the necessary resources, the necessary money, to clear the backlog.

So my question to the minister is: Why is she failing to unveil a real plan to clear the backlogs and refusing to invest the necessary money?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Well, in fact, our government does have a plan, and we have committed the resources. The plan has already been indicated to you, as the official opposition, and to the people of Ontario.

Last fall, we spent an extra $200 million in order to reduce the surgical backlogs. This was increased with our budget this year; part of our $1.8-billion investment was another $300 million to reduce the backlog. That’s $500 million to engage in surgeries during evenings and on weekends to make sure that we can increase the volume of surgeries we’re able to do.

We’ve also set out a surgical wait-list across a number of hospitals on a regional basis so that we can use every single operating room and so that there is a procedure whereby some surgeries could be transferred from one hospital to another, if they have the space. We also instituted a surgical smoothing program. All of these programs are working.

We have had to postpone them, but the good news is that our numbers in ICU are at 828 today. That’s not a great number by normal standards, but it is going down, and as it goes down—

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The independent Financial Accountability Office has shown in their report this morning that this government is failing to invest the necessary funds by almost double. So if they doubled what they’ve invested, maybe we would get some of those surgeries cleared quicker.

But you know what that means: Lives will remain on the line here.

In fact, folks might remember a woman who was waiting for cancer surgery, and she said this to CityNews recently about how she feels with her surgery being delayed, “It’s frustrating; it’s terrifying.”

The government has known for months this was happening. They tabled the budget that shorted the resources necessary to clear the backlogs in surgical procedures and diagnostic procedures.

When will the government make the commitment to double the amount they’ve invested and ensure that there is a public plan that shows how they’re going to get this problem dealt with?

Hon. Christine Elliott: In fact, last year, 88% of our hospitals achieved surgical targets using the plan we’ve already set out, which we will get back to as soon as we’re able, but we have to put $500 million into just expanding the hours for these surgeries to be done.

We’ve also invested the money to create over 3,400 new beds in hospitals and 285 more intensive-care beds.

We’ve also invested more into home and community care—several hundred million dollars—so that those people who don’t need to be in hospital can then go home and have procedures and the help they need, whether it’s nursing services or personal support workers.

So in addition to the $500 million that I’ve already discussed, we’ve put hundreds of millions of dollars more—over $5 billion—into our health care system since the beginning.

While it is very unfortunate—and I know people have been waiting a long time to have their surgeries done—this is something we are looking at on a daily basis, because we are also very anxious to make sure that we can get back to reducing that backlog and getting people back to their normal lives and work.

COVID-19 response

Mr. Gurratan Singh: My question is to the Premier.

When everyone should be doing everything they can to get vaccines to COVID-19 hot spots and to fight vaccine hesitancy, the Conservative government’s confusing and mixed messages aren’t helping anyone.

On Thursday, the Conservative associate minister for small businesses confused Ontarians by suggesting that the Pfizer vaccine—the same vaccine that Ontarians received over 4.5-million doses of—is not as effective as it could be, despite the fact that the Conservative associate minister represents Brampton, a city that is one of the worst hit by the COVID-19 crisis in this entire country, where folks know they’re not receiving as many vaccines as they need to protect lives.

Why is the Conservative associate minister going out of his way to confuse people about the effectiveness of this vaccine when communities like Brampton need it?

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: I don’t think the minister is doing anything of the sort. The minister from Brampton is highlighting the fact that we remain very troubled by the inexcusable reluctance of the federal government to act on our borders.

We have highlighted a number of issues with borders. We’ve seen the variants of concern, which continue to come through our borders—even this past weekend, significantly more. This is very troubling, and we need the federal government to live up to its responsibility to secure our international borders so that as we continue to hit hot spots, like Brampton, which has seen a significant increase in the amount of vaccinations that it has been getting—so that we can continue this good work. We need the federal government to simply step up and do what we have asked it to do, do what everybody is asking it to do: Close that border so that we can get these variants of concern under control.

And I ask the member opposite to join with us in this. This is certainly not a partisan issue. We should all be concerned with what we’re seeing at our international borders. I hope that he will assist us.

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

Mr. Gurratan Singh: Back to the Premier: Ontarians are smart. They listen to the science. They respect the expert doctors who have told them to take any vaccine available to them. They know that after this Premier and this minister for small businesses failed to bring in enough paid sick days, failed to protect lives and protect small businesses, that the number one thing they can do for themselves and their families to stay safe is to get vaccinated.

But instead of encouraging people to get vaccinated, the associate minister is confusing people.

The Pfizer vaccine isn’t the failure; the failure is that the associate minister and the Conservative government did not get vaccines into hot spot communities like mine in Brampton.

Why is the minister confusing people when he could be protecting lives in Brampton by encouraging folks to get vaccinated and by ensuring that we’re getting as many vaccines as possible at this critical time in Brampton?

Hon. Paul Calandra: Mr. Speaker, I think if there was any failure—it continues to be a failure of the federal government early on to provide us with vaccines that were needed so that we could do more in hot spots.

Despite the failing of the federal government to give us the appropriate vaccines in February, March and April, we have been able to redirect significant vaccinations into hot spots across this province. We have vaccinated over six million people in the province of Ontario.

If there is another failing—it’s another failing of the federal government, which allowed these variants of concern to get into our borders in the first place. We have been calling on the federal government for months to close down the borders in advance of the UK variant making its way into the province of Ontario.

I would ask the honourable gentleman, if he wants to do the right thing for Brampton, if he wants to help us out in Peel, he can join with us in calling on the federal government to do the right thing, to close our international borders so that we can get control of this situation—because it’s not just vaccines; it’s about closing access to these variants of concern.

Border security

Mr. Stan Cho: I want to pick up where the House leader just left off.

It’s very clear that stricter border measures help stop the spread of COVID-19 before it even gets here.

We also know that every single case of COVID-19, of the variants, has started outside of this province. As the Solicitor General has said previously, there are as yet no COVID-19 variants that have originated from Ontario.

As we begin yet another week with flights coming into Ontario’s airports with potentially more variants—my question to the Solicitor General: Can the Solicitor General remind this Legislature why stronger measures at our borders are essential to help stop the spread of COVID-19?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Thank you to the member from Willowdale for raising this, because it is critically important that we understand where the variants are coming from and how they get into Ontario.

In the last two weeks alone, we’ve had 43 domestic flights that have had at least one confirmed COVID-19 case on them. And do you know how we found out? Not because the federal government is testing at our airports—but because those individuals rightfully went, booked an appointment, got the test; the test came back positive. But how many people did they interact with before they got that positive result back?

We need to do a better job. We can do that with our federal partners, if they would step up and actually test domestic travellers as they come into Ontario.

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

Mr. Stan Cho: This is a frustrating issue for me and my constituents. Ontarians continue to make sacrifices to help defeat COVID-19 and try to return life back to normal. On Mother’s Day yesterday, Willowdalers made incredible sacrifices and weren’t able to celebrate with their families, and the variants are the biggest reason why we can’t get back to normal life.

The Solicitor General and so many members of our caucus have been fiercely advocating for these stronger measures at our borders, which we know are going to help stop the spread of these variants in Ontario.

Back to the Solicitor General: Can she update this House on what the federal government’s response to our many letters has been so far?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Yes, unfortunately, I can share what the federal government responded with. Regrettably, Minister LeBlanc refused to address any of the specific concerns that were raised in our letters. We called for a ban on all non-essential travel, mandatory PCR testing for interprovincial travellers, an end to the loophole at our land borders, and proper enforcement of hotel quarantining.

Speaker, we continue to be very clear, crystal clear, to the federal government. We’re imploring them to take stricter measures at the border.

I encourage the Prime Minister to actually read the letters that we have sent and respond with the actions—or what they intend to do about it.

Employment standards

Ms. Doly Begum: Mr. Speaker, the Conservative government promised Ontarians the best sick days plan in North America, but what they have given us isn’t even what people asked for, let alone anywhere near what the best program in Canada would look like.

The Yukon gives everyone 10 days of paid leave, no questions asked. Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia all have paid time off for vaccine appointments. PEI and Quebec have permanent paid sick leave programs, while ours expires in September, meaning the Conservatives will have taken away five paid sick days from Ontarians by the time their term is up—let alone providing the best sick leave.

My question is, how does this government ever expect to get this crisis in highly infectious places like Scarborough under control with a half-rate, bargain sick leave program?

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

Hon. Monte McNaughton: I thank the member opposite for that question.

Furthermore, I thank the member opposite and all members in this Legislature for supporting our government’s solution to this: to bring forward a comprehensive plan of 23 paid sick days in the province of Ontario. We committed to doubling the federal program, from $500 a week to $1,000 a week, and bringing in three paid sick days under the Employment Standards Act.

Mr. Speaker, we are the first province in the country to bring in paid sick days during COVID-19.

We will continue to stand with workers every single day, and all the people of this province, until we defeat COVID-19.

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

Ms. Doly Begum: Speaker, while this government tries to deflect and distract the public and uses attack ads, really, and then blames the federal government or uses the federal government for their excuses, the feds actually wrote back and asked the province what they wanted to do, and they heard nothing from this government.

When is this government going to stop with the desperate deflection and start focusing on measures that would actually work, something that the experts have been calling for—like a paid sick days plan, or a support program for businesses and workers that helps these people instead of shutting down businesses? This government is dropping the ball on the vulnerable people of this province and our local businesses across this province. When will this government step up and act?

Hon. Monte McNaughton: Mr. Speaker, we are the very first province in Canada to bring forward sick leave during COVID-19—a comprehensive package of 23 paid sick days to help workers and their families get through this pandemic. All members, including the member opposite, supported our legislation. And I’m proud to say that we passed this bill in record time, in about three hours. So I thank the members of the NDP and the independent Liberals for supporting this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, the federal government has asked us, “How can we help?” We’ve got two requests: one, double the four weeks of paid sick leave—from $500 a week to $1,000 a week—and secondly, secure our borders, secure our airports, stop the variants of concern from entering Ontario. If the federal government wants to be a partner, do those two things.

Long-term care

Mr. John Fraser: This morning’s story in the Globe and Mail about deaths from dehydration in Ontario’s long-term-care homes is deeply disturbing to all of us.

It has been almost 10 days since the commission released its report, and the government has failed to commit firmly to any of the recommendations in it.

I think it’s clear to all of us that immediate and sustained action needs to happen.

So my question is simple, through you, Speaker: Will the Premier commit to implementing the 85th recommendation of the long-term-care commission’s final report, requiring the government to table a report in the Legislature outlining the progress they’ve made to implement the remaining recommendations in the report one year from now and again three years from now? A simple answer: Yes or no?

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: I appreciate the question.

Obviously, we take the report very seriously. That’s why I would expect that the honourable member would expect us to take a look at all of the recommendations and give them the attention they deserve.

I think what would have been helpful is if, over the 15 years of the previous Liberal government—that’s four separate Liberal administrations—they had paid attention to long-term care, if they had built long-term care, if they had rebuilt some of those long-term-care homes that were so desperately in need of upgrading, if they had worked on a staffing strategy. Had the Liberals done that for the 15 years and four administrations that preceded ours, we would not have been in the unfortunate position of having to play defence for a full year.

But right now, we’re on the offence in the province of the Ontario, with over six million vaccination doses into the people’s arms. We’re attacking COVID-19 directly in the hot spots. We’re going into essential workplaces. The Minister of Labour has brought in a sick day regime.

We need the federal government to do its part to secure our borders, and we can put this behind us once and for all.

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

Mr. John Fraser: Well, Speaker, it’s the easiest recommendation in the report for the government to enact right now. I don’t know why we couldn’t get a yes or no.

Last week, when talking about long-term care, the Premier said, “It was a tragedy, but ... we’re going to fix it.... This will never happen again.”

However, one year ago, the Premier also said an investigation had been launched into the report of the Canadian military. We found out last week that investigation was never launched; nothing was ever turned over to police. Then we read in the Globe this morning that a spokesperson for the Ministry of Long-Term Care said that could be criminal, a year later.

Currently, there’s no legislative requirement for this government to enact recommendation 85. This afternoon, I’ll be putting forward legislation that will require the government to enact recommendation 85.

Another simple question: Will the government support that legislation? Yes or no?

Hon. Paul Calandra: As I said, we will do what’s right by long-term care in this province, unlike the previous Liberal government which he was a member of.

There were four previous Liberal administrations in advance of ours over 15 years, and the record of that previous Liberal government put us on the defence for much of the first part of the first year of this pandemic. Whether it was ICU capacity, which they did nothing about; whether it was staffing strategy for our long-term-care homes; whether it was rebuilding long-term-care homes that were in desperate need of renovation and upgrading; whether it was adding more long-term-care beds—on every single account, the previous four Liberal governments over 15 years failed the people of the province of Ontario.

We moved quickly before the pandemic. Whether it was a staffing strategy; whether it was building thousands of additional long-term-care beds; whether it was increasing ICU capacity; whether it was increasing testing from 5,000 to 75,000 a day—we are on the offence to put this behind us once and for all.

We need the help of the federal government on our borders, but Canadians and Ontarians are—

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

Border security

Mr. Stan Cho: From the beginning of this pandemic, our government has always put the health and safety of Ontarians as our number one priority, and that’s what we continue to do.

The people of this province continue to do their part, yet they are unnecessarily put at higher risk because of the lack of border control, the higher risk coming into our country, into our province from these dangerous variants from travellers, both internationally and domestically.

We have all heard of the success around other places in the world, like New Zealand, and how they’ve managed to fare with COVID-19 by restricting travel.

My question is to the Solicitor General. It was very disappointing to hear that our letters had little good response from the federal government. What other steps is our government taking to urge Ottawa to finally get serious about protecting our borders?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Thank you again to the member from Willowdale. I know this is an important issue for your constituents in your community, but it is for all of Ontario.

Since December, Premier Ford has been urging the Prime Minister to take stronger actions at our border. That’s why Ontario is the first jurisdiction to actually implement on-arrival COVID-19 testing for international travellers, leading the federal government to take the action on this front. We also took the unprecedented step of closing the Manitoba and Quebec borders, land and water, with the provinces.

As the member will know, we have sent three separate letters to Minister Blair and the federal government asking them to take action to protect Ontario’s citizens. Unfortunately, the response we received from the federal government has said they still refuse and will be continuing to ignore taking action to limit international travel—completely unacceptable.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.

Mr. Stan Cho: It’s truly frustrating to hear of the federal government’s lack of action to protect our borders. My constituents are also extremely frustrated. To paraphrase one of my constituents the other day, these variants are not swimming into Ontario. We know these variants of concern are now the dominant form of the virus in our country. When it comes to international travel, border protection is a federal duty, and they have a responsibility to protect Willowdalers and all Ontarians.

Speaker, back to the minister: Can she please explain why strict measures at our borders are essential to protect Ontarians from these dangerous variants of concern?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: We’ve seen how limiting international travel has been used effectively—spread the COVID-19 variant. We all know the success of the Maritime bubble in limiting travel and, by doing so, limiting COVID-19 cases. No one argues. We all understand.

But let’s take a look here in Canada. In Canada, the federal government allows international travel in four provinces: Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, BC. We all know there are a lot of factors at play with COVID-19 spread, but it is a factor in provinces that have the hardest battle with COVID-19 since this began—that the same provinces have the international travel. It’s not a coincidence.

Even the restrictions on those travelling from hot spots like India mean—it only takes two mouse clicks for someone to route a flight through another country to arrive at Toronto Pearson.

The federal government needs to take this issue seriously to protect us from the variants.

Long-term care

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

Nowhere has COVID-19 been more deadly than in our long-term-care homes. We saw it clearly in Niagara. Despite the Premier’s promise to build an iron ring around long-term care in the first wave of COVID-19, more seniors died in the second wave than the first—mothers, fathers, grandparents, loved members of our community.

At Oakwood Park Lodge in Niagara Falls, nearly 100% of the staff and residents were infected. Forty people died.

The long-term-care commission confirmed what we all knew: This government failed long-term-care residents.

In Niagara, people died as the government refused to send in the military or the Red Cross to help the staff, which I asked for.

The report says it clearly: The Premier had no plan to protect these seniors or staff.

Speaker, will the Premier admit he failed long-term-care residents and staff and admit that Niagara was left without proper government support, and immediately implement the commission’s recommendations?

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: As I’ve said on a number of occasions, we’ll certainly be reviewing all of the very important recommendations that came through the commission report. I think honourable members on both sides of the House would expect nothing less.

But, as I have said on a number of occasions, we certainly were faced with some challenging situations when we inherited government after four previous Liberal administrations which had not done the work needed to invest in our long-term-care homes, whether it was a staffing strategy—we knew staff were leaving, but we didn’t know why they were leaving. Was it pay or was it other issues? Our homes were in disrepair. They had made no progress on helping on that file. There were multi-year wait-lists in many homes because the Liberals simply did not invest in new homes.

We took action right away, in advance. We knew that more had to be done in long-term care. That’s why we made investments almost immediately to upgrade our long-term-care homes, to build thousands of new homes.

We are making progress on the file, and I think members would expect nothing less.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.

Mr. Wayne Gates: We saw how much more deadly the second wave of COVID-19 was in Niagara, despite this government having time to prepare and their promise to protect seniors and staff in long-term-care facilities.

The long-term-care commission’s report showed us that 26 seniors died of neglect, desperately needing water and a wipe-down. Think of that: They died because they couldn’t get water—water.

The Premier promised an investigation into these deaths; now he says he won’t launch one. Like the iron ring he promised, his investigation was a myth. He wouldn’t commit to implementing the recommendations in the report either.

Enough of blaming others. Thousands of seniors have died under this government’s watch. This Premier and his government failed the residents of Ontario.

Will the Premier fully and immediately implement all of the recommendations in the commission’s report? Will he ensure that homes are properly staffed and that no other senior dies in the richest province in Canada because they couldn’t get water?

Hon. Paul Calandra: I think the honourable member will agree that significant progress has been made.

He’s absolutely correct that this province was left in a very challenging situation after four previous Liberal administrations and the lack of investment that we saw in them.

That is why this government has committed to four hours of care. It’s a multi-billion dollar investment. I suspect individuals don’t care how much it costs; they just want to ensure that it gets done.

That’s why, in addition to that, we’re going to be hiring 27,000 additional PSWs. We heard from the PSWs themselves, in advance of the last election, that they wanted an organization to allow them to advocate for themselves. That is before the House right now.

We are building thousands of new homes across the province.

We’ve increased infection prevention and control measures.

The move to Ontario health teams is another significant, significant milestone and breakthrough in how we can ensure that our homes stay safe.

The member is right: Work had to have been done over the last 15 years of the previous four Liberal administrations. But we’re getting it done.

Child care

Ms. Kathleen O. Wynne: My question is for the Premier.

One of the undeniable impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic is that women have been disproportionately affected. Everyone has experienced major, isolating changes in their lives, but women—working with the elderly, holding the front line in businesses deemed essential, caring for babies, working at their own jobs from home and home-schooling their children—have often carried a double load, so much so that thousands of women have actually left the labour force in order to manage the demands of their families.

This is the reality, and the economic downturn brought on by COVID-19 has been called the she-cession by some economists. It’s the reason, if we are successfully to recover as a society, we need to recognize that we must foster a she-covery. The most important thing we can do is make sure that women can re-enter the workforce when they’re ready to do so and have someone to look after their children.

Speaker, the federal government has offered to invest in child care across the country to enhance and build on the services already available in provinces and territories.

Will the Premier work with the federal government to ensure that every family in Ontario who needs affordable child care for their children will find it in their own community?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): To reply, the Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues.

Hon. Jill Dunlop: Thank you to the member for that question. Obviously, it’s one that we hold near and dear to our heart, as well.

Ontario is committed to building an affordable child care system that is flexible and responsive to the varying needs of families. I can tell you that from every round table I have heard—I always heard from women about the issues and barriers that child care faces. It is very important to us.

We hope that the federal government will significantly step up their funding to advance affordability while agreeing that parents need a flexible system that responds to their preferences on how to raise their children. As we know, a one-size approach does not fit all. We look forward to reviewing the details of the plan.

As we have done before, our government is again providing direct relief to families to help offset additional costs incurred as a result of the pandemic. Payments to parents through the Ontario COVID-19 Child Benefit began on April 26 to help working parents of students age zero through grade 12 with direct financial supports during the pandemic.

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

Ms. Kathleen O. Wynne: I appreciate the minister’s answer.

Between 2008 and 2018, our government built 200,000 child care spaces, and the number of children in licensed child care in Ontario doubled in that period.

Ontario Liberals have put forward a plan that would partner with the federal government to build on that progress and provide licensed, affordable child care across Ontario.

Licensed child care can be flexible, to the minister’s point. It can be home-based, and with the support of the federal government, it can be affordable for every family.

I suspect that there’s an ideological antipathy toward child care in this government. We saw that on display during the last election, when the leader demonstrated that he knew nothing about how child care operated in Ontario.

But the need to address this issue is more acute than it has ever been. COVID-19 demands that we recognize that labour market participation by women will not recover without a new commitment to child care.

I ask again whether this government will put aside that ideological opposition and develop a process to work with the federal government to make sure that child care is available to every family who wants it and needs it in Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): And to respond, the Minister of Education.

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Thank you to the member opposite for the question.

Just building off my colleague—indeed, we will work with the federal government.

We all aspire to make child care accessible, affordable and flexible for working parents in the province.

However, as we reflect and look back, it must be noted that Ontario, under the former Liberal government, had the second-most expensive child care in the nation. It’s not a program we seek to emulate.

We have chosen to directly support parents with the child care tax credit. We topped it up in the most recent budget by an additional 20%—a one-time support—given the unique challenges facing parents, especially women; given their difficulty re-entering the labour market as a consequence of the disruption of the pandemic.

We have increased supports in the child care system. There is over $2 billion being expended every single year, with a plan to build 30,000 spaces within our schools. Last year, 16,000 spaces were created within the child care market.

We know there’s more to do. It’s why, in our budget, we increased supports.

We’re going to continue, in collaboration with the federal government, to work with them to make child care more accessible for Ontarians.

Border security

Mr. Stan Cho: We know that stricter border measures stop the spread of COVID-19. That’s a fact backed up by science and data, and our respected allies around the world have implemented them with great success.

While our government continues to urgently request real action to secure our borders, based on the Solicitor General’s previous two answers, it’s clearly not a priority for the Prime Minister.

What’s even more disappointing—frankly, astonishing—is to see that the Liberal Party leader Steven Del Duca and his party are more interested in defending their federal cousins than taking time to stand up for Ontarians.

My question is for the Solicitor General: Can the minister tell this House if Mr. Del Duca’s claims that this government’s policy on securing our borders is somehow xenophobic or an attack on Ontarians?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: I appreciate the interest and the back-and-forth, because this is an important issue for all of us to appreciate and understand.

We know from aviation statistics that the vast majority of air travellers to Ontario are, in fact, domestic travellers.

During March 2021, our hardest-hit month so far in Ontario, more than 21,000 travellers passed through the Ottawa airport alone, which we know only accepts domestic travellers. To give you an idea of how many people that is: It would be the equivalent of the city of Brockville passing through the airport in just one month. Speaker, do you know how many of those travellers were required by the federal government to get tested? Zero; none.

It’s shameful that anyone, let alone the leader of a party, would make this about race.

Perhaps Mr. Del Duca should spend less time standing up for his federal cousins and spend some time standing up for Ontarians.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): And the supplementary.

Mr. Stan Cho: I appreciate that response from the minister, because I agree this has nothing to do with race.

And it’s unfortunate to hear the Liberal members heckle during the question about this very important issue, Speaker.

I think all Ontarians have made incredible sacrifices. And Ontarians also know that after over a year of the pandemic, there should be some sorts of safeguards put in place.

Why won’t Mr. Del Duca join us in asking his federal cousins to protect the borders here in Ontario? It’s a simple request.

Speaker, back to the minister: Is there a reason to be concerned about travellers even from within our country?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: That would be an emphatic yes, Speaker.

Ontarians are frustrated. They’re doing their part, and they’re following public health advice. Meanwhile, Mr. Del Duca’s federal cousins refuse to act even after three official requests for action.

Premier Ford has repeatedly asked the federal government to step up and do the right thing. We need to ensure that our borders are secure.

Did you know that a population larger than the entire city of Kitchener passed throughout Pearson airport in February alone? The vast majority were not even required to take a PCR test.

Does Mr. Del Duca’s party think that most travellers should not be tested? Or will he and the members opposite join us in calling on the federal government to implement PCR testing for all air travellers? Or will they continue spending their time standing up for their federal cousins instead of doing what’s right for the people of Ontario?

Post-secondary education

Mr. Jamie West: My question is for the Premier.

Would the Premier commit today to ensuring that a tri-cultural, bilingual midwifery program in northern Ontario will exist this fall?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Northumberland–Peterborough South and parliamentary assistant.

Mr. David Piccini: Yes, we remain committed to these programs in the north. That’s why, as the Premier and minister have said, we’ve worked with impacted students, the 10% affected by the CCAA proceeding, to ensure pathways to graduation; worked closely with institutions to ensure that midwifery programming remains in the north, bilingual remains in the north—for students to graduate and practise their practice within the north. We will continue to do that.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mr. Jamie West: Back to the Premier: For nearly two decades, Laurentian University’s physics department graduated 15 radiation therapists each and every single year. These are the students who go on to operate the machines used in radiation therapy for cancer patients.

However, because the Premier failed to protect Laurentian University from the CCAA process, the medical physicists who provided training in radiation therapy have lost their jobs. This means that the four-year program to train radiation therapists in northern Ontario no longer exists.

According to the CBC, the Ministry of Health referred questions about this to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities. And then the Ministry of Colleges and Universities referred it back to the Ministry of Health.

Speaker, midwifery and radiation therapy for cancer patients are two programs essential to health care in northern Ontario. Will the Premier do the right thing and commit to saving these programs in northern Ontario?

Mr. David Piccini: Our government has been clear from day one: Our colleges, our universities are autonomous institutions governed by their own boards of directors. When one asked to go before a judicial proceeding, a CCAA—we respect that. We respect the independence of that process.

We’ve ensured that students have a pathway to graduation. We’ve ensured that we have midwifery programming in the north, thanks to additional investments from this government. We’ve expanded French programming in the north, thanks to investments from this government. We’ve seen it with NOSM. We’ve seen it with Hearst.

What’s deeply concerning from the member opposite: He wants politicians to interfere in what courses autonomous universities offer. He wants politicians to interfere in legal court proceedings. It’s chilling, really. That’s why that party opposite has only had one opportunity to govern. If he wants to interview for minister of thought control, that’s up to him.

But this government is going to respect the independent proceedings, and we’re going to support our students in the north.

COVID-19 response

Mr. Stephen Blais: The Premier and his party have launched attacks against the federal government that are xenophobic and outrageous. They’re claiming it’s the federal government’s failure at the border that is the cause of all of our COVID-19 problems. The Premier has said he wants to see fewer people enter Ontario, but he won’t tell us who.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Just a second.

I need to be able to hear the question.

The member for Orléans has the floor.

Mr. Stephen Blais: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Premier has told us that he wants to see fewer people enter Ontario, but he won’t tell us who. Does he want to stop truck drivers from delivering essential goods? Does he want to stop doctors and nurses from crossing the border to work at hospitals? Does he want to stop the 30,000 international students who were accepted into our publicly funded universities?

Today, the government claims that they’re talking about restrictions on domestic travel, and they’ve closed the borders with Ontario and Quebec.

And since they’re doing such a good job at domestic travel restrictions, perhaps the minister can tell us how many people travelled from Gatineau into Ottawa this morning?

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

Hon. Sylvia Jones: I’m shocked, Speaker. I can’t believe the member opposite has not been listening to the back-and-forth about what we have been doing and what we will continue to do.

To be clear: We want to stop the variants of concern coming into Ontario. That is what is going to protect us. That is what is going to give us the time to vaccinate enough people to protect our citizens.

If the member understood that the vast majority of positive cases right now are actually variants that originate from somewhere outside of Ontario, perhaps he could work with us and our federal partners to do the right thing and close the borders, test people and get them hotels—the land and water loopholes solved. That would be a productive use of your time.

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

Mr. Stephen Blais: Just to be clear: The minister doesn’t know how many people travelled from Gatineau to Ottawa this morning, despite the fact that there is an interprovincial restriction.

The province is in lockdown, with thousands of new COVID-19 cases every day; over 800 Ontarians in critical care. Schools and outdoor recreation remain closed, and the lack of centralized booking has led to a scramble to find and receive vaccinations. But instead of focusing on solving these issues, instead of spending their time getting vaccines into arms or advertising about vaccine hesitancy, the government is focusing their attention on blaming others.

They’re not advertising about stopping the spread of the virus. They’re not advertising to combat vaccine hesitancy. They’re not advertising about the ways in which they’re helping Ontarians. They’re advertising and fundraising with the all-too-familiar refrain of blaming others. “It’s those people from over there. If only fewer of them were coming in, all of our problems would be solved.”

When will the government put the focus on helping Ontarians and stop trying to animate their base with dog-whistle politics?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m going to ask the member to withdraw.

Mr. Stephen Blais: I withdraw.

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

Hon. Sylvia Jones: So many issues.

First of all, I am going to reinforce that the vast majority of positive cases of COVID-19 are, in fact, the variants of concern, which by extension means that those variants came from other countries. Right now, that happens to be a variant that started in the UK, but we all know and are watching what’s happening with our BC and Alberta counterparts, where they are seeing variants coming from other countries. We need to stop that.

We can do all the vaccinations that we can, based on the supply, and we will continue to do that. We’ve expanded the pharmacy model. We’ve expanded the primary care model. We have 34 public health units doing excellent work across Ontario, making sure that, to date, over six million people—that’s almost half of the province—have received the vaccine.

While that rollout will continue—and we’re very proud of the work they are doing—we also need to focus on making sure that no more variants come into Ontario.

COVID-19 immunization

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

The third wave has been devastating to York South–Weston, a community of essential workers and marginalized populations. As a high-risk hot spot, we need to be made a priority for vaccinations; so far, we have few mobile pop-ups and no permanent facility or location. Now, this week, our residents are forced to travel outside of the community for any hope of getting their vaccine.

Our residents are looking for the government to provide the health care they need right here, right now, in the community. Workers need adequate paid sick days as well as paid time off to get the vaccinations they are waiting for.

When is this government going to act with urgency when it comes to stopping COVID-19 transmission in our community?

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

Hon. Monte McNaughton: I thank the member opposite for the opportunity to get up and talk about what we’re doing for workers in this province.

In fact, we were the very first province in Canada since COVID-19 hit this country to bring in a comprehensive 23 days of paid sick leave for workers, a culmination of the federal government’s program and ours.

I’m extremely proud of our worker income protection benefit. It does not require a sick note from doctors, and it ensures that workers can stay home if they’re feeling unwell, if they are getting a COVID-19 test and waiting for COVID-19 results, if a worker has to go and get vaccinated, or if a worker has to stay home and recover from a vaccination.

But we go even further: If there are workers out there being impacted by mental health issues related to COVID-19, they can stay home and be paid for that. If you’re a mom or a dad who has to stay home because your child has COVID-19 symptoms, stay home and get paid.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.

Mr. Faisal Hassan: Again, my question is to the Premier.

High-risk hot spots, like York South–Weston, that are home to so many essential workers need to not be treated like an afterthought by this government.

I have been approached by essential businesses that would like to get their essential workers vaccinated right at their workplace but cannot afford to cover the cost of arranging for that.

Why is this government not making it easier for workplaces to vaccinate their employees on the spot? And why is this government not working with these essential businesses to help vaccinate workers and mitigate COVID-19 transmission?

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

Hon. Sylvia Jones: I’m really glad that the member opposite raised this.

It’s very exciting: One of the other pathways for individuals to get vaccinated is mobile mini vaccination sites that are moving into some of the areas and smaller businesses that do not have the facility or the bandwidth to put on their own vaccination clinics. So in fact, we have ramped up, with the help of the Red Cross, to actually have teams go to those smaller business. I hope that the member opposite would share the names of those businesses with us so that we can reach out, connect and make sure that is available to them and their employees.

COVID-19 response

Mrs. Belinda C. Karahalios: My question is for the Premier.

Recently, the Premier stated that he believes if the borders were safe, everything would be fine right now. But back in March of last year, when there were fewer than 200 cases of COVID-19 in Ontario, the Premier encouraged families to travel for March break and stated that he wanted the borders to remain open.

If it’s true that border measures might have helped stop the spread of COVID-19, it’s logical that it would have only helped way back when there were only a few cases of COVID-19 in Ontario and none of the variants had arrived.

So then why did the Premier not call for these measures 14 months ago, when things could have been prevented?

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

Hon. Sylvia Jones: The member opposite raises an important piece of information, and that is, the more that we learn about COVID-19—how it spreads, why it spreads, where it’s spreading from—the more we can protect people. It is absolutely critical, as we understand more about COVID-19, that we continue to learn, that we continue to pivot and we continue to put additional enforcement in.

I would remind the member that it was actually Premier Ford and our government who started testing international visitors at the beginning of this year.

We all remember that long-term-care home in Barrie that was devastated because one person who was carrying the variant from the UK infected and then, unfortunately, devastated a long-term-care home.

When we learn that information, we have to be able to react quickly to ensure that others are protected. That’s what we’ve done, by asking for additional border restrictions and imposing more border restrictions on Manitoba and Quebec.

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

Mrs. Belinda C. Karahalios: Speaker, the Premier had 14 months to ask the federal government to do something on border controls, but the Premier blew it. He was too busy praising instead.

Last August, the Premier stated, “You wonder why I’m always up here praising him? Because he did an incredible job as Prime Minister.” The Prime Minister responded with, “It’s always great to be here with friends, particularly you, Premier Ford.” Then, the Premier called the Liberal finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, “amazing.” She previously called the Premier her therapist.

If the Premier had such a glowing friendship with Prime Minister Trudeau and such influence over Finance Minister Freeland, why didn’t the Premier take the opportunity to ask for the border measures he wanted 14 months ago, back when no variants had arrived in Canada and COVID-19 cases were close to zero by comparison—in other words, back when it may have made a difference?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Oh, Speaker. When COVID-19 came in last year, it came in from another country. Right? The variants came in from another country.

We looked at what the Maritime bubble did. It was a very successful model. They protected their borders. We’ve done that.

We proactively, when the federal government wasn’t testing international visitors, stepped up and we did that.

To their credit, the federal government, after a number of weeks, did actually take over PCR testing of international visitors. All we are asking for is that we do the same for the domestic visitors—because we have those essential people coming into Ontario; we have citizens returning to Ontario. All we want to do is protect them to make sure that we don’t have more spread and a fourth wave.

Automobile insurance

Mr. Kevin Yarde: My question is to the Premier.

Last week, I wrote a letter to the Minister of Finance highlighting some concerns on the state of our auto insurance system in Ontario and in Brampton North. I wrote how in Ontario we pay some of the highest auto insurance rates in the country—twice as much as our neighbours in Quebec pay, on average.

I also informed the minister that my constituents of Brampton North pay the highest auto insurance premiums in the province, with an average of $3,301 per year, more than twice the provincial average of $1,616.

We also know there have been fewer drivers and fewer accidents on the road during this pandemic. Insurance companies have raked in record profits, but the drivers of Ontario have not seen any meaningful rebates.

As the official opposition has recommended, will this government implement a 50% decrease on auto insurance payments during this pandemic and allow payment deferrals for those who have lost their jobs in these times of economic uncertainty?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The parliamentary assistant and member for Willowdale.

Mr. Stan Cho: I appreciate the member from Brampton North raising this very important issue.

As the member will understand from the foundational briefing provided to him through the Ministry of Finance, this is a very complex issue, because we have an auto insurance system that is overly complicated and full of conflict—created, actually, by the NDP. That means we have to tackle this problem in a fundamental way, going after the root problems, increasing competition, getting rid of the conflict in the system, and attracting new entrants into the market by allowing for the use of technology, such as user-based insurance, UBI.

I’m proud to say that Travelers Insurance recently has announced a new product which will bring down rates for the great drivers of Brampton.

Our message to the ratepayers of Brampton and across this province is very clear: The NDP created this mess. We’re going to fix it.

Deferred Votes

Inherent Right to Safe Drinking Water Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 sur le droit inhérent à de l’eau potable saine

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

Bill 286,

An Act to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 to require specified actions with respect to safe drinking water for Ontarians living and working on reserves / Projet de loi 286, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2002 sur la salubrité de l’eau potable pour exiger des mesures spécifiées à l’égard de la salubrité de l’eau potable des Ontariens et Ontariennes qui vivent et travaillent dans des réserves.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): We have a deferred vote on the motion for second reading of Bill 286,

An Act to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 to require specified actions with respect to safe drinking water for Ontarians living and working on reserves.

The bells will now ring for 30 minutes, during which time members may cast their votes. I’ll ask the Clerks to please prepare the lobbies.

The division bells rang from 1134 to 1204.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The vote on the motion for second reading of Bill 286,

An Act to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 to require specified actions with respect to safe drinking water for Ontarians living and working on reserves, has taken place.

The Deputy Clerk (Mr. Trevor Day): The ayes are 45; the nays are 0.

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

Second reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Pursuant to standing order 101(h), the bill is referred to the Committee of the Whole House, unless—I recognize the member for Kiiwetinoong.

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: To the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Is the majority in favour of this bill being referred to the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills? Agreed? Agreed. The bill is therefore referred to the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills.

There being no further business, this House stands in recess until 1 p.m.

The House recessed from 1205 to 1300.

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on General Government

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: I beg leave to present a report from the Standing Committee on General Government and move its adoption.

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

Bill 112,

An Act to proclaim Lupus Awareness Day / Projet de loi 112, Loi proclamant la Journée de sensibilisation au lupus.

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

Report adopted.

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

Standing Committee on General Government

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: I beg leave to present a report from the Standing Committee on General Government and move its adoption.

The Acting Clerk-at-the-Table (Mr. Christopher Tyrell): Your committee begs to report the following bill, as amended:

Bill 163,

An Act to proclaim Food Day Ontario (Food Day Canada in Ontario) / Projet de loi 163, Loi proclamant la Journée des terroirs de l’Ontario (Journée des terroirs du Canada en Ontario).

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

Report adopted.

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

Standing Committee on General Government

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: I beg leave to present a report from the Standing Committee on General Government and move its adoption.

The Acting Clerk-at-the-Table (Mr. Christopher Tyrell): Your committee begs to report the following bill, as amended:

Bill 230,

An Act to proclaim Front-line and Essential Service Worker Week / Projet de loi 230, Loi proclamant la Semaine de reconnaissance du personnel des services de première ligne et des services essentiels.

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

Report adopted.

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

Introduction of Bills

Day of Remembrance and Action Against Anti-Asian Racism Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 sur la Journée du souvenir et d’action contre le racisme anti-asiatique

Ms. Karpoche moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 289,

An Act to proclaim May 10 as the Day of Remembrance and Action Against Anti-Asian Racism / Projet de loi 289, Loi proclamant le 10 mai comme Journée du souvenir et d’action contre le racisme anti-asiatique.

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

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Would the member for Parkdale–High Park care to briefly explain her bill?

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: Thank you, Speaker. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen the troubling rise in anti-Asian racism around the world, including here in Canada. A recent report documented over 1,150 incidents of anti-Asian racism across Canada, with 40% of these attacks happening in Ontario.

Discrimination, harassment and hate crimes targeting Asian people is not new, but it has reached new heights during this pandemic. The government of Ontario can help address the rising tide of anti-Asian racism, fight systemic discrimination and ensure that people in Asian communities across the province are respected, safe and supported. It starts with recognition and commitment by the government to act, and this bill seeks to take that step by declaring May 10 a provincial day of action to address anti-Asian racism.

Long-Term Care Commission’s Recommendations Reporting Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 sur la communication des recommandations de la commission d’enquête sur les foyers de soins de longue durée

Mr. Fraser moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 290,

An Act to amend the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007 to require reporting on the implementation of the recommendations of Ontario’s Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission / Projet de loi 290, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2007 sur les foyers de soins de longue durée pour exiger la communication de renseignements sur la mise en oeuvre des recommandations de la Commission ontarienne d’enquête sur la COVID-19 dans les foyers de soins de longue durée.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? I heard a no.

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

All those opposed will please say “nay.”

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

There being a division required—is it deferred?

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The bells will now ring for 30 minutes so as to allow the members to vote. I’ll ask the Clerks to prepare the lobbies.

The division bells rang from 1306 to 1336.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The vote on first reading of Bill 290,

An Act to amend the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007 to require reporting on the implementation of the recommendations of Ontario’s Long-Term Care COVID-19 Commission, has taken place.

The Deputy Clerk (Mr. Trevor Day): The ayes are 30; the nays are 0.

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

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Would the member for Ottawa South care to briefly explain his bill?

Mr. John Fraser: Yes. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The bill amends the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007, by mirroring recommendation 85 in the long-term-care commission’s report requiring that the minister report back to this Legislature one year from the submission of the report, April 30, and three years as well, and that those reports be posted by the government on the government website.

Point of order, Mr. Speaker.

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

Mr. John Fraser: I seek unanimous consent that, notwithstanding any standing order or special order of the House, the order for second reading of Bill 290, the Long-Term Care Commission’s Recommendations Reporting Act, 2021, be immediately called; and

That the Speaker shall immediately put the question on the motion for second reading of the bill without debate or amendment; and

That the bill should be ordered for third reading, which order shall immediately be called.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Agreed? I heard a no.

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: Point of order.

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

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: I seek unanimous consent to bring forward a motion without notice to immediately pass Bill 289,

An Act to proclaim May 10 as the Day of Remembrance and Action Against Anti-Asian Racism.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Agreed? I heard a no.

Statements by the Ministry and Responses

Police Week

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Speaker, it’s my privilege to rise in the House today in recognition of Police Week, taking place this year from May 9 to 15. Police Week is a national campaign, organized in Ontario by the province in collaboration with the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, that focuses on raising awareness and recognition of the important work that our policing partners do across the province in keeping communities safe.

This being the second Police Week recognized in the midst of COVID-19, it truly does underscore the fact that the pandemic has taken an enormous toll on all of us. It has put a severe strain on almost every aspect of our lives and imposed on our society a challenge unlike any other in generations. Alongside the thousands of other front-line workers, we are so fortunate to count on our police, who have continued to work relentlessly to serve and protect Ontarians while facing new challenges caused by COVID-19.

Our police have been instrumental in supporting the enforcement of the public health measures that our government has put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19 while also responding to the myriad of other community safety issues, new or long-standing.

To address this issue and support our policing partners, our government introduced new anti-human trafficking legislation earlier this year. If passed, the Combating Human Trafficking Act would build upon the province’s $307-million anti-human trafficking strategy and open new avenues in Ontario’s relentless fight against human trafficking. It would help ensure our police partners are equipped to crack down on offenders and support victims and survivors with every tool at our disposal. It would also offer our police and their justice sector and community partners a stronger legislative framework in which to conduct their work.

There have also been incredibly concerning reports of an increase in hate-motivated crime, especially anti-Asian hate crimes. To combat hate-motivated crime and to provide support to our victims, our government announced an investment of more than $2.6 million over two years through the Safer and Vital Communities Grant. This investment will help community-based organizations and their policing partners implement local projects that tackle discrimination and foster greater inclusiveness here in Ontario.

Further, we have invested over $3 million to date into the hate crime and extremism investigation team, a network of 14 municipal police services as well as the OPP that provides specialized investigative support to police services in Ontario on matters involving hate propaganda, the promotion of genocide, hate crimes and criminal extremism.

And as an ongoing effort to deter criminal activities and improve public safety, our government has announced an investment of $6 million over three years to help expand surveillance systems throughout Ontario through the new Ontario CCTV grant. This investment will further support our police in their efforts to combat aggressive driving, which has been linked to gun and gang violence and organized crime. It also brings the total investment to combat gun and gang violence to $112 million, with the support of the federal government, through the Ontario Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy.

Our front-line police have worked so hard to maintain public safety during this pandemic. Often their work is silent, preventive and unseen. Sometimes it requires police officers to put themselves in harm’s way, and occasionally it requires them to make difficult life-or-death decisions in the blink of an eye.

Along with other first responders, police officers are among the professionals who are the most likely to be exposed to occupational stress. That is why, in our recent budget, we have continued to invest in the mental health and well-being of our front-line heroes with a $12.5-million commitment to enhance the mental health services available to Ontario Provincial Police personnel and their families over three years.

But keeping our communities safe should not and does not rest on the shoulders of our police services alone. Individuals too hold a key piece of that puzzle. This is embodied in this year’s theme, “Working Together to Keep Our Communities Safe.” Our society is at its best when we work together and collaborate. It certainly takes an entire community to ensure everyone is safe from harm. We should never forget that.

Police Week is a fitting reminder to honour these men and women on the front lines. Ontarians are truly thankful for their service and partnership to help maintain public safety.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Lisa Gretzky): Response to the ministry? The member for Timiskaming–Cochrane.

Mr. John Vanthof: It’s always an honour to stand in the House. Today I give the response from the official opposition in recognition of Police Week.

The theme this year is “Working Together to Keep Our Communities Safe.” This is the second year that Police Week has been recognized while we are in a COVID pandemic. Police are always the first people on many scenes. They’re the people that you turn to when there is danger in your midst. Now that we’re in a state of emergency, they are often the people left to interpret what the new rules mean. On top of the stress that they already face having to make life-and-death decisions on a regular basis, now, often, they have to deal with rules that none of us are quite sure of. They’re left to deal with it on the ground, and that is incredibly stressful.

Personally, I know from the calls we get in the office regarding the changes in the regulations how stressful it is on us, but we’re not on the ground facing the situation right there. We all know how people right now are very—we’re all tired. I’d say many of us are more aggressive. I can’t fathom how hard that must be to deal with in the situations that our police officers have to deal with every day.

I listened intently to the minister. We disagree on many issues, but crime hasn’t stopped and our police officers need to continue to deal with criminal activities. In some cases, because our society has changed because of the emergency orders, that criminal activity has become more active, more heinous and more dangerous.

The police force itself is a human construct, so they also have to deal with human issues. They have to deal with COVID within their forces. They’re also being stretched by this pandemic. They are not immune. They are responders that we turn to every day. They do things that most of us wouldn’t be able to do, but they are human. The force is a human construct, and humans make mistakes. We all make mistakes and we are all more prone to do it now because of COVID-19.

The official opposition would like to salute police officers and their support staff for the great things they do. Hopefully we can all work together to make sure that everyone is kept safe by their efforts and by ours.

In the spirit of that, I would like to tell a human story about a police officer. This happened before the pandemic. Police officers serve to keep us safe but they serve at their best when they’re part of the community, when people feel that they’re part of the community.

Recently, one of our communities transferred from a municipal force to the OPP. That was the first time I got to meet the OPP commissioner, Commissioner Carrique. It was at a regional awards ceremony, and one of the people getting an award was a five-year-old boy, because he’d stayed on 911 for half an hour while his mother was unconscious on the floor. So he got a truck from the OPP. But you could tell the little boy wanted more than a truck, but at an OPP ceremony it’s very official, and he watched that and Commissioner Carrique recognized that.

Commissioner Carrique took off his hat and put it on the little boy and saluted him. That—that—showed me what true policing is. And on all our behalf, thank you.

Petitions

Optometry services

Mr. Jamie West: This petition is titled, “Petition to Save Eye Care in Ontario.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Ontario government has underfunded optometric eye care for 30 years; and

“Whereas the government only covers an average of 55% of the cost of an OHIP-insured visit, the lowest rate in Canada; and

“Whereas optometrists must absorb the other 45% for the over four million services delivered annually under OHIP; and

“Whereas optometrists have never been given a formal negotiation process with the government; and

“Whereas the government’s continued neglect resulted in 96% of Ontario optometrists voting to withdraw OHIP services beginning September 1, 2021;

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

“To instruct the Ontario government to immediately commit to legally binding, formal negotiations to ensure any future OHIP-insured optometry services are, at a minimum, funded at the cost of delivery.”

I support this petition, will affix my signature and provide it to the Clerk.

M me France Gélinas: J’aimerais remercier M. Mario McLean qui m’a fait parvenir ces pétitions, mais il y a des pétitions qui viennent de partout en Ontario.

« À l’Assemblée législative de l’Ontario :

« Alors que l’Université Laurentienne a annoncé, le 12 avril 2021, son plan de restructuration, qui incluait la fermeture de 69 programmes (dont 28 programmes francophones), la dissolution de la Fédération laurentienne, et la mise à pied de plus de 100 professeur(e)s, et que ces annonces ont un effet dévastateur aux niveaux social, économique, et humain pour la communauté francophone du Moyen-Nord;

Ils demandent à « l’Assemblée législative de l’Ontario ... qu’elle entreprenne les actions suivantes :

« —mettre en place un moratoire d’un an, renouvelable, sur tous les programmes francophones de l’Université Laurentienne et de ses universités fédérées offerts en date du 9 avril 2021, afin d’assurer qu’ils puissent être offerts dans leur intégralité d’ici la fin de la transition des ressources et programmes francophones vers l’Université de Sudbury;

« —établir une commission de mise en oeuvre qui sera chargée d’assurer le transfert des programmes vers l’Université de Sudbury et d’appuyer cette dernière dans son développement... »; et

« —s’assurer, par tous les moyens, que les étudiant(e)s actuel(le)s des programmes francophones touchés par la restructuration de l’Université Laurentienne puissent obtenir un diplôme dans le programme au sein duquel ils/elles étaient inscrit(e)s en date du 9 avril 2021, sans cours ou coûts supplémentaires à ceux déjà prévus initialement. »

J’appuie cette pétition, madame la Présidente. Je vais la signer et je l’envoie aux greffiers.

Optometry services

Ms. Catherine Fife: I’d like to thank Grand River Eye Care for delivering this petition to Queen’s Park. It reads as follows:

“Petition to Save Eye Care in Ontario.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Ontario government has underfunded optometric eye care for 30 years; and

“Whereas the government only covers an average of 55% of the cost of an OHIP-insured visit, the lowest rate in Canada; and

“Whereas optometrists must absorb the other 45% for the over four million services delivered annually under OHIP; and

“Whereas optometrists have never been given a formal negotiation process with the government; and

“Whereas the government’s continued neglect resulted in 96% of Ontario optometrists voting to withdraw OHIP services beginning September 1, 2021;

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

“To instruct the Ontario government to immediately commit to legally binding, formal negotiations to ensure any future OHIP-insured optometry services are, at a minimum, funded at the cost of delivery.”

We support this petition, and