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December 1, 2025

44th Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2025-Dec-01 (PDF)

L044 - Mon 1 Dec 2025 / Lun 1er déc 2025

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 1 December 2025 Lundi 1 er décembre 2025

Members’ Statements

Ontario film and television industry

Entretien hivernal des routes

Fire in Don Valley West

Constituency staff

Rolex SailGP Championship

Holiday activities

Volunteers

Rural Healthcare Symposium

Stevenson Memorial Hospital

Fire in Hong Kong

Introduction of Visitors

House sittings

Question Period

Government accountability

Government accountability

Government accountability

Government accountability

Road safety

Consumer protection

Consumer protection

Hospital funding

Government accountability

Public transit

French-language services

Health care

Government’s record

Government accountability

Bail reform

Deferred Votes

Hospitality Workers Appreciation Day Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 sur la Journée de reconnaissance des travailleuses et travailleurs de l’industrie de l’accueil

Introduction of Visitors

Introduction of Bills

Christian Heritage Month Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 sur le Mois du patrimoine chrétien

Mandatory Blood Testing Amendment Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 modifiant la Loi de 2006 sur le dépistage obligatoire par test sanguin

Petitions

Health care

Public health

Gender-based violence

Economic development

Tenant protection

Highway safety

Education funding

Health care funding

Youth mental health

Arts and cultural funding

Highway safety

Orders of the Day

Resource Management and Safety Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 sur la gestion des ressources et la sécurité

Private members’ public business

Emergency Management Modernization Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 sur la modernisation de la gestion des situations d’urgence

Barrie — Oro-Medonte — Springwater Boundary Adjustment Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 sur la modification des limites territoriales entre Barrie, Oro-Medonte et Springwater

The House met at 1015.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Good morning, everyone. Let us pray.

Prayers.

Members’ Statements

Ontario film and television industry

Mr. Deepak Anand: What is common in the Oscar-winning films Good Will Hunting, Chicago, The Shape of Water? All were made in Ontario, our Hollywood North, our true film production powerhouse, a global village with 150 nationalities speaking 200 languages, enriched with untouched natural beauty and ample resources.

In 2022, Ontario hosted 419 productions, contributing $3.5 billion to the economy and supporting over 45,000 jobs. Thank you to Ontario Creates, FilmOntario and independent filmmakers of Toronto for championing our creative sector and empowering local talent to reach global audiences. Your commitment strengthens our industry every day.

The Ontario Film and Television Tax Credit supports production with a 35% labour credit. Ontario Production Services Tax Credit provides 21.5% on eligible production expenditures, and the OCASE strengthens digital animation and visual effects with an additional 18% credit.

To everyone around the world searching for the perfect place for the next project, Ontario is ready to support. We are growing into a global hub of film production, creating stories in every language that speak to the people of every culture and every background. We are ready to rise, to excel and to build a stronger economic and cultural Ontario for generations to come.

Entretien hivernal des routes

M. Guy Bourgouin: Encore une fois, nos routes du Nord ont été fermées.

Jeudi, nous avons demandé au ministre des Transports pourquoi il refuse de changer un plan qui, clairement, ne fonctionne pas. La réponse est une liste de projets du sud de l’Ontario et la répétition que nous avons les meilleures routes de l’Amérique du Nord. Cela ne reflète absolument pas la réalité de ce week-end.

La semaine dernière, l’autoroute 11 de Cochrane à Kapuskasing et la 655 ont fermé à partir de mercredi jusqu’à vendredi après-midi, un total de 53 heures, quand la qualification de classe 2 pour l’autoroute 11 dit qu’elle devrait être nettoyée après 13 heures.

Ça veut dire : les écoles étaient fermées. Les épiceries manquaient de nourriture. Les patients ont manqué des appointements médicaux. Les travailleurs sont restés bloqués—moi y compris, coincé à Timmins pendant des heures. J’ai même changé de vol de jeudi à vendredi.

C’est une réalité des gens du Nord. Et malgré la promesse d’Internet à haute vitesse partout, une grande

partie de nos autoroutes n’a toujours pas de service cellulaire—impossible de vérifier le 511.

Une fois la route ouverte, les longues lignes filées de camionneurs tentent de rattraper le temps perdu, rendant les routes étroites enneigées encore plus dangereuses. Les fossés sont remplis de camionneurs.

J’espère que le ministre prendra enfin la voix du Nord au sérieux et viendra conduire sur nos routes cet hiver pour comprendre la réalité des gens du Nord.

Fire in Don Valley West

Ms. Stephanie Bowman: I had planned to speak today about the challenges facing Thorncliffe Park residents in my riding of Don Valley West from the construction of the Ontario Line. That will have to wait. Unfortunately, on Thursday, a very serious fire started at 11 Thorncliffe Park Drive and 21 Overlea Boulevard, affecting over 400 families who have been displaced from their homes and still don’t know when they can return.

I visited the site and spoke to residents. They and I are so grateful for the amazing work of the first responders who made sure every resident got out safely. I visited TNO, a fantastic community hub in the neighbourhood of Thorncliffe, initiated by Kathleen Wynne’s government. TNO was able to provide emergency shelter and is now supporting residents who are scared and worried about their homes.

I want to give a very big thank you to Toronto fire, Toronto police, Toronto Emergency Management and TNO, who have been working around the clock to make sure residents are safe and supported.

Thank you, Red Cross, and your dedicated volunteers, and Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin and your staff, as you work closely with these groups to support our Thorncliffe Park community through this very difficult time. Thank you.

Constituency staff

Mr. Tyler Allsopp: It is a pleasure to rise today to welcome my constituency staff to Queen’s Park: Adam Bramburger, Danielle Letersky and Trisha Pretty. Thank you for coming and for all that you do for our residents back home in Bay of Quinte.

As many of you in this room will appreciate, they are often the unsung heroes of provincial politics. Constituency staff play a vital role, connecting our constituents to the services that they need.

Our staff attend events on our behalf when we are double-booked or when a local business has a grand opening but we’re up here at Queen’s Park. They help ensure that our communities can connect with us and that we stay connected to our communities while we are away.

Thank you to Adam, Danielle and Trisha for the great work that you do. Thank you for making me look better than I deserve and thank you for always going the extra mile to provide support to everyone back home in Bay of Quinte.

I hope that you enjoy your time here today and I look forward to our lunch together following question period.

Rolex SailGP Championship

Mr. Chris Glover: Today I’m encouraging all parties in this House to seize an opportunity to showcase Ontario to the world. On Saturday, I was at a watch party for the Sail Grand Prix Championship at the Amsterdam brew pub on Toronto’s iconic waterfront. Maybe I stayed there too long.

SailGP is the world’s fastest sail racing league. It’s 50-foot carbon fibre catamarans that don’t sail across the water, they fly over it on hydrofoils, reaching speeds of up to 100 kilometres an hour. This is a made-in-Ontario technology. The first sailing hydrofoils came out of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club right here in Ontario.

And there’s another Canadian dimension here: The Canadian NorthStar SailGP Team won the championship in Los Angeles last year, bringing pride to all of us in Canada. So here’s the opportunity: There’s a dedicated team trying to bring SailGP to Ontario in July 2027. We could have over 150,000 spectators watching from the shore of Toronto’s inner harbour and a global audience of 3.5 million people, but time is of the essence. The team needs a commitment for seed funding from the provincial and federal governments by the end of the calendar year to bring this this iconic event to our beautiful province.

I encourage the Ministers of Sport and Tourism—let’s work across party lines and with the federal government to seize the opportunity to boost Ontario’s tourism and to showcase Ontario to the world. Let’s bring the SailGP to Ontario in July 2027.

Holiday activities

Hon. Steve Clark: Speaker, the signs of the Christmas season are everywhere, including right here at Queen’s Park, where I must say that you’ve decked the halls beautifully.

On Friday it was incredible to join thousands of people to welcome the spectacular CPKC Holiday Train to Merrickville.

Speaker, I’m also feeling very festive, and I’m not talking about cancelling a night sitting. Today marks the start of my annual Spirit of Christmas Awards. I’m inviting residents to send me information and nominations for their favourite decorated homes so I can recognize those folks that go the extra mile to brighten up those frosty nights.

On Saturday, my team and I will be at the Brockville Santa Claus Parade, serving free hot chocolate to keep children of all ages warm while they wait for Santa.

On Sunday, December 14, it’s my free skate with Santa, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Alaine Chartrand Community Centre in Prescott. In addition to a visit from old Saint Nick, we’ll also have complimentary refreshments from the canteen.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers who make all those special Christmas events in our communities happen, and those who give what they can to help the less fortunate and families. Your efforts are really the joy of Christmas. It makes Christmas shine brighter.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Volunteers

MPP Lisa Gretzky: As the holiday season arrives in Windsor West, I’m filled with pride and gratitude for the generosity and community spirit that define my region. As many families feel the squeeze, especially with the ongoing tariff war, my community never fails to meet challenges with compassion and generosity. There are countless opportunities, especially at this time of year, to lift one another, and I’m inspired by the people and organizations who step up to make a positive difference in someone else’s life.

One of our most cherished traditions is the Windsor Goodfellows paper sales campaign, which is in its 111th year. Last week, I joined volunteers on the streets for a few hours. Everyone was bundled up and determined to help raise funds that ensure families across our community can enjoy a brighter holiday season.

Thank you to the Windsor Goodfellows volunteers and to everyone who donated. Your generosity makes a significant impact.

I also want to recognize the vital work of other charities, food banks, shelters and community organizations that give so much year-round—the Windsor Youth Centre, Downtown Mission, UHC Hub of Opportunities, Street Help, Salvation Army, United Way, Hiatus House, the Welcome Centre Shelter for Women, and so many others. They are pillars of hope for those who need it most.

I encourage everyone who can help, whether through a donation or volunteering some time, to support one of the many incredible organizations that serve our community. When we come together, we build a community where every person is valued and supported.

To all of my constituents in Windsor West, I wish you a safe and happy holiday season.

Rural Healthcare Symposium

MPP Paul Vickers: Madam Speaker, on November 14, I had the privilege of attending the Rural Healthcare Symposium hosted by the South East Grey Community Health Centre. It was a great event. Over 70 health care and community leaders came to discuss opportunities for collaboration, network with their peers, and hear presentations about the state of health care in our region from these organizations’ own experiences. We heard from the mental health sector about how they are solving addiction issues on the ground.

We heard from the long-term-care sector about how our community paramedicine regulations are helping seniors access care faster—including almost 4,900 home visits last year. And we heard from a local hospital network about how they are preparing for our aging population. But the presentation from our local Ontario health team really stuck out to me.

Through this government’s primary care action plan, the Grey-Bruce Ontario Health Team received over $1 million to attach 2,200 patients to primary care in the N0H postal code region. Project partners include the Bruce Peninsula Family Health Team, the Meaford and Thornbury family health organizations, and the South Bruce Peninsula family health organizations. This is only possible because of our government’s commitments to primary care.

I want to thank my friend Alex Hector and his team from the South East Grey Community Health Centre for organizing such a great event.

Stevenson Memorial Hospital

Mr. Brian Saunderson: This government, under Premier Ford, is working with the Stevenson Memorial Hospital and the surrounding communities to build a new hospital in my riding of Simcoe–Grey.

Stevenson Memorial opened its doors over 60 years ago, in 1964, to support a population of just under 10,000 people. Today that population is over 50,000 and is projected to grow by another 20,000 by 2051.

This project will transform the Stevenson into a modernized, state-of-the-art facility that will triple the size of the emergency department and add a new diagnostic imaging suite to house Stevenson’s first MRI. Surgical services will be expanded with two fully equipped operating rooms.

Speaker, the Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation is hard at work on its Because of You campaign, to raise the projected $80-million local share. And I’m happy to report that the community is stepping up. To date, the foundation has raised almost half that target, at over $36 million and counting.

Recently, I had the pleasure to attend the foundation’s Energy Experience 2025 event, to witness the power of that community first-hand. The MC announced that the goal of the night was to raise $80,000 for a new portable X-ray machine and within 15 minutes, the community pledged over $120,000 for that machine, with the women’s auxiliary leading the charge with a pledge of $40,000.

I want to recognize and thank foundation board chair Ted Vandevis, CEO Frank Cerisano, campaign chair Sylvia Biffis and the entire foundation team for their incredible work and determination to make that new hospital a reality. Thank you very much, Speaker, and merry Christmas, everyone.

Fire in Hong Kong

Mr. Billy Pang: Madam Speaker, if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent to have a moment of silence in honour of the recent tragedy in Hong Kong on November 26, where 151 people lost their lives during a disastrous fire, and over 40 are missing.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): MPP Pang is seeking unanimous consent to have a moment of silence in honour of the recent tragedy in Hong Kong. Agreed? Agreed.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

Introduction of Visitors

Hon. Kevin Holland: I would like to welcome today, from my constituency office in Thunder Bay, Mr. Harold Wilson.

Mr. Andrew Dowie: I want to wish a warm welcome to my ever patient and tolerant wife, Mary, with us in the Speaker’s gallery this morning, as well as my constituency’s office staff Salam Esho, Cole Gorham and Jada Malott. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Marit Stiles: I’m very pleased today to welcome my parents and my husband to the Legislature: Geoff and Kathy Stiles, and my husband, Jordan Berger, with us in the Speaker’s gallery.

Mr. Rob Cerjanec: I’d like to welcome Dorothy Noronha from Northumberland–Peterborough South to the House today and Khurram Qureshi from my community in Ajax. Welcome to your House.

Ms. Bobbi Ann Brady: I’d like to welcome to the House, from the beautiful riding of Haldimand–Norfolk, Katrina and Abbey Ferguson. Welcome.

Hon. David Piccini: It’s an honour to introduce today’s page captain, Lucas, along with his mom and dad, Emily and Daniel, and his sister Madeline, who are all here from the riding of Northumberland–Peterborough South. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

In addition, I’d like to welcome Chloe and Allie from my constituency office who are here today, and Bonnie who’s watching back at home on the telly. Welcome to Queen’s Park and thank you for all you do for the people of Northumberland–Peterborough South.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: People from across rural Ontario are in the House today. I’m very proud to welcome class 21 of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program.

Mr. Sheref Sabawy: I would like to welcome McKinnon primary school from my riding in the gallery today. They’re going to sing O Canada soon.

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: It gives me great pleasure to welcome Cynthia Lynch, Angela Mastronardi and Jane Tattersall from FilmOntario. I encourage all members to attend their reception at 5 o’clock today in room 230.

Mr. Chris Glover: I want to welcome the Spadina–Fort York youth council to the galleries today: Mayson, Fouad, Heike, Diego, Jennifer, Prisca, Andrew and Bianca. They’re accompanied by Kaia and Keana from my office. Welcome to the Ontario Legislature.

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: I have a few people to introduce on World AIDS Day. I want to introduce a fantastic East York community leader Justin Van Dette, who has been advocating for better access to prescription drugs for people living with HIV and AIDS for a long time, and a wonderful young graduate Olivia Howells. It’s her first time at Queen’s Park, so I hope we impress her and not scare her.

And number three: I’d like to welcome the wise waste wizards from Waste to Resource Ontario. They’re worried about our landfill capacity. They’re in the House today—

Hon. Nolan Quinn: I’d like to welcome my team from Cornwall here: Harry, Brittney, Jaxon and Adrian to the house. Welcome.

Hon. Todd J. McCarthy: I’d like to recognize Waste to Resource Ontario members who were in the Legislative Assembly today including Ashley De Souza, CEO of W2RO; Darryl Wolk, manager of policy and government relations of W2RO; and all the members from across Ontario who are at Queen’s Park today.

I also want to welcome Rachael Wood-Harman from my constituency office.

Ms. Natalie Pierre: I’d like to welcome, from the riding of Burlington, Michelle Perrone-Bonavita who is here with the grade 5 choir from McKinnon Public School.

Hon. Stan Cho: I want to also welcome FilmOntario. And I’m delighted to let you know that Drewry Secondary School is back from Willowdale. There’s a concert today at 12:15 for Christmas.

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: I’d like to welcome Sonia Fiorini, a member of my constituency staff and constituent. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Anthony Leardi: I’d like to wish welcome from the riding of Dufferin–Caledon: Boda Sloboanka, Karol Jakubczak and Calista Plourde. Welcome.

Hon. Michael Parsa: I’d like to welcome to the House my amazing team from the constituency office: Anna Nguyen, Saya Moaf, and Sina Madihiyan. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

M. Stéphane Sarrazin: J’aimerais souhaiter la bienvenue à mon équipe : Noémie Prevost, Emilie Sabourin et Connor David sont ici. Merci pour le travail que vous faites auprès des gens de Glengarry–Prescott–Russell.

M me Dawn Gallagher Murphy: I’d like to welcome the members of my constituency office: Rayane Boumala, as well as Olga Zavidovskiy, Daniel Goutovets and Elena. Thank you so much.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Members, if I could have your attention.

Joining us in the Speaker’s gallery today—this is going to take a while—we have my mentor, the former Speaker, Ted Arnott, member for Wellington–Halton Hills in the 43rd Parliament, 42nd Parliament, 41st Parliament, 40th Parliament and 39th Parliament; representative of Waterloo–Wellington in the 38th Parliament, 37th Parliament; and the member for Wellington in the 36th Parliament and the 35th Parliament. Welcome back.

Applause.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): None of us will be able to achieve that—none of us. You hold that record for sure.

This morning in the public gallery, we are joined by grade 4 and 5 students from McKinnon Public School in the riding of Mississauga–Erin Mills. They will perform O Canada and God Save the King, while signing the songs in American Sign Language. Please stand and join them with a vigorous rendition of our national and royal anthems.

Singing of the national anthem / Chant de l’hymne national.

Singing of the royal anthem / Chant de l’hymne royal.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): You may be seated. That was wonderful. Thank you so much. That was brilliant.

House sittings

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the government House leader on a point of order.

Hon. Steve Clark: I just want to advise the House that the night sitting scheduled for this evening has been cancelled.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I know; he’s so disappointing, isn’t he?

Question Period

Government accountability

Ms. Marit Stiles: Good morning, Speaker. My question is for the Premier. I think I have some pretty incisive questions for him this morning.

Last weak, Trillium reported that Dentacloud, a company run by the Ford family dentist, received over $2 million from the government’s Skills Development Fund. This is another instance of taxpayer dollars going to a business with close personal ties to the Premier.

My question to the Premier is, did he give $2 million of government funding to his personal family dentist?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Minister of Labour.

Hon. David Piccini: The Premier has already said that’s incorrect.

What we are doing is making sure we’ve got a next generation of health care professionals trained in the province. In fact, we were the first—before the federal government—to introduce free dental care for low-income seniors. This has been impactful in my community and communities across Ontario.

It’s estimated by the Canadian Dental Association that it will require thousands of additional dentists and health care professionals to support. We’re going to keep making investments to support those front-line health care professionals and we’re proud to support them on their training journey.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the Leader of the Opposition.

Ms. Marit Stiles: I will say, I think the Premier is really putting his money where his mouth is.

Skilled workers are getting shut out of training and apprenticeships, all because of this government’s underfunding, and then the Premier hands over SDF cheques to his dentist. Like, that’s what’s going on here: Workers falling behind while Conservative donors and lobbyists get a leg up. We’ve seen it over and over again.

Can the Premier explain why his close, personal friend and dentist—all you have to do is go to the dentist’s website; the Premier is all over it—why they got $2 million from this government?

Interjections.

Hon. David Piccini: Thank you. I hope I heard that correctly: “Sham training.” Say that to every training union in every corner of Ontario that’s benefiting from meaningful training—higher completion rates, higher apprenticeship rates. We have a record number of youth in apprenticeships today thanks to the incredible work that’s doing.

That member opposite can’t even name one training hall—not one—that she has visited in the last number of weeks. I know they have invited her. Organized labour abandoned her because she abandoned them when she opposed the 413, opposed the Bradford Bypass, opposed actually building, Speaker.

That’s what these people do. That’s why they’re supporting this government.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Final supplementary.

Ms. Marit Stiles: I would say this to the Minister of Labour first: I don’t have to engage in this kind of labour cosplay because they know where I stand—working people in this province. It’s absurd.

Anyway, back to the Premier: We know that the government ignored the objective ranking criteria because the minister has admitted that. We know that they hand-picked low-scoring applications that benefited their friends and insiders, over the stronger applications that would benefit workers. The Dentacloud website brags that they make clients “feel as comfortable and relaxed as the Ford family has” during visits. The Premier has even said that to get in touch with him or with the dentists, people can just call the Premier’s personal phone number.

Again, back to the Premier: Could the Premier explain why a private dental clinic with close, personal connections to him and his family received $2 million from this government?

Hon. David Piccini: Again, that’s incorrect. Workers do know where the Leader of the Opposition stands, and it’s sure as heck not with them. It’s not with them.

How do I know that, Speaker? Because if it was up to them, they would have given pink slips to the men and women of Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, not to mention Wesleyville’s new nuclear. They wouldn’t even contemplate that, because they can’t contemplate nation-building. They had the opportunity when they propped up the previous Liberal government. They didn’t build anything, not long-term-care homes, not new hospitals, like Campbellford hospital in my riding.

New nuclear generating in Wesleyville, the Pickering refurbishment: These are things that are going to put men and women of this province to work. It’s going to result in a higher number of apprentices training in Ontario. In fact, today we see a record number of youth registering for apprenticeships and a doubling of the number of women registering for apprenticeships. Speaker, this is all meaningful work taking place because the Premier is nation-building, and it’s putting workers to work.

Government accountability

Ms. Marit Stiles: Trying to get answers from this government is like pulling teeth. And I will say, Speaker, it is very unfortunate that once again the Premier is not present in the House to answer the questions.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Order. The member knows better.

Ms. Marit Stiles: Last week, the government House leader got up in the House to try to lecture me about decorum and our responsibilities as MPPs, so let’s talk about it. This same member was removed from his role as housing minister because of his role in the greenbelt scandal. This member is currently under RCMP criminal investigation, and now the same government is being investigated by the OPP anti-racketeering branch.

Is there a single decision this government made that won’t require them to be investigated?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Minister of Labour.

Hon. David Piccini: Speaker, let’s talk about decisions this government has made: a decision to actually realize the potential of the Ring of Fire in the north. The Premier, last week, signed another historic agreement. We’re making important investments into the Ring of Fire with Marten Falls and Webequie. This is going to bring unparalleled economic success, driving prosperity in the north, which will ensure prosperity across our province.

How about a commitment to actually build hospitals and expand health care capacity? That’s what this Premier is doing. Or schools: The previous Liberal government was famous for shutting them down in rural communities like mine. I remember picketing the lines in Norwood with members of my own community when they threatened to shut down Norwood high school. Well, under this Premier, we’re building. We are building new schools in every corner of Ontario. We’re also building critical infrastructure: roads, bridges and highways. They’re against road building.

They are part of that crazy mantra that doesn’t even want to build roads. The men and women of the working class, men and women of the skilled trades, know that when we build those things—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Supplementary?

Ms. Marit Stiles: Last month, Speaker, the infamous John Mutton, who we all know as “Mr. X”—the House leader will certainly remember him—claimed that he was tipped off by the now Minister of Labour about the government’s planned changes to the greenbelt at a Conservative Party fundraiser. He says the Minister of Labour told him about the changes before any legislative changes or public consultations had started. Last month, Trillium obtained a transcript of an interview where Mr. X told the exact same thing to the Integrity Commissioner under oath.

Does the minister still confirm or does he actually continue to deny this story?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the member from York South–Weston.

MPP Mohamed Firin: We were sent to this House to protect the workers of this province, and that’s what this program is doing.

So 600,000 individuals have been trained; 100,000 have received a job within the first 60 days—Speaker, that’s one in six. There is no other program across this country that does that, but the Leader of the Opposition continues to attack the unions and continues to attack the workers—the same unions that invited her. LIUNA 183—Victoria Mancinelli invited her to visit the same training centres and she doesn’t want to go there. She does not want to go there. Maybe she can tell us why.

But, Speaker, our job is to protect the workers of this province and that’s what we’re doing. We’re not going to take any lessons from the NDP.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Final supplementary?

Ms. Marit Stiles: Well, that sure is tough talk when the minister couldn’t get out of here fast enough—

Interjections.

Ms. Marit Stiles: I’ll withdraw.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Order. I will start warning people.

The member knows better. The member will withdraw.

Ms. Marit Stiles: I did withdraw.

How can anyone believe this minister though, Speaker? During the greenbelt scandal, the Integrity Commissioner found that developers had improper influence in deciding which parcels of land were to be removed. There are serious allegations that the now Minister of Labour provided privileged information to a lobbyist.

Now, we have another instance where the same minister has been accused of giving preferential treatment to Skills Development Fund applicants with close personal ties to this government—even the Premier’s family dentist.

How can Ontarians trust a government that is always clouded in scandal?

MPP Mohamed Firin: It’s really sad because the leader does all these stunts where she will mention individuals that are not here, knowing that she’s not supposed to, but she does these stunts to get the videos, just like the same stunt where she had those protesters.

But, Speaker, we’re here to talk about the workers of this province and that’s what our government continues to do. One in six workers that have been trained have received a job, and that’s what this program is about.

I’ll tell you the story of Joanna, a young lady that immigrated from Venezuela who got trained through—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The member for Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas will come to order.

MPP Mohamed Firin: —Local 75. Today, she has a career; she’s putting a down payment on a home. That’s what this program is about. It’s about giving hope to the generations. It’s about giving hope to Ontarians, and that’s what we will do. We will never take lessons from that leader.

Government accountability

Mr. John Fraser: Another day, another revelation about the rot that is the Skills Development Fund. It turns out that the dentist at the centre of Dentacloud, John Maggirias—well, he’s not just a donor; he’s the Ford family dentist. You remember that Dentacloud got $2 million from the Skills Development Fund.

You know, there’s a show called Stranger Things. This is a stranger thing. How does the Premier’s family dentist get $2 million? I don’t think it can get much stranger than this, but maybe it will.

With 700,000 people out of work in this province, how does the Premier justify giving $2 million to his family dentist?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The member for York South–Weston.

MPP Mohamed Firin: Speaker, I mentioned in this House a few weeks ago that under his leadership—the leader of the third party, for the third time—nothing in this province was being done. We lost 350,000 jobs that went to the US.

He had an opportunity to create the same jobs that we’re creating now. One in six people are getting jobs within 60 days, Speaker. In his riding of Ottawa—I told you the story of Kevin, who put a down payment on his home now and he’s on his way to getting married. This is what this program does—600,000 trained; 100,000 with a job within the first 60 days.

Maybe he can tell us what he did when he was in government.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Supplementary?

Mr. John Fraser: Trying to get an answer out of this government on anything to do with the Skills Development Fund is worse than a root canal, and I’ve had quite a few. I know I’m touching a nerve though, I can tell.

There are so many connections in this thing. The Premier says, “I don’t know the dentist,” but like the Web is full of the dentist, John Maggirias, and the Premier together. There are some videos and they’re actually pretty chummy, kind of hubba-chubba there; talking about each other and having a good time. But the Premier says, “I don’t know him, never seen him. I don’t know who he is.” That’s kind of strange. This denial is a pretty thin veneer.

So, Speaker, I guess the question is, is the Premier on the dentist’s family plan or is the dentist on the Premier’s family plan?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Minister of Labour.

Hon. David Piccini: Speaker, I’m sorry to hear he’s had so many root canals; he should eat less candy.

We’re not going to apologize for making investments in health care professionals. He had the opportunity when he was parliamentary assistant, and he didn’t invest in long-term-care homes, didn’t invest in the front-line heroes. We know they fired nurses when they had the opportunity. So we’re going to make investments in health care professionals to support their training—to make investments in every corner of Ontario to support pathways into meaningful jobs, Speaker.

They had the opportunity to stand up here. They may not like the answers, but the reality is we are investing in meaningful apprenticeship pathways, we’re investing in training centres in every corner of Ontario, we’re building a stronger Ontario and we’re creating the talent pipeline needed to do it.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Leader of the third party.

Mr. John Fraser: Back to the minister: If there’s any decay going on, it’s over there.

Whatever the family plan is, we know that there are lots of reward points, right? Lots of reward points that never expire. But ironically, the Premier is sneaking through a piece of legislation that will allow everyday Ontarians’ reward points to expire, favouring big corporations over everyday Ontarians—rewarding people the Skills Development Fund, allowing big corporations to take away people’s reward points just before Christmas.

So, just who is the Premier for? His friends or the everyday Ontarians who need support and help every day?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement.

Hon. Stephen Crawford: I will say to the member opposite of the third party: I will definitely give you an A for acting but an F for the facts, because you are way, way off base.

Speaker, strong leadership requires a steady hand. It requires being calm. It requires looking at the facts before you speak. What I can say is if these people were in charge during COVID or during our current US tariff war, people would be running for the hills in panic.

First off, let me be very clear: Absolutely nothing in our bill makes it easier for companies to take away your reward points. Can I repeat that? First off, nothing, absolutely nothing—

Interjections.

Hon. Stephen Crawford: Are you listening? You’re talking over there. Do you want to listen to the facts?

Nothing in the bill makes it easier to take away reward points, full stop.

Government accountability

Mr. John Fraser: Well, I’ll give the minister an S for spin, because he’s taking away the only protections that exist for reward points in legislation. He’ll have a chance to prove that a committee.

But my question is for the President of the Treasury Board. I’ve asked the President of the Treasury Board several times about why Keel Digital Solutions, a company flagged for forensic audit, under a forensic audit and then referred to the OPP, continued to receive money—tens of millions of dollars.

It’s hard to understand why the President of the Treasury Board will not even look at me when I ask this question, so I’m going to ask it once more: How is it that a company under a forensic audit in this province can continue to receive tens of millions of taxpayer dollars? How is that?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery.

Hon. Stephen Crawford: The member of the third party started off this round of questions talking about reward points, and I think he didn’t get the answer he wanted, because he hasn’t gone back to that, as is parliamentary tradition. But let’s go back to that.

Speaker, our goal is simple: We want to make sure people in this province buy with confidence and keep every dollar they earn in their reward points with confidence. Whether it’s your Optimum cards or Petro-Points, your credit card points, anything online, new protections are actually going to protect those further.

Here’s what our proposed changes actually do: They strengthen consumer protections; they give people more rights, not less. Number one, businesses will have to respond when someone asks for their points back. If your points were frozen, cancelled or disappeared, companies will now have an obligation to respond back to that, and for the first time ever, you will have the opportunity to take legal recourse. Is that not something you can support?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Final supplementary.

Mr. John Fraser: The only PC points that this government is taking care of are the ones that they award. That’s it. You’re taking out protections and legislations on this.

The President of the Treasury Board is refusing to answer these questions, and that’s because she doesn’t want to be covered with the stench and the stink that’s here. The president’s job is to protect taxpayers’ money. And if you take a look at not just this forensic audit, but the whole—the whole—of the Skills Development Fund, what the Auditor General said and all the muck and dirt that’s there, for the President of the Treasury Board to refuse to respond to the people of Ontario as to what she’s doing to protect taxpayers’ money—it’s just wrong.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Government House leader.

Hon. Steve Clark: You know, when you became the third party, you got extra dollars for your research. But to recycle your questions over and over every week—you’re going to get the same answer, right?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Through the Speaker.

Hon. Steve Clark: I was very clear last week: the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security did a routine audit where they found enough information back in 2023 to ask for a forensic audit—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The member for Orléans will come to order.

Hon. Steve Clark: The Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security ultimately received the results of that forensic audit, and as has been put into Hansard numerous times, within 24 hours the Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security forwarded it to the Ontario Provincial Police—end of story, asked and answered.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Final supplementary?

Mr. John Fraser: The clock starts at the end of the first audit that flagged a forensic audit. That’s when the clock starts, and that’s almost two years ago.

And the President of the Treasury Board can’t answer one single question, won’t even stand up and give a non-answer. What does that tell you, folks? She doesn’t want to have anything to do with this, just like the rest of the members over there.

It’s $27 million to bars and nightclubs, $10 million to strip clubs, $2 million to the Premier’s family dentist—should I go on? Is there more? What’s it going to take for the President of the Treasury Board to stand up and take responsibility for her job: internal audit and protecting taxpayers’ money?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The Minister of Colleges and Universities.

Hon. Nolan Quinn: The results of that audit—I took leadership and I reported it to the OPP within 24 hours. I’ll repeat it again, because it doesn’t look like any of the third party is listening: Within 24 hours, the OPP had the results of that audit.

He’s shaking his head. I guess he’s just not listening that well, Speaker.

But you know what? We’ll talk about what we are doing for the post-secondary sector that he continues to vote against, our billion-dollar investment in budget 2025 that that member voted against and he continues to vote against. He seems to be proud voting against our billion dollars that we’re investing into post-secondary, Speaker. That whole party seems to be really happy with the fact that they voted against budget 2025.

You continue to stand up here and preach about caring about post-secondary, but you vote down over $2.5 billion that we’ve invested into the post-secondary sector, and both the third party and the NDP—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The leader of the third party will come to order.

Hon. Nolan Quinn: —will continue to vote against the post-secondary sector. Will—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The leader of the third party will come to order. This is the final time I’m going to ask you to come to order. I will start warning and then naming people.

Road safety

Ms. Jennifer K. French: My question is for the Premier. The Ford government has provided municipalities with speed limit signs so large that they don’t fit on existing poles. They’re so big that they could make roads less safe by creating blind spots for children crossing the street.

Meanwhile, the government refuses to invest in proven measures that actually slow drivers down. Why is this government more focused on photo ops and supersized speed limit signs than on keeping kids safe?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Minister of Transportation.

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: I can’t believe that we have to stand here and talk about a municipality not being able to install a sign, Madam Speaker—that too?—when we offered to install those signs for them, gave them over a month’s worth of time to do so.

Interjection.

Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I am warning the member for Orléans.

Back to the Minister of Transportation.

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: Thank you, Madam Speaker. We continue to be focused on proactive versus reactive measures when it comes to safety. We know that, time and time again, these cameras—there are specific ones. One—let’s take an example from the city of Toronto—issued 70,000 tickets every single year. The number of tickets went up every single year. What does that tell us? It’s not working.

These were cash grabs in certain areas, so we’ve got to focus on how we can limit the speed at the point of entry. How do you do that? Traffic-calming measures. Speed bumps are what can help, and that’s what the $210-million fund is meant for. We’ll work with municipalities to deploy that.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the member for Oshawa.

Ms. Jennifer K. French: It was a mistake to outlaw automated safety cameras in school zones and legislate giant oversized speed limit signs to replace them. They’re not going to keep kids safe.

This Premier will remember Parkside Drive. We have talked about Parkside Drive in this chamber before. Mr. and Mrs. Avila were killed there in 2021. Within days of this Premier’s decision to ban speed cameras on Parkside Drive, we have already seen a collision that has put a pedestrian in the hospital.

So my question is, how many more people are going to be hospitalized before this government finally takes road safety seriously?

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: That’s why we’re focused on measures that will actually stop the individuals from speeding in these zones like school zones or community safety zones. You put a speed bump in place; it is physically impossible for any individual to go through that at a very high speed. Getting a ticket three weeks later is not effective. That’s why we’ve moved towards a $210-million fund, of which over $42 million has gone to municipalities already, to help support additional traffic calming measures that will actually work and reduce the speed within these zones.

This is in addition to all of the measures that we have put forward. I sat there and introduced, with my colleague Minister Kerzner, the fall justice bill that strengthens provisions on those who are dangerously driving on our roads and imposes lifetime suspensions.

Our government will continue to ensure that we build our roads as some of the safest in the province and the country by ensuring that we have more rules and regulations that hold—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The member for Ajax.

Consumer protection

Mr. Rob Cerjanec: Mr. Premier, Christmas is almost here, but you’re acting like the Grinch. The Whos in Whoville are not very happy right now. They work hard and they save up their rewards points to spend them over the holidays. Premier, why are you trying to pull a fast one on us and take away our hard-earned rewards points?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery.

Hon. Stephen Crawford: To the member opposite: I would suggest that I gave an answer to this already, but I will repeat myself. I want everybody in the House, and everyone in the province of Ontario for that matter, to fully understand what is in this bill. The government of Ontario under Premier Doug Ford have stood strong with consumers year after year. This bill is another example of that. We’ll see if the opposition supports consumers because if they vote against the red tape reduction bill, this is what they’re voting against.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The leader of the third party has been warned.

Hon. Stephen Crawford: This is what they’re voting against: Businesses right now will have to respond when someone asks for their points back. If your points were frozen, cancelled or disappear, the company now will have to respond. And, for the first time ever, consumers will have the right to take legal action against the company if they unilaterally take away your points.

So my question is, who is the real Grinch here? I think it’s the opposition. I encourage you to support this bill and side with Santa Claus.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the member for Ajax.

Mr. Rob Cerjanec: I’d encourage the minister to reread that bill and

schedule 5 in the bill because it does take away reward points from the expiry of time, and we’re going to leave it up to this government to trust—I don’t trust them on this.

Premier, you’re taking away our only protection on losing reward points. Protecting rewards points is not red tape. People are already stretched thin. Grocery prices are up. Housing is still unaffordable. People are losing their jobs and young people—they’re looking for work.

These points are one of the few small breaks that people get. Instead of relief in our Christmas stockings, you’re giving us a lump of coal. Mr. Premier, you like to say you’re for the little guys, so prove it. Do you stand with the little guy, or do you stand with billionaires?

Hon. Stephen Crawford: Again, Speaker, I encourage the opposition to really take a look at this bill and understand what’s in it. We are standing with consumers.

Speaker, let me tell you something: The only people trying to take points away from their families are the ones spreading fear instead of facts. Could you imagine if you were in a movie theatre and someone yelled “Fire!” and there was no fire? That’s what the opposition is doing right now.

Nothing expires because of this bill. No one loses anything. And before anything takes effect, clear regulations will have to be written and approved in plain sight. Pure fact: The government is standing up for consumers. We’re making sure Ontarians keep what they’ve earned and we’re giving families stronger tools to fight back when companies don’t play fair. So stand with us, stand with the people of Ontario, stand with Santa Claus and support this change.

Consumer protection

MPP Billy Denault: My question is for the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement.

Ontario families work hard for every dollar they earn, and reward points have become an important way for them to stretch their budgets. Whether it’s groceries, gas or everyday purchases, these points help households save money and plan for the future.

But, Speaker, there’s been a lot of misinformation spread by the opposition about our government’s new rewards points policy changes. Ontarians deserve clarity—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Withdraw.

MPP Billy Denault: Withdraw.

Ontarians deserve clarity, not scare tactics. That’s why our government introduced stronger protections for consumers, to ensure families keep the points they’ve earned. Speaker, can the minister please tell the House how these new reward points protections will safeguard consumers and dispel claims being spread by the Liberals?

Hon. Stephen Crawford: What a great question from a great member. I mean, you really understand, you’ve read the bill. Thank you.

Speaker, our government’s rewards policy is about protecting families and ensuring they keep what they’ve earned. Let me be crystal clear: Nothing in our bill makes it easier for companies to take away your points. That claim from the Liberals is simply not true. The current rules already stop companies from wiping out points just because time has passed, and those protections remain in place.

What our changes do is strengthen consumer—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The member for Ajax has been warned.

Hon. Stephen Crawford: For the first time ever, companies will be required to respond when points are frozen, cancelled or disappear, and consumers will have the right to take legal action to get those points back.

We’re also giving the government power to introduce strong rules against unfair expiration, cancellation or suspension of reward points. That means new disclosure requirements, penalties and remedies to protect the people of Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The member for Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke.

MPP Billy Denault: Speaker, protecting consumers means more than passing legislation; it means delivering measurable results that Ontarians can trust. Families want to know that their points are safe, that companies are held accountable and that transparency is guaranteed. The Liberals have been spreading fear, suggesting people will lose their points, but Ontarians deserve the truth.

Speaker, can the minister tell us how these reward points changes will ensure real accountability and deliver measurable protections for families across Ontario?

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The member for Beaches–East York will come to order.

Back to the minister.

Hon. Stephen Crawford: I think the Liberals are getting a little upset with our response to their questions on this particular issue.

Accountability is the backbone of awards points policy, and for the first time ever, families will have the legal tools to fight back when companies don’t play fair. Nothing expires because of this bill. No one loses anything. Before any new rules take effect, clear regulations will be written and in plain sight. What our changes do is strengthen consumer rights. For the first time ever, companies will be required to respond when points are frozen.

Speaker, let’s talk about who’s really playing the Grinch here. The Liberals have voted against every single measure we’ve put forward to save Ontarians money, from cutting the gas tax to scrapping licence plate sticker fees, banning tolls, freezing driver’s licence fees, introducing One Fare, raising ODSP and cutting income taxes for low-income workers. We’ll take no lessons from the Liberals and the ones who are spreading fear and misinformation, and this Christmas, they’ll be getting nothing but coal in their stockings.

Hospital funding

Mr. Jeff Burch: Speaker, through you to the Minister of Health: Last week we learned that Niagara Health will be eliminating nearly 100 jobs in hospitals across the Niagara region. These jobs are being eliminated to deal with a deficit of $26 million caused by this provincial government. The same thing is playing out in hospitals all across the province, as already-understaffed hospitals struggle to deal with deficits created by this government’s negligence.

Will this minister apologize to hospital workers and patients in Niagara and across Ontario, and provide the funding necessary to protect these jobs?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Member for Essex.

Mr. Anthony Leardi: For every year over the last three years, the ministry has increased operational funds to hospitals by $1 billion—every year for the last three years.

And earlier this year, the minister required all hospitals in the province of Ontario to present a three-year plan to make sure that all hospitals reach a balanced budget within the next three years. We believe that it is responsible for us to ask for that plan. All of the hospitals have complied and have submitted their plans, and we anticipate that they will have the operational funding going forward.

Just as a reminder, that is an additional $1 billion that was financed to hospitals in the province of Ontario every year for the last three years. That’s a total of $3 billion over the last three years, and we do believe that it is right for the government to ask hospitals to reach balance.

Mr. Jeff Burch: The minister has made a habit of blaming local hospitals and local hospital boards for her own government’s incompetence, as if it’s a coincidence that 50% of Ontario hospitals are dealing with deficits.

All across Ontario, in cities like North Bay and Ottawa, this government is pushing hundreds of overworked hospital workers out the door at Christmastime due to deficits created by their own neglect and incompetence.

This government says they support workers. This Premier says he is supporting Ontario jobs. When will this Premier and this minister finally find the courage to do their own job?

Mr. Anthony Leardi: Speaker, the hospitals in Ontario have received an additional funding allocation of $1 billion every year for the last three years for their operations.

The member specifically referred to North Bay. The North Bay hospital specifically had an increase of $50 million since 2020, which constitutes a 20% increase in that North Bay hospital’s budget since 2020.

We believe that it is appropriate for the ministry to require hospitals to reach a balanced-budget situation, and for that reason the minister has required that hospitals submit a three-year plan to demonstrate that they will reach a balanced budget within the next three years. We believe that demonstrates the responsible use of taxpayers’ money, and we will continue supporting our hospitals both in their operational phases and in their capital programs.

Government accountability

MPP Stephanie Smyth: My question is for the Premier. At this time of year, people in Toronto–St. Paul’s and right across the province are stretching every penny—say, using those rewards points they saved up all year long to have for the holidays. They’re doing everything they can to make the holidays feel normal for their families.

And while they’re tightening their belts, this government is handing out millions of taxpayer dollars through the skills development slush fund with almost no accountability. At the same time, renters are being squeezed by above-guideline increases that no one can reasonably afford.

Through you, Speaker, to the Premier: How does he keep enabling his minister, who shows so little respect for taxpayer money and so little respect for the people just trying to stay housed?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the minister.

Hon. Stephen Crawford: To the member opposite, and to the people of Ontario, I am so thrilled that we have Premier Doug Ford and this Progressive Conservative government leading the province of Ontario right now. Because this is a government that has put forward consumer protection legislation and affordability measures. We are the government that supported cutting the gas tax, scrapping licence plate sticker fees, banning tolls, freezing drivers’ licences, cutting income taxes for low-income workers—the largest tax cut in the history of Ontario—raising the minimum wage and cutting tuition to college and universities—a 10% reduction, frozen for a number of years.

You voted against it. You have stood against every affordability measure that we have put through this House. This government stands on the side of the consumers and the people of Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the member for Toronto–St. Paul’s.

MPP Stephanie Smyth: Speaker, the people in my community aren’t asking for much. They just want stability. They want fairness. They want a government that doesn’t treat public money like a gift bag for political friends while ignoring renters who are being pushed to the brink.

That’s why I introduced Protecting Renters from Unfair Above Guideline Rent Increases Act, because this government clearly is more concerned defending its own minister, who’s signing cheques to the Ford family dentist—more concerned about that—than helping the tenants and giving them the security that they deserve.

So I’m going to ask the Premier again: Why is this government rewarding insiders while refusing to protect—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): This has nothing to do with the original question.

Next question. I recognize the member for Cambridge.

Mr. Brian Riddell: Thank you, Speaker. This is just ridiculous, and I don’t even know the proper answer for it because it’s so silly.

Interjections.

Mr. Brian Riddell: Oh, my question—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Next question.

Public transit

Ms. Doly Begum: Good morning, Premier.

Last week, the Premier said, “Get the damn thing moving,” when asked about the Eglinton LRT. So my question to the minister is, will he?

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: As we stated earlier today, we are on the last day of revenue service demonstration for the Crosstown project, after which it will follow the exact same process as Finch did. We will mark substantial completion shortly thereafter, in the next week, and the line will then go over to the TTC members, who will then tell us and work with us on an opening date. So we are committed to getting this line open. Today, we are on the last day of revenue service demonstration.

We’ll continue to build transit across this province. I hope that the members across, whether it be the NDP, Liberals, support this government and our $70-billion investment into public transit—which, to date, they haven’t.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the member for Scarborough Southwest.

Ms. Doly Begum: Speaker, 15 long years, countless delays, cost overruns, opaque bureaucracy, over 100 vice-presidents—all on the public dime, and no opening date. In fact, someone actually hired a mariachi band to celebrate a quinceañera for the Eglinton LRT. It’s getting that ridiculous.

The Premier now has said that he will find out when the opening date is. How is it possible that nobody in this government knows what’s going on—not the minister, not the Premier?

Will the Premier or the minister get up and give us an actual answer as to what on earth is going on with the Eglinton LRT?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Madam Speaker: First of all, I’ve got a soft spot for this MPP—I do—from Scarborough and so on and so forth. But let me just remind her that it was a disaster started under the Liberal government. I was sitting at the table with my brother 15 years ago, and we were saying, “Let’s do it this way.” But the Liberal government said, “No, we’re doing it that way.” I agree with her frustration. We’re finally getting it going.

The good-news story is, Eglinton West was six weeks ahead of time.

We’re making a lot of groundwork on the Ontario Line—one of the toughest, toughest builds you could ever do is build underneath the city.

We’re expanding the Scarborough subway that the Liberal government would always, always vote against. When I was a city councillor, when Rob was mayor—“build the Scarborough subway.” They refused to build it. Finally, the people of Scarborough—because our government, we’re giving them love.

And we’re doing the Yonge extension as well, the LRT out in Mississauga—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the member for Ottawa–Vanier.

French-language services

M me Lucille Collard: Franco-Ontarian tenants continue to face serious barriers at the Landlord and Tenant Board. The board still doesn’t have enough bilingual judges, and francophone tenants are stuck with clumsy

interpretation procedures that make it harder for them to tell their story and defend their rights.

The minister keeps saying that there aren’t enough francophone applicants for judicial appointments. But qualified candidates do exist—people like Professor Gilles LeVasseur, who has applied four times, met every requirement, and still gets rejected at the ministerial stage. What message does that send to francophones who simply want equal access to justice?

So I will ask the Attorney General: When will the government appoint more francophone judges and ensure that francophone tenants have real, equitable, bilingual access to a fair Landlord and Tenant Board?

Hon. Doug Downey: It is true that 1.5 million Ontarians do speak French, and 620,000 Ontarians identify as francophone. This is a very important part of Ontario.

I’ve been working with our access-to-justice-in-French advisory committee that we established in 2018; it provides linkages between the government and places like the Landlord and Tenant Board.

Madam Speaker, last year, the annual report indicates that we had 835 hearings in French and tribunals overall have 39 bilingual adjudicators that are cross-appointed to more than one tribunal. So the services are being provided, and we look forward to improving as we go. Everything can be improved, but we are providing the service and we’re providing the service in French. If there are improvements, I’m happy to make them.

I guess my question back to the member, Madam Speaker, is how she knows what landed on my desk.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the member for Ottawa–Vanier.

M me Lucille Collard: Madam Speaker, we can improve the procedures, and I’ve given cues to the minister about how to do that. He just needs to get the action.

Instead of helping tenants by fixing the board, this government keeps making life easier for bad landlords now with Bill 60, which will fast-track evictions and push even more vulnerable people out of their homes. In Ottawa–Vanier, where tenants already struggle to get help in French, Bill 60 will mean even more families showing up at Action Logement for help when the organization is already stretched to the limit. You don’t solve the housing crisis by putting more people on the street.

I will ask the Attorney General: When will this government recognize the real-world impact of Bill 60 and ensure its housing policies protect tenants—francophone tenants included—instead of making their situation worse?

We won’t apologize for this continuous improvement. As I said, we have 39 bilingual adjudicators. That’s 10% of all the adjudicators available for French-language services and we are providing that service.

Health care

Mr. John Jordan: My question is for the Minister of Red Tape Reduction. Ontario families want to know that our health care system is strong, modern and able to deliver the world-class care they need, when and where they need it.

Under the previous Liberal government, health care professionals seeking to practise in Ontario faced unnecessary and significant bureaucratic delays. Our government recognized that the status quo is not working. We are taking action to protect Ontarians and ensure patients receive the care they deserve. Our government has been clear: Cutting red tape is essential to strengthening our health care system and keeping Ontario competitive.

Speaker, can the minister explain how our government’s as-of-right changes of health care professionals are helping to protect Ontario families and reinforce our health care system?

Hon. Andrea Khanjin: This is another example of how our government inherited a system and a government that said “no.” We’re building a system and a government that says “go.” It’s not just about deregulation; it’s about modernization. We said, “Enough to the red tape.” We need to reduce the barriers.

If a doctor could practise in Saskatchewan, they can practise here in Ontario, and every Ontarian is better off. Speaker, this is yet another example of how we’re putting people above paperwork. We’re putting people in the centre of everything we do, and we’re embracing technology. We’ve already heard feedback from doctors using AI scribes that have been able to reduce their paperwork by 71%, freeing up 95,000 hours every year, allowing them to do what they do best, which is take care of patients.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the member for Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston.

Mr. John Jordan: I want to thank the minister for her leadership.

The previous Liberal government, backed by the NDP, left Ontario with outdated systems and endless paperwork. They slowed down services and made life harder for families. But today, our government is doing the opposite. We are modernizing health care, cutting red tape and protecting Ontario. That includes using technology to help health professionals spend more time with patients and less time on paperwork.

Speaker, can the minister explain how AI scribes are helping reduce administrative burdens and what the results have been so far?

Hon. Andrea Khanjin: An AI scribe is another example of how we’re modernizing our system. We’re putting people at the heart of everything we do, and it shows that we inherited a system that punished ambition. Instead, we’re replacing it with one that rewards ambition.

Speaker, we’re going to be unlocking every sector of our economy from health care to our critical minerals to manufacturing to forestry—manufacturing and the auto sector—all which have been mired by red tape.

Thanks to this government we’re unlocking the opportunity so it moves as fast as the people ready to seize those opportunities. It’s all under the leadership of Premier Ford. We will not stop reducing red tape. This is why we’re building on a record of reducing $1.2 billion in red tape every year for businesses and people, and we’re reducing 1.8 million hours for those individuals.

Speaker, we will not stop. We’ll continue to protect Ontario.

Government’s record

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: Speaker, my question is to the Premier. This morning Feed Ontario released their report and every MPP has a copy on their desk. It tallies 8.7 million food bank visits, an increase of 13% since last year—a staggering 165% since Premier Ford cruelly scrapped rent control. One million people in Ontario use the food bank. One in four users are working, but 30% of food bank users—30%—are children.

The holidays are coming. Children and families are suffering. Let that sink in for a minute.

Is Premier Ford for the people or is he for the poverty?

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: Merci pour cette question très importante, encore, pour le peuple de l’Ontario.

Thank you for the question, a very important question.

Madam Speaker, there’s no question that this government since day one—I repeat: day one—has been focused on affordability for all Ontarians. That’s why we highlighted in our fall economic statement again that we’ve put $12 billion back in the pockets of the hard-working people and families of Ontario. That’s why we acted early to put more money back in people’s pockets for gas so that we cut the gas tax, brought that down 10 cents a litre along with cap-and-trade, we obviously took the tolls off the 412, the 418, the 407 east and for those who are taking transit, making one integrated fare saving people up to $1,600 a year.

These are the type of measures this government is doing, putting more money back in all Ontarians’ pockets.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the member for London North Centre.

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: The minister says they’re focused on affordability, but it’s pretty clear that they are failing.

If this government wants to pretend it’s running like a business, their business is under RCMP investigation. Their business has stickers that don’t stick. Their business had disappearing licence plates and their business is being investigated by the OPP from the anti-rackets division. In fact, their business would cost every single Ontario $87,000—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The Minister of Education has been warned.

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: It’s clear that this government is having a party with the public purse.

Food bank usage is an early predictor of homelessness, and Ontario’s jobs disaster and affordability disaster Premier is putting organizations at risk as well. Two thirds of food banks are concerned about operating for the next six months. One in two are worried they won’t have enough food. One in three will have to pause, reduce or end services.

The Premier clearly has a grift strategy and a donor strategy, but where is the strategy to help people who are at risk of homelessness?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Doug Ford: I want to thank the member for his question. And I just find it ironic that the member votes against everything that we do.

I want to remind him also last month the job numbers came out. Last month: 350 million people in the US created 119,000 jobs—350 million, 119,000. In Canada, there was 65,000 jobs created, but guess what, folks, 55,000 of those jobs were created right here in Ontario. The reason being is because we never ever raise a tax. We’ve seen $70 billion of investment into our province; $40 billion alone in investment right here. The most important thing: There are 1,080,000 more people—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The member from Windsor West has been warned.

Hon. Doug Ford: —that have a job than when you folks were in charge because you chased 300,000 jobs out of this province.

We’ve created the environment for our province to thrive and prosper with infrastructure—$220 billion. We’re building hospitals, we’re building roads, we’re building bridges, we’re building schools, and you vote against it every single time—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): A reminder: I am warning people.

I recognize the leader of the third party.

Government accountability

Mr. John Fraser: I’m still trying to get my head around this Skills Development Fund. We have vet clinics. We have software companies. We have lawyers. We have $27 million to bars and nightclubs in downtown Toronto, $10 million to the owner of a strip club.

Now we have a dentist, John Maggirias, who’s at the centre of Dentacloud, who got $2 million from the Skills Development Fund. But he’s not just a donor; he’s the Ford family dentist. So my question to the Premier is, how is it that—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Warning.

Mr. John Fraser: —the Premier has sent $2 million dollars of skills development funds to the Ford family dentist?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Minister of Labour.

Hon. David Piccini: Speaker, let me help him wrap his head around it. It’s not true. It’s not true at all.

What we have done is launch a fund in the wake of the pandemic to help people get jobs with monthly reporting, visits to visit the training, financial audits, improving after every round and improving with the recommendations of the Auditor General. We’re going to keep training people.

I know it’s a concept hard for them to understand because they chased 300,000 jobs out of Ontario. Last month alone, 55,000 jobs right here—over 55,000 in Ontario. To create the conditions for that, you’ve got to have talent pipelines. That’s what we’re doing: training in every corner of Ontario.

He’s never visited one union training hall—not one. I’d invite him out to see, because these men and women are getting to work thanks to the investments of this Premier in roads, in highways, in bridges, in hospitals they couldn’t build, in long-term care homes he couldn’t build when he was in charge.

We’re going to keep getting the job done, creating meaningful employment opportunities for Ontarians.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the leader of the third party.

Mr. John Fraser: I don’t know about you, Speaker, but whenever the Premier flashes those pearly whites, all I’m going to think is, “Skills Development Fund.”

I know that they’re denying that any relationship exists, and the Premier has said that publicly, but there’s pictures of them together all over the Web. There’s a video, and they look pretty friendly. They look like they’ve known each other for a while. They’re pretty, as I like to say, hubba-chubba.

So how is it that when Ontarians are struggling just to pay the bills—they can’t even afford a dentist—the Premier is sending $2 million of skills development funds to the family dentist?

Hon. David Piccini: That’s just weird.

This government is fighting for a stronger Ontario, nation-building—something impossible for them to understand after driving 300,000 jobs out of this province. We’re creating those conditions.

The Ring of Fire in the north is going to require a next generation of miners, like Jennifer, who I’ve referenced in this House, supported through the Skills Development Fund, or Windsor—the incredible advancements in automotives. We’re investing in hospitals, in bridges, in highways.

Literally, the Liberal Party today opposes building roads. That’s why they didn’t win a single seat in Brampton: because they oppose the 413 and the Bradford Bypass.

We’re going to keep building for a stronger Ontario, standing up to President Trump, making sure Ontarians have meaningful training opportunities, rapid training opportunities that can help them upskill to land a better job with a bigger paycheque. That’s all happening right here in this Ontario.

Bail reform

Mr. Brian Riddell: My question is to the Associate Solicitor General for Auto Theft and Bail Reform.

Speaker, Ontario families and residents expect government to put their safety first. They are concerned about media reports of violent offenders being released on bail only to reoffend as soon as they are back on the street. They know the bail system is broken, and they want to see change. That’s why our government has been steadfast in our demand for meaningful bail reform.

Can the Associate Solicitor General explain how our government is standing up on behalf of Ontarians and leading the call for tougher bail laws to keep offenders off our streets?

Hon. Zee Hamid: My colleague is right: Our government has been consistent and unequivocal on the need for bail reform in this country. For far too long, Canada’s broken bail system has let repeat offenders out onto our street. Under this Premier’s leadership, our government is saying enough is enough. We have been in constant contact with the federal government in our effort to push hard for meaningful bail reform, and our calls for action are working.

Recent amendments to the Criminal Code and Bill C-14 include several measures our government has been campaigning for, such as reverse-onus bail provision for certain serious offences, new aggravating factors in sentencing and the possibility of consecutive sentencing. These changes are a good starting point towards a stronger Criminal Code that puts the rights of hard-working, law-abiding Canadians first and keeps criminals where they belong: behind bars.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the member for Cambridge.

Mr. Brian Riddell: Thank you to the Associate Solicitor General for the response.

While Bill C-14 appears to be a solid step in the right direction, the job isn’t done. The reality is we are seeing violent crime and repeat offenders being released back into our communities, putting families at risk. Speaker, no one in our province should feel unsafe in their home or in their community. Since day one, our message has been clear: Offenders must be held accountable for their actions.

Can the Associate Solicitor General share some details on what our government is doing to keep our communities safe and to put and keep repeat offenders behind bars?

Hon. Zee Hamid: Just last month, our government introduced the Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act, which contains proposed changes designed to strengthen justice in this province. The provisions in this bill are significant and, if passed, will help keep our communities safer. Key changes include:

—mandating that the accused person or sureties deposit entire cash specified by a court as a security upon release;

—introducing stronger collection tools, such as wage garnishment, asset seizure and sales, and property liens to recover unpaid bail amounts;

—establishing a surety database to improve efficiency and thoroughness of surety screening; and

—strengthening enforcement and oversight capabilities, including expansion of provincial bail prosecution teams.

If passed, these changes will help to restore confidence and fairness in the justice system, but we will not stop there. Our government will continue to stand with victims of crime and push for a stronger Criminal Code with real consequences for those who break our laws and protect Ontario.

Deferred Votes

Hospitality Workers Appreciation Day Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 sur la Journée de reconnaissance des travailleuses et travailleurs de l’industrie de l’accueil

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

Bill 67,

An Act to proclaim Hospitality Workers Appreciation Day / Projet de loi 67, Loi proclamant la Journée de reconnaissance des travailleuses et travailleurs de l’industrie de l’accueil.

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

The division bells rang from 1143 to 1148.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Members, please take your seats.

On November 27, 2025, Mr. Hardeman moved second reading of Bill 67,

An Act to proclaim Hospitality Workers Appreciation Day.

All those in favour, please rise and remain standing until recognized by the Clerk.

Ayes

Allsopp, Tyler

Anand, Deepak

Armstrong, Teresa J.

Babikian, Aris

Bailey, Robert

Begum, Doly

Bell, Jessica

Bethlenfalvy, Peter

Blais, Stephen

Bouma, Will

Bourgouin, Guy

Bowman, Stephanie

Brady, Bobbi Ann

Bresee, Ric

Burch, Jeff

Calandra, Paul

Cerjanec, Rob

Cho, Stan

Clancy, Aislinn

Clark, Steve

Collard, Lucille

Cooper, Michelle

Crawford, Stephen

Cuzzetto, Rudy

Denault, Billy

Dixon, Jess

Dowie, Andrew

Downey, Doug

Dunlop, Jill

Fairclough, Lee

Fife, Catherine

Firin, Mohamed

Flack, Rob

Ford, Doug

Fraser, John

French, Jennifer K.

Gallagher Murphy, Dawn

Gates, Wayne

Gélinas, France

Gilmour, Alexa

Glover, Chris

Gretzky, Lisa

Grewal, Hardeep Singh

Gualtieri, Silvia

Hamid, Zee

Hardeman, Ernie

Harris, Mike

Hazell, Andrea

Holland, Kevin

Hsu, Ted

Jones, Trevor

Jordan, John

Kanapathi, Logan

Kernaghan, Terence

Kerzner, Michael S.

Khanjin, Andrea

Kusendova-Bashta, Natalia

Leardi, Anthony

Lumsden, Neil

McCarthy, Todd J.

McCrimmon, Karen

McGregor, Graham

McKenney, Catherine

McMahon, Mary-Margaret

Mulroney, Caroline

Pang, Billy

Parsa, Michael

Pasma, Chandra

Piccini, David

Pierre, Natalie

Quinn, Nolan

Racinsky, Joseph

Rae, Matthew

Rakocevic, Tom

Riddell, Brian

Rosenberg, Bill

Sabawy, Sheref

Sandhu, Amarjot

Sarkaria, Prabmeet Singh

Sarrazin, Stéphane

Sattler, Peggy

Saunderson, Brian

Schreiner, Mike

Scott, Chris

Shamji, Adil

Shaw, Sandy

Smith, Dave

Smith, David

Smith, Graydon

Smith, Laura

Smyth, Stephanie

Stevens, Jennifer (Jennie)

Tabuns, Peter

Tangri, Nina

Thompson, Lisa M.

Tibollo, Michael A.

Triantafilopoulos, Effie J.

Tsao, Jonathan

Vanthof, John

Vaugeois, Lise

Vickers, Paul

Watt, Tyler

West, Jamie

Williams, Charmaine A.

Wong-Tam, Kristyn

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): All those opposed, please rise and remain standing until recognized by the Clerk.

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Trevor Day): The ayes are 105; the nays are 0.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I declare the motion carried.

Second reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Pursuant to standing order 100(h), the bill is referred to the Committee of the Whole House—

Hon. Ernie Hardeman: The Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is the majority in favour of this bill being referred to the standing committee on heritage? Agreed. The bill is referred to the standing committee on heritage.

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

The House recessed from 1152 to 1300.

Introduction of Visitors

Hon. Michael S. Kerzner: Members of provincial Parliament depend on their constituency offices to make sure that the needs of their constituents are top of mind.

I’m delighted to welcome my office of York Centre here today, led by our chief of staff in our constituency office, Marlene, and assisted by Jeremy, Ruth, Liam, Daniel, Christian and Robert. I want to say to them: Welcome to the Ontario Legislature.

Hon. Trevor Jones: I’d like to welcome Alexa Wade. Alexa is a new assistant at our Chatham-Kent–Leamington offices. She is here today and enjoying her House. Have a good day.

M me Dawn Gallagher Murphy: I don’t have my glasses on, but I’m pretty sure that’s my York region chief of paramedics Chris Spearen—welcome—and Julia from York region as well—I forget your last name. But welcome to the chamber.

Introduction of Bills

Christian Heritage Month Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 sur le Mois du patrimoine chrétien

Mr. Blais moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 83,

An Act to proclaim the month of December as Christian Heritage Month / Projet de loi 83, Loi proclamant le mois de décembre Mois du patrimoine chrétien.

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

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Does the member wish to briefly explain the bill?

Mr. Stephen Blais: Yes, Madam Speaker. From the earliest days before Confederation and the founding of Upper Canada, Christian pioneers of various denominations have played a significant role in shaping the cultural, social and artistic development of Ontario.

Today’s Christian community encompasses a rich diversity of backgrounds, including Latin American, European, First Nations, African, Asian and Middle Eastern heritage. By declaring December Christian Heritage Month, we will recognize their past, current and future contributions to our province.

Mandatory Blood Testing Amendment Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 modifiant la Loi de 2006 sur le dépistage obligatoire par test sanguin

Ms. Smith moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 84,

An Act to amend the Mandatory Blood Testing Act, 2006 / Projet de loi 84, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2006 sur le dépistage obligatoire par test sanguin.

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

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Does the member wish to briefly explain the bill?

Ms. Laura Smith: Currently, the Mandatory Blood Testing Act, 2006, allows a person to apply to a medical officer of health to have the blood of another person analyzed.

A new

section 2.1 provides that if an application is made and the other person subsequently dies, the application shall be dealt with in accordance with such modifications to the act as are set out in regulations.

New

section 2.2 will allow persons to make an application with respect to a person who is deceased at the time of the application. The minister is authorized to make regulations respecting how such an application may be dealt with.

Petitions

Health care

M me France Gélinas: I would like to thank Mrs. Freeland from Capreol in my riding for these petitions. They read as follows:

“Health Care: Not for Sale....

“Whereas Ontarians get health care based on their needs, not their ability to pay”—this is what medicare is all about.

“Whereas the Ford government” is wanting to privatize our health care system—privatization, as you know, Speaker, will mean that many physicians, PSWs, doctors, other health care professionals will go work in the for-profit system rather than in our publicly funded, publicly delivered health care in our hospitals, which will make the shortage worse.

They petition the Legislative Assembly as follows: “to immediately stop all plans to privatize Ontario’s health care system,” to fix the crisis in our health care system.

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

Public health

Ms. Jennifer K. French: I am pleased to introduce a petition that was given to me by folks who are part of the Climate Justice Durham group.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas extreme heat events are the leading weather-related cause of death in Canada”—and as they point out, extreme heat events will become more frequent and more severe as climate change intensifies.

They cite a report from 2022 by the British Columbia Coroners Service that identified 619 deaths related to heat during the 2021 heat dome.

They’ve highlighted that from May to September 2019, cases of heat exhaustion and heatstroke resulted in 3,800 visits to Durham region hospital emergency departments.

They cite hospitalization rates that are heat-related are projected to increase.

They are calling for all Ontarians to be able to stay cool in their homes, that the most vulnerable in our communities, who face financial, social, physical and legal barriers in accessing cooling, be considered.

They have called on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

—to track and publicly report heat-related deaths and hospital visits through the province;

—to measure indoor heat and humidity in schools, child care centres and medical facilities;

—to pass maximum temperature regulations for rental properties and farm worker housing; and also

—to expand low-carbon retrofit funding for non-market housing, landlords of private rental housing, and other landlords with low-income tenants.

Well, Speaker, I support this. I will affix my signature, and I will send it to the table with page Olivia.

Gender-based violence

MPP Tyler Watt: I rise today to table a petition entitled “Declare Intimate Partner Violence an Epidemic in Ontario.”

I would like to start by thanking Patricia Pepper from my riding of Nepean for being a champion of women’s rights and for championing this important petition.

Rates of gender-based violence and femicide have been increasing over the last several years.

These petitioners are calling on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to join the nearly 100 municipalities across the province, including Ottawa and Toronto, in accepting the Renfrew county inquest’s recommendation, by declaring intimate partner violence an epidemic in Ontario.

I fully endorse this petition. I will affix my signature and give it to page Emery to bring it to the table.

Economic development

Mr. Deepak Anand: Madam Speaker, this is not the first time I’ve got the petition talking about the tariffs and how it is impacting small business and the small business owners like Harpreet, who’s here—is into film production, does an award called Rattan-E-Punjab—and many like him who are affected.

The people who have signed this petition are saying we need to stand up for Ontario, we need to stand up for Canada, and the only way out is abundance—abundance because we have the Ring of Fire and we have the critical mineral resources within Ontario, which can help not only the people of Ontario but people across the globe.

The wonderful people who have signed this petition, I want to say thank you to them also because I truly believe in this petition. They’re saying unlocking these resources with roads, power and transit infrastructure will create thousands of jobs and protect Ontario, removing the international economic shock and making us stronger.

I absolutely agree with this petition. I want to thank the people who have signed this petition. And I want to say thank you to Andrew for taking it to the Clerk.

Tenant protection

MPP Alexa Gilmour: It’s an honour to rise on behalf of the people of Parkdale–High Park. In my riding, Speaker, about 60% of the residents are renters, and for the last little while they have been struggling. In fact, ever since the government brought in the 2018 bill that allows for rent to be increased, they have found that rent has gone up 7%, 11%, and, of course, no one’s salary is going up that amount.

So I have here in my hand a petition. This is a petition that speaks about the struggles that renters have been having across the province and about this new bill, Bill 60, and how that is going to exacerbate an already very difficult time for renters in the province.

This petition is called “Repeal Bill 60.” It asks for the bill to be repealed, for real rent control to be brought back, to fix the backlog at the Landlord and Tenant Board and to close the loopholes that have been used against renters for unfair renovictions and the like.

I will affix my name to this, and I will deliver it with page Oskar.

Highway safety

Mr. Guy Bourgouin: I have a petition that says, “Improve Northern Highway Safety.”

The first “whereas” talks about how Highway 11 and 17 plays a critical role in the economic development of the north.

The second “whereas” talks about fatalities. There is twice the chance of dying on a northern highway than on a southern highway.

The third one talks about how inspection stations should be open to enforce the Highway Traffic Act because too many vehicles are not safe to be on our roads.

The fourth says the northern highways are regularly closed because of weather conditions. What happened this weekend was a perfect example: 56 hours of Highway 11 closed.

The fifth one says that insufficient oversight of new truck drivers with a lack of experience of weather conditions is putting their lives at stake and other peoples’ lives.

Therefore, it says,

be it resolved to adopt the measures proposed in the Northern Highway 11 and 17 Safety Act, 2025. This includes mandating that scales be open for a minimum of 12 hours; also, ensuring sufficient highway enforcement to make sure that we follow the traffic act. It also talks about guaranteeing that testing for truck drivers be returned to the MTO, with certified examiners. The last point says to restore management of winter highway maintenance back to the MTO because too many games are being played, as we’re seeing on our roads regularly.

I fully support this petition. I will put my name to it, and I will give it to Olivia to bring to the Clerks’ table.

Education funding

Ms. Aislinn Clancy: As a former school social worker, I realize how much the system has been impacted by COVID-19. The kids are not okay, and we really need increased investment in children’s and youth mental health in our school system, in particular. I would have over 120 students and families to serve, which, you can imagine, is quite overwhelming, doing home visits and so on.

If you account for inflation, we’ve seen a drop in funding in our school system, and I’m urging the government to come up with a mental health strategy for our education system to protect workers and improve the well-being of students.

I support this petition, and I will pass it over to Emelin.

Health care funding

M me France Gélinas: I would like to thank Irene McGregor from Wahnapitae in my riding for these petitions. They’re called “Neurological Movement Disorder Clinic in Sudbury.”

I don’t know if you know this, Speaker, but northeastern Ontario has the highest rate of neurological movement disorders in all of Ontario. A specialized neurological movement disorder clinic would provide essential health care services to those living with diseases like Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, dystonia, Tourette’s and many others.

The city of Greater Sudbury is being recognized as a hub where most of those services should be available, but they are not.

So the people who signed the petition are asking the government to immediately set up a neurological movement disorder clinic in Sudbury, staffed, at a minimum, by a neurologist who specializes in the treatment of movement disorders, physiotherapists and social workers, so that people don’t have to travel long distances in the middle of the winter on roads that are poorly maintained to gain access to the services that they need.

I fully support this petition. I will affix my name to it and ask my good page David to bring it to the Clerk.

Youth mental health

I also want to remind members of this House that the Canadian Centre for Child Protection released a report last week shedding new light on the sexual victimization of teenagers across this province and the gaps in the tech response. One in nine teenagers—teen victims—think Ontario should legally force apps and platforms to prevent harm online. Most also thought safety measures would help. They’re really focused on prevention, because once these cases of victimization get to the court system, it’s too late.

So why not reach across the aisle, work across partisan lines? Let’s develop a strategy in Ontario to protect teens from online predatory actions. You talk tough on crime. Let’s actually put some action behind all that tough talk.

I will affix my signature and give this to page Shriya.

Arts and cultural funding

Ms. Aislinn Clancy: I’m here to appeal to the government to increase the Ontario Arts Council funding. The funding for the arts has been frozen for many, many years. We know that the cost of living has gone up and so have expenses for artists trying to create festivals and performances. We see festivals shutting down. So it’s essential now more than ever that we support our economy by investing in artists and the arts council recipients.

I support this petition. I will affix my signature and pass it to page Anna.

Highway safety

M me France Gélinas: I would like to thank Sylvie-Valerie Denis, who is from Garson in my riding, for these petitions. They’re called “Make Highway 144 Safe.”

Highway 144 is a highway that links Sudbury to Timmins, and the entire 325 kilometres of it is in my riding. It starts in my riding. It ends in my riding. The people of Nickel Belt use it to go to work, to go to school. We have at least eight active mines that use Highway 144 every hour. There are tons of trucks coming from the mines using it. There are many, many fatalities that happen on this highway.

The fatalities and the other accidents that happen on that highway lead to hours-long closures, sometimes day-long closures. There is no bypass. If you’re stuck in the watershed, you will be there until the highway opens again.

The people who signed the petition feel like people in northern Ontario deserve safe roads in winter, like in summer.

We had a pretty bad blizzard this weekend in Nickel Belt, and the highways were really, really poorly maintained.

The people that signed the petition want the government to listen, want the government to make highways in the north safe. That starts with better winter road maintenance. For all of the contractors who don’t do a good job, those contracts should go back to the government.

I fully agree with them, will affix my name to it and ask Adelaide to bring it to the Clerk.

Orders of the Day

Resource Management and Safety Act, 2025 / Loi de 2025 sur la gestion des ressources et la sécurité

Mr. Harris moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill 27,

An Act to enact the Geologic Carbon Storage Act, 2025 and to amend various Acts with respect to wildfires, resource safety and surveyors / Projet de loi 27, Loi édictant la Loi de 2025 sur le stockage géologique de carbone et modifiant diverses lois concernant les incendies de végétation, la sécurité des ressources et les arpenteurs-géomètres.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Effie J. Triantafilopoulos): I recognize the Minister of Natural Resources.

Hon. Mike Harris: It’s a delight to be able to be here on a wonderful Monday afternoon to talk a little bit about Bill 27, the proposed Resource Management and Safety Act.

Before we really get into the meat and potatoes of third reading here today, there are a few people who I want to thank, the first being my parliamentary assistant, the amazing member from Newmarket–Aurora. She has had an opportunity to—

Interjections.

Hon. Mike Harris: Yes. Thank you.

She has had an opportunity to travel this bill, if you will, around the province. She has held many round tables, has heard from stakeholders, municipal leaders and community members in regards to what they want to see in this bill, specifically around the carbon sequestration elements—so a big thank you to you.

Also, a big thank you to the previous Minister of Natural Resources, the MPP for Parry Sound–Muskoka, for initially having the vision, and to the team at the ministry for getting this bill together. This is the second time, actually, that we’ve been here to debate this bill, as it was initially put forward before the past election. So it’s nice to now be here and be able to talk a little bit more about it in third reading.

There are a few elements that I really want to touch on here today. The bill encompasses a few things: fire safety, and storage of carbon dioxide—which, of course, I think we can all agree is a great thing, to be able to help the environment and be able to help spur on business and protect Ontario. It also talks a little bit about engineers and a few different things. So we’ll break it out into a few pieces here.

Let’s talk a little bit about wildland firefighting. The forestry industry here in Ontario is a multi-billion-dollar industry. It supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, especially in northern Ontario. We know that it’s had a bit of a tough time, admittedly, over the last few years and right now, certainly, with the tariffs and duties that have been imposed by the Trump administration. We’re now at 45.2% tariffs and duties. This is, in fact, one of the most punished—I’ll say it, honestly: punished—sectors when it comes to jobs and prosperity here in Canada and Ontario.

But we can’t have a thriving forestry sector if we don’t have our sustainable forests. That’s why it’s important that we look at ways to manage our forests and we look at ways to try to curb the destruction that often occurs when we’re looking at wildfires not only here in Ontario but across Canada.

I’m going to break a little bit into what we look at when we’re talking about forest fire prevention here in the province. This is the first time that there’s been any meaningful impacts to the Forest Fires Prevention Act since 1999, if you can believe that. I think we all know who was Premier in 1999; it’s always nice to recognize my father here in the Legislature when we have an opportunity. He was indeed actually the Minister of Natural Resources for a brief period as well, so it’s an honour for me to be able to stand here and go into my office.

In our ministry offices, we’ve got portraits of all the ministers who have come before, and I get to see his face on the wall. It’s pretty neat to be able to do that.

It’s no surprise: This year was the second-worst year for forest fires from a hectares-burned perspective in the province’s history, just shy of 600,000 hectares. So for all the kids that are here listening, that’s 600,000 football fields, if you’re not paying attention in math class. Hectare, acre—everybody gets a little wonky on that one.

But it was one of the worst years we’ve had. It was very challenging. It was very dry in northwestern Ontario in the early part of the year and it really, really kicked off fire season a little earlier than we’re used to.

But we worked really well with our counterparts across provincial boundaries. Manitoba had a large fire as well that actually ended up joining with our Red Lake 12 fire in northwestern Ontario to become one of the largest forest fires in Canadian history. Flin Flon, Manitoba eventually had to be evacuated, along with many municipalities and First Nations communities in northwestern Ontario as well.

So a big shout-out to our wildland firefighters who did such a great job this year with mitigating as much damage as possible.

Interjections.

Hon. Mike Harris: Absolutely.

And of course, a big shout-out to our provincial counterparts who provided support here in Ontario: British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, New Brunswick. They were all part of the fire efforts here, whether that was with folks actually coming from other provinces to help fight these fires or sending equipment or just expertise. It’s great to be able to do that.

We also have reciprocity agreements, of course, with other provinces here in Canada, and the US, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand. But we also sent over 400 fire management personnel across Canada to British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Labrador, New Brunswick and even Minnesota, Madam Speaker.

Earlier in April, we had some folks going down there. They had over 400 fires burning in Minnesota early this spring, which was considerable. So I think it just goes to show that this year it truly was a Herculean effort to be able to save communities, make sure we’re saving property and do the best we can to ultimately support that forestry sector. A lot of good pieces are happening when it comes to changes being made to the act in this bill.

Let’s talk a little bit about what this bill really represents when we talk about the carbon sequestration piece of this. It’s something I think that many jurisdictions have talked about for quite some time in Canada. Alberta and Saskatchewan already have a framework in place to be able to securely store carbon emissions underground. This will enable us to now build out that framework here in Ontario.

As I said, my parliamentary assistant has led round tables all over the province, more specifically in southwestern Ontario, where the majority of underground storage will likely take place, should this bill be passed. We heard from landowners, we heard from stakeholders in the business environment that ultimately will be putting forward the dollars to be able to build out these kinds of storage facilities, and we heard from municipalities. And I think what we’ve been able to accomplish through this bill really highlights a lot of those good conversations that were had.

We’ve now gotten to a place where we’re pretty confident that there are going to be some players who are very excited about the opportunities to be able to green up their business, to be able to look at ways, with carbon credits and other things, where they’re able to then reinvest a lot back into their businesses to be able to make sure that they are doing the right thing. Often, these businesses and organizations are good stewards. They’re good stewards of the land. They’re good stewards of the province. It will be good to see, finally, a framework built out here in Ontario.

When we look at protecting Ontario, when we look at saying Ontario is open for business, I think it’s important to highlight a couple of the industries that this will help support, Madam Speaker.

The cement industry: We are embarking on the largest infrastructure build that Ontario, that Canada, maybe even that North America—certainly for at least the last few decades—has seen. We’re building schools. We’re building hospitals. We’re building highways. You can’t do that without cement, Madam Speaker. So to be able to have the cement industry taking

part in this—it’s an extremely important tool for them.

The steel industry: Obviously, it’s an industry right now that has gone through a lot of hardship since the Trump administration has taken their seat south of their border. Seeing what has happened to that industry, seeing the provincial government—kudos to the federal government as well for stepping up to help support that industry that has been heavily affected by 50% tariffs. It’s extremely important.

We’ve seen their willingness to modernize by pivoting to electric arc furnaces at Dofasco and Algoma Steel. This will be another tool for them in the tool box to be able to lower emissions through their facilities, Madam Speaker.

This will be, obviously, something that the Minister of Agriculture will know very well. The fertilizer industry here in Ontario, as well, is very excited to see this bill hopefully be passed in the very near future so that they can get to work on being able to green up their operations as well—and, of course, the petrochemical industry, and oil and gas refineries as well, Madam Speaker.

One of the really interesting things—I don’t think that people really know that much about Ontario, and we’ve got a lot of southwestern Ontario members here—is there’s a little town called Petrolia, just outside of Sarnia, where crude oil was actually found back in the—gosh, it would be the mid-1800s, I think. We’ve had a thriving oil and gas industry here in Ontario for many, many years. This will also help them green up their operations.

A couple of other elements of the bill—if we’re just on that oil and gas topic for a couple of minutes—if you’ll indulge me: There are some great pieces in here that are also going to allow for some new abilities for the province to be able to step in, cap off and make safe some of those abandoned oil and gas wells that that may even date back—we’ve seen some date back—into the 1800s that people didn’t even know about. They’re not even mapped. So it will be great, should this bill pass, to have a few more tools in the tool box. I like to use that term because it’s true. It works, right?

It will allow us to go onto property where, perhaps, the owner has passed or has gone into bankruptcy, where we wouldn’t have been allowed to actually go in and then do the work to cap those wells and make them safe. Again, there are a lot of great provisions that are contained within this bill.

I’m just trying to think if there’s anything else we need to touch on here before we move on into debate. We are going to turn it over to the parliamentary assistant here after we move on with the opposition.

Land surveyors: There’s quite a lot that goes into becoming a land surveyor here in the province. Again, I don’t want to bore you too much with the minutia, but it takes anywhere from five to seven years to finally become licensed. What we’re looking to do is be able to boost up the supply of land surveyors here in the province. They do amazing work, especially when we’re looking at building out the Ring of Fire and dealing with critical minerals across northern Ontario.

To be able to have more land surveyors in the proverbial pipeline to do a lot of that work will be very important: being able to introduce a limited licence, or a temporary licence, for folks who may have been educated in other jurisdictions to work here in Ontario, just like we do for many other learned professions. We’ve seen that with nursing. We’ve seen it with doctors. We’ve seen it with professional engineers—civil engineers as well, to be able to unlock more housing in the province. We’ll be doing some of that as-of-right work should this bill pass as well.

I think that’s going to pretty much wrap it up for me, Madam Speaker. I really do appreciate the opportunity to speak this afternoon.

You’ll hear a bit more from my colleague the member from Newmarket–Aurora here in a little bit, but that will do it for me.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Effie J. Triantafilopoulos): Further debate?

M. Guy Bourgouin: C’est un plaisir de me lever aujourd’hui pour parler du projet de loi 27, Loi de 2025 sur la gestion des ressources et la sécurité.

Aujourd’hui, je veux souligner l’importance de ce projet de loi et l’avenir de notre province. Je veux aussi expliquer clairement pourquoi, malgré les intentions déclarées du gouvernement, ce texte ne répond toujours pas à l’ampleur de la crise que nous vivons.

Le projet de loi 27 reconnaît que ces feux deviennent de plus en plus fréquents et intenses, au point de permettre au ministre de déclarer la saison des feux à tout moment de l’année. Mais reconnaître un danger, madame la Présidente, sans fournir les outils pour y répondre, ce n’est pas de la gouvernance responsable, ce n’est pas de protéger les Ontariens et ce n’est pas de préparer notre province à l’avenir. C’est marquer un point politique sans régler les problèmes. Et c’est exactement ce que fait ce projet de loi dans sa forme actuelle.

La saison des feux de 2025 s’est terminée, et pourtant, les chiffres sont alarmants. Entre avril et octobre, on a vu que les équipes de pompiers forestiers ont dû intervenir sur 643 feux—une augmentation. Ces feux ont ravagé, comme le ministre l’a dit, 600 000 hectares de la forêt, et 600 000 hectares, je peux vous dire, c’est grand. C’est une grosse superficie.

Puis ce qu’il ne faut pas oublier, c’est que ce sont des ressources dont on a besoin pour l’industrie forestière. C’est leur matière première. C’est pour ça que c’est important de protéger ces matières premières-là pour notre province—un territoire plus vaste que plusieurs villes canadiennes réunies.

Et encore une fois, le nord de l’Ontario a été frappé de plein fouet. Des communautés comme Red Lake, Sioux Lookout, Timmins et Kenora ont été directement menacées. Quand je dis « menacées », je parle de véritable crise humaine. À Deer Lake, plus de 500 personnes ont dû être évacuées. À Webequie, 395 résidents vulnérables ont fait l’objet d’une évacuation de phase 1. Autour d’Attawapiskat, le feu vient s’ajouter aux inondations, créant un cercle vicieux de catastrophes naturelles.

Ces chiffres illustrent une réalité claire, madame la Présidente : la menace des incendies en Ontario s’intensifie chaque année et nos communautés sont de plus en plus exposées.

Et pendant que les communautés s’organisent et que les pompiers forestiers se battent, que les municipalités jonglent avec des budgets d’urgence, le projet de loi que nous avons devant nous ne contient aucune stratégie de réponse réelle.

Le projet de loi 27 ne propose toujours aucune stratégie concrète pour répondre à cette crise : aucun financement supplémentaire pour l’équipe et les municipalités; aucun engagement pour moderniser l’équipement des pompiers forestiers; aucune stratégie de prévention; aucun plan pour protéger les infrastructures critiques, les routes, les lignes électriques, les hôpitaux; aucun renforcement du soutien en matière d’évacuation, de transport, d’hébergement d’urgence; aucune mesure pour répondre aux impacts économiques—fermeture d’entreprise, pertes d’emplois, destruction des ressources forestières et augmentation des coûts d’assurance.

On a plein d’usines. On parlait rien que de la biomasse qu’on a voulu créer. On encourage pour la biomasse, mais si on brûle la biomasse—puis c’est important de la passer, cette biomasse-là. Il faut le réaliser. C’est ça que le monde ne comprend pas : si elle reste en forêt, la biomasse, ça devient, comme ils disent en anglais, du « kindling ». Ça devient très sec, puis ça cause aux feux de forêt d’avoir encore plus d’amplitude, de grossir plus vite, et c’est encore plus difficile à battre.

C’est pour ça que l’industrie forestière est tellement intégrée. C’est pour ça qu’il faut sortir ces débris-là. Ce qu’on ne prend pas comme matière première, qu’on le prenne puis qu’on le passe en biomasse ou qu’on le passe pour les « co-gen » qu’on à la grandeur de—bien, à plusieurs places dans la province pour être capable de créer de l’énergie.

C’est pour ça que je pousse souvent et je dis : « Écoute, on s’en va dans la bonne direction, mais on doit en faire plus pour la cogénération et la biomasse. » Pourquoi? Parce que on voit tout ce que les pays scandinaves en font et, nous, je pense qu’on a une opportunité de faire des choses. On est dans l’opportunité parfaite pour avoir de l’énergie verte qui vient des biomasses qu’on pourrait créer puis amener l’électricité, de la chaleur, même, à des bâtiments, pour des municipalités—la liste est longue.

Reconnaître l’existence des feux sans fournir les moyens d’y faire face, ce n’est pas un plan; c’est un pari, et ce sont les communautés qui payent la mise, madame la Présidente.

Soyons honnêtes : le gouvernement sait très bien quels outils il faudrait mettre en place. Les experts le disent. Les municipalités le réclament. Les services d’urgence le répètent année après année. Ce qu’il manque, ce n’est pas l’information, madame la Présidente; ce qu’il manque, c’est la volonté politique.

Le Nord mérite mieux. Le Nord demande depuis longtemps un engagement réel envers la sécurité des communautés. Les gens veulent :

—des équipes de pompiers forestiers complètes et bien formées;

—une base d’opérations permanente;

—un soutien logistique pour les évacuations;

—une stratégie de gestion de forêt adaptée aux nouvelles réalités climatiques;

—des partenariats avec les Premières Nations; et

—une vision à long terme.

Et surtout, ils veulent cesser d’être traités comme si leur enjeu était secondaire, comme si leurs besoins pouvaient attendre.

Quand une communauté du Nord brûle, c’est l’Ontario qui brûle. Quand une communauté du Nord doit être évacuée, c’est l’Ontario qui en subit les conséquences.

Et je peux vous dire, évacuer des communautés, ça coûte de l’argent, madame la Présidente. Comme on dit, ce n’est pas cheap, pour utiliser un terme qu’on use comme francophone. Ça coûte très cher, déménager, quand on pourrait mettre les protections puis les protéger.

Quand les travailleurs du Nord risquent leur vie, ce sont les travailleurs de toute la province qu’on expose à un système qui ne répond pas à l’urgence.

Si je peux me permettre, en concluant, madame la Présidente, on ne s’oppose pas à l’objectif du projet de loi. Je pense qu’il faut être clair là-dessus. Nous reconnaissons tous la gravité des feux de forêt. Nous savons que la crise s’intensifie. Mais si nous adoptons cette loi telle quelle, sans stratégie, sans ressources, sans plan d’action, alors nous aurons raté une occasion cruciale de protéger notre province.

Le projet de loi 27 doit être renforcé. Il doit offrir des solutions concrètes. Il doit refléter la réalité vécue par les communautés du Nord. Il doit donner aux pompiers forestiers, aux municipalités et aux Premières Nations les moyens d’effectuer leur travail. Madame la Présidente, sans cela, le texte ne fera qu’ajouter une couche administrative de plus pendant que les feux continueront de ravager notre territoire.

Nous pouvons faire mieux et nous devons faire mieux. Je peux vous dire, madame la Présidente, les Ontariens s’attendent à ce que nous fassions mieux, maintenant et pas plus tard.

Quand on voit des saisons comme celles qu’on a vues passer—nous, dans ma région, on a été chanceux; on a eu de la pluie puis on n’était pas trop exposé. Mais quand on voyait ce qui se passait à l’Ouest, puis qu’on voyait toute la boucane, toute la fumée qui venait des feux de forêt, puis que le reste de la province respirait la boucane, on a une obligation.

Quand on dit que l’air est dangereux maintenant pour les personnes qui font de l’exercice ou même les personnes âgées qui ont besoin des respirateurs ou qui ont des conditions respiratoires—je peux vous dire que ce n’est pas facile de vivre.

On a une obligation de faire mieux. On a une obligation de protéger toutes les communautés du Nord. On ne veut pas vivre ce qu’on a vu dans le Sud où des communautés au complet ont perdu des quartiers, où on a vu des maisons brûler, où qu’on a vu tout ce qui s’est passé dans l’ouest canadien.

On doit faire mieux. Le projet de loi peut faire mieux. On peut faire les améliorations pour nous protéger encore plus que ce qu’il y a dans le projet de loi.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Effie J. Triantafilopoulos): Further debate?

Mr. Ted Hsu: I’m very happy to get up today to speak about Bill 27, but perhaps not as happy as I should be, because we are debating this bill at third reading after having skipped the committee stage. That is one of my main complaints today: that we have skipped the committee stage. We have missed the chance for the elected members in this body who represent the people of Ontario to examine this bill in detail on behalf of our constituents.

What I want to do is to go through each of the schedules one by one to explain what I mean by that. I’ll start with

schedule 1, which addresses the Forest Fires Prevention Act. I’ll start by echoing what my honourable colleague from Mushkegowuk–James Bay just said: that this bill is a framework, but it doesn’t actually prescribe actions to protect us from forest fires—for example, to harden our infrastructure. And so it’s just a framework. My honourable colleague called it an administrative layer.

Perhaps some of this framework is needed, but we should be asking, “How will this framework protect us from forest fires? How will it be used to protect us from forest fires?” The Minister of Natural Resources said that this bill gave us tools, so I think it’s natural for the representatives of the people to ask, “How will this bill create tools and how will the tools be used to protect us from forest fires?” Because there are no explicit actions in here. And as my colleague from Mushkegowuk–James Bay said, “Le Nord mérite mieux.” I