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October 1, 2020

42nd Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2020-Oct-01 (PDF)

L190 - Thu 1 Oct 2020 / Jeu 1er oct 2020

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Thursday 1 October 2020 Jeudi 1 er octobre 2020

Orders of the Day

Somali Heritage Week Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 sur la Semaine du patrimoine somalien

Somali Heritage Week Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 sur la Semaine du patrimoine somalien

Members’ Statements

Seniors

Long-term care

Islamic Heritage Month

Mid-Autumn Moon Festival

Long-term care

Education on intolerance

Cyprus Independence Day

Autumn Peltier

Housing in Chatham-Kent–Leamington

Sandra Wooley

Sign-language

interpretation

Question Period

Long-term care

COVID-19 response

Children’s health services

COVID-19 response

COVID-19 response

COVID-19 response

COVID Alert app

Education funding

Hospital funding

Family law

Children’s health services

Arts and cultural funding

COVID-19 response

Real estate industry

YMCA of Northeastern Ontario

Statements by the Ministry and Responses

Seniors / Les aînés

Motions

Committee membership

Committee sittings

Petitions

Autism treatment

Home care

Education

Long-term care

Long-term care

Long-term care

Mental health services

Alzheimer’s disease

Long-term care

Services for persons with disabilities

Long-term care

Climate change

Health care

Private Members’ Public Business

Scottish Heritage Day Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 sur le Jour du patrimoine écossais

Climate change

Royal assent / Sanction royale

Education

Scottish Heritage Day Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 sur le Jour du patrimoine écossais

Climate change

Education

Business of the House

Orders of the Day

Moving Ontario Family Law Forward Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 faisant avancer le droit de la famille en Ontario

The House met at 0900.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Good morning.

Prayers / Prières.

Orders of the Day

Somali Heritage Week Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 sur la Semaine du patrimoine somalien

Mr. Hassan moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill 180,

An Act to proclaim Somali Heritage Week / Projet de loi 180, Loi proclamant la Semaine du patrimoine somalien.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Pursuant to the order of the House passed on September 14, 2020, I am now required to put the question.

Mr. Hassan has moved second reading of Bill 180,

An Act to proclaim Somali Heritage Week. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

Somali Heritage Week Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 sur la Semaine du patrimoine somalien

Mr. Hassan moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill 180,

An Act to proclaim Somali Heritage Week / Projet de loi 180, Loi proclamant la Semaine du patrimoine somalien.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I recognize the member for York South–Weston.

Mr. Faisal Hassan: I am honoured to rise today, this morning, as the member of provincial Parliament for the great riding of York South–Weston, the decent and hard-working people of York South–Weston, and the official opposition critic for youth engagement, to speak in support of my first private member’s bill, Somali Heritage Week Act, Bill 180. I’m excited to address the members of this House this morning.

Whether Ontario has been your family’s home for generations, or if you are the first Ontarian in your family, the Somali Ontarian community has much to take pride in and to celebrate. Declaring June 25 to July 1 Somali Heritage Week in Ontario sets out to do just that.

I would like to thank the many people who have devoted a great deal of time and energy to advocating for this bill, including collecting petition signatures and sharing their personal stories. I would like to give a special thanks to many community leaders who have supported this bill. I would also like to thank my colleagues who have been so supportive of Bill 180.

Finally, I would like to thank several individuals and organizations for their endorsement of this bill: Somali Workers Network; Abdi Yusuf, treasurer of Canadian Union of Postal Workers, Toronto Local; Shukri Abdullahi, journalist and community leader; Abdullahi Barre, community organizer; Farah Issa, lawyer; Maryama Ahmed, student leader; Dr. Ahmed Ilmi, academic; Mahad Yusuf, executive director of Midaynta Community Services; Omar Warsame, Guidance of Canadian Somali Youth; Abdirisaq Ali, Toronto Development Association of Youth, TODAY; Abdifatah Ismail; and Leila Aideed of the Hilac Natural Beauty Inc.

The spirit of Canada’s greatness has always been the diversity of its people. Canada has gained immeasurably from the strength of its First Nations to the more recent immigrants and refugees who have come to its shores. These people have brought their culture, their traditions and their values. The Somali community in Ontario is part of this legacy. By proclaiming the last week of June as Somali Heritage Week, if passed, it would officially recognize June 25 to July 1 as Somali Heritage Week in Ontario.

With Somali Heritage Week, the province of Ontario recognizes the economic, political, social and cultural achievements and contributions of Somali Canadians in all aspects of Ontario society. Like many refugees and immigrants who have made Ontario their home, Somali Canadians are proud to be part of diverse communities across the province.

The week-long observance also covers a time so significant in the history of the Somali community. Somalis from Somali regions in the greater Horn of Africa celebrate their independence during this week: June 26, June 27 and July 1. Today, several celebrations also take place across Ontario in this last week of June 25 through July 1 that highlight the rich culture and heritage of the Somalis. Many of these celebrations reflect the traditions of the Somalis, which celebrate independence, liberty and freedom.

Somali Heritage Week is an opportunity to recognize and reflect on the history of the Somali regions in the Horn of Africa—its culture and the significant contributions that Somali Canadians continue to make across Ontario. It also provides a wonderful opportunity to reflect on their contributions to Ontario. Whether Ontario has been your family’s home for generations or you are the first Ontarian in your family, the Somali Ontarian community has so much to take pride in. That is why I am asking the provincial government to proclaim June 25 to July 1 of each year as Somali Heritage Week.

Doing so would create an exciting opportunity to celebrate the beautiful culture, language and history, and to recognize the many contributions of Somali Canadians in Ontario.

I think it’s important for me to take some time now to mention some notable Somali Canadians. This is by no means a complete list, but an attempt to provide a glimpse of the wide-ranging contributions made by Somali Canadians in Ontario and throughout Canada. Author Hassan Ghedi Santur is a Toronto-based author. He published his debut novel, Something Remains, followed by Maps of Exile, an exploration of the plight of African migrants in Europe. He is currently working on his third novel, Other Worlds, Other Lives. Mr. Hassan’s third novel is set to be released in a few months.

Somali poet Ahmed Aden has made his mark in the literary world as well.

Somali cuisine is very popular and known for its diversity of influences. Hamdi Restaurant, established in 1996, is one of the earliest Somali restaurants in Toronto. Owners Mohamed Omar and Mohamud Farah oversee a fine restaurant with an exquisite menu. Hamdi was previously known as Tariq in 1994.

One of our community’s best-known chefs is chef Bashir Munye. Chef Bashir has a very good reputation as an inspirational chef and teacher, as well as being a strong advocate for local and accessible food. Chef Bashir has said that, “Food is a vessel for understanding each other and coming together for social change.”

Another wonderful Somali eating and socializing experience comes with a visit to Istar, owned by Somali entrepreneur Mahamed Elmi. Mahamed’s mother Istarlin Ali Mohamed first opened Istar Restaurant in 1999, determined to create a business that belongs to her community. In 2012, Elmi took over the business as his mother moved to other ventures. Istar continues to be an unofficial civic centre, where at the restaurant’s adjoining venue space, wedding rehearsals, dinners, youth job fairs and festivities for Somali Independence Day take place.

The international modelling world has many Somali Canadians. Ubah Hassan is a Somali Canadian model. She worked with a number of top designers and is also involved in philanthropic work.

Nicole Jedrzejko, daughter to a Somali mother and a Polish father, had a brief but successful international modelling career. Nicole stopped her career to pursue higher education—medicine, to be specific. She graduated from McMaster University and is now a medical doctor in general surgery at the University of British Columbia with a focus on global health, diversity and evidence-based practice.

Idil Salah and Abla Ahmed Osman come to mind, as well as supermodel Yasmin Warsame, who has been featured in Vogue magazine and has been a runway model for some top brand campaigns.

We have much to be proud of in Somali Canadians’ involvement in the artistic community. Faarrow is a Canadian pop and R&B musical duo consisting of Somali Canadian sisters Siham and Iman Hashi, from my riding of York South–Weston. They have been making waves ever since the release of their track Rule the World, a jazz-infused pop anthem, in 2013. The sisters are the first female artists of Somali Canadian descent to sign to a major record deal with a major US label. In addition to their musical career, the sisters are involved in charitable work, through their non-profit foundation.

Poet and rapper K’naan has stayed connected in my riding of York South–Weston and has had great success. In 2010, the optimistic track, Wavin’ Flag, already a hit in Canada, was remade as a celebrity-studded single to benefit victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Another version of the song, a remix by K’naan, became the official anthem of the Coca-Cola 2010 World Cup campaign.

Other renowned Somali Canadian artists include Ladan Hussein, Sulekha Ali and Dominic Salole, also known as Mocky, a singer, music producer, songwriter and composer.

In the sports world, Somali Canadian Mohammed Ahmed from St. Catharines is a Canadian long-distance runner. Ahmed won the bronze medal in the 5,000 metre of the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, the first Canadian medal in the event, and is a two-time silver medalist at the Commonwealth Games in the 5,000- and 10,000-metre events. Ahmed competed at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics. He also ran the eleventh-fastest indoor 5,000 metre in history in Boston in 2017, setting the Canadian national record in the process.

Ahmed gave all Canadian runners, regardless of age or ability, a reason to believe that we, too, in this country can go the distance. He proved that Canadian athletes are now in the mix over the long haul at these world championships. Mohammed Ahmed showed that Canadians are players in distance running.

Giving back to the community while helping others is something Somali Canadians contribute in a big way. One such community activist is Hamiltonian Sarah Jama. Sarah is the co-founder of the Disability Justice Network of Ontario and works at the Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion as a program coordinator. Sarah Jama is also known widely for her work on anti-racism, disability rights and social justice.

The work for social justice and strengthening our communities is done by many Somali community organizations that have been established in Ontario that offer individuals and families such programs as youth drop-in centres, legal advocacy and elder programs. Job assistance and aid in navigating the often difficult world of filling out government forms is just some of the assistance these Somali Canadian community organizations offer. They are truly a necessary community hub.

I am proud to have the support of many individuals and organizations, and I would like to take a few minutes to share with you why these organizations are supporting my effort. I have spoken to countless leaders about this bill, Somali Heritage Week.

Abdi Yusuf, treasurer of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, Toronto Local, recording secretary of the Toronto-York labour council and member of the Somali Workers Network, sent me a statement in support of this bill, which reads:

“Somali Heritage Week would mean a lot to me and the Ontarians who are originally come from Somalia and their children. It is a continuation of celebration of the contribution that the Somali Canadians made to the province. It will also give a sense of belonging and will boost the morale of future generations.”

Likewise, Dr. Ahmed Ilmi is an academic and recipient of the first University of Toronto Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship to be awarded at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. His fellowship is in the department of social justice education, where he has been teaching graduate courses since 2015. Dr. Ilmi is a leading scholar in the Somali Canadian diaspora and the author of The ‘Say Walahi’ Generation: Identity, Profiling, and Survival in Canada, A Somali Canadian Perspective, and sent me a statement in support of this bill, which states:

“Somali Heritage Week in Ontario firmly recognizes the important contributions of Canadians of Somali descent in Canadian society, and celebrates a unique heritage with roots in Somali but that is distinctly Canadian. Somali Heritage Week not only tells a story of arrival, but it also tells a larger story about community hopes and dreams.”

Maryama Ahmed, student leader, endorsing this bill, states:

“As a Somali” Canadian, “I would benefit from a Somali Heritage Week because it would instill a sense of pride in myself, and it would foster more connection within the Somali community. As an Ontarian, Somali Heritage Week would add more values, traditions, and aspirations to Ontario’s diverse provincial identity.”

Farah Issa, lawyer, sent me a statement in support of this bill, which reads in part, “I support the bill because it aides in the recognition of the significant contributions that the Somali community has made in all spheres of Canadian society. The Somali community has a strong presence in Ontario, particularly in the GTA and Ottawa region. As a large ethnic minority group, the Ontario government should recognize the culture and the role that this entrepreneurial community plays in our society. I believe that this bill will help in this regard.”

Shukri Abdullahi, journalist and community leader endorsing this bill, states:

“Ontario’s opposition party, the NDP, recognize and are tabling to have Somali Heritage Week ending on July 1, Canada Day, which is also Somali’s Independence Day. We invite you to come and see what makes up our rich culture. Which helps explain the process of finding and incorporating cultural identity into our lives.

“As Ontarians, since diversity is our strength, by implementing productive policies supporting one’s heritage and identity, we can all have a more inclusive and prosperous Ontario.”

Abdullahi Barre, a community organizer, sent a statement in support of this bill, which reads in part, “The Somali Heritage Week ... bill is very important for our community. Once the bill is passed, we would be able to show Canadians our way of living from generation to generation, including our customs, practices, places, arts, as well as our overall values.”

Sarah Jama is a community activist and co-founder of the Disability Justice Network of Ontario and works at the Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion. Sarah had sent a statement in support of Somali Heritage Week and states:

“Somalis in Canada have struggled with the double-edge sword of anti-Black racism and xenophobia in this country, while also carrying the intergenerational scars of civil war and imperialist-fuelled displacement from our homeland. Through all this, we have found ways to continue to give back to this country, contribute to the economy, and impact culture in ways that will forever be defined through our dialect and poetry. Somali heritage is a testament to this and more.”

Hawa Mire is a critical writer, columnist and commentator who has been featured in Macleans, Briarpatch Magazine, Metro Morning and Rabble, among others. In 2017, she completed her master’s degree in environmental studies from York University, where her research examined community storytelling as a place of transformation. She sent me a statement in support of this bill, which reads:

“The richness of Somali cultural heritage, storytelling, food and other traditions have found their way into all aspects of Toronto, especially in my riding of York South–Weston. The addition of Somali Heritage Week will only serve to celebrate the oft-forgotten achievements and successes of this vibrant community embedding us deep into the fabric of Ontario. A bill like this is momentous—and offers a moment we can all be proud to look back on as a key moment in history. I’m proud to be Somali, today and all days, and celebrate Somali Heritage Week.”

Our heritage provides clues to our past and how society has evolved. It helps us examine our history and traditions, and enables us to develop an awareness about ourselves. It helps us explain why we are who we are. Somali Heritage Week will give us the opportunity to highlight and celebrate the achievements of Somalis in all fields and talents. During this week, we should acknowledge the accomplishments of the Somali community, who have risen outstandingly in spite of their challenges and obstacles, and spread the knowledge that comes from every individual’s success story.

Somali Heritage Week will allow us to raise awareness about the determined Somali Canadian trailblazers who have accomplished so much in this province.

Somali Heritage Week would add more values, traditions and aspirations to Ontario’s diverse provincial identity. As Canada’s Somali community continues to grow, we must come together to rejoice in the rich heritage of Somali Canadians. I urge your support of my bill establishing Somali Heritage Week in Ontario.

The word “heritage” brings to mind different ideas for different people, and it should. Heritage is a person’s unique values, traditions, cultures and artifacts handed down by previous generations. We absorb a sense of our heritage throughout our lives, as we observe and experience the things that make our family unique. Our heritage is our inheritance: what the past has conceded to us, what we value in the present and what we choose to present for future generations. Heritage is the full range of our inherited traditions, monuments, objects and culture. More important, it is the range of contemporary activities, meanings and behaviours that we draw from them.

Madam Speaker, I welcome members’ comments and views, and I urge your support for my bill establishing Somali Heritage Week in Ontario. I welcome your comments. Thank you kindly.

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

Mr. Billy Pang: I rise today on behalf of my government colleagues to recognize our support for Somali Heritage Week.

First of all, I would like to thank the member of provincial Parliament for York South–Weston, Faisal Hassan, for bringing this important bill to the floor of our Legislative Assembly. By proclaiming the week of June 25 through July 1 as Somali Heritage Week, our government recognizes the contributions that Somali Canadians and Ontarians have made to our province’s cultural wealth and economic success.

Ontario truly offers the world in one province. Our cultural fabric is made up of people from many different ethnicities and backgrounds that deliver invaluable contributions to Ontario, including our province’s $75-billion suite of heritage, sport, tourism and culture industries.

As we have heard from other members of this assembly who have spoken to this bill, Somali Heritage Week incorporates significant dates in the history and livelihood of the Somali community, including right here in Ontario.

During this significant week, Ontarian Somalis will celebrate, honour and recognize their independence, to mark important milestones and anniversaries relating to their proud independence. In fact, multiple celebrations are happening in the province of Ontario during this week that highlight the rich culture and heritage of the Somali people. Many of these celebrations reflect the traditions of the Somali people and celebrate their own independence, liberty and freedom.

Madam Speaker, this week is an important recognition for the Somali community, which represents approximately 60,000 Somali Canadians from coast to coast to coast in Canada.

The contributions of Somali Ontarians are forever felt here in the province. I’d like to take a moment to highlight some of the many contributions that have been made by the Somali Ontarian community.

For example: K’naan, a world-renowned recording artist from Rexdale, in the GTA, who sang and performed the iconic Wavin’ Flag song, which was chosen as Coca-Cola’s promotional anthem during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. His performance was featured in the top 10 hits in over 10 different countries throughout the world, including Mexico, Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

We also have individuals like Mohammed Ahmed, a Canadian long-distance runner from St. Catharines, who won a bronze medal in the 5,000 metre at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha. He was also the first Canadian who ever medalled in this event. I will also note that Mohammed competed at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics, in addition to being a two-time silver medallist at the Commonwealth Games.

Madam Speaker, these are only a few examples of the many contributions Somali Ontarians have made to Ontario’s prosperity and cultural mosaic.

I am proud to stand with my government colleagues to recognize Somali Heritage Week.

Ontario’s cultural industries contribute over $25 billion to Ontario’s economy and represent almost 270,000 jobs. Through support for this bill, our government is proud to highlight the incredible contributions that have allowed this province to showcase all Ontario has to offer—the world in one province.

Madam Speaker, I would like once again to thank the member of provincial Parliament for York South–Weston, Faisal Hassan, for bringing this important bill to the floor of our Legislative Assembly.

I look forward to further discussion, and I’m happy to thank the members of our Legislative Assembly for taking the time to listen to the importance of this bill and why it will make a significant impact for our province and its heritage, sport, tourism and cultural industries.

My colleague from Mississauga–Erin Mills would also like to rise and show his support.

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

Mr. Tom Rakocevic: I rise today in support of Bill 180, the Somali Heritage Week Act. I applaud the member for York South–Weston for introducing this legislation to recognize Somalia’s rich history and culture, as well as the many wonderful contributions made by Somalis here in Ontario, and in Canada.

There are many Somali families in my lifelong home riding of Humber River–Black Creek, and I know that they are so proud that this is happening today.

One of the great things that has always made our country and our province great is our diversity, from the Indigenous peoples who first inhabited this land all the way to the more recent immigrant groups who have come here, bringing their cultures, traditions and values. Speaker, I look forward to the day that we can all officially celebrate our different heritages here in this beautiful mosaic.

Samiya Abdi, a senior public health specialist and a proud Somali Canadian and Ontarian, spoke to me about the importance of Somali Heritage Week. She said:

“I am grateful to the many MPPs working hard to ensure Somali Heritage Week is recognized and celebrated across Ontario. Somali Canadians started settling in Ontario in the early 1960s, many arriving as university students, some choosing to remain to make Ontario home while others went back to Somalia. Over the past 40 years, Ontario has become home to one of the largest Somali diaspora communities.

“As a community that exists in the intersection of Blackness and Islam, 2020 had given us our fair share of experiences of anti-Black racism and Islamophobia that has only been exacerbated by the current pandemic. As such, it is key that we take the time to account for our contributions, celebrate both our past and present, but most importantly, dream up a better future for ourselves and our children.

“A future that takes into account all our identities and affirms who we are as Muslims, Somalis and Canadians.”

The Somali community has left a lasting mark here in Ontario. Many Somalis came to Canada in the 1980s and 1990s as refugees, fleeing conflict back home and seeking to build a better life for them and their families. Many Somali refugees settled in Toronto in neighbourhoods like Little Mogadishu near Kipling and Dixon—not far from my riding—which to this day is home to one of Canada’s largest Somali communities. Many also settled in my riding and in neighbourhoods like Weston and Regent Park.

Safiya Hirsi, a first-generation Somali Canadian, writes:

“Heritage often evokes the feelings of belonging and pride. Our heritage is the

summary and reflection of many parts of our character and our lives. When communities celebrate their heritage, these celebrations are a showcase of the best parts of what makes each culture special and unique.

“What Somali Heritage Week means for Somali Canadians is a remembrance and a celebration of our roots. Of our rich culture, language, traditions, religious beliefs and community structures—and our good food too. Connection to our native culture is also very dear to the Somali community, since the bulk of us first arrived in Canada fleeing civil war as refugees. As a Somali Canadian born in Canada, I’ve never seen the country which my parents’ generation speaks of with so much love and nostalgia.

But I value every story that’s shared of the world they grew up in, and I value every opportunity I have to learn more about my roots and where I come from and to share that with everyone here in my home city of Toronto.

“Celebrating my heritage to me is an expression of that feeling of love we all have of home, and a time when our community can come together and share between ourselves and with others that sense of belonging and pride of what it means to be Somali, and what it particularly means to be Somali Canadian.

“So, I would like to say thank you to the member for York South–Weston for putting forward this private member’s bill to celebrate the heritage of Somali Canadians and for being a bright representation of our community.”

The bright representation of the Somali community can also be seen in the achievements of many notable Somali Canadians, such as poet, rapper, singer, songwriter and instrumentalist K’naan, whose song Wavin’ Flag was used as the promotional anthem of the FIFA 2010 World Cup; or Shadya Yasin, who is an artist, educator, activist, advocate and organizer and has led several youth-focused initiatives and art projects aimed at children and adolescents at the Art Gallery of Ontario—and these are just to name a couple. Of course, I could always mention my great esteemed colleague from York South–Weston, who so far is batting 100 for PMBs as an opposition member—no small feat.

There are many more Somali Canadians who have left a major impact here for Ontario. Somali Canadians have not only enriched the arts and culture of our province and our country, they have also helped in making our city better for other newcomers. In 1991, a group of Somali women in Toronto set in motion a lawsuit against the housing authority, where they challenged the discrimination of refugee claimants. As a result, the law was changed and permitted all refugee claimants to access subsidized housing.

As I said before, officially recognizing Somali Heritage Week is long overdue, and I’ve spoken to a number of Somali Canadians, and they’ve shared with me their stories of what this recognition means to them.

I’d like to read to you the words of Abdul Nur, a first-generation Somali Canadian who grew up in my riding near Jane and Finch. He writes:

“Having Somali Heritage Week is a huge milestone for myself as well as countless other Somalis who may have immigrated to Canada in hopes of a better life for themselves and their families and who constantly fight to better themselves and their communities.

“The idea of a Somali Heritage Week is amazing in and of itself, and I am thankful to the MPPs and others who may have contributed to this concept as it serves a great purpose. To be Somali Canadian is to be synonymous with struggle. It’s to bear the brunt of a nation which constantly undergoes turmoil and is painted in the media as a failed nation. It is being caught at the intersection of pride and privilege, as there are Somalis and Somali Canadians who are doing amazing things; however, if you pay close attention to the media, these accolades of the many are often overshadowed by the misdeeds of the few.

“It is important to honour Somali and Somali Canadian culture and heritage as it is a rich culture and there are seldom any opportunities to display our heritage in a better light. There isn’t much representation for those of Somali background in politics so this is a good direction to head in, in regard to highlighting the plethora of successes that has been achieved by my community. Being a first-generation Canadian, born to a family of eight brothers and sisters, this is a great opportunity for our community and families to celebrate and come together, despite the misconceptions of what it means to be Somali in Canada.

“To be Somali Canadian is to have deep roots in community and to have the utmost respect for your community members and elders, whether you’ve known them for one day or 10 years. It is to look out for your fellow brothers and sisters and understand that we are one people just as our flag illustrates one star. And although some of us may find ourselves drowning in a sea of trouble, our community is always there to mobilize and come together in order to uplift us and understand us rather than judge us.

“Growing up I’ve always been taught to treat my fellow Somalis as brothers and sisters, no matter where they may have come from, and to understand that unity prevails above all. It is with that that I express my sincere gratitude for this opportunity to celebrate our culture and heritage, as we have not been given that opportunity before. Thank you.”

Suban Abdullahi, a local community activist in Humber River–Black Creek, also spoke of the role that Somali Heritage Week will play in recognizing the contributions made by Somali Canadians. She said:

“I feel glad that those MPPs working towards recognizing Somali Heritage Week acknowledge the growing presence and influence of the Somali Canadian community in Ontario and are playing a role in changing the narrative Somali Canadian youth are subjected to.

“An initiative like Somali Heritage Week will embrace our rich history while showcasing the triumphs and aspirations of Somali Canadians in the present and future.

“Having Somali Heritage Week means love for our culture and sharing the beauty of Somalia to Canadians all around.

“It’s an amazing way of showing where we come from to those who probably don’t know anything about Somalia and its people. Somali Heritage Week is a great way for Somali Canadians to be proud of where they come from, sharing folklore and old tales, showcasing our love for spoken word and poetry, and learning from other Somalis in our community all while sharing our amazing culture with everyone!

“As a Somali Canadian, I feel a strong pride and connection to both countries. I’m connected to and educated on the many societal norms and practices of both communities. It allows me the virtue of multiple perspectives through life experiences while also identifying with the common values of family, hard work and perseverance.

“As with all cultures, it is imperative to reflect on and celebrate the many cultural commonalities and differences. It allows exposure of various cultural practices to many both within and outside the community.

“Lastly, it provides a spotlight to a different and equal set of cultural and religious pillars within our community.

“I love the many customs that link us as well as the common goal towards reparation and contributing to the homeland.”

Muna Egal, a Somali Canadian, told me Somali Heritage Week brings her a great sense of pride to have the contributions of her community officially recognized. She said:

“Having Somali Heritage Week means a lot, it gives me a sense of pride and I want my children to be proud of their Somali culture and their roots. I’m so proud of my Somali culture: the dance, poetry, clothes, and arts. This week will give us a sense of belonging and it will ensure our children can be proud of our culture.

“Having Somali Heritage Week from June 25 until July 1, which is Canada Day and Somalia Day, it will be really nice to celebrate these two together. I hope this bill will be recognized so during Somalia Heritage Week we can celebrate and network in our Somali Canadian community.”

Indeed, Somalis have much to celebrate and be proud of. I once again applaud my colleague the member for York South–Weston for introducing this important bill to officially recognize Somali Heritage Week here in Ontario. You have made your community so proud. I will be supporting this bill, and I encourage all of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to support it as well. This recognition of the Somali community here in Ontario is long overdue. Let’s get it passed.

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

Mr. John Fraser: It’s a pleasure to speak to Bill 180, Somali Heritage Week Act. I want to thank the member from York South–Weston for bringing it forward.

It means a lot to the Somali Canadian community in Ontario, especially my community of Ottawa South. I was fortunate to be able to put forward a heritage month for Lebanese Heritage Month here, and we passed that bill. That was satisfying for me and for my community. But you’re part of that community and, I’m sure, it’s extra special to be able to put forward this bill, your first private member’s bill, and have success. I want to congratulate you on that, and I want to thank you for doing that.

My community, Ottawa South, if you look at it demographically, people identify themselves from being from 125 different countries, with over 90 languages. That is pretty incredible, when you think about a community that diverse. Where would you find that in the world? In Ontario, I’m sure that many ridings are like that or close to that, or maybe some are more than that.

In my community, the Somali community is a large community. That’s because in the 1990s, fleeing strife, famine and civil war, people looking for a better life for their children came here. They came to Ottawa South, they came to Britannia in Ottawa and many other places in Ontario. It wasn’t always easy; it was tough. For every new community that comes, it’s hard to be integrated and connected to the community you’re in, because you’re new and people don’t understand you, don’t understand your culture. You want to stick close together.

The beautiful thing is that, over time, the community has grown. Now half of the community is under 30, which is incredible. There are so many great young Somali leaders in my community in business, in education, in the public service.

I’ll talk a little bit about some of the work that’s being done not just in Ottawa South but actually in the community of Ottawa. What came out of the 1990s was an organization called the Somali Centre for Family Services. They started out with the help of Jewish Family Services of Ottawa to serve Somali families who really needed help, because there were issues around language. It’s a largely oral culture, from what I understand, so it was difficult to be able do things you needed to do when you’re here. They eventually evolved.

They weren’t a transfer payment agency, but they’ve eventually expanded and grown to be what they call a transfer payment agency. They’re apart from Jewish Family Services. They don’t need a parent or a flow-through agency.

I was very proud when, a few years ago, we were able to assist them with supporting Somali youth workers. It’s particularly challenging in our community of Ottawa South with a lot of young Somali men and women who needed support in education, to be able to keep them busy and active and having positive lifestyles.

Another organization that plays a big role in Ottawa is Canadian Friends of Somalia. They are largely an organization that is focused around youth justice and supporting youth. They do great work. I work with Farah Aw-Osman there, at Canadian Friends of Somalia, and it’s great to have some partnerships with them as well. Actually, the partnership that existed at the Somali Centre for Family Services was connected to that too.

Every community has challenges when they’re new, coming here—challenges with the youth, especially when there’s a lot of young people. There is a hard time integrating and connecting into society, and the opportunities aren’t always there. In Ottawa South, we had the Somali mothers organization, who worked very hard to ensure that those young people who had gone astray and had encountered the justice system were treated fairly and had opportunities after they got out to lead productive and healthy lives. They’ve done a lot of great work in Ottawa South.

This brings me to another group in Ottawa. It’s Justice for Abdirahman. This is an unfortunate thing to be talking about in heritage month, but I think it’s important how the community rose up when Abdirahman, who was a 37-year-old brother, son, friend, died as a result of a very violent arrest. The community came together, a lot of young Somali leaders, to find justice for Abdirahman—not just justice in the sense of what needed to happen in the justice system for fairness but also to drive home the message of the importance of fairness and ending systemic racism.

Even more importantly, they were there to support the family of Abdirahman and are still there to this day. They’re still doing that work. The community has grown beyond its borders.

In Ottawa South, there’s another organization. It’s called the Somali Hope Foundation, and the Somali Hope Academy. That was the creation or the inspiration of Mahamud Elmi, who is a police officer in Ottawa who, through 10 years of hard work with the help of Ottawa Police Service and many, many other community partners, has been able to build a school in Somalia that has educated over 688 young people. So they’ve grown beyond their borders, and I want to congratulate them for that.

The member for York South–Weston has a seatmate—or maybe not a seatmate but a riding partner—my friend, who, like the member from York South–Weston, has become a parliamentarian. More than anything else in the community, I think the presence of Somali Canadians in Legislative Assemblies and the House of Commons is a very clear indicator of the fact that they are indeed part of the mosaic that makes Canada and Ontario and that they’re here to give to Canada. I was proud of my friend Ahmed Hussen, who I worked with in Dalton McGuinty’s office and knew for a long time.

He worked really hard, as I know the member from York South–Weston did, to get to be elected. It’s not easy; we all know that in here.

I want to finish by saying I look forward to the passage of this bill. In Ottawa, we have Somali fest, which happens every June. I don’t think it’s at the end of June, but maybe it will be at the end of June now. That was something brought forward by Mayor Watson, which is a celebration of Somali culture and the Somali community that exists inside Ottawa.

I want to thank the member again, and congratulate him on bringing this forward for his community and for my community and all members’ communities across this Legislature.

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

Mr. Sheref Sabawy: I’m really honoured to stand to speak in favour of this bill for many reasons, actually. As a PA for the Minister of Heritage, Sports, Tourism and Culture Industries, I can’t be happier than this to see more cultural bills coming in. Also, as a Canadian of African origin, I really congratulate Mr. Faisal Hassan, the MPP from York South–Weston, for introducing that bill.

And also, as the introducer of Bill 106, Egyptian Heritage Month Act, I understand and really support the Canadian fabric, culture—different bills, which actually are very important because they recognize the contributions of different elements of our Canadian cultural fabric, the contributions of the different communities in Ontario and in Canada. They also encourage those communities to be part of the dynamic cultural fabric of Canada.

It’s important to recognize each community we can, because this will bring the community together, to showcase their culture and their heritage to the rest of Canada. That helps us, as a whole Canadian community, to understand the different communities among us and to be inclusive.

Part of our job is to be inclusive, bringing those communities together. Those communities are the building blocks of our culture. By introducing bills like this, we are creating that connection between the different communities, recognizing them and encouraging them to come forward and showcase their culture for us. Those communities are small circles within the big picture. Bringing in these types of bills is helping to connect those circles together to create the big circle of our culture, enriching the culture.

Also, another part of introducing these bills is to help our second generation to be proud Canadians while also being proud of their root culture. By recognizing them through those types of bills, it makes them feel included, influential, so they are proud to speak about their heritage and their culture to the rest of the Canadian community cultures. In many communities, the second generation can feel disconnected and excluded. This type of bill helps them to be proud Canadians, and at the same time, they own a part, an extra piece, which is their own original culture.

So I’m very happy to support this bill. I’m very happy to speak about it, to support it, and I thank the MPP from York South–Weston for bringing it in.

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: I’ll be deliberately very brief—only to again congratulate the honourable gentleman across the floor. He mentioned a lot of people from the community who are important, but of course he was too modest to mention himself. The fact that he has been able to bring a bill forward that, hopefully, he’s going to get passed shortly is a reflection of his hard work as an MPP. In a very short period of time, he has been able to develop a lot of relationships across the floor, and I think that’s reflected today in his ability to get this bill done.

It is always a challenge to be the first or the only one in a Legislative Assembly or in a Parliament, and the member probably understands this more than anybody else, as does the member for Parkdale–High Park, who passed a bill last week. We have a couple on our own side: the member for Scarborough–Rouge Park and the member for Markham–Thornhill, the first Tamil Canadians to be elected to this Legislature.

The member for York South–Weston truly stands up for his entire community—and not just in his own riding, but across the entire province. I know how difficult it can be when you are the only person your community can look to. So I really commend him for all of that hard work.

If you would have asked me in the 1970s, when I was a little kid, if I would be a former parliamentary secretary to a Prime Minister and a cabinet minister in the Ontario government, with an Italian Canadian Minister of Education, with an Italian Canadian Minister of Economic Development, with an Italian Canadian Minister of Colleges and Universities, with a Sikh as a cabinet minister, surrounded by a diverse caucus on both sides, I would have told you that you were crazy.

As you walk through these hallways and you look at the pictures on the wall—there’s not a lot of diversity in those pictures. There aren’t a lot of women in those pictures, let alone diversity.

So this bill really is a reflection of your hard work and how far this Legislature has come. I can’t think of a better year in which we can pass some of these bills to recognize all of the people who help make this province great.

Congratulations to the honourable member. You have become one of those important Somali Canadians people will talk about for many years to come.

Applause.

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

Mr. Hassan has moved third reading of Bill 180,

An Act to proclaim Somali Heritage Week.

Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? I declare the motion carried.

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

Third reading agreed to.

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: No further business.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): There being no further business, this House stands in recess until 10:15.

The House recessed from 0957 to 1015.

Members’ Statements

Seniors

M me France Gélinas: I would like to wish everybody an happy International Day of Older Persons. I would like to thank all of the older persons in my life for their wisdom and their support.

Speaker, did you know that right now, one in six persons is a senior? By 2030, it will be one in four. The number of people over the age of 65 will double during that time period, and the number over 85 will quadruple. We knew this when the baby boomers were born, but how come we haven’t rethought our health care system to focus on geriatrics?

Right now, Ontario has very few geriatricians—barely over 100—for such a large population. You look at the training of the occupational therapists, physiotherapists, pharmacists, and very little of it focuses on geriatric care.

Don’t get me wrong, Speaker: Aging is not a disease; it is a part of life. Some 90% of seniors will never go into a long-term-care home or retirement home. How do we keep elderly people healthy as they age? Well, certainly, stopping smoking, a healthy weight, healthy food, exercise, limiting alcohol—all of this continues to be a big one. But the pandemic has proven to us what many of us already knew: Personal relationships are key determinants of health for older people.

As for the older persons who live in our long-term-care system, we already know that workers’ conditions are directly linked to the quality of care they receive. Make PSW jobs careers, make them full-time with a decent pay, a few sick days, benefits, a pension plan and a workload that a human being can handle, and the recruitment and retention problems in our long-term care are solved.

Happy International Day of Older Persons, Speaker.

Long-term care

Ms. Effie J. Triantafilopoulos: As parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Long-Term Care, I am proud that our government is doing everything necessary to protect residents of long-term care, staff, family and essential visitors.

As Ontario enters the second wave of COVID, we’ve just announced that we’re investing $540 million to protect long-term care. This includes funds for prevention and containment, for repairs and renovations, staff and training to improve infection prevention and control.

We’re investing $52.5 million to recruit and retain 3,700 front-line health care workers. This includes $8 million for 800 nurses, $10.3 million for 2,000 PSWs, a guaranteed eight weeks of supply of PPE for homes and a better use of our paramedics to help seniors remain in their homes.

As this pandemic has gone on, we have learned more and more about how to keep people safe, but we didn’t wait to know everything before we acted. In March, we budgeted $243 million specifically for long-term care, part of the $3.3 billion more for health care. We improved infection control, restricted staff to working in one home and took the difficult step of banning family and visitors. Family and caregiver visits have now resumed, but we must remain vigilant. We will do whatever we need to do to keep our seniors in long-term care safe.

Islamic Heritage Month

Mr. Faisal Hassan: It is my honour and pleasure to join my Muslim brothers and sisters today to commemorate the beginning of Islamic Heritage Month in Ontario.

As a Muslim member of the provincial Parliament and the first Somali Canadian elected to provincial Parliament in Ontario, I am proud to stand here today to recognize the important contributions the Muslim community has made and continues to make here in Ontario, Canada and throughout the world.

Islamic Heritage Month calls Ontarians to celebrate, to educate and to reflect on Islam’s rich and varied history, its long-standing traditions and the cultural diversity of the Muslim community. Through their outstanding efforts and contributions, Muslim Ontarians continue to enrich the social, economic, cultural and political fabric of our province.

This month, as we all celebrate Islamic Heritage Month and pay a tribute to Muslim Ontarians, let us also recommit to standing together against Islamophobia and to addressing systemic racism so that everyone can build a good life here in Ontario.

I want to wish you all a joyful and inspiring Islamic Heritage Month.

Mid-Autumn Moon Festival

Mrs. Daisy Wai: Not only is today the International Day of Older Persons, it is also the Moon Festival, the actual day of the Moon Festival, and I know that the Chinese residents in Richmond Hill will be celebrating.

Originally named the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Moon Festival is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Chinese around the world: “When the moon is full, mankind is one.” Friends and family will be gathering at scenic spots or parks for moon appreciation parties. Festive food, including mooncake, traditional Chinese tea, and festive fruits will be served, while kids will be running around with lanterns.

There is a Chinese saying that during this festive time one really misses their hometown and families. This is particularly true for Chinese immigrants with families and close relatives back in their hometown. The city of Richmond Hill understands their need. The Moon Festival celebration has been held for the past 12 years. This event is so successful that the cities of Markham and Vaughan joined in nine years ago.

This year, with the challenge of COVID-19, the celebration is moved from on-site to on-air through Fairchild TV. The celebration is now extended to across Ontario and even to the other provinces in Canada where Fairchild TV is broadcasted. May I invite you all to enjoy the full moon tonight.

Long-term care

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: For decades, successive governments, both Liberal and Conservative, neglected the seniors in our long-term-care system. This proved to be deadly when the pandemic hit.

In the last five months, almost 2,000 residents and staff have died as a result of COVID-19 in Ontario’s long-term-care homes. Many died alone, Speaker—alone, without proper care, without a final hug, without being able to say goodbye to people who loved them.

It was so bad that the Canadian Armed Forces had to be sent to the homes with the worst outbreaks. It was so bad that nurses had to go to court just so they could access proper PPE. And it’s distressing that the government is still not prepared, that seniors might be even less protected in the second wave, with fewer staff than ever before and outbreaks and deaths in long-term-care homes on the rise again.

The people of Ontario don’t expect the Ford government to always come up with the best ideas and action plans. What they do expect, however, and what they deserve, is for this government to admit to mistakes when you make them and immediately take corrective action, not double down on what we’ve seen is not working. And so far, this government is doubling down on things that are not working.

We cannot make the same mistakes again. We must not make the same mistakes. Seniors deserve to live their final years in peace and comfort. They deserve to be treated with dignity.

Education on intolerance

M lle Amanda Simard: Mr. Speaker, the 90 seconds I have for this statement are not nearly enough time to say all I want to say about this, but I need to share what I can here in this place.

Recent reports of a racist violent attack in my community of Russell are truly disturbing. A 10-year-old Black child had his arm broken in two different places by two other kids repeating racist slurs.

We know racism exists in our communities. Overt racism, systemic racism—this cannot be tolerated. We need an intervention. We can condemn, we can denounce, but what really matters are our actions. We, as leaders, must act. Our government must act.

My colleagues and I have identified and shared concrete measures that we are calling on the government to take to combat the very real racism in our communities and province, and we are ready to work with the government to make this happen. Our Ontario, our Canada, needs to be a place where everyone feels safe and secure.

Mr. Speaker, we clearly have work to do, and you can be sure that together we will continue to fight for what’s right for our communities, our children, our today, our tomorrow.

Cyprus Independence Day

Mr. Aris Babikian: Good morning. I rise today to mark the 60th anniversary of Cyprus National Day. On October 1, 1960, Cyprus gained their independence from British rule. Since then, Cyprus has become a beacon for democracy, freedom and the rule of law.

Regrettably, the independence march was interrupted by the 1974 illegal invasion and occupation of one third of the island by the Turkish forces. Since then, the Cypriot leadership has struggled for the unification of Cyprus by peaceful means. On the other hand, the Turkish authorities have been intransigent and made the situation more complicated.

On this day, we pay tribute to Ontarians of Cypriot descent whose traditions have become an indelible part of our cultural fabric, and whose contribution to the growth, prosperity and vibrancy of our province is duly appreciated. I look forward to further strengthening the bilateral relations between Ontario and Cyprus.

Furthermore, Cyprus Independence Day is a time to remember all those who lost their lives throughout the wars in Cyprus, especially the tremendous contribution of the Canadian Armed Forces serving under the UN peacekeeping force, and the 28 Canadian peacekeepers who lost their lives serving in Operation SNOWGOOSE.

I extend our province’s gratitude to all who share this great heritage and whose accomplishments, struggles and sacrifices continue to solidify Ontario’s position as a region renowned for its commitment to tolerance, diversity and multiculturalism. Therefore, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the Cypriot government and the people.

Autumn Peltier

Mr. Michael Mantha: It’s again an honour to speak on behalf and raise the awareness of Autumn Peltier, a young Anishinaabekwe grade 11 student from Wiikwemkoong First Nation Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island.

Autumn has been walking in her grandmother Josephine’s footsteps and has been advocating for the protection of water and of our planet since the age of eight. Autumn has gained national and international recognition, and uses that platform to emphasize the connection of the Anishinabek to the land and water, their role to protect the lifeline of Mother Earth, and bring to the forefront the need for clean water in First Nations across Canada. Autumn was appointed as the Anishinabek Nation chief water commissioner, representing the Anishinabek Nation on all matters related to water.

Early this September, she became the first-ever international recipient of the Jasmina Anema Youth Award. The award is given to an extraordinary young person who goes above and beyond to improve society’s quality of life and community. Raheim Singleton, president and founder of the Black Cotton Foundation, responsible for the award, said, “Autumn’s bravery, selflessness, leadership and beautiful spirit are the qualities we look for ... and she exceeds all of our checkmarks!”

What’s also amazing: She’s just 16. She just celebrated her sweet 16 birthday. What she wants most? She wants to become Prime Minister, and I’m going to be her campaign manager when that comes up.

Housing in Chatham-Kent–Leamington

Mr. Rick Nicholls: Today, I’d like to bring attention to an amazing milestone in my riding, as well as an exciting project in the works, both of which address the housing shortage prevalent in Chatham-Kent–Leamington.

As a result, I reached out to Rob Piroli of the Piroli Group Developments, who in turn contacted Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff to kick things off. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Honourable Steve Clark, and I attended a groundbreaking ceremony soon after: the construction of two 120 condo-style apartment complexes that are the first to be built in 28 years in the area. We already have residents calling to inquire more about these particular apartments.

The second project I would like to highlight is the work being done to bring the Indwell model to my riding in hopes of alleviating the homeless situation. This model has proven successful in other southwestern Ontario communities, as it provides assisted living in an apartment setting with various supports in place, such as mental illness and addiction, to help people facing homelessness. As we know, individuals facing these issues are a significant part of the homeless population. Programs like this are high in demand, and even more so now as COVID-19 adds an extra layer of complication to finding long-term solutions for these individuals.

Finally, Clairvue Housing Co-operative, a geared-to-income housing complex, recently added eight new units to their existing footprint. Speaker, our government is putting those in need first.

Sandra Wooley

Mr. Jeremy Roberts: It is my honour to rise today to wish a happy retirement to Sandy Wooley, executive director of the Nepean, Rideau and Osgoode Community Resource Centre. The centre is described as a much-needed, well-used community service organization that helps vulnerable individuals and families lead better lives. As a non-profit charitable organization, their services and programs are provided to our community.

During her time as executive director, Sandra launched the Shine a Light on Our Community event, which raises money for their youth services. In light of COVID-19, this event is taking place online this year. I’m told the event will offer some new and exciting online components and will include a silent auction that’s running until October 12, 2020. Details are available on their website.

The community resource centre, under Sandra’s leadership, has offered a wide variety of services and initiatives to our community, such as the Tools 4 School program, where 485 children in the Ottawa-Nepean area received backpacks and a gift card from Staples on Merivale Road.

In many ways, Sandy has touched the lives of countless people in our community. In their recent newsletter, board president Darryl Bilodeau stated, “From the launch of” the centre’s “Shine a Light fundraiser now in its ninth year, to the Syrian refugee crisis, and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic, Sandy’s leadership has been steady and unwavering.”

As the member for Ottawa West–Nepean, please let me provide a very warm thank you to Sandra for all that she has done. Your community thanks you, and we wish you a very happy retirement.

Sign-language

interpretation

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader has informed me that he has a point of order, and I recognize him.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to move a motion without notice regarding ASL services during statements by the ministry and responses.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Agreed? Agreed.

Hon. Paul Calandra: I move that sign language interpreters may be present on the floor of the chamber today to interpret statements by the ministry and responses.

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

Motion agreed to.

Question Period

Long-term care

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My first question this morning is to the Premier. A second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was pretty much inevitable, yet the Ford government left Ontario unprepared, leaving families unable to access testing; students unable to socially distance; seniors facing outbreaks in long-term care; and health experts, hospitals and front-line workers pleading with the government to take action. Why has the Premier been so incapable of admitting that Ontario has fallen short and needs to do much better?

Hon. Doug Ford: Just to respond to the Leader of the Opposition, when people ask me about the fall preparedness plan, my answer is: “We’re ready.” And we’re ready because we’ve put $1 billion into testing and tracing. That’s going to help us out tremendously. We’re ready because we’ve spent a half a billion dollars into long-term care. And we’re ready because we have the largest flu immunization program ever in the history of this country. We’re prepared at every single stage.

I want to thank the people of Ontario, the 14.5 million people, that have helped us get ready; the great companies that have switched over to supply the PPE. I went to a warehouse yesterday. What an incredible group of people at DSV.

They’re ready, we’re ready; the people are ready. The only people who may not be ready is the Leader of the Opposition.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I think the Premier needs to get out and have a look at what’s really going on in Ontario, because the province has not been ready for COVID-19’s second wave. If it was, we wouldn’t have the lines that are unbelievable when it comes to testing. If it was, we wouldn’t have parents worried about putting their kids in classrooms that have 30 kids in them. If we were ready, we wouldn’t have health care workers and experts telling me that there is fear in the eyes of front-line workers across all of the health care system with the second wave here upon us.

The Premier keeps insisting that he has done everything he could to protect seniors in long-term care, yet 1,869 seniors have now lost their lives with COVID-19. New outbreaks are once again spreading through our long-term-care homes and the Premier has not ensured that they are safe and properly staffed.

Will the Premier admit that Ontario has failed to protect seniors in long-term care and needs to do much, much better?

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

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Thank you for the question. We’re looking at the numbers today, which we follow very, very closely, and taking action with our command table, the IMS table, making sure that we consult with the medical officers of health in various regions and Public Health Ontario. We are in direct contact with the homes that are in outbreak every single day to know what their situation is with staffing, with PPE, with IPAC and with any additional measures that they may need.

These actions are being taken on an hourly basis. We know what’s happening in those homes. Only 12 out of 626 of our long-term-care homes have resident cases right now. That is heartwarming because we know what we went through in wave 1. We have so much more information now. Additional layers are being put in every day as we speak.

I’m very hopeful about the rapid testing coming from Health Canada. It’s a critical piece for long-term care and that can’t come soon enough. We appreciate all the work.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I daresay that the families who have lost loved ones in long-term care since August do not feel heart-warmed. I would dare to say they do not.

It didn’t need to be this way. For months the Premier ignored pleas from teachers in schools, from lab techs in hospitals, from doctors in emergency rooms and from residents and their family members in long-term care. He said Ontario would be ready for a second wave and then he spent the summer on a victory tour.

Health experts are pleading with the government for action and they want it now. Will the Premier—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Will the Premier finally admit that we are not where we need to be, that we cannot keep waiting until it’s too late, and that we need—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you. To reply on behalf of the government, the Minister of Long-Term Care.

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Thank you once again for the question. It is heartwarming to see how many people are working to protect our seniors, to protect our students, to protect all our vulnerable populations across Ontario. I commend everyone who is working tirelessly to do that.

I want to tell you, our government is not just about talking about what we’re doing. We’re taking action and putting dollars behind that:

—$405 million to help our long-term-care homes with operating pressures related to COVID, including staffing, PPE and additional supplies;

—$61.4 million for minor capital repairs and renovations to make sure that our homes have the appropriate infection prevention and control;

—$30 million to allow care homes to hire more infection prevention and control staffing;

—$20 million of that for additional personnel and staff and hiring more infection prevention specialists;

—paramedic programs; and

—PPE for six to eight weeks.

We will continue every single day to provide the support to our long-term-care homes that they need, and we will—

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

COVID-19 response

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is also for the Premier. For small businesses and the many people who work for them, a second wave of the pandemic is absolutely an economic devastation on the way. They’re pleading with the Ford government for help, and thus far the Ford government has not listened.

The Premier’s commercial rent relief program has been a disaster that has left thousands of businesses unable to access relief, and that was before the impending restrictions that are on their way with COVID’s second wave.

This time, will the Premier actually step up to protect small businesses and jobs?

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker: The great program that we did to help businesses, in conjunction with the federal government, was a great success, and 54,000 businesses took us up on that offer. We’re actually going to increase that, as well, over the next few days. We put $2.3 billion in overall savings for small businesses. In 2020, $5.4 billion for businesses overall, and the NDP and Liberals voted against it. It’s a shame.

We cut small business corporate taxes to 3.2% from 3.5%, effective January 1, 2020, delivering up to $1,500 in annual savings for 275,000 small businesses. That’s $250 million of relief for businesses across the province. The government passed the Making Ontario Open for Business Act, which is making it easier for Ontario employers to hire, and will ensure workers have easier access to jobs and career growth by cutting red tape by 25%, saving businesses over $400 million. Again, Mr. Speaker—

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, the Premier is fond of saying that he loves small businesses, but then he leaves them out to dry in the midst of the worst economic crisis that has come our way since the Depression. That’s not a plan; it’s actually a recipe for disaster. The NDP has laid out a plan, and it’s called Save Main Street. That includes direct rent subsidy for these small businesses who are struggling, and all the Premier needs to do is walk down any main street in our province to see the number of businesses that have closed.

Without direct financial support, thousands upon thousands of small businesses will struggle to keep their doors open. Some have already lost the battle. Will the Premier stop turning his back on these businesses and the people who rely on those businesses for jobs and start saying yes to emergency rent subsidies for the people who run businesses in our province?

Hon. Doug Ford: I just find it so rich. Everything we’ve ever done for small businesses, they voted against it. They’re anti-business. They believe in high taxes to businesses. Well, we’re providing $10 billion in provincial tax deferrals.

I ask the Leader of the Opposition: Are you in favour or are you not in favour of the $10-billion tax deferrals, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board premiums deferrals and other business supports as part of the COVID-19 action plan, providing more than $900 million in urgent relief? Again, I ask the Leader of the Opposition: Is she in support of small businesses? Support us on the bills rather than voting against everything we’re doing for small businesses. We launched the Workplace PPE Supplier Directory to support business owners. We’re also going to provide $1,000 for small businesses to buy PPE. Again, I want to know if the Leader of the Opposition will vote for that.

We have put hundreds of millions of dollars out for support for small businesses, and every time, the NDP is anti-business. They want to raise taxes. We take a different approach. We’re about supporting.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, the tax deferrals aren’t helpful when there’s no revenue and you can’t pay the rent. That’s the bottom line. So while the Premier talks about support for small businesses, businesses like the Tria café, where the Premier toured during the last election campaign, had their doors actually closed on them by their landlord.

Supporting small businesses and protecting jobs is essential as our province makes its way through this pandemic. New Democrats have actually listened to small businesses and called for meaningful, direct support—meaningful direct support—and a ban on evictions—a complete ban on evictions and lockouts until this pandemic passes. That has not been done in the province of Ontario, no matter what kind of laundry list the Premier brings forward. There are still evictions happening and they have been all through the pandemic, and many people are losing to the landlords.

Why hasn’t the Premier listened to small businesses who are struggling, and do what they need to do to keep those businesses afloat?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Finance to reply.

Mr. Stan Cho: Recognizing that running a business is hard at the best of times, this government has responded with $11 billion in direct support, because it’s tough for businesses in many aspects, not just rent. That’s why we’ve provided $175 million to keep hydro rates low, $355 million in employer health tax cuts, $8 million in additional supports for businesses struggling to pay their hydro bill.

I grew up in a small business world myself, and growing up in my parents’ little convenience store in Rexdale, they always taught me: You’ve got to save when times are good. Thank goodness this government exercised fiscal prudence in its first two years, and that’s why we’re able to spend today. The reins are here, and the message to small businesses is clear: We have your back.

Children’s health services

Miss Monique Taylor: My question is for the Premier. Yesterday, the Hamilton Spectator reported that the number of children waiting for surgery at McMaster Children’s Hospital has skyrocketed, and the backlog will take more than a year to clear. These are children waiting far beyond a clinically acceptable amount of time for the surgeries they need in order to go on with their lives. We cannot let these children be left behind.

Hospitals across the province have been warning the government for months that a second wave was coming and they would need the resources to be prepared. Premier, why has your government allowed the situation to get this bad?

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

Hon. Christine Elliott: I thank the member very much for the question. In fact, we have considered it, we have planned for it and we have put the money into it. If you review our Keeping Ontarians Safe plan, one of the principle pillars, of six pillars, is to reduce the surgeries and backlogs that happened because we had to postpone them during the first wave. We know that during the second wave we have to deal with that.

Pediatric cases are particularly heartbreaking. I’ve spoken to the groups that are involved with that at CHEO, at SickKids hospital—kids in crisis. I understand how difficult it is for parents, for families, for children. That is why we’re putting over $280 million into helping all hospitals to work down these backlogs of surgeries.

We know that people have been waiting. We know that they need cardiac surgeries, cancer surgeries. Children need specialized pediatric surgeries. We’ve allowed for that and we’re dealing with it. We’ve put the money into it to allow it to happen.

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

Miss Monique Taylor: Not only are children at McMaster Children’s Hospital waiting an unreasonably long time for surgeries, the wait times for important assessments in occupational therapy, speech-language pathology and physiotherapy have grown to over a year, and we’re seeing a large increase in children seeking mental health supports. These assessments and mental health supports are critical for the healthy development of a child, yet these services are increasingly out of reach. When will the Premier prioritize our children’s developmental, physical and mental health?

Hon. Christine Elliott: We are certainly aware of these concerns and we are prioritizing them. We understand that it’s not just surgeries, and that there are many procedures that children need to stay well, to stay flexible, and that there are lots of issues that have been postponed because of the first wave. But they’re not going to be, during the second wave. We understand that these services are essential. We want to make sure that these children receive these services. That’s why we’re putting $283 million into allowing for the surgeries—for what’s going on at some of the children’s hospitals—to continue, because that is absolutely vital for their development.

With respect to mental health, we are continuing with Roadmap to Wellness, our comprehensive mental health and addictions plan that was brought out just before COVID struck. We’re continuing with it because we know that mental health issues are continuing, both with adults as well as with children. We can’t wait until after COVID is over to deal with them. We are dealing with them now.

COVID-19 response

Mr. Toby Barrett: My question is to the Premier. Premier, as you indicated, the trends we’re seeing are deeply concerning, with cases doubling over the past two weeks. By mid-October, Ontario could see 1,000 new cases a day. We’re starting to see a rise in case numbers across all age groups, not just among young people. If these numbers keep rising, we’ll see 200 or 300 patients in ICU a day. Premier, you and the Minister of Health said it best: We have to work together and turn the tide in this fight.

When it comes to this pandemic, our government is committed to providing transparency and openness when it comes to providing information as soon as we get it. Speaker, can the Premier please share with this Legislature our fall preparedness plan?

Hon. Doug Ford: I want to thank the great member from Haldimand–Norfolk. I know the people love him up there.

This is a plan informed by the best medical minds in the entire country, informed by the chief medical officer and the health table. As I was saying earlier, we’re investing over $2.8 billion in our COVID-19 fall preparedness plan.

Mr. Speaker, we are actually including these hours. These hours are staggering. We’re adding 484,000 hours of nursing and therapy visits—these are staggering numbers—and 1.4 million hours for personal support workers. And by the way, speaking of the PSWs, they’re going to get some great news today: the only government that’s actually going to appreciate what they’ve done, recognize what they’ve done.

Mr. Speaker, we are ready, we’re all over this, and again, we’re hiring 3,700 more health care workers for the fall preparedness plan.

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

Mr. Toby Barrett: My supplemental question is to the Premier. I want to reiterate that our top doctors indicated just yesterday how bad the second wave is, and that how far it spreads is up to all of us. The actions are simple, as we know, to control the spread: physical distancing, wear a mask, stay home if you’re sick, get a flu shot, and look after our elderly and our vulnerable.

Premier, I know that the supply of PPE has been a topic very close to your heart and an area that you’ve taken personal leadership ensuring, and overseeing, really, that people in Ontario have enough supply. So in preparation for this potential second wave, Speaker, I would ask the Premier: Please update this House on the current levels of PPE that are stockpiled across the province.

Hon. Doug Ford: Thank you very much to the member. I had an opportunity to go to DSV. That was out in Milton. These folks out there are absolutely incredible. I spoke to one person who’s a picker on the floor, and he worked 92 hours. The manager worked 98 hours. They were so proud of the job they were doing, the contribution they were doing. It was a 1.1-million-square-foot building. And this building was just for the schools, the 72 school boards that we’re supplying, and they were shipping around the clock. They’re working seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

I’ve got to give a shout-out again to all the manufacturers out there. I saw first-hand millions and millions of N95 masks, surgical masks, gloves. They’re doing an incredible job. As a matter of fact, in that location alone, there were 39 million pieces of PPE.

We have more PPE to support not only Ontario but the rest of the country. As I said a few months ago, when 26,000 people went on our portal and said, “We’re willing to help out.” that’s what I call the—

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

The next question.

COVID-19 response

Mr. Wayne Gates: My question is to the Premier. We’ve had our kids in Premier Ford’s classrooms for three weeks now, and the evidence of this government’s failure is clear in Niagara. We have nine schools with outbreaks, five full classrooms of children sent home. Staff and children have tested positive. This back-to-school plan is not working.

The Conservative government was warned about having larger class sizes and too many kids on buses, but they choose not to listen. We simply can’t have classrooms with 30 kids in them and buses with 70 kids.

My question to the Premier, quite frankly, is simple: How many more schools must have outbreaks before he caps class sizes at 15 students and implements measures to keep our children and our educators safe?

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

Hon. Stephen Lecce: I thank the member opposite for the question. I was pleased to convene a call with the chief medical officer of Windsor-Essex just yesterday, as well as with the directors and chairs of those boards. What we have heard clearly from the front lines is that the protocols are working, that the layers of prevention put in place by the province, endorsed fully by the Chief Medical Officer of Health, informed by the medical community, are actually helping to mitigate transmission risk within our schools.

The fact that we have hired net new educators in Windsor and Essex across the region is a proof positive that our investments are reaching the front line. The fact that we have more than doubled the public health nurse capacity on the ground to respond when these issues arise is another example. We will do whatever it takes to keep the families, students and communities in Windsor-Essex and across this province safe.

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

Mr. Wayne Gates: No disrespect, sir; my question was about Niagara.

Mr. Speaker, back to the Premier: We hear the Premier’s team say that things are getting better, and the minister just did that. Yet when you look at the results of the Premier’s plan, this simply isn’t accurate.

We now have 342 COVID cases in 282 schools. No one can act surprised. Teachers, parents, grandparents and students were practically shouting at the Premier in August that their plan would lead to this. There are too many kids too close together and not enough PPE or funding for ventilation systems to avoid this.

Again, Premier: We now have 282 schools affected by this. How many outbreaks in schools must we have before the Premier caps class sizes at 15? That’s the issue in the province of Ontario—class sizes at 15.

Hon. Stephen Lecce: In Niagara region we have 73 more educators hired. We have 20 more custodians. We have class sizes well below the provincial average. In kindergarten to grade 3, they are averaging at 20, well below 29, where they could have been last year. In grades 1 to 3, it’s 17, well below the cap of 20 previous to COVID. In grade 4 to 8, it’s at 23, below the provincial average of 24.5.

The investments are reaching the front lines. We are doing everything we can, leading this nation in investment and protocol that is comprehensive and evidence-informed. We will do whatever it takes as this risk continues to rise, working with the Minister of Health to mitigate risk and to keep our kids safe.

COVID-19 response

Mr. John Fraser: My question is for the Premier. Premier, we appreciate yesterday’s invitation from your government to work with members of the opposition, to work together as Team Ontario just like we did last spring. Premier, we want you to know that we’re here, and we’ve always been here, ready and willing to help.

Ontarians are very concerned about our preparedness for the second wave. Ontario’s doctors have been raising alarms, saying that our testing and contact tracing capacity is not where it needs to be in order to effectively manage the spread of COVID-19. For weeks, there have been long lines to get a test, more than 50,000 tests backlogged a day, and these delays and insufficient contact tracing are a cause for grave concern. Dr. Mertz, an infectious disease specialist at McMaster, says that hot spots like my hometown of Ottawa are in need of more contact tracers.

Speaker, through you to the Premier, what is your plan to get Ontario where it needs to be in contact tracing, and when are you going to get there?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Deputy Premier and Minister of Health to reply.

Hon. Christine Elliott: I thank the member opposite for the question.

First, I would like to say that I was at the meeting yesterday as well with the leaders of the opposition parties. I would say we had a very productive discussion, and that I understand we’re going to continue having those discussions on a more regular basis. I think it’s a great opportunity for us to have a greater in-depth conversation about the work that we’re doing, and to answer any of your questions in a venue other than strictly in question period. So we are looking forward to that.

But with respect to what we’re doing with the plan, we have brought forward our plan protecting Ontarians, our fall preparedness plan, that is putting $1 billion into testing, tracing, isolating and making sure that we have contact managers to follow up with people who have been diagnosed positive and follow up to see if anybody else has been affected by someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19. I will elaborate further in my supplemental.

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

Mr. John Fraser: I appreciate the Deputy Premier answering the question—although you didn’t fully answer about the timing of what I had asked for. I would like to say it would be a good thing if those meetings that we had that ended in June could have continued right through, and they didn’t. I think they would have been helpful. But we are where we’re at right now.

One of the concerns that families have is your plan in terms of PSWs and your readiness in Ontario’s long-term-care homes; 2,000 PSWs, it’s not going to be enough.

There was a plan in the ministry for foreign-trained nurses to become PSWs that ended at the beginning of this pandemic. Back in April, we asked the government to do this. There are 10,000 foreign-trained health care professionals out there in Ontario who could help. BC and Quebec aggressively pursued PSWs, trained them and hired them over the summer. So why is the government not taking advantage of the 10,000 foreign-trained health care workers in this province?

Hon. Christine Elliott: One of the pillars of our fall preparedness plan is health human resources. You are absolutely right: We need more people to work in the system. That is why we have a plan. We have been working with the Personal Support Workers Association, listening to their concerns, because they have concerns beyond just pay issues. That is something that we are having those discussions with them on right now.

We have a plan to bring more people in. We know that we are graduating many personal support workers in Ontario, but they’re not staying for a whole variety of reasons, including pay. That is something that we are working on and that we are developing. We anticipate that we will be able to bring back more personal support workers internally from our system in Ontario, which will make sure that we have the personal support workers both in our hospitals and in long-term care, as well as in home and community care.

COVID Alert app

Mrs. Daisy Wai: My question is for the President of the Treasury Board. COVID-19 has disrupted the lives of families, businesses and communities in Ontario and around the world—definitely for my riding in Richmond Hill. One way that governments, businesses and individuals are successfully adapting to this new normal is by providing more digital devices and embracing modern technology.

We have already seen this as countries rolled out emergency notification apps, just like the COVID Alert app we developed here in Ontario. The COVID Alert app assists in contact tracing and early detection, and ultimately helps curb the spread of this virus. I’m proud that our government sees the potential that technology has to keep Ontarians safe and healthy.

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the President of the Treasury Board. Could the honourable member please tell the members of the House more about the COVID Alert app?

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: I’d like to thank the terrific member for Richmond Hill for that excellent question. As Ontarians, as Canadians, we have a responsibility to one another to protect each other, and downloading the COVID Alert app is an important way to do just that.

Mr. Speaker, just this week, we reached a major milestone. There are now over three million downloads of the COVID Alert app. We’ve seen stories about people who have been alerted testing positive and isolating themselves, thus protecting their loved ones and communities from COVID-19. COVID Alert is an easy-to-use application. It never tracks your location, data or personal information. It warns you if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19. Anyone can find it on the Apple or Android app store.

Mr. Speaker, the power to stop COVID-19 can literally be in your hands. Download COVID Alert today.

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

Mrs. Daisy Wai: Thank you, Minister. It’s great to hear how effective the COVID Alert app is at stopping the spread of COVID-19. Examples like this show how important the app is when it comes to protecting individuals, our families and our communities. It is no surprise why chief medical officers at all levels of government support the use of the COVID Alert app to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Mr. Speaker, this made-in-Ontario tool is a growing success. I’m happy to say that we are joined by Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and, very happily, I was just informed that Manitoba has just joined us too. And our friends in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Alberta, Quebec and British Columbia have signalled their willingness to adopt the app as well.

Through you, Mr. Speaker—

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

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: I thank the member again for her question. The member from Richmond Hill is absolutely right. Provinces across the federation are joining us by adopting the COVID Alert app. Why? Because it is working.

So far more than 600 individuals in Ontario have tested positive for COVID-19 and have used the app to alert others. These are people in our communities. Think about that for a second. Because of the COVID Alert app, those individuals were able to self-isolate, get tested and protect thousands of others from being exposed to COVID-19. Their actions protected our families, our friends and our communities.

I encourage everyone, all Ontarians, all members of this House, to do their part and protect others, protect yourselves, protect Ontario by downloading the COVID Alert app today.

Education funding

Mr. Faisal Hassan: My question is to the Premier. Parents of students in York South–Weston are very frustrated with their experiences with this government’s online virtual learning—parents like Filomena, whose grade 8 son has been waiting since August to be assigned a teacher. She writes, “I just want a simple answer of when my son can be properly educated. This is creating an unnecessary distraction during an already very stressful time.”

It is now October, Mr. Speaker. What does the Premier have to say to Filomena about this failed online learning plan?

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

Hon. Stephen Lecce: An online learning plan that was fully and fundamentally opposed by every member opposite, for the record, Speaker. It is not lost on parents, who know who has stood with them through this process, from the negotiations to the spring, when we sent educators and students home, to the present. We have said we will stand up to creating a new model of education delivery, the highest standard in this country, the only province in this country to provide a credible option to parents.

We appreciate fully, obviously, to Filomena and to any of the small minority of parents captured in the sentiment of that question, that school boards, including in Toronto, are working very hard to attract educators to teach and to provide that educational learning that those children deserve. But we have created an online learning program that has lifted hundreds of thousands of kids into online virtual learning with the highest set of standards of 75% of live learning. That is a high standard. I think it is a positive development in education. We’ll continue to work with our school boards, providing them with the funds and the means to deliver—

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

Mr. Faisal Hassan: My question, again, is to the Premier. Parents are fed up with all the delays and lack of planning. Leticia Urias tells me her grade 6 son’s login credentials from the spring no longer work, and her calls and emails since July have not been answered. She writes, “I don’t know when, or if, my son will start virtual school,” and “It is no fault of his that the system is unprepared.” Six full months after schools closed due to COVID, what exactly does the Premier have to say to Leticia and parents like her?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: That choice is a strength. We uniquely provided parents in this province with an online option in addition to a safe in-class form of learning. It’s a choice that we believe is fundamental to ensuring parents are respected, that their choice and their circumstance are respected, which is why we’ve done that in this province,

whereas in Quebec it’s compulsory to send your child to school.

We recognize that there are some challenges with our school boards in operationalizing these plans, but we need to give gratitude, I think, to those on the ground, our educators and administrators working very hard around the clock to provide a high standard of learning. As opposed to denigrating their work, I think we should celebrate the fact that the overwhelming majority of students in this province are in a class with a teacher, learning at the highest standards.

In the context of technology, 121,000 more devices have been provided and Internet options for more than 10,000 families. We are looking at this through the lens of equity to ensure every family that needs it gets the supports they need. We want to make sure that kids continue to learn in a safe manner.

Hospital funding

Mr. Jim Wilson: My question is for the Minister of Health. The pandemic has brought into sharp focus the need for a new hospital to replace the aging Collingwood General and Marine facility, which has served the residents in the north end of my riding for more than 60 years.

COVID-19 forced the hospital to set up temporary beds at the local Legion. Even before the pandemic, dialysis patients were being treated in closets. The ambulatory care unit became the emergency department. Offices and meetings were moved to trailers. Conferences with patients are held in crowded hallways full of equipment. And there aren’t even change rooms for the staff.

Mr. Speaker, my constituents continually ask me, when will the government move forward with the long-awaited development of a new Collingwood General and Marine Hospital?

Hon. Christine Elliott: I thank the member very much for the question. You have been a great advocate for your community on this issue, and I do applaud you for that.

However, as you know, we are going through a pandemic. We are devoting many resources, financial resources, to dealing with that, with the billions of dollars that we’re putting into protecting Ontarians. The hospital capital supply is limited, and we are moving forward with the projects that are most in need.

I recognize that there are significant issues with the Collingwood hospital, but it is something that I hope we can have further discussions on, a further understanding of exactly where the needs are, whether this is a new build that you need, whether it’s a complete renovation. These are issues that I understand are still ongoing with our staff and with you and with the hospital. We hope that we can move forward with it quickly, but I cannot say exactly when right now. That is up to a whole determination—

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

Mr. Jim Wilson: Back to the minister: The government would know that during my 30 years in this House, governments have funded hospitals all around my riding. Owen Sound got a new hospital. Barrie has had two new hospitals; they’re working on the third. Orangeville—Mike Harris and I opened that hospital in 1998. There has been about $2 billion put into Newmarket.

But the 60-year-old-plus hospitals in Alliston and Collingwood have had nothing done to them during that period of time, and they’re long overdue. Now we hear that—and I’m happy that Markdale is getting a new building. I’m happy for that. It helps take the pressure off the Collingwood hospital, along Highway 10 and along Highway 9.

But the minister will know that John Di Poce has generously offered to donate the land for a new hospital, that years ago we built a realignment, a $38-million realignment, of Highway 26 to go to the new hospital. I would just encourage her to go back to the staff and ask them to seriously consider building a new build rather than expanding the current hospital.

Hon. Christine Elliott: Thank you very much for your comments and your submission. I understand those discussions are still happening between the hospital, your office and my office. Unfortunately, as many of you would know here, many hospitals across the province of Ontario are not in wonderful condition. They are older. They have situations where they aren’t able to reach the modern levels of infection prevention and control that we absolutely need right now.

So we are doing our best within the ministry, with the capital that’s available to us on an annual basis, to deal with the hospitals that are most in need, because that’s what the ultimate question is: What is going to impact the health and safety of Ontarians?

But I recognize your submission with respect to the hospital in your riding, and we will continue our discussions with a view to moving that forward as quickly as we can.

Family law

Ms. Effie J. Triantafilopoulos: My question is for the Attorney General. When Ontarians seek resolutions to family law matters through the justice system, they are confronted with complex obstacles and a labyrinthian system that is difficult to navigate. I’m sure all members of this House know someone who, at a challenging time in their life, also experienced added anxiety and stress as they sought to resolve family legal matters.

Last week, the Attorney General introduced legislation designed to make the family law system in Ontario more accessible for children and families. Can the Attorney General please explain how this legislation will benefit families who need to know the justice system will be there for them?

Hon. Doug Downey: Thank you to the member from Oakville North–Burlington, my friend and an excellent member of the House, Mr. Speaker. As the member has noted, last week we introduced Bill 207, Moving Ontario Family Law Forward Act. This legislation will help Ontarians access the family law system faster and more easily. Bill 207 introduced common-sense changes that will simplify Ontario’s family law system, allowing parents to spend less time on paperwork, more time with their children—and more quality time with their children, at that.

Simple changes—like making the family law appeal routes process clearer and easier to navigate and allowing parents and caregivers to request certified copies of child support notices online—will make a great difference to improve the system and make things easier for parents and families who find themselves in some of life’s most difficult times.

As I said during the second reading debate of the bill yesterday, our government is committed to supporting families and children in the moments when they need it the most. This is what our government stands for, and this is exactly what this legislation will do.

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

Ms. Effie J. Triantafilopoulos: My supplementary question is also to the Attorney General. I applaud the Attorney General because, if passed, the changes that he introduced will be instrumental in removing unnecessary barriers for families and children across the province as they work through Ontario’s justice system to resolve family law matters. These are tangible solutions to processes that have posed unnecessary challenges for families for years.

As the Attorney General said yesterday during second reading debate of this legislation, there are processes within the family law system that also limit the ability of the legal professionals working in Ontario courts from being able to administer justice and family law matters. Speaker, can the Attorney General please tell the Legislature what the government is doing to remove unnecessary obstacles and improve access to justice?

Hon. Doug Downey: Thank you again to the member from Oakville North–Burlington for the question. We have proposed the Moving Ontario Family Law Forward Act to make it easier, faster and more affordable for Ontarians to resolve family legal matters. In addition to the examples I just spoke about in my previous answer, the legislation will also harmonize Ontario family laws with the federal legislation. It will make it easier for Ontarians to navigate the system and to understand their rights.

I also want to share one example that we’re moving forward with in addition to the changes in Bill 207: We’re expanding the dispute resolution officer program to Kitchener and Welland. The dispute resolution officers have the expertise to guide families with neutral advice and bring them closer to settlement agreements before they find themselves in front of a judge. This expansion will increase access to legal advice for families and remove pressure on Ontario’s judiciary, who often need to do the explanatory work that a DRO could be doing before the process begins.

With the expansion in Kitchener and Welland, we have 11 locations across the province operating with dispute resolution programs.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m very proud of these changes.

Children’s health services

Mr. Gilles Bisson: My question is to the Minister of Health. Minister, both my colleague the member for Timiskaming–Cochrane and myself have raised with you personally, raised with your ministry and raised through the Premier’s office the case of children who are not able to get their formula paid for that is necessary for them to survive. I’ve got Finn who lives in my riding; it’s $75 every two days. He has Jeremy in his riding, who has $900 a month. Those drugs used to be paid for—if you’re in a hospital, they’re covered, but if you go home, they’re not covered—and they used to be paid for by the previous health plan until you made the changes to the prescription drug plan.

So my question, my plea to you right now is: Will you intervene with the ministry in order to make sure that these children and others across Ontario get the formula that they need in order to be able to survive?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I remind all the member to make their presentations through the Chair.

Hon. Christine Elliott: I thank the member for the question. This is a serious issue. Of course, no one wants to see a child not having the food they need in order to survive. I would be happy to speak with you personally about that offline and see what we can do to resolve this. I need more particulars of each case, and I’d be happy to work with you on that.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Again, I’ll remind the members to make their presentations through the Chair.

Supplementary question.

Mr. Gilles Bisson: Mr. Speaker, to the minister: We have raised this with you. We’ve given you correspondence, not once; I think two or three times. I will gladly do it again.

But the issue, Mr. Speaker, is there has not been any action taken in order to resolve this issue. These children are in a situation where they need these formulas to survive. These families are trying to survive through a pandemic which is causing all kinds of other issues within their families. Adding this on top of it just puts everybody in an impossible situation.

So I’ll gladly yet again give you the documentation, Mr. Speaker, but we need to have this resolved. Will you commit to making sure that these children have their formulas covered by the drug plan?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m feeling a little like Chris Wallace this morning.

The Minister of Health to reply.

Hon. Christine Elliott: I will commit to going back to the ministry, finding out where this issue is right now and working to resolve it with you. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, some of the processes have been slowed down dealing with other issues than strictly pandemic-related issues. That’s no excuse, but I certainly will be happy to go back and follow up on this with you and to provide you with a complete response.

Arts and cultural funding

Mr. Deepak Anand: Mr. Speaker, through you, my question is to the Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. Ontario’s sector, including music, television, film production, craft and design contributes over $25 billion. That is over 50% of the culture industry GDP in Canada. During COVID-19, Ontario’s culture industries, which support over 270,000 jobs, were among the first and the hardest hit and will take the longest to recover.

Minister, these industries are etched into the cultural fabric of the province, and right now they need our support. Through you, Mr. Speaker: What is the government doing to support these amazing creators, not just to survive through the pandemic but to grow and contribute to society?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: To the member from Mississauga–Malton, I want to congratulate him for all of his efforts in supporting the cultural industries as well as our recreation and sports communities throughout the pandemic. As we all know, these industries were hard hit. Many artists have been struggling throughout the pandemic and have received some assistance from the federal government as well as through our ministry and through Ontario Creates.

I think that our cultural sectors are going to be instrumental in our economic recovery, but at the same time they’re going to be very important for our social recovery as well, which is why, this past week, we invested $1.3 million into exporting Canadian content around the world. And what a week it has been. First, we saw Schitt’s Creek sweep at the Emmys. Second, we saw Roberta Battaglia from Mississauga come fourth in America’s Got Talent. And of course, the Canadian Country Music Awards happened last week and we saw folks like the James Barker Band succeed.

They’ve all received support through the ministry in some way, shape or form, and we’re going to continue to guide them through this recovery.

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

Mr. Deepak Anand: Thank you to the minister for your advocacy and tireless work for the cultural industries.

Our government has been a strong partner in sharing stories from Canadian creators and helping them expand, a strong indicator of how committed our province is to ensure the industry not just survives but flourishes and contributes to the economy.

Minister, thank you for mentioning Schitt’s Creek. As we all know, they broke records and won multiple Emmy Awards just a few weeks ago.

Through you, Mr. Speaker: Minister, what is our government doing for this important industry to ensure that we see more homegrown successes like Schitt’s Creek?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: Well, obviously, last week, as I mentioned, a $1.3-million investment—that was a film and television export fund, with 67 recipients receiving a total of $600,000. The Industry Development Program invested over $436,000 to support up to 20 recipients to ensure that they were able to get their content out around the world. Our Interactive Digital Media Fund is $117,000 to three different recipients.

This is all in addition to the $350,000 we invested into something called MusicTogether with the music industry, where we were able to support 310 artists, from the safety of their own homes, to receive $1,000 per person. We also invested $7 million in the Music Investment Fund.

The people that we support in these sectors top podiums, they top charts and they top ratings.

COVID-19 response

Ms. Laura Mae Lindo: My question is to the Premier. Sarah Forstmanis is a Kitchener Centre parent who completed her COVID-19 screening test after experiencing symptoms. She was told to stay home from work and make sure that both she and her four-year-old son got tested.

This is what happened next: “I tried calling St. Mary’s testing centre to obtain an appointment but was unable to speak to someone. I tried submitting a request online but did not hear back. I drove to the Glasgow testing centre and arrived when it opened, only to be turned away. I went to the St. Mary’s testing centre, where I waited in line for six hours with my four-year-old son, only to find out that I would not get tested that day. I saw countless parents with young children waiting in line, frustrated and missing work.”

My question to the Premier is simple: How can this government listen to Sarah’s story and then continue to tell Ontario residents that their plan is working?

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

Hon. Christine Elliott: I would say that Sarah’s situation was very unfortunate, but that is not the experience that most people have in Ontario.

However, we are putting $1 billion—we announced that several days ago; it is part of our plan for keeping Ontarians safe—$1 billion to test, trace and isolate new cases. We have over 150 assessment centres now. We have opened up more assessment centres in pharmacies for people who are asymptomatic. We want to increase our testing capability. We’re well over 40,000 cases per day now. We want to get it to 50,000 and then proceed from there. We also are expanding our lab capacity in order to be able to test the specimens, and we’re increasing our contact management teams by adding more than 1,000 people.

We did anticipate the increase in lineups. We have put $1 billion into it and we are expanding each and every day.

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

Ms. Laura Mae Lindo: It’s difficult to believe that that response is okay, given that I’m from Kitchener Centre, where a testing site had to close at 7:30 in the morning because they had already reached capacity and the police had to be called because of the winding lines.

No matter how many times this government says that their plan is working, stories like Sarah’s prove otherwise. She is frustrated that this government had months to prepare for an increase in demand for testing and did next to nothing, so she wrote: “Working parents have been completely disregarded by this government, and this government’s lack of insight into the realities of middle- and working-class families is appalling. For a government to be so out of touch with the realities that working parents face, especially the lack of testing and child care options, is a disgrace.”

Through you, Mr. Speaker, and back to the Premier: Will he commit to fixing the mess that he made by investing in public health units so that they have the resources they need to increase their testing capacity?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Well, the actual fact is that we have anticipated an increase, of a wave 2 of COVID-19. We’ve been preparing for that all summer. We’ve been consulting with experts. We had over 45 consultations with over 300 experts in public health and other aspects of our health care system. We’ve been working with Dr. Williams and our public measures command table. We have looked at each and every scenario that might arise. That is why we have the comprehensive Keeping Ontarians Safe plan that has come forward. It is dealing with increasing our testing volumes.

We know that we need to test more to keep Ontarians safe. We are doing that. We have opened over 150 assessment centres. We have over 60 pharmacies now participating, with more to come online. We’re expanding our lab capacity. We’re increasing our case management staff.

We are doing everything we can to protect the health and safety of all Ontarians, and we’re putting the money behind it, and we’re implementing it now.

Real estate industry

Mr. Rick Nicholls: My question is to the Minister of Government and Consumer Services.

Mr. Speaker, on March 4, 2020, the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, known as TRESA, received royal assent, marking an exciting day for Ontario’s real estate sector.

On September 29, the first set of regulation changes under the act came into effect, removing significant hurdles and concerns for realtors and consumers.

Can the Minister of Government and Consumer Services please explain what actions this government is taking to help the real estate sector?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: I’d like to thank the member for his question and congratulate him, because next Tuesday will be his ninth anniversary of representing the amazing riding of Chatham-Kent–Leamington.

The real estate industry in Ontario has changed dramatically since the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act first became law back in 2002. Many of us in this House today will recall, over the years, the effective advocacy of realtors from across the province when they came to tell us about the ways in which the act had become out of sync with their needs.

And now it’s our government that has modernized the legislation that governs real estate professionals in Ontario, through TRESA.

I’m pleased to share with the House that the first phase of the regulations under TRESA comes into effect today. These changes will allow real estate professionals to incorporate, once and for all, and be paid through a corporation, and to use more recognized—

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

Mr. Rick Nicholls: Thank you, Minister, for your response. Just a reminder: In less than a week, it will also be your ninth anniversary of serving the great people of Huron–Bruce.

Speaker, the real estate sector is such an important part of life right here in Ontario for individuals, for families and for the overall economy.

Since the previous act came into effect in 2002, the sharp increase in home sale prices alone has led to a more competitive marketplace, with purchase and sale tactics that were never considered by the act.

Can the minister please tell this House and the people of Ontario the steps this government has taken to ensure that TRESA will deliver welcoming changes to all?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Our government is actively engaged in supporting trustworthiness and the highest ethical standards in the real estate sector. This is essential to maintaining a healthy, open and competitive marketplace for consumers as well as businesses.

With the first phase of regulations under the act in effect, I encourage professionals in the industry to determine if incorporation complements their business strategy. Changes to the second phase of regulatory development will include updating the code of ethics, implementing disclosure requirements to protect consumers, and will also update the authority of RECO.

Speaker, we’ll continue to work with stakeholders and partners to ensure that Ontario’s real estate sector is the strongest in the country.

YMCA of Northeastern Ontario

Mr. Jamie West: The question is for the Premier. For 85 years, the Sudbury YMCA has been part of our community. The Y in Sudbury is more than socializing, more than senior support, more than youth development, swimming and athletics. Every year, our Y provides 1,573 child care spots. Last year, they helped 600 individuals with employment training and they assisted 800 newcomers and immigrants to settle in to Sudbury.

Not-for-profits and small businesses in Ontario have been waiting months for the government to step up and provide the much-needed supports required so they can survive, asking the government to finally open their wallet and prioritize non-profits like the Northeastern Ontario YMCA. Speaker, will the government help the YMCA so we can keep these jobs and services in the north?

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

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: Thanks very much. This is a very important question and it’s one that my cabinet colleagues and I have been working with. That’s why earlier this summer your Ontario government, through the Ontario Trillium Foundation, announced that we would be opening up an $83-million resiliency fund to support organizations such as the YMCA, our Legions, our food banks and other not-for-profit organizations that are the lifeblood of our community. The first intake ended on September 1, but if the member is willing to work with my office, we can work with them to look at an intake for December 2.

Again, that is an $83-million resiliency fund designed for exactly what the member opposite is actually talking about.

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

Mr. Jamie West: During the pandemic, the YMCA was here for the province. When the rest of the province was shut down, the Y provided washrooms, computers and telephone access to our most vulnerable populations. The Y was our temporary emergency shelter. They’re our warming and cooling centres for our homeless. They provided digital inclusion for seniors. They’re a place that our health care heroes turned to for safe, licensed child care during that first wave of the pandemic.

Like many not-for-profits, the Y was devastated by the pandemic. They’re currently facing a loss of over $3 million. The government should be embarrassed they’re not supporting Ontario’s non-profits. The Y was there when the province needed them, and now they need the province to be there for them today, too.

The Y has been here for us in Sudbury for 85 years. They were the first to offer to support the province when the COVID lockdown occurred. Instead of the government returning the favour, they’re fundraising on their own.

Speaker, will the government provide not-for-profits like the YMCA with the funding they need to survive this pandemic?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: I’m a bit mystified by the supplemental. I actually just offered to work with the member opposite to access that $83-million fund that we have set up for the very purpose that we’ve expressed. We understand that many of those centres in our communities that are so important to the social fabric and the cultural fabric of where we’re from and why we call ourselves Ontarians have been suffering. That’s why we’re absolutely committed, with this resiliency fund through the Ontario Trillium Foundation. So I’m again offering to work with the member opposite.

Again, I think it’s an important moment for us all to consider, what does the Ontario that we love and support so much look like in the next 18 months? I know we’re in the middle of a pandemic, but we are dealing with a health crisis, an economic crisis and a social crisis, as the member opposite has just pointed out. It is really important that we continue to look around our communities to see what assets we really need to protect. We’re there and we’re committed to doing that. We’re very proud of that; there’s noth