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October 19, 2020

42nd Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2020-Oct-19 (PDF)

L195 - Mon 19 Oct 2020 / Lun 19 oct 2020

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 19 October 2020 Lundi 19 octobre 2020

Private Members’ Public Business

Seniors’ Advocate Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 sur l’intervenant en faveur des aînés

Correction of record

Correction of record

Report, Financial Accountability Officer

Members’ Statements

Home care

Violence link training

Health care workers

Mental health and addiction services

Finances municipales

COVID-19 response

Automotive industry

COVID-19 response

Impaired driving

Family violence

Question Period

Long-term care

Long-term care

Education funding

Economic development

COVID-19 response

Flu immunization

Economic development

Long-term care

Assistance to persons with disabilities

Economic development

Workplace safety

COVID-19 response

Teachers

Long-term care

Education funding

Notice of dissatisfaction

Deferred Votes

Seniors’ Advocate Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 sur l’intervenant en faveur des aînés

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills

Standing Committee on Justice Policy

Introduction of Bills

Food Literacy for Students Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 sur la littératie alimentaire des élèves

Statements by the Ministry and Responses

Public transit

Petitions

Women’s issues

Curriculum

Women’s issues

Curriculum

Public sector compensation

Veterans

Education funding

Northern Health Travel Grant

Education funding

Affordable housing

Orders of the Day

Main Street Recovery Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 visant à redonner vie aux rues commerçantes

The House met at 0900.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Good morning. We begin this morning with a moment of silence for inner thought and personal reflection.

Let us pray.

Prayers.

Private Members’ Public Business

Seniors’ Advocate Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 sur l’intervenant en faveur des aînés

Ms. Lindo moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill 196,

An Act to establish the Seniors’ Advocate / Projet de loi 196, Loi créant le poste d’intervenant en faveur des aînés.

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

Ms. Laura Mae Lindo: I am so honoured to be standing in this House today to speak about the real creation of a circle of care around older adults in this province. Bill 196 seeks to establish a seniors’ advocate who is an independent officer of the Legislative Assembly. That would include advocating in the interests of older adults and their family members as well as other health professionals who act as caregivers for older adults.

In the past, I’ve come to Queen’s Park and I’ve brought stories of families in Kitchener Centre who have asked my office and offices in many of our ridings to speak on behalf of older adults in their life. This time, though, with my 12 minutes, my hope is to speak to everybody about the organizations that many of these older adults, their families and caregivers have reached out to for support in order to be able to create that circle of care.

With that, I want to make sure that I begin from a place of gratitude. I’ve had a number of organizations speak to my office, have meetings with me and speak about long-term care in particular, as a starting point. When COVID began, we know what happened in long-term-care facilities, but they were also speaking more broadly about issues impacting older adults. So I’m just going to run through a list of stakeholders who have reached out to my office in support of Bill 196 and people who have said that this is the only way forward in order to rebuild trust between families, caregivers and older adults themselves and government institutions like ours.

I just want to first speak about the National Association of Federal Retirees. Back in August, I was able to meet with Bianca Carlone and Patrick Imbeau, as well as Carole Grieco, who is the president of Kitchener Branch 39. They spoke to me not just about the importance of having the supports readily available for older adults in the province, but also for thinking more broadly about what supporting older adults looks like. It means income security. It means support for housing—and affordable housing, not sub-par or substandard housing.

It means listening to the caregivers who are coming in to see them, whether they’re living at home or whether they’ve gone into a retirement home or a long-term-care home, and actually advocating on behalf of them, which means believing them when they say that there are issues that are happening that are negatively impacting the people in their lives.

The Advocacy Centre for the Elderly wrote to me. Jane Meadus is the institutional advocate, and she wrote, “Seniors in Ontario encounter many systemic issues in their daily lives, whether it is an inability to access a program or a complex process not designed for seniors who may not have access to computers, as well as a whole host of issues related to health care including barriers to access. The Advocacy Centre for the Elderly supports the appointment of a seniors’ advocate who would be independent, report to the Legislature, and who would be able to assist Ontario’s seniors in breaking down these barriers and help them to live their lives to the fullest.”

I’m particularly grateful for that statement of support for this bill, because what they’re talking about is looking forward, past the moment that we’re in in the pandemic where we’ll all in crisis mode and emergencies, and towards a future where older adults in the province can live to their fullest, to have the highest quality of life.

That means, again, looking broader than just the particular circumstances that we are in right now in 2020, and recognizing that, yes, we have a system that was underfunded, under-resourced, understaffed for over 15 years, but our job right now is to create some form of an independent body that the government will listen to, so that when people do speak out, there’s an assurance that what they have asked for will be listened to, and that change will be made within the system. So thank you again to Jane for the words of support.

Also, Care Watch Ontario has written to me and asked for a speedy consideration of the passage of Bill 196. They write, “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for an independent seniors’ advocate as an officer of the Legislature, to advise on systemic challenges faced by seniors, and in particular, policies and programs, services and systems of support used by people 65 years or older that relate to health care, personal care, housing, transportation or income support.”

Again, a lot of the people who are writing to me are not focused solely on long-term care and the crisis that we have there, but they’re looking more broadly at everything that older adults deserve, for everything that they have given us in this life. Had it not been for them and their hard work, we wouldn’t be here right now having this debate, and I think that it’s one way to really show that we care and that we love them by implementing something that would have an independent nature to be able to speak back to the system on their behalf. And so, to Michèle Harding, I thank you very much for your kind words.

I’ve heard from CanAge, Canada’s national seniors’ advocacy organization. “Without question,” they’ve written, “Ontario urgently needs a seniors’ advocate to ensure that we have a champion within the province to advance the rights of older Ontarians. Bill 196 achieves that critical, important need. Ontario needs to catch up to other provinces, such as BC and others who have already implemented seniors’ advocates, to highly effective results. Never before, in the time of COVID-19, has it been more clear that seniors have special, unmet needs.

Bill 196 will help Ontario become not just age-inclusive, but a leader in the country. We have this moment in time to make things better for seniors. Now is the time to take it.”

So thank you, Laura Tamblyn Watts, the CEO at CanAge, Canada’s national seniors’ advocacy organization, again, for reiterating that we need to be a leader in this way and support our older adults across the province.

Seniors for Social Action (Ontario): John Lord, who’s a researcher, and Dr. Patricia Spindel, a researcher and policy adviser, have also written to me in support of Bill 196. They have strongly shown their support for the creation of a seniors’ advocate office, and again, they pointed to having this independent body that would represent the interests and the needs of families, and the fact that for many of these families who are already undergoing so much stress at the time where they have to participate in their advocacy, it’s so important for them to have a body that they can rely on, that they can be assured will respect what it is that they’re saying and the reality of their experience.

Mr. Speaker, I have had family members contact my office, after losing loved ones, who still want to carry on their advocacy, and they do that in the name of the people they have lost. So when they go to organizations like this and these organizations say, “You know, what we need is an independent body,” it’s an indication that many of these organizations also feel unheard, also feel ignored in this system. Despite their expertise, it seems as though it’s difficult to get government institutions to move in the direction that they need to to ensure that older adults have the support, the care and the love that they so deserve.

Again, John Lord, the researcher, has written, “Seniors’ issues are under scrutiny across the province because of how poorly the government has handled the crisis in long-term care. Significant changes are needed, and a seniors’ advocate office would be an important part of the changes we need.”

Dr. Patricia Spindel, also from Seniors for Social Action, has written, “Advocacy is needed within and outside government to address serious systemic issues in the long-term-care system. A seniors’ advocate would provide an important vehicle for seniors’ issues, especially if it is independent and reports to the Ontario Legislature.”

Again, the Seniors for Social Action (Ontario) has indicated that it’s complementary to have an independent seniors’ advocate as well as the advocacy that happens right here within the Legislature.

I’ve also been contacted by the Alzheimer Society of Ontario. This one is dear to my heart. As I’ve spoken about before, my father has early onset dementia, so I understand how difficult it is to try and keep your family member at home as long as possible so that they have something that they recognize around them. They too have written and explained that there are over 240,000 Ontarians who live with dementia today, a number that’s expected to double within the next 20 years.

Social isolation, caregiver burnout, overstretched community supports: Those are just some of the issues that Ontario families affected by dementia are confronted with in their day-to-day lives. A seniors’ advocate has the ability to draw attention to those challenges faced by Ontarians living with dementia and their care partners, and serve as a catalyst for meaningful change.

I would argue that everybody in this House wants meaningful change. I think asking for somebody to be independent of us, somebody else to be able to help us outside of the system to do better within the system is so hugely important. So thank you to Cathy Barrick, the chief executive officer from the Alzheimer Society of Ontario, for writing into my office and supporting Bill 196.

The other piece that people have said to me about Bill 196 that they are particularly pleased about is that there would be a report out to the public. We would be able to keep an eye on, what changes have happened? What are some of the barriers to those changes? How can we move forward? And by keeping that report out and the public involved in the movement of what the system is doing to support older adults, we end up rebuilding the trust. I think it’s hugely important for us to do that.

I also just want to say a big thank you to the Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition. Rabbi Shalom Schachter wrote to me, “The voice of seniors must be heard in the halls of policy development. Given their heavier impact of COVID-19 and especially those in long-term-care homes, the need for this advocate is clear.”

And the Waterloo Region Health Coalition has also provided their support. Their support has also come with a reminder that we need a minimum of four hours of care for older adults. If we don’t start doing this work, we’re not going to be able to show them the gratitude that they so clearly deserve.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Further debate? I recognize the member for Markham–Thornhill.

Mr. Logan Kanapathi: Good morning, Speaker. Thank you for that introduction. I want to take this opportunity to welcome all my fellow MPPs back to the Legislature.

It is an honour to rise to speak on the bill introduced by my colleague the MPP from Kitchener Centre, Bill 196,

An Act to establish the Seniors’ Advocate.

Last week was Thanksgiving, and I am very thankful for the opportunity to serve the people of Markham–Thornhill and to serve with the caucus, with this Premier, and being part of a government that truly is for the people. As many of you know, Markham–Thornhill is a wonderfully diverse riding, with folks from many cultures choosing to call our region of the province their home. Something that connects all of the people in my riding, not only their background, their religious practice or the language they speak, is respect for our elders in Ontario.

I’ve had to deal with two seniors in my life. My mother is 93. She’s dying with dementia. She’s been bedridden for the last three years. My mother-in-law is 89. She’s been living with me for the last 26 years. These are the issues nearest and dearest to my heart, Mr. Speaker.

As a former municipal councillor, I know first-hand the benefits to the community as a whole when it’s diverse and inclusive. Enabling our seniors to stay in our communities is good for them and for everyone who gets to share in their wisdom, their experience and the insights they have to offer.

I was proud to see our government move quickly earlier this year to help our seniors who were living at home when COVID-19 first struck our province. Our government stepped up with an $11-million commitment in the Ontario Community Support Program. This program provided deliveries of food, medicine and other essentials to seniors and others who had to self-isolate because of COVID-19. This has allowed over 230,000 deliveries by the end of September, helping our seniors to stay safe and healthy in the face of this pandemic.

This program is but one example of how our government is serving the needs of seniors. It is a privilege to serve with this Premier and this government as we continue to provide the support and services needed by seniors, and we will continue to keep their health and well-being as a top priority as we continue to include their needs at the highest level of this government.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Further debate?

Ms. Judith Monteith-Farrell: Good morning. I’d like to thank my colleague Laura Mae Lindo from Kitchener Centre for this important bill. When I approached my 93-year-old aunt, who is the matriarch of our family, about this bill, she said, “Go get ’em,” because she is tired of the way that seniors’ voices are being sidelined in our society.

I also had the privilege of belonging to the National Association of Federal Retirees as a survivor, as my husband was part of the federal public service. In that group I’ve met many people and I’ve represented them in my former roles. People approached me, and I’d like to mention them: Terry Marcon, Murray Haywood, Rick Bevilacqua, Lori Appelt and Glen Ball. They approached me to highlight the voice of the National Association of Federal Retirees.

In their letter and in their voices, it said, “It is time that older adults and caregivers in Ontario have a non-partisan advocate looking out for their best interests, making sure their needs are being met, and ensuring their rights are being respected.

“The need for a dedicated advocate to protect the rights and interests of older adults and their caregivers has never been greater. Ontarians aged 60 and older as well as those living in long-term and other congregate care settings—many of whom are older individuals—have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and the measures put in place to limit its spread. The treatment of these groups during the pandemic is unacceptable and has led to tragic circumstances in long-term-care homes across the province.”

The need for an advocate has been demonstrated in other provinces, and it’s time for Ontario to adopt this proven and effective approach to protect the interests and rights of older adults. Ontario has failed its seniors, and we cannot continue to do so. We need to pass Bill 196.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Further debate?

Mr. Mike Schreiner: I rise to contribute to the debate on Bill 196, establishing a seniors’ advocate as an independent officer of the Legislature. I want to thank the member for Kitchener Centre for bringing forward this critically important bill.

Speaker, this pandemic has highlighted the need to completely rethink the way we care for elders in Ontario. The heartbreaking loss of life in long-term-care homes was a wake-up call that we have a moral obligation to treat elders with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Research shows that BC was better-prepared and responded in a more coordinated and decisive way than Ontario did when it came to protecting elders during the first wave of COVID-19. There are many reasons for this, but one of them is surely that BC has a seniors’ advocate and Ontario does not.

I also want to be clear that the neglect and poor treatment of elders did not begin with COVID-19. I worry that our society has moved away from the respect and care that we used to show elders and that many societies still do. One example of this is the shocking rise of elder abuse in Ontario. The Ontario Human Rights Commission reports that over 60,000 older adults in our province experience abuse each and every year, and according to the human rights commission, these statistics are likely grossly underreported.

Speaker, I know we can do better. We must do better. We owe it to elders to provide them with an independent advocate to report abuse, to identify systemic barriers and to advocate for changes so that elders receive the care, dignity and respect that they have earned and that they deserve.

So I will be supporting Bill 196, and I encourage all members of this House to stand up for our elders and vote in favour of Bill 196.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Further debate?

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: I want to thank the member for Kitchener Centre for introducing this really important bill here today. I’m privileged to rise on behalf of the people and families of Carleton to speak to Bill 196, which was introduced by the member opposite. Our riding offers a wonderful mix of old and new. There’s sprawling rural beauty and also fast-growing towns. But whether you hail from rural or urban, or whether you’re from Kitchener Centre or Carleton or anywhere in between, there are many things that always hold true, and one of those is the importance of taking care of our seniors.

I can understand how this could have been a shock for the people of Ontario. There was finally a government and a Premier who actually delivered on the promises they made. Our government has continued to make the health and well-being of our seniors a top priority. We moved quickly when COVID-19 first struck our province to shore up the supports for seniors in retirement homes across the province.

In my own riding of Carleton, I was constantly in talks with various seniors’ homes, including Lori Norris, who is the executive director of the Osgoode Care Centre. I’m so happy to report that, with community support and provincial support, we were able to protect our seniors during that initial first wave of the pandemic.

We also invested $20 million in infection control measures to protect seniors in our licensed retirement homes, including those in my riding of Carleton. Our government restricted retirement home employees from working in more than one retirement home, long-term-care home or other health care setting. We also provided retirement homes with the flexibility to be able to recruit and reassign staff, helping to ensure supports continued to be available for our retirement home residents.

Our seniors are cherished members of our communities, Mr. Speaker. My experience with seniors goes way back to before I even got elected. My mother works for a non-profit organization called Community and Home Assistance to Seniors, or CHATS for short. She has been working there for over 10 years, coordinating the diversity and wellness program for seniors in the Iranian community. I’d been volunteering there for over 10 years prior to getting elected.

One thing that I learned and one thing that my mother instilled in me is how important it is to respect our seniors and to give back to them, because they’re the ones who made this province what it is, and it’s up to us to now make sure that they are taken care of. Our seniors have stood by our province, and this government continues to stand by them.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Further debate?

Ms. Jill Andrew: We need a seniors’ advocate, an independent office of the Ontario Legislature that will advocate in the interest of aging adults, their family members and other health professionals serving in the best interest of our aging adults.

Ontario’s seniors’ advocate will know that essential caregivers are more than just visitors. They will know the benefits to aging adults’ physical and mental health when they enjoy foods and hobbies in long-term care reflective of their culture, ethnicity, faith and history. They will know that home care and long-term care have been grossly underfunded and understaffed under this Conservative and the former Liberal governments. The creation of a seniors’ advocate will put an end to PSWs and family members being intimidated and silenced by the system when they speak up for aging adults.

I think of the aging adults in our community of St. Paul’s in long-term care and home care. I think of their family members who often feel disoriented by this convoluted system, not always knowing who or where to turn to for help. A seniors’ advocate will be their guide. At the end, 2SLGTBQ elders, aging adults who have fought all their lives to live, to be out and proud, to love who they want to, will never have to fear going back into the closet, as all too many currently do.

Will this Conservative government support Bill 196 and create an independent seniors’ advocate office? Will you make this law today? Yes or no?

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Further debate?

Mr. John Fraser: Good morning. I’m pleased to support this bill, and I want to thank the member very much for bringing it forward. It is a really critical piece. What we need in this province today is an independent seniors’ advocate, just like we need an independent child advocate, which we had, which has been removed, which I would like to recommend to the government would be a really good idea to reinstate. Because like the vulnerable seniors, those children, especially those children who are covered by the child advocate, are exceptionally vulnerable—and that’s what the point of this bill is: to give seniors a voice, to protect seniors.

With all due respect to the member from Carleton, workers are still working in more than one home. It’s still happening today. There are still patients in four-bed rooms. There are still patients who are COVID-negative in a room with a resident who is COVID-positive.

We forgot to—I’ll say “we” because it’s the government but we’re all here. We didn’t include long-term-care associations when we were planning for health in the pandemic. The OHA, the hospital association, testified that to the commission. If there is no other evidence that you need this morning than that fact, that we need a seniors’ advocate, then I’m afraid all is lost.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Further debate?

Mr. Rudy Cuzzetto: I appreciate this opportunity to rise today on behalf of the people of Mississauga–Lakeshore to speak on Bill 196, the Seniors’ Advocate Act, introduced by the member for Kitchener Centre. I want to thank her for this important bill and the members from Markham–Thornhill, Thunder Bay, Carleton, Guelph, Toronto–St. Paul’s and Ottawa South for sharing their views on this bill.

Speaker, I’m blessed to have so many active seniors in my riding, over 20,000 in total, and so many active seniors’ groups, including the Mississauga Seniors’ Council, which represents over 12,000 seniors. The health and well-being of seniors is my highest priority, and it is a top priority of our government.

When this pandemic began, our government moved quickly to support the Mississauga Seniors’ Centre, the Clarkson Community Centre and senior active living centres across Ontario as they moved to offer virtual programs, like our Tuesday Coffee Talk. Through the Seniors’ Centre Without Walls program, we were able to provide additional support for seniors across Ontario.

In June, as part of Seniors’ Month and Italian Heritage Month, I was proud to co-host a phone-based connection for our seniors with the minister for seniors and Juno nominee Carlo Coppola. My team and I set up a website called rudyconnects.ca to ask for donations of tablets so seniors in long-term-care facilities, like the Camilla Care Community and Villa Forum long-term care, could stay socially connected with their loved ones. By helping keep our seniors socially connected, we know we can help them remain healthy while they remain physically apart or self-isolated at home.

Knowing how important it is to support our local community organizations, I was excited to hear that the minister announced additional grants to allow more community groups to offer virtual programs for our seniors. These grants will help increase the number of options available for our seniors to stay socially connected, often in languages of their choosing, as they have to self-isolate during this terrible pandemic.

Again, I want to thank the member from Kitchener Centre for her work on this bill.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Further debate?

Ms. Catherine Fife: This is a government that forgot seniors at the beginning of the pandemic. The story just broke an hour ago: The Ontario Hospital Association reported to the secret long-term-care commission that at the beginning of the pandemic, seniors were an afterthought. That is why we need a seniors’ advocate. That is why I am so grateful that the member from Kitchener Centre has brought this forward.

I was speaking to Jim MacLeod last week during constituency week. You’ll remember him because he came here two and a half years because he has been separated from his wife, Joan, for three years. They have been married for almost 60 years. If anybody thinks that that is okay, then you are in the wrong place.

This province needs someone, an independent advocate, who looks at policy, who looks at legislation and who measures how this is going to affect seniors.

We actually need an independent officer of the Legislature to look at all laws through the lens of a seniors’ advocate. We fought in 2015 to get the Financial Accountability Officer into this Legislature. He is independent, he is non-partisan, and we value that information. That is why this must happen. We also had a conversation last week with a constituent. It didn’t go well for the constituent because he said to me, “Seniors are going to die anyway.” If we have that mindset out in the community in the province of Ontario, then we need a strong, independent advocate for seniors in Ontario.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Further debate?

Mr. Joel Harden: I want to thank my friend the member from Kitchener Centre for proposing this legislation. I want to ask a rhetorical question: Why do we need a seniors’ advocate?

We need a seniors’ advocate for Christine Collins, Speaker, someone who has been outspoken back at home because her brother, Peter Collins, lives in one of the epicentres of our city’s outbreak of COVID-19: Carlingview Manor, a home with hundreds of people with disabilities and seniors where there has now been two outbreaks. Peter is living with dementia. He has people wandering in and out of his room because they do not have appropriate staff to keep him safe. That’s the reality. We need a seniors’ advocate to speak out for Peter and for Christine and against the for-profit operator that will not invest in appropriate staff to keep Peter and Christine safe.

We need a seniors’ advocate for Mary Sardelis, who has appealed to this government to stop the practice of retirement homes issuing trespass orders to caregivers who complain about the living conditions of their loved ones. What has this government done to Mary’s plea for help, Speaker? Nothing. In fact, the minister involved, in this government, has insulted Mary and alluded to the fact that perhaps she is responsible for her own problems. We need a non-partisan advocate to stand up for Mary.

Last, Speaker, I’ll say this, because I come from Ottawa Centre and I take advice from great people like Evelyn Gigantes, who was a Minister of Health in this place, and Ed Broadbent, who is one of our countries absolutely important elders, who tells us: To whom does a government listen? If they won’t listen to the official opposition, if they tell absolute stories of fiction about what they have done for seniors in this place, we need an independent advocate and we need it now.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Further debate?

M me France Gélinas: I too strongly support the creation of a seniors’ advocate, an independent officer of the Legislative Assembly.

They could start by looking at the body of evidence that is there from decades of reports showing us how you fix the quality of care in long-term care: You make PSW jobs careers. You give them full-time work. You pay them a salary that will allow them to survive. You make sure that they have a few benefits so that if they are sick and have to isolate, they actually get sick days. Maybe throw in a pension so that you make it a career, and you give them a workload that a human being can handle. We’ve had this on record for a long time. A seniors’ advocate would make sure that we push this forward and that it becomes a reality. It’s as simple as this.

Many steps could be taken right now. With a seniors’ advocate that reports directly to the Legislative Assembly, we have an opportunity to change things for the better, Speaker. We can’t let this opportunity go by.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Further debate?

Ms. Doly Begum: Mr. Speaker, if COVID-19 has taught us anything—and I hope it has taught us many lessons, but one lesson is that the care of people, the care of our seniors especially, cannot be about profit. It cannot be about profit and this is something that our government needs to understand.

I also want to thank all the family councils and all the advocates across this province who have been fighting for our seniors, who have been fighting for the care of our elders and our grandparents and parents.

It’s so important to really emphasize the point that, by the time it was July, about 96% of the deaths—96% of the lives that we lost during COVID by July—were people over the age of 60. That says something. But what I’m hearing from the other side makes me feel like some of the government members were sleeping. It is astounding that we are in this House providing lip service at a time when people are dying, people are literally dying, because of neglect, because of lack of care. These people are our parents, our grandparents, the people who went to war for us, people who saved all of this province, people who built the foundation of this province, Mr. Speaker.

We have to make sure that we do the best. Clearly we have government after government that has forgotten that. We have to make sure that we have an independent advocate who will represent the needs of our seniors, and this is why we need to pass this bill now.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Further debate?

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: I want to first start off by congratulating the member from Kitchener Centre. What a wonderful bill; long overdue. If we can imagine what this bill does, it’s an independent officer of the Legislature who is actually encouraged to have an advisory council of family members and workers to provide input into what they envision seniors’ care would look like.

Now, saying that, we’ve heard for decades what seniors’ care should look like. We’ve heard it from workers and we’ve heard it from families. This needs to change now, not later. We are behind in providing an adequate, respectful and dignified way seniors are cared for. We all want this, so I urge this government: We’re here right now. We have the power to make decisions for the people who are in long-term care, in home care, in hospitals, in their homes; healthy seniors and seniors who have health issues. We have that privilege and we have that power. We can do that and make that decision for the people who need help now.

Most importantly, Speaker, let’s not let these tragedies continue to happen over again. Let’s make these decisions for the future for our seniors.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Further debate? Further debate?

The member for Kitchener Centre has two minutes to reply.

Ms. Laura Mae Lindo: Thank you for all of the words of support for Bill 196. I want to use the two minutes that I have to speak about one thing that came from the government side in the debate. There were a lot of positive words of gratitude to me as the member for Kitchener Centre for putting forward this bill, but I just want to be very clear, in this moment, that voting for Bill 196 is not voting for me; voting for Bill 196 is voting for our elders. Voting for Bill 196 is voting for the people who have held it down and made sure that we are able to be here in this House right now.

We will be them, and the way that we treat them is going to be the way that we are treated. That’s what my family have taught me. That’s what my elders have taught me in my life, both within my immediate family—my mom and dad; giving them a shout-out because I know they’re watching this morning—as well as folks who are elders in my spiritual community. What they tell me is that I have to stand with integrity and fight to make change in systems that are hurting people.

This independent advocate is not going to be there to provide piecemeal ideas about what to do for elders. This advocate is going to say the system needs to change. We have heard for too long that the system needs to change, and nothing has happened. Their role will be to ensure that it happens. And if it’s not, they will tell us why it’s not, and they will keep fighting alongside the families, the elders, their caregivers, everybody who are experts on the ground, health professionals who are telling us exactly what we need to do.

This isn’t about throwing little bits of money to do a music program in a long-term-care home. This is about making sure that PSWs are paid what they’re worth. This is about making sure that elders can stay at home for as long as they possibly can, and that means increasing the amount of money that they get as elders in the community. This is about systemic change.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): The time provided for private members’ public business has expired.

Ms. Lindo has moved second reading of Bill 196,

An Act to establish the Seniors’ Advocate. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? I heard a no.

All those in favour, please say “aye.”

All those opposed, please say “nay.”

In my opinion, the nays have it.

Pursuant to standing order 101(d), the recorded division on this item of private members’ public business will be deferred until after question period later this morning.

Second reading vote deferred.

Correction of record

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): I recognize the member from Nickel Belt on a point of order.

M me France Gélinas: Thank you, Speaker. A short point of order: On September 21, I was talking about the Capreol Legion and I said they had to use some of the money that they had been collecting. I meant to say that they might have to use some of the money they had been collecting.

Correction of record

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): I recognize the member for Waterloo on a point of order.

Ms. Catherine Fife: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to correct my record. During my speaking to Bill 196, I said that we negotiated the FAO in 2015; it was actually 2013.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): It’s always appropriate to correct your record.

Report, Financial Accountability Officer

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): I beg to inform the House that during the adjournment the following document has been tabled: a report entitled Economic and Budget Outlook: An Updated Assessment of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Fall 2020, from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario.

Orders of the day? I recognize the government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: No further business.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): There being no further business, this House is in recess until 10:15 this morning.

The House recessed from 0946 to 1015.

Members’ Statements

Home care

Ms. Jill Andrew: I do not yet know the experience of caring for an aging and dying parent around the clock, working two jobs with chronic sciatic pain while also raising their own child and helping them navigate virtual school.

My community member Diandra is an essential worker. Her day starts at about 5:45 and, frankly, never quite ends. I don’t know when or if she sleeps. She takes a series of catnaps, but most nights she sits at her mom’s bedside, eyes firmly on her chest, making sure mom isn’t in distress. Diandra continues to wait for a long-term-care bed for her mom and hasn’t been able to secure home care yet. She is mentally and physically exhausted.

Linda was receiving palliative care for her mom, a retired soldier, a veteran, through the LHIN. She received financial aid for 30 days to cover overnight home care. Linda’s mom survived past 30 days. The LHIN revoked the funding for overnight care. Linda and her family could not afford on their own the PSWs they so desperately need. Linda’s family are mentally, physically and financially exhausted without sick days at their disposal.

Premier, Diandra’s and Linda’s are two families in St. Paul’s. There are many others, I guarantee you. They need relief. They needed it yesterday. Dying loved ones do not deserve to wait.

To the Premier: When will St. Paul’s families get access to more home care supports to care for their aging loved ones?

Violence link training

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: On Thursday, I will be presenting a motion in the House asking for the government to incorporate violence link training for all current and future police officers, and I just wanted to take a moment to speak about that a little bit, Mr. Speaker.

The Canadian Violence Link Coalition was formed as a result of a number of issues brought forward at the 2017 National Violence Link Conference. It brings together allies engaged in anti-violence work with vulnerable people or animals who are committed to advancing awareness education and training about the link between violence against humans and violence against animals.

This issue was first brought to my attention by a constituent of mine, Sergeant Teena Stoddart, who actually teaches this course, not just for the Ottawa Police Service but also across Canada, in the United States and elsewhere. Evidence-based research shows that violence against animals and violence against people are not distinct and separate problems; rather, they are part of a larger pattern of violent crimes that often coexist. Partner abuse, gang violence, youth crimes, assaults, homicides, sexual assaults and child abuse all have high percentages where animal abuse is present.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to speaking more about this motion on Thursday, and I look forward to the debate in the House.

Health care workers

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: Today I rise to talk about our health care heroes, who we so much hold in high regard. It has been months since both the pandemic pay for the eligibility list and the payments have gone out to these health care heroes, and yet constituents who still contact my office today are wondering why they were left off the list.

I have a conversation with them and I truly struggle to explain to these health care heroes—like lab technicians, DSWs, OR aides, physiotherapists, X-ray techs, clerical staff and many more—why, for some reason, they didn’t qualify; why they were left off the list; why there’s ambiguity around their work and the fact they are seeing patients and are exposed, even though they do life-saving work, even though they work on the front lines and even though their jobs were equally important to keep us all safe.

A few weeks ago, I raised a concern of front-line staff who had been asked to repay their pandemic pay because they were deemed to be no longer eligible, and that’s confusing. These workers spoke to me and they said that it’s like a slap in the face. There is such low morale because they were paid and then they were asked to pay it back. The clarity around this government’s message was vague. There was a lot of unclarity about who’s on the list and who’s left off the list. Staff are left wondering why some of their colleagues qualify while they don’t.

Especially now that we’re in the second wave, once again, I call on the government to expand the list and make it retroactive. Give our health care workers the boost that they need.

Mental health and addiction services

Mr. Lorne Coe: Lakeridge Health and Durham Mental Health Services have taken an important and innovative step by integrating their operations. This partnership will combine Lakeridge Health’s acute mental health and addiction services with Durham Mental Health Services’ expertise in community-based mental health to create a Durham region mental health and addiction system.

By working together, Lakeridge Health and Durham Mental Health Services can better coordinate services in both community and acute care settings, facilitate smoother transitions and faster connections to appropriate services and create a supportive continuum of care for clients for the first time in the region of Durham.

With the integration now in place, efforts continue in earnest as both Lakeridge Health and Durham Mental Health staff work together to identify and address existing gaps and develop processes and care pathways to improve care, support and services for residents of Durham region. This is an important opportunity to create a truly integrated mental health and addiction system and, by doing so, transform the way these invaluable services are delivered and accessed across the region of Durham.

Finances municipales

M. Guy Bourgouin: J’ai l’honneur de me lever aujourd’hui pour parler de la situation financière de Mattice-Val Côté, une magnifique petite municipalité franco-ontarienne à Mushkegowuk–Baie James.

Alors que le TC Énergie a pris la décision de fermer la station 92 du pipeline de gaz naturel, la municipalité perdra à peu près 500 000 $ en impôts fonciers. C’est peut-être du petit change pour une ville comme Toronto, mais ça équivaut à 20 % du revenu pour Mattice-Val Côté. Et bien que la municipalité travaille jour et nuit pour trouver une solution à ce défi, les résidents de Mattice pourront perdre des services comme les activités pour les enfants et le déblayage des trottoirs.

La municipalité doit présenter un budget équilibré et offrir des services essentiels aux résidents. Il y a plusieurs défis dans le nord de la province, mais ne pas avoir de trottoirs l’hiver, ce ne devrait pas en être un. Je demande donc au ministre des Affaires municipales et du Logement de me rencontrer pour que les gens de Mattice ne perdent pas des services dont tous les Ontariens méritent.

COVID-19 response

Mrs. Belinda C. Karahalios: Good morning. Just a couple of things for the record this morning: I’d like the record to show the 21 doctors who wrote to the Premier on September 30 warning him of the economic and health costs of further lockdowns. They are Drs. Jane Batt, James Bain, Mahin Baqi, Marcus Bernardini, Sergio Borgia, Peter Cox, James Douketis, Philippe El-Helou, Martha Fulford, Shariq Haider, Stephen Kravcik, Nicole Le Saux, Paul MacPherson, Neil Rau, Susan Richardson, Coleman Rotstein, Rob Sargeant, Nick Vozoris, Thomas Warren, Yvonne Yau and George Yousef.

I would also like the record to show the study published in August 2020 by University of Toronto psychiatrists Roger McIntyre and Yena Lee that modelled increased suicides in Canada as a consequence of the impact of further lockdowns and unemployment, a tragic social cost not being publicly provided in data. I hope the model ends up being incorrect.

Finally, I would like the record to show that Dr. David Nabarro of the World Health Organization’s Special Envoys on COVID-19 stated on October 9 that the WHO does not advocate lockdowns as the primary means of control of the virus and that they are only justified to reorganize, regroup, and rebalance resources and protect health care workers, because the consequences are that the poor are made an awful lot poorer.

Automotive industry

Mr. Stephen Crawford: I’m honoured to rise here today in the Legislature to talk about an important investment in my riding which benefits all Ontarians.

On October 8, I was pleased to welcome the Premier and the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade to Oakville to announce that our government is investing $295 million in the Ford Motor Co. of Canada’s Oakville assembly complex. The federal government has also matched our contribution, and the Ford Motor Co. is investing significant money to retool the complex for the production of battery-powered electric vehicles. The assembly complex has been a staple of my community since 1953, and I am glad to see that the Ford Motor Co. of Canada and Unifor have worked collaboratively to reach a deal which will continue the plant’s production.

Electric vehicles are growing in importance as our country and province look for ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Importantly, transitioning operations in the assembly complex to manufacture green vehicles will strengthen Ontario’s economy. These investments have secured 3,000 direct jobs, as well as 63,000 indirect jobs from auto parts manufacturers in the province. Moreover, with the abundance of natural resources within Ontario, the mining industry has an additional opportunity to provide the minerals needed for car batteries.

This investment has made Oakville and Ontario a world leader in the manufacturing and innovation of electric vehicles for many years to come. It’s great to work alongside my federal and municipal colleagues MP Anita Anand and Mayor Rob Burton to find ways to attract investments for Oakville to benefit the community.

COVID-19 response

Miss Monique Taylor: As we enter the second wave of COVID-19, the people in my riding of Hamilton Mountain are trying to remain safe. As the weather cools and more people spend time indoors, we are all worried about the increased risk of spreading COVID-19.

It took weeks for the Premier to finally share his second wave plan and it’s already falling short. One of the major aspects of the plan was providing flu shots. Well, I have already received many calls about flu shots that have already run out in my riding. Further, we still have long wait times to book a COVID test and get your results. I have heard from many families who are out of work while they’re waiting, including PSWs, early childhood educators and other essential workers. Lastly, when it comes to long-term-care homes, we’re seeing cases rise once again.

We cannot allow a repeat of the first wave. We cannot allow another catastrophe in long-term care. That’s why the NDP recently introduced a plan for overhauling the long-term-care system. Our plan would add more beds, end privatization of long-term care, improve care standards and provide PSWs with better working conditions.

The privatization of long-term care has been a disaster. The majority of long-term-care deaths during COVID occurred in private long-term-care homes. That’s because the quality of care has eroded as private operators squeeze out profits.

I urge the government to look at our plan to see how they can ward off a second COVID disaster.

Impaired driving

Mr. Rudy Cuzzetto: I rise this morning with a heavy heart to report that a young man, Jagrajan Brar, was killed in my riding earlier this month after being hit by an impaired driver, a man from Orangeville with two prior convictions for impaired driving.

Jag was only 19 years of age. Like my son, he was in his final year of high school. His family described him as intelligent and hard-working, with an ambition to pursue a career in writing. The oldest of 15 grandchildren, his sister and cousins looked up to him.

Next month, MADD Canada will launch their annual Project Red Ribbon campaign to raise awareness about impaired driving, which remains the leading criminal cause of death and injury in Canada. I encourage every member to wear a red ribbon and support this campaign, because this senseless tragedy earlier this month is a sad reminder of how much work is left to do to put an end to impaired driving.

I also want to thank the Peel Regional Police for their swift arrest, for their annual holiday RIDE checks and for everything they do to take impaired drivers off our roads. I can’t stress enough how important it is for everyone to understand that choosing to drive while impaired is unacceptable.

On behalf of the members, I just want to offer my deepest condolences to Rup, Rob, Sraia and the entire Brar family, and to Jag’s many friends at Lorne Park Secondary School. May he rest in peace.

Family violence

Ms. Amy Fee: This morning, I rise to honour an Ontario family who had their world shattered when their four-year-old daughter died last February. This family, despite the unbelievable heartbreak they have experienced, have been tirelessly working to try and ensure that no other family will have to suffer the way they have. I am speaking about Dr. Jennifer Kagan and Philip Viater. Their daughter, Keira, was killed in a park in Milton earlier this year in what they believe to have been a murder-suicide by her biological father.

Keira was a bright, full-of-life little girl. I’ve seen pictures of her smiling and playing with her dolls, pictures with her and her baby brother, and one of her holding up a sign on her first day of JK. You can’t see her smile because of the sign, but you can see just how bright and shining her eyes were that day.

Dr. Kagan spoke to the committee hearings on Bill 207. It is a great step forward for family law here in Ontario, the first changes in decades. As a mom, I don’t even know how Keira’s mom can even carry on. But while her days are still filled with pain and anger, she is finding ways to speak out in her daughter’s memory. She says that Bill 207 makes some much-needed changes that, while too late to save Keira, may save another child.

Dr. Kagan’s concern now is that we need to have judicial training around all forms of family violence so that judges and the judicial branch of the government understand the various forms of abuse and how to recognize them.

Ms. Peggy Sattler: Point of order.

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

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I seek the unanimous consent of the House for the official opposition to stand down our leads.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for London West is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to allow the official opposition to stand down the lead questions. Agreed? I heard a no.

Question Period

Long-term care

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My first question is to the Premier. For weeks, the Ford government has dismissed concerns about the impact that the second wave is having on long-term care. The Ford government seems to not at all be up to the fact that there is a crisis upon us. Last week, the government even compared the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to last year’s flu season. CTV News reports this morning that the government actually excluded long-term-care associations in their pandemic planning.

It feels like the government has learned very little from the first wave. With new cases expanding dramatically in long-term care, will the Premier admit that we are in the midst of another serious crisis in long-term care?

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

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Thank you to the member opposite for the question. First of all, I want to make it clear that our government has worked tirelessly in conjunction with our sector and various representative groups to make sure that their voices were heard, and that takes multiple forms. We have been absolutely dedicated to making sure that not only wave 2 is addressed but that we shore up decades of neglect of this sector.

The long-term-care sector has been sadly neglected for years leading up to this, and we’re addressing that. Every day we’re looking at staffing, capacity, testing, infection prevention and control, PPE, and we’re in touch with our homes on a regular basis every day.

To be clear, the numbers really indicate that our homes are doing much, much better. We have 58 homes that have no resident cases and we need to take that into consideration. The definition of an outbreak is such that it—

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has been gaining steam for weeks now. For weeks, we’ve been seeing the momentum grow, and the Ford government has been refusing to invest, refusing to listen to the alarm bells that are being sounded by long-term-care homes, and they have been refusing to listen to how devastating the results are.

Since Friday we’ve seen 55 new cases in long-term-care homes, and once again residents and workers on the front lines are reporting staff shortages in homes that are scrambling to deal with outbreaks. Why is the Ford government denying this crisis?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Thank you to the member opposite for the question. Not only are we embracing our front-line workers and our long-term-care homes to provide them with the support that they need, we are integrating long-term care into the wider health care system, coordinating efforts with hospitals, making sure that they have the support, the PPE, the staffing that they need. We are investing—not only planning, but investing—$253 million earlier, and $540 million just a few weeks ago: a record amount. Almost three quarters of a billion dollars is going out to this sector as we speak.

We are repairing, rebuilding and advancing long-term care, and this government has shown over and over again its commitment: a stand-alone ministry dedicated to repairing what was neglected for many years; $40 million to support homes impacted with the changes in COVID; $30 million to help with IPAC; $61.4 for minor capital repairs—as I said, three quarters of a billion dollars so far.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, Speaker, in his testimony to the long-term-care commission, the head of the Ontario Hospital Association noted that he had to send a letter raising concerns about the state in long-term care and received a call back from the Minister of Long-Term Care who made quite a startling comment. The minister thanked him for “generat[ing] momentum for necessary change.”

So my question is, why was that change being blocked in the first place? Who was blocking it? Was the Premier blocking it? Was the minister of the Treasury Board blocking it? Who was blocking the need for change in long-term care?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: It’s clear to all of us the need to generate momentum for long-term care. I think if you haven’t recognized that until now, then perhaps you have not been observing what has been going on. We have a situation where the neglect of many decades has been building, and not only is this government looking to address the COVID crisis in our long-term-care homes; it’s looking to address many years of neglect and creating a 21st-century long-term-care system, where people can have a place to call home and be treated with respect and dignity, and where staff want to go and work.

This has been ongoing since the beginning of our ministry. We will continue this important work, and I appreciate the support across ministries, across government, particularly in our time of need in long-term care. I appreciate the work that the Ontario Hospital Association does, and I thank them for their interest.

Long-term care

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is also for the Premier, but I have to say, the minister needs to remember that we all know that she went asking for money back in the spring and she was denied. It was blocked by somebody over there, and the question of who exactly that was has to be answered at some point, because nurses and doctors and front-line workers have seen this disaster coming for months and months. To quote one doctor, “I absolutely am very terrified and worried.”

In new testimony at the government’s long-term care commission, Ministry of Long-Term Care officials admit that they knew in the summer that the system was going to be short 6,000 PSWs—6,000—yet the government failed to implement any recommendations. Not a single recommendation has been implemented from their own staffing report that has been sitting on a shelf since July.

With COVID-19 it’s literally a matter of life or death for people in long-term care. Why is the Premier failing to act?

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

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Thank you again to the member opposite. We have been acting ever since the beginning, working across ministries with the Ministry of Health on addressing the personal support worker strategy, making sure that we were shoring up our homes. You know, you just don’t snap your fingers and create people to work in long-term care. We need to do many, many things, including making it a place where people want to work.

That pipeline, the retention of personal support workers, the recruitment of nurses: All of this is being done in conjunction with the ministries, working in collaboration with our representative groups in long-term care. This is a process that we need to bring everyone together through and stay focused, and that’s exactly what we’ve been doing.

In a crisis, I’ve learned as a doctor, you keep your head, you stay focused and you will come through. That’s what we’ve been doing repeatedly, and the money is being spent.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, Speaker, I’m glad the minister is coming through, because thousands of elderly people did not come through. We’re at almost 2,000 people now who have died in long-term care. So I’m glad she’s getting through.

Talk to the family members of those people who have died in long-term care. Testimony at the government’s own long-term-care commission also indicates that there are potentially thousands of seniors right at this moment in rooms of three or four people, including people who live in facilities that are currently under outbreak. For-profit homes say that they’ll be putting up dividers. Dr. Yaffe was pretty clear last week: “They should not be having more than two to a room” is what she said.

So where’s the government’s plan?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: I appreciate the question.

It is absolutely critical that we take every measure possible and use every tool possible. That’s exactly what we’ve been doing—working with our hospitals to make sure we have proper IPAC measures in place and that the homes are reminded and the people are retrained there; looking at making sure that we keep an eye on the data and understand those four-bed ward rooms played a role. We’ve been very clear about that since wave 1, and we’ve acknowledged that. That’s one of the reasons why we have had to be very careful with admissions to long-term care. But it’s a complex problem.

Every choice that we make in long-term care has the potential to have a repercussion somewhere else, so all of these have to be carefully weighed in a thoughtful way so that we coordinate, and that’s exactly what we have been doing.

My heart goes out to everyone who has been affected by this. We will get through this. There is light at the end of this. If we work together, stay focused and row at the same time instead—

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, the people on the front lines of long-term care—the nurses, the doctors, the PSWs, the family caregivers—are all scared. They worked relentlessly through that first wave and spent the summer ringing alarm bells about the need to prepare for a second wave. Sadly, the Ford government simply did not listen. They chose to save dollars over saving lives.

So will the Premier stop dismissing this crisis in long-term care that is currently upon us and start taking the action that is desperately needed to protect seniors and save lives?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: We have, all along, been taking action in a deliberate, focused way and putting dollars behind that.

I want to thank all my colleagues who have worked with me and the Minister of Health to address this crisis in long-term care.

We will stay dedicated. We are putting dollars behind it, three quarters of a billion dollars so far—more expert panel information on a comprehensive staffing strategy that is being worked on, and that has rolled out as well; rapid-training programs; looking at return-of-service for PSWs. We want to make sure that all our front-line workers are supported.

The numbers are indicating that our staff are much more secure in their positions. Our homes are doing well with staffing. There are no issues with staffing collapse in our homes. We are getting PPE to them. We have created certainty for our long-term-care homes. We will keep at it, and we will continue to stay focused. We will make sure that the dollars flow for the supports that our homes need, and we will be relentless—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you. The official opposition will come to order.

The next question.

Education funding

Ms. Marit Stiles: This question is for the Premier.

Mr. Speaker, with COVID-19 cases surging around the province, the risk of the virus being brought into Ontario schools is getting greater and greater. That includes York region, which is now in a modified stage 2 and saw its first school closures last week, in King City and Woodbridge. Another 34 schools in York region alone still have active cases and are under surveillance.

On Thursday, the Minister of Education held a press conference in York region and announced exactly zero new dollars to enhance our school protections, hire staff or bolster online learning. Why?

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

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Thank you for the question.

It was just a few weeks ago that we announced for the region of York, likewise in Peel, Toronto and Ottawa, additional investments to counter and respond to the second wave and the flu season: an investment in York region, specifically, of an additional $8 million to support additional hiring, hundreds of more educators, more custodians; province-wide, over 2,200 more teachers, over 1,100 more custodians. We have put every layer of prevention in place to ensure our schools remain safe.

It should be noted that 90% of schools in this province have no reported cases, of 4,800 schools. There are four schools that are closed; 99.9% of schools in this province are open.

Speaker, I recognize there is more to do, but we should be proud of the work that our doctors, our front-line medical practitioners, our nurses, as well as our teachers are doing to keep every student safe in the province of Ontario.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: The minister knows perfectly well that those dollars he referred to were not new dollars; they were federal dollars that were left unspent by this government. The minister has been repeating the same funding numbers to us since the summer, and judging by the calls from panicky parents and exhausted teachers and caretakers who aren’t feeling supported, that plan is not scaling up to meet the needs of the second wave.

We have Halton, eastern Ontario, Hamilton and Durham all on the verge of joining York region as higher-risk COVID hot spots. Why is the Premier waiting for the situation to get worse? Why not act now to ensure that schools in these regions have everything they need to remain safely open and to ensure that online learning meets the needs of the students, too?

Speaker, will the Premier release the remaining $15 million in federal funds to support these regions and top it up with some actual new dollars today?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Well, Speaker, what this government announced on Thursday was that for the first time in over a decade, we are restoring a meritocracy in the hiring and promotion of new educators in the province of Ontario. After a decade under the former government of advancing seniority over merit, we are ensuring that diversity, qualification and young teacher mobility triumphs. It is an important issue that has been supported by the Ontario Principals’ Council, supported by the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association, supported by parents’ associations—and, of course, opposed by the opposition.

What parents expect during this pandemic is safety and quality. We are ensuring both. That’s why we have ensured an historic investment of $1.3 billion. We lead the nation in contribution. But beyond the dollars, it’s about doing everything we can to ensure that the parents and students have the very best teacher at the front of their class.

Economic development

Mr. Rudy Cuzzetto: My question is to the Premier. Premier, Ontario is home to the largest life sciences cluster in the entire country. We are titans of research and development. We are leading the way in the creation of life-saving medication and medical equipment. In fact, Ontario currently leads the country in critical trials for the development of the COVID-19 treatment and vaccine.

Roche Canada has also been a leader in its own right. This company has been at the forefront of developing rapid testing kits. This is absolutely critical in the fight against COVID-19, and all of this important work is happening right here in Ontario, right here in Mississauga.

Speaker, can the Premier please share with my constituents and all Ontarians about the government’s continued partnership with leading life science industry leaders?

Hon. Doug Ford: Thank you so much to the great member from Mississauga–Lakeshore for the great, great question. I also want to give a shout-out to my all-star member from Mississauga–Streetsville. She was instrumental in making this happen, Mr. Speaker.

We had a great announcement with Roche on Friday; they’re investing $500 million. But what’s great, Mr. Speaker, is that there was a competition throughout the world. There are 12 different countries that were vying for this great facility, and guess who won? We won. Ontario won. The people won. Life sciences won. There are going to be 500 people, local people, and they won as well because they’re being hired for good-paying jobs.

This is what this government has done. We have created the environment for companies to thrive, prosper and grow, Mr. Speaker. As companies are coming in from all over the world, we welcome them.

I want to give a shout-out to the CEO, Ronnie Miller, for doing a great job and having confidence in our great government.

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

Mr. Rudy Cuzzetto: My supplementary question is for the Minister of Economic Development. Minister, out of all these sites around the world, from their operations in Canada, Europe, and the US, Roche picked us. Roche picked Ontario for their expansion to occur. Last Friday’s announcement sends a clear signal: Ontario is the place to innovate, grow and thrive.

Since taking office, our government has been focused on listening to our partners and finding new and innovative solutions to any challenges our province faces. Working with our partners, we have taken a comprehensive and pragmatic approach to modernizing the health care system so it is organized around the needs of patients and better health outcomes. And we have streamlined regulatory processes in health care to remove unnecessary barriers and support innovation, while also making it easier to do business and create jobs.

Speaker, can the minister please share about the positive impact this announcement will have on the economy and our government helping to strengthen the advanced manufacturing and health care system sector?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: There was also great news from Stats Canada that showed that now 17,000 more people work in manufacturing today than did pre-COVID. That’s the confidence in the manufacturing sector in Ontario.

Roche’s announcement is not only an important boost to our economy, but it demonstrates that businesses recognize Ontario as a willing partner with an environment that will support the business community. We’re building that environment that encourages greater investment in the life sciences sector, and we appreciate Roche’s milestone contribution to these efforts.

Not only is it going to create jobs for families here and now, but it’s also going to position us for many future opportunities. It’s going to make us even more competitive in the life sciences sector. We’re so proud that Roche chose Ontario for this significant $500-million investment.

COVID-19 response

M me France Gélinas: Ma question est pour le premier ministre. Testing is an integral part of any plan to contain and end this pandemic, yet the province has failed to scale up testing for COVID-19 to ensure that Ontarians are getting the testing that is required. Ontarians are having trouble accessing COVID testing, having to call multiple pharmacies to try to get an appointment. To quote one physician, “I feel like the pharmacy (plan) was kind of like chewing gum stuck on the side of something; oh, let’s just add this on.”

Why did the government fail to listen to physicians and medical experts when they rolled out this failing testing scheme?

Hon. Doug Ford: Mr. Speaker, I’m not too sure what province the member is talking about, but it’s sure the heck not Ontario, I can tell you that.

We’re leading the country, more than all the provinces combined. We’re well over 4.5 million—I hear actually it’s 4.7 million, very close to that number—breaking records all across the country. I just have to point out that Ontario has one of the lowest active rates of COVID cases in the country. Can you imagine that? In the entire country. Per 100,000, Ontario has 41, compared to our friends in Quebec—and I love the people in Quebec—with 104; Manitoba, 122; Alberta, 65.

From my great friend Premier Legault—and he is my great friend—his quote was: “What I’m telling you is that all the big cities and then all states in North America in the east all have a situation comparable to Quebec. So listen, there is one exception, and that’s Ontario.” That was October 8.

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

M me France Gélinas: Physicians are raising alarm bells that the lack of tests and their additional cost to the health care system is leading to chaos. Today, it’s reported that the pharmacy tests cost $4 more than a test completed in a public assessment centre. The province has already spent thousands of dollars that could have been better spent in the public health care system.

The Ontario Medical Association says physicians would have welcomed the opportunity to help test patients, but they say that the province did not consult with them. Why did the province not consult with Ontario physicians about COVID testing in medical clinics before shifting the testing to pharmacies?

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker: They just cease to amaze me every single day when I come down here. All of a sudden they become a born-again fiscal conservative, which is good. They’re looking fiscally for the first time ever since I’ve been down here.

But to carry on with Premier Legault’s comment—another quote from a great Premier: “There is like an exception. It is Toronto, which has much less deaths than other big cities of anywhere in America’s northeast. I have not so far found an expert who is able to give me the recipe from Toronto and from Ontario, but we’re looking for it.” Premier Legault, I’ll give you the recipe. “Obviously, we want them to continue to go as well in Ontario.” That says everything.

Flu immunization

Mr. Stephen Blais: My question is for the Minister of Health.

There has been no priority given to children, no priority given to seniors and no priority given to people with serious health conditions who are the most vulnerable. Why hasn’t the government prioritized the most vulnerable members of our community for the flu shot this year?

Hon. Christine Elliott: I welcome the opportunity to set the record straight with respect to the flu shot in Ontario.

First of all, we started to receive the shipments at the end of September. They were prioritized to people in long-term care, in retirement homes and in hospitals to make sure people got the shots that they needed to have.

Secondly, the shots are coming in regularly from global manufacturers on the schedules that they were supposed to be coming. While it’s unfortunate that people are having to wait, the good news is that people are getting the message that this is a fundamental principle of our fall preparedness plan, and they are going out to get the flu shot. The shots are coming in, both to primary care clinics as well as to pharmacies, and my advice to people at this point is to call ahead and make an appointment. You will be able to get your flu shot. Every Ontarian who wants a flu shot will get one. We have ordered 5.1 million doses.

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

Mr. Stephen Blais: My supplementary is for the minister. While we heard that every Ontarian who wanted a COVID test could get a COVID test and that didn’t turn out to be true, the flu shot takes place every single year. The government should have distributing the flu shot down to a science. Doctors’ offices and pharmacies are reporting shortages and long lineups: three weeks to book an appointment—three weeks to book an appointment—for a senior with a serious health condition to get their flu shot at local pharmacies in Orléans. Residents are arriving to their local pharmacy to be denied service.

One pharmacy in Orléans received 20 doses. That’s barely enough to vaccinate their staff, let alone offer it to the public.

The minister pointed out that the flu vaccine is the centrepiece of their second wave plan. The Premier said that his plan was working. Why are Ontarians having such a hard time getting access to their flu shot this year?

Hon. Christine Elliott: There is no shortage of the flu shots. They are coming in on a regular basis. We receive shipments as we ordered them.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

Hon. Christine Elliott: I would like to say to the member, through you, Mr. Speaker, that you’re right: We had to order the flu shots last year, just after the last flu campaign ended. We ordered them.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

Hon. Christine Elliott: We made sure that they were going to be in order. We have no shortages of shipments. We are receiving them from global manufacturers. So while, from time to time, pharmacies may run out for a short period of time, they are receiving shipments on a regular basis. We ordered 700,000 more shots this year than last year, and so everyone who needs a flu shot will get a flu shot, just as everyone who needs a COVID test will get a COVID test.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order. Allow the clock to run. I have no choice, I feel, but to start calling you to order individually if you continue to persist in interjecting when you don’t have the floor. It’s not only outside of the standing orders, it’s very rude.

The next question.

Economic development

Mr. Mike Harris: My question is for the government House leader. Before the election of 2018 and after more than a decade of Liberal and NDP policies that increased taxes, increased red tape and increased unnecessary regulation, our small, medium and large job creators were struggling. It is becoming increasingly evident that the opposition does not believe in our job creators, that they prefer red tape to tax cuts and overregulation to sound policy.

Can the government House leader commit that this government will continue to support small business, will continue to cut red tape, will continue to reduce taxes for those who gave all they have to build a stronger Ontario?

Ms. Catherine Fife: Where’s your rent support?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Waterloo will come to order.

Government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Let me say very directly to the member for Kitchener–Conestoga: Yes. Yes, we will commit to continue to cut taxes. Yes, we will commit to continue to eliminate red tape. Yes, we will commit to proper regulation but not overregulation. It is very clear—and the member has hit the nail on the head—we cannot rely on the NDP or the Liberals after 15 years of failed policies that drove business and investment away from this province.

In 2018, we started to see a change in ideology, which brought jobs, investments, record growth.

We will do everything in our power to make sure that the failed ideology of the Liberals and the NDP never makes it back to this place and that the member’s riding of Kitchener–Conestoga remains one of the best places in this province to live, work, invest and raise a family.

I thank him for his question.

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

Mr. Mike Harris: Minister, while that is good news, it’s obvious that Ontario job creators cannot rely on the opposition to be partners in helping to build a stronger Ontario economy.

The Liberals spent more than a decade taxing and spending, leaving our provincial economy in a mess. The NDP, who supported the Liberals every step of the way, now have an opportunity to break from the Liberals and turn the page on their job-killing past by supporting the Main Street Recovery Act in this House.

Can the minister assure me that he will do all that he can to help the NDP turn their backs on their job-killing past and secure their support for the Main Street Recovery Act?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Ottawa South will come to order. The member for Scarborough–Guildwood will come to order. The Associate Minister of Energy will come to order.

The government House leader will reply.

Hon. Paul Calandra: The member for Kitchener–Conestoga is 100% right in asking me to beg that the NDP vote in favour of the Main Street Recovery Act.

We know that we’re lost—the Liberals are lost. They will never support anything that cuts red tape. They will never support anything that puts more money back into the hard-working people of the province of Ontario. But the NDP have an opportunity—

Interjection.

Hon. Paul Calandra: And the Liberals laugh, because they know that they left this province a mess. Over a decade and a half of Liberal policies left this province in an absolute mess. Business and opportunity were fleeing this province in record numbers.

The work of this Premier and this Minister of Economic Development have highlighted just today—in a new investment from Roche of over $500 million and hundreds of jobs.

Yes, we will continue to do all we can. And I hope the NDP do the right thing: Vote in favour of the small businesses across the main streets that you talk about. You have the opportunity. Do the right thing and vote—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Once again, the member for Ottawa South will come to order. The member for Scarborough–Guildwood will come to order. The member for Hamilton Mountain will come to order.

The next question.

Long-term care

Mr. Joel Harden: My question is for the Premier. Personal support workers have been speaking out about living conditions in long-term care, and that work has saved lives in this pandemic. But instead of receiving praise for their actions, they risk being punished by their employers. Advocates warn that there is a culture of secrecy at many long-term-care institutions, particularly for-profit institutions, and they fear being silenced or losing their jobs.

Ontario’s Patient Ombudsman is calling for expanded whistle-blower protection, writing to this government that the PSWs who spoke out likely saved lives, encouraged the actions of our Armed Forces, and that should be commended.

Speaker, will the Premier strengthen whistle-blower protection for front-line health care workers who speak out about what they’ve witnessed? Yes or no?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): To respond, the Minister of Long-Term Care.

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Thank you to the member opposite for the question.

Again, my thanks goes out to all the front-line workers—personal support workers, nurses, pharmacists, medical directors—everyone who has been so courageous during the first wave and who can continue to bring their dedication and compassion to our long-term-care homes, supporting our residents. The most important thing is the people.

When we look at the long-term-care situation with whistle-blower protection, the Long-Term Care Homes Act has that in it. We have added extra layers. There is a protection through a phone line that family members can call, residents can call, personal support workers can call. We’re making sure that we’re hearing and working with the Ontario Personal Support Workers Association and continuing to develop measures so that we can have the very best care for our residents in long-term care, and supporting our personal support workers with—

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

Mr. Joel Harden: Unfortunately for PSWs watching at home, the answer was no. This government is not going to guarantee that you have whistle-blower protection, so please keep the pressure on, because we need to make sure that the people who are calling out the awful scenes in our long-term-care facilities have this Legislature’s support.

One anonymous PSW wrote to the Ottawa Citizen, stating this, Speaker: “One after another of the residents started dying. I was scared to come back after a few days off, not knowing how many would be left. It is not right, so short staffed and bodies of the people I cared for piling up.... Please do something to save the workers and the residents that have survived so far.”

The least this government could do is honour the courage of PSWs like this so they have real protection, Minister, not phony protection, the kind of protection the patients’ ombudsperson is asking this government to implement.

It’s a clear question, Minister—yes or no—are you going to protect their free speech or are you going to let them be run over by for-profit companies tied to your government?

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

Minister of Long-Term Care to reply.

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Thank you for the question. Our personal support workers, again, are the backbone of our long-term-care system. There already is whistle-blower protection, but I believe in continuous improvement. We are looking at more ways that we can support our personal support workers.

We have looked at the $3-per-hour increase for our personal support workers in long-term care, making sure that it’s a place where they want to come and work.

We’re looking at a staffing strategy, and we’ll have that by the end of December. This has been informed through an expert panel.

We’re looking at making sure that we have a culture of leadership and good governance in our long-term-care homes.

There are many layers to this, to instill a sense of pride for our personal support workers, and I am very proud of the efforts that I have made, that our ministry has made and that our government has made in working with the associations that represent long-term care and the Ontario Personal Support Workers Association. I can tell you that we have a good working relationship and we will continue to build on this—

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

The next question.

Assistance to persons with disabilities

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: My question is to the Premier. Thousands of Ontarians who require care live in homes that are supportive and congregate care settings, such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in my riding of Scarborough–Guildwood. Residents in group homes are some of the most vulnerable people. However, group homes simply aren’t receiving the same supports as those who live and work in hospitals and long-term care. There is no publicly available data about the status of COVID-19 in these settings and they lack the same transparency and oversight necessary to keep residents and staff safe.

To protect residents and staff in group homes and prevent a repeat of the outbreak and deaths that we saw at Participation House in Markham last spring—and I know, Premier, you were aware of that situation—will you commit to daily data updates and reporting of COVID-19 cases in congregate settings similar to long-term care, schools and child care centres?

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: I thank the honourable member for the question. First and foremost, let me just say, as the member noted, Participation House is in my riding. They do phenomenal work and have continued to do phenomenal work throughout the pandemic and today, Mr. Speaker.

I just wanted to quickly address one thing. During the pandemic, there was a lot of misinformation that was going on about the workers at Participation House. I thank the member for giving me the opportunity to say this: Those workers worked tirelessly to care for the people in Participation House and that has never stopped, despite the misinformation that was out there.

With respect to congregate care settings, I know that the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services has been working very hard with stakeholders to make sure that our homes are protected, to make sure they have the necessary PPE and to make sure that, in the Participation House instance, they are continuing to work with Markham Stouffville Hospital to make sure that the residents receive the best care possible.

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

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: Back to the Premier: I choose to believe the workers and the staff who are repeatedly reaching out to my office for support. There is something that is missing, and providing transparency in the data is a first step.

This government has treated our most vulnerable residents appallingly throughout this pandemic, including those with disabilities who rely on ODSP. For so many on ODSP, the income support is not enough to pay rent and to put food on the table. We know this because we know that food bank usage is soaring in Ontario, including in my riding of Scarborough–Guildwood. The federal government has recognized this. They have provided a one-time $600 payment to those receiving disability tax credits to offset those costs.

What is the government of Ontario doing, other than a haphazard approach where you actually have to get permission from your case worker for benefits that have now come to an end? My question is, the pandemic is not over, the second wave is just beginning—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you. The Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues.

Hon. Jill Dunlop: Thank you to the member for their question. Over the last several months, the COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on all of our communities. I am pleased to share that more than 250,000 recipients and families received the emergency benefit that we introduced back in March as a temporary measure to help individuals who may have faced additional costs during the lockdown. ODSP and OW recipients will continue to have access to the government’s discretionary benefits program to assist with one-time exceptional needs.

Our government is working to build a more responsive, efficient and person-centred social assistance system that will get people back to work and help the economy recover from COVID-19. Just recently, Minister Smith announced the first phase of the social assistance recovery and renewal plan, which is focusing on improved access to employment and training services as well as developing new digital tools.

Economic development

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: Mr. Speaker, it’s not surprising that the NDP are calling on the government to create barriers to economic growth at a time when it couldn’t be more important. The member from University–Rosedale wants the government to limit the hours that essential construction projects can take place. Mr. Speaker, only the NDP would call on the government to make it even more difficult to undertake essential construction projects and keep people employed during an unprecedented global pandemic. Will the government commit to rejecting this irresponsible NDP proposal?

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: I want to thank the member for Carleton for this very, very important question. It is clear, as the member from Kitchener–Conestoga rightfully pointed out, that the NDP are about killing jobs and opportunity and investments. So let me say to the member for Carleton, very clearly, that we will do everything in our power to reject this job-killing proposal by the NDP.

This Premier made it very clear at the start of this pandemic that essential construction will continue. Our small, medium and large job creators across this province said that they needed our help. They didn’t need obstacles to growth. The Minister of Labour has been doing everything in his power to make sure that workers are safe.

I say very clearly to the NDP, reject this motion and focus on building Ontario. Vote in favour of the main street jobs and recovery act, because it’s the right thing for small businesses and it’s the right thing for the province of Ontario, not killing jobs, not closing down construction.

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

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: Through you, Mr. Speaker, what will we see from the NDP next? That’s my biggest concern. The NDP call on the government to open schools, and then they call on the government to close schools. They want us to spend without a plan and listen to them instead of the experts. Now, Mr. Speaker, they want to stop people from working when they need it most, and when the economy needs it most.

Will this government commit to supporting workers, businesses and essential construction projects: yes or no?

Hon. Paul Calandra: Yes, Mr. Speaker, we will. We will continue to do everything in our power to make sure that this economy and this province move forward. We saw what will happen if we follow the policies of the NDP. In fact, we had it for 15 years under the Liberal Party. Under the Liberal Party, job-killing taxes were the order of the day. Under the Liberal Party, they increased red tape. Under the Liberal Party, they increased regulation. And what happened? They left us the most indebted sub-sovereign government in the world. And then, when they had an opportunity to go in a different direction, they chose to put a leader in place who decides to ignore all the rules.

It might be a small thing to build a pool in your backyard, but it is indicative of what the Liberals do, Mr. Speaker. It’s one set of rules for them, another set of rules for the people of the province of Ontario. What we will continue to do is work for all of the people of the province of Ontario, creating jobs, creating opportunity, creating investment, because that’s what the people of the province of Ontario want.

Workplace safety

Mr. Wayne Gates: My question is to the Premier. Workers in Ontario have the right to know their workplace is safe, yet this Conservative government will not disclose when or where COVID outbreaks happen in workplaces. This means that if there is a workplace outbreak, workers and the public won’t know. It not only puts their health and safety at risk, it increases the risk of community spread. It removes a critical piece of information. We need to find COVID hot spots and stop the spread. Nowhere was it more clear than with outbreaks and deaths on farms, in meat-packing plants and in long-term care.

My question is to the Premier: Will your government be fully transparent and tell Ontarians which workplaces have outbreaks?

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

Hon. Monte McNaughton: I thank the member opposite for that question. Mr. Speaker, we have worked every single day to protect the health and safety of every worker in this province. We have spared no expense to protect families, the public and workers in every workplace and on every job site in this province. In fact, we have increased the number of inspectors going out. I am proud to say that as of today, we have done about 24,000 investigations related to COVID-19. We’ve also doubled our phone line capacity. If any worker out there is afraid for his or her health, they can call the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, and we will investigate every call that comes in.

But, Mr. Speaker, we also made a historic announcement just two weeks ago. The Premier and I announced that we’re going to be hiring nearly 100 new inspectors to continue communicating health and safety guidelines to employers and to continue enforcing the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

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

Mr. Wayne Gates: That response had nothing to do with the question. But I will say to the minister, if there is an outbreak at Queen’s Park, we’re all told. Why are we any different than any other worker in the province of Ontario?

Mr. Speaker, again to the Premier: Reporting COVID outbreaks is critical to making companies accountable and to stop community spread of the virus. When we look at long-term care, home care—employers with the highest volume of compensation claims—all but four of them are private, for-profit homes that were shortchanging our seniors and putting their lives at risk just to increase their profits. Workers are going into these homes without knowing if there are infected people in their workplace. They don’t know if there is a potential to be exposed.

Transparency saves lives. I’m going to repeat that: Transparency saves lives. Premier, when will your Conservative government give the people of this province full and transparent disclosure about which workplaces have ongoing outbreaks and past outbreaks?

Hon. Monte McNaughton: I want to commend the employers of this province. The overwhelming majority of them stepped up during this pandemic to work with their workers and their workplaces to protect everyone.

Mr. Speaker, I think back to the very beginning of the pandemic. The very first health and safety guidance document that we put out was for construction. While the opposition wanted to shut down construction and put 550,000 people out of work, we worked with the largest labour leaders in this province, representing hundreds of thousands of workers, to keep everyone working safely. That’s a record I am proud of.

We have spared no expense to protect the health and safety of every worker. Just in the next number of months, we’re going to have 507 inspectors on the ground—that’s the largest amount of inspectors in the history of this province—to communicate guidelines and to work with businesses. But the most important thing is to protect the health and safety of everyone.

COVID-19 response

Mrs. Belinda C. Karahalios: My question is for the Minister of Health. The rhetoric of this government in handling COVID-19 is alarming and sinister. Months ago, this government could have taken decisive action. They could have pushed the Prime Minister to shut the borders immediately. Instead, they dithered, choosing instead to campaign and pal around with the Prime Minister, while putting in place ever-changing half measures and intermittent lockdowns without the data to back up their decisions.

They blew it, and now they blame and threaten the people of Ontario. On October 9, the minister’s press release stated that regional lockdowns were necessary to, “avoid the need for harsher measures in the future.” Four days ago, the Premier said he was ready to “put down the hammer” on Ontarians.

Will the minister please tell us what other hammer-like measures this government has in store for the people of Ontario?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Well, there is a lot to deal with in this question, but what I can tell you is that we have taken every step that we’ve needed to take throughout this pandemic. We have never faced anything like this in Ontario before. As we saw the rise in wave 1, we took the measures that we needed to take and we were able to get the numbers down under control to below 100 for several weeks in August.

The number of cases have continued to rise and we are taking an appropriate look at how we need to deal with it—with bringing modified stage 2 levels to Ottawa, Peel, Toronto and now York region.

We don’t want to lock down the entire province. Nobody wants that. People need to earn their livelihood.

We are taking the steps necessary to make sure that we can protect the public and make sure that we can also protect the economy. Those are steps that need to be taken. We are taking very careful measures based on opinions, recommendations, advice that has been given to us by many experts.

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

Mrs. Belinda C. Karahalios: Case data from the past week shows the intermittent regional lockdowns have no correlation to an increase or decrease of COVID-19 cases by region. If it worked, for the last week we should have seen the regions where lockdowns were not imposed making up for growing increase in the share of total cases.

Over the last week, Peel saw its share of total cases increase from 16% on October 9 to 23% on October 18, and Ottawa saw its share of total cases stay the same. During the same week, the total COVID-19 cases from the areas not included in the three locked-down regions decreased from 327 to 212.

Will the minister finally admit that these measures—shutting down businesses—are not controlling any increase or decrease in cases, and will this government finally end these intermittent lockdown measures?

Hon. Christine Elliott: First of all, through you, Mr. Speaker, I need to remind the member that the numbers that you see today don’t necessarily reflect the actions that we took only several days ago. It is during a period of incubation that we have to receive these numbers—

Interjection.

Hon. Christine Elliott: —that they are increasing in these locations.

The measures that we bring forward based on the advice we receive—from the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Williams; from the Public Health Measures Table; from the other tables that are involved, including the mental health table that gives us advice—tell us that we need to, first of all, look at the number of cases in an area. We also have to look at the public health response—the ability of public health to respond, the ability of our health system to respond in terms of hospitalizations and places of care for people in long-term care, hospitals and retirement homes. And then we have to look at the community transmission.

We are looking at all of those issues as we make these decisions. We want to make sure we take a measured, careful approach that protects the health and safety of the people of Ontario—

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

Teachers

Ms. Jessica Bell: My question is to the Premier. Jesse Ketchum public school is one of 485 schools in Ontario with positive cases of COVID-19. Teachers have been waiting up to 10 days to get back their test results—10 days. With the supply teachers covering the shortage of virtual teachers, it has been impossible to replace teachers self-isolating and waiting days for their results.

In addition, Jesse Ketchum just lost two more teachers last week due to the reshuffling at the TDSB.

With cases of COVID-19 on the rise and more and more schools being disrupted because of outbreaks, testing delays are making it even more difficult to manage the outbreaks and find teachers to teach our kids. Without a good testing system, we cannot keep teachers in the classroom, kids in schools and parents at work.

Speaker, when will this government fix our testing system so no one is left unnecessarily waiting?

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

Hon. Christine Elliott: We certainly agree that testing is absolutely important to protect the health and safety of all Ontarians, including our children, and that is why we have developed a very robust testing strategy.

We started out only being able to do about 3,000 tests per day through Public Health Ontario. Since that time, we’ve created a network of over 40 participants with helping with the lab capacity, but we’ve also expanded to over 150 assessment centres. We’ve expanded into pharmacies for people who are asymptomatic who need to have testing. And we have tested over four and a half million Ontarians.

We have the most robust testing strategy in the entire country. We’re testing twice as many as all of the other provinces and territories combined. So we do have testing capacity. We are increasing our tests—but also the timelines, we’re reducing, for people to receive their test results. Most of our public health units have their test results back within 24 hours—over 90% of them.

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

Ms. Jessica Bell: What I’m hearing on the ground is that teachers are waiting 10 days for a test. That’s a long time. That is too long.

Back to the Premier: Peter is a grade 7/8 teacher at Jesse Ketchum. Peter’s class has had two cases of COVID-19, and he and his class are now self-isolating. Because of a lack of replacement teachers, Peter has lost his prep time, and he was given zero time to prepare for the immediate switch to online teaching. In his 27 years of teaching, Peter told me, he has never felt so run down or worked so hard—and we are only in October.

The Ontario College of Teachers warned us in September about the shortage of certified teachers across the province. They warned us. And now, schools are being forced to cancel classes because they are unable to replace staff who are required to be in self-isolation.

Speaker, why did the government’s back-to-school plan ignore calls to hire more teachers to prepare for this very situation?

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

Hon. Stephen Lecce: It was this government that put in place funding to hire over 2,000 net new teachers. But Speaker, some weeks ago, we wrote the Ontario Teachers’ Federation. We called on our teacher unions to waive the 50-day rule which precludes retirees from re-entering schools beyond 50 days. We need them to do so, and the unions have responded, respectfully, saying, “There is no evidence of a shortage of teachers,” which is ironic given the member’s question and perhaps her ideological affinity for labour in this province.

But the point is that we know every school board—every responsible and objective leader knows that there is a shortage, which is the basis for why we’re asking them to rescind the rule.

Days ago, we announced a plan to rescind regulation 274, which will allow principals to move swiftly and quickly to hire the right teacher for the job. We need all members of this House to stand with the government, stand with parents, to get the teachers our kids deserve.

Long-term care

M lle Amanda Simard: My question is to the Minister of Long-Term Care. Last week, the Prescott and Russell Residence, a long-term-care residence in my riding, in Hawkesbury, was reporting 35 active cases—35 cases, Mr. Speaker. For context, this is a residence of 125 seniors. And we just learned that over the weekend there was the first death associated with this outbreak.

The residence has been in full isolation since last week, creating anxiety, chaos, stress and very real and understandable disappointment—disappointment as long-term-care homes across the province are yet again forced to scramble to manage outbreaks, a situation that was foreseeable, manageable and avoidable if only the government had prepared. And now, with CTV reporting today that long-term-care associations were left out of the planning discussions—unbelievable.

How could the minister and this government fail not once but twice to protect the most vulnerable people in our society, our seniors, who depend on us?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Thank you to the member opposite for the question. I want to reassure the member opposite that Prescott-Russell is receiving the support that it needs and that we are closely monitoring every day, making sure that we understand what their staffing situation is, what their PPE situation is. This is a home that the Red Cross has been activated for, as well as paramedics, as well as the local hospital, Hawkesbury general hospital. So Prescott-Russell is being supported.

Unfortunately, there are homes where there are still significant numbers in outbreak like this, but I want to reassure Ontarians and the staff that are in the 96% of Ontario long-term-care homes that are not in outbreak that we are doing everything to make sure that they have the support that they need, and we’re putting dollars behind that. Our hearts are with them, and we will continue to do everything possible.

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

M lle Amanda Simard: Thank you to the minister for that answer. Again to the minister and the Premier: This summer, when the Premier was asked why he was nominating all of his candidates so early before the scheduled election, which is almost two years away, he replied, “We just want to be ready.”

The Premier was all about getting ready for the next election but clearly wasn’t getting ready for a second wave. He said this wave was a big surprise, when we knew very well from experts everywhere that the second wave was coming, and it was going to come at us hard. People are getting sick. Businesses are hurting. Families are separated. The consequences are serious.

Why did the Premier spend the summer doing a premature victory lap, campaigning across the province for re-election instead of preparing for the second wave and protecting Ontarians from its health and economic consequences?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Thank you for the question. I reject the premise of that question.

There is no doubt that continuous work has been done, working across ministries, working across the sector: outreach, listening, acknowledging the issues and understanding that there have been lessons learned from the first wave. Science was evolving. Our medical experts are advising. We’re taking that advice. This has been ongoing. The planning never stopped.

We were left with neglect from decades—previous government neglect for decades. On top of that, a COVID crisis, and on top of that, planning for future waves of our elderly. We continue to do that relentlessly. We will continue to do it with focus and determination. I will make sure that our long-term-care homes receive the help that they need. My heart goes out to everyone who has experienced loss or pain from COVID-19.

Education funding

Mr. Tom Rakocevic: My question is for the Acting Premier. My community is located in Toronto’s northwest end and, like the Premier’s own riding, has been one of the hardest hit by this pandemic. Because of this, many parents are choosing to keep their children at home and, in effect, some are now being punished for this decision. Jennifer, a mother in my riding, is still waiting for her son in grade 2 to start virtual learning.

The probability of a second wave of COVID-19 this fall was widely predicted as early as the outset of this pandemic, meaning there has been plenty of time to prepare for the school year. Yet here we are today, a month and a half into the school year, and so many children across this province are still waiting for the education from home as promised. Speaker, in fact, they’d been touting online education for over a year and a half, but in their moment to shine, they forgot to turn on the light.

With so much time to plan ahead, why are many parents across this province still waiting for virtual education to begin for their children? How much longer will they have to wait?

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

Hon. Stephen Lecce: At the beginning of this pandemic, we undertook a plan to provide online learning as an option for parents. When we did so then, as we stand today in this Legislature, we do not have the support of all parties in the context of developing this program, nor did they support it at the time.

But notwithstanding their opposition then and now, our government continues to be committed to building up a program which we developed in real time over the past months, working in partnership with our educators by hiring virtual principals, by expanding Internet access to every school, by procuring tens of thousands more devices and, yes, by giving the funding to the school boards to hire virtual teachers.

We are doing everything we can, recognizing that as parents make decisions based on public health risk—they may make movements in mobility between the in-class and the online. We’re going to give them that choice. We’re going to respect the choice. But we’re also going to give our school boards every resource and every opportunity to do the difficult work that they’re undertaking to ensure quality education for their children.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): That concludes question period for this morning.

Notice of dissatisfaction

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Pursuant to standing order 36(a), the member for Ottawa Centre has given notice of his dissatisfaction with the answer to his question given by the Minister of Long-Term Care concerning whistle-blower protection for PSWs. This matter will be debated tomorrow following private members’ public business.

Deferred Votes

Seniors’ Advocate Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 sur l’intervenant en faveur des aînés

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

Bill 196,

An Act to establish the Seniors’ Advocate / Projet de loi 196, Loi créant le poste d’intervenant en faveur des aînés.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): We now have a deferred vote on Bill 196,

An Act to establish the Seniors’ Advocate.

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

The division bells rang from 1135 to 1205.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The vote has been held on Bill 196,

An Act to establish the Seniors’ Advocate.

The Deputy Clerk (Mr. Trevor Day): The ayes are 65; the nays are 0.

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

Second reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Pursuant to standing order 101(i), the bill is referred to the Committee of the Whole House.

The member for Kitchener Centre: Do you wish to refer the bill to a standing committee?

Ms. Laura Mae Lindo: Legislative Assembly, please.

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

There being no further business now, this House stands in recess until 1 o’clock.

The House recessed from 1206 to 1300.

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills

Mr. John Fraser: I beg leave to present a report from the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills and move its adoption.

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

Bill 201,

An Act to proclaim Magna Carta Day.

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

Report adopted.

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

Standing Committee on Justice Policy

Mr. Roman Baber: I beg leave to present a report from the Standing Committee on Justice Policy and move its adoption.

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

Bill 207,

An Act to amend the Children’s Law Reform Act, the Courts of Justice Act, the Family Law Act and other Acts respecting various family law matters / Projet de loi 207, Loi modifiant la Loi portant réforme du droit de l’enfance, la

Loi sur les tribunaux judiciaires, la

Loi sur le droit de la famille et d’autres lois en ce qui concerne diverses questions de droit de la famille.

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

Report adopted.

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

Introduction of Bills

Food Literacy for Students Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 sur la littératie alimentaire des élèves

Mr. Kramp moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 216,

An Act to amend the Education Act in respect of food literacy / Projet de loi 216, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur l’éducation en ce qui concerne la littératie alimentaire.

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

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Does the member for Hastings–Lennox and Addington care to explain his bill?

Mr. Daryl Kramp: The Food Literacy for Students Act, 2020 will amend the Education Act to provide that curriculum guidelines be developed in experiential food literacy education and healthy eating for every grade, from grade 1 through grade 12. The courses of study must ensure students are given opportunities to grow food, prepare food and learn about local foods.

When implemented, every school board in Ontario will be required to provide instruction in the courses of study and to provide training and support for teachers and other staff of the board. Completion of these courses of study will be a requirement for obtaining the Ontario secondary school diploma, the secondary school graduation diploma and the secondary school honour graduation diploma.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I look forward to the support of all of the House.

Statements by the Ministry and Responses

Public transit

Hon. Kinga Surma: It’s an honour to rise in the House today to talk about the significant progress we’ve made on our four priority subway projects in the greater Toronto area.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all of us greatly and has brought many changes to our daily lives. From the start, the foundation of our government’s response to COVID-19 has been ensuring the health and well-being of all Ontarians. This will always be our number one focus. But these past few months have not been easy and the decisions we’ve had to make as a government have been difficult.

Let me be clear, Mr. Speaker: Health and safety will always be our number one priority, but as a government, we must play a dual role to do everything we can to continue to stimulate our economy. Every corner of our economy has felt the enormous economic impacts of this virus, the province’s transportation sector being hit as hard as any.

Despite the challenges we face, we must stick to our long-term plans. Now is not the time to let up on the tremendous progress that we have made in the last two years when it comes to building transit. That’s why we’re moving forward with our historic investments in the GTA transit network as a part of our made-in-Ontario plan for growth, renewal, and economic recovery.

Our government remains committed to getting shovels in the ground faster on these major transit infrastructure projects and transit-oriented communities that will create thousands of jobs, provide more housing options for people and open countless opportunities for residents throughout the greater Toronto area.

Prior to COVID-19, and far too often, I heard about people’s frustration with spending hours stuck in traffic on their way to and from work, instead of enjoying time with their loved ones. I couldn’t agree more. People were tired of wasting time in traffic or waiting for a bus in the cold. They would rather take rapid underground transit and spend more time with their families.

Right now, the region’s transit network is not adequate in meeting the needs of millions of commuters. We’ve seen that access to transit improves communities and quality of life while providing economic value and jobs to communities. There are many such cases of this around the world. Yet if you look at the map of the Toronto subway network, there hasn’t been substantial expansion in decades. In that time, the GTA’s transit network has been left overburdened and antiquated.

While transit ridership may be low today, demand will return once the pandemic ends. We must be ready to meet the needs of one of the world’s fastest-growing regions by expanding our transit network. We must also recognize that our essential workers rely on public transit and will continue to rely on it