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November 2, 2021

42nd Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2021-Nov-02 vol. A (PDF)

L014A - Tue 2 Nov 2021 / Mar 2 nov 2021

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Tuesday 2 November 2021 Mardi 2 novembre 2021

Order of business

Orders of the Day

Remembrance Week Amendment Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 modifiant la

Loi sur la semaine du Souvenir

Remembrance Week Amendment Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 modifiant la

Loi sur la semaine du Souvenir

Members’ Statements

Domestic violence

Cornwall Police Service

Seniors’ housing

Hospital funding

Remembrance Day

COVID-19 immunization

Kevin Keohane

Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare

Diabetes

Private members’ public business

Question Period

Employment standards

COVID-19 immunization

Government accountability

Long-term care

Government accountability

COVID-19 immunization

Economic reopening and recovery

Veterans

Land use planning

Services for persons with disabilities

Treaties recognition

Land use planning

Government contracts

Request to the Integrity Commissioner

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Government Agencies

Introduction of Bills

Viewer Discretion Act (Images of Fetuses), 2021 / Loi de 2021 sur les envois sous pli discret (images de foetus)

Ontario Religious Freedom Day Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 sur la Journée de la liberté de religion en Ontario

Motions

House sittings

Petitions

Abortion images

Land use planning

Laurentian University

Treaties recognition

Optometry services

Optometry services

Optometry services

Optometry services

Treaties recognition

Optometry services

Committee sittings

Orders of the Day

Working for Workers Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 visant à oeuvrer pour les travailleurs

The House met at 0900.

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

Prayers.

Order of business

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I recognize the member from Aurora–Oak Ridges–Richmond Hill on a point of order.

Mr. Michael Parsa: Good morning. I’m seeking unanimous consent to move a motion without notice respecting the expedited passage of Bill 38,

An Act to amend the Remembrance Week Act, 2016.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Mr. Parsa is seeking unanimous consent of the House to move a motion without notice respecting the expedited passage of Bill 38,

An Act to amend the Remembrance Week Act, 2016. Agreed? Agreed.

Once again, I’ll recognize the member for Aurora–Oak Ridges–Richmond Hill.

Mr. Michael Parsa: I move that, notwithstanding any standing order or special order of the House, that when the order for second reading of Bill 38,

An Act to amend the Remembrance Week Act, 2016, is called, that one hour shall be allotted to debate on the motion for second reading of the bill with 20 minutes allotted to the government, 20 minutes allotted to the official opposition and 20 minutes allotted to the independent members as a group; and

At the end of this time, the Speaker shall interrupt the proceedings and shall put every question necessary to dispose of this stage of the bill without further debate or amendment; and

That the bill shall be ordered for third reading, which order may be called the same day; and

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

That, notwithstanding standing order 30(a), any division on the motions for second or third reading of the bill arising during afternoon orders of the day shall not be deferred.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Mr. Parsa has moved that, notwithstanding any standing order or special order of the House, that when the order for second reading of—

Interjection: Dispense.

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

Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Motion agreed to.

Orders of the Day

Remembrance Week Amendment Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 modifiant la

Loi sur la semaine du Souvenir

Mr. Parsa, on behalf of Mr. Gill, moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill 38,

An Act to amend the Remembrance Week Act, 2016 / Projet de loi 38, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2016 sur la semaine du Souvenir.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Further debate?

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: Good morning. It’s always a distinct honour to stand in the Legislature and speak on behalf of the residents of St. Catharines, and especially today to speak to recognition of the poppy.

As we approach November 11 this year and we celebrate again within this House, across the province and, indeed, the entire country, we’ll be participating in a day of reflection, taking a step back from sometimes taking our way of life for granted and remembering what so many men and women sacrificed for our freedom. This legislation brings forward the spirit of that recognition and to remember why we are here, why we have such a wonderful place to live. It does represent the importance of the symbol of the poppy to Canadians across Ontario and this great country of Canada.

Now, it is important to remember that this legislation is a response to an incident from a year ago. This legislation is a response to a large American-based conglomerate, Whole Foods, that forbade their employees wearing anything other than their basic uniforms, restrictions that included the poppy.

Now, some will point out that this legislation could have passed with all-member support last year when this incident occurred. It could have passed right away instead of being trotted out just before Veterans’ Week begins in 2021. But I can appreciate that the government is using this legislation as a moment to further reflect on the importance of the poppy to Canada and to those who served. Any time we can do that it is worthwhile. This year more than any other, on the 100th year of the poppy as Canada’s symbol of remembrance, helps us honour and remember all of those who wore a uniform for Canada.

I recall two years ago I stood in this chamber around this time to point out that the Ontario Soldiers’ Aid Commission excluded too many of our younger veterans. The following Veterans’ Week, the House passed legislation to close those gaps. It brings me to an important commitment we all need to make as politicians: It is important to protect, fight to protect and preserve the symbolism of the sacrifices of our servicemen and -women. But if that symbolism doesn’t come with equally weighted commitments to those who sacrificed so much, then that is a problem.

I am happy to see legislation like this one after the Premier vowed to do it last year. I am happy to see it come forward at all, but I hope we are listening to those voices and advocates for veterans and closing gaps that are not just symbolic. That means ensuring veterans do not go homeless, doing whatever we can to support the Royal Canadian Legions across Ontario, doing whatever we can to support the Royal Canadian Legion’s Leave the Streets Behind initiative.

It would be a great gesture for the province of Ontario to make it their stated responsibility to eradicate homelessness for anyone who served—anyone at all, actually. And there is more we can do for veterans who need affordable housing, long-term care and disability support to have obstacles removed. It means finding ways of honouring their service by raising their quality of life. We can do that.

In this province, there are gaps. We can always do better. We know we can do better. It is my hope we find ways of fundamentally helping our veterans so to not only find celebration in the symbolism. But symbolism is very important. Despite this pledge coming a year after it was made, this legislation allows us to have the important conversation about the poppy and what it means at a moment that matters the most.

I have the honour to represent a community with a rich military history, and it has produced tangible and concrete reminders of who and what we should remember every November 11. Like cities across this province, St. Catharines has established Royal Canadian Legions and veterans’ clubs dedicated to the veterans and their families. These Legions conduct annual ceremonies of remembrance at cenotaphs, and, just as importantly, raise funds both for the betterment of local veterans and local initiatives. They promote remembrance and awareness for those whose names are engraved on our war memorials, on our cenotaphs and memorial walls.

The symbolism of the poppy and the charitable work, the revenue generated, the good it creates and gives back to our community is evident at this time of year. I know what that looks like with the poppy, so enshrining the right to wear one is important.

This year, I will be participating in several shifts for our local Legions, giving out poppies. I try to do this every year, and I encourage all citizens across Ontario to go to your local Legion and give out poppies so people will remember.

I do need to mention as well that I am a proud Legion member of Branch 138 in Merritton in St. Catharines. For most of my life, I’ve been a member there, and I do my best to truly show my gratitude to local veterans I know personally and to relay the message to veterans across Ontario. I’ve attended my fair share of Friday fish fries across St. Catharines in support of veterans’ communities, because it’s the least I can do to honour and give back for their sacrifices. The poppy feels just about the best piece of Canadian you can get right now.

The work of our veterans, our Legions and other supportive organizations across the province is what sparked this change in the first place. As the opposition MPP on this file, I will continue to ensure that the symbolism is respected.

But just like we have the tools now to enable legislation that modernized the Soldiers’ Aid Commission into a modern access tool, we have the opportunity to work closely with the veterans and other stakeholders across Ontario to ensure that honouring the sacrifice of our veterans is not just symbolism. There are great ideas flowing from our advocates and residents and veterans that will encourage the government to take positive steps forward and always find ways to improve the lives of veterans in tangible ways.

I very much look forward to working with the government in the near future, making sure symbolism is met with action and ensuring that support flows to veterans as efficiently and effectively as possible.

I want to thank veterans themselves across the province of Ontario, veterans’ advocates, Legions, support organizations and Ontario Command, because truly, this is your win. There is much work to be done, and the advocacy never stops, but it’s your hard work over the decades that has led our work here to continue to enshrine and support our veterans. Without your voices, I would not even be standing here.

It’s about education and awareness. It’s about getting our veterans off the streets, giving them a chance to be strong human beings with dignity and respect. And it’s about offering support, whether it’s ever needed or not.

Thank you for the opportunity to be able to speak on this piece of legislation. This is a promising start, and I can say with enthusiasm that I will ensure we keep this process honest and that I will work alongside my colleagues.

As everyone within this chamber knows, I am a mother to an active service member. He’s a petty officer first class in the Royal Canadian Navy. I am familiar with hardships faced by his wife and his two young children, my granddaughters, Josephine and Hazel Mae. Three six-month tours of duty away from home and his family in support of his country’s commitment to NATO and peace in our world is what I think of on November 11. When I wear my poppy on November 1, the beginning of November, working up to the 11 days, I think of my grandchildren and my daughter-in-law Sarah, who sacrificed so that her husband could go and fight for our country.

The poppy is a symbol of honour, the sacrifice our veterans made for our freedoms. It turns 100 this year—100 memories should be shared with everyone through this chamber, 100 things that might come to mind. But let’s remember 100 years of wearing a poppy, donning it on our lapel, putting it at our cenotaphs. We must remember all of the veterans, the men and women, who have fought for our country.

But most of all, as I said, I am and I will be working alongside my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make sure we always strive for real, tangible support. I hope everyone supports this motion, but I also hope we reflect in the coming days on what men and women for this country have done for our freedom.

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

Ms. Donna Skelly: As we approach November 11, I rise to speak to the Remembrance Week Amendment Act. It’s

an act that declares November 5 to November 11 as Remembrance Week. The amendment that our government has brought before the House today supports the right of every worker in Ontario to wear a poppy in the workplace during Remembrance Week.

Our government wants to enshrine the right in law to remind employers that, collectively, we owe a debt of gratitude to those brave men and women who have served and currently serve our country. The exception to the law would be if wearing a poppy at work poses a danger or hazard to a person’s health, safety or welfare.

The proposal to amend the

preamble would state that wearing poppies at work during Remembrance Week is a symbol of remembrance, a symbol of respect—remembrance and respect for the extraordinary courage and sacrifices made by our veterans and members currently serving in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Our government wants to show our gratitude to members of the armed forces, not only during soldiers’ involvement in conflict but also in their everyday service to our country. They deserve our unwavering respect and support. We are proud of the members of our armed forces and we want to demonstrate how proud we really are.

One of the most visible ways we, as Canadians, honour our veterans and show them our respect and gratitude is by wearing a poppy on Remembrance Day and the days leading up to Remembrance Day. It’s a Canadian tradition. It has been a Canadian tradition for more than a century. The poppy is a clear and visible symbol of the extraordinary courage and profound sacrifice that members of the armed forces have made to protect our freedoms and the way of life in Canada. The tradition of wearing poppies to honour our veterans and current serving members of the armed forces binds us together as Ontarians.

By wearing poppies, our families, schools, workplaces and communities will never forget the sacrifices that have been made by these brave men and women.

It was Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae of Guelph, a Canadian medical officer during the First World War, who first introduced the poppy to Canada and the Commonwealth. As we all know, John McCrae penned the poem In Flanders Fields in May 1915 on the day following the death of a soldier. Little did he know that those lines would become enshrined in the hearts and minds of Canadians. The words in that poem are recited by schoolchildren across our country. In Flanders Fields was the inspiration for the Remembrance Day poppy.

The idea of the poppy was considered at a meeting in Thunder Bay, and the poppy was adopted on July 6, 1921. Today, more than 100 years later, the poppy is worn on and leading up to Remembrance Day to honour Canada’s fallen soldiers.

The poppy is worn close to the hearts of Canadians to acknowledge the sacrifices our soldiers have made on the battlefield since World War I. It is heartwarming to see people from all walks of life wearing a poppy on their lapel to symbolize their gratitude to veterans for the sacrifices they have made to protect our freedoms. In Canada, the poppy is a universal symbol of our respect for veterans and the members of the military who are currently serving.

It is such a significant symbol of respect that a US grocery chain reversed its decision to enforce its company dress code that prevented employees from wearing Remembrance Day poppies with their uniforms. The backlash from the public was immediate. That grocery chain received a barrage of criticism for its decision to ban the poppy on workers’ uniforms. The grocery chain quickly learned a lesson in patriotism. It is now encouraging employees to wear poppies to honour the heroes who bravely served the country.

When this incident occurred, our Premier vowed to create legislation that would ban employers from prohibiting staff from wearing poppies during Remembrance Week. With this legislation, the Premier is making good on his promise.

The poppy represents those who have served, fought and died for our country, and it is an issue that, for many, is deeply personal. Initially, the grocery chain said the poppy was prohibited because it symbolized a cause. The poppy is not a cause; it is a symbol of respect. The poppy has also long been a symbol of peace to honour the memory of fallen soldiers during the First and Second World Wars.

Today, the poppy honours the memory of fallen soldiers in every war in which Canadian soldiers have fought, including World War I, the war that my grandfather, Henry Skelly, fought in. Today I am blessed to have his diary where he describes his life behind enemy lines. It is a piece of history, and I treasure it.

There are more than 629,000 veterans in Canada and 228,000 veterans in the province of Ontario. Those numbers are significant—36% of veterans call Ontario home. There are hundreds of thousands of people in Ontario who have a direct connection to a veteran, including, as we have heard this morning, the member from St. Catharines. They are spouses, parents, children and friends who want to honour the important work that members of the armed forces perform on a daily basis. They want to honour the sacrifices of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice by dying in battle.

For an employer to prevent workers from honouring those who have courageously served our country is simply unthinkable.

The right to wear a poppy at work is what this legislative amendment will protect. Our government is demonstrating our support for members of the armed forces by ensuring that every employee has the right to wear a poppy at work during Remembrance Week, unless wearing a poppy may pose a danger or safety hazard.

I want to speak for a moment about the many local businesses, schools and community organizations that support the poppy campaign each and every year: those employers and organizations that keep poppy boxes on their front counters to encourage more people to wear a poppy and donate to the Royal Canadian Legion. They show their gratitude by welcoming Legion volunteers and poppy boxes into their locations, and, because of their support for the campaign, millions of people across the province wear poppies as a visual pledge to honour veterans for their service and their sacrifice.

The provision in this Remembrance Week legislation protects and promotes the voluntary observance of Remembrance Day.

Like all of us in the chamber, I have been to many Remembrance Day ceremonies. They are emotionally moving events: to see elderly veterans marching down the street, their faces beaming with pride, tears in their eyes as people lining the street applaud and cheer them on. For many, their bodies may be frail, but their spirit is strong. These are the people who we honour and remember every year on Remembrance Day. They are courageous and selfless individuals who are willing to risk their own lives to protect the freedoms that we enjoy.

We believe employers share the values that honour veterans and they support employees wearing the poppy to show their respect and gratitude for veterans. For that reason, our government will not include an enforcement provision as part of this amendment. We believe an enforcement approach would be too stringent and really, in the end, unnecessary.

As we have seen with the grocery store chain that initially prevented their employees from wearing the poppy, they quickly reversed their policy when they had to deal with the scorn from the public and our Premier. For businesses that want to maintain their reputation of good will, alienating the public by banning the wearing of the poppy is simply not good policy.

This legislation does not open the door for employees to wear symbols and slogans in support of other issues. The legislation strictly applies to the wearing of a poppy in the workplace during Remembrance Week. And although there may be some circumstances where wearing a poppy in the workplace could pose a problem, for example, an employer could prohibit the wearing of a poppy if it’s deemed a safety hazard. If an employee is involved in preparing food, they could be prohibited from wearing a poppy. Nobody wants the pin from a poppy falling into the food. A sharp object could seriously injure someone.

Anyone who works in a lab must comply with a strict dress code for safety reasons. In a case like this, they could be prohibited from wearing a poppy if it could get caught in equipment or, again, if it could fall out and end up hurting someone.

Some people might ask, if the grocery chain quickly reversed its prohibition on the poppy, then why is this legislation even necessary? Our government wants to make it clear that we support our fallen soldiers. We support our veterans and those individuals who are currently serving in the armed forces, and we support workers who want to pay tribute to these members of the armed forces. By enshrining this support in law, we would be providing every worker in Ontario the right to wear a poppy as a symbol of remembrance and respect during Remembrance Week, assuming that wearing a poppy at work does not create a health or safety hazard.

Speaker, wearing a poppy is one way Ontarians acknowledge and remember the bravery and valour of Canadian Armed Forces veterans and active members of our military. These are people who fought to preserve peace around the world. They are selfless individuals who have protected Canada and defended our country’s freedom and way of life. We are grateful to those who wear and have worn the uniform. We are grateful to those who have served our country and protected our values. They deserve our respect. They deserve our support.

We all know how children love to ask questions. When we wear our poppy, our children ask about the poppy’s significance and what it symbolizes. Wearing the poppy helps to ensure that our children, our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren understand the sacrifices that have been made for all of us.

The Royal Canadian Legion’s annual poppy campaign brings Ontarians together. We wear the poppy proudly. The poppy is so much more than a symbol, though. The funds raised from the Royal Canadian Legion’s annual poppy campaign go towards supporting the caring of veterans throughout the year. The funds support long-term care and needed home care for veterans. The money raised finances facilities and transition programs for veterans, and they provide supports for veterans and their spouses who may need to be hospitalized.

By enshrining in law the right to wear a poppy in the workplace, it reminds employers of the significance of this symbol that respects those who have served our country. It also reinforces that the right to wear a poppy should be reflected in employment policies and practices.

Our initiative to preserve the right to wear a poppy at work in the law has received praise from veterans’ organizations and individuals right across the province. Our government is grateful to members of our armed forces, not only for the courage that they have displayed on the battlefield but also for the service they provide our citizens every single day. Veterans deserve our steadfast support and respect. Ontarians admire our military personnel for the work that they perform in keeping us safe.

In our battle with COVID-19, it has been the members of the military who delivered the shipments of life-saving vaccines, which has put our province on a path to gaining control of this pandemic. It was members of the military who organized the delivery of vaccines right across the country. And the Canadian Armed Forces perform so many other critically important functions. They conduct search-and-rescue operations for people who may get into trouble on our lakes or get lost in remote areas of the province. They patrol our air space and territorial waters.

They support anti-drug operations and they are there to help in whatever way they can before a natural disaster hits or during the aftermath when cleanup is required. Members of our military are there when we need them most, and the poppy is one of the most visible ways that we can acknowledge what they have done for all of us.

This year, more than ever, it is critical that Ontarians support the annual poppy campaign. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the Royal Canadian Legion and other organizations that support veterans. Some organizations have indicated that, because of plummeting donations and decreasing funds, they may have no choice but to close. But I’m positive that Ontarians don’t want to see veterans’ support organizations shut down because funds have dried up during the pandemic. I know Ontarians will do everything they can to support the Canadian Legions and other veterans’ organizations. We know how Ontarians feel about their veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Our Highway of Heroes is a perfect example of our patriotic demonstration and traditions for those who have been killed in war. We all remember, and many of us were there along that stretch of highway from Trenton to Toronto, when Canada’s soldiers who died in Afghanistan were being repatriated. We remember ordinary citizens crowding the overpasses along that 160-kilometre route, waving Canadian flags and saluting as the entourage drove past. Thousands of people turned out alongside firefighters and police officers to pay their respects. This kind of demonstration of respect and gratitude is the Canadian way.

Paying tribute to our fallen soldiers in this manner has garnered the attention of news networks in the United States and admiration from average American citizens.

We have always had a tradition of honouring our war dead in a public way, and wearing a poppy on our lapel is part of that very visible tradition. Being there along the Highway of Heroes as a soldier is brought home is a very moving experience—158 Canadian Armed Forces members lost their lives in Afghanistan; the Highway of Heroes is a living tribute to these veterans.

When Canada’s mission in Afghanistan ended, the Highway of Heroes tree campaign was launched. Two million trees have been planted, one for every Canadian who has served in uniform since the War of 1812; 117,000 trees are being planted alongside the Highway of Heroes as a living memorial to each military member who died in service. Last year, our government provided $1 million to plant the 117,000 additional trees as a way of honouring those members of the armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Each tree planted along the Highway of Heroes will be a growing reminder that will inspire people for generations to come. Highway 401 between Canadian Forces Base Trenton and Keele Street in Toronto is recognized as the Highway of Heroes. It represents the final journey of Canadian Armed Forces members who died in service to our country.

Our patriotic tributes to our fallen soldiers did not end with our withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Royal Canadian Legion’s annual poppy campaign continues. Wearing a poppy is part of who we are. No one should ever be prohibited from showing their patriotic pride and respect through wearing a poppy at work. This legislative amendment protects that right. By enshrining this support in law, we are reminding employers that Ontario owes a debt of gratitude to the brave individuals who have served our country and continue to serve our country. That gratitude should be reflected in allowing and encouraging their employees to wear a poppy close to their heart.

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

Mr. John Vanthof: It’s always an honour to be able to stand in this House on behalf of my colleagues in the official opposition and the people of Timiskaming–Cochrane, particularly to make remarks about the amendment for Remembrance Week, to be able to talk about the significance of the poppy and the significance of the sacrifices that people have made and continue to make.

When we pin the poppy on each year, we all have a thought that comes to us, something personal. I just listened to the member from across the way—her grandfather. I listened to my colleague—her son. For me, it’s my father.

My father was not a military person. My father was a man of very, very few words. I asked him one day why he came to Canada. He had a sister who went to South Africa, a sister who went to America, a brother who stayed in Holland. “Why did you come to Canada?” He said that it was the Canadian soldiers.

He was a teenager in World War II when the Nazis occupied. He didn’t talk about that much. He went through hell then. He didn’t talk about that much. When the Canadians came, he assumed that they would be occupiers as well, and they weren’t. They came. They suffered incredibly. They fought incredibly, and thousands of them died. They freed the country and they went home. He thought that Canada must be the greatest country in the world for them to do that, and that’s why he came here. That’s why I have the incredible honour to be standing here today, saying that. That’s why I wear the poppy.

I’m sure that everyone, regardless, has a similar something—it might not be as profound, it might be incredibly more profound, but everyone has it. The goal of this act is to make sure that no one is denied the ability to wear the poppy; to remember not only the sacrifices of those who have passed, the sacrifices of those who continue to sacrifice today—because as we speak, there are still people in other parts of the world who are looking at Canadians who come, who help and who go home—to remember that.

We fully support this, but we need to remember, to the member across the way, that there are 228,000 veterans in Ontario right now, and many of them are still sacrificing, because they have suffered incredibly and continue to suffer. Many live now in conditions similar to what they freed people in other countries from. And I’m not exaggerating that, Speaker.

We need to use this time to also make sure that we do whatever we can to improve the conditions for those who continue to sacrifice. We need to do that. Part of wearing the poppy shouldn’t be just remembering those who sacrificed, but should be committing to improve the conditions of those who serve and who continue to sacrifice.

The member across the way said many Legions are close to collapse. We know that. We need to act to actually do something about it. We know there are many veterans who actually aren’t part of the Legion system. We need to make sure that they’re being supported as well. We know there are veterans who are homeless. We know that. We also need to be debating and passing legislation and finding funding to actually support them as well. We know all those things.

The poppy signifies those who sacrificed, who served, who died and who continue to serve, and, for me, those who continue to suffer. We fully support this and we urge the government to do whatever we can to make all those veterans and their families—to serve them as well and to support them as well.

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

Mr. Stephen Blais: It’s an honour to rise this morning to debate this important initiative. I have the honour and the privilege of representing a community in the east end of Ottawa that is affectionately known as CFB Orléans because we have so many members of the forces that call Orléans home and work at headquarters or other locations across the capital region.

The importance of honouring our veterans and the importance of honouring those men and women in uniform who serve today is always with us in Orléans, because literally our neighbours are members of the forces and many of our relatives are members of the forces, and they’ve sacrificed much over the years—obviously those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, but also those who have spent many months, if not years, overseas, and, of course, the strain that that puts on their mental health, on their physical health in many circumstances and also the mental health of their families.

The Legion was just mentioned, and we’re lucky in Orléans to have a dynamic and very active Legion, but the numbers are going down. As we know, veterans of the two Great Wars are slowly but surely passing on, and other members of the community are not taking up Legion memberships the way that we may have seen in the past. That creates challenges operationally and organizationally for the Legion, but also has challenges to the capital investment of the Legion building itself.

They don’t have the membership dues and the other revenue to keep those buildings in good shape and to provide the services that they used to, so the government does need to step up and provide more support for Legions for those capital improvements and those rehabilitations to ensure that the Legions have the capacity to offer the services that they’ve always been there to offer.

As we know, too many veterans come home and suffer from extreme mental health issues, from post-traumatic stress disorder. That often leads into other challenges with substance abuse and, as has been mentioned, can often lead to homelessness. There are far too many veterans sleeping on the streets of our nation’s capital every night. As I’ve said, they’ve sacrificed much to serve our country, to defend democracy and protect freedom both here at home and abroad, and they deserve a place to lay their head at night with a roof overtop of them.

I was very proud to help support Veterans’ House in Ottawa, which is an affordable housing project with a multi-faith housing initiative, to provide housing supports for some veterans. We need more of that, not just in the nation’s capital but right across Ontario and Canada, because those men and women who served our country with distinction and have put their lives on the line and put their family and themselves through great stress and emotional turmoil deserve a place to call home and don’t need to sleep on the streets every night.

In terms of the poppy, the poppy is obviously a symbol of great importance for us here in Canada, but internationally as well. It is a very small gesture that we make for a week or two in the fall as we lead into Remembrance Week and Remembrance Day, to show our respect, faith and honour to those men and women who have served. Everyone should be able to wear the poppy without any threat of repercussion or, certainly, losing their job or having any kind of employment consequences.

Not only should everyone be free to wear the poppy, everyone should be encouraged to wear the poppy to show their respect and honour for our veterans who have fallen and have come back with health disorders and for those who serve in the armed forces today.

Just to sum up, Mr. Speaker, we owe our veterans a great debt. We should do everything in our power to honour that debt, both big ways and small.

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

Mr. John Fraser: I’m pleased to be able to speak in support of the Remembrance Week Amendment Act, Bill 38. I also feel very privileged that, in 2016, the member from Simcoe–Grey asked the member from Parkdale–High Park, Cheri DiNovo, and I to join him on the Remembrance Week Act, which this bill amends. It was very thoughtful of him and it’s something, like today, I think we all agree on. It’s important to take the acknowledgement of Remembrance Day over a week. It was something that was already happening, but we put it in a bill to make sure that it was there for people to see and look at and know that that’s what existed.

The interesting thing about this is at the time when we debated this bill, I don’t think we ever thought we’d be talking about what we’re talking about today, that someone would not let somebody wear a poppy in the workplace, that an employer would do that. We just didn’t think that that would happen. And it happened in Ottawa. It was, I think, a store in Ottawa Centre where it happened, where we all found out about that last year. Thankfully, it doesn’t happen very often. It’s the first time that I know of that this has happened. I’ve never, ever had a problem.

When I worked in the grocery business for 22 years, the same business where this happened, anybody wearing a poppy—as a matter of fact, we encouraged everybody to wear a poppy. So for the people who say we don’t need to be doing this today, well, they could say we don’t need to do the Remembrance Week Act. Look, I think we’re just putting it down and saying, “Look, here are the rules. Here is what we all agreed on. And if it wasn’t clear before, it’s very clear right now.”

I listened to some of the remarks from the member from Timiskaming–Cochrane, and he’s right.

I’m really fortunate to live in a community where Rideau Veterans’ was housed for many years and then became Perley and Rideau Veterans’, and now it’s Perley Health. We had a few hundred veterans in my riding in a long-term-care home, a good long-term-care home, but not every veteran has access to that kind of care. Not every veteran has access to long-term care or the things they need to sustain themselves.

When we think of veterans, we often think of the First and Second World War—those were great conflicts—the Korean War. But there have been conflicts subsequent to those where people have taken great risks, made great sacrifices, had their lives changed forever. And we need to recognize that.

My colleague from Orléans talked about housing. It’s a big challenge in our society all around. For veterans, for some of them, it’s a tremendous challenge. So while we honour people today and talk about this bill and how important it is to recognize the poppy as a symbol that everyone can participate in, we have to remember those things that we still have to do, along with other governments, along with other organizations. It’s not just about a week every year, or a day every year. They’re really important, but the rest of the year is something we have to work on as well.

I want to thank the member from Simcoe–Grey again for bringing that bill forward and including myself and Cheri DiNovo on the bill. It was very, very thoughtful of him. I’m very proud to be on that bill, and I can’t express my gratitude enough to him for being that thoughtful.

War touches everyone’s family somewhere along the line—conflicts. Everyone’s family has someone who has made a sacrifice somewhere along the line. In my family, my mother-in-law Yvonne’s brother died at Dieppe, Robert Ansley Cavanagh. In August 1942, along with thousands of other young men, he lost his life. I don’t think he was 20.

She was very, very close to him. You know, in families that are large, you kind of group together, and the people who are closest in age sometimes connect the best together. Well, Ansley and my mother-in-law, Yvonne, weren’t just brother and sister; they were dear friends. So she took his loss hard.

The thing I remember about Yvonne is she always had a picture of Ansley on her dresser in her bedroom. It was always there. She passed away a few years ago. It was there when she passed away. She had that picture on her dresser for 75 years—75 years. She didn’t just remember every year; she remembered every day. And that’s how we should remember. That’s what I was trying to allude to earlier.

We have the picture now in our house, and we try to remember every day. That’s why we have the picture there. That sacrifice was almost 80 years ago. It also reminds you that people are making sacrifices every day. People made sacrifices in peacekeeping. People made sacrifices in Afghanistan and all those places we went to, to try and make things better, to break up conflict. We take it for granted sometimes, and so it’s all of our jobs to remember that every day if we can.

Ma belle-mère Yvonne était résidente au Perley Rideau. Elle a perdu son frère Ansley à Dieppe, quelque chose qu’elle n’a jamais oublié. Elle a toujours gardé sa photo sur sa commode pendant 75 ans. Et comme Yvonne s’en souvenait toujours, il faut toujours s’en souvenir.

Souvenez-vous toujours des sacrifices qui ont été faits pour chacun de nous. Il est de notre devoir de nous souvenir. Nous nous souviendrons.

And once again, Speaker, I’m very proud to be supporting this bill and that it’s connected to something that I had the pleasure of being part of since 2016. Thank you for your time.

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

Pursuant to the order of the House passed earlier today, I am now required to put the question. Mr. Parsa has moved second reading of Bill 38,

An Act to amend the Remembrance Week Act, 2016. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Pursuant to the order of the House passed earlier today, the bill is now ordered for third reading.

Remembrance Week Amendment Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 modifiant la

Loi sur la semaine du Souvenir

Mr. Parsa, on behalf of Mr. Gill, moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill 38,

An Act to amend the Remembrance Week Act, 2016 / Projet de loi 38, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2016 sur la semaine du Souvenir.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Pursuant to the order of the House passed earlier today, I am now required to put the question. Mr. Parsa has moved third reading of Bill 38,

An Act to amend the Remembrance Week Act, 2016. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

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

Third reading agreed to.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Orders of the day?

Mr. Michael Parsa: No further business.

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

The House recessed from 0957 to 1015.

Members’ Statements

Domestic violence

Mr. Ian Arthur: I rise today to recognize something with sombre purpose: that November is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. On average, one woman is killed by an intimate partner every six days in Canada. Indigenous women and girls are disproportionately victims of all forms of sex- and gender-based violence and are six times more likely to be victims of femicide.

We are measured by our treatment of the most vulnerable members of our community, and here we continue to fail. It is imperative that we commit to protecting and supporting victims of family violence, and I would urge this government to hear the pleas of women’s centres, asking them to commit to long-term, stable funding needed to do life-saving work.

COVID-19 has amplified the terror of domestic violence. Rates of violence have ballooned by 20% to 30% during the pandemic. And we know that during lockdowns, women were disproportionately affected. We failed to consider the impact of the lack of access to peace bonds for those in danger or that some women may not even have the freedom to get themselves vaccinated, Speaker.

I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity to recognize this month. It’s a privilege to be able to advocate for the women and children who suffer all forms of domestic violence. And I would urge this government to lift the building of funding precarity for women’s centres and the courageous front-line social workers who do this daunting work.

Cornwall Police Service

Mr. Jim McDonell: I rise today to shine a light on a new

chapter in the history of the Cornwall Police Service. On October 22, Chief Danny Aikman began a well-earned retirement after almost 40 years of excellent police work. Chief Aikman’s skill and expertise allowed him to successfully navigate through the rapidly changing times of police work. I want to congratulate him on his long-time service to his community.

He passed the baton on to Deputy Chief Shawna Spowart, who became the first female chief of police in the city of Cornwall. Like her predecessor, she’s a graduate of Rotman School of Management and has already utilized these skills to develop and put in place several important policing and community initiatives.

I’ve had the chance to work with the new chief in her previous role and I know that her team-first approach will make her an important addition to the eastern Ontario security network, working together with our RCMP and neighbouring Mohawk and OPP police services.

The residents of Cornwall are in good hands, and I wish her the very best of luck in her new role in serving her community.

Seniors’ housing

Ms. Doly Begum: The Royal Canadian Legion hall contacted our office to get help for a senior, a veteran, living in a TCHC building. For months, his unit was horribly infested by bedbugs. The Legion offered to help pay rent for a new unit, furniture and carpeting to fix this situation. However, Toronto Community Housing informed that it could take up to one year for Ralph to be moved into another unit, despite the infestation.

Because of the terrible conditions, care workers stopped coming to his unit to take care of Ralph. The infestation got worse, which led him to stop eating. His family also offered to pay for the services to clean his unit, but TCHC could not relocate him or coordinate cleaning services. As soon as my office received the case, we started coordinating, but it was too late. Ralph was already suffering from severe anemia. He passed away.

Ralph George Musgrove, a senior veteran who honourably served his country, passed away from bedbug anemia in his home. This is the reality of many senior veterans, especially those living in our collapsing social housing system—lack of proper services, units falling apart or infested, decade-long wait-lists. How did Ontario, one of the most prosperous provinces in this country, let things get so bad? Why are our honourable veterans spending their final years in such painful and undignified conditions? For Ralph, for the thousands of veteran seniors across Ontario and for their families, we must do better.

I would like to thank the Royal Canadian Legion halls for their commitment to helping Ralph, and to Darlene Khalfan, Ralph’s daughter, for letting us remember her father in the Legislature today.

On November 11, we will honour and remember Ralph and all the veterans who sacrificed, served and continue to serve our country. Lest we forget.

Hospital funding

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: Speaker, there’s good news out of Perth–Wellington. Louise Marshall Hospital in Mount Forest recently completed a major expansion project. The new emergency room and ambulatory care is a major investment in rural health care. It is an investment in future generations who will live and work in our community—people who will need these modern health care facilities.

I was honoured to attend the grand opening on September 8. There are so many people to recognize for the success of this project: Mayor Andy Lennox, the township and county councils; Dale Small and the North Wellington Health Care board; outgoing CEO Steve Street and the new CEO, Angela Stanley; Dr. Chris Rowley and all the health care professionals and hospital staff; Bob McFarlane and the campaign committee and all those who contributed; the Louise Marshall Hospital Foundation; and the broader community.

Projects like these do not happen without community support. This project had that, and then some.

I’ve been pushing for this project ever since I was first elected, from opposition and from government. I’m grateful for the support we received along the way from the ministry and so many others. I especially want to thank our Minister of Health for approving this project and for her interest in it ever since her visit to the hospital eight years ago.

Again, I want to thank all those who worked so hard over so many years to make this project possible. Be proud of this accomplishment, and be proud of our community.

Remembrance Day

M me France Gélinas: On Thursday, November 11, multiple branches of the Royal Canadian Legion in my riding will be holding events to recognize Remembrance Day.

Residents of Nickel Belt have always selflessly answered the call, so we have many veterans from the Second World War all the way to the Afghanistan war. I want to encourage everyone to get out and show these service people the respect they have earned, putting their lives in harm’s way for our safety, for our prosperity.

The Royal Canadian Legion’s branches in Lockerby, in Capreol, in Chelmsford and in Falconbridge will hold in-person events starting at 10:45 on Thursday, November 11. Branch 503 in Onaping is starting their ceremony at 1:45 in the afternoon at the Onaping Community Centre, and the Sudbury Wolves will also do a ceremony at 7 o’clock this Friday night.

If this past year has taught us anything, it is the importance of people who sacrifice their safety to protect others. Our veterans have done this without question for decades, and I am honoured to recognize their sacrifices this Remembrance Day and every day. I hope you will join me.

Lest we forget. We will remember them.

COVID-19 immunization

Mr. John Fraser: I want to say a few things about mandatory vaccinations. I know we’ve been going back and forth on this for several months now.

It’s hard for me to understand why the government says that the same rules that apply in long-term care don’t apply in hospitals or home care or in our schools or in child care. And the latest thing is the government doesn’t want to put COVID-19 vaccinations on the list of universal vaccines that we have in schools. That’s a real head-scratcher as well.

Our kids are vulnerable. I think it’s reasonable for parents to expect that the government is going to move to protect their kids in school. Those universal vaccines in schools have worked for 40 years, and we have a way of dealing with that, and families. But here’s the thing that’s being missed: The tools that are in that act allow for contact tracing and very rapid movement to prevent an outbreak, and guess who they protect the most? Not the kids who have been vaccinated but the kids who are unvaccinated. So the government is leaving this tool on the table, and that’s the wrong thing to do. It’s not good for families, and it’s not good for kids.

Kevin Keohane

Mr. Jeremy Roberts: On December 31, Kevin Keohane will be retiring as president and CEO of the CHEO Foundation. Kevin joined the foundation 20 years ago and he has served as president for the past nine years. During that time, the foundation has grown in substantial ways. It has continued to fulfill its important mandate of ensuring that every child in eastern Ontario can live their best life.

In 2001, when Kevin joined the foundation, they raised $12 million. Over the 20 years since, donations have increased as the foundation team under Kevin’s leadership sought innovative ways to reach donors. Last year, the foundation pulled in $44 million. That means more kids receiving the critical care they deserve, more medical equipment, more world-class research and a renewal of the CHEO campus.

Now, Kevin would be the first to say that none of this would have been possible without the incredible community of support in Ottawa. Co-workers I spoke to all mentioned that at the heart of Kevin’s leadership was a firm belief in the strength of the team, but what is undoubtedly true is that Kevin’s humble and tireless leadership has helped steer the foundation to greater success. His devotion to helping kids, as well as his passion to tell CHEO’s story, is evident to all who meet him.

As Kevin prepares to step down, I’d like to sincerely thank him on behalf of the thousands of kids and families who have benefited from CHEO’s exceptional care. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement, and thank you from everyone in Ottawa.

Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare

Mr. Taras Natyshak: Like my colleague across the aisle, I, too, have a special accommodation today to recognize Janice Kaffer, the CEO and president of Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare in Windsor, who is retiring after 37 years in the health care field, mostly as a nurse.

Our region in Windsor and Essex county has been well served by Janice’s leadership, especially during the last several years and months throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Janice has been a champion for social justice and anti-poverty measures, as well as mental health supports for our community. She has spearheaded so many different services through Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare to support people in our community who have suffered and continue to suffer from mental health issues.

She has exemplified leadership in our community throughout COVID and led her team to supporting all regions of our community. We wish her well and thank her so much for that leadership, and also welcome and thank the new president of Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, Bill Marra, who is the acting vice-president of Hôtel-Dieu and who has enormous experience in leadership as a previous city councillor.

Bill is a great friend of ours and we are so thankful for him accepting this new role and confident that he will lead our health care system into the future, post-pandemic, and support the needs of our entire community.

Best wishes to Janice, her family, and I know she’s going to spend a lot more time with her grandkids. Best wishes to Bill as well as he enters into his new journey.

Diabetes

Mr. Sheref Sabawy: November is Diabetes Awareness Month. I want to recognize the challenges and the courage of over 1.5 million Ontarians living with diabetes and the many millions of Ontarians with pre-diabetes.

This year also mark a global milestone in the diabetes world as this is the centennial anniversary of the discovery of insulin right here in Ontario. The discovery of insulin has saved millions of lives around the world.

Thankfully, we have come a long way in these 100 years and innovative health technologies have drastically improved the lives of Ontarians with diabetes. One of these game-changing technologies that the Ontario government invested in in 2019 has been the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system, allowing accessing of glucose data in real time by scanning with a swipe of your phone, and has enabled Ontarians with diabetes to receive care through remote patient monitoring and virtual diabetes care. This is the care of the future.

Ontario is only one of the first provinces providing flash glucose monitoring technology. The province also has the most widespread access in Canada. That’s something all members of this Legislature should be proud of, Mr. Speaker. We are the leader in Canada, and I’m confident that we will continue to lead in helping Ontarians with diabetes.

Private members’ public business

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Before I ask for oral questions, I beg to inform the House that, pursuant to standing order 101(c), changes have been made to the order of precedence on the ballot list for private members’ public business such that Mr. Sabawy assumes ballot item number 16 and Mr. Pettapiece assumes ballot item number 18.

Question Period

Employment standards

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My first question is for the Premier. The Premier’s three-year-long low-wage policy has hurt so many workers in this province. It has been three years that this low-wage policy has been in place, and what we know about this Premier is that at least in the past, he has called the $15 minimum wage a “job killer.”

Meanwhile, the cost of everything is going up: Auto insurance is up, hydro is up, gas is up, milk is going up by 8% and butter is going up by 12%. Everything is going up but people’s wages. Under this Premier, literally the price of everything has gone through the roof. So why has this Premier stubbornly stuck by his low-wage policy for three long years, hurting so many workers?

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: Actually, it’s just the opposite. What we set out to do in 2018 was to rebuild the Ontario economy so that it would work for all Ontarians.

Look, in 2018, I think everybody would acknowledge that Ontario was a province in decline. We were losing thousands of jobs. High electricity rates were forcing small, medium and large job creators to make investments in other parts of the country—and in other parts of North America, frankly. But because of the hard work of this government, we’re seeing those jobs start to come back, despite the fact that we are battling a global health and economic crisis. We’re seeing those jobs start to come back to the province of Ontario, and we ae very excited about that.

But the Leader of the Opposition is correct: We do understand how tough it is. The prices of goods are starting to increase. Inflation is a problem. It is something that we continue to fight against every day. It’s something that we started off in 2018, saying it was too expensive for the people of the province of Ontario to live here because of those high prices. That’s why we started immediately to—

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

Supplementary question?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Workers have been robbed of over $5,000 since this Premier’s low-wage policy was enacted three years ago. A $15 minimum wage is not going to make up for those losses and that hardship. Meanwhile, the Premier’s buddy, this very government House leader, just got a raise of $27,000—by the way, that’s a raise of $13 an hour.

The Premier’s low-wage policy has hurt workers; it’s very, very clear. It has robbed them of more than $5,000—$5,300, in fact—since it started three years ago. Why is the government and why is the Premier still short-changing workers?

Hon. Paul Calandra: As I said, it’s just the opposite, Speaker. When we took power, when we took office in the province of Ontario, Ontario was in the midst of one of the largest declines that it had had in generations. We had lost some 300,000 manufacturing jobs in the province of Ontario. The once economic engine of this country, one of the most powerful economies in all of North America, had been brought to its knees by the high cost of electricity, by overregulation that had left Ontario one of the most overregulated jurisdictions in North America.

We knew we had to do something right away to bring those jobs back to Ontario. That’s why we set out to reduce taxes for the people of the province of Ontario. To encourage business development, we cut taxes for our small, medium and large job creators. We cut hydro prices so that there would be an incentive to invest here in Ontario. Again, the hard work of the Minister of Economic Development helped to ensure that people wanted to invest here. The hard work of the Minister of Health made this an important jurisdiction that people could rely on. The massive investments that we are making in infrastructure will make jobs for generations of Ontarians—

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

Final supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, we all saw what the government did. One of the first things they did was decide to attack workers. That’s what they did three years ago: They took away the minimum wage increase. They took away their paid sick days. That’s what this government did.

When housing is more expensive, transportation is more expensive, food costs are more expensive—so much more is going up here in the province of Ontario, and the Premier has literally taken $5,300 out of the pockets of workers over the last three years. A $15 minimum wage is simply not going to cut it. It would take a minimum wage of at least $17 just to make up for what this government took out of the pockets of workers.

My question is, the Premier has all but admitted that he was wrong to take away the minimum wage increase three years ago. He was wrong to implement a low-wage policy then. Why is he not announcing today a minimum wage that at least puts back in the pockets of working people what this Premier took out?

Hon. Paul Calandra: The Leader of the Opposition is obviously making it up on the fly. We were right in 2018 when we said the Ontario economy needed help. We were right to focus on reducing electricity prices. We were right to focus on eliminating useless and outdated regulations. How do I know we were right? Because jobs started coming back to the province of Ontario in numbers that we hadn’t seen for generations.

The Leader of the Opposition was wrong when she insisted that we have a carbon tax that would cost the people of the province of Ontario hundreds of dollars—a tax that she still supports. The Leader of the Opposition was wrong when she and her friends in the Liberal Party voted against tax cuts for our small, medium and large job creators. The Leader of the Opposition was wrong when she voted against important measures that the Minister of Education brought in to make child care more affordable. The Leader of the Opposition was wrong when she voted against subways. She was wrong when she voted against long-term-care investments. She was wrong when she voted against health care—

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

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

The next question.

COVID-19 immunization

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The House leader’s revisionist look at the history of this government’s performance is something else; I can tell you that.

My next question is actually for the Premier. It’s really clear that nurses and health care workers are leaving in droves because of this government’s low-wage policies. That’s what’s happening in our province. It’s not vaccine policy that’s driving nurses out of their profession; it’s that they are overworked and underpaid and undervalued by their government. Bill 124 made sure of that, Speaker. But they deserve, at the very least, the safest possible workplaces that we can give them.

Weeks ago, the Premier asked for advice on what to do about vaccine mandates in health care. Lo and behold, yesterday, the Minister of Health admitted, acknowledged that she had all the information needed for the government to make the decision. My question is, when will the Premier make a decision on mandatory vaccines for health care and education workers?

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

Hon. Christine Elliott: Thank you to the Leader of the Opposition for the question. This is an important question, because we’ve seen what’s happened in other jurisdictions that have brought forward mandatory vaccination policies. In British Columbia just recently, they’ve had to cancel some of the surgeries that had already been postponed because of COVID-19, because there were 4,000 workers that were going to be put on leave. We don’t want to see that happen in Ontario. That is why the Premier sent out the letter.

We are reviewing the responses right now to ensure that, whatever determination is made, we protect the health and well-being of everyone in Ontario, whether it’s preventing COVID or taking care of people who need to have those surgeries. They’ve waited long enough. They need to have those surgeries and we need to make sure that we have sufficient health human resources to care for them.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The science table already weighed in quite some time ago. The science table weighed in on October 19. We’re now well into November, Speaker.

Mandatory vaccine policies protect health care workers. They protect patients. They protect visitors. They protect everyone. They will further protect our health care workers from getting sick. The science table said, “Requiring that hospital workers be vaccinated is an evidence-based policy that protects Ontarians.”

So my question, again, is will the Premier and the minister actually listen to the advice that they’re getting from the science table and from others who are telling them that vaccine mandates in health care and education are necessary to keep Ontarians safe?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Our government has been listening to the science and the evidence since this pandemic began well over a year ago—20 months ago, virtually. We’ve been listening to what the science advisory table has to say. We’ve been listening to the Chief Medical Officer of Health. We’re listening to experts across the province. We’re listening to people who are on the ground in the province: the CEOs of hospitals and of different health organizations. What the recommendation is, is that everyone should receive a vaccination. That is what we’ve been saying since day one. We are increasing the numbers.

Over 88.2% of the population of Ontario has now received a first dose; 84.5% a second dose.

But there are other considerations that come into play here as well, and that is the health human resource issue, which has been strained as a result of COVID-19. It is our obligation and our responsibility to make sure that we are going to have sufficient health human resources to take care of all of the people in our hospitals who need care.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, the Premier asked for advice by October 19. The Ontario Hospital Association has weighed in, as has the science table, which I’ve already mentioned, but this government has never taken decisive action during this pandemic. We saw it with the Hunger Games rollout of the vaccines when they arrived in our province. We still see it, with no concrete plan for children, knowing that the vaccine is coming our way for young ones. The advice is in, but all that Ontario is missing is a government that takes action, that takes decisive action. That’s what we’re missing.

My question is, when will this government finally take action and mandate the vaccines that their experts are telling them they should be doing in hospitals and in education? It needs to be done, Speaker. When will they do it?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Please stop the clock. There are some constant interjections coming from the government side. It’s very distracting. I’m trying to listen to the person who has the floor and has the question. It’s difficult to tell who’s interjecting when people are wearing masks. I would ask all of you to please show respect for your colleague in the House and allow me to hear the person who has the floor.

Please start the clock. Minister of Health to respond.

Hon. Christine Elliott: Decisive action has been taken by this government at every step along the way during this pandemic, starting with building up our testing strategy, building up our assessment centres, making sure that we tested people and making sure that we vaccinated people.

Ontario has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world and that is because of the people of Ontario coming forward to take these vaccines, to make sure that we can vaccinate people in every part of this province. With 88.2% of people having had a first-dose vaccine and 84.5% having had the second dose, clearly there is a successful plan in place. And clearly, there is a successful plan ready to go for children aged five to 11.

The other issue that we’re dealing with, and we need to deal with this very cautiously, is the issue of, if we bring in a mandatory vaccination program, what will be the effect of on our health human resources? That is the responsible step to take, to make sure that people who are in need, wherever they are in the province of Ontario, will—

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

The next question.

Government accountability

Ms. Catherine Fife: My question is to the Premier. A public Facebook post by the Silver Lakes golf course dated March 23, 2021, reveals that the previous week, the golf course hosted the Minister of Transportation as well as the Associate Minister of Transportation, whose father is a co-owner of this golf course. At the time, this golf course was directly in the path of the proposed Bradford Bypass highway. But one month later, the ministry revealed a route change that spared the golf course.

There is no clear reason or rationale as to why the minister and the associate minister would be at this golf course at the same time. Why was the associate minister with the Minister of Transportation at the site of this proposed highway if he wasn’t lobbying for his father’s business? Will somebody on that side of the House recognize how inappropriate this is?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: That sounds like a Taras Natyshak question. She’s taking your question, Taras.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. The Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries will come to order.

Please start the clock. Minister of Transportation.

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: I rise and I’m pleased to have the opportunity to address the member opposite’s question and her comment. Let me be clear: Minister Cho has been screened from the file pertaining to the Bradford Bypass since his election in 2018. Neither myself nor anyone in my office has had any conversations with Minister Cho about the Bradford Bypass.

But let me also be clear: Minister Cho and his family, immigrants to Canada, have worked hard to contribute greatly to our community, and they are success stories that should be celebrated. The depictions of the Chos as anything but success stories are unacceptable, and you should be ashamed of yourself.

Congestion is a real problem. It robs people of time with their families, it robs workers of productive time at work and it makes it harder for farmers to get their goods to market. It also contributes to GHG emissions. The opposition wants to put its hand in the—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member will take her seat. I’ll remind all members to make their comments through the Chair.

Supplementary question.

Ms. Catherine Fife: I’m not going to take any lessons from you on what you can be ashamed of and what stands as ethical actions in the province of Ontario—no way.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m going to remind the members again to make their comments through the Chair.

The member from Waterloo has the floor.

Ms. Catherine Fife: Ontarians now know that the main beneficiaries of this $1.5-billion, four-to-six-lane highway through the greenbelt are well-connected landowners with political and donor ties to the PC Party of Ontario. One of these beneficiaries is the father of the Associate Minister of Transportation, who himself has donated over $10,000 to the PC Party since 2016. These are facts. I said it yesterday and I will say it again: This reeks.

With all the transportation infrastructure projects that need funding in this province, why is the Premier prioritizing destructive and unnecessary highways through our greenbelt, whose main beneficiaries happen to be the Premier’s buddies and donors? Who are you choosing in this decision-making process? Because we see it very clearly.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Once again, make your comments through the Chair, please.

Minister of Transportation.

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: Mr. Speaker, the opposition doesn’t see it. The main beneficiaries of this highway and other new highways are the drivers of Ontario. Commuters in York region and Simcoe county have been calling on governments to build the Bradford Bypass for decades. Congestion is a real problem, and members of the opposition just want to keep their heads in the sand and not recognize this reality that plagues people—drivers, commuters, families, workers, farmers. It has been a problem for decades. It’s a problem today. As Ontario welcomes millions of new people every five years, the problem is only going to get worse.

Our government doesn’t shy away from taking decisions that will benefit Ontarians. That’s why we’re going to build the Bradford Bypass and the 413.

Long-term care

Ms. Donna Skelly: Since 2008, we have been hearing calls to increase the average daily direct care received by residents to four hours. Many of my constituents were disappointed that from 2009 to 2018, the Liberal government only managed to increase the average of daily direct care by 22 minutes per day. Speaker, that is just not good enough.

Throughout the pandemic, I have seen first-hand all of the great work that nurses and PSWs working in long-term care have done in my riding of Flamborough–Glanbrook and right across Ontario. Front-line health care workers, residents and families are tired of past governments that were all talk and no action. Will the Minister of Long-Term Care tell this House what he is doing to ensure that our residents receive the care they deserve?

Hon. Rod Phillips: I’d like to thank the member from Flamborough–Glanbrook for that question and the work she does for her constituents. The member is right: Our government has now a legislated commitment in the legislation I proposed to four hours of care. That means that instead of 22 minutes, which was the experience of the nine years before we were in government, care will improve by one hour and 22 minutes. That means we need to hire 27,000 new PSWs, new nurses for our long-term-care homes.

Recently, we announced the first step towards that: $270 million to hire the first 4,050 new long-term-care staff. That includes $1.5 million this year just in the riding of Flamborough–Glanbrook. That will be raised to $9 million annually by 2024.

This government realizes that we need to build a system that supports our seniors. We understand that the need for staff is critical among that, and that’s why it’s such an important part of our plan to fix long-term care.

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

Ms. Donna Skelly: This newly hired staff will go a long way to providing quality care to our residents in long-term care across Ontario and right in my riding of Flamborough–Glanbrook.

While it’s great to have investments like this in place to hire new staff, we need to make sure that we can retain this staff. It’s vital that we have enough staff to deliver high-quality care to residents. The best way to do this is to provide opportunities for long-term-care staff to advance the careers in their field.

Speaker, does the minister have a plan to support the training and advancement of long-term-care staff and ensure we can retain this staff?

Hon. Rod Phillips: Again, I thank the member for her question. She is right: We need to protect the progress we’re making by making sure that there are staff available.

That’s why last week, with the Minister of Colleges and Universities, we announced $100 million to support two new, innovative programs to train thousands of PSWs and registered practical nurses to move up to the next step in their career ladder.

The first initiative is partnering with WeRPN and the Ministry of Health to provide tuition support for eligible PSWs and RPNs who wish to become either RPNs or RNs, respectively. We’re also partnering with colleges in Ontario and the Ministry of Colleges to increase access to nursing programs and create 500 additional enrolments.

The CEO of WeRPN, Dianne Martin, said, “WeRPN is thrilled to collaborate with government to create the BEGIN initiative that will give PSWs and RPNs new opportunities to grow their careers while expanding Ontario’s nursing workforce.” This is just one of the many initiatives and investments we’re making to make sure that our seniors receive the care that they deserve.

Government accountability

Mr. Taras Natyshak: My question is to the Premier. The Premier’s personal lawyer Gavin Tighe was up in court again last week, defending the Premier’s failed attempt to appoint his long-time friend Ron Taverner as OPP commissioner. We all remember Ron Taverner in here.

Speaker, Mr. Tighe, you’ll remember, is a close ally of the Premier and was a high-profile recipient of another gravy train appointment in 2018. But what we know now is that this guy has been raking in public money for years. Public accounts has revealed that Mr. Tighe’s law firm, Gardiner Roberts, has made $771,000 since the Premier was elected. That’s three quarters of a million dollars, paid for by the people of Ontario.

Can the Premier explain how exactly he has managed to find this staggering amount for his buddy while the people across Ontario have lost wages, have lost their jobs and have lost their livelihoods?

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: I think the important part of that question is the fact that we are starting to see the Ontario economy rebound. As I said earlier on, in 2018 we saw a province that was in decline—a province that was in decline, ostensibly, because of the years that the Liberals and NDP shared in office. They failed to make important investments. They overregulated the province. They caused hydro and electricity rates to skyrocket and forced manufacturers, small, medium and large job creators, to leave in droves, losing 300,000 jobs in the process.

We decided to do things differently. That’s why the Minister of Labour has put a focus on the skilled trades. They, of course, voted against those important initiatives. That’s why we’re bringing in important transit and transportation initiatives: to bring the economy, to get it moving. They, of course, have voted against that. We heard about gridlock in the city of Toronto. New subways: They voted against them. The subway for York region: We’ve long been waiting for a subway in York region. They voted against it. Highways in the member’s own riding: They voted against them.

So when it comes to creating jobs and economic growth, Mr. Speaker, I know that the people of Ontario can trust this side of the House and not—

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

Supplementary question?

Mr. Taras Natyshak: Speaker, when no reasonable answer can be given by the government House leader to a very flagrant abuse of public tax dollars, the government House leader deflects. That is his MO. Maybe that’s why he just got a $27,000-a-year pay raise, because that’s what he seems to be best at.

Speaker, the Premier’s low-wage policy for workers affects everyone, like nurses, water safety mechanics and snowplow operators, but we now know that that low-wage policy doesn’t extend to the Premier’s buddies, like Gavin Tighe, who is hauled into court every time the Premier lands himself in hot water, which is a lot. Cash has flowed freely to the Premier’s buddy’s law firm while everyday Ontarians have had to struggle to make ends meet. It would take a minimum wage worker, at $15 an hour, more than 24 years to earn what the Premier’s buddy’s law firm has raked in in three years.

Why are the only people that have benefited from the Premier’s generosity his buddies—the wealthy lawyers, developers and corporate insiders?

Hon. Paul Calandra: I think that question in itself highlights why nobody takes that member seriously. In fact, in his own community, when they wanted to talk about transit and transportation and the widening of the roads, they didn’t actually go to that member, they went to another member. When they wanted to talk about a new hospital for that community, something that this member failed on for years, they actually came to this side of the House and said, “Can you get us a new hospital?” and we got them that new hospital. The Minister of Transportation got them an expanded highway, and it’s ostensibly because they know that this member really adds no value to the community.

Now, when you talk about the important things that are happening in the economy, we have brought jobs and economic growth back to the province of Ontario—

Interjections.

Hon. Paul Calandra: And I know it hurts them. I know it hurts them, Speaker. You hear them catcalling across because they are so bankrupt of ideas, just as bankrupt as the province was when they shared power with the Liberals. We’ve turned the corner. It upsets them, but it makes us happy and it will make Ontario even more prosperous.

COVID-19 immunization

Mr. Rick Nicholls: My question is to the Minister of Health. Minister, you’ve stated that no child has been vaccinated without having had parental consent. You’ve also stated that the side effects to the vaccines are being reported. Well, I’ve received correspondence informing me of some very disturbing news:

—severe skin blistering after having his second shot, but his doctor wouldn’t report it to VAERS;

—a teenage daughter received the vaccine without the mother giving consent; and

—recently, a 54-year-old doctor died in his sleep after receiving his third Pfizer dose, a booster.

Many who had COVID chose not to seek hospitalized treatment for fear that they would be given remdesivir, a drug recommended by the Ontario science table for hospitalized patients at over $3,000 per treatment, yet the World Health Organization cautioned against the use of the drug as being ineffective, plus it had significant renal and liver toxicity. They also feared being put on ventilators, with high risk of death.

My question is, Minister, what are you willing to do to address these inconsistencies in reporting and concerns about pharmaceutical treatments that could cause more harm than good?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Speaker, what I would say, through you to the member, is vaccination against COVID is your best protection. It will save your life. It will save your life, and we’ve seen that by the countless millions of Ontarians who have already received the vaccine. We’re recommending it for everyone. We’re preparing for children aged five to 11 to receive the vaccines, but no one will receive a vaccine without it going through very careful scrutiny.

These vaccines have been approved by the World Health Organization, the Food and Drug Administration in the US, Health Canada and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization. All of those organizations have indicated that it is far safer for you to receive the vaccine because it will prevent you, in most cases, from being hospitalized and being in intensive care. But ultimately, what’s most important is they will save your life. That’s what’s most important.

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

Mr. Rick Nicholls: Back to the minister: I’ve been in contact with a number of medical experts in Ontario and the US who are widely accredited in their fields of expertise. They’ve expressed their willingness to make themselves available for a publicly accessible discussion via Zoom to discuss effective early treatment for and prophylaxis measures against COVID-19, to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death and risk of long COVID.

Minister, the other day I asked you to welcome an open debate that engaged doctors on both sides of the vaccine issue and the therapeutics for early outpatient treatment of COVID. Many face unemployment because they are hesitant to receive the vaccines, creating a labour crisis in all sectors, including health care.

So, Minister Elliott, would you agree to facilitate this discussion between your senior health team officials and engage these individuals on this topic of public interest? Overall, it will give our public health officials an excellent opportunity to inform the public about their views on this topic and to exchange ideas of interest for the benefit of all.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Again, members, please make your comments through the Chair.

Minister of Health.

Hon. Christine Elliott: The short answer to your question is no. It is very commonly accepted in Ontario by medical advisers that we’re speaking to, by the Ontario Medical Association, by our Chief Medical Officer of Health, by the science advisory table that the best way to deal with COVID-19, to protect your health, the health of your loved ones, the health of your community is to receive the vaccine. There is no other answer to that. It will save your life.

Economic reopening and recovery

Mr. Lorne Coe: My question is to the Minister of Health. This pandemic has tested us, and many Ontarians are still searching for the light at the end of the tunnel. With vaccination numbers rising and key health indicators improving, I’ve heard from many constituents in Whitby who are eager to get back to some of their pre-pandemic routines.

Could the Minister of Health please tell us how the government plans to safely reopen Ontario while managing COVID-19 for the long term?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Thank you to the member from Whitby for your question and for your excellent representation of the residents of Whitby.

Ontario is doing well compared to other jurisdictions, thanks to the continued efforts of Ontarians and our government’s cautious, phased approach to reopening. Because of this, we are now in a position where we have a plan for lifting public health and workplace safety measures in Ontario.

Together in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, we released a plan to safely reopen Ontario and manage COVID-19 for the long term, which outlines the province’s gradual approach to lifting remaining public health and workplace safety measures by March 2022. This plan is built for the long term and it will guide us safely through the winter and out of this pandemic while avoiding lockdowns and ensuring that we don’t lose the hard-fought gains we have already made.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.

Mr. Lorne Coe: Back to the Minister of Health: We know the challenges that Ontarians have faced throughout the pandemic. Ontarians are counting on the government to do everything possible to ensure a cautious approach so that no business will have to close their doors due to another lockdown.

Many of my constituents are still eager to know more and have questions about the plan to reopen. Can the minister tell us when we can expect to move forward with the next phase?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Our government’s plan is based on a phased approach and will be guided by the ongoing assessment and monitoring of key public health indicators and health care indicators—such as the identification of any new COVID-19 variants, increases in hospitalizations and ICU capacity, and rapid increases in transmission—to ensure that public health and workplace safety measures are lifted safely and carefully. We know that we still need to be vigilant and want to make sure we don’t lose these hard-fought gains.

With the plan having begun on October 25 and with the lifting of capacity limits in most settings, in the absence of concerning trends in public health and health care, we will continue on to the second phase on November 15. Furthermore, we are happy to have been able to announce that based on key health indicators continuing to improve, by March 28, 2022, we intend to lift remaining public health and workplace safety measures.

Veterans

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: My question is to the Premier. The federal Veterans Affairs Canada provides a disability award to any veteran who applies after suffering a debilitating injury, such as the loss of a limb. But Ontario has a practice of taking this money from the veterans who need it the most, clawing back these funds from the injured veterans who need Ontario’s social programs that provide basic needs like housing support. This is because Ontario considers this one-time award for their permanent injury as income.

No veteran should go to bed hungry at night. No veteran should fear the loss of the roof over their head. Will the Premier make this right by, today, ending the clawback policy for disability awards in Ontario?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Ottawa West–Nepean and parliamentary assistant.

Mr. Jeremy Roberts: Thank you to the member opposite for this question. I know that this is something that she is incredibly passionate about, and I thank her and her family for their service to our country.

Our veterans have made tremendous sacrifices to make our country and province what it is today, and we need to be there for our veterans when they need us. That’s why our government passed a new law last year to expand the Soldiers’ Aid Commission program to include all Ontario veterans and their families, regardless of when and where they served.

This was the first meaningful change in their mandate after years of neglect by previous governments which saw the commission’s financial assistance constrained to a very limited group of former servicemen and -women. I’m pleased to add that to support this expanded mandate, the commission’s funding has been increased by about 600% to $1.55 million each year.

Our Premier and our government will continue to stand behind every man and woman who has served in our armed forces.

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

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: I did stand here last year and I asked for the award that was given because I put pressure on this government, but the Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Command operates a program that everyone in this chamber will agree does important work, Operation: Leave the Streets Behind.

The provincial president wrote a letter last week outlining clearly what is at risk with this practice of treating a disability award as income. It can lead to some low-income veterans becoming homeless. It is shameful to consider that a veteran’s physically debilitating loss would result in homelessness. No veteran should have to worry that the Ontario provincial government will claw back their basic needs like shelter until their disability award is spent.

Will the Premier end this shameful practice of clawing back injured veterans’ disability awards and honour our veterans ahead of Remembrance Day, not with ceremonies alone but with actions that ensure injured veterans who are struggling with poverty continue receiving assistance for basic needs like food and shelter?

Do the right thing. Make the change today.

Mr. Jeremy Roberts: I appreciate the supplementary question. I hope that all members of this House will join in supporting the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism’s new bill to ensure mandatory policies are in place that allow workers to wear poppies, because I know we all want to recognize the valiant sacrifice of our brave men and women in our armed forces.

I’d like to speak a little bit about the Soldiers’ Aid Commission and how it provides assistance for veterans and their families. The Soldiers’ Aid Commission provides veterans and their families up to $2,000 over a 12-month period for household goods like health-related items, hearing aids, glasses, prescriptions and dental needs; home-related items, like repairs, moving costs, replacement and repair of roof and furnace; specialized equipment like assistive devices, wheelchairs, personal items and employment-related supports.

We’re going to continue to support our seniors through this expanded mandate of the Soldiers’ Aid Commission, and we look forward to working with all members of this House to make sure—

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

The next question?

Land use planning

M me Lucille Collard: My question is for the Premier. Good governance is about making responsible investments where investments are needed. Our schools definitely need more investment, and there is a backlog to catch up with.

School boards submitted their priorities for new infrastructure back in the spring, and there is still no approval for investments, yet this government is still planning on spending $6 billion on Highway 413 that will destroy the environment and provide no relief. The Liberal Party has committed to spending that money on new education infrastructure, where the investment is needed.

What is the Premier’s reasoning for spending billions on a highway that nobody wants, except for a few developers and speculators, instead of on our education system?

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

Hon. Stephen Lecce: I want to thank the member opposite for the question. I will remind the member that under the former Liberal government, the repair backlog in Ontario schools rose to $15 billion, creating a maintenance backlog that children in every region of Ontario are paying the price for today. But thanks to the leadership of our Premier and the investments on an annual basis of $500 million, we are remediating that backlog. We are investing in new schools every single year, net new schools that are being added to the province that are modern, that are accessible, that are Internet connected, that provide STEM education opportunities that are critical to our future prosperity.

We’ve also invested $1.6 billion, of which 600 million additional dollars was provided to improve the air standards, the ventilation of those schools.

It’s not an either/or proposition. We can build infrastructure for the next decade for future growth while continuing to improve the schools that our children depend on, now and into the future.

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

M me Lucille Collard: If you build it, they will come. This rule of transportation planning is the reason why adding new lanes almost never results in less congestion.

The government speaks as if it is inevitable that new residents in the 905 region will need to drive on highways, but that’s not taking into consideration the impact of the pandemic and the fact that people may not need to commute as much to urban centres for work as we adapt our ways of living. Rush hour is not the same. People are working from home.

Rail transport is the most environmentally friendly way to travel. The greenhouse effect of gas emissions per kilometre on railway transport is 80% less than cars. If the government would instead prioritize rail travel, residents of these areas would be able to use this greener alternative.

What is the government’s plan to get people out of cars and into trains?

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

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: I thank the member opposite for the question.

Our government has the most ambitious transportation plan that has ever been unveiled in Ontario. We have a $28.5-billion new subway plan for the GTA. We have the largest expansion of GO rail in Ontario’s history. We have a massive infrastructure plan that’s going to get people out of their cars onto rail and into subways.

We also understand that we do need new roads. We’re welcoming millions of new people to this province over the next few years, and we need roads for our trucks to get our goods to market.

Commuters spend hours idling in traffic. That increases greenhouse gas emissions and it reduces people’s quality of life. While members of the opposition want to pretend like congestion isn’t a problem today and it won’t be a problem tomorrow, our government is committed to doing what we can to improve the quality of life of Ontarians.

Services for persons with disabilities

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: Community Living organizations in my riding do incredible and compassionate work to serve our loved ones with varying levels of abilities every day. I’m grateful for their work and commitment. Shockingly, under the previous government, housing support for people with disabilities was unaffordable and scarce and left many unsupported once they transitioned out of childhood support, putting strain onto them and their families.

There’s a need for more independence and housing that will allow people the freedom they want and deserve. Would the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services tell us what this government is doing to help people with disabilities achieve greater independence in living?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Ottawa West–Nepean and parliamentary assistant to reply.

Mr. Jeremy Roberts: Thank you to the member for Perth–Wellington for that question. I know that he has been a passionate advocate for some of our most vulnerable citizens throughout his time in office.

Our government recently released Journey to Belonging: Choice and Inclusion, which is our long-term plan for developmental services reform. Part of that plan for developmental services reform includes ensuring that individuals are supported to find suitable housing in their communities. These supports are especially needed for those who may be transitioning to the adult system or who are living with aging family members.

That’s why our government also invested an additional $13 million to help people with developmental disabilities access more inclusive housing options in the community and to expand the Adult Protective Service Worker program to support more independent living. This investment will mean more people with a developmental disability can receive the assistance they need to find an accessible and affordable home.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: Speaker, I’m sure we’ve all heard from hundreds of people around Ontario on this issue, and their message is clear: They need access to support and services that are available, easier to understand and more flexible to meet individual needs.

People have said that it can be confusing trying to navigate support from multiple government programs. People are frustrated waiting for developmental services because they don’t know what support they can expect to receive and when. Can the minister tell this House how this program will make sure these concerns won’t fall on deaf ears, as they did with the previous government?

Mr. Jeremy Roberts: I appreciate the supplemental question from my colleague. The member is right when he points out that this $13-million investment aligns with the goals of Journey to Belonging. We’re moving quickly to improve current supports and streamline processes for those accessing services, by simplifying the assessment process, improving Passport to better address people’s needs, building skilled staff capacity and introducing initiatives that will support individuals through natural life transitions such as into school or adulthood.

When fully implemented, this investment will see more than 1,200 people with developmental disabilities receiving the help they need to find accessible and affordable housing.

Speaker, as our government makes both immediate and long-term improvements to developmental services in Ontario, we will continue to engage our service partners, individuals with lived experiences and families on how we can—

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

Next question.

Treaties recognition

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: Meegwetch, Speaker.

Remarks in Oji-Cree.

I come from Treaty 9 territory. Our lands are resource-rich but the quality of basic infrastructure—water, health care and education—is poor. This government has said it’s open for business to develop the Ring of Fire in Treaty 9 territories, promising benefits for all those who make agreements with the province. But, you see, Speaker, we already made that deal under Treaty 9.

My question to you is how do you intend to honour any new agreements, given that Ontario does not honour its responsibilities in Treaty 9?

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: Mr. Speaker, I agree with the honourable gentleman. The Ring of Fire offers an enormous opportunity for the people of the province of Ontario and our First Nations who will be a very, very important partner.

Mr. Taras Natyshak: “Our” First Nations?

Hon. Paul Calandra: I apologize; they’re not our First Nations. First Nations—I do apologize to the member for that.

A very important partner in this, Mr. Speaker—the member is absolutely correct. This could provide the province of Ontario with billions of dollars in economic activity. We’ve heard the Minister of Economic Development talk about how important the Ring of Fire is to bringing on board some of those other investments in electric vehicles.

Of course, we’re going to have to work not only with First Nations but with other partners in the area, and I’m very happy to hear the honourable member talk about this because he and all of his colleagues will be equally important in helping us open up this area.

He’s correct; we waited for far too long. The fact that this resource has been sitting there for far too long I think is just another indication of how ill-prepared the previous Liberal government was to open up the economy over 15 years. We’re getting the job done.

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

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: Speaker, I have children as young as eight years old—I see them emotional, crying. They just want clean drinking water. The treaties were intended to benefit all parties, but many First Nations’ people struggle in Third World conditions since these agreements were made. Yet mining and logging continue to happen in these territories.

With the economy still recovering, we hear that the development of the Far North is a major part of Ontario’s recovery plan. I want to be clear, Speaker: This government has no right to request development on our treaty territories without a plan to improve baseline necessities like water and infrastructure.

I would like to know how the Premier plans to honour Ontario’s treaty obligation to the people of Treaty 9 before allowing development.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Again, Speaker: by working with First Nations in the area and other partners in the area. We understand fully that this is a resource that cannot be developed if we do not all work together.

The member raises very important points when it comes to education and when it comes to basic infrastructure in the area. We’re making those investments. A number of these remote and rural communities still don’t have access to high-speed Internet. We’re making that investment to ensure that even rural and remote communities across this province will have high-speed Internet.

We’re making the investments by working with community leaders to ensure that there are roads so that we can access the Ring of Fire and the thousands of jobs and the billions of dollars in economic activity that will come with it. We are very excited by this opportunity. I think all Ontarians are disappointed that it has taken so long to get here. This is a resource that we knew existed and should have been productive for the people of the province of Ontario generations ago. We’re getting the job done, but we will work very closely with First Nations, because they have to be a partner in this.

Land use planning

Mr. Mike Schreiner: Good morning, Speaker. My question is for the Premier. A 2014 transportation study showed that the Bradford Bypass poses significant risk to communities and the environment. It will pave over 17 hectares of the Holland Marsh, destroy 39 hectares of wildlife habitat, 10 hectares of provincially significant wetlands, cause groundwater contamination and put Lake Simcoe and the greenbelt at risk—all while increasing climate pollution by 87 million kilograms a year.

The Premier will make significant alterations to his transportation schemes to protect a golf course. My question is, will the Premier make alterations to his highway schemes—which primarily benefit wealthy land speculators—so that we can protect the Holland Marsh, Lake Simcoe and the greenbelt, by cancelling the Bradford Bypass?

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

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: I thank the member opposite for the question. Let’s be very clear: With respect to the Bradford Bypass, we are not reducing environmental protections. Current and future work on the Bradford Bypass will continue to be subject to all conditions under Ontario’s robust environmental assessment process.

The first environmental assessment was done back in 2003. Many proponents of the Bradford Bypass said, “We’ve already got an EA in place. We don’t need to redo one.” But our government said, “No, we need to make sure that all the steps are followed.” Therefore, we could resume the EA process and we are committed to seeing it through.

We must alleviate congestion before it gets worse for commuters and for the environment. The member opposite knows full well the impact of congestion on our environment. That’s why we’re committed to getting the Bradford Bypass built in an environmentally sustainable way.

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

Mr. Mike Schreiner: Speaker, if the government had any credibility on reducing commute times, they would take the $6 billion to $12 billion they’re planning on putting into the Bradford Bypass and Highway 413 and increase their investment in regional transit. They would increase the amount of investment they’re making in affordable housing within existing urban boundaries so people don’t have to move an hour away from their work just to be able to afford to find a place to live.

In a previous answer, the minister said, “We want to help farmers get their product to market.” Well, then we need to not pave over farmland—the 2,000 acres of farmland that the 413 will pave over, not to mention all the sprawl it is going to unleash.

Will the government say yes to protecting Lake Simcoe, yes to protecting wetlands, yes to protecting prime farmland and yes to protecting all the jobs in the food and farming sector by saying no to these destructive highway projects?

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: The member opposite talks about credibility on the environmental record. Well, I would like to ask the member opposite why he voted against our $28.5-billion subway plan for the GTA. Why did the member opposite vote against our budget that funded the largest GO rail expansion in Ontario’s history?

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to getting drivers off the road and reducing GHG emissions. We have the largest transit infrastructure plan in North America today. Our government is incredibly proud of our record on public transit, but we also know how important it is to address congestion in Ontario. Previous governments did not have the will to do so, but we believe that it is essential to improving people’s quality of life. To reduce congestion time, we need to build new infrastructure, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.

M. Jamie West: Ma question est pour la ministre des Affaires francophones.

Les membres de la communauté francophone du Nord-Est se sentent ignorés. Ils font face à beaucoup de problèmes et de stress depuis que l’Université Laurentienne a déclaré faillite.

La direction de l’Université de Sudbury aimerait pouvoir rencontrer la ministre, mais le gouvernement conservateur ne retourne ni leur appel, ni leur lettre. Personne du gouvernement veut leur rencontrer ou leur parler. L’Université de Sudbury ne fait pas

partie du processus de la LACC.

Monsieur le Président, quand est-ce que la ministre va prendre rendez-vous avec l’Université de Sudbury pour une rencontre?

L’hon. Caroline Mulroney: Je remercie le membre pour sa question. Bien sûr, il est très inquiétant que l’Université Laurentienne se soit retrouvée dans une situation où des mesures aussi radicales et immédiates sont nécessaires pour assurer sa viabilité à long terme.

Nous travaillons avec le ministère des Collèges et Universités pour assurer la pérennité de la programmation postsecondaire francophone dans le Nord. Mais comme le membre de l’opposition le sait très bien, le gouvernement continue de suivre de près la procédure de la LACC. Le gouvernement a clairement indiqué qu’il sera là pour soutenir l’éducation postsecondaire francophone à Sudbury et dans le nord de l’Ontario lorsque la Laurentienne sortira de la LACC.

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

Maintenant, la communauté francophone est unie et parle d’une seule voix. Elle veut que l’Université de Sudbury devienne une université par, pour et avec les francophones.

Ma question est simple : Est-ce que la ministre appuie l’Université de Sudbury par, pour et avec les francophones?

Monsieur le Président, j’ai lu le plan d’affaires de l’Université de Sudbury et je vais travailler avec la ministre des Collèges et Universités pour déterminer la meilleure marche à suivre pour l’avenir. Mais comme cette affaire est toujours devant les tribunaux, il serait inapproprié de commenter davantage.

L’Université de Sudbury est indépendante, a déjà sa charte et est prête à continuer à fournir une éducation de qualité à tous les francophones et francophiles de l’Ontario, du Canada et du monde.

Mais, à chaque fois qu’on parle de ce projet, le gouvernement nous répète : « C’est devant les tribunaux », pour refuser de parler, quand cette règle ne s’applique même pas dans ce cas. Ce n’est pas l’Université de Sudbury qui est devant les tribunaux; c’est l’Université Laurentienne.

Alors, monsieur le Président, une fois pour toute : Quand le gouvernement va-t-il accepter le financement public de l’Université de Sudbury? Et pourquoi le gouvernement se cache-t-il derrière une règle qui ne s’applique même pas dans cette situation?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Minister of Francophone Affairs.

L’hon. Caroline Mulroney: Comme la membre de l’opposition sait très bien, la situation est présentement devant les tribunaux, et un membre du gouvernement ne peut pas commenter sur une situation qui est devant les tribunaux.

Mais la situation à Sudbury est très intéressante. J’ai lu le plan d’affaires. Je travaille avec la ministre des Collèges et Universités pour développer un plan, une fois que la Laurentienne soit sortie de la LACC.

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

M lle Amanda Simard: Le gouvernement fédéral a dédié 121 millions de dollars pour appuyer l’éducation postsecondaire dans nos communautés de langue officielle en situation minoritaire et place un accent particulier sur la gouvernance par et pour. Pour avoir accès à ces fonds, les gouvernements provinciaux doivent faire demande. La date limite pour cette demande était le 15 octobre dernier.

Aujourd’hui, le 2 novembre, le gouvernement de l’Ontario n’a toujours rien soumis, alors que nos universités demandent très clairement pour cette aide. Ce n’est pas la première fois que ce gouvernement laisse des millions de dollars du gouvernement fédéral sur la table.

Monsieur le Président, est-ce que le gouvernement va finalement soumettre les demandes de financement des institutions postsecondaires par et pour tels que l’Université de Sudbury? Oui ou non?

Ce n’est pas le gouvernement libéral précédent qui l’ait fait, monsieur le Président; c’est notre gouvernement qui l’ait fait, en partenariat avec le gouvernement fédéral, et on est très fier de cette réussite.

Alors, on va continuer d’être à l’écoute de la communauté francophone pour qu’on puisse être prêt lorsque la Laurentienne sortira de la LACC.

Government contracts

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: My question is to the Premier. A recent PressProgress

article revealed that this Conservative government is considering contracting out employment services for social assistance recipients to Maximus, a for-profit company with a treacherous track record. This is the same company that caused serious harm to individuals with disabilities in Kansas because of a backlog issue and lost documents. Kansas eventually brought back most services in-house. In Kansas, it was found that oversight and training at Maximus were lacking.

Social assistance recipients have been neglected by this government, and the Liberals before them. Recipients with disabilities live in deep poverty, without enough money for housing or food. This government refuses to adequately raise social assistance rates.

In BC, Maximus was fined at least three times and cost the province almost 50% more than was originally projected.

So Speaker, my question is this: Why is the Premier contracting out Ontario jobs and prioritizing padding the bank accounts of for-profit companies with billions in revenue and terrible track records, rather than supporting and protecting existing Ontario social assistance workers, who have well-paying, unionized jobs, and the vulnerable people who they support?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Ottawa West–Nepean and parliamentary assistant.

Mr. Jeremy Roberts: Of course, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our government has been there to support some of our most vulnerable through, for example, the $1 billion in the Social Services Relief Fund.

But now, as we begin to emerge out of the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to the hard work of all Ontarians and our health care system and all those who have been vaccinated, we’re now going to begin to pivot towards how we get the Ontario economy back working again and get Ontarians into good-paying jobs.

Ontario’s employment and training programs are critical to building the skilled workforce that we need to rebuild and revitalize Ontario’s economy after the COVID-19 pandemic. As the Auditor General highlighted, the current system has not produced results for the people of Ontario. In fact, even before the pandemic, only 1% of people on social assistance were finding employment every month. That’s why we’ve launched three pilot programs as we move forward on our work to strengthen employment services for those on social assistance. We’re going to keep doing this important work.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Question period has ended.

There being no further business at this time, this House stands in recess until 3 p.m.

The House recessed from 1133 to 1500.

Request to the Integrity Commissioner

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I beg to inform the House that I have today laid upon the table a request by the member for Essex to the Honourable J. David Wake, Integrity Commissioner, for an opinion pursuant to

section 30 of the Members’ Integrity Act, 1994, on whether the member for Willowdale, Stan Cho, the member for Etobicoke North, Doug Ford and the member for York–Simcoe, Caroline Mulroney, have contravened the act or Ontario parliamentary convention.

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Government Agencies

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I beg to inform the House that today the Clerk received the report on intended appointments dated November 2, 2021, of the Standing Committee on Government Agencies. Pursuant to standing order 111(f)(9), the report is deemed to be adopted by the House.

Report deemed adopted.

Introduction of Bills

Viewer Discretion Act (Images of Fetuses), 2021 / Loi de 2021 sur les envois sous pli discret (images de foetus)

Mr. Kernaghan moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 41,

An Act to regulate the mailing of images of fetuses / Projet de loi 41, Loi réglementant l’envoi d’images de foetus par la poste.

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

First reading agreed to.

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

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: To begin, I would like to thank the board of the Viewer Discretion Legislation Coalition: Katie, Natalie, Kristine, Devyn, Sarah, Tom, Sam, Christine, Janice, Al and Deidre.

The bill provides that no one shall send a graphic image of a fetus by mail or otherwise distribute such an image unless the image is contained in an opaque envelope, the exterior of the envelope includes a description of the contents and the exterior of the envelope clearly identifies the sender. The penalty for violating this prohibition is a fine of $100 per image.

Ontario Religious Freedom Day Act, 2021 / Loi de 2021 sur la Journée de la liberté de religion en Ontario

Mr. Sabawy moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 42,

An Act to proclaim Ontario Religious Freedom Day / Projet de loi 42, Loi proclamant la Journée de la liberté de religion en Ontario.

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): I’d like to invite the member to briefly explain his bill.

Mr. Sheref Sabawy: The bill proclaims October 27 each year as Ontario Religious Freedom Day. Ontario Religious Freedom Day will serve as a reminder that Ontario continues to protect and advocate for religious freedoms. It will be a day for Ontarians to remember and reflect on our religious persecution, and so to show respect to the victims of religious persecution around the world.

Motions

House sittings

Ms.

Andrea Khanjin: I move that, pursuant to standing order 7(c), the House shall continue to meet past the ordinary hour of adjournment until midnight on the following dates: Wednesday, November 3, 2021; Thursday, November 4, 2021; Monday, November 15, 2021; Tuesday, November 16, 2021; Wednesday, November 17, 2021; Thursday, November 18, 2021; Monday, November 22, 2021; Tuesday, November 23, 2021; Wednesday, November 24, 2021; Thursday, November 25, 2021; Monday, November 29, 2021; Tuesday, November 30, 2021; Wednesday, December 1, 2021; Thursday, December 2, 2021; Monday, December 6, 2021; Tuesday, December 7, 2021; Wednesday, December 8, 2021; and Thursday, December 9, 2021, for the purpose of considering government business.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Ms. Khanjin has moved that, pursuant to standing order 7(c), the House shall continue to meet past the ordinary hour of adjournment until midnight on the following dates: Wednesday, November 3, 2021; Thursday, November 4, 2021—

Interjection: Dispense.

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

Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? I heard some noes.

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

All those opposed will please say “nay.”

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

Mr. John Vanthof: On division.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): On division.

Motion agreed to.

Petitions

Abortion images

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: It gives me great pleasure to present these petitions on behalf of the Viewer Discretion Legislation Coalition, and especially their rapid response team, who travelled to London, Toronto, Kitchener, Ottawa, Hamilton, Sudbury, Thorold, Brampton, North York, Ajax, Sarnia and Mississauga to collect the signatures on this petition.

It’s entitled “Call on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to Block Disturbing Anti-Abortion Images.”

It reads:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas an anti-abortion group, the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform, is distributing unwanted flyers to people’s homes and displaying placards on major streets in London featuring horrifying and graphic i