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April 1, 2019

42nd Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2019-Apr-01 (PDF)

L085 - Mon 1 Apr 2019 / Lun 1er avr 2019

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 1 April 2019 Lundi 1 er avril 2019

Introduction of Visitors

Wearing of hockey jersey

Visitor

Correction of record

Inscriptions in chamber

Oral Questions

Addiction services

Automotive industry

Automotive industry

Cannabis regulation

Health care

Automotive industry

Licence plates

Northern economy

Police services

Addiction services

Aggregate extraction

Education funding

Northern economy

Child protection

Appointment of temporary child advocate

Visitors

Introduction of Visitors

Members’ Statements

Affordable housing

Organ and tissue donation

Automotive industry

Sikh Heritage Month

Automotive industry

Social assistance

Sarah Lynn Lisi and Connor Mahoney

Highway improvement

Oakville Awards for Business Excellence dinner

Toronto Blue Jays

Introduction of Bills

St. James Town Act (Residential Tenancies Amendments), 2019 / Loi de 2019 sur St. James Town (modifications en ce qui concerne les locations à usage d’habitation)

Petitions

Northern health services

Consumer protection

Arts and cultural funding

Campus radio stations

Veterans memorial

Men’s mental health and addiction services

Fish and wildlife management

School facilities

Fish and wildlife management

Services for persons with disabilities

Equal opportunity

Long-term care

Orders of the Day

Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 visant à rétablir la compétitivité de l’Ontario

The House met at 1030.

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

Prayers.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): This being the first sitting Monday of the month, I want to invite everyone to join with me in the singing of Canada’s national anthem. Today in the Speaker’s gallery we have the A.Y. Jackson Secondary School senior chamber choir from the riding of Don Valley North to help us.

Singing of O Canada.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The members may take their seats.

This being the first sitting Monday of the month, I want to acknowledge once again that we are met on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation as well as many other Indigenous peoples.

Introduction of Visitors

Ms. Sandy Shaw: It gives me great pleasure to introduce the family of our page Benjamin Wark, who is from Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas. He’s here with his mother, Jennifer Vallbacka; his father, Michael Wark; his sister, Sophie Wark; and his grandfather David Vallbacka. I want to welcome them to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Robert Bailey: I’d like to acknowledge, in the east members’ gallery today, Judith Morris, president of Lambton College, one of the foremost renowned colleges in Ontario, with us today.

L’hon. Caroline Mulroney: J’aimerais souhaiter la bienvenue à la délégation de La Cité collégiale : la présidente, Lise Bourgeois; le président du conseil d’administration, Sylvain Chalut; et aussi à M. Daniel Giroux du Collège Boréal.

Ms. Judith Monteith-Farrell: This morning I’d like to welcome to Queen’s Park Kathleen Lynch, president and CEO, and Kristen Oliver, board chair, of Confederation College in Thunder Bay.

Mr. John Fraser: I’d like to introduce members and volunteers of Diabetes Canada who are here today at the Legislature to meet with members on their annual lobby day: Stephanie Senteris, Glen Heatherington, Karen Kemp, Brian Halladay, Megan Patton, Russell Williams and Farah Esmail.

I encourage all members to attend the reception in the legislative dining room this evening.

Hon. Todd Smith: I’d like to welcome a few special guests from Bay of Quinte this morning: the president of Loyalist College, Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan; her board chair, Bob Forder; and from Our TMH, Mike Cowan, Sharon Urquhart, Wendy Warner, John Smylie and Dr. David Weinstein. Welcome to Queen’s Park today.

Ms. Rima Berns-McGown: I’d like to welcome to Queen’s Park Linda Franklin, my good friend and the president and CEO of Colleges Ontario, and all the other members of Colleges Ontario who are here with us today.

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: I would like to welcome to the gallery today all the presidents and board chairs of colleges across Ontario and their representatives from Colleges Ontario.

I would also like to encourage all my colleagues to attend the college day culinary showcase reception this evening, where students from several colleges will be displaying the skills and knowledge they have gained through Ontario’s publicly assisted colleges.

Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Gilles Bisson: First, I’d like to introduce our mayor from the city of Timmins, George Pirie, who is here with us today. As well, I would like to introduce Fred Lalonde, the president of Northern College, who’s with him, and of course Daniel Giroux, who is here from Collège Boréal.

Ms. Jill Dunlop: As a past employee of Georgian College, I’m very honoured to have my former boss visiting with us here today—MaryLynn West-Moynes, the president and CEO of Georgian College—as well as Don Gordon, the board chair of Georgian College. Thank you for being here today.

Ms. Jennifer K. French: It being college day here at Queen’s Park, I’m very pleased to welcome Don Lovisa, the president of Durham College, and Paul Macklin, board chair. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Jane McKenna: First of all, I want to thank the people from Georgian College. My son got a heck of an education there, so thank you for that.

I also want to introduce the president of Colleges Ontario, Linda Franklin, who is here today.

Mr. Vincent Ke: I want to take this opportunity to thank the choir of A.Y. Jackson Secondary School for singing O Canada at Queen’s Park. This school is located in my riding of Don Valley North. I met with the choir and their teacher Miss Lee in the morning. Welcome to Queen’s Park. I hope you enjoy your visit.

Mr. Percy Hatfield: I’d like to welcome two people from St. Clair College here this morning: Patricia France, the president, and Dan Allen, the chair of the board and former city councillor in Windsor—and from Mohawk College, Ron McKerlie, the president, and Katrina McFadden, the board chair. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Jeremy Roberts: I would just like to welcome, from my riding of Ottawa West–Nepean, Cheryl Jensen, the president of Algonquin College, who has recently announced her retirement. She has been a wonderful leader for our college in Ottawa West–Nepean and has shown leadership during its growth period.

Mr. Chris Glover: On behalf of the NDP, I’d like to welcome Colleges Ontario. It was a wonderful reception this morning, where we got to see some of the innovative work that the students are doing in partnership with businesses that are making Ontario one of the innovation hubs in the world. Thank you very much for being here today, and I encourage everyone to attend the reception—

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

The Minister of Labour.

Hon. Laurie Scott: I would like to introduce Maureen Adamson, president of Fleming College, who is with us today, and Katherine MacIver, a director at Trillium Lakelands District School Board, and thank them for the meeting we had this morning. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

M me France Gélinas: We have volunteers from Diabetes Canada in the House today: Bahar Ashtarieh, Aleks Ivovic, Rachel Moon Kelly, Amanda Thambirajah, Gabriella Simo, Grace Leeder and Lindsey Cosh.

I also want to welcome Daniel Giroux, president of Collège Boréal, and Bill Best, president of Cambrian College.

Hon. Bill Walker: I would also like to introduce the CEO, MaryLynn West-Moynes, and president, Don Gordon, of Georgian College—especially the great campus of Owen Sound in the riding of Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound.

Mr. Jamie West: As a proud graduate of Cambrian College, I want to thank Dr. Peter Best for attending. Welcome to the Legislature, and for bringing his research team.

As well, my son is a double graduate from Collège Boréal. He graduated from “garderie” when he was an infant and he graduated from their electrical instrumentation program just recently, so I want to welcome Daniel Giroux from Collège Boréal.

Hon. Victor Fedeli: I would like to welcome George Burton, the president and CEO of Canadore College in North Bay, with a campus in Parry Sound.

Mr. Jeff Burch: On behalf of all four Niagara members, I would like to welcome Dan Patterson, the president of Niagara College.

Ms. Lindsey Park: I would like to welcome, from Durham College, president Don Lovisa and board chair Paul Macklin. I look forward to meeting with them later today. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I am proud to wear my Fanshawe alumni pin today and to welcome Bruce Babcock, chair of the Fanshawe College board, as well as Peter Devlin, president of Fanshawe College. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Sheref Sabawy: I’m delighted to welcome Ms. Ann Buller, the CEO, and Scott Allison, the chair of Centennial College. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Jill Andrew: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. I am proud to welcome Chris Whitaker, the president of Humber College, where I graduated from. Welcome, Chris.

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: It gives me great pleasure to welcome Lieutenant-General Peter Devlin, who is also the president of Fanshawe College. Welcome.

Wearing of hockey jersey

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I understand the Minister of Government and Consumer Services has a point of order.

Hon. Bill Walker: It’s with a bit of regret that I actually stand today and acknowledge that my great Owen Sound Attack was defeated by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. I’m very reticent, but a deal is a deal. We try to promote inter-riding rivalries and competition, and I did make a promise that if they lost, I would wear the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds’ jersey, sporting Mr. Romano’s name on the back. Promise made, promise kept. So I ask for a UC to sport this jersey, sadly, for all of question period.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The minister is seeking unanimous consent of the House to show his support for the Soo Greyhounds. Agreed? Agreed.

Visitor

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Niagara Falls, I think, had an introduction.

Mr. Wayne Gates: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to say, with the OHL, I’ve got a bet with my colleague from Sudbury, the exact same bet. I can happily say that both Sudbury and Niagara have moved on to the second round. Sorry about your team, Bill.

I would also like to take the opportunity to say good morning to my good friend Mr. Dan Patterson from Niagara College. Welcome to Queen’s Park, my friend.

Correction of record

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

Mr. Gilles Bisson: I would love to correct my record. I think I inadvertently said Fred Lalonde, president of Northern College, when we all know it’s Fred Gibbons.

Inscriptions in chamber

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Today, before we begin question period, I want to draw members’ attention to some of the Latin expressions which were written long ago and were inscribed in this chamber.

Craftsmen toiled so as to inspire members who followed, including all of us so privileged to serve in this 42nd provincial Parliament, to reach higher.

At the back of the chamber, we see:

—Animo non astutia: “By courage, not by craft;”

—Audi alteram partem: “Hear the other side;”

—Spectemur agendo: “Let us be viewed by our actions.”

All of this, carefully inscribed, to give us pause: the wisdom of the ages, passed down to us in our time, and for all time. Let us always remember.

I want to thank the member for Oshawa, who does such a great job as one of our presiding officers, for suggesting I point this out before question period this morning.

It is now time for oral questions.

Oral Questions

Addiction services

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Before I give my first question, I would just like to take note that it is Sikh Heritage Month in the month of April, and to wish everybody from the very diverse Sikh community across our province a happy Sikh Heritage Month.

My question, Speaker, is for the Acting Premier. Late Friday, the Ford government announced that they’re cutting funding for six overdose prevention sites. Public health experts said that the 21 sites that the government was originally allowing was grossly inadequate, and now we’re down to 15. The government has acknowledged that these sites save lives.

In the midst of an opioid crisis that’s gripping our province, how can this government justify this cut?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: To the community safety and correctional services minister.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: It’s interesting how the NDP choose to spin the announcements. On Friday, we actually announced 15 safe injection sites. They are located across Ontario, as they should be: Toronto, Ottawa, London, Hamilton, Guelph, Niagara region, Kingston and Thunder Bay.

It’s important that we get this right, because this is only one component to making sure that our streets are safe and our people are safe. These sites are part of a larger process and a larger ability for our government to make sure that when people have addictions, when people need help, they have a government that’s willing to step up and make sure that those addiction services and treatments are available to them.

I’m proud of the fact that we’ve announced those 15 sites. As the member—

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

Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: It’s nothing more than basic math: 21 minus 15 equals six sites closed by this government. That’s what that means.

More than 1,200 people died of opioid-related overdoses in 2017. This is a public health disaster. If you have a loved one struggling with addiction, you know that these sites can be the difference between life and death, literally. The government knows this. The Minister of Health certainly knows it.

Will the Acting Premier tell the Premier today that this decision needs to be reversed and he needs to fund the overdose prevention sites required across the province to save lives?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Speaker, through you: The NDP continue to throw discontent. The first tranche of 15 were announced on Friday. We are actively working with communities that need the services to make sure that the entire wraparound process is there.

This is not just about injection sites; this is about making sure that people who need the services for treatment, who have access to treatment—that it will be there when we need it. The member opposite—the NDP, seem to believe that the only pathway is consumption treatment services. Our government believes that when people need help, when people are reaching out for help, we want to wrap around those services. We want to make sure that the treatment is there, that options are available, so that the drug use does not continue and our streets become safer.

Because ultimately, at the end of the day, we need to protect our streets and we need to protect our people, to make sure they get the treatment they need.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: When someone dies of an overdose, they don’t have any options left. They no longer have life left.

The opioid crisis is killing people on a daily basis in our province. At a time when the government should be taking the lead and trying to save lives, instead they’re cutting support to people and families who desperately need it. They’re abandoning communities from Ottawa to Thunder Bay, and leaving them to deal with a public health crisis all on their own.

How many more people have to die before the government reverses this decision and takes this crisis seriously, and funds the needed overdose prevention sites from one end of the province to the other?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Members, please take your seats.

Minister.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Speaker, I think it’s important that we turn down the rhetoric a bit. Again, I will let the people of Ontario know that there are currently, and will continue to be, six consumption treatment services sites in the city of Toronto. In the city of Ottawa, there continues to be service, and in London, in Hamilton, in Guelph, in Niagara, in Kingston, in Thunder Bay. Applications continue to come in; applications continue to be reviewed.

But let me be clear: This is not just about consumption sites. We have to also focus on treatment, to make sure that people have the treatment they need to get out of a life of drugs, to get on a pathway to be safe and our communities to be safe.

I’m proud of the work that our Minister of Health has been doing on this very critically important file. There is no one more qualified in the province of Ontario to make sure we get it right. I’m proud to stand behind Christine Elliott as our Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

Automotive industry

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is for the Premier. But I have to say, I’m devastated by that response. I think it’s this government pulling the wool over their own eyes and not acknowledging the crisis that is upon us that has been ongoing for years now.

To the Acting Premier: Last week, 1,500 women and men in Windsor learned that they would be losing their jobs at the Chrysler assembly plant. Can the Acting Premier explain how the Ford government is responding to yet another devastating announcement of job loss in Ontario’s auto sector?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: To the Minister of Economic Development.

Hon. Todd Smith: There was good news and bad news last week on the auto front. There was a great announcement in Cambridge with Toyota, where they announced a new line of RAV4s, but there was devastating news at the same time at FCA in Chrysler.

It has been 15 long years of Liberal mismanagement here in Ontario that has put those jobs in jeopardy and put jobs in Oshawa in jeopardy as well.

I can tell you that we’ve been in constant communication with FCA since we became the government of Ontario, working with them to ensure that Ontario became a more friendly environment for them to do business in.

I can tell you that the introduction today of the federal government’s carbon tax does nothing to encourage future expansion in Ontario when it comes to our auto sector, or any manufacturing jobs, as a matter of fact.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Families hit hard by job loss want to know that their government will fight for their jobs and the next generation of auto jobs here in Ontario, but what they’ve seen from the Ford government hasn’t inspired a lot of confidence.

When GM announced that they’d be abandoning production after nearly a century in Oshawa, the Premier shrugged and said, “They’re gone; they’re done ... there’s nothing we can do.”

Over 4,000 auto sector layoffs have been announced since this Premier took office, and hundreds more spin-off jobs are going to follow.

Does the Acting Premier think their plan is actually working?

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of Government and Consumer Relations has to come to order.

The minister to reply.

Hon. Todd Smith: Mr. Speaker, I can tell you that in constant conversations, not just with FCA or General Motors but with all of the automakers here in Ontario, they will tell us loud and clear that there is a change when it comes to the focus of the government of Ontario.

For 15 long years, the previous Liberal government was bringing in policies that were making it more difficult for them to be competitive in Ontario. Those same policies that were making them uncompetitive were supported by the NDP, the official opposition here today.

The federal government has come in today with a carbon tax, which is making it uncompetitive for automakers and all manufacturers in Ontario. The NDP wants to not just have the highest carbon tax in Canada or North America; they want to have the highest carbon tax on the globe. That is going to make Ontario an uncompetitive jurisdiction. We’ve been doing everything we can to make sure that Ontario is open for business and open for jobs, and that—

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

Final supplementary.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, Speaker, last week, the Premier said that the auto sector needs to react to the market. At a time when the auto sector is embracing new technology, clean energy and reducing emissions, the Ford government scrapped the rebates for cars, like the Chrysler Pacifica that was manufactured at that Windsor plant, and they’ve ignored industry experts who said that this would hurt sales. So now they are reaping what they sowed.

The Premier says that carmakers should follow the market trends. Why is he ignoring the market trends, Speaker?

Hon. Todd Smith: Mr. Speaker, to the member opposite: Maybe the NDP believes that the government should be paying for people’s vehicles. We don’t believe that the government should be paying for people’s vehicles. We are here to create an environment where those automakers can be successful. We’ve been working with FCA, General Motors, Toyota, Honda and Ford to ensure that we’re doing everything we can to make them competitive. But we’re not going to buy people’s vehicles for them, Mr. Speaker.

We’re going to get rid of the job-killing, regressive cap-and-trade carbon tax that the Wynne government brought in. We are lowering electricity rates in Ontario, and that’s why, last week, the Minister of Energy, sitting right behind me, committed to reviewing electricity rates specifically for the auto sector. That’s why we got rid of Bill 148, that was driving businesses out of Ontario at a record pace. We’re doing everything we can to make Ontario a competitive jurisdiction for building cars and trucks.

Automotive industry

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, my next question is for the Acting Premier. But I can tell you that what New Democrats believe in is saving good jobs and helping people to have a more affordable life and participate in a greener economy. That’s what we believe in.

Here’s what people are worried about with good auto jobs in our province. Other jurisdictions are fighting to attract investment in next-generation vehicles and clean technology. The Ford government is fighting electric car makers in court and scrapping incentives to buy Ontario cars, like the Chrysler Pacifica that is built in Windsor. Other jurisdictions are fighting GM’s decision to move production. The Premier says that the ship has sailed.

Why does the government think this is a plan that’s working when 4,000 people are losing their jobs?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

Hon. Todd Smith: The federal government is bringing in a carbon tax in Ontario today. In case you hadn’t noticed, that’s going to drive up the cost of everything we buy, including gasoline at the pumps. And the NDP don’t think that’s enough. They want to have the most expensive carbon tax on the planet. How do you think that is going to impact vehicle sales here in Ontario?

The member opposite asked specifically about alternative fuels. I can tell you that we’re working with these automakers in our Driving Prosperity auto plan. It’s the first phase of our auto plan, which makes investments into research and innovation, training for new jobs in the auto sector—which is exactly what those in the auto sector told us that they needed. They needed the retraining so they can update their employees, their hard-working men and women, to create the vehicle of the future.

That’s how we’re investing in our auto sector. The largest carbon tax on the planet—

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

Supplementary.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: What the government has done, Speaker, is taken away people’s options and choices because they’ve gotten rid of the rebate, and now they can’t go to electric vehicles because they can’t afford it. It’s about affordability. That’s what it’s about.

People want a government that is ready to fight for good auto jobs today and for the next generation of Ontario’s auto industry. Instead, they see a Premier whose message to auto workers is, “Your jobs are gone. The ship has sailed.” For the 1,500 people who learned that they’re losing their jobs last week, licence plates that say “Open for Business” sound like a pretty sick joke.

Will the government admit that their jobs strategy isn’t working, stop pretending that slapping a campaign slogan on a licence plate is a substitute for a plan, and start working on a strategy to fight for these jobs and the next generation of auto manufacturing for our province?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. I’m going to ask the government side to allow the opposition members to ask their questions without yelling across the floor at them, such that I can hear the questions. I’ll start calling you out by name if need be. Again, if need be, we’ll move to warnings.

Start the clock. Minister?

Hon. Todd Smith: Maybe the Leader of the Opposition hasn’t seen the StatsCan numbers: 132,000 full-time jobs have been created in Ontario under our watch—132,000 jobs have been created, Mr. Speaker.

While the NDP was out there calling on people to boycott vehicles that were made by General Motors in Ontario, we were busy working with General Motors to ensure that they would continue to invest in Ontario, to invest in the vehicles of the future. That’s what they’re doing. Hundreds of jobs are coming to the innovation centre at General Motors in Markham. I know the folks who represent Markham on our side, in our government, are excited about that, because we are working with those automakers for future investment in Ontario.

The NDP can boycott vehicles. They can call for the highest carbon tax on the planet. That’s not going to create investment in Ontario. We’re open for business and creating jobs.

Cannabis regulation

Mr. Lorne Coe: My question is for the Minister of Finance. Today is the first day legal bricks-and-mortar cannabis stores are permitted to open their doors in Ontario. On this side of the House, we know that it must be a priority to protect our kids, keep our roads and communities safe and combat the illegal market, including illegal stores and online delivery services.

Could the minister please tell the Legislature what people should expect as we begin to see legal stores?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Thank you to the member from Whitby for the question. We know that one of the best ways to combat the illegal market is to ensure that people are able to access legal cannabis grown by producers licensed by Health Canada. Unfortunately, due to the national cannabis supply shortage created by the federal government, we ended up taking the responsible approach and introduced a temporary cap of 25 stores to ensure the private retail outlets will have enough supply to meet customer demand. We expect to see 10 of those 25 stores open today, with others opening in the days and weeks to come.

In the meantime, customers can purchase cannabis from our licensed stores or the Ontario cannabis website, ocs.ca, which they can identify by the Ontario-authorized retail seal that all stores on the OCS website display.

We’re taking a responsible approach and remain committed to moving to an open allocation of licences once we have certainty surrounding the federally regulated supply of cannabis.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mr. Lorne Coe: I would like to thank the minister for that information. I would also like to understand what the government is doing to shut down these illegal stores that we’re still seeing in some communities. Speaker, we’ve all seen reports that suggest some or most of these illegal stores have ties to and are funding organized crime. I believe that they are a dangerous and serious threat to our communities.

My constituents in Whitby know that this government is committed to keeping our communities safe. Can the minister please tell us what Ontario is doing to close the doors of these illegal stores?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Thank you for the question from the member from Whitby. I know that this is something that is very near and dear to his heart because he wants to keep his community safe.

Since October 17 of last year, we have seen 190 illegal stores close. We know that illegal stores have connections with organized crime and are incredibly dangerous to our communities. That’s why the OPP has been working proactively with our municipal police services to shut down these illegal pot shops.

We’ve already seen police lay over 260 charges under Ontario’s Cannabis Control Act against people selling cannabis illegally. We’ve also seen over 30 charges laid against landlords for allowing their properties to be used for illegal stores. And we’ve had over 100 charges laid against people for purchasing cannabis from illegal sources.

If you want to purchase cannabis, you need to be certain that you are shopping at a licensed retailer—

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

Next question.

Health care

M me France Gélinas: Ma question est pour le premier ministre par intérim.

Ontarians want to have their say on the government’s new health bill, which opens the door to unprecedented levels of for-profit delivery of health care. One thousand, five hundred and ninety-four Ontarians applied for a spot to speak to the bill, but the government limited the number of presenters to just 30.

Ontario is a democracy. The government never put out any discussion papers on these changes. They never put out any public consultations on these changes.

Why is the government so afraid to let Ontarians have a say in the future of our health care system?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: I understand that in politics, we are not always going to agree. But I know the member opposite well, I believe, and I know how committed she is to making sure that a health care system is patient-centred and is going to actually help that patient travel through the continuum of care, from assessment to treatment to palliative—all the way through.

As I’ve said previously, the Minister of Health and the two excellent parliamentary assistants who sit behind me have been actively engaged with talking to Ontario residents, talking to people who are on the front lines, providing these services, and trying to find the best pathway to make sure that we get to a patient-centred model.

At the end of the day, we may disagree on how we do it, but I think we all understand in this chamber that ultimately it must—

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

Supplementary?

M me France Gélinas: My office has been receiving calls from Ontarians from across the province. They want to share their experiences. They want to share their ideas at the committee hearings for the government’s bill.

Natalia from Mississauga lives with a chronic condition and frequently finds herself in the emergency room. She wants to have her say. She wants to share some solutions.

Katy from Toronto has been waiting for three months for home care since her husband’s hip was replaced. She has been paying out of pocket. She wants to share her experience and her ideas.

Lina from Scarborough wants to ask who to complain to when her long-term-care home doesn’t hire qualified PSWs.

Those are only three of the 1,564 people who asked to present on the government’s health bill but will never have a chance to be heard. Why does this government not want to hear from Natalia, from Katy or from Lina?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Speaker, as you know so well, there is a component of the public consultation period that includes written submissions. I would encourage those individuals to come forward with their stories, because, frankly, they will reinforce why we need to do this very transformational work.

I’m going to give a very personal example. The Minister of Health recently visited the Headwaters Health Care Centre in Orangeville. She spoke to paramedics; she spoke to crisis intervention people; she spoke to police officers; she spoke to individuals who actually work on the front lines in our emergencies as paramedics. She talked about how the opportunity to coordinate that care, as I said, from assessment right through to palliative, is so critical, to make sure that the patient is always at the front and forefront of what we do.

The two parliamentary assistants and our very capable Deputy Premier and Minister of Health have been doing that work—

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

Next question.

Automotive industry

Mrs. Amy Fee: My question is for the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. Ontario has the best auto workers in the world. More than 100,000 men and women go to work each and every day in our auto sector in Ontario, building the cars and the parts that drive our economy and our communities. The minister, the Premier and members of our caucus joined some of those hard-working men and women in my riding of Kitchener South–Hespeler on Friday. They stood alongside Toyota executives, community members and our front-line auto workers to celebrate the launch of the new Toyota RAV4.

Can the minister outline for the House the importance of the announcement for Ontario’s auto sector?

Hon. Todd Smith: It was great to be there along with the member who asked the question, and her colleagues in the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge area, for this exciting announcement that Toyota made on Friday. The Premier was there as well, of course, meeting with those great auto workers who do such a fantastic job—those great jobs that are putting food on the table, putting kids through college and university and just making life better.

It’s exciting to see this kind of an announcement being made at Toyota with the launch of the RAV4 there. It was great to be out there to celebrate with them. It’s a great facility. You know, Mr. Speaker, the RAV4 is the best-selling SUV in North America, and the Toyota plants in Cambridge and Woodstock have won 16 J.D. Power awards for vehicle quality.

Our government is glad to see that Toyota is committed to building the RAV4 right here in Ontario, and, Mr. Speaker, that’s not the only good news that’s coming from Toyota. Stay tuned. There’s more good news coming from Toyota very soon here in Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mrs. Amy Fee: Thank you to the minister for his answer. Some 9,000 people work at the Toyota plants in Cambridge and Woodstock. This announcement was an opportunity for them to celebrate the hours and hours of work that they put in every week making some of the best cars in the world.

But we know that our auto sector in Ontario has been falling behind. The news from FCA Windsor last week is a reminder of just that.

I know that our government is committed to creating an environment where automakers want to invest and create jobs. Could the minister please inform this House of what we are doing to support our auto sector and make Ontario more competitive for auto investment?

Hon. Todd Smith: Thanks to the member again for the question. While Friday was a great day for workers at Toyota in Cambridge, it was a heart-wrenching day for those at Fiat Chrysler in Windsor. Our message to the auto workers in Windsor is clear: We’re always going to fight for your auto jobs and we’re always going to fight for the auto sector.

A few weeks ago, back in February, the Premier and I announced the first phase of our auto plan, Driving Prosperity. The Minister of Energy just last week made a commitment to review industrial electricity rates, particularly for the auto sector. We’re investing in worker training. We’re investing in research and innovation. We’re cutting through the mountains and mountains of red tape that are making Ontario an uncompetitive jurisdiction, thanks to the former Liberal government, supported by the NDP.

We’re not supporting the federal government’s massive carbon tax imposed today on Ontarians, the one that the NDP want to see exploding to the highest carbon tax on the planet, Mr. Speaker. We won’t stand for that. We’re standing for jobs in Ontario.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. I say to the member for Northumberland–Peterborough South, the member for Scarborough–Guildwood and the member for Waterloo, you can’t yell across the floor at the other side.

Restart the clock. Next question?

Licence plates

Mr. Taras Natyshak: Speaker, with your indulgence, I just want to take a minute to thank all my colleagues from every side of the House for their messages of condolence and support over the week.

Applause.

Mr. Taras Natyshak: I received a message from the Premier, a call from the Premier, and I really appreciate it. And the love and support from our leader and my entire caucus has meant the world to us.

Speaker, my dad fought for social justice, fairness and equality and I know he would want me to be here today, so, unfortunately for the Premier and the government, the big, tough guy is back in the House.

With that, Speaker, I know that today is April 1, so I half expect the Premier to pop up and let us all in on this elaborate prank that he’s playing on us, because late last week, the news broke that the Ford government was planning to rebrand Ontario licence plates with one of their slogans from the campaign.

Can the Acting Premier tell us how much the taxpayers of Ontario will be paying for their mandatory PC Party vanity plates?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: To you, Taras, I just want to say, fathers never stop loving their sons, and sons never stop loving their fathers.

Speaker, to the Minister of Government and Consumer Services.

Hon. Bill Walker: To the member for the question: Under the leadership of Premier Ford, Ontario has become a business-friendly province once again. We are open for business and we are open for jobs. It would be only fitting that our commercial plates, in one way or another, reflect this.

After 15 years of Liberal mismanagement running our province into the ground, supported by the NDP, it’s time that we say to the world that we are open for business and we are open for jobs. If it were up to the NDP, they would increase the costs of doing business in Ontario. They support the job-killing, regressive carbon tax introduced by the federal Liberals that is raising costs for business, as well as for anyone who owns a car, heats their home or buys groceries.

The fact, Mr. Speaker, is that for 15 years under the Liberals, Ontario businesses dealt with costly, burdensome regulations and red tape that drove jobs out. We are doing the opposite. We are promoting that we’re open for business and we’re open for jobs, and we’re proud of that.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mr. Taras Natyshak: The minister’s response, sadly, proves that the joke is on the taxpayers of the province when we have to pay for vanity plates for the Premier’s ego.

The Premier clearly spends a lot of time thinking about cars and vans. We all remember the detailed blueprints he provided for the reclining leather couch in his personal pleasure wagon, but forcing cars to sport a vanity plate with a PC Party slogan, at taxpayers’ expense—that, you can’t keep off the books.

Will the Acting Premier tell us what research the government has, proving that the main barrier to attracting business in Ontario is a lack of appropriate messaging on licence plates? And while he’s at it, can he tell us how much this vanity project will cost the people of Ontario?

Hon. Bill Walker: To the member across: I can tell you it’s a lot less than the Prime Minister of Canada wants to do for the people of Ontario.

This NDP opposition wants the highest carbon tax—not only in Ontario, not only in Canada. They want the highest tax in the world.

We’re going the other way. Under the leadership of Premier Ford, we have actually become a business-friendly province once again. Our government has actually lowered the costs through the freezing of driver fees to make life more affordable. We’re going to fight this regressive carbon tax to keep the costs of goods down across the province, Mr. Speaker.

We are committed to putting more money back in people’s pockets and putting the people back at the centre of everything we do. We’re proud, under Premier Ford, to say that Ontario is open for business. We’re open for jobs, and we’re going to promote that at every opportunity we can, whether it be through licence plates or signs at the border or just every day in our actions in our communities. We’re open for business. We’re open for jobs.

Northern economy

Mr. Michael Gravelle: My question is for the Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines and the Minister of Indigenous Affairs.

The Northern Industrial Electricity Rate Program, or the NIER program, as it’s called, has been crucial for major resource-based industries in reducing their energy costs and maintaining the sustainability of their operations. Whether it’s the mining, forestry or steel sectors, the NIER program has substantially reduced energy costs, allowing these major northern employers to continue to operate while they bring energy-efficient plans to their operations. Our previous government, in fact, made this program permanent, recognizing that this assistance was vital to the successful long-term operation of these businesses.

My question to the minister is, will you continue to support our major northern industries through the Northern Industrial Electricity Rate Program?

Hon. Greg Rickford: I appreciate the member’s question. Obviously, this subsidized program has been important to major industries, but it hasn’t been enough. Frankly, major forestry and mining operations are complaining about two important things from that last government’s legacy: the unpredictable and high costs, still, of energy to energize those forestry and resource operations; and, of course, the job-killing carbon tax, which we removed and now the federal Liberals have implemented.

I can’t help but think, Mr. Speaker, that what’s on the minds today of people who operate resource projects, forestry operations, mining operations and manufacturing across northern Ontario is this job-killing carbon tax. Presidents of colleges that cover massive regions of northern Ontario are thinking about the increased costs they’re going to have to pay as a result of a job-killing carbon tax that was brought in by that government and has now been reintroduced by the federal Liberals.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mr. Michael Gravelle: Minister, I will take that as a yes, that you will continue to support the Northern Industrial Electricity Rate Program, a very important one across the major resource industries across the north.

Another program that provides huge benefits to northerners is the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, which, over the past 30 years, has created or retained over 25,000 jobs all across the north. The NOHFC is truly one of the key drivers of the northern economy and a vital part of future development in the north.

My question to the minister is this, a simple one: Can northerners expect that the fund will remain in place at its annual allotment, so that all parts of the north will continue to benefit from this key economic development fund?

Hon. Greg Rickford: What northern Ontarians will continue to benefit from is a government that’s committed to reducing costs—reducing costs for businesses, for forestry operations and for mining operations, and making targeted and strategic investments in businesses across northern Ontario.

In just 10 more sleeps, the member will have some of the information that he might need. I can assure him that the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund will continue to be a key driver for creating economic opportunities across northern Ontario, unlike the job-killing carbon tax, which was introduced by that government, making life more expensive for the people all across northern Ontario, and now has been reintroduced by the federal Liberals. That’s going to affect northern Ontario’s economy, and we’re going to hold those members of federal Parliament, and the NDP opposition, for wanting to have the highest carbon tax in the world. We won’t—

Interjections.

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

Stop the clock. Government side, come to order.

Start the clock. Next question.

Police services

Ms. Jill Dunlop: My question is for the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

The daily duties of a police officer are dangerous, and they see tragedies that none of us would ever want to see. Police officers face a unique type of stress, and the current system isn’t responsive to the realities that front-line officers encounter on a daily basis. It is estimated that over a 30-year career, a front-line police officer is exposed to more than 900 traumatic events. These can include very serious incidents, such as fatal car accidents, murder victims, sexual assault victims and child fatalities.

Mr. Speaker, could the minister please tell this House how our government is addressing the mental health crisis in the Ontario Provincial Police?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: I know that this member from Simcoe North knows this issue very well, considering that the OPP headquarters is located in Orillia. So, thank you for the question.

In Ontario, we’re heartbroken, knowing that 13 OPP officers have taken their own lives by suicide since 2012. My heart goes out to the families and the colleagues of these OPP officers.

The OPP is facing a mental health crisis, and they should not have to face it alone. The OPP have always answered the call when the people of Ontario have asked for their help. Our government is here to do the same for these courageous men and women.

Last week, I was proud to announce, with Rob Jamieson, that our government is partnering with the Ontario Provincial Police Association to launch a new integrated mental health support program. This new program will provide seamless support to deliver the right treatments at the right time for both OPP officers and their families.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Ms. Jill Dunlop: Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister for her response. It is reassuring to hear that OPP officers won’t be left to face the challenges of stress and trauma alone.

As a member of this government for the people, I am proud to stand here today and know that we are protecting our front-line officers, just as they protect us. As the minister said, the OPP headquarters is in my riding of Simcoe North, in Orillia. But also, personally, my partner is a police officer, so I know the stress our officers face.

Mr. Speaker, could the minister please share more about how our government is providing services and supports to these everyday heroes?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: OPP officers and their families will have access to confidential and personalized mental health supports and services with this new program. These services will be accessed through a one-door approach, to ensure that the essential front-line workers can quickly and easily and confidentially be connected to the supports that they need and deserve. This new program will provide continuous support and guidance from beginning to end, so that the patients receive the right treatment at the right time.

We are aware that many officers serve in remote locations far from our urban centres where treatment is provided. These geographic barriers have prevented OPP officers from accessing the treatment they deserve in the past. We are changing that. We’re going to use technology and innovation to break down those barriers and to ensure that every OPP officer gets the help they need, regardless of where they serve in Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock for a second. I want to remind all the members that the use of technology in the chamber is actually technically prohibited, but we’ve allowed members to use them if they’re using them unobtrusively. Obviously, it’s totally inappropriate to be taking photographs in the chamber during question period, by any member, if that is happening.

Start the clock. Next question.

Addiction services

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: My question is to the Acting Premier. As of today, vital overdose prevention services are operating without provincial funding. Six overdose prevention sites, including St. Stephen’s Community House and Street Help, were thrown into chaos when their application to become a consumption and treatment centre was rejected.

Just last week in Ottawa, five people died in five days of an overdose, but instead of investing in programs that save lives, this government has stopped funding for a site in Ottawa. Why is this government cutting overdose prevention services while people are dying?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Again, I will remind the member opposite and the NDP that the government on Friday announced 15 consumption and treatment services. In the interests of clarity, let’s name those: the Fred Victor Centre in Toronto, the Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, the Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, the Regent Park Community Health Centre, the South Riverdale Community Health Centre, the South Riverdale Community Health Centre. Toronto Public Health is on hold, but we are actively working on this file.

You know, the Minister of Health and the two parliamentary assistants have been engaged on this file from when we were appointed government. There are a lot of parts to this piece, and it is not, frankly, just about consumption. We need to make sure that—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. The member for Ottawa Centre has to come to order. The member for Niagara Centre has to come to order. The member for Hamilton East–Stoney Creek has to come to order.

Start the clock. Supplementary?

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: Back to the Acting Premier: We’ve heard from organizations across the province that they could not meet the arbitrary requirements this government put in place to become a consumption and treatment site, and are struggling to complete the onerous application process. Northern and rural communities that have fewer resources to jump these hurdles are being left without overdose prevention services for their communities.

Speaker, the poisonous drug and opioid overdose crisis requires a flexible response and immediate funding. When will the minister treat the poisonous drug and overdose crisis as the public health emergency it is, and remove the barriers that the government has created to opening overdose prevention sites?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Members please take their seats.

Minister?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: I think it’s important that the NDP understand that the ministry has actively worked and is consulting with the individuals and municipalities who are providing these services.

But let’s be clear: 15 have been approved and are operating across Ontario. The suggestion that in some way there are onerous application processes doesn’t match with what is happening on the ground, and the reality is that 15 across the province of Ontario are engaged.

We are continuing to review applications. We are continuing to work with the individuals providing the services, and the municipalities, because communities also have a say in this. They want to be part of the conversation about what makes our streets safer, what actually provides the services people are looking for, and it’s not only about consumption sites; it’s about treatment. It’s about access to things that will actually improve people’s lives.

Aggregate extraction

Mr. Mike Harris: My question is for the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. Our government was elected to make Ontario open for business and open for jobs. One of the bedrock industries in Ontario is the aggregate industry, which supplies raw materials needed to build the things we depend on, like our homes, hospitals, schools and bridges, all while providing thousands of quality, well-paying jobs.

I was pleased to see that our government hosted an aggregate summit with the industry on Friday in Bolton—that we are continuing to reduce red tape that creates a burden on industry. Can the minister update the House on the work we are doing to support the development that is beneficial to this sector?

Hon. John Yakabuski: I want to thank the member for his question and for his advocacy on open for business and open for jobs. I was pleased that so many of my colleagues were able to join me for that summit, including the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services; my colleague the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; my parliamentary assistant, Mr. Barrett; and the member from Peterborough–Kawartha. We had a very productive morning on Friday. We met with industry and municipal and industrial partners to discuss how we can reduce barriers while maintaining our commitment to managing potential impacts from aggregate extraction.

Speaker, the previous government built barriers. Our government will always support development that builds our communities as we make Ontario open for business and open for jobs.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mr. Mike Harris: Thank you to the minister for that answer. I know my constituents agree with the Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel Association, who welcome the message from the minister that the province is now open for business.

The aggregate industry is an important driver to our economy and critically important to our quality of life. We need to continue to reduce barriers that create an environment for growth and a sustainable resource sector. It is important that the industry is able to provide input so that we find solutions that work for everyone.

Could the minister update the House on the information taken from the aggregate summit?

Hon. John Yakabuski: Again, I want to thank the member for his question. As we look at how Ontario manages pits and quarries, we want to hear from everyone upon how we can improve upon this framework. I invite everyone interested in aggregate reform to submit their comments, if they have not done so already.

As the member has said, aggregates are the raw materials that help build our schools, our homes, our hospitals, our bridges and our roads, and are the foundation of industries that strengthen our economy and create high-quality, well-paying jobs. What some in this House may not be aware of is the environmental leadership shown by the industry as they use innovative techniques to rehabilitate former aggregate sites.

I’d like to close by thanking all the attendees at the aggregate summit. Our government values their input as we make Ontario open for business and open for jobs.

Education funding

Ms. Catherine Fife: My question is to the Minister of Education. I recently had the privilege of meeting with 40 grade 10 students from Resurrection Catholic Secondary School. I’ll be sending their concerns over to the minister.

We had a spirited discussion about the changes and cuts that are coming to their education system. Mr. Speaker, they’re smart and that’s why they’re worried about how this government’s plans are going to affect their education. For example, the students already do some coursework online, so I asked them, “How many of you prefer online classes over classroom learning?” Not one student put up their hand. But under the new plan, they will be forced to spend hours online, and they won’t be able to graduate unless they do so.

Why did the minister not consult with students in the province of Ontario on these changes? It is their system, after all.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Thank you very much for that question. I’d like to start off by saying—you know what? We have to make sure—the member opposite referenced the fact that students are smart. Yes, they are, and we need to enable them to utilize every tool available to them in order to move them forward and push that bar. That’s why we’re excited about the e-learning that we’re bringing forward to Ontario, from one corner to another.

Do you know what? Actually, I have teachers, I have parents and I also have students who are excited about the plan we have. They’re embracing it because they realize that in so many cases, from board to board, it’s already happening.

We’re going to be working with our education partners to make sure we get it right. But for all intents and purposes, when the rhetoric is not presented first, people love the plan that we’re bringing forward.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Ms. Catherine Fife: You know, the Minister of Education should be focused on creating an education system that puts students at the centre of it. That’s how you build a strong public education system.

Speaker, these cuts will affect students. Students who want to grow up and become plumbers, teachers, doctors and auto workers have no idea what their next year of school will look like because of this government.

During the discussions, one student asked, “So the government is doing all this just for money?” These changes don’t make sense to them or anyone in education.

Students see right through this government. Because of this minister, students are now convinced that money is more important than their education system.

A quality public education system will serve everyone better in the long run. That is how you build a strong democracy. Why is this government balancing the budget on the backs of students in the province of Ontario?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Members please take their seats.

The minister to reply.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: You know what? No one is buying any of the rhetoric that is coming from that side of the House—none, zero, zilch.

Speaker, we listened to 72,000 people. They have been absolutely sincere in their input and with their desire to get education back on track after 15 years of experiments and ill-conceived ideologies that led this past government to fail our students.

People from one corner of this province to the other are excited that we, the PC government of Ontario, are finally getting education back on track. We’re going to be focusing on the basics. We’re focusing on math, we’re focusing on financial literacy, we’re focusing on STEM and we’re focusing on making sure they graduate with the skills, both job skills and life skills, that they need to be successful.

You know what, Speaker? People can’t wait to hear more about what we’re going to be doing, so stay tuned and be engaged—

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

Next question.

Northern economy

Mr. Norman Miller: My question is for the Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines. For 15 years, the previous Liberal government treated northern Ontario as an afterthought. The tragic consequences of their neglect have meant that investment and jobs have left Ontario for other jurisdictions as mills closed and resource development projects simply never got started.

Now we have the federal Liberal Bill C-69, which will add unnecessary delays and hurdles to the approval process, putting even more jobs in the resource sector at risk.

Can the minister update the House on how our government is standing up for the people of northern Ontario as we make the province open for business and open for jobs?

Hon. Greg Rickford: I appreciate the question from the member from Parry Sound–Muskoka, and his support in joining us in the fight against all of these barriers that northern Ontario has faced over the course of time.

It’s true, Mr. Speaker: The job-killing carbon tax imposed by the previous Liberal government here in Ontario is now set to be implemented today. It’s $1.353 a litre in Thunder Bay; $1.40 in Ear Falls this morning; $1.30-something in Kenora. The people of northern Ontario are madder than a bunch of stomped-on polecats.

But, Mr. Speaker, I can tell you I take great comfort in the strategic investments that we’re making across northern Ontario: Algoma Steel, Lake of the Woods Brewing Co., helping out the forestry sector—the Minister of Natural Resources’ masterful job on developing a new provincial strategy for forestry. We’re thinking of those folks in Fort Frances and our support for them in ensuring that they have a vital economy in the forestry sector moving forward.

We’re standing up for jobs for people across northern Ontario.

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

Mr. Norman Miller: Thank you to the minister for that answer.

In the forestry sector alone, tens of thousands of jobs were lost under the previous Liberal government. The sector continues to deal with the after-effects of a government that prioritized the concerns of special interest groups and environmental radicals. And this happened with the unwavering support of the NDP.

It’s reassuring to see that northern Ontario finally has ministers who care about the people and jobs in the north.

Northern Ontario welcomes the repeal of the Far North Act and the development of a provincial forestry strategy.

Can the minister please share with the House how these measures will help to ensure that northern Ontario is once again open for business and open for jobs?

Hon. Greg Rickford: To the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry.

Hon. John Yakabuski: I thank the member for the question.

I would just like to take a moment to recognize the hard work done by the Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines on this file. He has been a passionate advocate for northern Ontario in cabinet and caucus, and it was absolutely wonderful to have him participate in our forestry round table in Kenora earlier.

There are challenges facing the forestry industry in Ontario, no question, and many of them were brought about by the lack of understanding and the ignoring of the problems by the previous Liberal government. That is why it has been so important for us to hold these forestry round tables.

We’ve had a chance to hear directly from the sector about the problems they’ve faced for the past 15 years, and what we can do to remove some of those barriers for success in that industry.

We’re going to show that Ontario is once again open for business and open for jobs, and show our commitment to this industry that is sustainable for generations to come if it is treated properly.

Child protection

Ms. Judith Monteith-Farrell: My question is for the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

The front-line Thunder Bay staff at the Ontario Child and Youth Advocate office are packing up. Indigenous youth in the north are losing their services and their advocates. That means Indigenous youth in care will have nowhere to turn when they need help. Where will they turn when their caseworkers aren’t listening or understanding, when they want to return to their communities or when their plan for care falls apart?

Minister, why are you leaving Indigenous youth in care with nowhere to turn when they need help?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: I’d like to thank the member opposite for her question. It’s a very important question, as we talk about children in custody and in care, and in particular children who are in care who are Indigenous.

We are committed, as a government, to expanding children’s aid societies that are Indigenous-led with customary care throughout Ontario. As I’ve mentioned many times in this House, I think that’s a strong legacy for us to build on and, I think, where we can be leaders in the rest of the country.

Let me be perfectly clear: We are committed to improving the outcomes of Ontario’s child protection system through the creation of three new round tables dedicated to sharing ideas for improvement. One of these will be Indigenous-led for children in care, and will consist of those with lived experience in the fields of Indigenous child welfare. The others will be children in care and youth in custody. Their membership will have direct access to decision-makers, including myself.

That is why we are committed, as a government and as a ministry, to ensuring the greatest protection of all of our children.

But this was a decision made in the fall economic statement by the Ministry of Finance, and that’s why we are proceeding the way we are.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.

Ms. Judith Monteith-Farrell: My question is for the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

There is no plan. There is no plan to ensure that Indigenous youth in care have uninterrupted access to advocacy services. We are talking about some of the most vulnerable children and youth in our province, who are slow to trust and with good reason. When they have a problem, they will be asking, “Where is my advocate?”

Minister, where is the plan?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: Perhaps the member opposite didn’t listen to the first response. The plan is this: We have moved investigative powers and the oversight powers over to the Ombudsman, who we believe can provide us with stringent and robust support. He is an independent officer of this assembly. We are working with him.

In addition, we are expanding Indigenous-led child welfare agencies across the province of Ontario. I’m proud of that. We’re leaders in Canada; we’re leaders in North America. That’s important.

I’ve indicated to the member opposite that those children who are Indigenous—that will be part of a round-table discussion that will speak directly to me as a table, as well as other decision-makers, so we can improve child welfare protection in the province of Ontario.

In addition, as I’ve mentioned many times in this Legislature, we will be embedding within my ministry a child advocate who will report directly to me so that we can make changes.

Est-ce que la procureure générale et ministre des Affaires francophones pourrait nous faire part de sa visite à Sudbury, de l’annonce qu’elle a faite et des gens qu’elle a rencontrés sur place?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Je sais que la ministre des Affaires francophones a rencontré d’autres intervenants francophones au cours de sa visite et souligné un investissement important à l’infrastructure culturelle de Sudbury. Peut-elle nous parler des autres rencontres et discussions avec les représentants de la communauté francophone réalisées à cette occasion?

D’autre part, au cours de ma visite, j’ai pu visiter le Collège Boréal et rencontrer des représentants de la Caisse populaire Alliance et de la Société Économique de l’Ontario pour discuter de leur appui envers le projet de loi 66, qui vise à réduire le fardeau de paperasserie qui gêne les entreprises.

Appointment of temporary child advocate

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I beg to inform the House that the following document has been tabled: Order in Council 490/2019, dated March 28, 2019, appointing Diana Cooke as the temporary Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, effective April 1, 2019, to May 1, 2019.

Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I know the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services has a point of order.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Thank you, Speaker. I appreciate that. I wanted to introduce seven representatives from Diabetes Canada. Please indulge me in welcoming Matt, Ethan, Sepelene, Don, Stacey, Charlene, and Jake Reid. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

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

Mr. Jamie West: Thank you, Speaker. I rise on a point of order to congratulate my CA Nicole Ayotte and her husband, Joel, on the birth of their first child. On behalf of the provincial Legislature, I’d like to welcome three-year-old Isaac Gilles Ayotte to the city of Greater Sudbury.

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

Ms. Catherine Fife: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just want to welcome John Tibbits, who is the president of Conestoga College, here to Queen’s Park today.

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

M me Marie-France Lalonde: J’aimerais souhaiter la bienvenue à La Cité, le collège qui est ici : à Lise Bourgeois et à toute l’équipe, qui sont venus nous présenter ce matin de belles initiatives qu’ils créent. Je voudrais les saluer et leur dire merci pour leur travail dans notre communauté à Orléans et à Ottawa.

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

Mr. Gilles Bisson: Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, I just heard you say that you tabled the appointment of the temporary child advocate. I just want to point out it has always been a practice in this place that the government, in consultation with the recognized parties, goes through a process by which we agree on who’s going to be one of those officers. I realize this is just for a month, but I want to put you on notice. This should have been something that you talked to the official opposition about, and you did not.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): That’s not a valid point of order, but obviously the message has been sent.

The member for Humber River–Black Creek.

Mr. Tom Rakocevic: I just want to welcome David Agnew, president of Seneca College.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): This House stands in recess until 1 p.m.

The House recessed from 1151 to 1300.

Introduction of Visitors

Mr. Faisal Hassan: I’m delighted to welcome my niece, Muna Abdihakim Ahmed, to the Legislature. She is visiting us from the United States. Welcome.

Ms. Suze Morrison: I’d like to welcome a number of guests from Toronto Centre. I’m not sure all have made their way into the galleries yet, but I’d like to welcome Ann Mueller, Shirley Green, Brian Barkley, Darin Squires, Ken Murray, Roger Brennan, Adam Sanders, Heather Sanders, Margaret Patterson and Paul Hackney. Welcome to Queen’s Park, and thank you for coming.

Mr. David Piccini: It’s great to welcome friends from the Trillium Gift of Life Network who are here with me today: Ronnie Gavsie, president and CEO, and her colleagues, who are members of the Trillium team: Shilpa Sharma and Manraj Furmah. Welcome to Queen’s Park, and thanks for joining us.

Members’ Statements

Affordable housing

Ms. Jill Andrew: Last week, I held my first tenants and housing town hall in Toronto–St. Paul’s. More than of 60% of my community are tenants, and in my riding the housing crisis is the number one issue I hear about. Residents told me they are scared that an above-the-guideline increase will push them out of their homes.

Tenants also live with the anxiety that they could be renovicted at any time. They don’t understand why their buildings are not accessible and why the government will not improve the AODA and building code requirements. Tenants deserve better.

At my town hall, a young man spoke about his experience of reintegration after being incarcerated. He said that as the province closes halfway houses, young people are released from jail without any social supports, which increases the chance of reoffending. Young people deserve a fair chance to turn their lives around, and having secure housing is imperative to this.

As a life-long renter and a person who has experienced precarious housing myself, I stand with the tenants in saying that we desperately need more—real—affordable housing. Ensuring safe and affordable housing is a first step in addressing inequity in society. Affordable housing is linked to many other factors that impact the lives of Ontarians. Housing is a public health issue, an economic security issue, and an access-to-transit, -social services-and -education issue. The lack of affordable housing hits already marginalized populations even harder.

The government must remember: Housing is not a frill. Housing is a basic right.

Organ and tissue donation

Mr. David Piccini: It’s my pleasure to rise today to inform the House that April is Be a Donor Month in Ontario. This is a month in which all Ontarians are encouraged to show their support for organ and tissue donation by registering to be a donor. Today, I’m asking all my colleagues in this House to join me in taking a lead in inspiring every Ontarian to save a life: to be a donor.

It’s important to know, Mr. Speaker, that a single organ donation can save the lives of up to eight people and significantly enhance the lives of up to 75 others through the gift of tissue.

The Trillium Gift of Life Network is a patient-focused agency of the government of Ontario that is responsible for planning, promoting and supporting organ and tissue donation across Ontario. They also work tirelessly to improve the system so that more lives can be saved.

We’re joined today by members from the Trillium Gift of Life Network here in the gallery. Currently, there are over 1,600 Ontarians waiting for life-saving organ transplants, 39 of whom live in my riding of Northumberland–Peterborough South. Sadly, every three days someone dies a very preventable death waiting for a life-saving transplant. In my riding of Northumberland–Peterborough South, I’m proud that over 40% of residents have already registered to be a donor.

Today, I’m issuing a mayors’ challenge: asking each mayor in my riding to promote Be a Donor and ask that every one of them encourage everyone in their community to register. How can you register? Go online and visit beadonor.ca. Create your own campaign. Mine is /campaign/mppdavidpiccini/. I’m also challenging all of my colleagues in this place to go online, create your own profile and challenge the mayors in your communities to do the same thing.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to encourage every resident of Ontario to spend two minutes to register online and consent to donate today. I would also ask every resident to spread the word that donating can save a life. Donate today.

Automotive industry

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: I rise today, alongside my NDP colleagues from Windsor–Tecumseh and Essex, to show solidarity with the 1,500 workers at the FCA Windsor assembly plant who learned that they will be losing their jobs in September and the 9,000 additional workers at feeder plants and related businesses across the region.

This news has devastated our community. Everyone in Windsor-Essex knows someone that works at Windsor assembly. This weekend, I spoke with workers and they all asked me the same thing: What can the provincial government do to support them?

There are definitely steps that the Ford government can take to save jobs. They could create an auto strategy, which we have called for consistently. They could work with FCA, Unifor and the workers to secure a new product for WAP to build on their full flex line.

They could reinstate the EV incentive program that they hastily cancelled, which encouraged consumers to choose green vehicle options like the Pacifica Hybrid, boosting sales. Thanks to the incredible advocacy of Windsor West member of Parliament Brian Masse, the federal government has now included the Pacifica Hybrid on a list of green vehicles eligible for rebates. The Ford government needs to step up and do the same provincially.

We have a lot of options, and we can’t afford to do nothing. The Ford government needs to take real action, not just offer lip service, during this time of uncertainty for Windsor and Essex.

Sikh Heritage Month

Mr. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: Today, I rise to celebrate the start of Sikh Heritage Month in April. April is a very special time for Sikhs across this country, because April, specifically April 13, is the day that we celebrate Vaisakhi, which is the founding of the Khalsa and also the day that we were initiated with the five articles of faith.

Over 500,000 Sikhs live across Canada and contribute to every aspect of Canadian society and are very much a proud part of Canadian heritage. One of those individuals and part of history that I want to highlight today is Private Buckam Singh. Private Buckam Singh was the first Sikh to fight for Canada in World War I and who died fighting for this country. It was great to see his sacrifice being recognized by the Peel school board this past week by naming a school after him. So I want to commend my colleague, the wards 9 and 10 school trustee, for initiating that and having this important piece of Canadian history realized within our schools.

I also want to let everyone know that Sikhs will be celebrating Sikh Heritage Month with Khalsa Day parades across this province, in Toronto on April 28 and in Malton on May 5. So I ask that the entire House join the community and celebrate.

Automotive industry

Mr. Percy Hatfield: You’ve heard the devastating news that hit my community hard late last week. Minivan sales have slumped. The Fiat Chrysler corporation wants to correct the market and lower inventory. They see that the easiest way of doing that is to eliminate the third shift at the Windsor assembly plant; 1,500 direct jobs are in jeopardy, and could be gone come September if sales don’t improve.

The company had other options. They could lower the price on their vehicles or offer 0% interest on new car sales—and maybe they will, in the days ahead. That’s their choice.

The Premier told the Windsor workers that he’s standing with them and will fight tooth and nail to protect their jobs. I take the Premier at his word, Speaker. So today I’m asking the Premier to do what he said he’d do: to show he’s actually fighting for these jobs and standing up for Ontario’s automotive manufacturing industry. In order to boost sales and stimulate the demand for Windsor-built vehicles, will the Premier place an order today for 1,500 or more new Windsor-built minivans?

Speaker, you were here. It wasn’t that many years ago, during another period of slumping automotive sales, that a previous government in Ontario did exactly that. Various ministries, health units and conservation authorities and so on use minivans. There’s no reason why these vehicles shouldn’t be built in Ontario. Our government should be buying the cars we build here in Ontario. If we’re open for business, we should be doing business with our own automotive manufacturers. In other words, Speaker—to the Premier—as we said in Windsor years ago, buy the cars your neighbours help to build.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I recognize the member for Thunder Bay–Superior North.

Mr. Michael Gravelle: I was wanting to seek unanimous consent to make a statement today on behalf of the member for Don Valley East.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Thunder Bay–Superior North is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to deliver a statement on behalf of the member for Don Valley East. Agreed? Agreed.

Social assistance

Mr. Michael Gravelle: Thank you to my colleagues.

Of all the decisions that have been made by this government, the one that continues to strike me as the most cruel is the decision to end the basic income research pilot. For the thousands of people who benefited from this program—1,000 of which came from my area of Thunder Bay—the ending of the pilot is pushing them back into poverty, dashing their hopes of a real opportunity to build their lives once again.

The Basic Income Pilot allowed the participants to seek higher education, improve their living situation, eat healthy food once again, and begin to change the cycle that left them in poverty in the first place.

I have example upon example of my constituents in the program who told me that being on the pilot allowed them to dream of a better life in the future as they worked their way through the opportunity provided by this forward-thinking research project.

There is no question in my mind that the government was callously short-sighted when they decided to end the Basic Income Pilot, which is why I am calling on them today to reverse that decision and let the pilot run its three-year course.

There is much we have already learned from the people on this program, and it is my belief that the completion of the pilot would provide us with incredibly useful analysis and insight into the keys to ending poverty in the province—something I would like to believe all parties in this Legislature would be equally eager to find out.

Sarah Lynn Lisi and Connor Mahoney

Ms. Jane McKenna: I want to congratulate two extraordinary athletes from Burlington who had the experience of a lifetime when they won several medals at the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Sarah Lynn Lisi, a 31-year-old gymnast, placed first and second in 10 events. Sarah is a 31-year-old and participated previously in the Canadian summer Special Olympics in both Vancouver and Nova Scotia. She says the experience has meant she has met many new friends and developed new skills.

Connor Joseph Mahoney is 27 years old and is a competitive swimmer. I had the pleasure of meeting him and his father, Tom Mahoney, who is his swim coach, for the Special Olympics when they came to my Burlington office to pick up some Ontario pins to take with them to Abu Dhabi. Connor’s favourite events are the butterfly, backstroke and crawl, and he is fast. Connor has won many medals in the qualifying Special Olympics here in Canada, and in his first trip to the worlds he placed second in the 50-metre butterfly, participating and placing in six events.

I know I can speak for everyone in this chamber when I say congratulations to Sarah and Connor on their excellent performances at the World Summer Games.

More than 45,000 Canadian children, youth and adults with an intellectual disability participate in programs run with the support of local sport clubs across the country. They are supported by a network of 21,000 volunteers—can you imagine, Speaker? These Canadians are committed to helping accomplish something truly remarkable.

I wish I had more time to go on, but I’ll just give another shout-out to them. I’m so proud of them.

Highway improvement

Mr. Taras Natyshak: I rise today, on behalf of the constituents in my riding of Essex, shocked but not surprised. Last week, the Doug Ford government announced that it was going to spend $1.2 billion on 123 various infrastructure projects around the province of Ontario. Conspicuous in its absence was the Highway 3 project that needs to be completed from Essex to Leamington, linking up that vital route to the Herb Gray Parkway—a route that has an enormous amount of traffic volume, a difference of volume, with heavy industrial, agricultural traffic and then your daily commuters who are working their way to the feeder plants and the tier 1 automotive plants in Windsor and Essex county.

There has been an enormous amount of accidents on that roadway. It needs to be widened. That volume of traffic makes that roadway unsafe, and it is the provincial government’s responsibility to finish that roadway.

Speaker, during the election, the Premier came down and made that commitment. He said that he was going to immediately finish that roadway—immediately. We’ve seen him act with immediacy when it came to putting beers in convenience stores. We’ve seen him act with immediacy to put $1 beer on the shelves. But when it comes to the lives and health and safety of the people in my riding, he’s nowhere to be found. It’s obvious now that it wasn’t just a broken promise. He would say anything to get elected in that riding. It’s unbelievable.

We call on this provincial government to do the right thing: Finish that roadway. I’ve seen it happen before. We’ve seen commitments from the previous government; they didn’t do it. They didn’t honour Bruce Crozier’s legacy, a man that you sat with, Speaker, and that you know very well fought for that project.

We want to see this government—or they’re going to suffer the same fate as the Liberals did down in southwestern Ontario and be vanquished from any riding that they make promises towards.

Oakville Awards for Business Excellence dinner

Mr. Stephen Crawford: This past week was the annual Oakville Chamber of Commerce business awards dinner held with the local rotary club. The Oakville Chamber of Commerce is the fifth-largest chamber of commerce in the province and provides local members with the opportunity to collaborate, network and share ideas in a social setting.

Their business excellence dinner event takes the time to recognize the great work of local business leaders and companies in Oakville that help contribute to our local economy. I have to say, the event was fantastic, but there was one common theme I heard over and over again from business leaders: The business leaders are very focused and very excited by what our government is doing with the open-for-business changes being proposed by our government. People were very happy to hear our government’s plan to reduce regulations by 25%, and are excited to see that we are working hard to ensure Ontario becomes a more competitive jurisdiction and the economic engine of Canada again.

I’d like to extend my congratulations to all the award winners from last week: Geotab for the business icon award, May Court Club of Oakville for the charity/non-profit of the year award, Oakville Soccer Club for the community builder award, Encore Market Engagement for the large business award, BestLifeRewarded Innovations for the mid-size business award, Sounds Good AVS for the small business award, Oakville Academy for the Arts for the service industry award, Blake Wyatt for the young professional and entrepreneur of the year, and Mauser Packaging Solutions for the energy conservation award.

Toronto Blue Jays

Mr. Stan Cho: It’s an honour to rise today to speak about something that is very important to me and to many fellow Willowdalers. Last Thursday, the city of Toronto marked a new beginning, the start of something very special, the start of a new era. Mr. Speaker, on March 28 at the Rogers Centre, our beloved Toronto Blue Jays officially kicked off their 2019 season.

Now, although there is no denying that this may not be the championship season Jays fans are hoping for, it is a year to rebuild and invest for future seasons. We have been developing an exciting group of young prospects and others, and they are ready for the big leagues. The World Series is within our grasp.

The Jays are on a path to rebuild on a sustainable and practical timeline. They need to make some tough decisions now to make sure that the team is competitive down the road. It’s incredibly important to recognize, as the managing staff and the front office do, that to pave the way for prosperity sometimes you have to make hard choices, transform and think outside the box.

Under the leadership of the new manager, Charlie Montoyo, the Jays will gear up for the new season of baseball. Not only are the Jays Toronto’s team; they are Ontario’s team and, indeed, Canada’s team.

I invite my colleagues on both sides of the House to enjoy the summer as we cheer on the Blue Jays. Go, Jays, go. Let’s play ball.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): That concludes our time for members’ statements.

Introduction of Bills

St. James Town Act (Residential Tenancies Amendments), 2019 / Loi de 2019 sur St. James Town (modifications en ce qui concerne les locations à usage d’habitation)

Ms. Morrison moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 93,

An Act to amend the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006 / Projet de loi 93, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2006 sur la location à usage d’habitation.

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’m going to invite the member to briefly explain her bill.

Ms. Suze Morrison: It’s my immense pleasure to introduce this bill, which is called the St. James Town Act. The bill came into my office as over 1,500 of my constituents from a 30-plus-storey building in the St. James Town neighbourhood were displaced by a horrible electrical fire that made it impossible for them to return home for many months.

If passed, this bill will mandate that landlords of rental residential complexes of 10 or more units maintain an account at a financial institution into which a percentage of rents from that complex will be deposited every 30 days for use to repair that complex. It will provide that the Landlord and Tenant Board may order an abatement, or discount, of rent in situations where the landlord does not comply with maintenance obligations under the act and allow tenants to apply for that abatement via written hearing should they so choose.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Again, I would remind all members to keep the explanations of their bills as brief as possible.

Petitions

Northern health services

M me France Gélinas: I would like to thank Dot Klein and everybody from the Sudbury Health Coalition for handing me 6,000 signatures on this petition—and a special thank you to the ladies from Panache Lake Road. It reads as follows:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the planned cut to more than 150 full-time-equivalent staff at Health Sciences North, including nurses, health professionals and vital patient support staff, is unsafe and puts both patients and staff at unacceptable risk;

“Whereas Sudbury has already seen three hospitals closed and replaced with only one hospital; and

“Whereas people already are left waiting for days on stretchers in hallways and other inappropriate places because there is not enough capacity in our remaining hospital to meet local and regional needs; and

“Whereas wait times are already too long and our hospital is virtually always running at more than 110% capacity—meaning that there are not enough staff for patients and not enough resources to provide for needs; and

“Whereas Sudbury’s hospital funding per patient is lower than the rest of the province and Ontario already has the lowest funding in the country;”

They “petition the Legislative Assembly to immediately stop the proposed cuts at Health Sciences North, to improve funding to meet the average of other provinces in Canada, and to restore and rebuild our local public hospital services to meet public need for these services.”

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

Consumer protection

Mr. Will Bouma: I have a petition here to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas buying a home is a significant and important financial decision for all Ontarians;

“Whereas it is clear to Ontarians that Tarion is broken; and

“Whereas the previous government failed to protect homebuyers by moving forward with key recommendations from the Honourable Douglas Cunningham’s independent report from 2016 of the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act and Tarion;

“Whereas Justice Cunningham concluded that there was a perceived conflict of interest with Tarion carrying out both warranty administrator and builder regulator functions;

“Whereas the protection of homeowners is paramount in this current government;

“Whereas Ontario’s government is working for the people by taking action to protect hard-working Ontarians when making one of the biggest purchases in their life—new home;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, support the government’s plan to make Tarion truly accountable to the people by:

“—establishing a new and separate regulator from Tarion for new home builders and vendors to address conflicts of interest;

“—exploring the feasibility of a multi-provider insurance-based model for new home warranties and protections in Ontario;

“—planning to introduce legislative amendments that, if passed, would, among other things, enable the minister to require Tarion to make executive and board compensation publicly available and move to a more balanced skill-based board composition;

“—introducing new initiatives to better inform and to better protect purchasers of cancelled condominium projects.”

I wholeheartedly endorse this petition. I will affix my signature to it and give it to page Gwen.

Arts and cultural funding

Ms. Jill Andrew: This is the “Petition to Restore Arts Funding and the Indigenous Culture Fund at the Ontario Arts Council.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Ontario government has cut its level of base funding to the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) by $5 million for the 2018-19 fiscal year...;

“Whereas the Ontario government has also cut its funding to the Indigenous Culture Fund (ICF) at the OAC by $2.25 million for the 2018-19 fiscal year...;

“Whereas the ICF will not accept new grant applications this year while the program is under review, entailing the layoff of Indigenous staff in permanent positions;

“Whereas the arts are essential to the quality of life, cultural identity, social and community well-being, creativity, innovation, and economic prosperity of Ontario;

“Whereas the ICF was part of the Ontario government’s response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada;

“Whereas the ICF supported traditional culture, languages, teachings, protocols, knowledge, youth and elder-led and engaged community cultural projects;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to:

“(

a) Restore OAC’s funding to $69.9 million this year...;

“(

b) Restore the ICF’s funding to $5 million this year, retain all ICF staff positions, and commit to funding the ICF at this level in the years moving forward.”

I proudly support this petition, affix my signature and hand it to Gajan for the Clerk.

Campus radio stations

Mr. Michael Gravelle: I have a petition sent to me by Tiina Flank, the station manager at Lakehead University, or LU, Radio. I’m very pleased to read the petition in the House today.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Ontario campus radio stations consist of over 150 staff members and 3,500 volunteers, a majority of them youth and students;

“Whereas campus radio stations offer training and development for students, both as part of their on-campus course curriculum and within the community at large, including preparation for careers in broadcasting and journalism;

“Whereas campus radio stations in Ontario are key providers of emergency information under the National Public Alerting System;

“Whereas campus radio stations are an independent news and media outlet for students and communities that provides a platform for marginalized voices;

“Whereas campus radio stations have a high fixed cost compared to other student services;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to deem campus radio stations an essential fee under the Student Choice Initiative.”

I’ll pass it to page Elizabeth and will sign it myself.

Veterans memorial

Mr. Toby Barrett: It’s a petition that’s titled “Petition in Support of Constructing a Memorial to Honour Our Heroes” and directed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas over 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces members served in the war in Afghanistan including the 159 Canadians who made the ultimate sacrifice; and

“Whereas the Premier made a commitment to the people of Ontario to build a memorial to honour the bravery and sacrifice of our armed forces; and

“Whereas, by remembering their service and sacrifice, we recognize the values and freedoms these men and women fought to preserve; and

“Whereas the memorial will show our gratitude to our veterans, their families and to their descendants; and

“Whereas the memorial will be a place of remembrance, a form of tribute, and an important reminder to future generations of the contributions and sacrifices that have helped shape our country;

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

“That the government of Ontario immediately construct the memorial to honour the heroes of the war in Afghanistan.”

I agree with the sentiments and affix my signature.

Men’s mental health and addiction services

Mr. John Vanthof: I have a petition here signed by Steve Alexander and many other people from my part of the world.

“Petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the district of Timiskaming has a high rate of mental health and addiction issues in the male population; and

“Whereas there is no specific facility or program being offered in the Timiskaming district for men in crisis;

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

“To request the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care work in partnership with community stakeholders to develop a crisis bed facility in the Timiskaming district.”

I wholeheartedly agree with this petition and send it down with Ishwarejan.

Fish and wildlife management

Ms. Jill Dunlop: I too have a petition titled “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the ban on hunting and trapping in sections of Ontario to protect the eastern hybrid wolf was put in place without regard for the overall ecosystem;

“Whereas this ban has adversely affected the ability of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), hunters and trappers to properly manage animal populations and Ontario’s ecosystem;

“Whereas this ban is no longer needed and is in fact causing more damage to Ontario’s ecosystem and increasing unnecessary encounters between wildlife and Ontarians;

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

“That the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry immediately lift the ban on hunting and trapping set in place to protect the eastern hybrid wolf.”

I will attach my signature to this petition—I support it—and hand it to page Mathew.

School facilities

Mr. Faisal Hassan: I have a petition here signed by the great residents of York South–Weston.

“Fund Our Schools....

“Whereas too many children are going to school in buildings without proper heating or cooling, with leaky roofs or stairways overdue for repair;

“Whereas after years of Conservative and Liberal governments neglecting schools, the backlog of needed repairs has reached $16 billion;

“Whereas during the 2018 election, numerous members of the Conservative Party, including the current Minister of Education, pledged to provide adequate, stable funding for Ontario’s schools;

“Whereas less than three weeks into the legislative session, Doug Ford and the Conservative government have already cut $100 million in much-needed school repairs, leaving our children and educators to suffer in classrooms that are unsafe and unhealthy;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to direct the Minister of Education to immediately reverse the decision to cut $100 million in school repair funding, and invest the $16 billion needed to tackle the repair backlog in Ontario’s schools.”

I fully support this petition. I’ll be affixing my signature to it and providing it to page Mirren to deliver to the table.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I recognize my seatmate, the member for Kitchener–Conestoga.

Fish and wildlife management

Mr. Mike Harris: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s awfully fitting that we do have the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry in the House today, so I thought I’d read this petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the ban on hunting and trapping in sections of Ontario to protect the eastern hybrid wolf was put in place without regard for the overall ecosystem;

“Whereas this ban has adversely affected the ability of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), hunters and trappers to properly manage animal populations and Ontario’s ecosystem;

“Whereas this ban is no longer needed and is in fact causing more damage to Ontario’s ecosystem and increasing unnecessary encounters between wildlife and Ontarians;

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

“That the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry immediately lift the ban on hunting and trapping set in place to protect the eastern hybrid wolf.”

I’ve already affixed my signature to this and pass it to page Julien to bring to the table.

Services for persons with disabilities

Mr. Percy Hatfield: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas over 1,300 Ontarians and their families rely on independent facilitation, a service that helps those with developmental disabilities pursue work or school, live independently, enjoy hobbies and participate in their community;

“Whereas by cutting funding to independent facilitation, families will only be able to access this support through an inequitable fee-for-service model;

“Whereas the ... cuts to the independent facilitation program means fewer resources will now be available to people with developmental disabilities and their families;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario ... to provide permanent funding for independent facilitation services and support to be offered province-wide so all Ontarians with developmental disabilities and their loved ones can access this important service without financial or geographical barriers.”

I agree 100%. I’m going to sign it and give it to Katie to bring down to the table.

Equal opportunity

Ms. Suze Morrison: I’d like to introduce a petition entitled “Don’t Take Away Social and Economic Rights for Women and Marginalized People.” It reads:

“Petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario....

“Whereas statistics show that women, particularly women of colour, are most likely to be employed in precarious work, and the Bill 47 amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and Labour Relations Act, 1995 create conditions that lead to a growth in precarious employment while also eliminating protections for millions of Ontario workers;

“Whereas Bill 66 further erodes women’s and marginalized people’s social and economic rights; and

“Whereas the” Conservative “government continues to remove, cancel or freeze funding for other supports, programs and regulations that would increase women’s equality in the workforce and beyond;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to, at the very least:

“—reinstate paid sick days, the scheduled increase to a $15 minimum wage, legislation to increase pay transparency, regulations that support equal pay for equal work...;

“—reverse changes to day care regulations that allow more children per caregiver;

“—reverse the retroactive cuts to funding for the Ontario College of Midwives;

“—reinstate funding increases to sexual assault centres;

“—restore the” provincial “round table on violence against women; and

“—restore the child and youth advocate commissioner’s office.”

I wholeheartedly endorse this petition. I will be affixing my signature to it and providing it to page Ishwarejan to deliver to the table.

Long-term care

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: I’d like to thank Pam Graham. She sits on the family council for the Maple Villa Long-Term Care Centre, and she collected 518 signatures on the Time to Care bill.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas quality care for the 78,000 residents of (LTC) homes is a priority for many Ontario families; and

“Whereas the provincial government does not provide adequate funding to ensure care and staffing levels in LTC homes to keep pace with residents’ increasing needs and the growing number of residents with complex behaviours; and

“Whereas several Ontario coroner’s inquests into LTC homes deaths have recommended an increase in direct hands-on care for residents and staffing levels and the most reputable studies on this topic recommends 4.1 hours of direct care per day;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to amend the LTC Homes Act (2007) for a legislated minimum care standard to provide an average of four hours per resident per day, adjusted for acuity level and case mix.”

I sign this petition and give it to page Julia to deliver to the table.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): That concludes the time we have for petitions this afternoon.

Orders of the Day

Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 visant à rétablir la compétitivité de l’Ontario

Resuming the debate adjourned on March 26, 2019, on the motion for third reading of the following bill:

Bill 66,

An Act to restore Ontario’s competitiveness by amending or repealing certain Acts / Projet de loi 66, Loi visant à rétablir la compétitivité de l’Ontario en modifiant ou en abrogeant certaines lois.

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

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: As always, it is an honour and a privilege to rise in this House on behalf of the constituents of Parkdale–High Park, especially on this bill, Bill 66.

My office received over 1,500 messages from constituents, all opposed and all of them asking, “What can I do to stop this?” The people of Parkdale–High Park care about protecting source water and prime agricultural land from corporate profit. They care about the safety of vulnerable members of our community, children and seniors, and the safety of workers. Parkdale–High Park constituents care about climate change and the real potential for irreversible, catastrophic damage, and they are concerned about the lack of action from this government. Today, I want to focus my comments on these concerns.

This omnibus bill attacks the rights of Ontarians on many fronts. This government presented Bill 66 as a way to create more and better jobs, but it actually risks severely damaging the environment as well as stripping away protections for workers and tenants in our province. If this government is committed to listening to people, as Premier Ford insists, then we must hear from them on all schedules of this bill, not just on

schedule 10 on the greenbelt.

The people of Ontario are paying attention. The overwhelming reaction to the opening up of the greenbelt for development is particular proof that the Premier must take the concerns of people seriously, and not just the concerns of those he is in business with. Let me say that again: Premier Ford must take the concerns of people seriously, not just the concerns of those he is in business with.

The inclusion of this

schedule in this bill proved an alarming lack of worry on the part of Conservatives about Ontario’s natural environment. This is part of a disturbing trend of anti-environment bills that this government has tabled in the last few months. When something as fundamental as clean drinking water is at risk in our province in order to promote the interests of business owners, I ask, who is Premier Ford really listening to? With this bill, he broke his promise to Ontarians.

We know from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that we have just 12 years left to make significant policy and practical changes on a global level to reduce the impact of rising temperatures on our planet. Why can’t Ontario be a leader in this fight? Ten years ago, our Endangered Species Act was considered world-class. It was responsible for the preservation of not just animals but many of Ontario’s natural habitats, particularly the greenbelt.

Since then, the act has been continuously under attack: First watered down by the Liberals in 2013, now it’s under threat again, thanks to the January 19 review of the act that was ordered by this government. I’d like to remind the Conservative members of this House that you will not be able to water down a law when there is no water left. The greenbelt must be protected from urban sprawl and development as a way to safeguard our natural resources and protect the health of Ontarians.

The stated goal of this bill is to create jobs, but there is no mention in this bill about green jobs for all, which is the way forward. Ontario needs jobs that transition us to a renewable and fossil-fuel-free economy. Transitioning into a green economy is possible, and it’s possible to do so without attacking the lowest-paid workers. It is possible to provide good jobs for all. Economic justice and climate justice are linked.

Schedule 5 in this bill also represents a threat to Ontarians’ safety and environmental protection. It repeals the Toxics Reduction Act and regulation and risks the safety of workers and the public. This act, Speaker—which the NDP noted, back in 2009, was already incomplete and inadequate—is now on the chopping block, and with it regulations that protect our province and its people from exposure to harmful chemicals. Specifically, after 2021, only manufacturers and mines that are already reporting their use of toxins will be required to continue to make reports.

Any new industrial businesses will be exempt, free to use toxins that put the health of Ontarians at risk, including their own workers, without making a report to the provincial government.

With this bill, the Ford government is also endangering the health and safety of workers. Why is this government chipping away at the safety of workers? Why is this government so determined to turn good jobs into bad, unstable part-time jobs? Ontarians support and need decent work. This means a $15 minimum wage now and fair working conditions. But what did this government do? First, it cancelled the $15 minimum wage just six weeks before it was scheduled to come into effect and postponed it at least until 2025. They scrapped the two meagre paid sick days, even though nearly 80% of Ontarians demanded this protection, including 64% of Conservative voters.

The truth is, the best social program is definitely not a job in Ontario, no matter what this government may have argued while cutting social assistance programs. Hard-working Ontarians who are forced to cobble together two to three jobs to make ends meet can barely put food on their table, and with Bill 66, jobs are about to get a whole lot worse. This bill will remove the requirement for Ministry of Labour oversight and approval of excessive hours of work.

It will also remove the requirement for employers to apply for and receive approval from the director of employment standards for overtime averaging agreements. In most workplaces, especially in the absence of unions, workers have little power to negotiate, and this bill will give employers even more power to make staff work long hours with less overtime pay. If a boss tells you to sign a document to get your overtime hours averaged or to work 50, 60, maybe 70 hours a week, many will do so because they’re worried they might not get to keep the job otherwise.

Removing broad oversight of these important protections silences workers’ voices. If excessive hours of work become normalized, we can also expect workers’ health and safety to take a huge hit.

There’s one more thing: While constituents demand good jobs, why is this government blocking job creation by allowing employers to rely on excessive overtime instead of hiring new staff? For employers who are focused on cutting costs at all expense, what will keep them now from forcing employees to do 70-hour workweeks as opposed to hiring additional workers? The answer is: nothing, really, because the Ministry of Labour will have no clue.

Also, Speaker, how can this government justify to Ontario’s workers that their rights on the job will no longer be guaranteed? For the last 15 years, the Employment Standards Act has required employers to post a copy of the Ministry of Labour’s posters that describe employee rights and employer requirements under the Employment Standards Act. This bill would eliminate this simple requirement to post a poster in the workplace.

This poster not only provides workers with general information about their statutory rights, but informs workers that they have a job-protected right to exercise those rights and provides Ministry of Labour contact information to do so. Making sure workers know about their rights at work is not a regulation we can afford to cut. Is this government afraid of an informed public?

What the Ford government is really doing here is sending a green light to bad bosses to ignore workers’ rights—and this is not the first time. Soon after the Conservatives got into office, they blocked the planned hiring of 100 new employment standards officers. In September, through leaked documents, we learned that the Ministry of Labour was ordered to halt proactive inspections even though the ministry’s own internal analysis showed proactive inspections to be the most effective method of catching lawbreaking employers.

Then, just last Thursday, the government replaced proactive enforcement inspections of workplaces with a new program which relies on employers to voluntarily report their violations of minimum employment standards to the government. Enforcement is key to ensuring a floor of protection for all workers and creating an even playing field for businesses, but this government is simply not interested.

Included in this bill are also new ways of chipping away at the strength of unions and their protections. If we let this bill pass, it will prevent agricultural workers and certain horticultural workers, the people who pick the very produce that we eat every day and are some of the most precariously employed and exploited workers in this province—this bill prevents these workers from forming strong unions and ensures those with the fewest rights, including migrant workers, who comprise a large portion of agricultural workers, will be denied a platform to fight for their right to safe and well-paid work. Speaker, this bill is attacking racialized workers.

This bill also attacks unionized workers. If passed, it will bring a major and contentious change: Municipalities, school boards, hospitals, colleges, universities and any other major institutional employers will no longer be considered “construction employers” for the purposes of building major infrastructure projects. Many such employers are covered by historic construction agreements that set out who can perform certain work.

Eliminating the need for a construction employer designation is anticipated as having the effect of turning these projects into open-shop worksites such that these employers will no longer be bound by these agreements and major infrastructure projects will conceivably be able to employ non-union workers to do traditionally skilled labour work.

These changes actually were sought by former PC MPP Michael Harris in his 2013 private member’s bill. These changes are almost wholly lifted from a resolution in the Ontario Chamber of Commerce Compendium of Policy Resolutions, 2018-2022. That’s right. It’s wholly lifted from a resolution that the Ontario Chamber of Commerce passed as a resolution for 2018-2022. Once again, we see that the Ford government is advancing big business interests over those of workers of Ontario.

Speaker, I’d like to remind everybody in this House that the Ontario Chamber of Commerce actively lobbied against a $15 minimum wage and called on the government to repeal the $15 minimum wage. Again I ask: Who is this government listening to? It’s not the two thirds of Ontarians who wanted the lowest-paid workers to receive a modest pay increase, because we know that, especially in urban centres like Toronto, a $15 minimum wage is not a living wage. This government is listening to big-business lobbying.

This bill, in

schedule 3, also puts profit over people by amending the Child Care and Early Years Act and the Education Act. Some of the lowest-paid workers in this province are those taking care of our children. Nurturing and keeping our children safe is one of the most important jobs, yet the women—and I say “women” because this role is predominantly filled by women—aren’t fairly compensated for the vital work that they do.

I was proud to add my name to the long list of Ontarians in support of the Wage Enhancement Grant. This $2 wage enhancement was an attempt to rectify the long-standing gender pay gap. I hope that this government sees how this wage enhancement can benefit the economy.

In this bill, in

schedule 3, the government is making it less safe for our children by raising caps on home child care centres. These child care regulations were added after four children died in a span of just seven months in 2013-14. This bill increases the maximum number of children who are younger than two years old that can be in the care of one provider from two to three, and in the care of two child care providers, from four to six. Speaker, how does this create good jobs? And we already know the risks of loosening restrictions on child care ratios. This is not how you solve the crisis in child care.

I’ve spoken in the House before about Parkdale–High Park being a child care desert, but you don’t solve that by creating more spots that are less safe.

We can improve child care in this province by making it public, bringing in affordable child care for all, by creating a provincial child care program and by paying women, who dedicate their lives to ensuring the safety of children, a good wage. Instead, this bill only makes way for more for-profit daycares and fewer not-for-profit daycares. When shareholders become the primary beneficiaries of an organization, how safe are our children going to be?

Finally, I want to address the proposed

schedule 4 changes, which will put increased economic stress on tenants in Ontario, many of whom are already paying some of the highest rents in the country. In Parkdale–High Park, over 50% of my constituents are tenants, and the average rent price for a one bedroom is $1,200. Loopholes in rental legislation and above-guideline increases, displacement from gentrification, rising property values due to real estate speculation and money laundering, and renovictions: These are all causing skyrocketing rents and forcing long-term tenants out of their units and out of their communities.

There are a number of corporate landlords exploiting the housing crisis for their personal gain. One such landlord is Timbercreek Asset Management, who, at this very moment, is trying to push out long-term tenants from residential apartment buildings 103 and 105 West Lodge Avenue.

When I visited the tenants after the February electrical fire, I heard tenants say that since Timbercreek took over West Lodge, it immediately launched a concerted effort to displace tenants from their buildings. As I speak, there are over 70 units that sit empty, and that’s shameful given Toronto’s affordable housing crisis. West Lodge tenants face conditions that are, simply put, unlivable. Many of the tenants report living in buildings without heat, infested with bugs, and in desperate need of repair. Four out of the eight elevators don’t work, and there are 18 floors in each of these buildings.

Tenants have shared experiences of floods, fires and electrical outages. I’ve heard horror story after horror story from tenants and housing activists who say that building maintenance and tenant concerns have been ignored by the landlord for years. Yet at the same time, thanks to the work of housing advocates and the brave tenants who are coming forward to report these, despite its neglect of th