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October 6, 2020

42nd Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2020-Oct-06 (PDF)

L192 - Tue 6 Oct 2020 / Mar 6 oct 2020

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Tuesday 6 October 2020 Mardi 6 octobre 2020

Members’ Statements

COVID-19 response

Illegal drugs

Seniors’ health services

Ontario Agriculture Week

Made in Dundas Box

Ontario Agriculture Week

Scarborough Health Network

COVID-19 response

Fire in Richmond Hill

Home Runs for Hospice

Wearing of pink masks

2011 Ontario general election

Question Period

COVID-19 response

COVID-19 response

COVID-19 response

Small business

COVID-19 response

COVID-19 response / Réponse à la COVID-19

Civilian oversight of police

Long-term care

COVID-19 response

Multiculturalism

COVID-19 response

COVID-19 response

COVID-19 response

COVID-19 response

COVID-19 response

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Government Agencies

Introduction of Bills

Dwarfism Awareness and Acceptance Month Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 sur le Mois de sensibilisation au nanisme et de son acceptation

Connecting Care Amendment Act (Patient Bill of Rights), 2020 / Loi de 2020 modifiant la Loi pour des soins interconnectés (Déclaration des droits des patients)

Better for People, Smarter for Business Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 pour mieux servir la population et faciliter les affaires

Time Amendment Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 modifiant la

Loi sur l’heure légale

Petitions

Public sector compensation

Education funding

Multiple sclerosis

Equal opportunity

Equal opportunity

Equal opportunity

Equal opportunity

Long-term care

Anti-smoking initiatives for youth

Autism treatment

Orders of the Day

Soldiers’ Aid Commission Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 sur la Commission d’aide aux anciens combattants

Order of business

Private Members’ Public Business

Firearms control

The House met at 1015.

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

Prayers.

Members’ Statements

COVID-19 response

Ms. Jessica Bell: I’m proud to represent Kensington Market, one of the most vibrant and diverse neighbourhoods in our city. Kensington’s unique shops and restaurants attract tourists and artists from around the world. But COVID-19 has forced many business owners to give up and shut down. People like Julian. Julian is the owner of Model Citizen, a store that sells unique, made-in-Toronto clothing and goods. Julian did exactly what public health requested and closed his store during the first wave of COVID-19.

His landlord agreed to apply to the federal rent subsidy program, but after months of waiting, his landlord backed out, which meant Julian had just days to come up with $20,000 in rent. He can’t do it.

Julian has been a small business owner in Kensington for 13 years, and now he’s closing his doors permanently, just like AAamazing Salad, Bed and Better Living, Eurolins, Krepesz Café and Bar, Moo Frites, Pink Canary, Sole Survivor, Search and Rescued and San Cosme. These are just a few of the businesses in Kensington that are closing down. And what is happening in Kensington is happening all across my riding and all across our city, from Bloor to Ossington to Dundas to College. We’re losing main street, we’re losing jobs and we’re losing the vibrancy that makes our neighbourhoods unique and special.

I’m urging this government to step up and help businesses get through this pandemic. Expand who is eligible for the eviction ban. Provide direct rent relief for businesses in need. The future of our economic recovery depends on this moment.

Illegal drugs

Mr. Rick Nicholls: I want to compliment the great job our law enforcement does in our communities to serve and protect. One key aspect includes keeping illegal drugs and illegally grown drugs, such as cannabis, from hitting our streets and getting into the hands of our youth, plus those who attempt to distribute said illegal drugs.

As many of you may already know, Chatham-Kent–Leamington is home to Ontario’s largest greenhouse population. These greenhouses are known to supply various delicious fruits and vegetables to Ontarians all over the province. Sadly, it seems that not everyone has good intentions to grow legal vegetation.

On September 16, the Chatham-Kent Police Service intelligence unit seized over $7.3-million worth of illegally-grown cannabis, making this the largest drug bust Chatham-Kent has ever seen. Then, on September 23, police were also able to get a warrant and seize approximately $3,000 worth of suspected methamphetamines, packaging materials and digital scales. Furthermore, police seized again an additional $36,000 worth of cocaine and other illegal drugs just last week. This is a great success for the Chatham-Kent Police Service, as we are able to keep these illegally obtained substances off the streets and out of the hands of vulnerable people.

Police and city council members are encouraging people to call Crime Stoppers or their local police if they ever suspect illegal activity. Together, we are able to put our foot down, claim a victory against illegal drugs and continue to make our communities safer.

Seniors’ health services

Ms. Laura Mae Lindo: Dear government: I think it’s time for real talk, real talk about care for older adults in Ontario. Last week, you asked everyone to pitch in and help their loved ones, and the people of Kitchener Centre are doing just that, but based on the calls I’m getting in my office, they need your help.

So I’ve been thinking: What is one way that you can commit to do what families actually need, so that they feel loved and cared for and heard? The answer: You can support Bill 196, my call for an independent seniors’ advocate in Ontario. When you support my bill, you’re developing an authentic circle of care around older adults across this province. You’re providing them, their families and the ones who care for them with a space to raise concerns when things aren’t going right and to report on victories when the changes they need are finally completed.

When you support my bill, you’re being proactive in the care that you deliver to older adults, because you’re listening to the experts who have been telling us that we can and must do better for older adults in Ontario.

When you support my bill, you will be giving the older adults in your lives and in ours the greatest amount of gratitude. You will tell them that you care with your actions, not only with your words.

I’m looking forward to your support on October 19, when we come together to debate my private member’s bill. I know that the people of Kitchener Centre will be watching, along with all Ontarians, as we take a historic leap of faith together.

Now that is real talk.

Signed, Ontario.

Ontario Agriculture Week

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: It’s an honour to rise today to recognize this being Ontario Agriculture Week. My predecessor, former MPP Bert Johnson, took this initiative 22 years ago to establish Ontario Agriculture Week, to set aside time to thank those who work hard every single day to grow some of the best food in the world, which we get to enjoy every day here in Ontario.

Each morning, farmers on nearly 50,000 farms across our province wake up to plant, grow and harvest more than 200 varieties of food that are produced in Ontario annually. Ontario’s hard-working farmers continue to provide families with fresh fruits, vegetables, high-quality meats, poultry and fish, as well as nutritious eggs and dairy, delicious honey, maple syrup and world-class wines.

Now more than ever, we must support local farmers and the communities that put food on our kitchen tables. When consumers choose local food, they are helping to build a strong farm and food sector, which supports good jobs throughout our province.

During this year’s agriculture week, as much as any other time of the year, we are grateful for what they do for this province, and as a government we are proud to support them and our agri-food sector. On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and our entire caucus, I want to thank each and every farmer in this province for being the agri-food heroes we so depend on.

Made in Dundas Box

Ms. Sandy Shaw: In my riding there are many business districts located in historic areas like Dundas, Ancaster and Westdale. These are delightful main streets full of local retailers, services and restaurants. We all know small businesses across Ontario were hard hit by COVID-19 in the spring shutdown; they’re now open again and working hard to create safe and unique shopping experiences.

A great example of the entrepreneurship of Ontarians is the Made in Dundas Box. Our local Dundas Museum partnered with local businesses to launch the Made in Dundas Box. Each box features a surprise collection of locally sourced hand-picked items from the wonderful businesses in the community: Village Bakery, Nellie James gourmet foods, Mickey McGuire’s Cheese and Weir’s lavender, just to name a few.

This is a wonderful way to support our local small businesses and to raise funds for an important cultural organization. The proceeds from each box will give five young students a chance to visit the museum and a chance to participate in their award-winning educational program.

This program was so successful that it sold out. But for those of you who missed out, don’t worry; the next Made in Dundas Box will be launching soon.

Ontario Agriculture Week

Mr. Mike Schreiner: It’s Ontario Agriculture Week, and I want to encourage people to support our local farmers by buying local at our limited gatherings this weekend.

I also want to take a moment to talk about the amazing work by local food groups in Guelph, like The SEED, who are working hard to connect local farmers with the most vulnerable—during COVID, they’ve delivered over 100,000 nutritious food boxes via contactless delivery; like 10C, the Smart Cities initiative, the University of Guelph and Harve$t Impact, who have a plan to Grow Back Better: to make Guelph the first city where no one goes without healthy food.

It’s a bold initiative where we are taking the problems of food waste and food access to create solutions, to create jobs, to build a more regenerative food system that doesn’t exhaust our planet. Speaker, excuse the pun, but there is hunger for these local solutions. I’m urging the government to protect farmland, to use your procurement power to support local, sustainable farmers by buying local food for public institutions and to invest in programs that keep people fed.

We need to use the lessons from the pandemic to make us more resilient. I want to thank the food organizations in Guelph who are showing us the way forward, and I want to thank all those Ontario farmers who are growing such delicious, healthy food for all of us.

Scarborough Health Network

Mr. Aris Babikian: Our government’s investment into the Scarborough Health Network emphasizes our commitment to improving and optimizing health care for all. Mr. Speaker, it is always a pleasure to visit our health care institutions and relay good news, especially during these trying times. On one such visit last Friday, I joined my Scarborough colleagues at Scarborough Health Network to announce the allocation of $4,696,433 for the 2020-21 year to SHN through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund.

This funding will support the roof, carpet and window replacements, as well as assist in the replacement of the nurse call system and the Birchmount hospital chiller and cooling tower. The funding will help Scarborough hospitals, including Birchmount hospital, to continue the amazing work they are doing to keep our community healthy and safe. The above announcement is in addition to the $500,000 funding provided to Birchmount to help them plan the renovation of the existing 11,000 square feet of the emergency department, in addition to a new 14,000 square feet.

I would like to take the opportunity to commend SHN doctors, nurses and front-line health care workers for their commitment and sacrifices to safeguard the health of our community. They are the real heroes of the COVID pandemic. They went beyond the call of duty and reached out to the long-term-care centres, retirement homes and assisted living facilities to care for the most vulnerable and prevent the spread of the pandemic.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m watching the clock and occasionally allowing both sides to go a few seconds over.

Members’ statements.

COVID-19 response

Mr. Jamie West: I recently met with members of my community who belong to various recovery and addiction 12-step programs. During the first wave of COVID-19, when the province was abruptly shut down, their ability to hold in-person group support meetings was halted. The isolation and the inability to have in-person fellowship and support had a devastating effect on their members. I was told that in my city of Sudbury, the number of overdoses has also climbed.

During this meeting, one participant told me that even though they are now able to meet safely in person, 30% of the support group simply has never returned. It’s troubling, because 12-step recovery and addiction programs can increase success rates by as much as 18% and 25%. With the number of COVID-19 cases on the rise and an expectation of a second wave soon to come, advocates of 12-step programs are concerned that their ability to meet in person will be cancelled again.

Last spring, decisions had to be made quickly, but fortunately, hindsight is 20/20. That’s why, before any future decisions are made, these advocates are joining with others to make the government aware of the impact that the first shutdown had on them. They have one simple request, Speaker: that the government include 12-step recovery and addiction programs as part of the list of essential services for future shutdowns. This would ensure that with proper controls in place, their ability to have in-person fellowship and support could continue, especially when it might be needed most.

I support their opinion, and I’ll reach out to the Premier as well as the Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions to ask for their support as well.

Fire in Richmond Hill

Mrs. Daisy Wai: Today, I rise in the House as a very proud MPP for my riding of Richmond Hill. On July 26, a fire ripped through a townhouse complex and destroyed nearly 20 units, displacing several families. Among those is a woman by the name of Simone Bennett, with two sons, eight and nine years old. They lost everything, Mr. Speaker. They only had the clothing on their backs. Tragically, the fire destroyed their home and the family car.

While she moved into a shelter with the children, her friend Natalie Beharry set up a GoFundMe page for Ms. Bennett, to help her to raise funds to cover her first and last months’ rent and obtain furnishings, clothing and basic needs. Mr. Speaker, I’m so proud and happy to report that almost $16,000 of the $18,000 goal has been raised by this community.

I would like to thank Ms. Beharry for taking this initiative and wish Ms. Bennett all the very best as she begins a new chapter.

I’d also like to thank the Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services, York region community and social services as well as the Red Cross for their assistance to these families.

Home Runs for Hospice

Mr. Will Bouma: I rise in the House today to acknowledge a wonderful community event which took place in Brantford this past Saturday, October 3. The first annual Home Runs for Hospice game at the Arnold Anderson Stadium featured an alumni roster of Brantford Red Sox players, our local inter-county baseball league team. While spectators were limited, the game was broadcast on several local stations.

For well over 100 consecutive years, baseball games have been played at this stadium, which is an impressive track record—until COVID threatened this tradition. In order to continue this century-long institution, Saturday’s celebratory scrimmage game was organized.

It was also organized to honour several incredible volunteers who have contributed so extensively to baseball in Brantford. The game was played in memory of Jamie Corke and Tom Waelchli, who both passed away in the last year. Sue Harris was also recognized, and she was able to be there for Saturday’s game. They have all served Brantford Minor Baseball, the Brantford Red Sox and the community of Brantford through their dedication and love for the game.

Especially meaningful to me was that this Home Runs for Hospice game was played to raise funds for our local Stedman Community Hospice. While the pandemic has changed so much in our lives, it has not diminished our community spirit and its love for the game of baseball.

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

Wearing of pink masks

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m going to recognize the Minister of Health on a point of order.

Hon. Christine Elliott: Speaker, I’m seeking unanimous consent for members to wear pink masks in recognition of National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, which is next Tuesday, as well as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

I would also like to thank Rethink Breast Cancer for channelling their inner Ontario spirit in making these masks, which will help raise awareness for women who have metastatic breast cancer.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of Health is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to allow the members to wear pink masks today in recognition of National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Agreed? Agreed.

2011 Ontario general election

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Hamilton Mountain has a point of order.

Miss Monique Taylor: It gives me great pride to congratulate the class of 2011. October 6 is the ninth anniversary of us being elected to the 40th Parliament.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Congratulations to all of you.

It is now time for oral questions.

Question Period

COVID-19 response

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My first question this morning is to the Premier.

Ontarians are anxious, and rightfully so, about the second wave of COVID-19. Thousands have lost their lives, businesses along main streets across our province have shut down and families have struggled to make ends meet and to try to keep their kids learning. Yet the Premier insists that everything is going to plan. Yesterday, he even claimed Ontario’s testing was the envy of the country, even as underfunded and overloaded labs reduced service and scrambled to try to meet demand. So does the Premier really think his bargain-basement scheme is something to brag about?

Hon. Doug Ford: Mr. Speaker, I’m proud of the testing that we’re doing. I just informed the Leader of the Opposition—I know it’s kind of tough; they have trouble with numbers sometimes—that we tested 42,000 people yesterday. That’s 42,000 people. We’re leading the entire country in testing. We’re 38% of the population; we’re 52% of the testing. We’re doing well over four million tests so far. We have another 100 pharmacies coming on board to help out.

Now, people are happy. More and more people I have talked to, they’re happy about setting up a schedule, that they can make an appointment; they don’t have to wait in line. Again, I can’t wait for this rapid test to be approved from Health Canada. It’s going to be a game changer, but we will continue pumping out the tests—42,000 tests yesterday and 38,000 the day before. So we’re increasing testing. Our goal is to hit 50,000.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Toronto Public Health, experts in the medical field across Ontario and the Ontario Hospital Association have pleaded with this Premier to take a step back and actually listen to their advice. They want him to do what’s right and take every measure possible to protect the lives of Ontarians. Dr. de Villa of Toronto Public Health said she has sent suggestions all along to the Premier and his officials. Yet instead of working with them, the Premier is refusing to listen, just as he did all summer while hospitals, labs and long-term-care homes were pleading for the government to prepare for the second wave. When is the Premier going to start listening?

Hon. Doug Ford: We take everyone’s advice. I respect the OHA. I respect the nurses. I respect all the information. I even respect the NDP and the Liberals when they come up with constructive ideas.

Mr. Speaker, I can’t sit back without seeing proper evidence. And they’re supposed to be a party of helping the little guy? They want me to shut down restaurants that these families have put their life savings in, that 99% of them—or probably even higher than 99%—are following the rules. They’re practising social distancing. They’re putting hand sanitizer out. They’re putting dividers out. We’ve made sure that when people go in, we have contact tracing of all the people. We’ve cut the tables down to six. We reduced the hours of serving alcohol, at 11 o’clock that it’s going to stop.

My job as Premier is to protect the people, protect the little people that have sit there—in opening their restaurants, trying to survive. The NDP want to close them down. They want to ruin their lives. I’m not here to ruin—

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Doing what Ontario needs to get through the second wave means doing more than just the bare minimum. The Premier’s own public officials begged for a better testing and lab capacity plan, but the Premier and his team just didn’t want to spend the money. Now the Premier is, once again, hoping to save a buck while the pandemic spreads.

When will the Premier realize that his attempts to cut corners, delay decisions and save money are making the second wave worse than it needs to be?

Hon. Doug Ford: There’s one thing this government hasn’t done, is cut funding. We have increased funding. We’re up over $30 billion now, supporting businesses, supporting families in need. That’s what we’re going to continue to do.

But, Mr. Speaker, the best way to help people, the very best way, is for everyone to follow the guidelines. Everyone is in this together. We have to make sure, as long as the numbers maintain where they are—or go lower, because they dropped again, Mr. Speaker. I have to protect people’s livelihood.

What they’re forgetting is mental health. Have you ever run a business, the Leader of the Opposition? Have you ever had to meet a payroll? Have you ever had to meet a payroll for two people? Is your mortgage dependent, is your rent dependent on them making sure that you get the sales in? The answer is no, because you have been on the public dole for the last 20 years down here. That’s the reason—

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

The next question.

COVID-19 response

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I have another serious question for the Premier. Perhaps he’ll answer it in a serious way. Yesterday, the Premier said that he was avoiding new, desperately needed health measures because he wanted “to exhaust every ... avenue before I ruin someone’s life.” Well, it’s too late. COVID-19 has ruined thousands and thousands of lives in our province, and thousands of small businesses have also been ruined because the Premier bungled his response to COVID-19. To make matters worse, he is failing to provide the support that main street businesses need to stay afloat.

So if this Ford government is truly worried for small businesses and all the little guys that the Premier likes to talk about who work for those small businesses, why has he not put direct supports in place to protect small businesses during a second wave?

Hon. Doug Ford: Through the support of the federal government and ourselves, we’ve put billions and billions of dollars for small businesses. I just want to remind the Leader of the Opposition, I personally led the charge to get more money off the federal government, and if I didn’t keep pushing them, we wouldn’t be getting the extra $4 billion.

And about exhausting: Absolutely, I’m not ready to go willy-nilly and just make a decision and ruin tens of thousands of people’s lives and shut down absolutely everything that the NDP want to do. You’re right; you’re 100%: One thing where you’re right, Leader of the Opposition, is I will exhaust every avenue that I possibly can to be able to put food on people’s tables, to be able to pay the rent, pay their mortgage and take care of their kids while we go through this crisis. We’re there to support them, we’re there to get them back on their feet and help them out any way we can.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Talk’s cheap, and apparently so is the Premier. Instead of offering a plan to directly—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order. Stop the clock.

I’m going to caution all the members on their language. Obviously, that remark caused disorder in the House. I would ask all members to keep their language temperate.

Start the clock. The Leader of the Opposition, please place your question.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Instead of offering a plan to directly help small businesses struggling with rent, which they have been asking for since April, the Ford government created a scheme that was impossible to access: Of the $3 billion that was supposed to help small businesses and protect jobs, $2 billion of it is still in the bank. And now, that program has actually completely expired.

Small businesses and working people have been begging for direct supports to help with the rent and make the bills. Why has the Premier pinched pennies and refused to step up?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction.

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: Since the onset of this pandemic, we have ensured that we have been speaking to and listening to small business owners. Based on that consultation, we have been providing direct support to small businesses.

Whether it’s in the form of the CECRA program, the emergency rent relief to the tune of almost $1 billion, in conjunction with the federal government; whether it’s investing in programs like Digital Main Street, a $57-million investment with $2,500 grants for businesses to pivot to digital e-commerce models; or whether it’s providing electricity relief to the tune of $175 million, this government remains committed to supporting small businesses.

Whether it was before the pandemic, when we brought forward a 9% decrease in small business taxes, or whether it’s during this pandemic, small businesses can always rely on this government to support them.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, the support they’ve gotten so far has led to thousands and thousands of businesses having to close their doors permanently here in the province of Ontario. At every single turn, the Ford government has dithered and delayed, trying to save a buck instead of saving lives and jobs, whether it’s hospitals, labs and long-term-care homes waiting for investments to fight the second wave or working people and small businesses desperate for support to keep their doors open and pay the bills.

If we want to beat that COVID-19 and flatten the curve, we need a government that actually steps up to the plate. When will we see the desperately needed direct investments to save Main Street and protect jobs during the second wave of COVID-19?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Premier to reply.

Hon. Doug Ford: Mr. Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition is speaking out of both sides of her mouth. One second the one question is, close all the businesses and—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m going to ask the Premier to withdraw.

Hon. Doug Ford: I withdraw. Sorry, Speaker.

She’s sending a message out there to close the businesses in one question and then that we need to open them all up in the other question, so I’m not too sure where the Leader of the Opposition is going. Our goal is to always make sure we do everything in our power to keep businesses afloat. The best way we can support business is for everyone to follow the guidelines, for everyone to make sure that we bring down the numbers, and we don’t have to close anything down.

But again, it goes back to these companies that are struggling, that are holding on by their fingernails. We have to be there to support them. We have been there to support them, no matter if it’s making sure that they don’t have to be threatened by their landlords—which we stood up for, to make sure that we protected tenants, so that they aren’t able to kick the tenants out because they can’t afford rent. We put in billions of dollars—

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

COVID-19 response

Ms. Sara Singh: My question is for the Premier. Ontario’s hospitals have been a cornerstone in keeping our communities safe and providing life-saving care throughout the pandemic, but with the second wave of COVID-19 growing by the day, they need to know that the government will take action now.

The Ontario Hospital Association is calling for the government to increase public health restrictions to stop the spread of COVID-19 and to keep hospital capacity at safe levels. Will the Premier listen to the best medical advice from our hospitals and do what is needed to keep Ontarians safe?

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

Hon. Christine Elliott: Thank you very much, Speaker, and I thank the member very much for the question. In fact, I am in regular communication with the Ontario Hospital Association, as well as with the Ontario Medical Association, the nurses’ association and many other groups out there, as well as our public health officials.

We understand that this is a difficult time for hospitals right now. Their capacity is increasing. We’ve got increased numbers of COVID-19. We’ve got flu season approaching. We’re trying to carry on with the surgeries and procedures that were postponed during wave 1.

That is why we came forward with our comprehensive plan, Keeping Ontarians Safe. It’s a $2.8-billion plan that’s going to make sure that we can carry on dealing with COVID, dealing with flu season, dealing with those surgeries, being ready to respond to surges and having the health human resources necessary, because it’s one thing to increase capacity in hospitals in terms of space, but you also need the people there to be able to run with that.

We are in regular contact with the hospital association. I speak with them almost every single day. I spoke with them this morning—

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

Ms. Sara Singh: Hospitals in Ontario are already struggling to keep capacity down, and the second wave is still growing. In the community of Brampton, Brampton Civic Hospital had an occupancy rate of 93% in September and was in code gridlock eight times in just 12 days.

Code gridlock means that there are more patients waiting in the ER than there are actual beds available. This is completely unacceptable and puts patients and our front-line workers at risk. What is the government prepared to commit to today to ensure that Brampton Civic stays out of gridlock in the second wave?

Hon. Christine Elliott: We are very aware of the capacity challenges that many hospitals in Ontario are experiencing, I would say especially in some of the areas in Peel region, in Ottawa and in Toronto. In Toronto, they have the same issues with respect to capacity.

We have a plan. We have the plan that we’ve set out, Keeping Ontarians Safe, and we’re prepared to put the money into dealing with that, as well: $2.8 billion, which will help hospitals, which will deal with capacity challenges. We’re working on that now, and I hope to have more to say on that within the next several days.

Small business

Ms. Effie J. Triantafilopoulos: My question is to the Premier. Premier, our government continues to champion all small business owners in this province. I am proud of signature initiatives to support small business that our government has brought in. This includes cutting the small business income tax rate, which delivered up to $1,500 in annual savings to more than 275,000 businesses, as well as cutting red tape and excessive regulation. Also, during this time, our government has continued to provide much-needed supports to business by way of tax deferrals, WSIB premiums relief and commercial rent assistance.

Speaker, can the Premier please share with the Legislature how we will continue to help small business, especially locally owned restaurants, continue to operate safely as we move into the winter months?

Hon. Doug Ford: I want to thank the great member from Oakville North–Burlington for the great question. Every decision that we’ve made down here is based on health and science. We have some of the great medical leaders around Canada right here on our health table. We have a great Minister of Health and Minister of Long-Term Care, who have been working around the clock, so we appreciate their work.

The people say, “What keeps you up at night?” Because I’ve walked a mile in their shoes. Coming from a family-run business and trying to meet payroll and trying to get customers in, it’s difficult. It can destroy lives. It can destroy tens of thousands of lives if we don’t see the evidence.

Our team, the health table and the command table, we just haven’t seen the evidence for Toronto right now. We’re going to do everything we can to work collaboratively with the chief medical officer of Toronto, along with our chief medical officer, along with the mayor, who I talk to almost every single day. We need to keep their livelihoods moving forward and give them hope—

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

Ms. Effie J. Triantafilopoulos: My supplemental question is back to the Premier. Premier, I know that everyone in the Legislature echoes your strong support for our small business owners and working women and men in the province.

Our government continues to take targeted and strategic measures to address COVID outbreaks in hot spot regions. This includes additional guidelines to make sure that when you’re going into a restaurant, there are six to a table and that we get contact information for every single person. We’ve reduced the hours of serving alcohol; we’ve shut down strip joints; we’ve closed bars earlier. Can the Premier please share with the Legislature what additional due diligence our government will undertake as we address hot spot regions while supporting small business?

Hon. Doug Ford: I want to thank the member. The health and safety of Ontarians is our top priority. We’re looking for the bad actors, and I’ll be very frank, I think there are very few. I’ve been to a lot of restaurants, like we’ve all been to restaurants—these folks are following the guidelines, Mr. Speaker. As I said earlier on, we’re looking for the people that are reckless and careless, and there are very few of them. We can’t paint a broad brush right across the whole industry.

I can’t begin to tell you—and I don’t know how they get my number—I had endless calls yesterday from restaurant owners, little small businesses, mom-and-pop shops, saying, “Thank you. Finally, someone’s standing up for us, someone’s voicing our opinion. We’re following the guidelines. We’re putting all the procedures and guidelines in place, no matter if it’s dividing the tables, six to a table, getting contact information.” These people are working their backs off, and we’re here to help them and save them and give them hope.

COVID-19 response

Mr. John Vanthof: My question is to the Premier. The Premier’s failure on testing has left thousands not only waiting for a test, but now even waiting for an appointment to get a test—an appointment that they’re even struggling to get this week. The backlog is terrible. And while some people wait for those appointments, the little people that the Premier claims to protect, other people jump to the head of the queue because they pay for a test. All it takes to jump is to pay for the test. Why is this government allowing private testing for COVID-19 at the same time other people wait in line even for an appointment?

Hon. Doug Ford: Well, Mr. Speaker, again, we tested 42,000 people. People are happy that now they have certainty. They get an appointment and they go in there. We’re adding close to another 80 pharmacies, along with our 151 assessment centres, along with our pop-up testing areas that go around the province.

Finally, people have certainty. They know they’re going to go online. They know they’re going to get a test. They know they’re going to get the results. I just don’t know where they’re getting their figures from, because we’re hammering out the testing.

And by the way, the backlog: Thanks to the people of Ontario—we had a 90,000 backlog. Now we’re down to 58,000 because the people are helping out. I asked for help and they’ve been helping out over the last few days. We have dropped it down. We’ll be down to 10,000 or 20,000 in the backlog in the next two days. I want to thank the people of Ontario for just following and—

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

Mr. John Vanthof: The Ford government refuses to disallow people from jumping the queue. Maybe they don’t realize, but what people realize is every private sector test—every time somebody jumps the queue—that’s one less swab for the public sector, one less swab for the little people. Every time reagent is used by the private sector for the $400 test, there’s one less dose for the people waiting in the public line. And every time a technician does the work on that test, you know what? That’s one less technician able to help the people standing in line.

Why does this government refuse to support public health care, actually make everyone have to go through the public system, and not have anyone jump the queue—actually protect the little people instead of talking about it?

Hon. Doug Ford: Mr. Speaker, I’ve heard about this; I don’t know anyone who is doing it. I just don’t. I don’t know anyone who’s doing it.

I know one thing: We have maxed out every diagnostic lab technician there is in the private sector and in the public sector, making sure that we reach out to the call, just in universities, and there is only so much reagent in the entire world.

By the way, I have to give a shout-out to Premier King of PEI. They’re sending testing kits over to help us out—and Nova Scotia. I got a call from the Premier of Newfoundland. Everyone’s pitching in. We’re all in this together. We’re proud Canadians, and we’re going to help our neighbours any time we see difficulties. That’s why Ontario will always be there for the other provinces when they need help, Mr. Speaker.

COVID-19 response / Réponse à la COVID-19

M me Lucille Collard: My question is for the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. Since the beginning of the pandemic, I’ve heard from people in my riding who depend on the Ontario Disability Support Program and Ontario Works just to make a living and to get by. People in these programs are often forgotten members of our communities, and many of them are extremely vulnerable to COVID-19.

Access to testing is becoming more difficult because of insufficient capacity. For these people with disabilities, the testing has been inaccessible from the beginning. For them, it means long trips by bus, expensive taxi rides or having to rely on volunteers for transportation. That’s what happens in my riding, where testing centres are very few and far between. Further, many of these people with disabilities are immunocompromised or have mobility issues. Making a trip to a testing centre becomes a real challenge.

My question is, do the minister and the government have a plan to support municipalities to make testing more accessible for those in our communities who are struggling the most?

Hon. Todd Smith: Thank you very much to the member opposite for the question this morning. It’s an important one, and our government acted quickly and often to support members of Ontario’s public with disabilities, including the ODSP and Ontario Works. Working alongside my colleague the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, we were out of the gates quickly on March 22 with the Ontario Social Services Relief Fund.

When it comes to testing, there have been many, many investments made in testing, both in Ottawa, where the member is from, and across the province. The Minister of Health talks all the time of new assessment centres popping up in communities to make them more accessible to members with disabilities and the general public.

We’ve been working extremely hard at making sure that, when necessary, community paramedics are also there to go to homes where maybe it’s not accessible for the individual to get out and get to the assessment centre. Those community paramedics have been real champions during COVID-19 in getting out there and supporting individuals right across the—

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

Encore au ministre des Services à l’enfance et des Services sociaux et communautaires : plus tôt durant cette pandémie, le gouvernement a offert une aide financière très modeste aux gens qui dépendent du Programme ontarien de soutien aux personnes handicapées. Ce montant-là était déjà insuffisant, a été mal communiqué et a été terminé prématurément, car, faut-il le rappeler, nous sommes toujours en pleine pandémie.

Pourtant, même avec ce montant additionnel, les bénéficiaires du programme recevaient moins que le montant de 2 000 $ du fédéral jugé nécessaire pour se loger et se nourrir. La pandémie a imposé un fardeau financier qui menace de pauvreté ces gens qui reçoivent déjà trop peu. Ils ont besoin d’une aide véritable du gouvernement, car ils dépendent de nos services sociaux, sans que ce ne soit de leur faute.

Le ministre va-t-il s’engager à faire plus pour soutenir financièrement ces gens de nos communautés qui font maintenant face à la pauvreté?

Hon. Todd Smith: Merci pour la question. We acted very quickly out of the gates, as I mentioned, to provide the Social Services Relief Fund to communities right across the province, along with my colleague the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. That first tranche in the SSRF was $200 million; there have been subsequent investments of $150 million on two different occasions.

On top of that, we also brought in support for those on ODSP in the form of emergency assistance and in the form of emergency benefits. Those emergency benefits were available—$100 a month per individual, $200 per family—throughout the pandemic. Over 250,000 Ontarians signed up and received funding from the Ontario government during the pandemic, and we continue to make discretionary benefits available to individuals.

Even though we are in stage 3 now of our reopening plan in the province, there is funding available for those on ODSP to make the case for the support they need. Your Ontario government will be there for you during these times.

Civilian oversight of police

Mr. Aris Babikian: Many Ontarians want to know that policing as well as police oversight are modern, efficient and of the highest possible quality. This is critically important to ensure that police services maintain the trust of the communities they serve.

I understand that last Friday, the government announced Devon Clunis as the first Inspector General of Policing in Ontario. As a former chief of police in Winnipeg with a proven track record of transformative policing, I am sure that Mr. Clunis will bring an important perspective to this important new aspect of Ontario’s robust policing oversight system.

Mr. Speaker, would the government explain how the new role of the Inspector General of Policing will contribute to a robust oversight system?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The parliamentary assistant to the Solicitor General to reply.

Ms. Christine Hogarth: I want to thank the member for Scarborough–Agincourt for the question. Yes, you are correct: I am pleased to share that Mr. Clunis will be joining the ministry as Ontario’s first Inspector General of Policing. This new role will enhance police service delivery and increase public trust.

The role of inspector general, which is a new position created under the Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act passed by this House last year, will perform a critical role monitoring and conducting inspections in a number of areas, including ensuring compliance with the new Community Safety and Policing Act when it is brought into force; preventing police misconduct and imposing measures where necessary; and investigating police complaints related to the provision of adequate and effective policing services.

We look forward to leveraging Mr. Clunis’s experiences as it comes to continued regulatory development required to bring the Community Safety and Policing Act into force.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mr. Aris Babikian: The parliamentary assistant to the Solicitor General mentioned that the inspector general will have inspection powers under the Community Safety and Policing Act. As I am sure members will remember, this House passed the Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act in 2019, which includes the Community Safety and Policing Act and other key elements to modernize police and policing oversight. Considering that context, Mr. Speaker, how does the role of the inspector general fit into the broader framework that will be established through the Community Safety and Policing Act?

Ms. Christine Hogarth: Thank you again to the member for Scarborough–Agincourt for that question.

The nature of policing and community safety has changed since the Police Services Act was first introduced in 1990. The issues faced by our police services and their members today are much more complex. This is why the Community Safety and Policing Act is such an important piece of legislation that will help transform policing throughout the province of Ontario.

The creation of Ontario’s first Inspector General of Policing is a key deliverable as we work to bring the Community Safety and Policing Act into force. The act will establish a sustainable framework that provides tools necessary for police to do their jobs effectively; flexibility to ensure that community safety efforts can be tailored to local needs; and the standards, transparency and accountability expected by all Ontarians.

Long-term care

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: My question is to the Premier. Janice Duffy, a constituent of mine, recently spoke to me about her dad, Doug. He lives in The Village of Glendale Crossing, which is a long-term-care home in London. She said that after her dad fell a couple of weeks ago, he’s been having adverse reactions to new medications he’s received. Now he requires 24-hour care, 1 to 1.

The home informed Janice and her family that they are to provide that care for him by either attending to him themselves or by paying a private caregiver at a cost of $14,000 a month. That is in addition to what they are already paying for their dad’s stay in the home. The home says that this is because they are short-staffed.

Janice is working full-time. She now has to find ways to work in between caring full-time for her father.

Families and their loved ones should not have to shoulder the burden of the government’s lack of action after decades of the long-standing short-staffing crisis. Will the government commit to a permanent wage increase, ensuring full-time hours and benefits in order to recruit and retain PSWs in long-term care?

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

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Thank you for the question, to the member opposite. Looking at our personal support workers in long-term care, this whole sector has been neglected, as the member opposite points out, for decades. It is our government that has taken on the commitment to repair, rebuild and modernize long-term care.

This includes addressing the needs of our staff. We began with the pandemic pay. We recently announced $540 million—over half a billion dollars—towards efforts in long-term care to provide more support for staffing, to provide more ways to allow minor capital investments to occur, to provide the training programs for PSWs, to recruit those personal support workers and staff to long-term care, and to provide and create a culture and an environment where people want to stay and want to work.

This is ongoing. We will persist and we will get the job done.

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

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: Back to the Premier: The Village of Glendale Crossing is owned and operated by a for-profit company. Even with a raging pandemic that has devastated the long-term-care system, shareholders in for-profit long-term-care homes have not seen a loss in dividends. Families like Janice’s, on the other hand, are left to spend more out of pocket for a long-term-care system that they already paid for through their taxes.

Why are families forced to pay for additional staffing out of their own pockets while companies continue to profit off the public dollar? Will this government commit to taking profits out of care?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Thanks again to the member for the question. I want to make sure everyone understands that long-term care is focused on the resident, making sure that we improve resident care, that we ensure that we have an environment where staff can be supported to provide that care, where support for families is there.

This is an ongoing effort, and we understand that there is some confusion about the for-profit or the ownership aspect of it. We recognize that, really, it is the areas where there is high levels of COVID that have caused the issues for many of the homes, including for-profit homes. But for-profit homes are restricted by the envelopes of funding that they have. There is really no room to take profit from that. They must give back to government, to our ministry, funds that are not used in the vast majority of the envelopes.

COVID-19 response

Mr. Randy Hillier: Speaker, seeing that the front benches have emptied, I will pose my question to the Minister of Long-Term Care.

Over 1,300 public health scientists and 1,500 medical practitioners have—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member knows full well that he’s not to make reference to the absence of other members.

Place your question, please.

Mr. Randy Hillier: The document is called the Great Barrington Declaration. It was drafted by professors from Harvard, Stanford and Oxford, and they are the most respected epidemiologists in the world. Their concerns are singular in focus: The prevailing COVID policies are having damaging physical and mental impacts on the public. They are aghast at the public health advice being provided to Western governments. It is contrary to the science and what we now know about COVID.

Minister, Nobel laureates and reputable world-leading experts on infectious diseases are telling governments that what they’re doing is causing more harm than good. Will you heed their advice and endorse the Great Barrington Declaration, as I have?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Thanks to the member opposite for the question. As a physician for many, many years and studying science and evidence, it’s very clear that there are always differences of opinion. Those differences of opinion have to be carefully considered and thought out.

Our government and my Ministry of Long-Term Care have been working with the science and the evidence of experts—many experts, hundreds of experts, the Chief Medical Officer of Health being one of them. There are many, many areas of evidence that must be weighed and understood, not only at a macro level but a micro level. There are many considerations being given. All of this evidence is emerging. At the beginning of COVID, there was very little information available. Now there is more than most people could ever manage to get through.

With the essential caregiver piece, I want to make sure that I repeat this: Our essential caregivers are back into the homes. They are there providing support. The mental well-being of our long-term—

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

Mr. Randy Hillier: I do thank the minister for her response. However, these pre-eminent experts have stated government policies are resulting in “lower childhood vaccination rates, worsening cardiovascular disease outcomes, fewer cancer screenings” and the erosion of mental health. They state that the “current lockdown policies are ... devastating” our “short- and long-term public health.”

They are asking all governments to shift gears and move towards a focused protection model that protects those at risk, while letting those who are healthy return to a normal life.

Minister, will you do the right thing and follow the advice being given by the most pre-eminent world leaders in this field? Or should the people of Ontario prepare themselves for further lockdowns, more bankruptcies, further medical delays? And now we see forced isolation in detention camps on the horizon—

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

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: I reject much of the premise of that question.

Again, I want to reinforce the concept of hope. We understand what we’ve been through. We understand the dark days that we’ve had during COVID-19, the lack of information. Working as hard as everyone could to collaborate, consult and create a plan forward: That’s what we were doing as a government. Talking to our experts as the science emerged—that’s what we need to go forward.

We need a level of support for our long-term-care homes, for everyone who is waiting for health care. I have tremendous hope. Our government is working with that hope to understand how to make things better coming out of COVID-19—and we will come out of COVID-19. We will come out having lessons learned. We will come out better.

Ontarians are all in this together. They are doing their part. We all need to do our part, and we need to stay focused as we move through this in a positive way.

Multiculturalism

Mr. Jim McDonell: My question is to the Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. I’m extremely proud to call Canada home because it has built a strong cultural mosaic. Ontario is no different. All of us have helped build a rich history of different cultures and heritages that help define this province.

Minister, last week I was proud to speak to my bill, Bill 208,

An Act to proclaim Scottish Heritage Day. The bill aims to recognize the important contributions that Scottish settlers have made to the development of not only this great province, but the world.

Minister, can you please tell us why Scottish Heritage Day is so important to you and to the province of Ontario as a whole?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: Thank you very much, Speaker, and to the member from Glengarry–Prescott–Russell—no, you’re from Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry. He and I have spent many, many times at the Glengarry Highland Games over the years and I know both of us were disappointed this year that we couldn’t continue that annual tradition.

As the minister who has responsibilities both for tourism and for culture, I think this is a great idea for members, particularly private members, to bring forward bills to talk about the national importance of their respective communities. I know myself and the member opposite from Ottawa South had the opportunity in the previous Parliament to bring forward something called Lebanese Heritage Month, so it’s really important that we get to do that and talk about the wonderful commitment that new Canadians, and old Canadians, have brought to this community.

I’d like to just point out with respect to him, some of the greatest cultural contributions in this country have come from Scottish Canadians, like Farley Mowat, and also James Naismith, the founder of basketball. He’s originally a Scottish Canadian. And of course, in this ministry, we have Fort William, which talks about the rich cultural heritage that the Indigenous population as well as the Scottish Canadians have taken over the years to Fort William in Thunder Bay. I look forward to—

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

Mr. Jim McDonell: Thank you to the minister for your appreciation of all the different cultures that make this province so great. In fact, Minister, recently two other heritage bills passed third reading: Bill 180,

An Act to proclaim Somali Heritage Week, and Bill 131, the Tibetan Heritage Month Act. These are well-deserved bills that are significant in sharing and honouring the proud heritage of Somali and Tibetan Canadians.

Minister, as you know, Ontario offers the world’s cultural diversity in one province, and that doesn’t just mean attractions. The diversity of cultures is in fact what makes this province so great.

Minister, Somali and Tibetan Canadians have truly offered so much to Ontario. They have made a significant cultural impact that adds to the identity of our province, and we see it all around us every day. Minister, my question for you is: What sort of impact have the Somali and Tibetan Canadians had in our province?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: I’ve often boasted that Ontario is the world in one province, and as the tourism minister, it’s really important that we continue to showcase our cultural diversity, particularly as we come out of COVID-19, hopefully, in the next couple of years with respect to tourism.

I would like to first point out how proud we are to support Bhutila Karpoche. She is the first Tibetan elected in North America and she brought forward a very important piece of legislation showcasing the compassion and the grace of the Tibetan people. I know that we’re very proud of her and the work of her predecessor, Cheri DiNovo.

I’d also like to say a thank you to Faisal Hassan for bringing

an Act to proclaim Somali Heritage Week. He is the first Somali MPP in this Legislature, and I think that’s also something that we should continue to support.

The best part of this Legislature is when we work together and we recognize the strength of our diversity at the same as being unified, so I want to say thanks to the members who bring forward these important pieces of legislation to remind us of who we are and where we’re going.

COVID-19 response

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: My question is to the Premier. Delays in testing are creating chaos for families across the province. Yesterday, I heard from a mother in my riding, Diane, whose daughter was sent home from daycare with a low-grade fever. In order to get the necessary test for her daughter, she had to try three different testing centres, travel from Parkdale–High Park all the way to Richmond Hill and wait over eight hours with a sick child.

The government had months to prepare for the increased demand in testing and lab capacity. Why did they fail to do so?

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: I think both the Premier and the Minister of Health outlined earlier the tremendous progress that we’re making with respect to testing capacity in the province of Ontario. I know it’s probably of little comfort to the member’s constituent that she had to wait, as the member said, for eight hours, but she should know that of course we’re doing everything that we possibly can to ensure that those waits are a thing of the past.

I know the President of the Treasury Board and the Minister of Finance have authorized large sums to support our health care system, and that includes testing. I’m sure the province of Ontario will continue to lead the country and get better for its people as the second wave takes over.

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

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: The nightmare of getting a test for her daughter was only half of it. Six days later, and Diane still has no result. The time away from work and child care fees have cost this family over $2,000. Her husband is at risk of losing his job if he misses any more work.

How long will families like Diane’s be forced to pay for this government’s inadequate second wave plan?

Hon. Paul Calandra: At the outset, let me just assure the member’s constituent’s husband, if I can, that one of the first bills that this Legislature did pass was protection for individuals who found themselves in crisis because of COVID, so that job would be protected. There is no way that somebody could be fired as a result of COVID issues.

Again, it’s one of the reasons why we put so much money into testing over the last number of months as we prepared for the second wave. We knew that it would be very important to support the hard work that the Minister of Education has done to ensure that our kids can go back to school, but equally important that our daycare centres remain open, because as the Premier just said earlier today, it is vitally important that we keep this economy going for all of the small, medium and large job creators who are relying on us.

It is through their efforts that we are able to fund supports for testing, that we’re able to put record amounts of money into long-term care and into health care. It is in our interest to get it done, and we’ll continue to get the job done for the people of Ontario.

COVID-19 response

Mr. John Fraser: Since at least last April, the government’s own experts have been telling them that with two million kids returning to school and opening up our economy, we needed to be somewhere between 75,000 and 100,000 tests—since last April—and they said it’s going to take at least three months to get it all ramped up.

Now we’re doing 40,000 tests a day, and last Friday the backlog was 92,000. Today it was 58,000. The Premier is proud of that, but we did have to shut down testing for about a day and a half. BC has no backlog. They’re testing a bit less of their population than we are, but they have no backlog.

My question is really simple. To the Premier: We had the time, the money and the advice. How are we going to get to where we need to be in testing and when are we going to get there?

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: I think the Premier and the Minister of Health have been very, very clear on that. We have started through the first wave. We learned a great deal through the first wave. We put in place a fall preparedness plan that I think will help us get to where we need to be on testing.

The Premier has been abundantly clear that we needed to get to 50,000 tests a day to ensure that the economy could keep going, to ensure that we could support the hard work that the Minister of Education has put into ensuring that our kids can go back to school so that we can support our teachers, our front-line workers. The Minister of Long-Term Care and the minister of seniors have both told us how important it is to get testing in place, Mr. Speaker.

Are we there yet? No, we’re not there yet, but we are proceeding as quickly as we can to be there, and I congratulate the people on the front lines, who have been processing record amounts of testing. We are leading the country, Mr. Speaker. I am proud of that. We should all be proud of that. Is there more work to do? Absolutely, and that’s why the funding is in place to get us to the goal of continuing to lead the country.

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

Mr. John Fraser: Yesterday, I said the Premier took his eye off the ball. I was wrong: He dropped the ball, because if he had listened to what his own experts were telling him about the testing that we needed to do, or if he had listened to experts about what we needed to do in schools, we wouldn’t find ourselves in a position where Toronto Public Health, the OHA, the RNAO and countless other people are saying, “You’ve got to shut things down.” We wouldn’t have been there.

Those things that are being advised to you and telling you where you need to be—that’s so we can keep the economy going. Saying that you’re protecting the little guy doesn’t mean anything when you don’t take the advice that protects the little guy.

So I’m going to ask the question again, for the fourth time: When are we going to get to where we need to be in testing here in Ontario? Simple answer: When?

Hon. Paul Calandra: Well, Mr. Speaker, I’ll say that the member is absolutely, completely, positively wrong. This government and all of the members of this Legislature, on both sides of this House, have been working non-stop since the first wave hit. Since this House came down on March 13, we have been working non-stop, collaboratively, to prepare not only for the second wave but to make sure that our small, medium and large enterprises could continue creating jobs and the economy could keep going.

The Minister of Education has been working non-stop with all members, on both sides of this House, to make sure our kids could go back to school. The Minister of Health has been working non-stop to make sure we had the testing capacity to meet the needs of the Minister of Education, to meet the needs of the Minister of Long-Term Care, to meet the needs of the minister responsible for seniors, to make sure that the people the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services protects all have the resources they need in place.

We are leading the country. As opposed to talking down about everything that the people of the province of Ontario have accomplished, let’s celebrate the fact that our front-line workers have done an incredible job, and that we will continue to lead the country.

COVID-19 response

Ms. Sandy Shaw: My question this morning is to the Premier. Recently, a few small businesses in my riding have made the responsible decision to temporarily close after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. These businesses are doing the right thing. They’re doing everything that they can to keep their employees, their customers and their community all safe. But given the long waits to get tests and receive results, there’s no clear timeline for when these businesses will be able to reopen.

So my question: Can the Premier tell small businesses in my riding and across Ontario how long is too long to wait for COVID-19 test results?

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: Well, Mr. Speaker, one of the reasons why we’ve put so many resources into increasing the testing capacity, one of the reasons why the Premier did not stop after March in asking the federal government to help us with the rapid testing—we have been on top of this rapid testing for months. We’ve put record amounts of money into health care. The reason that we are doing that is not only to keep our students safe, but it’s to keep our economy going.

We cannot pay for increased spending on health care, increased spending on long-term care if the economy does not continue to grow. And it is precisely for those small business people that we’ve put all of this money and resources into testing. We’ve said that we want to get to 50,000; we will get to 50,000. We have turned all of the resources of government to get us to that goal, precisely for the people that you’re talking about, for the kids in our school system, and those—

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

Ms. Sandy Shaw: To the Premier: So this morning, Tuesday morning, when I checked the online booking site, the earliest available appointment at the West End, the East End, St. Joe’s Mountain and Dave Andreychuk Mountain Arena was Friday. That’s three days from now. And that’s just the test. It’s not clear to anyone when they can expect the results to come back.

Small businesses are working hard. They’re following all the protocols. They’re even doing their own contact tracing. But the government is refusing to provide financial supports, and now they’ve failed to provide the timely COVID-19 testing that businesses need to stay open.

Does the Premier not understand that businesses need reliable, efficient and timely testing programs to keep their doors open?

Hon. Paul Calandra: Ironically enough, just as I was answering that question, I received a text from a constituent of mine, which I would be happy to share with the member opposite: “I called Markham Stouffville Hospital and got an appointment window within two hours this morning for testing. The customer service was stellar on the phone—no issues at all. Thank you for all that your government is doing.”

Which is fine, but we have to get that level of service across the entire province, Mr. Speaker. That is why we are putting so much funding into ensuring that we get testing to a level that remains the highest in all of Canada. But we understood. That’s why the Premier has been so hard on making sure that we get these rapid tests in place. We asked the federal government—it’s great that they have made some purchases of rapid tests, but it’s time to get these tests approved so that we can start rolling this out, so that we can make sure that the small and medium job creators in this province have all of the resources they need to continue growing the economy.

COVID-19 response

Mrs. Belinda C. Karahalios: Good morning. My question is for the Premier.

The Premier has provided a lot of praise for the great friendship he has developed with the Liberal Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. Last month, the Premier said that the Prime Minister did an incredible job as Prime Minister, and he called the deputy “amazing.” Four days ago, his friends announced that extended family members and international students would be allowed to re-enter Canada, even while all non-essential travel remains closed.

My question is: Does the Premier support his friend Prime Minister Trudeau in the decision to allow extended family and international students to travel into Canada during this time, while all non-essential travel remains closed?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I recognize the Minister of Colleges and Universities.

Hon. Ross Romano: Thanks for the opportunity to respond to the question. We take international student travel into this province extremely seriously. We have put in a number of conditions, and we have been working very closely with our institutions to ensure the safety of our students, our faculty and all members of staff on all of our campuses across all of this province.

We have been working so closely with our institutions. I’ve been in consultations with our sector over the last several months. We worked on a pilot program, as you will remember, in early June, which allowed us to reintroduce our students in a very safe way into our campuses. It was an exceptional program that allowed us to work towards building a better program as we moved forward in the remainder of the school year.

We continue to work very closely with our institutions, continue to have daily conversations, and our institutions are right there at the forefront, ready to support our province in every possible way they can.

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

Mrs. Belinda C. Karahalios: It’s great to see the Premier get along with others, even if it means it can only be done with politicians who don’t serve in his own caucus.

The position being taken by the Prime Minister seems to conflict or be at odds with the position of the Premier taken on the exact same day. On the same day that travel restrictions were eased by Prime Minister Trudeau, the Premier announced new social gathering restrictions for the people of Ontario. The Premier ordered that Ontarians be restricted to only spending time with people living in their own household, even for Thanksgiving.

Can the Premier explain whether this government believes the federal government’s easing of international travel restrictions conflicts with and even undermines this government’s own decision to order that Ontarians cannot visit any family, immediate or extended, who do not live within their own home?

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: Look, we have been very deliberate on this. The people of the province of Ontario—in fact, people across this country—have said very clearly to us, “Put down your partisan swords.” There is lots of time for us to have disagreements on the things that we feel passionately about, but we are faced with a global health and economic crisis.

Are we going to continue to work with the federal government, even though they are Liberal? Absolutely. Are we going to continue to work with British Columbia, even though they have an NDP government? Absolutely. We are going to do whatever we can, including working—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order. Order.

Hon. Paul Calandra: —including working with members on both sides of this House.

We passed a number of pieces of legislation with the unanimous support of all the members of this House. We’re going to continue to do that because it’s in the best interests of the people of the province of Ontario; it’s in the best interests of the people of Canada. When we defeat COVID, we defeat it together, and that’s what grows a bigger, better, stronger Canada.

COVID-19 response

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: To the Premier: I have a resident in St. Catharines who is trying to get a COVID-19 test in order to see her dying grandmother in a nursing home. Calling the only St. Catharine’s pharmacy that provides COVID-19 tests, she cannot get a test until October 23, so under distress, she called the Niagara assessment centre last Friday and the voicemail said that they would return her message in 48 hours.

Yesterday, she called again. However, somehow, quietly over the weekend, the time it takes to get a return call had doubled—yes, doubled. The Niagara assessment centre is now returning phone calls in three to four days. Three to four days—that’s just to get a return call. This certainly does not guarantee a fast appointment, and this is so unacceptable for Niagara residents who have to wait three to four days for a test.

Mr. Premier, tell me how this government can continue to say their plan is working when someone in Niagara has to wait up to four days just to get a call back for such an important test.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Government House leader to reply.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Listen, as we said right from the beginning, we are very proud of what we’ve put in place so far. It has been a North American-leading effort with respect to COVID-19. Is there work to be done? Absolutely there’s more work to be done. That’s why it’s so important that this House continue to function. That’s why it is so important that we work together in order to address some of the issues across the province.

But, make no mistake about it, we have put in a significant amount of resources to increase testing capacity across this province. We will continue to do that, and I congratulate all of those front-line workers who have been working non-stop, day and night to ensure that that the people of this province remain safe.

To the people of Niagara, I tell them very, very clearly: Your government understands what you’re going through, we hear you, and that is why we’re going to move mountains to make sure all Ontarians remain safe.

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

This House stands in recess until 3 p.m.

The House recessed from 1136 to 1500.

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Government Agencies

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I beg to inform the House that today the Clerk received a report on intended appointments, dated October 6, 2020, of the Standing Committee on Government Agencies. Pursuant to standing order 111(f)(9), the report is deemed to be adopted by the House.

Report deemed adopted.

Introduction of Bills

Dwarfism Awareness and Acceptance Month Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 sur le Mois de sensibilisation au nanisme et de son acceptation

Madame Gélinas moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 211,

An Act to proclaim the month of October Dwarfism Awareness and Acceptance Month / Projet de loi 211, Loi proclamant le mois d’octobre Mois de sensibilisation au nanisme et de son acceptation.

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

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Would the member for Nickel Belt care to explain her bill?

M me France Gélinas: Absolutely. Thank you, Speaker. The month of October is Dwarfism Awareness and Acceptance Month in many jurisdictions around the world. Dwarfism Awareness and Acceptance Month is intended to increase public knowledge, create positive awareness and change negative misconceptions of people born with dwarfism.

By proclaiming October as Dwarfism Awareness and Acceptance Month, the province of Ontario contributes to raising awareness among the general public of dwarfism and promoting a positive image and a more supportive social, emotional and educational environment for people of short stature and their families.

I’d like to thank the Little People of Ontario association for bringing this to my attention.

Connecting Care Amendment Act (Patient Bill of Rights), 2020 / Loi de 2020 modifiant la Loi pour des soins interconnectés (Déclaration des droits des patients)

Mr. Fraser moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 212,

An Act to amend the Connecting Care Act, 2019 with respect to a patient bill of rights / Projet de loi 212, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2019 pour des soins interconnectés en ce qui concerne la Déclaration des droits des patients.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? I heard a no.

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

All those opposed will please say “nay.”

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Ottawa South can explain his bill.

Mr. John Fraser: I’d like to thank my colleagues for their support.

The goal of this bill is to clearly state, protect and enshrine in legislation the rights of patients who are receiving care across the entire health care system. This includes a right to transparency, access to information, freedom from stigma and harassment, and a patient’s right to appeal if they believe their rights have been infringed upon. This bill also introduces a definition of an “essential caregiver” and sets out every patient’s right to designate an essential caregiver in any setting.

Better for People, Smarter for Business Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 pour mieux servir la population et faciliter les affaires

Mr. Sarkaria moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 213,

An Act to reduce burdens on people and businesses by enacting, amending and repealing various Acts and revoking a regulation / Projet de loi 213, Loi visant à alléger le fardeau administratif qui pèse sur la population et les entreprises en édictant, modifiant ou abrogeant diverses lois et en abrogeant un règlement.

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’ll invite the associate minister to briefly explain his bill.

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: This legislation, if passed, will make government work better for people and smarter for business throughout the pandemic and beyond. We have a made-in-Ontario plan for recovery, renewal and long-term economic growth, and it starts with cutting costly red tape, reducing unnecessary burdens and digitizing government processes. This will help more people in business recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic while preparing them for the opportunities of the future.

The new act would help deliver clear, current and effective rules that would maintain and enhance public health, safety and the environment. It would streamline regulations to make them easier to understand and comply with. This would free up time and money for people and businesses to invest in what is so important right now: recovering, rebuilding and re-emerging from this pandemic stronger than ever before.

Time Amendment Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 modifiant la

Loi sur l’heure légale

Mr. Roberts moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 214,

An Act to amend the Time Act and various other Acts / Projet de loi 214, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur l’heure légale et diverses autres lois.

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

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Would the member for Ottawa West–Nepean care to explain his bill?

Mr. Jeremy Roberts: This bill would end the outdated practice of the biannual time change in the province of Ontario and replace it with permanent daylight saving time here in Ontario, and crucially, it would do so, if passed by this Legislature, on a date proclaimed by the Lieutenant Governor.

Petitions

Public sector compensation

M me France Gélinas: I would like to thank Kathryn Nault from Onaping in my riding for these petitions. They read as follows:

“Pandemic Pay....

“Whereas the pandemic pay eligibility needs to be expanded as well as made retroactive to the beginning of the state of emergency; and

“Whereas Premier Ford stated repeatedly that the workers on the front lines have his full support but this is hard to believe given that so many do not qualify; and

“Whereas the list of eligible workers and workplaces should be expanded; and

“Whereas all front-line” health care “workers should be properly compensated;”

They petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“To call on the Ford government to expand the $4-per-hour pandemic pay to include all front-line workers that have put the needs of their community first and make the pay retroactive to the day the state of emergency was declared, so that their sacrifice and hard work to keep us safe is recognized.”

I support this petition, will affix my name to it and send it to the Clerk.

Education funding

M me France Gélinas: I would like to thank Mrs. Bérubé from Hanmer in my riding for these petitions. It reads as follows: “Stop Ford’s Education Cuts.

“Whereas Doug Ford’s new education scheme seeks to dramatically increase class sizes starting in grade 4;

“Whereas the changes will mean thousands fewer teachers and education workers and less help for every student;

“Whereas secondary students will now be forced to take at least” two “classes online, with as many as 35 students in each course;

“Whereas Ford’s changes will” take away “$1 billion out of Ontario’s education system by the end of the government’s term; and

“Whereas kids in Ontario deserve more opportunities, not fewer;”

They petition the Legislative Assembly as follows:

“Demand that the government halt the cuts to classrooms and invest to strengthen public education in Ontario.”

I support this petition. I will affix my name to it and send it to the Clerk.

Multiple sclerosis

M me France Gélinas: I would like to thank Louella Hess from Hanmer in my riding for these petitions.

“MS Specialized Clinic in Sudbury....

“Whereas northeastern Ontario has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Ontario; and

“Whereas specialized MS clinics provide essential health care services to those living with multiple sclerosis, their caregiver and their family; and

“Whereas the city of Greater Sudbury is recognized as a hub for health care in northeastern Ontario;

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

“Immediately set up a specialized MS clinic in the Sudbury area that is staffed by a neurologist who specializes in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, a physiotherapist and a social worker at a minimum.”

I fully support this petition. I will affix my name to it and send it to the Clerk.

Equal opportunity

Ms. Suze Morrison: I have a petition that reads: “Don’t Take Away Social and Economic Rights for Women and Marginalized People.

“Whereas Bill 47 erased many of the legislative gains achieved through Bill 148, the fairer labour laws and working conditions that had a particularly positive impact on women and marginalized people;

“Whereas statistics show that women, particularly women of colour, are most likely to be employed in precarious work, and the Bill 47 ... 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, and all other worker protections gained under the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act;

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

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

“—reinstate funding” for “sexual assault centres;

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

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

I fully endorse this petition. I will affix my signature to it and provide it to the Clerks.

Equal opportunity

Mr. Jamie West: The petition is entitled “Don’t Take Away Social and Economic Rights for Women and Marginalized People.

“Whereas Bill 47 erased many of the legislative gains achieved through Bill 148, the fairer labour laws and working conditions that had a particularly positive impact on women and marginalized people;

“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 Ford 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, and all other worker protections gained under the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act;

“—reverse changes to daycare 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 round table on violence against women; and

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

I support this petition, will affix my signature and will provide it to the usher.

Equal opportunity

Ms. Laura Mae Lindo: I have a petition entitled “Don’t Take Away Social and Economic Rights for Women and Marginalized People.

“Whereas Bill 47 erased many of the legislative gains achieved through Bill 148, the fairer labour laws and working conditions that had a particularly positive impact on women and marginalized people;

“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, and all other worker protections gained under the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act;

“—reverse changes to daycare 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 round table on violence against women; and

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

I fully support this petition, will affix my signature to it and send it to the Clerk.

Equal opportunity

Ms. Rima Berns-McGown: My petition is also entitled “Don’t Take Away Social and Economic Rights for Women and Marginalized People.

“Whereas Bill 47 erased many of the legislative gains achieved through Bill 148, the fairer labour laws and working conditions that had a particularly positive impact on women and marginalized people;

“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 Ford 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, and all other worker protections gained under the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act;

“—reverse changes to daycare 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 round table on violence against women; and

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

I agree with this petition and will be affixing my signature and sending it down to the Clerk.

Long-term care

M me France Gélinas: I would like to thank Douglas Gunn from Capreol in my riding for this petition called “Time to Care.

“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 acuity 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 recommend 4.1 hours of direct care per day;”

They petition the Legislative Assembly as follows:

“To amend the LTC Homes Act ... for a legislated minimum care standard of four hours per resident per day, adjusted for acuity level and case mix.”

I support this petition, will affix my name to it and send it to the Clerk.

Anti-smoking initiatives for youth

M me France Gélinas: I have these petitions that come from Grey-Bruce, from the Associate Minister of Energy, the MPP from Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound.

They read as follows:

“Whereas:

“—In the past 10 years in Ontario, 86% of all movies with on-screen smoking were rated for youth;

“—The tobacco industry has a long, well-documented history of promoting tobacco use on screen;

“—A scientific report released by the Ontario Tobacco Research Unit estimated that 185,000 children in Ontario today will be recruited to smoking by exposure to on-screen smoking;”

“—More than 59,000 will eventually die from tobacco-related cancers, strokes, heart disease and emphysema, incurring at least $1.1 billion in health care costs; and

whereas an adult rating (18A) for movies that promote on-screen tobacco in Ontario would save at least 30,000 lives and half a billion health care dollars;

“—The Ontario government has a stated goal to achieve the lowest smoking rates in Canada;

“—79% of Ontarians support not allowing smoking in movies rated G, PG, 14A ... ;

“—The Minister of Government and Consumer Services has the authority to amend the regulations of the Film Classification Act via cabinet;”

They petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“—To request the Standing Committee on Government Agencies examine the ways in which the regulations of the Film Classification Act could be amended to reduce smoking in youth-rated films released in Ontario;

“—That the committee report back on its findings to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and that the Minister of Government and Consumer Services prepare a response.”

I support this petition, will affix my name to it and send it to the Clerk.

Autism treatment

M me France Gélinas: I have this petition that comes from Patricia Caine and Bernard Huneault from my riding. It reads as follows:

“Support for Autistic Children in Ontario....

“Whereas every autistic child in Ontario deserves access to evidence-based therapy so that they can meet their” full “potential;

“Whereas the capped funding system is based on age and not the clinical needs of the child;

“Whereas the program does not ensure access to services for rural and francophone children;

“Whereas the new Ontario Autism Program does not provide additional funding for travel costs;”

They petition the Legislative Assembly as follows: “to direct the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to ensure access to an equitable, needs-based autism services for all children who need them.”

I support this petition, will affix my name to it and send it to the Clerk.

Orders of the Day

Soldiers’ Aid Commission Act, 2020 / Loi de 2020 sur la Commission d’aide aux anciens combattants

Resuming the debate adjourned on September 29, 2020, on the motion for second reading of the following bill:

Bill 202,

An Act to continue the Soldiers’ Aid Commission / Projet de loi 202, Loi prorogeant la Commission d’aide aux anciens combattants.

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

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: As always, it is a privilege to be able to stand in this House and to be able to speak to the issues that come before the Legislature.

Speaker, let me just begin by thanking you for all the work that you have put in throughout the last half-year, especially since the pandemic started. I know it’s been challenging at times, and I know there have been a lot of changes both in the way that we operate here in this Legislature and, of course, in our constituency offices. I want to thank the desk for their incredible work, the Clerk and all of his team, because I know without them, it would be exceptionally difficult for all of us to be able to debate the pieces of legislation that come before this House.

Today, I do have the great privilege of speaking to a piece of legislation that I believe is exceptionally important. This act is Bill 202,

An Act to continue the Soldiers’ Aid Commission. I’ll speak a little bit about the act and some of its more technical applications and some of the background about it, but I just want to begin by sharing an homage, perhaps, or a story of gratitude from my family.

It’s something I’ve spoken about here in this chamber, but I never want to pass up an opportunity to be able to thank the brave men and women of our Canadian Armed Forces who, throughout the generations, have stepped forward for freedom, who have stood in defence of the values that we hold dear here in Canada—values of freedom, of equality, of democracy—and express that gratitude as someone who is a descendant of new Canadians, someone who has heard the stories from both sides of my grandparents of when the Canadians came to town.

I know many, many of us here in this House come from families who have moved to Canada in the not-too-distant past, who have come to Canada because they’ve seen the beacon of freedom that it is, the beacon of democracy and equality, and the beacon of opportunity for future generations.

My family moved to Canada for a number of reasons, of course, but one of the important reasons and one of the reasons Canada was the place that they chose to visit was because of the role of the Canadian Armed Forces in the Second World War. So I just want to begin by acknowledging the sacrifice of all those who currently serve and those who have served before those who are now in the military.

I want to provide a little bit of a background as to my family’s history, both on my opa’s and oma’s side, and my pake’s and beppe’s side. Those are Dutch and Frisian words for “grandpa” and “grandmother.” I grew up in a family where, regularly, as we approached Remembrance Day, my grandparents and my parents would sit me down, would sit my siblings down, and they would talk about the stories of my grandparents’ youth.

My grandparents were not that old in the Second World War. They lived in various parts of the Netherlands, some in the north, some in the farther south, and my pake wrote a book called My Story, by Andries Viersen—that’s my pake who lives in northern Alberta. In that book, he tells the story of himself as a young teenager in the Second World War and some of the challenges that they went through. He speaks about a lot of the things that would happen there, as he lived in the Netherlands during the course of the Second World War. They hid escaped POWs from the Nazis and passed them along on their way back from England.

They lived on a farm in the north, in Friesland, which, as you might know, is some of the area that was reclaimed. They were surrounded by polders and dikes because their soil had actually just been reclaimed, even in that century, so when they would be tilling the field they would be turning over seashells and it would be very sandy soil—good soil, but soil that was newly reclaimed from the sea.

When the Allied forces were coming through the Netherlands, the Nazi forces blew up their polders, so they flooded their farm. There are pictures in my pake’s book of their whole family staying in the attic of the farmhouse, which was attached to their barn at the time—these old Dutch farmhouses. As the Allies were coming through, they were seeing the polders being blown up by the retreating Nazi forces and were eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Canadians—“The Canadians are coming.

The Canadians are coming.” That’s a phrase that all four of my grandparents, who were, again, young teens at the time and grew up in different parts of the Netherlands—all four of them remember vividly when the Canadians came to town. My beppe always says, “They were so young. They were so young,” and, of course, she was even younger than they were at the time—those brave men and women who rolled into town and who had been fighting for months since D-Day in 1944 to be able to free Europe from that scourge of Naziism.

It’s also such a story where my oma tells about the hard winter. The Canadian Armed Forces, as well as the British and the Poles coming through the Netherlands in the fall of 1944—and I believe we’ve heard stories in this House about the Battle of the Scheldt Estuary. The estuary, of course, was an area between Antwerp and the Netherlands where, in November 1944, if my memory serves me correctly—it was muddy, it was cold, it was a very difficult battle.

As the Canadians were moving through the southern Netherlands—and my grandmother, my oma, grew up in Eindhoven, which is pretty much in the middle of the Netherlands. They knew the Canadians were coming, and they were so excited, and then the advance stopped. In the late fall, early winter of 1944, it was so, so difficult, because they saw that the Canadians had made their way into Holland but that they were not able to advance any further because of the winter. That winter was an exceptionally hard winter. I’m sure that even those of you who are not of Dutch descent have heard of the hard winter of 1944-45.

People were eating tulips. People were literally starving in the streets of the Netherlands due to a number of different reasons, but also the amount of food that was being taken out of the Netherlands and back to Germany at the time. It was an exceptionally difficult time.

My grandmother also tells me about how the Canadians came and brought chocolate. Of course, in the time of rationing throughout the Second World War—that was not a time when there was a lot of chocolate around. So when the Canadians showed up and they had lots of cigarettes and chocolate, that was a very, very special time.

All four of my grandparents and my grandparents-in-law on my wife’s side have these stories. They all vary slightly.

I think again of my pake telling stories about when they would have refugees coming from all the cities. They lived on a farm. They always kept a big bowl of soup in the kitchen so that when people would come—they weren’t able to give everybody food, but they were able to give them a bowl of soup. I’m sure it wasn’t an exceptionally thick soup. But my family was very blessed by being able to be in the countryside, where there was more food than in the cities.

That story of deprivation but then of rescue, of joy at the sacrifice that the Canadian Armed Forces and the Allies were making to liberate these people who were thousands of kilometres away—this was a time before the Internet, FaceTime, Skype and all of these things.

So for Canadians to leave their homeland here and travel thousands of kilometres across an ocean, braving the U-boats, the wolf packs of Hitler, to fight for freedom, to fight against the forces of tyranny, to free my grandparents, because they believed in those values of equality, of democracy, of freedom, of opportunity—those sacrifices have been ingrained deep into me, as a Canadian of Dutch heritage. Every day, I think about the fact that if it were not for those sacrifices, my life could be very, very different—the lives of my children and the lives of my ancestors, as well.

The reason I say that and tell a little bit of my personal story is because when we’re debating legislation, such as the Soldiers’ Aid Commission Act, Bill 202, and this legislation’s intent to provide more support for more Ontario veterans and their families, through assisting with health-related items and specialized equipment, such as hearing aids, wheelchairs and prosthetics; home-related items, such as mobility-related renovations and repair costs; personal items and employment-readiness supports, such as clothing and counselling—when we’re debating these types of supports in place, I think it’s important for all of us to take a step back and look at why we should be ensuring that these supports are in place.

Of course, as a society, we have a burden on all of us to ensure that we’re taking care of the most vulnerable in our society, but I firmly believe that we owe a substantial and greater level of debt towards those who have gone to serve, putting their lives on the line for each and every one of us to be able to even stand in this place and to be able to have something such as parliamentary immunity, the reality that we can stand in this House and speak without fear of retribution. We don’t fear political interference in our ability to communicate the perspectives of our constituents.

I’m sure that many, many members who are here in this House—and we have a very diverse Legislature, I believe—on both sides of the aisle, who came to Canada because of the actions of the Canadian Armed Forces and because of the actions of the Canadian way of ensuring that we’re protecting not just our own interests here in Canada, not just the interests of our borders and the isolationist mould, but we’re willing to go, as the Canadian Armed Forces did for my family, thousands of kilometres away.

They were willing to go and fight for what is right in order to ensure that people such as my grandparents—and the grandparents or parents or those who are in this chamber themselves—were able to enjoy the high standard of living that we have here in Canada.

Because of those types of sacrifices that have been made, Speaker, it’s also important that we recognize the need to update legislation and to update a government service such as the Soldiers’ Aid Commission. I understand the last update to this particular piece of legislation was all the way back in 1960. Of course, we’ve seen a lot of changes since 1960, and we’ve also seen a lot more veterans. I wish it wasn’t the case that we had to see that. We all wish that we wouldn’t have had the additional conflicts that we have seen.

When Canadians have been called upon to defend freedom and to stand up for human rights at home and abroad, Canadians have answered that call. They have gone abroad. We’ve seen that also as recently as Afghanistan and as recently as people helping to train soldiers in Ukraine. We’ve also seen training missions throughout the Middle East, and of course, Canada’s contributions to the United Nations peacekeeping efforts.

Those types of efforts that our Armed Forces go through—we also need to ensure that we at all levels of government are not just giving them recognition, not just wearing a pin on Remembrance Day, not just wearing a poppy at the beginning of November, but also coming forward with practical ways that we can provide support. That’s really the key motivation for this legislation.

I want to thank the minister who brought this forward. I want to thank his parliamentary assistant, as well, for working on this. I know the parliamentary assistant and the minister both come from families who have a great deal of respect for the military. They represent communities, I believe, that have large military components. In Ottawa, of course, there’s an enormous amount of Armed Forces working on the administrative side. And then very close to the minister—I believe Borden is very close to him as well. There’s a lot of relevance to these members’ particular ridings, and they brought that forward in the passion for this legislation.

I think in recognizing this legislation—the

preamble says it very well. It reads, “All Ontarians recognize the great contributions and sacrifices that veterans have made to Ontario and to Canada. Since the establishment of the Soldiers’ Aid Commission in 1915”—105 years ago—“Ontario has honoured the service of veterans to the nation, and supported veterans and their families in need. Ontario remains committed to carrying on the legacy of the commission in order to help meet the modern and changing needs of veterans and their families.”

Speaker, I recognize that the federal government has primary jurisdiction when it comes to ensuring supports for our veterans. I recognize that Veterans Affairs Canada has a very active role in that regard, and the federal government, of course, ensures that they are supported both with equipment and after their service as well, that they receive what they deserve in order to ensure that they can maintain a quality of life that we expect for those who have gone and put their lives on the line.

But the reality is that all of us, even here in this provincial House, have to work together to ensure the tremendous sacrifice that was made for our province and our country is recognized. We have to work hard, as a government, to make sure that we are there for them when they need us.

We’ve seen veterans and their families face many challenges, whether that’s post-traumatic stress disorder, physical injury, unemployment and homelessness, all while trying to navigate a complex support system—and it is complex.

The Soldiers’ Aid Commission, which was first created, as mentioned, in 1915, was initially meant to support Ontario veterans returning home from the First World War. It was later expanded to support those who had served in the Second World War and the Korean War. As part of this plan, we recognize—although there are fewer and fewer every year—veterans who fought in those wars. I believe there are none from the First World War and fewer and fewer every year who have been in the Second World War and in the war in Korea. We have a duty to ensure that we’re extending the supports possible to all our veterans, to all Ontario veterans, no matter where they have served.

We’re recognizing as well that this is, of course, restricted to those who have served Canada, not those who have fought in the armed forces of other nations.

I want to also note that we are going to be increasing our investment in this commission, and that matters, because it’s not just about the dollars and cents. I recognize that, but we have to put money where our mouth is as well. We have to make sure that those funds are able to flow to those who need them.

I want to thank Colin Rowe, who is the chair of the Soldiers’ Aid Commission, for his work when it comes to this legislation and the work that the commission does. Those who are serving on the board of this commission are doing so from a place of wanting to also assist their comrades—those they have served with, and those who have served after them or before them—in order to ensure that they are receiving the supports they deserve.

But as mentioned, the average age of a Second World War veteran in Canada is 94 years old, so quite old, as well as the fact that the average Korean War veteran is 87. We are losing those who have fought for us. We’re losing those who have stood on the line to defend our freedom, but we have had new generations of veterans come forward whom we also have a duty to support. We have a duty to provide them with the care they deserve, and these are not extravagant things.

There are about 230,000 veterans who live in Ontario, and 93% of these veterans served after the Korean War, meaning that 93% of these 230,000 do not have access to the existing Soldiers’ Aid Commission. That’s obviously a significant number of veterans who are working, living or serving in various ways in their community.

Even looking at my local Legions, I’m just filled with gratitude for my local Legions who consistently, as we’ve seen even through this pandemic—whether it’s Branch 613 in Beamsville, branches in Fonthill or branches in Smithville, so many of these branches of the Royal Canadian Legion have stepped forward, many of them veterans, to support the community.

Whether it was holding fundraisers, whether it was delivering meals to seniors in the community—honestly, it’s things as simple as holding a drive-through Friday night fish fry where people were able to get out a little bit, even if wasn’t the typical sit-down with 100 of your closest friends, so to speak, but it was more of a drive-through. These are important organizations, and they’re run by wonderful people, so any way that we can support them is vital.

I know that the amounts that we’re talking about are not enormous. We’re talking about up to $2,000 a year when it comes to the supports in place for assistive devices, but again, we believe it’s important that these types of supports are still available, because $2,000 a year can help with some of the needs, on top of what they’re able to access through Veterans Affairs Canada and through other agencies.

I want to leave more of the specifics of this legislation to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who are going to be speaking about it. I just want to acknowledge again and pay tribute to the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces who are currently serving and those who have served, and to recognize the debt of gratitude that I and all of us here in this place owe to those who have fought and died. We have to ensure that those who are living, whether they served in the Korean War, the Second World War or any war since, are given the proper supports they deserve.

Thank you for your attention this afternoon, Speaker.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Thank you.

We now have time for questions and comments. I return to the member from Waterloo.

Ms. Catherine Fife: Thank you very much, Speaker, and thanks to the member from Niagara West for his 20 minutes on this piece of legislation.

The one question that I have which you didn’t touch on is the amount of new veterans this program will serve versus the amount of new money. I’m trying to find a correlation here. The program will serve almost 12 times more veterans, which is excellent; its budget, though, is only increasing by six times. Will that be enough to ensure no veteran is denied support from this program due to the fact that we under-supported it, and how is the government going to manage that on a go-forward basis?

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: It’s a very important question. I don’t want to speak for the minister, but I can say that I understand we will make sure that anyone who needs any services through this program will receive the funding that is necessary for the program to be able to provide that support.

I would note that the needs of particular veterans often increase as they age, so those who are in their eighties or nineties may have greater health needs than younger veterans, particularly those who may have served in the military for 10 years, 15 years in their twenties and thirties, and then are also still, now, in either another career or working in another area, so the needs under this commission won’t be as great as those who have aged.

So it’s not that it’s going to have 12 times the demand right away, just because of the nature of many of those veterans; it’s not that they are in their eighties and nineties, such as those from the Korean War. But we will ensure that any veteran who needs to access supports under this program will receive the support that they need.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): The member for Scarborough–Agincourt.

Mr. Aris Babikian: It is fantastic to hear that far more veterans will be eligible for supports and assistance than before through this legislation. However, I do have a question. You have made clear that much has changed in the world since the Soldiers’ Aid Commission was first founded. We have a great deal more understanding of the challenges soldiers endure, both while they are active service members and as they transition back to civilian life. Can you speak to how the services offered through the Soldiers’ Aid Commission can be updated through this legislation?

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: Yes, absolutely, and I want to thank the member for Scarborough–Agincourt for his question. One of the key pieces to this is that we are expanding the eligibility criteria to ensure that more veterans are eligible for the supports, but we’re also expanding the list of eligible expenses.

The list currently is quite restrictive, and so we want to ensure that some of those restrictions are lifted in order to allow more to be able to access the particulars of this fund, whether that includes things such as employment readiness supports or short-term training or courses; things such as work tools, even, and clothing for a job interview. There are a number of different expenses that have been added to it, as well as ensuring that the commission is modernized through expanding the eligibility.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): The next question goes to the member from Toronto Centre.

Ms. Suze Morrison: I want to thank the member from Niagara West for his presentation. My question to you is, how does your bill address the shameful history that Canada and Ontario has of its treatment—and in fact mistreatment—of Indigenous veterans? Specifically, when we look back at the history, when Indigenous vets came home, they weren’t given the same sorts of resources or supports or housing or services as non-Indigenous veterans. In fact, many were disenfranchised, stripped of their status and forced to relocate out of their communities into urban centres, which, as I’m sure you’re aware, is very closely tied to the history of the Friendship Centre Movement.

How does your bill support First Nations veterans? More specifically, when we look at the situation happening down in Six Nations right now, in terms of the land claim and the land dispute that’s going on there, we have to remember that that land claim was closely connected to the fact that it was the Haudenosaunee that came to the defence of the British in the War of 1812 and that those warriors have been left behind—

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Thank you. The member for Niagara West to respond.

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: I want to thank the member for Toronto Centre for the question. Obviously, there are portions of our history that we recognize with shame. We should have done better as a country, and we recognize that as an especially important area when it comes to ensuring that our Indigenous veterans have been recognized, and not only recognized but supported for the contributions that they’ve made to Canada in supporting Canadian values of opportunity and equality and freedom.

And so I want to extend my thanks to them, as to all veterans, and also recognize that this particular benefit that we’re speaking about when it comes to the soldiers’ commission has to work in collaboration with many of the other services that you’ve talked about, whether that’s ensuring that they can access supports through Veterans Affairs Canada or ensuring that they can access supports also through the Royal Canadian Legion, and of course working with our counterparts in all levels of government.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): The member for Mississauga Milton—Malton.

Mr. Deepak Anand: Mississauga–Malton, the place of the greater Toronto airport, Mr. Speaker.

First of all, I want to say thank you to the member from Niagara West for speaking on the Ontario Soldiers’ Aid Commission.

Mr. Speaker, we have quickly seen the value of programs such as the Elevate Plus Military pilot announced by the Ministry of Labour, Training