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May 6, 2019

42nd Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2019-May-06 (PDF)

L101 - Mon 6 May 2019 / Lun 6 mai 2019

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 6 May 2019 Lundi 6 mai 2019

Notice of reasoned amendment

Introduction of Visitors

Notices of reasoned amendments

Fire in Big Trout Lake

Theresa Lecce

Oral Questions

Public health

Child care

Flooding

Flooding

Government advertising

Housing policy

Tree planting

Fundraising

Ontario economy

Public transit

Land use planning

Housing policy

Child care

Social assistance

Notice of dissatisfaction

Introduction of Visitors

Members’ Statements

Ontario Library Service–North

Georgian Bay Hunters and Anglers

Homophobia and transphobia

Milton Good Neighbours Community Day

Barb Deter

Paddle the Don

Leonard Patrick (Red) Kelly

Ontario budget

Mandarin MS Walk

Leonard Patrick (Red) Kelly

Answers to written questions

Visitors

Motions

Adjournment debate

Statements by the Ministry and Responses

Community Living Day

Child care

Community Living Day

Child care

Community Living Day / Journée de l’intégration communautaire

Child care

Visitors

Petitions

Affordable housing

Emergency services

Legal aid

Long-term care

Services for persons with disabilities

Driver education

Education funding

Northern health services

Social assistance

Veterans memorial

Library services

Answers to written questions

Opposition Day

Public health / Santé publique

The House met at 1030.

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

Prayers.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): This being the first sitting Monday of the month, I wish to acknowledge this territory as a traditional gathering place for many Indigenous nations, most recently the Mississaugas of the New Credit.

We have with us in the Speaker’s gallery the Etobicoke School of the Arts from the riding of Etobicoke–Lakeshore to help us sing O Canada. Please join them in the singing of our national anthem.

Singing of O Canada.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you very, very much. Members may take their seats.

Notice of reasoned amendment

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I beg to inform the House that, pursuant to standing order 71(b), the member for Guelph has notified the Clerk of his intention to file notice of a reasoned amendment to the motion for second reading of Bill 108,

An Act to amend various statutes with respect to housing, other development and various other matters. The order for second reading of Bill 108 may therefore not be called today.

Introduction of Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I am pleased to inform the House that in the Speaker’s gallery this morning are the family of page captain Zoe McCabe: her parents, Dorothy McCabe and Janek Jagiellowicz; sister Tessa Jagiellowicz; aunt Patricia Parsons; and cousin Becca Jivcoff. Welcome to Queen’s Park today. We’re delighted to have you with us.

Ms. Laura Mae Lindo: I’m excited to welcome Rhonda Vanderven, who is here from Our Choice Matters self-advocacy group in St. Thomas. She’s the cousin of my constituency office assistant, Carly Pettinger. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Jill Dunlop: I have a few guests to introduce this morning: my LA Will Dandie, and he is accompanied by Dan Hickman, Mel Hickman and Rick Hickman from Manchester, England. Welcome to Ontario.

As well, I would like to introduce my daughter Rachel Rynard, who is also a former page. Thank you for being here today.

Mr. Jamie West: Two quick introductions: First, I’d like to introduce and welcome Nicholas Ntaganda from the riding of Sudbury. He has been shortlisted in the grade 11 and 12 category for the Speaker’s Award for Youth Writers.

As well, I’d like to welcome representatives from CUPE’s education workers to the Legislature today: Laura Walton, Darcie McEathron, Dan Crow, Wynne Hartviksen, Michel Revelin, Mary Unan, Sylvain Piché and Mike Maguire. Welcome.

Mr. John Fraser: I’d like to welcome Community Living to the Legislature today, especially Steve Andrews, James Janeiro, Brad Saunders and the rest of the Community Living Toronto team. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. John Yakabuski: I’d like to welcome to Queen’s Park today, for their very first visit, the parents of my MPP liaison, Lindsee Perkins: Paul and Shellee Perkins.

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: It is my pleasure to welcome folks from Community Living Ontario: Chris Beesley, who’s the CEO; Gordon Kyle, the director of policy; and Jim McNamara, president of the board of directors, who I had a wonderful meeting with this morning.

I’d also like to welcome the members from Community Living Essex, along with the Ontario Disability Coalition members: Sherry Caldwell, Ajay Thames, Dante Wellington and Sharon Gabison. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: I would like to welcome Trish Van Boekel and David Sheldon to the Legislature this morning. Trish and David are the proud parents of page captain Thomas Sheldon, a grade 8 student at Stratford Central. They’re here with Thomas’s sister Laura as well as grandparents Thea and Jerry Van Boekel, and Tony and Leslie Anne Sheldon.

Mr. Michael Mantha: I want to welcome David Timeriski, who is a first-class paramedic from the city of Elliot Lake here today.

Ms. Christine Hogarth: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good morning to you.

I just want to welcome the very talented students from Etobicoke School of the Arts who sang O Canada for us today, and are part of the many talented people living in Etobicoke–Lakeshore. Welcome and enjoy your day.

Ms. Jill Andrew: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. It’s with great pleasure that I welcome Katie Stokes, a musician from our riding of Toronto–St. Paul’s. She is here today to join us for our opposition motion on health cuts.

Hon. Bill Walker: It’s my pleasure to introduce Michele Bell, executive director of the Bruce Peninsula Association for Community Living; Amber McCartney, a family support worker; and Diane Chavarie, Tara Sadler, Cheryl Craig, and Valerie Tigert, all self-advocates from Wiarton.

Ms. Marit Stiles: I’m pleased to rise today to welcome representatives from the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association: Ryan Brown, Sophia Trozzo, Sean McCloskey, Joel Ndongmi, Amal Qayum, Lindsey Keene and Amin Ali. OSTA-AECO is here today, at the start of Education Week, to mark the release of an important new report, The Students’ Vision for Education. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Norman Miller: I am pleased to welcome Jo-Anne Demick, who is here from Community Living Parry Sound. She’s the CEO. We had a good meeting this morning to learn about all the great things that they are doing in the area of Parry Sound. Welcome, Jo-Anne.

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: Today I’d like to welcome a very special birthday girl, Laura Mae Lindo, from Kitchener Centre. Happy birthday, Laura Mae.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: I too would like to welcome the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association. Thank you for being here, and I look forward to working with you.

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: I’m glad to welcome Chief Eno Anderson and Dora Anderson from Kasabonika Lake First Nation.

Mrs. Belinda Karahalios: Good morning. I have two introductions this morning. First, I’d like to introduce a long-time Conservative supporter in the members’ gallery, a constituent of mine, Prakash Venkataraman. Welcome to the Legislature.

My second introduction—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Davenport again—oh, second. Sorry.

Mrs. Belinda Karahalios: Thank you. I’d like to welcome everyone from Community Living Ontario and its member agencies to Queen’s Park today. I invite my colleagues to join us at their lunch reception in rooms 230 and 228.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you. I apologize for interrupting.

Once again, the member for Davenport.

Ms. Marit Stiles: I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the amazing students of Oakwood Collegiate Institute who are coming today. I don’t think they’re here in the room yet, but I want to welcome them to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Suze Morrison: I know they’ve already been welcomed today, but I also would like to extend a warm welcome to the students from Etobicoke School of the Arts. As a fellow alumni of ESA, it’s certainly a pleasure to have you here, so thank you and welcome.

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: I wish to welcome today to the Legislature the executive director of Community Living Grimsby, Lincoln and West Lincoln, France Vaillancourt. Thank you very much for being here today.

Notices of reasoned amendments

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I beg to inform the House that, pursuant to standing order 71(b), the member for Timmins has notified the Clerk of his intention to file notice of a reasoned amendment to the motion for second reading of Bill 107,

An Act to amend the Highway Traffic Act and various other statutes in respect of transportation-related matters. The order for second reading of Bill 107 may therefore not be called today.

I also beg to inform the House that, pursuant to standing order 71(b), the member for Timmins has notified the Clerk of his intention to file notice of a reasoned amendment to the motion for second reading of Bill 108,

An Act to amend various statutes with respect to housing, other development and various other matters. The order for second reading of Bill 108 may therefore not be called today.

Fire in Big Trout Lake

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Two members have informed me they wish to raise points of order. I’ll first recognize the member for Kiiwetinoong.

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: Meegwetch, Mr. Speaker. On a point of order, I seek unanimous consent for a moment of silence to support Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, also known as Big Trout Lake, in their time of sorrow and to honour the lives of Geraldine Chapman, age 47; Angel McKay, age 12; Karl Cutfeet, age nine; Hailey Chapman, age seven; and Shyra Chapman, age six, who died in a tragic house fire on May 2, 2019.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Kiiwetinoong is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to observe a moment’s silence in memory and recognition of the family that lost their lives in Big Trout Lake. Agreed? Agreed.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

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

Theresa Lecce

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader has a point of order.

Hon. Todd Smith: A very sad note that I would like to pass along to the Legislature: It was just before Christmas that our member from King–Vaughan, our deputy House leader, Stephen Lecce, introduced his parents to the Legislature. They were in our members’ gallery. Theresa and Ray Lecce were here. You could see the pride and you could see the joy in their faces as they watched their son take his seat in the Legislature for the first time ever.

Sadly, yesterday morning, we lost Stephen’s mother, Theresa Lecce, after a brief battle with cancer. I would ask for unanimous consent to pay tribute to the Lecce family. That includes Michael and Nicole, his brother and sister-in-law, and Valentina and Vivienne, the grandchildren, as well. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ray and Stephen at this time.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader is seeking unanimous consent to have a moment’s silence in memory of Mrs. Lecce. Agreed? Agreed.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I understand the member for Ottawa South has a point of order.

Mr. John Fraser: I seek unanimous consent to ask a question on behalf of the member from Thunder Bay–Superior North.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Ottawa South is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to ask a question on behalf of the member for Thunder Bay–Superior North. Agreed? Agreed.

Oral Questions

Public health

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, before I get started, on behalf of New Democrats, I just want to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Theresa Lecce and to the member for their loss.

I also want to mention that the Premier and I were both in the Muskokas on the weekend, looking at some of the horrifying and heartbreaking damage that the floods have created. I certainly want to mention Major Scott Graham of the 7th Toronto Regiment, RCA, and Lieutenant-Colonel Graham Walsh, commanding officer of the Toronto Scottish Regiment, and all of their folks and others who are doing their very, very best to help people out at a horrifying and heartbreaking time.

My question this morning is for the Premier. Last week in the Legislature, the Premier responded to concerns from Mayor John Tory about cuts to public health by saying the mayor needed to “wake up, smell the coffee and start driving efficiencies.”

Over the weekend, we learned that the mayors and regional chairs of Ontario have joined municipal leaders representing millions of Ontarians, from Prescott to northwestern Ontario, to call for a reversal of these cuts. Does the Premier think all of these leaders also need to wake up and smell the coffee?

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker: There are a lot of politicians in the province that need to wake up and smell the coffee, stop the spending and start being responsible with taxpayers’ money. It’s easy for the Leader of the Opposition to continue to spend because there’s no fiscal responsibility.

I’ll tell you, first of all, that the figures that the city is throwing out there are completely inaccurate—100% inaccurate. The decision to eliminate any child care space is the responsibility of the city of Toronto. It’s not the responsibility of the province.

Our changes: What we’re asking is for the city to find savings of 5% in administration alone. The administration, Mr. Speaker—can you imagine?—is $30 million, on just administration. That is absolutely ridiculous—$30 million. The auditor general from the city of Toronto said there is waste when it comes to child care, and that they can find efficiencies on the administration costs.

Our total budget is $433 million that we’re giving the city of Toronto.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: In my books, what’s ridiculous is asking municipalities to cut back after they already passed their budgets over a month ago.

It’s not just municipal leaders who are raising concerns. Doctors, nurses and front-line health care workers are all making it clear that cuts to public health units will mean more hallway medicine.

To put it in the words of two emergency room doctors just last week, “Premier Doug Ford’s public health cuts will mean more people are sick, more strain on the limping ER system, and more hallway medicine for you and your loved ones.”

Is the Premier ready to admit that these cuts will leave people waiting longer in the emergency room, or does he think the front-line medical professionals sounding alarm bells should just wake up and smell the coffee?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of Health.

Hon. Christine Elliott: I think it should be noted, first of all, that we are putting $1.3 billion more into our health care system. That’s going to make a big difference in ending hallway health care.

But to suggest that public health units can’t find any efficiencies, as we’re making these changes over a few years, with respect to the city of Toronto, that makes absolutely no sense, as the Premier has said. In fact, in the city of Toronto, they have had surpluses in their public health accounts over 10 years, amounting to $52 million. To say now that they can’t find a cent in savings—no one believes that.

We are going to make those changes to make sure that those programs protecting what matters most are going to continue. Child nutrition programs are going to continue to be provided for, with the province’s share under the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. Vaccination programs are going to continue. Assisting children with special needs—all of those programs are going to continue, because the $114 million that the city of Toronto is going to get from the province of Ontario is more than enough to provide those programs.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, to suggest that we will eliminate hallway medicine while not even increasing our health care budgets to cover off inflation—nobody believes that.

The problem for the Premier is that in order for the Ford government to be right, doctors, the Ontario Medical Association, the Ontario Nurses’ Association, front-line medical workers, Chief Medical Officers of Health and mayors from across Ontario, including the mayor of Toronto—who used to lead the Premier’s party—all have to be wrong.

No one believes the Premier when he says his cuts won’t impact public health—no one. So will the Premier wake up and smell the coffee and put an end to these health care cuts today?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Once again, it needs to be pointed out that there is an additional $1.3 billion going into health care. It is greater than the rate of inflation. It is going to provide great assistance across the board to doctors, nurses, hospitals and so on.

But I think some of the information that has been pointed out on the city side is inaccurate. The changes are far smaller than what has been suggested by one Toronto councillor. I think it’s really important for the people of Ontario to understand that this is an increase overall in the health care budget.

The changes that we are bringing in with respect to public health are manageable by the public health units and are being brought in over three years. It needs to be done over that period of time, to make sure that they can amend, find their priorities and make sure that they put their money into things that are actual public health priorities.

That’s what we want to do. That’s what we’re expected to do, on this side of the House, and we’re simply asking public health units to do the same.

Child care

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is also for the Premier, Speaker. But when you don’t fund to cover off inflation, that means serious cuts. That’s what this government is putting this province through, and people are going to pay the price in their reduced access to health services. That is what’s happening.

In another stealth cut from the Ford government budget, families are now learning that child care costs are about to skyrocket. The city of Toronto reports that Ford government cuts are putting child care spaces and subsidies at risk. For some families, losing these subsidies could mean child care costs shooting from $3,600 a year up to $23,000 a year. Does the Premier think it’s fair to hit families with a $19,400 hike in the cost of child care?

Hon. Doug Ford: Well, through you, Mr. Speaker: We have a great child care program—much, much better than the previous administration, and I just want to—

Interjections.

Hon. Doug Ford: What I didn’t hear—and by the way, I met with the mayor on Thursday and had a good chat with him. He understands efficiencies have to be found. But what I’m not hearing from the city of Toronto—as they’re so desperate for child care spaces, last year 16% of Toronto’s child care spaces were left sitting empty. They were empty; 16% were just empty while they were in desperate need for child care.

Through the CARE tax credit, families will receive $6,000. That’s $6,000 per child under seven. They’ll receive $3,750 for a child over seven to 16 years of age, and then $8,250 for a child with a severe disability, and they have their choice. Before, they didn’t have a choice; now they have a choice on who is going to take care of their children.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: This Premier is so out of touch that he doesn’t realize people can’t afford child care at $24,000 a year. Six thousand bucks is not going to make child care affordable, and those spaces will still stay empty.

But here’s what Toronto’s deputy mayor, Michael Thompson—who has been an ally to the Premier in the past—said. He spoke out on Friday on the need for the government to reconsider these cuts. He was joined at his press conference by one working mother who relies on child care supports provided by the city of Toronto, and she said this: “If they cut the subsidy, what should I do? Should I quit my job?” she asked. Does the Premier have an answer for her?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of Education.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: I’m pleased to rise in the House today and continue on this discussion, because we have to get all the facts out on the table.

We know for a fact that the city-run daycare centres are 30% higher in cost than any other centres across this province. Even the city’s own auditor general—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Even the city’s own auditor general has raised warning flags about the manner in which the city of Toronto has managed and administered their daycare centres. For instance, they have city administrators go around and monitor things, like how much greenery is on trees. They also have city administrators go around to make sure the seasonal decorations are in place in daycares. Honestly, Speaker, is that the best use of taxpayer dollars?

I think the city of Toronto can find 5% in administration efficiencies. We need to get it right for the families, and we look forward to the city of Toronto working with us to make sure this happens.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, Speaker, I don’t know and I have not met a single parent in this province who wants their kids playing on concrete instead of grass. But once again, the Premier is insisting that there’s nothing to see here while families see services they rely on vanish before their eyes. The Premier’s reckless cuts could leave a family earning $45,000 a year with a $23,000-a-year child care bill. This is wrong, Speaker, absolutely wrong.

The deputy mayor of Toronto has called on the Premier to discuss these plans with municipal leaders before imposing them with no idea of the consequences yet again. Will the Premier do that?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Speaker, all I can say is that the members opposite and the leader would be well advised to stop fearmongering, because people are stepping up. In fact, I want to share this one quote: “‘The reaction by some municipal officials has been totally over the top,’ says Andrea Hannen, executive director of the Association of Day Care Operators of Ontario. ‘It’s like they want families to start panicking. The fact of the matter is there has been a lot of waste in the system for a very, very long time. The Minister of Education is quite right when she says that the changes don’t need to result in service cuts to Ontario families.’”

Speaker, again, we want to work with the city because we feel there is a lot of room to find some efficiencies—5% in efficiencies—because guess what? We want the dollars to be going where they’re needed most: to families that have children who need to be in daycare. It’s shameful that they left, last year, 16% vacancies on the table. That is disgusting. The city of Toronto needs to pull up their socks.

Flooding

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is to the Premier, but I would say that this government needs to get a reality check, because people cannot afford child care. That’s why spaces are left empty.

Anyway, this weekend, the Premier and I both had the opportunity to see first-hand the heartbreaking devastation caused by flooding in communities across Ontario. The Premier has admitted that climate change is real. He admits that floods aren’t happening once in a century; that they’re happening once a year. If the Premier truly believes that, and it’s more vital than ever to protect communities against flooding, then why has the government slashed funding by half for conservation authorities for flood management programs?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of the Environment.

Hon. Rod Phillips: Mr. Speaker, through you to the member: Thank you for the question. I commend her, as well as the Premier, as well as many others, for visiting the sites of flooding. I was in Ottawa myself this weekend visiting with families that are affected.

Our Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan talks specifically about these issues. We put the focus, yes, on mitigation, yes, on dealing with greenhouse gases, but we also put the focus on making sure that our communities are prepared. In the case of Muskoka, that’s why we introduced the Muskoka watershed management initiative, an initiative that will bring five million government dollars and five million other dollars, from the federal government and elsewhere, to support understanding the watersheds and making sure that we protect families.

That’s why we talk, in our Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan, about the building code and modernizing the building code, to make sure that we’re protecting the buildings, the critical infrastructure and the homes against this.

This is our focus. It’s a focus when the emergency is happening—that’s why the Premier was there—and it’s a focus going forward.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, the Ford government is not just cutting flood management programs. They scrapped the 50 Million Tree Program, which, among other things, mitigated flood risk while fighting climate change; they scrapped most of the province’s climate programs; they fired the Environmental Commissioner; and they’re leaving cash-strapped municipalities scrambling to deal with the mess.

How can the Premier look in the eyes of those families devastated by flooding and turn around and cut programs designed to protect those very people?

Interjections.

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

Hon. Rod Phillips: To the Minister of Natural Resources.

Hon. John Yakabuski: The Leader of the Opposition has covered an awful lot of ground there. I’m not sure what she specifically wants to talk about, but we can talk about the 50 Million Tree Program.

Quite frankly, Speaker, I can tell you that across the province of Ontario, the forest industry plants 68 million trees on average every year. We’ve been working with Forests Ontario to ensure that the tree planting that is designed and scheduled for this year will go on as planned.

We were left, from the previous government, a $15-billion deficit. We were elected on the mandate to clean up the Liberals’ mess that they left us. So we have to make choices. We have ensured that our forestry industry, which is a bedrock industry in this province, will be properly supported by ensuring that the forest access road program will be funded for this year. The forest industry said that that was a number one priority.

But I say to the member opposite: If you would just recall that we were left a mess, and we are going to clean up that mess.

Flooding

Mr. Dave Smith: My question is for our excellent, caring and compassionate Premier. Over the past week, we’ve seen the impact of flooding in communities across Ontario. It’s continuing in many areas. I want to thank all the volunteers, first responders and the Canadian Armed Forces for their hard work protecting people and property. Water levels appear to have crested in many areas and are starting to go down, but there’s still plenty of work that lies ahead.

The Premier has visited many of our communities that experienced flooding. On Friday, he was in Muskoka to see first-hand the impacts that floods have had there. Can the Premier inform the House on what steps we’re taking to prepare for the future?

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member from Peterborough–Kawartha for the great question. What a great representative he is. I’ve been up in Peterborough; he’s an all-star up in Peterborough, I’ll tell you.

Mr. Speaker, I had an opportunity to go back up into the Bracebridge area and visit Graydon Smith, the mayor of Bracebridge. The mayor of Muskoka Lakes was there as well. We had a great conversation. We’ve agreed that we’re putting a task force together, to support the local people, first of all, but to find out how this starts. It starts up by Huntsville. The water flows down. There are three catch basins, be it Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau or Lake Joe. There’s just not enough area in those lakes to hold on to the water that’s flowing.

We’re going to come up with a plan so that we can make sure we can control the water system coming down, north of Huntsville. It’s going to be a great plan because we’re getting the community involved, we’re getting experts involved from the Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources, and local people, especially our great MPP Norm Miller. We know that—

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

Mr. Dave Smith: Through you, Mr. Speaker, I’d like to thank the Premier for that answer. I’d also like to remind everyone to remain cautious and avoid fast-flowing creeks and rivers. The last thing we want to see right now is someone floating their fanny down the Ganny.

I know the people back home in the riding of Peterborough–Kawartha appreciate a Premier they know they can count on to take action in a time of need. It’s been great to see the Premier taking this issue seriously and committing to use all the tools at our government’s disposal to help Ontarians.

Can the Premier update the House on his meetings with the mayors of Bracebridge and the township of Muskoka Lakes, and what our government will be doing to help deal with flooding in the future?

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker: Again I want to thank the member for his question. When I went up there, one of the other areas that I visited was actually the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce, taking care of commerce across Ontario—it was just over the top. I had a standing ovation when I walked in; and after a speech, another standing ovation. People were so excited. Small business owners, medium business owners, large business owners: They finally see this province turning the corner.

I did have an opportunity—after that meeting, actually—to sit down with the mayor of Muskoka Lakes and meet the mayor of Bracebridge, as well, with our local MPP. We sat down and we’ve agreed to come up with a solution. The first solution was that the Minister of the Environment allocated $5 million. That’s $5 million to protect the watershed, and that’s just the beginning, Mr. Speaker. We’ve put our money where our mouth is. We’re up in Muskoka, supporting the people, and there are so many other areas that we haven’t even touched on, where we’re supporting the people who have been flooded out, be it in Ottawa or in the Muskokas.

Government advertising

Mr. Taras Natyshak: Good morning, Speaker. My question is to the Premier. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has joined the chorus of Ontarians calling on the Ford government to back away from their scheme to levy a $10,000-a-day fine on every gas station that refuses to display their partisan campaign stickers. To quote the current president of the chamber, former PC candidate Rocco Rossi, the sticker scheme is “unnecessary red tape,” “an increased cost to business” and a violation of business owners’ rights and freedoms.

Speaker, is this Premier finally ready to throw in the towel on this poorly-thought-out scheme?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of Energy.

Hon. Greg Rickford: We are committed to making sure that every person in Ontario starts to understand how much this job-killing, regressive carbon tax costs. It’s not just at the pumps. Stickers on ordinary products, services and programs across this province are soon, if not already, going to reflect how much this is costing.

You know, in the riding of Kiiwetinoong, there’s a sawmill up there. They did the tabulations from the beginning of April until the end of 2019. The carbon tax alone is going to cost $1.2 million. That’s just the carbon tax. They cut board foot, garden sheds, homes—you name it. That cost is going to be translated to the consumer. It’s not going to be reflected in the $307 that the federal government is spending millions of dollars to tell Canadians they will get back as a rebate.

Mr. Speaker, we will use every tool at our disposal to stand up and make sure Ontario knows how much this is costing us.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mr. Taras Natyshak: The minister’s answer suggests he’s not only happy to stick it to the Liberals; he’s happy to stick it to small business owners and taxpayers in the province of Ontario.

Speaker, you know what? It takes a lot of work—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Government House leader, come to order.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Government House leader, come to order.

The member for Essex.

Mr. Taras Natyshak: Thank you very much, Speaker. It takes a lot of work to come up with an idea so bad that it unites everybody from Greenpeace to the chamber of commerce against it. It’s unbelievable, but we leave it to this Premier to succeed in that endeavour.

The Premier can’t find funding for schools and health care. In the midst of record cuts to funding, he has cut funding for flood management, but he is ready to spend millions of dollars fining business owners $10,000 a day for failing to display his campaign advertising.

How many people have to tell this Premier to abandon this scheme before he admits it’s wrong?

Hon. Greg Rickford: If the member opposite is looking for political parties for us to stick it to, we’ll stick it to the NDP. Because it isn’t just about board foot that’s being cut in Ear Falls; it’s about those family vehicles that are produced in Essex. We know that those families who are buying those vehicles are coming to the gas pumps and seeing how much more they’re paying; when they go to the grocery store, how much more fruits and vegetables are costing; and how much more it’s costing at the hardware store for these products to be produced.

We will not lose an opportunity to make sure the people of Ontario understand how much this job-killing, regressive carbon tax is costing them, period.

Housing policy

Ms. Jane McKenna: My question is for the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Speaker, on this side of the House, we know that the Liberals, heavily supported by the NDP, left Ontario in a housing crisis. Our most vulnerable were left with broken, unlivable community housing stock that was only getting worse. Individuals were penalized for trying to go to school and become self-sufficient.

But in April, our government announced a path forward for community housing in Ontario. The minister provided tangible solutions that protect the most vulnerable from criminal activity, clear the wait-list for affordable housing and simplify the overly complex rent-geared-to-income rules.

Mr. Speaker, can the minister please explain to this House what real change looks like for community housing in Ontario?

Hon. Steve Clark: I want to thank the member for Burlington, who has continued to work hard for her constituents on this file.

The member is right: Instead of providing solutions, the previous Liberal government, supported by the NDP, really put us on the hook, not only for a $15-billion deficit, but also an inefficient housing system that really didn’t meet people’s needs.

About a month ago, I was pleased to announce our government’s Community Housing Renewal Strategy. We’re investing over $1 billion in 2019-20 alone to sustain, repair and grow Ontario’s community housing system. We’re going to be doing a number of things, as the member mentioned. We’re going to make it easier to both predict and calculate rent for tenants and for landlords. We’re going to ensure that individuals who are seeking opportunities to go to work or go to school aren’t penalized by the system. We’re going to be doing a number of initiatives that make the system more effective and more efficient. But most importantly, Speaker, we need to meet people’s needs. That’s the number one—

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

Ms. Jane McKenna: Thank you to the minister, because you’re definitely finding the needs for the people and the most vulnerable, and they have reached out over and over again.

Speaker, this minister has been incredibly busy these past few weeks. He introduced our Community Housing Renewal Strategy a month ago. Then, last week, he announced a comprehensive plan to increase market supply across Ontario, so that individuals and families can find that home that fits their life and their budgets. This plan provides hope to so many new couples who are looking to buy their first home, or the families who need more than 700 square feet, or young adults who need a place to rent near work.

Mr. Speaker, can the minister please highlight this plan and legislation that brings more homes and more choices to the people of Ontario?

This plan and legislation, if passed, will put affordable home ownership in reach for many Ontario families, and provide more people with the opportunity to live closer to where they work. It’s a responsible plan, it’s a sustainable plan and it will help reduce red tape and increase a housing supply that is desperately needed in this province.

We’re moving forward, Speaker. The bill, if passed, will help Ontarians, and I look forward to support from the other side of the House as well.

Tree planting

Ms. Judith Monteith-Farrell: My question is for the Premier. The government’s decision to cut the 50 Million Tree Program is hurting local businesses. This weekend, it was reported that Ferguson Tree Nursery in Kemptville will be destroying more than three million tree seedlings because of the cancellation of the program. The CEO, Ed Patchell, told the media that the trees were primarily for planters, conservation authorities, private contractors and stewardship groups in southern Ontario. Not only will these cuts hurt Mr. Patchell’s business, but they will have a negative impact on the environment.

Why is the Premier hurting businesses like Mr. Patchell’s?

Hon. Doug Ford: The Minister of Natural Resources.

Hon. John Yakabuski: I thank the member for the question. It’s clear that there is obviously some misinformation being bandied about across the province. Let’s be clear: We were left with a massive $15-billion deficit by the previous government and we’ve made it clear that we’re going to deal with that.

But on the issue of Forests Ontario and the tree planting program: They began planting trees in 2008. They were supposed to have 50 million trees done by 2020. They have not met those goals. We indicated to them that we would be winding down the program. But every tree that is contracted to be planted this year will be planted, and we’ve worked with Forests Ontario to ensure that that will happen.

Speaker, I think it needs to be clear that—and Mr. Patchell, I’m sure, when he examines what’s really happening, will want to change his statement on that. We are making sure that we are responsibly getting back to balance, but we’re going to ensure that for any contract that was in place, those trees will be planted this year.

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

Ms. Judith Monteith-Farrell: My question is for the Premier. When Daniel Enright called the Premier to voice his opposition to the Premier’s cuts to the 50 Million Tree Program and the layoff of a friend, who was a public servant, Daniel was shocked to hear the Premier didn’t know what was going on inside his own government. The Premier told him he only learned of the cuts to the program that morning and had to call his people to find out what the program was about.

Now that the Premier is aware that the 50 Million Tree Program has been cancelled, will he direct his minister to reverse this terrible decision and reinstate funding?

Hon. John Yakabuski: I thank you for the supplementary. I want to reiterate that we’ve told Forests Ontario that the program would be wound down and their funding would end. Forests Ontario has also indicated clearly that they’re going to go to the private sector and that they believe they will be able to sustain this program going forward, because there are people in the private sector and there are organizations who are willing to finance it.

Let’s be clear: The taxpayers of Ontario told us clearly last year that they wanted us to clean up the financial mess left to us by the Liberals, which was supported by the New Democrats every step of the way. We’re going to do that. There will be trees planted in this province. The forest industry plants an average of 68 million trees every year.

So, let’s be clear: There’s a lot of fearmongering going on out there, but stick to the facts. We’re going to clean up the financial mess, and the trees that are contracted for this year will be planted.

Fundraising

Mr. John Fraser: My question is for the Premier. It has been more than one year since the Premier seized the Conservative leadership. One year ago, his campaign was declared debt-free to Elections Ontario. Since then, the Premier has continued to raise money through his leadership campaign, funnelling more than half a million dollars into the Conservative Party coffers.

The Premier knows his debt is paid, and he is now using it so that he can dodge individual annual contribution limits. The Premier knows that the intent of this law is to pay down the leadership debt and not to line his party’s coffers.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Government side, come to order.

Mr. John Fraser: Speaker, through you to the Premier: Will the Premier stop fundraising for his leadership campaign and funnelling it into Conservative Party coffers? Yes or no?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. The government side has to come to order. Just because you’re at that end of the chamber, you can’t shout down the member who has the floor.

Start the clock. The question is to the Premier.

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker, I’m going to answer two questions here, one from the other member.

As you can tell, at 11:15 at night, I’m still returning constituent calls. Let’s try to do that on the other side. It doesn’t happen. The only Premier in the history of this province that actually gives out his number, that returns calls—if they like me or dislike me, at least they’re going to get an answer.

As for the Liberal member—at least people are enthused. We were elected for change in this province. We were elected to be fiscally responsible. We were elected to knock down that $15-billion budget and balance it in a reasonable, responsible and thoughtful manner, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.

We’re following the rules. Just because there are sour grapes on the other side that they can’t raise a penny and we’re raising millions of dollars because people are encouraged to actually support us—and, by the way, Mr. Speaker, with $5 donations and $25 spaghetti dinners around the province. That’s who our donors are. We aren’t with the big, super-rich guys that the Liberals courted for 15 years—

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

Interjections.

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

Start the clock. Supplementary.

Mr. John Fraser: I hope I get an answer in the supplementary. Since January 2019, the Premier’s leadership campaign has raised $221,000. Twenty-eight contributors doubled their annual contribution limit, exceeding the $1,600. The Premier knows that no other party in this Legislature—not the NDP, not the Greens, not the Liberals—has this advantage.

The Premier knows that the intent of the law is to pay down leadership debt and not to be used to line his party’s coffers. Last week, I introduced a private member’s bill to—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. The government side will come to order.

Start the clock. I apologize to the member for Ottawa South.

Mr. John Fraser: Last week, I introduced a private member’s bill to end the Premier’s dirty double-dip. Speaker, through you, will the Premier do three things—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m going to ask the member for Ottawa South to be cautious with his language. Intemperate language is not helpful. Please finish your question.

Mr. John Fraser: Thank you, Speaker. Will the Premier do three things: Stop fundraising for his leadership campaign, return the money that exceeded annual contribution limits, and pass my private member’s bill, or make that change to election law that’s needed and that he said he was willing to do about two weeks ago—but he doesn’t seem to have that in his answer?

Hon. Doug Ford: To the Minister of Finance.

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Thank you very much for the question. You know, I have to say, it’s rather rich from that party, who held so many pay-to-play funders that the rules needed to be changed. I have to tell you, the reason they ask these kinds of questions is because they have absolutely no policy ideas, no policy concepts.

Let me tell you a little bit about policy. I realized we needed to stop the $40 million a day more than you were taking in that you were spending. But let me tell you, we are bringing relief to families—$26 billion in relief. That’s what you should be talking about. You should be talking about the LIFT program, Low-income Individuals and Families Tax Credit, that’s returning $2 billion to the low-income earners in Ontario. You should be talking about the CARE program, bringing relief to child care—to 300,000 child care programs over the course of this year.

Speaker, that’s why they want to talk about something idle like that rather than the $26 billion that families are seeing back in their pockets.

Ontario economy

Mr. Amarjot Sandhu: My question is for the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

This week, the minister travelled to India to bring our open-for-business message to the world’s largest democracy. The minister was there to meet with business leaders and promote Ontario as a destination for investment and jobs.

Since being elected, we have been doing everything we can to create an environment where our job creators can thrive, because we know that when businesses thrive, people thrive, and when people thrive, communities thrive. We’ve been cutting red tape, lowering taxes and fixing the Liberals’ hydro mess. These measures are giving businesses the confidence that they need to once again invest in Ontario.

Could the minister outline for the House the importance of bringing our open-for-business message to international investors?

Hon. Todd Smith: Thanks very much to the member from Brampton West for the great question and the great work that he’s doing for his community.

Let me tell you, Mr. Speaker, it was my first trip to India. India is buzzing with excitement. It’s an unbelievable country. Not only is it the world’s largest democracy—and they are in the middle of their national elections right now; 900 million people are expected to vote, with the results coming later this month—but it’s one of the fastest-growing economies as well, at 7% to 8% year over year.

There are many, many companies, about 60 of them in all, from India that are currently operating here in Ontario, and many more that are looking at opening up in North America. We think that Ontario is the best entry point for those companies that want to embark in the North American market. That’s why we went there to meet directly with businesses and tell them what we’re doing here in Ontario. We’ve been creating jobs already—123,000 of them in the last several months—and we know and now they know that Ontario is the best place to—

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

Mr. Amarjot Sandhu: Thank you to the minister for his response. After 15 years of Liberal government, businesses are finally looking to invest in Ontario again. They have confidence in their government because businesses know that we understand the challenges they face and we understand that pro-business policies are pro-people policies.

We’re providing $3.8 billion of corporate income tax relief through the Ontario Job Creation Investment Incentive. The incentive will encourage businesses to invest in their facilities and create tens of thousands of jobs.

We’re cutting red tape by 25%, saving businesses $400 million a year in compliance costs.

We’re making Ontario open for business and open for jobs.

Could the minister tell the House the response that he received from businesses in India?

Hon. Todd Smith: Thanks again to the member from Brampton for the question. You wouldn’t believe the response actually, Mr. Speaker. These businesses are excited to invest here in Ontario. They know this is the great place to be in North America. I met with too many businesses to name, probably about 50 of them in all, during the trip.

I met with Hygge Energy and Sabran Bioentrri and Advanced Enzymes to promote Ontario’s agri-food sector.

I also sat down with Mahindra and Mahindra, Tata, Mahindra Aerospace, Mahindra Tractors and Aditya Birla Carbon. They’re all part of the booming India automotive sector.

I also met with Larsen and Toubro, which is part of the construction companies there that are looking to do infrastructure projects.

I spoke with Paytm. They’re an Indian tech company, and their North American head office is here in Toronto right now. I’m proud to tell you that they’re looking at creating over 100 more jobs here in Ontario over the next year. Paytm is excited about the work that our government is doing. I wish the NDP was as excited as the folks in India seem—

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

Public transit

Ms. Jessica Bell: My question is to the Deputy Premier. Last week, the Conservative government took another step forward in the Premier’s scheme to take over the TTC. The legislation hands over total control of all new transit projects to the province, without any input or say from the people of Toronto or any compensation for the people who built and paid for the TTC system for generations. That means the Premier can choose what gets built when and how, allowing him to cater to his developer friends but not transit riders or the people of Toronto.

How can the Premier justify snatching Toronto’s transit system away from the people who use and invest in the TTC every day?

Hon. Christine Elliott: To the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hon. Steve Clark: I want to thank the member for the question. On behalf of Minister Yurek, who tabled the Getting Ontario Moving Act last Thursday, I’m pleased to be able to answer the question.

The reason we introduced this legislation is, there are a number of proposed measures. This is a very, very important bill for our government to move forward. The people of Ontario have waited long enough for transit improvements and investments. Amending the Metrolinx Act to upload responsibility for new subway projects from the city of Toronto to the province would mean that new subways are built faster and on time for the people of Ontario.

There are a number of other components of this act: things that deal with school bus safety, and a number of measures.

But the item that the member asked—I think, again, that most Ontarians are concerned that subways aren’t being built faster. This uploading is desperately required. The bill, if passed, would provide that necessary relief.

I’d be more than happy to answer further questions in the supplemental.

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

Ms. Jessica Bell: Back to the Deputy Premier: In the back-of-the-napkin scheme, the Premier says he can build new subways faster by opening up the process to the private sector.

Okay, we’ve heard this claim before. Let’s look at the Union Pearson Express. Let’s look at Presto. Let’s look at the Eglinton Crosstown. We’ve had years of delays, and it has gone millions of dollars over budget. In fact, the private consortium building the Eglinton Crosstown extracted an extra $237 million from taxpayers to stick to its original contract. That is the largest payout on a public-private partnership in Ontario’s history.

Will the Premier admit that he is wrong and stop the hostile takeover of the TTC?

Hon. Steve Clark: To the Minister of Infrastructure.

Hon. Monte McNaughton: Let’s face it, Mr. Speaker: If the NDP were in power today, there would hardly be any transit built in the province of Ontario.

We have a great track record in the province of Ontario when it comes to public-private partnerships. In fact, we’ve delivered, through Infrastructure Ontario, 109 public-private partnerships in the province of Ontario since 2005. Some 95% of all of those projects—95% of 109 projects—were delivered on budget. We take pride in the partnerships with the private sector on this part.

I was pleased to join the Minister of Transportation, our Premier and a number of our MPPs to announce a historic investment into subway expansion in Toronto totalling $28.5 billion. I will put our Premier’s track record, our government’s track record, against the—

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

Land use planning

Mr. Roman Baber: My question is for the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. The Local Planning Appeal Tribunal was broken from the beginning. The Toronto Region Board of Trade estimates that approximately 100,000 housing units are caught up in cases at the LPAT. Many units could be built, but with so many caught up at the tribunal, what help are they to the people of Ontario, who are seeing skyrocketing prices for homes and rentals? This kind of red tape is increasing delays in unlocking potential housing, harming both people and communities.

Can the minister please share with the House how his proposed changes will speed up the LPAT so that more houses and rentals can get on the market faster?

Hon. Steve Clark: I want to thank the honourable member for that excellent question. As I think most members in this House know, Ontario is in a housing crisis. We all know that that was caused in part by years of mismanagement by the previous government. They just didn’t get that file right. There are not enough homes for families and individuals. We need to have some big changes in terms of housing supply.

I appreciate the question regarding the LPAT. Currently at the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, there is a tremendous backlog of legacy Ontario Municipal Board cases. The backlog has slowed down the approval process. It is at a crisis point itself. I want to thank the Attorney General for all the support. We’re currently adding 11 new adjudicators to the LPAT, which is a 40% increase that would work significantly on that backlog. There are a number of other proposed changes that I think take the best of the OMB and the LPAT system and really will be able to move forward to create and unlock 100,000 units.

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

Mr. Roman Baber: Thank you, Minister, for that answer. Housing is not going to build itself, and we need real solutions to solve the housing shortage in our province.

Mr. Speaker, there’s some concern among my constituents that the changes announced will return the LPAT to an OMB-style decision-making body. There are also some concerns that the proposed changes to the LPAT fees are going to add more expense for individuals and community groups, thereby making the process less accessible. Could the minister please clarify the impact of these proposed changes and how the updated LPAT process will be different from the old OMB process?

Hon. Steve Clark: Again, I want to thank the member from York Centre for that question. He really gets it.

Speaker, from our consultations through the Housing Supply Action Plan, of the over 2,000 submissions we received, over 85% were from the general public. Essentially, the current process, as the member notes, just wasn’t working. We’re proposing changes to the LPAT that would make sure they have all the necessary information to make a decision. We want to ensure that they have the powers and the resources that are available to make those timely decisions.

I talked, in my first answer, about the significant increase in adjudicators. But we also want to allow the tribunal to make those best planning decisions not just in place of council, but we also want to be able to charge different fees and move towards a cost-recovery model while still allowing community groups and residents to maintain affordable access to the appeals process.

Again, Speaker, I think we’re taking the best of the OMB and LPAT to move forward. I’m convinced that these adjudicators will create a change in the backlog. Many other—

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

Housing policy

Ms. Suze Morrison: My question is to the Premier. Last Thursday, the government tabled a bill that reads like it was written by the Premier’s developer friends and campaign donors. It’s not a housing bill; it is a bill of rights for developers seeking to pave over prime farmland and wetlands with impunity. Bill 108 guts the inclusionary zoning laws that affordable housing advocates fought so hard for, while doing nothing to stop unethical landlords from gouging their tenants or illegally evicting them so that they can raise the rent. Why is the Premier putting the interests of developers above the rights of all Ontarians to have a safe and affordable home?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I look to the Acting Premier.

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hon. Steve Clark: I can’t express, Speaker, through you, how disappointed I am in the premise of that question and what we’re trying to accomplish. Our government believes that everyone deserves a place to call home.

You know who my friends are, Speaker? My friends are that couple in their twenties or thirties who, right now, don’t have that dream of home ownership within their grasp. You know who my friends are? It’s that couple with a couple of kids in a 700-square-foot apartment with a small storage locker who don’t see an opportunity for them to get the home they need.

You know who are my friends, Speaker? They’re the hundreds of thousands of people who, over this announcement and over our consultation, have come forward to unanimously say that we need to intensify around transit. That’s where people want to live. It’s the senior who wants to downsize who doesn’t seem to have that option. It’s the person who wants to create a second unit in the house. Those are my friends, Speaker. Those are the people who speak to this bill. Those are the people who we want to provide a safe and stable—

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

Interjections.

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

Restart the clock. Supplementary?

Ms. Suze Morrison: Bill 108 not only eviscerates Ontario’s inclusionary zoning laws, but it puts a cap on funding for growth-related services like libraries, community centres and day cares. It stops cities from ensuring that new developments include parks and public spaces. It encourages more sprawl while shortchanging residents seeking a new home in densifying urban communities like downtown Toronto. It stops environmental or human rights groups from appealing a decision that harms our natural heritage or that blocks new housing choices for low-income people.

Why won’t the Premier fund affordable housing instead of giving away the province to developers?

Hon. Steve Clark: Again, Speaker, I really hope this member takes advantage of the briefing we’ve offered her today, because she can’t be more away from the truth.

In terms of the community benefits authority—

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

Hon. Steve Clark: I withdraw.

Again, she needs to understand that the announcement that we made on Thursday was our intention to consult. I had to make the same correction with Councillor Matlow; I had to make the same correction.

Rather than grandstanding, why doesn’t the member just acknowledge, like groups like the Association of Municipalities of Ontario have, that our community benefits authority consultation recognizes that growth pays for growth? At the same time, people who want to build homes need that certainty.

The intention to consult was there. If the member reads the legislation properly, she’ll realize that inclusionary zoning, we feel, is best toward transit. That’s where everyone—

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

Child care

Ms. Andrea Khanjin: My question is to the Minister of Education. Last week, I was disappointed. I was disappointed to see that the city of Toronto was once again spreading misinformation when it comes to the support our government is giving for child care.

I know that our government has always been clear that we need to take clear action to protect what matters most, while providing relief to families and individuals today. Can the minister please tell the House more about the supports we’re providing for the city to ensure that parents are getting the most out of their child care?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: First of all, I’d like to thank the member from Barrie–Innisfil for the great question. You’re doing a wonderful job in your riding and it shows every day. I wish the city of Toronto was doing equally as good a job because, quite frankly, even their own auditor general has been waving the warning flags. We’re going to be watching.

This year alone, we’re going to be giving the city of Toronto $433 million for child care services. We’re challenging them.

Hon. Todd Smith: Please spend it wisely.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: We’re challenging them to spend it wisely and invest where it needs to be done.

It’s unacceptable that 16% of child care spaces were left vacant last year. Families in Toronto need their city council to be working with them, because guess what? We think they could reduce the cost of delivering child care in the city of Toronto by 5%.

There are opportunities to find efficiencies, and we want to work with the city of Toronto to make sure that happens, because again, our focus is on the parents. We’re putting them first, not government. Parents should be deciding—

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

Ms. Andrea Khanjin: Thank you to the minister for her detailed response. It is great to have someone provide accurate information, rather than misinformation that’s being spread by the city.

Under the previous government, parents were often forgotten, suffering under the weight of increased taxes and increased expenses with no relief in sight. Thankfully, our government is reversing this trend and bringing relief back to the people of Ontario. With the budget, I was excited that our government is proposing thoughtful solutions that respect parents and provide them with the support they need. Could the minister please explain more about how the government is supporting parents with a child care policy that works?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Of course I’m pleased to stand in this House any time to talk about what we’re bringing forward, because it’s demonstrating that not only has our government listened, but we’re caring as well.

We’re creating 30,000 new spaces; 10,000 alone will be situated in schools. Our plan is going to help 300,000 families. Let me tell you, our CARE program, our tax credit, will cover up to 75% of their expenses that will go to in-centre, home or camp. Again, we’re putting parents at the centre of the decision-making—

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

Social assistance

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: My question is to the Premier. In November, the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services announced potentially devastating changes to the Ontario Disability Support Program. Despite the fact that ODSP rates already force people with disabilities to live in poverty, the minister slashed a planned increase by 50% and increased the clawback on earned income to 75%.

Most disturbingly, the minister announced future changes to the definition of disability, which is used to determine ODSP eligibility. Experts, advocates and recipients are rightly concerned that this Conservative government is moving towards a more narrow definition that would exclude thousands of people. Will the Premier confirm whether the government will be adopting a more restrictive definition like the federal CPPD definition? Yes or no?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of Municipal Affairs.

Hon. Steve Clark: I want to thank the honourable member for that question. Our government for the people is moving forward with social assistance reforms that would restore dignity, encourage employment and empower the province’s most vulnerable to break free from the poverty cycle. I think Minister MacLeod has spoken many times in this House when she pledges that she believes the best social program is for our government to be able to provide jobs and job opportunities for those most vulnerable.

Our plan is effective, it’s sustainable, and I think, on behalf of Minister MacLeod, the most important thing that we can do is to provide that hope and opportunity for people and to provide that outcome that I think she most desperately wants. As a first step, our government worked very closely with the municipal sector on the transformation of our system. We continue to work with our stakeholders, and we appreciate some of the suggestions that they have.

I look forward to more from the member.

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

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: Back to the Premier: Ontarians with disabilities and their families are extremely anxious about what changes to ODSP eligibility might mean. Those with episodic disabilities, like multiple sclerosis, cancer or mental health concerns, will almost certainly be excluded from accessing vital income support if Ontario moves to a definition of disability like the CPPD. Cuts to ODSP are just one of the many ways that this Conservative government is hurting people with disabilities and their families. Not only are ODSP recipients living in poverty; they’re also waiting decades for supportive housing. They’re languishing on wait-lists for support through the Passport Program.

This government is wreaking havoc on people’s lives with their careless and dangerous decisions. Will the Premier be moving toward a more exclusionary definition of disability so fewer people can qualify? Yes or no?

Hon. Steve Clark: Again, to the member opposite—she mentioned a number of things. I want to take the opportunity, given her reference to supportive housing and mental health—this week is Mental Health Week in Ontario, and also children’s mental health. We were at an announcement this morning with a number of ministers, with Minister Elliott. Especially because of my portfolio in housing, I very much want to say to the member that supportive housing is a very important aspect of the supports that not just my ministry but many other ministries provide.

The best social safety net, I think, is a compassionate society. I know that when it comes to supporting people with disabilities with dignity, the system redesign wants to hear from those who are providing services. We want to use a whole-of-government approach among a number of ministries.

I appreciate what the member has to say. I know that the minister is right on top of this file. She is working collaboratively with many of our ministerial colleagues, and I know she’ll have more to say in the future.

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

Notice of dissatisfaction

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Pursuant to standing order 38(a), the member for Ottawa South has given notice of his dissatisfaction with the answer to his question given by the Premier concerning Ontario’s election finance law. This matter will be debated Wednesday at 6 p.m.

This House stands in recess until 1 p.m.

The House recessed from 1151 to 1300.

Introduction of Visitors

Hon. Bill Walker: This is a bit of a repeat. I don’t normally like to do that, but my guests from Wiarton are here. I want to introduce Michele Bell, executive director of the Bruce Peninsula Association for Community Living; Amber McCartney, a family support worker; and Diane Chavarie, Tara Sadler, Cheryl Craig and Valerie Tigert, all self-advocates from Wiarton. Welcome to Queen’s Park, and I hope you enjoy your day.

Members’ Statements

Ontario Library Service–North

Ms. Judith Monteith-Farrell: Another day, another cut: this time, libraries. Ontario Library Service–North is losing half of its budget. The OLS–North staff of 11 did a big job for libraries across the north. Five staff are losing their jobs, and one is being reduced to part-time. So much for Premier Ford’s no-job-cuts pledge. My heart goes out to each of these workers and their families.

Cutting the OLS–North budget is going to hurt a lot of people and hurt communities, especially rural northern Ontario communities. Sometimes people stop at their local library to check out a book, but often they come for other reasons. On a cold winter afternoon, folks who live off the grid come to stay warm, save on firewood and use computers. Seniors with limited mobility come to gather with others. Students come after school.

The Ontario Library Service–North helped northern libraries serve their communities, like the Atikokan Public Library and the Oliver Paipoonge Public Library in my riding. Library budgets depend on the cost-effective services that the OLS–North provided, like a computerized catalogue service, ebook subscription services and staff development.

I hope that the government is listening. We deserve better. The north deserves better. Rural communities deserve better.

Georgian Bay Hunters and Anglers

Ms. Jill Dunlop: Last weekend, I had the great honour to attend the Georgian Bay Hunters and Anglers annual conservation wild game dinner. On the menu this year we were served bear sausages, smoked wild turkey and a dish that I think you would enjoy, Mr. Speaker: a moose-and-bear tourtière. I would like to use this opportunity to thank Georgian Bay Hunters and Anglers for the wonderful feast full of many delicious wildlife surprises.

Most importantly, I want to thank them for a nearly century-long dedication to our community and local heritage. Funds from the wild game dinner and many other GBHA fundraisers go directly into programs, facilities and events that support the youth, conservation and communities of Simcoe North.

In regards to conservation, the GBHA have spearheaded massive inroads in the region. Their conservation efforts over the last decades have included wild turkey reintroduction, stream restoration, and restocking projects with the Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council. Since 2003, their award-winning junior club has engaged local youth in outdoor activities with a goal of helping young people find their place in the outdoors. All year long, the junior club runs programs such as tree-planting projects, firearms safety and wood duck nesting.

Thanks to the amazing leadership of our Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, Georgian Bay Hunters and Anglers and similar organizations across Ontario can rest assured that they have a partner at Queen’s Park.

Homophobia and transphobia

Ms. Suze Morrison: Last week, constituents in the heart of my community, in the Church-Wellesley Village, were exposed to homophobia and transphobia as men trying to preach hate entered the community and took up space, screaming hateful things at members of my community. Many brave constituents stood their ground and tried to challenge the preachers in a way that made it clear that their speech and their hate was not welcome in our neighbourhood.

I want to be crystal clear: Hate, bigotry, homophobia, and transphobia have no place in our society and absolutely no place in the Gay Village in my riding.

Interjections.

Ms. Suze Morrison: Thank you.

This government has done absolutely nothing to help protect queer and trans folks in Ontario. Instead, their party has adopted a stance that trans people are not valid. Instead, the Premier still refuses to denounce his affiliations with a known right-wing racist and homophobic celebrity. We can do better. Ontario deserves better.

I am so proud of my constituents, the folks who stood up and said no to hate. I am with you. My caucus is with you. And in the words of Rita Mae Brown, an army of lovers shall not fail.

Milton Good Neighbours Community Day

Mr. Parm Gill: Mr. Speaker, every year, Miltonians get together on one Saturday morning to pick up trash and keep our town beautiful. This past Saturday was that day, and I was proud to see over 1,000 Miltonians participate in this year’s good neighbours day. This year marked the 27th year of the community day.

I was out with my team doing our part, and you wouldn’t believe some of the items people found. One of the town councillors even found a $10 bill while picking up garbage in the ditch. See? It really does pay to clean up.

I want to thank all of the organizers and volunteers who made this happen and kept everyone safe while picking up trash along the roadways by providing yellow vests. Special thanks to the town of Milton and Diego and Carlanna from Tim Hortons for their generous contributions.

This day wouldn’t be possible without the support from the many other sponsors, including the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation as well as the Rotary Club of Milton, the RCMP and Halton Regional Police Service.

As the town councillors learned this year, picking up trash can find you some cash.

Barb Deter

Mr. Taras Natyshak: On behalf of myself and my colleagues from Windsor–Tecumseh and Windsor West, Percy Hatfield and Lisa Gretzky, it’s an honour to rise today during Nursing Week to recognize this year’s winner of the Lois Fairley award, chosen by registered nurses in my area. This year’s recipient is Barb Deter. Barb is currently the president of the nurses’ union at the Windsor-Essex county public health unit. Unfortunately, 80 nurses there have been on strike for more than two months, demanding fairness and equality for their profession.

Barb began her career 46 years ago at Hôtel-Dieu hospital. She worked in all departments there before moving over to the Victorian Order of Nurses. Barb spent 12 years with the VON. She went back to university, got her bachelor of science in nursing and joined the health unit.

Barb runs the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program as well as the healthy families department. She has been the president of her union for nearly 20 years.

Barb is described by her peers as a leader, a mentor and a pillar of strength who demonstrates patience, compassion and professionalism.

Speaker, the Lois Fairley award honours someone who has demonstrated a commitment to serving the community through excellence in patient care. The RNAO has partnered with the Fairley family on this award for the past 12 years. Lois Fairley was a highly regarded nurse who led by example. She gave back to her community, her profession and especially to her patients.

As I mentioned, Barb has been on strike for more than two months, fighting for respect and improved public health policy—this, at a time when public health in Ontario is on the chopping block with Conservative cutbacks and consolidation.

I want to congratulate Barb Deter. You’ve set an example for the nursing profession in Ontario, and we all are better for it.

Paddle the Don

Ms. Kathleen O. Wynne: Yesterday, my partner, Jane, and I had the opportunity once again to share in one of the best outdoor experiences that Toronto has to offer. We paddled the Don River.

For 26 years, Paddle the Don has offered people who love Toronto and who love the natural world a chance to blend the two in a completely unique way. It’s the only time of year you can view the Millwood bridge or the Bloor viaduct from the vantage point of a canoe. The towers of Thorncliffe Park in my riding of Don Valley West take on a whole new grandeur from the river, and the quiet of nesting mallards is a beautiful antidote to the roar of the Don Valley Parkway.

This year, the weather was perfect and the shores of the river were teeming with activity. Toronto marathoners, Riverdale cyclists, Cabbagetown hikers for hospice, birdwatchers, cyclists and parents with kids in strollers shared the route along the Don.

But apart from being just a fantastic 10-kilometre trip from Ernest Thompson Seton Park right down to Lake Ontario, Paddle the Don is a great reminder that it is possible to repair damage that has been done by humans. Just a few decades ago, the Don River was declared dead by environmental groups. Now it is thriving again. It’s a resurrection story of thousands of volunteers, determined, patient environmentalists, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority with the support of all three levels of government, and the private sector, particularly Manulife, who worked for years to bring back the Don.

Jane and I started paddling the Don in 2004, and even in that time we’ve seen a huge difference: less garbage, more wildlife, a cleaner river. Colleagues from the Legislature Rima Berns-McGown and Chris Glover were fellow travellers, along with federal and municipal politicians.

We all have a responsibility to continue this work. So thank you to the volunteers. Thank you to the visionary folks at TRCA and all the private and professional environmentalists who have worked so hard for decades to resurrect this precious water. Miigwetch. Marsi.

Leonard Patrick (Red) Kelly

Mrs. Belinda Karahalios: It’s with a heavy heart that I rise today to pay tribute to Leonard Patrick Kelly, most lovingly known as “Red.” Red, who was also a long-time family friend of the Karahalios family, passed away on May 2 at the age of 91. He was a former MP, an avid hockey player and a dedicated coach. He played for the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Red wore many jerseys throughout his life and career, but while serving as an MP and playing for Toronto, he went on to help the Leafs win not one but two Stanley Cups. In 2017, he was named one of the 100 greatest NHL players in history—truly a hockey legend, winning a total of eight Stanley Cups.

I remember Red visiting my father-in-law’s restaurant, Black Cat Fish and Chips on Avenue Road, for many years, especially every Good Friday. My husband, Jim, and I had the honour of Red being a guest at our wedding.

My sincere condolences go out to Red’s wife, Andra, their four children, Casey, Patrick, Conn and Kitty, and their eight grandchildren during this difficult time.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

Ontario budget

Ms. Sandy Shaw: I rise today in the House to speak about this government’s budget cuts and the very real impacts they have in my community of Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas in particular.

The city of Hamilton, as are many municipalities, is in the dark and they’re fearful of the impact of millions of dollars—in fact, almost $10 million—being pulled out of Hamilton child care programs and public health, including addictions counselling services. The only sure thing in this is the announced complete axing of the Addiction Services Initiative, which was a pilot program providing much-needed assistance to Ontario Works recipients looking to rejoin the workplace.

The Solicitor General stood in this House last week and stated, and I quote, “When people choose to use and abuse drugs, it has an impact.”

Mr. Speaker, I’m asking: Is this government really serious about improving the lives of those most vulnerable by funding addiction counselling, or are they content to demonize individuals by using words like “choose to use and abuse”?

The results of this budget have real impacts on individuals looking for help in battling their addictions. It has an impact in our schools with children having to start their learning day without school breakfast programs. It has an impact on seniors who rely on public health units to provide dental coverage.

So, Speaker, I ask: How can the Solicitor General stand by while her government cuts the very programs that help those who are most in need, and how can this government continue to show such a tone-deaf attitude when it comes to the realities that people are facing every day in this province of Ontario?

Mandarin MS Walk

Mr. Stephen Crawford: It’s an honour, as always, to speak here. Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the Mandarin Multiple Sclerosis Walk in Oakville. The walk is an annual event that takes place to raise money for MS research, and in 2018 the country-wide event raised over $8 million with help from 31,000 donors, participants and volunteers. It was great to see so many people from the community involved and working to raise money to help fund research in the hopes of finding a cure.

For those unfamiliar with multiple sclerosis, MS is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that affects one in 385 Canadians, making it one of the highest instances in the world. The disease attacks myelin, the protective covering of the nerves, causing inflammation and often damaging myelin. Myelin is necessary for the transmission of nerve impulses through nerve fibres. If damage to myelin is slight, nerve impulses travel with minor interruptions. However, if damage is substantial and if scar tissue replaces the myelin, nerve impulses may be completely disrupted and the nerve fibres themselves can be damaged.

MS is unpredictable and can cause symptoms such as extreme fatigue, lack of coordination, weakness, tingling, impaired sensation, vision problems, bladder problems, cognitive impairment and mood changes. Its effects can be physical, emotional and financial. Currently, there is no cure, but each day our researchers are learning more about what causes MS and zeroing in on the cure.

Again, I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in the Oakville event this weekend.

Leonard Patrick (Red) Kelly

Mr. Toby Barrett: Our thoughts and prayers go out to a man—a legend—who taught me how to skate. Hockey Hall of Famer Leonard “Red” Kelly passed away May 2. It was just a year or so ago that Red visited Queen’s Park.

Red Kelly was a born and raised Woodhouse township farm boy, destined to be one of the greatest hockey players in history. Over his stellar 20 seasons, Red was able to enjoy holding the Stanley Cup on eight different occasions, as I understand it, four with Detroit and four with Toronto.

Red was a devoted, motivated, accomplished man with his heart and soul in hockey. He was a man who could do it all. While serving as a member of Parliament for York West, Red simultaneously played centre for the Leafs and led them to the Stanley Cup in 1964.

Red Kelly’s home farm is at the intersection of Red Kelly Line and the Blueline in Haldimand–Norfolk. Red grew up playing on the farm ponds of Norfolk county. He has touched the lives of so many, including local boys who have gone on to play professional hockey. Like I say, in my case, a young lad who really didn’t play hockey but was taught by Red how to skate on the Backus mill pond—taught by Red Kelly, a true gentleman.

Answers to written questions

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: On a point of order, I want to note that I had submitted an order paper question on March 26 that is now overdue. It was asking the Minister of Education to advise on the total cost of the 2018 education reform consultation to the provincial government. I have yet to receive a response, and I believe it was due at the end of April.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Davenport has a valid point of order. I need to remind the minister that she is required, under standing order 99(d), to file a response within 24 sessional days. A response is now overdue, and I would ask the minister to give the House some indication as to when the response might be forthcoming.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: I’m glad to be here for that question. Order paper questions are to be respected, and I will get my team to address it before the end of this week. Thank you very much.

Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Point of order: the Minister of Infrastructure.

Hon. Monte McNaughton: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m sorry I didn’t do this at the beginning of the afternoon session, but I’d like to welcome from Middlesex Community Living today Mary Verbeer, Jesse Sparrow and Vicky Pearson, as well as those from Chatham-Kent Community Living. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): And I’m pleased to acknowledge the presence in the House today of Yvonne Spicer from Halton region. It’s great to see you here again, Yvonne.

Motions

Adjournment debate

Hon. Bill Walker: I seek unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice regarding the parliamentary assistant responding to the late show scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, 2019.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of Government and Consumer Services is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to put forward a motion without notice regarding the parliamentary assistant responding to a late show scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, 2019? Agreed? Agreed.

Again, I recognize the minister.

Hon. Bill Walker: I move that, notwithstanding standing order 38(b), the parliamentary assistant for the Minister of Finance may respond to the late show scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, 2019, in place of the parliamentary assistant to the Premier.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Mr. Walker moves that, notwithstanding standing order 38(b), the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Finance may respond to the late show scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, 2019, in place of the parliamentary assistant to the Premier. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Motion agreed to.

Statements by the Ministry and Responses

Community Living Day

Hon. Steve Clark: Speaker, today is Community Living Day. On behalf of myself and the Honourable Lisa MacLeod, the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, it gives me great pleasure to welcome our guests from Community Living Ontario, and many of its local agencies from across the province who are here today at Queen’s Park.

The month of May, as you know, is Community Living Month in Ontario, and it’s marked across the province with special events in every community.

For 67 years, Community Living organizations have been committed advocates for people with developmental disabilities. From a small group of families who fought for their children’s right to attend public school, Community Living has greatly expanded its size and scope. Today, there are over 12,000 members in more than 100 local Community Living associations.

Speaker, our government stands with Community Living as being firm champions for better lives and better outcomes for people with disabilities. Currently, we are transforming program delivery to achieve both objectives, and I know that together we will succeed. We have no choice but to do better on behalf of those 77,000 adults in Ontario with developmental disabilities and, of course, their families.

We have come a long way, Speaker, in a very short time. Earlier this spring, we marked the 10-year anniversary of the closure of Ontario’s last remaining institutions for people with developmental disabilities. Today, we pause to reflect on this unfortunate approach to caring for people with disabilities and remember all those who spent years institutionalized. We know now that people with disabilities deserve to live in the community. That’s such an important aspect that I want to make sure we touch on today. They deserve to feel valued and empowered to thrive. This truly is our government’s goal, and we must achieve it if we’re going to deal with the challenge that is before us.

The number of people with disabilities continues to grow. In fact, the number of people who are eligible for developmental services has grown about 6.1% every year for the last four years. We know that many of these people remain in the system for many decades—up to 40 years.

Speaker, we also can’t underestimate the challenges that families impacted by developmental disabilities face. Many find accessing services confusing, and supports that are inflexible and not tailored to meet their unique needs. Many people struggle to find the right services to meet their needs across their lifespan, particularly when transitioning from high school to services for adults.

Many struggle to find employment or a place where they can contribute or participate in public life.

Even though this province invests $2.6 billion to support adults with developmental disabilities, our work requires that there needs to be more government investment, and not just government investment. It requires fair, sustainable supports throughout people’s lives, supports that give them hope and give them opportunity, and it requires changes in public attitudes to embrace the value and the unique gifts that people with disabilities have. We are promising, Speaker, to protect those critical services.

Our people’s government makes a very responsible and very transparent approach to the improvements we’re making, and I know that if Minister MacLeod were able to be here today, she would talk about those.

Compassion, economic sustainability, modernization and partnership: These themes are guiding us in our decision-making—and to be able to promise to protect those critical services that matter most to our families. In order to do that, we need to consider the most efficient approaches that put people—that put people—at the centre of everything our government does. It’s our responsibility to make sure that more people are getting the right services that they need, when they need them. But we can’t work alone. We can’t work alone, Speaker.

The best way to move forward is a compassionate and caring society where everyone, not just government, is part of the solution. People with disabilities deserve a full life that looks beyond the disability. We all have a responsibility to make sure we have the best key services for generations to come.

I would like to commend the Community Living movement for its support as we work together on this. As we continue to transform the developmental services sector, we look to our partners to help us make that change better for everyone.

On this 19th Community Living Day here at Queen’s Park, and during Community Living Month in May, let us cherish the valuable advice and the input that governments of all political stripes have received from Community Living and vow to work together for better lives and better outcomes for Ontarians with developmental disabilities.

Child care

We understand and we see every day that the former concept of one size fits all just doesn’t work. We need flexibility in programming so that family child care services needed in rural Ontario get addressed as well as in urban Ontario and northern Ontario. Again, one size fits all just doesn’t work.

Every family in this province has unique needs, challenges and priorities. Every family has different hours of work, different ages of children and different priorities. Child care decisions are based on a number of factors, including geography, cost and even program delivery. Our government believes that no matter what kind of child care a family chooses, they must feel supported and they must have access to high-quality and affordable care.

I would like to point out the fact that our government is investing a historic amount in child care and early years that has never been done before. To begin with, we’re investing up to $2 billion to support child care and early years this year alone. That’s good news, and it’s for the people.

We continue to support families in need of fee subsidies and to provide funding to municipalities for this very specific purpose. We’re supporting child care workers through the Wage Enhancement Grant, and we’re creating up to 30,000 new child care spaces across the province. Of those 30,000 new spaces, 10,000 will be specifically in schools. And notably, we have introduced the Childcare Access and Relief from Expenses Tax Credit, otherwise known as CARE. The CARE tax credit will be one of the most flexible child care incentives ever introduced in Ontario.

It is a plan to put parents and not the government at the centre of the child care decision-making process. Again, it’s up to the parents to decide what’s best for their kids.

The CARE tax credit—and this is very, very important to recognize—that we’re bringing forward would be on top of the existing child care expense deduction and would focus benefits on low- and moderate-income families. Families could receive up to $6,000 per child up to the age of seven, and $3,750 per child from the ages of seven to 16.

It’s important to recognize as well: No one is going to get left behind by this government. Our government gets it, and families with children with severe disabilities will receive, on an annual basis, $8,250 a year.

Interjections.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Yes, thank you.

This new CARE Tax Credit would provide approximately 300,000 families with up to 75% of their eligible child care expenses and would allow families to access a broad range of child care options, including care in centres, in homes and during summer camps. Starting in the 2019 tax year, the CARE tax credit would support families with incomes of up to $150,000 and help them across a broad range of child care options.

Our government understands the commitment and dedication of our child care workers as well. These employees have some of the most important jobs as they work to shape the future leaders of this province. We’re protecting what matters most through support for child care professionals that will ensure our province provides the very best child care options for parents and families.

Eligible staff working in a licensed child care program or agency will continue to see a wage increase of up to $2 an hour—no matter what the other parties tend to fearmonger about—while home child care providers working with a licensed child care agency will be eligible for up to a $20-a-day grant. Again, I want to revisit that: Just a few short weeks ago, there was fearmongering, and the fact of the matter is, we want to make sure that people hear us loud and clear.

We want to be crystal clear that eligible staff working in a licensed child care program or agency will continue to see a wage increase of up to $2 an hour, again, while home child care providers working with a licensed child care agency will be eligible for a grant of up to $20 a day. It’s all about making sure we’re leaving money in the pockets of parents across this province. This investment will help strengthen Ontario’s child care system by retaining more registered early childhood educators, and other qualified professionals as well.

Our government has passed Bill 66, the Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act. Through this bill, we made changes to child care that created more flexibility for parents to make important decisions for their families. This has been well received, Speaker. We have made home child care more accessible to families by providing home-based child care providers with the option of caring for three children under the age of two instead of two children. This change is incredibly important because we know that only 3% of licensed child care spaces are currently for infants. As a result, this change would increase a provider’s ability to offer this urgently needed care.

Our government has also made changes that will allow authorized recreation programs to serve all school-age children, which will give parents additional flexibility in before- and after-school care. We’ve listened to parents loud and clear. Prior to us bringing in this change in Bill 66, if parents had two children and one was in JK and the other was in grade 1, they would have to drop their grade 1 student off at the before-school program, but they would have to find alternative care for their JK student. That just doesn’t make any sense whatsoever.

What we’re doing is making sure parents have the flexibility to make decisions that best fit their family. It’s been well received as well, the decision to authorize recreation programs to serve all school-age children. Again, simply, it’s all about giving parents the flexibility and the choice and letting them be the centre of decision-making that is important to their families.

Ontario is investing in a child care and early years system that puts families first. We are increasing access to child care by creating new spaces and empowering child care operators to offer more services. It wasn’t too long ago—and I mentioned it earlier just this morning—that the Minister of Finance and I were at a child care centre in Pickering, which is incredibly well represented by the President of the Treasury Board, I might add.

The changes we introduced were welcomed by our President of the Treasury Board, of course, but also by Herb and Penny, because they’ve been in the business 40 years, and they were ready for our government to finally get child care back on track in Ontario. That was absolutely a number one priority for us during the campaign last year, and, ladies and gentlemen, I’m pleased to say that it was another promise that we made and another promise that we kept.

We’re increasing access to child care in so many different ways, but let’s talk about affordability now as well. We’re increasing affordability of child care by investing up to $2 billion in this sector and introducing the CARE tax credit, which will provide 300,000 families with coverage in terms of tax credits. Our tax credit, known as CARE, is going to be covering 75% of their eligible child care expenses. Again, no matter what we hear from the party opposite, this is something that’s being incredibly well received across Ontario.

Finally, we are increasing flexibility by extending the options for how and when child care can be used.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Responses?

Community Living Day

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: It’s my pleasure to rise today and say a few words in recognition of Community Living Day. I want to begin by welcoming all of the Community Living representatives and self-advocates from across the province who came here today to create partnerships with their MPPs and to advocate on behalf of their sector and the individuals and families they support every day.

For over 65 years, Community Living has served Ontarians with developmental disabilities and their families, helping them to live full lives and participate in the communities in which they reside. I think it’s important to remember that full inclusion of people with disabilities in our communities doesn’t only benefit the individual; it benefits all of us.

People with developmental disabilities are active, contributing members of our society. They have ambitions and interests too. Many attend school. They work, and they volunteer.

For decades, Community Living has understood that including people with disabilities makes our communities so much richer.

The Community Living members and workers who are here today deserve our sincere thanks and appreciation for the incredible work that they do to ensure support and inclusion. But over the last few years, things have really only gotten harder in this sector. For 11 years, there has been no base funding increase for developmental services and the community agencies.

The Ford government had the chance to show some leadership and to change that in this year’s budget, but they didn’t. And the Conservatives just keep dragging us backwards. They cut the planned increase to ODSP by 50%, and plan to change the definition of disability so that more people are excluded. I’m disturbed by the fact that they haven’t truly committed to building new units of supportive housing. I’m frustrated that they’ve made things worse by bungling the revamp of the Ontario Autism Program, and provided no details on the future of SSAH or Passport, despite explicitly promising answers in the budget.

I think it’s wonderful that we have Community Living here today. I’m glad that today members from all parties are able to come together and honour the work that they do. But I also think that the minister’s words of congratulations ring hollow unless we acknowledge the reality of the situation in developmental services. This Conservative government often claims that they have compassion for people with disabilities, but compassion requires action to make their lives better.

So far, all that this government has done is made life harder for vulnerable people, their families and the agencies that work to support them. It’s long past time for the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services and this government to do better.

Child care

Ms. Marit Stiles: I’m very pleased to rise today in response to the Minister of Education’s statement on child care, on behalf of the official opposition.

I must say, Mr. Speaker, though, that I find it a bit rich that the minister would choose to talk about child care today when we’ve only just learned in recent days that the government is actually slashing funding to child care to such an extent that there will be 6,000 fewer subsidized spaces in the city of Toronto.

Interjection: Shameful.

Ms. Marit Stiles: It is really shameful.

As well, I want to mention all the amazing education workers who have been in the House today. ECEs in this province are receiving surplus notices across the province, because of this government’s cuts to education.

For years now, affordability has been severely compromised, as fees have skyrocketed and spaces have not kept up with need. Here in Ontario—and we all know this—parents pay the highest fees anywhere in Canada, the result of government inaction and failure to invest. Increasing child care costs mean too many people are just one paycheque away from financial emergency, choosing between whether or not they have to return to work or can return to work, or even having another child. This should not be a luxury. This should simply not be a luxury.

Speaker, the last election presented an opportunity for a new government to tackle this issue head-on by actually investing in our children. Instead, this government has moved us in exactly the wrong direction. The minister talks about increasing flexibility; let me tell you what that means. That is code for increasing spaces for private, big-box child care operators in this province, who have got a terrible reputation all around the world. That is code for deregulating home child care and putting the youngest of our children at risk. It is absolutely shameful.

Mr. Speaker, I’m going to wrap by saying that this government’s so-called rebate is really—she describes a choice—no choice at all if we do not have the spaces for people to put their children in child care in this province.

Community Living Day / Journée de l’intégration communautaire

Mr. John Fraser: It’s an honour and a pleasure today to rise in the Legislature to speak about the great work that Community Living Ontario is doing for families across Ontario.

Speaker, we all belong. We all deserve to have a sense of belonging, and that is what’s at the heart of community living and creating a caring and inclusive society. Community living—family is what’s at the core of it. La famille est, et a toujours été, au coeur du mouvement.

Community Living Ontario provides housing supports. They provide day programs. They provide work supports. As a matter of fact, I want to give a shout-out to a friend and a constituent, Will Green. I ran into Will’s dad on the plane coming in today, and he told me that Will is starting his first job today at a local grocery store, so I want to give a shout-out to Will. Will, I want to wish you good luck. That’s where I got my first job when I started, just a little bit older than you, but not that much older.

Again, to get back to Community Living Ontario, there are 12,000 members in more than 100 local Community Living associations. I want to thank Community Living Ontario for their advocacy, education and programming that they provide across this province.

I heard the Minister of Municipal Affairs in his remarks, and I take those to heart. I believe that those words are important to the minister. But one of the things that we have to do here in this Legislature is to make sure that words match deeds, so one of the things I would like the other side to do is to let Community Living know what their budget is. They and organizations like Community Living do not know what their budgets are for this year. We’re a month and a half into the fiscal year. They would like to know whether those enhancements that were put forward in 2018 are still going to continue.

There are questions around things like the Passport Program, Special Services at Home and all those things that support those families, children and adults with exceptionalities. I call on the government to make good on the words that we heard here today and make sure that those organizations have the resources and that they know what those resources are.

Again, I want to thank Community Living for the support that they give to families.

Child care

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): I recognize the member from Don Valley West.

Ms. Kathleen O. Wynne: I want to thank you and thank the House for the opportunity to rise today to respond to the minister’s statement on child care, Madam Speaker. I think we can all agree that there are many, many things that need to be improved in our child care system. I’m pleased that the government is continuing on what was our plan to build 100,000 new child care spaces—that was the plan that we had in place—and 30,000 spaces this year. That’s a very good thing. There’s a need for more spaces in the province.

But I think we need to look at the whole story in terms of what the government is putting forward. They’re claiming that they are going to be making child care more accessible and more affordable for people in this province. In fact, the announcement of the cuts to child care subsidies that we have recently learned about is evidence that child care costs are going to increase for people across the province. With the loss of subsidies, fewer people are going to have access to child care than before.

Even with the tax credit that the government has indicated they’re going to put in place, that tax credit is only going to go to a percentage of families, and it’s not going to be $6,000 for all those families; it’s going to be $1,200 for most of the families that will qualify. So, Madam Speaker, I think we need to look at the whole story.

The general point I want to make about these cuts and about the challenges that people are going to face around child care is that they are a result of a lack of consultation. The reality is that whether it’s cuts to flood planning for conservation areas or public health cuts that the government has announced or the cutting of development fees or cuts to inter-library lending services—all of those cuts that are downloading onto municipalities costs that municipalities will have to pick up have been done without consultation with the people who are most involved, with the people who are on the front line.

I know that the only way that good public policy is developed is if you’re talking to the people on the front line and you understand their concerns. You know, I think that there is a good chance that they would be happy to tell the government what they think—

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): Thank you.

Visitors

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Jennifer K. French): I recognize the member from Chatham–Kent–Leamington on a point of order.

Mr. Rick Nicholls: It gives me great pleasure this afternoon to introduce a group from my riding of Chatham–Kent. It’s Community Living Chatham-Kent. They’re located over here in the members’ east gallery. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Petitions

Affordable housing

Mr. Faisal Hassan: I have a petition given to me by the great folks from the great riding of York South–Weston about affordable housing.

“Whereas for families throughout much of Ontario, owning a home they can afford remains a dream, while renting is painfully expensive;

“Whereas consecutive Conservative and Liberal governments have sat idle, while housing costs spiralled out of control, speculators made fortunes, and too many families had to put their hopes on hold;

“Whereas every Ontarian should have access to safe, affordable housing. Whether a family wants to rent or own, live in a house, an apartment, a condominium or a co-op, they should have affordable options;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to immediately prioritize the repair of Ontario’s social housing stock, commit to building new affordable homes, crack down on housing speculators, and make rentals more affordable through rent controls and updated legislation.”

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

Emergency services

M me France Gélinas: I would like to thank many people from northern and rural Ontario for this petition. It reads as follows:

“911 Emergency Response.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas, when we face an emergency we all know to dial 911 for help; and

“Whereas access to emergency services through 911 is not available in all regions of Ontario but most Ontarians believe that it is; and

“Whereas many Ontarians have discovered that 911 was not available while they faced an emergency; and

“Whereas all Ontarians expect and deserve access to 911 service throughout our province;”

They petition the Legislative Assembly as follows:

“To provide 911 emergency response everywhere in Ontario by land line or cellphone.”

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

Legal aid

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: “Ensure that Low-Income Ontarians Have Access to Justice.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the government of Ontario has cut the funding for Legal Aid Ontario by almost one third;

“Whereas provincial funding for the immigration and refugee law program at Legal Aid Ontario has been completely cut;

“Whereas access to legal aid is essential to low-income Ontarians who are facing legal proceedings such as in immigration ... family, mental health, poverty law and child protection cases;

“Whereas vulnerable populations like refugees will be left to represent themselves in a complex and already overburdened legal system, where a negative decision leads to deportation to countries where lives may be at risk;

“Whereas the cuts will lead to backlogs and delays throughout the justice system, causing chaos in the courts and costing taxpayers more, not less;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to reverse the cuts to Legal Aid Ontario that have already begun to impact the most vulnerable people in Ontario, including immigrants and refugees.”

I fully support this petition and will affix my signature to it.

Long-term care

Ms. Catherine Fife: This petition is entitled “Conduct a Full Inquiry into Seniors’ Care in the Province of Ontario.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario....

“Whereas upwards of 30,000 Ontarians are on a wait-list for long-term care (LTC); and

“Whereas wait times for people who urgently need long-term care and are waiting in hospital have increased by 270% since the” former “government came into office; and

“Whereas the number of homicides in long-term care being investigated by the coroner are increasing each year; and

“Whereas, over a period of 12 years, the government has consistently ignored recommendations regarding long-term care from provincial oversight bodies such as the Ontario Ombudsman and the Auditor General; and

“Whereas Ontario legislation does not require a minimum staff-to-resident ratio in long-term-care homes, resulting in insufficient staffing and inability for LTC homes to comply with ministry regulations ...

It is my pleasure to affix my signature to this petition and give it to page Tarun.

Services for persons with disabilities

Mr. Percy Hatfield: I’d like to thank Scott Meadows from Riverside Drive in Windsor for this petition.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas when children living with developmental disabilities turn 18, support from the Ontario government drastically changes;

“Whereas families in Windsor-Essex and across Ontario are met with continuous waiting lists and other challenges when trying to access support under the Passport Program;

“Whereas waiting lists place enormous stress on caregivers, parents, children and entire families;

“Whereas it is difficult to access safe and affordable housing, adequate supports and respite services without immediate access to Passport funding;

“Whereas all Ontarians living with developmental disabilities are entitled to a seamless transition of services from childhood to adulthood;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario ...

“To take immediate action to eliminate the current waiting lists for Passport funding so that people living with developmental disabilities and their families can access the support they deserve.”

I fully agree. I’m going to sign this petition and hand it over to Wolfgang to bring down to the table.

Driver education

Ms. Marit Stiles: It gives me great pleasure to introduce this petition that was sent to me by some great cycling advocates on Manitoulin Island, so thank you very much. It reads:

“Protect Cyclists: Teach the Reach.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas hundreds of Ontario cyclists are injured every year in collisions with car doors; and

“Whereas the Dutch reach helps ensure people exiting a vehicle take a clear look for passing cyclists before opening their door; and

“Whereas teaching drivers the Dutch reach can help reduce injury and death while supplementing other measures, like separated bike lanes and vulnerable road user legislation; and

“Whereas state Legislatures in Illinois, Massachusetts and Washington and the UK Department for Transport have adopted the Dutch reach method in driver training;

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

“Pass Bill 89, the Teach the Reach Act, so that the Dutch reach is taught in drivers’ education in Ontario.”

I’m very happy to affix my signature, and I’m going to pass it over to Cameron to table with the Clerks.

Education funding

Ms. Suze Morrison: I have a petition here from Ryerson University students with 1,994 signatures on it. It reads:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas students in Ontario pay some of the highest tuition fees in the country and carry the heaviest debt loads, even with the recently announced 10% reduction; and

“Whereas many students will now be forced to take on more loans rather than previously available non-repayable grants; and

“Whereas the Ontario government has failed to take action on the chronic underfunding of colleges and universities; and

“Whereas students must have an autonomous voice that is independent of administration and government to advocate on our behalf; and

“Whereas the proposed ‘Student Choice Initiative’ undermines students’ ability to take collective action;

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

“—provide more grants, not loans;

“—eliminate tuition fees for all students;

“—increase public funding for public education;

“—protect students’ independent voices; and

“—defend the right to organize.”

I wholeheartedly support this petition. I will be providing it to page Jadon to deliver to the Clerks.

Northern health services

Mr. Jamie West: I have over 1,000 signatures on this petition to the Legislature.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s very timely, with the motion today. I’ll affix my signature and give it to page Tarun.

Social assistance

Ms. Judith Monteith-Farrell: I have a petition here called “Reverse Doug Ford’s Cuts to Low-Income Families.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas” Premier “Doug Ford eliminated the Basic Income Pilot project and slashed the new social assistance rates by 1.5%, and did so without warning;

“Whereas cuts to already-meagre social assistance rates will disproportionately impact children, those with mental health challenges, persons with disabilities, and people struggling in poverty;

“Whereas the decision to cancel the Basic Income Pilot project was made without any evidence, and leaves thousands of Ontarians without details about whether they will be able to access other forms of income assistance;

“Whereas the independently authored Income Security: A Roadmap for Change report, presented to the government last fall, recommends both increases to rates and the continuation of the Basic Income Pilot project as key steps towards income adequacy and poverty reduction;

“Whereas the failure to address poverty—and the homelessness, hunger, health crises, and desperation that can result from poverty—hurts people, families and Ontario’s communities;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to immediately reverse” Premier “Ford’s callous decision to slash increases to social assistance rates by 50%, and reverse his decision to cancel the Basic Income Pilot project, decisions that will undoubtedly hurt