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May 27, 2019

42nd Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2019-May-27 (PDF)

L109 - Mon 27 May 2019 / Lun 27 mai 2019

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 27 May 2019 Lundi 27 mai 2019

Introduction of Visitors

Walter Pitman

Wearing of basketball jerseys

Oral Questions

Municipal finances

Mental health and addiction services

Ontario Child Benefit

Public transit

Services for children and youth

Children and youth

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

Opioid abuse / Abus d’opioïdes

Abortion

Municipal finances

Curriculum

Immigration and refugee policy

Municipal development

Special-needs students

Visitors

Correction of record

Correction of record

Tabling of sessional papers

Introduction of Visitors

Members’ Statements

Canadian soldiers

Andrea Shaw

Invasive species

Veterans

Menstrual Hygiene Day

Municipal finances

Government and community services fair

Government fiscal policies

Al-Nadwa Educational Islamic Centre iftar

Mississauga Food Bank

Introduction of Bills

Bringing Choice and Fairness to the People Act (Beverage Alcohol Retail Sales), 2019 / Loi de 2019 visant à offrir à la population plus de choix et un accès équitable en matière de vente au détail de boissons alcooliques

Foundations for Promoting and Protecting Mental Health and Addictions Services Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 sur les bases nécessaires à la promotion et à la protection des services de santé mentale et de lutte contre les dépendances

Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act (Interim Period), 2019 / Loi de 2019 modifiant la

Loi sur la Société de protection des animaux de l’Ontario (période intermédiaire)

Occupiers’ Liability Amendment Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 modifiant la

Loi sur la responsabilité des occupants

Respecting Injured Workers Act (Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment), 2019 / Loi de 2019 sur le respect des travailleurs blessés (modifiant la

Loi sur la sécurité professionnelle et l’assurance contre les accidents du travail)

Motions

Private members’ public business

Statements by the Ministry and Responses

Mental health and addiction services

Animal protection

Sexual violence and harassment

Mental health and addiction services

Animal protection

Sexual violence and harassment

Sexual violence and harassment / La violence et le harcèlement à caractère sexuel

Petitions

Social assistance

Land use planning

Child care

Homeopathy

Child care

Municipal government

Veterans memorial

Land use planning

Diabetes treatment

Municipal government

Education funding

Autism treatment

Orders of the Day

Time allocation

The House met at 1030.

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

Prayers.

Introduction of Visitors

Mr. Guy Bourgouin: It is with pleasure that I introduce brothers and sisters from USW from across district 6: Tony DePaulo, Chad Machum, Chris Ramsay, Émilie Chatelain, Bob Gallagher, Kim Hume, Jana Papuckoski, Jason McDonnell, Jordan Rego, Lena Sutton, Bob Sutton, Mary Lou Scott, Mike Williams, Roopchand Doon, Myles Sullivan and Wayland Fenton.

Ms. Andrea Khanjin: I’m honoured to rise in the Legislature today to introduce my friends from CJPAC, the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee. CJPAC is a national, independent, multi-partisan organization with a mandate to engage Jewish and pro-Israel Canadians in the democratic process. Please join me in welcoming their summer interns, Joshua Finklestein, Jared Forman and Arina Dmitrenko, along with their staff, Jaime Reich. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Catherine Fife: It’s my pleasure to welcome Rob Brady and Nathan Hendriks in the members’ gallery. They’re from Brady’s Meat and Deli in my riding, and they worked to raise over $5,600 for Mike Farwell and Cystic Fibrosis Canada over the past month. Great work, and welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: I would like to introduce a legislative page from my riding of Kanata–Carleton, Alexis Kam. Several members of Alexis’s family are in the gallery here today. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Miss Monique Taylor: Once again, I would like to welcome back our autism parents and advocates. We have Faith Munoz and her son, Jeremy Changoo; Amanda Mooyer and her son, Izak Lynch; and Stacy Kennedy, Michau van Speyk, Kowthar Dore, Jonathan Abdilla, Antonio Stravato, Amy Moledzki, Esther Tang, Charlie Li and Jayana Dhatigara. Welcome back to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Lorne Coe: I’m pleased to introduce Andrea Shaw, the executive director of the Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre. Andrea is retiring on June 14 after 22 years of tireless service.

Mr. Joel Harden: I’m very honoured to be in the great honourable company of a number of disability rights activists this morning: Am Row, Bill Hitz, Joyce Balaz and my friend Neil, sitting right over there in the members’ gallery. Welcome to your House today, Neil. Take care.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Once again, the member for Guelph.

Mr. Mike Schreiner: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a real honour—and I hope I don’t steal your thunder here—to introduce senior administrators from the University of Guelph who are here today: Franco Vaccarino, the president; Charlotte Yates, provost and vice-president, academic; Daniel Atlin, vice-president, external; Malcolm Campbell, vice-president, research; and Mellissa McDonald, director of government relations and community engagement. They are here for U of G advocacy day. Everyone in this House is welcome to join them and meet Canada’s food university at 5 to 7:30 p.m. tonight in rooms 228 and 230.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I thank the member for Guelph for introducing the guests to the Speaker’s gallery.

Mr. Robert Bailey: It’s my pleasure today to welcome to Queen’s Park for maybe the first time Bill and Cindy Esser from Sarnia–Lambton, my riding, also parents of my parliamentary assistant, Andrew Esser. Welcome.

Miss Monique Taylor: I see some guests from my hometown of Hamilton up in the gallery—they’re steelworkers: Tony DePaulo, Bob Sutton, Lena Sutton and Myles Sullivan. I don’t know everybody else’s name, but welcome back to your Legislature.

Ms. Jane McKenna: They just came in: Burlington Central high school, grade 10. It’s near and dear to my heart. We have wonderful schools, but I went there as a youngster many, many years ago, and two of my five kids did. Welcome today, and have a wonderful time.

Mrs. Belinda Karahalios: It is my honour to introduce Luis Jiménez, and, from the riding of Cambridge, it’s my honour to introduce and welcome Barry Green, the Special Olympics winner of one gold, one silver and the sixth-place ribbon in 10-pin bowling. Congratulations, Barry, and welcome to the House.

Applause.

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: It gives me great pleasure to welcome Jay McDonnell from London, a steelworker. Welcome to all of the steelworkers here at Queen’s Park today.

Ms. Christine Hogarth: It is my honour to introduce Martin Haynes, who is here. He’s a chief corporate officer at Medavie Inc. They are also hosting a reception tonight from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the legislative dining room. Thank you very much for being here.

Mr. John Fraser: Point of order.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Point of order: the member for Ottawa South.

Mr. John Fraser: Speaker, I’m seeking unanimous consent to ask a question on behalf of the member for 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.

I think we still have a couple of introductions.

Ms. Laura Mae Lindo: I am very excited to welcome my Girls’ Government group from Margaret Avenue senior public school. They are running through security right now. Thank you to their teachers Emma Galbraith and Olivia Cummings Galbraith, and also to my daughters, Sofia and Danica, who are on their way.

Mr. Mike Harris: Last but not least, I’d love to welcome page Sadee Zister to the House. She’s going to be with us until we end and break for summer. I’d like to welcome her from the great riding of Kitchener–Conestoga.

Mr. Sheref Sabawy: I would like to welcome the independent pharmacists’ groups who are going to be in Queen’s Park today. There are five of them going to be representing today in the reception time. I would encourage all the members to attend.

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: I would just like to acknowledge our group from the University of Guelph—my daughter’s alma mater, as well—and welcome them to Queen’s Park. I look forward to meeting with you later.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): That concludes our introduction of visitors, except for the next very important one.

I want to acknowledge the presence in the House of the family of the late Walter George Pitman, who was the MPP for Peterborough during the 28th Parliament. I want to introduce his family who are here: son Wade Pitman and his spouse Mary; daughter Cynthia Lynn Loucks and partner Don; son Mark Pitman and spouse Jeanne-Marie; daughter Anne Pitman-Davidson; grandchildren Jared, Matthew, Lisa, Dan and Jeremy; great-grandchildren Sebastian, Callista, Xavier, Keagan, Mackenzie, Dexter, Walter, Julian, Isla and Kai; and many cherished family members.

Also in the Speaker’s gallery, I understand, are Mr. David Warner, Speaker during the 35th Parliament, and Mr. Patrick Reid, member for Rainy River during the 28th to 32nd Parliaments. Welcome to the Ontario Legislature. We’re delighted to have you here.

Walter Pitman

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I recognize the government House leader on a point of order.

Hon. Todd Smith: I believe you will find that we have unanimous consent for tributes honouring the late Walter Pitman, member for Peterborough in the 28th Parliament, with up to five minutes allotted for the independent members, five minutes allotted to Her Majesty’s government and five minutes allotted to Her Majesty’s loyal opposition.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to provide a tribute honouring the late Walter Pitman, member for Peterborough in the 28th Parliament, with up to five minutes allotted to the independent members, five minutes allotted to Her Majesty’s government and five minutes allotted to Her Majesty’s loyal opposition. Agreed? Agreed.

We’ll begin with the member for Ottawa–Vanier.

M me Nathalie Des Rosiers: On behalf of the Liberal caucus and John Fraser, the interim leader, I’m happy to celebrate the wonderful legacy of Walter Pitman. I will be sharing my time with the member from Guelph.

In the biography that he wrote of the Canadian composer and art administrator Louis Applebaum, Walter Pitman writes, “Intellectual focus and moral direction typified his work.... Louis Applebaum was very much a man of the world he inhabited. [He believed] people could be inspired to be collectively conscious; to create beauty for each other; and to be attracted to the values of justice and compassion.” We might be tempted to think that Walter Pitman was writing a little bit about himself because, indeed, he had strong intellectual focus, moral direction, loved the arts, and was passionate about justice.

I never met Walter Pitman myself, but my predecessor at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, Alan Borovoy, revered the man, so I heard a lot about him. Walter Pitman, among the many hats that he had, had been president of the board of the CCLA, and Alan had continued to seek his advice throughout the years. Walter Pitman was generous with his time, wise with his counsel and always thoughtful about our society’s tribulations.

Walter Pitman had multiple careers and multiple passions. He was a runner. He was a skier. He was a history teacher, a dean, an MP, an MPP who left politics to join a university—those things happen—and he continued his public service at Ryerson and also made his mark with the council of arts of Ontario. He was an environmentalist, a writer of biographies, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, and a great supporter of the arts and of so many worthwhile causes.

He writes about Louis Applebaum’s passing, “His loss could not be measured; it could only be deeply felt”—words that apply here as well. Ontario says thank you, Walter Pitman, for a life in which you did so much for us. We are the better for it. We will continue to feel the loss very deeply and continue to be inspired by your legacy. Merci.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’ll recognize the member for Guelph.

Mr. Mike Schreiner: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s an honour to rise in this House today on behalf of the Green Party and pay tribute to the inspiring person, educator and politician in Walter Pitman. I believe it is truly a testament to how he touched his family’s lives and the lives of those around him to have so many friends and family here in the members’ gallery today to remember and honour Mr. Pitman’s legacy.

He made history in 1960 when he was elected as a New Party MPP, which later became the NDP. I can certainly relate to being a new member of a new party in this House and what Mr. Pitman must have been like to walk in here for the first time.

His commitment to public service, arts and the environment is truly inspiring, and I especially want to thank you for all the ways in which Mr. Pitman volunteered so actively to fight for the causes he believed in so deeply.

In 1992, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. He was also awarded the Order of Ontario. I was looking through a lot of what has been written about Mr. Pitman, and I thought that his Order of Canada citation seemed to sum up so many of his contributions. I want to quote from that:

“Throughout his life as a politician, educator and civil libertarian, he has demonstrated a profound commitment to social change. In a remarkably diverse career he has served as executive director of the Ontario Arts Council, director of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, and chairman of Elderhostel Canada. In addition to his professional commitments, he is a dedicated volunteer, working with a host of community, cultural and educational groups.”

It is so clear that Walter Pitman’s contributions were immense in this House but even more so outside of this House, and I just want to say my deep thanks to his family and friends being here today to honour a life well lived.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’ll recognize the member for Peterborough–Kawartha.

Mr. Dave Smith: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Walter Pitman was born in Toronto in 1929. In 1952, at the age of 23, he married Ida, a woman who, by all accounts, was the love of his life.

If you search online for his bio, many sites will tell us that he was a history teacher at Kenner Collegiate in Peterborough, and that in 1960 he won a federal by-election in Peterborough to become the first-ever federal member of the New Democratic Party. They were a newly formed party, and at the time of the election were simply called the New Party. He served federally until the 1963 general election.

After leaving federal politics, he returned to Peterborough and in 1967 re-entered politics, this time winning the provincial seat for the NDP. Walter holds the unique distinction of being the only person to represent Peterborough in opposition, both federally and provincially. When elected in 1967, he was the first person that Peterborough had ever elected provincially in opposition.

After leaving provincial politics, he became the dean of arts and science at Trent University in 1972.

Walter also has the very rare distinction of being both a member of the Order of Ontario and an Officer of the Order of Canada.

I didn’t know Walter, so I can’t tell you about any personal experiences that I had with him, but I did reach out to some people who knew him very well. Tom Symons, the founding president of Trent University, was a lifelong friend of Walter’s. Tom and Walter had gone to high school together. Tom described Walter as the man who defined what the word “integrity” truly means. He was a gentleman through and through. And Tom told me that the greatest compliment that he could use to describe Walter was that Walter described Tom as his friend.

Although the two of them were on opposite sides of the political spectrum, they could have such meaningful discussions that an outside observer would never know which political allegiances either of them had.

David Morrison, the vice-president of Trent when I attended Trent, had Walter as a professor in the early years. David described Walter as a fiscal-objective socialist. When Walter was dean, he shared some office space with the registrar’s office at Trent, and rather than tie up a classroom that could be used by someone else, Walter would hold his tutorials in the shared space with the registrar. Not only did this prove to be a practical use of the space, but it also provided an intimacy for the students at Trent who attended his classes.

Walter gave the students the opportunity to see staff and senior administrators at Trent as regular people who actually cared about the success of those students. It also provided the administration with a weekly reminder of why they were building that new university.

Sylvia Sutherland described Walter as a man who was born to be a public servant. In Sylvia’s words, “He didn’t just see it as his calling but really as his entire existence. Helping others was as natural to Walter as breathing is to you and I.”

Walter and Ida owned a property in the UK, and I’ve been told that he regularly let his friends in Peterborough come and use it for vacation. Not only was his home in Peterborough always open for friends to come and visit, but his family’s property in England was as welcoming and open as well.

Perhaps this down-to-earth approach was why Ryerson recruited him at a crucial time in their existence to become their president. I have been told that Walter’s consensus-building, collaboration skills and love for education was a key factor in Ryerson’s success.

Walter had already accomplished so much, and after leaving Ryerson it would be understandable if he decided to retire, but retirement was something that would have to wait. His passion for education would take him to OISE, the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, where he served as director from 1986 until 1992.

It’s difficult to capture all of the intricacies of a man as accomplished as Walter was in just five minutes, so I’ll leave you with these words from someone else who knew him very well: “He was the greatest of gentlemen to have walked shoulder to shoulder with some of the greatest gentlemen Ontario has ever seen.”

Thank you, Walter, for leaving such a meaningful legacy in Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I recognize the member for Oshawa.

Ms. Jennifer K. French: Thank you, Speaker. It is my sincere honour to pay tribute to the life of service of Walter George Pitman on behalf of Ontario’s New Democrats and the leader of the official opposition, Andrea Horwath.

As we can all appreciate from the filled-to-overflowing guest gallery, there are many who have appreciated Walter’s contributions to this Legislature and far beyond. We are pleased to welcome Walter Pitman’s family and friends to Queen’s Park. We welcome you, and we’re very glad to have this opportunity to share a bit about Walter Pitman’s life and legacy.

Speaker, it has been my privilege to learn about Walter Pitman, who was a lifelong educator, arts and culture enthusiast and advocate, and vibrant public servant.

Walter George Pitman was born in Toronto in 1929. He began his career as a high school teacher in Peterborough, where he and the love of his life, Florence Ida Collinge, made their first family home. He made history when he became the first New Democrat member of Parliament for Peterborough and Ottawa from 1960 to 1962. He was always active and committed to education and became the dean of arts and science at the then new Trent University.

He was elected in 1967 as the member of provincial Parliament for Peterborough and served in this House until 1971. During his time at Queen’s Park, Walter was a dynamic education critic and chair of the NDP caucus, and became deputy leader. However, in 1971 he headed back to education and became president of Ryerson Polytechnic Institute.

Walter and Ida brought the penthouse office of the president down to the ground floor to be more accessible to students. Pitman Hall Residence is named after Walter and Ida. Their impact and memory are found in many places.

Walter Pitman was well regarded for his integrity and his passionate commitment to equality and justice. While president of Ryerson, Walter Pitman was appointed by the Metro Toronto chairman to be a one-man task force to probe the issue of racism in Metropolitan Toronto. The Walter Pitman report was widely considered, debated, challenged and applauded in 1978.

During an address to the Empire Club of Canada in 1978, Walter delved into the findings of the task force. A few highlights that he shared, so I could bring his voice into this space:

“The task force did find a disconcerting degree of racial tension emanating from a good deal of racial prejudice expressing itself in Toronto in many different ways....

“The title of the task force report is Now Is Not Too Late, and it was our very considered view that it was not too late—that in fact with a certain amount of adjustment, with a certain raising of awareness and consciousness, with a certain reallocation of the already existing resources, both monetary and human, that Toronto could cope with the large number of people who had come from other lands and other traditions. I think this is important because it is in essence the title which I believe to be relevant in addressing all the problems of human relationship throughout our nation. I believe now is not too late in other contexts of relationship.”

Speaker, as his family shared in their tribute in the Toronto Star, “Walter was a remarkable man who led a remarkable life. Keen, vibrant and insatiably curious, he supported the arts, social justice, environment, and education—everything that is good and right.” Friends describe him as “ethical and capable in everything he did.”

It was his lifetime of regard for arts and culture that led him to be the executive director of the Ontario Arts Council. Many of us in this Legislature have served with former PC member Julia Munro, and Ms. Munro had this to say in this Legislature in 1986:

“In his six years with the council, Walter has done a great deal for culture in Ontario. He has appeared in every part of the province inspiring and encouraging the arts community and the general public. To a large degree, we can thank Walter Pitman for the flourishing cultural life we enjoy in Ontario today.... Walter Pitman’s incredibly detailed knowledge of arts in this province and, I might add, his wonderful sense of humour have been invaluable....

“Some of the members on the opposition benches will remember him well as a scrappy young NDP education critic back in 1968-69. It is to education that Walter returns.... I can only say that if the arts must lose Walter, then I can think of nowhere I would rather he use his talents than in education.”

And, Speaker, he did just that. He was the director of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. It was in this capacity that he came here, before committee, to be considered for a task force to envision and create a way for our colleges and universities and technical institutions to best serve Ontario’s students. In 1992, his thoughts to this House were:

“We have certainly a different world, a world of high technology, a world in which jobs are changing very quickly, in which individuals will have perhaps to retrain seven or eight times in a lifetime....

“What we are really trying to find out is how we can create a different mesh that will allow us to produce the kinds of young people who can not just compete in the new global economy ... but ... can be in the forefront of a number of areas in making a contribution to, for example, the environmental well-being of the planet.”

Walter’s friend of 70 years, Tom Symons, said that Walter was “a person of extraordinary talent,” and that, “He did an enormous amount of good without making much fuss about it.... It was a life of almost total service.”`

Walter George Pitman was a member of the Order of Ontario and an Officer of the Order of Canada. He was involved in many arts organizations and in 2006 was one of the founders of For Our Grandchildren, an organization to connect and empower grandparents who are concerned about the impending effects of climate change so that they might counter and prepare for these effects on behalf of all of our children and grandchildren.

We have a lot of grandchildren here today. Walter and Ida had four children, 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He wanted to leave the world better, brighter, kinder, more joyful, and responsible to the children of this province and planet.

Walter believed in the power of the arts. He believed in the power of community and relationships. He was always active and on the go, and went from one endeavour to the next with purpose, joy and conviction. Whether it was serving on the board of the National Ballet of Canada, the Campaign Against Child Poverty, Project Ploughshares or writing for the Peterborough Examiner and regularly for the Toronto Star, Walter was inspired to make a difference, and he never stopped. He even authored five books in his “retirement.”

He was involved in far more than we could fit into a tribute, but suffice it to say that he was accomplished, appreciated and that he loved the journey and he loved his family. For any of us to be able to serve well, we must be well supported. This Legislature and the province of Ontario are grateful to Walter’s family and friends for sharing him with us. Ontario is a better place because of Walter Pitman’s love and lifetime of public service. Thank you.

Applause.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I want to thank the members for their eloquent tributes, and say to the family that, as you’ve heard, Walter Pitman’s outstanding public service to the people of Peterborough, to the province and to the country will never be forgotten. Thank you again for joining us this morning.

Wearing of basketball jerseys

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I understand that the member for Toronto Centre has a point of order.

Ms. Suze Morrison: I believe you will find that we have unanimous consent to allow members to wear Raptors jerseys, or red and black, to commemorate the Raptors’ historic victory last Saturday night and their first-ever trip to the NBA finals.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I would hate to prejudge the mood of the House, but I have a feeling that this might get unanimous consent. Are we agreed that we can wear Raptors jerseys in the House today? Agreed.

I think we have to pause for a moment.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Okay. I’m going to call the House to order. It is now time for oral questions.

Oral Questions

Municipal finances

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My first question this morning is to the Acting Premier. Earlier this morning, the Premier announced that he would be forced to back away from his “cut first, plan later” strategy of retroactive cuts to municipalities across Ontario. The Premier also confirmed that he was not cancelling the cuts, just delaying them.

Whether this is an admission of incompetence or ignorance, if the Premier is now admitting that the cuts were a bad idea for this year, what makes the government think it was a good idea for next year?

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

Hon. Steve Clark: The announcement that the Premier and I made this morning was very important. It was very important to Ontario’s 444 municipalities that we maintain the pre-budget allocations for land ambulance, public health and child care services.

This has been an ongoing conversation that we’ve had with our municipal partners. As most members in this House know, I had a very good meeting with mayors from LUMCO. These are the mayors from large urban municipalities in our province. Our municipal partners, I think, because of this conversation, all agree that there is only one taxpayer, and the job of finding savings and protecting what matters most is a shared responsibility among every elected politician in this province.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, any government worth its salt would have the conversation with partners in advance of massive cuts retroactive to their budgets.

For weeks and weeks on end, this Premier has blustered in this Legislature and on any talk radio program that would have him, insisting that deep cuts to public health, to child care, to emergency services and to libraries wouldn’t hit families hard. Now he’s finally admitting that he and every Conservative in this chamber that voted for his budget was wrong.

Is the government willing to consider that it’s not just the timing of these cuts but the cuts themselves that may be the problem here?

Hon. Steve Clark: I want to remind the honourable member that we have a number of municipalities that are very interested in our audit and accountability fund. This is a $7.35-million fund that will go line by line in those municipal budgets looking for a possible 4% savings.

The other issue is the $200 million that we gave the smallest and most rural communities in our province. We gave them a $200-million boost to help with modernization. Make no mistake, Speaker. We’ve listened to municipalities. Our government is being responsive to municipalities, and we want to work with them. We want to work with them, and I think it’s very reassuring that the two levels of government are moving forward on trying to find those efficiencies together, in a collaborative manner.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, with all due respect, I’d like to remind this honourable minister that he used to be a municipal politician and a mayor and should never have let these cuts go forward in the first place.

Once again, this government has been forced to go back to the drawing board after cutting first and planning after. Mayors and municipal leaders across Ontario have been very clear that they’re ready to work with the government, but not if the plan is unilateral cuts to the services that families in this province rely on, whether it’s public health and emergency services or child care and planning.

Is this Premier—is this government—actually going to sit down and listen and work with municipal leaders or is the Premier going to keep playing “my way or the highway” with Ontario?

Hon. Steve Clark: Speaker, what the honourable member doesn’t remember is the fact that our government inherited a fiscal mess in this province. We inherited a $15-billion deficit from the previous government, often supported by her party and the members of her benches.

Again, what we’re moving forward with is a collaborative approach with Ontario’s municipalities. They asked us for time to be able to work with us to find efficiencies, to find the savings. I think most municipal leaders that I’ve spoken to over the weekend, and certainly at LUMCO on Friday, want to work with us. They want to use the tools that our government is providing, whether it be the audit and accountability fund or the municipal modernization fund.

There’s tremendous political will out there, Speaker, at the municipal level to work with our government to try to find those efficiencies and those fiscal constraints and try to relieve those constraints from our government. We’re going to work co-operatively with Ontario’s—

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

Mental health and addiction services

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is also to the Acting Premier. Two years ago, I had the opportunity to meet a gentleman named Leon “Pops” Alward. He was one of the many people suffering from opioid addiction who was fighting for overdose prevention sites back in the day. Friends informed us that he died this weekend—the latest victim in this crisis.

This morning, the government went to the Westin Harbour Castle to discuss their plans for mental health and addictions. Will they be reversing their decision to close six overdose prevention sites?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Minister of Labour, please.

Hon. Laurie Scott: Of course, we’re very saddened to hear of the passing of the individual.

We made a commitment to invest in mental health and addictions by $3.8 billion over 10 years. The Minister of Health and Long-Term Care has been a strong advocate on mental health issues. She has looked at the best ways to approach this, and we continue to look at the best ways, working with community organizations.

We realize the opioid crisis is a critical situation. The minister has addressed those issues, and we will be making more comments soon, Mr. Speaker, this afternoon, that will also give more information to the opposition.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, one of the first acts of the Ford government upon coming into office was to cut $330 million a year from mental health and addictions funding. So following today’s announcement, will the government be reversing that cut?

Hon. Laurie Scott: This is not one easy fix. We have to work with our partners in the communities. Mr. Speaker, there has been an increase in funding in health. Mental health and addictions, and health in general, have had an increase. The minister has worked very strongly with the community groups. This is a long-term approach that we have to take; we can’t flip a switch and make it all better. There have to be communications with community services.

When we’ve increased our budget $1.3 billion this year, that is an investment that is going to strengthen our health in our province and strengthen the health teams on the ground. Our commitment to mental health, our commitment to health in the province of Ontario, is strong, and we will continue to work with everyone. I hope the NDP will join us in helping to solve—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Response.

Hon. Laurie Scott: —this multi-pronged health care approach that needs to be addressed.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, Speaker, for people struggling with mental illness, for people literally dying every day from addictions, this government’s concern is welcome, but only if it’s matched with an actual commitment to undo the damage that they have already done and undo the damage that they continue to do through callous cuts and policies that ignore the opioid crisis destroying families and taking lives across Ontario.

If the government is serious about a “commitment”—a word this minister used several times in her most recent response—if they are serious about a commitment to addressing mental health and addictions, will they recognize that the first step is undoing the serious damage that they have already caused?

Hon. Laurie Scott: Again, we’ve increased the health budget by $1.3 billion. We’ve doubled the number of consumption sites.

Community mental health services, including priority populations, including francophones, by $23.5 million; mental health and justice services, including mobile teams, safe beds and court support workers, by $18.33 million; supportive houses by $15.2 million; children and youth mental health services, including in-school and on-campus supports, by $58.6 million; Indigenous mental health and addictions services by $12.77 million; community and residential addictions, including opioids, by $33.13 million; in-patient hospital beds by $12 million; data and quality supports by $500,000—that’s a long list of improvements that the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and we on this side of the government have made.

Mr. Speaker, the opposition—

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

Ontario Child Benefit

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is to the Acting Premier, but the minister might want to correct her record. They did not double the number of safe injection sites; they cut them by six.

The Ford government has claimed that their budget protects the services that people rely on the most. We hear this ad nauseam around the House. Can the Acting Premier explain why the government is ending the Transition Child Benefit, which provides supports to Ontario’s most vulnerable children?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: I appreciate the opportunity. Let’s be clear: There will be a slow and gradual wind-down of the Transition Child Benefit, and the recipients will be notified directly, well in advance of the implementation date. We are one of only a few provinces that have implemented this Transition Child Benefit.

But I ask the member opposite back: Is it fair to give a taxpayer subsidy to those who are crossing the border illegally and will likely be deported? Is it fair to provide a taxpayer subsidy to those who do not file—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I apologize to the minister for having to interrupt. The opposition must come to order so that I can hear the minister respond to the question.

Back to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: Our government believes that all Ontarians should have equal access and fair access to Ontario’s children’s benefits, which is why we’re actually increasing the Ontario Child Benefit to well over $1.2 billion a year. But we do take exception to those who do not file taxes, and that is why we are making this move on a gradual and transitional basis.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, Speaker, our party, the official opposition, believes that every child deserves the necessities of life. That’s what we believe: Every child deserves the necessities of life. This is a benefit that provides support to single mothers—single mothers who may not be, for example, putting a tax return in. So they didn’t put their tax return in; this is a supplement that helps them to feed their kids. Often, yes, refugees who fled their countries to make a new life in Canada are also folks who rely on this benefit.

This is a province filled with immigrants and refugees, Speaker. That’s how this province was built. And to suggest that the government should not be responsible for making sure that every child can at least have a meal and a roof over their head is a disgraceful place for this government to be proud of. It is absolutely shameful.

These single mothers, one agency said, are the hardest hit, with “children they have to look after. And without daycare subsidies”—that are also being cut by the province—“they won’t be able to work. They are not going to be able to go to school.”

Has the government given any consideration to the implications of this cut and how—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you. The minister to reply.

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: Let me be perfectly clear: Refugee claimants will continue to receive support through the Ontario social assistance system. The Transition Child Benefit is provided to recipients who already receive social assistance but do not qualify for the Ontario Child Benefit.

Primarily, they are refugee claimants and illegal border crossers. They are those who have not filed their income taxes, and those whose income is too high—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The opposition has to come to order. The opposition needs to come to order.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order. I’m going to let the member conclude her response.

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: I have been in this House for 11 months calling on Justin Trudeau to repay the $90 million in social assistance costs that have been caused by his failed border policies. Why won’t the NDP stand up with the Ontario Progressive Conservative government and every other—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order. The opposition come to order.

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: Don’t stand up for Ontario. Don’t bother doing that.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, come to order.

Public transit

Mr. Roman Baber: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Transportation. Our government made an historic announcement unveiling a transit plan that will reduce congestion and get the people of Ontario moving. It’s a $28.5-billion vision to expand our subway network by 50%. This is the most money ever invested to get shovels into the ground to get new subways built.

People waited long enough for an integrated, regional transit system that extends outside of Toronto city limits to serve the growing communities across the region. Tens of thousands of people transfer between the TTC and GO Transit every day. It’s time to start treating the TTC like the vital service that it is.

Could the Minister of Transportation expand more on the benefits of this historic announcement?

Hon. Jeff Yurek: I would like to thank the member from York Centre for that great question. As he says, we’re going to build, build, build, Mr. Speaker.

Just as he mentioned, the Premier last month announced a plan for the 21st century. It’s a plan that will get Ontarians moving and ensure that these new transit lines are indeed built. The new Ontario Line will provide real relief for congestion on Line 1. It will be twice as long, move twice as many people, and, compared to the original line, it will cost about the same amount in price. That’s great news for Ontario and our Treasury Board.

Not only will we build at almost the same price; the city had previously wanted the relief line built by 2029. We’re going to get the Ontario Line built by 2027, two years ahead of schedule. It’s an incredible project, Mr. Speaker. It’s going to reduce overcrowding on the line, make it safer for people, and get people home that much quicker.

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

Mr. Roman Baber: Thank you to the minister for that response. There is no doubt that people across Ontario and the region will be pleased with the benefits of the Ontario Line once it is built. It’s an incredible project that will relieve overcrowding on the Yonge-University-Spadina line and connect new neighbourhoods.

Speaker, this is one of the most important transit projects in Toronto right now. Relief is needed, and it’s needed immediately. With only one extension built in 15 years, commuters using the TTC have been waiting for this for years, with no results or action.

Will the minister please inform the House of our firm and concrete commitment to get shovels on the Ontario Line into the ground?

Hon. Jeff Yurek: Thank you again for the follow-up question. That member is absolutely correct. This project has taken far too long to get started. Unfortunately the previous Liberal government, supported by the NDP, did not make much ground with regard to transit files, and the city of Toronto simply doesn’t have the capacity to ensure that these lines are built. Mr. Speaker, I’m sure if they did, Mayor John Tory would have the shovels in the ground already. But we are going to help the city. We’re going to help the province. We’re going to upload the subway system if the bill passes in the next week and a half, Mr. Speaker, and we’re going to ensure that these subways are built.

Mr. Speaker, for years everyone has challenged the provincial government to step up in a leadership role. Our government has done so. That’s why we are going to work to continue to upload the subway system, and that’s why we’ve allocated $11.2 billion on a firm, concrete commitment to get the Ontario Line built. Mr. Speaker, we are going to bring relief to this system. We’re going to bring relief to Ontarians. We’re going to build a regional integrated transit network and we’re going to do it during our term.

Thank you again, Mr. Speaker.

Services for children and youth

Miss Monique Taylor: My question is to the Acting Premier. This government is cutting $84 million for children and youth at risk, including cuts to children’s aid societies that are already stretched to the limit. Speaker, we know that the children’s aid societies could use improvement to better protect vulnerable children. But instead of making things better, this Premier is once again forcing Ontario’s most vulnerable to bear the burden of his cuts. How exactly do these cuts improve the lives of vulnerable children and keep them safe?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: I had the opportunity last week to address this issue. We’re not cutting $84 million from Ontario’s children’s aid societies. In fact, what we’re doing is we’re working with the children’s aid societies right across the province to ensure that we have a better back office system. We’re working with them, and we’re excited about that. I’m looking forward this week to visiting some of those children’s aid societies.

But let me be perfectly clear where that number comes from. We have a number of youth detention facilities in the province of Ontario that are underutilized. In fact, many of these facilities are utilized only at 29% capacity. I personally don’t believe children should be jailed. I think that we need to put front-line investment in to making sure that they have a hand up and a greater deal of success. I ask the member opposite: Does she believe that we should put money into preventing kids from being in youth detention facilities, or does she think we should lock them up?

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

Miss Monique Taylor: Speaker, time and time again, this government has made cuts on the backs of vulnerable children. The ultimate test for any change that affects children should be: Does this keep our kids safe? Will it improve the well-being of children?

But this government’s $84-million cut from children and youth at risk fails this test. It puts children served by children’s aid societies and children experiencing the justice system further at risk. Why does this government think that it is acceptable to put the safety and livelihood of our most vulnerable children at risk once again?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: The member opposite simply did not listen to my initial response. Let me be clear: The government is not cutting $84 million from the child welfare system. The figure in the estimates includes changes in the youth justice system and community prevention and largely reflect that the government will be spending less money on jailing kids. I ask the member opposite again: Is that what she would prefer? Would she prefer to see children locked up rather than being part of a preventative approach within our community?

One of the biggest things that we’re working on as a government is to prevent the guns and gangs challenges that we face in our largest cities like Ottawa and Toronto. That’s why one of the first announcements I made as minister was to ensure that we had greater youth prevention supports in place in the city of Ottawa. I’m going to continue to do that.

But let me be perfectly clear: I don’t think we need jails for children that are operating at 29%. We need to give them a hand up, not lock them up.

Children and youth

Mr. John Fraser: My question is for the finance minister. This morning we’ve heard the response of the minister about the Transition Child Benefit that’s being taken away. My question is really simple: Why does the finance minister think that taking this transitional child benefit away from some of the most vulnerable children and families in this province is a good idea?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: As the member opposite well knows, our government made a decision early on in our mandate that we would be reforming social assistance. Right now, we have a $10-billion program where a million people are relying on social assistance, yet still one in seven live in poverty. We have invested a historic amount of money into the Ontario Child Benefit—over $1.2 million. We’re going to continue with those approaches.

We’re continuing to work with our municipal partners to ensure that we have an effective approach moving forward, so we have less people relying on a government cheque and more people looking toward self-reliance as their goal, toward a more dignified approach in the province of Ontario.

That’s what we’re doing with respect to social assistance. That’s what we’re going to continue to do as a government. We want to make sure that not only are people working, but they’re contributing to our society in other ways as well.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.

Mr. John Fraser: Mr. Speaker, that didn’t answer the question, and the minister’s earlier response was shocking to me, because I can’t believe that children would be a pawn in their support of Andrew Scheer in the federal election. It’s incredible. I can’t believe it.

Let’s look at the government record, Mr. Speaker. They have made OHIP+ into “OHIP-minus.” They have cancelled the Basic Income Pilot with no notice or consultation. They have halved the increase to families on social assistance. They fired the child advocate. They put families of children with autism through hell with the new OAP. They have cut funding for children’s aid societies. They’re increasing class sizes in our schools. They have cut OSAP. They froze wait-lists and funding for SSAH, Passport and autism, and the list goes on and on. Who knows what’s next?

So, through you, Mr. Speaker, to the finance minister or the minister of children: Have they declared war on children and families in this province?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. I recognize that most of the government members were listening to the question, and I could hear most of what the member for Ottawa South said, but about three or four members were screaming at the tops of their lungs across the House. It’s not acceptable behaviour in the Parliament of Ontario. Think about it.

Start the clock. The minister can reply.

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: I’ll tell you what we have a war on in this government: It is the $1 billion a month they left us for the children of the next generation, our children, our grandchildren. That’s what the Liberal Party left us: a $15-billion deficit that ensured that we have compromised our core and value public services like health care, like education, like social services. They bankrupted the province of Ontario. They’ve bankrupted the Ontario Autism Program. They left the province bankrupt of ideas. If anyone has anything to answer on in this chamber, it is the Liberal Party of Ontario.

Interjections.

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

When I was reminding the members that you can’t yell across the House, I was looking at the government side; the same remarks apply to the members on this side of the House—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): —including the member for Don Valley East.

Next question. Start the clock.

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

Ms. Effie J. Triantafilopoulos: My question is for the Minister of Labour. Since taking over this crucial file, the minister has helped make Ontario open for business and open for jobs by repealing the job-killing aspects of Bill 148 and modernizing health and safety training and employment standards.

Last week, the minister announced that our government for the people is conducting an operational review of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, or WSIB. The WSIB plays a key role in protecting Ontario workers, families and employers by providing financial support and return-to-work programs for people who are injured on the job. Can the minister inform the House about how this review is going to help the WSIB continue to provide sustainable services to the workers, families and job creators it serves?

Hon. Laurie Scott: I want to thank the member for Oakville North–Burlington for the question and the great work she does in her riding.

Last Thursday, I had the honour of keeping a key commitment of our fall economic statement by announcing an operational review of the WSIB. The review will focus on administration and operations, including:

—financial oversight: sustainability and controls;

—administration: the effectiveness of the current WSIB governance and executive management structure; and

—efficiency: the cost efficiency and effectiveness of operations, including comparisons to other jurisdictions and private sector insurers.

The review will help ensure the long-term success of the WSIB and will provide our government with timely advice to ensure a sustainable system based on industry best practices. Reviewing and improving the WSIB is one of the many ways that our government is ensuring that Ontario can continue to attract investment and good jobs.

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

Ms. Effie J. Triantafilopoulos: Thank you, Minister. I know that our government for the people is currently conducting MPP-led reviews of all provincial agencies to ensure we are providing the best services and value for Ontario families. We are also committed to helping people, job creators and municipalities save money, like the Ministry of Labour did with Bill 66, which will allow municipalities like the city of Toronto to save nearly half a billion dollars a year by accepting open tendering.

Could the minister share more information about the independent experts named to the review panel and how the people of Ontario can give their feedback and suggestions to improve the operations of the WSIB?

Hon. Laurie Scott: I thank the member, again, for the excellent question. The review will be conducted by Linda Regner Dykeman, the head of MidCorp Canada, who has more than 25 years of experience in field insurance, leadership and business strategy, and Sean Speer, a senior fellow in public policy at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. These professionals were selected based on their respective areas of expertise to cover the unique mandate of the WSIB. We’re actively seeking public input on this review over the next two months.

Finally, while I am confident that areas of improvement can always be found, I want to point out that the WSIB is currently managed very well. In fact, last September, they retired their unfunded liability 10 years ahead of schedule, which allowed us to reduce rates by an average of 30%—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Member for Waterloo, come to order.

Hon. Laurie Scott: —giving a $1.45-billion boost back into our economy. This helps employers save money, increases investment and makes Ontario open for business and open for jobs.

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

Mr. Wayne Gates: My question is to the Acting Premier. Last week, we learned that the PC government plans to launch a review of WSIB. This government has already slashed employer contributions, which means less compensation for injured workers who are already struggling.

In Ontario, a workplace injury or illness often means that workers and their families are forced to live in poverty. Now this government plans to alter WSIB and appears to open the door for privatization. Will the Acting Premier tell us: Does this government want to privatize WSIB?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Minister of Labour.

Hon. Laurie Scott: No, Mr. Speaker. We are not privatizing WSIB.

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

Mr. Wayne Gates: Mr. Speaker, back to the Acting Premier: Workers in this province deserve a government that protects and supports their rights, not one intent on clawing back the compensation they are owed. I want to be clear in this: No injured worker in the province of Ontario should live in poverty because of a workplace injury or an illness.

Will this PC government stop talking about it and actually stand up for working people in this province, or are they going to continue to help their millionaire friends save a quick buck on the backs of workers in the province of Ontario?

Hon. Laurie Scott: I do strongly object to the question that has been answered, and I’m saddened but not surprised to hear about the continued fearmongering from the opposition and the attitude that they have, throwing around words like “privatization” and “cutting benefits.” It’s capitalizing on and politicizing worker injuries. Frankly, that is beneath the member opposite.

When we speak about reviewing WSIB, we want to make sure it’s running well. When we say that the unfunded liability was paid off 10 years earlier than it was supposed to, that provides sustainability for injured workers that may have to access WSIB. We want businesses to invest not only in their businesses but in their workers. Providing a sustainable WSIB is going to help everybody involved. So no to privatization and yes—

Interjections.

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

Restart the clock. Next question.

Opioid abuse / Abus d’opioïdes

Mrs. Amy Fee: My question is for the Attorney General. Our government was elected to protect what matters most to the people of Ontario, including ending hallway medicine and building a connected mental health and addictions system.

In my riding of Kitchener South–Hespeler, my constituents have witnessed first-hand the devastation of the opioid crisis. It has cost the people of Ontario tremendously both in terms of lives lost and its impact on the front lines of our health care system. Would the Attorney General please tell us how our government is working to address the concerns of the people of Ontario with regard to the opioid crisis?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. The member for Don Valley East and the member for King–Vaughan will come to order.

Interjection: York Centre.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): York Centre. I apologize to the member for King–Vaughan; it was an honest mistake.

The member for Don Valley East will come to order. The member for York Centre will come to order.

I believe it’s the Auditor General’s turn. Start the clock.

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: I would like to thank the member from Kitchener South–Hespeler for her question and for the great work that she does on behalf of her constituents.

This morning, we announced how Ontario is protecting what matters most by taking action to improve quality mental health and addictions services and to recover health care costs due to the opioid crisis. Today, our government will propose a bill that stands up for the people of Ontario and holds opioid manufacturers and wholesalers accountable. If passed, the bill would support Ontario’s participation in the class-action lawsuit that British Columbia launched last year against more than 40 opioid manufacturers and wholesalers. We intend to invest any proceeds awarded as a result of this litigation back into front-line mental health and addictions services in the province of Ontario.

Interjections.

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

Start the clock. Supplementary question.

Mrs. Amy Fee: Back to the Attorney General. The opioid crisis has cost the people of this province a great deal, both in terms of, again, those lives lost and the impact that it has had on our front-line health care workers. Could the Attorney General tell us more about that class-action lawsuit brought by British Columbia and the importance of our government’s proposed support for this lawsuit on behalf of the provincial, territorial and federal governments against those 40 manufacturers and wholesalers involved in the sale and distribution of opioids?

L’hon. Caroline Mulroney: Je remercie la députée de sa question. Il est important que les fabricants et les grossistes soient tenus responsables de leurs actes répréhensibles présumés afin de recouvrir les coûts relatifs aux soins de santé passés et présents qui sont assumés par les contribuables ontariens, qu’il s’agisse de coûts liés aux maladies, aux blessures ou aux problèmes liés aux opioïdes.

De plus, si nous participons à ce recours collectif, nous ne serons pas responsables des frais judiciaires initiaux, étant donné que les avocats du secteur privé seront payés à même les sommes versées à la suite du règlement judiciaire. Notre gouvernement entend investir toute somme reçue dans le cadre du règlement de cette poursuite directement dans les soins de premières lignes en santé mentale et pour le traitement des dépendances en Ontario.

Abortion

Ms. Suze Morrison: My question is to the Attorney General. Women across Ontario were concerned weeks ago when Conservative MPPs joined anti-choice protesters on the lawn and pledged to make abortion unthinkable in our lifetime. They were even more concerned when the Premier declined an opportunity here in the Legislature to distance himself from those remarks.

Now Radio Canada is reporting that the Ford government has ignored requests from a dozen health facilities seeking protections from anti-choice protestors who harass and intimidate women seeking services. The right to a protection zone is a legal right established in this Legislature.

Why is the government ignoring organizations that are desperately asking for their protection zones to be approved?

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: First of all, our government has been very clear that we are not reopening the debate on the question of abortion in Ontario.

With respect to safe zones around abortion clinics, eight clinics have applied and been approved for those zones to be respected. An independent committee reviews all future applications. There are applications that are currently under consideration by that independent committee. There are privacy concerns and there is currently litigation ongoing, so I can’t comment specifically on applications that are under review, but the safe bubble zone system is in place in the province of Ontario and we will continue to respect it.

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

Ms. Suze Morrison: Back to the Attorney General: We’re asking for the bubble zones to be approved. Quite frankly, you’re not doing your job. The Premier may say he’s not reopening the debate, but we see Conservative MPPs on the lawn promising to make abortion unthinkable while this government is literally ignoring women seeking the protections that they’re promised under law. For women across Ontario, it seems like the debate hasn’t gone away and the Premier is siding with forces that would chip away at women’s hard-earned rights.

Will the Attorney General commit—do your job and commit—to protecting legal rights and ensuring access to abortion services for women who need them?

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: Mr. Speaker, as I made clear in my previous answer, it is the job of an independent committee to review the applications for those zones. It is our job to ensure that we uphold the laws and regulations of this land, and we continue to do that.

But, Mr. Speaker, we’ve been clear. We are not reopening the debate on the question of abortion. Clinics that wish to apply for zones can do so to an independent committee, and we abide by the reports and the decisions of that committee.

Municipal finances

Mr. Stan Cho: Ontario finds itself in a fiscal nightmare. For the past 15 years, the previous Liberal government, propped up by the NDP, put off making tough decisions. Speaker, leadership is about making those tough decisions—the tough decisions required to turn this province around. My constituents sent our Premier and our team to Queen’s Park to clean up this mess, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. It started with a line-by-line audit of the previous government’s waste and mismanagement, and it culminated in a budget and a year of an aggressive legislative agenda.

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing please share with this House what our government is doing to find efficiencies across the board to help bring Ontario’s finances back under control?

Hon. Steve Clark: I want to thank the member for Willowdale for that question and his comments.

Speaker, I’ve heard from mayors and councillors across this province. The Premier also knows, from the time he spent at city council here in Toronto, that municipalities need not just the time but also the flexibility to find savings. That’s why our government announced this morning that we would be pausing this year’s cost-sharing changes to land ambulance, to public health and to the child care sector. The changes are going to allow municipalities to do a number of things, Speaker. It’s going to allow them to be able to leverage the $7.35 million we’ve put forward for an audit and accountability fund.

It will allow Ontario’s smallest municipalities to deal with the $200 million of modernization funds that we gave them in the last fiscal year. More importantly, Speaker, it also allows us to work together. Ontarians face a fiscal challenge together. It’s most important that we work on it—

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

Mr. Stan Cho: It’s very clear that there are plenty of examples of waste and mismanagement across the province, so it’s really reassuring to see that our government is acting to tackle those issues.

Our Premier promised that the party with the taxpayers’ money is over. The Premier and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing announced some new changes this morning. Could the minister please outline how our government’s plans to work collaboratively with our municipal partners to restore trust and accountability to Ontario’s finances will work?

Hon. Steve Clark: Again, I want to thank the member. As I was saying in my first answer, Ontarians face a fiscal challenge and we want to face it together with our municipal partners. In providing this opportunity to pause some of those in-budget changes, we can now sit down with our municipal partners. Really, I believe and I think most in this House will believe that because there is only one taxpayer, we have to work collaboratively and co-operatively with Ontario’s municipalities.

I mentioned the two funds, the $7.35 million of the audit and accountability fund. I had a number of mayors express their interest in using that fund to try to find four cents on the dollar. But we’ve also heard, Speaker, through you to the members of this House, a lot of great suggestions from those small communities, given that we’ve been able to present them with that $200 million of the municipal modernization fund. There are a lot of good suggestions. There’s a great political will to work with our government to ensure that they can find the efficiencies to help us meet our fiscal challenge and to protect what matters most—

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

The next question.

Curriculum

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: Meegwetch, Mr. Speaker. My question this morning is for the Acting Premier.

Last week, this government announced the new curriculum for Indigenous studies, after abruptly cancelling the Indigenous curriculum-writing sessions last summer. But Indigenous leaders like Nishnawbe Aski Nation were not met with prior to the release of the curriculum. Updating the Indigenous curriculum was a recommendation from the TRC. It should have been developed by Indigenous communities.

But to make matters worse, Mr. Speaker, the government is making the new Indigenous curriculum an elective, not a mandatory, course. Why does the government think that Ontario students do not need to learn about residential schools or First Nations treaty rights?

Hon. Todd Smith: The Minister of Education.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: You know, I very much appreciated the opportunity to be in Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout this past week. I was pleased to join the member opposite at the opening of Sioux North, as well. It was a great celebration. The whole week was really about celebration, because the fact of the matter is, this is the first time ever there has been an absolutely dedicated effort to make sure that an Indigenous curriculum is developed. I have to impress upon the fact that we have given students the opportunity to take many of our new courses.

They’ll take them, and they’ll be counted as compulsory studies required to graduate. In talking to the director of education, as well, he agreed that many of the courses that are offered are mandatory.

It’s a celebration that we have finally brought forward a suite of 10 courses that touch on the realities of Indigenous—

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

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: Last week, also, Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler stated, “Learning about the colonial history of this country should not be optional,” and, “As long as we make these courses as electives ... the system will continue to fail our students.”

As a First Nations person, it’s hard for me to accept that this government is committed to meaningful reconciliation when they have cut funding to Indigenous culture and arts, significantly cut the budget of the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and cancelled the Indigenous curriculum writing sessions.

Will the government today make an appropriate curriculum on residential schools, treaties and Indigenous peoples’ contributions a mandatory educational requirement in Ontario, as stated in the TRC call to action number 62? I need a simple answer, please.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Speaker, our new courses that have been introduced as of last week, again, are going to be counted as compulsory studies in literature, in law, in humanities, politics and history.

You know, when I was up north, I heard a lot of support for the decision I made to expand the grad coach program as well. People are very much absolutely applauding the fact that we actually expanded our graduation coach program so that we can ensure our Indigenous students are graduating and having a great pathway forward. Also, like I said last week—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order. Opposition come to order.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Like I said last week, if the opposition cared to listen, I heard—

Ms. Catherine Fife: Why is the truth optional for you?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The opposition will come to order. The member for Waterloo has to come to order. Allow the minister to finish her reply.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. If the opposition would listen, they would hear loud and clear that I had a great week up north. Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler and I had a wonderful discussion at the airport. I’m pleased to say that, starting in June, we’ll be meeting with our Indigenous partners and working with them on an approach that could include future curriculum revisions. This is good news.

We had a great trip last week. We’re looking forward to what we’re doing in the future. The fact of the matter is, we’re getting it right. People know I care and I—

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

The member for Mississauga East–Cooksville.

Immigration and refugee policy

Mr. Kaleed Rasheed: My question is to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. For months now, you have been a steadfast advocate for Ontario’s taxpayers by standing up to Justin Trudeau and his government’s failed border policies. You have told us how the federal government’s inaction has driven up costs for Ontario’s taxpayers, with $200 million in added costs to our social assistance, education and legal systems.

Months later, the federal government still hasn’t fully reimbursed taxpayers, and our government has been forced to protect what matters most. Speaker, can the minister please tell us how our government is protecting all children from Justin Trudeau’s failed border policies?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: I want to thank the honourable member for his question. I appreciate his activism not only on behalf of the children of Ontario but certainly his local Raptors basketball team.

For months now—since last August—he knows that our government has called on the Trudeau Liberals to reimburse Ontario taxpayers for $200 million in added costs, including $90 million in our social assistance system. Ontario taxpayers cannot continue to afford to pay for the crisis at our border through the added costs to our social assistance system to support illegal border-crossers who are making those claims.

We believe all Ontarians should have equal access to children’s benefits, regardless of whether they are or are not receiving social assistance. We are going to be winding down the Transition Child Benefit and investing nearly $1.2 billion in the Ontario Child Benefit to provide equal support to all low-income Ontarians who require assistance.

The federal government, however, I reiterate today, must take action to stem the flow of the illegal border-crossers and clear the backlog—

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

Mr. Kaleed Rasheed: Thank you for your response, Minister. An

article in the Toronto Sun last week detailed how nearly 4,000 people had crossed into the country illegally through the unofficial port of entry at Roxham Road. We know that a significant number of refugee claimants and illegal border-crossers then travelled to Ontario, where they are entitled to social assistance while they wait to have their refugee claim heard by a federal immigration board. This wait can take upwards of two years.

Minister, it’s unacceptable that these people are left in limbo while they wait for the federal government to show some leadership. Can the minister please tell us how Ontario supports refugee claimants?

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

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The opposition must come to order. The member for Brampton Centre must come to order.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Brampton North. I apologize to the member for Brampton Centre.

To the minister to reply.

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: All Ontarians should have equal access to children’s benefits, regardless of whether or not they are or are not receiving social assistance. The truth is, we are removing duplicate programs that add costs and red tape. We have a program to deliver child benefits. Everyone should file their taxes, however, Speaker. Does the member opposite not agree with that? Yes or no?

Municipal development

Mr. Jeff Burch: Speaker, through you to the Acting Premier: In a letter to the Premier last week, the mayors of Ontario’s 28 largest cities expressed serious concerns about Bill 108, the Ford government’s plan to tilt the playing field in favour of developers, at the expense of the environment, families and municipalities.

The government plans to ram this bill through committee hearings this week, with just a single day for public comment. These 28 mayors have asked for an extension to September 30. Will the government listen and grant this extension? Yes or no?

Hon. Todd Smith: The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hon. Steve Clark: I want to thank the honourable member for his question. I was at LUMCO on Friday, and I explained, to some of the concerns that some of the mayors had expressed—they had expressed a concern regarding the creation of the new community benefits charge, and I made it very clear to them that the announcements that we’ve made as part of Bill 108 for a community benefits charge—we announced a consultation, and that we would continue to consult with Ontario’s municipalities about the new development charges regime, as confirmed in community benefits.

I believe exactly what those mayors were asking, that we have some consultation, is what I delivered. The difference is that the bill can still continue through the legislative process. It does not need to be stopped or halted. Clearly, we said we would consult on that section.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.

Mr. Jeff Burch: Well, I’ll take that as a no, Speaker. It’s a good sign that a government bill won’t stand up to scrutiny when the government refuses to let people scrutinize it.

These mayors, elected by millions of Ontarians, are raising serious concerns about the government’s scheme. They warn that Bill 108 could put at risk cities’ finances and their ability to provide parkland, community facilities and well-planned neighbourhoods.

The Premier is finally learning to admit when he is wrong. Why is the government so afraid of taking time to hear the concerns of citizens, mayors and city councillors?

Hon. Steve Clark: Speaker, again, through you to the honourable member: I was very clear on Friday at LUMCO. Our proposed community benefits charge and the formula that it would create maintain the position of “growth pays for growth.” Libraries will continue to be built. Parkland will continue to be open. Community centres will still be opened under the new proposed regime.

We announced as part of Bill 108 that we would consult with municipalities on this new formula. That’s exactly what we’re going to do.

Can the minister share with this House the importance of this program and what it means to both people with disabilities and seniors?

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

Special-needs students

Mr. Gilles Bisson: My question is for the Acting Premier. Acting Premier, the school board that represents the area for Muskoka all the way up to Timmins, Kapuskasing and beyond, the District School Board Ontario North East, sent your Minister of Education a letter signed by Bob Brush, the chair of that particular school board. I’m going to send this over after the question, but here’s the nub of it: “Your government has cut funding to autism services. We have 48 IBI spaces available within the system in that entire area.

Our school board, which covers the same area, is now faced with having to take all of these students into the school system and having to try to provide services to those children,” and they don’t have the money to do it.

So my question to you is as simple as this: You made a decision this morning to reverse some of the possible cuts that you’re making to the municipalities—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m going to ask the member to make his comments through the Chair. Conclude the question.

Mr. Gilles Bisson: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I’m asking you the question: Are you prepared to do the same and reverse your cuts for children with autism?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you. Again, I would ask the members to make their comments through the Chair.

Response?

Hon. Todd Smith: Minister of Education.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to share with the member opposite and everyone in the House today that we’re moving very thoughtfully and measuredly towards a proper manner in which to have our children with autism enter into the education system. We’ve been having very good meetings with our autism partners. We’re listening and we’re going to get it right.

In terms of the manner in which we’ve invested in autism services, I need to remind the member opposite that we have taken unprecedented steps to increase funding to support children and students with autism. One example, just to name one, is doubling the amount of money that’s going to the Geneva Centre for Autism. That’s just one example. I certainly would be pleased to talk about more. There are so many more examples in terms of the increased support that we can give. I look—

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

Mr. Gilles Bisson: Mr. Speaker, to the minister again: You have cut funding to children that need services to deal with autism. IBI therapy is being reduced. In our area, there are 48 spots that are available, and there are going to be probably very few left by the time this is all over. School boards, like this particular school board, are having to deal with what to do when those kids hit the classroom and they don’t have the resources to be able to provide the services.

I ask you again: What do you plan on doing to help students in this province get the funding through the school boards that they need to make sure that kids with IBI needs are met?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you. Once again, I’d ask members to make their comments through the Chair.

Minister of Education to reply.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Again, Speaker, I want to remind the member opposite that we’re a government and a ministry that work with our partners, and we’re going to be very careful to make sure we get it right. If he wants specific examples—I look forward to receiving that letter from his local school board, as well as working with him so he fully comprehends, once and for all, how we’re investing in children with autism.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you. That concludes our question period, but I, once again, want to apologize to the member for King–Vaughan, the member for Brampton Centre and the member for Whitby for mixing up their riding names.

Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Points of order. First of all, the member for Milton.

Mr. Parm Gill: On a point of order, I’d like to recognize and welcome my constituent, supporter and a great community leader, Balwinder Singh Soor. He also has a couple of relatives who are visiting all the way from India: Baljeet Singh and Gurjit Kaur. Welcome to Canada.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Hamilton East–Stoney Creek.

Mr. Paul Miller: I would like to welcome all the steelworkers from Hamilton and Ontario. It’s great to have you here, and we’ll be seeing you later. Thank you for coming.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines.

Hon. Greg Rickford: My amazing wife, Janet, is here, and a special family member from Florida, Sarah Etzkorn. We welcome them to this magnificent place.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Ottawa Centre.

Correction of record

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

Hon. Laurie Scott: I want to correct my record from earlier. In fact, we have more than doubled the funding for the consumption and treatment sites, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Correction of record

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Mississauga–Erin Mills.

Mr. Sheref Sabawy: I would just like to correct my record. The reception for the independent pharmacists will be in room 230, not 220. Thank you.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I want to remind members that the appropriate time for introductions is when I ask for introductions right before question period and at the start of the afternoon.

Tabling of sessional papers

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I beg to inform the House that during the adjournment the following documents were tabled:

—a report entitled Economic and Budget Outlook, Spring 2019, from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario;

—a report concerning the review of cabinet ministers’ and opposition leaders’ expense claims, complete as of May 17, 2019, from the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario; and

—a report concerning the Honourable Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, from the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario.

There being no further business this morning, this House stands in recess until 1 p.m.

The House recessed from 1208 to 1300.

Introduction of Visitors

Mr. Lorne Coe: It’s my pleasure to introduce Andrea Shaw, the executive director of the Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre in Durham region. Welcome, Andrea. She’s accompanied by two of her colleagues.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Welcome.

Members’ Statements

Canadian soldiers

Mr. Percy Hatfield: Good afternoon, Speaker. I have a history lesson for you today. Steve Byrne gave his grade 11 class at St. Anne high school a special assignment. Students were given the names of the members of the Essex Scottish Regiment from Windsor who signed up for military service during the Second World War. Then they had to research their military history. They came up with the home mailing addresses of those soldiers when they enlisted more than 75 years ago. They wrote letters to those old addresses. The letters informed the current owners that, at one time, one of the people who lived in their home was a young soldier fighting for Canada in the Second World War.

One of those letters reached Patricia Murphy at 733 Niagara Street. That’s where Samuel Berger used to live. He enlisted in 1940 and was killed at Dieppe on August 19, 1942. It was his first battle and he was just shy of his 23rd birthday. Ms. Murphy was so impressed and intrigued by the letter that she had a memorial plaque made up and put it up by her front door. It reads:

“In memory of Samuel Berger

“1919-1942

“Samuel was a brave, young soldier who fought and died for Canada during WWII.

“He enlisted while living here, at 733 Niagara St. Windsor Ont.”

Speaker, the plaque has a red poppy and the final words “Lest we forget.”

So I say thank you to Patricia Murphy, thank you to history teacher Steve Byrne at St. Anne and a big thank you to students Brayden Tessier and Riley Carmichael for doing the research and writing the letter. Speaker, this is a history lesson for us all, lest we forget.

Andrea Shaw

Mr. Lorne Coe: I stand today to pay tribute to Andrea Shaw, executive director of Hearth Place, the only cancer support centre in Durham region. Andrea, who is with us this afternoon, is retiring on June 14, 2019, after 22 and a half years of tireless service.

Speaker, initially she was the only employee at the centre when it was established in 1997, but in the years since, it has grown to a staff of 13, signifying just how important Hearth Place has become in Durham region.

Andrea is a dedicated and passionate leader who has positively impacted thousands of lives of those living with cancer. She’s been the heart and soul of Hearth Place since it was conceived. She’s a community leader, sought after and a valuable resource person in the broader community. Durham region residents are privileged to have witnessed the impact Andrea has made on the lives of so many in our communities, including mine.

We can never repay you, Andrea, fully, for your sacrifices and dedication. God bless you in your retirement.

Invasive species

Ms. Jennifer K. French: On Friday, May 10, I had the amazing opportunity to join forces with my community and the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority, also known as CLOCA, at Purple Woods Conservation Area in Oshawa. We put on our boots and gloves, headed into the woods and learned how to identify and remove garlic mustard, an invasive plant species that has the ability to inhibit native plants.

After some time in the forest, we headed indoors to Heritage Hall to make some garlic mustard pesto. Speaker, I’m not sure that you can eat all invasive species—I’m fairly certain you can’t—but I must admit that garlic mustard was absolutely delicious. We made a salad and even put it on our pizza. To beat it, we eat it.

Speaker, do you know what garlic mustard actually does to other plants? It depletes nutrients and slows growth. Originally brought to North America in the 1800s by well-intentioned folks, this invasive species has evolved into a cruel plague.

An invasive species is characterized as almost impossible to get rid of, causing damage that we can never repair. An invasive species is defined on the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry website as a menace to our environment, our economy and even our health.

Alas, garlic mustard is not the worst of the invasive species in this province. Ontarians can prevent the arrival and survival of invasive species by slowing or reversing the spread, which will reduce its harmful impact.

I applaud our conservation authorities like CLOCA for the work they do and I encourage everyone to get involved, take action and stop invasive species of all kinds from taking over this province.

Veterans

Mr. Billy Pang: Recently I had the privilege of attending the final veterans’ employment initiative session hosted by IBM Canada in Markham. For many veterans, transitioning from service into the civilian workforce poses its challenges, and the skills that these veterans acquire during their time in service may not always be recognized either by themselves or by their potential employers. Subsequently, IBM responded to this by initiating the veterans’ employment initiative. This program serves the purpose of assisting and teaching a selected group of local veterans the tech skills necessary to excel in the cyber security field.

Mr. Speaker, I commend the efforts of this program and of IBM Canada in assisting our veterans. I am honoured also to serve in a government that has vowed to support and make life easier for our veterans. Some of the steps we have taken to achieve this are exempting Ontario Royal Legion branches from a property tax, providing free fishing licences for our veterans and their families, and more.

Supporting our veterans is not simply a responsibility, Mr. Speaker, but a civic duty for all of society to uphold.

Menstrual Hygiene Day

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: May 28 is Menstrual Hygiene Day, a day to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene and raise awareness about menstrual inequities.

Many people don’t think of period poverty as an issue here in Canada, but, in fact, there are many who struggle to access menstrual products, which can cost anywhere from $76 to $153 per year. This may not seem like a lot of money, but for many it’s the difference between eating or buying necessary supplies. You also need access to clean water, which means period poverty has the greatest impact on low-income, homeless, Indigenous and young people who menstruate.

When people are unable to afford a consistent supply of products, they may resort to unhygienic solutions such as reusing or overusing products that can lead to an increase in the risk for reproductive tract infections. It also means missing school or work, missing participating in social activities, and experiencing social isolation and also violence perpetrated against them. Period poverty is both a health and a social equity issue.

I want to recognize a few key people who are leading on this file: Jana Girdauskas, founder of the Period Purse and now a 2019 YWCA Woman of Distinction; and Halima Al-Hatimy, founder of FemCare Community Health Initiative. Both women are making menstrual products available for free and changing the conversation on menstrual equity. The 10 girls from Parkdale public school who are participating in my Girls Government program are working to have menstrual products available in all public schools.

Speaker, I call on this government to recognize May 28 as Menstrual Hygiene Day and to work towards making menstrual products freely available for all Ontarians starting right here in our province with our public schools.

Finally, to all menstruators out there, this is a day for us.

Municipal finances

Mr. Randy Hillier: Last Friday, I was pleased to meet with the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus, along with other MPPs. Our discussions were very productive. Members of the EOWC identified areas of concern, including the uncertainty over many provincial transfer payments that they rely on to run healthy, vibrant communities.

However, other significant concerns were also apparent. There is an absence of detail and direction from the government, and a default reliance on consolidation and amalgamation schemes without supporting evidence. We heard from our county wardens that they face a budgetary shortfall of over $30 million.

My greatest concern is that while the government demands efficiencies, it fails to understand that most municipal expenditures are statutory obligations imposed by Queen’s Park legislation. The government, on one hand, can’t demand that local governments spend less while at the same time imposing more obligations and prescribing the means by which they must implement them.

I was pleased with the minister’s announcement today. However, it does demonstrate this government’s proclivity to act first and think later.

It is my hope the government will remain engaged with our municipal partners and work with them to improve the quality of life for the people of rural eastern Ontario.

Government and community services fair

Ms. Christine Hogarth: This coming weekend I, along with the member from Etobicoke Centre, am hosting a government and community services fair in order to showcase the incredible and vital services that shape our communities. These organizations work tirelessly to help serve and support our residents.

I’d like to give some examples of the over 55 organizations that will be showcasing their services this weekend:

The Daily Bread Food Bank is one of Canada’s largest food banks. With over 10,000 volunteers and 50 staff, it feeds tens of thousands of hungry households annually.

The Young Professionals and Skilled Workers Association offers networking opportunities for, and advocates on behalf of, emerging professional leaders and their economic well-being.

LAMP Community Health Centre provides constituents of Etobicoke–Lakeshore, Etobicoke Centre and beyond with countless programs and services to help further our community. These services include diabetes education, mental health support and adult learning programs—and just a shout-out to Jasmin for all her hard work that she does every day.

I’d like to encourage all residents in Etobicoke to join myself and the member from Etobicoke Centre this Saturday from 10 to 3 p.m. at Cloverdale Mall in order to meet with and learn from organizations that make living in Etobicoke so incredible.

Government fiscal policies

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: Speaker, I’d like to take this time to congratulate London city council, past and present, for their shrewd fiscal stewardship. London’s credit rating has been AAA for over 40 years—a record, I’m sure.

This government could learn from London city council about responsible fiscal management and excellent credit ratings. Ontario’s shameful and disastrous credit rating spiralled down the toilet after the Conservative Party took power and started cutting without thinking.

Ministers compare the province’s budget to a household—a simplistic comparison, but let’s apply that flawed logic for a moment. When money is tight, children come first, health comes first, education comes first. But all we see from this government are cuts.

Clearly, there are still some outstanding questions: What is the return on investment for the Premier’s personal pleasure wagon? Do households in debt buy a tricked-out camper van or do they manage with what they have? What is the ROI for ridiculous gas pump stickers? Do households in debt blame others for their debt or do they look honestly at their own expenses and actions?

Through you, Speaker: When is the Premier going to wake up, put the brakes on his gravy train, park his personal pleasure wagon and realize that his cuts hurt everyone in Ontario except his inner circle?

Al-Nadwa Educational Islamic Centre iftar

Mrs. Gila Martow: I just want to talk a little bit about an event I was at last night. It was hosted by the Al-Nadwa Islamic centre, which is in Richmond Hill, and was established in 2002. Together with York Regional Police and the chief, Eric Jolliffe, they hosted an iftar dinner. Iftar means “breaking of the fast,” and of course it’s breaking the fast of Ramadan, when those in our communities of the Muslim faith don’t eat during daylight hours; they eat from when the sun sets until the sun rises. It goes on for the whole month of Ramadan.

What I saw at the event was the value of children and youth in the community by the organization. We all see that in our communities—that all the different organizations, the different faith groups, understand that the children are the future for all of us here in the province of Ontario.

The organization’s general secretary, Aslam Badat, explained to me that they’re working very hard to bridge the gap between multicultural communities, breaking down silos, partnering with York Regional Police to engage in dialogue and bring about learning and understanding, and of course we all applaud that.

The event took place at the Bayview Community Centre in Richmond Hill. It was attended by politicians from all levels of government, from all parties.

I just want to mention that Mr. Badat sits on the York Regional Police recruitment advisory committee, and I want to thank one of his volunteers who took pictures for me.

Ramadan Mubarak.

Mississauga Food Bank

Mr. Kaleed Rasheed: Today, I’m honoured to stand in this House and tell you about the wonderful work that the Mississauga Food Bank in my riding of Mississauga East–Cooksville does for our community.

Last year, the Mississauga Food Bank received a seed grant of $75,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their ReclaimFRESH initiative. The program, the first of its kind in the city, partners with local grocery stores to prevent edible healthy food from being thrown away prematurely. The food bank then freezes, refrigerates or distributes these groceries on the same day to clients of the food bank. In the coming year, ReclaimFRESH will be piloted in 10 grocery stores across Mississauga. The program will significantly cut down food waste at stores in the community.

The new initiative raises the bar, and I’m proud that our province is helping fund such great initiatives as ReclaimFRESH through the Ontario Trillium Foundation. In the next four years, the food bank projects the program will help source food for over five million meals.

I look forward to working alongside the Mississauga Food Bank and the Ontario Trillium Foundation to make sure poverty is basically eradicated in our province.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just want to say, “We the North.”

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

Introduction of Bills

Bringing Choice and Fairness to the People Act (Beverage Alcohol Retail Sales), 2019 / Loi de 2019 visant à offrir à la population plus de choix et un accès équitable en matière de vente au détail de boissons alcooliques

Mr. Fedeli moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 115,

An Act to amend the Liquor Control Act with respect to the termination of a specified agreement / Projet de loi 115, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les alcools en ce qui concerne la résiliation d’un accord particulier.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? I heard some noes.

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

All those opposed will please say “nay.”

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

Mr. Gilles Bisson: On division.

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

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Does the Minister of Finance care to give a brief explanation of his bill?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

During the last election, we promised to put the people first, including by growing jobs and expanding convenience for Ontario consumers. The province’s current beer distribution system is owned by three global giants who were handed a sweetheart deal by the previous government and who are more interested in protecting profits than providing convenience or choice for average people. It’s a monopoly that’s a bad deal for consumers and businesses and is deeply unfair to the people of Ontario.

We’re introducing legislation today to terminate the previous government’s terrible deal with the Beer Store by putting multinational profits ahead of consumers. Speaker, we plan to make good on our promise to put the people first with this Bringing Choice and Fairness to the People Act.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I appreciate the minister’s explanation of his bill, but I’ll remind all members of the House that the explanations of the bill are supposed to be non-partisan.

Foundations for Promoting and Protecting Mental Health and Addictions Services Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 sur les bases nécessaires à la promotion et à la protection des services de santé mentale et de lutte contre les dépendances

Mr. Todd Smith, on behalf of Ms. Elliott, moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 116,

An Act to enact the Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence Act, 2019 and the Opioid Damages and Health Costs Recovery Act, 2019 / Projet de loi 116, Loi édictant la Loi de 2019 sur le Centre d’excellence pour la santé mentale et la lutte contre les dépendances et la Loi de 2019 sur le recouvrement des dommages-intérêts et du coût des soins de santé imputables aux opioïdes.

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

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader can explain the bill.

Hon. Todd Smith: I’ll have more to say during ministerial statements.

Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act (Interim Period), 2019 / Loi de 2019 modifiant la

Loi sur la Société de protection des animaux de l’Ontario (période intermédiaire)

Ms. Jones moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 117,

An Act to amend the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act / Projet de loi 117, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la Société de protection des animaux de l’Ontario.

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

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’ll ask the Solicitor General to explain the bill.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: During ministerial statements, Speaker.

Occupiers’ Liability Amendment Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 modifiant la

Loi sur la responsabilité des occupants

Mr. Norman Miller moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 118,

An Act to amend the Occupiers’ Liability Act / Projet de loi 118, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la responsabilité des occupants.

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

First reading agreed to.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Before I ask the member for Parry Sound–Muskoka to introduce his bill, I’m going to ask the member for Timmins to come to order.

Would the member for Parry Sound–Muskoka like to explain his bill?

Mr. Norman Miller: The bill amends the Occupiers’ Liability Act to provide that no action shall be brought for the recovery of damages for personal injury caused by snow or ice against an occupier, an independent contractor employed by the occupier or, in the case of a tenancy described in subsection 8(1) of the act, a landlord, unless, within 10 days after the occurrence of the injury, written notice of the claim and of the injury are served. The bill also sets out exceptions to this rule.

Respecting Injured Workers Act (Workplace Safety and Insurance Amendment), 2019 / Loi de 2019 sur le respect des travailleurs blessés (modifiant la

Loi sur la sécurité professionnelle et l’assurance contre les accidents du travail)

Mr. Gates moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 119,

An Act to amend the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 in respect of compensation for loss of earnings / Projet de loi 119, Loi modifiant la Loi de 1997 sur la sécurité professionnelle et l’assurance contre les accidents du travail en ce qui concerne l’indemnité pour pertes de gains.

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

First reading agreed to.

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

Mr. Wayne Gates: In calculating the amount of payments to an injured worker, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, considers the earnings that a worker is able to earn in suitable and available work. Currently, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board may decide that a worker is able to earn amounts that they are not actually earning, on the basis of suitable and available work they do not actually have. The amendments would prevent that from happening, unless the worker refuses employment in bad faith.

Motions

Private members’ public business

Hon. Todd Smith: I seek unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice regarding the notice date for private member’s ballot item number 76.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader is seeking unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice regarding the notice date for private member’s ballot item number 76. Agreed? Agreed.

Hon. Todd Smith: Mr. Speaker, I move that the notice for ballot item 76, standing in the name of Mr. Miller, Parry Sound–Muskoka, be waived.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader is moving that the notice for ballot item number 76, standing in the name of Mr. Miller, Parry Sound–Muskoka, be waived. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Motion agreed to.

Statements by the Ministry and Responses

Mental health and addiction services

Hon. Todd Smith: Today it’s my pleasure to rise on behalf of Christine Elliott, Ontario’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, for the introduction of the Foundations for Promoting and Protecting Mental Health and Addictions Services Act, 2019. If passed, this act would enable the government to build a world-class mental health and addictions system, while protecting our province’s most vulnerable by holding opioid manufacturers and wholesalers accountable for their role in the ongoing opioid crisis.

Earlier this year, Minister Elliott and Parliamentary Assistant Robin Martin travelled the province to hear about the changes Ontarians expect to see in our mental health and addictions system. They talked to first responders, primary care providers, community agencies and, most importantly, people with lived experience, their families and caregivers. They heard too many stories about how families are left waiting for long periods of time to get the care they need. They were told our mental health and addictions system is disconnected from the rest of the care they had received.

Most importantly, people told them that simply putting more money into the system isn’t enough. Ontario’s mental health and addictions system, they were told, needs a central engine to standardize and organize the sector. What those in need are confronted with now is a fragmented, disconnected system that is not centred around the patients.

When Minister Elliott introduced Bill 74 in this House, The People’s Health Care Act, she talked a lot about how our health care system is uneven. Our health care system produced an excellent, high-quality system of care for cancer patients, for example, while at the same time leaving the mental health and addictions system without structure, without standards, and most importantly, without connecting patients to care.

With the introduction of this legislation, our government is taking a major step forward in acknowledging mental health and addictions as a formal part of our health care system.

If passed, this bill would establish a mental health and addictions centre of excellence within Ontario Health. This is exactly the kind of central engine our mental health and addictions sector needs. This new centre would lay the strong foundation the province needs to implement our mental health and addictions system transformation strategy. The goal of the provincial strategy will be to standardize the quality and delivery of mental health and addictions services across Ontario with a mandate to provide better and more consistent services and supports.

This is our first opportunity to take the best practices from other areas of the health system—for example, as I mentioned, cancer care—and bring a world-class approach to mental health and addictions services.

Together, we will create a connected system of care with comprehensive, wraparound services to ensure every Ontarian is fully supported in their journey toward mental wellness.

The legislation we’re proposing would put people and families at the centre of the mental health and addictions care they need, so services are more inclusive and accessible for everyone.

Speaker, I want to point out that this legislation would deliver on a key recommendation from Minister Elliott’s work with the all-party Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions from way back in 2010. The select committee called for the creation of a central engine responsible to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to manage and coordinate Ontario’s mental health and addictions service system and to act as a single provincial point of oversight to ensure consistency in the delivery and quality of services across Ontario.

As Minister Elliott has said on numerous occasions, she is proud to have worked alongside all parties, in particular the now Solicitor General as well as the member for Nickel Belt, to come forward with these recommendations.

As we begin this important work, our government will also be looking to see if there are ways to work smarter with our partners who deliver services and supports to Ontarians through community mental health and addictions agencies. We also want to streamline supports and provide better-connected and comprehensive care to patients so that we might make our mental health and addictions investments go even further.

I want to acknowledge that this bill would also assist Ontario in its continuing battle with the ongoing opioid crisis. That’s why we’re proposing to take action to hold opioid manufacturers and wholesalers accountable for their role in this crisis and to recover health care costs paid by the province due to opioid-related disease, injury or illness. If passed, this act would give Ontario the right to sue opioid manufacturers and wholesalers for their alleged wrongdoing in order to recover health care costs paid by the province due to opioid-related disease, injury or illness.

It would also support Ontario’s participation in the national class-action lawsuit that British Columbia launched last year against more than 40 opioid manufacturers and wholesalers on behalf of the provincial, territorial and federal governments.

Speaker, our government believes that we need to protect what matters most, especially our province’s most vulnerable citizens. If passed, the Foundations for Promoting and Protecting Mental Health and Addictions Services Act, 2019, will empower us to do just that.

Animal protection

Hon. Sylvia Jones: I’m pleased to introduce interim measures designed to ensure that animals remain protected as we work towards a better animal protection enforcement system in Ontario, one that is more robust, transparent and accountable.

After 100 years of enforcing animal welfare law in the province, the OPSCA has chosen to block our efforts to minimize gaps in enforcement after they withdraw from their role as of June 28, 2019. Last week, we empowered local OSPCA affiliates who indicated a willingness to assist in the transition to continue protecting animals during the interim period. Unfortunately, the OSPCA has attempted to block these committed humane societies by contravening existing legislation.

In their letter to me, the OSPCA’s chief executive officer indicated that the OSPCA would not have a chief inspector in place, even though

section 6.1(1) of the OSPCA Act expressly provides that, “The society shall appoint an employee of the society as the chief inspector.” This step is an attempt to block our efforts to allow willing humane societies to help minimize gaps in enforcement. This is extremely disappointing. Frankly, it puts animals in harm’s way, and it’s why our government is taking decisive action to ensure that animals remain protected while we design a better system.

The legislation, if passed, would allow the province to appoint a chief inspector, who could in turn appoint qualified local inspectors, including local humane societies, to ensure that animal protection enforcement continues. The Solicitor General would be able to appoint a chief inspector who would have the authority to appoint qualified inspectors to enforce the act, as OSPCA inspectors have done for over 100 years.

This is only temporary, Speaker. These amendments are a bridge between the existing OSPCA Act and a new animal welfare enforcement model that our government plans to introduce later this year.

A number of local humane societies have already stepped forward to ask the province to help support their continued enforcement role during this transition period. These amendments would allow them to do so.

Allowing animals to go unprotected is simply unacceptable. I know that the people of Ontario support our government’s commitment to developing a better animal protection enforcement system. We are going to deliver on our promise to improve the system, and we’ll take the time to ensure we reflect the ideas that come forward from people across Ontario.

Building the first new enforcement system in 100 years will take time, but we’re going to ensure that we get it right. While work is already under way to help develop a better long-term system, we are seeking public feedback through an online survey to ensure the people of Ontario have the opportunity to share their thoughts on how to help improve animal protection. This feedback will directly inform Ontario’s new animal protection model. I encourage citizens to log on to Ontario.ca to have their say.

Finally, I want to acknowledge and thank local humane societies who stepped up to the plate and offered their assistance to minimize gaps in the interim period. On behalf of our government, I’d like to thank them for putting animals first.

Sexual violence and harassment

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: As the minister responsible for women’s issues, as well as the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, I rise today to recognize the month of May as Sexual Assault Prevention Month in Ontario, and the first week of June as Sexual Harassment Awareness Week.

We know that here and around the world, people are struggling in silence with the pain and trauma of sexual violence. For many reasons, they may not want to come forward. That is why it’s important that this month, and always, we shine a light on the problems of sexual assault and harassment and their devastating impacts on our society as a whole.

Speaker, earlier this month I met with the chairs and co-chairs of our province’s violence-against-women coordinating committees because we, as a government, believe that collaborating with leaders in the sector and personally getting involved in the discussions with local experts, practitioners and service providers is the way forward. With the chairs and co-chairs, we discussed where our violence-against-women services are succeeding and where we still have barriers and gaps. Their insight is invaluable. They are on the front lines and work every single day to support survivors.

It’s only through these frank conversations that we can truly work toward ending violence, including sexual violence, against women in our province.

Speaker, throughout the month of May, women’s shelters, sexual assault centres and advocates have been adding their voices to the conversation about sexual abuse. They will build on this momentum into the first week of June, when we recognize Sexual Harassment Awareness Week. Ontario first declared Sexual Harassment Awareness Week in 2007. For over a decade now, we have used this week to increase understanding of the negative, painful impact of sexual harassment.

It’s important at this time to honour and recognize women and girls who have lived through this traumatic experience. Speaker, a few weeks ago I learned of a three-year-old girl in eastern Ontario who recently was diagnosed with gonorrhea after having been sexually assaulted by her father. This is the real face. We can turn a blind eye, we can pretend it doesn’t exist, but as long as I am a minister responsible here, we will talk about these important issues.

We will talk about spousal sexual assault of women who have come here from other countries and believe it is their obligation to have sex with their husband, and we will talk about women in our school system and in our universities who right now are being preyed upon, traumatized, and may endure a lifetime of PTSD as well as other mental health issues.

Speaker, almost every day we hear of women and girls who have survived sexual violence and harassment—

Interjections.

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: You guys okay over there? Important issue.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: It’s an important issue, Speaker, and for every story that we do hear—and we must listen to these stories—there are many more incidents that go unreported. The statistics are chilling. One in three women in Canada will experience some form of sexual assault in their lifetime. That is one in three. There are 49 women in this Legislature, a historic high for the province of Ontario. Look around: One in three of the women in this chamber today have been sexually assaulted. They could be your seatmate. They could be a cabinet minister. They could be a leader or a former leader of a political party.

Look around. That is the face of who we stand up for here today. At least 16 strong women in this assembly have had some form of sexual advance that they did not want.

Sexual assault victimization rates are higher for young women. In 2014, nearly half of all self-reported sexual assault incidents—47% of them—were committed against girls aged 15 to 24.

The rate of violence experienced by Indigenous women and girls in Canada is especially devastating. Indigenous women are three times more likely to be a victim of violent crime than non-Indigenous women and are 12 times more likely to go missing or be murdered than non-Indigenous women. We will recognize that next Monday on Parliament Hill.

This cannot and will not be tolerated. Ontarians can rest assured that while I’m the minister responsible for women’s issues, I will continue to work tirelessly alongside all of my colleagues to confront the root causes of this and work toward eliminating violence against women, particularly Indigenous women.

All Ontarians deserve to feel safe from sexual violence and harassment in their communities, workplaces, homes and schools, but unfortunately, that’s not always the case. The occurrences of sex trafficking are higher in Ontario than in any other province in this country. I call sex trafficking Ontario’s dirty little secret because I’m always shocked at how many people throughout Ontario are unaware of this happening—unaware that it tar