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November 25, 2019

42nd Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2019-Nov-25 vol. A (PDF)

L130A - Mon 25 Nov 2019 / Lun 25 nov 2019

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 25 November 2019 Lundi 25 novembre 2019

Introduction of Visitors

Wearing of scarves

Oral Questions

Government contracts

Hydro rates

Pharmacare

Federal-provincial relations

Environmental protection

Government accountability

Economic development

Education funding

Investment regulations

University and college funding

Mental health and addiction services

Affordable housing

Violence against women

Women’s services

Ontario film and television industry

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

Introduction of Visitors

Members’ Statements

Affordable housing

Oakville Community Foundation

Education funding

Canadian Celebration of Women in Computing

Indigenous affairs

Education

Simcoe Christmas Panorama River of Lights

Arts and culture

Cambridge athletes

Seniors Community Grant Program

Introduction of Bills

An Act to proclaim Dyslexia Awareness Month, 2019

Motions

Adjournment debate

Consideration of Bill 123

Private members’ public business

House sittings

Statements by the Ministry and Responses

Religious freedom / Liberté de religion

Petitions

Equal opportunity

Access to personal health records

Affordable housing

Dental care

Education funding

Access to personal health records

Affordable housing

Government’s record

Education funding

Taxation

Indigenous affairs

Opposition Day

Religious freedom / Liberté de religion

Orders of the Day

Time allocation

Plan to Build Ontario Together Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 sur le plan pour bâtir l’Ontario ensemble

The House met at 1030.

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

Prayers.

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Speaker, I have a point of order.

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

Mr. Peter Tabuns: I seek unanimous consent to bring forward a motion calling on the Auditor General to review the costs related to the government’s cancellation of renewable energy contracts.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I didn’t have advance notice of this, but the member for Toronto–Danforth is seeking unanimous consent of the House to move a motion. Agreed? I heard some noes.

Introduction of Visitors

Mr. Joel Harden: It’s a great privilege today, in the House, to have so many advocates for dyslexia. I want to welcome Alicia Smith; Riina Makk; Anne Boys-Hope and her daughter Sarah Hope, both from Ottawa Centre; Lark Barker; and Christine Staley from Dyslexia Canada. Thank you very much, all of you, for being here. Thank you for being here this morning for our press conference together. Cheers.

M. Sam Oosterhoff: J’ai le grand plaisir de vous présenter l’Association franco-ontarienne des conseils scolaires catholiques, qui est dans la Chambre aujourd’hui. Nous avons Melinda Chartrand, Johanne Lacombe, Roger Lemoine, Claudette Gleeson, Roch Pilon, Robert Demers, Langis Dion, Martial Levac, Janine Griffore, Marie-Josée Roy, Stewart Kiff et Jean-Guy Fréchette. Bienvenue à la Chambre aujourd’hui.

Mr. Faisal Hassan: I would like to welcome Suleiman Sualim from the great riding of York South–Weston. Welcome to your Parliament.

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: I’d like to welcome some of the presidents and CEOs of mental health and addictions care providers in our province who are joining us in the gallery this morning: Dr. Catherine Zahn from CAMH, Karim Mamdani from Ontario Shores, Joanne Bezzubetz from the Royal Ottawa, Carol Lambie from Waypoint Centre and Alisha Tharani, executive director of Mental Health Partners.

I’d also like to welcome Gino Cucchi from CHIN Radio and Alicia Vianga from After Breast Cancer. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

M me France Gélinas: I would like to welcome Bob Clement from the Rainbow District School Board and Sheryl Evans-Price from the Algoma District School Board. It was a pleasure to talk to you this morning. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Mike Schreiner: I have a long list of people from Guelph here today for Wrapped in Courage: Sly Castaldi, the executive director at Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis; Dr. Mavis Morton from the University of Guelph, along with students Brady, Rosalyn, Ellie, Ivan, Taylor, Shea, Mackenzie, Rhayne, Shannon, Natalja, Andreia, Megan, Bryce, Rachael, Mykaela, Simon, Tyler, Jessica, Sarah, Nicole; and also Lindsey Thomson. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. David Piccini: I’d like to introduce Pathways to Education Canada, who support youth in low-income communities with the resources they need to graduate from high school and break the cycle of poverty. I’d like to welcome Sue Gillespie, president and CEO; Marsha Josephs, Federico Vargas, Ryan Powell and Peter Duong. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I’m pleased today to welcome members from the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses to Queen’s Park—especially advocates visiting from Mission Services Hamilton, located in my riding of Hamilton Centre, including Carol Cowan-Morneau, Libby Schofield, Kathleen Jessup, Valerie Sadler, Erin Snajdman-Griver, Laura Santone, Wendy Kennelly, Mara Torres, Marie Valcour, Reanne MacLean, Sheryl Bolton, Jaclyn Smith, Jessica Webber, Lindsay Gill, Alyssa Richards, Angie Ratzlaff-Lane—and Alyssa Zandwyk from Interval House of Hamilton. Thank you all for the important work you do helping women who are fleeing violence.

Also, I’m pleased to welcome members from the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association, including president Cathy Abraham; president of the public council of OSTA-AECO and student trustee with the Thames Valley District School Board, Sarah Chun; vice-president of the public council of OSTA-AECO and student trustee with the Renfrew County District School Board, Sam Abbott. Thank you all for the work you do in public education in our province.

Ms. Kathleen O. Wynne: Today I also want to welcome the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association, OPSBA, and their leadership: president Cathy Abraham, vice-presidents Michael Barrett and Carol Ann Sloat, and past president Laurie French.

As a former trustee myself, I want to welcome all of the hard-working trustees to the Legislature today and thank them for the work that they do—including student trustees and Indigenous trustees. Good luck with your advocacy day—and a special shout-out to Shelley Laskin, who is a long-time friend and trustee with the Toronto District School Board.

Hon. Jill Dunlop: I have two sets of guests I’d like to introduce today.

From my riding, I have Marcus, Simone and Alicia Smith, as well as Riina Makk. Thank you for being here today.

I’d also like to welcome OAITH executive members in the gallery today: Arlene McCalla, Sue Weir, Kendall Trembath, Lorris Herenda, Jane Scheel, Sly Castaldi, Sandy Watson-Moyles, Carol Latchford, Silvia Samsa, Marlene Ham and Amber Wardell. I look forward to our lunch reception.

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: It gives me great pleasure to welcome Jessie Rodger from Anova, who’s also a constituent of mine. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Christine Hogarth: It is my pleasure to introduce three ladies who work so hard for the women in my riding: Julia Fiddes, Silvia Samsa and Sojie Tate. They work with Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke, and I am so honoured to be able to work alongside.

Ms. Judith Monteith-Farrell: I’m pleased to welcome to Queen’s Park today Debbie Zweep, who is the executive director of Faye Peterson Transition House and who has done great work in our riding; Ellen Chambers, chair of the Lakehead District School Board; and Kathryn Pierroz, vice-president of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association, from Rainy River District School Board.

Hon. Doug Downey: I’d like to welcome the delegation from the Commercial Gaming Association of Ontario to the Legislature today: Cameron Johnstone, Peter McMahon, Tony Rosa, Lynn Cassidy, Richard Schwar, Ron Foster and Bill Wilson. Welcome.

Ms. Marit Stiles: It gives me great pleasure to welcome the over 50 representatives of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association and the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association who are here for their advocacy day, including former colleagues of mine from the Toronto District School Board: trustees Stephanie Donaldson, Shelley Laskin, Jennifer Story and Chris Moise—a special shout-out to all of the chairs who are here.

Aussi, c’est un grand plaisir de souhaiter la bienvenue aux membres de l’Association franco-ontarienne des conseils scolaires catholiques.

Mr. Randy Hillier: It’s a belated welcome—I’d like to thank the member from Don Valley East. I understand he was in the hometown of Perth and in the riding of Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston recently. I trust he had an enjoyable day up in Perth.

Mr. Michael Parsa: I’d like to recognize all the hard work of our legislative pages, particularly Emily Pagliaro, who is today’s page captain. Her parents, Robert and Denise, and her brother Daniel are visiting Queen’s Park from Aurora today. We’re so grateful for Emily’s contributions to the Legislature. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Suze Morrison: On behalf of myself and my colleague for University–Rosedale, I’d like to warmly welcome Chris Moise, the school board trustee who represents both of our communities of Toronto Centre and University–Rosedale, to Queen’s Park. Welcome, Chris.

Ms. Jane McKenna: I have just a few to introduce: the chair of the Halton District School Board, Andréa Grebenc, who is up behind me; and also, from Halton Women’s Place, Laurie Hepburn, Rebecca Feuerstein, Diane Beaulieu and Carm Bozzo. Thank you so much, everybody, for coming here today. We’re looking forward to chatting with you.

Mr. Wayne Gates: I’d like to welcome Donna Danielli from Halton. I’d like to welcome Don Werden from Grand Erie and Kate Baggott from Niagara. There’s nothing better than representing the publicly funded education system in Ontario.

Mr. Parm Gill: I want to recognize Donna Danielli, one of our two school trustees in Milton and also the executive director of Milton Transitional Housing. She does a tremendous, tremendous job. Thank you for everything you do for the community, Donna.

Mr. Michael Mantha: I see my friend Elaine Johnston, who is here. Meegwetch, my friend. Also, from the Algoma District School Board, trustee Sheryl Price. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

M me Kathleen O. Wynne: Je voudrais accueillir, avec plaisir, l’Association franco-ontarienne des conseils scolaires catholiques ici à Queen’s Park : Melinda Chartrand, Johanne Lacombe, Roger Lemoine, Claudette Gleeson, Roch Pilon, Robert Demers, Langis Dion, Martial Levac, Janine Griffore, Marie-Josée Roy, Stewart Kiff et Jean-Guy Fréchette. Bienvenue.

Ms. Lindsey Park: I’d like to officially recognize the birth of my first nephew, Dryden James Park. He is an early riser, Speaker, born at 5:40 a.m. at eight pounds 10 ounces.

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: It is my pleasure to welcome members from the Ontario association of transition houses, specifically Thom Rolfe, who is the executive director of Hiatus House in Windsor. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Stan Cho: It’s my pleasure to introduce to the House this morning the newest member of Team Cho, Ashley Seo. Welcome to the team and welcome to the Legislature.

Mr. Chris Glover: It’s my pleasure to welcome to the House my colleague in Spadina–Fort York, trustee Stephanie Donaldson, and my former colleagues from the Toronto District School Board, Shelley Laskin, Chris Moise and Jennifer Story. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Stephen Lecce: I want to echo the comments from members opposite to welcome OPSBA here to the people’s House: Cathy Abraham, president; Rusty Hick, executive director; Sarah Chun from the student leaders, and so many student trustees and trustees from across Ontario who represent over 1.3 million students in this province. We’re grateful for their leadership. I look forward to all members of this House joining us this evening in the legislative dining room for a reception in their honour.

Ms. Sara Singh: I’d like to welcome Sharon Floyd, executive director of Interim Place in Peel. Also, I do recognize that David Green from Peel District School Board is here. And I’d like to welcome anyone else from Peel District School Board who’s here visiting today.

Mr. Jim McDonell: I wanted to welcome Dave McDonald from the Upper Canada District School Board; Marjorie Adam from the Renfrew County District School Board; and Karen McGregor from the Limestone District School Board, whom I’ll be meeting with this afternoon.

Ms. Jennifer K. French: As we have all been doing, I will also welcome local school board trustees and Ontario Public School Boards’ Association folks, but specifically Michael Barrett, OPSBA’s first vice-president and chair of the DDSB; Donna Edwards with the Durham District School Board; and Corrie McBain, OPSBA regional chair and chair of the York Region DSB. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Kaleed Rasheed: On behalf of the member from Whitby, I would like to introduce Carol Barkwell, who is executive director for Luke’s Place, and Laura Oliver, who is the communications manager for Luke’s Place. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. John Vanthof: I’d like to welcome Tom Henderson. He’s with the District School Board Ontario North East. He was my grade 8 teacher, so he’s the reason I’m here. Thank you.

Mr. Logan Kanapathi: I would like to introduce constituents from the riding of Markham–Thornhill: Vinay Bhide and Sharavati Bhide. Leela Bhide is serving as a page, and her parents are here. Thank you for being here. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

M. Guy Bourgouin: J’ai le plaisir de présenter l’équipe de l’Association franco-ontarienne des conseils scolaires catholiques, j’ai eu la chance de rencontrer ce matin : Melinda Chartrand, Johanne Lacombe, mon ami Roger Lemoine, Claudette Gleeson, Roch Pilon, Robert Demers, Langis Dion, Martial Levac, Janine Griffore et Marie-Josée Roy, ainsi que Stewart Kiff et Jean-Guy Fréchette. Soyez les bienvenus à Queen’s Park.

Mr. David Piccini: I’d also like to welcome school board trustees who are here today. I see Jaine Klassen Jeninga from my riding of Northumberland–Peterborough South. To anyone else who is here from Northumberland–Peterborough South: Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Jill Andrew: I would like to also welcome our Toronto–St. Paul’s TDSB trustee, Shelley Laskin, as well as TDSB trustees Chris Moise, Stephanie Donaldson, Jennifer Story and also a personal friend and icon, Alicia Vianga, the executive director of After Breast Cancer, along with a list of trail-blazing women: Arlene McCalla; Sue Weir; Kendall Trembath; Lorris Herenda; Jane Scheel; Sly Castaldi; Sandy Watson-Moyles, east regional rep of OAITH; Carol Latchford; Silvia Samsa; Marlene Ham, executive director of OAITH; Amber Wardell and Megan Flynn. Thank you so much, and welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: It’s my pleasure today to introduce Jessie Rodger, the executive director of Anova. They’re here today for the event called Wrapped in Courage lobby day. Welcome, Jessie.

Miss Monique Taylor: It’s always a great pleasure to welcome our autism families and advocates back to Queen’s Park. Today we have with us Michau van Speyk and Amanda Mooyer with her son Finn Lynch. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Percy Hatfield: Thank you, Speaker, for your indulgence. I have three trustees I met earlier today: from the Greater Essex County District School Board, trustee Sarah Cipkar; trustee Robert Hunking from the Avon Maitland District School Board; and trustee Jack Fletcher from Lambton Kent. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Laura Mae Lindo: I’m very excited to welcome Zoey Kiff, a student from Stanley Park Senior Public School, to Queen’s Park, along with her mom, Angela. Thank you, and welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I’m pleased to welcome a number of friends from OPSBA, who are here in the gallery today. In particular, I want to warmly welcome Jake Skinner, a constituent of mine from the Thames Valley District School Board; Arlene Morell, chair of the Thames Valley District School Board; Sarah Chun, president at OSTA-AECO and student trustee at the Thames Valley District School Board; and of course, Jan Johnstone, chair of the Bluewater District School Board. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): This is going to have to be the last one: the member for Toronto–Danforth.

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Thank you, Speaker. I would like to welcome Margarita Mendez, executive director of Nellie’s women shelter. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Wearing of scarves

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m advised that the Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues has a point of order, and I recognize her.

Hon. Jill Dunlop: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since we’re already wearing them, I thought I would ask for unanimous consent to wear purple scarves in recognition of the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The minister is seeking unanimous consent of the House to allow members to wear purple scarves in recognition of the UN day recognizing violence against women. Agreed? Agreed.

I should advise the House too that, normally, you would ask for unanimous consent before you start wearing the scarves.

Oral Questions

Government contracts

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, can I just start by saying that although the Tiger-Cats lost last night at the Grey Cup, we are very proud of our team. They had a great season, and we’ll get ’em next time. Oskee Wee Wee!

My first question, of course, is to the Premier. Last week, the people of Ontario first learned that the Premier was spending at least $231 million on cancelling and tearing down renewable energy projects. Since then, the Premier has repeatedly refused to let the auditor in to review the cost of cancelling these contracts, including by blocking our UC just this morning.

My question is: What is the Premier trying to hide?

Hon. Doug Ford: The Leader of the Opposition knows that we’re saving $790 million for the taxpayers. I’m so proud to go around and tell people how we’re saving energy costs by getting rid of the wind turbines, getting rid of these solar farms that have made our electricity costs the highest in North America, putting it on the backs of the hard-working men and women in this province, and putting it on the backs of companies small, medium and large, making them uncompetitive in the global market.

If we could cancel another $790 million and save the taxpayers—that’s not just saving the $790 million. When they get up and running, it’s more hundreds of millions of dollars. So I’ll do that all day long.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I want to just take a moment to remind the Premier that last year, when the Premier first announced that he would be tearing up contracts and tearing down wind farms, the Ford government insisted that it wouldn’t cost us a dime. When they found out it would cost us at least $231 million, they quietly buried that number and hoped that no one would notice it.

Now the Premier says the costs won’t climb higher. Why should anyone take the Premier’s word? Call in the auditor, Speaker. Call in the auditor.

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker, what the Leader of the Opposition isn’t telling the people is that why they’re doing their laundry at 9 and 10 o’clock at night is because of the policies. The NDP and the Liberals went into these ridings without any approval of the municipalities and rammed it down their throats.

What the Leader of the Opposition isn’t telling people is that, through the wind turbines and solar panels, we’re paying 10 times what the amount for electricity should cost: 80 to 89 cents a kilowatt, when it should be costing six, seven or eight cents. That’s what the Leader of the Opposition isn’t telling the people of Ontario—that they’ve been getting gouged for the last 15 years under the NDP and the Liberals.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: When the previous Liberal government first announced they would be scrapping the gas plant contracts, the Liberals insisted that the price would be $230 million. The Liberals insisted that the auditor had reviewed the numbers in public accounts and signed off on them. Yet when the auditor was actually able to look at the real cost, the price tag ballooned to $1 billion.

Now we have the Ford government making the same claims that the Liberals used to make and refusing to let the auditor in.

The Premier promised change, Speaker. Why is he repeating the exact same Liberal tactics he used to criticize? What is he trying to hide?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of Energy.

Hon. Greg Rickford: It’s actually what we’re trying to expose. One of my favourite periodicals, the Climate Change Dispatch, says, “Germany Pulls Plug on Wind Energy As Industry Suffers ‘Severe Crisis’....

“Power grid operators had been struggling to keep the grid stable due to erratic feed-in and the subsidized feed-in of wind energy caused German electricity prices to become among the most expensive worldwide.”

Well, I’ll be a chicken fried in goose fat, Mr. Speaker. It turns out that there’s another jurisdiction that’s having the same challenge as we are.

We saved the ratepayers $790 million by ripping up those contracts and making sure that we have an electricity system that is less complex and more affordable. We’ll continue to do that all day long.

Hydro rates

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is to the Premier as well. But I’ve got to say, the people of Ontario have seen this movie before. It was called the gas plant scandal. Now it’s called the wind farm scandal. People deserve better than this.

Last week, the Premier claimed that blowing $231 million, ripping up contracts and tearing down windmills was actually a plan to lower hydro rates. When he was looking for votes last year, the Premier promised to lower hydro rates by 12%.

Can the Premier tell us: Have the hydro bills gone up or down since he became Premier?

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker: They’re talking about the movie. The Leader of the Opposition was the producer of the movie for the last 15 years. She was the executive producer.

I’ll tell you, Mr. Speaker, there has never, ever been, in the history of Ontario, a larger transfer of wealth from the hard-working ratepayers of this province to the political insiders of the NDP and the Liberals—ever. They made hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars on the backs of the hard-working people, and they’re happy about doing that.

We aren’t happy about doing that. We’re lowering hydro rates. We’ll hit our target of 12%, Mr. Speaker. We can assure you of that.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: What the Premier forgot to mention is that the bills are actually going up in the province of Ontario since he became the Premier. Families across Ontario know this, even if the Premier does not know it. As one Ontario farmer told Ontario farms.com this week, “‘This government was supposed to clean up hydro, saying they inherited a mess from (Kathleen Wynne’

s) Liberals.” Instead, the Conservative government is “just creating more of a problem....”

The Premier said bills would come down by 12%, Speaker. Was that a stretch goal or can the Premier tell us when bills will start to decline like he promised?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of Energy.

Hon. Greg Rickford: Let’s review some of these increases here: November 1, 2009, 5.5% increase; November 1, 2010, 6.25%; November 1, 2011, 8.7%; November 1, 2012, 8.8% increase; November 1, 2013, 8.9% increase; November 1, 2014, 8.2% increase—you’re sitting down for this one, Mr. Speaker—November 1, 2015, a 22% increase, authored by the previous Liberal government, supported 100%, as it pertains to these energies, by the NDP.

We will never miss an opportunity to reduce costs in this complex system. It runs the risk of putting Ontario out of business. We’re open for business, Mr. Speaker, and we’re going to see to it that energy costs are reduced for people across Ontario.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, here are the facts. At a time when the world is embracing clean, renewable power, the Premier is literally tearing it down. Ontario families are not just getting stuck with the $231-million bill for this; they’re also seeing the cost of electricity continue to climb.

The fact is, the Ford government has no plan for the climate crisis. Hydro bills are continuing to climb. In fact, just a couple weeks ago, November 1, 2019, the bills went up again under this government’s watch, and we’re paying—we’re literally paying—clean energy companies millions of dollars not to generate power. How does the Premier justify this?

Hon. Greg Rickford: We take the OEB’s decision to raise it to the rate of inflation, which isn’t even a fraction of those previous years, very seriously. Our plan is focused on reducing costs introduced by the former Liberal government and supported 100% by the NDP. That’s why those pressures keep bearing down on the price of electricity, Mr. Speaker. We aim to fix it.

In the meantime, let’s talk about the 6,000 workers in Pickering who would have been put out of business a year and a half ago. On June 9, 2018, they’d have got their walking papers because they don’t support one of the cleanest, safest forms of green energy in the world: nuclear energy. We stand up for the workers in Pickering and across the Durham region, Mr. Speaker, and we’re hopeful to continue our investments in those refurbishments that will see the province of Ontario do even better than 92% emissions-free in the production of our energy. It has nothing to do with—

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

Pharmacare

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is also for the Premier. On Friday, the Premier met with the Prime Minister in Ottawa. Insiders with knowledge of discussions report that the Premier told the Prime Minister that Ontario already had robust drug coverage and that Ontario families wouldn’t be interested in a national pharmacare program.

For Ontario families spending thousands of dollars to get the prescription drugs they need, can the Premier confirm that he told Ottawa not to move ahead with a national pharmacare plan because Ontario didn’t want one?

Hon. Doug Ford: First of all, I’m glad the Leader of the Opposition knew what we were saying in a private office, but that’s another whole story.

Anyway, what I was saying is, we’re going to discuss the national pharmacare program. We don’t believe the federal government should be spending $20 billion when we do have a robust private sector plan that takes care of a lot of prescriptions and through companies—because you know something? Not everyone works for the government, by the way, Mr. Speaker. A lot of people are working in the private sector. Plus we do have a strong OHIP+ plan, but the 4% who may not be covered are covered under Trillium. That was the discussion in there. We will have a robust conversation when the Premiers get here on December 2.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, Speaker, I find it quite worrisome that this Premier has just acknowledged his plan to continue to privatize more and more of our health care system—although that’s not what he told the people of Ontario during the election campaign.

For weeks, the Premier had bragged about the key role Ontario would be playing on the national stage—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. I apologize to the Leader of the Opposition. The House must come to order so I can hear the person who is asking the question. Again, I apologize to the Leader of the Opposition.

Start the clock.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: He’s spending millions of dollars fighting a losing court battle with his fellow Conservative Premiers. He has sent fundraising emails complaining about equalization payments to Alberta. But when the Ontario seniors and families in our province struggling with serious illnesses and the costs of medication needed someone to speak up for them in Ottawa, the Premier told the federal government to do nothing. His private sector buddies apparently are going to fix the problem.

Why is the Premier willing to fight for Alberta’s equalization payments but not for Ontario families struggling with the cost of prescription drugs?

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker, here’s a perfect example for the world to see of how they spin the words. I said the private sector, people working in the private sector. All of a sudden, it turned into private health care. One thousand per cent we are not touching the health care sector, making it a private sector, as the leader of the NDP wants to fearmonger to the people of Ontario.

Federal-provincial relations

Mr. Stephen Crawford: My question is to the Premier. The Premier had an historic meeting with the Prime Minister—his first meeting since the election—this Friday. The Premier discussed the role of Ontario in the federation and how it is of vital importance. Ontario is a major driver for the economic strength and success of this country. Our province is one of the job leaders in this country thanks to the policies that our government has put in place. Nearly half of all immigrants to Canada in 2019 settled in Ontario. As you have stated, what’s good for Ontario is good for Canada, and what’s good for Canada is good for Ontario.

With that in mind, can the Premier please share with this Legislature more about your meeting with the Prime Minister and your advocacy for key Ontario priorities?

Hon. Doug Ford: I want to thank the great MPP from Oakville. I was out there last week. They absolutely love him out in Oakville.

Through you, Mr. Speaker, we had a very collaborative meeting, a very productive meeting with the Prime Minister. We talked about things that we can agree on, many things, one being transit, our $28-billion transit plan, and the infrastructure plan; we have over 350 projects that we’re waiting to get approved and funded through the federal government. We talked about health care. We talked about economic development and jobs. I’m sure he was just as proud as I am about creating 252,400 jobs, the largest economic growth we’ve seen in North America out of any of the states or provinces, because we’re making sure we create an environment for companies to thrive, prosper and grow.

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

Mr. Stephen Crawford: Thank you for the response, to the Premier, and for your continued strong example of leadership on the national stage. I know in Oakville and Halton region, the need for expedited approval and action when it comes to infrastructure and transit projects is of critical importance.

The Premier, along with other prominent Canadians, has raised the issue of division and disunity in this country since the election. Mayor Nenshi from Calgary recently spoke with the Prime Minister about his concerns on western alienation, stating, “Careless words, and careless thoughts,” if left unchecked, “could easily rend asunder what has taken generations to put together in this country.”

Mr. Speaker, we know the Premier has great relationships with the other Premiers and people throughout this federation. Can the Premier speak to his views on the importance of those relationships and national unity?

Hon. Doug Ford: Thank you for the question from our great MPP.

In that spirit, we had a call with Premier Pallister, putting a little wager on the game. I want to first of all congratulate the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for doing an incredible job. I want to congratulate the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for winning the Grey Cup. I agreed, if they won, I’d have to wear their jersey for a little bit of the day, so I’m sure he’ll be bringing a jersey over on December 2 for me to wear.

But in saying that, we have to be united. We have to send a message around the world of certainty that Canada is open for business. Nothing scares businesses more than when we give them uncertainty. But I can assure you, we’re going to be talking about a united Canada, because united we stand, divided we fall, and we will always be united here in Ontario with Canada.

Environmental protection

Ms. Sandy Shaw: My question this morning is for the Premier.

Premier, this past weekend, I toured Cootes Paradise with Royal Botanical Gardens representatives. I also toured the city of Hamilton’s combined sewer overflow facility with public works officials. It was important for me to understand the magnitude of this disaster. An estimated 24 billion litres of raw sewage seeped into Hamilton’s water systems for over four years. I learned that the Royal Botanical Gardens was not notified by the ministry or by anyone else that this disaster had taken place.

Mr. Speaker, my question this morning is: When did the Premier first become aware of this disaster, and what steps did he take to inform the community directly—and I mean directly—about these dangers?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of Energy.

Hon. Greg Rickford: Our government continues to take the health and safety of all Ontarians very seriously, and it’s unfortunate that the city chose to keep this information from the public. However, we are ensuring that the city of Hamilton is taking every necessary step to clean up the sewage spill, repair and fix the combined sewage overflow tank equipment and prevent failure discharges.

As soon as we learned about the spill, Mr. Speaker, we directed the city of Hamilton to report back to us on steps that were being taken. That wasn’t enough for us. When this failed to happen, we ordered again that this be done. Additional follow-up was requested and the incident was forwarded to the minister’s investigation and enforcement branch.

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

Ms. Sandy Shaw: Well, Mr. Speaker, I think I understand that the ministry has initiated an investigation, and it would be very helpful for the residents of Hamilton, to make that investigation public. We don’t even know if it’s complete. That would be something we would expect from this ministry.

But it wasn’t just the Royal Botanical Gardens that were kept in the dark. Diane, who is one of my constituents, lives in the affected area. She and her family get their household water directly from a well that draws from Cootes Paradise. Diane contacted my office, and she was very alarmed and upset that they were not notified once by anyone or made aware of the risk. She says that, to this day, I’m the only one that has bothered to return any of her calls.

I would like to ask the Premier again, Mr. Speaker, and make it perfectly clear that people have a right to know what’s in their water and that the provincial government has a responsibility to protect the residents of Ontario. The ministry has the power to notify the public about significant health and environmental risks. Why were the people of Hamilton not notified that 24 billion litres of raw sewage flowed into our water system for over four years?

Interjections.

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

Hon. Greg Rickford: Mr. Speaker, it begs the question: Why would the NDP members of Hamilton not take their city council to task for keeping this information from the public?

As this investigation—

Interjections.

Hon. Greg Rickford: No, seriously—that conveniently overlooked those facts—again, still on the fact-free diet—is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further. But I want to be clear that the role of the ministry is to ensure that the city of Hamilton is taking all the necessary steps to clean up the sewage spill.

Our government is committed through the draft made-in-Ontario plan—the ministry is committed to increase transparency and accountability by mandating real-time monitoring of sewage overflows and making sure that the city of Hamilton is held to task on cleaning this mess up.

Government accountability

Mr. Michael Coteau: We’ve heard a lot today about collaboration and working with other levels of government. My question is to the Attorney General: Attorney General, can you please tell us why you continue to fight losing battles against student governments, the city of Toronto and the federal government?

Hon. Doug Downey: I thank the member for the question. As the member knows, the decision has come out recently, and as we’re in an appeal period it’s difficult for me to address that question directly. I’ll maybe ask that he pose another question that I can answer.

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

Mr. Michael Coteau: I do have another question, Mr. Speaker. We’ve seen massive cuts to climate change mitigation programs and to legal aid services. We’ve seen cuts to municipalities.

My question to the Attorney General is this: Can you tell us how much we’ve actually spent on these losing court battles over the last year?

Hon. Doug Downey: As the member well knows, all of our costs are put out in estimates to be reviewed every year. Everything is fully disclosed. We disclose everything that we can in terms of transparency for the government.

The estimates committee is meeting now. All I can say is, the member opposite knows where to find the answers, and I look forward to discussing them with him further.

Economic development

Mrs. Amy Fee: My question is to the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. Being open for business and open for jobs means being open for trade. India is a country of 1.3 billion people and represents one of the fastest-growing markets in the world. Ontario is also home to a proud, vibrant community of over 830,000 Indo-Canadians.

The minister recently had a trade and investment mission to India, including 12 Ontario businesses in the IT and infrastructure sectors. Can the minister inform this House about the recent successful trade and investment mission to one of the world’s most important markets?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: Thank you to the member from Kitchener South–Hespeler.

We’re pleased to be able to speak to the new investments that we secured during our business mission to India. Following months of engagement, our government was able to announce that VVDN Technologies would be opening their engineering centre in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. Their new facility will create over 200 new, high-value engineering jobs for local residents. These are jobs for people with master’s and engineering degrees—200 new engineers.

Premier Ford and our team understand that provinces must take a greater role in promoting economic development and trade given that we live in a globally competitive world. Actions like these show our government’s commitment to attracting investment opportunities and working with our global partners to bring prosperity to the families of Ontario.

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

Mrs. Amy Fee: Thank you, Minister, for that answer, and also thank you for securing that deal for the people of Kitchener and all of Waterloo region. Strong local economies lead to stronger economies for everyone here in Ontario.

My question is back to the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. Minister, our province does $3.2 billion of two-way trade with India. Can the minister explain his approach to securing trade and investment opportunities in key international markets?

Hon. Victor Fedeli: We took a hard look at the trade relationship between Ontario and India before we left and we were surprised—I might say, shocked—to learn that of that $3.2 billion, Ontario exports only $389 million to India, a country of 1.3 billion people. We see that as a blank canvas, full of new trade and investment potential. That’s why missions like these are so very important. We want to ensure that Ontario businesses have access to these key markets like India.

During our successful mission, the business delegation was able to secure 150 business-to-business meetings and expand their footprint in a key international market. They had huge success from their trips as well.

Our government is taking a proactive lead when it comes to international trade and strengthening job creation in Ontario. Building a strong presence in these key markets is vital to our open-for-business, open-for-jobs, open-for-trade plan.

Education funding

Ms. Marit Stiles: This question is for the Premier. Last week, we learned that this government’s obsession with taking our school system from bad to worse had resulted in a school in Ottawa being closed for two days because of mould from leaky pipes.

Students in classrooms across this province are wearing coats and mittens to class because the heat isn’t working, buckets catch drips from the leaky school roofs, and even the water fountains aren’t safe to drink from.

To the Premier, Mr. Speaker: Under this government’s watch, the school repair backlog that got out of control under the Liberals has grown by $400 million, to a whopping $16.3 billion. When are you going to stop making our kids suffer and start reversing your heartless cuts to education?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of Education.

Hon. Stephen Lecce: We are absolutely committed to ensuring that children are able to learn in a positive and safe learning environment, which is why some months ago I announced the opening of a $550-million capital investment, on an annualized basis, to make sure that we remediate the backlog that we inherited after 15 years of the former Liberal government. Mr. Speaker, we’re also committing to meet the Auditor General’s request of 2.5% in allocation. We are doing that through a $1.2-billion annual allocation to maintain our schools because we expect schools in this province to be positive learning environments for every child in Ontario.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: Mr. Speaker, those numbers don’t take into account that you’re also covering new school bills. If the Premier won’t listen to my numbers, maybe he will start listening to Ontarians.

Today the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association released new public opinion data that makes it crystal clear: Ontarians don’t see education as a place to make cuts. In fact, they overwhelmingly see it as a place to invest. But this government continues to push ahead with plans for fewer teachers, bigger classes and a risky, mandatory online learning scheme.

Last week the Premier stood in this place and bragged about how proud he was that his government eliminated funds earmarked for school repairs. Why does the Premier think that mouldy schools, overcrowded classrooms and chaos in our education system are anything to be proud of?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Mr. Speaker, Ontarians, through that OPSBA report, have suggested that they support more investments in public education, in the future of this province, which is why, under this Premier’s leadership, we are investing more than $1.2 billion more this year than we did last year.

That very survey suggested overwhelming support for expanding opportunities in the skilled trades. It’s why, under this government, more students, over 50,000 women and men, will be in skilled trade programs in this province, under our leadership.

In that report, they support more investments in special education and mental health. It is under this Premier’s leadership that we have more than doubled the investment in mental health and increased special education to the highest levels ever reported in Ontario history.

In that report, they also support standardized testing—a question I’d ask members opposite if they too support. Over 70% of families support that. We believe in measuring success, we believe in ensuring accountability for all members of education and we believe in listening to those we serve.

We’re going to continue to invest in education and the defence of public education in this province.

Investment regulations

Ms. Jane McKenna: My question is for the Minister of Finance. Our government has a plan to build Ontario together, and with every day that passes we see more and more examples of how our plan is working. We’re making life more affordable, we’re building smarter government and we’re preparing people for jobs.

A large part of the work our government is doing is supported by our plan to create a more competitive business environment. Earlier this month, there were a number of initiatives outlined in the fall economic statement to this end. Could the minister please highlight our plan to create a more competitive business environment?

Hon. Rod Phillips: Thank you to the member from Burlington.

Last week, I spoke at the Ontario Securities Commission’s Dialogue conference, and we shared some of the key elements of our plan to create a better business environment to create more jobs. In particular, our plan addresses the need to modernize the financial services sector: to reduce regulatory burdens, to foster competition and to improve investor experience and investor protection.

The Securities Act is long overdue for a comprehensive review. In fact, the five-year review cycle is 15 years out of date. The legislation needs to be modernized, and that’s why we’re establishing a Securities Modernization Task Force that will solicit input from stakeholders to inform the creation of a 21st-century securities regulatory framework.

We want to harness Ontario’s potential, Mr. Speaker, for investment and business so we can keep the good news about jobs growing here in Ontario.

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

Ms. Jane McKenna: Thank you to the minister for his answer, and for his continued dedication and hard work for the good people of Ontario.

The work being done to improve Ontario’s competitiveness is exciting. There is no doubt that we can make our province a top global destination to invest, work and create jobs. Our government’s vision is becoming a reality.

The minister mentioned our government’s capital markets plan as an important part of our plan to create a more competitive business environment. Could the minister please inform the House about some of the work the Ontario Securities Commission has recently completed as part of our capital markets plan?

Hon. Rod Phillips: Thank you again to the member from Burlington. As she mentioned, the capital markets plan is part of our plan to make sure that Ontario is the kind of location where people will invest.

Earlier this year, the OSC undertook an unprecedented consultation regarding capital markets. Nearly 70 comment letters were received—750 participants in three round tables talking about burden reduction. I’m pleased to acknowledge the receipt of the OSC’s report last week—107 constructive recommendations that I’ll be reviewing, about investor protection, about reducing the costs of investing in Ontario, about bringing us into the 21st century from a regulatory perspective.

Mr. Speaker, our government will work diligently and review the report’s recommendations. We thank OSC for the detail and scope of their work. We look forward to continuing to work with the Ontario Securities Commission and other regulators to make sure that we continue on the path to job growth in the great province of Ontario.

University and college funding

Mr. Chris Glover: My question is to the Premier.

In January, your government launched an attack on student unions and the services they provide on college and university campuses across Ontario. In a unanimous decision last week, the Ontario Superior Court ruled in favour of the Canadian Federation of Students legal challenge and overturned this attack because, as they said, the minister had no statutory authority to interfere with democratic decisions made by students respecting their student association membership fees. The judges also wrote that the government’s defence of their attack was repugnant to the core principles of parliamentary democracy.

So my question to the Premier is, will the Premier respect the court’s decision and the rights of students and not waste more taxpayer dollars on an appeal?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of Colleges and Universities.

Hon. Ross Romano: The Ministry of Colleges and Universities is currently reviewing the decision, and we will have more to say about this at a later date.

But I would like to remind the member opposite and everyone watching at home, if you go back about 18 months and you remember the course of the election, we made five critical promises to the people of Ontario. One of those promises was to restore trust and accountability in government. That is what the Student Choice Initiative is all about. The Student Choice Initiative is about ensuring that students have clarity with respect to what ancillary fees are, clarity to know what it is they’re spending their money on, and the ability to choose whether or not they want to spend their money on this.

It is critical that we respect our students and allow them the opportunity to choose how it is they spend their dollars.

That is why we moved forward with the Student Choice Initiative. We are currently reviewing and will do so—

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

Mr. Chris Glover: For the last year and a half, your government has attacked the legal and constitutional rights of the people of this province, and your attack on the student unions and the services they provide on campuses has created chaos. There are shortfalls in funding for food banks, for LGBTQ2 and Indigenous centres, for campus newspapers and campus radio stations, just to name a few.

In the middle of a mental health crisis on campuses, where research shows that 46% of students are at risk of anxiety or depression, your attack has led to a shortfall in funding for peer-to-peer counselling and other support services.

Since it was this government’s unlawful actions that led to these funding shortfalls, will the Premier do the right thing and fully restore funding for these services without burdening students with retroactive fees?

Hon. Ross Romano: Going back to that election period once again, another promise our government made to the people of Ontario was with respect to health care. We talked about mental health and the importance of it. We’ve learned so much over the last number of years and how critical it is that people have come forward and are willing to talk about what ails them.

This is so critical, and that is why our government has made investments. Pursuant to a $3.8-billion landmark investment our government has made over the course of the next 10 years in mental health and addictions, our government has specifically earmarked $16 million of that for this coming year towards mental health awareness on campuses. We continue to make these investments because we know how critical it is for our students to have the opportunity to go to school and get all the supports they need while they’re at school, Mr. Speaker.

That is why our focused Student Choice Initiative ensured, as an essential element of that: that mental health on campuses would be maintained, such as programs for mental health and counselling. That is why we do the things we do, Mr. Speaker, to help—

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

Mental health and addiction services

Mr. David Piccini: My question this morning is to the Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

Minister, each year 2.5 million Ontarians—that’s one in five Ontarians—will experience a mental health or addictions challenge. It has been reported that one in 20 can experience symptoms of major depression in any given year. I know that our government has pledged to make substantial new investments in mental health and addictions services over the coming year.

Minister, can you please tell the members of this Legislature more about mental health and addictions services available to Ontarians and how our government plans to strengthen supports for those experiencing mental health and addictions challenges this year?

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: I’d like to thank the member for Northumberland–Peterborough South for the great question.

Mr. Speaker, our government is continuing to make mental health and addictions a priority in the province. Due to the lack of action that we’ve seen by previous Liberal governments, propped up by the NDP, Ontario has been faced with a mental health and addictions system that is overwhelmed by extensive wait times, significant barriers to access, a lack of standardized data and widespread fragmentation. That is why our government is continuing to make mental health and addictions a priority.

This year alone, we have invested an additional $174 million in more on-the-ground mental health services to support people, families and caregivers in communities across Ontario. We’ll continue to consult with local front-line care providers and listen to the people who are impacted the most to ensure that Ontario has better access to appropriate mental health care in our communities, where and when they need it.

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

Mr. David Piccini: I’d like to thank the minister for his response and for being a true champion and advocate for mental health and addictions supports in the province of Ontario. It’s reassuring to hear that under the leadership of Premier Ford and our government we are continuing to make mental health and addictions a priority. I know that constituents in my riding of Northumberland–Peterborough South are finally going to receive the necessary tools and resources that they need to address ongoing mental health and addictions concerns in our community.

Minister, could you please provide the members of this Legislature with an update on the work that you’re doing to address long-standing gaps and barriers to access in Ontario within the mental health and addictions system?

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: Thanks again to the member for that great question.

As Ontario’s first Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, I’m honoured to have the opportunity to work alongside the Deputy Premier and Minister of Health to address mental health and addictions in the province.

Recent data reveals that between 2016 and 2017, roughly 158,000 Ontarians visited an emergency department for a mental health or addictions-related issue. This number continues to increase steadily each year. These are staggering numbers.

Our government will always place a high priority on the needs of people, and we’re committed to building an integrated mental health and addictions service system that will support people throughout their entire lives. We’ll continue to work together to ensure that nobody is left behind. Working together with my colleagues, Mr. Speaker, from partner ministries, we’re going to build a system where services are easier to access, are of high quality and focused on better outcomes—

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

Affordable housing

Ms. Suze Morrison: My question is to the Premier. Last year, the Premier scrapped rent control for new buildings in this province. One year later, tenants at a new building at 22 John Street in York South–Weston were facing double-digit rent increases last week. What’s worse is that the developer received millions of dollars in grants from this provincial government.

Why does the Premier think it’s okay to hand out public money to developers who then turn around and gouge their tenants?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of Municipal Affairs.

Hon. Steve Clark: I want to thank the member for Toronto Centre for that question. She’s the tenants’ rights critic for the official opposition. As I addressed in a question from her last week, I want to reiterate that our government is committed to the well-being of the people of Ontario, and we’re also committed to have a system that protects both tenants and landlords. As she knows, we consulted broadly for our Housing Supply Action Plan. We’re analyzing many of the suggestions that both tenants and landlords have said. I know that she expressed dissatisfaction in that answer and she’s having a late show tomorrow night.

I can’t tell you, Speaker, how encouraged I was when I heard the deputy leader of the official opposition, the member for Brampton Centre and my new housing critic, say this: “I’m sure that members on the opposite side of the aisle don’t expect us to be advocating for landlords as well, but I understand that we need to have both parties protected in order to find a real solution and address the affordable housing supply problem that we have here in the province.” I’m encouraged by those types of words by the deputy leader, and I look forward to working with her—

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

Ms. Suze Morrison: If this government was so concerned about making sure we have enough supply, you could ensure that buildings that are being built have affordable housing by allowing for inclusionary zoning rules. But instead of requiring developers to include affordable housing in their buildings, the Premier pushed through a law that rolled back inclusionary zoning. Then he went on to scrap rent control.

Now tenants at 22 John Street—which is just the first of, I’m sure, many substantial increases we’re going to see over the course of the coming months—are facing steep rent increases, even after the same landlord collected millions of dollars from the province in exchange for the promise of affordable housing.

Will the Premier admit that he does not care about tenants and only cares about doing favours for his developer friends?

Hon. Steve Clark: Again to the member opposite: I’ve made it very clear in this House what our government wants to do in terms of affordable housing. I’ve stated very, very emphatically how we are willing to work with any partner. I stood at World Habitat Day and held up a model developer, the Daniels Corp., who has done tremendous work with Habitat for Humanity Toronto. I said it that day and I’ll say it again to the member opposite: We will work with any partner, any non-profit, any Habitat for Humanity, any co-op, anyone, whether they be in the private sector or the public sector.

I look forward to working with my new colleague at the federal government. We need to leverage every federal dollar, every provincial dollar and every municipal dollar to build affordable housing in this province, and I call on that member and that party opposite to work with us on our shared concerns.

Violence against women

Ms. Natalia Kusendova: My question is for the Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues. Today is the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and this month is Woman Abuse Prevention Month. Violence and abuse against women does not discriminate. It crosses every social, economic and cultural boundary in our communities, and unfortunately, it is happening in Ontario. One in three women will experience sexual violence in their lifetime, and women are three times more likely to be stalked and four times more likely to be a victim of intimate partner violence.

If you are an Indigenous woman, belong to a visible minority or the LGBTQ2S community, the risks are even higher.

Can the minister please tell this House what she is doing to combat violence and abuse against women?

Hon. Jill Dunlop: Thank you to the member for Mississauga Centre for that important question.

The safety and security of all women in Ontario is a top priority for myself as a woman and a mother of three daughters. I want to acknowledge OAITH, who is here today at the Legislature to raise awareness for their Wrapped in Courage campaign. I encourage all members to join on the staircase after question period for a picture.

Abuse comes in many forms—it could be physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and financial—which is why today and every day we need to raise awareness and to call out every kind of abuse. We are committed to preventing and addressing violence against women in all its forms.

I had the opportunity this summer to meet with some of our violence against women coordinating committees to speak with front-line workers on how we can improve and better serve those who are fleeing for their safety.

Our government is investing more than $166 million in supports for survivors and violence prevention initiatives. This is just one step in how we can combat abuse. I’ll have more to say in my supplementary.

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

Ms. Natalia Kusendova: Thank you to the minister for her answer and advocacy on this file.

This summer, I had the honour of hosting round tables on combatting human trafficking with front-line workers, law enforcement, and in some cases survivors, including representatives from the Indigenous and francophone communities. They spoke at length about the tragedy that is human trafficking and how it robs the safety, livelihood and dignity of victims as young as 12 years old, who are being exploited and abused. This is a crisis happening right in front of our eyes—across our province, in our biggest cities, like Mississauga, and in our smallest towns, and it will not be tolerated.

In my city of Mississauga, I spoke to an outreach worker who spoke about how it sometimes takes up to 12 interventions to help victims exit their situation and seek help, and how supports need to meet the victim exactly where they are at.

Speaker, can the minister further explain how human trafficking impacts our province?

Hon. Jill Dunlop: Thank you again to the member for the question. I also want to thank the member, as well as the member for Cambridge, for your work on this important file.

In total, we held 13 round tables with those who have been impacted by human trafficking. These round tables are helping to inform a more responsive and supportive system for survivors of violence and trafficking, and to change the attitudes that give rise to violence against women. I want to thank all of the stakeholders who participated in these round tables, including Indigenous partners, who face a higher risk of violence and trafficking.

I would also like to thank the Minister of Education for placing an emphasis on teaching children and youth what sex trafficking is in the health and physical education curriculum.

We all need to work together across sectors and across jurisdictions so we can raise awareness and put an end to human trafficking and violence against women and children in all its forms.

Women’s services

Ms. Jill Andrew: My question is for the Premier. Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. While the government might want to pat themselves on the back, their shameful record shows they’ve got nothing to brag about.

One of the first things the government did when they got into government was slash the Roundtable on Violence Against Women. Since then, they’ve doubled down by slashing funding for rape crisis centres. They’ve cut essential supports for survivors, including victim compensation funds. The housing crisis, for goodness’ sake, disproportionately impacts women; they’re on the hook as well.

Today, on a day when the rest of the world is working together to eliminate violence against women, will this government finally stop working against us, reverse their reckless cuts and start putting their money where their mouths are?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

The Premier?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of Children, Community—I apologize; minister of children and women’s issues.

Hon. Jill Dunlop: Thank you to the member for your question.

As I have said, the safety and security of all women in Ontario is a top priority for me as a woman and as a member of this Legislature. I have three daughters. When you look at the numbers, one in three women are affected by sexual violence. I find that very disturbing and I take it personally.

We are committed to preventing and addressing violence against women in all its forms. It’s important to make sure that those who are affected by violence and exploitation receive the supports they need while offenders are held accountable through the justice system.

I met with five of our violence against women coordinating committees this summer to see how we could improve and better serve those who are fleeing for their safety. I also visited over 15 women’s shelters across the province this summer to get their feedback on how we can better support those who are fleeing violence.

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

Ms. Jill Andrew: Thank you to the associate minister for visiting those shelters. She’s probably learned that some shelters have one staff for 30 clients, and they have PTSD.

Emergency shelters across the province are over capacity, and this government’s cuts are taking things from bad to worse.

In Timmins, the closure of Tranquility House means shelters are struggling to meet the demand and women are getting turned away.

In London, the cuts resulted in a women’s shelter laying off front-line workers, despite a growing number of women needing their services. As of this June, the shelter had to turn away more than 2,500 women because they didn’t have enough beds.

Supporting women fleeing from violence shouldn’t be a Conservative speaking point, Mr. Speaker. We need action and we need it now. Will the Premier invest in these essential front-line services and reverse these callous, harmful cuts?

Hon. Jill Dunlop: Thank you again to the member for your question. We are investing in violence prevention and community supports that support women and their dependents.

This year, the ministry is investing more than $166 million in supports for survivors and violence prevention initiatives. For example, we fund supports such as emergency shelters, counselling, 24-hour crisis lines, safety planning and transitional housing. We have boosted support for rural front-line agencies to increase collaboration and reduce geographic and transportation barriers. The ministry is also funding 18 Indigenous agencies that provide emergency shelter, counselling, child witness programs and other supports, both on- and off-reserve.

We are looking and working with our municipalities on how we can be supporting those better. We do respect women and children experiencing violence and will do everything that we can to support them.

Ontario film and television industry

Ms. Christine Hogarth: My question is for the Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. Recently, the minister led a delegation to Los Angeles to meet up with top film, TV and music executives to drum up more business for Ontario. At the end of the mission with Ontario’s culture industries, the Canadian Motion Picture Association’s Wendy Noss said, “The studios we represent make substantial investments in Ontario through the production of long-running television series and major feature films, as well as post-production, visual effects and digital animation projects.

Minister MacLeod’s mission to LA demonstrates the Ford government’s commitment to grow and support the film and television industry.”

The Canadian Film Centre echoed these sentiments by saying that is was encouraging to see Minister McLeod’s passion for the industry and her commitment to break down barriers to continue their invaluable work.

Can the minister tell us what she is doing to attract more film and television productions in Ontario and to the many studios in my riding of Etobicoke–Lakeshore?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: It was a real pleasure to have the opportunity, with the member from Etobicoke–Lakeshore, to attend Canada’s Walk of Fame this past Saturday as we celebrated Canadian talent and Canadian unity.

When I had the opportunity to go to Los Angeles on our mission with the film, television and music industries, I was grateful to the Motion Picture Association of Canada, as well as Canadian Film Centre and Ontario Creates—to put together amazing round tables and top-level meetings with senior executives at those ranging from Netflix to Apple TV to NBC to Universal to CBS to Sony and to so many others.

What we heard is, they wanted stability on their tax credits, and I was able to deliver the message that Ontario remains open for business and we remain committed to the stability of the tax credits. We heard about the labour shortage below and above the line in film and television—and I remain committed to working with the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development to ensure this. We also heard that there is a shortage of film stages, and we are doubling that capacity.

We have 10,000 film-friendly locations in the province of Ontario. We’re open for business, we’re open for jobs and we’re open for the best movies in the world.

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

Ms. Christine Hogarth: Well, Mr. Speaker, that is great news for Ontario and that is great news for the hard-working people in Etobicoke–Lakeshore.

The minister’s tour also included the president of the Canadian Independent Music Association, who noted that the association was impressed by our government’s enthusiasm for independent artists, entrepreneurs and companies within the industry.

Music Canada also echoed those sentiments by saying “We were thrilled to be involved in Minister MacLeod’s tour to see once again first-hand how the music industry operates and how deeply interconnected it is across borders and between cultural industries. Maintaining the health of our entire creative ecosystem has never been more important to the future of our cultural economic community.”

Can the minister tell us how the music industry in Ontario could benefit with greater cross-border consultation?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: Thank you very much. I appreciate the opportunity. As the member knows, we have spent some time with the Canadian Tenors on the weekend, and we are very proud of them and so many others from the province of Ontario.

Speaker, Music Canada and the Canadian Independent Music Association, with Ontario Creates, set up some amazing meetings for us with so many who are putting music into movies and television. I would be remiss not to say that Ontario generates 75% of Canada’s total music industry revenue. Think about The Big Bang Theory. The theme song music is from the Barenaked Ladies from right here in the province of Ontario. You can’t listen to a radio station anywhere in North America and not hear Alessia Cara, Drake or Shawn Mendes. We have homegrown talents like Serena Ryder, whom I’ll be spending some time with later this week.

Mr. Speaker, we are committed to continuing to grow the Ontario Music Fund so that we can continue to listen to Canadian artists right here in Ontario and around the world.

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

Mr. Wayne Gates: My question is to the Premier. The WSIB’s experience rating rebate program leads to claims suppression of workers injured on the job because it gives financial incentives to employers to file fewer claims, not provide safer workplaces. Under the Liberals, claims suppression and chronic underfunding of the WSIB through drastic rate cuts paid by employers was already bad; but under the Ford government it is getting worse.

Now the Ford government is promising even more millions in giveaways to employers at the expense of workers’ safety. And that’s after the government has already cut $16 million in safety prevention resources and allowed even more self-regulation of important safety measures. These changes will continue to make Ontario workplaces less safe.

Will the Premier reverse his deep cuts to workplace health and safety programs, yes or no?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of Labour.

Hon. Monte McNaughton: As the member opposite knows, currently there is an operational review of the WSIB, which I look forward to receiving by the end of the year.

Mr. Speaker, let me make it perfectly clear: Health and safety is a top priority for me as Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, and a top priority of Premier Ford and our entire government.

I was proud to join with workers on Friday, with small businesses, medium-sized businesses and large businesses to introduce a first-of-its-kind program in Canada that’s going to improve health and safety in the workplaces.

Mr. Speaker, we are now going to move to recognize health and safety champions in this province who excel at improving occupational health and safety in the workplaces. This is a great day for workers in the province, and it’s also good for business.

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

Mr. Wayne Gates: I’ll certainly agree with the minister: It’s good for business—not necessarily workers, particularly workers at Fiera Foods, or the young electrician who was killed on the job recently.

Speaker, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board was set up so when someone was hurt on the job, they didn’t have to resort to the courts to get justice. No worker should be sentenced to poverty because they were injured on the job.

Instead, the Liberals, and now this Conservative government, have treated WSIB like a slush fund for their well-connected friends.

This government last week—last week—announced millions in rebates for employers, taking money away that should be available for injured workers. At the same time, WSIB is refusing to cover injured workers’ claims. It’s going on all the time in Ontario.

Why is this government carving out millions—millions—in WSIB funding to go to employers and not the injured workers?

Hon. Monte McNaughton: Mr. Speaker, obviously the member opposite didn’t read the press release that went out last week. This is going to improve the health and safety of every worker in the province of Ontario.

Mr. Speaker, businesses get rebates when they improve their occupational health and safety program in that specific business.

But apart from the announcement we made on Friday, the other exciting thing that’s great for workers in this province, and great for businesses, is that on January 1, 2020, we’re moving to a new rate framework in the province of Ontario. Those businesses that improve health and safety ensure a safer workplace for every worker in the province. Those businesses will be recognized, will pay lower rates. Those will be the health and safety champions that we recognize here in the province of Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): That concludes question period for this morning. This House stands in recess until 1 p.m.

The House recessed from 1150 to 1300.

Introduction of Visitors

Mr. Joel Harden: It’s a great privilege again to recognize some of our friends in the advocates-for-dyslexia community who are here today: Alicia Smith, Alicia’s son Marcus and her daughter Simone; Riina Makk—thank you, Riina, for being here; Sarah Boys-Hope and her daughter—Sarah, really good to see you; Lark Barker—good to see you too. This is an important community, dear to my heart. I’m glad you’re here.

Members’ Statements

Affordable housing

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: Speaker, hard-working people in London North Centre and all across the province are struggling to find a decent place to live. In late September, I called upon the government to release emergency funds to address the lack of affordable housing in my community. The ministry’s response ignored these concerns and discussed employment rather than housing. Too many families are only one paycheque away from homelessness. In fact, the need for social housing has increased by 70% in the last two years alone, with the wait-list for affordable housing numbering over 5,000 Londoners in my city.

The CCPA estimates you need to make anywhere from $16.50 to $27 an hour to rent a two-bedroom apartment in London. This is an impossible standard for many hard-working tenants, let alone Londoners on OW and ODSP.

I’m thankful that groups like the London Homeless Coalition, the London tenants’ association, and so many other community organizations are standing up and demanding action. There’s a real opportunity for the government here, Speaker. Ontario needs bold leadership, not a government sitting on their hands waiting for others to step forward. Londoners know that housing is a human right, and it’s time they had a government that agrees with them. Do something.

Oakville Community Foundation

Mr. Stephen Crawford: I would like to speak today and offer my sincere congratulations to the Oakville Community Foundation for their 25th anniversary. I attended their Brightlights Celebration, where they raised funds to support the community classroom program to ensure Oakville students receive a chance to have free local arts, cultural and heritage experiences.

Some of you may not be aware of this, but Oakville has the highest poverty rate in Halton region. Hence, I strongly appreciate the honourable work engaged by the Oakville Community Foundation. Their objective is to ensure that our community has long-term investments to address local issues effectively. They work with numerous agencies and individuals on the best approach to address these issues that result in a significant positive impact.

The Oakville Community Foundation is graciously funded by more than 200 families and organizations. They designate endowment funds to support specific areas of need such as youth, the environment, heritage and others. The community foundation has provided more than $40 million in charity grants over 25 years. Some of these organizations include the Kerr Street Mission, Home Suite Hope Shared Living, Lions Foundation dog guides, the Children’s Aid Foundation of Halton and many more.

To all the volunteers, workers, donors and supporters of the Oakville Community Foundation, thank you for making Oakville a better place to live.

Education funding

Ms. Laura Mae Lindo: School shouldn’t make students anxious, but nickel-and-diming education is becoming way too stressful for them. Zoey Kiff, a student in my riding, attends Stanley Park Senior Public School. She wrote to me about her concerns that her school will not be able to afford to replace any of the chairs if they happen to break. She has picked up on the financial strain caused by years of Liberal and Conservative neglect.

As if that’s not enough, autism cuts are making things worse. Zoey’s family has been searching for a program that meets the needs of her brother, Mike, who is on the autism spectrum. Underfunding of public education has left schools struggling to find the resources necessary to support him, so her family has been forced to bear the financial burden of a private education.

The Conservatives are failing Zoey and her family. Callous cuts have left schools unable to meet students’ basic needs. Families and educators are working harder than ever just to get by and are now forced to take on an additional fight for students’ access to education.

I love and appreciate Zoey for speaking out—she’s with us today—but students shouldn’t be forced to speak out. They should be focused on their classes, on getting good grades and making their families proud. We must do better. Our children are watching.

Canadian Celebration of Women in Computing

Mr. Deepak Anand: Mr. Speaker, can you imagine? Women are fewer than 20% in most undergraduate computer science programs. That’s one in five. Women underrepresentation in the IT sector is an issue that still exists in our society.

I’d like to recognize the Canadian Celebration of Women in Computing, also known as Can-CWiC, which is Canada’s premiere networking event organized to inspire and encourage female students to participate in computer science, founded in 2010 by Professor Wendy Powley from Queen’s University. On November 8 and 9, the conference was held in my riding of Mississauga–Malton, and I had the opportunity to join and address the attendees.

The conference had over 700 participants and featured 40-plus panel sessions on different issues like imposter syndrome, implicit bias, professional development and workshops for faculty and high school teachers on inclusive teaching in computer science. Attendees included 438 students, and participation was highly subsidized by many high-tech companies and sponsors from a similar field. They were able to do this thanks to the effort of volunteers: Professor Powley, Dr. Inmar Givoni, Dr. Amber, Professor Jaqueline Smith, Dr. Kelly, Dr. Sheila, Dr. Joanne, Dr. Kate Larson and Dr. Kahani.

As Milka Duno, a renowned race car driver, once said, “When you put the helmet on, it doesn’t matter if you are woman or man: Your mission is to compete to win. The important thing is your ability, your intelligence and your determination.”

Once again, I’d like to thank the Canadian Celebration of Women in Computing for doing such a wonderful thing.

Indigenous affairs

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: I’d like to speak on the changes to the Mining Act under Bill 132. Bill 132 contains some changes to the obligations of the mining companies to consult First Nations on closure plans that are required before the opening of a mine in Ontario. The consultation requirements for mining closures have shifted to “an appropriate consultation”—within 45 days, and at the discretion of the director of mining rehabilitation, not even the minister. This is a troubling signal to me and to others across the north.

If Ontario plans to do business on treaty territories in the north, mechanisms for this development cannot be unilaterally imposed. Legislation put forward by Ontario on what they call “the Far North” cannot undermine treaty and provincial crown obligations related to First Nations. Bill 132 is being fast-tracked by this government without giving communities appropriate engagement and time to respond.

Every day when I sit here, I hear, “The economy is booming. All Ontarians matter. Affordability is important. Every Ontarian needs a safe place to live.” What is unsaid is, “Unless you are a First Nations person.”

Government structures will not make the changes in our communities, but they can support us. Our people have always known what our nations need. Ontario needs to listen and work with us, not what they are doing now. Meegwetch.

Education

Mr. Randy Hillier: With another school strike looming, parents and students in Ontario need real solutions. Let me lay out some facts for people to consider.

In 13 years, Ontario’s public education system has declined by over 100,000 students, yet there are 20,000 more teachers and staff. In just 10 years, per-pupil spending has increased to over $13,000 per year, an increase of 39%. Wages and benefits now comprise 78% of the education budget. Secondary students receiving special ed support has risen to 27%. Educational scores have declined while Alberta, BC and Quebec have better outcomes. And violence in our schools puts everyone at risk.

A month ago today, I sent the Minister of Education a letter recommending that this House convene a select committee on education. I shared this recommendation with school boards and unions. Who knew there were so many crickets in November? Nothing but crickets. Tomorrow, ETFO and OSSTF begin their job action, something that may have been prevented had the minister taken my advice and convened a select committee.

I have to question : Do any of these parties have the best interests of students and education in their hearts?

Simcoe Christmas Panorama River of Lights

Mr. Toby Barrett: Ontario’s first and best festival of lights—Simcoe Panorama—is set to illuminate the night and the spirit of all who witness its grandeur.

Over the past few weeks, workers and volunteers have been in full swing, wrapping Simcoe’s Wellington Park in Christmas magic. It’s a sure sign we’re about to embark on the holiday season—shopping, visiting with friends and family—and of course, for the little ones, it means the arrival of Santa.

Simcoe’s festival of lights has been brightening the lives of those near and far for over 60 years. Over those years, things have changed, but the volunteer committee prides itself for balancing progress with tradition. There are now over 60 displays. They fit into three of the original categories: religious, traditional or fantasy. The majority of the displays are three-dimensional, and they’re built by committed volunteers. For those of us who remember, the displays hearken back to the old department store Christmas windows. Speaker, there are also horse-drawn trolley rides, a Christmas market and, of course, Christmas carolling.

This year, the official light-up of the park is Saturday, November 30—this coming Saturday—at 6 o’clock. It’s indeed one of the highlights of the year, certainly for me and definitely for the Christmas season. I invite all to come and see the sights and sounds of Simcoe Panorama. The festival runs until January 5 from 5:30 to 11 at night daily.

Arts and culture

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: Arts and culture is a vital industry for Ontario’s economic growth and stability. There’s no denying that. But we, as a society, often take arts and culture for granted, even while we consume it with almost every breath.

The arts are what helps us connect with each other, help us share messages of hope, of love, of despair, of laughter, even of social concern and a desire to initiate positive change. Through the arts we foster empathy and share our histories. We educate each other. We learn about our neighbours and about ourselves. We broaden our perspectives, and we do it in a way that brings us together. Arts and culture build community.

Our province is home to so many incredible artists, but it is a struggle to develop and share their skill, talent and craft with us because the work of an artist is usually freelance and carries with it no stability. It’s extremely precarious work. Artists, more than most other professions, are often expected to provide their labour for exposure rather than a paycheque, but exposure does not pay the bills. Every audition, every author submission, and every demo album is hours of work at their own expense in the hopes of securing just one more paid gig.

The pressure is intense, and yet these deeply talented people keep persevering and sharing their art with us, and we are so lucky to be able to experience their craft.

Speaker, to gain an appreciation for arts and culture, one just has to imagine our lives without it. So let’s promote arts and culture; let’s support our artists. Our lives will be so much richer for it.

Cambridge athletes

Mrs. Belinda C. Karahalios: Earlier this month, I was honoured to attend the 2019 City of Cambridge Sports Awards ceremony, and I would like to recognize the recipients in the Legislature today. Congratulations to:

—Emma Spence, gymnastics, with the Tim Turow Athlete of the Year Award;

—Cambridge Cubs major peewee tier 1 with the George Hill Team of the Year Award;

—Abbey Van Duzer, volleyball and para-Alpine with the Heart of Sport Award;

—Jacob Hespeler Secondary School senior football 2018, High School Team of the Year Award;

—Buddy League–Cambridge, adaptive baseball, the Sports Organization of the Year Award.

—Ron Guse, a hockey official, the Don and Benita Rope Sports Contributor of the Year Award; and finally,

—Professional Athlete of the Year was taken by Whitney McClintock in waterskiing.

Cambridge has turned out so many great athletes, and there’s one more I’d like to mention: NHL star Dean Prentice, who was born in Schumacher, Ontario, but spent many years as a pillar in the community of Cambridge. Dean passed away recently, and he will be sorely missed.

Dean got his start in the Ontario Hockey Association, playing four seasons with the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters. In 1952, he made the leap to the National Hockey League. His career spanned 22 years. He first played for the New York Rangers and later joined the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota North Stars.

After a career in the NHL, Dean turned his attention to his community. When he returned to Ontario in 1977, he became the recreation director for Ayr in the township of North Dumfries. Then, in 1988, as missionaries of Forward Church in Cambridge, Dean and his wife, June, joined the Hockey Ministries International staff team.

Cambridge will be forever grateful for the impact that he and his wife have had on the community.

Seniors Community Grant Program

Ms. Effie J. Triantafilopoulos: Over the last month I was so pleased to join with several organizations in my community of Oakville North–Burlington that received Seniors Community Grants from the Ministry for Seniors. These grants help local groups support what matters most: helping seniors remain connected to the community, fighting social isolation, and helping seniors stay healthy.

Some of the excellent organizations that received the grants for seniors include:

—the Oakville Chinese Network Society, which was able to bring in a specialist in Chinese arts to teach the Oakville seniors Chinese painting society;

—the South Asian seniors association of Oakville, which works with South Asian seniors and which held seminars to introduce and promote awareness on safety and well-being for seniors within the community;

—St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Palermo, which is working with seniors to plan and cook a variety of nutritious and budget-friendly meals in a healthy and safe environment; and

—the Willow Foundation, which was able to offer art classes to seniors at Post Inn Village in Oakville, giving them a chance to develop artistic skills and connect with others.

I’ve been pleased to join with all four of these groups, and I congratulate them for all the hard work they do on behalf of our wonderful seniors in our community.

I’d also like to thank the Minister for Seniors for this program, demonstrating our government’s strong commitment to seniors.

Introduction of Bills

An Act to proclaim Dyslexia Awareness Month, 2019

Mr. Harden moved first reading of the following bill:

An Act to proclaim Dyslexia Awareness Month, 2019.

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

Would the member for Ottawa Centre care to explain his bill?

Mr. Joel Harden: I would. Speaker, if I could beg your indulgence and the indulgence of my colleagues, I have in my hand here a pin from Decoding Dyslexia, which is one of the organizations I’ve learned a lot from. I was wondering if I could wear this pin while I briefly describe the bill.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): You have to seek unanimous consent.

Mr. Joel Harden: I would like to do so.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Ottawa Centre is seeking unanimous consent to wear a pin while he explains his bill. Agreed? Agreed.

Hon. Bill Walker: And a tie.

Mr. Joel Harden: Thank you, MPP Walker, and thank you, members. Thank you, Lark Barker, for the button.

It is with great pleasure that I briefly describe the purpose of this private member’s bill. I come from Ottawa Centre. This is the land of Paul Dewar, who is probably one of the most famous parliamentarians who lived with dyslexia and who did our community proud.

Again, I want to thank all of the advocates here in the gallery for how you’ve educated me, particularly the children who are here with us today—Marcus and Sarah, I’m looking at you—for the courage they have shown in standing up and speaking your truth. It does a lot of good.

Motions

Adjournment debate

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With your indulgence, I have a few here.

I’m seeking unanimous consent to move a motion without notice regarding the adjournment proceedings scheduled for November 26, 2019.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader is seeking unanimous consent of the House to move a motion; I didn’t hear the rest of it. Agreed? Agreed.

Hon. Paul Calandra: I move that the adjournment debate scheduled for Tuesday, November 26, 2019, filed by the member for Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas, be answered by the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks or his parliamentary assistant.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader has moved that the adjournment debate scheduled for Tuesday, November 26, 2019, filed by the member for Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas, be answered by the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks or his parliamentary assistant. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Motion agreed to.

Consideration of Bill 123

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Again I recognize the government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: I am seeking unanimous consent to move a motion to change the sponsorship of Bill 123,

An Act to amend the Highway Traffic Act respecting electric vehicle charging stations.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader is again seeking unanimous consent of the House to move a motion to change the sponsorship of Bill 123,

An Act to amend the Highway Traffic Act respecting electric vehicle charging stations. Agreed? Agreed.

Again I’ll recognize the government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: I move that sponsorship of Bill 123,

An Act to amend the Highway Traffic Act respecting electric vehicle charging stations, standing in the name of Mr. Calandra, be transferred to the member for Whitby, Mr. Coe, and that the member for Guelph, Mr. Schreiner, be added as a co-sponsor.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Mr. Calandra has moved that sponsorship of Bill 123,

An Act to amend the Highway Traffic Act respecting electric vehicle charging stations, standing in the name of Mr. Calandra, be transferred to the member for Whitby, Mr. Coe, and that the member for Guelph, Mr. Schreiner, be added as a co-sponsor. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Motion agreed to.

Private members’ public business

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Again I recognize the government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: I am seeking unanimous consent to move a motion without notice regarding notice for private members’ public business.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Mr. Calandra is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to move a motion without notice regarding notice for private members’ public business. Agreed? Agreed.

Government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: I move that notice for ballot item number 92, standing in the name of Mr. Kanapathi on the list drawn on July 11, 2018, be waived.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Mr. Calandra moves that the notice for ballot item number 92, standing in the name of Mr. Kanapathi on the list drawn on July 11, 2018, be waived. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Motion agreed to.

House sittings

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: I move government notice of motion 71: That, pursuant to standing order 6(c)(iii) the House shall continue to meet past 6 p.m. on Monday, November 25, 2019, for the purpose of considering government business. Filed November 21, 2019.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Mr. Calandra has moved government notice of motion number 71. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Motion agreed to.

Statements by the Ministry and Responses

Religious freedom / Liberté de religion

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I recognize again the government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is an honour to rise in the chamber today to speak in defence of our fundamental freedoms, national unity, and Ontario’s drive towards greater prosperity.

Earlier this month, the Legislature spoke together as one voice to affirm our belief in equality, freedom of expression, and the protection of those who express those beliefs in a public or highly identifiable manner.

Generations of Ontario Premiers have been seized with the dual responsibility of building a strong and prosperous Ontario while working to build a united Canada. Ontario Premier Bill Davis worked towards the patriation of the Constitution, Premier David Peterson helped draft the Meech Lake Accord, and Premier Bob Rae was a strong voice through the negotiations that led to the Charlottetown Accord. In 1995, when Canada stood on the verge of an unprecedented crisis, Ontario Premier Harris stood side by side with leaders across party lines to defend a united Canada.

Premiers McGuinty and Wynne worked with other Premiers from across Canada to build a stronger, more unified nation. Premier Ford is building on the legacies of those who came before him to strengthen our economy, unify our people and bridge the barriers between different provinces and regions of the country.

There can be little doubt that in this chamber we have many things that we do not agree upon, but those disagreements and differences of opinion result in the strong debate that has given us a strong and prosperous province. As we debate this motion today, let us reflect upon the work that we must do to make our province even better. We have seen in Ontario that hate crimes were on the rise between 2016 and 2017. Just last week, ugly scenes of hate and prejudice rocked York University.

It does not matter if the hatred is focused on an individual, a religious minority or the LGBTQ community; it is easy to look outside our walls, but we must continue to tear them down here in the province of Ontario.

As a province, we fight to leave no one behind, to give voice to those who do not have one and a hand up to those who need help. We pride ourselves on being a province built through the hard work of peoples from across Canada, other countries and diverse backgrounds. Our success has been a result of generations of people who chose to come to Ontario from around the world, knowing that being a member of our Ontario family meant that they would also be part of the broader Canadian family.

Later today, we’ll turn our attention to another motion seeking to affirm our commitment to diversity and the protection of individuals who express their religious beliefs through symbols or clothing. Let me be clear: Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives will vote in favour of this motion, like we did earlier this month with a similar motion.

On the wall in my office is a framed copy of the Canadian Bill of Rights. It reminds me of the words of former Prime Minister Diefenbaker, who said, “I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.”

Beside me is our Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction. He wears a turban as a symbol of his faith. An MPP who wears a kippah, a Catholic who wears a cross, a Muslim whose wife wears a hijab: Their expression of faith will never be an obstacle that stands in the way of succeeding in Ontario. It will never be an obstacle to prospering or to raising a family in the province of Ontario. They can have confidence, each of them and all Ontarians, that we all, every member of this Legislature, will defend and protect their right to be who they are and who they want to be.

While the recent federal election highlighted the divisions in our nation, we in Ontario know that these divisions can be overcome. Our government will work every day to help overcome them. Last week, Premier Ford met with Prime Minister Trudeau and expressed his commitment to working with the federal government to build a strong Canada and, by extension, a stronger Ontario. Later this week, he will meet with Quebec Premier Legault, and next week Premiers from across Canada will come to Toronto so that we can continue to build on the legacies of Premiers who have gifted us the greatest country in the world in which to live, work, invest and raise a family.

Our Premier remains focused on celebrating the things that unite us and working across party lines here and across the country to address and make progress on protecting what matters most to Ontario families: a strong economy, a better health care system, an education system that gives our students and the next generation of nation builders every opportunity to succeed; a province where the seniors who gifted us a great nation are respected and treated with dignity, where artists are supported and athletes are championed; an Ontario that brings people together, tears down barriers and provides the opportunity for everyone to succeed; an Ontario that is a strong, reliable partner and friend; a province that understands that we need to improve where we fall short but has a plan that leaves no one behind.

To our friends in other provinces, I say directly to you that Ontario understands and respects your right to govern in the best interests of your people. We will work with you to build a strong, prosperous Canada by making our province even stronger.

Nous respectons également votre droit de gouverner votre province sans ingérence et dans le meilleur intérêt de tous les Québécois. Deux de nos plus importants pères fondateurs, Macdonald et Cartier, ont compris que lorsque l’Ontario et le Québec travaillent ensemble, le Canada peut accomplir d’autant plus.

As Premier Ford has said, a strong and prosperous Ontario is only capable through a strong, prosperous Canada.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Responses?

Ms. Laura Mae Lindo: I want to begin by being very, very clear that I totally agree with the words that are on this beautiful speech that was dropped—so lovely—by a wonderful page.

But I could not help but remember that just a few months back—actually, on March 21, 2019, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination—when I was seated in another chair in this same row, another nondescript envelope was dropped on my desk with point-form notes about how much this government cared about eliminating racial discrimination. The day was set. We knew that this was the day, and yet—pre-thinking about what we were going to say on that day—a ministerial statement was not actually planned.

And so again, I stand up, and I have to just be very clear for the record that this was not an organized and planned decision, to have this ministerial statement come out right now. Because of that, it makes it very difficult for people across this province to believe what it is that this government is saying.

I would like to make a suggestion. I would like to help the government help themselves. Instead of writing down all of the things that they believe are a nice hug, warm feelings around being anti-racist or supporting different religions etc., put real investments in action. Do real things that are going to make sure that everybody, no matter their religion, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity or gender, will be able to thrive in this province.

Put real investments behind that, and I won’t have to stand up and remind people that a lot of the government’s decisions have not had an equity plan or an equity lens attached to them. A lot of the changes in education are going to impact some of the most marginalized before others.

If you stand up in this House and say that you don’t agree with what Quebec has done in Bill 21—which is fantastic, because they are legislating hate and legislating discriminatory practices—then you can’t also stand up and say, “But we understand that you can do whatever you want to do.”

Just this weekend, I was at an event, and somebody stood up at the event and said that Black people would not be where they are today without the help of white people, and women would not be where they are today and have the rights they have today without men. As much as allyship is a wonderful thing, the people who are actually impacted by these pieces of legislation need to be centred.

If we centre them for real, not because we want to sound really nice with things that we have drafted or had our people draft, and we actually want to make sure that they thrive and are successful in this province, then you will invest in them. You will not just speak; you will actually invest in them. You will stand and up gather your people when your people legislate hate. That is really, really important.

That is a key portion of what I hope everybody will stand up and speak about today during today’s opposition day motion, because this is not about political games; this is about real people’s lives. This is about a teacher who cannot teach anymore because they wear a hijab. This is about a person who has jewelry, like myself—which many people don’t even realize has religious significance—having to take that off, take off that protection, in order to speak for the people of Kitchener Centre. That is hugely unacceptable.

We have actually used action to try to address that, an opposition day motion to ensure that the province does something about it. We have not said, “Hug it out.” We have not said, “There is a room here for everybody.” We have not said, “But go on with your bad selves.” We have said, “No.” I hope that everybody stands up in this House and doesn’t just say, “We’re going to stand up and we’ll hope that they hug it out,” but that they will actually stand up and do the job, which is to go and explain to people that we cannot legislate hate because that only brings more hate.

Mr. John Fraser: I want to thank the minister for his ministerial statement, the Leader of the Opposition for putting forward this motion for opposition day and my colleague from Don Valley East, who put forward a similar motion a few weeks ago. I want to thank them, especially, as well, too, because I get an opportunity to speak to this motion, which I won’t get to this afternoon, which I may get to at another date sometime in the future, hopefully.

This is a really important motion. It’s something that we all agree on. I represent a community where families from 125 countries have chosen to make a home. They speak 90 languages. There are dozens of faiths. We work together, we live together, our children go to school together, they play together, and throughout the year, in celebrations, both of faith and of community, we come together. That’s what makes our community special, like communities across Ontario.

Bill 21 is something that should be of concern to every Ontarian and every Canadian. It is simply not right to legislate expressions of faith. If you look at all the religions in our country, they are generally united by the same values of love, mercy, compassion, humility and understanding that there is something greater than ourselves. I think that to eliminate that expression is just simply wrong. Those are things that are forces for good in our society, and they’re extremely personal for everybody.

I have colleagues in here who wear their symbols of faith: the yarmulke, the hijab, a cross—something, maybe, that we can’t see. It’s a slippery slope when governments decide that they’re going to tell people what they can and can’t wear based on the fact that it has something to do with faith or belief. Faith is not the enemy in a civil society. Faith is the thing that pulls us all together, and Bill 21 simply does not recognize that.

That’s wrong, and that’s why we should be debating it in the House today, and why we should continue to talk about it until that bill is withdrawn, so that all Canadians realize that your own expression of faith is welcome, that it’s important, that we all recognize our individuality and what we bring to this country, what we bring to this province, what we bring to our communities.

I want to say thank you to all the members of this House, because I am proud that I work in a Legislature where I know we often disagree more often than not, but on something as important as this, we can all come together and say, “We’re together. This shouldn’t be happening, and we’re standing up for those people in our communities, those people of faith, those people who want to be able to express themselves.” I’m very proud of this moment.

Petitions

Equal opportunity

Ms. Suze Morrison: It’s a pleasure to read a petition here today entitled “Don’t Take Away Social and Economic Rights for Women and Marginalized People.” It reads:

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

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

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

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

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

“—reinstate paid sick days, the scheduled increase to a $15 minimum wage...;

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

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

“—reinstate funding increases to sexual assault centres;

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

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

I wholeheartedly endorse this petition and will be signing it and providing it to page Filip to deliver to the table.

Access to personal health records

Mrs. Gila Martow: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004,” which we’ll call “the act” in this petition, “currently allows health information custodians to charge a fee that does not exceed the prescribed amount or the amount of reasonable cost recovery, where no amount is prescribed; and

“Whereas given no amount has been prescribed, the amount of ‘reasonable cost recovery’ has been left to the discretion of health information custodians; and

“Whereas in 2006 the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care proposed a regulation for fee enforcement under subsection 54(11) of the act; and

“Whereas in 2008 the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (the IPCO) submitted a recommendation for amendment of the act to include enactment of a fee regulation that is substantially similar to the regulation drafted by the ministry in 2006; and

“Whereas the IPCO’s recommendation is based on the numerous complaints from members of the public about fees charged by health information custodians for access to personal health records; and

“Whereas health information custodians continue to charge exorbitant fees for access to personal health records, against the recommendation of the IPCO; and

“Whereas the Center for Patient Protection recently cited this as one of the most common public complaints; and

“Whereas inaccessible fees continue to (1) be a widespread barrier to access of personal health records; (2) cause undue hardship and stress to the public; and (3), inundate a tribunal that could otherwise allocate its resources to other matters.

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

“That the government of Ontario enact the ministry’s 2006 fee regulation so as to enable hassle-free access to personal health records, as well as transparency and accountability of health care institutions.”

Of course, I affix my signature and give it to page Emily.

Affordable housing

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: I have a very passionate petition from two London–Fanshawe constituents, Art Tiesma and Anton Brink. They’ve been collecting signatures.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas a report from the city of London estimated that over 400 Londoners currently use emergency shelters, and other estimations put the statistic as closer to 800;

“Whereas at least 59% of homeless individuals reported experiencing mental health issues, and 57% said they struggle with addiction. Indigenous people are far more likely to experience homelessness in London, making up 2.6% of the population but 30% of the homeless population” in London;

“Whereas London and area shelters are running over 100% capacity on a regular basis and vacancy rates in London are consistently hovering around 1%;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to invest in a provincial housing strategy, affordable housing, and supportive housing for those experiencing mental health issues; and we ask that the government immediately release emergency funds to London’s homelessness prevention system, including shelters, so that they are able to provide assistance to people in crisis.”

I fully support this petition and give it to page Clara to deliver to the table.

Dental care

Mrs. Gila Martow: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas lack of access to dental care affects overall health and well-being, and poor oral health is linked to diabetes, cardiovascular, respiratory disease, and Alzheimer’s disease; and

“Whereas it is estimated that two to three million people in Ontario have not seen a dentist in the past year, mainly due to the cost of private dental services; and

“Whereas approximately every nine minutes a person in Ontario arrives at a hospital emergency room with a dental problem but can only get painkillers and antibiotics, and this costs the health care system at least $31 million annually with no treatment of the problem;

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

“To invest in public oral health programs for low-income adults and seniors.”

Of course, I affix my signature and give it to page Gio.

Education funding

Ms. Laura Mae Lindo: I have a petition entitled “Stop Education Cuts,” and it was delivered to me by Joel Norris in my wonderful riding of Kitchener Centre.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

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

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

“Whereas secondary students will now be forced to take” online courses...;

“Whereas” the Premier’s “changes will rip over $1 billion out of Ontario’s education system by the end of the government’s term; and

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

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

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

I fully support this petition. I will give it to page Emily with my signature.

Access to personal health records

Ms. Jane McKenna: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004, currently allows health information custodians to charge a fee that does not exceed the prescribed amount or the amount of reasonable cost recovery, where no amount is prescribed; and

“Whereas given no amount has been prescribed, the amount of ‘reasonable cost recovery’ has been left to the discretion of health information custodians; and

“Whereas in 2006 the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care proposed a regulation for fee enforcement under subsection 54(11) of the act; and

“Whereas in 2008 the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (the IPCO) submitted a recommendation for amendment of the act to include enactment of a fee regulation that is substantially similar to the regulation drafted by the ministry in 2006; and

“Whereas the IPCO’s recommendation is based on the numerous complaints from members of the public about fees charged by health information custodians for access to personal health records; and

“Whereas health information custodians continue to charge exorbitant fees for access to personal health records, against the recommendation of the IPCO; and

“Whereas the Center for Patient Protection recently cited this as one of the most common public complaints; and

“Whereas inaccessible fees continue to (1) be a widespread barrier to access of personal health records; (2) cause undue hardship and stress to the public; and (3), inundate a tribunal that could otherwise allocate its resources to other matters.

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

“That the government of Ontario enact the ministry’s 2006 fee regulation so as to enable hassle-free access to personal health records, as well as transparency and accountability of health care institutions.”

I will sign my name and give it to Eric.

Affordable housing

Mr. Faisal Hassan: I have a petition from the great people of York South–Weston about affordable housing.

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

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

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

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

I support this petition and will give it to page Lennon to take it to the table.

Government’s record

Mrs. Gila Martow: I have yet another petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas almost one year ago, Premier Ford’s PC-led government was elected with an overwhelming majority; and

“Whereas the government was elected on a mandate of restoring Ontario’s finances, as well as delivering responsible, accountable and transparent government; and

“Whereas since being elected, the Premier Ford government has passed a historic amount of legislation to get Ontario on the right track, including:

“Bill 2, Urgent Priorities Act, 2018;

“Bill 4, Cap and Trade Cancellation Act, 2018;

“Bill 5, Better Local Government Act, 2018;

“Bill 32, Access to Natural Gas Act, 2018;

“Bill 34, Green Energy Repeal Act, 2018;

“Bill 36, Cannabis Statute