role="main" class="main-container container js-quickedit-main-content" id="main-content">

December 7, 2020

42nd Parliament, 1st Session

< Previous sitting day

Next sitting day >

Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2020-Dec-07 vol. A (PDF)

L219A - Mon 7 Dec 2020 / Lun 7 déc 2020

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 7 December 2020 Lundi 7 décembre 2020

Reappointment of Chief Medical Officer of Health

Members’ Statements

Land use planning

Wilmot Family Resource Centre

Autism treatment

Markham African Caribbean Canadian Association

Conservation authorities

Volunteers

COVID-19 response

Treaties recognition

Holiday season

COVID-19 response

Annual report, Auditor General

Jude Strickland

Question Period

COVID-19 response

Long-term care

Environmental protection

COVID-19 response

Long-term care

Environmental protection

Mental health services

COVID-19 response

Conservation authorities

Hydro rates

Long-term care

College standards and accreditation

Tenant protection

Land use planning

Retirement homes

Denise Jones

Deferred Votes

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

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs

Statements by the Ministry and Responses

Anniversary of the Status of Women Report / Anniversaire du rapport sur la situation de la femme au Canada

Petitions

Addiction services

Anti-smoking initiatives for youth

Conservation authorities

Optometry services

Long-term care

Front-line workers

Long-term care

Long-term care

Autism treatment

Addiction services

Gasoline prices

Multiple sclerosis

Documents gouvernementaux

Orders of the Day

Protect, Support and Recover from COVID-19 Act (Budget Measures), 2020 / Loi de 2020 sur la protection, le soutien et la relance face à la COVID-19 (mesures budgétaires)

The House met at 0900.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Good morning, everyone. As is tradition, let us pray.

Prayers.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): I wish to acknowledge this territory as the traditional gathering place for many Indigenous nations, most recently the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

This being the first sitting Monday of the month, I ask everyone to join in the—while we normally sing, but we won’t sing—listening to the Canadian national anthem, followed by the royal anthem.

Playing of the national anthem / Écoute de l’hymne national.

Playing of the royal anthem / Écoute de l’hymne royal.

Reappointment of Chief Medical Officer of Health

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): I beg to inform the House that the following document was tabled: order in council 1640/2020, dated December 3, 2020, reappointing Dr. David Williams as the Chief Medical Officer of Health for a fixed term beginning February 16, 2021, and ending September 1, 2021.

Orders of the day?

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): With the ballot item not being moved, I now call orders of the day.

I recognize the government House leader on a point of order.

Hon. Paul Calandra: It’s obviously not traditional, but given the circumstances that we find ourselves in, the House is a bit more accommodating to members. Through no fault of her own, the member could not be here today, as was the case last week with another member of the House. We will endeavour to find an opportunity to deal with this motion when the House returns for its winter session.

With that, Mr. Speaker, no further business.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): There being no further business, this House will stand recessed until 10:15.

The House recessed from 0907 to 1015.

Members’ Statements

Land use planning

Ms. Jill Andrew: This Premier is letting developers buy the right to destroy our environment by sidelining conservation authorities. Toronto–St. Paul’s is not standing for this Conservative government using COVID as a cover while weakening land use planning rules.

I have received near 1,000 messages from the community demanding the removal of schedules 6 and 8 from Bill 229. We are angry about this government’s abuse of minister’s zoning orders against our green spaces without public consultation. Is the resignation of seven greenbelt council members, including the chair, not enough?

Attacking environmental protections attacks Ontario: our greenbelt, wetlands, flood plains, source water, endangered species, the places where we find solace.

Your abuse of power places our people—children, seniors—in danger of disease and food and water contamination.

During COVID, this government is making it easier for people to lose their property through flooding. Families on Peveril Hill North at Eglinton West, and small businesses like SXS Fitness and Wellness and Casual Hair Salon, have experienced flooding. Where is their compensation?

In St. Paul’s, our voices are clear: Remove schedules 6 and 8 from Bill 229. Consult with our communities, authorities and advocates of real environmental stewardship and climate justice before making yet another disastrous decision.

Wilmot Family Resource Centre

Mr. Mike Harris: Speaker, good morning. It is getting close to Christmas, and while this is a time for celebration and connecting with family, it is also the busiest time of year for our local food banks. Our food banks rely on the generosity of our communities to support them with monetary donations and contributions of non-perishable food.

This past Saturday, the Baden Optimist Club put on a food drive to collect donations for the Wilmot Family Resource Centre, which provides food assistance to individuals and families living in the townships of Wilmot and Wellesley. It was a pleasure to collect food along with volunteers from the Baden Optimist Club, Baden Chamber of Commerce and Wilmot Optimist Club, and a very special guest, Santa Claus himself. Thank you to all those who left donations at the end of their driveways for us and helped to kick off this holiday season by giving back.

If you were not able to participate on Saturday but still want to support the Wilmot Family Resource Centre, you can visit their website to make a donation. They are also looking for sponsors for their Holiday Hamper Program, which provides grocery store gift cards and toys to over 180 families in need.

Christmas is the season for giving, and I encourage all members to find a way to give back to their community over this holiday season.

Autism treatment

Mr. Jeff Burch: Parker Curran is 19 years old. He loves nature walks and bright colours, yet for the past seven months, Parker has been locked away at the maximum security psychiatric intensive care unit at the St. Catharines hospital. But Parker isn’t mentally ill; he’s disabled. He has autism. For his entire life, Parker’s parents have done everything in their power to ensure he had the best life possible. Now, every day he sits alone in a hospital room, his accomplishments evaporating. Parker can’t go home, as he needs more care than his family can provide. He’s been on a wait-list for a group home since he turned 18.

My office reached out to the minister to get Parker out of this worsening situation and get him into an appropriate care setting. The response was that, although Parker is a priority, there’s nowhere to put him. All available group home spaces are occupied.

Parker isn’t the only person stuck in a hospital awaiting placement. From Ottawa to Windsor to Oshawa, adults with autism are unable to receive the care they need and deserve.

My constituents have taken up a petition outlining how the current system of crisis intervention for people with developmental disabilities is inaccessible, unsafe and undignified. It’s difficult to understand how the Ontario government didn’t see this coming and didn’t create more group home spaces. The ball was dropped long before all eyes turned to COVID. The lack of action by the Ontario government is negligent and perpetuates the suffering both of autistic adults and their families. It’s past time to do the right thing.

It’s imperative that this government create more group home spaces and move Parker Curran and all other autistic adults out of the hospital and into an appropriate group home setting. Parker and his family deserve nothing less.

Markham African Caribbean Canadian Association

Mr. Logan Kanapathi: Last week, I attended the 33rd annual virtual scholarship awards gala of the Markham African Caribbean Canadian Association. It’s known as MACCA. MACCA is a wonderful community organization based in my riding that has been serving the Afro-Caribbean community in Markham and York region for over 30 years. The annual scholarship award gala since its inception has provided over 300 scholarships valued at over $300,000 to the brightest students of Afro-Caribbean descent in York region.

MACCA has provided critical community and culturally sensitive services and programs to hundreds of underserved youth every year. They encourage and support learning and educational success by promoting inclusivity, working hard to strengthen and empower the community. That is why our government is funding $60 million for the Black Youth Action Plan. By supporting over 10,000 Black youth and families through this program, we will be able to begin addressing the systemic racism and the disparities that they face every day.

I want to thank the president, Lisa-Joy Facey, for your leadership and commitment as well as past president Pat Howell and the entire board of directors for their dedication to this wonderful organization.

Conservation authorities

Mr. Wayne Gates: I’d like to rise today and talk about a shocking resignation this weekend from the Greenbelt Council. David Crombie, along with seven more members of the Greenbelt Council, resigned this weekend in protest over the measures in this government’s budget that plan to gut conservation authorities.

For weeks, my colleagues and myself have been highlighting the shameful decision of this government to sneak in damaging anti-environmental legislation underneath the smokescreen of the budget. These recent resignations further prove that this government’s priorities when it comes to the environment are all wrong. They want to tear up 80 years of environmental protection and help their developer friends pave over the greenbelt.

In Niagara, we saw the absolute worst example of a conservation authority under the previous board—a board, quite frankly, that seemed very determined to act as an arm of development corporations and not a steward of the environment. When these actions were exposed by engaged citizens, they tried to sue them, including a veteran. The changes made to the conservation authority allow the Niagara authority to get back on the right path. This decision has the potential to undo all that good work.

Mr. Speaker, our kids’ and our grandkids’ futures are at stake. I hope these resignations are the needed encouragement for this government to finally understand how dangerous their plans are. There will be serious consequences. Stop this attack now. We must stand up for our greenbelt, our environment, our climate, our kids and our grandkids.

Volunteers

Mr. Jim Wilson: Volunteers are amazing people whose work and commitment make a real difference in the lives of their neighbours and organizations within our communities. I’m proud to have been part of this year’s South Simcoe Hall of Fame awards.

Mrs. Jo Rains, volunteering in Alliston, is an inspiration to all, whether through her church, the Good Shepherd Food Bank, the cancer society, Meals on Wheels or quietly on her own.

Marijane Archer is committed to the curling club in Beeton and is an energetic supporter of the Fab, the fund for a new community centre in the town.

Joyce Maltby has fostered 36 children over 50 years. She still finds time to volunteer with Matthews House Hospice and the Beeton Fall Fair.

In Angus, Elizabeth Smeulders is active with the Lions Club, the Santa Claus parade and Canada Day celebrations. She sponsors athletic teams and has donated trophies to non-profits like the Special Olympics.

And in Essa, when Wilhelmina Vanderpost isn’t beautifying the town with her gardening, she’s helping out with the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the cancer society.

Speaker, these award recipients don’t give their time and talent because they want something in return; they serve because they want to help others, because they want to make a real difference. I join all members in this assembly in saying thank you to all the volunteers, who go above and beyond to make South Simcoe a better place.

COVID-19 response

Mr. Vincent Ke: As the holiday season is just around the corner, I would like to take this opportunity to remind my constituents in Don Valley North and all Ontarians to remain vigilant about your health and safety during the winter holidays. No matter where you live and celebrate in the province, the top priority is to be sure that we protect ourselves and our loved ones.

Planning for the receipt and rollout of the vaccine is already under way. Our government has created the Ministers’ COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force to prepare for the delivery of the vaccine. Speaker, we are almost at the finish line. This is a critical stage in our fight against COVID-19 that will require us to work together as a province and as a country to face the challenges ahead of us, to protect the health and well-being of each and every Ontarian. Therefore, I strongly urge all Ontarians to continue to follow the public health advice.

Together, we can each do our part to limit the spread of the virus during this holiday season.

Treaties recognition

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: This morning, again, our month here in the Legislature started with the singing of the royal and Canadian anthems, and again I did not stand for the anthems. I do this to honour my ancestors who signed our treaties. I will continue this until governments honour the treaties that they have signed. I will continue this until Indigenous people are treated equitably and our children have access to education, clean water and safe housing.

I should not have to stand here, Mr. Speaker, and feel like I’m complaining just to get the basic human rights for our people. In that treaty process, our ancestors sacrificed a great deal and, still, I have to beg your government to uphold your end of the treaty. Our children have to go on TV and ask for clean drinking water and safe schools. Speaker, this is unacceptable. Children like Bedahbun and Lyndon from Neskantaga shouldn’t have to grow up wondering when they will get clean drinking water. The crown, through Ontario, has a role in getting them clean water. Without honesty, fairness and respect from Ontario and Canada, what we have is not a relationship; it is abuse.

We have kept our part of the treaty. It’s time for Ontario to start doing the real work of keeping up their side of the treaties. Meegwetch.

Holiday season

Mr. Michael Parsa: I’m happy to rise today and share with everyone how my local communities of both Aurora and Richmond Hill have been preparing for the holiday season. We know the pandemic has made things more challenging for everyone, but as we know, Ontarians are strong, we’ve persevered, and we’ve found new ways to carry on with our lives.

Speaker, I was thrilled to participate in both my communities’ annual Santa Claus parades. There, I had the chance to see what folks in my riding had done to make their celebrations fun, merry and safe. Even in the midst of a pandemic, Speaker, organizers worked hard to ensure that this year’s festivities were celebrated safely and with the well-being of everyone in mind. I want to personally thank the many community groups and businesses that helped make everything possible. Thanks to all of you, the families of Aurora and Richmond Hill were able to enjoy this amazing experience once again this year.

So as you get out there and celebrate, please be mindful of public health guidelines, practise physical distancing and, most importantly, enjoy your holidays. Speaker, we all know that everything is different this year, but the warm holiday spirit that fills our hearts is still the same.

To the residents of Aurora–Oak Ridges–Richmond Hill and every Ontarian, I wish you and your loved ones a merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a happy and healthy 2021.

COVID-19 response

Mrs. Nina Tangri: As we know, this year has been very difficult for everyone. Whether it’s your business, your job or your personal life, COVID-19 has affected us all. As we come to the holiday season, I wanted to express my sincere gratitude to the people of Ontario, our front-line heroes and those who have made the utmost effort to combat this pandemic. I especially would like to thank our Premier and health minister for each day working with the health table to find the right balance by putting the health and safety of our constituents as the utmost priority.

Our businesses have suffered over the months. Many are living alone and have not been able to see loved ones, and those in our long-term-care and senior homes are wanting to stay safe and keep COVID out.

We are by no means over with COVID, but we have certainly learned a lot. Soon, we will have access to a vaccination, which in turn will allow us to finally bring some normalcy to our lives. It will take time to begin travelling, fully open all businesses or visit our loved ones, but at this time of year, where we just came through Diwali, which represents light over darkness, or as we begin to celebrate the holiday season with Christmas, Hanukkah and, of course, the new year on the way, we can all reflect and bring hope and comfort to our loved ones.

Let’s all look forward to the hope that 2021 can bring. Happy Diwali, merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, Kwanza, whichever way you celebrate. And Speaker, most of all, wishing all members of this House, the Clerks, peace officers, security and staff, a safe and happy new year. Thank you.

Annual report, Auditor General

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): I beg to inform the House that I have laid upon the table the 2020 annual report from the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario.

Jude Strickland

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): I recognize the member from Hamilton Mountain.

Miss Monique Taylor: I seek unanimous consent for a moment of silence for Jude Strickland, an 11-year-old boy in my riding who died on Thursday after being hit by a reckless driver while he was crossing the street on his way home from school on Tuesday. Jude’s funeral was yesterday at West Highland church. The community, as well as our grief-stricken crossing guard, are mourning this tragic loss. A moment of silence, please.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): The member from Hamilton Mountain is seeking unanimous consent to take a moment of silence in remembrance of this tragic accident. Agreed? Agreed. Please stand.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): God rest his soul. May his family be comforted in this time of sorrow.

Question Period

COVID-19 response

Ms. Sara Singh: My question is to the Premier.

Despite repeated claims from the Ford government that the COVID-19 pandemic is under control here in our province, yesterday, families saw a record number of new cases. But the Ford government still seems more concerned with words than actually taking action.

The Premier spent the last few weeks blaming Ottawa for a lack of vaccine planning, but on Friday, the government’s vaccine task force met for the first time to discuss a vaccine distribution plan that is supposed to be ready for this province in days.

Why is the government once again scrambling to address this crisis?

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): I turn to the Minister of Health.

Hon. Christine Elliott: Thank you to the member opposite for the question. In fact, we have been working on vaccine planning for months. This is something that both the Office of the Solicitor General as well as the Ministry of Health have been working on together, because this is the largest immunization campaign in at least 100 years in Ontario. This is massive. There are many, many logistics to be thought of and organized here.

We do have the task force that’s organized by General Hillier, who’s leading the task force. He has said on a number of occasions that he was very impressed with the significant amount of work that had already been done in planning, and the task force is building on that foundational base.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Back to the member for her supplementary.

Ms. Sara Singh: While the Ford government tries to deny it, the COVID-19 pandemic is a real crisis. Hospitalizations have doubled since November 1. The head of the Ontario Hospital Association said this weekend, “I don’t think the people of Ontario realize the gravity of what’s about to happen.”

Families don’t need the Premier to make empty claims that the curve is going down while they delay critical investments. The longer this government tries to wait things out, the worse it’s going to get. When will we see a plan to ensure that the most vulnerable people in our province and the hardest-hit communities get not just a vaccine but the help they need to survive this pandemic?

Hon. Christine Elliott: I would say to the member opposite, through you, Mr. Speaker, that we certainly recognize that this is a very, very critical time. Both in terms of testing and making sure that we can care for people, we have built up the reserves in order to be able to do that. We’ve spent hundreds of millions of dollars to do that. We’ve created over 3,100 more beds. We’re building up the health human resources. We’ve spent over $1 billion in testing, tracing and contact management.

And while we have the light at the end of the tunnel, which is the vaccine that’s going to be coming forward, we’re urging everybody to, please, still follow the public health measures that are so necessary in order to prevent further community transmission.

But we are ready for it. We are ready. Our hospitals are ready. I am in regular contact with the Ontario Hospital Association, and we’re making the regulatory changes that we need to. We’re making the changes in moving public health regions from green to yellow or red as we need to. That’s why we needed to put both Peel and Toronto into lockdown: to prevent that community transmission.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Back to the member from Brampton Centre for final supplementary.

Ms. Sara Singh: The Ford government may want to deny it, but we are now entering the most challenging part of this crisis. More than ever, families, especially vulnerable families and essential workers, need their government to step up and start taking action. That means a ban on evictions so that people have a home they can safely isolate in. That means paid sick days so essential workers don’t have to choose between health and taking a loss on a day’s pay. And that means a cap on class sizes so that our schools can be a safe place for our children.

When will this government stop trying to play the waiting game, spend the money that needs to be invested in this province and help people now?

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): I recognize the Minister of Labour.

Hon. Monte McNaughton: We’ve been putting workers, the families and the people of this province number one in every decision we make. In fact, I’m proud to say that at our Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, we launched community safety blitzes on Thanksgiving weekend. We’re sending more than 200 provincial offences officers and Ministry of Labour inspectors into zones across the province that are facing high numbers of COVID-19 to ensure that businesses have stepped up, that they’re following public health advice and putting in the health and safety protocols to keep workers safe, to keep customers safe and to keep every community safe across the province.

Long-term care

Ms. Sara Singh: My question is to the Premier. This weekend, another 28 families tragically lost a loved one due to COVID-19 in our long-term-care homes. For months, the Ford government has denied that their decision to cancel resident quality inspections in long-term care homes has left seniors vulnerable.

On Friday, the government’s own long-term-care commission said that they were wrong and called for inspections to be reinstated immediately. Will the Ford government finally stop denying that these cuts had terrible consequences and reverse them?

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): I recognize the Minister of Long-Term Care.

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Our government has been clear since the beginning of this pandemic that our priority, our commitment, is to the residents and staff in long-term care. These are our most vulnerable people. Around the world, these long-term-care homes and long-term-care residents are being affected. Across Canada, it’s the same issue.

Ontario has taken steps, and we’ve moved decisively the whole way. We’re acting on the Auditor General’s report from 2015 when there was a transition from the RQIs to risk-based inspections. To be clear, this was validated by Justice Gillese in her inquiry recommendations in the summer of 2019. Every home in Ontario is inspected annually and it’s unannounced. There were over 2,000, almost 3,000 inspections last year in comparison to 2012. So risk-based inspections allowed us to double the responses to complaints and critical incidents in this shift that was recommended—

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Order.

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: —by the Auditor General and supported in the recommendations by Justice Gillese in her report.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Stop the clock, please. Just a reminder: I’m hearing some noise from the opposition when responses are being given, and truthfully, I don’t appreciate it. So I’m going to ask that we—and the Clerks’ table—have things under control. I would ask that those comments be refrained. Thank you very much.

Back to the member from Brampton Centre for her supplementary question.

Ms. Sara Singh: For months the Premier and his Minister of Long-Term Care insisted that for-profit long-term-care homes were rigorously inspected and held to high standards. Their own commission now says that this just simply isn’t the case and, as a result, residents in long-term care were left unprotected from COVID-19 outbreaks.

Will the Ford government now admit the decision to cut these inspections was wrong, and commit today to immediately implement the commission’s recommendations?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: We’re very grateful to the commissioners for their information, their insights and their guidance. That’s why we struck the commission: to understand in a more fulsome way, in an objective way what else could be done.

As I said, we are inspecting the homes on an annual basis. There are more inspections than were done in 2012, and inspectors issued more compliance orders in 2019 than 2018, 2017 and 2016. The inspections are a combination: not only are the Ministry of Long-Term Care inspectors in homes, the Ministry of Labour, public health unit medical officers of health and their staff are there providing the scrutiny in these homes.

What the commissioners did say in their second letter was to have a better coordination of these inspections, which I believe is something that we will be considering. But there are inspections—there are annual inspections; there are unannounced inspections; there were almost 3,000 inspections this year. We’ll continue to provide all the scrutiny and all the levers.

Can we improve? Absolutely. We will continue to improve.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Final supplementary from the member from Brampton Centre.

Ms. Sara Singh: The government’s own commission describes a broken inspection system. The minister knows that there is a difference between the resident quality inspections and the critical inspections that are being done right now—there is a major difference between them—and she knows that for-profit facilities were not properly inspected. Even when those inspections did identify problems, those recommendations weren’t even acted upon.

The Premier has been trying to save money when, in fact, he should be trying to save lives. He has been protecting those long-term-care homes owners, when, in fact, he should be protecting those vulnerable residents in our long-term-care homes. When will the Premier stop defending the indefensible and start taking action?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Our government has been taking swift and decisive action since the very beginning, putting residents at the centre. The studies do show that the major driver of an outbreak is the incidents in the community and the severity of an outbreak is related to the older aged homes, which were not rebuilt and not redeveloped over the years preceding our government.

Our government has been the very first government to look at these issues, these very severe issues, whether it’s staffing or the capacity in the homes and the older rooms. This is something that we’ve been dealing with, and to mention the dollars—it’s just not accurate. Our government has spent more dollars than previous governments.

If you look at the $540 million—the $461 million to improve the pay for our front-line workers; the $243 million that we put out initially to provide staffing and IPAC support; the $30 million to provide more IPAC training; the $2.8 million to provide PPE; and the tens of millions of dollars for additional training. The dollars have gone out. We are making sure that the long-term-care sector is—

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Thank you very much.

The next question.

Environmental protection

Mr. Peter Tabuns: To the Premier: During this pandemic, while most people were focused on trying to stay safe, this government was busy launching sneak attacks against the environment on behalf of well-connected developers, most of whom happen to be donors to the PC Party of Ontario or to the Premier.

Over the weekend, most of the Greenbelt Council, including its well-respected chair, David Crombie, submitted their resignations in protest against this government’s attacks on the conservation authorities, an attack buried in the pages of an omnibus bill.

Why is this Premier constantly attacking the environment for the benefit of his developer friends and donors? Why?

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): I recognize the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of the Environment.

Mr. Parm Gill: Municipal affairs.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Municipal affairs. I knew that.

Mr. Parm Gill: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I want to thank the member opposite for that question. Mr. Speaker, of course we want to thank all members of the Greenbelt Council for their service. The amendments to

schedule 6 of Bill 229 state very clearly that they do not apply to the lands within the greenbelt. The minister has been clear that we will not permit any development in the greenbelt.

Our government has committed to expanding the quality and quantity of the greenbelt in our budget 2020. That’s why the minister asked the council for an action plan that we could use to achieve this, but unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, there has been no progress or clear strategy put forward by the council. We’re hoping that with a fresh perspective on the council, we will be able to fulfill this commitment.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Next question? Over to the member from Sudbury.

Mr. Jamie West: My question is also to the Premier. Speaker, my office has been flooded with calls from Sudburians who are demanding that

schedule 6 be removed from the COVID bill. It’s not just Sudburians, Speaker; the Greenbelt Council, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, conservation authorities, environmental groups, cottagers’ associations and thousands of regular people have asked the Conservative government to stop its attack on the conservation authorities.

But instead of listening to these non-partisan voices, the Premier and his ministers treat these people with disrespect and contempt. The Conservatives have doubled down and made their bad bill even worse. Why is it, Speaker, that the only people who count for the Premier are his developer friends and donors?

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): I refer to the government House leader for a response.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. Many of the recommendations with respect to changes to conservation authorities come after months of consultation between the minister and stakeholders. We have heard in this House on a number of occasions the importance of flood mitigation, and building on the Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan, of course, we have brought the conservation authorities back to their core mandate, which is flood prevention. In adding to that, we’ve enabled conservation authorities to issue stop-work orders; they’ve never been able to do that before.

We’re allowing conservation authorities to appeal under certain sections of the Planning Act; we’ve not done that before. And we’ve made appointments to the conservation authorities more democratic. I think these are good changes. They build on the progress that we’ve made on protecting the environment, and I hope the members opposite will support it after question period.

COVID-19 response

Mr. Michael Parsa: Over the past few weeks, my constituents, along with all Ontarians, have been relieved by the great news coming from the life sciences sector. Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca have all announced positive results regarding their COVID-19 vaccinations. But we know this is going to be the largest logistical undertaking that we’ve had in a generation, once vaccination production ramps up.

We have to get this vaccine to every corner of this province. It’s no small feat, and we know we can’t do it alone. We need the help of businesses and people with the necessary expertise in logistics, technology, patient care and pharmaceuticals. These partnerships will be essential in supporting the province’s large-scale logistical efforts for Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccination program.

Speaker, would the Premier please share with my constituents about what our government is doing to ensure that we have a smooth vaccination rollout?

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker—and it’s great to see you in the seat there, Mr. Speaker—thank you to the member for Aurora–Oak Ridges–Richmond Hill for that question. We’ll be leveraging the expertise and the resources right here in Ontario, from both the public and private sectors. Our government has taken decisive leadership and created a COVID-19 vaccine distribution task force to provide advice and recommendations on this very, very timely, effective and ethical execution of Ontario’s COVID-19 immunization program.

The task force will focus on several key areas, specifically on delivery, logistics, administration, clinical guidance as well as public education and outreach. Members of the task force include experts in logistics and distribution, bioethics, behavioural science, vaccines, vulnerable populations and IT infrastructure.

I want to thank General Hillier for stepping up and serving as chair of this task force, Mr. Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Supplementary?

Mr. Michael Parsa: My supplemental question is also to the Premier. I also would like to send my thanks to General Hillier and all the members of the vaccination task force for their commitment and sacrifice to the people of this province at this critical time.

As reported, our government has been preparing for months, with hundreds of officials planning for the day we receive our first vaccines. And as General Hillier said, he has been amazed at just how much work has been done. That’s why our government has put the best and brightest on the task force to help at this critical juncture. They will stress test and make sure beyond a shadow of a doubt that Ontario will be ready.

Premier, I know that you’ve had continued discussions with major pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer. Speaker, would the Premier please elaborate more with the Legislature about Ontario’s vaccination preparedness and our call for further clarity from the federal government.

Hon. Doug Ford: Again, I want to thank the member for the question. I would also like to thank the vaccination task force for their commitment and sacrifice, for the people of this province have really stepped up to the plate, Mr. Speaker.

As reported, our government has been preparing for months—not days, but months—with hundreds of officials planning for the day we receive the first vaccine.

As General Hillier said, and our MPPs and everyone have said, he’s amazed how much work we’ve done over the last few months. That’s why our government has put the best and the brightest minds on this task force to help this crucial juncture. They will stress test and make sure beyond a shadow of a doubt that Ontario will be ready. And as sure as I’m standing here, Mr. Speaker, we are ready and we’re ready to get the vaccine distributed. All we need to know from the federal government is what we’re getting, how much we’re getting and when we’re getting it, and we’re ready to move the troops out.

Long-term care

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: My question is to the Premier. Today’s report by the Auditor General confirms what families have known for years: retirement homes have become homes for thousands of people who should be in long-term care. Many residents are left to suffer, not being offered suitable meals, not being provided with personal hygiene services such as bathing and grooming, and bed sores that become infected. Why has the Ford government turned a blind eye?

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): To the government House leader for a response.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. As you know, the minister of seniors, who has responsibility for retirement homes, has been undertaking a tremendous amount of work in co-operation with the Minister of Long-Term Care, and of course with all members on this side of the House.

We recognized, obviously right from the beginning when we took office and the Premier made it a priority, that we had to rebuild and build out our long-term-care sector as soon as we possibly could. That’s why significant amounts of resources were put into place, Mr. Speaker, to ensure that that could happen. That also meant that additional resources would be made available for our retirement homes. We are consistently working on that. We understand how important it is to families across the province of Ontario, and of course we will continue to build on the success that we’ve had, even despite the challenges that we face during COVID.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Back to the member from London–Fanshawe for a supplementary.

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: Speaker, the auditor’s findings should not be news to anyone, much less the Ford government.

During COVID-19, families have heard about retirement homes infested with bed bugs, cockroaches and broken bathrooms.

The auditor reveals today that licences are issued despite identifying red flags, that five retirement home operators have not installed fire sprinkler systems, and the financial welfare of the operators is put ahead of the mandate to protect residents.

When will the government stop turning a blind eye and start making changes that residents need?

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): I recognize the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Hon. Todd Smith: We thank the Auditor General for her report this morning. There is a lot of great information and analysis done on a number of different sectors of government, Mr. Speaker. But I can tell you that Minister Cho, the minister responsible for seniors, has been looking at all of the issues within his ministry, issues that are 15 years in the making, because for a long, long time, that sector had been ignored by the previous government.

What I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, is that Minister Cho is actively working on a comprehensive review of the Retirement Homes Act, as well as our government’s seniors strategy. The one thing that Minister Cho is really concerned about is that we help our older adults stay healthy. We want them to be as active as possible. We want them to be as socially connected as possible within their communities, and we want them to live in safe residences.

That’s why Mr. Cho is taking the recommendations from the Auditor General’s report extremely seriously, and we’ll be implementing those recommendations over a period of time.

Environmental protection

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: My question is to the Premier. Over the weekend, chair David Crombie and six members of the Greenbelt Council resigned in protest of this government’s stubborn refusal to back down from

schedule 6 of their budget bill, Bill 229, and doubling down on environmentally destructive amendments. This government has once again given Ontarians no reason to believe that they would act in good faith with the broad new powers that they’re granting themselves to override environmental stewards.

This government has a shameful track record on the environment. As shown by the Auditor General, they’re failing to protect endangered species at risk, attempting to open up the greenbelt for development in Bill 66, and bulldozing over science-based decisions and using MZOs to pay favours to the Premier’s developer friends.

When will this stop? This is an unbridled march to environmental disaster. The Premier was clear when he, on his campaign trail, said, “We are going to open up the greenbelt for development”—

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Thank you. Over to the Premier.

Hon. Doug Ford: I want to thank the member for her comments. I also want to thank the members, the Liberal-appointed members, from the Greenbelt Council for their service.

We committed to expanding the quality and quantity of the greenbelt in 2020. During the election, I said I wasn’t going to touch the greenbelt. Unlike the Liberal government that touched it 17 times, I have not touched the greenbelt. We won’t touch the greenbelt. We won’t build on the greenbelt.

Now, when it comes to MZOs, I know they aren’t in favour of accelerating 3,700 long-term-care home beds, 720 affordable housing units, 100 supportive housing units, 16,000 market-priced rental homes and 26,000 jobs. If we were waiting for the Liberals, we’d be waiting for another 20 years, as we did under their administration.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Back to the member from Scarborough–Guildwood for supplementary.

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: The Premier knows full well that the amendment does not protect the greenbelt. It’s just words. What do we have to do to make this firm? You are caught on tape promising your insider friends to pave over the greenbelt. You can’t take that away.

Instead of listening to the public, who want a clean, safe environment, cottagers, environmental groups, and the 36 conservation authorities themselves, the government has doubled down on their goal to weaken environmental protections in this province. At the eleventh hour, they introduced amendments, after the opportunity for public scrutiny and input had passed.

Speaker, the Premier must stand today and commit to (1) not paving over the greenbelt and keeping it off limits to developers, and (2) removing

schedule 6 from Bill 229. Yes or no?

Hon. Doug Ford: I have committed not to be paving anywhere in the greenbelt, unlike the Liberals for 15 years. They were paving everywhere throughout the greenbelt. As a matter of fact, they switched it 17 times. Did they switch it just because they felt good? No, because they were protecting their development buddies. Now, the hypocrisy is, Steven Del Duca—

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Excuse me, Premier. I’m going to ask you to withdraw that one comment.

Hon. Doug Ford: Okay. I’ll withdraw.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Continue.

Hon. Doug Ford: Steven Del Duca, the Liberals’ leader now, has carved up the greenbelt 17 times, again. But the leader of the Liberals, Stephen Del Duca himself, ignored planning processes and built a private swimming pool for him and all his buddies and totally ignored the conservation authority. Then when he got caught, Mr. Speaker, rather than fixing his mess, he tried to convince the TRCA to allow him to keep his pool and all his buddies over there, doing the backstroke with those development buddies.

Mental health services

Mr. Michael Parsa: My question this morning is for the Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Order.

Mr. Michael Parsa: Thanks very much, Speaker.

My question this morning is for the Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. I was proud to hear that our government has made investments to assist our front-line police officers across the province in handling mental health cases. Minister, we know that while the mobile crisis teams we are launching and expanding have been in demand for so long, our government has always been focused on ensuring Ontarians living with a mental health or addictions challenge have access to wraparound supports which will fully support them on their journey to mental wellness.

Minister, could you please update the members of this Legislature on how our mental health investments in the justice system will lead to better supports for those living with mental health or addiction challenges, such as those in crisis?

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: I want to thank the member for Aurora–Oak Ridges–Richmond Hill for the question. As part of this much-needed investment in our justice system, we will be providing over $14 million for supportive housing programs designated for justice-involved individuals. What that means, Mr. Speaker, is we’re going to fund 524 new units across the province for individuals who are either on diversion plans from mental health court or have been released from a provincial correctional facility, including $1 million for up to 20 units that are affiliated with five post-court transitional case managers.

This will ensure that we are able to provide the most appropriate supports to individuals living with mental health and addiction challenges within the justice system, while offering rapid access to services such as counselling, therapy and peer support, with the aim of safely transforming the individuals and transitioning them back into their community.

Mr. Speaker, our investments are real and they’re there to help individuals come back into and be productive in our society.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Back to the member from Aurora–Oak Ridges–Richmond Hill.

Mr. Michael Parsa: I want to thank the minister for his response. I know my constituents will be pleased to hear that our government is doing everything possible to support our front-line heroes as they handle mental health cases, especially during these difficult times. Since the pandemic first started, people across our great province have been experiencing anxiety and depression at alarming rates. We’ve seen polls and reports from a number of organizations highlighting these figures, and we know that our front-line heroes have been there to support us every step of the way.

As Ontario continues to navigate through this second wave of COVID-19, our front-line heroes need our support. I know our government has taken action to address the burnout, anxiety, depression and even PTSD that our front-line heroes have been struggling with. Minister, would you please update the members of this Legislature on the steps that we have taken to address the mental health of our front-line heroes?

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: I want to begin by thanking all the first responders and our front-line workers for the incredible work they’ve done through this unprecedented time. We know and we recognize that since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, we’ve seen thousands of Ontarians reach out for help, including thousands of our front-line workers, especially our front-line health care workers. And, Mr.

Speaker, that’s why we invested $26.75 million, during the COVID-19 pandemic to help mental health agencies hire and train more staff, purchase the necessary equipment and technology they need to help patients and support the creation and enhancement of virtual and online supports for mental health services, including iCBT.

Through this emergency funding, online iCBT was also made available to front-line health care workers experiencing anxiety, burnout or post-traumatic stress disorder. Mr. Speaker, we’re here to support our front-line workers, because they are looking after us in the province of Ontario.

COVID-19 response

Ms. Marit Stiles: Good morning. My question is to the Premier. Week after week, we’ve listened to the minister stand here and swear up and down that everything is A-okay, that schools are fine, that we don’t need testing or smaller class sizes. Today, schools are being shut down over an explosion of previously unidentified COVID cases.

Speaker, not only are COVID outbreaks in schools worse than anyone ever thought, we don’t even know how much worse it’s going to get. We have asked repeatedly for the government to explain why they ignored expert advice to cap class sizes at 15 to keep our children safe. The government wouldn’t provide that information. We went through freedom of information, and guess what? Again, the wall comes down and we get back blank pieces of paper.

What is this government trying to hide? If the government knows it has done the wrong thing, show some leadership and turn this ship around.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): I refer to the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Education for a response.

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: Thanks to the member opposite. Our government has always been very clear that we will do whatever it takes to ensure that students and staff are kept safe across our province. It’s why we’ve introduced new initiatives and more funding to ensure that schools are being supported, safe and kept open throughout the second wave. We are again building upon our plan to protect students and staff. We have increased funding and expanded testing, training and interactive learning supports to keep our schools open and, of course, safe.

Speaker, let’s be clear: Our government has launched voluntary COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic students in regions of the province which currently have a high number of active COVID-19 cases. Expanding this asymptomatic testing will introduce a critical layer of prevention in our schools to ensure that students are kept safe today and into the future.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Back to the member from Davenport for the supplementary.

Ms. Marit Stiles: Again, back to the Premier: The member opposite should be looking out for the people in his community of Smithville, where they are experiencing an outbreak.

The problem with this government’s spin is that they’ve spun themselves so far away from reality that they have no idea what’s going on in schools right now, Mr. Speaker. While the government rolls out a Hail Mary effort, telling schools to keep the windows open during the winter and hope that keeps COVID away, more children are testing positive, and more staff, too.

Speaker, through you again to the Premier: It’s clear that this government has not just lost the plot; they’ve lost the confidence of all Ontarians. When will the government step up with a real plan that stops prioritizing political consultants and PC insiders and finally puts our children and our families first?

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: Speaker, Ontario has a robust plan that is fully endorsed by the Chief Medical Officer of Health of Ontario, Ontario’s top doctor, a medical expert who has dedicated his life to professional service in order to ensure that students and our staff are kept safe in schools across this province.

Let me remind the member opposite that we’ve invested an additional historic $1.3 billion to hire an additional 3,000 teachers, 1,200 custodians, 625 new nurses. The member of course, speaking about local communities, knows that 99.9% of TDSB’s students do not have an active case and 99.5% of TDSB students have never had COVID.

Speaker, we are investing in what matters most, and that’s the health and safety of Ontario’s students. It’s why we have a robust plan, one that keeps students and staff safe.

Conservation authorities

Mr. Mike Schreiner: My question is for the Premier.

The chair of the TRCA, a long-time Conservative, wrote in a column asking the government to remove

schedule 6 from Bill 229, “I greatly admired the leadership of Bill Davis and Brian Mulroney for how they balanced environmental stewardship with fiscal responsibility. It saddens me that the party would turn away from that.”

Former Progressive Conservative cabinet minister David Crombie wrote in his resignation letter, “This is not policy and institutional reform. This is high-level bombing and needs to be resisted.”

Speaker it’s not just AMO, it’s not just Ontario’s Big City Mayors, it’s not just the OFA, it’s not just community groups and environmental NGOs calling on the government to stop attacking conservation authorities; it’s Conservative politicians telling the Premier to stop this fiscally irresponsible attack on protecting us from flooding. So will the Premier commit today to listening to the people and removing

schedule 6 from Bill 229?

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): I recognize the government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: I’m glad the member referenced all of the accomplishments of Conservative governments in protecting the environment across the province of Ontario.

He’s quite correct: The Ministry of the Environment was created by a Progressive Conservative government.

He’s quite correct: Conservation authorities were creatures of a Progressive Conservative government.

He’s quite correct: It was a Progressive Conservative government, under former Premiers Harris and Eves, that announced the elimination of coal-fired plants in the province of Ontario. It was a Conservative government that invested in our nuclear capacity, which allowed us to get rid of coal-fired power, and it is a Conservative government that, once again, will lead the way in protecting the environment across the province of Ontario. That member can count on that.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Back to the member for Guelph for his supplementary question.

Mr. Mike Schreiner: I would say this member is quite correct that the government is throwing that legacy away. Over the course of this pandemic, they’ve gutted the environmental assessment process, they’ve gutted the Endangered Species Act, and now they’re gutting the ability of conservation authorities to protect us from flooding. To put that into perspective, the province contributes 8% of CA budgets. They only paid $7.4 million in flood mitigation prior to 2019, and then, in 2019, they cut even that meagre amount in half.

We know that flooding costs are going to triple over the next decade, so will the government listen to AMO, the big city mayors, the Greenbelt Council, conservation authorities, Conservative politicians, community organizations and environmental NGOs who are all coming calling for them to stop this reckless attack on CAs? Can they explain to us who actually supports what they’re doing?

Hon. Paul Calandra: As I mentioned earlier, it is for exactly that reason why we are making these changes right now. The member has highlighted on a number of occasions the importance of conservation authorities focusing on flood abatement, and that’s what this does. Building on the Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan, we understand how important that is. That is why the conservation authorities have the authority now under this legislation to issue stop-work orders. That is why conservation authorities will have the right to appeal under certain parts of the Planning Act.

Obviously the important work of conservation authorities will continue. We expect that. But, as the member said, we need to focus on flood mitigation. That’s what our conservation authorities need to continue to do. They need to do it better, and these amendments will help them do that.

Hydro rates

Mr. Michael Parsa: We know that COVID-19 has been difficult for families and businesses in Ontario. Paired with the Liberal legacy of skyrocketing electricity costs for major employers like the auto industry, many of my constituents have been asking our government for help to jump-start economic recovery. Would the Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines tell this House what our government is doing to support employers in my riding, please?

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): I recognize the parliamentary assistant to the minister of energy, northern mines—

Mr. Dave Smith: Energy, northern development and mines. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I’d like to thank the member from Aurora–Oak Ridges–Richmond Hill for that question. What we have seen during the economic recovery of Ontario is that the rising electrical costs made it that much more difficult. What we’re doing now is we’re going to be reducing those electrical costs for businesses by funding a portion of the cost of wind, solar and bioenergy, the failed policy of the Liberal government. By doing this, industrial consumers like the auto industry could see a savings of up to 14%.

Scott Bell, president of General Motors Canada, stated the issue best by saying, “One of the key competitive negatives for manufacturing in Canada is the high Ontario cost of electricity.... These are costs our American factories don’t face.”

Mr. Speaker, we are proud to support the auto industry and everyone who is employed there—more than 100,000 hard-working Ontarians.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Supplementary question?

Mr. Michael Parsa: I’d like to thank the parliamentary assistant for that great response. I’ve always agreed that commercial and industrial ratepayers should not have to pay for the energy mess left behind by the previous Liberal government. It’s clear by GM’s recent investment in their Oshawa plant that they agree that Ontario is back as the best place to do business.

I hear the same concerns from vehicle manufacturers like Magna in my riding. Would the minister tell this House what we’re doing to help the vehicle manufacturing industry lead our economic recovery?

Mr. Dave Smith: We’re helping commercial ratepayers, like manufacturing, with electrical costs. By shifting the global adjustment costs caused by the Liberal green energy mess, commercial customers will see a savings of up to 16% on their bills.

The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association commended our actions and said this about it: “Reducing these costs will help to position the automotive industry for success.”

Mr. Speaker, we are proud to support the auto industry and its entire supply chain in this difficult time so they can reinvest in their businesses and lead the economic recovery as we come out of COVID-19.

Long-term care

Ms. Catherine Fife: My question is for the Minister of Long-Term Care. It’s been a full year since we debated my bill, the Till Death Do Us Part act. Since then, I have been working with local health officials to try and reunite a couple, Joan and Jim McLeod, who have been married for 62 years. Unfortunately, due to differing levels of care and a growing crisis list, they may never be reunited.

Joan and Jim are just one of the countless couples separated by our long-term-care system. The system needs to work for them. Work needs to be done to keep loved ones together, especially during these challenging times.

Speaker, to the minister: What, if anything, is being done to keep couples together as they age?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Thank you to the member opposite for raising that important concern. It’s what brought me to politics in the first place, having experienced this with my own family, so I know how important that this is.

Our government is continually working to address what has been a neglected system for almost two decades. Understanding the capacity issues that were left behind and the staffing issues, all of these will need to be addressed to make sure that we put our residents at the centre and create a 21st-century long-term-care system that puts our residents at the forefront with their needs. This will be an ongoing effort.

As the member opposite knows, we are in the midst of a pandemic. Unfortunately, some of the outbreaks are restricting visitors, but our residents can still allow and designate two essential caregivers to make sure that they are able to enter into the home.

We are continuing to adapt and be agile as we move ahead during this difficult time.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Back to the member from Waterloo for the supplementary.

Ms. Catherine Fife: Actually, Mr. Speaker, because of the outbreak, there are actually beds available in this province.

We have seen the impact that the pandemic has had on our seniors and those in congregate settings who were denied access to their usual family supports. There is no doubt that people suffered and died. My colleague from Windsor West recognized this and brought forward a bill that would guarantee access for essential caregivers.

Well, Speaker, spouses and partners need to be there for one another as well, and I hope the minister takes our request for a more responsive spousal reunification system very seriously. This couple has been married for 62 years. When couples are separated by a system that is not designed for them, they lose faith in their government. Jim McLeod wanted me to pass along a message to the minister. He wants the minister to “Open your eyes,” Minister, “to what is happening” in our long-term-care system.

Speaker, what is the government going to do today to fix this broken system? This is a cruel system that keeps married couples from spending their last years together; seniors in Ontario deserve so much more.

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Thank you again for raising this important concern. My heart goes out to this couple that has been affected by this, and everyone that’s been affected by it. I, too, feel the pain. I know I went through it with my own family.

Our government has a sense of urgency for this, and as I said, we are working diligently to address the capacity issues. Some $540 million was announced in October to make sure that we took the staffing measures and the infection prevention and control measures that we needed—the $243 million, initially, and the $461 million to address the pay for our front-line workers; the tens of millions of dollars that we’re putting forward to create staffing supports—while we work on a long-term-care staffing strategy. We’re not only stabilizing this sector. We’re advancing, repairing and rebuilding this sector after so many, many years of neglect.

We inherited a broken system on so many levels. Our government has put long-term care at the forefront. We will continue our important work for all Ontarians.

College standards and accreditation

Mr. John Fraser: It was really great to see the Premier this morning, and I wish him a recovery. It looks like he’s getting better. He did tell us that he had his back zapped last week, and in this place, especially where he sits, the one thing you’ve got to watch is your back.

On that note, we’re going to be talking about Bill 213 and Charles McVety’s special deal today, and we’re all hoping the Premier could have had a come-to-the-light moment. The bottom line is, Charles McVety’s words spread division. He tells other people they’re a threat. Those are the words that we hear when minorities are persecuted around the world. We’ve heard them for centuries. They’re very, very dangerous words.

By voting in support of Mr. McVety today, those members who vote for it will be endorsing those words. Will the Premier be voting to endorse those words today?

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): I turn to the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Colleges and Universities.

Mr. David Piccini: Hateful words have no place in this province. That’s why our government continues to work diligently with all of our partners in the post-secondary sector to ensure we have a world-class education system. One of the reasons we have a world-class education system is because we have groups like the Postsecondary Education Quality Assessment Board that ensure that all applications for expanded degree-granting authority, for nomenclature change etc. meet rigorous scrutiny.

We’re going to continue to uphold procedural fairness, continue to support PEQAB’s recommendations and continue to ensure that we have a world-class education system in the province of Ontario.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Back to the member from Ottawa South for the supplementary.

Mr. John Fraser: Make no mistake, it’s payday at Queen’s Park. Charles McVety is getting a special deal. The Premier’s priorities clearly haven’t changed.

Through this debate, I’ve watched members on the other side of the House in question period and in debate. When we talk about this, people’s heads are down on their desks, even so much that 30 members abstained from a vote condemning Charles—

Interjection: How many?

Mr. John Fraser: Thirty members.

There are three things that we can do here today: People can vote in support of Bill 213 and Charles McVety, or they can vote against and join us, or they can do what they did on that motion and abstain—do nothing. Doing nothing in this case is the right thing to do.

So I ask the Premier once again, will the Premier not discipline any of his caucus members who abstain from this vote?

Mr. David Piccini: Thank you again to the member opposite for the question. You know, Mr. Speaker, it’s disappointing from the member opposite. Under his previous government, that member—and he should know when institutions came, including faith-based institutions, and asked for expanded degree granting, the member would introduce things through private bills.

This government is ensuring procedural fairness. This government is ensuring that all institutions are rigorously assessed by the PEQAB process. We’re going to continue doing that and the members opposite know that. We’re going to continue to ensure a world-class education system—

Interjection.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Member from Scarborough–Guildwood, come to order.

Mr. David Piccini: Mr. Speaker, I know they’re frustrated.

That’s why we’ve ensured a rigorous assessment process, and we’re going to continue to support our world-class education system through lowering tuition fees, through enhanced supports for mental health and ensuring that Ontario is a destination for people to study, regardless of creed, colour or religion. They’ll choose Ontario because of our high quality of education.

Tenant protection

Ms. Suze Morrison: My question is to the Premier. There are new horrific stories coming out of the Landlord and Tenant Board every single day. In one case, an adjudicator issued an order in a case where they had an obvious conflict of interest. In another, a tenant who identified herself as a survivor of domestic violence was told that she had to disclose her phone number in an online public forum in an online hearing, putting her safety at risk, in order to receive legal aid.

On Friday, I listened to a block of hearings and what I heard made me sick. The hearing was riddled with technical issues. Some tenants didn’t understand what was going on. One tenant was evicted in less than a minute. Speaker, how is this justice?

Will the Premier finally do the right thing and stop these problem-riddled online hearings from proceeding and immediately reinstate a moratorium on evictions?

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Referred to the government House leader for response.

Hon. Paul Calandra: As the Attorney General, I think, mentioned last week, significant work is being done to increase the availability of adjudicators for the Landlord and Tenant Board of the province of Ontario. We have heard from the opposition of the need to deal with the delays that were at the board as a result of too few adjudicators. That has been resolved, and as more adjudicators come online, we’ll be able to deal with the backlog further.

Online hearings, of course, are something that will have to continue. We are dealing with COVID, Mr. Speaker, as you know, as all members will know. But, again, as the Attorney General said, we are dealing with the backlog, we’ve hired more adjudicators and we expect the good work of the board to continue even throughout COVID.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Back to the member from Toronto Centre for supplementary.

Ms. Suze Morrison: Respectfully, a backlog of cases should not be your priority in a pandemic. This government’s priority should be keeping every single person in this province housed until we are through this crisis.

Speaker, I heard from Sarah, a tenant in Kitchener who contacted my office last week. Sarah lost her job at the beginning of the pandemic and has since struggled to get caught up on her back rent. She had an eviction hearing on Tuesday and is now waiting to learn if her family will be forced out of their home. If Sarah, her husband and her son—who, by the way, has a respiratory issue—are evicted, she doesn’t know where they’re going to go.

Sarah’s family is not alone. Advocates estimate that 7,000 tenants, many like Sarah and her family, have eviction hearings scheduled between now and January—7,000 families.

Premier, why are you focusing on evicting as many tenants as quickly as possible in a pandemic—over the holidays, no less—instead of doing everything in your power to help tenants stay housed and weather the storm? Will you immediately reinstate a ban on evictions?

Hon. Paul Calandra: I appreciate the question. The member will know that cases are, of course, split between both issues with respect to tenants seeking recourse with respect to landlords and the opposite. Of course, that is the point of an independent adjudication system, that it takes a look at the issues brought before it, whether they’re brought before it by a tenant who has an issue with a landlord or a landlord with a tenant.

We have increased the number of adjudicators so that these issues could be dealt with quicker and fairer. Mr. Speaker, I have every confidence in the non-partisan professionalism of the Landlord and Tenant Board to do the work that is required to deal with tenants fairly, to deal with landlords fairly. That is the hallmark of a non-partisan adjudication system. The Landlord and Tenant Board does it well and has done a good job even during COVID.

Land use planning

Mr. Stephen Blais: My question is for the Premier. Many times in this Legislature, we’ve heard the government stand and defend the use of proper process. In fact, I think it was just called “procedural fairness,” Mr. Speaker. Well, procedural fairness is good for the government when they’re defending the process that will help reward their friend and donor Charles McVety. But since forming government in 2018, the government has circumvented the proper, procedurally fair land use planning process in this province at least 33 times through ministerial zoning orders.

Instead of adhering to the independent planning process in municipalities, consulting with residents and communities, with stakeholders and groups of interest, they’ve fast-tracked development applications of their choosing. They’re hand-picking the planning lottery winners, and it has got to stop.

When will the government stop playing politics and follow their own advice about the importance of independent processes?

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Referred to the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Mr. Parm Gill: I want to thank the member opposite for that question. Mr. Speaker, as I’ve pointed out a number of times in this House, every single ministerial zoning order that has been issued by the minister has been at the request of the municipality unless the lands are provincially owned. The examples of these projects include allowing outdoor patio expansions in Toronto, a medical innovation park in Oro-Medonte that will make PPE, and the construction of modular supportive housing units in Toronto.

In all, our MZOs are accelerating 3,700 long-term-care beds, building 720 affordable homes, 100 supportive units, almost 16,000 much-needed market-price homes. We’re doing all of this while creating 26,000 jobs. We will not apologize for this.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Back to the member for Orléans for supplementary.

Mr. Stephen Blais: The parliamentary assistant said that all of their orders were done in consultation with municipalities or at their request. This morning, the mayor of Aurora, Tom Mrakas, issued a statement denying that the town was consulted during that MZO process.

Mr. Speaker, the government is issuing MZOs that put agricultural land in Vaughan at risk, that put provincially significant wetlands in Pickering at risk. My fear is that they’re going to put class 1 farmland in Ottawa at risk next.

Thousands of voices have joined together to urgently ask the government to stop attacking Ontario’s precious wetland and green space. Mr. Speaker, through you: When will the government start listening to Ontarians and stop the sneak attack on agricultural land, wetland and green space?

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): I look over to the government House leader for a response.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Look, the land in Aurora, of course, is owned by the province of Ontario. If the mayor of Aurora is unhappy with a close to 200-bed long-term-care home that is coming there, I would suggest to the mayor of Aurora that Stouffville and many other communities would be happy to get that.

But we’ll take no lessons in environmental protection from the member opposite. I will say to the member opposite that my family was one of the first families to put an environmental conservation easement across 60 acres of prime agricultural class 1 farmland in the town of Stouffville, one of the first in favour of the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust, in an area that was pristine class 1 farmland. In the 15 years since that, under the leadership of the Liberals—or lack thereof—that 60 acres of farmland is surrounded by housing, because on 17 separate occasions that government, under that leadership, invaded the greenbelt, Mr. Speaker.

We have always protected them. Every time we have worked on MZOs, it has been with the consent and approval of the local municipality.

Retirement homes

Ms. Sandy Shaw: My question is to the Premier. Today’s report by the auditor confirms what families have known for years: The system for regulating retirement homes in Ontario and protecting seniors who live in them is badly broken. In Hamilton and Niagara, we have seen this for years, Mr. Speaker, where the Martino family has been allowed to operate homes despite repeated violations. The auditor tells us—

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Stop the clock. I’m hearing some feedback from the government side. I would ask that that would cease so that we can hear the question from the honourable member from the opposition.

I will return back to you and I’ll give you a few extra moments to ask your question.

Ms. Sandy Shaw: Start again, Speaker?

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Start again now. Yes.

Ms. Sandy Shaw: Thank you, Speaker; I appreciate that. The government is particularly sensitive this morning, but I’ll try and get this important question in.

The system for regulating retirement homes in Ontario and protecting seniors who live in them is badly broken. In Hamilton and Niagara, we have seen this for years, where the Martino family has been allowed to operate homes despite repeated violations. The auditor’s report this morning tells us that this government’s retirement homes regulatory authority turns a blind eye to red flags.

Mr. Speaker, at what point will the government fix this broken system?

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Referred to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Hon. Todd Smith: On behalf of Minister Cho, the minister responsible for seniors, I know we’re thankful for the Auditor General’s report this morning, the information that she has passed along to us and the analysis that has been done. I can tell you that our government is committed to improving the lives of seniors and providing supports and resources to them so that they can live independently.

To the question that was posed by the member opposite, Ontario is committed to helping older adults stay healthy, active and socially connected. I know Minister Cho has started a comprehensive review of the Retirement Homes Act, Mr. Speaker. The Auditor General’s report and recommendations will help inform that review that’s currently under way.

In the summer of 2019, the government conducted broad province-wide consultations with older adults and their family members, caregivers and support organizations. I’ll have more to add in the supplementary, Mr. Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Back to the member from Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas.

Ms. Sandy Shaw: The auditor’s findings should not be news to anyone, much less the Ford government. Hamilton’s Martino homes violated the law for years, running retirement homes infested with bed bugs, cockroaches and broken bathrooms. At one point a resident in a Martino residential home was found tied to a radiator. At another, a resident was abandoned and forgotten when the home had to be evacuated. Licences were only pulled when the media reporting—like at the Spectator—drew attention to just how appalling things were here.

So why has the Ford government spent so much time protecting these for-profit private operators and so little time protecting seniors who have to live in these homes?

Hon. Todd Smith: Thanks to the member opposite for raising this issue, and thanks to the Auditor General again for her report this morning. We look forward to looking at this report more thoroughly over the coming days.

We do know that there has been a problem in our retirement homes, and that’s after 15 long years of being in the wilderness, actually, with the previous Liberal government. In keeping an eye on these situations, Minister Cho has said that he is conducting a comprehensive review of the situation. We know that the RHRA has a risk-based approach when it comes to inspections, and this ensures that the focus is on the homes that need it most. This includes routine inspections, as well as homes where additional compliance support is required as well.

So the province continues to diligently monitor the situation in our retirement homes, and Minister Cho is committed to stepping up those inspections.

Denise Jones

Ms. Jill Andrew: I rise today to request unanimous consent for a moment of silence to recognize the life of Denise Jones, a local and international cultural icon who passed away recently.

Denise, co-founder of Jones and Jones Productions and Jambana One World Festival, was a formidable force of artistic and sartorial nature who championed Black, Caribbean and, especially, Jamaican arts, culture and entertainment. Denise is survived by her husband, Allan; sons, Jesse and Jerimi; her sister Devan; brother, Gary; and her mother, Louise. She will forever remain unforgettable to us and all of those she mentored, and her legacy will live on.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): The member from Toronto–St. Paul’s is seeking unanimous consent to pay respect to the individual who has passed away. Agreed? Agreed. Please stand.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

Deferred Votes

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

Deferred vote on the motion for third reading of the following bill:

Bill 213,

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

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): We have a deferred vote on the motion for third reading of Bill 213,

An Act to reduce burdens on people and businesses by enacting, amending and repealing various Acts and revoking a regulation.

The bells will ring for 30 minutes, during which time members may cast their votes. Prepare the lobbies.

The division bells rang from 1140 to 1210.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): The vote was held on the motion for third reading of Bill 213,

An Act to reduce burdens on people and businesses by enacting, amending and repealing various Acts and revoking a regulation.

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Todd Decker): The ayes are 52; the nays are 35.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): I declare the motion carried.

Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.

Third reading agreed to.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): There being no further business at this time, this House stands recessed until 1 o’clock.

The House recessed from 1211 to 1300.

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs

Mr. Amarjot Sandhu: I beg leave to present a report from the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs and move its adoption.

The Clerk-at-the-Table (Ms. Tonia Grannum): Your committee begs to report the following bill, as amended:

Bill 229,

An Act to implement Budget measures and to enact, amend and repeal various statutes / Projet de loi 229, Loi visant à mettre en oeuvre les mesures budgétaires et à édicter, à modifier ou à abroger diverses lois.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Shall the report be received and adopted? Agreed? Agreed.

Report adopted.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Pursuant to the order of the House dated November 23, 2020, the bill is ordered for third reading.

Statements by the Ministry and Responses

Anniversary of the Status of Women Report / Anniversaire du rapport sur la situation de la femme au Canada

Hon. Jill Dunlop: I rise today to honour a very important anniversary. Fifty years ago today, December 7, 1970, the groundbreaking Report of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada was tabled in Parliament.

Today, it’s easy to forget that not that long ago, women had few rights and little economic opportunity. But Canada in the 1960s was a time of change. The civil rights movement was at the forefront of national discourse, and with that came mounting pressure to advance women’s equality. More and more women were interested in pursuing goals outside the home, like higher education and employment, beyond the socially acceptable roles for women at that time. Stay-at-home moms were demanding proper recognition for their work and greater sharing of responsibilities between men and women. Women were demanding a seat at the table and were not backing down.

Leurs efforts inlassables ont porté leurs fruits.

In 1967, the Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada was officially created, with a mandate to “inquire into and report upon the status of women in Canada, and to recommend what steps might be taken by the federal government to ensure for women equal opportunities with men in all aspects of Canadian society.”

The report was released on this day in 1970. To say that it was trailblazing would be an understatement. It included 167 recommendations, largely legislative changes, that addressed critical issues for women, such as poverty, family law, the Indian Act and the need for a federal representative for women.

Le rapport a été considéré comme le point de bascule vers une deuxième phase du mouvement de libération des femmes.

The Ontario Committee on the Status of Women was established to ensure implementation of the recommendations in our province.

In the years to come, changes to laws regarding pensions, family law reform, child care and expansion of human rights protections would be traced to the spirit of the commission.

Speaker, later today, I will be virtually attending an event hosted by our province’s Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, to celebrate this important milestone in our history. But we will also be discussing the work that lies ahead to ensure the equality and empowerment of women and girls in our province.

The past year has been difficult on all Ontarians, but we know that COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on the social and economic well-being of women.

I would like to assure Ontarians that we are committed to ensuring that women are not left behind as we look forward to reopening the province’s economy. This was a focus before the pandemic, and COVID-19 has only made that work more important.

Our government wants to build a province where every woman and girl is empowered to succeed, with their choices supported and sustained by a society that provides equal access to economic and social opportunities. That’s why this year, our government will be investing $4.6 million in the Women’s Economic Security Program and $2.2 million in the Investing in Women’s Futures Program. These investments provide crucial funding to organizations that help low-income women gain the knowledge, skills and experience to transition to the labour market successfully and increase their economic security.

In our recent budget, we announced an investment of an additional $181 million in employment services and training programs to connect workers in industries most affected by COVID-19 with industries facing a skills shortage. Thanks to the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development and the Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, we are helping these sectors, and these women, find new employment.

Speaker, we have heard many times about the important role child care plays in helping get more women into the workforce. This was an area of focus in the status of women report 50 years ago, and it is still an area of focus today. I want to commend the Minister of Education for taking this issue seriously and working to ensure that during the pandemic, child care was available to our front-line heroes: PSWs, nurses, doctors, shelter workers, grocery store clerks and many more who stood up for Ontario during the pandemic. They deserve all of our gratitude.

L’autonomie et la sécurité économiques peuvent avoir de nombreuses significations différentes.

It means increasing the share of women in leadership positions. It means training programs that focus on employment, pre-employment, pre-apprenticeship and entrepreneurship specifically for women. It means increasing women’s representation in traditionally male-dominated fields, such as science, technology, engineering and the skilled trades. It means supporting mothers and the child care sector in coping with the challenges of the pandemic. And it also means taking action to address gender-based violence in a focused and sustained way.

We can give women the opportunities and tools to succeed, but if they don’t feel safe at home or at work, they cannot and will not be successful.

Speaker, I have spoken extensively on this issue in the past month, but it is something worth repeating at every opportunity: Every woman and every Ontarian deserves to live free of harm and abuse and violence, and deserves to be and feel safe. We need to stand up against gender-based violence and abuse in all its forms. We need to be loud and intentional when we denounce domestic violence, human trafficking and sexual assault. And we must work together—every single person—to take action when we see it occurring. It is never okay, and it can never be tolerated or normalized.

I want to thank all of my colleagues in this House for standing up against gender-based violence. This is not a partisan issue; it is a human issue.

Speaker, I would be remiss if I didn’t speak of how important this work is for minorities, especially Indigenous women. Unfortunately, Indigenous women in Ontario are over three times more likely to be murdered than other women, and Indigenous women in Canada between the ages of 15 and 24 are three times more likely to experience violence than non-Indigenous women.

A sad truth is, until 1985, First Nations women lost their status when they married non-Indigenous men, while men who married non-Indigenous women kept their status and were able to transfer their status to their non-Indigenous wives. It was only last year that many of those women and their descendants who lost their status before 1951 were eligible to get it back, and sexism is still woven throughout the Indian Act. We have a long way to go.

Speaker, the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls made it clear that more work needs to be done to protect First Nation, Inuit and Métis people in Canada. Our government established the Indigenous Women’s Advisory Council to help us do just that. Eleven incredible Indigenous voices are providing our government with their expertise on serious issues such as human trafficking; child, family and youth well-being; and Ontario’s response to the final report.

I want to thank the Minister of Indigenous Affairs for being a strong partner and advocate for Indigenous peoples, including women and girls.

Speaker, we need to all be working for women in Ontario and Canada to ensure that each woman and girl has the same opportunities as men and boys. We need to let our present and future generations know that women can do anything they set their minds to. I know we have our work cut out for us, but we are up for the challenge, just as the members of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women were 50 years ago.

Notre gouvernement est aux côtés des femmes et des filles de tout l’Ontario.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Responses?

Ms. Jill Andrew: I’m honoured to stand in this House today to speak on behalf of women-identifying Ontarians and our many allies as we reflect on the 50th anniversary of the report on the status of women in Canada.

I wanted to start by putting on record my thoughts on some of the women who have placed their names on ballots to make life better for women in their communities. Elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 1990, the Honourable Zanana Akande was the first Black woman to be elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and the first Black woman to serve as a cabinet minister, as Minister of Community and Social Services in Ontario under the NDP government.

Minister Zanana Akande led important social welfare reform, overseeing funding for food banks, increasing the shelter allowance. She also helped lead the charge for Ontario’s first mandatory employment equity legislation, which helped break economic barriers for women. One of her quotes out of office, when she received the keys to the city of Toronto, was, “We don’t come alone, we don’t live alone—I think the only thing we do alone is leave.”

Of course, Rosemary Brown has also been described as the politician whose personal experiences of racism and sexism fuelled her passion, international advocacy efforts and lifelong fight for equality and human rights. As many would know, she became the first Black woman in Canada to sit in a provincial Legislature and also ran for the leadership of the federal New Democratic Party in 1975. She made history there as well, being the first Black woman to run for leadership of a federal political party. To quote Rosemary Brown: “We must open the doors and we must see to it that they remain open, so that others can pass through,” because “until all of us have made it, none of us have made it.”

I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention Dr. Jean Augustine, who was appointed as the first Fairness Commissioner for Ontario in 2007 and was the first Black woman elected to the House of Commons. One of her quotes that I absolutely love is, “The seeds of a fruitful society are sown in the minds of its youth.” Dr. Augustine was also the author of the motion that provided us with Black History Month across Canada in February.

I’m also going to mention Dr. Bette Stephenson, who was Ontario’s first woman Minister of Labour, first woman Minister of Education, first woman president of the Ontario Medical Association—too many firsts to list.

All of these women are women I look up to. Some of them I didn’t know; some of them I do know, but I believe that they all came here to make the world, Ontario and Canada better for women and girls.

In this time that we all have in this House as women, we need to ensure that our actions here are making it better for women and girls and for BIPOC communities, disabled communities, communities who are furthest from power, as I’ve said over and over again in this House, who need a seat at the table, who need an advocate, who need to know that people here are listening. I cannot overstate the importance of a “she-covery,” or, as I would say more inclusively, a “we-covery”—because when we all recover from COVID-19, when we are all on a trajectory to excellence, all of us are better for that.

Days ago we learned that, since November, there were about 116,000 fewer jobs in Ontario compared to one year earlier, and that 85,000 of these jobs lost were held by women.

I want to wrap up in the last bit in saying things that I’ve said a million times here in this House.

We must address poverty and the way in which legislation that, frankly, this government puts forth literally legislates poverty and legislates anything but women’s liberation.

We need a provincial child care strategy right here in Ontario, in Toronto. Toronto has the highest child care costs. I know my friend and colleague Doly Begum, the MPP for Scarborough Southwest, does incredible work on this file. We cannot have women’s economic liberation without child care.

I want to spend some time—32 seconds—also speaking to educators, to PSWs, to our front-line health care workers, who are all disproportionately women and, frankly, also many marginalized and racialized women. They need pay. They need pay equity. They need to be able to cover the roofs over their heads and the food on their plates.

And I’ll be blue in the face saying here that we need a gender equity strategy in Ontario.

We need to ensure that Ontario is actually a place where women can thrive—and currently, they are not.

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: It is an honour to rise in the House today, on behalf of my constituents of Scarborough–Guildwood, in recognition of this significant milestone. Fifty years after the report on the status of women was released, we have made considerable strides in some areas, but progress has been lacking in others. The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified many of these areas.

Affordable, accessible child care is necessary to enable women to fully participate in the labour force. In light of the recent federal economic statement, I urge the Ford government to work with the federal government and their counterparts to finally make universal child care and early learning a reality in Ontario and Canada. Child care is a key component of the she-covery. The pandemic disproportionately impacted women with school-aged children. Canadian women are at risk of losing decades of hard-won gains in the workplace as a result. We must work to ensure that women do not lose the gains of the past 50 years and, even more recently, in the labour force, due to COVID-19.

Careers in STEM, trades, business and, yes, politics and government must be open to women equally.

Recently, federally, we reached 100 women in Parliament due to two Toronto by-elections, and we have to keep going.

Women still face violence, misogyny and sexual harassment.

Unfortunately, early action by this government was to cancel the volunteer table on sexual violence and harassment.

It’s important to note that yesterday, we mourned the loss of 14 women who were killed by actions of misogyny in the École polytechnique massacre in 1989.

It is necessary that we all work to create a society where women are enabled to grow up and pursue whatever path they choose, so investments in STEM education and career opportunities are a must.

I call on the government to enact the Pay Transparency Act immediately to support women’s economic equality.

We also need to recognize that women with intersecting identities face unique challenges and that gains have not been experienced equally amongst all women. The government needs to make investments in entrepreneurship funds for Black, Indigenous and other women of colour, bring Ontarians with disabilities above the poverty line, and create opportunities for education and for youth so that all girls and women can be brought into the she-covery.

This 50th anniversary is an important milestone, but we have many miles to go.

Mr. Mike Schreiner: It’s an honour to rise to mark the 50th anniversary of the Report of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada.

In their assessment of women in Canada’s economy, quality of life for women and state of child care, the conclusions in the report 50 years ago are eerily similar to what women face 50 years later. Pay equity is still a major issue that has not been solved. Affordable, available, quality child care is still a major barrier to access for full economic opportunities for women. And barriers still exist for women, in particular Black, Indigenous and women of colour, to participate in all sectors of our economy.

Speaker, 50 years ago, the women who sat on the commission’s table certainly could not have predicted the world we are experiencing today, but I’m sure they would see the challenges that we face in this pandemic as highlighting the need to build back smarter for all women in Ontario.

Our recovery must put women at the centre and must include major investments in schools and child care so that children are not at risk and women’s work is not disproportionately impacted by the disruption of searching for affordable, safe and available child care.

Women must be at the forefront of recovering from the she-cession we face. And women will continue to lead and be at the forefront of building a greener and more caring Ontario.

We owe it to our children and our grandchildren to emerge from this pandemic leaving behind a livable planet and a more caring Ontario.

Petitions

Addiction services

Mr. Jamie West: Myles Keaney died from an opioid overdose. It started with one cross as a monument in Sudbury; now there are more than 106. These petitions were collected on behalf of his sister Brittney Sandul. It’s called “Preventing Overdoses in the North.

“Whereas Ontario” has experienced “more than 2,200 opioid-related deaths in 2020;

“Whereas opioid-related deaths are up 25% in northern Ontario compared to 2019;

“Whereas death rates in northern Ontario are almost double what they are in southern Ontario;

“Whereas northern Ontario has fewer health resources to handle the opioid crisis than southern Ontario;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly to declare the opioid crisis a public health emergency in northern Ontario and commit to funding local evidence-based initiatives such as harm reduction strategies, awareness programs, anti-stigma training, residential treatment, and overdose prevention services, including a supervised consumption site in Greater Sudbury.”

I agree with this petition. I affix my signature and give it to the Clerk.

Anti-smoking initiatives for youth

M me France Gélinas: I would like to thank youth from all over the province. This one comes from the Perth county area. It reads as follows:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

They petition the Legislative Assembly as follows:

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

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

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

Conservation authorities

Ms. Doly Begum: I want to thank all my constituents across Scarborough Southwest who sent their concerns and signed this petition and gave it to us.

This petition is called “Remove

Schedule 6 from Bill 229.”

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities have developed a deep understanding of local ecosystems and how to best protect them;

“Whereas restricting the powers of conservation authorities weakens environmental protections, puts more power into the hands of private developers, and leaves Ontarians at risk; and

“Whereas we are deeply concerned that stopping non-mandatory conservation authority programs will adversely affect the health of our environment;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to preserve the vital role of conservation authorities in local land use planning and permitting, and to support the continued delivery of a broad range of programs as directed by conservation authorities.”

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

Optometry services

Ms. Catherine Fife: I’d like to thank Pierce Family Vision for collecting these signatures. They’re asking for a timetable and a process for renewed negotiations. This petition is entitled “Petition to Save Eye Care in Ontario.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Ontario government has underfunded optometric eye care for 30 years; and

“Whereas optometrists now subsidize the delivery of OHIP-covered eye care by $173 million a year; and

“Whereas COVID-19 forced optometrists to close their doors, resulting in a 75%-plus drop in revenue; and

“Whereas optometrists will see patient volumes reduced between 40% and 60%, resulting in more than two million comprehensive eye exams being wiped out over the next 12 months; and

“Whereas communities across Ontario are in danger of losing access to optometric care;

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

“To instruct the Ontario government to immediately establish a timetable and a process for renewed negotiations concerning optometry fees.”

I fully support this petition and will deliver it to the Clerk’s desk.

Long-term care

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: I bring this petition on behalf of Family Council Network 4 Advocacy, who are committed to improving the lives of Ontario residents in long-term care. This petition reads as follows:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

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

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

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

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

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

Front-line workers

M me France Gélinas: I would like to thank Adele Fawcett from Capreol in my riding for this petition.

“Make PSW a Career....

“Whereas there has been a shortage of personal support workers (PSWs) in long-term care and home care in Ontario for many years;

“Whereas Ontario’s personal support workers are overworked, underpaid and underappreciated, leading to many of them leaving the profession;

“Whereas the lack of PSWs has created a crisis in LTC, a broken home care system, and poor-quality care for LTC home residents and home care clients;”

They petition the Legislative Assembly as follows:

“Tell Premier Ford to act now to make PSW jobs a career, with full-time employment, good wages, paid sick days, benefits, a pension plan and a manageable workload in order to respect the important work of PSWs and improve patient care.”

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

Long-term care

Ms. Doly Begum: I want to thank the Family Council Network 4 Advocacy, who are committed to improving the lives of Ontario residents in long-term care, for this petition. This petition is called “Time to Care Act—Bill 13.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

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

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

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

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

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

Long-term care

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: This is a very important petition I’ve received from Esther-Ann Davies. She sent us several hundred signatures on the Time to Care Act, Bill 13.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

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

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

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

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

I fully support this petition and urge the government to pass my Bill 13. I sign it and give it to the usher to deliver to the table.

Autism treatment

Ms. Catherine Fife: This petition is entitled “Support Ontario Families with Autism.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas every child with autism deserves access to sufficient treatment and support so that they can live to their fullest potential;

“Whereas the Ontario Autism Program was badly broken under the Liberals, and the changes introduced by the Conservatives have made it worse;

“Whereas the new funding caps are based on age and income, and not the clinical needs of the child;

“Whereas Ontario needs a true investment in evidence-based autism services that meets the needs of autistic children and their families;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to direct the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to invest in equitable, needs-based autism services for all children who need them.”

I fully support this petition and will make sure that it gets to the table.

Addiction services

M me France Gélinas: I would like to thank Christina Pisanti, who gathered these petitions in memory of her brother Myles Keaney, who died of an overdose in Sudbury.

“Prevent Overdoses in the North.

“Whereas Ontario is expecting more than 2,200 opioid-related deaths in 2020;

“Whereas opioid-related deaths are up 25% in northern Ontario compared to 2019;

“Whereas death rates in northern Ontario are almost double what they are in southern Ontario;

“Whereas northern Ontario has fewer health resources to handle the opioid crisis than southern Ontario;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly to declare the opioid crisis a public health emergency in northern Ontario and commit to funding local evidence-based initiatives such as harm reduction strategies, awareness programs, anti-stigma training, residential treatment, and overdose prevention services, including a supervised consumption site in Greater Sudbury.”

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

Gasoline prices

M me France Gélinas: I would like to thank Louise Baliski, who sent me these petitions. It reads as follows:

“Whereas northern Ontario motorists continue to be subject to wild fluctuations in the price of gasoline; and

“Whereas the province could eliminate opportunistic price gouging and deliver fair, stable and predictable fuel prices; and

“Whereas five provinces and many US states already have some sort of gas price regulation; and

“Whereas jurisdictions with gas price regulation have seen an end to wild price fluctuations, a shrinking of price discrepancies between urban and rural communities and lower annualized gas prices;”

They petition the Legislative Assembly as follows:

“Mandate the Ontario Energy Board to monitor the price of gasoline across Ontario in order to reduce price volatility and unfair regional price differences while encouraging competition.”

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

Multiple sclerosis

M me France Gélinas: I would like to thank Dustin Bedard-Knoll, who is from Coniston in my riding, for this petition.

“MS Specialized Clinic in Sudbury ...

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

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

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

They petition the Legislative Assembly as follows:

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

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

Documents gouvernementaux

M me France Gélinas: J’aimerais remercier M me Yollande Lalonde de Chelmsford dans mon comté pour ces pétitions.

« Alors qu’il est important d’avoir le nom exact des personnes sur les cartes émises par le gouvernement, » telle « la carte santé...;

« Alors que plusieurs personnes francophones ont des accents dans l’épellation de leur nom », comme moi;

« Alors que ... le ministère de la Santé » a « confirmé que le système informatique de l’Ontario ne permet pas l’enregistrement des lettres avec des accents; »

J’appuie cette pétition, monsieur le Président. Je vais la signer et l’envoyer à la table des greffiers.

Orders of the Day

Protect, Support and Recover from COVID-19 Act (Budget Measures), 2020 / Loi de 2020 sur la protection, le soutien et la relance face à la COVID-19 (mesures budgétaires)

Mr. Phillips moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill 229,

An Act to implement Budget measures and to enact, amend and repeal various statutes / Projet de loi 229, Loi visant à mettre en oeuvre les mesures budgétaires et à édicter, à modifier ou à abroger diverses lois.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Minister of Finance.

Hon. Rod Phillips: I will be sharing my time with my parliamentary assistant, the member from Willowdale.

A little over a month ago, I stood in the Legislature to introduce Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover. Today, for the third time, I rise to speak on the legislation to enact our government’s plan to protect the people of Ontario from the global pandemic, our plan to provide additional support for people and jobs, and our plan to lay the groundwork for a strong economic recovery.

Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover is a budget that includes a lot of input from people and businesses around Ontario. Through 2020, our government heard from more than 8,000 individuals, organizations, members of organized labour and businesses as part of numerous consultations, including the Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee’s ministerial advisory councils and the 2020 budget consultations.

The Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs held pre-budget hearings in January 2020, hearing from people across the province and receiving 146 written submissions. The committee again held 25 public hearings related to the sectoral impacts of COVID-19 in June, July and August, during which more than 500 witnesses made presentations and over 130 written submissions were received from individuals or groups who did not appear at the committee. This led to the most broad-based consultation for any Ontario budget.

Mr. Speaker, we took these consultations to heart. Since introducing the budget, we have heard from people across the province who have told us that our priorities—protect and support and recover—are also their priorities. These include health care workers who are protecting us, small business owners we are supporting, and parents and workers who are counting on us to lay the foundation for economic recovery.

Of course, at the beginning of this year, no one could have anticipated how COVID-19 would impact us all, and early in 2020, our intention was to deliver a budget as we would have traditionally, in the spring. However, as we all know COVID-19 disrupted the lives of Ontarians in an unprecedented fashion.

So, instead, in March we released a one-year economic and fiscal outlook, the first phase of Ontario’s Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19. Ontario was the first jurisdiction in Canada to release a fiscal outlook that reflected the impacts and our plans for the COVID-19 crisis. That urgent initial response was focused on ensuring that everyone could be as safe and healthy as possible while putting in place supports for people and for businesses.

For the better part of this year, we have been surrounded by uncertainty. But one thing throughout that period has been certain, and that is our government’s commitment to do whatever it takes to get Ontario through the pandemic. This budget, the latest phase of our action plan, does just that. It builds on that important early work by setting out $45 billion in support over three years to provide more resources to strengthen front-line health care, support people and employers, and lay the groundwork for Ontario’s recovery. That is why, as I rise again today, I urge all of our colleagues in this place to support that plan. We must work together to fight the second wave of COVID-19.

Just as we must all count on each other to physically distance, to stay home when sick, to practise good hand hygiene, we must also work together in this place to protect and support the people of Ontario and lay the foundation for a strong recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. I hope that we can count on all members to support the bill.

Mr. Speaker, our plan is based on three pillars: protect, support, recover. First, we are taking steps to protect people from the deadly virus by increasing our investments to combat COVID-19 to $15.2 billion. Our second pillar is support: We will build on our early relief to provide $13.5 billion in direct support and $11.3 billion in cash flow support. And third, we are removing barriers to recovery by providing $4.8 billion to create jobs now and in the future as our economy recovers. Ontario’s action plan is a $45-billion, three-year response to COVID-19.

Mr. Speaker, “protect” is the first pillar of our plan, because nothing is more important than ensuring the health of Ontarians. We will invest $351 million to create over 3,100 more hospital beds and $572 million into our hospital system to ensure that we have the capacity to deal with COVID-19, whatever the circumstances. We will support our robust testing network with $1.4 billion as we continue to ramp up testing and contact tracing through 174 assessment centres, 170 pharmacies and 49 community-based testing and mobile sites. We are leading the country, with nearly 6.2 million tests completed since March.

That is more tests than were completed in all the Canadian provinces and territories combined. I’ll say that again: more tests than the rest of Canada put together.

Our government led the charge to call on the federal government to approve rapid tests so that people can get results quicker. And in the time since I introduced this legislation just a little over a month ago, we have deployed 98,000 COVID-19 rapid tests to provide faster results in regions of high transmission and rural and remote areas. We will be distributing 1.2 million rapid antigen tests to support screening programs for long-term-care homes and other vulnerable workplaces. These innovative testing options will help to quickly