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February 19, 2019

42nd Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2019-Feb-19 (PDF)

L066 - Tue 19 Feb 2019 / Mar 19 fév 2019

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Tuesday 19 February 2019 Mardi 19 février 2019

Royal assent / Sanction royale

Orders of the Day

Safe and Supportive Classrooms Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 pour des écoles sûres et axées sur le soutien

Private members’ public business

Introduction of Visitors

Tabling of sessional papers

Domestic violence

Oral Questions

Health care

Health care

Health care

Automotive industry

Autism treatment

Automotive industry

Post-secondary education

Autism treatment

Tuition

Cancer treatment

Indigenous programs and services

Tuition

Autism treatment

Public transit

Health care

Visitors

Safe and Supportive Classrooms Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 pour des écoles sûres et axées sur le soutien

Visitors

Introduction of Visitors

Members’ Statements

Autism treatment

KF Aerospace

London community organizations

Abilities Centre

Alma Mater Society of Queen’s University

Minister’s conduct

Education funding

Autism treatment

Palliative care

Lung disease

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Government Agencies

Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Introduction of Bills

Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 sur la refonte complète des services de police de l’Ontario

Golden Girls Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 sur les Golden Girls

Registered Professional Planners Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 sur les urbanistes certifiés

Petitions

Autism treatment

Fish and wildlife management

Environmental protection

West Lincoln Memorial Hospital

Tuition

Fish and wildlife management

Long-term care

Tuition

Tuition

Child care workers

Tuition

Arts and cultural funding

Orders of the Day

Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 visant à rétablir la compétitivité de l’Ontario

Adjournment Debate

Government accountability

The House met at 0900.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Let us begin by pausing for a moment of silence for inner thought and personal reflection.

Prayers.

Royal assent / Sanction royale

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I beg to inform the House that in the name of Her Majesty the Queen, Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor has been pleased to assent to a certain bill in her office.

The Deputy Clerk (Mr. Trevor Day): The following is the title of the bill to which Her Honour did assent:

An Act to amend the Labour Relations Act, 1995 / Loi modifiant la Loi de 1995 sur les relations de travail.

Orders of the Day

Safe and Supportive Classrooms Act, 2019 / Loi de 2019 pour des écoles sûres et axées sur le soutien

Resuming the debate adjourned on November 19, 2018, on the motion for second reading of the following bill:

Bill 48,

An Act to amend various Acts in relation to education and child care / Projet de loi 48, Loi modifiant diverses lois en ce qui concerne l’éducation et la garde d’enfants.

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

Mr. Joel Harden: Good morning, Speaker. Good morning, colleagues. It’s great to be back.

I rise this morning to talk about our friend in the government’s bill on safe and supportive classrooms. This is a laudable objective. This is something everybody in this place should agree with. But in the time I have this morning, I want to talk about something that is absent in this bill and which needs to be in this bill. It’s something that many members of this House have talked about at length.

That’s the issue of violence in our public school system, in our classrooms, and the untenable situation in which we are putting too many teachers, too many educational assistants, too many students and too many families in not providing enough supports for their children and for those working with their children to make sure our schools are safe.

What troubles me is when the first major piece of legislation that my friends in government introduce, notwithstanding the public school sex ed curriculum, is this, the issue of required, mandatory math tests and ensuring student safety against any sexual misconduct—which, of course, both objectives are valid, but when you have a situation where violence is present in our schools and educators and kids are suffering, I’m wondering why that is absent from this bill.

I want to talk about two particular stories which motivate me to rise in this House this morning. I want to talk about Michelle. Michelle is an early childhood educator and she contacted me when we asked—because that’s our approach as we do this work. We want to know from the front-line workers how things are going in the school system.

Michelle contacted us directly and said, “Joel, let me tell you about what life is like as an ECE in my elementary classroom: 29 kids crammed in a room where there are ritual moments where the classroom has to be vacated because of concerns of violence.” And as Michelle discusses in her note to me, it’s not necessarily the children, it’s not necessarily the talents of the teachers which is at issue; it’s the size of the junior kindergarten class.

Our friends previously in government, the Liberals, introduced the wonderful concept of all-day kindergarten, but unfortunately, the class caps that apply to the educating classrooms in grades 1 through to 8 don’t apply to junior and senior kindergarten. So what happens? You have a chaotic situation where teachers are put in a room with a whole bunch of four- and five-year-olds, many of whom have special needs.

In the last couple of weeks, we have been introduced to a public debate on autism, and that is going to be a major focal point of our discussion this week. What Michelle writes to me about is the need and want to do her utmost to help a child with autism in her class. But in one particular intervention where this child was becoming violent and the classroom had to be cleared for the second time on the same day, Michelle pinwheeled back, because the child had overwhelmed her in this particular moment as she was trying to break up an altercation.

She fell back into the door of the classroom, hitting herself on her eye, bruising her own face. I wish I could show you, Speaker, the picture of Michelle and what it looked like to go home that day with a massive black eye.

I want Michelle to know that everybody in this Legislature cares about her. We should be caring about safe and supportive classrooms. But do you know what, Speaker? We should also be caring for the autistic child that Michelle was attempting to help. What people in Ottawa Centre have told me, and I have briefly talked to some of my colleagues here and they’ve heard the same thing, is that we are about to unleash a tsunami on our public education system of kids with autism who are going into our schools with a lack of adequate supports.

What I know from first-hand experience talking to people like Michelle is that the people who will be on the front lines attempting to negotiate that situation are teachers, education workers, ECEs and EAs.

It’s not right for us to sit in this gilded House with this wonderful pageantry of debate while we unleash violence on those of us who actually work directly with our children.

My friend the member from Whitby talked about this in 2017, and I want to quote his words. After surveying the same research that I’m talking about this morning, the member said, “There can be no doubt about the magnitude of the problem of violence in Ontario’s classrooms and the need for demonstrated, meaningful action.”

He went on to say, “I’m talking about the need for more services to address children’s mental health as well as the need to ensure that funding for special needs is also allocated to front-line support services, to help ensure the success and well-being of every student.

“Classrooms are meant to be places of learning where teachers, like my daughter, encourage their students to explore the many parts of the curriculum. At the end of the day, teachers should be able to teach, students should not be afraid to go to school and parents should be confident in their children’s safety and opportunity to receive a high-quality education.”

Hear, hear to every single word that the member from Whitby said in the last sitting of the Legislature.

But here’s the problem, Speaker, and here’s what I heard when we convened an emergency round table on Saturday of parents of children with autism and autistic adults: We are not ready. We’re not even close to being ready. We have school boards, we have parents, we have advocates for people with autism ringing an alarm bell, and all we can muster at the moment that we’re in right now, in this sitting of the Legislature, is a bill requiring teachers to conduct math tests and to protect people against sexual misconduct. I’m not saying these things aren’t important.

But think of the magnitude of a wait-list of 23,000 people being empty—representing 34,000 students—and think of what’s going to be visited upon an already strained public education system. I invite my friends in government to consider that.

I also invite you to think about something else.

When I don’t know the answer to a question, my approach in life is to try to convene a conversation with people in my community to educate me. That’s what Saturday was. We have great food in Ottawa, particularly at the shawarma shops that decorate the riding. So we put out a lot of shawarma for people. And we put out a lot of boxes of Kleenex, because it was hard for parents to talk about their fears for their children walking into classrooms unprepared, knowing the progress some of them had made through intervention therapies, and worried that that progress was going to slip away.

Speaker, I spoke to Kerry, a mom back in Ottawa, as I travelled here last night. She was still up, trying to put her autistic son to bed. She and her husband have been having the conversation about what’s going to happen to their son. She was telling me—and I could hear the noise in the house, in the background—of the son struggling and fighting not to go to bed. Kerry noted that that was actually progress, to be at 9:30 at night, at a moment where her son can get a half-decent sleep to get ready for therapy work the next day.

The thought that on April 1 that six-year-old is going to lose access to that service which is going to help that six-year-old be successful breaks my heart. It should break the heart of every single member in this Legislature.

What I hope happens at 10:30, when we convene with our cudgels to fight in question period, and this entire week and next week is that we rise above the partisan fray; we remember that we are guardians of our public services, as legislators; we remember that it’s in all of our interests to figure out how we make sure every child can thrive and succeed.

We have a situation where violence is rampant in our schools because there are not adequate supports. I submit that that should be the priority. That should be woven into this bill. We should have adequate funding so that mental health services are available to every single student in our public school system, so that the teachers who are on the front lines get the training they need, get the staffing complements that they need. That should be in this bill.

Don’t tell me that the cupboard’s bare. Don’t tell me that we can’t afford it. Don’t tell me, “The deficit made me do it.” This is a rich province in a rich country, and I’ve seen enough open-bar receptions by lobbyist organizations in this building to tell me that there is money sloshing around to make sure every kid gets a great start. Let’s turn the page together for once. Let’s make sure our schools are safe.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Questions and comments?

Mr. Vijay Thanigasalam: The health, safety and well-being of our children and students is our number one priority. The government has zero tolerance for sexual abuse of Ontario’s students and children. We are taking action now to make our schools and early years and child care settings safer. These changes would include the success, health and safety of Ontario’s students and children, and put parents’ rights and voices first. This would provide more confidence to parents that the government is working to keep our kids safe.

We are preparing to make changes to council size and composition to better serve and protect the public interest in regulating Ontario’s teaching profession. These changes to the OCT are in the public interest and help put parents and students first.

We are taking action to help to ensure that students and children who have been the subject of alleged sexual abuse or acts of child pornography by educators have access to the supports they need.

Our government is committed to improving the success of Ontario’s students. We are supporting teachers to be better prepared to teach the fundamentals of math. These changes will provide more confidence to parents that the government is working to ensure that Ontario continues to have one of the best education systems in the world.

As I mentioned, the health, safety and well-being of our children and students is the number one priority for our government.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Questions and comments?

Ms. Laura Mae Lindo: If the health, safety and security or well-being of our students is at the heart of this bill, then I am pleading with the government to listen to my colleague from Ottawa Centre.

The discussion that we just had around violence in the classroom—violence in the classroom is a symptom of underfunding of a system. That is the reason that my colleague stood up in this House to discuss concrete examples of what happens when our system says one thing but does another. If we really want to ensure that our children are safe when they go to school, if we really want to ensure that our educators are safe when they are doing one of the biggest jobs in the world—a job that we wish, as parents, we could be at home to do—then we have to make sure that we provide adequate resources for that system. We can’t do that if we continue to think of the issues at hand in silos.

The cuts to autism funding are going to have an impact on the safety and security of our children and our educators in the system. My colleague from Ottawa Centre provided concrete examples of exactly what is happening here. What’s missing from this bill is real, concrete resourcing of a system that has been starved of resources for far too long. A math test for educators is not going to solve that problem. Resourcing the education system, however, will solve that problem. That’s what I’m hoping that our government will actually listen to.

Educators are telling them what the system needs. Our students are telling them what the system needs. Violence is a symptom of a larger problem. Violence in the classroom is a symptom of starving a system. That is where the issue is. That’s the reason why we have the rallies we do.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Questions and comments?

Mr. Paul Calandra: Welcome back, to all of my colleagues. I listened very intently to what the members opposite said, as well as the comments from both members.

It’s clear that this bill isn’t meant to be an omnibus bill. This bill is not meant to be a bill that solves all of the problems that we have in the education system—many of the problems that, of course, were left behind—but a lot of problems that have developed over the years as technology has changed, as the education system has changed and what our kids need to learn has changed. This bill starts to address some of those issues.

We’ve heard from a lot of parents, we’ve heard from educators that there need to be a little bit better options for security and safety of our students and of our teachers. This bill starts to address that. We’ve heard loud and clear from parents that mathematics is an issue with our students. This bill starts to address that. It helps to give teachers and students the tools that they need. But of course, it is not meant to be an omnibus bill.

I’m actually quite surprised to hear the members opposite requesting and seeming to be advocating for the government to come forward with an omnibus bill—a large bill that would seem to solve all of the problems of the education system. I don’t think that would be appropriate for the government to do.

We have a lot of listening that we still need to do. There are a lot of differences between urban and rural settings when it comes to our education system. There are a lot of differences that we’re hearing from board to board. We have to solve some of those problems.

But this bill addresses some of those very important immediate needs that parents have highlighted for us, that the minister in her initial consultations and all of the members have heard: specifically, keeping our students safe; giving the resources to our teachers so that they can be better prepared to teach our students math and so that they are safe; making changes to the College of Teachers. These are all good first steps in revamping our education system to give our students and to give our teachers the tools that they need to succeed.

I do look forward to working with the members opposite to bring forward even more bills to improve the system for students and our teachers.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Questions and comments?

Ms. Peggy Sattler: It’s a pleasure to rise to offer some thoughts on the comments from my colleague the member for Ottawa Centre.

He talked about an emergency round table that he held in Ottawa on the weekend. Speaker, I had a similar town hall on education just last week. I have to say that it is somewhat ironic that we’re here this morning talking about safe and supportive classrooms. When I had my education town hall, I heard from parents who are very concerned about the potential to remove the caps on class sizes and to have increased class sizes, particularly in the early years.

I heard from a parent who has a three-year-old little boy with autism. That three-year-old will be eligible for full-day kindergarten this coming September, but she’s terrified about the prospect of sending him into a classroom that could have 30, 31, 32 children—who knows? She is very worried that this will not be a safe and supportive environment for her little boy.

This bill refers to service animals in classrooms. That will be a very supportive thing for a number of students with autism, but it will do nothing for that tsunami of young people with autism who are going to be relying on our schools for support because the Conservatives want to change the autism program, which is going to deny services to thousands and thousands of students with autism across this province.

There is no question that the provisions in this bill are needed, especially around the sexual assault. However, we need to do much, much more if we are truly to ensure safe and supportive classrooms for Ontario students.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): We’ll return to the member from Ottawa Centre for his summation.

Mr. Joel Harden: I want to thank the members from Scarborough–Rouge Park, Kitchener Centre, Markham–Stouffville and London West for their comments.

In the short amount of time I have here, I want to invite us all to put ourselves in the shoes of other folks who are about to face a pretty challenging testing experience. I want you to put yourself in the shoes of a teacher, of an educational assistant, of an ECE, attempting to break up an altercation in the classroom between a child who needs more help with autism services and a raucous and unruly environment.

I want to invite you, as the member from Whitby said in the previous Legislature, to the teachers in Durham region who have been issued Kevlar-grade clothing to prevent against biting and scratching and violence in the classroom—put ourselves in the shoes of those people.

Put ourselves in the shoes of Kerry’s son—Kerry, who I spoke to last night—who cannot negotiate conflict well, who flaps his hands and cries and screams, and has had some progress in his own development but will be pushed into the public school system with little support. Put ourselves in the shoes of that six-year-old boy and ask ourselves, “Can Ontario do better?”

Are we going to spend every day in this place arguing about the deficit and about how little money we have to help Kerry and Michelle and that six-year-old boy? Are we going to dig deep and realize, frankly, to my friend from Markham–Stouffville, we do need an omnibus bill right now with appropriate supports to be able to deliver what people in the education system need? You folks are great at omnibus bills. I see them all the time. Bring one forward with the adequate supports that kids and teachers need. Bring it now; we need it. I’m telling you we need it. If we could work on it collectively together in the next two weeks, the people of this province would stand up and applaud all of us.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Further debate?

Ms. Donna Skelly: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good morning. I’m pleased to have an opportunity this morning to speak in favour of Bill 48, our government’s Safe and Supportive Classrooms Act.

I believe that in the province of Ontario, our children deserve to feel safe when interacting with their teachers at school, as well as to expect their teachers to have the required skill set in order to help improve their mathematics skills. Parents should not have to worry about our children being harmed by those we are trusting to educate them, especially in a system that provides one of the best educations in the world.

Mr. Speaker, the title of Bill 48 says it all. We want our classrooms to be safe and supportive places where our children can thrive. We want them to learn the skills they need to succeed in the real world once they leave school.

One of the ways the Safe and Supportive Classrooms Act does this is by introducing math proficiency tests that teachers must take before they can become fully certified under the Ontario College of Teachers Act. This is to address the slow but steady decrease in standardized math scores that we have seen in Ontario in recent years. We need to reverse this trajectory, and this is one tool to help do so.

As parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, as well as a member of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, I’ve had an opportunity to travel around the province and listen to the concerns of many groups of people, including employers. One thing that I keep hearing and that our government keeps hearing is that there is a shortage of skilled workers right across Ontario. There is a mismatch.

Students are spending years in school and not learning the skills they need to have successful careers and fill increasing numbers of vacancies in many good, well-paying jobs. It’s important for students to graduate with the skills they need to be successful in their future education, their work, and elsewhere. This is something that we have heard from students, parents and employers. In particular, the purpose of our “for the parents” consultation last year was to solicit parental and public feedback on what they want to see as part of their children’s education.

I know that the Minister of Education and our government are encouraged that thousands and thousands of responses were provided. We are analyzing the results of the consultation so that we can make the necessary reforms to improve our province’s education system.

I also would like to point out, Mr. Speaker, that our government is currently holding consultations with our partners in the education sector that relate to hiring practices and more. These consultations, which will be wrapping up at the end of this week, are part of our government’s commitment to listen and figure out how we can make our province’s services work better for everyone.

In today’s world, our children need to be proficient in numeracy and financial literacy. I believe this is absolutely essential. It is critical to their success and independence in the long term. In order for them to be proficient, we need to help ensure that our educators are also proficient in these areas. We have learned, as mentioned in earlier debates, that if teachers are not confident in the fundamental tenets of math—or any subject, for that matter—then there is a natural hesitancy in teaching that subject.

It is well documented that a problem has existed in this area for a very long time. As a parent of two young adults, who remembers helping my sons with math homework when they were in elementary school and high school, I find it alarming that only half of grade 6 students are able to meet provincial math standards. This lack of a strong mathematics foundation in elementary school is carried over into our secondary school system, with over half of students not meeting provincial standards in grade 9 applied math classes.

As one of the four major components of the STEM academic discipline, mathematics is a subject that is vital for most college and university programs, as well as in so many well-paying, skilled jobs in the workforce right across Ontario.

I want to make it clear that our government is not putting the blame for these low performances solely on teachers, but as I said earlier, if a teacher feels that they are not comfortable in the basics of mathematics, then they are likely to be somewhat hesitant in teaching math to the students. By putting math proficiency tests in place, as Bill 48 does, students and parents can be assured that their teachers have the skill set and the knowledge required to help their children succeed.

There are other provisions in the Safe and Supportive Classrooms Act that I would like to highlight briefly. First, passing Bill 48 will allow our government to respond in an appropriate manner to a governance review that has been under way since last spring by the Ontario College of Teachers. This is important to ensure that the College of Teachers is more accountable to Ontarians, especially to parents who want to make sure their children are being taught by the best in their field.

Second,

schedule 2 of Bill 48 allows the government to make an amendment to the Education Act with respect to establishing policy and guidelines for service animals in schools, and requires school boards to comply with them. This is an important step to take so that students with special needs can have the support of their service animals when they are in school.

As we know, many visually impaired or blind students across the province use guide dogs to help them safely get to where they need to be. Others with special needs use therapy dogs to help enhance their educational experience. These dogs do a great service to these individual children, their families and, indeed, to all Ontarians, and this is to be encouraged. This is why those who use service animals should not be faced with hurdles when it comes to bringing them into their schools. Bill 48 will remedy this situation.

There must also be absolutely no tolerance for adults who abuse their power when they are in the presence of children—absolutely no tolerance. As a mother, this is very important to me. Educators have a duty to keep our children safe when they are in our classrooms. This is something that both parents and students should expect without exception.

The Safe and Supportive Classrooms Act is explicit in what exactly constitutes professional misconduct by a teacher or early childhood educator and what does not. Under Bill 48, professional misconduct includes sexual abuse of a child, sexual misconduct, prohibited acts involving child pornography, and prescribed sexual acts. By listing these acts explicitly and clearly as actions of professional misconduct in both the Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007, and the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996, our government is making sure there can be no confusion about what constitutes inappropriate behaviour toward children.

Our children deserve to have the best education possible in Ontario to prepare them for successful futures. Our children deserve no less.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Questions and comments?

Mr. Michael Mantha: Good morning to you, Speaker. It’s great to be back on behalf of the good people of Algoma–Manitoulin.

We’re going to be able to see the stark difference as far as—of course, we’re not opposed to the items that are within the context of this bill; however, there’s much, much more that can be done.

With that note, before I go any further with the brief comments that I have, I want to give a shout-out to Mrs. Heather Cudmore, who is the teacher in the grade 4 and 5 over at Blind River Public School. I took them up on their challenge to come into the classroom. Actually, they sent an email to me with a bunch of questions, and I responded to them, “Better than answering them in an email, how about I come and visit your classroom?” So I did.

I have to tell you that on normal occasions when you meet up with adults, organizations and stuff, you kind of know what the setting is, but in front of a classroom of grade 4s and 5s, my butterflies were at an all-time high. You just never know what’s going to come out of those kids.

What I do want to tell the kids is—remember when we were talking about symbolism when I was in the classroom? And it’s unfortunate, but I will send you a picture of it, kids—is that over my shoulder here, there is an owl, and you know what that owl means. Right in front of me, I’m looking at the eagle. That is the context of what we need to do with this bill. As I look up at the eagle—I listened to what you brought forward, a lot of the issues that you had as students, along with your teachers, so I’m doing my job in regard to being vigilant.

I’m going to have my opportunity to speak, I hope, to this bill very shortly. I’m going to be bringing ideas forward. I’m going to be bringing amendments that possibly could be done, and hopefully we’ll get it done at committee.

The role of this government is to look up to that eagle and be wise and listen to the suggestions that are coming from this side. Remember when we talked about being open and being a government for all the people and not just fighting all the time?

Again, it was such a pleasure meeting with you guys in your classroom. Like I said, any time you want me to come back, I’m there for you.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Questions and comments?

Mr. Robert Bailey: It’s a pleasure to rise today and to represent and speak on behalf of the riding of Sarnia–Lambton.

I also had the opportunity over the intersession break to attend a couple of schools and speak to grade 5 and 6 classes. They certainly can ask you a number of interesting questions, as the member from Algoma–Manitoulin said.

I remember the first time I went to a school, about three years ago now, and when I went in there I made the mistake of answering a question—one young man said, “Do you know my dad? He’s so-and-so.” I said, “Oh, yes.” Another hand went up—“Do you know my mother?” Before long, it was that kind of whole narrative. Finally, the teacher spoke up and said, “Class, just a minute. Let’s just assume that Mr. Bailey probably knows all your moms, dads, grandparents and siblings. Let’s move on to some other subject.” So I was careful the other day.

I started the session out by saying, “I’m pretty sure I know a number of your parents and grandparents, so don’t ask me that so that we won’t get caught down that road.”

Anyway, we are here about Bill 48 today, and I appreciate the opportunity to say a few words on it. The member from Flamborough–Glanbrook mentioned a number of issues: the sexual abuse of students or children by any member of the teachers’—we want to make sure that that is put in place; the review of the Ontario College of Teachers; also the study and the emphasis on mathematics. Also, it’s very interesting that we’re going to take another look at service animals for therapy and for comfort, so we make sure we have more clarity around the province for those children who need service animals in the classroom and on school buses so they can take

part in the school year like they should.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Questions and comments?

M me France Gélinas: It’s a pleasure to talk about the Safe and Supportive Classrooms Act. The bill has to live up to its name. The bill is called “safe and supportive classrooms,” and when a parent of a child with autism reads this, they really read that as, “There is going to be something in that bill to support my child.” But it’s not the case. There are some good steps forward to make our classrooms safer, but there are some huge gaps that we all know have been there—whether we talk about violence in our classrooms, whether we talk about children with autism needing to be supported.

We had Sean and Julia Staddon from Sudbury organize a rally in Sudbury on Friday. On Friday afternoon, the wind was blowing, it was snowing; you couldn’t see four feet in front of you. They came out by the dozens to support kids with autism.

A woman named Chantal Chartrand from my riding, from Capreol, came out. She has two children with autism. Her daughter was one of the lucky ones who—she has severe autism, but she gets close to 20 hours of therapy a week. You should see the difference it made in that child in the last year, since September, since she started intensive behavioural therapy. You would not recognize her. She’s verbal now. She controls her tantrums. She’s a completely different child. But she has Gavin. Gavin is only three years old. He has been diagnosed also. She’s very worried. She wants a supportive classroom for all children.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Questions and comments?

M me Natalia Kusendova: Bonjour, monsieur le Président. C’est un plaisir d’être de retour dans cette Chambre avec tous mes collègues. Je suis fière de prendre la parole aujourd’hui pour appuyer le projet de loi 48 sur la sécurité et le soutien dans les classes scolaires. Ma collègue la députée de Flamborough–Glanbrook a parlé avec tellement d’éloquence des fondements de ce projet de loi.

Notre gouvernement reconnaît qu’il reste encore beaucoup de travail à faire pour améliorer les résultats des élèves en mathématiques. Nous voulons aider à mettre nos enseignants en la meilleure position possible pour atteindre le succès avant même d’entrer dans la classe. Les modifications de la loi 48 proposées vont donner aux parents la confiance qu’ils méritent, sachant que le gouvernement s’emploie à faire en sorte que les enseignants de l’Ontario possèdent les compétences fondamentales pour enseigner les mathématiques.

Some of you may know that I’m an immigrant to Canada. I came at age 12. Just to give some perspective about where we stand in math, when I entered our school system in grade 7, I actually didn’t have to put any effort into the study of mathematics until grade 11. I was so advanced, coming from a European system. So there is a lot of work that we need to do to ensure that our students are successful in fundamentals such as mathematics, literacy and technology going forward.

On est confiant que ce projet de loi va soutenir les étudiants, les familles, les enseignants et tous les conseils scolaires en Ontario.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): We’ll return to the member from Flamborough–Glanbrook for her two-minute summation.

Ms. Donna Skelly: Mr. Speaker, I really do genuinely believe that our children deserve the best education they can possibly get in the province of Ontario. I do believe that our children deserve to be safe and protected when they are attending schools—elementary schools, high schools and schools of post-secondary education—right across Ontario.

Parents should never ever have to worry about their children being harmed by those they trust to take care of them at school. They should also believe that they are getting the best education by people who are qualified and comfortable providing it. They should not have to worry about their children learning the basics, especially something as important as math.

As I mentioned earlier, as the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, as well as a member of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, I did have the chance to travel across Ontario on several occasions. Without a doubt—and my colleagues across the floor who were able to attend some of these meetings will agree—the number one issue raised is, we cannot find people to fill high-paying jobs. They don’t have the skill sets. That was the number one issue raised at every meeting we held across Ontario.

One of the problems: They’re not getting the basics in math. This will address that. It’s an important step towards addressing that void that is becoming a critical issue.

I also want to make sure that our parents feel comfortable that the people they entrust with their children will not harm their children. Bill 48 will provide those assurances. There must be absolutely no tolerance for adults who abuse their power when they are in the presence of children—no tolerance.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Further debate?

Ms. Jill Andrew: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. I’ve seen first-hand, as an educator, what effective structural conditions coupled with caring and safe adults who support the growth of our children can look like.

The Conservative Mike Harris years saw the sudden sidelining of arts education—something Mike Harris referred to as a frill—and his introduction of standardized curriculum which took a problematic one-size-fits-all approach to schooling that totally ignored different student approaches to learning and unique student needs. These approaches contributed to what unsafe, unsupportive failed classrooms look like today.

Unsafe, unsupportive classrooms are underfunded. Our Ontario schools are currently underfunded and literally falling apart to the tune of $16 billion in school disrepairs. There are too many students in classrooms bursting at the seams and far too little resources for special-needs children who continue to be an afterthought for this Conservative government. One only has to look at this government’s inhumane cuts to the Ontario Autism Program to see just how disconnected this government is to the real needs of families across the province raising children with autism spectrum disorders.

One size does not fit all. Consult with families and listen to them. Listen to parents of autistic children like Nicole Wilson. Nicole is a wait-list parent. Her son was diagnosed at two-and-a-half-years old and is non-verbal. He will be six this year and he hasn’t received any services. In Nicole’s own words, she said, “I am completely crushed that my son will never see quality services, be given a chance to be independent one day, or use his own voice.”

There are too few education workers, mental health workers and EAs, and not nearly enough time for one-on-one help for kids. Class sizes must be capped. Otherwise, our children cannot learn. Our children deserve better.

Our children will continue to fall through the cracks, Speaker, without classroom caps, and violence in classrooms and behavioural issues will continue to soar. Educators and classroom staff are doing their best. They’re literally digging into their own pockets at times to provide supports that students, parents and guardians should be able to expect from their schools, and their schools from their province.

Courtesy of the former Liberal government, we continue to see these dismal effects of a Conservative education funding formula that the Liberal government refused to rewrite over the past 15 years, despite the cries of parent and school communities, trustees, education associations and advocacy groups begging not to see children’s education go backwards from bad to worse.

A rewritten education funding formula rooted in equity instead of the often-misused concept of equality would breathe new life into our schools and into needs-specific resources students require to thrive. It’s clear that both the Liberals and the Conservatives confused the terminology, and our children continue to pay the price. As Fix Our Schools so eloquently stated on the legacy of the broken funding formula, “In a nutshell, they confused equal for equitable; and therefore funding student needs, school needs and community needs were nowhere in the equation.”

A one-size-fits-all approach to funding misses the fact that sometimes unequal dollars must be spent in order to actually reach equity.

Bill 48 cannot be the answer to children who get nosebleeds in the summer because of the heat in the classrooms. Bill 48 cannot be the answer to those who are freezing in class in the winter. It cannot be the answer to kids learning in school portables year-round despite weather conditions. The Conservative answer to our students was to cut $100 million that was going to be used for school repairs.

This Conservative government scrapped Parents Reaching Out Grants without letting parents even know of their decision beforehand. The government cut specialized programming for elementary and secondary students across the province to the tune of $25 million last year. Included on the chopping block: Focus on Youth after-school programs targeting underprivileged, lower-income and often racialized youth; in-class tutors—so much for student success; Indigenous-focused collaborative inquiry; and the $2,500 SpeakUp grants led by students—so much for student voice.

How can this government expect to keep children safe and supported if they’re peddling a curriculum from the last century in 2019 and threatening educators with snitch lines. Heck, I had a Motorola flip phone in 1998 and I used a typewriter.

I am in full support of throwing the book at any adult who sexually abuses children in schools. I am a survivor. Bill 48 aims to revoke the teaching licence of educators found guilty of sexual abuse, and that is spot-on. I will give any Conservative a high-five to throwing the book at sexual abusers. However, Bill 48 is an omnibus bill that jumbles things together that should never be in conversation with one another. Teachers, math scores and sexual abuse—I don’t see the logic. Combining these is ridiculous and it takes away time from actually debating each important issue properly.

Again, this is an omnibus bill meant to distract people from what’s really going on—a lack of transparency by this Conservative government. Case in point: Bill 48 seeks to eliminate the public interest committee at the Ontario College of Teachers. I’m a member. This committee is for us, the public. The independence and self-regulatory role of the College of Teachers is put at risk by allowing the Conservative government wide-ranging powers over its governance. The last thing we need is more Conservative insiders stripping the voices of teachers in the public interest while government-appointed members—friends—take the helm.

Bill 48 is requiring teachers to take a math proficiency test at the beginning of their career, while simultaneously cancelling math supports for teachers. It just doesn’t make sense. Furthermore, what is the proposal for a mandatory math test for teachers based on? Is there enough data to show that this kind of testing has been proven to improve children’s test scores? Sam Hammond, president of ETFO, called the mandatory test “unwarranted and unnecessary.” Have consultations with parents and educators been conducted to ensure this is the right approach? Has literally anyone—anyone—asked for this change?

The truth is, this government is proposing an ill-thought-out answer to a question no one has asked. Even if we hold for a moment the idea that a student’s score on standardized tests is some sort of an indicator of their success—which it has been proven not to be—it is still yet to be proven that making teachers take a mandatory math test would address student problems more so than properly resourcing schools with educational supports in the classroom for individualized student attention, capped classroom sizes, better learning conditions, mental health workers and EAs.

To reiterate, classrooms are underfunded, under-resourced and overcrowded. Let’s name the elephant in the room. Bill 48 does absolutely nothing to address the real problems in the classroom and in the curriculum. Class sizes are growing, and this government has threatened to take away caps on kindergarten to grade 3 classes. This reduces the amount of time teachers can spend with kids individually so those who need the support will actually get the support. Kids are falling through the cracks.

To reiterate, the government cut $25 million just a couple of months ago from programs that help the most marginalized, disadvantaged, peripheral students we have seen. Again, this is the same government that has derailed and disbanded the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, an independent voice for Ontario’s most vulnerable young people.

It appears the Conservatives aren’t realizing that the parents and children of Ontario are not buying what they are selling. Parents like Hillary will continue to fight the government to ensure their kids aren’t dragged backward by a government that thinks children are efficiencies. Our children deserve better. Ontario families deserve better and they deserve transparency at every turn.

Let’s call Bill 48 what it is: an opportunity for the Conservative government to make sweeping changes to the Early Childhood Educators Act, the Ontario College of Teachers Act and the Teaching Profession Act all at once, and at breakneck speed, to increase its control over the governance structure of what should be the self-regulating College of Teachers. Let’s try respecting teachers for a change. Let’s try supporting teachers for a change.

Again, I support Bill 48’s call to throw the book at sexual abusers. There aren’t enough books to throw at those folks. But the rest of the bill needs a drastic overhaul. I ask the government to give our children what children, parents, guardians, educators, social workers, academics and doctors are asking for: better schools, functioning schools, fixed schools, schools that offer a curriculum that actually saves lives, and supports for the kids who are most at the margins.

I plead with the government: Listen first, act second. Do not let the power of being the government go to your heads.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Questions and comments?

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: I wish to welcome all my colleagues back to the Legislature. I hope you had a very good rest where you had the opportunity also to interact a lot with your constituents and bring their concerns back to this House, because that is, of course, the most important task of each and every one of us as elected representatives for our respective constituencies.

I want to thank, of course, in that context, the member for St. Paul’s for speaking very passionately about some of the issues that she felt with this piece of legislation. I understand, having sat in opposition myself for a year and a half prior to being elected to the government benches along with so many of my colleagues in a truly historic majority government for the Progressive Conservatives, a government for the people—I understand some of the frustration that there can be on the opposition benches when it comes to making sure that you’re speaking about particular areas that maybe you feel are very important.

Here on the government benches, we understand the need to really listen to what the parents, the students and educators across Ontario are saying. What they’ve spoken to us about is a lot of these concerns that we see reflected in the bill. They’ve spoken to us about the need to address math scores here in the province of Ontario. They’ve spoken to us about the need to change the Ontario College of Teachers and make it more responsive. And they’ve also, of course, spoken to us about the need to ensure that we have more supports for those children and families who need service animals.

I’m very excited to be able to respond to the minister’s—sorry, the member’s comments this morning—

Ms. Jill Andrew: Foreshadowing. Thank you.

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: Give it a little bit of time. We know you’ll cross the benches.

I have to disagree with a component of the premise. I think it’s very important that we see this as what it is: an effort on behalf of our government to show support to our students and those who need it most.

Thank you very much for your speech this morning.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Questions and comments?

M. Guy Bourgouin: Il me fait plaisir de me lever aujourd’hui. Je souhaite aussi la bienvenue à tous les collègues. On revient pour essayer de faire des changements qui comptent pour les personnes de l’Ontario.

J’ai eu la chance cette semaine—surtout avec tous les changements proposés par le gouvernement—de rencontrer les parents du petit Cedric Roy de Kapuskasing. Cedric a besoin de 20 heures de thérapie par semaine. Il les reçoit à l’école. Mais avec le nouveau plan qu’ils offrent, il va plutôt recevoir un petit deux heures de thérapie par semaine. Deux heures; son spécialiste lui a prescrit 20 heures. On parle d’un enfant autiste. Ses parents disent que pour eux autres—il faut que vous compreniez la région de Mushkegowuk. Kapuskasing est à deux heures de Timmins.

La différence que ces parents-là doivent compenser pour que le petit Cedric puisse avoir ses 20 heures de thérapie, il va falloir qu’ils dépensent la différence pour se rendre à Timmins pour que les services soient donnés.

Ça, c’est la réalité. C’est la réalité des coupures que les familles vont ressentir. C’est bien bon de dire qu’on va faire les changements pour les mathématiques; ça ne s’arrête pas aux mathématiques. Vous vivez une réalité; les parents vont vivre une réalité; le petit Cedric va vivre une réalité. Pour le petit Cedric, ça améliore sa condition de vie. On joue avec la vie du monde puis on s’arrête aux mathématiques. On s’arrête sur des principes quand on joue avec la vie des enfants.

Je peux vous dire, ces parents-là, ils ne sont pas les seuls. J’ai des commettants de Smooth Rock Falls, aussi : même situation. Ce qui fait que je dis au gouvernement : écoutez ce côté de la Chambre quand on vous dit que les effets que ces jeunes vont recevoir, qu’eux et leurs familles vont vivre, c’est important.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Questions and comments?

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: I would like to start off first by taking this opportunity to thank the Minister of Education for introducing this very important bill, and all my colleagues for the really informative and interesting discussion this morning.

Life skills is an area that is often neglectfully overlooked. A few weeks ago, I hosted Minister Todd Smith for a meet-and-greet with BIAs, business owners and farmers from across the riding of Carleton, and the lack of basic skills possessed by children and youth is an issue that came up time and time again.

Graham Green of Abby Hill Farms explained that many of the students who come to work on his farm don’t have basic math skills, while others are unable to even cook for themselves. Jeffrey Morris, owner of the Manotick Messenger and of the Barrhaven Independent, noted that he knows honour students who can’t even read an analog clock.

Somewhere along the line over the last 15 years, we have failed our students. We need to make sure our students are well equipped to cope with stress, to feel confident in their skills and to hope for a great future in whatever career path they choose.

I want to thank everyone who took the time to take

part in our public consultation and provided their feedback. Know that your voice was heard and that the rich and extensive data our government has collected will provide a pathway forward for years to come. The Safe and Supportive Classrooms Act, if passed, will not only make sure that children are learning in a safe and supportive space, but it will also ensure that we have one of the best education and child care systems in the world. We are sending a very clear message with the proposed changes in Bill 48. The safety, health and well-being of our children in this province is our government’s number one priority.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Questions and comments?

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Bill 48, the Safe and Supportive Classrooms Act, is a crucial piece of legislation, but let’s not stray from the root cause of the problem that we are speaking of today: Classrooms are underfunded. This is the bottom line. The resources needed to provide enough one-on-one time with students are simply not there, let alone for the students who struggle with certain subjects, students who require accommodations to their type of learning. No two children are the same. We cannot treat them the same.

Over the past couple of months, I have had many constituents come to speak to me in my constituent office. They’re voicing concerns with problematic classroom sizes and classroom ratios. One incident led to a kindergarten student being hurt after another child was using an object to fight with him. His teacher could not keep an eye on all 34 students—four- and five-year-olds, might I add. The results? An injury that could have turned into a hospital visit very quickly. This government doesn’t seem to realize that these cuts, too, will directly affect their own children.

How exactly does the math proficiency test at the beginning of a teacher’s career address the issue of irrational classroom ratios? Short answer: It doesn’t. Teachers are simply not able to accommodate all students within a day or to provide each child with critical one-on-one time. Could it be that math scores are declining because the teachers do not have the time to sit and explain and to ensure that each of their students understands the material? Of course it is.

This government needs to connect the dots between test scores, classroom sizes, funding and accessibilities. Only then can we truly begin to provide an environment that strives for and supports our children.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): And we will return to the member from Toronto–St. Paul’s.

Ms. Jill Andrew: I would like to thank everyone in the House today who has spoken in regard to Bill 48.

It is ironic, because Bill 48 is called the Safe and Supportive Classrooms Act, but what this bill is actually doing is that it’s putting skills before the safety of our kids and educators. The bill privileges math scores, while children with autism and other special needs go forgotten.

It is a concern to me that we’re not addressing the real issues here. Our schools are underfunded, our schools are under-resourced and our schools are overcrowded. In order to get to the root cause and to really create safe and supportive classrooms for our kids—who I’m certain we all care about, regardless of our party affiliations—we have to do what’s right: that is, to put our personal interests and our personal egos aside and speak to parents, speak to autism advocates, speak to children advocates. Don’t bully them. Don’t try to get them to like your agenda or agree with your defunct autism plan.

That’s not the way we do it. We speak to parents and we hear what they have to say. We speak to children, we visit schools and we see what’s actually happening.

We need more resources. We need more caring adults in the room who get it, who are there to teach, there to support, there to encourage our children’s thriving in the classroom and in the school community at large. That is what Bill 48 really needs to address. We do that with inclusive curriculum. We do that with physical and health education that’s from this century, not the last century. We do that by addressing the real issues—not an omnibus bill that puts everything into a pot and stirs.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Further debate? The member for Kitchener–Conestoga.

Mr. Mike Harris: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for affording me the opportunity to rise in the Legislature today. It’s great to see you. It’s great to be back. I’m happy to have a chance today to speak on Bill 48, the Safe and Supportive Classrooms Act. It is an honour and a privilege to do so.

Before I begin, I would like to take a moment and welcome back all of my colleagues to the House following the winter recess. These past couple of months were well deserved for all of the members in this chamber, as we have been working non-stop since day one and getting strong results. These winter months have been a great opportunity for all of us to reconnect with the constituents and stakeholders of our respective ridings.

It’s always a good idea once in a while to place into Hansard a recounting of an MPP’s riding itinerary, if only to compliment their hard-working staff, who keep operations humming 52 weeks a year. Last Thursday, I chaired a CEO round table facilitated by the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, which urged our government to continue our current path towards promoting economic growth. Following that, I visited a south Kitchener manufacturer whose power pipe drain recovery system is gaining market share internationally.

The next day, I joined my outstanding regional colleague the member for Kitchener South–Hespeler, Amy Fee, in opening the Grand River Hospital’s new pain management centre—and before that, St. Jude’s School in Kitchener for the official opening of Spectrum Academy, Ontario’s first full-day education and therapy-integrated school for autistic children. Before I continue, I want to compliment my colleague for her passion and dedication on the autism file and also for her fight on getting service dogs in our schools, which is such an important part of this bill.

That afternoon, I also sat down with Waterloo Catholic District School Board to discuss some schools in my riding and some of the topics found in Bill 48.

It is not as if our government took our foot off the pedal these past few months. We accomplished a great deal in a short time as it pertains to policy and planning. In the time this Legislature was not sitting, our Premier and government did not sit on our hands. We did not stop working to make Ontario open for business or to save Ontario families time and money.

In December, our government made very significant announcements on the GO train file. The Honourable Jeff Yurek, Minister of Transportation, came down to Kitchener in mid-December to inform my constituents that there would be an increase in GO train service for Waterloo region. Then, on January 7, I am proud to say that our government’s 25% GO train service increase officially came into effect.

We kicked off the new year on the right foot by freezing driver and vehicle fees on January 1. Let me say that this is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of what the government has accomplished on the auto file since the beginning of 2019. On January 9, for example, our government launched consultations to lower auto insurance rates in Ontario. Then, on January 22, we expanded Ontario’s Automated Vehicle Pilot Program.

On that note, let me add that our government takes digitization very seriously. We are taking some much-needed action to modernize the way we do things here in Ontario and to bring our business services up to speed with the rest of North America. For example, on January 24, we launched new technology at a truck inspection station that saved commercial carriers time, money and fuel.

Even my own private member’s bill, Bill 50, the Cutting Red Tape for Motor Vehicle Dealers Act, which passed second reading on November 22 and was ordered to the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly, harnesses the benefits of digitization by proposing that registration of newly purchased vehicles be streamlined by allowing auto dealers to complete the registrations in-house at their dealerships in an electronic format.

We know that our work, although hotly contested in this chamber at times, is paying off already and in a big way. For example, we found out on February 8 that employment in Ontario increased by over 41,000 new jobs in January alone. It’s incredible, especially when one considers that we added 34,000 full-time positions.

It is no wonder things are going so well for Ontario’s economy under our government’s Open for Business mandate, when one considers that just this past January the Canadian Federation of Independent Business gave Ontario an A-minus on its red tape report card. That is a drastic increase from the C-plus rating that it gave the previous government in 2018. To hammer this point home, our Premier, the Honourable Doug Ford, was the first in Ontario’s history to receive the Golden Scissors Award from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. I’m proud to be part of the positive change that is sweeping across this province.

It’s time to continue pushing forward our government’s mandate in the Legislature now that we have returned, and it starts today with Bill 48. It was Family Day yesterday, Mr. Speaker, and this bill and our government’s mandate are all about serving the families of this province and making sure that they can grow and prosper.

Our government does not simply want to be a government for today but also a government for tomorrow. We care about not only the short-term interests of this province but also the long-term outcome. We want to do everything within our power to set up future generations for success. Ensuring the long-term prosperity of Ontario’s families begins with improving our education system and ensuring that our children are set up for success in the economy of tomorrow. As the father of five beautiful children, I can clearly see the strength and importance of this message. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention them, Mr. Speaker.

My children, quite frankly, are what motivate me to perform at my very best, day in and day out, as an elected official.

Finally, Bill 48, the Safe and Supportive Classrooms Act is being debated here today in the name of this objective: serving the educational interests of our children. Bill 48 was introduced to ensure that our education system lives up to the standards and visions that we have for Ontario’s future generations.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I move, pursuant to standing order 48, that the question now be put.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Mr. Harris has moved that the question be now put. I’m of the understanding that we’ve had 22 speakers, five days of debate—nine hours and 38 minutes approximately. I’m satisfied that there has been sufficient debate to allow this question to be put to the House.

Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? I heard a no.

All those in favour of the motion that the question be now put, please say “aye.”

All those opposed to the motion that the question be now put, please say “nay.”

In my opinion, the ayes have it. I declare the motion carried.

Private members’ public business

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Orders of the day? I recognize the member from Whitby, the chief government whip.

Mr. Lorne Coe: I seek unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice regarding the notice dates for two items of private members’ business. I move that the notice for ballot 47, standing in the name of Mr. Coe, and ballot item 48—

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): The member is seeking unanimous consent. Does the member have unanimous consent? Agreed.

Back to the member for Whitby.

Mr. Lorne Coe: I move that the notice for ballot item 47, standing in the name of Mr. Coe, and ballot item 48, standing in the name of Ms. Park, be waived.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Mr. Coe has moved that the notice for ballot item 47, standing in the name of Mr. Coe, and ballot item 48, standing in the name of Ms. Park, be waived. Is it the pleasure of the House that this carry? Carried.

Motion agreed to.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Percy Hatfield): Seeing the time on the clock, that we’re so close to 10:15, we will now stand in recess until question period at 10:30 this morning.

The House recessed from 1012 to 1030.

Introduction of Visitors

Miss Monique Taylor: It gives me great pride to rise today as a new grandparent.

Applause.

Miss Monique Taylor: My new granddaughter, Sophia, came into the world on February 15. I’m so proud of her mom and dad and my beautiful daughter, Destinee. Thank you so much.

I’d also like to welcome to the Legislature this morning Chris Day, who is a resident in my constituency. Welcome to Queen’s Park, Chris.

Mr. Ross Romano: It’s a pleasure today to rise, especially after the Family Day weekend, and welcome to the House today my entire family from Sault Ste. Marie: my wife, Heather Mendes—one need only look at my wife and know I’m an overachiever—and my three young children, Jayden, Jackson and Jarrett, just over here in the wing.

Ms. Suze Morrison: I’m pleased today to welcome to the House Vanshika Dhawan, my legislative intern who will be with us for about another six weeks. I’m so happy to have you here in the House. Welcome.

Ms. Jane McKenna: I see they’re just coming in now. I would just like to say little Hazel is here today with her mom, Stephanie, and her sister, Nola, and my eldest daughter, Jennifer, all the way from Windsor West, so the members here will be grateful to welcome them. She’s giving us a wave. She’s here today for a great cause. If anyone wants to donate, please go down to the cafeteria after for World Down Syndrome Day. It’s approaching on March 21. We’re thrilled to have her here.

Ms. Laura Mae Lindo: I’m so excited to rise today and wish my mommy a very happy birthday. Some may know her as a graduate at 79. Today she’s 80. Happy birthday, Mommy.

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: I’d like to welcome Wendy Eaton, from Listowel, this morning to the Ontario Legislature. She’s the proud mother of page Alyssa Eaton, who is a grade 8 student at North Perth Westfield Elementary School. Welcome.

Ms. Rima Berns-McGown: I’d like to welcome to the Legislature today Michele Costa, Kristen Gaull and Freda Kourteridis, all of whom are moms whose kids have autism, as well as Romy Rewald and Eva Lattanzio, who are ABA therapists. Welcome to the Legislature and welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Mike Schreiner: I’d like to welcome members from McKellar Structured Settlements, located in Guelph, who are here at Queen’s Park today, as well as the Ontario Brain Injury Association. They will be hosting a reception over the noon hour today. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: It’s my pleasure to introduce Rory Taylor, my legislative assistant, to the House. He hails from the riding of Carleton, from the beautiful city of Manotick. I’m glad to see that Carleton is alive and well here in the Legislature. Thank you and welcome, Rory.

Ms. Marit Stiles: It’s great to be back and to be able to welcome Sam Hammond, president of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, and Harvey Bischof, president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, representing so many educators across our province. Thank you for being here.

Mr. Aris Babikian: Mr. Speaker, good morning. On behalf of my colleague Rudy Cuzzetto, I would like to welcome Brittany Gillingham and Ralph Fenik of McKellar Structured Settlements, together with representatives of the Ontario Brain Injury Association and the Brain Injury Society of Toronto. Welcome to the House.

Mr. Ian Arthur: I’d like to take a moment to welcome Aaron Bailey and Alden Torres from my constituency. They’re members of the Queen’s New Democrats and organizers for Queen’s students for OSAP. Welcome to the Legislature. It’s great to have you here.

Hon. Laurie Scott: I’d like to introduce Thomas Keys-Brasier, who is page captain here today. With him and supporting him is his mother, Shelley Keys-Brasier, and also his grandfather Murray Keys and aunt Dakota Brasier. Welcome to the Legislature.

M me France Gélinas: I would like to welcome to the House Clara Pasieka, who is with OLIP and will be in my office for the next term. Welcome to the House.

Mrs. Gila Martow: I want to welcome Ariella Kimmel, who is here to help McKellar Structured Settlements. They’re having a reception today at lunchtime, noon, in room 228. Welcome.

Mr. Stephen Lecce: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. I want to introduce Nicolas Bottger, a proud former resident of Vaughan, former executive director and CEO of the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association and current student at the University of Western Ontario. Welcome to the Legislature.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you. That concludes our time for introduction of guests.

Tabling of sessional papers

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

—a report concerning the review of cabinet ministers’ and opposition leaders’ expense claims, complete as of December 17, 2018, from the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario; and

—a report entitled Income in Ontario: Growth, Distribution and Mobility, Winter 2019, from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario.

Domestic violence

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I want to recognize the member for Brampton Centre on a point of order.

Ms. Sara Singh: I’d like to seek unanimous consent from the House for a moment of silence for Riya Rajkumar, who unfortunately lost her life on February 14. If we could have a moment of silence for her—but also to reflect on the work that we need to do as legislators here in the House to ensure that no child experiences the impacts of domestic violence in our province.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Brampton Centre is seeking unanimous consent of the House for a moment’s silence. Agreed? Agreed.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

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

I recognize the member for Ottawa South on a point of—

Mr. John Fraser: I’d like to ask for unanimous consent to ask a question on behalf of the member for Don Valley West.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Ottawa South is seeking unanimous consent of the House to ask a question on behalf of the member for Don Valley West. Agreed? Agreed.

It is now time for oral questions. I recognize the leader of the official opposition.

Oral Questions

Health care

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Thank you, Speaker. Welcome back. I hope you had a good holiday season.

My question is to the Premier. For generations, Canadians have embraced the idea that our health care system should be there for patients, not for profit. We know the Liberals left our health care system in a mess, but as the Ford government moves forward, patients want to know: Does the Premier agrees with the principle that our health care system should be there for patients and not for profit?

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker: It’s great to be back in the Legislature here and to take questions from the opposition.

I can tell you, we got elected on fixing the health care system, taking care of the broken system that we call “hallway health care.” We inherited a system that was on life support. We inherited a system where over 1,100 people were in the hallways of health care facilities across this province.

With our great Minister of Health, we’re fixing this problem. We’re making the changes. We’re making sure that we consult with the front-line health care workers, putting teams of doctors together, teams of nurses together, and listening to the front-line health care people. They know better than all of us. They do the job day in and day out.

But I can tell you, we’re going to fix the hallway health care system. We’re making sure that we’re going to have beds open and no one’s going to be in a hallway in the next four years.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: It’s worrisome that I didn’t get an answer to the question, Speaker.

According to documents from the Ministry of Health, the Ford cabinet has already approved a sweeping plan to create a mega-bureaucracy, kill off health care agencies and open the door to unprecedented levels of for-profit health care.

When the Minister of Health was asked about this, she said that she hadn’t even seen the documents, even though some had her signature on them. Now CTV News has obtained documents saying that the new agency will be created this week.

Can the Premier admit what his minister wouldn’t: that this plan has been approved and will soon be impacting the care that people rely on?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of Health.

Hon. Christine Elliott: I can tell the opposition leader that the people of Ontario elected us to strengthen and further develop our public health care system, and that is exactly what we’re going to do.

We know that we have a system that is not functioning properly. We have 30,000 people waiting for a long-term-care bed. We have 1,200 people every day in hospitals across Ontario being treated in hallways and storage rooms, which is not where they want to be and not where the health care professionals who are caring for them want to be taking care of them.

We also have thousands of people who are waiting for mental health and addictions treatment. I don’t know about you, but when you speak to a parent who has been told that their child is having suicidal thoughts and that they have to wait a year to get service—that is totally unacceptable and cannot be dealt with.

What we are doing is centring the system around patients. We are transforming the system, but it’s going to be done by way of strengthening our public health care system.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I can guarantee the Premier and his minister that the people of Ontario didn’t elect them to siphon profits out of our health care system and into the pockets of their friends.

The Premier is paying his friend and former PC Party president Rueben Devlin to devise a plan for health care, and he’s diverting $350,000 a year out of front-line care to ensure that Devlin is handsomely compensated for this work. Can the Premier explain why we’re all paying Mr. Devlin to consult on a plan when he and his cabinet have already approved all of the details?

Hon. Christine Elliott: I’m not sure if the leader of the official opposition heard what I just said. I said that we are going to strengthen our publicly funded system of health care. People will pay for their health care services using their OHIP card, as they always have done, and no one is going to be able to skip ahead of anyone else in line because they have more money. That is not good-quality patient-centred care.

What we are working on is a system where people are going to have care that’s coordinated so that when they leave hospital to go to home or long-term care they have that warm hand-off so that they know where they’re going and that there are going to be services, and that they’re going to receive those services in a timely manner. We don’t have that across Ontario right now. That’s what the people of Ontario have told us they want, and that is what we are going to deliver for them.

Health care

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is also for the Premier. I do want to reiterate the fact that neither the Premier nor the minister has said that they will not go to for-profit delivery of health care in our province, which is the question that I’ve asked, and I’m going to ask it again.

According to the health ministry documents obtained by CTV News, the deal is already done, but the government’s challenge now is political spin and selling it to the public. The documents indicate that the board is scheduled to be appointed as soon as tomorrow, and that the hunt for the mega-agency’s CEO is already under way. Can the Premier tell us which of his friends will be getting these prized positions?

Hon. Doug Ford: Again, through you, Mr. Speaker: I’ve never met a group that spins more items than my official opposition. They come up here and they’re disingenuous with the people—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I would ask the Premier to withdraw.

Hon. Doug Ford: Withdraw.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Put your answer, please.

Mr. Taras Natyshak: Two questions; one withdrawal.

Hon. Doug Ford: Oh, that’s just the beginning, my friend.

I have to remind the public that the opposition was part of destroying the health care system. They voted with the previous government 98% of the time to destroy the health care system.

We’re putting money back into the system. We’re getting rid of 1,200 beds in the hallways. We’re making sure we’re consulting with the front-line doctors and front-line nurses. We’re making sure we’re going to fix the health care system. We’ve had announcements all over the province, putting money into infrastructure—

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: His classic sticks-and-stones response, Speaker—I’m not buying any of it.

The memo was obtained by CTV, and it warns very clearly that stakeholders—which presumably means front-line health professionals like nurses—will target negative impact on health care delivery in their messaging. That’s what this memo says.

Can the Premier tell us what negative impacts patients can expect?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of Health.

Hon. Christine Elliott: Mr. Speaker, I think there are a few things that the Leader of the Opposition doesn’t quite understand. One is that there are a number of documents that were obtained inappropriately, that were internal civil service documents, some of which I had never seen. It is their job to come forward with ideas with respect to transformation, and that happens in every ministry. There’s nothing unusual about that.

The other issue that I don’t think she is aware of is the fact that there already is a large degree of private delivery of health care in our system: doctors, labs, dialysis units, the list goes on and on. But people pay for those services with their OHIP card and that is what is going to continue.

What we are focusing our transformation on is public delivery: on connecting people with services, letting them receive those services in a timely manner. Right now, there is a huge disconnect, and I’m sure you’ve all heard that from your constituents as well.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: What this minister and her Premier don’t seem to understand is that families expect a health care system that works for them, not for well-connected, for-profit providers. Instead of listening to families about the challenges in health care, the Ford government has cooked up a scheme behind closed doors that’s going to make things even worse for patients, and they’ve been denying that they were doing it the whole time.

Will the Premier come clean with Ontarians about his health care scheme?

Hon. Christine Elliott: What I would like to tell the people of Ontario is that we’ve been working very hard at transforming the system into one that is modern, convenient for them, centred around them and is connected for them, because very often, people feel when they are discharged from hospital that they are discharged from their health care system. It should not be that way.

They should be connected with home care immediately, or they should be transferred to long-term care. None of those things are happening right now. We are looking at what the patient needs, what every patient across Ontario needs. That is the focus of our work and that is what we’re going to continue to focus on: What do people need in Ontario to have an excellent health care experience?

Health care

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is to the Premier. Can the Premier tell us whether it would be acceptable to him if the parent of a child coping with a physical disease like cancer was told that Ontario no longer covered all the treatments for the disease and instead was going to cover a fraction of the cost and leave families on their own?

Hon. Doug Ford: Again, through you, Mr. Speaker: I’m not too sure where the Leader of the Opposition is coming from. We’re putting money back into the system. We’re putting money back into the health care system, no matter if it’s cancer or if it’s long-term care. I have to remind everyone that we ended up opening 6,000 new long-term-care beds to make sure that we take the wait-list down. We’re going to put in another 9,000 new beds over the next four years for a total of 15,000.

Again, my friends, we’re putting money back into the system, making sure it runs more efficiently. Every single doctor, every single nurse I spoke to across the province said that the system is broken, that it needs to be fixed. They gave us ideas. We’re implementing the ideas to make sure we have the best health care system in Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I’m going to help the Premier out a little bit, because the scenario that I described is exactly what this government has done to children with autism and their parents.

It’s bad enough that he betrayed his explicit, repeated promise that he would be there for families 1,000%, but his minister, who is supposed to be the voice for families at the cabinet table, threatened families and stakeholders who refused to praise her plan. If she will not resign, the Premier should show some leadership and remove her from that role. Will he do that or will he continue to defend their betrayal of parents and children?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of social services.

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: Thank you very much, Premier, and thank you very much to the member opposite for her question—but it is inaccurate, Speaker.

Let me be perfectly clear. As somebody who has been a champion for people with autism across this province for the past 15 years, who started the South Nepean Autism Centre, who has worked with the Minister of Health in this policy field for the past five mandates, I’ve got to tell you, when I assumed this position, I saw a bankrupt Ontario Autism Program where 23,000 children, or three out of four children in the province of Ontario, were denied service and support from their government. That was immoral, it was unconscionable, and the best thing for us to do is to double our investment into diagnostic hubs and empower—

Interjections.

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

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: —with funding so that they can get the services that they require.

Speaker, I will be unapologetic in making sure that 100% of the children that require support from their government when they have autism receive it.

Automotive industry

Mr. Stephen Crawford: It’s great to be back—

Interjections.

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

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Premier will come to order. The member for Waterloo will come to order. The member for Essex, come to order.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The clock is ticking. Come to order. The Premier will come to order. The member for Waterloo will come to order. The member for Essex will come to order.

The member for Oakville will place his question.

Mr. Stephen Crawford: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. Last week our government for the people released Driving Prosperity: The Future of Ontario’s Automotive Sector. Our government was elected on a promise to protect and bring good jobs to Ontario. A big part of that is ensuring the success of the auto sector.

Auto sector jobs help families put food on their table, put their kids through college and university, and invest in their futures. They are the economic lifeblood of so many communities across our province, including my own in Oakville, with the Oakville Ford assembly plant.

Can the minister inform the House how this plan will build on our government’s commitment to the auto sector and create and protect good jobs in our communities in Ontario?

Hon. Todd Smith: I’d like to thank the member from Oakville, along with Ford Canada, for the question today—obviously a very, very important investment in our province’s auto sector.

Let me set the stage for you, Speaker. When we became the government in June of last year, we had lost 300,000-plus manufacturing jobs, including some in the auto sector. It was time for us to turn that around so that there would be some stability for a very important OEM sector, our manufacturing auto sector, and we have done that very quickly.

We brought in the Making Ontario Open for Business Act, reducing the red tape that was so harmful—legislation that was brought in by the previous Liberal government that was driving jobs out of Ontario, that was driving investment out of Ontario. We quickly moved to our Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, which again makes it more stable for businesses to invest in Ontario. Now we’ve brought forward our Driving Prosperity plan, investing in Ontario’s auto sector, which is—

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

Mr. Stephen Crawford: Through you, Mr. Speaker: Thank you to the minister for the answer. Over 100,000 people go to work in our auto sector every day at OEMs and downstream parts suppliers. Building cars and the parts that go into them has driven so much of our province’s prosperity over the last 100 years. It is crucial that our government support this important industry now and in the future—a future that is changing rapidly.

The shift of auto production into the US and Mexico, the uncertain North American trade environment and technological disruption have all weighed on the industry. Can the minister inform the House how our government’s plan in the auto sector will overcome these challenges?

Hon. Todd Smith: Since 2009, Ontario has only attracted 6% of new auto sector investment in North America thanks to the damage that was done by the previous Liberal government, driving up electricity costs and piling up red tape on the auto sector. It was time to turn that around.

That’s why we brought in Driving Prosperity, focused on building Ontario’s auto sector, making sure that those five manufacturers that are currently doing business in Ontario and those in the supply chain can be competitive. That’s why Driving Prosperity is focused on three key pillars: competitiveness, innovation and talent. We’re investing in all three of those pillars in our plan that was unveiled last week with the Premier at Woodbridge Group up in Vaughan.

It’s very important to send that signal to this sector, that Ontario is open for business and Ontario is open for jobs. That’s why we’re revved up, Mr. Speaker. We’re driving prosperity in Ontario’s auto sector.

Autism treatment

Miss Monique Taylor: My question is to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. Since the minister’s disastrous autism program announcement, families have taken to the streets in protest. They’re angry that services are being ripped away from their children, and now the media has reported that the minister and her staff forced endorsements and bullied their opposition into silence.

Parents, advocates and service providers are all calling for the same thing: the minister’s resignation. Will the minister listen to thousands of people and parents across this province, restore the integrity of the ministry and resign immediately?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: I want to start by congratulating the member opposite for being a grandmother today. Then I’m going to the second by saying no, I’m not resigning. I’m incredibly proud of this plan. This is a plan that the government has put forward. It is data-driven, it is evidence-based and it is the most fair and equitable approach that we can take to—

Interjections.

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

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: —23,000 children languishing on an endless wait-list to get them the services that they so desperately need. This is a government that is driven by making sure that we support early intervention, which I’m sure the member opposite would agree is important. It is driven by a desire to empower parents so that they can make the best choices for their families.

I ask the member opposite, why does she think it’s okay for 23,000 children, or three out of four children in the province of Ontario, to be denied support from their government? I don’t agree with that.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Miss Monique Taylor: I don’t agree with anything this minister just had to say. First of all, it’s not evidence-based. Only 25%? Now you’re giving 100% nothing. It doesn’t make sense, Minister.

Speaker, the minister has sent a chilling message to communities that she is supposed to serve. The message is, “If you don’t agree with us, then the Conservative government will threaten you and bully you into submission.”

Children with autism and their families deserve so much better. The families have spoken. We need a true investment in an autism program that meets children’s needs. The ministry must go back to the drawing board on this Ontario Autism Program, but this time with a new minister. Will the minister do the right thing and resign so that work can move forward on the autism program?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: I appreciate the passion which the member opposite brings. This is a gut-wrenching issue, and when I inherited this portfolio, I inherited an almost bankrupt Ontario Autism Program that required $100 million of emergency funding just to service 25% of the children. That was wrong. It was unfair, it was inequitable and it was unsustainable.

Speaker, as the minister responsible for this program, I’m doing what is in the best interests of all children. We’re going to invest in early intervention. We are going to clear the wait-list, we are going to double investments into diagnostic hubs and we’re going to pass the money directly to parents so that they can choose between behavioural therapy or diagnostic supports or technological aids or respite care or caregiver training.

Let me be perfectly clear: This government believes in this plan, this government will implement this plan and I will be the minister that does this.

Automotive industry

Mrs. Belinda Karahalios: My question is for the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. I know that the auto sector will be a key part of ensuring that Ontario returns to being the driving force behind Canada’s economy. This sector already employs thousands of people across the province, and I know that our government, under the leadership of Premier Ford, is working to create more good jobs for the people of Ontario.

I understand that our government recently released the Driving Prosperity plan, and that a key part of that plan is ensuring that Ontario has the talent we need to work in the auto sector of the future.

Can the minister tell us what our government is doing to support Ontario’s auto sector?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Thank you to the member from Cambridge for that important question. The member is absolutely right about the importance of ensuring that our government is working as a partner with industries like the auto sector to create good jobs for the people of Ontario. That is why I am proud to take immediate actions to develop talent, such as:

—cutting thousands of new—creating thousands of new internship and training opportunities;

Interjections.

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

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: —supporting online industry-led training to aid in the upskilling of workers;

—providing target support for laid-off and other unemployed Ontarians from the auto sector to get back to work quickly; and

—developing a talent road map and skills inventory to help identify current and future skills needs to support sector competitiveness.

Speaker, these are concrete actions that are going to help the people of Ontario gain the skills they need to find high-quality jobs in the auto sector.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mrs. Belinda Karahalios: Thank you to the minister for those details. I am proud that our government is not just paying lip service but actually doing something to create jobs and ensure that Ontario is ready to lead in auto manufacturing for years to come.

I think it’s important to remember that the auto sector is more than just the assembly plants of specific car manufacturers. These facilities are also supported by a supply chain including 700 part firms and over 500 tool, die and mould makers. With an industry that size, it’s important that the government is taking steps not only to bring new people into the industry but to ensure laid-off employees can upskill to continue to have high-quality employment.

Can the minister tell us what specific steps the government is taking to help laid-off workers in the auto manufacturing sector?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Speaker, the member is right to point out the thousands of businesses and individuals who are part of the automotive supply chain.

Ensuring that they have the skills and that laid-off workers can quickly return to, or join, the industry is crucial not only to those workers and their families, but to the health of Ontario’s economy. That is why I am proud of our government being committed to working with automotive partners to quicken the retraining and upskilling of workers across the industry.

Our government is creating a micro-credential pilot. We will partner with the automotive industry and work together to create this new and innovative way to certify talent in Ontario. This will allow the highly skilled individuals working or recently laid off avoid new and time-consuming apprenticeships or retraining by focusing on the training actually needed for new employment.

Speaker, we are delivering on our promise to the people of Ontario to deliver good jobs and make Ontario—

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

Post-secondary education

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is for the Premier. The Premier has announced an attack on post-secondary students that includes higher student debt, scrapping grants, and attacks on student organizations. It’s a change that only helps students from Ontario’s wealthiest families. To quote an expert, “Any policy which leaves students from the top 5% of families better off and everyone else worse off is—if you ask me—difficult to describe as fair.”

Will the Premier put a halt to this, reverse the decision, and support, rather than attack, students?

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker: We know that students and families across this province—a lot of them—struggle to put their children through university. What we’re doing for the first time in Ontario’s history is lowering tuition fees. We’re lowering tuition fees by 10%.

Hon. Victor Fedeli: That’s what they asked for; they asked for that.

Hon. Doug Ford: Absolutely.

The students, when we criss-cross the province and talk to them, are tired of paying high tuition fees. The opposition down here argued for years about lowering tuition fees, so we should be on the same page.

Not only that; we gave the students an option—do you believe this?—an actual option to opt out on fees—over a thousand dollars in some cases—that go to student fees that a lot of them don’t even want to be part of. So they’re going to have that option.

To give you an example, a student at Carleton University can save over—

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

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you. The Premier will take his seat. Stop the clock.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The House will come to order.

Restart the clock. Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: It’s really true: Those top-earning families are going to be able to pay upfront with their tuition fees, and so they’re going to benefit from that 10%. Every other student, though, is going to have to take out more student loans because they are getting rid of the grants. That’s what is happening. Families are going to be worse off. They’re going to be worse off.

The parents and students and faculty who are going to be outside today, and in colleges and universities across the province—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. I apologize to the member who had the floor. The government side must come to order. I can’t hear the Leader of the Opposition.

Restart the clock. The member can conclude her question.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Those students who are going to be on the lawns today and young people in colleges and universities across the province are not crazy Marxists, Speaker. They’re trying to make ends meet while they are getting the education that they need. Student organizations provide valuable support for students, from providing—

Interruption.

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

I would ask our visitors to refrain from this activity or you’ll be removed.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

We’ll restart the clock. I’ll allow the member to conclude her question.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Look, Speaker, it’s true that student organizations do a lot of good work and provide a lot of valuable supports for students, providing health care plans and all kinds of other support programs for kids who are in crisis on campus. Some former student union leaders, in fact, are sitting in the PC benches right now.

Will the Premier call off his attack on the democratically elected student organizations and support the important work that they do?

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker: Here’s an example of indoctrination, what we just saw up there. This is part of the opposition benches—that’s how they train our kids, with a filthy mouth. They should have their mouths washed out with soap. That’s what they should have, because that’s embarrassing.

I just want to remind the Leader of the Opposition that, actually, the grants have gone up under our administration, from 76% up to 82%. So they’re going to be getting—82%—grants for anyone earning under $50,000. The actual people that need it are going to be able to go to school and get a grant—82%. That’s what people are looking for.

Interjections.

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

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Premier will come to order. The member for Essex will come to order. The member for Windsor West will come to order.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Premier will come to order.

Start the clock. Next question.

Autism treatment

Mr. John Fraser: My question is for the minister of children and youth services. Speaker, through you to the minister: Families have been calling my office concerned about how the changes to the Ontario Autism Program will affect their child’s development. They are concerned too about their family finances. They’re genuinely distressed and concerned and anxious.

On the families’ behalf, I would ask the minister to do these two things: First, disclose to the parents the financial details of the plan, especially the income testing, so they can plan and so they know what the future holds for them. Secondly, I would ask the minister to come back to the table, listen to these families, hear their concerns and work with them.

Speaker, through you to the minister: Can the minister commit to doing these two things?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: On the announcement day, I did make the commitment that this would be a $321-million investment into families with autism, which is much more than the $256 million the previous Liberal administration had offered. In addition, with respect to income testing, we were very clear that it is for those who make over $250,000 per year.

But let me be perfectly clear: I have met with parents of autistic children throughout my career. In fact, the first protest I ever attended was with Families for Autism in front of his office when he worked for Dalton McGuinty, after the previous Liberal administration took families with children with autism to court.

I have been steadfast in my resolve in trying to support all of the families, but it was unconscionable that the previous Liberal government left 23,000 children on an endless wait-list, with no hope in sight for support from their Ontario government. So I will stand here; I will defend our plan. It is fair, it is equitable and, most of all, Speaker, it is sustainable for now and well into the future.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mr. John Fraser: Speaker, that’s not the answer that I expected.

Here’s what I know: In 2016, when our plan came up short and 2,200 families were going to fall between the cracks, my colleagues and I listened to those families and we came back with a plan that required more money.

Every one of us can agree here that this is about children and their families. It’s not a partisan issue. What we need to have happen here are two things: to disclose the financial details—it’s simple, it’s straightforward, they need to know about the income testing—and to sit down with these families to work with them. I know this is a challenging issue in here. I’ve been on the other side of it. It’s very challenging. But where it’s more challenging is in the everyday lives of these families. We need to walk a mile in these parents’ shoes.

Can the minister commit to doing these two simple things?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: I just answered the question: $321 million—which is a lot more than the $256 million that they offered—we are offering to ensure that we clear the wait-list of 23,000 children. It was unconscionable to deny three out of four children in this province—23,000 children—service from their Ontario government. We’re going to make it fair. We’re going to make it equitable. We’re going to make it sustainable. We are doubling the investment into diagnostic hubs. We are going to empower parents with direct funding.

What is wrong, though, Speaker, is when that government, the previous Liberal government, left office, they were morally, ethically and ideas bankrupt. They left the province almost bankrupt. On June 27, I inherited an Ontario Autism Program that was bankrupt. Shame on them.

Tuition

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: My question is for the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. Students in my riding of Carleton have consistently said to me that the cost of post-secondary education skyrocketed under the previous government. Mr. Speaker, I’m a personal example of that myself.

Since 2006, undergraduate tuition for Ontarians, such as myself, has risen from an average of $5,000 to almost $9,000. Students and families are frustrated that the previous Liberal government, propped up by the NDP, allowed tuition fees to increase, making university and college more unaffordable for families and students.

Can the minister please tell us what steps our government is taking to provide students and their families with relief?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Thank you to the member from Carleton for the question.

Our government has taken the unprecedented step of reducing tuition across the board by 10%. This is the first across-the-board reduction for all programs in Ontario’s history. This will mean a total of $450 million in tuition relief for families and students.

On top of this historic reduction, our government has created the Student Choice Initiative. This will treat students like adults and give them the choice whether to support optional fees. Just like tuition fees, under the previous Liberal government, propped up by the NDP, ancillary fees skyrocketed.

These steps will provide the relief to Ontario students that they need and end the Liberal legacy of skyrocketing costs to post-secondary education.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: Thank you, Minister, for that answer.

Mr. Speaker, through you: Honestly, I cannot even begin to think about the hundreds—almost thousands—of dollars that I wasted in my 10 years of university paying these unnecessary fees for things that I never, ever used.

I am proud that our government is taking action to clean up the 15 years of increasing costs for students and families. I understand that Ontario has the highest tuition fees in Canada. I’m still paying off my OSAP myself. I’m shocked that the previous Liberal government, propped up by the NDP, took no action to stop this.

Can the minister tell us what savings students in my riding will see because of this historic reduction in tuition fees?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: As the member notes, our government’s unprecedented reduction in tuition will mean real savings for Ontario students. That is why I’m shocked that the NDP and the Liberals have refused to endorse our plan. While the NDP are more concerned about the bottom line of institutions, we are proud to be putting more money back into the pockets of the people of Ontario.

In the member’s riding, a student at Carleton University studying computer science will save $970 next year. Meanwhile, a student at Algonquin College studying for a bachelor of interior design will save $860 next year. These are real savings for students and their families across Ontario.

Cancer treatment

M me France Gélinas: Ma question et pour la ministre de la Santé et des Soins de longue durée.

Last year, over 90,000 Ontarians received a cancer diagnosis. Cancer Care Ontario, a world-renowned leader in providing cancer treatment and support, was there with them every step of the way as they battled their cancer. Last month, we learned that the government planned to get rid of Cancer Care Ontario and that it will be absorbed into a super agency. Instead of fixing what’s broken in our health care system, the Ford government is interfering with what works very well.

What is the minister doing to ensure that patient care is not disrupted as the government carves up our health care system?

Hon. Christine Elliott: I would like to assure the member opposite, as well as the people of Ontario, that cancer care will continue in the excellent way that it is. It will not be diminished or abated in any way as more structural changes may be made. It is really important that we look to Cancer Care Ontario as an excellent model for dealing with other diseases that may be considered more chronic, perhaps, than cancer—for diabetes and for mental health and addictions, for example.

It’s still going to continue. People will still receive the essential and excellent care that they’re receiving. Despite anything else that might happen in the system, cancer care functions will continue and people will continue to receive care. They do not need to be concerned about that in any way, shape or form.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.

M me France Gélinas: You see, Speaker, British Columbia tried to impose a super agency and it failed. Instead of having one of the best cancer agencies in the country, all that British Columbia saw was increased wait times and not much else. Alberta tried it also; it also failed. In Alberta they suffered 10 years of administrative challenges that took away resources that were meant for patient care. Right now in Ontario, most of Ontario’s health organizations, front-line health care providers like nurses, have not been consulted on those sweeping changes to patient care.

Can the minister explain to Ontarians that the changes she’s been working on with little public consultation will not disrupt cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and will not increase the wait times for people waiting for cancer treatment?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Through you, Mr. Speaker: I can assure the member that consultations have been ongoing about health care for people in Ontario with all sorts of different health groups. That’s been since I was sworn in as Minister of Health. I’ve heard from health care providers but also the people of Ontario. I’ve heard from them, as many of you have, about the concerns they have about the gaps in our system, the way things are working well, but, then, the way things aren’t working very well. That’s what we’re focusing our attention on to make sure we have a comprehensive and connected health care system, including the mental health system that we’re studying now.

The consultations are continuing. We’re still having discussions with provider groups as well as with patients and patient groups, people with lived experience. I can also say that the NDP have been making suppositions based on bits and pieces of information that were inappropriately leaked, and that is not—

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

Next question.

Indigenous programs and services

M me Nathalie Des Rosiers: Ma question est pour le ministre des Affaires autochtones. This year is the International Year of Indigenous Languages, and it’s particularly important that we demonstrate and maintain our commitment to Indigenous culture in the spirit of reconciliation.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to meet with some Anishinaabe leaders and elders, and we talked about the future of Indigenous languages and culture. I was concerned that the Indigenous Culture Fund has been cut in half, because it was specifically designed to help with the revitalization of Indigenous languages and it’s a small fund. Indeed, Speaker, Jesse Wente described the cancellation of this fund as a “gross attack on reconciliation.”

I understand that the minister has decided to fight in court Indigenous communities and that he has also decided to postpone the promised revenue-sharing. I want to ask, does the minister believe in reconciliation?

Hon. Greg Rickford: We certainly are committed to reconciliation, and we’re renewing our efforts by making sure that communities have the tools they need to engage in economic activities which will bring prosperity and strengthen their communities.

We know that language and the ability to celebrate their culture is strengthened when people are working, when their social and economic conditions have improved. That’s what we’re committed to and that’s what we’re going to continue to focus on moving forward.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

M me Nathalie Des Rosiers: Back to the minister: The postponement of revenue-sharing is hardly conducive to improving prosperity.

I think we have to remember that the Indigenous Culture Fund was created in 2017 specifically as a response to and as a need of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Why is this program being cut? And please, Mr. Speaker, to the minister: Can he commit today to actually restore the funding and continue to support it?

Hon. Greg Rickford: I can commit to working on economic prosperity for those communities, something sadly neglected. As somebody under the previous government, as somebody who has spent most of their professional life in some way, shape or form living and working particularly in isolated and remote First Nation communities in northern Ontario—nothing was accomplished to dramatically, even remotely, improve the social and economic conditions from that government.

We’re working on a plan that will see resource revenue-sharing for all of our northern communities—municipalities and Indigenous communities—capturing some of that wealth and keeping it in northern Ontario. I know that’s important for our strong northern Ontario caucus. We’re looking forward to making sure that every community in northern Ontario has an opportunity for prosperity.

Tuition

Mr. Vijay Thanigasalam: My question is for the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. I know from my conversations with students and families during the campaign and since the election that the rising costs of tuition fees are becoming a real burden and a barrier to post-secondary education in Ontario. I heard countless times that tuition fees in Ontario are the highest in Canada.

Mr. Speaker, our government was elected on a promise to put more money back into people’s pockets. I’m proud of the action we have already taken to deliver on this promise. Our government has cut gas prices, frozen licence fees, cancelled the Drive Clean program, ended the cap-and-trade carbon tax and introduced LIFT, the Low-income Individuals and Families Tax Credit.

Can the minister tell us what steps our government is taking to make post-secondary education more affordable for families and students?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Thank you to the member from Scarborough–Rouge Park for the question.

Speaker, we have listened to students and their families who have been clear that the skyrocketing fees for university and college under the previous Liberal government, propped up by the NDP, were unaffordable. That is why we have taken the unprecedented and historic step of reducing tuition by 10% across the board.

Many people recognize that we are taking the right step, including members of the official opposition. The NDP members from Brampton Centre and Timmins both called the reduction in tuition a “good start.” Meanwhile, Gyllian Phillips, president of the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations said, “Reducing tuition fees is good public policy for increasing access to post-secondary education.”

Speaker, I’m proud that our government has delivered the first across-the-board reduction in tuition fees in Ontario—

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

Interjections.

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

Supplementary?

Mr. Vijay Thanigasalam: Thank you, Minister, for that answer.

I’m proud that our government is putting students first by providing them with real relief on tuition fees. I know that for years students and families have been saying that they need relief from increasing tuition fees that were allowed to skyrocket under the previous Liberal government.

Mr. Speaker, it seems that the opposition are speaking out of both sides of their mouth. In one breath, they are saying they want the tuition relief for students, and, in the next, they are saying they are more concerned about the bottom line of institutions. Despite the opposition rhetoric, I know the minister has clarified that the 10% reduction in tuition will only—

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

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Just to make it clear, when the Speaker stands up, whoever has got the floor has to sit down.

I’m asking the member to withdraw his unparliamentary remark.

Mr. Vijay Thanigasalam: Withdraw.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Response?

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: For years, the NDP have campaigned on a tuition freeze. Only now that they aren’t the ones to do it are they criticizing real relief for students. The NDP are more concerned about the ability of institutions to handle a 3% reduction in funding than supporting $450 million in tuition relief for students and families. It is clear that the NDP are not for the students.

However, Speaker, here are some responses from institutions across Ontario. John Fairley from St. Clair College says, “We will be functioning as normal. [There are] no discussions that we will be decreasing services”—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Hamilton East—I apologize.

I’m going to ask the member for Hamilton East–Stoney Creek to withdraw his unparliamentary remark. I would ask the member for Hamilton East—

Mr. Paul Miller: I withdraw. I don’t know why, but okay.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member knows full well you have to withdraw without qualification or editorial comment.

Mr. Paul Miller: Speaker, I’ve used it 25 times in here. All of a sudden, it doesn’t count?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m going to ask the member for the third time to please withdraw.

Mr. Paul Miller: I withdraw.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’ll allow the minister to complete her remarks.

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: John Fairley from St. Clair College: “We will be functioning as normal. [There are] no discussions that we will be decreasing services or amenities to our college or increasing their fees ... that is not on the table.”

John Tibbits of Conestoga College says, “We’ll manage. We have to look for efficiencies, but the students will not notice it ... we will not be laying anyone off.”

Speaker, it is time—

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

Next question.

Autism treatment

Ms. Rima Berns-McGown: My question is to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. Last Thursday, I met Michele, whose five-year-old son, Elliot, is on the wait-list for autism services. The family had to cash in their RRSPs and borrow to afford his nine hours a week of ABA therapy. Before he got the therapy, Elliot was completely non-verbal, but now he is speaking and developing important social skills.

The funding that Elliot would get under the government’s new autism program will not be close to enough to continue the amount of therapy he needs. Michele says, “Most parents would say the wait-list is better” than the proposed changes—“at least there was a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Why is this government digging in and continuing to move forward with these changes against all the evidence and the advice of parents and service providers?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: I want to say to the member opposite that that was a really good question. Let me provide some context for you. Six months ago, when I inherited this program, it was near-bankrupt. Some 8,400 children were receiving service in the province of Ontario while 23,000 were on a wait-list. The data we have means that Elliot would probably age out of the program before he would be off the wait-list.

We had to make a decision. I went to Treasury Board twice, securing over $102 million so that we could keep the program that the Liberals left me intact for five months. We then invested an additional amount of money from the previous government: $256 million, now worth $321 million.

Here’s what we’re doing with the money: We’re going to double our investment in diagnosis and service so that we can support families quicker, and then we are going to clear the wait-list in 18 months so Elliot will finally, for the first time in his life, receive support from the province of Ontario.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Stop the clock. Members will please take their seats.

Start the clock. Supplementary?

Ms. Rima Berns-McGown: I would suggest that the pie needs to be bigger so that each child can get what they need.

I also met with Kristen, whose five-year-old son, Ryan, has severe autism. The family currently spends $1,000 a week on the four hours daily of therapy that Ryan needs. Their