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May 16, 2024

43rd Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2024-May-16 (PDF)

L160 - Thu 16 May 2024 / Jeu 16 mai 2024

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Thursday 16 May 2024 Jeudi 16 mai 2024

Orders of the Day

Enhancing Professional Care for Animals Act, 2024 / Loi de 2024 sur l’amélioration des soins professionnels prodigués aux animaux

House sittings

Members’ Statements

Hannah Pare

Labour dispute

Transportation infrastructure

Diagnostic services

Health care funding

Bicycle safety

OSAID

Climate change

Mother’s Day

Housing

Introduction of Visitors

Alice Munro

Question Period

Sexual violence and harassment

Health care

Correctional services

Taxation

Child care

Taxation

Justice system

Government accountability

Taxation

Tenant protection

Taxation

Affordable housing

Long-term care

Community safety

Diane Deans

Visitors

Deferred Votes

Building a Better Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2024 / Loi de 2024 visant à bâtir un Ontario meilleur (mesures budgétaires)

Legislative pages

Introduction of Visitors

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Government Agencies

Introduction of Government Bills

Safer Roads and Communities Act, 2024 / Loi de 2024 pour prévoir des routes et des collectivités plus sûres

Introduction of Bills

Ontario Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Act, 2024 / Loi de 2024 pour l’adaptation et la résilience aux changements climatiques de l’Ontario

EV-Ready Homes Act (Electric Vehicle Charging), 2024 / Loi de 2024 sur les maisons prêtes pour les VE (recharge des véhicules électriques)

Petitions

Wearing of kaffiyehs

Sexual violence and harassment

Social assistance

Sexual violence and harassment

Sexual violence and harassment

Sexual violence and harassment

Sexual violence and harassment

Prostate cancer

Post-secondary education

Orders of the Day

Working for Workers Five Act, 2024 / Loi de 2024 visant à oeuvrer pour les travailleurs, cinq

Royal assent / Sanction royale

Working for Workers Five Act, 2024 / Loi de 2024 visant à oeuvrer pour les travailleurs, cinq

Business of the House

Working for Workers Five Act, 2024 / Loi de 2024 visant à oeuvrer pour les travailleurs, cinq

Private Members’ Public Business

Taxation Amendment Act (Promoting Leisure Activities for Youth), 2024 / Loi de 2024 modifiant la

Loi sur les impôts (promotion des activités de loisir pour les jeunes)

The House met at 0900.

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

Prières / Prayers.

Orders of the Day

Enhancing Professional Care for Animals Act, 2024 / Loi de 2024 sur l’amélioration des soins professionnels prodigués aux animaux

Ms. Thompson moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill 171,

An Act to enact the Veterinary Professionals Act, 2024 and amend or repeal various acts / Projet de loi 171, Loi visant à édicter la Loi de 2024 sur les professionnels vétérinaires et à modifier ou à abroger diverses lois.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Would the minister care to lead off the debate?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: It’s a pleasure to rise in the House today to continue our discussion on the importance of enhancing professional care for animals. I’m very pleased to be sharing my time today with my two amazing parliamentary assistants, the members from Essex and from Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston.

Before I begin, I also would like to give a shout-out to both MPP Flack from Elgin–Middlesex–London as well as MPP Jones from Chatham-Kent–Leamington, because they too have played an important role in shepherding this important piece of legislation through to where we are today.

Back to the MPPs from Essex and Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston, though: They’ve just recently begun their roles as parliamentary assistants in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and I want to say thank you. Thank you for jumping in with both feet and supporting not only this important piece of proposed legislation, but for jumping in and embracing the amazing work that gets done at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

I also want to go back to the MPP from Elgin–Middlesex–London. In his role as parliamentary assistant for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, he actually facilitated consultations on this particular proposed piece of legislation across the province. We all know that agriculture and food is very important to him, as well. I appreciate all the effort that went into it.

To the members of the Standing Committee on the Interior and everyone who presented at the committee and/or submitted written submissions as well, I’d like to thank everyone’s efforts. I appreciate that I’m hearing that there’s going to be unanimous support for this. We’ll see when the vote happens, but I can tell you with certainty that we took the time to listen, to understand and, most importantly, to work with our stakeholders to ensure we get it right.

The Veterinarians Act needed to be reviewed, because it was first introduced in 1989. It has served Ontario animals and animal owners very, very well over the past 35 years, but it’s 2024, and it’s time we take a look at modernizing and making sure that we are enabling access across this province to professional care that pet owners and farmers alike deserve and need.

In 1989, it was Jack Riddell who introduced the Veterinarians Act. At the time, Jack represented Huron–Middlesex. Huron, as you know, is very important to me. I think it is somewhat surreal but an absolute honour to continue to build on something that a farmer from Huron county put his heart into, to continue on today to make sure that his legacy lives on through the initial piece of legislation. I take this opportunity to bring it forward into 2024 and beyond in order to make sure that we have a modernized system that enables professional care for animals.

In the years since the act was first updated, the practice of veterinary medicine has evolved significantly, transforming the way that animals are cared for in Ontario. As discussed during second reading and at the standing committee, veterinary care is increasingly provided by a team of qualified professionals. This proposed legislation reflects that the reality of one profession of veterinary medicine comprised of two professionals, veterinarians and veterinary technicians, has to be recognized. Registered veterinary technicians have specialized education, training and experience in animal care and are vital in terms of that team approach to care in many veterinary settings.

Again, we know we have a shortage of veterinarians in northern Ontario, rural Ontario and remote areas across this province, and vet techs are ready to step up and say, “We’ve got the expertise. We’ve got the training.”

I know our veterinarians will embrace their approach as well, because again, one team, two professionals—it really makes sense today, in 2024, across the province of Ontario.

The current legislative framework, though, under the Veterinarians Act does not formally recognize the role of veterinary technicians. Do you know what? They have a very important role to play in animal care. By formally recognizing the role of veterinary technicians, we are expecting to enhance access to veterinary care and strengthen the animal care system in Ontario. By recognizing their complete scope of practice, it is our intent that this will result in more vet techs providing more treatments and services that they are trained to do and have the expertise to do, as well.

I know that RVTs, registered vet techs, and vet tech students are excited about having their role and training formally recognized.

Shortly before this bill was introduced, I really appreciated the opportunity to attend the AGM of the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians. While I couldn’t necessarily tell the registered vet techs in attendance that this bill was imminent, let me tell you, they knew and appreciated that we had been consulting on updating the Veterinarians Act. There were 1,200 people very excited about the future of their field of expertise.

Let’s take a moment, let’s pause and let’s go back to revisit how we got here today. Access to veterinary care has long been a challenge, especially in rural and northern Ontario. The College of Veterinarians of Ontario, the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, and the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians have been working together to advocate for changes to the Veterinarians Act for more than a decade. For more than a decade, they’ve been asking for this modernization, and I’m so proud to say it’s under the leadership of Premier Ford and our government that we’re getting the job done.

We knew the act was out of date, and we wanted to make sure any changes we proposed would help all animal owners, their animals, and our farmers. Husbandry is very important when you think about the priorities on-farm. In order to do that, though, we asked veterinarians, vet technicians, animal owners and farmers alike, animal welfare groups and others for their input. We took time, as I mentioned earlier, to listen to their concerns, their suggestions and their desires to see this particular act modernized.

In November 2022, my ministry launched a dedicated web page where the public was to submit ideas on how to modernize the Veterinarians Act.

Then, on March 1, 2023, we published a discussion paper and a proposal on the Regulatory Registry. My ministry also ran webinars where interested people could learn more about the proposal, ask questions and make comments. Through these consultations, we received more than 300 submissions. I was very impressed by that, and I thank everyone who took time to put pen to paper.

In order to make sure we heard from Ontarians from different parts of the province, the Associate Minister of Housing, Rob Flack, hosted seven round-table discussions.

Throughout these consultations, the majority of people told us they supported the proposed modernization of the Veterinarians Act. As a result of those consultations and taking into consideration more than 300 submissions, on March 7 of this year, I had the privilege of introducing this particular bill, Bill 171,

an act to enact the enhanced professional care for animals act.

I want to thank all the members of this House for their support of this bill on second reading; in fact, Speaker, I was really over the moon, to be quite honest, to note that it was unanimous support.

Interjections.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Thank you.

Now let’s talk about the work that was done in committee. When this bill was considered by the Standing Committee on the Interior, members of the committee heard from a wide variety of stakeholders, with 13 presenting in person and many more sending in written submissions.

During a particular presentation to the committee, the College of Veterinarians of Ontario’s chief executive officer, Jan Robinson, in particular, expressed how the college could not be more thrilled that our government heard the need for the modernization of the delivery of veterinary medicine in Ontario.

I want to take a moment to give Jan a shout-out. She has been an absolute champion in making sure that we had the bandwidth to reach out to stakeholders, but most importantly, when we had to have tough discussions and we had to really nail down what the priorities were for affiliated associations and organizations, she took the lead and made sure that people understood the importance of team and the importance of reflecting on the breadth of care that some people choose for their animals.

So, Jan, I want to thank you sincerely for that.

I also want to give a shout-out to some vet techs: Elise Wickett and Kelsey Streef. They spoke on behalf of the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians during the committee presentation on Bill 171. They expressed the association’s strong support for what they believe is a comprehensive bill that will significantly enhance access to professional veterinary care in Ontario. Their enthusiasm and their points were well taken.

I think about Ashton Colvin, a vet tech who worked out of the Wingham veterinarian office, and she takes great care and pride in Maxi, her beloved dog at home. She said years ago that vet techs needed to be recognized for the expertise that they have, and I remember that conversation very well, when I was standing at their desk one day.

I think about the veterinary office that we visited, the clinic we visited in Thunder Bay. The veterinarian was very proud of his team of vet techs, and they were passionate and very eloquent in stating why the full scope of practice, expertise and training of vet techs should finally be recognized once and for all.

So those are some people who I can’t help but think of and thank for reaching out and really telling us what they thought in terms of the importance of modernizing this piece of legislation.

The Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians also made an important point that we could not have reached this particular stage we are at today without the collaboration of the College of Veterinarians of Ontario and the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, OVMA—and I want to give a shout-out to all of you at that particular association as well. Again, I appreciate the candour, the heart and the seriousness in which you brought forward not only your ideas but your concerns.

I have every confidence going forward, when we move past this enabling legislation into regulations, if this legislation should pass, that you will work incredibly well with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario to work on regulations that make sense for the entire suite of services and care that people choose to access for their pets, for their horses and for livestock across Ontario.

I really value the relationship that was trusted so that the candid discussion could be achieved. It wasn’t lost on me, and I really want to take time to say thank you again to the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association for all they did to help us get to this point, as well.

Our partnerships have been crucial. As the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians stated, continued collaboration will lead to further advancements in the veterinary profession in Ontario. I couldn’t agree more. As I’ve said, this proposed legislation will, if passed, regulate both veterinarians and veterinary technicians, reflecting again on one profession, two professionals. It’s an approach and delivery of veterinary medicine in Ontario that will lead by example across Canada.

In order to reflect this change, the College of Veterinarians of Ontario would be renamed the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario. It is our government’s expectation that the college will develop regulations that provide a clear and broad definition of the scope of practice that is in line with the skills and training that vet techs possess. This is something that was supported in all written and verbal submissions to the Standing Committee on the Interior. Again, I appreciate everyone’s input in that regard.

Let me take a moment to share some of those written submissions. For example, Ontario Pork said, “Ontario Pork supports the delivery of veterinary care using a team-based approach and the importance of registered veterinary technicians in providing veterinary care. By enabling better access to veterinary services and the scope of care provided, the proposed bill will help ensure that farmers can receive veterinary care for their livestock when needed.”

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture said something similar. Speaking about bringing veterinary technicians under the same college as vets, the OFA said they believe “this will help to alleviate the workload of large animal veterinarians, especially in underserviced areas of the province, and increase producer access.”

While veterinarians and veterinary technicians are critical to animal care in Ontario, there are other service providers who also have a role. This bill recognizes that there are qualified and competent care providers who are not veterinary professionals, but they have an important role to play in animal health if owners choose to pursue their services.

We have taken an approach which continues access to care while also protecting the health and well-being of animals. The new act will enable regulations to be made to formalize exemptions for non-veterinarian practitioners and help assure the public that these animal care providers will be qualified and competent to provide safe care. These regulations will set out the terms, conditions, limitations, guidelines and prohibitions that will detail how these professionals can safely continue providing care to animals.

For example, pharmacists will be able to continue to compound, dispense and sell medication to an animal owner if they have a prescription for it—again, if this legislation should pass. We’re also enabling choice for pet owners by allowing them to fill their prescriptions through their vet or to get a prescription they can take to another store or pharmacist.

Another important aspect that was raised in consultation was access to ultrasounds for pregnant animals; in particular, small ruminants such as sheep and goats. If passed, this bill will ensure that ultrasound technicians who provide pregnancy checks—preg-checks; they’re important—for small ruminants will be able to continue to do so. Just to rephrase that, throughout Ontario, we have technicians who can go on-farm and, in a non-invasive way, facilitate preg-checks for sheep and goats. Their services are invaluable, and we just wanted to share that example as an exemption that will be well received by farmers.

This particular exemption, in allowing technicians to perform preg-checks on small ruminants, was also supported by stakeholders who wrote to the committee. For example, Ontario Sheep Farmers wrote, “Our organization was very happy to see the provision in the act allowing an exception for pregnancy ultrasounds performed on sheep. Ultrasound is an important tool used by our members to confirm pregnancy and ultrasound technicians are trusted members of our farmers’ animal care teams.” That was well said.

This bill, if passed, would also continue a number of key exemptions that exist in the current Veterinarians Act, such as the ability for farmers, their families and employees to provide care for their animals.

I think about our farm. Again, we live in a large, rural area. My husband has our veterinarian on speed-dial. They have a wonderful relationship, a trusting relationship. Our vet, Clayton, enables Dennis to care for our animals to the best of his ability.

Our act, if passed, would continue to allow farmers to use ultrasounds on their own animals, as is the current practice.

The bill does not propose to regulate lower-risk services such as grooming, hoof trimming or massage.

There are some animal owners, mainly owners of horses and dogs, who choose to seek chiropractic care for their animals, as well. This bill will, if passed, provide title protection for chiropractors and allow the college to make regulations to set out the parameters on how animal chiropractic care can continue to be offered safely.

Chiropractors working on animals would remain members of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario and would not have to be a member of two different regulated colleges. The committee did hear from the Ontario Chiropractic Association, who welcomed the opportunity to continue to consult as the regulations are created, and I trust that through this effort and the facilitation of discussion that will lead to solid regs, all parties involved will do what’s right to ensure that services can be available if an animal owner—or, in this instance, an owner of horses—chooses to access that particular service.

Again, I really appreciate the manner in which all parties have come together to recognize the importance of modernizing this particular piece of legislation. And should it pass, the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario would be required to consult with any profession which provides treatment that would be addressed in regulations and report those outcomes to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. This would include chiropractors.

Let’s talk about governance for a moment. With respect to governance, this bill also addresses the governance of the college. It would, if passed, add new objects to the college, including working with the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on access to adequate numbers of qualified, skilled and competent veterinary professionals. The proposed bill will also include a number of improvements that will enable the regulatory college to achieve positive outcomes. The proposed legislation would see the renamed college have six committees to oversee activities, ranging from accreditation, to licensing, to quality assurance, and disciplinary matters.

I’m going to focus on what the legislation calls “quality assurance” programming right now, because it breaks down into a couple of things. The college would be able to create requirements for continuing education for members, something that the College of Veterinarians of Ontario has requested and most other self-regulated professions require. Members of the college would be required to report if they suspect another member’s abilities are impaired by health or other issues, and there would be legal protections for members who make such reports in good faith.

The college would be able to collect and make public more information about its members, similar to other regulated professions in Ontario. These professions, of course, are regulated throughout the province.

In a written submission to the Standing Committee on the Interior, the College of Veterinarians of Ontario said, “The college is encouraged by the inclusion of a mandatory quality assurance program for the practice of veterinary medicine that will help to ensure ongoing competency amongst its membership.”

Ladies and gentlemen, all of these proposed changes would bring the veterinary profession in line with other self-regulated professions in Ontario, and I’m very, very proud of that.

Again, if the legislation is passed, the council for the college would also be expanded to include veterinary technicians, representatives from a veterinary medicine program and a vet technician program as well as more members of the public. This would bring more perspectives to the table—in other words, bring different lenses to a situation when decisions are being made.

One of the concerns we heard during the consultations was that the complaint resolution process for veterinarians took far too long. This bill proposes to streamline that process, which will be incredibly good for both animal owners and veterinarians alike.

All in all, reaction to this bill has been very positive, both as we are consulting and at the Standing Committee on the Interior. I am proud that we took the time to consider stakeholder feedback and to incorporate it into Bill 171. After consulting widely, we feel confident that we are taking the right steps for both pets and livestock.

During the committee hearing, we also addressed the shortage of vets. I understand that the member from Mushkegowuk–James Bay raised some questions about how this bill would help improve access to veterinary care in the north. We recognize that there is a shortage of veterinarians in many rural and northern communities, and we are taking action to address this shortage through this bill and through additional initiatives.

As mentioned during second reading of Bill 171, I see this proposed legislation as one leg of a three-legged stool that supports our goal to improve veterinary care access across Ontario. We developed the Veterinary Incentive Program to encourage veterinarians to set up large practices in underserved communities. Under this program, up to 100 newly licensed vets are eligible to receive up to $50,000 over five years to practise on large animals in underserviced areas of the province. Since this program was announced late last year, nine veterinarians have been approved to receive this incentive.

I’m really proud of that. We’ve taken what we’ve heard and we’ve taken action to make it so. I appreciate everyone who was involved in that particular initiative.

I think it’s also important to recognize that we have announced that we are investing up to $14.7 million to create 20 new seats in veterinary medicine programs in Ontario starting in September 2025.

I should note that technology is already playing a

part in increasing access to veterinary care. I think it’s somewhat interesting that here we are today, on May 16—happy birthday to my brother, Dennis—in a week whereby, I understand, students desiring to pursue a career in veterinary medicine are actually being interviewed.

So it’s kind of timely, if you will—the synchronicity of debating this bill in third reading and understanding that students aspiring to be a veterinarian are in the midst of interviews to determine whether they actually will be one of those new students in the full suite of opportunities that we are making available through this particular legislation. Again, that makes it somewhat surreal, but it underscores the importance—because, again, we need more veterinarians across the province of Ontario, especially northern Ontario, and in underserviced areas throughout rural Ontario.

We know that the veterinary profession in Ontario is revered, quite frankly, around the world. I give a shout-out to everyone—the colleges that I’ve mentioned already, through to the universities that are enabling this practice to become a career that people can be proud of.

I think it’s interesting; when we talk about advancing and modernizing not only this veterinarian legislation but services, we have to embrace technology as well. I mentioned before that my husband really values our veterinarian, Clayton, and when needed, he’s only a text away. Technology is changing the way veterinarians can support farmers and pet owners alike. We heard about how farmers, especially in northern Ontario, might be hours away from a veterinarian. In that particular situation, where distance could prove to be a hurdle that’s tough to get over, telemedicine can really help.

While some vets and farmers, as I mentioned, in our own case on our farm, are using technology to their advantage, I anticipate that more vet techs attending to a patient and consulting with a veterinarian over the phone will happen more and more.

For instance, if passed, this particular legislation will—again, as I mentioned earlier—recognize the full scope of expertise and training that vet techs have. In order to increase access to care, if a veterinarian is on one end of the county and a call comes in on the opposite end of the county, technically—ideally—if this legislation should pass, under the veterinarian’s direction, a vet tech could go to that particular farm or pet owner in the north end of the county and start assessing the situation, and be in contact with the veterinarian to determine what the best next steps are.

I think that is a tremendous example of how there will be so much value in modernizing this particular piece of legislation—and I thank everybody’s contributions in making it so.

Just to conclude, I want to share with everyone that, together with the vet incentive program, when we talk about increasing access to veterinarian care, the 20 new vet school seats and the proposed legislation that we are discussing today will help us care for our animals, whether they be pets, service animals or livestock. I believe the proposed legislation will work for animals and animal owners right across this province.

I appreciate the opportunity to have presented this piece of legislation, Bill 171, to the House. It’s important. Our agriculture and food industry is a significant contributor to our overall GDP, to the tune of $48 billion. We are an industry that is strong, poised to grow, and we need to make sure the professional services needed to support that growth are recognized in the manner in which they deserve. I think we’ve achieved that in Bill 171.

I’m so incredibly proud of the work that has gone into this bill, as well. Ladies and gentlemen, I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a shout-out to our team at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Ryan, as policy director, has owned this particular piece of legislation and all the activities that were needed to get us to this point, and he was supported incredibly well by Lindsay and Tara—Lindsay being director of strategy; Tara, of course, being chief of staff.

Our entire team in our minister’s office has worked so incredibly hard to make sure we’ve nailed down proper communications, and we’ve worked incredibly well with stakeholders. I can tell you earnestly that we’ve had some tough discussions in order to get where we are today, and we need to recognize that people came to the table with the best intentions.

This enabling piece of legislation, if passed, will enable regulations to be put in place that will ultimately ensure pet owners, livestock owners and horse owners alike will have access to the professional care that they choose.

I also would like to take a moment to reflect on the debate that we’ve had leading up to this point in third reading, and I want to thank the members opposite—I want to thank the people for recognizing that we have done our homework and we’re getting it right. This has been—again, I remind everyone—something that has been asked for, for over 10 years, and I’m so incredibly proud to be able to work with a team that understood the importance, understood the realities that underscored the need to modernize this piece of legislation.

I feel strongly that this bill takes a balanced and risk-based approach to the practice of veterinary medicine, while continuing to protect animal health and well-being, all the while respecting all the professionals who at one point in time may get called upon to care for a loved pet.

Actually, when I think about it, we have a dog getting spayed in the Wingham Veterinary Clinic right now. I hope everything goes well.

Again, it’s because we love our animals that we need access to these services, not only at home in Huron–Bruce, but across this province of Ontario.

I can’t underscore enough how our entire team has worked so incredibly closely with the stakeholders throughout Ontario to reach this stage of third reading. We’re truly heartened to have received such thorough, thoughtful and instructive feedback and response to it. I submit to the members opposite and to everyone watching today that there has been so much work that has gone into it. I thank you for recognizing that. I’m sincere in saying that. I thank you for your unanimous support in second reading.

I understand that at the committee of the interior, there were good discussions, but as we tweaked it during clause by-clause, there were not a lot of adversarial comments. The tweaks that we made during clause-by-clause made sense. Thank you to all the committee members who saw the importance of what we were doing. We can’t state enough how important committee work is. I’m sincere in saying thank you to everyone who helped get Bill 171 through the committee stages, as well. I appreciate it very much.

Just to close, I want to recognize that it’s important to have a provincial lens on everything we do in this province. I’m really thrilled to be working with two gentlemen who represent—actually, the trifecta here, we pretty much represent all of Ontario, when we add in our valued colleagues from the north.

The member from Essex and the member from Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston are going to continue on this discussion and continue to share and tell everyone in the House today and people watching why modernizing this particular Veterinarians Act is so important in 2024.

At the end of the day, I feel it’s very important that our professionals who get up at any hour of the day—and I mean any hour of the day—to care for our animals need to be well supported. We’re doing just that if this legislation should pass.

Thank you very much. I’ll hand it over to one of my amazing PAs, the member of provincial Parliament from Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Patrice Barnes): I recognize the member from Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston.

Mr. John Jordan: I’m very pleased to speak today on Bill 171, the Enhancing Professional Care for Animals Act. In my new role as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, along with my colleague from Essex, this is the second time I’ve had the opportunity to speak to Bill 171. It’s important for me to share that I have been impressed with the work by this minister and her ministry on this proposed legislation and the extensive consultation that went into shaping this bill.

I was also fortunate to sit on the Standing Committee on the Interior. The consultation was evident during the hearing at the Standing Committee on the Interior and was noted by both the government and members from the opposition.

I need to do a shout-out to our Associate Minister of Housing and our deputy government House leader for the work that they did as PAs in consulting on this particular bill.

We heard from a number of delegates that they appreciated that the government, and the minister in particular, listened to their ideas and concerns as this bill was being drafted. As a result of that consultation, we heard a lot of support for this bill.

During their presentation to the committee, the College of Veterinarians of Ontario’s president Dr. Wade Wright and registrar and CEO Jan Robinson spoke of the college’s support for Bill 171. The registrar and CEO stated that Minister Thompson has heard the need for the modernization of the delivery of veterinary medicine in Ontario. and that Bill 171 has the opportunity to ensure a platform that responsibly brings a modern approach to the regulation of veterinary medicine. We certainly appreciated the College of Veterinarians of Ontario’s ongoing support and collaboration on the bill’s development.

At committee, we also heard from the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Brendon Laing, president of the OVMA, told us that they support this bill and appreciate the government’s work on this file.

The Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians is the body that both represents and currently regulates registered veterinary technicians in Ontario. The OAVT has also been actively involved in the development of this bill. At committee, Elise Wickett, the executive director and registrar of the OAVT, told us that the “extensive consultation has culminated in a comprehensive bill that will significantly enhance access to professional veterinary care in Ontario.”

These strong expressions of support demonstrate that, if passed, this legislation would be met very positively by those who are directly impacted by it. In fact, these three organizations—the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians, the College of Veterinarians of Ontario and the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association—have been working with OMAFRA for more than a decade to bring about these changes. It is great to see organizations working together with government to bring forward positive solutions, so I congratulate them on those efforts.

The committee also heard from groups representing owners of both farm animals and pets.

The Beef Farmers of Ontario’s president, Craig McLaughlin, expressed the organization’s full support for the efforts made to modernize the current Veterinarians Act and, particularly, for the in-depth consultation process. Beef Farmers of Ontario noted that the relationship between a livestock farmer and their vet is a very important partnership for ensuring optimal animal health and welfare. Large animal vets certainly play a critical role in supporting the viability of beef farmers.

From my own riding, Don Badour, cow-calf director with the Beef Farmers of Ontario, and Sheila James, vice-president of Lanark County Beef Farmers, sent this: “Beef farmers in the Lanark, Frontenac and Kingston area support efforts to modernize the Veterinarians Act. It is our hope that the changes related to incorporating veterinary technicians within the act, and clarifying the roles around the scope of practice and authorized activities that can be performed by veterinarians, veterinary technicians and other professionals, will provide more opportunities for farmers to access veterinary care on-farm.”

Reg Campbell, sheep producer in Beckwith township, just down from my own farm, said: “When it comes to labour-intensive situations like conducting ultrasounds on pregnant ewes, vets can’t afford that kind of time commitment. That’s a perfect example of where a trained technician could step in and provide the service when needed during a busy season, reducing the cost and streamlining the efficiencies for the production of the herd.”

I used to raise sheep; sheep are very high needs. You need to watch for coyotes, you need to control parasites, and sheep aren’t the brightest bulbs in the box. They are always putting themselves in precarious situations, so they need a shepherd, but they also quite often need a vet.

I know for some in eastern Ontario, access to a vet can be difficult, but I’m sure the challenge is even bigger for those who farm in the more remote parts of the province, in our north. I am sure my colleague from Timiskaming–Cochrane is fully aware of this challenge.

And while I mention the member from Timiskaming–Cochrane—I did have the pleasure of visiting his part of the world to attend the Earlton Farm Show, and I want to thank him for the time he took out. I also want to do a shout-out to Norm Koch, who is an integral part of the organization of the Earlton Farm Show—both great ambassadors for farmers in the north.

Other agricultural groups who sent in written comments on Bill 171 said similar things. The Chicken Farmers of Ontario support the bill and talked about their reliance on veterinary professionals to control the spread of diseases like avian influenza.

I’ll quote from their written submission: The Chicken Farmers of Ontario thank and appreciate the government of Ontario “for recognizing that veterinary care is delivered in a team-based approach—formally acknowledging the role of veterinary technicians—as this will help alleviate the pressure on the limited veterinary resources in rural areas and improve access to veterinary services, and ultimately, support reaching the goal of responding promptly and efficiently to mitigate potential disease spread.”

General farm organizations like the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario also support this bill. I had the opportunity to speak to both of these when I was in Earlton. Drew Spoelstra, president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, showed his support during the hearings when he said, “We applaud the government for acknowledging that modern-day veterinary care is delivered using a team-based approach. Bill 171 does an admirable job of reflecting the true nature of today’s veterinary practices and in acknowledging the vital role of veterinary technicians in delivering quality care to the province and animal population.”

The Christian Farmers Federation wrote in to the committee saying that they supported the bill and the proposal to bring veterinary technicians together with veterinarians under the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario. In their written submission, they said, “We see significant benefits for all animal owners, especially for livestock farmers, in having both professions recognized, licensed and regulated under one professional body.”

Veterinary care for farm animals is important, but we realize that animals other than livestock require veterinary care. Humane societies were also consulted on this bill and spoke to the committee.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: During the committee hearing on Bill 171, the SPCA’s director of government relations, Drew Woodley, spoke about the organization’s key priority in promoting greater access and availability of veterinary care throughout Ontario. Mr. Woodley stressed that accessing veterinary care is increasingly becoming a challenge for individuals and families who are caring pet owners. To this point, Mr.

Woodley said the Ontario SPCA was happy to support Bill 171, noting, “This bill makes important changes to how veterinary care is governed in Ontario, which will hopefully improve access to care throughout the province.” He also described how important it is to recognize the training and skills of veterinary technicians—supporting the move to create a governance model that respects their contributions to the practice of veterinary care. We appreciate that the Ontario SPCA spoke in support of Bill 171, because safe and accessible pet care is important to the more than 50% of Ontario households that have a pet.

Speaker, having the support from both agricultural groups and the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is a testament to the thorough consultation process that was undertaken by the minister and the team at OMAFRA.

In closing, Bill 171 rests on the shoulders of all the people who chose to engage to make sure that in Ontario, we have the best professional care for animals, both in our homes and on our farms.

Once again, I want to thank everyone who took

part in the consultations and everyone who appeared before or wrote to the committee on the interior. Without their input, we wouldn’t be where we are today, debating this bill designed to help enable enhanced access to veterinary care for all animals in Ontario.

With that, Speaker, I’ll turn it over to my colleague from Essex.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Patrice Barnes): I recognize the member from Essex.

Mr. Anthony Leardi: I’m pleased to follow my colleague from Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston to speak about Bill 171, the Enhancing Professional Care for Animals Act, 2024. I’d like to start by recognizing the work that the minister has done on this important piece of legislation and her leadership in guiding us along the road to where we are today.

Speaker, veterinary medicine has been regulated as a profession in Ontario since 1877; that’s 147 years now. Veterinarians were one of the first of the five regulated professions in Canada.

As the minister said, the Veterinarians Act was last updated in 1989, 35 years ago. A lot has changed since that time, particularly with developments in technology.

As the minister described, the bill proposes to bring the veterinary technicians under the same college as veterinarians and rename that college the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario.

The proposed changes in Bill 171 are designed to increase access to vet care by letting the college better define a broad scope of practice for veterinary technicians. The proposed legislation would also streamline the complaints process, better define the scope of practice for veterinary medicine, and improve transparency. And, if passed, this bill would align oversight of the veterinary profession with that of other regulated professions in Ontario—both health care professions and others like architects, accountants, lawyers and teachers.

The Ontario Veterinary Medical Association’s president Dr. Brendon Laing, its CEO Mr. John Stevens and past president Dr. Matthew Richardson congratulated and extended appreciation to the ministry for its hard work on the development of this bill and for the improvements being proposed for the profession and animal care.

Modernizing the profession will make it more responsive to public expectations around governance, transparency, oversight and, most importantly, trust. Like many regulatory bodies in Ontario that oversee a profession, the veterinary regulatory college operates based on a self-regulation system. Members elect peers to serve on the governing council together with non-licensed individuals appointed by the Ontario government.

This bill, if passed, will expand the council of the newly renamed College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario to include vet techs and faculty members from both a veterinarian program and vet tech program, as well as more public representatives.

The principal object of the college is to regulate the practice of veterinary medicine and to govern members in accordance with the act. This bill would also add a new object of the college: to work with the minister to develop strategies to “ensure the people of Ontario have access to adequate numbers of qualified, skilled and competent veterinary professionals.”

The regulatory college overseeing veterinary professionals has expressed its alignment with the proposed changes that aim to enhance ministerial oversight of the regulatory college’s governing council—something the current college is asking for to be more transparent to the public—and bring more voices to the council of the regulatory college, including a greater role for public appointees, to ensure public perspectives are reflected, and spaces on the council for veterinary technicians and academic members.

The proposed changes would also set out a new name for the regulatory college, to reflect its role in overseeing two categories of veterinary professionals within a single veterinary profession. If Bill 171 passes, the college will be known as the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario.

Like any legislation in place for decades, it’s important to revisit it to ensure it continues to serve its purpose efficiently and effectively. It is crucially important to consider, in these proposed changes, the needs of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, other animal service providers, the public and the agriculture industry.

The ministry has consulted widely on this proposed legislation, and the college will continue to consult as the regulations are developed. In order to ensure that happens, there is a requirement that consultations and collaboration between the regulatory college and other professions providing animal care is built into the proposed legislation.

An important aspect of the proposed changes is about quality assurance. If passed, the legislation would enable the regulatory college to develop a formal quality assurance program, which will be overseen by a new statutory committee. This change aims to better ensure continual learning and competence of members of the profession. The quality assurance committee would set the requirements for continuing education and refer cases of misconduct, incompetence or impairment to the college’s investigations and resolutions committee.

The proposal mirrors what is currently in place for professional regulatory colleges in human health care and other self-regulated professions. This is designed to maintain public trust and assurance in the profession, as well as ensure all active veterinarians and veterinary technicians are up to date on the latest developments in animal care.

In addition to governance and quality assurance, the proposed changes would bring about a streamlined complaints and resolution process. This is being proposed because the ministry has received several letters over the years complaining about how long and drawn out the complaints process can be. The complaints process was also raised by veterinarians during the consultations. This improved process would include the components dealing with investigations, professional misconduct, a member’s fitness to practise, and suspected incompetence.

The proposed changes would clearly enable a greater amount of information about a licence holder to be collected and, where appropriate, posted on the public-facing register.

Like other regulated professions, this would also allow for the college to post information about its members. This is intended to allow animal owners to check whether the veterinarian or vet tech is a member of the college in good standing.

This bill also proposes mandatory reporting requirements, which would require any member who suspects that another member’s fitness to practise is impaired to report that fact to the college. There would also be legal protections for members making such reports in good faith. Such a report could be used to bring about an investigation by the college if it is felt that there is a need to look into a matter further or potentially discipline a member.

This bill, if passed, would also increase penalties to better reflect the seriousness of actions that harm an animal. Fines for taking actions that could foreseeably cause serious harm to an animal without being licensed by the college would be set in legislation and would carry fines as follows: up to $25,000 for an individual on first offence and $50,000 for a subsequent offence; up to $50,000 for a corporation on first offence and $200,000 for a subsequent offence. Maximum fines for practising veterinary medicine without a licence would increase to the same levels.

This proposed legislation also would give the college the authority to mandate that vet clinics have malpractice insurance, something that is currently not mandatory.

Ontario needs modernized legislation that embraces contemporary approaches to professional regulation and governance; in other words, one profession, veterinary medicine, comprised of two professionals, veterinarians and veterinary technicians, serving the public interest. We feel that we have better reflected that reality in this proposed legislation.

These proposed changes are part of our broader efforts to support success for Ontario’s agriculture and food industry and to streamline and simplify processes for those doing business in Ontario.

Modernizing the legislation that oversees veterinary medicine will better support all animal owners. We feel strongly that these proposed changes will help to bring about a veterinary profession that is more responsive to public expectations around governance, transparency and oversight.

The new legislative framework we propose aims to take a balanced and risk-based approach to the practice of veterinary medicine, while continuing to protect animal health and well-being. We are confident these proposed actions will help us keep growing Ontario together.

I’d like to also take this opportunity to pay homage to a very special individual in my riding, the riding of Essex. This individual was a great contributor to his community in so many important ways. I think that this individual very much represents and reflects his chosen profession, the veterinary profession, and probably stands as a great example to others to follow: Dr. Richard Barnett.

I’d like to tell you a little bit about Dr. Barnett. He was the son of individuals who were part of the greatest generation, as we like to refer to them. His father served in World War II and was on active service for four and a half years in Sicily, Italy, France, Belgium and Holland.

Dr. Barnett always began his visits with a joke, and others who were in the practice and retired from the practice agreed that he was always a pleasure to speak with.

He once agreed to visit a pony gifted to a family, as it was quite sick, and even though he was not practising at the time, he was willing to give of his time and his professional efforts to ensure that pony stayed well.

Others have said about him that he played a very important role on a lot of farms. This is a great show of support to someone so important to farm operations. He was called a fine mentor, someone who took others under his wing and was willing to share his experience and his knowledge with others for the benefit of the community and of the profession.

People who met Dr. Barnett were not just his clients; they were like family. He spoke about how his mentor went out of his way to help those in need of veterinary care, but also might not have been able to fulfill the financial obligations that went along with that, and he went above and beyond, making sure that people were able to get the veterinary care they required, regardless of what their financial circumstances were.

Dr. Richard Barnett was a man who set the example for others to follow. He practised so long, it was said he had the oldest telephone message in the business.

He served as the president of the Essex-Kent Veterinary Association and as treasurer for the Ontario Association of Swine Practitioners.

Dr. Barnett said this of his career and his life: “I have been blessed in so many ways.” And when he talked about his youth and being educated in a one-room schoolhouse, which was next door to his family farm, he said this: “It was a great time to grow up.”

So I’d like to take this opportunity to pay homage to Dr. Barnett, his contributions to the community and his contributions to the profession, and encourage all members to vote in favour of this act, which will improve veterinary professions and veterinary care in the province of Ontario.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Patrice Barnes): Questions?

Ms. Peggy Sattler: Thank you to the minister and the parliamentary assistant for their remarks on this bill.

I had the opportunity to attend one of the committee meetings that was reviewing this legislation, and I was particularly interested in the panel from the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society, the Toronto Humane Society and Dr. Martha Harding, who operates three not-for-profit veterinary clinics. They shared stories about how, in this current affordability crisis, we are seeing a doubling of demand for pet food to community food banks. They are seeing more and more animals having to be surrendered for economic reasons, which is absolutely heartbreaking, because all families—low-income people should be able to access veterinary services.

What in this bill will expand access to veterinary services, especially for low-income Ontarians?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Well, thank you very much for that question.

Simply put, the expansion and recognition of the scope of practice in our veterinary clinics across Ontario, whether it’s urban downtown Toronto or in Rainy River, is going to improve access. Specifically, when I say that, I mean the recognition of the scope of practice for veterinary technicians is going to be a game-changer, quite frankly. If a veterinarian is tied up and somebody comes in or phones in requesting care, in teaming up with a veterinarian, the vet tech can now fully practise to their full scope of experience and training.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Patrice Barnes): Further questions?

Hon. Charmaine A. Williams: It’s always a pleasure to listen to my colleagues be able to debate and speak on really creative and innovative ways to make practices, like the veterinary practices, accessible and relevant.

I’m really thinking about young people. As the minister for women, it’s important for me to see women have the opportunity to pursue careers. We’ve seen interest in veterinary practice amongst young girls.

I’m just wondering how this is going to help encourage more young people, especially young women, enter into the sector and become veterinarians in Ontario.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: I appreciate the question from the minister, who is so dedicated and does such an incredible job giving a hand up to women who want to pursue careers, no matter where their career path takes them. She’s doing a spectacular job in that spirit.

In terms of veterinary medicine, I want to share with everyone in the House and watching today that women particularly are outnumbering men when it comes to this professional career. I’m really proud to say that there’s an equalizer, because if you have the training, you have the expertise and you have the passion, anyone can be part of the team that offers enhanced professional care to animals.

The other thing I want to share is that we’re approaching the increase to veterinary medicine by increasing the number of classes in Ontario by 20. We’re also incenting veterinarians to work in northern and remote areas of Ontario by incenting them upwards of $50,000 over five years if they practise large animal veterinary medicine.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Patrice Barnes): Further questions?

Ms. Peggy Sattler: During the committee hearings on the bill, we heard from the Ontario SPCA as well as the Toronto Humane Society, who pointed to the fact that there are current regulations that give those organizations special status because they operate animal shelters, so therefore they are also able to provide veterinary services. They urged that new regulations be developed under this new governance system that’s set out in this bill that would enable the expansion of non-profit delivery of veterinary care so that it doesn’t have to only be associated with a charity that operates an animal shelter.

They really emphasized the need to expand veterinary services to low-income Ontarians, and the current cost of veterinary services is a real barrier to access.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: I thank the member opposite, because I understand you participated in committee, as well. Thank you for your time that you gave to reviewing this particular piece of legislation.

The fact of the matter is, that amendment and that notion is outside of the scope of this enabling legislation.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Patrice Barnes): Questions?

Hon. Stan Cho: It’s the first time I’m probably going to talk about my French bulldog, Kevin. This guy is three years old and cost me a fortune, but I can’t see life without him at home. I understand that his health care—well, to me and to my wife, he’s our little fur baby. I can’t imagine life without him.

Vets play a crucial role in our families here in Ontario.

I was curious about this legislation and how it could help to remove some of the barriers for entry into becoming a veterinarian and some of those barriers that people face today.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: I think, first and foremost, the fact that we’re recognizing the scope of expertise and training with vet techs is very important. I think that will encourage more people to pursue that particular career path.

I love the name Kevin for a dog, by the way—well done. I trust that he’s getting exemplary care—

Hon. Stan Cho: The best care.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Yes, and he will be a great partner for any new family member that may come your way too.

I have to say to Minister Cho, my husband said, as well, “Who would ever think I’d fall so in love with a dog?” I think we all think that way when it comes to referring to our pets. And we know there are young people throughout this province of Ontario that, because they love pets, want to pursue a career. With the Enhancing the Professional Care for Animals Act, I think we’re creating a bright future for anyone who wants to pursue that career.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Patrice Barnes): Further questions?

Ms. Peggy Sattler: Again to the minister: During the hearings on this bill at committee, we heard about the veterinary legislative oversight acts that are in place in other jurisdictions—BC, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Florida—that all include non-profit veterinary services in their veterinary legislation.

My question to the minister is: Can she assure all of those veterinarians who want to be able to provide non-profit delivery of veterinary services that the regulations under this act will be expanded to enable that in this province?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: I appreciate the question coming from the member opposite, but we need to remember that what we’re debating today is enabling legislation, and the regulations will be facilitated through that new college that will be created, should this bill pass. With that said, I trust the individuals who have come together to work together to realize this modernization.

I’d like to give a shout-out to the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, as well as the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians and all of the other professions that provide services to either pets or livestock throughout this province. I trust that when it comes to those conversations that need to be had to bring forward regulations, there will be much thought and responsibility given to that action.

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Patrice Barnes): Further questions?

Ms. Natalie Pierre: Thank you so much to the minister and to the parliamentary assistants for bringing forward this legislation, the Enhancing Professional Care for Animals Act.

I’m wondering if the minister can tell us a little bit more about how the proposed changes will enhance access to professional animal care—and specifically, the changes to the scope of practice for vet techs and their ability to participate in team-based care to the full extent of their abilities and training—and how that will help improve access for us who have fur babies to come in and have them taken care of.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Again, all of our pets, our fur babies, as you said, are so important to us.

I’m really proud of the modernization that we’re talking about in this particular piece of legislation. Whether it’s for livestock or pets, what we’ve done here is actually bring two professions under one college. In that, that team-based approach is going to improve access so that when you need care for your pet, it will be available to you, because the—

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Patrice Barnes): My apologies to the Minister of Agriculture. Thank you for the response.

Third reading debate deemed adjourned.

House sittings

The Acting Speaker (Ms. Patrice Barnes): I recognize the deputy House leader.

Mr. Trevor Jones: On a point of order: Pursuant to standing order 7(e), I wish to inform the House that tonight’s evening meeting is cancelled.

Members’ Statements

Hannah Pare

Mr. Andrew Dowie: Recently, we lost a beloved member of our community and a health care hero, Hannah Pare. Hannah was just 22 years old and was a neurology nurse at Windsor Regional Hospital. She tragically passed away due to complications during surgery. Hannah was an amazing nurse for our community who truly loved what she did and was dedicated to helping others.

Even after her passing, Hannah continues to help others by donating her organs, saving multiple lives.

Her devastating loss will be felt across our entire community.

To honour her legacy, Hannah’s family has started a GoFundMe page to fundraise for a scholarship in her name at the University of Windsor. Hannah was very passionate about school, and her legacy will support others in their academic journey.

I want to take this opportunity to recognize Hannah’s service as a nurse and to extend my deepest condolences to her family.

I am grateful for the impact that Hannah has made in the lives of so many.

Labour dispute

M me France Gélinas: Today, my colleague MPP West and I wish we were in our ridings so we could join the 900 health care professionals holding a rally at Health Sciences North. You see, Speaker, these workers have been working without a collective agreement since June 2022, two long years ago. Today, May 16, is the long-awaited arbitration date.

We support workers.

I know that there are shortages in 15 different classifications of health care professionals, from respiratory therapists, pathologist assistants, lab technicians, radiation therapists, medical radiation technologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, pharmacy technicians, prosthetic and orthotic technicians, perfusionists—and the list goes on. These shortages cause delays in tests needed for diagnosis, delays in care and treatment plans, and missed care altogether. All these delays lead to extended hospital stays, hospital overcrowding and hallway health care.

The top reasons why health care professionals leave their work are pay and working conditions.

So I sure hope that the arbitration brings them what negotiations were not able to bring: fair wages and good working conditions.

To all of the health care workers out there and allies at the rally today, I value your important work. We wish we could be there with you. I sure hope that after waiting for two years, you get a good collective agreement.

Solidarity.

Transportation infrastructure

Mr. Hardeep Singh Grewal: Our government, under Premier Ford’s leadership, is getting it done by building Highway 413. In the coming year, by 2025, we will move ahead with construction and get shovels in the ground as a part of our plan to build Ontario.

With Halton, Peel and York regions all set to grow at incredible speed, our government is saying yes to building the critical infrastructure our province needs by building the roads and highways that will keep these communities strong and thriving.

Highway 413 will bring relief to the most congested corridor in North America. Preliminary design, environmental assessment work and consultations are under way for the new route. During construction, Highway 413 is expected to generate up to $350 million in real GDP and support 3,500 good-paying union jobs, such as heavy-equipment operators, drilling and coring contractors, concrete and steel workers, utility contractors, environmental specialists, laboratory technologists, safety inspectors, and so many more in the industry.

Once completed, not only will it improve our productivity and encourage economic growth by getting goods to market faster, but it will also have a measurable impact on the quality of life for Ontario drivers so they can spend more time with their families and less time stuck in gridlock.

Speaker, we are delivering on our promise to build Highway 413 with our plan to fix gridlock and make life easier and more convenient for millions of drivers in the GTA and across Ontario.

We’re getting it done. We’re building Highway 413.

Diagnostic services

Mr. Wayne Gates: We are facing unacceptable wait times for MRIs in Niagara right now. Right now, our community faces a staggering 306-day wait time for MRIs—a wait time that nearly doubled in the past year.

Since 2016, we have fought tooth and nail to secure additional funding to increase MRI operating hours. In 2021, we received funding to operate a brand new MRI machine. And yet, despite these efforts, our wait times have only worsened. Why are we in a dire situation and waiting 306 days? People in Niagara should not be forced to endure unbearable waits for medical procedures, yet here we are, waiting endlessly while our health care deteriorates.

This crisis will become another excuse for the government to push for privatization of our health care services. But let me be clear: Privatization is not the answer. It only benefits the wealthy few who will leave the rest of us suffering.

We must hold the government accountable for its failure to prioritize the health and well-being of our communities. It’s time to demand action, to demand change. We cannot allow our public health care system to continue failing us.

This government has committed to the funding to ensure Niagara residents have access to MRIs. So what is happening at Niagara Health? We cannot allow our health care to fail on purpose.

Speaker, 306 days, frankly, is unacceptable to the residents of Niagara.

Health care funding

Mr. John Jordan: I was pleased to join the Minister of Health last month for a very important virtual announcement which will positively affect many families in Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston. A new regional pediatric surgical program was launched to address the wait-list for surgeries for children and youth in eastern Ontario—part of this government’s investment of an additional $330 million each year in pediatric health services in our hospitals and community-based health care facilities.

Led by the Kids Come First Health Team, this initiative brings the CHEO day surgery program to two sites: the Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital in my riding of Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston, and the Brockville General Hospital in my neighbour MPP’s riding of Leeds–Grenville–Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes.

Funding will go toward equipment and training at the Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital, including pediatric advanced life-support skills as well as general and orthopaedic surgery.

My thanks for the hard work and dedication of Mary Wilson Trider, who just recently retired from her position as CEO of the Mississippi River Health Alliance, which includes the Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital; Nicholas Vlacholias from Brockville General Hospital; and Alex Munter, CEO of CHEO.

Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the government is providing significant financial support to hospitals and communities to improve how they deliver pediatric care, ensuring families in Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston and across the province can access care easier, faster and closer to home.

Bicycle safety

Mr. Chris Glover: In 2018, I was riding my bicycle along Bloor Street and a vehicle pulled past me, stopped, and a passenger got out the back door. There just was not time for me to react. I ran into the door. The bicycle was damaged. I was injured. I ended up with a horseshoe-shaped bruise on my thigh. That was one of 132 dooring incidents in the city that year.

I actually got off quite lucky. I’ve since spoken with another gentleman who was also doored. He was pushed under a truck when he got doored, and he’s a quadriplegic. Sometimes dooring incidents even lead to death.

So I’ve been thinking about this, and I’m thinking there’s a technical solution to reduce and potentially eliminate doorings.

Today in the Legislature, we’ve got engineering students from the University of Toronto who have developed a device that goes on side-view mirrors. If a bicycle or another vulnerable pedestrian or a vehicle is coming up the side of a vehicle, it will send out an alarm. It will send out a light, and it will prevent the person from opening the door, so that we can reduce the number of doorings.

Today, I will be introducing a motion in the Legislature to mandate these devices on all ride-share vehicles in the province of Ontario, to be paid for by the ride-share companies three years out. I’m hoping that the government will pass this motion and help us to reduce and potentially eliminate doorings in the province of Ontario.

OSAID

Ms. Natalie Pierre: It’s a pleasure for me to rise to talk about OSAID, Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to address some of OSAID’s amazing student delegates at the 2024 launch of SAID Day.

OSAID was established in 1987 and is the only student-led anti-impaired driving initiative in Ontario.

Impaired driving used to just refer to drinking and driving; now it includes anything that impairs one’s ability to operate a vehicle safely. Impairment can be caused by alcohol; drugs, both legal and illegal; fatigue; texting while driving; and even things like loud music or loud friends.

Last year, OSAID won the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario’s initiative of the year.

These young people are to be commended for their outstanding leadership and service in their schools and their communities. We know effective educational and awareness programs like OSAID have the power to shift attitudes, change behaviour and lead to safer driving practices.

Thank you to OSAID and to the team of dedicated students, volunteers and directors for continuing to remind us that the decisions made behind the wheel affect not just your own life, but the lives of countless others.

Climate change

Mr. Mike Schreiner: It’s an honour to rise today to say thank you to the Guelph Climate Action Network and the Guelph-Wellington Coalition for Social Justice for organizing a community climate forum on May 4. I was so impressed that over 160 community members came out on a beautiful Saturday afternoon to problem-solve and discuss real actions we can take to address the climate emergency. I left the meeting inspired and energized by the people power in that room.

People talked about how vital local food, public transit, cycling and walking infrastructure, more homes in existing neighborhoods, and waste reduction are to reducing climate pollution. They talked about the need to disconnect their homes from dirty fossil gas and install heat pumps as a way to save money heating and cooling their homes. They made it clear to me that they want Ontario to invest in low-cost wind and solar, not expensive, dirty gas plants, and they don’t want any more four-lane highways in the greenbelt.

Most of all, they told me they want a livable, low-carbon future for their children and grandchildren. They want a government that’s going to invest in preparing our communities for the climate emergency that we’re experiencing—the floods, the droughts, the fires.

I want my constituents to know that I hear you, and I will work hard at Queen’s Park to bring forward the solutions you want and that we all need.

Mother’s Day

Mrs. Daisy Wai: I’m honoured to share a touching moment from this past Mother’s Day. With four children and seven grandchildren of my own, I deeply understand the joys and challenges of being a mother.

As we celebrated Mother’s Day this past Sunday, I rise today on behalf of the people of Richmond Hill to pay tribute to the remarkable women who enrich our lives in countless ways: our mothers.

I recently attended a heartwarming celebration organized by the Catholic Community Services of York Region. It was a poignant event that celebrated the incredible mothers in our community, emphasizing their resilience and boundless love. Sitting among fellow mothers and their families, I was moved by their stories of sacrifice and unwavering support. It was a reminder of the profound impact mothers have on our families and communities.

Let us reaffirm our commitment to advocate for the well-being of mothers in Ontario. You are appreciated, cherished and celebrated, not just only on Mother’s Day, but every day.

Housing

Mr. Anthony Leardi: It’s Building Safety Month. Ontario’s building officials play a critical role in tackling the province’s housing supply shortage, while keeping us safe in accordance with the building code.

Since 1976, the Ontario building code has set the minimum standard for new and existing buildings in the province of Ontario. The code impacts our daily lives, from establishing safety standards in our homes to ensuring public spaces are accessible for all, and to establishing innovative approaches as we work to meet our ambitious goal of building 1.5 million homes by 2031.

We cannot unlock Ontario’s housing potential without keeping up with the latest innovations and standards.

That’s why I am proud of our government’s release of the 2024 Ontario building code, the largest building code update since 2012.

The new addition provides opportunities to accelerate the construction of new housing projects, such as the expansion and the use of encapsulated mass-timber construction, while ensuring the buildings in Ontario continue to be among the safest and the most accessible in North America.

I’m proud to be a part of a government that continues to work with municipalities and builders to deliver on our mandates to ensure that all Ontarians have access to safe and secure housing.

Introduction of Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m pleased to introduce, here in the gallery today, guests from the St. Thomas Elgin Food Bank: Karen McDade and Sarah Coleman. Welcome to Queen’s Park. We’re delighted to have you as guests today.

Mr. John Vanthof: It gives me great pleasure to introduce Sue Lebeau, the CEO of West Nipissing General Hospital, and a dear old friend of mine, Mike Baker, the CEO of Temiskaming Hospital.

Mr. Matthew Rae: It’s my pleasure to introduce Doreen Armstrong-Ross, CEO of Dryden Regional Health Care Centre, and Andrew Williams, CEO of Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance, also from the great riding of Perth–Wellington.

Mr. Guy Bourgouin: I’d like to introduce Lynne Innes in the House. Lynne is the president and CEO of Weeneebayko Area Health Authority, WAHA, since 2019, and is a key partner for health in the James Bay coast.

Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Vincent Ke: I would like to introduce the members of the Canada Chinese Mazu Community Centre tour team, who are sitting up there in the public gallery. They are Ye Feng, Li Rue-Jia, Huang Shengjia, Xie Xiumin, Lin Yang Zhong, Ma Haohua, Cai Limei, Li Antony Chang and Cheung Chiu Lie Lan.

Ms. Patrice Barnes: I’d like to introduce Tolu Sami and Grace Tongue from the uOttawa Enactus club, who led their team to win the national Enactus Canadian Tire Environmental Sustainability Challenge award. Welcome and congratulations.

Ms. Chandra Pasma: I’m very pleased to be able to introduce my constituent and friend, Emilie Coyle, who is the executive director of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies. I’m so happy to see you this morning, Emilie.

Mr. Stephen Blais: I’d like to welcome a good friend and my political assistant from Ottawa who is joining us here in Toronto today: Dave Williams.

Mr. Nolan Quinn: I’m very pleased to introduce members from the Ontario Hospital Association. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Joel Harden: I had the great pleasure to visit with Rachael Wilson, CEO of the Ottawa Food Bank, as well as Alex Noreau, who works in comms for the Ottawa Food Bank.

Thank you for coming to your House and for all the good you do.

Mr. Dave Smith: I’d like to introduce Trevor MacKenzie, vice-president of Tribute Communities, from the great riding of God’s country.

Mr. Billy Pang: I’m delighted to welcome once again my constituents from Markham–Unionville, Jennifer Ng and Ernest Ng. They are the proud parents of page Victoria Ng. Joining them today is Victoria’s youngest brother, Matthew.

Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Catherine Fife: I’d like to welcome Kim Wilhelm, CEO of the Food Bank of Waterloo Region; Michelle Rickard, marketing and communications manager for the Food Bank of Waterloo Region; and Ashley Quan, senior manager, research and government relations for Feed Ontario.

Thank you for being here. Welcome to your House.

Hon. Stan Cho: It is PSW Week here in Ontario, and I want to introduce some really cool people from the Ontario Personal Support Workers Association in the House today, including CEO Miranda Ferrier, Ian DaSilva, Nicole Crawford, Becca Stolp Romanowicz, Tonya Haevens and Kaitlyn Cannon.

Thank you for all that you do. You are the backbone of long-term care in Ontario. Welcome to the Legislature.

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: I’d like us all to welcome Emilie Coyle, the executive director of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies; Jennifer Chambers, the executive director of the Empowerment Council; Yusuf Faqiri, the brother of Soleiman Faqiri; Maryam Faqiri, the mother of Soleiman Faqiri—they’ve all been here to support the justice for Soleiman act.

Ms. Effie J. Triantafilopoulos: It’s my pleasure to welcome my constituents Margaret and Richard Hensen from Oakville North–Burlington. They’re the parents of Mark Hensen, who works with our Premier’s office.

Ms. Marit Stiles: I want to welcome to the House today a good friend, Nikos Alexiou from UNICEF. Thank you for being here in your House.

Mr. Anthony Leardi: Mr. Speaker, we have, from the great town of Kingsville, Mayor Dennis Rogers and CAO John Norton.

Welcome to Queen’s Park.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Unless there’s an objection, I’d like to continue with the introduction of visitors. I heard a no—

Interjections.

Mr. Mike Schreiner: Speaker, I was joking.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Okay, we’ll do it again. And everyone, let’s treat it seriously this time. If there’s an objection, we won’t be able to continue with the introduction of visitors.

I heard a no.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m sorry; I heard a no.

Alice Munro

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Point of order, President of the Treasury Board.

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: Speaker, if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent for the House to observe a moment of silence in remembrance of Nobel laureate, master of the contemporary short story and Ontarian, Alice Munro, who was the 13th woman to receive the Nobel Prize in literature, winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award, winner of the Trillium Book Award, winner of the Man Booker International Prize for lifetime achievement, and recipient of many other honours and awards, who sadly passed away on Monday, May 13, 2024, in Port Hope, Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Ms. Mulroney is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to observe a moment of silence in remembrance of Nobel laureate, master of the contemporary short story and Ontarian, Alice Munro, who was the 13th woman to receive the Nobel Prize in literature, winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award, winner of the Trillium Book Award, winner of the Man Booker International Prize for lifetime achievement, and recipient of many other honours and awards, who sadly passed away on Monday, May 13, 2024, in Port Hope, Ontario. Agreed? Agreed.

Members will please rise.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

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

It is now time for oral questions.

Question Period

Sexual violence and harassment

Ms. Marit Stiles: My question is for the Premier.

Survivors of sexual violence travelled from all across this province to hear this House discuss the crisis in our justice system yesterday, and their government betrayed them. They didn’t just kill the debate on an important bill; they wouldn’t even allow a discussion about the thousands of sexual assault cases that are being dismissed right now in our broken court system.

Will the Premier stand in his place and explain to survivors of sexual assault why they are not only losing their day in court, but also losing their day in this Legislature?

Interjections.

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

Government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: As I said yesterday, Mr. Speaker, I’m sorry that the Leader of the Opposition and her party are characterizing it that way.

What we did yesterday was in recognition, really, of the important step that this Parliament took as a whole with respect to the motion on intimate partner violence and the standing up of the justice committee, led by a former crown prosecutor, the member for Kitchener–Hespeler, to investigate how we can ensure that victims and survivors of intimate partner violence are better treated not only in the justice system, but by those who provide services for victims and survivors.

It seemed reasonable to me that we expedite passage of that bill into the committee so that it can also form part of the work that is being done by the standing committee on justice—very, very important work that is being done by that committee—so that it can report back to this Parliament, and as a whole, we can consider the options.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: First of all, I want to be very clear for the government here: These are two separate issues, actually: intimate partner violence and sexual assault.

We are asking, actually, about accountability, and we are asking about clearing the backlog for sexual assault cases. Our courts are so overwhelmed that in one year alone, over 1,300 survivors had their cases dismissed, thrown out. There is no justice in that. And you don’t need to study it. It is a fact.

But once again, the government is playing procedural games on a very important issue.

So I want to ask the Premier—you are in government. You have the power. How about you be decisive for once and do the right thing?

Interjections.

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

I remind the members to make their comments through the Chair.

The government House leader may respond.

Hon. Paul Calandra: In fact, I would submit to the Leader of the Opposition that that is exactly what this Parliament was the other day. It was very decisive in ensuring that this particular bill—which I have said, both inside the House and outside the House, has many elements which I think are very important.

The leader of the opposition is quite correct; intimate partner violence and what we’re challenged with in that bill are two separate things but are often handled in very much the same way, not only in our court system, but by those who provide services for victims, survivors and their families.

We’ve heard from countless numbers of individuals that, often, services are fragmented.

We look at the work that was done by the member from Haliburton and the committee with respect to human trafficking.

We lead the world in how we handle and tackle human trafficking issues. I think this Parliament can do the same when it comes to these issues. We’re ready to do that work.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The final supplementary. The member for Waterloo.

Ms. Catherine Fife: My question is back to the Premier.

It is unacceptable that they will stand here and say to the women who worked on Lydia’s Law, the women who travelled to Queen’s Park yesterday, and to Lydia herself, that it wasn’t their turn to speak.

The government says they need to know more before they can address the crisis in the courts. Well, yesterday they had a chance to learn, but they refused to listen.

Survivors of sexual violence are being told to wait until the government gives them permission to come to committee. They feel betrayed. Lydia feels betrayed.

Premier, how can the intimate partner violence study succeed when you have lost the trust of this community in this province of Ontario?

Interjections.

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

I will continue to ask members to make their comments through the Chair.

Government House leader to respond.

Hon. Paul Calandra: I guess I just have more confidence in parliamentarians to do the important work that is required to ensure that we move forward for victims, survivors and their families.

We have a lot of things that we do in this province very, very well. But what we have heard from victims, from their families, from survivors is that often those services don’t work well together. How can we make that change happen better?

I take it at full faith that the members opposite are going to work co-operatively with members from all sides of this House to move forward and do some very, very important work, similar to the work that we did, led by the member for Haliburton, with respect to human trafficking.

We want the same thing. To suggest that anybody is not hearing is just absolutely wrong.

Let’s take the opportunity to do something very special, to work across party lines and get this right.

Ms. Marit Stiles: That was a disappointing response, but I’m going to move on for now.

Health care

Ms. Marit Stiles: The next question is for the Premier again.

Speaker, 10,000 patients are going to lose their primary care in Sault Ste. Marie by the end of this month, in just a couple of weeks, including retired steelworkers. Do you know why that matters? It’s because those retirees founded the Group Health Centre, and they took a pay cut; they took their hard-earned dollars to build themselves a world-class, world-renowned clinic in their hometown. In exchange, they were promised health care at that clinic for the rest of their lives. But now that’s being taken away, and this government has no plan to help them.

I’m going to ask the Premier: Is he going to make sure that his health minister finally acts here, or is the loss of primary care in the Soo not a major concern either?

Interjections.

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

Member for Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry and parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Health.

Mr. Nolan Quinn: We do have a plan. Since 2018, we’ve registered 12,500 new physicians in Ontario, including an almost 10% increase in family doctors. But we do know there’s more to be done. Our plan is reversing the old Liberal policies that were really short-sighted—they were supported by the NDP—that eliminated 50 medical residency school positions; that is hundreds of less doctors practising today in Ontario.

On top of that, we can go back to the Rae Days. The Leader of the Opposition—you were a staffer there. I know you don’t like the facts, but you were a staffer, part of the Rae Days, and you—

Interjections.

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

Member for Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry, please conclude your answer.

Mr. Nolan Quinn: Thank you, Speaker.

We’re working closely with MPP Romano on our expansion of primary care. As part of Ontario’s largest expansion of primary care, we’ve invested $1.1 million into two new teams in Sault Ste. Marie.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Again, I’ll remind the members to make their comments through the Chair.

The supplementary question.

Ms. Marit Stiles: You’ve got to do better than Wikipedia here. Take the notes away; try to answer the question. You know perfectly well that this is not addressing the current issue. Access to—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government side will come to order. The member for Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry will come to order.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Kitchener–Conestoga will come to order.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas will come to order.

Interjections.

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

I need a note, too, to keep track of who has got the floor. I hope no one objects to that.

Start the clock.

Leader of the Opposition.

Ms. Marit Stiles: Oh, my goodness. I hit a nerve there, eh, Speaker?

I just want them to answer the question. They know perfectly well that they’re not addressing the current issue.

Access to primary care shouldn’t depend on where you live.

If these patients in Sault Ste. Marie lose access to their primary care doctor, do you know where they’re going to end up? They’re going to end up in emergency rooms that are already overcrowded. And there’s only one emergency room in the Soo. The next closest one is Sudbury. That’s four hours away.

So what is this government’s plan to address the urgent crisis in primary care in Sault Ste. Marie before the end of the month?

Mr. Nolan Quinn: As I clearly stated, I don’t think the Leader of the Opposition likes to listen to the facts.

We’ve invested $1.1 million into two new primary care teams in Sault Ste. Marie.

Speaker, I’ll state it again: Ontario is leading the country, with almost 90% of Ontarians having a family doctor or a primary care health provider.

We are continuing to reverse the horrible Liberal policies that were propped up by many of the members of the NDP over there. Since 2018, as I’ve stated clearly, we’ve registered 12,500 new doctors in Ontario, and we’ll continue doing what is needed to be done to ensure that we have the best publicly funded health care system across Canada.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: Speaker, the fact is, this clinic is closing its doors to 10,000 people by the end of this month—10,000 more people in the Soo without health care, and this government has no plan.

Some 2.4 million Ontarians have no primary care right now, but for this government, for their health minister, that’s not a major concern.

We’re 350 physicians short in northern Ontario, including more than 200 family doctors. Many, many more—half of the physicians working in northern Ontario—are expected to retire in the next five years, and this government has no plan.

So I want to ask the Premier to stand in his place for once, stop making excuses, do something decisive and treat this issue like the crisis that it surely, surely is.

Interjections.

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

The member for Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry.

Mr. Nolan Quinn: I notice the leader stumbled on her notes there, but we won’t actually take credit for that.

Last year, we registered 2,400 new doctors who practise in our province.

We’re also opening a new medical school at York University that the opposition can vote for today.

Last year was a record-breaking year for nurses in Ontario. We registered over 17,500 nurses. We’ve also increased the amount of nursing seats by 3,000 nursing seats in Ontario’s colleges and universities.

We’re funding the largest expansion of medical school spots in over 15 years, adding 1,212 undergraduate and 1,637 postgraduate seats across Ontario. Speaker, 60% of these spots will be dedicated to family medicine.

Again, I recommend the Leader of the Opposition vote for our budget today.

Correctional services

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: My question is to the Premier.

In 2016, Soleiman Faqiri suffered from schizoaffective disorder. He was temporarily housed in a correctional facility. He was denied mental health resources. Pleas from his family were ignored even though he was clearly in crisis. Soleiman Faqiri died in jail 11 days later. He was restrained with his hands behind his back. He was restrained on his ankles. He was restrained in many other places, pepper-sprayed, and his face was covered with a spit hood.

His death was deemed a homicide by Ontario’s coroners in an inquest that put forward 57 recommendations directly to this government. The first recommendation called on the government to recognize that correctional facilities are not an appropriate place for people experiencing a mental health crisis. The government was expected to respond within 60 days; it has now been six months.

Yesterday, because of government inaction, I tabled the Justice for Soli Act. I and the Faqiri family, who are here today, call on this government to support the act. And they want to know, how many more people have to die in jails because they are living with a mental health crisis, before they act?

Interjections.

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

The Solicitor General.

Hon. Michael S. Kerzner: Any death is too many. We are absolutely committed to making sure that Ontario’s correctional system is safe for everyone.

Years ago, under the previous government’s watch, they brought our correctional system and our public safety system to its knees.

That’s why this government, under Premier Ford, has made a tremendous investment to make sure that our correctional systems are safe. We’ve invested over a half a billion dollars on infrastructure improvement. We’ve hired over a thousand new correctional officers. We have native inmate liaison officers, NILOs, and chaplains there.

Mr. Speaker, we have done a lot in a short period of time, and we will continue to do so each and every day.

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

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: Speaker, back to the Premier: Soleiman Faqiri’s family knew something was wrong the minute he went to jail. They tried to visit him four separate times during his 11 days. They were barred from seeing him. The family and correctional staff knew Soleiman Faqiri urgently needed mental health support and service, but nothing was done.

According to the coroner’s report, at the time of death, Soleiman Faqiri had over 50 bruises on his body, despite the fact that he was in segregation during his entire time in jail. There were over 60 policy breaches leading up to Soleiman’s homicide while he was in government custody.

The family here is asking for an apology, recognition of their pain and suffering.

Yes or no, Premier, will you give the Faqiri family the apology they deserve for Soleiman’s tragic and preventable death?

Hon. Michael S. Kerzner: Our thoughts are with the family and the friends of Soleiman Faqiri. This was a terrible tragedy beyond measure.

Mr. Speaker, that’s exactly why, in the last years since Premier Ford has been our Premier, we have taken public safety very seriously—and that includes the investments in our correctional facilities, the half-a-billion-dollar infrastructure improvements, the suicide prevention and intervention training to make sure that our correctional officers understand things that they may not have understood 20 years ago.

It’s important that everyone knows we will make the investments required to keep our Ontario safe.

Taxation

Mr. Matthew Rae: My question is for the Minister of Energy.

Speaker, last year’s Feed Ontario report saw a 38% increase in food bank usage in Ontario, with over 800,000 Ontarians having to access a food bank. This is the single largest increase ever recorded. Sadly, Ontarians are being forced to visit food banks because the regressive and harmful carbon tax is driving up the cost of food.

Interjections.

Mr. Matthew Rae: The opposition colleagues don’t want to talk about this. They want to ignore facts. We heard this morning from the PA to health. Speaker—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member will take his seat.

The House will come to order. The member for Perth–Wellington has the floor. He’s allowed to ask a question.

Member for Perth–Wellington.

Mr. Matthew Rae: Thank you, Speaker.

The independent Liberal members in this place and the federal Liberal government need to understand that if you tax our farm families who grow the food and the truckers who ship the food, you end up taxing the Ontario families who buy the food.

This regressive tax is a disgrace, and it must be scrapped.

Can the minister please explain how the Liberal carbon tax is making life harder and more expensive for hard-working Ontarians?

Hon. Todd Smith: I want to thank the member from Perth–Wellington for a very important question.

I can’t believe the response from the opposition parties in the Legislature today when everybody in our province and across the country knows that the carbon tax is driving up the cost of living. It has been confirmed by the Bank of Canada, C.D. Howe and so many different institutes, and it is having an effect on people’s ability to afford groceries, gas and home heating.

This federal carbon tax, supported by the queen of the carbon tax, Bonnie Crombie, is going to—well, it’s the impact today. It’s going to be the legacy of the federal government, and ultimately it’s going to be the downfall of the federal government, because not only is it causing a crisis now in communities across our province and our country; it’s going to create an even further impact next year on April 1, when the carbon tax goes up again.

We have a plan here in Ontario. It’s working, and it doesn’t include a carbon tax.

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

Mr. Matthew Rae: Thank you to the minister for his response.

As a young member in this place, I know the carbon tax has done nothing for the environment but instead has driven up the cost of basic necessities and made it difficult for food banks and other non-profits to serve our most vulnerable citizens.

Food banks across the province are now paying more for gas and diesel to transport the food, more for natural gas to heat their buildings, and more for the food on their shelves. Speaker, 69% of food banks are concerned that they don’t have enough food to meet the demand, and the carbon tax is forcing them to stretch their already limited budgets even further. What’s worse is that this tax burden is only going to rise every single year.

Speaker, can the minister please explain what our government is doing to protect our food banks and other non-profits from this disastrous carbon tax?

Hon. Todd Smith: Thanks for the supplementary.

I would advise the opposition members to talk to the not-for-profits, to talk to the food banks in their region, like I do.

I talk to the Gleaners Food Bank, I talk to the Trenton Care and Share Food Bank in my riding, and they are definitely hearing from their clients that the carbon tax is having an impact on their day-to-day life.

That’s why we’ve taken a different approach here in Ontario than Justin Trudeau and the federal government. We’re lowering taxes. We’ve cut the gas tax by 10.7 cents a litre. We’ve implemented the LIFT credit; it eliminates the provincial income tax for many low-income workers, and it’s making a difference for them. We’ve eliminated fees. We’ve eliminated the licence plate sticker fees. We brought in One Fare for those who ride transit, saving them up to $1,600 a year. That’s real, tangible savings for the people of Ontario.

Here in Ontario, with our plan, which doesn’t include a carbon tax, we are seeing growth in our economy, more good-paying jobs being created, like the ones that will soon be created at Honda, Volkswagen, Stellantis and those—

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

The next question.

Child care

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: My question is to the Minister of Education.

As Ontario drags its feet to create new $10-a-day child care spaces, this government has forced many affordable spaces we do have to leave the program, and this means doubling the costs that parents pay.

Ontario child care centres have been urgently calling for a funding formula that actually works. Back in September 2023, this government said it was working on a new formula that would be in place at the end of 2024. Now they’re telling child care operators to wait another year.

Minister, what excuse do you have to give families who have to pay the price for your funding formula delay?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Again, I’ll remind members to make their comments through the Chair.

The Minister of Education can respond.

Hon. Stephen Lecce: The parents are saving $6,000 to $12,000 because of our government’s policy on child care. So the price they’ll pay is longer wait-lists, if we adhere to the advice of the NDP and Liberals, who want us to literally make the wait-lists longer by precluding one third of the sector from being involved in the federal deal.

That is your position. That is your stated recommendation to government: to preclude 70,000 spaces.

You’re asking me a question about access, when you have urged this government to sign the first deal—which would have denied every parent in a for-profit child care. These are operated by women, small businesses, who simply want access to affordable care too.

Why does the NDP oppose affordable child care for every parent in this province?

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

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: Speaker, there are two things that you need in child care: baby formula and a funding formula. And taking two years for a funding formula is unacceptable.

Ola, a child care provider, pulled out of the program, citing a broken funding model.

The YMCA, the largest operator in the province, has been warning for months about the risk of closures if the funding formula isn’t updated soon to actually cover the costs for providing child care.

Families are worried about whether there will be affordable child care available when they need it.

Why is the minister putting more child care spaces at risk with these delays?

Interjections.

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

Minister of Education.

Hon. Stephen Lecce: The formula will be unveiled this year. It will be operational for January 2025, as we have said all along.

What we’ve also committed to is continuing to reduce child care fees. When we came to power in 2018, child care, on average, was $46 to $50 a day. It is $23 a day, and on track to go down even further over the next year and a half, delivered by our Premier and our Progressive Conservative team.

We are increasing the spaces in every region of Ontario—86,000 additional spaces are on track, 19,000 in Toronto alone.

We are committed to affordability, to standing up against higher taxes on working parents. From the carbon tax to higher fees—we stand for affordability in this province.

Taxation

Mr. Stephen Crawford: I’d like to ask a question to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

The Liberal carbon tax is punishing Ontario businesses and making life more unaffordable for families and businesses throughout the province. It is driving up the price of everyday essentials such as food, heating and gas, making it more expensive for workers to transport equipment.

We know that workers in Ontario deserve better. The federal government needs to stop listening to elites, extremists and activists and start listening to the families and businesses that make up our province, who have had enough of this tax hike. It’s time to scrap this job-killing tax today.

Speaker, can the minister please tell the House the steps our government is taking to ensure we have a trained workforce ready to build Ontario’s future and fight this Liberal carbon tax?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): To reply, the parliamentary assistant and member for Ajax.

Ms. Patrice Barnes: As the member is aware, years of Liberal mismanagement and neglect have left this province with huge labour shortages and thousands of good jobs left vacant.

Sadly, to make matters worse, as millions of workers struggle with today’s higher cost of living, the Bonnie Crombie Liberals and the carbon tax queen want to make their lives even more unaffordable. Her support for the carbon tax translates into higher prices, not just at the gas pumps, but across all aspects of life. It effectively becomes a tax on everything, as it will cause transportation costs to soar and grocery bills to rise. By increasing the financial burden on essentials, the carbon tax under Bonnie’s watch threatens to diminish the quality of life for all Ontarians, making it harder for them to thrive in an already uncertain economic climate.

That’s why our government has established—over $1 billion for the Skills Development Fund, which has already assisted over half a million individuals in advancing their careers and securing higher pay.

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

Mr. Stephen Crawford: Thank you to the parliamentary assistant for that answer.

I think you’re absolutely correct. The people of Ontario spoke a few weeks ago in both Milton and Lambton–Kent–Middlex, and they told us what they think of this Liberal carbon tax.

This impacts every single person every time they go to fill up their tanks at the gas pump, and it drives up the cost of operations and transportation for business owners.

But let’s be clear: Bonnie Crombie’s Liberals don’t care about what impacts this disastrous tax is having on Ontario workers and families. They are happy to see their federal cousins nearly triple this tax by 2030.

Our government will always stand up for the workers here in Ontario. It’s time the federal Liberals and their provincial counterparts stand up and do the same with us.

Speaker, can the minister tell the House how our government is improving the lives of workers in spite of this Liberal anti-worker agenda?

Ms. Patrice Barnes: Thank you once again to the member.

Again, it was bad enough when the Liberals simply neglected our trade workers. Now, under Crombie’s leadership, it’s even more dire as they support their federal counterparts in taxing not just the livelihoods but also the ability of these workers to support themselves and their families, with their oppressive anti-worker carbon tax.

However, our government will never go against the workers of this province. To support jobs in the skilled trades and all workers and job seekers across Ontario, our government is making groundbreaking investments in communities across the province to ensure workers and job seekers can upgrade their skills and get jobs closer to home.

Our government’s message is clear: Skilled trades are open to everyone.

Our government is proud of the steps we have taken so far, and we have seen the results. We have seen the percentage of new registrants to the skilled trades who are women up by a historic 28%. We have launched the FAST program to get our youth into the trades.

Our government will always work for workers and job seekers to ensure Ontario’s economy works for everyone.

Justice system

MPP Jill Andrew: In my community of St. Paul’s—the question is to the Premier—we are fortunate to have the John Howard Society community office working tirelessly to support people affected by the justice system and those trying to rebuild productive lives post-incarceration.

JHS has been on the front lines, advocating for a just and reformed bail system. They have offered substantive recommendations to this government’s Standing Committee on Justice Policy. One of those key recommendations was for the government to invest in bail supervision programs that have a proven history and provide a lower-cost alternative to pretrial detention, a practice that is disproportionately applied more to Black, Indigenous and racialized individuals than white individuals for the same and similar charges.

Can the Premier share what investments they have made in the current budget to address the need for more bail supervision programs?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Attorney General.

Hon. Doug Downey: I appreciate the question. It’s a very important area, because we do want people who are finished serving their sentence or on the back end of that situation to have the supports that they need to be successful in our communities.

We’re in constant communication, whether it be with the John Howard Society or others who are providing service and bail supervision. We’re making constant investments. We’ve increased capacity in terms of funding for victims’ services. We’ve increased funding for those areas of need.

I’ll get into some more specifics in the supplementary.

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

MPP Jill Andrew: Back to the Premier: It costs approximately $300 a day to house—well, warehouse—an individual in pretrial detention; again, a practice that disproportionately targets Black, Indigenous and racialized populations, as well as people experiencing homelessness, mental health issues and addictions. That is millions of dollars spent yearly to incarcerate people who are legally innocent and awaiting trial. It is cheaper to invest in evidence-based community programs and services that address the root causes of violence.

The John Howard Society is recommending deep government investments in programs focused on prevention, intervention and reintegration, as well as robust investments in supportive housing, people, since the overall dismantling of the social safety net by this government has led to an increase in incarceration.

My question, again, is back to the Premier. Hopefully he’ll answer. Why is spending $300 a day to warehouse legally innocent people the status quo, as opposed to lower-cost, effective, community-based interventions like supportive housing?

Hon. Doug Downey: I now understand why the member opposite voted against providing bail beds for those who are in need of housing and temporary shelter.

We are providing the supports, and we are going to hold people to account, but at the same time, we are doing things differently. We have started justice centres, which are one of a kind in Ontario. We got the idea from Red Hook in New York. They are meeting people where they are at, helping them with some of their underlying issues, while we provide appropriate responses from the justice system. We will not apologize for investing in all areas of this, and at the same time holding people to account.

Government accountability

Mr. Stephen Blais: Last year, to help Ontarians through the winter, Ontario Liberals proposed removing the HST from home heating. This Conservative government said no.

This spring, Ontario Liberals have proposed a $1,000 tax credit for parents who put their children in extracurricular activities and sports.

And just this week, Ontario Liberals have proposed a massive tax cut for small businesses that will save them up to $18,000 a year.

What have we seen from the government? The Conservative gravy train getting longer and longer—bigger budgets for the Premier’s office; a sunshine list of six-figure salaries that eclipses all others in history; sole-sourced contracts and special access to greenbelt lands for their friends, donors and insiders. While Ontario Liberals propose concrete measures to help families with the affordability crisis, this Conservative government is focused on adding passengers to their gravy train.

When will this government vote for common-sense Liberal tax cuts and start putting Ontario families first, over their friends, their donors and their insiders?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): To reply, the Premier.

Hon. Doug Ford: Mr. Speaker, to our great member from Orléans: I appreciate his question, but I just have to remind him that his party was the one that bankrupted this province. His party was the one that chased 300,000 jobs out of the province, that destroyed our health care system. When we walked into the office almost six years ago, every single ministry was a disaster.

Move forward to today: There are over 700,000 more people working today, paying taxes.

We’re the only government in the history of this country that has never raised a tax. We’ve actually reduced taxes. We’ve reduced the gas tax by 10.7 cents; we got rid of the tolls on the 412 and 418; we got rid of the car registration stickers, saving millions and millions of dollars for the people of Ontario.

Think of that: raised revenues by $64 billion, never raised a tax, cut and reduced the burden off companies by $8.5 billion each and every year—and we’re seeing tens of billions of dollars of investment in our province.

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

Mr. Stephen Blais: Well, Mr. Speaker, we’ve heard it all before.

When campaigning for office, the Premier promised a 20% tax cut for the middle class—six years later, nothing.

The Premier campaigned on reining in spending and cutting the deficit. Six years later, his government is breaking all records for spending, and the province’s debt has increased by $90 billion.

The Premier famously promised buck-a-beer, and while Ontarians prepare for the May Two-Four weekend, they know that a two-four in Ontario has never been more expensive.

While the Premier has broken all of his promises to the middle class, he has done his best for his friends, his donors and his insiders. The passengers on the Premier’s gravy train are treated to first-class patronage, sole-sourced government contracts, greenbelt giveaways and special access, all leading to an RCMP investigation.

Why does this government continue to put the interests of highly paid insiders, lobbyists, friends and donors over the interests of Ontario families?

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

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: I think the Premier said it so incredibly well—but let’s go back in time a little bit, when they were in power for 15 years and they increased the debt by $200 billion. It’s kind of incredible to think that all those hospitals they built and all those highways they built and all those subways they built and all those—

Interjections.

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: Sorry, Mr. Speaker; I’m being corrected by this side of the House, that I’ve got it wrong.

I have to correct the record: They built nothing. In fact, they saw the tail lights on those cars—those manufacturing jobs leaving Ontario to go to the United States.

Do you know what you’re seeing now? Those headlights of the people coming to Ontario, 700,000 headlights coming back to Ontario—good-paying jobs in St. Thomas, in Alliston, and now in Port Colborne.

There’s something happening in Ontario. The member opposite should take note of that.

Taxation

Mr. Stéphane Sarrazin: My question is for the Minister of Energy.

At a time when Ontario families continue to struggle with the rising cost of living and high interest rates, the federal Liberals went ahead with their 23% carbon tax hike last month. To make matters worse, the Liberals are doubling down and tripling the tax by 2030. It’s unfair that the federal Liberals, supported by the carbon tax queen, Bonnie Crombie, are hiking this regressive tax on the back of every Ontarian. When this tax gets tripled, the increase in the cost of food, goods and services will triple for all of us. That’s unacceptable.

Our government condemns the carbon tax, and we are once again asking the federal Liberals to scrap this tax now.

Speaker, can the minister please explain what our government is doing to address the devastating impact of the carbon tax?

Hon. Todd Smith: Mr. Speaker, when the Liberals were in power here in Ontario for 15 years, they tripled our electricity rates. They drove jobs out of our province to other jurisdictions. The Minister of Finance just referenced the tail lights that were heading out of the province as manufacturers picked up and left.

Well, those same Liberals, when they were annihilated here in Ontario, where did they go? They’re all now working for Justin Trudeau up on Parliament Hill. And what has happened? We have this torturous carbon tax that’s driving up the price of everything in our province.

Again, since we’ve come in, we’ve provided stability for electricity customers, and we’re seeing the fruits of our labour: multi-billion dollar investments in our province. Those headlights are coming back to Ontario again and reinvesting here, while the voters in Ontario continue to put the vehicle in reverse and back over the Liberals because they are torturing businesses and residents, constituents, across our country.

We are cutting taxes. We’re lowering electricity rates. We’re giving people a break in Ontario. Liberals—

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

Mr. Stéphane Sarrazin: Thank you to the minister for that response. It is reassuring to hear that our government stands firmly behind the people of this province and continues to fight the costly carbon tax.

While we have constantly introduced measures to make life more affordable, more needs to be done to address Ontarians’ ongoing affordability concerns.

But last month at the Empire Club in Toronto, the queen of the carbon tax, Bonnie Crombie, called our gas tax cut a gimmick. She said that she would cancel it when she got a chance.

Many of our constituents are already struggling. Denying them financial relief is not only unfair but also cruel.

Speaker, can the minister please tell the House why Bonnie Crombie’s Liberals are out of touch with their support for the carbon tax?

Hon. Todd Smith: That was a bit of a news flash. I hadn’t heard that.

The queen of the carbon tax isn’t fooling anybody. Her majesty is in full support of the federal Liberal government’s federal carbon tax—one that went up 23% o