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

February 25, 2019

42nd Parliament, 1st Session

< Previous sitting day

Next sitting day >

Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 2019-Feb-25 (PDF)

L069 - Mon 25 Feb 2019 / Lun 25 fév 2019

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 25 February 2019 Lundi 25 février 2019

Introduction of Visitors

Order of business

Black History Month / Mois de l’histoire des Noirs

Oral Questions

Autism treatment

Autism treatment

Indigenous health services

International trade

Autism treatment

Police services

Automotive industry

Public transit

Child protection

Northern economy

Long-term care

La violence et le harcèlement sexuels

Autism treatment

Public safety

Autism treatment

Members’ Statements

Mission Services of London

Bob Vesey

Autism treatment

Food banks

W.E. Trans Support

Autism treatment

Lincoln M. Alexander Awards

Student unions

Hockey tournament

Police auxiliary units

Introduction of Bills

Home Care and Community Services Amendment Act (Dan’s Law), 2019 / Loi de 2019 modifiant la

Loi sur les services de soins à domicile et les services communautaires (Loi Dan)

Petitions

School bus safety

Alzheimer’s disease

Fish and wildlife management

Affordable housing

Fish and wildlife management

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Midwifery

Affordable housing

Indigenous affairs

Poet laureate

Affordable housing

Orders of the Day

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

The House met at 1030.

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

Prayers.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I want to acknowledge again that this territory is a traditional gathering place for many Indigenous nations, most recently the Mississaugas of the New Credit.

This being the first sitting Monday of the month, I ask everyone to now join me in the singing of the Canadian national anthem.

Singing of O Canada.

Introduction of Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I want to begin by welcoming all of the guests who have joined us here this morning at the Ontario Legislature, but also bring special attention to the fact that we have a visiting guest from the Legislature in the province of Alberta. Michael Connolly, the MLA for Calgary-Hawkwood, is here with us.

We also have in the Speaker’s gallery today interns from the Manitoba Legislature. They are Krystan McCaig, Alexandria Bonney, Jonathan Daman, Claire Johnston, Emma Cash and Ashley Haller. Welcome to Queen’s Park. It’s great to have you with us.

Before I ask members to introduce their own guests, I would remind them to try to keep their introductions brief and to the point.

Mr. Gilles Bisson: I’d like to welcome in the gallery Candace Rennick, the secretary-treasurer of CUPE, along with many members of CUPE who are here for their particular initiative in regard to making sure that we have four hours of care. From Sudbury, we have Ina Horner, Maria Mastroianni and Sharon Richer. From Nickel Belt, we have Rick O’Connell and Sylvie Moreau. And from Timmins, we have Chris La Forest and Gloria Edward.

Mr. Robert Bailey: I’d like to introduce, in the east members’ gallery, two different introductions: first, Lorne Given, a neighbour of mine from the town of Petrolia in Sarnia–Lambton—Lorne is also the nephew of the late Lorne C. Henderson—and also Don and Anne McGugan, long-time friends of mine and of Monte McNaughton, from the riding of Lambton–Kent–Middlesex. Welcome Don, Anne and Lorne.

Mr. Chris Glover: It gives me great pleasure to introduce my brother David Glover, from Oshawa, and his son, my nephew Josh Glover. Joshua Glover was my first campaign manager when I ran for school board trustee in 2010.

Mr. Norman Miller: I’m pleased to introduce, in the east members’ gallery, the family of today’s page captain Sophie Miller. Joining us today are Sophie’s father, Derek Miller, and her grandfather Glenn Miller, who is the former reeve of Ryerson township. Welcome.

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: I’d like to welcome to the Legislature a very special group, from my riding of Parkdale–High Park, of Humberside collegiate grade 12 students. They are Hanna Adow, Hiru Arachchige, Eden Cooper-Squires, Justin Deak, Juan Duarte Marcano, Sarah Ann Florio, Samuel Hill, Connor Johnson, Alex Johnston, Emina Mahmutovic, Jasmina Mahmutovic, Regan Mania, Heidi McIntyre, Alex Pejovic, Ethan Prisco, Alec Ralston, Madeline Richardson, Trent Spiwak, Camila Suarez, Amy Suhanic, Victoria Temertzoglou, Phenthok Tenzin, Evan Thomson, Jackson Valentine and their teacher Mike Dingwall. They’re in the members’ gallery today.

Mr. Michael Coteau: It gives me great pleasure to welcome Adam Moote, who is a city councillor from the township of Welland. Welcome to the Legislature, Adam.

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: Good morning. I’d like to welcome some very special guests to the Legislature this morning: Mr. William Luke, of Luke Law Firm; Ms. Shernett Martin, executive director of the Vaughan African Canadian Association; Ms. Nadine Spencer, chief marketing officer of BrandEQ Group; Ms. Lisa Kostakis, executive director of Albion Neighbourhood Services; Mr. Jonathan Annobil, from the Ghanaian News; and Sheneeza Kanji of York Region Muslims and her daughter Yazmeen Kanji. Welcome to the Legislature.

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: On behalf of my colleague the member from Essex, I would like to introduce CUPE members that have come here to visit today: Cindy Guthrie, Jennifer O’Dell and Cheryle Watkins.

Also, on behalf of the member from Hamilton East–Stoney Creek, I would like to welcome CUPE member Lorena Salve.

Welcome to the Legislature today.

Hon. Victor Fedeli: It gives me great pleasure to introduce the mayor of East Ferris—the town that I live in—Pauline Rochefort; the deputy mayor, Michel Voyer; councillors Steve Trahan, Terry Kelly and Erica Lougheed; and Jason Trottier, the CAO and treasurer of East Ferris. Welcome, everybody.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I’m happy to introduce youth and staff visiting Queen’s Park later today from the Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion, which has brought 50 Black youth as part of their Queen’s Park takeover tour. They’re students from Sir John A. Macdonald school in my riding.

A special welcome to Matthew Green, the executive director of HCCI and former Hamilton councillor from ward 3, who is also joining the group. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: It’s my pleasure to introduce, from the Automotive Industries Association of Canada, three representatives I had the pleasure of meeting with today who are sitting in the members’ gallery: Luciana Nechita, who I also know from my time as a board member of OCISO; Paul Prochilo, who is the CEO of Simplicity Car Care; and Brad Cochrane, who is manager of sales operations at NAPA. Welcome to Queen’s Park. I look forward to the reception.

Ms. Sara Singh: I’d like to introduce Ameek Bali, who is visiting us here from Brampton today. He’ll be meeting with members from across party lines to discuss the health care issues in Brampton.

Hon. Todd Smith: I’d like to welcome all the folks from the Automotive Industries Association of Canada—they’re joining us in the gallery today—particularly Nathan Naslund from Bay of Quinte, and remind all of us that we do have a reception at lunch today with the AIA in rooms 228 and 230.

Ms. Jennifer K. French: I am pleased to welcome a guest from CUPE, a long-term-care worker from my riding: Alice Renda. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Dave Smith: I’d like to introduce two people from my riding, also known as God’s country: Mayor Janet Clarkson and Deputy Mayor Ron Windover.

Mr. Joel Harden: It’s an honour to recognize Bruce Crete from our riding of Ottawa Centre, one of many long-term-care workers, a member of CUPE.

I also want to give a shout-out to Nour Alideeb and the folks from the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario, who are in the building and will be talking to many of us today.

Mr. Amarjot Sandhu: I would like to introduce Ameek Singh from Brampton. He’s a strong advocate for health care in our community. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Tom Rakocevic: I’d like to welcome CUPE member Florence Mwangi and also residents of my riding of Humber River–Black Creek.

Mr. Michael Parsa: I’d like to welcome to the House, from Aurora–Oak Ridges–Richmond Hill, Rick and Agnes Curran, who happen to be the parents of one of our pages, Vanessa Curran. Welcome to the House.

Miss Monique Taylor: I’d like to welcome Heather Neisler, who is a CUPE long-term-care worker from the city of Hamilton.

I also see Sherry Caldwell up in the gallery this morning. Sherry is the president of the Ontario Disability Coalition. I see her with some moms.

Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: I’d like to introduce today Nadine Spencer, Roderick Brereton and Osborne Barnwell from the Black Business and Professional Association. I want to thank them for taking the time to meet with me today.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your day at Queen’s Park.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Ottawa South has indicated he has a point of order.

Mr. John Fraser: Yes, Mr. Speaker. I’m asking for unanimous consent to ask a question on behalf of the member from Simcoe–Grey. I’ll be taking his question today; he’ll take my question tomorrow.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Ottawa South is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to ask a question this morning on behalf of the member for Simcoe–Grey, and to allow the member for Simcoe–Grey to take a question tomorrow in place of the member for Ottawa South. Agreed? I heard a no.

Order of business

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader has informed me that he has a point of order.

Hon. Todd Smith: Thank you, Speaker. I seek unanimous consent that statements be made this morning in honour of Black History Month, with five minutes allotted to Her Majesty’s government, followed by five minutes for Her Majesty’s loyal opposition, and five minutes for the independent members.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader is seeking unanimous consent of the House to have statements this morning in recognition of Black History Month, with five minutes to the government, five minutes to the official opposition and five minutes to the independent members. Agreed? Agreed.

Motion agreed to.

Mr. Michael Coteau: Point of order, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Point of order, the member for Don Valley East.

Mr. Michael Coteau: I’d like to ask for unanimous consent to have the member from Ottawa South exchange his question with the member from Simcoe–Grey this morning, please.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Don Valley East is seeking unanimous consent of the House to allow the member for Ottawa South to ask a question today in place of the member for Simcoe–Grey, and for the member for Simcoe–Grey to ask a question tomorrow in place of the member for Ottawa South. Agreed? I heard a no.

Black History Month / Mois de l’histoire des Noirs

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I recognize the leader of the official opposition.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, I’m going to be sharing my time with the member from Toronto–St. Paul’s.

I want to say, first of all, that Black History Month is one opportunity for us to tell the truth—the whole truth—about the history of our province and our country. It’s an opportunity for us to say that for over 400 years, Black history has been Ontario’s history and Canada’s history.

Black History Month is one chance to honour Black Canadian heroes like abolitionist and educator Josiah Henson and civil rights icon Viola Desmond. It’s a chance to celebrate trailblazers like Zanana Akande, Rosemary Brown and Howard McCurdy, and advocates like Dr. Bromley Armstrong.

But important as this history is, we know that we can’t stop there. We also have to tell the truth about anti-Black racism that persists in our communities, in our province and in our systems today. We have to renew our commitment to fighting prejudice and injustice, and we have to tear down the barriers that separate Black communities from the resources, opportunities and power that other Canadians or other Ontarians deserve or actually enjoy.

This Black History Month, let’s renew our commitment to roll up our sleeves and do the work on these issues by partnering with Black communities that are resisting and reforming anti-Black systems; by celebrating the Black community as they continue to grow, thrive and make incredible contributions to our province; and by further empowering people who are doing good work to do more of it.

Black community members should see themselves represented and respected when they look at their government. Black community leaders must be at the table when every decision is made, because we know that the work we do together in this place and in communities across Ontario is essential if we are going to build a better future for our province, a future with justice, dignity and prosperity for every Ontarian—not that we just remember during the month of February, but justice, dignity and prosperity for every Ontarian that we work towards 365 days a year.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Toronto–St. Paul’s.

Ms. Jill Andrew: I want to echo the words of our leader, Andrea Horwath, when she calls for renewing a commitment to fighting anti-Black racism in our society and removing the barriers to resources, opportunities and power that Black communities face.

As the culture critic for the official opposition, I see where social change is happening in the arts. For example, last week I attended the book launch of Black Writers Matter, a groundbreaking anthology of Black Canadian authors edited by Whitney French. The book title, Black Writers Matter, shows us how necessary it is to make that assertion in a society that often denies that we do. It was inspiring to see a new generation of Black artists, thinkers and activists reshaping and making their mark on a cultural landscape that has historically excluded our voices, our narratives, our experiences.

I think of trailblazers in the arts like the late, great transgender soul singer Jackie Shane, who was born in Nashville but made Toronto her home. She helped pave the way for countless queer and trans Black people.

Toronto–St. Paul’s Anique Jordan and the Black Wimmin Artist advisory group’s performative dinner, The Feast, held at the AGO, placed 100 Black women and gender-non-conforming artists, art workers, knowledge holders and cultural producers at the centre of one of Canada’s largest art institutions.

In Toronto–St. Paul’s, I think about a strong Black cultural scene with Reggae Lane, b current theatre and the Nia Centre for the Arts, the first Black arts centre in the city of Toronto that plays a vital role in fostering the development of young Black artists and creatives.

We must support Black liberation. We do this with a fully resourced Anti-Racism Directorate. We end carding. We ensure our kids see and learn about themselves in schools. We ensure that institutions from affordable housing to health care are committed to a culturally relevant ethic that centres Black experiences and recognizes that Black lives matter.

February is Black History Month, Black futures month and Black liberation month. As Andrea said, it’s not enough to acknowledge achievements and notable firsts during Black History Month. We must always recognize and support the ongoing work being done to build and invest in Black communities, our leaders and our well-being.

This is what inspires me in the work I want to do as an MPP—honouring the work of Black liberation done by those who have come before me while also ensuring that those who come after me have the capacity and resources to continue that project.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Next, the member for Don Valley East.

Mr. Michael Coteau: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I will be sharing my time with the leader of the Green Party.

It is an opportunity today—an honour—to stand and just recognize this incredible month. Black History Month is something that I think reminds us of the contributions of the Black community here in Ontario and right across Canada.

Today is a special time in the history of Ontario because it’s the first time in the history of this Legislature that we’ve had six members of the African Canadian community as members here in the Legislature, and I just wanted to recognize my colleagues for getting here. I know it’s been a long journey for many people and a lot of hard work, and I just want to take a moment to recognize all the members from the African Canadian community who are elected here in the Legislature.

Mr. Speaker, it has been a long journey. There have been many members who have come through this building and have had the opportunity to represent their ridings. I think of my predecessors, people like Mary Anne Chambers, Granville Anderson and Margarett Best, who served in this Legislature. Two in particular that I’d like to highlight are Zanana Akande, who served as the first female minister in government in this House—I want to recognize her for her work that she did in the 1990s as a minister in this Legislature—and Alvin Curling, who sat, Mr. Speaker, in that seat that you’re sitting in.

He was also, I believe, in 1985 under the Peterson government, the first Black member of the Legislature to serve in cabinet.

We all would not be here if it wasn’t for the work of Leonard Braithwaite, who was elected in 1963 in Etobicoke South. He was a lawyer and a World War II veteran who served with distinction. He decided to run in 1963 and to serve in the Ontario Legislature. If it wasn’t for him, Mr. Speaker, schools would still be segregated here in Ontario, and in addition to that we would not have female pages in this Legislature. I wanted to recognize him for giving all of us in this Legislature an opportunity to serve and to set an example for many of us in here about equity and freedom and fighting for all those in Ontario.

On behalf of the Liberal caucus, thank you very much for this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to speak on Black History Month.

Applause.

Mr. Sheref Sabawy: Point of order: I just need to correct the number. It’s seven members, because coming from Egyptian origin is still African Canadian. Thank you.

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

Mr. Michael Coteau: Point of order: I’ll add you to the list.

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

Member for Guelph. Start the clock.

Mr. Mike Schreiner: I’d like to thank the member from Don Valley East for sharing his time. I’m honoured today to rise and recognize Black History Month and to celebrate the role that Black Canadians have played and continue to play in shaping our province and our country. Ontario has no shortage of Black trailblazers whose life’s work has made the province a better place, a more fair place and a more just place.

Just last month we celebrated Lincoln Alexander Day, commemorating the first Black Canadian to serve as Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor. He was also the longest-serving chancellor of the University of Guelph.

I want to sincerely thank the hundreds of volunteers in our communities who work on Black history projects each and every day. Their work deserves our support, both from the government and from our communities. These projects make a huge difference. I’d like to do a shout-out to the Heritage Hall project in my riding of Guelph.

Mr. Speaker, remembering our history must be an active process of reflection and reconciliation. This month, and every month, is an opportunity to remind ourselves of the history of anti-Black racism in our past and how it shapes our present. Black History Month is a time to reflect on this past, to learn from it, to understand how it affects us in our day-to-day lives and to take action to systemically dismantle anti-Black racism in our society today, because Black lives do matter.

Applause.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you very much. Minister of Tourism and Sport.

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: It is truly a great honour to rise today in recognition of Black History Month in Ontario and to acknowledge the vital contributions that Black Canadians have made to the province of Ontario. It’s been 26 years, Mr. Speaker, since Ontario first recognized February as Black History Month.

Black History Month is an opportunity to pay special attention to the incredible accomplishments of this community, as founders, builders and champions of Ontario.

Il s’agit d’une occasion d’accorder une attention particulière aux remarquables réalisations de cette communauté à

titre de fondateurs, bâtisseurs et défenseurs de l’Ontario.

The contributions to our province’s history, culture and economy have been and continue to be monumental. This includes notable achievements in the arts, entertainment, sports, education, science, business and political arenas. I’d like to take a moment to highlight some Ontarians, in particular.

Je désire prendre quelques instants pour souligner la contribution de certains Ontariens en particulier.

Writers Lawrence Hill, Josiah Henson and Dionne Brand have provided a strong and resilient literary voice. Archie Alleyne, Jully Black and Molly Johnson share music that transcends beyond Ontario, all the way to the international stage.

Some of Canada’s most accomplished athletes, including Baseball Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins, Olympians Angella Taylor-Issajenko and Donovan Bailey, along with current household names, P.K. Subban and Andre De Grasse, all hail from the province of Ontario.

Toronto’s own Lincoln Alexander became Canada’s first Black member of Parliament, cabinet minister and provincial Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

And we should never forget those who, over the centuries, have given their lives for this country, their country.

Et nous ne devons jamais oublier ceux qui, au fil des siècles, ont donné leur vie pour leur pays.

Black History Month is not just about celebrating accomplishments, but also about remembering and honouring the past. It is an opportunity to learn from one another. Ontario joins governments in every jurisdiction across Canada and community organizations in recognizing the significance of this month.

Mr. Speaker, I’d also like to acknowledge the lead organizer for Black History Month in Ontario, the Ontario Black History Society. For 2019, the theme they have announced for Black History Month is “Preserving Our Past, Igniting Our Future.” That’s exactly what our government for the people plans to do.

I call on all members of the House to look to their constituencies for opportunities to keep Black History Month going far beyond the month of February, recognizing that the journey to true equality and justice and the end of racism is not yet complete. As Ontarians, let us pledge—not just during Black History Month, but every day of the year—to fulfill the promise of our great province as a home of tolerance and freedom for all, because Black history is Ontario’s history, and we are all part of our shared past and our bright future together.

Parce que l’histoire des Noirs est aussi l’histoire de l’Ontario, et que les histoires des personnes de race noire de cette province qu’est la nôtre font

partie de notre passé commun et de notre plus bel avenir.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I want to thank the members for their remarks on Black History Month.

It is now time for oral questions.

Oral Questions

Autism treatment

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is to the Premier. Over the last week, we’ve had the privilege of being able to hear directly from parents about the challenges that they face providing support to children with autism—the families that the Premier promised to support 1,000%.

Would the Premier agree that they are owed, at the very least, honesty from their government as they seek to provide for their kids?

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker: That is exactly what we’re doing. When the minister went and picked up the file and found out it was bankrupt, right away Minister MacLeod ran over to the treasury and asked for $100 million extra to make sure that the 23,000 families who were forgotten under the previous administration and the opposition that supported the previous administration on that file—there are 23,000 families out there who are struggling. But we’re fixing that problem to make sure that we have funds there—because we inherited a $15-billion deficit.

We inherited the largest subnational debt in the entire world, of over $340 billion. We know that the fourth-largest line item is $12 billion—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Response.

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker: We will make sure we take care of the 23,000 families. They will be off the wait-list in 18 months.

Interjections.

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

Start the clock. Supplementary.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, on the contrary, Speaker, this Premier is going to be bankrupting families with children who have autism. That’s what this Premier is doing.

But not only that, Speaker: We found of course that numerous reports now indicate that in October of last year, or perhaps earlier, the government not only ordered service providers not to provide services for children and families on the waiting list but told those service providers not to even inform parents that this freeze was being put in place.

Why did the Premier freeze all services just six months into the year, and why were the service providers told not to tell the truth about it?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: I appreciate the opportunity to stand here today.

Look, in June 2018, the Premier appointed me to be the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services with responsibility for the autism program. The first thing we saw was that we had a broken and broke system where 23,000 children were being denied service by their government under the previous Liberal administration, from the members of Don Valley East and Don Valley West. It broke my heart.

We travelled across the province, had dozens of consultations, spoke directly with service providers, and we came up with what we believe is a fair and equitable plan. Just 15 minutes ago, my deputy minister announced that she has repudiated the erroneous report that there was a freeze on the wait-list. For anyone to perpetuate that is to provide false hope to parents—a false narrative. It’s disgraceful and it’s disappointing.

Our motivation in this government has always been to ensure that the 23,000 children denied service will finally get it.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, it looks like what the first thing they did was make it worse for families, not better, after receiving the file.

The government told service providers that no children were to be approved for new services, but that service providers were to keep that information secret. Parents were told that approvals were still going ahead, even though they weren’t. We’ve heard from parents across Ontario who were told that their children were moving up the wait-list. They were planning their lives around this information. Why weren’t they being told the truth?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: Speaker, this is a very difficult and emotional file for the 8,400 families who are receiving support. That’s only 25% of the children in Ontario who have autism.

As I’ve just stated, my deputy minister has repudiated the false and erroneous reports that were out over the weekend. Our commitment in this government is to ensure that we support all children with autism in the province of Ontario—the three out of four children who were denied support by their previous Liberal government.

Let me be perfectly clear. John writes in to my office, “That all families will be able to get funding is a huge step forward.” We spoke with Matthew Jason Dever, who said, “We have the opportunity to change the model, and provide choice to parents to fund therapies other than ABA. #ThankYouLisa.”

Our administration has been consistent and clear since day one—eliminating the wait-list in 18 months for the three out of four children who were denied service by their Ontario government.

Autism treatment

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is also to the Premier. For weeks, the Premier and his minister have insisted that thousands of families were languishing on wait-lists. Can the Premier tell us how many children were secretly denied service and how many families were added to those wait-lists by the freeze the government refused to tell parents about?

Hon. Doug Ford: Again, through you, Mr. Speaker: I want to make sure everyone understands the situation of the finances when we opened up the file. When we opened up the file, the previous government had not only bankrupted this province, but they had bankrupted the autism file, to a tune of $256 million. We’re enhancing it by $100 million. We’re doubling the therapists. We’re making sure that the 23,000 people who were on the wait-list will be off the wait-list, because we’re taking care of the finances of this province for the first time in 15 years.

There’s now confidence in this province that people are opening up businesses. We’ll get more money from companies and create more jobs. That’s what we’re doing for people who have autism.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, we know that the past Liberal government failed these families, but this Premier decided to give rich people $275 million in tax breaks and bankrupt families of children with autism. That is not the right choice or the right priority for any government in Ontario.

He cannot hide behind Liberal failures to justify his own failings, Speaker. The Ford government has pulled support from families that desperately, desperately need it. His minister has threatened professionals who refuse to endorse those changes, and now we learn that she misled the families she’s supposed to help. The minister is supposed to be a voice for—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I ask the Leader of the Opposition to withdraw.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Withdraw, Speaker.

Now we learn that she pushed aside the families that she is supposed to be helping. The minister is supposed to be a voice for children at the cabinet table, Speaker. How can he keep her in this job?

Hon. Doug Ford: The Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: The Premier is keeping me in this job so that we can implement the plan to ensure that we get the 23,000 children who are currently being denied support from their Ontario government the support they need in the next 18 months. That is our commitment to the people of Ontario.

We are doubling our investment into diagnostic hubs. We have invested an extra $102 million so that the 25% of children who are currently receiving support will continue to receive it. We are going to directly empower families with up to $140,000 with a childhood budget so that they can choose the supports they want.

Today, when I left for question period, I received a beautiful note from Dr. Carl A. Rubino. He says, “As one of the originators of behavioural analysis services in Ontario, I applaud what you have done with the envelope for autism services. I’m not at all convinced that the resources allocated to these providers, both practitioners and agencies, have been spent well.”

Speaker, our commitment in this program that I will implement is 23,000 children who, for the first time in their lives, will have hope at the end of the tunnel. They will finally receive the support that they desperately need—

Interjections.

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

I had to interrupt the minister; I had to stand up because I couldn’t hear what she was saying because of the ovation.

Start the clock. Final supplementary.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, 10 years ago, the Premier’s now Minister of Children, Community and Social Services stood in this assembly and said, “When we as legislators make promises to children—whether it is ... to fund autism treatment for children ... or to appoint an independent children’s advocate—those promises must be kept. Impressionable children rely on us. We are their protectors.”

Well, so much for that. So much for her former sentiments about children in this province. By her own standards—by her own standards, by any standards—this minister has failed these children and she has failed their families.

Will the Premier do the right thing, remove her from this position and start living up to the promise that these families deserve, which is a government that provides the services that their kids need?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: It’s always an honour to be able to stand here on this side of the House and communicate our government’s message in making sure that we empower families to make the best decisions for their children.

I’m proud of this plan that will ensure that 23,000 children who are right now languishing on a wait-list will have the opportunity to receive support from their Ontario government after being denied said support from the previous Liberal administration. I personally think that I have to stand up for all children—not just one in four, not 25% of the kids, but all of the children within this program. That’s why I remain steadfast and committed to implementing this government’s plan. This government’s plan is about fairness and equality, and it is about compassion and sustainability.

Speaker, I’m proud to talk about this plan and I’m proud to support the families who weren’t getting support before. I’ll talk to you a little bit about Alistair, who said, “As a parent of two children with autism who have been waiting for over two years with no service, this is a welcome change. Thank you for the change.”

Indigenous health services

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is also to the Premier. Over a month ago, Cat Lake First Nation declared a state of emergency due to black mould. As the member for Kiiwetinoong told the chamber last week, children and families in that community are living in conditions that are unsafe and unacceptable in a province like Ontario. One woman has died. This is an urgent matter, and the families seeing rashes on their children’s bodies don’t want to hear about jurisdictional squabbles.

Will the Premier send the requested community health assessment team to Cat Lake First Nation immediately?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of Indigenous Affairs.

Hon. Greg Rickford: There is no jurisdictional squabble here, I can assure you. The chief and I had a discussion not long ago. We shared our profound disappointment for a federal government that has failed these communities time and time and time again.

I have a little bit of experience in these regards, Mr. Speaker. During my time as the member of Parliament for Kenora, we built new subdivisions in these communities. We built new nursing stations. We built the kind of infrastructure that gave those communities an opportunity to live in a safe community and in a safe immediate environment like their homes.

We’re calling on the federal government now to take action. We’ll continue to support this community and its declaration of emergency by coordinating with our stakeholders, hopefully finding some solutions. But ultimately, this rests with the federal government and their responsibility to build new homes for those people and remedy the homes that are there in that community, so that people have a safe, clean environment to live in.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Mr. Speaker, I have to say that I’m fairly disgusted by that response. When you see the pictures of those kids that are suffering—and a minister who pretends that there’s no jurisdictional squabble, and then his first response is that it’s a jurisdictional squabble, putting it over to the federal government as their responsibility.

There are treaties that have been signed. Ontario is a signatory to the treaty that requires us to get involved in health care issues on-reserve, and that’s what needs to happen here.

The minister needs to step up to the plate and do the right thing. One month has passed. These kids are suffering significantly. Do the right thing and make sure that the resources are provided to those kids that need it. Don’t continue to talk about the federal government and their responsibility. Step up to the plate, do your job and send a health assessment team to start diagnosing, treating and following up on the medical crisis that is unfolding and has been for many, many months now at Cat Lake.

Hon. Greg Rickford: Let’s be clear, Mr. Speaker: This is an ongoing failure of the federal government to live up to their responsibilities as they pertain to housing and other infrastructure in the community.

Cat Lake is just one of a series of communities that have suffered miserably—big promises, but nothing on-reserve for these communities. They have hope that their homes and that their infrastructure are a safe environment for their folks to live in.

I’ve written to the appropriate federal minister. I’ve had a discussion with the chief and council. We’ll be talking later this week to see what other things the provincial government can do with that leadership, as they fully understand and they fully appreciate who has jurisdiction of what and who is willing to help. So far, it has only been us. We take our responsibilities as a top priority for Cat Lake.

Interjections.

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

Interjections.

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

Start the clock. Next question.

International trade

Mr. Will Bouma: My question is for the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

Last week, the Premier travelled to Washington, DC, to stand up for Ontario workers and Ontario jobs, and to promote our Open for Business message. Travelling with Premier Higgs of New Brunswick and Premier Moe of Saskatchewan, Premier Ford met with his US counterparts to call for an end to unjust tariffs. Steel and aluminum tariffs remain in place months after the federal government signed a new NAFTA deal, hurting businesses and workers in my riding and across the province.

Could the minister please outline for the House how our government is working hard to promote free trade and support the good jobs that depend on it?

Hon. Todd Smith: Thanks to the member from Brantford for the question this morning.

Our government remains committed to doing everything we can to get rid of these tariffs. Over 16,000 people in Ontario work in the steel and aluminum industry, and more than 200,000 work downstream in the supply chain and in businesses that use that steel and aluminum. That’s thousands of families that are uncertain about what 2019 is going to bring because of these tariffs that remain in place.

That’s why the Premier travelled to Washington to meet with his state-level counterparts at the National Governors Association meeting in Washington late last week and throughout the weekend: to remind them that workers on both sides of the border are being hurt by these tariffs. Millions of jobs, free trade between our two countries depend on eliminating these tariffs in Canada and the United States. We have to work together on this.

What we have now is a lose-lose situation on both sides of the border. It’s time for those tariffs to go so we can have a win-win for families in Ontario and the United States.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mr. Will Bouma: Thank you to the minister for his response. I’m so glad to hear that our government is doing our part to get these tariffs lifted and to protect Ontario jobs. Fighting to remove tariffs is an important part of making sure Ontario is open for business.

As the members of this House know, Premier Ford, Minister Smith and our entire team have been busy making sure Ontario is open for business and for jobs. In fact, I held a small business round table in my riding of Brantford–Brant to consult local businesses. Those businesses made it clear that we need to fight these unfair tariffs in order to create good jobs in Ontario.

Could the minister please outline the importance of promoting our Open for Business message to our trading partners and around the world?

Hon. Todd Smith: Thanks again to the member from Brantford.

The numbers speak for themselves: Over 41,000 jobs were created in Ontario last month.

While in Washington, the Premier had the opportunity to meet with American business leaders, governors and US trade representative Robert Lighthizer. He brought our message right to them and they heard us loud and clear: Ontario is open for business, and Ontario is open for jobs.

The Premier shared with them all of the measures we’ve taken since coming into office, measures that have made Ontario a better place to invest, create jobs and grow businesses. We’ve significantly reduced the regulatory burden on businesses. We’ve cut taxes. We’ve gotten rid of Liberal job-killing legislation and their job-killing cap-and-trade program. We’ve announced a new auto plan as well, to strengthen that sector here in Ontario, where five manufacturers are currently doing business.

After 15 years of Liberal government, we’re telling the world that Ontario is again open for business.

Autism treatment

Miss Monique Taylor: My question is for the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Last week, the minister accused the opposition of providing false hope to families that are anguished over the Conservative autism program, but now we’ve seen it was the ministry that provided false hope by secretly freezing the wait-list so that no more children could get help.

Families are angry. They don’t trust the minister and they feel betrayed. Can the minister explain why she provided false hope to all of the families trying to get critical services for their children?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: It’s a great opportunity to stand up and again speak about our plan to clear the wait-list in the next 18 months for the 23,000 children who are languishing without support from their Ontario government.

As stated during the previous rounds of questioning, my deputy minister has repudiated this. At no time did I direct anyone to inflate a list. Anyone who would suggest that is participating in what I would consider a disgraceful false narrative and providing false hope to families—

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

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: Sure, Speaker, my pleasure. I withdraw.

But I want to reiterate: We have met with hundreds of families. We have heard numerous stories about how their children were languishing on the wait-list. I want to talk about May for a moment here, if I could. “I have been on a wait-list for almost two years in the current OAP. My son will need to wait another 10 years to even have a chance in this fight.”

Lots of families on the wait-list are happy—I appreciate May’s support, because we want to make sure that we support May.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Miss Monique Taylor: Speaker, I’d like to tell you about Heather’s daughter, Riley, who has been on the OAP wait-list since 2017. Two months ago, she was informed that Riley’s spot was open and she signed all of the papers. Heather was relieved that her daughter would finally get the support that she needed, but she was never told that there was a secret freeze and that that support would never come. She feels betrayed and misled by this government.

Speaker, the truth is—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m going to ask the member to withdraw her unparliamentary remark.

Miss Monique Taylor: I withdraw.

Speaker, the truth is that this person feels betrayed. The truth is that this government and this minister have lied to the families of this province—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m going to ask the member to once again withdraw the unparliamentary remark.

Miss Monique Taylor: I’m sorry, Speaker, but I cannot withdraw. I respect your position, I respect the Legislature, but we have the proof—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I think the member understands the consequences of refusing to withdraw. I am now warning the member. She must withdraw.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I have no choice but to name the member. Ms. Taylor, you have to leave the chamber for the day.

Miss Taylor was escorted from the chamber.

Interjections.

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

Next question.

Police services

Ms. Jill Dunlop: My question is for the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Last week, our government for the people introduced the Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act. If passed, this act would finally fix the previous Liberal government’s Bill 175, which treated police with suspicion while making it increasingly difficult for them to do their jobs.

Mr. Speaker, could the minister please update the members of this Legislature on how the Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act will provide better support to our police officers and keep the people of Ontario safe?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Thank you to the member from Simcoe North, and thank you for joining me in Barrie on Friday when we marked Human Trafficking Awareness Day with our colleagues the member from Barrie–Innisfil and the member from Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte.

It was an important announcement because with the joint forces—the Barrie police, the OPP and the Canadian Border Services Agency—that tri-group was able to successfully save 43 victims of labour human trafficking in Ontario. On Friday, we were able to thank them for their service and it was an incredible announcement. So thank you for joining me.

As we see every day, police and their government are partners in keeping our community safe, and our proposed legislation would strengthen that partnership. Our partners in policing agree. The president of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and the chief of Barrie police, Chief Greenwood, have welcomed these proposed changes: “The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police has long advocated for significant changes to the Police Services Act in order to assist us in the efficient and effective management of police services that enhance public and officer safety.

We believe there are items in this new legislation that are welcome and look forward to continuing to work with the government....”

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Ms. Jill Dunlop: Thank you very much, Minister, for your continued advocacy when it comes to ensuring the safety of our province.

Mr. Speaker, we witnessed the previous Liberal government fail to respect the profession of policing. It is great to see our government for the people respecting our police officers and acknowledging the incredible work they perform to ensure that Ontario’s many communities are safe.

Could the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services please explain how the Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act will protect law-abiding citizens and families and treat police with fairness and respect?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: It would be a pleasure, Speaker. Our government spoke to police respectfully. We value their perspective on community safety. Their concerns helped us propose a bill that finally puts public safety first.

That conversation with policing partners is ongoing. In fact, the president of the Police Association of Ontario, Bruce Chapman, recently has welcomed our new approach and our proposed legislation: “Ontario’s front-line police personnel welcome today’s announcement by the Ontario government and are hopeful that this new Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act will serve to restore fairness and respect for professional policing, make oversight more effective, and improve governance, training, and transparency.”

When it comes to public safety in Ontario, I’m proud to say that we are doing what the Liberals and the NDP have refused. We are respecting the police and protecting communities across Ontario.

Automotive industry

Ms. Jennifer K. French: My question is to the Premier. When Oshawa found out about GM’s decision to abandon our community—a community that has been loyal and supportive of auto manufacturing for 100 years—we were devastated. We rose up and we have been rallying ever since.

This Premier, instead, was told by GM to stay seated and that is exactly what he has been doing—sitting on the sidelines since the announcement. But Speaker, Michigan state leaders didn’t go quietly and GM has given them a reprieve. Now that Michigan has proven leadership that fights for jobs in their community can make a difference, will the Premier finally get off his seat and stand up for auto workers in Oshawa?

Interjections.

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

Premier?

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker: I’m glad you mentioned that. We had a meeting with the governor of Michigan and a meeting with governors right across the US and we’re the envy of North America. We created 43,000 jobs. We’re cutting red tape. We’re the largest trading partner to 19 states, second to nine others. If we were a stand-alone country, we would be the third-largest trading partner to the United States.

When I went there and I met with hundreds of people, not to mention Fortune 500 companies, they said, “Thank God you’re in power now and not the Liberals.”

We’re cutting taxes. We’re cutting red tape. We’re creating an environment to thrive in this province. And they have certainty. They have certainty like they’ve never had before.

Interjections.

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

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for York Centre, come to order.

Supplementary?

Ms. Jennifer K. French: Thank you, Speaker.

Again to the Premier: Michigan stood up to GM and stood up for auto workers. GM has responded. Jobs are being saved in Hamtramck in Michigan.

This government talks a lot about jobs. They talk all day about jobs, but in Oshawa and across Durham, there are thousands and thousands of good jobs and this Premier won’t do anything to keep them—nothing. “Good jobs” cannot be one of the Premier’s bumper stickers. Good jobs have to be a commitment. It has to involve action. There is hope, and good jobs are always worth a fight.

Will the Premier recognize that there is always hope and change his mind after seeing what leadership can accomplish and actually help the auto workers in Oshawa and Durham region?

Interjections.

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

Premier?

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker: I’ve talked to hundreds and hundreds of Oshawa GM workers, and do you know what they want? They want certainty now. They want certainty that they’re going to have a job when they—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I apologize. I have to interrupt the Premier. The opposition has to come to order. I have to be able to hear the Premier.

Premier, continue.

Hon. Doug Ford: They want certainty, as I was saying, Mr. Speaker. We’re giving them certainty. We’re creating jobs. Do you know the biggest problem we have? We don’t have enough people to fill the jobs out there. There are over 150,000 jobs waiting for people. We need more people to fill those jobs.

Again, we’re the envy of North America. We had accolades from every single governor we met. When we met the Fortune 500 companies around the round table—they’re investing back into Ontario. They’re creating more jobs because they have certainty. They know they have a government that’s pro-job, pro-people. We’re there for the people. We’re creating jobs. We told the world down there we’re open for business—

Interjections.

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

Start the clock. Next question.

Public transit

Mr. Stan Cho: My question is for the Minister of Transportation. This past week, we heard a lot about the TTC upload from activist groups. As a member who has a riding that relies heavily on public transit, I fully support our government’s initiative to upload the subway so that we can get the people of Toronto and Ontario moving. We all know this province is trapped with gridlock that the previous government, propped up by the NDP, supported by making minimal investments in public transit and, instead, racking up a deficit of $15 billion.

Our government is committed to getting the people of Ontario moving. We are committed to turning projects into priorities, and we will do just that with the upload of the subway.

Will the minister please inform the House why the upload matters so very much?

Hon. Jeff Yurek: I’d like to thank the member from Willowdale for that question and his strong support for the upload of the TTC.

As everyone in this Legislature will recall, the government for the people made a very exciting announcement a couple of weeks ago. We’ve signed a joint terms of reference with the city of Toronto, with the TTC, to begin the process of uploading the subway. Our government for the people’s position remains unchanged: An upload of subway infrastructure to the province will get transit built faster and fulfill our commitment to the building and maintenance of new and existing subway lines. With an upload, we will be able to cut through the red tape to start new projects and finish construction faster.

This is what the people of Ontario asked for during the last election, and we are committed to delivering on our promise the Premier made. The government of Ontario will upload the TTC.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mr. Stan Cho: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and through you, thank you to the minister for that response.

I am really pleased to hear that our government is moving so quickly on our promise of decreasing gridlock and building and maintaining new and existing subway lines throughout the upload. I can tell you from experience that the gridlock in my neighbourhood is real, and it is taking valuable time away from Willowdalers and Ontarians.

Our government was elected with the clear mandate of supporting the TTC upload. Now, this may sound foreign to the opposition, but we actually listened to the people. The TTC subway is the third-largest transit system in North America, reporting about 530 million riders in 2017, with about 69,000 people taking the subway in conjunction with the York region transit system every single day.

Can the minister update the House on how the upload will reduce gridlock, expand capacity on our system and finally get the people of Willowdale and Ontario moving?

Hon. Jeff Yurek: Thank you very much, member from Willowdale, for that question.

Our government for the people is working together with our partners to ensure that more subway lines will get built more quickly. We’re improving how transit is built in Ontario to get Ontarians moving. We will build a world-class transit system that everyone in Ontario can be proud of, and we are delivering on that promise.

Our current transit infrastructure is not serving Ontarians in the ways that it should be, and the end result is gridlock and delays. It’s unfortunate the opposition is opposed to solving gridlock and getting the people of Ontario moving. What the NDP do not realize is that the commuter does not care which level of government owns and operates the subway; they just want a subway that is efficient, reliable, modern and part of a network that is continually expanding, and that is exactly what our government is doing for the people of this province. We are going to build subways. That’s what this government is going to do.

Child protection

Ms. Judith Monteith-Farrell: The Ontario Ombudsman has announced that the Thunder Bay office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth will be closing. One of my constituents, who works in the office, wrote to me: “Everything we do is to elevate the voices of the children and youth involved in the systems of government care. On Thursday ... I lost my job ... we don’t know anything more ... we are kept in the dark and just wait ... it is a very cruel process.” It means children and youth in care across the northwest, including Indigenous communities, will have nowhere to turn—sorry, to the Premier.

Will the Premier reverse this reckless decision so the people working in this office can keep their jobs providing the support our vulnerable youth desperately need?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: I appreciate the question from the member opposite. We’re completely committed to ensuring that greater child protection occurs in the province of Ontario, which is why, as we transfer powers over to the Ombudsman, we will have greater oversight capabilities for children in custody and care throughout the province.

It’s also why my ministry will be doing two additional things. The first is creating three round tables, one which will be Indigenous-led, one which will be for children in custody and a third that is for children in care. Finally, this year, I will be embedding a new advocacy role within my office, and I was pleased to announce that last Thursday while I was speaking to the Ontario residential centres across the province of Ontario.

I remain dedicated to this initiative, and I’m very pleased that I’m working with the Ombudsman directly to ensure that there is greater oversight for those most vulnerable children who are both in custody and in care throughout the province of Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.

Ms. Judith Monteith-Farrell: My question is for the Premier. The people who are losing their jobs in Thunder Bay are advocates for vulnerable children in northern and Indigenous communities now. Ontario will be the only province in Canada that does not provide dedicated advocacy services for children and youth at risk. Children and youth will suffer, and youth suicide is already at crisis levels. They deserve to be kept safe from abuse and to have front-line staff to turn to.

Premier, why shouldn’t northern and Indigenous children and youth have access to dedicated advocacy services?

Interjections.

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

The question has been referred to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: I remain committed to ensuring that those three tables that I’ve just discussed will be active, and with a full Indigenous-led component, as well as those for children in custody and in care. They will really, I think, provide a solid basis of information for our ministry as we move forward with embedding within my office an advocacy role for children in custody and in care.

I appreciate the member opposite’s question, but this government made a decision in the fall economic statement to transfer oversight capabilities to the Ontario Ombudsman. We have full faith in the Ombudsman, and we believe that he is best suited to ensure that there are investigations that are happening across Ontario, whether that is in our group homes, foster care or in our detention facilities in our youth justice system.

Speaker, again, we remain committed, and we’re looking forward to working with the Ombudsman, Paul Dubé, in order to ensure that there is greater child protection in the province of Ontario.

Northern economy

Mr. Norman Miller: My question is for the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. Our government for the people was elected on a promise to finally open up the incredible resources of the north, to make our northern communities open for economic development and open for jobs. That’s why I was excited to learn about the next step of our government’s review of the Far North Act. Since the previous Liberal government forced this act on the communities of our north, little progress has been made to promote collaboration and job creation with our First Nations communities. It has limited the possibilities for jobs and economic growth in the north.

Can the minister update the House on how our government is encouraging economic growth in the north, instead of putting up barriers?

Hon. John Yakabuski: I want to thank my colleague for the question and for his unwavering commitment to the north.

Speaker, he is right: Our government for the people was elected on a promise to create a path forward that will make our northern communities open to economic prosperity and open to jobs by reducing restrictions on important economic development projects like the Ring of Fire, all-season roads and electrical transmission projects.

In our fall economic statement, we announced that we would be reviewing the Far North Act, and as the next step we are seeking input on a proposal to repeal the act, while retaining approved land use plans through changes to the Public Lands Act and continuing forward with plans already at an advanced stage. We believe our proposal will provide benefits to First Nations and other northern communities, ensure a collaborative approach to development and provide a stable environment for business. We are making the Far North open for economic growth and open for business.

Interjections.

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

Start the clock. Supplementary?

Mr. Norman Miller: Thank you to the minister for his answer. For years, we have heard from northern communities that the Far North Act limits economic opportunities in the north. Our government’s proposal is the type of bold action we need to take if we are going to make the Far North open for business and open for jobs.

Many of us remember the pushback this act received when it was passed back in 2010. That includes Far North First Nations who were opposed to the act when the Liberals pushed it through.

Can the minister tell us how we are going to ensure a collaborative approach to development that benefits First Nations?

Hon. John Yakabuski: I thank him again. He is absolutely right. When the Far North Act was implemented, it was opposed by First Nations and the municipalities of the north. Our government is working for all of the people of Ontario, including the 24,000 people who live in the Far North. We will listen carefully to what Far North First Nations have to say about our proposal to work together to bring prosperity to the north.

Our proposal has been posted on the Environmental Registry for 45 days. I will work together with the minister responsible for Indigenous affairs as we have special engagement sessions with Far North First Nations communities and tribal councils to gather their feedback. We support development that is beneficial to our communities while maintaining our commitment to conservation.

Again, Speaker, we are making our Far North open for business and open for jobs.

Long-term care

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: My question is to the Premier. Your government has promised to create thousands of new and long-overdue long-term-care beds. Can you tell—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: There’s no end to the self-gratification in this Legislature, is there, Speaker?

Can you tell the House what steps you will take to ensure the appropriate staffing increases to match these new beds and to ensure long-term-care residents receive at least four hours of hands-on care per day, which is precisely the amount of care time that Shirlee Sharkey, a member of the Premier’s own council on ending hallway medicine, said that we needed more than 10 years ago. Does the Premier agree with Shirlee Sharkey?

Hon. Doug Ford: I’ll send this over to the great Minister of Health.

Hon. Christine Elliott: I thank the member very much for the question. She is correct: We did promise the people of Ontario during the election campaign that we would create 15,000 new long-term-care spaces within five years. We are already well on the way. We have created over 6,000 already, and we’re working daily on creating more.

There is a need for long-term-care spaces across the province, but there is also a need for long-term-care staffing. I would agree that the safety of patients in Ontario has been and always will be my first priority as Minister of Health, but the reality is, and we know, that our health care system is in trouble right now. We need transformational change, and that is in every respect. We need to take a look at everything we’re doing, including making sure that we have the right mix of human resources in all of our health care settings across the province.

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

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: Back to the Premier: My bill, the Time to Care Act, if passed, would ensure that every resident in every long-term-care home in Ontario would get an average of four hours of care per day. The last time this bill was debated, the Minister of Finance, the Minister for Seniors and several other Conservative MPPs voted in support. Can the Premier confirm for the House that this bill will pass at the first opportunity to pass?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The question has been referred to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

Hon. Christine Elliott: Ensuring that we have the right mix of human resources in all of our health care settings, from home care to hospitals and long-term-care homes is a matter of great importance. But I would also remind the member that we all know that the Gillese inquiry has yet to come forward with their report. We expect it will be coming forward in the latter part of the spring this year. We will be looking forward to the recommendations that are made in the report, both specifically and more generally with respect to staffing in long-term-care homes.

We will be listening to those reports, we will be looking at those considerations, and we are currently looking at the right mix of human resources in all home care settings now. So please be assured, both the member and the people of Ontario, that we take this seriously and we are reviewing it now.

La violence et le harcèlement sexuels

M me Gila Martow: Ma question est pour le ministre du Tourisme, de la Culture et du Sport.

Récemment, on voit que des nouvelles inquiétantes circulent au sujet des incidents de harcèlement et de violence dans le secteur du sport amateur au Canada. Monsieur le Ministre, les athlètes ontariens et ontariennes dévoués et assidus méritent de participer aux compétitions dans un environnement sans harcèlement, agression et intimidation. Comme vous avez déjà mentionné, notre gouvernement pour le peuple soutient nos athlètes dans leur quête de l’excellence. Cependant, nous devons nous assurer qu’ils peuvent participer aux compétitions dans un environnement sécuritaire.

Monsieur le Ministre, pourriez-vous expliquer ce que vous faites pour lutter contre les abus et le harcèlement dans le secteur du sport de la province?

L’hon. Michael A. Tibollo: Merci pour cette question très importante. Il est extrêmement troublant d’apprendre le niveau de harcèlement et de comportements inacceptables qui se passent dans le sport amateur aujourd’hui. La relation entraîneur-athlète doit être basée sur une confiance et une compréhension mutuelle. Toute action qui compromet ces principes est inacceptable et faite au détriment des nombreux excellents programmes sportifs en Ontario. Même s’il existe déjà un cadre de processus d’évaluation du harcèlement et des codes de conduite, nous reconnaissons qu’il reste du travail à faire et qu’il faut l’accomplir.

À la réunion des ministres à Red Deer, des ministres de tout le pays et moi-même avons pris des mesures pour régler cet important problème. J’ai hâte à élaborer plus longuement dans la réponse à la question supplémentaire.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.

M me Gila Martow: Encore au ministre : je suis heureuse d’en savoir de votre réunion productive avec les ministres à Red Deer afin d’aborder cette question très importante. Il est également très encourageant de constater que vous avez pu connecter avec quelques-uns des jeunes athlètes qui ont participé aux Jeux du Canada. Ces athlètes méritent de participer dans un environnement sûr. Je suis fière que notre gouvernement pour le peuple prenne des mesures pour régler cet enjeu.

Je suis curieuse de savoir comment s’est passée la réunion avec les autres ministres. Le ministre peut-il informer l’Assemblée législative de la manière dont la question du harcèlement et des agressions sportifs a été traitée?

L’hon. Michael A. Tibollo: Pendant mon séjour, tous les ministres du Sport du pays ont signé la déclaration de Red Deer, qui nous engage à lutter contre les abus et le harcèlement dans le sport en Ontario. Nous savons qu’il y a un problème dans le sport amateur. L’Ontario veillera à ce que nous soyons des dirigeants qui veilleront à ce que, peu importe qui vous êtes, vous puissiez jouer en toute sécurité.

Nous avons également parlé des avantages du sport et des loisirs sur la santé mentale. Je suis fier du travail que nous avons accompli et de notre engagement à promouvoir le mieux-être et le bien-être des enfants et des jeunes. Notre gouvernement reconnaît que le sport peut être un outil puissant contre les problèmes sociaux.

Autism treatment

Mr. Faisal Hassan: My question is to the Premier. Premier, families in my riding are disgusted by this government’s attack on children with autism—mothers, like Leyla Calliste, whose beautiful four-year-old son Christian was diagnosed with severe autism when he was two-and-a-half years old. He was on the waiting list for services for 18 months and his name finally came up last April. Since receiving the support he needs, Christian has been thriving. But Christian’s funding will be pulled on March 31, leaving him and his family with very few options. They simply cannot afford the therapy he needs.

Premier, why is this government abandoning Christian?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: Thank you for referring that, Premier, so I have an opportunity to talk about what our motivation actually is.

Since assuming office, I have travelled, along with my parliamentary assistant, Amy Fee, to dozens of round tables, meeting with hundreds of parents, service providers and stakeholders in this space.

We inherited a program that was not only broken, but broke. It required $100 million in emergency funding just to support the one in four children who were receiving support in the province of Ontario. Our motivation is to clear the wait-list. We’re doing that by doubling our investment into the diagnostic hubs, and we’re going to go to a direct funding model which will empower parents to choose the services that they want through their childhood budget.

Alastair reached out to me the other day and he said, “I don’t think people understand how bad the autism wait-list currently is. Our son is eight, he’s 853 on the waiting list. The wait-list is moving at about 80 kids a year. Meaning he would age out at 18 and never get service!”

Speaker, that’s unacceptable to me and that’s why, as the minister responsible for this program, I’m going to clear the wait-list in 18—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mr. Faisal Hassan: Again my question is to the Premier: Another mother from my riding is Natalie Vieira whose son, Macen, was recently diagnosed with autism. Macen is 18 years old and will soon be too old to receive support through the Ontario Autism Program. He never received the supports he needed. As a result, he has struggled in school.

Natalie is here today to tell the government that children living with autism need early intervention to help them reach their full potential, but this government’s cuts to the Ontario Autism Program will make it harder for children to get the services they need.

Why is this Premier making life harder for children with autism?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The question has been referred to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Interjections.

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

Minister?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: I appreciate Natalie joining us in the Legislature today and I want to assure her that the issues that she’s experiencing are the primary motivation behind us wanting to clear that wait-list in the next 18 months, by making more diagnostic hub support across the province and directly empowering parents to make the choices that they need.

Sherri Taylor, who is a parent from Windsor, wrote in. She said, “Parents need to have services available to them before their child is no longer a child. Families need more support and choice for their children with autism neurodiversities. Our children sit on wait-lists for years only to be shuffled through consultative models that do not provide the direct treatment. Families are in crisis. Our government is heading in the right direction recognizing that early intervention is key.”

I appreciate Sherri’s sentiments. She is one of the hundreds of families that we’ve been working with throughout the past number of months in order to course-correct so that 23,000 children will get off that wait-list—

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

Public safety

Mr. Kaleed Rasheed: My question is for the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Mr. Speaker, Ontario’s government for the people was elected with a mandate to improve public safety across this province. We have a mandate to restore respect to the brave men and women of our police services and to provide them with the tools and resources they need to perform their duties safely and effectively.

Today, police services across Ontario are getting ready to promote Crime Prevention Week. Can the minister explain to this House how our government for the people is supporting the efforts of all policing partners to keep communities safe?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: Thank you to the member from Mississauga East–Cooksville for this important question and for your advocacy in assisting us in Crime Prevention Week.

Crime Prevention Week is an important opportunity to consider public safety as a shared responsibility. Our government was elected with a mandate to fix policing legislation and restore respect for the police as important partners in public safety. Police officers have always stood up for the safety of our communities, and now we have a government that respects and supports them in the work that they carry out—a very difficult and dangerous job each and every day.

To deliver on our commitment to the police, we introduced Bill 68, the Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act, in the Legislature last week, and I am pleased to be debating it later on this afternoon.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.

Mr. Kaleed Rasheed: I thank the minister for her response.

Mr. Speaker, Ontario is home to some of the finest police officers anywhere in the world. It is an honour to be part of a government that recognizes their contributions to our communities and is willing to stand up for front-line police officers.

As a member of this government for the people, I am proud to stand here today and know that our government is committed to providing police officers with the support, tools and resources they need to protect the people of this province.

Mr. Speaker, could the minister tell us how our government is working with communities and policing partners to promote a safer Ontario?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: It would be a pleasure, Speaker.

Crime prevention on the community level has an important role in reducing crime and making our communities safer. When the police, the people and their government feel empowered to work together toward the shared goal of keeping our communities safer, we are better positioned to succeed. This partnership, built on fairness and transparency, is particularly important when it comes to police oversight. We ask police to put themselves in harm’s way each and every day to keep our loved ones safe and our streets safe. In return, we see it as only fair to treat them with the fairness and respect that everyday Ontarians deserve.

On behalf of the entire government, I congratulate the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police on Crime Prevention Week and thank them for this important initiative.

Autism treatment

Mr. Michael Mantha: My question is to the Premier. Marshall, a little four-year-old boy from Manitouwadge, was diagnosed a year ago with severe autism spectrum disorder. His mom, Adrianna, is a single mom who is trained to work in the health care sector. Unfortunately, she had to quit her job to take care of her son full-time at home. Adrianna can’t work or find a rental unit that is affordable enough to allow her to pay for her son’s therapy. This is the reality of too many families in northern Ontario, and nothing in this government’s changes to the autism program will fix it.

Why is the Premier leaving people like Marshall and Adrianna with no options left?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: I appreciate the opportunity to once again speak about our reforms to the Ontario Autism Program that will ensure that 23,000 children, or three out of four children in Ontario who have autism, will get the service from their Ontario government after being denied the service for the past 15 years.

Deanna, a mother of a child with autism, said, “More funding for diagnosis is great news. Also, giving parents direct funding and flexibility with respect to how it can be used is a terrific development, in my opinion.”

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: We went—

Interjection.

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

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: —because we recognize that every child with autism in the province of Ontario deserves to have the support of their Ontario government, unlike the previous plan that was developed by the member from Don Valley East and the member from Don Valley West.

We are committed to clearing the wait-list. We’re committed to doubling our investment in the diagnostic hubs. And I’m proud today to say we’re committed to making sure there are greater supports for those in northern Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.

Mr. Michael Mantha: Again, to the Premier: Marshall and Adrianna patiently waited for the Ontario Autism Program funding but received nothing. When Adrianna asked why, she was told, “There is none available for your region.”

Too often, communities like Manitouwadge are forgotten by the provincial government and end up lacking in services. The two biggest cities around are Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay, 400 kilometres away. There isn’t even one private behavioural service provider around—nothing. But this government’s announcement will do nothing to change that.

Premier, why is this government refusing to increase capacity in northern Ontario for autism services while cutting the funding available to families like Adrianna’s?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I would remind the members to make their comments through the Chair. The question has been referred to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services already.

Minister.

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: Thank you very much, Speaker. I appreciate the member opposite’s questions and his concerns. As I indicated in the beginning of my response, we are dedicated to providing more investment into northern Ontario. I largely credit our finance minister as well as our minister of northern affairs and mining because they are committed to their communities and they have been strong and vocal advocates, not just around the caucus table but around the cabinet table.

That’s why we are dedicated to ensuring that we are going to double the diagnostic hub investments. It means we’re going to go to a direct-fund model where parents will have the ability to access up to $140,000 for their child for flexible choices and how they best think they can support their child, whether that’s behavioural therapy, whether that’s a technological aid, whether that is caregiver training or respite support. But, Speaker, let me be perfectly clear: This government is committed to clearing the wait-list in 18 months and I will be the minister who does that, because we believe all children who have autism in the province of Ontario deserve support—

Interjections.

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

The House recessed from 1201 to 1300.

Members’ Statements

Mission Services of London

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I rise today to recognize the hundreds of walkers, volunteers and donors who participated in London’s Coldest Night of the Year, raising funds to support Mission Services of London.

The event came at a critical time for Mission Services, which earlier this month announced significant cuts as a result of the ever-increasing funding gap between provincial dollars and the needs of some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Over the years, this gap has been filled more and more by private donors, with some vital Mission Services programs funded as much as 60% by donations.

The gap forced Mission Services to make the difficult decision to reduce programming at Quintin Warner House, a live-in addiction treatment facility for men, and close 21 crash beds as of April 1. Last year, those 21 beds accommodated almost 7,700 stays by people whose mental health and addiction challenges prevented them from accessing traditional shelter beds.

Let’s consider the potential costs of closing the 21 crash beds if the people who use them end up in hospital every night instead. A single visit by ambulance to the emergency department, excluding the cost of the police and medical treatment, is approximately $1,100; $1,100 times $7,700 means an additional $8.4 million in hospital costs annually.

Speaker, this is a clear example of the negative consequences of short-term thinking and the failure of successive Liberal and Conservative governments to adequately support those struggling with mental health and addictions.

Bob Vesey

Mr. Lorne Coe: I’m pleased to celebrate the induction of Bob Vesey from my riding into the 2018 Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame. For 57 years, Bob has been involved as a builder for the Brooklin Redmen. He has held multiple non-playing positions during his tenure with the Redmen, including general manager, executive member, president, and golf tournament organizer.

Speaker, although the positions and accolades he has accumulated during nearly six decades of involvement are numerous, his pride rests in the championship teams that he has been part of, including 15 Ontario Lacrosse Association provincial championships, 13 Eastern Canadian championships and seven Mann Cup national championship teams.

Bob is an integral part of building the loyal fan base of the Brooklin Redmen and has been a great ambassador for the sport of lacrosse.

Congratulations, Bob Vesey, and your wife, Joan, on your well-deserved induction into the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

Autism treatment

Ms. Jennifer K. French: It has been a very busy time in our office, fielding phone calls and emails and meeting with anxious families and professionals who believe that every child with autism deserves access to appropriate services. I’ve been talking with concerned parents who want their children to be able to reach their full potential, and one would think that the government would want the same. Instead, this government is purposefully attacking their futures to save a buck.

Children who are now receiving therapy will almost certainly not be able to continue because no family that I have heard from will be able to afford the cost on their own. Capping dollars and limiting investments in our children based on age and family income is unconscionable.

I have met with service providers who will not be able to responsibly transition so many children to the school system in such a short period of time. Our schools are not prepared for the influx of school-aged children who will no longer be able to afford weekly autism therapy.

I met with behaviour analysts and therapists who cannot meet the needs of a child for the pathetic pittance that the government is offering. The government claims to offer choice to parents, but they eliminate the choice to have their children participate in evidence-based, individualized therapy catered to their needs and goals. Surely all children have a right to learn.

To provide inadequate funding, as the new OAP does, wait-list or no wait-list, is to deny innocent children the right to an accessible education. This is heartbreaking, and what a terrible, terrible way to treat our children and the autism community.

Food banks

Mr. Kaleed Rasheed: In the last year, the Mississauga Food Bank recorded an 18% increase in the number of neighbours accessing neighbourhood food banks, meal programs and other sources of emergency food. Every day, we share sidewalks, grocery store aisles and office space with these neighbours, who are struggling to make ends meet. It is disheartening to see the increase of people relying on food banks.

Earlier this year, I had the honour to host the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services in my riding of Mississauga East–Cooksville. The minister, myself and some of my esteemed colleagues had the opportunity to tour the Mississauga Food Bank in my riding. I’m proud to say that we raised $5,000 and donated several crates of food during our visit. As the MPP for Mississauga East–Cooksville, I’m proud of the work the Mississauga Food Bank does for our community.

I would also like to express my gratitude and thanks to the MPP and minister from Nepean for coming to my riding to tour the food bank and for working towards reducing poverty in our province.

W.E. Trans Support

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: Today, I want to talk about W.E. Trans Support centre in my riding and the invaluable work that they do to strengthen our trans and queer community, their families, friends and allies.

Because of the incredible support that they offer to people across Windsor-Essex, I was saddened and angry to learn that W.E. Trans Support centre was robbed late last week. Their donations were stolen and the office was damaged. Disturbingly, this appears to be a targeted attack in direct response to a local announcement that the pride flag would be flown at every Greater Essex County District School Board elementary school in June.

The W.E. Trans Support centre is resilient. Despite this attack, they are continuing to serve the community out of their downtown space, providing the services that people rely on. W.E. Trans offers a wide range of support for individuals, such as counselling and assistance with filing documentation, as well as facilitating group programs, such as youth drop-ins and inclusive social events. They also offer consultation services and training so that local businesses and organizations can ensure that their spaces are inclusive, supportive, accessible and respectful. The W.E.

Trans support centre is a crucial part of our community in Windsor-Essex, and they continue to be a safe space for those who seek their support.

I want to encourage all allies of the centre to offer their support to W.E. Trans as they restore their space, and join me in renouncing this targeted attack.

Autism treatment

Mr. John Fraser: We’ve all heard from parents in our ridings who are concerned about the new Ontario Autism Program, so I want to recap the minister’s actions so far on the new Ontario Autism Program.

First, she stopped admissions into the program and concealed this information from parents, and, in the process, wasted valuable resources.

The minister threatened a therapist group, telling them that if they didn’t support her new OAP, it would be a long four years.

The minister called parents who were expressing concern “professional protestors.” Aren’t they simply parents who will do anything for their children because they love them?

The minister has refused to release the financial details of the new program, especially the income testing. Parents should have had this from the get-go. She still hasn’t released it. It’s almost three weeks later. How can parents, or any of us in this room, have confidence and trust in the minister?

This is not a partisan issue. In 2016, when 2,200 families were going to fall between the cracks, members listened. We went back, we got a fresh set of eyes and ears to look at it and we corrected that problem. That’s what parents deserve. That’s what’s needed right now. Right now, parents need a fresh set of eyes and a fresh set of ears that will listen to them and work with them and get this right.

Lincoln M. Alexander Awards

Mr. Vincent Ke: On Monday, January 21, I represented the government at the 2018 Lincoln M. Alexander Awards ceremony. This award was created in 1993 to commemorate the legacy of the Honourable Lincoln Alexander, Ontario’s 24th Lieutenant Governor. This award is presented annually to three young people who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in promoting positive social change and eliminating racial discrimination.

For 2018, one of the award winners was from my riding of Don Valley North: Miss Lisa Wang. Congratulations. Lisa received one of the two high school students’ awards. She was president of the student council and the social justice and equity committee at Marc Garneau Collegiate. Lisa worked hard to eliminate racial discrimination at her school by hosting many initiatives to celebrate and highlight the ethnic makeup of the student body.

She has graduated and now attends Harvard University. She continues her role as an ambassador from Don Valley North and Ontario to eliminate racial discrimination globally. Congratulations on your hard work. I wish you all the best in your future goals.

Student unions

Mr. Chris Glover: Over the past month, I’ve been on a tour of colleges and universities and I’ve heard from students across this province, especially from students who are deeply, deeply concerned about the OSAP cuts and the downloading of billions of dollars of debt onto the students in this province. Many are concerned about whether they will be able to continue their studies; many others are concerned that they will not be able to pursue the careers and the studies that they had hoped to pursue.

The biggest attack that has come from this government has been the attack, both verbal and practical, on student unions. We’ve seen in Bill 66 that this is just a precursor to a bigger attack on unions and unionized workers across this province. The government has not explained how the student unions are going to be able to continue to provide essential services on their campuses such as food banks, emergency first aid response teams, student newspapers, radio stations, clubs, and safe spaces for women, racialized communities and LGBTQ communities.

The government and the Premier should stand up in this House and apologize for attacking the student unions who are providing these essential services to the students in this province, and he should reverse the downloading of billions of dollars of debt onto the students of this province.

Hockey tournament

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: On January 13, I had the pleasure of attending the Leitrim Minor Hockey Association novice tournament in Findlay Creek. It was an incredibly fun and exciting 42-team hockey tournament that showcased some of the best young hockey talent in Carleton. I was there to watch the Leitrim Hawks A-division team narrowly beat the Metcalfe Jets in the thrilling final game.

Hockey is a central part of my community. It brings people of all ages and backgrounds together in the common celebration of our great Canadian pastime. At the Leitrim Minor Hockey Association hockey tournament, I saw my community at its very best. Residents of Osgoode, Kemptville and Stittsville came out in force to cheer on the A-, B- and C-division teams in a day of team-building and fun competition. We were even pleased to welcome the Iqaluit Blizzards, who came down all the way from Nunavut and who left as the C-division champions.

I saw the creation of lasting friendships and feats of perseverance on the ice. I also saw proof that Carleton produces the best young hockey players anywhere in the province. I might be a little biased there. I had the pleasure of talking to the kids on the Metcalf Jets A-division team before they hit the ice, and I was very impressed. I also spoke with the Leitrim team as well. Their perseverance, teamwork and integrity were very impressive and served as a reminder that when we put our differences aside and work together we can get more done.

I hope that we can emulate these young athletes and continue to work together despite our differences to make this province the very best it can be for all Ontarians.

Police auxiliary units

Mr. Will Bouma: I just wanted to take a moment to talk about police auxiliary units. Last Saturday night I had the opportunity to go to the gala dinner that the city of Brantford Police Services Board and police department put on for their police auxiliary. These young men and women—they have spots for 45 of them, but as the chief said to me, “We hire the best, and so we lose the best.” They have spaces for 45, and in 2018 alone they lost 15 members to full-time police employment.

I just want to take my hat off to those young men and women around the province who take time out of their personal lives, who leave their significant others and their children at home and who volunteer their time to their community to be on the police auxiliary.

We have them in my riding in both the county of Brant with the Brant county OPP auxiliary, and also with the city of Brantford with the Brantford city police auxiliary units there. They show up at Canada Day. They show up at special events. They’re there to direct traffic for the Santa Claus parade. These are the people that really make the difference by coming and showing their support for our communities.

On behalf of the province of Ontario, to everyone who is in an auxiliary police unit, thank you.

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

Introduction of Bills

Home Care and Community Services Amendment Act (Dan’s Law), 2019 / Loi de 2019 modifiant la

Loi sur les services de soins à domicile et les services communautaires (Loi Dan)

Mrs. Gretzky moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 73,

An Act to amend the Home Care and Community Services Act, 1994 in respect of funded services for new residents / Projet de loi 73, Loi modifiant la Loi de 1994 sur les services de soins à domicile et les services communautaires en ce qui concerne les services financés pour les nouveaux résidents.

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

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Would the member for Windsor West care to give a brief explanation of her bill?

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: The bill, which in its short form is called Dan’s Law, was put together around a gentleman, Dan Duma, who was a Windsor resident and a GM employee until GM closed in Windsor. He had to move out west to work. He found out that he had cancer and had to relocate to Windsor in order to spend his final days with his family, only to find out that we do not actually have a universal health care system and that most of the supports and services that he would need, his family would have to pay for.

This bill would directly address that issue to make sure that anybody from within Canada can access the health care system in the province of Ontario when they’re talking about end-of-life care.

Petitions

School bus safety

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: I’d like to thank my constituent Lise Anne Gougeon for the petition. It’s titled “Support Seat Belts on School Buses.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas approximately 830,000 students are transported in school buses every school day in Ontario; and

“Whereas the safety of Ontario’s students should be the top priority of the government of the day, to ensure that every preventative measure is taken to protect them from harm or death on our roads and highways while travelling on school buses; and

“Whereas recently revealed evidence has demonstrated that compartmentalization is ineffective in protecting children in school bus side collisions, rollovers and vertical lifts, and that the use of three-point seat belts has been scientifically proven to mitigate the risk of potential injury or death in such events; and

“Whereas the number of 6,696 injuries and 19 fatalities across Canada since 1999 as a result of school bus accidents and collisions demands immediate action to prevent any further casualties; and

“Whereas the US National Transportation Safety Board and the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have released reports and statements recommending the installation of lap and shoulder bands on all school buses due to improved occupant protection; and

“Whereas several states in the US already have legislation in place that requires three-point seat belts on school buses; and

“Whereas Ontario has both the responsibility and an opportunity to be a national leader in ensuring that no student is unnecessarily at risk of injury or death in a school bus accident or collision; and

“Whereas numerous education, transportation and parent groups have voiced their support in making sure no effort is spared in protecting Ontario’s students;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to engage in any required consultation process with all relevant stakeholders, and to mandate the installation of three-point seat belts on school buses.”

I want to thank Lise, and I will endorse this petition by adding my signature to it as well.

Alzheimer’s disease

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Petitions? The member for Windsor–Tecumseh.

Mr. Percy Hatfield: Thank you, Speaker. I’m wearing my Alzheimer’s tie today, so it may give you a hint on what I’m about to read.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are progressive, degenerative diseases of the brain that cause thinking, memory and physical functioning to become seriously impaired...; and

“Whereas there is no known cause or cure for this devastating illness; and

“Whereas Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias also take their toll on hundreds of thousands of families and care partners; and

“Whereas Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias affect more than 200,000 Ontarians today, with an annual total economic burden rising to $15.7 billion by 2020; and

“Whereas the cost related to the health care system is in the billions and only going to increase, at a time when our health care system is already facing enormous financial challenges; and

“Whereas there is work under way to address the need, but no coordinated or comprehensive approach to tackling the issues; and

“Whereas there is an urgent need to plan and raise awareness and understanding about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias for the sake of improving the quality of life of the people it touches;

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

“To approve the development of a comprehensive Ontario dementia plan that would include the development of strategies in primary health care, in health promotion and prevention of illness, in community development, in building community capacity and care partner engagement, in caregiver support and investments in research.”

Speaker, I fully agree. I’m going to sign this and give to my friend Jacky to bring down to the table.

Fish and wildlife management

Ms. Jill Dunlop: I have a petition that reads:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the ban on hunting and trapping in sections of Ontario to protect the eastern hybrid wolf was put in place without regard for the overall ecosystem;

“Whereas this ban has adversely affected the ability of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), hunters and trappers to properly manage animal populations and Ontario’s ecosystem;

“Whereas this ban is no longer needed and is in fact causing more damage to Ontario’s ecosystem and increasing unnecessary encounters between wildlife and Ontarians;

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

“That the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry immediately lift the ban on hunting and trapping set in place to protect the eastern hybrid wolf.”

I support this petition and I will hand it to page Julian.

Affordable housing

Ms. Sandy Shaw: This petition is entitled “Affordable Housing,” which is a significant issue for the residents in my riding of Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

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

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

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

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

I’ll affix my name to this and I will give it to page Daniel to bring to the table.

Fish and wildlife management

Mr. Stephen Crawford: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas the ban on hunting and trapping in sections of Ontario to protect the eastern hybrid wolf was put in place without regard for the overall ecosystem;

“Whereas this ban has adversely affected the ability of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), hunters and trappers to properly manage animal populations and Ontario’s ecosystem;

“Whereas this ban is no longer needed and is in fact causing more damage to Ontario’s ecosystem and increasing unnecessary encounters between wildlife and Ontarians;

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

“That the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry immediately lift the ban on hunting and trapping set in place to protect the eastern hybrid wolf.”

I fully endorse and support and will sign this petition.

M. Michael Mantha: J’ai une pétition à présenter :

« Ensemble, résistons!

« À l’Assemblée législative de l’Ontario :

« Attendu que les Franco-Ontarien(ne)s qui, jour après jour, doivent se battre pour maintenir leurs droits d’avoir accès à des services et l’éducation dans la langue officielle qui est la leur; et

« Attendu que les Franco-Ontarien(ne)s occupent une place importante en Ontario, et méritent d’avoir leurs droits linguistiques constitutionnels respectés, protégés et défendus;

« Nous, soussignés, pétitionnons l’Assemblée législative de l’Ontario de :

Je suis complètement d’accord avec cette pétition. J’y affixe ma signature et je la présente à la page Michelle pour l’apporter à la table des greffiers.

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Mr. Will Bouma: I have a petition here to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) should work with and for the people of Ontario;

“Whereas clear and manageable timelines need to be provided by MNRF for all requests from Ontarians in order to provide certainty, clarity and reasonable expectations;

“Whereas MNRF should be a partner in helping the people to open up Ontario for business;

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

“That the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry reform the current service standards of MNRF to work with and for the people of Ontario.”

I am pleased to sign this petition and will give to page Hidayah.

Midwifery

Ms. Catherine Fife: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas midwives provide expert, women-centred care before, during and six weeks following birth; and

“Whereas midwifery is a female-dominated profession, with women comprising over 99% of the field; and

“Whereas midwives have been providing cost-effective care since 1994, despite not receiving a pay increase until 2005; and

“Whereas a 2016 report found that the health care industry in Ontario has a 37% gender wage gap, contributing to this provincially systemic issue; and

“Whereas the final report and recommendations of the Gender Wage Gap Strategy Steering Committee recommend, ‘the government should consult with relevant workplace parties on how to value work in female-dominant sectors using pay equity or other means’;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to direct the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to work with the Association of Ontario Midwives to reinstate a pay equity lens for the profession of midwifery, and compensate midwives appropriately for the expert, women-centred, continuum of care that they provide to pre- and post-natal mothers and infants.”

It’s my pleasure to support this petition, and I will affix my signature and give it to page Keya.

Affordable housing

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

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

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

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

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

I fully support this petition and will be adding my signature to it as well.

Indigenous affairs

Mr. Michael Mantha: “Stop the Cuts to Indigenous Reconciliation” is the title of this petition.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Ontario is situated on the traditional territory of Indigenous peoples, many of whom have been on this land for at least 12,000 years;

“Whereas reconciliation must be at the centre of all government decision-making;

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

“—continue reconciliation work in Ontario by implementing the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission;

“—reinstate the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation;

“—work with First Nations leaders to sign co-operative government-to-government accords;

“—support TRC education and community development (e.g. TRC summer writing sessions);

“—support Indigenous communities across the province” such as Cat Lake and Grassy Narrows.

I wholeheartedly agree with this petition and present it to page Hidayah to bring it down to the Clerks’ table.

Poet laureate

Mr. Percy Hatfield: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas poets laureate have been officially recognized at all levels of Canadian government and in at least 15 countries around the world; and

“Whereas the establishment of our own poet laureate for the province of Ontario would promote literacy and celebrate Ontario culture and heritage, along with raising public awareness of poetry and of the spoken word; and

“Whereas Gord Downie was a poet, a singer and advocate for Indigenous issues, and designating the poet laureate in his memory will serve to honour him and continue his legacy; and

“Whereas Bill 6,

An Act to establish the Poet Laureate of Ontario in memory of Gord Downie, will establish the Office of Poet Laureate for the province of Ontario as a non-partisan attempt to promote literacy, to focus attention on our iconic poets and to give new focus to the arts community in Ontario;

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

“To support the establishment of the Office of Poet Laureate as an officer of the Ontario Legislature and that private member’s Bill 6,

An Act to establish the Poet Laureate of Ontario Act (In Memory of Gord Downie), 2018, receive swift passage through the legislative process.”

I fully agree. I’m going to sign it and give it to Shumyle to bring up to the front.

Affordable housing

Ms. Catherine Fife: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

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

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

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

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

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

Orders of the Day

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

Ms. Jones moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill 68,

An Act with respect to community safety and policing / Projet de loi 68, Loi portant sur la sécurité communautaire et les services policiers.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I look to the minister to lead off the debate.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: I’d like to inform the House that I’ll be splitting my time with the Attorney General, as well as the members for Brampton South and Durham,

Before I begin, I’d like to thank Deputy Minister Di Tommaso and his excellent team of public servants who worked so diligently to prepare Bill 68’s introduction. In particular, I’d like to mention Sean Tout, Brian Loewen, Debbie Conrad, John Malichen-Snyder, Rebecca Ramsarran and Michelle Astill. Your long hours and detailed work allowed us to debate a truly comprehensive overhaul of policing legislation, and I believe it will ensure our communities are safer and stronger. Thank you.

I’d like to take this opportunity to express my support for law enforcement and reinforce our government’s unbending commitment to the health and well-being of our province’s first responders. Ontario is home to some of the finest and best-trained police officers anywhere in the world. There is no doubt that the incredible contributions police officers make keep our streets and families safe.

Every day, our police do incredible work to keep our families safe. Often this work is silent, preventative and unseen. Sometimes it requires police to put themselves in harm’s way. Occasionally it requires police to make difficult life-or-death decisions in the blink of an eye. But no matter what, our police can be counted on to protect us.

Often this work goes unnoticed and unseen, but last July the world watched in real time on the busy Danforth one warm summer night in July when police confronted a gunman. Two people were killed in this tragedy, and many more were injured, some seriously. They remain in our hearts and in our minds. Or last April, when a single police officer faced down a man who had turned a van into a weapon and killed 10 innocent victims on a North York sidewalk: To us, these are acts of heroes; to the police, it’s their job.

Fixing Ontario’s police legislation was an election promise for our government, and indeed, this legislation makes good on our promise. Last week, I outlined why we believe we need to fix police legislation in Ontario:

—investigations that needlessly put police under the cloud of investigation for months and years on end;

—fear that police services would be privatized and outsourced and that a private company would show up when you call 911; and

—a wedge between police officers and communities they serve by treating police officers as though they were guilty until proven innocent.

These are issues that were identified by police officers, police chiefs, police services boards, community activists, municipal leaders and, most importantly, the people of Ontario. As legislators, we now have the opportunity to address these challenges. That’s what we are sent here to do.

It was Sir Robert Peel, the architect of modern policing, who said, “The police are the public and the public are the police.” Only the most extreme anti-police activist would argue against a relationship of trust between the police and the public. Indeed, police officers tell me time and time again that trust is the most essential ingredient to effective policing.

But trust doesn’t just happen. Trust is a result of many things, including habits, patterns and the systems in which we operate. Imagine a police officer being called to a home. They’ve been called there before, and each time, they’re met with hostility, aggression and sometimes assault. We can all understand why that level of trust when called to that home would be low.

Now imagine being a police officer asked to operate in a system that doesn’t trust you. You face automatic investigation for doing your job, including trying to save a life. Those investigations hang over you for months on end. You’re not entitled to a fair hearing when facing discipline. Fairness is not even a principle of the system. That system is opaque, convoluted and lacks transparency, and you don’t have the same rights as other professionals, such as nurses and teachers, when interacting with the system. How would you feel as a police officer in that system? Would you feel closer to or further away from the people that you serve?

Now think of the people who are served by the police operating within this system. Does this system cause you to trust your police officers less? Unfortunately, it would.

This type of system serves no one. It makes police officers’ jobs more difficult. It makes police chiefs’ jobs more complicated. It makes police service boards’ jobs more complex. And it makes the people feel less safe, less secure and further from their police. It drives a wedge between the police and the public.

I think we can all agree that we share an interest in fixing the system. Let me set out how we intend to do it with the Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act.

First, we will enhance police oversight. The current system is plagued with delays and is far too complicated. This is stressful for police and undermines the confidence of the public. We will fix it. A robust oversight system is not anti-police, Speaker; it’s just the opposite. As I said, police will be the first to say that public trust is essential for them to do their jobs effectively. My colleague the Attorney General will go into further detail on this topic.

I will point out, however, that our proposed bill restores trust in police oversight by stripping away the bureaucratic layers that were weighing down the oversight process and by presenting a system that the people can easily understand and access.

A key piece of the oversight model will be the appointment of an inspector general of policing to monitor, inspect and ensure compliance regarding the delivery of adequate and effective policing in the province of Ontario.

Whereas, under the Police Services Act, 2018, the appointment of the inspector general was open-ended, with no specified term or term limit, we are proposing a term of five years, with the option for one renewal for another five years. By introducing fixed-term renewals, we strengthen the independence of the inspector general and at the same time ensure that there will always be room for renewal and diversity of perspectives by giving other qualified individuals the opportunity to serve.

Second, our proposed legislation addresses serious concerns with Bill 175’s discipline provisions. Our police don’t mind being held to a high standard. They are, after all, highly trained, skilled professionals with the utmost integrity. But when that standard is unfair and based on a presumption of guilt, it undermines the relationship between the police and the public. The professional misconduct and disciplinary provisions in the previous legislation were overly punitive and weakened procedural fairness.

On any given day, a police officer must be ready to make split-second decisions that save lives and protect families. So when faced with allegations of misconduct, a police officer also must be confident in being investigated thoroughly and in a timely manner, and judged fairly. The disciplinary framework for professional misconduct must be balanced. Tip that balance unfairly and we open the door to police officers becoming more risk-averse while performing their duties, thus undermining public safety. None of us want that.

Our proposed bill holds policing personnel accountable to a fairer process based on a standard of proof known as “clear and convincing evidence,” which is part of the current Police Services Act. Our changes ensure due process for police and have built in a principle of fairness. They continue to hold police to a high standard, a standard I know they will continue to meet and exceed, but ensure that our officers are treated as we treat other professionals like teachers and nurses.

When Sir Robert Peel said, “Police are the public and the public are the police,” I doubt having someone other than a police officer responding to an emergency call for help is what he had in mind, but that was the direction we were headed under the previous legislation. The Police Services Act, 2018, was long on its list of policing functions that could be outsourced and short on assurances that it would be a member of a police service who responds to an emergency or who is in charge of maintaining the peace. Our proposed bill reverses that. It will scrap the