The House met at 0900.

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

Prières / Prayers.

Estimates

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I recognize the President of the Treasury Board.

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: I have a message from the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, the Lieutenant Governor, signed by her own hand.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Lieutenant Governor transmits estimates of certain sums required for the services of the province for the year ending the 31st of March, 2023, and recommends them to the Legislative Assembly.

Members may take their seats.

Orders of the Day

Jim Brown

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: Speaker, if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent to allow members to make statements in remembrance for the late Mr. Jim Brown, with five minutes allotted to Her Majesty’s loyal opposition, five minutes allotted to the independent members as a group, and five minutes allotted to Her Majesty’s government.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to allow members to make statements in remembrance for the late Mr. Jim Brown, with five minutes allotted to Her Majesty’s loyal opposition, five minutes allotted to the independent members as a group, and five minutes allotted to Her Majesty’s government. Agreed? Agreed.

Today we are honoured to remember and pay tribute to a former member of our provincial Legislature, the late Mr. Jim Brown, who was the MPP for Scarborough West during the 36th Parliament.

Joining us in the Speaker’s gallery are some of Mr. Brown’s family: his wife, Magdalene Bethune; his daughter Roseanne Boileau; his son-in-law Billy Boileau; and his grandchildren William Boileau and Elizabeth Boileau.

Also in the Speaker’s gallery today is Mr. David Warner, who was the Speaker during the 35th Parliament.

I recognize the member for Scarborough Southwest.

Ms. Doly Begum: Speaker, it is an honour to rise today, as a representative for the good people of Scarborough Southwest, to pay my respects to the late member of provincial Parliament for Scarborough West, Jim Brown, a hard-working public servant and a local representative who has shown commitment and leadership for the community that I now have the privilege of representing.

I would like to take a moment to welcome the late MPP Jim Brown’s family to Queen’s Park as we pay our respects and tribute to his life and work: Magdalene Bethune; his daughter Rosie Boileau; son-in-law Billy Boileau; grandchildren William and Elizabeth. Welcome to Queen’s Park. I’m sure you’re very proud of the work that Jim Brown has done. To Liam and Lily, I am most assured that it is incredibly special to be able to visit the chamber where your grandfather proudly and diligently served his community.

I have always said that, regardless of party lines, what unites us—every single one of us sitting in the chamber today, everyone who has come before us and everyone who will have these seats in the years to come—is our commitment and dedication to our community. We’re all here with the shared goal of delivering for the people who put their trust in us. Mr. Brown proudly served as an MPP for his riding, which is also where he lived with his family and passed away peacefully. He represented what was then known as Scarborough West and is now part of Scarborough Southwest.

Mr. Brown has made great contributions to his community and our province, both in and out of political office. He was a spirited businessman with a knack for entrepreneurship, a founding member of the Toronto Sun—one of the most widely distributed newspapers in the city—and a strong supporter of encouraging youth involvement in sports. As a passionate Maple Leafs fan, Mr. Brown was heavily involved in local hockey initiatives, especially ones that created opportunities for girls to get involved in the sport. He coached, sponsored and led many leagues. He was a strong believer that girls could play the sport just as well as the boys, and always advocated for equality in sports.

Mr. Brown was a hard-working, enthusiastic and diligent MPP, and was well regarded by his colleagues, regardless of party lines. Even though I never had the privilege of meeting Mr. Brown, I know that we would have been able to share some great stories about serving this great community full of vibrant and welcoming neighbourhoods. I know Jim and I may not have agreed on many things, but I am certain that we would have enjoyed talking about our shared passion to build a better future for the hard-working people of Scarborough.

So let us all together take this moment to thank and remember the late Jim Brown for his contributions to our community and this Legislature during his time as a member of provincial Parliament for Scarborough West and beyond.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Ottawa–Vanier.

M^me Lucille Collard: I’m very pleased to stand here and pay tribute to former Scarborough West MPP Jim Brown. Jim Brown was a man of firm values and virtues who believed in the values of family. I admire that MPP Brown was a resolute defender of children’s rights and safety, and he is to be commended for his private member’s bill mandating background checks for those who will hold positions of power over children. By obtaining the support of the Ontario Teachers’ Federation, he broke down barriers in a way that is uncommon in our world that is too often defined by red-versus-blue, labour-versus-capital, urban-versus-rural political divides. MPP Brown’s effort was one of those common-sense issues that transcends partisanship and appeals to all of our common decency. MPP Brown was horrified by instances of child molestation and chose to immediately take action.

Another issue for which I owe an enormous amount of respect for the late MPP Brown is the participation of women in sports. There is absolutely no activity in this world which should be reserved for boys and not open to girls, and MPP Brown made great strides toward a more inclusive world through his coaching of women’s hockey. MPP Brown was a lifelong hockey fan, and he passed that love on to his daughter. It was his strong belief that girls should be just as big a part of hockey as boys, and he even took that as far as to enrol the girls’ hockey team he coached in a boys’ tournament. This man was far ahead of his time on this issue, as many men of his generation would have scoffed at the idea of encouraging a daughter to play hockey. These strong family-oriented issues are MPP Brown’s legacy, and I am so happy to stand here and honour his legacy.

Thank you to his wife Magdalene Bethune, his daughter Roseanne Boileau, son-in-law Billy Boileau, grandson William Boileau and granddaughter Elizabeth Boileau for being here today. Thank you for supporting him so that he could do the important work that he did.

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The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Next, the member for Scarborough Centre.

Mr. David Smith: I rise today to pay tribute to the late James Gary Brown, a former member of this Legislature and respected community leader, who passed away peacefully on January 31, 2020, at the age of 76. He is survived by his wife, Lena; his daughter, Rosie; her husband, Billy Boileau; and grandchildren Liam and Lily.

Jim served as a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, representing the riding of Scarborough West in the 36th Parliament, from 1995 to 1999. He was a likable, enthusiastic, hard-working MPP, well liked by members on both sides of the aisle.

Before entering politics, he attended York University and Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, currently known as Toronto Metropolitan University, where he received a bachelor of arts degree, an MBA and a diploma in business administration. He continued his education by completing the Certified General Accountant program and the Registered Industrial Accountant program, which is the old RIA, now CMA, program.

Jim began his career as an office manager of the Toronto Telegram in 1971. He became a founding member of the Toronto Sun, where he served as the first chief financial officer. From 1971 to 1974, he lectured at Ryerson, Seneca College and the University of Toronto, where he taught financial management, entrepreneurial studies, advanced accounting and business management.

Jim was also a self-employed businessman. In 1975, Jim purchased and managed a small established manufacturing company, Normandy Manufacturing, for 25 years, where he helped expand its operation into the United States. In addition, Jim became vice-chair, secretary and CFO of three public mining companies. In fact, Mr. Speaker, it is his experience as a businessman that motivated him to get into politics. He thought that government at the time started to dominate his life and pick on small businesses like his. I believe if he were still with us today, he would appreciate the work that our government is doing to cut the red tape and help small businesses create good jobs.

During his time in office, Jim served as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Correctional Services and as co-chair of the Ontario Crime Control Commission. Jim was dedicated to enhancing community safety, fighting crime, ending youth violence and protecting our kids. He was a strong advocate of having school teachers, sports coaches and scout leaders undergo a criminal background check before holding positions of trust and authority over children.

After his time in the Legislature, he was appointed to the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal, where he continued to serve and give back to his community.

When it came to gender equality, he was ahead of the curve. Jim was proud to support girls’ hockey and was passionate about promoting the sport and giving girls an opportunity to play. He coached and sponsored numerous local hockey teams, such as the Toronto Marlborough Girls’ Hockey Club, founded the Toronto Red Wing Girls Hockey Association and served as president of the Scarborough Girls Hockey League, among other leagues.

Scarborough continues to miss Jim and the great work he contributed to our community. I am certain that his life will continue to be celebrated and remembered. May his soul rest in peace.

Applause.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I want to thank the members for their eloquent tributes as together we give thanks for the life and public service of Jim Brown.

Margaret Birch

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: Speaker, if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent to allow members to make statements in remembrance for the late Mrs. Margaret Birch, with five minutes allotted to Her Majesty’s loyal opposition, five minutes allotted to the independent members as a group, and five minutes allotted to Her Majesty’s government.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to allow members to make statements in remembrance for the late Mrs. Margaret Birch, with five minutes allotted to Her Majesty’s loyal opposition, five minutes allotted to the independent members as a group, and five minutes allotted to Her Majesty’s government. Agreed? Agreed.

Today we are honoured to remember and pay tribute to a former member of our provincial Legislature, the late Mrs. Margaret Birch, who was the MPP for Scarborough East during the 29th, 30th, 31st and 32nd Parliaments.

Joining us today in the Speaker’s gallery are some of Mrs. Birch’s family and friends: her children Randy Birch and Jane Elliott, her friend Karen Stirrett, and Mobina Bhimani, administrative assistant for the Ontario Association of Former Parliamentarians.

Also in the Speaker’s gallery is Mr. David Warner, who was the Speaker during the 35th Parliament.

I recognize the member for Hamilton Mountain.

Miss Monique Taylor: It is an honour to rise today to pay tribute to Margaret Birch on behalf of the official opposition and the people of Ontario.

I’d like to begin by welcoming Margaret’s friends and family to the Legislature: Randy, her son; Jane Elliott, her daughter; Karen Stirrett; and Mobina Bhimani.

I would also like to recognize her many loved ones who couldn’t join us today—and like anyone who lived such a full life, the list is long:

—her son-in-law Dan Elliott;

—her grandchildren Sarah Schinkel, Jennifer Elliott and Meaghan Kabetu;

—her great-grandchildren Ethan Alexander Bond; Brandon, Ryan, Tyler and Amanda Schinkel; Peyton and Olivia Kabetu; and

—her sister Isabel Dalgleish.

Of course, there is also a large extended family and many friends who miss her dearly.

It’s not always easy to be a woman in politics, particularly not when Margaret was elected in 1971 as one of only two women in the Conservative 69-seat government. And while it’s hard to imagine how that must have felt, from time to time I’m sure every woman in the Legislature has been underestimated, has been disrespected, has experienced imposter syndrome and felt isolated because of her gender. That’s why it’s so important to have a strong support system—people who will love us unconditionally, people who will give us the inspiration that we need to fight through the adversity, and people who will believe in us when we have a crisis of faith in ourselves. So it’s a real honour to have some of you here today who were by Margaret’s side as she made history.

Along with the support of our family and friends, it’s also so important in the success of women in politics that we have great role models—role models who not only did it first, but who also did this job with dignity, integrity, passion and skill. And that’s what truly distinguishes Margaret Birch. Yes, she was the first woman to be appointed to the Ontario government’s executive council, but she also showed people—men and women alike—how tough, tenacious, resilient and impactful women in politics can be.

Margaret had to drop out of school at the age of 12 because her father got cancer and she needed to care for her four younger siblings and a new baby when her mother went back to work.

At 16, she was also working, first in tobacco fields, then at the Heinz plant, where she made sure that the label on every ketchup bottle was up to par.

Later, as she raised her children, she began volunteering for a local hospital, then worked her way up to chair of the Scarborough board of health, and eventually joined the mental health council and the social planners council.

By the time she was elected as MPP, she brought decades of work and volunteer experience, as well as invaluable lived experience, to the job. As a backbench MPP, seeing the gap in services for children and youth, she undertook to create new youth programs. Her work earned her the position of Minister without Portfolio, in which capacity she toured health care and mental health facilities. Outraged by the conditions in both, she worked hard to improve and to get progress on the way.

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In 1972, despite what I’m sure were many naysayers trying to hold her back, she ultimately proved herself as the undeniable best choice for secretary of social development, a role she held for almost a decade.

As a woman in this House, as well as the opposition critic for children, community and social services, it’s easy to see how I followed in the path that Margaret started to carve out 50 years ago. I can’t thank her personally, but I hope to honour her legacy by living up to the standard she set in working for her constituents, advocating for those in need and empowering the next generation of women in politics.

Margaret, may the example that you set never be forgotten, and may she rest in peace.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I recognize the member for Scarborough–Guildwood.

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: It is my honour to rise today and pay tribute to Margaret Birch, a Scarborough hero—anyone from Scarborough will understand that—who broke barriers for women in Ontario politics as this province’s first female cabinet minister.

Margaret’s story is literally the stuff of legends, and it remains a shining example of how important it is to have women in politics.

First elected in 1971 as the MPP for Scarborough East, Margaret’s arrival on the political scene coincided with the lowering of the voting age from 21 to 18. There can be no doubt that her presence on a provincial ballot was an immediate source of excitement and inspiration for a great many young women voting for the very first time.

Despite being one of only two women in a Legislature of 121 members, Margaret was far from intimidated, and I challenge you all to check Hansard to see some of her speeches and debates. You will see that she went toe to toe with those men in debates and in question period. She was already experienced with having to overcome adversity, as was said, after leaving school at the age of 12 to support her family. This willingness to help others was a quality that defined Margaret Birch early on, and it influenced much of what she was to go on to do.

After starting out as a volunteer at the Scarborough General Hospital, Margaret worked her way up to become chair of the Scarborough board of health in 1963. She joined the Scarborough mental health council and social planning council in 1967. She later became a member of the new hospital steering committee and was instrumental in finding the land and support needed to build what would later become known as the Scarborough Centenary Hospital. Scarborough Centenary Hospital opened in 1967, and Margaret was appointed to the hospital board of governors as a lifetime member. How fitting was it that a wing that was named after her was the place that she celebrated her 90th birthday with a strawberry social?

In 1970, she was recognized as Scarborough’s Citizen of the Year and was encouraged to run for a seat in provincial politics. Once elected, Margaret took her experience in health care and she channelled it. In her first year as an MPP, she helped to create a summer jobs program for youth. In 1972, when she was named Minister without Portfolio responsible for youth, Margaret Birch became the first female cabinet minister in Ontario’s history. She was later given the expanded portfolio that had responsibility for social services which impacted the lives of millions of Ontarians, including those living in long-term care and people with disabilities.

Margaret toured hospitals. She was open to meeting with patients and she wanted to learn more about the problems faced by the facilities. She was well known for visiting mental health institutions and advocating for improved conditions, and she was instrumental in the creation of the Assistive Devices Program.

She broke barriers in the Legislature and in society as well. To illustrate this, I’d like to read you an excerpt from Steve Paikin’s book on William Grenville Davis. It’s the story about the Albany Club, and it offers us a window into the world of Margaret Birch as she navigated it:

“Breaking the gender barrier in cabinet wasn’t Birch’s only claim to fame. At this point in its history, the downtown Toronto haunt for Conservatives for nearly a century, the Albany Club, still only permitted male members. The federal PC leader Robert Stanfield was about to make a guest appearance at the club, and Birch wanted to go. But, of course, that wasn’t permitted. Birch approached the Premier to discuss the issue.

“‘If I’m good enough to sit in this cabinet with all these men, surely I’m good enough to be a member of the Albany Club,’ she told the Premier.

“‘You’re right,’ Davis answered. ‘We’ll work on that.’

“And that is how Margaret Birch also became one of the first three female members of the Albany Club. Her proposer was none other than the 18th Premier of Ontario.”

I am so proud of this remarkable woman from Scarborough. I deeply believe that it’s vital to have women—and I say more women—engaged in politics and the trajectory of Margaret’s story shows us why. Her many notable achievements offered the people of Ontario real evidence that the contributions of women make a real difference, our voices matter and that better outcomes are possible when women are at the decision-making table.

So today, I want to express my deepest respect and admiration for Margaret Birch for stepping up in 1970 and blazing a trail for women like me to enter politics. It would be impossible to overstate the impact in expanding the possibilities for women in public life. Ontario is fortunate to have had such a remarkable role model.

I thank her family for sharing her with us for all of those years. The difference Margaret Birch has made in this province is profound.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The associate minister.

Hon. Charmaine A. Williams: I’m honoured to stand in this House before you all today to truly highlight a heroic woman, a pioneer, a trailblazer, and as the Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity, I know first-hand the importance of ensuring women’s voices are heard and reflected in this House in Ontario.

Today, there are many, many great women in this House, but before us there was Margaret Birch. Margaret Birch was best known as Ontario’s first female cabinet minister, a pioneer of our history in this province. In September 1972, then-Premier Bill Davis, Mr. Brampton, appointed her to cabinet as Minister without Portfolio responsible for youth. At that very moment, Premier Davis did more than just change cabinet; he helped change history. Minister Birch would later be promoted and serve nearly a full decade as Ontario’s Provincial Secretary for Social Development. Not only does she have this distinct honour, but also the honour of being the first female member of Toronto’s Albany Club, whose membership was limited to men, as we just heard, but that happened until Ms. Birch, as I like to say, kicked down that door.

Margaret Birch did these things at a time when being a woman in politics was infinitely more difficult than it is now. She had taken care of her family since she was 12. Her work ethic and strong commitment to her family took her through an amazing career path: working the tobacco fields of southwestern Ontario to placing the stickers on Heinz ketchup bottles.

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She would later get married and move to Scarborough, where she volunteered for the local hospital. She worked her way up to becoming the chair of the Scarborough board of health. In 1963, she was named to the steering committee which built the Scarborough Centenary Hospital and she was a charter member of the hospital’s board of governors.

She would also get deeply involved in both the Scarborough social planning council and mental health council of Scarborough, the latter of which she was instrumental in creating and served as its first chairperson. As I said at the start of this address, this woman has accomplished a lot of firsts.

In 1970, she was chosen as Scarborough’s Rotary Club Citizen of the Year. The Rotary Club is well respected across the world—what an honour. But her entrance to politics was far from assured. She chose one of the most closely contested ridings in Scarborough East. But having Birch as the candidate made all the difference as she captured the seat with 41% of the vote.

Often described by political opponents as “nice,” her love, her dedication and care for her community was evident to all at the Legislature. I’ve been told that she was kind, she respected everyone and worked across the floor. Liberal leader Robert Nixon described her then as a competent and gracious person. NDP leader Stephen Lewis would add that she should be “one of the most capable Tory MPPs of either sex” and she “should be absolutely first-rate” in her job.

She was a beloved daughter of the late Wallace and Mary Stewart of Leamington and wife to the late Guy Birch. She is survived by her wonderful children, Randy and Jane.

Margaret passed away in October of 2020 at the young age of 99, but not before she was able to be here at 95 and listen to many pay tribute to her accomplishments here in this House.

I know, Randy and Jane, you are here today with friends and family. To both of you I say, thank you for sharing your mother. Thank you for sharing her with this great province, with her community. As a mother myself, of five children, I know it is hard to balance politics and motherhood, but she did it with grace. I can only imagine, though, how much harder it would have been in 1972.

I have said many times on this floor that women belong in all places, in all spaces and at every single sector and every table. Over 40 years ago, a woman paved the way for my seat and many other women’s seats in this House. Her name was Margaret Birch, and we’ll never forget her.

Applause.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I thank the members for their eloquent tributes as together we give thanks for the life and public service of Margaret Birch.

James A. Taylor

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I recognize the Minister of Infrastructure.

Hon. Kinga Surma: Speaker, if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent to allow members to make statements in remembrance for the late Mr. James A. Taylor, with five minutes allotted to Her Majesty’s loyal opposition, five minutes allotted to the independent members as a group and five minutes allotted to Her Majesty’s government.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Miss Surma is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to allow members to make statements in remembrance for the late Mr. James A. Taylor, with five minutes allotted to Her Majesty’s loyal opposition, five minutes allotted to the independent members as a group and five minutes allotted to Her Majesty’s government. Agreed? Agreed.

Today, we are honoured to remember and pay tribute to a former member of our provincial Legislature, the late Mr. James A. Taylor, who was the MPP for Prince Edward–Lennox during the 29th, 30th, 31st, 32nd and 33rd Parliaments.

Joining us today in the Speaker’s gallery are some of Mr. Taylor’s family: his children, Cynthia Taylor Huff, Kim Taylor and Jim Taylor; his daughter-in-law, Sue Taylor; his granddaughters, Kaitlyn Taylor and Taylor Huff; and his granddaughter’s partner, Mark Badrov.

Also in the Speaker’s gallery is Mr. David Warner, who was the Speaker during the 35th Parliament.

I recognize the member for Ottawa West–Nepean.

Ms. Chandra Pasma: It is an honour to rise in the House on behalf of the official opposition and all people of Ontario to pay tribute to James Allan Taylor, a former member of the Legislature.

James was born in 1928 in Timmins, Ontario. He attended the University of Toronto, then studied law at Osgoode Hall, and then immediately embarked on a long career of public service in Ontario, serving from 1951 to 1957 with the borough of Scarborough. He worked his way up from an articling student to become a legal adviser and solicitor for the municipal corporation of Scarborough.

James was named a Queen’s counsel in 1963. He served as legal counsel to the Ontario Select Committee on Conservation Authorities in Ontario from 1965 to 1967. During this time, he moved to Prince Edward County and eventually purchased property in South Bay, where he settled into life in this community.

In the 1968 election, James ran as a candidate for the federal Progressive Conservative Party in Scarborough East. Although he was unsuccessful in his bid for a seat in the House of Commons, he persisted in his electoral pursuits, running in the 1971 provincial election in Prince Edward–Lennox. He served the people of Prince Edward–Lennox continuously for 17 years, winning four elections during that time.

During his time in this assembly, James held a variety of positions and was a strong and effective parliamentarian. He served on all of the standing committees and a number of select committees.

In 1975, Premier Bill Davis appointed James as the Minister of Community and Social Services. Davis tasked James with reining in spending in community and social services, but James quickly learned about the complexity of the issues in the portfolio and shifted to advocacy. In particular, the challenges facing seniors prompted him to advocate for a 5.5% funding increase for community organizations that supported seniors. He also funded 27 pilot projects across the province, with the goal of delivering care for seniors through the use of community organizations. In his home riding of Prince Edward–Lennox, this pilot project facilitated the coordination and collaboration of nearly 20 local groups. This project became the genesis of the Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2017. James has had a lasting impact on community supports for seniors across Ontario.

In 1977 and 1978, James served as the Minister of Energy, leading the government’s restructuring of public utility commissions.

Prior to the 1987 election, James announced that he would not be seeking re-election as an MPP. This announcement was met with appreciative remarks about James from across the political spectrum. Liberal MPP Larry South of Frontenac–Addington remarked that “NDP people even liked him,” and went on to say, “You always knew where Jim was coming from.... Everyone seemed to have such admiration for him and for the way he always put forth his case. Jim was such a classy guy, no rancor and no personal attacks.”

Despite near-universal admiration, there may have been one person who was a little less impressed. James once quipped that “behind all successful men, you will probably find a very surprised mother-in-law.”

James did not stay away from public life for long. His devotion to his community and his neighbours led him to run for mayor of the newly amalgamated Prince Edward county in 1998. He served as mayor until 2003, helping to shape 11 formerly independent municipalities into one cohesive government.

His decision in 2003 to leave municipal politics was motivated by his love for and desire to be with his family. James was a very family-oriented individual. His wife, Mary Marguerite, was his best friend. He once noted that Mary was indispensable to him on grueling campaign trails, as he relied on her for inspiration and energy.

He was a father of four and grandfather of 10, and I want to take a moment to recognize members of James’ family who are here with us today and watching us. Cynthia, Kim, Jim, Sue, Kaitlyn, Taylor and Mark, thank you for joining us today, and thank you for sharing your father and grandfather with us.

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Throughout his career, James demonstrated a commitment to the principles of democratic governance and meaningful participation in civic life. He passed away on September 1, 2020, at 92 years of age. He leaves behind a commendable legacy, and his family, friends and community should be so proud of his accomplishments and contributions.

On behalf of all members, I would like to thank James for his service and offer his family and loved ones our sincere condolences.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Kingston and the Islands.

Mr. Ted Hsu: It’s an honour to rise to say a few words of tribute to the Honourable Mr. James A. Taylor, member of provincial Parliament for Prince Edward–Lennox from 1971 to 1987.

While writing this tribute about Mr. Taylor, one thing became very apparent: He was an extremely hard worker and took nothing for granted. Mr. Taylor was a candidate in many elections, and unlike most people who run, he had the good fortune of being victorious on numerous occasions. As all of us in this chamber can agree, that type of good fortune requires a lot of dedication and hard work, especially since Mr. Taylor’s first kick at the can didn’t end up the way he hoped. But perseverance and dedication seemed to be in his nature. Trying again, he was successful in his next five elections, even in a riding where, as one newspaper put it, “You could run a spotted dog or a hydro pole and as long as it was a Tory, they would still win.” Mr. Taylor worked diligently to ensure he earned the trust of his constituents, knocking on doors, talking to his neighbours, and not taking anything for granted.

Representing our constituents and our neighbours is a privilege, something that should be taken with the utmost responsibility. James Taylor lived by that rule every day. Not only did he have a reputation of being a loyal and dedicated public servant, he had a great track record of growing his community, and not only getting results for his constituents but for all of Ontario. From improving arenas in small-town Ontario, where that can mean the world, to leading overseas trade missions, as a backbencher and a member of cabinet, James Taylor was always working for Ontarians.

He was also an avid traveller, and because of his keen interest in local governance, Mr. Taylor had a broad knowledge of international affairs, an area he was always passionate about.

Outside of his professional life, Mr. Taylor was inseparable from the outdoors. He liked to spend much of his time with his family: skiing, boating, hunting and fishing. Mr. Speaker, as someone who represents a neighbouring riding, I can see why Mr. Taylor loved the outdoors so much. Prince Edward county, even to this day, is absolutely stunning no matter what time of year.

I’d like to thank his family. James was husband to Mary Marguerite, father to Kim, Cynthia and Jim, grandfather to Kaitlyn and Taylor, many of whom are here in the Legislature today with all of us. Thank you for sharing him with us.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to say a few words of tribute on behalf of the Ontario Liberal caucus in honour of Mr. Taylor.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Bay of Quinte and Minister of Energy.

Hon. Todd Smith: Good morning, everyone. I want to thank my colleagues across the aisle for their kind remarks about Mr. Taylor and all of the other members that we’ve recognized here today. This is such a great tradition that we have in the Legislature now, to honour our former members, and everybody has spoken very eloquently this morning.

Before I begin my remarks, I just want to say that I believe our collective thoughts are with Queen Elizabeth this morning as well. Hopefully, she is resting peacefully at Balmoral Castle.

I’m really honoured to see the Taylor family here this morning. We’re missing Cynthia, I believe, but I see Kim and I see James Jr. there, and I see a number of other people. It’s great to have you here with us today.

Jim was somebody I knew pretty well, having now been the member—not a spotted dog—for Bay of Quinte and Prince Edward–Hastings for 11 years. Jim was one of the guys who paved the way and he had a great career here at Queen’s Park. He was a great consensus-builder who discovered Prince Edward county in his travels. As we heard, he adopted it as his home and served its people for the rest of his life—including being elected to this House by the residents of Prince Edward–Lennox five separate times between 1971 and 1987.

He grew up in Timmins as the middle child in his family. He headed to Toronto for higher education, as many northerners did at that time, ultimately graduating from law school at Osgoode Hall in 1953. He was not only tough to best in the courtroom in those days, he also loved to box, and he was a championship wrestler and brought a title to the University of Toronto Blues back in his collegiate days. Of course, he linguistically wrestled many of his opponents for 17 years here on the floor of the Legislature—and I know he especially loved to wrestle the members of the NDP to the ground during his time here at the Legislature.

It was through the law that James got into public service and spent most of his life there. He started the legal department at the city of Scarborough, managed its affairs for a time before becoming a Queen’s Counsel.

Perhaps it was our region’s good fortune that he lost that federal election in Scarborough back in the early 1970s, because after that, he decided that he would move to Prince Edward county, and he had all the success there. He found some farmland in the county and adjusted to local life by raising beef cattle in South Marysburgh, one of the beautiful parts of Prince Edward county indeed.

Within three years, he had won his first election by a 3,000-vote margin, and as a backbench member of the Bill Davis-led government here at Queen’s Park, he sunk his teeth into committee work related to public accounts, justice, and natural resources.

Following his first re-election in 1975, it was at that point that he got that familiar phone call to serve in the cabinet as Minister of Community and Social Services. He once recalled to the Gazette that he thought that Premier Davis liked him because he was a tough, no-nonsense person who could make the difficult decisions needed in that era of rising inflation. In getting into the portfolio, he discovered that he had an opportunity to really shape social programming to make lives easier for Ontarians. He started a series of community-based pilot programs, as we heard, including one in Prince Edward county, to provide services for seniors living in their communities—what has now grown to become, in most parts of the province, Community Care for Seniors. They just celebrated their 40th anniversary in Prince Edward county. I would say that the Honourable James A. Taylor is responsible for that great program that exists in many of our communities across the province today. They’re beloved in Prince Edward county, offering Meals on Wheels, rides to appointments, social inclusion and recreation, and they were incredibly valuable during the recent pandemic, for the last two and a half years.

After his time at the Ministry of Community and Social Services, he did step into the energy portfolio in a challenging period. Canada faced an energy challenge with skyrocketing oil prices and supply shortages. He was a stern advocate for affordability, and he stepped down from his post when he felt that the House wasn’t doing enough to meet the challenge posed.

As the MPP for Prince Edward–Lennox, Jim continued to work hard in this place for his constituents for close to a decade, warning about inflationary costs and, again, sinking his teeth into committee work and advocating for his community.

The member from Kingston noted that he fought very hard for the Picton Arena when it burned down. There’s a great story behind that. I won’t bore you with the details today, but it is a great story about how he went to bat for his community and the arena.

He also spent time as the parliamentary assistant to the Honourable Frank Miller on the industry and trade file, and that allowed an opportunity to see the world. He travelled all around the world, bringing the Ontario message to countries everywhere.

After deciding not to run again in 1987, Jim enjoyed retirement with his wife and his children, Kim, Cynthia, James Jr. and Timothy, at their North Port home on the north shore of Prince Edward county on the Bay of Quinte. I know those family dinners at the dining room table were incredibly important and a great memory for the family members, of course, because it was there where Jim would also hold court. He had a great sense of humour and a dry wit and was a very, very knowledgeable person. I can just picture the family sitting around the table and the great memories they must have of those family dinners.

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But he wasn’t retired for long. He felt that calling to public service, and an unusual opportunity presented itself in Prince Edward county. The legislated municipal amalgamations of 1998 would bring all of those separate communities in Prince Edward county together, and there was a change in the way that services were going to be offered and paid for. Who better to lead this new municipality as its first mayor than Jim Taylor, with all of the experience he had at Queen’s Park and also in Scarborough? He had the resolve to bring people together in consensus and the strength to demand professionalism. He was that pro at the table.

I was just talking to Kevin Gale, who was a long-time councillor, last night, about Jim. Kevin said, “Jim was the right man for the job, period,” at that time. And as the first mayor of the new municipality of Prince Edward county, he served two terms there. He also lent his experience on the finance resources committee and other economic bodies, and that’s when I first met him. I was a young member of the local media there, and Jim was super accessible as the mayor, always advocating for his community and always had great humour and a joke.

Years later, in 2011, I’m running in my first election, and being the good Tory that he is, he was at the campaign office opening in 2011, and he was there in 2014, and he was there in 2018 as well. A great sense of humour—same jokes every campaign, but they always went over extremely well with the crowd that was gathered there. Just a super supporter, and Mary was always at his side at these campaign office openings.

He was always there, and I remember visiting him at his home in Picton, and offering great advice and support to me during this time. I think we all have mentors in our lives, and I would say that Jim Taylor was one of those people for me. I’ve paid tribute to other former members like Doug Rollins and others that have passed, in my riding—Bud Gregory, the “Mississauga rattler,” as he was known in this place—who were great mentors. But Jim Taylor certainly was one of those people.

And I can tell you that in 2022, when we had our campaign office open, Jim wasn’t there, of course, because he passed in 2020, and it just wasn’t the same. There was something missing at our campaign office opening this time.

Jim did a fabulous job and was a great, great leader in our community for many, many, many years. I had the opportunity this summer—and the family members were there and Jim Jr. was actually speaking at that time. We were up at Macaulay Mountain in Picton and opened a special millennium project there in honour of James A. Taylor. It’s a lookout where you can see over not just downtown Picton, but you can see all over the county from this site that’s named in honour of Jim Taylor.

It was a great day, and Mayor Ferguson, the current mayor of Prince Edward county, and other council members were there to dedicate this park and lookout in his honour. It was there I joked about the similarities with Jim Taylor and another famous James Taylor, who was obviously huge in the 1970s. Member Yakabuski could probably sing a few of his tunes if I asked him to because he has 6,000 songs in his head. But the singer James Taylor aptly described a politician’s life in one of his hit songs:

I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain

I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end

I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend

But I always thought that I’d see you again

I think so many of us in this Legislature can relate to that. There are great days and there are lonely days as well in this job. His other big hit was You’ve Got a Friend. As was mentioned, he had friends on all sides of the aisles. He had some spirited debates in this House, Mr. Speaker, but at the end of the day, there was always a smile and a handshake. It was all in making the province a better place.

So to the family members who are here and to those who will be watching this, I want to say thank you to the family of Jim Taylor—a great member of the Legislature, an amazing first mayor for the beautiful county, Prince Edward county, where many of us go to visit, especially during the summertime, but all around the year now. It’s because of his great work that Prince Edward county is what it is today, and because of his great work on files at social services and also at energy, our province is in a better position today as well.

I just want to thank all of you for sharing your father and grandfather with us. His leadership meant a world of difference to the people of Ontario and the people of Prince Edward county. Thank you all for being here.

Thank you for your kind words.

Applause.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I thank the members for their eloquent tributes as together we give thanks for the life and public service of Jim Taylor.

Orders of the day?

Hon. Todd Smith: No further business.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): There being no further business at this time, this House stands in recess until 10:15 a.m.

The House recessed from 0955 to 1015.

Members’ Statements

Events in Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound

Mr. Rick Byers: It is my pleasure this morning to bring this House news about two recent events in Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound.

The first is the two fantastic fall fairs I had the privilege of attending this past weekend. In the great community of Durham, our colleague the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs was there with us to see this excellent fair. There was a great presence from the local agricultural community, including many members of local 4H clubs—lots of future farmers showing their skills. Then I was off to Desboro for their fall fair opening. The Desboro fair always starts with a great parade through town. I was pleased to be part of that parade as MP Alex Ruff and I rode in a manure spreader. I understand that Bill Murdoch started this great tradition, and it was lots of fun. Congratulations and thanks to the organizers of both these great fall fairs.

The other event I want to highlight and make this House aware of was the Stanley Cup coming to Sauble Beach on August 29. Kurtis MacDermid, who plays for the Stanley Cup champions, Colorado Avalanche, grew up in Sauble Beach and played minor hockey there and in nearby Shallow Lake. Kurtis and his family were all there, along with an estimated 10,000 local people. The sun shone brightly on Lord Stanley’s cup in Kurtis’s hometown. Congratulations on your great achievement, Kurtis. You’ve made our great Grey-Bruce community very proud.

Cricket clubs

Ms. Doly Begum: Today I want to talk about cricket, a sport loved, and even religiously followed, by over 1.5 billion people across the world. Many of them call Ontario their home—immigrants from Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Australia who have brought their love of cricket to this beautiful province.

There are over 25 teams just in my riding of Scarborough Southwest. Yet a complete lack of infrastructure and barriers to accessing practice space, even when the city fields sit empty, has left local cricket groups with little to no options.

Cricket enthusiasts, like Hossain Shumon from our community, camp overnight on the playing pitch—that’s the centre of the field that allows cricket to be played—just so they can play in the morning. Because there are so few fields, while he’s doing that, usually there are a few others who will show up, realizing that they missed their opportunity.

Let me tell you about another cricket organizer named Gulam Imran who has been working tirelessly for the past two years just to secure a regular space to play cricket during the summer. There are empty fields and recreational facilities across the city, especially in Scarborough, but local youths who live in these communities and want to play a sport that they love are turned away. By comparison, cities like Brampton, Milton and Mississauga actually have cricket facilities for residents to use.

Our local youths deserve better. It is time that Scarborough and Toronto residents had the same opportunity to play a sport that they love.

Kerrfest and Kerrfest Kids

Mr. Stephen Crawford: Good morning. It is an honour to rise in the Legislature and bring awareness to great organizations, celebrations and events in my home riding of Oakville.

I want to thank the Kerr Village Business Improvement Area, the BIA, for keeping Oakville a friendly, successful community for all business owners and residents. I would like to thank the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport for bringing the Reconnect Festival and Event Program to Oakville. I would also like to thank the minister for your support for the funding for our community with a generous investment of $173,000, and specifically $55,000 to the Kerr Village BIA.

Each year the Kerr Village BIA organizes a September weekend event. Tonight I’m excited to be attending the opening of the seventh annual Kerrfest and Kerrfest Kids festival event, which runs from Thursday, September 8 to September 11.

To kick off the fall season, the Kerr festival will be bringing delicious food vendors and incredible live musical entertainment, including—many of you may remember—the Canadian rock band Chilliwack; an east coast night with Jimmy Rankin, and the Irish Descendants; 54-40; the Box, Bill Durst; and many more.

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Kerrfest will have something for all ages and Kerrfest Kids will provide a meet-and-greet with characters from PAW Patrol and Bob the Builder.

Not only will I be attending the Kerr Festival tonight, I’m proud to have my constituency office located right in the heart of the Kerr Village community. Kerr Street has a welcoming, eclectic, trendy vibe that merges small-town hospitality with urban revitalization.

I invite everybody in this Legislature to bring their family, have a staycation and visit Oakville for the entertainment this weekend at the Kerr Village festival.

Long-term care

Ms. Catherine Fife: Good morning. Yesterday, I introduced the Till Death Do Us Part legislation for the third time. I first became involved with reunification of couples in long-term care back in December 2017. In 2019, I learned of the story of Jim McLeod and his wife, Joan, who now have been separated for four and a half years. He travelled here to listen to the debate in 2019 and wasn’t impressed that the bill sat in committee for three years before prorogation.

Recently, I learned of the quest of my constituent Debbie Wang. She is on a challenge to reunite her father, who is in a long-term-care home here in Toronto, as it’s the only place he can receive culturally appropriate care, and her mother, who is an ALC patient at Cambridge Memorial Hospital and will soon be forced to move to a long-term-care facility not of her choosing, due to Bill 7. Debbie’s father said his ongoing separation from his mother is making him lose his will to live. Ontario is failing them.

I’ve raised this issue with successive ministers over the years. The pandemic obviously revealed how broken the caring of seniors has become under successive governments. One could argue rectifying the situation is a matter of compassion and humanity.

The government House leader has said that in the wake of the passage of Bill 7, every effort will be made to keep patients “as close as possible” to their families. This is your chance to put those words into action. Let’s get it done.

Eli Palfreyman

Ms. Jess Dixon: Eli Palfreyman turned 20 just this summer, on July 2. Several weeks later, he was named captain of the Ayr Centennials. On August 30, he brought his team to the ice in a pre-season tournament game. Eli was proud, handsome, smiling, vibrant. He never came home. Eli collapsed and passed away in the locker room during the first intermission of the game. His cause of death is unknown.

Eli was one of Cambridge’s sons, coming up with the Cambridge Hawks before forging on with the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, playing for the Kitchener Dutchmen and Pelham Panthers and joining the Ayr Centennials last year.

With friends and former teammates throughout the Ontario hockey diaspora, Eli’s influence and loss is felt everywhere. Known to his friends as Ziggy, Zigs, even Fry Man, Eli is remembered as a bright spark, a constant source of energy and laughter, the guy who could always be relied on to get your mood up if you were feeling own.

Brett, Eli’s dad, knows that his son was a leader, a person that people looked up to, everyone’s best friend.

Losing Eli has hit the hockey community hard. I know that in Eli and his mom, Tammy, and his dad and his sister, Ella, families across Ontario see themselves. They see their own son, their brother, their friend, their teammate. In grief, they are united.

A favourite author of mine, Terry Pratchett, wrote that no one is truly dead until the ripples they cause in the world finally die away. In that case, from what I have heard of Eli, he will live forever. Rest in peace, number 17.

Poverty

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: My office has noticed a disturbing trend: More than ever, we are seeing families, especially single-support families, being pushed onto the street. These parents are terrified for their children and tell us their only next option is to buy a tent and hope for the best.

Speaker, I came to this House four years ago to help children realize their potential. Now, after four years of this government, I am seeing more and more of them live in poverty. How will these children ever be able to access or reach their potential with nowhere safe to live, no access to school and no one looking out for them? We’re going in the wrong direction.

The opposition has put forward solution after solution. Today, my colleagues and I will re-table the Rent Stabilization Act to help keep people in their homes. I look forward to all members supporting this important legislation.

This government also needs to listen to the people of Ontario and finance and build new affordable and non-market rental homes. Years have been wasted as this government hopes private, for-profit developers will create truly affordable housing. Hope is not a plan. This government needs to actually do the building that will help families who live in poverty.

When will enough be enough? How many children need to live on the street before this government will recognize that Ontario is in a state of crisis?

Ojibway National Urban Park

Mr. Andrew Dowie: The Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve was regulated by the government of Ontario in 1977, and protects and perpetuates tallgrass prairie and various plants and significant species. Thanks to the foresight of our predecessors in this House, these provincial lands are protected to the highest possible degree.

This government supports considering an integration of the Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve with adjacent lands under the management of Parks Canada, to facilitate the creation of Ojibway National Urban Park. This was a commitment made by our government as part of its endorsement of Platform 4 Windsor, put forward by Windsor’s mayor, Drew Dilkens.

I bring forward to this House today a new motion that is nearly identical to motion number 1, presented by the member for Windsor West, and which is scheduled for debate in this House shortly. This newly tabled motion provides a clear path forward to gain the support of this House for the Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Reserve becoming managed by Parks Canada, as part of the Ojibway National Urban Park area, as described by Bill C-248.

Our government looks forward to Parks Canada initiating the proposed committee for the project, which includes partners such as the city of Windsor, the government of Ontario, the Caldwell First Nation, the Walpole First Nation, the Huron-Wendat Nation and Hydro One. I’m proud that our government supports working together to create Ojibway National Urban Park, and I ask all members of this house for their support in getting it done.

Gun violence / Violence armée

M^me Lucille Collard: Last night, we heard vibrant testimonies as to why private member’s Bill 9, Safe and Healthy Communities Act (Addressing Gun Violence), moved by the member for Scarborough–Guildwood, is so important to support. Bill 9 is about supporting victims. It’s about supporting families traumatized by gun violence and about making our communities safe. Bill 9 is also about prevention, which is so important in the fight against this public health issue.

Last night, the government referred to their Roadmap to Wellness as a reason to say no to Bill 9, but the Roadmap to Wellness doesn’t mention gun violence even one time. So what the government is saying to these victims is, “You can wait until we develop a program for you.” Well, Bill 9 would make services available to an existing system with expanded capacity. It is difficult to understand why any member in this House would refuse to support such common-sense measures.

Dans ma circonscription d’Ottawa–Vanier, l’impact de la violence armée est trop bien ressenti. Quarante-quatre fusillades ont eu lieu cette année à Ottawa. Il est insoutenable de continuer d’aller à des funérailles sans pouvoir expliquer aux parents et aux proches ce que le gouvernement fait concrètement pour enrayer la violence armée.

Le projet de loi 9 de la députée de Scarborough–Guildwood est un pas concret pour les aider. J’encourage tous les membres de cette Chambre à voter en faveur.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Mr. Rob Flack: Tomorrow, September 9, represents fetal alcohol awareness day, a day that shares valuable information and spreads awareness about this spectrum disorder.

Approximately 583,000 individuals across our province have fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, also known to many as FASD. This is a diagnostic term used to describe the impact on the brain and body of individuals who have been prenatally exposed to alcohol. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is a lifelong disability. One thing is certain: These individuals need special supports to help them live full and meaningful lives.

Speaker, FASD is a complex disability. It is challenging to both recognize and diagnose. That being said, FASD is one of Canada’s leading spectrum disabilities. Shockingly, this disorder is two and a half times more common than autism. Approximately 4% of Canadians have FASD.

Tomorrow the city of St. Thomas, which is in my riding, will participate in the FAS Bell Concordance. I would like to encourage all members to take the time tomorrow to learn something new about FASD and share it with their friends, family and colleagues. Together let us further educate and effectively communicate our way to eliminating fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

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Whitby Warriors

Mr. Lorne Coe: A couple of weeks ago, I was in Brampton to watch the Whitby lacrosse team win its eighth Minto Cup title as the best junior lacrosse team in Canada. They edged out the Edmonton Miners 6-5 in the old Brampton arena for a 2-1 win in the best-of-three Junior A lacrosse champion series final. It ends a long and successful season for the team, but it didn’t come easily. Parker Pipher scored the winning goal with just under 10 minutes to play in the third period. But the real drama came with just 30 seconds to go in the contest, when Edmonton missed on a penalty shot, sealing the title for the Whitby team.

The Minto Cup championship concludes an outstanding season for the Whitby team, who knocked off St. Catharines, Orangeville, and Toronto Beaches in league playoffs on the way to the Minto Cup. Overall, they only lost one game all season—one game.

Congratulations to the team members, coaches and management on becoming Canadian Junior A lacrosse champions for the eighth time.

Introduction of Visitors

Ms. Christine Hogarth: It is my pleasure to introduce Konrad Noronha, who is the parent of Apollo, our page today. Welcome to the Legislature.

Hon. Monte McNaughton: I am really excited to have family members of mine here today: Dr. Deb McNaughton from Grand Bend, Ontario, and Barb Newcomb from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Jamie West: I’m very pleased to introduce Sister Patty Coates, the president of the Ontario Federation of Labour. I am sure the minister was going to introduce her. As you know, Speaker, the OFL is Canada’s largest labour federation, representing more than one million of Ontario’s workers. Welcome to the Legislature of Ontario.

Mrs. Daisy Wai: I’m happy this morning; I have a team of friends from Richmond Hill and Mississauga. Please join me to welcome presidents and directors from the Dawoodi Bohras of Canada, including the president of the Toronto chapter, Zoeb Galiakotwala; the president of the Mississauga chapter, Behlah Ayman; Mansur Kanchwala; Qusai Kanchwala; Habib Tawawala; Murtaza Abid; Nafeesa Kapacee; and Anwar Bawangaonwala. Welcome to all of them. I am happy they are bringing greetings from His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin. Welcome to the chamber.

Mr. Deepak Anand: As a parent or a caregiver, it is always a pleasure to see our children in action. I’d like to welcome Farah Rahim, proud mother of page Zara Hameed, with auntie Israni Coordy, as proud father Azeem Hameed is joining us online. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Fire drill

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I have an important announcement. We will have deferred votes after question period, and following those votes, I want to ask all members to remain in their seats for an important emergency briefing from the Sergeant-at-Arms and a subsequent fire drill that will take place.

Independent members

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I understand the member for Ottawa–Vanier may have a point of order.

M^me Lucille Collard: I am seeking unanimous consent that, notwithstanding standing order 40(e), the independent members be allotted a total of five minutes as a group to respond to ministerial statements today.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Madame Collard is seeking unanimous consent of the House that, notwithstanding standing order 40(e), the independent members be allotted a total of five minutes as a group to respond to the ministerial statements today. Agreed? Agreed.

Question Period

Health care

M^me France Gélinas: Ma question est pour la ministre de la Santé.

Every question period in this Parliament, the official opposition has brought the story of struggling Ontarians: people who waited hours in the emergency room in pain, people who had to leave the hospital without getting the care they needed, people who have waited in agony for urgent surgery. All this because of staff shortages, being made worse every day by this government’s actions.

Why is this government willing to make the waiting worse by expanding private surgical clinics, siphoning more of our staff away from public hospitals?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: We have always said that we need to look at these challenges in a way that goes outside of what we are currently doing in the province of Ontario. As the member opposite knows, we do have clinics, like the Shouldice Hospital, that currently operate and have operated for decades in the province of Ontario. We will continue to work with those partners—all partnerships. We’ve seen innovative models with community care paramedics. We’ve seen innovative models with 911 off-loads, with dedicated off-load nurse practitioners who are able to take those emergency department patients so that the paramedics can go back out onto the road.

All of these are innovations, new ways of approaching an existing problem that has been plaguing our health care system for, frankly, years and years. We’re going to make sure that those innovations are available to all communities. I’ve often spoken about the paramedic program that’s available in 49 areas. We’re going to expand that, because it’s working.

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

M^me France Gélinas: Over the last month, families in Ontario have watched as the crisis across the province in health care has gotten worse and worse. Over the summer, at least 26 hospitals have been forced to close their emergency department to patients. And across the province, nurses and health care workers are leaving in droves. More than ever, we need a plan to strengthen publicly delivered health care and support the nurses and front-line health care workers who provide it.

Why is this government so determined to let this crisis go on and tell us that the only way out is to privatize more of our health care system?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: You know, I’m proud of the work that we’ve already put in place. We’ve already expanded the ability for hospitals to have more post-surgeries happening beyond the standard 9-to-5 or 9-to-6 operations. We’re easing pressures on our emergency departments, and as recently as this week, the college of nurses has now worked with us and expedited internationally educated health care workers.

We’re working with our partners. When they bring forward ideas and suggestions that we see have an opportunity to improve the health human resources in Ontario, we’re doing that. This is not an Ontario-exclusive issue. We’re seeing it in jurisdictions across Canada—indeed, the world. But we’re making sure that where we have opportunities for engagement, for improvements, we’re doing that, and, of course, most recently that’s the college of nurses with our internationally trained educators.

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

M^me France Gélinas: Nurses and health care workers have been crystal clear: This government is making the health care crisis worse. Whether it is punishing seniors by forcing them away from their families into substandard for-profit long-term-care homes, whether it is funding more for-profit clinics, pulling money and staff away from the public system, the crisis is getting worse, not better. No one in Ontario should be wondering whether the emergency department is going to be open when they need it.

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Will the government stop selling more of our health care system to private investors and bring in a staffing strategy that will improve publicly delivered health care?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: I am proud of the fact that our five-point plan that we announced last month with the Minister of Long-Term Care has already started to bear fruit. We’ve seen that with a willingness and, frankly, excitement from both the College of Nurses and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario where they are going to expedite. And they’ve brought forward additional ideas on how we can get those internationally educated health care workers here, working in Ontario. We’re doing that because we know we want to have the best health care system in the province of Ontario. We’re doing that by working with our hospital partners, our nursing partners, our paramedics.

You talk about individual situations. We’re actually coming up with ideas. We’re listening to the experts in the field, and we’re acting on those ideas.

Education

Ms. Marit Stiles: Good morning, Speaker. My question is to the Premier. After two long years of interruption and remote learning, parents sent their kids off to school this week. They’re looking for peace and stability and supports in the classroom so their kids can finally get back to some sort of normal. Yet, day after day, this Minister of Education is ratcheting up the rhetoric against the people who make our schools work.

Why does this government seem so determined to create conflict in our classrooms?

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

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Mr. Speaker, we are determined to stand up for the voices of parents in this province who want their kids in class. This Premier and our government have been crystal clear on our intention: It is to ensure that these kids have a more normal, stable and enjoyable return to class, right to June, without disruption. I ask all members of this Legislature to join the government to oppose these types of impacts on kids.

While we agree, Speaker, that we could have a very spirited debate at the negotiating table, what we disagree with is the imposition of a strike on a child after two extraordinary and difficult years. We want them in school. We want them to learn. We want them to be nourished and supported by their educators and their friends.

Speaker, I hope all members of this House will stand with this government to keep kids in school right to June.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: Speaker, the minister claiming he is here to help parents is like Godzilla claiming he’s come to save Tokyo.

Parents and teachers remember the PC record of cuts and conflict: mandatory online learning, 10,000 planned layoffs, freezing wages with Bill 124, working with the Liberals to freeze wages with Bill 115.

Does the minister understand that attacking the very people who make our schools work is what puts the school year at risk?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Mr. Speaker, with 683 million more dollars for this September, with a 6% increase over the former Liberals when it comes to investments in public education—we’re talking about per-student funding of almost $340 per child over the last year, a $92-million increase in special education, a $10-million net increase in mental health, now a 420% increase from when the former Liberals were in power. We have $175 million in tutoring, the largest program of its kind in this nation, and we have increased investment for ventilation, for HEPA filtration, by another $600 million. There is no government in the history of this province that has invested more in public education.

Our Premier and our party will continue to invest to ensure a safe, stable and enjoyable return to school for these kids in this province.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: Speaker, paycheques are being eaten away by rampant inflation and legislated wage freezes, and yet our education workers show up every day in our schools, working so hard for our kids. They deserve respect.

They have clear ideas on how to improve our schools: smaller class sizes, mental health supports, fixing the decades of backlogged capital repairs. Will the minister start implementing these ideas to improve our schools and stop creating conflict in our classrooms?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Mr. Speaker, we are listening to the voices of parents in this province who want their kids to be in school, and we are standing up for them to ensure stability and a more normal return to class. That’s why we put in place a tutoring expansion, because we know and our Premier knows that these kids need to get back on track with their studies. That’s why we’ve invested in a historic plan to increase access to more educators. There are 5,000 more staff in our schools this September because our government and our Premier had the foresight to invest in a plan to catch up. We have $600 million more in publicly funded education investment.

On top of all of this, the number one guiding priority of the government when it comes to these negotiations, in contrast with the opposition, is that we’re going to stand up for kids and keep them in school right to June.

Home care

Ms. Sandy Shaw: My question is to the Premier. Good morning, Premier. You should know that I received an upsetting call regarding a 90-year-old woman in my riding. She’d been living independently at her home, receiving home care three times a week. She recently spent a short while in hospital. When she was discharged, the LHIN and the hospital signed off on her care plan, which was to include home care. When she returned back home, alone, she was informed that it would be at least three weeks just for her to be assessed and that there was no home care available for her. She felt abandoned and frightened, as we all would.

Why is this government punishing our seniors instead of fixing the health care crisis?

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

Hon. Sylvia Jones: The member opposite highlights exactly why our most recent budget included a $1-billion investment in community care. I’ve highlighted it and I’m going to highlight it again, because it is important for your constituent and your community to understand what that $1-billion investment is going to get them.

It is 739,000 nursing visits. It is 157,000 nursing shift hours. It is 117,000 therapy visits, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology in community. It is 2,118,000 hours of personal support services in community and 236,000 other types of home care visits. It is precisely why we, as a government, have made that investment of $1 billion in community care programs in the province of Ontario.

It is, frankly, disappointing that the member opposite does not see the value of that and did not support it.

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

Ms. Sandy Shaw: To the minister, I would like to say that your words do not bring home care to the people in my community, because the money is not in the field. Instead of home care, this 90-year-old woman was offered two choices: She could pay for private care or she could be readmitted to the hospital. This is truly unbelievable.

When will this government fix our public home care system and stop—please stop—turning your backs on seniors?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: That’s not all. We actually have also invested nearly $100 million in additional funding over the next three years to expand community care service programs such as adult day programs, meal services, transportation, caregiver support and assisted living services. These are the organizations that are so active in our community, with volunteers like Meals On Wheels, who are doing that work to make sure that our seniors who are frail, who are recovering at home have the supports they need to do it safely, in their own home, in their community, surrounded by a family that loves them and neighbours who understand what their needs are. This is what we are doing as a government: enabling those organizations to do what they do so well, which is looking after our neighbours.

Skilled trades

Mr. Billy Pang: In my riding, I see first-hand how harmful Ontario’s labour shortage truly is for small businesses. Employers and businesses want to do more, but simply cannot because of the limited supply of workers. The skilled and semi-skilled labour shortage remains one of the main factors limiting business growth. Jobs are waiting to be filled and paycheques are waiting to be collected.

Speaker, my question is straightforward: Will the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development please explain to this Legislature what our government is doing to address Ontario’s historic labour shortage issue?

Hon. Monte McNaughton: I want to thank the member for Markham–Unionville for this very important question.

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Through you, Mr. Speaker, our government really understands Ontario is facing a historic labour shortage. In fact, today in the province there are nearly 400,000 jobs going unfilled. We need all hands on deck to build a stronger Ontario. That is why we’re connecting job seekers with the skills and training they need and promoting the lifelong careers that are available in the skilled trades. We’re also making it easier for out-of-province workers and immigrants to fill in-demand jobs, and we’re calling on skilled workers from right across Canada and abroad to come here to Ontario to collect these paycheques that are waiting to be collected.

Mr. Speaker, our government has an ambitious plan to build, and we’re going to get it done.

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

Mr. Billy Pang: Thank you, Minister, for that reassuring response.

Speaker, about one in five new jobs in Ontario over the next five years will be related to skilled trades. To tackle the labour shortage, we must address the skills gap and continue promoting the skilled trades. The skilled trades can provide young people access to these incredible, meaningful careers that will keep many of our local industries thriving.

Once again to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development: What is our government doing to promote the skilled trades in Ontario?

Hon. Monte McNaughton: Thank you again to the member for that very important question.

As a government, we are determined to continue to open doors for young people and help them get the training and financial supports that they need. It’s our mission to give more people a hand up to better jobs and bigger paycheques. That’s why our government is investing billions in innovative training programs that connect workers to these bigger paycheques. Working together with our labour unions, government and business, we’re making Ontario a place where hard work pays off and big dreams come to life.

Hospital services

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: My question is to the Premier.

Speaker, this government claims that Ontarians are accessing the health care they need when they need it. But a constituent of mine reached out after their partner waited eight hours in an ER after having a stroke—waiting alone, without family, with only the paramedics who brought them in; eight hours.

Is it acceptable to the Premier that anyone should have to suffer like this after having a stroke?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): To reply, the Minister of Health.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: The member opposite highlights exactly why we have been investing and will continue to invest in our health care system.

To be clear, nine out of 10 high-urgency patients finish their emergency visits within target times, and surgeries are happening at 88% of their pre-pandemic rate.

We’ve already added 3,500 hospital beds. We’ve already added 10,900 new hospital HHR—nurses, PSWs, doctors. We’ll continue to do this work, because we understand that we want to make sure that we have a robust health care system in the province of Ontario—and, most importantly, where people want to be, whether that is needed hospital and acute care during an acute-care crisis, whether that is recovering in their own home, whether that is in a rehab bed in a facility or, indeed, a long-term-care bed. We are doing this work. We are making these investments because we understand it is needed in the province of Ontario to deal with our aging population.

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

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: Through you, Speaker, nine out of 10 isn’t good enough—it’s certainly not good enough for the 10th patient.

Without nurses available, paramedics had to stay with my constituent even over a shift change. Only by sheer luck, the second massive stroke happened after my constituent was in a bed, and it was caught just in time.

Wait times continue to grow, so the next patient might not be so lucky.

Will this government invest the 1.8-billion health care dollars they hoarded last year and respect health care workers by repealing Bill 124, or will they keep strangling our public system?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: The member opposite actually highlights one of the things that we should be lauding in the province of Ontario, and that is, of course, our community paramedics—the amazing work that they have been doing in community, in hospital, to protect our most vulnerable.

I’ve often spoken about 49 pilot projects that are currently happening in communities across Ontario—911-models-of-care pilot projects, which have borne amazing proof. Indeed, in London-Middlesex we have a success rate of 84% and a satisfaction rate of over 80% where individuals who are able to be cared for by their community paramedics in their community appreciated and understood that this was the most important and the most valuable role they could play.

We’re going to continue to do that work. We’re going to expand those models of care that are working in our community to make sure that every community has an opportunity to fully utilize their paramedics, because, frankly, sir, they have been making a huge difference in our communities.

Transportation infrastructure

Mr. Deepak Anand: Through you, Mr. Speaker, the Toronto Region Board of Trade estimates that the gridlock adds $400 million to the cost of goods in the region every year. This morning, for example, it took me one hour and 20 minutes to drive 40 kilometres to come to Queen’s Park. This gridlock is resulting in lost productivity and adds strain on physical and mental health. Commuters are losing over three million hours a year sitting in traffic, time that Ontarians should be engaged in what they love to do, working hard to grow and spending quality time with loved ones.

Mr. Speaker, we see first-hand how decades of inaction and underinvestment in transportation infrastructure have hurt Ontarians. In my community, I hear from constituents repeatedly how fed up they are sitting in gridlock.

To the Minister of Transportation: Can you please tell us what this government is doing to tackle the gridlock crisis plaguing Ontario?

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: Thank you to the member from Mississauga–Malton for the great question. We cannot afford to delay much-needed infrastructure investments. More delays equal more gridlock.

Our Premier is leading an ambitious plan to deliver the right balance of public transit and road infrastructure projects to keep pace with the demands of today and the future. Over the next 10 years, we’re investing more than $25.1 billion to support the planning and construction of highway expansion and rehabilitation projects across the province. As part of these efforts, we’re getting on with the building of new highways, like Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass, and we’re finishing long overdue projects like the expansion of Highway 7 between Kitchener and Guelph and the Highway 3 widening between Windsor and Leamington.

Speaker, it’s not enough just to talk about building a better future. Under our PC government, we are getting it done.

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

Mr. Deepak Anand: Thank you, Minister, for your assurance and action to solve the gridlock.

Speaker, when the Liberals were in power, they talked a lot about building infrastructure, but at the end of the day, that’s all it was—talk. The fact is, especially when it comes to transportation, Ontario has an infrastructure deficit that the Liberals caused. With the greater Golden Horseshoe attracting two million people every 10 years, we are going to reach 15 million by 2051—more than the people we have in Ontario today. Unless we do something now, the problem we face today will only get worse. When it comes to fighting gridlock, we have heard no solutions from the opposition, except to pretend that all growth can be solved by transit, but we know that we need all hands on deck to address this issue.

Through you, Mr. Speaker, to the Minister of Transportation, can she share with the members of this House and my residents the government’s plan to keep Ontarians moving?

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: Thank you to the member for the question. Members of the opposition parties in this House will tell you there’s a choice between building transit and building highways, and that’s just not true.

Our government is building both. For every dollar that we are spending on highways, our government is spending three more to build transit. Over the next 10 years, we’re investing more than $61 billion to expand and build new transit alone. This includes the largest plan for subways built in Canadian history and delivering on our government’s mandate on two-way, all-day 15-minute service across core segments of the GO network. Expanding our highway and transit networks together will allow us to pave the way for a future that offers more transportation options and less gridlock for commuters, all while creating thousands of good-paying jobs in communities right here at home.

Speaker, the wheels are in motion. The government is getting it done.

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Social assistance

Ms. Lise Vaugeois: My question is to the Premier. For two weeks, along with several of my colleagues, I am living on a social-assistance grocery budget of $47.60 a week. Many people who have to rely on social assistance have contacted us since this action went public to tell us that the meagre amount we have allowed ourselves for food is almost double what a single person living on social assistance has available for food after paying rent.

Indeed, it is abundantly clear that the government needs to double the rates of ODSP and Ontario Works. Will the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services join us for this two-week advocacy effort so that she might better understand, even briefly, the hardship that ODSP and OW recipients have to endure in their daily lives?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Thank you to the member opposite. I have spent decades as a physician assisting people on ODSP, assisting people to get the services that they need, so I probably have a better understanding than most of what people are going through.

I am very proud of our government’s efforts to make sure that our vulnerable are served. That’s including the historic investment in ODSP that has never been done before in the history of this program, making sure it’s aligned with inflation, working across governments to make sure that we have programs that are available to people when they need it. That’s including working with the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to get people back into the workforce when they’re able, and looking to support people when they’re not through the many programs we offer that I listed yesterday, as the member would know and would be aware of.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The supplementary question: the member for University–Rosedale.

Ms. Jessica Bell: Back to the minister: Minister, 900,000 people in Ontario are living on social assistance, and they’re living in poverty. Their biggest expense is housing. Upwards of 60% of a person’s social assistance income is going to housing. You cannot afford to live on $733 a month if you’re on Ontario Works or $1,227 a month if you’re on disability payments.

Minister, I am asking you to join us on this social-assistance diet to have a better understanding of what it is like to be on social assistance, and I am calling on this government to double social assistance rates to help people get out of poverty. Can you do that?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I will remind the members to make their comments through the Chair.

The Minister of Children, Community and Social Services may reply.

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: Thank you again for the question. I will continue to work with all of my colleagues across government, working across levels of government—with the municipalities, with the federal government—encouraging our federal counterparts to bring forward their plan for a Canadian disability benefit. We have urged them to do this. We understand the importance of it.

We are working on the transformation with our municipal partners, to put more services into the front, where people can benefit from that when they need expertise in their local communities. This is on top of the historic investment that we’re making in ODSP, and this is an all-of-government approach. This is requiring the labour pool to be addressed, getting people back in the workforce as quickly as possible, understanding the mechanisms that we have to allow people to live in dignity and with respect, purposeful and with meaning.

This is something where we’re working with the Minister of Finance, the Treasury Board and the Ministers of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Education and Health. This is across the board. It’s something that the previous government never did, that was—

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

The next question.

Electricity supply / Approvisionnement en électricité

Mr. Ted Hsu: Mr. Speaker, we’re in a rush to procure enough electricity to replace the Pickering nuclear plant closing in 2025. How do we know it’s a rush? Well, this government has an expedited procurement for power starting in 2027, with a big bonus for starting earlier. For example, if you produce electricity on business days between May and August 2025, they’ll pay you 50% more.

In July 2018, this government cancelled renewable energy projects, letting hundreds of millions of dollars of investments go down the drain and losing four precious years. The Premier said then that he was “so proud” to have done that. Now we realize that we need that clean electricity.

You have to dig a little, but the list of qualified applicants for the next round of long-term procurement is full of renewable energy. Can we just admit that this government is quietly getting back into renewable energy, something it should never have abandoned?

Hon. Todd Smith: Thanks to the member opposite for the question this morning. What our government is committed to is ensuring that the people of Ontario and the businesses in Ontario have a reliable supply of electricity, that we have an affordable supply of electricity—something that never happened under the previous government’s watch, as a matter of fact, as hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs left our province. They left our country for other jurisdictions because of the Liberal energy policy.

What we have done through the success of our Premier’s strategy and our Minister of Economic Development bringing companies back, repatriating companies to Ontario by electrifying our vehicle fleet, by electrifying our green steel-making process—we need electricity. We have a competitive procurement in place to acquire that electricity—790 megawatts, as a matter of fact, and the most recent procurement at a 30% savings from what was contracted by the previous government.

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

Mr. Ted Hsu: When the plants are already built under a previous government, of course it’s cheaper to keep them running.

La clôture de la centrale Pickering constitue une menace—peu de temps; contraintes liées au changement climatique. On ne peut pas attendre jusqu’à la prochaine élection. Et alors je voudrais influencer le programme du gouvernement maintenant.

I would like the government to think about the following question for the good of Ontario: We’ll need to produce lots of renewable energy quickly. Developers are already approaching landowners quietly in anticipation. Could the energy and the municipal affairs ministers talk and then start now to help municipalities prepare for deciding how they will or will not be part of this critical project? For example, could they help municipalities decide whether or not to zone areas for wind and solar projects now, so that developers could know beforehand where they could build clean energy projects with the speed we need?

Hon. Todd Smith: Merci pour la question. C’est comme setting the golf ball on the tee for the member of the government.

I know that’s a new member over there and he probably doesn’t remember the policies of the previous Liberal government that forced energy projects on communities without any type of consultation. They didn’t care about a willing host community over there, Mr. Speaker, which is why in 2018 the people of Ontario reduced that party to seven seats. And you know what? The people of Ontario didn’t forget in 2022, because now they’ve got eight seats, largely because of the energy policy.

The Minister of Municipal Affairs and our government have committed to working with the municipalities and the Independent Electricity System Operator to make sure there is consultation with municipalities for new energy projects so that we don’t have the mess, the divisiveness and the unaffordable crisis that we saw in Ontario created by the previous Liberal government.

Interjections.

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

Order. The House will come to order so we can resume question period.

Start the clock. The member for Ajax.

Medical schools

Ms. Patrice Barnes: We know that even before the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a shortage of doctors in Ontario. Many Ontarians have had challenges accessing a family doctor for years, which has significantly impacted their health and well-being. The rapid growth in areas like my riding of Ajax and other areas in the GTA has only increased this problem of doctor retention and recruitment. The previous Liberal government did not take the necessary leadership and make the critical health care investments when they had the opportunity.

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Can the Minister of Colleges and Universities please inform the House what our government is doing to address the doctor shortages across Ontario?

Hon. Jill Dunlop: Thank you to the member from Ajax for that question. We need to increase the number of doctors and health care workers across the province, and that includes rural and remote communities and communities like hers in the GTA. That is why our government has taken historic action by building new medical schools in Ontario.

The new Toronto Metropolitan University medical school in Brampton: This is the first new medical school in the GTA since University of Toronto opened in 1843. We’re also creating the University of Toronto academy of medicine and integrated health in Scarborough and expanding the Queen’s Lakeridge Health campus in Oshawa.

But we recognize that more action needs to be done across the province. That is why we also created the first stand-alone medical school in the north through the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. We’ve also invested in post-secondary health care programs like Learn and Stay, and we continue to work with the Ministry of Long-Term Care to increase the number of PSWs and nurses in Ontario.

We are working to fill the gaps across the health care system and across the province after 15 years of Liberal mismanagement. By making these investments in post-secondary education today, our expansions will help to serve a growing and aging population in the years and decades to come.

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

Ms. Patrice Barnes: The urgency for training new doctors in our province is critical. The people of my riding in Ajax, especially our seniors, experienced first-hand the devastating and negative impacts that medical education cuts by the previous Liberal government had on the quality of their health care. If the previous government had made the badly needed investments in human health resources and medical residency years ago, my constituents and all Ontarians would not be in the position we currently face.

I was really shocked to hear that no other government had invested in creating a new medical school in Ontario, in the GTA, in Canada, for over a hundred years. Speaker, can the Minister of Colleges and Universities please tell the House what our government’s plan is for training more doctors, so that Ontarians can have access to the health resources that they need?

Hon. Jill Dunlop: Thank you again to the member for that question. Building new medical schools will increase the number of doctors in communities like Ajax, the Durham region and the whole of Ontario. However, our work to enhance health care infrastructure does not stop there.

Our government is making record investments in innovative approaches across the health care system—investments that the NDP and Liberals did not make. That’s why earlier this year we announced that we are making historic expansions increasing the number of seats for doctors and health care students. Over the next five years, we are adding 160 undergraduate and 295 post-graduate seats to six medical schools: medical and education expansions at Western, McMaster, the University of Ottawa and others. This will ensure that Ontarians will always be able to have the health care resources they need here when they need them.

Our government is creating concrete ways in which we can increase the number of health care professionals in our province, but as we know, the NDP and Liberals always say no. Speaker, I am proud to say our government is keeping Ontarians safe with a high-quality health care system, supported by high-quality post-secondary education.

Social assistance

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: My question is to the Premier. I bring to the floor the heartbreaking experience of ODSP recipients being faced with housing questions and suspect evictions. Too often, I hear about the suspect trend of ODSP recipient evictions because the landlord is moving in family members—by the way, a claim that is nearly impossible to prove wrong until after the fact.

I spoke with St. Catharines resident Brenda LaCrew, who experienced this eviction. She was thrown into a housing market where she now has to borrow money from her friends to pay her new rent rate. Brenda spends 125% of her income on rent right now, forget the food and forget the other costs. That’s the reality for ODSP recipients.

My question is, when will the Premier commit to doubling ODSP rates and support the most vulnerable people in Ontario?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hon. Steve Clark: Speaker, through you to the member for St. Catharines: I’d like to know more information about this eviction issue. Obviously, we have a process in place. We have a rental housing enforcement unit as part of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and in addition there are means with the Landlord and Tenant Board. I’m very concerned about the case that the member opposite has placed on the floor. Rest assured that we will get the Rental Housing Enforcement Unit involved in this case and do further investigation.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mrs. Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens: We’re speaking about ODSP rates as well here, not only about what happened to Brenda LaCrew.

However, we have heard all week about this government’s talking point that the increase to ODSP at 5% is historic. The only thing historic about the increase is how long it took to make any increase. Freezing the rates for as long as you did throughout the pandemic is something we have not seen in decades. So, sorry, Premier, 5% is not historic; it’s actually a slap in the face.

But don’t take it from me; take it from members in my community of St. Catharines and Niagara. Tabitha Thomas is also facing a “family moving in” eviction and has called your increase “proof Ford doesn’t care about vulnerable people.”

Brenda LaCrew said, “Millionaires like Ford don’t care about regular people like me.”

Premier, will you change course and double ODSP rates in the face of your historic freeze to those rates from last term?

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

I realize the member was using quotes, but it would be better if we refer to each other, generally speaking, with respect to our riding boundaries as well as our ministerial title, as applicable.

Start the clock.

The response? The Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Hon. Merrilee Fullerton: I very much appreciate the opportunity to clarify. Our government immediately began its mandate in 2018 by increasing the ODSP rate by 1.5%. We then went into a pandemic, and we had the $1-billion social services relief funding. We have now a historic, unprecedented level of spending, an increased investment in ODSP.

But this does not exist alone. We are aligning this to inflation—never been done before. We are creating the micro-credential strategy to make sure people can get back into the labour force; the Roadmap to Wellness, a cross-ministry effort; the $1 billion in child care spaces; the Ontario Child Benefit; the dental care for low-income seniors; the CARE tax credit; the LIFT tax credit; the Ontario Jobs Training Tax Credit; the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit; the minimum wage increase. We are making the largest investment in ODSP rates in the history of this province. We’re aligning them with inflation, and we will continue to do this very important work that the opposition never did.

Gun violence / Violence armée

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Solicitor General. My constituents in the riding of Carleton are concerned by the increasing gun and gang violence faced by the people of Ottawa. Just last week, there was another shooting in Ottawa’s ByWard Market. This brings the total number of shootings this year in Ottawa to 41. The people of my riding don’t deserve to live in fear because of the actions of criminals. The city of Ottawa is home to a culturally diverse population, good neighbours and friendly people. It’s not a home for gangs engaging in criminal activity.

Speaker, through you, could the Solicitor General please explain to this House our government’s approach to dealing with this troubling issue faced by the good people of Ottawa?

Hon. Michael S. Kerzner: I’d like to thank my colleague for her question. Our hearts go out to the victims of senseless violence.

Community safety remains a top priority for this government. Since the member was elected in 2018, our government has invested over $57 million in the Ottawa Police Service.

I recently met with Chief Bell in Ottawa, and I know that we both share a strong commit to keeping our communities safe. But we know that illegal guns continue to cross our international borders and into communities like Ottawa. And that’s why, in my conversations with my federal counterpart, Minister Mendicino, I have stressed that the federal government needs to tighten up enforcement at the border. This is something that we will work on.

Notre gouvernement prend la sécurité de notre province très au sérieux et fera toujours de notre sécurité une priorité absolue.

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

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: Thank you to the Solicitor General for that response.

Mr. Speaker, the Solicitor General spoke about the issue of smuggled guns coming across our borders. Recently, the National Post published an article titled “A Polite Reminder That Canadian Handgun Crime Is Mostly America’s Fault.” The article notes that 72% of the guns seized from crime by Toronto police this year alone had likely origins in the United States.

Speaker, once again, through you to the Solicitor General, what is Ontario doing to address the issue of smuggled guns?

Hon. Michael S. Kerzner: I want to thank the member for her question.

Recently, I was in Lambton county on the St. Clair River with our MPP for Sarnia–Lambton, and I was at the exact location where the drone carrying 11 handguns was found in a tree back in May. I saw for myself how close we are to the US border and how easily guns and contraband can get smuggled in our country. It’s no secret where the guns are coming from.

We’ve made enhancements to the OPP-led Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit to combat guns entering Canada and in Ontario. And to keep Ontario safe, our government has invested over $200 million to combat gun and gang violence fuelled by smuggled guns.

Mr. Speaker, we will work hand in hand with local law enforcement to tackle gun and gang violence in Ontario. But this is not enough. We cannot do it alone. We need our federal government to step up now and take measures to improve border security and inspections.

Long-term care

Mr. Wayne Gates: My question is to the Premier.

Speaker, this government has established a pattern of leaving Ontarians in the dark about their plans. This time, they’ve left us in the dark about the grave implications of Bill 7. Ontarians were rightly horrified by how quickly and undemocratically Bill 7 was passed, but the minister tried to pacify us by saying that our concerns about how far people will be separated from their families against their will would be addressed through regulations.

Well, there has been no word about these regulations, but we’re already hearing stories about hospitals putting pressure on patients.

We don’t need to create obstacles for elderly and disabled people to see their loved ones and their valued caregivers.

Will the minister confirm that people will have regular and equitable access to their caregivers and their loved ones?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Minister of Long-Term Care.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Of course, Mr. Speaker, I’ve been saying that right from the beginning—that the whole point of this was to ensure that those seniors who are in a hospital, who are imminently to be discharged, have a better quality of care than sitting in a hospital bed, where, everybody would acknowledge, medical professionals completely acknowledge, they are susceptible to various forms of different diseases which are not good for them. They don’t get the social activity that they require. They don’t get the physical activity that they require. They don’t get the mental stimulation that is required. A hospital bed is the absolute worst place for somebody to be.

If the member had read the bill, he would understand that not only are we doing this—making sure that our seniors have the right care in the right place at the right time—but we’re also putting money behind that to make sure that when a senior is leaving hospital for a long-term-care home, the long-term-care home has the services that are required, whether it’s kidney dialysis, whether it is behavioural support services. We are upgrading those services, as well, to match the patient leaving the hospital, becoming a resident at a home.

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

Mr. Wayne Gates: Back to the Premier—I want to be clear to the minister: Not only did I read the bill, but I memorized it.

Speaker, this government refuses to commit to accountability and transparency. They passed Bill 7 without so much as a meeting with unions and front-line workers. They won’t listen to advocates, patients or their families. They’re only concerned about what works for hospital CEOs. The minister denied Ontarians a chance to advocate for themselves and their loved ones through public hearings.

My question is pretty easy: Will the minister deny Ontarians their rightful opportunity to comment on regulations during the public comment period before the regulations are implemented?

Hon. Paul Calandra: In fact, the parliamentary assistant along with myself have undertaken extensive consultations throughout the sector, with residents’ councils, family councils as well as with applicable associations to gather their feedback. We have met with doctors and nurses to get their feedback, as well. So we’ve met with doctors, nurses, health care professionals; we’ve met with representatives of residents’ councils; we’ve met with residents of long-term-care homes; and they have all come back and told us the same thing: that a hospital is no place for somebody who is waiting for long-term care to be. These are people who are on the long-term-care waiting list.

What the bill does—he read the bill, but yet he continues to say, “Oh, people are going to be charged $1,800 a day. They’re going to be sent a thousand miles from their home.” All incorrect—but he memorized the bill, colleagues. This is the same member who said we’re going to reopen three- and four-bed wardrooms. It was actually this Premier and that minister who closed those three- and four-bed wardrooms. It is that Premier and that minister who brought 58,000 new and upgraded beds—

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

The next question.

Housing

Mr. Vijay Thanigasalam: Ontario’s young families are being frozen out of the housing market due to a lack of housing supply. Ontario’s population is continuously growing, and our current rate of housing construction isn’t keeping up. Young people are already struggling with inflation and the rising cost of living in Ontario. Over the next 10 years, we expect over one third of the new growth will happen in Toronto and Ottawa.

Housing experts have already warned us that Ontario is falling behind in housing infrastructure investment because of the years of red tape and delays caused by the previous Liberal government. Speaker, can the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing tell us what our government can do to empower our large cities, such as Ottawa and Toronto, to increase the housing supply?

Hon. Steve Clark: I want to thank the member for Scarborough–Rouge Park for that excellent question. The simple fact is that as Ontario’s population grows, our housing supply needs to grow with it, and what we’re doing under our proposed Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act is providing the mayors in our two largest cities with the tools that they need to get shovels in the ground faster.

We said to Ontarians during the last provincial election that we were going to present a plan to make sure that we have 1.5 million homes built over the next decade. We have to ensure that the mayors in Ontario’s two largest cities—where we know that over the next decade a third of Ontario’s growth will take place, in those two municipalities—we have to ensure that after the municipal election on October 24 those tools are in place for mayors in Toronto and Ottawa. That’s what we’re doing. We need to make sure they have the tools to get it done.

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

Mr. Vijay Thanigasalam: Speaker, our housing market is facing a crisis. With rising living costs, many young Ontarians are starting to fear that they will never realize their dreams of home ownership.

The people of my riding want more housing choices, whether it be rental units, semi-detached houses near their workplace or fully detached houses where young Ontarians can grow and raise their families. Speaker, can the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing elaborate on what other steps our government is taking to ensure that the dream of home ownership is attainable for the people of my riding and all Ontarians?

Hon. Steve Clark: Speaker, we know that there’s no one silver bullet that will provide a solution to the housing crisis that we’re facing right now, but for too long under the previous government, housing starts lagged far, far behind the demand of Ontarians. We knew that we had to act and act decisively as a government by empowering our municipal partners, by ensuring that they have tools to cut red tape and get shovels in the ground faster. We’re going to fight the housing supply crisis. We’re going to ensure that that couple that right now doesn’t realize the dream of home ownership—we want to give them hope. We want to give them opportunity and we need mayors in those big communities—and, quite frankly, mayors across this province—to have the tools that they need to assist us in ensuring that dream is realized.

Services en français

M. Guy Bourgouin: Ma question est pour le premier ministre. Selon le recensement de Statistique Canada de 2021, la province affiche son pire taux sur les cinq derniers recensements quant à la langue française. Le dernier rapport de l’ombudsman démontre un volume élevé de plaintes de manque de services en français.

Ma question : qu’est-ce que votre gouvernement va faire pour arrêter l’hémorragie du déclin du français en Ontario?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of Francophone Affairs.

1130

L’hon. Caroline Mulroney: Je remercie le député pour la question. Les données du recensement sur le déclin du français représentent, malheureusement, un phénomène national préoccupant à travers l’ensemble du pays. Nous voyons une diminution du poids démographique des francophones en Ontario, en effet, mais aussi au Québec et dans d’autres provinces.

Notre gouvernement reconnaît l’importance de la francophonie ontarienne. C’est pourquoi nous travaillons sur plusieurs dossiers pour renforcer la courbe démographique de l’Ontario. Notre gouvernement, notamment, reconnaît l’importance de l’immigration pour renforcer cette courbe démographique, et nous utilisons tous les leviers à notre disposition. Sous le Programme ontarien des candidats à l’immigration, par exemple, l’Ontario a toujours dépassé ses cibles.

Nous continuons à travailler avec le gouvernement fédéral et nous lui demandons plus de contrôle sur le processus d’attraction des immigrants économiques francophones en Ontario. Nous lui demandons aussi de mettre en place un corridor en immigration pour attirer des enseignants et des travailleurs de santé francophones.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

M. Guy Bourgouin: Depuis que le gouvernement a éliminé le chien de garde indépendant de la langue française, nous avons vu une gamme d’entités provinciales avec un gros manque de services en français, tels que :

—le manque de communication en français à Santé publique pendant la pandémie;

—le manque de services en français au ministère des Transports quant aux évaluations médicales dans une région désignée;

—Ontario One Call : aucun moyen de loger une plainte en français;

—la semaine passée, la PPO pour une alerte de sécurité uniquement anglophone émise dans mon comté, avec une population de 60 % de francophones.

J’arrête là parce que la liste est longue. Alors, je vous repose la question, madame la Ministre : qu’est-ce que vous allez faire pour arrêter l’hémorragie du déclin du français en Ontario?

L’hon. Caroline Mulroney: Il est vraiment très décevant d’entendre du membre de l’opposition qu’il veut faire de la politique avec cette situation. Ce n’est pas un moment pour faire de la politique. C’est vraiment un moment de travailler ensemble pour mettre en oeuvre des solutions qui vont aider à renverser ce déclin du poids démographique francophone.

Monsieur le Président, le membre sait très, très bien que notre gouvernement a mis en place des politiques très importantes pour la francophonie ontarienne, notamment la première modernisation de la Loi sur les services en français dans la province de l’Ontario depuis 1986. C’est une revendication de la communauté depuis très longtemps qui aurait pu être faite sous les libéraux, mais malheureusement ils n’ont pas pris un moment pendant 15 ans, quand ils étaient au pouvoir, pour moderniser cette loi. C’est notre gouvernement, sous le pouvoir de ce premier ministre, qui l’a fait.

Mais ce n’est pas la seule chose que nous avons faite. Nous avons, bien sûr, créé et ouvert l’Université de l’Ontario français. Nous renforçons le continuum de l’éducation en français pour assurer l’essor et la vitalité de notre communauté francophone.

Mining industry

Mr. Kevin Holland: Good morning, Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Mines.

When the previous Liberal government was in power, they failed to prioritize the mining sector. Projects like Côté Gold sat on the shelf, collecting dust, because investors did not have a committed partner they could work with. The culture of delay and inaction by the previous Liberal government was unacceptable. Unlike them, our government wants more mines to get built in northern Ontario.

Mining represents a generational opportunity that is already creating jobs and training opportunities, and promises new revenue for Ontarians. It provides the raw materials needed to build clean, sustainable and new green technology, like batteries for electric vehicles.

Mr. Speaker, what has the government done differently to move mining projects forward, and what have been the results?

Hon. George Pirie: Thank you for the question from the member for Thunder Bay–Atikokan. Opposite to the previous Liberal government, we see the benefits of unleashing the mining sector and re-establishing Ontario as a world-leading destination for mining investment. We have cut red tape and worked directly with companies to find solutions to challenges so companies can hit development milestones.

We have seen the sector responding, with Argonaut Gold building the Magino project, Equinox building the Greenstone mine, and Iamgold’s Côté project finally under construction. The Côté Lake project is a world-class deposit. It has a critical mass of 20 million ounces in resources—a world-class deposit that sat and languished for 17 years.

These are just some of the recent success stories, and we know there are more coming. There is more work to be done, Mr. Speaker, but I look forward to making Ontario the best jurisdiction to invest in the mining industry.

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

Mr. Kevin Holland: Speaker, unlike the previous government, we know how important mining is to the economy in the north.

With Russia’s unprovoked and illegal attack on Ukraine and the growing instability in Asia as the Chinese communist regime attempts to destabilize that region, our global partners are seeking a strong, stable and reliable source of materials. I know the Plan to Build Act lays the foundation for our government to strengthen Ontario’s standing as a critical global mineral leader.

Before the election, our government launched Ontario’s first-ever Critical Minerals Strategy. Speaker, could Minister of Mines update all members on what investments our government has provided to support the Critical Minerals Strategy through the Plan to Build Act, helping to create jobs and opportunities for the people of my riding?

Hon. George Pirie: Again, thank you very much for the question. It’s very, very simple; we know that we can’t be green without mining, and that’s why our government launched Ontario’s first-ever Critical Minerals Strategy, which is, by the way, a world-leading document.

This strategy is backed by investments, including $20 million to find the mines of the future, create exploration jobs in the north and work with the private sector on innovation. Through this strategy, we are building a link between the critical minerals in the north with the manufacturing might in the south. We are working towards a strong supply chain of extraction, processing and manufacturing of clean technologies right here in Ontario. We’ll be the world’s leader in this technology.

This government’s financial commitments and focus on developing clean technologies will lead to further low-carbon economic growth for Ontario, creating more job opportunities in the northern and First Nations communities.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): That concludes our question period for this morning. I understand member for Toronto Centre has a point of order.

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: I do, Speaker. Thank you very much. On my point of order, I seek unanimous consent that, notwithstanding any standing order or special order of the House, the order for second reading of Bill 18, An Act to proclaim Consent Awareness Week, a timely and urgent bill that makes the third week of September Consent Awareness Week, shall be immediately called, and the Speaker shall immediately put the question on the motion for second reading without debate and amendment; and

That the bill should be ordered for third reading; and

That the order for third reading shall be immediately called and the Speaker shall immediately put the question on the motion for third reading without debate or amendment.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): MPP Wong-Tam is seeking unanimous consent that, notwithstanding any standing order or special order of the House, the order second reading of Bill 18, An Act to proclaim Consent Awareness Week, shall be immediately called and the Speaker shall immediately put the question on the motion for second reading without debate and amendment;

That the bill should be ordered for third reading; and

That the order for third reading shall be immediately called and the Speaker shall immediately put the question on the motion for third reading without debate or amendment. Agreed? I heard a no.

Once again, I’ll remind members—or ask them at least—to remain in their seats after the votes today so that they can hear from the Sergeant-at-Arms the emergency briefing that we need to hear, as well as the subsequent fire drill that will follow.

Deferred Votes

Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022 / Loi de 2022 pour des maires forts et pour la construction de logements

Deferred vote on the motion that the question now be put on the motion for third reading of the following bill:

Bill 3, An Act to amend various statutes with respect to special powers and duties of heads of council / Projet de loi 3, Loi modifiant diverses lois en ce qui concerne les pouvoirs et fonctions spéciaux des présidents du conseil.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): We have a deferred vote on a motion for closure on the motion for third reading of Bill 3, an Act to amend various statutes with respect to special powers and duties of heads of council.

Call in the members. This is a five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1139 to 1144.

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

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Just in time.

On September 6, 2022, Mr. Clark moved third reading of Bill 3, An Act to amend various statutes with respect to special powers and duties of heads of council.

On September 7, 2022, Mr. Harris moved that the question be now put.

All those in favour of Mr. Harris’s motion will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Ayes

• Anand, Deepak
• Babikian, Aris
• Bailey, Robert
• Barnes, Patrice
• Bethlenfalvy, Peter
• Bouma, Will
• Bresee, Ric
• Byers, Rick
• Calandra, Paul
• Cho, Raymond Sung Joon
• Cho, Stan
• Clark, Steve
• Coe, Lorne
• Crawford, Stephen
• Cuzzetto, Rudy
• Dixon, Jess
• Dowie, Andrew
• Downey, Doug
• Dunlop, Jill
• Flack, Rob
• Ford, Doug
• Fullerton, Merrilee
• Gallagher Murphy, Dawn
• Ghamari, Goldie
• Hardeman, Ernie

• Harris, Mike
• Hogarth, Christine
• Holland, Kevin
• Jones, Sylvia
• Jones, Trevor
• Jordan, John
• Kanapathi, Logan
• Ke, Vincent
• Kerzner, Michael S.
• Kusendova-Bashta, Natalia
• Leardi, Anthony
• Lecce, Stephen
• Lumsden, Neil
• Martin, Robin
• McCarthy, Todd J.
• McGregor, Graham
• McNaughton, Monte
• Mulroney, Caroline
• Oosterhoff, Sam
• Pang, Billy
• Parsa, Michael
• Piccini, David
• Pierre, Natalie
• Pirie, George
• Quinn, Nolan

• Rae, Matthew
• Rasheed, Kaleed
• Rickford, Greg
• Riddell, Brian
• Romano, Ross
• Sabawy, Sheref
• Sarkaria, Prabmeet Singh
• Sarrazin, Stéphane
• Saunderson, Brian
• Scott, Laurie
• Skelly, Donna
• Smith, Dave
• Smith, David
• Smith, Graydon
• Smith, Laura
• Smith, Todd
• Surma, Kinga
• Tangri, Nina
• Thanigasalam, Vijay
• Thompson, Lisa M.
• Triantafilopoulos, Effie J.
• Wai, Daisy
• Williams, Charmaine A.
• Yakabuski, John

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): All those opposed to Mr. Harris’s motion will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Nays

• Andrew, Jill
• Armstrong, Teresa J.
• Bell, Jessica
• Blais, Stephen
• Bourgouin, Guy
• Bowman, Stephanie
• Burch, Jeff
• Collard, Lucille
• Fife, Catherine
• French, Jennifer K.
• Gates, Wayne

• Gélinas, France
• Glover, Chris
• Gretzky, Lisa
• Harden, Joel
• Hsu, Ted
• Hunter, Mitzie
• Kernaghan, Terence
• McMahon, Mary-Margaret
• Pasma, Chandra
• Rakocevic, Tom
• Sattler, Peggy

• Schreiner, Mike
• Shaw, Sandy
• Stevens, Jennifer (Jennie)
• Stiles, Marit
• Taylor, Monique
• Vanthof, John
• Vaugeois, Lise
• West, Jamie
• Wong-Tam, Kristyn

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Todd Decker): The ayes are 74; the nays are 31.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I declare the motion carried.

Mr. Clark has moved third reading of Bill 3, An Act to amend various statutes with respect to special powers and duties of heads of council. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? I heard some noes.

All those in favour of the motion will please say “aye.”

All those opposed will please say “nay.”

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

Call in the members. This is a five-minute bell.

Interjection: Same vote.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Same vote?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Sorry; I can’t hear. Same vote? I heard a no.

The division bells rang from 1149 to 1154.

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

On September 6, 2022, Mr. Clark moved third reading of Bill 3, An Act to amend various statutes with respect to special powers and duties of heads of council.

All those in favour of the motion will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Ayes

• Anand, Deepak
• Babikian, Aris
• Bailey, Robert
• Barnes, Patrice
• Bethlenfalvy, Peter
• Bouma, Will
• Bresee, Ric
• Byers, Rick
• Calandra, Paul
• Cho, Raymond Sung Joon
• Cho, Stan
• Clark, Steve
• Coe, Lorne
• Crawford, Stephen
• Cuzzetto, Rudy
• Dixon, Jess
• Dowie, Andrew
• Downey, Doug
• Dunlop, Jill
• Flack, Rob
• Ford, Doug
• Fullerton, Merrilee
• Gallagher Murphy, Dawn
• Ghamari, Goldie
• Hardeman, Ernie

• Harris, Mike
• Hogarth, Christine
• Holland, Kevin
• Jones, Sylvia
• Jones, Trevor
• Jordan, John
• Kanapathi, Logan
• Ke, Vincent
• Kerzner, Michael S.
• Kusendova-Bashta, Natalia
• Leardi, Anthony
• Lecce, Stephen
• Lumsden, Neil
• Martin, Robin
• McCarthy, Todd J.
• McGregor, Graham
• McNaughton, Monte
• Mulroney, Caroline
• Oosterhoff, Sam
• Pang, Billy
• Parsa, Michael
• Piccini, David
• Pierre, Natalie
• Pirie, George
• Quinn, Nolan

• Rae, Matthew
• Rasheed, Kaleed
• Rickford, Greg
• Riddell, Brian
• Romano, Ross
• Sabawy, Sheref
• Sarkaria, Prabmeet Singh
• Sarrazin, Stéphane
• Saunderson, Brian
• Scott, Laurie
• Skelly, Donna
• Smith, Dave
• Smith, David
• Smith, Graydon
• Smith, Laura
• Smith, Todd
• Surma, Kinga
• Tangri, Nina
• Thanigasalam, Vijay
• Thompson, Lisa M.
• Triantafilopoulos, Effie J.
• Wai, Daisy
• Williams, Charmaine A.
• Yakabuski, John

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): All those opposed to the motion will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Nays

• Andrew, Jill
• Armstrong, Teresa J.
• Bell, Jessica
• Blais, Stephen
• Bourgouin, Guy
• Bowman, Stephanie
• Burch, Jeff
• Collard, Lucille
• Fife, Catherine
• French, Jennifer K.
• Gates, Wayne

• Gélinas, France
• Glover, Chris
• Gretzky, Lisa
• Harden, Joel
• Hsu, Ted
• Hunter, Mitzie
• Kernaghan, Terence
• McMahon, Mary-Margaret
• Pasma, Chandra
• Rakocevic, Tom
• Sattler, Peggy

• Schreiner, Mike
• Shaw, Sandy
• Stevens, Jennifer (Jennie)
• Stiles, Marit
• Taylor, Monique
• Vanthof, John
• Vaugeois, Lise
• West, Jamie
• Wong-Tam, Kristyn

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Todd Decker): The ayes are 74; the nays are 31.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I declare the motion carried.

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

Third reading agreed to.

Safe and Healthy Communities Act (Addressing Gun Violence), 2022 / Loi de 2022 pour des collectivités saines et sécuritaires (traitant de la violence armée)

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

Bill 9, An Act to amend the Health Insurance Act and the Health Protection and Promotion Act in respect of addressing gun violence and its impacts / Projet de loi 9, Loi modifiant la Loi sur l’assurance-santé et la Loi sur la protection et la promotion de la santé en ce qui concerne la violence armée et ses répercussions.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Next, we have a deferred vote on the motion for second reading of Bill 9, An Act to amend the Health Insurance Act and the Health Protection and Promotion Act in respect of addressing gun violence and its impacts.

Call in the members. This will be a five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1158 to 1203.

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

On September 7, 2022, Ms. Hunter moved second reading of Bill 9, An Act to amend the Health Insurance Act and the Health Protection and Promotion Act in respect of addressing gun violence and its impacts.

All those in favour will please rise and remain standing until recognized by the Clerk.

Ayes

• Andrew, Jill
• Armstrong, Teresa J.
• Bell, Jessica
• Blais, Stephen
• Bourgouin, Guy
• Bowman, Stephanie
• Burch, Jeff
• Collard, Lucille
• Fife, Catherine
• French, Jennifer K.
• Gates, Wayne

• Gélinas, France
• Glover, Chris
• Gretzky, Lisa
• Harden, Joel
• Hsu, Ted
• Hunter, Mitzie
• Kernaghan, Terence
• McMahon, Mary-Margaret
• Pasma, Chandra
• Rakocevic, Tom
• Sattler, Peggy

• Schreiner, Mike
• Shaw, Sandy
• Stevens, Jennifer (Jennie)
• Stiles, Marit
• Taylor, Monique
• Vanthof, John
• Vaugeois, Lise
• West, Jamie
• Wong-Tam, Kristyn

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): All those opposed will please rise and remain standing until recognized by the Clerk.

Nays

• Anand, Deepak
• Babikian, Aris
• Bailey, Robert
• Barnes, Patrice
• Bethlenfalvy, Peter
• Bouma, Will
• Bresee, Ric
• Byers, Rick
• Calandra, Paul
• Cho, Raymond Sung Joon
• Cho, Stan
• Clark, Steve
• Coe, Lorne
• Crawford, Stephen
• Cuzzetto, Rudy
• Dixon, Jess
• Dowie, Andrew
• Downey, Doug
• Dunlop, Jill
• Flack, Rob
• Fullerton, Merrilee
• Gallagher Murphy, Dawn
• Ghamari, Goldie
• Hardeman, Ernie

• Harris, Mike
• Hogarth, Christine
• Holland, Kevin
• Jones, Sylvia
• Jones, Trevor
• Jordan, John
• Kanapathi, Logan
• Ke, Vincent
• Kusendova-Bashta, Natalia
• Leardi, Anthony
• Lecce, Stephen
• Lumsden, Neil
• Martin, Robin
• McCarthy, Todd J.
• McGregor, Graham
• McNaughton, Monte
• Mulroney, Caroline
• Oosterhoff, Sam
• Pang, Billy
• Parsa, Michael
• Piccini, David
• Pierre, Natalie
• Pirie, George
• Quinn, Nolan

• Rae, Matthew
• Rasheed, Kaleed
• Rickford, Greg
• Riddell, Brian
• Romano, Ross
• Sabawy, Sheref
• Sarkaria, Prabmeet Singh
• Sarrazin, Stéphane
• Saunderson, Brian
• Scott, Laurie
• Skelly, Donna
• Smith, Dave
• Smith, David
• Smith, Graydon
• Smith, Laura
• Smith, Todd
• Surma, Kinga
• Tangri, Nina
• Thanigasalam, Vijay
• Thompson, Lisa M.
• Triantafilopoulos, Effie J.
• Wai, Daisy
• Williams, Charmaine A.
• Yakabuski, John

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Todd Decker): The ayes are 31; the nays are 72.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I declare the motion lost.

Second reading negatived.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): There being no further business at this time, this House stands in recess until 2 p.m.

The House recessed from 1207 to 1400.

Royal assent / Sanction royale

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

The Deputy Clerk (Mr. Trevor Day): The following are the titles of the bills to which Her Honour did assent:

An Act to implement Budget measures and to enact and amend various statutes / Loi visant à mettre en oeuvre les mesures budgétaires et à édicter et à modifier diverses lois.

An Act to amend various statutes with respect to special powers and duties of heads of council / Loi modifiant diverses lois en ce qui concerne les pouvoirs et fonctions spéciaux des présidents du conseil.

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to recess the House for 30 minutes.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to recess the House for 30 minutes. Agreed? Agreed.

This House stands in recess for 30 minutes.

The House recessed from 1401 to 1508.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second

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

Hon. Paul Calandra: Mr. Speaker, it is my sad duty to inform the House that Her Majesty the Queen has died. Long live the King. The thoughts and prayers of all Canadians are with His Majesty the King, the Queen Consort and the royal family at this devastating time.

Out of respect and in mourning, I seek unanimous consent that the House do now adjourn until 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 14, at which time this House will pay tribute to Her Majesty’s incomparable legacy.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader is seeking the unanimous consent of the House that the House do now adjourn until 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 14, at which time this House will pay appropriate tribute to Her Majesty’s incomparable legacy. Agreed? Agreed.

Before I adjourn the House, I’ll ask the members to rise for a moment of silence in memory of Her Majesty the Queen.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you. I’ll ask members to please take their seats.

This House stands adjourned until Wednesday, September 14, at 2 p.m.

The House adjourned at 1510.