Hansard Transcript 2023-May-18 | Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Bill 85, An Act to implement Budget measures and to amend various statutes / Projet de loi 85, Loi visant à mettre en oeuvre les mesures budgétaires et à modifier diverses lois.

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

Ms. Peggy Sattler: It’s always a pleasure to rise in this House and speak on behalf of the people I represent in London West. Today I want to offer some thoughts on the Conservative government’s 2023 budget and the budget bill that is before us this morning.

This budget provided the government—its first budget following the election. It provided the government an opportunity to be bold, to take bold action to address the very significant challenges that Ontarians are facing, that Londoners are facing, that people in communities across this province are facing. I have to say, as many have pointed out—the editorial board of the Toronto Star, media commentators, and people who came to committee—this budget failed to do that in any significant way.

We frequently quoted the description of this budget: that if it was a Christmas gift, it would be a six-pack of white tube socks. It’s basically a meh budget that really does not rise to the occasion and meet the moment. I’m going to outline some of the ways that it fails to do that.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I’m going to ask the members to reduce the volume of their conversations, please, so that I can hear the member from London West.

Member for London West.

Ms. Peggy Sattler: Thank you very much, Speaker.

I want to begin with a very thoughtful analysis of the budget that was provided by YWCA Ontario. They point out that in a more-than-100-page document, the word “women” is mentioned four times, the words “girl” and “poverty” are mentioned once each, and the word “gender” is not mentioned at all.

We know that the pandemic has been challenging for everyone in this province, but in particular, women have been hard hit. We saw that earlier this week with the FAO report on the persistent gender wage gap that has not closed at all under this government.

There would have been an opportunity in this budget to take meaningful action to address the gender wage gap on issues like child care.

There was no money whatsoever allocated within this budget to create a workforce strategy. We know that ECEs who have been trained in early childhood education, whose passion is to work with children, are leaving the profession because the wages are so low. They cannot afford to feed their families, and they cannot afford housing on the salaries that they are making. We need a significant investment in wages for early childhood educators in order to fulfill the promise of $10-a-day child care. This budget could have provided that workforce strategy but did not.

We also saw in this budget no mention of paid sick days. That is an issue that I have advocated on since the beginning of the pandemic, actually. We know that women workers in caring professions, in cleaning and catering, in those care roles—PSWs, child care workers. Those are the careers that are least likely to have paid sick days. Access to permanent paid sick days through the Employment Standards Act would make a huge difference to those workers and to all workers in Ontario. Almost more than half of workers don’t have access to paid sick days through their employer, and providing those paid sick days would be a real step forward to creating decent work for people in this province.

On health care and homelessness: My community, the city of London, has launched an unprecedented, one-of-a-kind strategy, a whole-of-community response to health and homelessness. Homelessness is an urgent issue across this province, and nowhere more than in London. We have seen over 200 unhoused people die on the streets in the last couple of years, and this has motivated an unprecedented coming together of agencies and community leaders to look at how to ensure that everyone in our community has access to decent and affordable housing, and supportive housing, if necessary.

What we saw in this budget was a modest increase to the homelessness support; we saw $202 million. We saw cabinet ministers coming to London and announcing that London would get, out of that $202 million, an additional $8 million for London-Middlesex. So $1 million of that is going to Middlesex, which leaves London with about seven million additional dollars, but the challenges our community is facing will require a much greater investment than that. We are fortunate to have had a benefactor, an anonymous donor family, come forward and commit to a $25-million gift to help launch the plan that has emerged from our community. And we expect the Ontario government to come to the table with much more significant dollars than what has been allocated.

I know that this is not just a London problem. There are 444 municipalities across this province that are dealing with similar challenges. The $202 million that the government has allocated is nowhere going to meet the need of those 444 municipalities—and certainly not the additional $7 million that London has received.

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There’s nothing in this budget to deal with the challenges that tenants in our province are facing. We did not see in this bill any new measures to protect tenants, to move forward with rent control on buildings that were built after 2018. This is a big problem in London West—across the city, actually. There are new towers going up, and every new tower that goes up, every new unit that is added to our housing supply is exempt from rent control. What happens is that tenants move into those units and they do not realize that the landlord basically has carte blanche to increase the rent on those units to whatever level they want because those new units are exempt from rent control. So people are economically, financially evicted, basically, because they cannot afford double-digit rent increases; they did not budget for double-digit rent increases. At a time of unprecedented inflation, this lack of rent control is particularly difficult—especially when you can’t afford the rent in the unit that you have signed a lease on, when the landlord tells you that it’s going to increase at a double-digit rate, and there’s no other option. There are no other affordable options in the city, and I hear that more and more from people in my community.

On health care: This budget doubles down on the government’s plan to privatize. Instead of making investments in hospitals across this province—like we have in London at LHSC; we have the Nazem Kadri centre for ambulatory care, which is a model of how we can provide outpatient support for those less-complex surgeries, with all of the oversight and protections in place that are offered in our public system. Instead of moving in that direction, instead of making those investments in hospitals across the province so that other hospitals could establish centres like the Nazem Kadri centre, this government is instead ramming forward with its plan to privatize health care and put those profits in the hands of for-profit corporations.

This is a budget that has failed Ontarians.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Questions to the member for London West?

M^me France Gélinas: We all know that the pandemic has been really hard on all of us. It has been really hard on workers, and it has been really hard on much woman-dominated work. They have come to this government, they have come to us, asking for paid sick days, so that when they don’t feel good, they know that they’re going to be able to stay home, pay their rent and feed their kids, and not spread whatever made them sick to the rest of the workforce. I know that the member has worked hard on this—if she could explain the difference it would make to our hospitals, to our schools, to many areas where people gather, if every worker had paid sick days.

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I want to thank the member for her question, and also for her advocacy for paid sick days over the years.

Certainly, we know that a low-wage worker—many women saw the gender wage gap that was highlighted in the FAO report. Women in low-wage professions, when they have a child who is sick, when they are sick, are faced with this impossible choice: Do they forgo a day of pay, stay home unpaid so that they can care for their sick child and recover from the illness that they themselves are suffering? Or do they go to work, send their child to school and risk spreading illness to others in the workplace or in the school? We know what happens when they make that choice, which is understandable. They risk spreading illness to others, who go to our hospital and add pressure to our overextended health care system.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Elgin–Middlesex–London.

Mr. Rob Flack: I appreciate my colleague from London West’s advocacy for homelessness in London.

Like you, I share London as part of my riding and understand it’s not just a crisis; it’s a pandemic in itself, and it continues to plague our city, our downtown and the people who are affected.

As such, I hope she would acknowledge—through you, Chair—that London received a 63% increase in its allocated budget for homelessness this year, along with Middlesex county. While it’s always never enough, and I respect that, would she not agree that 63%—which is above the Ontario average, which is still over 40%—is a generous amount to help this pandemic in the city of London?

Ms. Peggy Sattler: We have 6,000 Londoners who are on the wait-list for affordable housing that is maintained by the city. We have close to a thousand individuals who are living rough, who are unhoused in our community.

I know the member is aware of Indwell, a 72-unit building that recently opened in our city. Those 72 units came at a big price tag, much more than the additional funding that the government has provided.

London is not the only community across this province that is facing the crisis of homelessness. We need a much more significant investment from this government to address the crisis.

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

Ms. Jennifer K. French: I appreciated the comments from my colleague from London West on the budget. As she pointed out, the word “women” was mentioned four times in this budget.

We all know and have discussed in this room that violence against women is both insidious and increasing across communities. When we hear from victim services—in Durham region, and across the province—we know that they haven’t seen a significant increase in core funding in way too long. The burnout and low, uncompetitive wage for such important work is not retaining the people doing such important heavy lifting and caring, and what they’re having to do with not enough is just unbelievable.

What could have been seen in this budget that would have made a difference in the fight to end violence against women?

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I appreciate the question from my colleague.

There are many non-profit agencies—in my community, we have Anova, we have the London Abused Women’s Centre, we have Atlohsa—across this province that provide support for those experiencing gender-based violence. Staff at those agencies are burnt out. There has been no increase in base funding for years. Those staff are dealing with wages that are so low that it is challenging for them to find housing in our communities, with rents increasing so dramatically. An increase in base funding, the stabilization of support that non-profit agencies require to serve people who are experiencing violence or who are experiencing any kind of challenge, would make a huge difference. And let’s not forget, most of the workers who work in the non-profit sector are women, so that increase in base funding would make a huge difference for women in this province.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Durham.

Mr. Todd J. McCarthy: My question for the member for London West is this—Bill 85 contains a responsible, transparent plan to a balanced budget by 2025.

The record of the Liberal government, supported in part by the NDP, was a record of tripling the debt and leaving us in the situation where the third-highest spending envelope is interest on the debt as a result of that sorry legacy.

Your federal party ran on a balanced budget platform in 2015. If the plan is to vote against this bill, does that mean that the NDP do not care about debts, deficits and passing on debts and deficits to our children and grandchildren?

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I actually take issue with the member’s characterization of the government’s financial plan as transparent.

We know from the Financial Accountability Officer that this government has a track record of not allocating funding. There has been record numbers of unallocated pots of money. There has been a huge increase in contingency funds, and there is no transparency whatsoever as to where those funds will be allocated. Budget after budget, we have seen monies allocated on paper but not actually spent.

The people of this province deserve a lot more transparency in where public dollars are being invested.

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The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Windsor West.

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: I appreciated the comments from my colleague from London West.

We’ve heard about balancing budgets. The other day when I was in here and we were debating this bill, someone from the government side said they are fiscally responsible and responsive in this budget, and I can’t help but point out to the government side again that Feed Ontario recently released a report talking about the sharp increase in the number of people in this province accessing food banks. It’s at an all-time high, and it has continued to grow exponentially since the Conservatives formed government in 2018. That’s actually stated in the report. That’s not me saying it; that’s the actual Feed Ontario report.

We know that there are more people who are experiencing homelessness. We had a story the other day of an 80- or 85-year-old woman being renovicted from her apartment.

We know we have a crisis in our health care system. We’re seeing it all over the province, not just in my riding or in London.

I’m wondering if the member from London West could share her ideas on what would actually be fiscally responsible and fiscally responsive, when we’re talking about a budget and supporting people in this province who are struggling in incredible numbers under this Conservative government.

Ms. Peggy Sattler: In fact, the Middlesex-London Health Unit just wrote to this government a couple of weeks ago with the finding that households with low incomes in our community cannot afford to buy food, and that’s why we’re seeing record numbers of people accessing food banks—record numbers of new people accessing food banks in London and across the province.

What would have really made a difference is a doubling of social assistance rates, which is what social service agencies have been calling for for several years.

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

Ms. Natalia Kusendova-Bashta: I represent the great city of Mississauga, and I am privileged to stand here in this chamber as their elected representative to speak to the third reading of our government’s budget bill, Building a Strong Ontario Act. Mississauga is a large and rapidly growing city that exemplifies the best of what Ontario has to offer. From its thriving economy, beautiful skyline, and diverse and inclusive communities, there are many reasons why Mississauga is truly a great place to live, work, worship and play. I was honored to be elected by the people of this great city, and that is why I am proud to be speaking today about Bill 85 and how our government is investing in the future of our constituents.

As representatives entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding the interests and welfare of our constituents, it is our duty to examine and discuss the financial plan that will shape the future of our beloved province.

Let me begin by reminding Ontarians of the great progress we have achieved by being fiscally prudent and evaluating the return on every taxpayer dollar invested. After all, budgets do not balance themselves.

We are on a prudent path to shrink the deficit to $2.2 billion in the 2022 fiscal year, then down to $1.3 billion in 2023, and we are projecting a modest surplus of $200 million in 2024.

Through challenging times, our government was tasked to deliver a sustained balanced budget, and well-established global integrated risk assessment firms like Moody’s have assessed that our government succeeded in a quicker return to and the maintenance of balanced budgets than Moody’s previously forecasted. The lower debt burden—we are currently at 37.8% net debt-to-GDP ratio, which is down 3.6 percentage points—and a nearly balanced budget also provide for greater shock absorption abilities than the province previously possessed, should Ontario be required to implement policies to address a markedly slowing economic environment.

I commend our government for our diligent efforts in formulating this budget as it represents a comprehensive blueprint for Ontario’s progress and prosperity. Crafted during challenging times, this budget addresses the complex issues facing our province with a resolute focus on economic growth, social well-being and fiscal sustainability for future generations.

So let me be clear and repeat: Budgets do not balance themselves. It takes vision, discipline and hard work to balance budgets, and only Conservative governments with great leaders like the one we have in Premier Ford know how to get it done.

Le fondement de ce budget consiste à favoriser la croissance économique et la création d’emplois. Il décrit un plan pour revitaliser notre économie, soutenir les entreprises locales et fournir une aide indispensable aux personnes les plus durement touchées par la pandémie. J’applaudis l’engagement de notre gouvernement à investir dans des projets d’infrastructure qui non seulement stimuleront l’activité économique, mais amélioreront également nos réseaux de transport, nos établissements de soins de santé et nos établissements d’enseignement.

Madam Speaker, we are also unlocking the potential of northern Ontario by committing $1 billion to build the road to the Ring of Fire and other crucial infrastructure that will connect the rich critical mineral deposits in the north with Ontario’s world-class manufacturing sector.

We want Mississaugans to get to work as fast and conveniently as possible, reducing gridlock traffic. We want to build accessible public transit so less people are in cars and more people are riding LRTs and GO trains. We want to invest in local employers so Mississaugans don’t have to travel to a neighbouring city for work. We want Mississaugans to have a world-class health care system where wait times are low and beds are readily available. Our budget has a well-detailed plan for all of these demands.

I would like to bring up the Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit. Our government is working to lower the cost of doing business, attracting investment, reducing red tape, and getting key infrastructure built. This tax credit also allows companies to hire more workers and stay competitive by saving them an estimated $8 billion this year.

A local example in my riding is Microbix, one of many life sciences manufacturers and exporters, which received support from our government through its $840,000 grant through the Ontario Together Fund. This funding will expand the manufacturing capabilities of a made-in-Ontario business which will be expanding its capabilities and capacity for manufacturing specialized products related to diagnostic testing for infectious disease. The project will create and support dozens of new life sciences well-paid manufacturing and product development jobs in Mississauga.

Further pharmaceutical investments in Mississauga occurred earlier this year as we invested to support pharmaceutical manufacturer AstraZeneca, which will bring 500 new jobs to Mississauga. This major expansion of their research and development hub focuses on clinic studies in areas such as breast, lung, prostate cancer, as well as chronic kidney disease. These investments are saving lives.

One can take a further look at the vibrant manufacturing industry that Mississauga is home to—such as the Bombardier jet manufacturing plant opening up at Pearson airport later this summer. It is expected to provide jobs to 2,000 people and is one of many businesses that will benefit from our government’s budget.

Just last year, our government supported a $21.4-million investment by Cyclone Manufacturing, a leading supplier of aerospace components and subassemblies with manufacturing facilities in Mississauga. I want to congratulate CEO Andrew Sochaj, who truly embodies the success story of a Polish immigrant coming to Canada—an engineer with vision, with drive. And many years later, he is one of the leading employers in Mississauga. When he graduated from college with his technology degree, my brother was actually employed at Cyclone Manufacturing, as his very first job. So this is truly a success story and exemplifies what Canada and Ontario can do when we have governments that support the job creation space. This is one of many examples of our government supporting the growth of Mississauga and helping strengthen Ontario’s advanced manufacturing sector and further growing the province’s economy.

Our government is also advancing our Critical Minerals Strategy by expanding mineral exploration and development as well as strengthening our supply chains from workers in northern Ontario to manufacturers in southern Ontario. Our province’s rich endowment of valuable minerals should be leveraged and used to support our made-in-Ontario supply chain of growing industries like electric vehicles and batteries.

As our finance minister said, in 10 years, people will be choosing between an electric vehicle and an electric vehicle. And it is our job to ensure that that electric vehicle is made—where?

Interjection.

Ms. Natalia Kusendova-Bashta: Right here in Ontario. And that’s exactly what we are doing.

We have a competitive advantage of minerals in this province, and our government will be utilizing them to the best of our ability.

If you are one of many residents in my riding who commutes with GO Transit, you may have recently ridden a new electric GO bus that was manufactured right here in Ontario. Three days ago, our government rolled out electric vehicle GO buses to our existing fleet for the first time, as part of our plan to reduce emissions and expand clean and green transit options across our province.

The future is electric, and we are leading the charge. Of course, the recent announcement by Volkswagen of its planned EV plant in St. Thomas is yet another example of this.

These cars of the future are creating the jobs of the future. And our government understands that the potential of these investments relies heavily on Ontario’s ability to produce electricity.

With that, Madam Speaker, I move that this question now be put.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): Ms. Kusendova-Bashta has moved that the question now be put.

There has been more than 12 hours of debate, and 38 members have spoken to this motion. I am satisfied that there has been sufficient debate to allow this question to be put to the House.

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

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

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

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

A recorded vote being required, this vote will be deferred until after question period today.

Vote deferred.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): Orders of the day?

Ms. Andrea Khanjin: Point of order, Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): I recognize the member for Barrie–Innisfil.

Ms. Andrea Khanjin: Pursuant to standing order 7(e), I wish to inform the House that tonight’s evening sitting is cancelled.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): Orders of the day? I recognize the member for Barrie–Innisfil.

Ms. Andrea Khanjin: No further business.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): Seeing there is no further business, the House is recessed until 10:15.

The House recessed from 0933 to 1015.

Members’ Statements

Barrie Colts hockey team

Ms. Andrea Khanjin: I want to take the time to congratulate the Barrie Minor Hockey Association and the Barrie Colts for winning the under-12 BB OMHA provincial championships. Speaker, 17 determined 11-year-old boys worked incredibly hard, representing the city of Barrie and the Barrie Minor Hockey Association with class and sportsmanship at the provincial level. The team finished with a 22-1-1 record in the 2022-23 regular season and went 5-0 in the playoffs. They won the Bardown Oakville Winter Classic, the 2022-23 York-Simcoe championship, and capped it off with an Ontario Minor Hockey Association title.

The team staff includes coaches Wes Sudsbury, Mark Guergis, Lee Archer, Chris Maisoneuve, Lindsey Neil, Marcello Seminara, and James “Bones”, with Christine McColl as manager.

Congratulations, team, and congratulations to the roster of teammates: Landon Maisoneuve, Will Mutrie, Owen Poliziani, Colton Archer, Teagan Tiffin-Seminara, AJ Luczyk, Jack Hussey, Nolan McColl, Ben Sudsbury, Callum Roach, Jonathan Tallarigo, Logan Munshaw, Colton Proc, Eli Hardy-Plummer, Cooper Suggit, Blake Barter, and Jack Whipp, who delivered the golden goal.

Congratulations. Way to go, team!

Tenant protection

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: Today I rise on behalf of the tenants on Webster Street in my riding of London–Fanshawe. This issue has already been brought to the attention of the government countless times, with little action on renovictions. The residents on Webster Street have been served N13 notices en masse after a change in ownership at their buildings. I have received many gut-wrenching stories from constituents fearful of what this will mean for them, knowing that access to justice at the Landlord and Tenant Board is limited. Many do not want to use their names because they fear retribution from the owners, which speaks to the power discrepancy here.

One person emphasized the insidiousness of renovictions, and I’d like to share. She said, “My unit is a two-bedroom apartment that is in excellent condition and has never had any rent or maintenance issues in the five-plus years I have lived here.... My home was affordable, safe and friendly. This community and my neighbours have offered a decent quality of life, and I had hoped to live out my pending senior years in comfort.”

She mentioned that the renovations are not necessary. How can the government allow the landlord to justify evictions based on unnecessary renovations? She also highlighted that this is another way that affordable housing is disappearing in our community.

This government has made a commitment to creating affordable housing. They need to enact measures to ensure existing housing stays affordable.

I call on this government to pass Bill 58, protecting tenants from renovictions and imposing rent controls so that vulnerable citizens are not left begging for action to save their homes.

Amber MacDonald

Mr. John Jordan: Last Thursday evening, I attended the Attorney General’s Victim Services Awards of Distinction, where I had the privilege of acknowledging the exceptional work of Smiths Falls resident and award recipient Amber MacDonald. Amber has been the executive director of Victim Services Lanark County since 2015. Over the past eight years, she has worked tirelessly to establish the foundations for meaningful support in a well-respected, collaborative environment.

A strong and reliable advocate for the victims of crime and their families, Amber MacDonald works around the clock facilitating anti-human-trafficking workshops and providing free relevant training to hotel and motel staff. She helped establish the Lanark County Child and Youth Advocacy Centre in Carleton Place and was instrumental in implementing a forensic interview room to better serve victims of crime in a large service area.

When asked about her motivation to continue raising the bar in victim services, Amber replied, “The strength of our network is what allows us to give people back their voice ... to move someone from the worst day of their life to a place of empowerment and possibility.”

Today I stand before the House and echo the voices of all who have been impacted by the dedication shown by Amber MacDonald and victim services professionals across all our ridings. They deserve our utmost respect and our deepest gratitude for making a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

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Children’s mental health services

Mr. Joel Harden: I’m rising this morning to talk about a subject that’s on our minds a lot in this House, and that is mental health, particularly youth mental health.

Speaker, I had occasion, recently, to meet with a bunch of parents who are very concerned with the mental health of their children in high school. We’ve just lived through a difficult two and a half years of folks having to learn on their own. What I’m hearing from parents and what I’m hearing from high school students is that many don’t feel a sense of belonging; many are feeling they’re in a difficult place. And I don’t want to trivialize that. I don’t want to tell people that things are going to be better overnight. But what I do want to tell people is that in Ottawa, we have community services to help people with their mental health.

Next Friday, on May 26, at 4 p.m., at 464 Metcalfe Street, we’re going to be bringing together community providers who will give youth opportunities to volunteer, opportunities to plug into services, to feel like they belong.

So I invite you: If you want to plug into your community more, if you want to make your community a better place—or if you already are—join me and other community mental health advocates to find out about who you can meet, where you can belong, because you are loved for who you are. We need to make our province a better place, and we’re having an argument about that in this building. But on the way there, the services that our grandparents fought for—you deserve a right to access them, to make our festivals great, to make our athletics great, to make our arts community great.

Youth, we need your help, so join me on May 26. I can’t wait to see you.

Tamil genocide

Mr. Logan Kanapathi: I rise today with a heavy heart and heart-wrenching memories of innocent Tamils who perished during the last stages of the brutal war in Mullivaikkal in Vanni region in May 2009. This is an emotional moment for me and over 350,000 Tamil Ontarians. Today marks the 14th year of Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day. Heinous crimes committed by the chauvinist regime against the Tamil nation and hundreds of thousands of innocent lives taken away, including children and women, remain unpunished today. There is no truth. There is no reconciliation.

I am proud of our Premier and our government for passing Bill 104. Tamils can begin healing and can encourage Ontarians to learn about Tamil genocide.

We acknowledge the gravity of these crimes against humanity, honour the lives lost, and commit ourselves to raising awareness and passing the history to the next generation.

Today, I pay my deepest respects to those who have lost their lives. We understand the trauma and share the pain and suffering of those who have lost their loved ones.

Condominium residents

Ms. Doly Begum: Speaker, my constituents Deo Marshall and Adrianna reached out to my office to share the financial struggles that they are facing due to decisions made by their building’s condo board. Recently, they discovered that their condo board has accumulated $100,000 in fees, primarily due to an eviction—$70,000—and underpaid gas bills. The management of the condo board has requested all residents to pay approximately $700 by June 15 to cover these costs. Deo and Adrianna have been informed that their failure to meet this deadline could result in collections, which would have a detrimental impact on their credit scores. They are being penalized for the condo board’s incompetence and wrongdoing. These are seniors on fixed incomes who are now burdened with an unexpected financial obligation, with no offer of an alternative payment plan.

Speaker, this is not the first time we’re hearing such a story where condo residents are suffering due to the lack of legal protection and support for them. We have heard stories where condo residents have been forced to pay over $30,000 in mere days or face a lien on their property. Condo residents in Ontario are frustrated as there’s no effective regulator, no government agency and no tribunal they can turn to that can hear disputes such as this and resolve them in a quick and affordable manner.

This government must regulate and strengthen the Condominium Authority Tribunal’s jurisdiction to protect the rights of all residents—especially residents like Deo Marshall and Adrianna.

Asthma

Mr. Rob Flack: I rise today to recognize May as Asthma Awareness Month and to celebrate the anniversary of Ryan’s Law.

Speaker, eight years ago, my predecessor for Elgin–Middlesex–London, Jeff Yurek, introduced Ryan’s Law as a private member’s bill in this Legislature. This legislation was introduced because of a horrific incident that occurred in my riding on October 9, 2012. Ryan Gibbons passed away while at school after suffering a severe asthma attack. Ryan was unable to access his inhaler due to school policies and procedures which kept his inhaler locked in the principal’s office. Ryan’s Law mandated that students were allowed to access their inhalers and that schools were required to develop and maintain asthma policies and procedures to better protect asthmatic students.

Approximately one in five children are living with asthma in Canada. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that can make breathing difficult. That means that approximately 400,000 students with asthma in Ontario schools are now protected by Ryan’s Law.

I want to thank patient advocates such as Sandra Gibbons, Ryan’s mother, who played an instrumental role in advocating for Ryan’s Law, as well as the Lung Health Foundation for their advocacy, programming and services. We had an excellent meeting earlier this week, and I appreciate their strong advocacy.

Thomas Allen (Al) Tweddle

Mr. Stephen Blais: Mr. Speaker, Orléans lost an important community leader earlier this month. On May 1, after a long battle with cancer and surrounded by family, local legend Al Tweddle passed away.

Al was a chemist, an engineer, a sportsman, a musician, a conservationist and, above all, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Al was a community leader and a trailblazer in Orléans for decades.

Since the 1960s, Al and his previously deceased wife, Helen, were pillars in the Queenswood Heights neighbourhood of Orléans. This is the neighbourhood I grew up in, and while I didn’t know Al back then, I knew who he was. He was the man who maintained the outdoor rinks and who helped run the community centre. He was the man who took care of the tennis courts and so much more. In fact, Al took care of outdoor rinks in Orléans for over 50 years.

I got to know Al when I joined the community association and later served as president. He was a constant fixture and an important sounding board for new ideas.

Al had a great passion for nature and the outdoors. He was instrumental in developing Petrie Island into a beautiful park and ecological reserve, as the founder of Friends of Petrie Island. At Friends of Petrie Island, he spent countless hours maintaining the trails, planting trees, cleaning the beach, and educating visitors about the wildlife and history of the island.

He touched the lives of many people with his generosity, kindness and dedication.

While he is gone, his legacy will not be forgotten.

Rest in peace, Al. You will be missed by everyone in Queenswood Heights and right across Orléans.

Dutch Heritage Month

Ms. Donna Skelly: Ontario is home to over 500,000 people of Dutch heritage, and I’m proud to represent a large Dutch community in Flamborough–Glanbrook.

As we honour Dutch heritage throughout the month of May, I would like to celebrate one of the many businesses in my riding that was started by Dutch Canadian entrepreneurs. William Dam Seeds, located in West Flamborough, was started by William and Maria Dam, who immigrated to Canada in 1947. The couple met while working at a seed company in Holland, and they married in 1938. During World War II, William was involved in the resistance, helping to hide fugitives and transport weapons to push back against the occupation.

When William and Maria arrived in Canada, many immigrants were unable to find the vegetable seeds that they had grown back home in Europe. To fill this need, the couple started their own seed business at their kitchen table in Sarnia, and they eventually settled in Flamborough in 1959. For over 70 years now, this family business has provided Canadian farmers and gardeners with high-quality seeds for vegetables, herbs and flowers.

Throughout this Dutch Heritage Month, I encourage all Ontarians to visit a local Dutch Canadian business and to learn about the long history and values of liberty and democracy that our two nations share.

Melania Smith

Mr. David Smith: Today I am recognizing Ms. Melania Smith, a commercial landowner and a resident of Scarborough Centre, who is sitting in the gallery with her husband, Steve Smith.

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Melania has been nominated for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards, in the category of social change and national impact.

In addition, Ms. Smith converted her unused parcel of land into a thriving community garden after observing signs of local food insecurity. This pesticide-free produce goes to the Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities food bank.

In addition, she works with an international organization serving remote and rural parts of India, where they serve up a midday nutritional meal program that feeds thousands of students and their families, donate school supplies, and mentor women to become more confident, self-sufficient and supportive of their family and neighbours.

Congratulations, Melania, for the work you have been doing at home and abroad.

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

House sittings

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I beg to inform the House that, pursuant to standing order 9(h), the Clerk has received written notice from the government House leader indicating that a temporary change in the weekly meeting schedule of the House is required. Therefore, the House shall commence at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 29, 2023, for the proceedings of orders of the day.

Introduction of Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Today, we are very pleased to host the 27th general assembly of the Ontario-Québec Parliamentary Association. Nous avons le plaisir d’accueillir aujourd’hui la 27^e assemblée générale de l’Association parlementaire Ontario-Québec.

Joining us in the Speaker’s gallery is the delegation from Quebec. La délégation québécoise est avec nous aujourd’hui dans la tribune du Président :

—M^me Nathalie Roy, Présidente de l’Assemblée nationale du Québec;

—M^me Suzanne Tremblay, députée de Hull;

—M^me Marie-Belle Gendron, députée de Châteauguay;

—M^me Brigitte B. Garceau, députée de Robert-Baldwin; et

—M. Siegfried Peters, secrétaire général de l’Assemblée nationale du Québec.

Please join me in warmly welcoming our guests to the Legislature today.

Applause.

Ms. Marit Stiles: It’s an honour to introduce the people of Garden River First Nation, who are here at Queen’s Park with their chief, council and elders. Please welcome Chief Andy Rickard, Darwin Belleau, Cindy Belleau-Jones, Brandi Nolan, Trevor Solomon, Chris Thibodeau, Dan Tice, Albert Williams, Terry Belleau, Nevaeh Pine, and Darrell Boissoneau.

I’d also like to recognize, from the Anishinabek Nation, regional Deputy Grand Council Chief Travis Boissoneau as well as the CAO of Garden River, Jauvonne Kitto.

Welcome to Queen’s Park.

M^me Dawn Gallagher Murphy: I would like to acknowledge page Liam Gunning, from my community of Newmarket–Aurora, who is serving as page captain today. Also joining us are Liam’s mom, Jen Gunning, and his little sister Isla Gunning, as well as his grandfather Geoff Quirt, who is a retired member of the OPS.

Liam, thank you for your service.

Mr. Adil Shamji: I’d like to introduce a number of visitors to the chamber this morning.

First, I’d like to introduce Michau Van Speyk, an important autism and mental health advocate.

I’d like to introduce Rameez and Sana Mufti, who are the siblings of my outstanding OLIP intern, Alia Mufti.

Finally, I would like to introduce the following people from the community of Chesley and the Ontario Health Coalition: Brenda Scott, Ian Scott, Hazel Pratt, Jennifer Shaw, Faye Bell McClure, Sharon Burley, Doug Walsh, Audrey Walsh, Isobel Bell, and Natalie Mehra.

Welcome to the chamber.

Mr. Lorne Coe: I’d to introduce to the Legislative Assembly Geoff Quirt, who was at one time an assistant deputy minister of long-term care and the Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat.

Geoff, thank you for your service to the province.

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: Meegwetch, Speaker. Remarks in Anishininiimowin. This morning—it’s a good morning—I’m going to speak a little bit of my language, our Creator-given language.

Remarks in Anishininiimowin.

I say thank you to the community of Garden River First Nation, the Ojibways. It’s not every day that we get to speak our language in this place. This morning, I was gifted with this eagle feather, and then for me to speak a little bit of my language in this place—meegwetch.

Ms. Natalie Pierre: This morning I’d like to introduce my daughter, Kathryn Pierre, who is here in the members’ gallery joining us from Vancouver.

M^me France Gélinas: I would like to introduce a group of residents from Chesley: Faye Bell McClure, Brenda Scott, Ian Scott, Hazel Pratt, Jennifer Shaw, and Isobel Bell, as well as the CEO of the Ontario Health Coalition, Natalie Mehra.

Welcome to your House.

Mr. Michael Mantha: It’s hard to follow the member from Kiiwetinoong in speaking the language, but I’m going to make my attempt: Remarks in Anishininiimowin. That was my attempt at thanking everybody, thanking the Creator for bringing us together. And we’re all amongst friends here.

I am proud to introduce, as the member for Algoma–Manitoulin, Ogiima Andy Rickard.

The councillors were introduced a little bit earlier: cultural manager and pipe-carrier Darrell Boissoneau; regional Deputy Grand Council Chief Travis Boissoneau; drummers Nathan Roy, Isaiah Cada, Jayden Wemigwans and Wayne Moberley; and the jingle dancer, Nevaeh Pine.

Welcome to Queen’s Park. Enjoy your day.

Hon. Victor Fedeli: We have a UK delegation with us today, from the British Parliament: Lord Purvis of Tweed; Anum Qaisar, MP; Stephen Doughty, MP; Andrew Percy, MP; and Chris Brown, the UK delegation secretary.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Welcome.

Hon. Graydon Smith: From Faith Baptist Church in Huntsville in the great riding of Parry Sound–Muskoka, we have Associate Pastor Harry Toews. And from the outreach team and church family at large, joining him are: Rodger Flemming, Bill Frankland, Doug Graves, Andrew Hall, Carolann Page, Bob Switzer, Mary Switzer, Rosemary Toews, and Mike Zammit.

Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: I’d like to introduce the sensational Sive Pausey from the Métis National Council. She’s also a constituent of beautiful Beaches–East York. She’s in the chamber today for the first time.

I also have the wonderful William Peat and the bubbly Beatriz Lôbo Campos from the Canada Ireland Foundation. They are working to build an Irish immigration event space museum on the waterfront.

And all of them are working tirelessly to build a better Ontario.

Welcome to our chamber.

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Hon. Monte McNaughton: I don’t think they’ve made it in the chamber yet, but I want to welcome the member of Parliament for Lambton–Kent–Middlesex, Lianne Rood, as well as one of the staff members, Dalton Holloway, who is going to be here shortly.

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: I have a number of people here today with the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce. They’re here for meetings with various members. We have Hugo Chesshire, Mishka Balsom, Grady Peller, John Peller, Del Rollo, Richard Linley, Debbie Zimmerman, Aaron Dobbin, Paul Speck, and Carolyn Hurst.

Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Laura Smith: I would like to introduce—and thank you for coming—wonderful youth from Thornhill: Nicholas Chernyakhovsky, Eric Dobre, Jaian Dhebar, Ethan Ulman, Delan Mete, Denis Averbukh, Noa Fishbain, Jonathan Yagudaev, Abdul Wajid Ishaq, and Alan Annenkov.

I would also very much like to thank a faithful provincial servant from the Ministry of the Attorney General, Mr. Peter Dewar.

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: I have another group to introduce—and it is our powerful page Lazo Kasekas. His family is here today in the chamber: Kate, Konst, Vanna, and Eleanor Kasekas.

Welcome.

Mr. Hardeep Singh Grewal: I’d like to welcome members from the youth civic engagement initiative organized by the women’s focus group organization. They’ve joined us here today to gain some insight on the functions and structure of our great Legislature. It’s great to see them here—and all the youth they brought with them. They will be hosting a reception for us in room 228, and all are welcome to join.

Mr. Rob Flack: I would like to recognize the Lung Health Foundation of Canada. Folks are here today advocating in a very good way—CEO Jessica Buckley and policy lead Riley Sander.

Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Mike Schreiner: I’m honoured to welcome two of my constituents here to Queen’s Park today: Tim and Kris Sturgeon. Kris is a super volunteer in our community, and Tim is a recently retired OPP officer.

Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Vijay Thanigasalam: I would like to take a moment to acknowledge Dominic Cadotte, one of our current pages and a constituent of mine. Dominic is one of only a handful of pages to represent Scarborough–Rouge Park during my time in office, so I want to extend my tremendous thanks for his service to the Ontario Legislature.

Mr. Anthony Leardi: Please welcome a dear friend of mine from law school, Michael Sullivan, and his son J.J. Sullivan.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): That concludes our introduction of visitors.

I understand the member for Ottawa–Vanier has a point of order.

M^me Lucille Collard: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent that, notwithstanding standing order 40(e), five minutes be allotted to the independent members as a group to respond during statements by the ministry and responses today.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Madame Collard is seeking unanimous consent of the House that, notwithstanding standing order 40(e), five minutes be allotted to the independent members as a group to respond during statements by the ministry and responses today. Agreed? I heard a no.

Question Period

Municipal restructuring

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

Any dissolution of Peel region will require serious thought and care from this government. There are a lot of moving parts and billions of dollars at stake for taxpayers in Brampton, in Mississauga and in Caledon. But as we’ve seen, whether it’s with Bill 23 or the cancellation of Peel chair elections or the ending of regional planning responsibilities, this Premier has a record of imposing sudden, massive changes on municipalities without consultation or careful review, leaving municipalities and taxpayers to deal with the resulting chaos. How can the people of Peel trust the Premier to get this right?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): To reply, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hon. Steve Clark: I disagree with the Leader of the Opposition. The Premier has been clear on this issue and what our shared intentions are. We’re committed to working with all of our municipal partners to ensure that they have both the tools and the autonomy to deliver efficient and effective services to their constituents. This is an issue that has long been discussed within Peel region.

As I said earlier, the Premier has been very clear on his intentions, and we’ll have more to say later in the day.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: Back to the Premier: Last week, we reminded the Premier and the Minister of Municipal Affairs of their promise to make municipalities whole for revenue losses that were caused by Bill 23. We told them that Brampton would need to raise taxes by 80% to cover these losses; now they’re worried about losing as much as $! billion in infrastructure.

But the minister seems to forget all about his promise to make municipalities whole. The Premier even compared Peel municipalities to beggars seeking a handout.

How can Peel residents have any confidence in this restructuring process when the Premier and the minister have shown them such disrespect?

Hon. Steve Clark: The region of Peel has some of the largest and fastest-growing communities in our province. We have been very clear that we will continue to work with them.

We recently appointed an auditor for all four Peel communities, with a very clear vision that we want to set those municipalities up for success. All three of the municipalities—Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon—are part of our expansion of strong-mayor powers. All of them have been very, very clear back to us: They’ve committed to our housing target,s and they’re ready for success.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: I encourage the minister to go listen to the people of Brampton. Their municipality is indeed growing at an extraordinary rate. But time and time again, this government makes Bramptonians big promises but delivers nothing but half-measures. I get why people are worried about this government’s latest plan. They deserve better.

In 2019, the government announced a regional government review—three months of consultations, and the review received over 8,500 written submissions. But then the government suddenly dropped the whole idea, and the report and the recommendations have been kept secret ever since.

Just so Peel residents and other Ontarians have access to all the relevant information, will the Premier order the release of the 2019 report?

Hon. Steve Clark: Do you know one thing that the Leader of the Opposition didn’t talk about? The results of last year’s election. She didn’t mention that, right now, all of those seats in Peel region are government seats. So the Leader of the Opposition—let’s face it, there’s a bit of revisionist history over on the benches over there.

We will continue to work with our outstanding Peel region MPPs in the government. We will continue to work with our three great mayors and those great councils in Caledon, Brampton and Mississauga.

And we want to give a clear message to the people who live in Peel region: No matter whether you live in Caledon or Brampton or Mississauga, we want to ensure that the process results in those same front-line services that those people expect today and will expect in the future.

Government accountability

Ms. Marit Stiles: Before I go to my next question, let me just say, I wonder how those people in Brampton are going to feel in the next election, when their taxes have gone up 80% under this government—80%.

Interjections.

Ms. Marit Stiles: Oh, yes. It’s coming.

On September 15, 2022, a company controlled by Michael Rice of the Rice Group bought 687 acres of protected farmland in King township. Less than two months later, the government announced that this property would be removed from the greenbelt. But now we have learned that Mr. Rice discussed the development of this land with King township and Southlake health officials in June, before he bought the land, and perhaps even as early as January of last year.

It makes no sense for Mr. Rice to propose the development of protected greenbelt land he did not even own yet, unless—and my question is to the Premier: Did someone in the government tip him off about the greenbelt plan?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): To reply, the government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: It’s shocking, Mr. Speaker, that somebody was talking about building a new hospital in York region—the new Southlake hospital.

In fact, we were actually talking about building a new Southlake hospital before the last election. It has been no secret; we’ve never made a secret of the fact that the people of York region, especially Southlake, need it to be rebuilt. I just don’t understand how it is that the Leader of the Opposition is not aware of this, because we’ve not tried to hide the fact.

In fact, we went into an election telling the people of the province of Ontario that we were going to make $50 billion worth of investments in health care because we had to rebuild a health care system that was left so sorely lacking by the Liberal and NDP coalition, which ignored health care for 15 years.

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It is no secret, but welcome to the party. Perhaps now you will consider voting in favour of this massive investment, now that it’s no longer a secret to—

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: Speaker, it’s not about what this government says is going to be built or not. It’s about who has access to this government to get these favours. That’s what this is about.

Shortly before that June meeting, Luca Bucci, the chief of staff to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, left the ministry and took a job as the new CEO of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association. The president of the OHBA at the time was Bob Schickedanz, whose company owned the King township property that would then be sold to Michael Rice on September 15, and then removed from the greenbelt less than two months later. Follow along here, Speaker.

Did Mr. Bucci or any other government official know about any of the greenbelt removals prior to September 15, 2022?

Hon. Paul Calandra: Mr. Speaker, as important as it is that you follow along, I think it’s very clear that the people of Ontario followed along in the last election.

She says it’s not important about what gets built and what doesn’t get built in the province of Ontario. Well, I disagree. It actually is important what gets built and what doesn’t get built, because under the Liberal and NDP coalition, nothing got built. That’s why our hospitals were crumbling. That’s why we didn’t have subways for over 30 years. There is a delegation here from Great Britain; they managed to get subways built in London—we had to wait 30 years for Toronto, for crying out loud.

But do you know who got the job done? This Minister of Transportation, this Premier; they got subways built in Ontario.

So I would say to the Leader of the Opposition, it does matter what gets built and what is not built.

Under this government, things get built. And when they’re in charge, nothing happens.

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

Ms. Marit Stiles: Back to the Premier: The Conservatives’ narrative is totally off here. They’d better get their story straight.

Last week, the Narwhal reported that officials in the Premier’s office were aware of the changes to the greenbelt as early as August, and Michael Rice was pitching a development proposal for his soon-to-be-acquired greenbelt land as early as June or maybe even January of last year. The timeline here doesn’t make any sense.

Why did the Premier and the minister tell the Integrity Commissioner that they only knew about the greenbelt removal scheme in November, when the Premier’s inner circle clearly knew long before then?

Hon. Paul Calandra: Again, the Leader of the Opposition suggests that the narrative is off. I suggest that it is the Leader of the Opposition and the NDP who haven’t got on with the narrative.

We went to the people of the province of Ontario and said that we were going to continue to build prosperity in the province of Ontario by building roads, highways, new long-term care; by investing in our auto sector; by bringing jobs back to the province of Ontario. And what we have seen is record growth in the province of Ontario.

This is an opposition party that went to the people with the message that she’s delivering now, and the people of the province of Ontario massively turned their backs on that particular party. In fact, they returned the Progressive Conservative Party with a larger majority than when we left; they reduced the opposition by 10 seats.

This is a Leader of the Opposition who ran unopposed for the leadership because nobody else wanted to lead the party.

I think we got the narrative right. The economy is showing that we’re getting it right, and the people of the province of Ontario—

Interjections.

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

Members will please take their seats.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

Start the clock. The next question.

Indigenous affairs

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: Meegwetch, Speaker. Remarks in Anishininiimowin.

My question is to the Premier.

The leadership and the members from the Ojibways of Garden River First Nation travelled here today to enforce a long-overdue promise of the 1850 treaty to their people. That treaty promised them land that Ontario and Canada took back for mining, timber and farming.

Mr. Speaker, will this government honour the 1850 treaty and give back the land Ontario owes to Garden River First Nation?

Interjections.

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

Government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: I thank the member for the question.

Let me, too, welcome the delegation—the chiefs and the entire members of the community who have come here.

We have, I think, a very good tradition of working with Indigenous partners. In fact, I think this government has secured more agreements than any other government in the past. But that doesn’t suggest that the work is done by any account.

I know this is something that is before the courts right now, and as you can appreciate, Mr. Speaker, when something is before the courts, there’s very little more that we can say on the matter.

As the Premier has said and as the minister has said, we remain committed to working with Indigenous partners to not only settle land claims across the province of Ontario, but to ensure that Indigenous communities participate in the economic growth, because they are the leaders who will help us shape the Ontario of the future. They’re such an important part of it. We owe them that. I know that they are as excited to work with us as we are to work with them.

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

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: We need to start talking about self-determination. We need to start talking about self-governance. We need to start talking about treaties and honouring the treaties.

Speaker, First Nations in Ontario are founding partners in the development of this province. We know that. You know that. The future prosperity for all of us depends on implementing the spirit and intent of the treaties. Again, the prosperity of northern Ontario depends on the respect of those treaties.

Does Ontario agree that this means respect for the environment, so any agreed-upon development in the north can happen sustainably, responsibly and with the full involvement and the full consent of First Nations?

Interjections.

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

Government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: It’s a really good question from the member. I think he hits the nail on the head in a lot of respects. I don’t think we need to start working with First Nations; I think we need to continue working with First Nations. I think he has highlighted it on many occasions, as have our partners—that this is a partnership. This is a nation-to-nation discussion. First Nations are, in many respects, not only our partners; they are our teachers when it comes to how we can ensure the economic prosperity not only of northern Ontario, but all of Ontario.

We will continue to work with our partners—not only First Nations communities, but across the province of Ontario—to ensure that as the economic riches of the north, which have become so important in the economic development not only of southern Ontario but all of Canada—it is those relationships that we have with First Nations communities to help guide us and help lead the way to that economic prosperity that is so important to all Ontarians.

Cost of living

Mr. Will Bouma: My question is for Minister of Finance.

Much like the rest of the world, Ontario is experiencing the effects of global economic uncertainty. Ongoing supply chain disruptions, inflation and increased interest rates have created financial pressures for people across Ontario. Individuals, families and businesses are looking to our government for help during these challenging times to provide them with much-needed support so that life is more affordable. They need to see that our government is continuing to focus on legislation, investments and other initiatives that will provide real relief financially, and that our government has a strong plan for the future.

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Speaker, can the minister please explain how our government is continuing to work on behalf of Ontarians during these challenging economic times?

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: Thank you to the terrific member from Brantford–Brant for that question.

Mr. Speaker, the people of Ontario re-elected our government with a plan to get it done, to keep costs down, and to support the people of Ontario while getting the roads, hospitals, schools and infrastructure built that Ontario needs.

We have a responsible plan to ensure that the province remains on a strong and steady economic path forward. In fact, I was very pleased to see that Moody’s, a credit rating agency, has recently changed Ontario’s credit outlook from “stable” to “positive.” This reflects our government’s commitment to prudent, responsible fiscal management and a strong economy. We have laid a strong foundation on which we will continue to build Ontario.

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

Mr. Will Bouma: Thank you, Minister, for that response.

It is great to hear that our government is consistently introducing measures that will put money back into the pockets of taxpayers and is building up Ontario’s future with infrastructure and investments that will benefit everyone.

That said, the people of Ontario expect that their government will continue to look for many ways to reduce costs so that life is more affordable.

Unlike the previous Liberal government that was out of touch with the people of Ontario, our government must remain committed to focusing on issues that will help to improve everyday life.

Speaker, can the minister please explain how the priorities in the 2023 budget will help to make life more affordable for the people of Ontario?

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: Thank you again to the member for that question.

Mr. Speaker, we are making transit more affordable by eliminating double fares for most local transit services in the greater Golden Horseshoe area when commuters are also using GO Transit services.

For low-income seniors in Ontario, these uncertain times are even more challenging. That is why we are temporarily doubling the Guaranteed Annual Income System—also known as GAINS—payments until December 2023. And we are proposing to expand that GAINS program, starting in 2024, to 100,000 additional seniors eligible for the program, for a 50% increase in recipients, and to adjust this benefit so that it increases with inflation.

This all builds on our previous measures, including cutting the gas and fuel tax until December 2023 and eliminating licence plate—

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

Ambulance services

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: My question is to the Premier.

Residents of Windsor-Essex are deeply concerned to know that numerous code reds and code blacks have been declared due to shortages of available ambulances and this government’s continued systemic underfunding of health care in Ontario. From 2021 to 2022, there was an alarming increase of 4,833 code red minutes. Three months into this year, Windsor-Essex is at nearly 900 code red minutes, plus another 2,257 code black minutes. This is the dangerous reality in Windsor-Essex, and this government continues to fail to address it.

Speaker, will the Premier commit today to addressing this disturbing reality and ensure residents in my community have access to timely emergency services when they need them?

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

Mrs. Robin Martin: Thank you to the member opposite for the question.

Our government knows that the status quo is not working. That is why we’ve been making all the changes we have, why we introduced the Your Health Act, and why we’ve got the largest health human resources recruitment, retention and training initiative in Ontario’s history to address any concerns, such as the ones the member opposite has mentioned.

This Tuesday, our Minister of Health and our Minister of Colleges and Universities were in Owen Sound to announce training programs, Learn and Stay programs, to ensure 2,500 post-secondary students in nursing, paramedics and medical laboratory technology would get training covered by the government. What we’re doing is making sure that those programs are available.

This is building on programs that we announced in March 2022. We think that this is part of the solution to make sure that we have the health human resource and make sure that the emergency rooms are operating.

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

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: The mayor and council of Essex passed a motion this week and have written a letter to the Premier calling for immediate action for our region. Mayor Bondy said, “We implore the authorities to apply an immediate and comprehensive review of our hospital off-load delays and staffing crisis in our front line.

“Ambulance off-load processes and hospital volumes are merely two contributing factors. If nothing tangible is done, local families risk experiencing catastrophic consequences.”

Speaker, will the Premier immediately address the concerns of the Essex council and the alarming health care crisis we’re experiencing across Windsor–Essex with the increasing code reds and code blacks?

Mrs. Robin Martin: Our government is taking action to ensure Ontarians have access to the care they need.

When it comes to the ambulance off-load delays, we have a many-step process we’ve put in place. We’re returning ambulances to communities faster through the dedicated off-load nursing program. We’ve increased ambulance availability by about 600,000 hours with that program. We’re providing timely and appropriate care in community through the expansion of our 911 options. And we’re investing in new technologies through the central ambulance communication centre. We’re also helping with the transport of medically stable patients so they don’t have to use ambulances. And we’re maximizing, as I’ve said, our health human resource capacity.

This year, we’ve increased dedicated off-load funding to over $23 million for 27 municipalities; that’s seven additional municipalities receiving that funding for the first time.

We’re going to continue to make sure that our ambulances can be in the community, not waiting in hospitals, and that our emergency rooms are well staffed.

GO Transit

Mr. Graham McGregor: My question is for the Associate Minister of Transportation.

Many commuters and families, myself included, in my riding of Brampton North rely on the GO train network to get to downtown Toronto and to travel across the rest of the GTA. Those same commuters and families were left behind when the previous Liberal government broke their promises on GO Transit service. Because of their failed leadership, our government inherited a transit system that was outdated and in need of many improvements.

That’s why our government must build transit infrastructure that will improve travel, create local jobs and boost our economy.

Speaker, can the associate minister please explain how our government is bringing fast and convenient GO Transit services for the people in my riding and across Ontario?

Hon. Stan Cho: [Remarks in Punjabi] question from the member this morning. Remarks in Punjabi.

Make no mistake, we’re building the GO network after the Liberals failed to do so.

Last week, I joined the Premier and Minister Mulroney to announce that we recently finished building terrific new infrastructure improvements at Bramalea GO in Brampton. These fantastic enhancements include a brand new accessible station building, a spacious parking garage with over 2,000 parking spaces and tremendous bus-related infrastructure, with a whopping 18 new bus platforms, so riders can get off Bramalea GO and connect to local Brampton transit with ease. Our upgrades are making Bramalea GO an essential hub for the 12,200 daily riders that it will have in 20 years’ time.

Unlike the opposition, who failed to expand the GO network and build transit in any meaningful way, this government is getting it done for commuters in Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mr. Graham McGregor: It’s great to see how our government is improving the GO Transit network as it will help to better connect people and communities. A new and improved Bramalea GO station will offer riders better and more convenient service. The people of Ontario are looking forward to a modernized GO Transit system that will meet our transit needs for years to come.

Our government must continue to build Ontario by delivering on our commitment to bring relief and new opportunities to transit users.

Speaker, can the associate minister please elaborate on the progress our government is making on expanding the GO Transit network to get it done for commuters all across our province?

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Hon. Stan Cho: Speaker, let’s be clear: This government is taking the biggest transit expansion plan in history, at $70.5 billion, and making it a reality for the commuters in this province. This includes the GO expansion program.

Interjection.

Hon. Stan Cho: The member from Waterloo heckles but votes against two-way, all-day GO in her own riding after asking for it for decades. But we continue—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order. The minister has the floor.

Hon. Stan Cho: Thank you, Speaker.

Despite the heckling of the opposition, who opposes transit even in their own ridings, we’re getting it done.

For example, Milliken GO train station has a fine new east platform and a south tunnel for riders. That’s not the only enhancement we’re bringing. We’re also bringing enhancements such as a second track and platform; canopies and integrated shelters; a renovated existing platform; and two brand new pedestrian tunnels with elevators.

It’s not just about expanding the grid. It’s about making it more affordable. It’s about making the rider experience more enjoyable.

Speaker, this government is getting it done for commuters in this province.

Health care

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

Chesley and District Memorial Hospital has a very hard time meeting its 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week obligation to their emergency department. They serve many seniors and many Amish and Mennonite families who do not drive. They know vulnerable people are dependent upon them. Chesley’s hospital faces human resource shortages. They need more resources. They need this minister’s help.

Hospitals are the biggest responsibility of a Minister of Health. We all know that the minister is all in when it comes to helping investors build private clinics that we don’t need. But the people of Chesley who are here today want to know what this minister is going to do to help public hospitals like Chesley that are struggling right now.

Interjections.

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

To respond, the Minister of Colleges and Universities.

Hon. Jill Dunlop: Thank you to the member for the question.

It’s very interesting; every day, you’re all talk, talk, talk about more doctors and nurses, but every time you get up to vote, it’s no, no, no. Bill 60—every one of you voted last week against adding additional nurses, PSWs, doctors to the system.

This week, I was with the Minister of Health when we kicked off the announcement for the Learn and Stay grant—which will actually affect your community—through Cambrian College and through Laurentian University. We’ve already seen 1,300 students register for this program. It’s amazing to see the nurses.

You voted against Bill 60. But you have a chance today to stand up and vote for the budget, which will, again, include more doctors and nurses. So I ask you today to stand up and vote and support the budget, so we can see more health human resources added to the system.

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

Once again, I’ll remind the members to please make their comments through the Chair, not directly across the floor of the House.

Start the clock.

Supplementary question? The member for Ottawa Centre.

Mr. Joel Harden: Back to the health minister: One of two operating rooms at the general campus of the Ottawa Hospital was closed last Saturday when a nurse had to call in sick. That meant one less OR for major trauma incidents in our city. But do you know what was open last Saturday? The for-profit corporation that has been operating at the Riverside campus of the Ottawa Hospital and poaching nurses from our existing hospital infrastructure. This minister and this government, I’m going to assume, are going to insist there’s no link between these things, but I believe the president of the nurses at the Ottawa Hospital, Rachel Muir, who says there is.

Speaker, will today be the day, finally, that this government comes to grips with this obsession with for-profit health care and how it is hurting our hospitals?

Interjection.

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

The Minister of Colleges and Universities can reply.

Hon. Jill Dunlop: Thank you to the member again for the question.

We’re talking about health human resources, including adding more additional health human resources, more—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Kitchener–Conestoga will come to order. I think he knows what he said.

Minister of Colleges and Universities.

Hon. Jill Dunlop: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’re talking about adding additional health human resources to the field—more doctors, more nurses, more PSWs—and yet every opportunity we bring forward, the opposition Liberals and NDP vote against these, every single time. We have record numbers of students right now who are wanting to become nurses. We’re adding incentives, like the new Learn and Stay program, investments in hospitals, long-term-care centres—students want to join the health sector, and yet every opportunity that comes before you, you vote it down. You talk about wanting more doctors and nurses and yet, every time, it’s no, no, no.

Today, we vote for budget 2023, and I hope that all members in this House stand and support adding additional health human resources—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Once again, stop the clock, please.

One more time, I’ll remind the members to make their comments through the Chair, not directly across the floor of the House. Will I say it again?

Mr. John Yakabuski: Well, they’re slow learners over there, Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke will come to order.

Start the clock. The next question.

Health care

Mr. Stephen Blais: My question is for the Premier.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, the emergency room in Chesley, Ontario had its hours limited from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Chesley residents who have emergencies outside of bankers’ hours, according to this government, are just out of luck. Coupled with our family doctor shortage, Ontarians are left with fewer and fewer options, and residents of Chesley are understandably angry.

Last month, hundreds of Chesley residents protested the ER’s extended closures, even organizing the petition that will be read into the record later today. The people of Chesley have had enough of this government’s inaction as the province’s health care crisis sweeps through their community.

Will the Premier drop his appeal of Bill 124, address the staffing crisis, adequately fund our hospitals, and keep emergency rooms open across Ontario?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Government House leader.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Honestly, it’s bad enough when the NDP asks questions, because they held the balance of power, but the Liberals were actually in power for 15 years across the province of Ontario. And what did they do? Absolutely nothing.

When the NDP were in power, they reduced the acute-care beds in our hospitals down to 18,000. They took thousands of beds off-line.

The Liberals then doubled down, but then they went even further. They actually cut health care spending across the province of Ontario while they were in power and while there was a federal government, a Conservative government, that was increasing funding by 6% a year to health care.

That is the record of the Liberals. The Liberals helped bring this province to its knees. They underfunded small hospitals across the province of Ontario, and now this member has the nerve to get up and say, “Do something about it.” Well, we are. We started on day one by making investments, not only in our small and medium hospitals, but by rebuilding them and by bringing thousands of additional health care workers—

Interjections.

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

The supplementary question.

Mr. Stephen Blais: Well, do you know what this government has done? This government has ensured that the ER in Alexandria has been closed 38 times from last year to this year. The government has ensured that the ER in Perth was closed for three straight weeks last July. They ensured that the emergency room at the Montfort Hospital in Ottawa was closed on weekends last summer, Mr. Speaker. That’s the record of this government. They continue to blame others after five years in office, having not actually accomplished a whole heck of a lot.

The health care crisis in Chesley is not a one-off; it’s merely the tip of the iceberg. Unless this government changes course, it will happen again and again and again.

For the people in Chesley without a family doctor, who can’t drive half an hour when they’re having a heart attack and need emergency room access, what does the Premier recommend they do in a medical emergency?

Hon. Paul Calandra: I think the people of the province of Ontario did the right thing in 2018 when they elected a Conservative government to fix the bungling of 15 years of Liberals.

How dare this member get up and talk about small-town Ontario? This is a member whose government closed schools in small-town Ontario. This is a member whose government starved small-town Ontario hospitals to death, so that they could take funding from small-town Ontario and put it into hospitals in their own ridings. They closed down acute-care beds. They laid off nurses. They didn’t build long-term care. That is the record of the Liberal Party.

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Do you want to know what we’ve done? We’re building 50 brand new hospitals across the province of Ontario. We’re expanding them. We’ve said to our small hospitals and hospitals in small-town Ontario, “It is absolutely incredible that, for 15 years, they starved you.” We took their budgets and we equalled them to what is happening in big Ontario urban communities. We’re hiring more doctors with more medical schools—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Order.

Stop the clock.

Interjections.

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

Start the clock. The next question.

Red tape reduction

Mr. Aris Babikian: My question is for the Minister of Red Tape Reduction.

After 15 years of the previous Liberal government, Ontario was left with the highest regulatory burden in the country. Companies found themselves tangled up in endless and complicated regulations. What’s worse is that under the watch of the Liberals, more than 300,000 manufacturing jobs packed up and left Ontario. That’s why, in 2018, Ontarians entrusted our government to clean up the mess that was left behind.

The people of our province expect that our government will implement measures that will pave the way for better services and make it easier for businesses to invest in Ontario.

Speaker, can the minister please share some of the steps our government has taken to make businesses more competitive in Ontario?

Hon. Parm Gill: I want to thank the member from Scarborough–Agincourt for that important question.

We all know the previous Liberal government, supported by the NDP, spent 15 years creating unnecessary burden for people in the province of Ontario. As a matter of fact, Ontario had the largest regulatory burden in the country when we took over in 2018. But what have we done since 2018? We have brought forward 10 different pieces of legislation in this House to help reduce that regulatory burden—10 pieces of legislation that have helped reduce over 16,000 different red tape requirements that Ontarians and businesses have to face in our province. And we continuously encourage, of course, Ontarians and businesses to bring forward ideas that we can work on and make life easier for everyone. I also want to point out that we have not to date received a single idea from the members of opposite, simply because I don’t think they care about red tape—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mr. Aris Babikian: Thank you, Minister. It is always good news for the people of Ontario when our government is streamlining processes by getting rid of outdated and unnecessary regulations.

Our government continues to prove that there are innovative solutions that save people and businesses time and money. To date, the work of the Ministry of Red Tape Reduction has saved businesses nearly $700 million in annual compliance costs.

However, our government must continue to look for more opportunities to reduce regulatory burdens to make it easier for Ontarians to access services.

Speaker, can the minister please share how our government’s latest red tape reduction bill will do more to make life easier for people and businesses in Ontario?

Hon. Parm Gill: I want to thank the member for that important question again.

I was proud to introduce our 10th red tape reduction bill, the Less Red Tape, Stronger Economy Act. If passed, it will help get broadband built faster across our province in various communities. It will help businesses and non-profit organizations adopt digital meetings and other virtual practices. It will protect electricity ratepayers from incurring the costs of fines imposed on utility companies. Those are just a few of the highlights from the latest bill that we have before the House. In fact, I am proud to say that this was the largest piece of legislation that our government has brought in so far in this session. Why? Because we understand that unnecessary burden and unnecessary red tape is holding our economy and holding our province back. And we will continue to work hard each and every day to eliminate those unnecessary barriers.

Child care

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: My question is to the Premier.

This week, the FAO report confirmed what experts have been warning the government about for some time. The implementation of the $10-a-day child care program is under threat because of low pay and poor working conditions. The average ECE worker only stays in the child care sector for just three years.

Does the government’s plan include creating not-for-profit spaces with good-paying jobs?

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

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Mr. Speaker, the greatest single threat to affordable child care is the ideological aversion of New Democrats and Liberals that would have opposed 30% of child care operators from being in the deal—because they oppose the inclusion of for-profit child care, because they are so blinded by ideology instead of practical reductions in savings for working people in the province of Ontario.

This Premier got a deal done—not any deal; a better deal—with a billion more dollars on the table and next-year funding guarantees, and yes, a commitment to increase wages for the very workers who make a difference in our child care centres.

Mr. Speaker, we’re increasing wages by $1 per hour per year. We instituted, for the first time, a wage floor, and we made a commitment. The parliamentary assistant has been leading a consultation to go even further.

Let’s work together to make child care affordable. This year, the average rate went from $46 a day to $23 a day—a 50% savings, and a major step forward. Let’s do this for families in Ontario.

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

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: Speaker, the FAO estimates that over 220,000 additional spaces will be required to fulfill the demand for $10-a-day child care, with 16,000 child care workers needing to be hired by 2026 in order to meet the demand. Early childhood educators are leaving the field faster than they can be trained.

We’ve been urging the government to create an early years and child care workforce advisory commission.

Will the government commit today to prioritizing $10-a-day child care, and make sure child care is a career that workers want to stay in?

Hon. Stephen Lecce: I appreciate the question.

To the members opposite: We can agree that ECEs play a critical role. It is a profession that is worth entering, and with great opportunity. Of course, while we’re increasing their wages and strengthening the supports we’re providing for the workers, we’re also putting an emphasis on reduction in fees and increase of access.

Mr. Speaker, under the former Liberal government, one of the legacies—perhaps New Democrats and Progressive Conservatives could agree—was the indefensible increase of 400% in child care fees for working parents. It became a choice of staying home or working. It undermined labour market participation of women in the economy.

We’re finally getting this done. We stood up to the federal government for a better deal that includes more affordability, more spaces, and more federal investment.

We’ll continue to stand with those workers, stand with families, reduce fees, increase access, and increase the wages of the people who make a difference in the life of our kids in Ontario.

Agri-food industry

Mr. Dave Smith: My question is to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Ontario’s greenhouse-grown fruit, vegetables and flowers account for a significant contribution to Ontario’s agri-food sector. Through implementing new technology and innovation within the sector, Ontario’s greenhouses continue to be at the forefront of the agri-food sector.

Consistent, reliable and premium-quality products continue to put Ontario on the map as a global leader and a universally trusted brand of choice.

The economic activity generated by Ontario’s greenhouses alone contributes more than $2.3 billion to Ontario’s GDP and has created over 28,000 jobs.

Can the minister share what the government is doing to support the growth of this important agri-food business?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: I appreciate the question from the MPP from Peterborough, because this is something we need to celebrate.

It’s really important that people across Ontario understand that Ontario’s greenhouse vegetable sector and fresh flowers sector actually represent over 81% of Canada’s total greenhouse vegetable exports. We are a food powerhouse in Canada.

We’re working with the sector in an all-of-government approach to make sure that the right supports are in place. For example, we continue to work with the greenhouse sector and introduce programs like the Grow Ontario Market Initiative to help grow markets not only in Ontario but around the world. We’re working with our colleagues to reduce red tape and introduce research initiatives. And we’re working with greenhouses to ensure that when international workers choose to work in Ontario, they have safe living conditions—for instance, the HEPA filter system that we introduced. The list goes on and on, but the important part is—

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

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Mr. Dave Smith: Earlier this week, we welcomed the Ontario Greenhouse Alliance to this House.

Greenhouse-grown flowers generated more than $900 million in farm gate sales in 2021—and continue to innovate to grow this target.

The partnership between the Ontario chapter of Flowers Canada and the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, represented by TOGA—yes, it’s true, we had a TOGA event—is a formidable economic powerhouse with the ability to truly strengthen Ontario’s economy. TOGA’s members are protecting crops and flowers from environmental extremes, preserving and recirculating water and nutrients, and growing year-round to ensure that we have a safe, local, fresh food supply throughout the year.

Can the minister elaborate on how this government is supporting the desire to increase exports of our fresh products?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: I want to touch on the fresh flower market here in Ontario—and thank you to the member opposite from Peterborough for recognizing the TOGA party that was held here.

The Ontario Greenhouse Alliance has so much to celebrate. In fact, I was speaking to one grower who specializes in fresh flowers, and I want to quote something that he shared. They had a really good market leading up to Mother’s Day, and not only did they satisfy demand across the province, but he also stated that $1 million worth of flowers grown in Ontario was sold into the US market. I know the finance minister will appreciate this, because selling into the US market translated into $1.35 million returning to Ontario, so that we can continue to build Ontario, invest in our greenhouse business and, most importantly, continue to grow good Ontario jobs.

Speaker, that’s exactly why we stand with the members of the Ontario Greenhouse Alliance and farmers across this province to meet market challenges and to help them realize growth opportunities.

Horse racing industry

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

The Fort Erie Race Track will have their 126th opening day next Tuesday. Right now, they’re under attack. After reaching an impasse in their attempts to resolve ongoing issues, the Fort Erie Race Track filed a grievance with the Canadian trade commission for targeted anti-competition behaviour by Woodbine. Woodbine has enforced a strict horse-stabling policy and is routinely running B-level races as an A-level track at the expense of the Fort Erie Race Track. Will the government step in and have Woodbine end this behaviour to ensure the future of the Fort Erie track?

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

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: Thank you to the member opposite for that very important question.

As the member knows, there has been a complaint filed, which he just referenced, in front of the Competition Bureau so I can’t get into specifics and comment in a detailed fashion on that.

But I will say this—and I think the member opposite knows this: The previous government was willing and prepared to allow for the collapse of the horse racing industry, and that would have caused the potential loss of 23,000 jobs and 27,000 dead horses.

We are supporting the horse racing industry. In fact, during the pandemic, we negotiated terms to have a long-term funding agreement to provide additional support through a very challenging time for the industry. This will give the industry time to recover, preserve local employment, and provide support to Ontario’s 15 racetracks until 2026.

Mr. Wayne Gates: Back to the Premier: Woodbine has been granted tens of millions of dollars from taxpayers in purse money by this government, yet they continue to take action which is directly harming the Fort Erie Race Track.

Woodbine refuses to work proactively with Fort Erie in the scheduling of the Prince of Wales Stakes, which would allow both Triple Crown races to be highlighted and well attended in the province.

Thoroughbred tracks in Ontario should be working together. Woodbine is doing the opposite.

Speaker, I ask the government to do the right thing: Support horse racing in this province and rein in this behaviour by Woodbine and Mr. Jim Lawson, the CEO.

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: Mr. Speaker, through you: Thank you again for that question.

Our government really understands the important role that the horse racing industry provides in many of our communities across Ontario. In fact, a few of my colleagues who were around in opposition at the time—you fought for the horse racing industry; you stepped up for all those jobs in many communities around Ontario. In fact, in the member opposite’s own riding, if it weren’t for the tireless advocacy of my colleagues on this side of the House and in the middle over there, that would be countless jobs that were lost, countless communities that would have suffered.

We stand with the horse racing industry. We will continue to support the horse racing industry.

Thank you for your support. That’s all I have to say.

Electronic service delivery

Mr. Logan Kanapathi: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery.

Ontario knows that technology is evolving, improving and changing faster than ever before. In many ways, it can often seem like the changes are happening more quickly than what people and business can keep up with.

For individuals, families, workers and businesses who wish to access online services, the technology needs to be convenient and reliable. It is important and necessary that Ontario keeps pace with new technology so that businesses can remain competitive and people can access the information and services that they need.

Speaker, can the minister please explain what our government is doing to ensure that Ontario adopts up-to-date digital technology?

Hon. Kaleed Rasheed: Thank you to the member from Markham–Thornhill for his question.

The position of this government is very clear: As both Premier Ford and the Minister of Finance have said on numerous occasions, we cannot afford to be an off-line government in an online world. This mindset is driving change and innovation in government and is helping us adopt cutting-edge technologies like the cloud. By moving away from old, outdated tech and towards the cloud, we are making the services that Ontarians count on more reliable, more affordable and, above all else, safer than ever before.

I’m also very proud to say that our province is a leader not only in Canada, but in North America as well, and around the world, when it comes to the adoption of cloud technology and always making sure—

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

Mr. Logan Kanapathi: Thank you, Minister, for that response.

It is a reality that cloud technology is experiencing tremendous growth.

In his response, the minister explained that cloud technology will provide an added measure of safety. While this is good news, we regularly hear reports from the media about security breaches, leaked information and identity theft from computer hackers.

The safety and security of personal information is an important and serious issue. The people of Ontario need to be confident that our government can ensure that provincial services and agencies have strong cyber security measures in place.

Mr. Speaker, can the minister please explain how our government is implementing technology that will safeguard personal information for all Ontarians?

Hon. Kaleed Rasheed: Again, thanks to the member for his question.

Speaker, as the member mentioned in his first question, technology is evolving very quickly. Unfortunately, this also means that bad actors who want to steal Ontarians’ personal information are also finding new ways to inflict damage and disrupt services.

That is why our government is never letting its guard down. The added benefit of cloud technology means that we can keep Ontarians safe thanks to the improved stability, reliability and security that this new technology brings.

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Speaker, as Ontario’s economy and population continue to grow under our government, the need for us to keep up the pace grows as well. Under this Premier and this government, we are delivering digital transformation for a smarter, more modern and efficient government that serves the people and businesses of our great province.

Ontario Disability Support Program

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: My constituent Robert is on ODSP and was faced with an impossible choice at Walmart this week: to buy diabetic socks or food. Every diabetic knows that proper socks prevent ulcers, infections and, ultimately, amputations, so Robert’s choice was really about going hungry or potentially losing his toes or feet. Some 85% of diabetic amputations are preventable with proper care.

ODSP is legislated poverty, as we all know. Low rates mean that Robert is an expert at stretching a dime into a dollar, but still, it isn’t enough.

When will the Premier listen to experts and double ODSP to lift people with disabilities out of poverty and save people like Robert from losing his limbs?

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

Hon. Michael Parsa: I thank the honourable member for the question.

I just want to remind every single Ontarian of the decisions that have been made by this government. We have made the largest increase to ODSP rates in decades. Further than that, we have increased the income threshold from $200 to $1,000 so that more Ontarians can keep more money in their pocket.

Every single decision that we’ve made—you’ll hear, time and time again, the members opposite from both parties talk about affordability for Ontarians, yet when it comes to actually supporting doing something about it, they vote against it. It’s always when the lights are on and the camera is rolling, they’ll say one thing—but when it comes to action, this is the lights, camera, no action party.

We will stand up for every single Ontarian. We will make sure that no one is left behind in this province.

That now means the NDP has to stand up and tell the people of this province why they continue—

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

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: Over a million Ontarians are being left behind by this government, living on ODSP, and that number continues to grow.

As reflected in their flawed budget, this government’s miniscule changes to ODSP are simply not enough. When Robert is choosing between food and medical necessities, that tells me it’s not enough. ODSP barely covers a few pairs of socks a year. I don’t know about the Premier, but I need to change my socks daily.

Why does this government insult people living on ODSP by insisting that they get a job, by telling them to go back to work, even as the ODSP application process tells them to describe their disability in detail?

Hon. Michael Parsa: I thank the honourable colleague again for the follow-up.

I just want to remind the member, here is what they have voted against: the increase to support for Ontarians on ODSP, the largest increase in decades—they voted against it. Aligning it to inflation, which, as of July 1, will further increase supports for Ontarians—they voted against it. The $200 limit, which was increased to $1,000 so that more Ontarians who can and are able to work can get out there and earn more—what did they do? They voted against it.

Again, every single measure that this finance minister has put forward, not just in this recent budget, not in the fall economic statement or the budget before that—every single measure that we put forward to make life more affordable for Ontarians, the NDP votes against. They’ll say one thing here in the House—but I’ll assure Ontarians: You have nothing to worry about. This side of the House, and the majority, will continue—

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

Energy contracts

Mr. Ric Bresee: My question is for the Minister of Energy.

Earlier this week, the minister responded to some questions about all the work that our government is doing in continuing to support the province’s economic growth through new investments. These include investments in the electric vehicle and EV battery manufacturing industries, particularly with the new Volkswagen gigafactory to be built in St. Thomas. The minister was asked about the capacity of our current energy grid and its sustainability for the long term. I was pleased to hear in his response that our government is addressing Ontario’s energy infrastructure needs through a number of different measures, including competitive procurements.

Will the minister please provide additional information about Ontario’s competitive procurement process for our energy grid system?

Hon. Todd Smith: I want to start answering this question by saying I want to correct my record, because, on Monday, I talked about the Oneida project, which was the largest battery storage project in Canada, but, on Tuesday, that all changed. We’re going to have a larger battery storage project in Hagersville, and the second-largest is actually going to be in that member’s riding, in Greater Napanee.

We’re continuing to add clean generation to our system as a result of the IESO competitive procurement that came out on Tuesday. We learned that 740 megawatts of new energy storage generation is going to be available to our province. That’s enough to power a city the size of London, and it’s a 400% increase in clean energy storage—

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: London, England?

Hon. Todd Smith: No, not London, England, but London, Ontario, finance minister. I should point that out with the folks from London here.

This is great news, as our province continues to see record multi-billion dollar investments. We’ll build 1.5 million homes over the next decade; we’re going to need the power—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you very much. Question period has concluded.

Legislative pages

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): It is now my sad duty to ask the pages to assemble. It is now time to say a word of thanks to our legislative pages.

Our pages are smart, trustworthy and hard-working. They are indispensable to the effective functioning of the chamber, and we are very, very fortunate to have had them here.

To our pages: You depart having made many new friends, with a greater understanding of parliamentary democracy and memories that will last a lifetime. Each of you will go home and continue your studies, and no doubt will contribute to your communities, your province and your country in important ways. We expect great things from all of you. Who knows? Maybe some of you will take your seats in this House as members or work here as staff someday. No matter where your path leads you, we wish you well.

Please join me in thanking this group of legislative pages.

Applause.

Deferred Votes

Advocate for Older Adults Act, 2023 / Loi de 2023 sur l’intervenant en faveur des personnes âgées

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

Bill 101, An Act to establish the Advocate for Older Adults / Projet de loi 101, Loi créant le poste d’intervenant en faveur des personnes âgées.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Call in the members. This is a five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1148 to 1153.

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

On May 17, 2023, MPP Vaugeois moved second reading of Bill 101, An Act to establish the Advocate for Older Adults. All those in favour, please rise and remain standing until recognized by the Clerk.

Ayes

Armstrong, Teresa J.
Begum, Doly
Blais, Stephen
Bourgouin, Guy
Brady, Bobbi Ann
Burch, Jeff
Collard, Lucille
Fife, Catherine
French, Jennifer K.
Gates, Wayne

Gélinas, France
Glover, Chris
Gretzky, Lisa
Harden, Joel
Jama, Sarah
Karpoche, Bhutila
Kernaghan, Terence
Mantha, Michael
McMahon, Mary-Margaret
Pasma, Chandra

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

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): All those opposed, 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
Ford, Michael D.
Gallagher Murphy, Dawn

Gill, Parm
Grewal, Hardeep Singh
Hardeman, Ernie
Harris, Mike
Hogarth, Christine
Jones, Trevor
Jordan, John
Kanapathi, Logan
Khanjin, Andrea
Kusendova-Bashta, Natalia
Leardi, Anthony
Lecce, Stephen
Martin, Robin
McCarthy, Todd J.
McGregor, Graham
McNaughton, Monte
Mulroney, Caroline
Oosterhoff, Sam
Pang, Billy
Parsa, Michael
Pierre, Natalie
Pirie, George

Rae, Matthew
Rasheed, Kaleed
Riddell, Brian
Romano, Ross
Sabawy, Sheref
Sandhu, Amarjot
Sarkaria, Prabmeet Singh
Saunderson, Brian
Scott, Laurie
Skelly, Donna
Smith, Dave
Smith, David
Smith, Graydon
Smith, Laura
Smith, Todd
Surma, Kinga
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 29; the nays are 66.

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

Second reading negatived.

Building a Strong Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2023 / Loi de 2023 visant à bâtir un Ontario fort (mesures budgétaires)

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

Bill 85, An Act to implement Budget measures and to amend various statutes / Projet de loi 85, Loi visant à mettre en oeuvre les mesures budgétaires et à modifier diverses lois.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Next, we have a deferred vote on a motion for closure on the motion for third reading of Bill 85, An Act to implement Budget measures and to amend various statutes.

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

The division bells rang from 1157 to 1158.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): On May 15, 2023, Mr. Pirie moved third reading of Bill 85, An Act to implement Budget measures and to amend various statutes.

On May 18, 2023, Ms. Kusendova-Bashta moved that the question be now put.

All those in favour of Ms. Kusendova-Bashta’s motion, please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Ayes

Anand, Deepak
Babikian, Aris
Bailey, Robert
Barnes, Patrice
Bethlenfalvy, Peter
Blais, Stephen
Bouma, Will
Brady, Bobbi Ann
Bresee, Ric
Byers, Rick
Calandra, Paul
Cho, Raymond Sung Joon
Cho, Stan
Clark, Steve
Coe, Lorne
Collard, Lucille
Crawford, Stephen
Cuzzetto, Rudy
Dixon, Jess
Dowie, Andrew
Downey, Doug
Dunlop, Jill
Fedeli, Victor
Flack, Rob

Ford, Michael D.
Gallagher Murphy, Dawn
Gill, Parm
Grewal, Hardeep Singh
Hardeman, Ernie
Harris, Mike
Hogarth, Christine
Jones, Trevor
Jordan, John
Kanapathi, Logan
Khanjin, Andrea
Kusendova-Bashta, Natalia
Leardi, Anthony
Lecce, Stephen
Martin, Robin
McCarthy, Todd J.
McGregor, Graham
McMahon, Mary-Margaret
McNaughton, Monte
Mulroney, Caroline
Oosterhoff, Sam
Pang, Billy
Parsa, Michael
Pierre, Natalie

Pirie, George
Rae, Matthew
Rasheed, Kaleed
Riddell, Brian
Romano, Ross
Sabawy, Sheref
Sandhu, Amarjot
Sarkaria, Prabmeet Singh
Saunderson, Brian
Scott, Laurie
Skelly, Donna
Smith, Dave
Smith, David
Smith, Graydon
Smith, Laura
Smith, Todd
Surma, Kinga
Thanigasalam, Vijay
Thompson, Lisa M.
Triantafilopoulos, Effie J.
Wai, Daisy
Williams, Charmaine A.
Yakabuski, John

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

Nays

Armstrong, Teresa J.
Begum, Doly
Bell, Jessica
Bourgouin, Guy
Burch, Jeff
Fife, Catherine
French, Jennifer K.
Gates, Wayne
Gélinas, France

Glover, Chris
Gretzky, Lisa
Harden, Joel
Jama, Sarah
Karpoche, Bhutila
Kernaghan, Terence
Mantha, Michael
Pasma, Chandra
Sattler, Peggy

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

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Todd Decker): The ayes are 71; the nays are 26.

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

Mr. Pirie has moved third reading of Bill 85, An Act to implement Budget measures and to amend various statutes.

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.

The division bells rang from 1201 to 1202.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): On May 15, 2023, Mr. Pirie moved third reading of Bill 85, An Act to implement Budget measures and to amend various statutes.

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
Brady, Bobbi Ann
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
Fedeli, Victor
Flack, Rob
Ford, Michael D.

Gallagher Murphy, Dawn
Gill, Parm
Grewal, Hardeep Singh
Hardeman, Ernie
Harris, Mike
Hogarth, Christine
Jones, Trevor
Jordan, John
Kanapathi, Logan
Khanjin, Andrea
Kusendova-Bashta, Natalia
Leardi, Anthony
Lecce, Stephen
Martin, Robin
McCarthy, Todd J.
McGregor, Graham
McNaughton, Monte
Mulroney, Caroline
Oosterhoff, Sam
Pang, Billy
Parsa, Michael
Pierre, Natalie
Pirie, George

Rae, Matthew
Rasheed, Kaleed
Riddell, Brian
Romano, Ross
Sabawy, Sheref
Sandhu, Amarjot
Sarkaria, Prabmeet Singh
Saunderson, Brian
Scott, Laurie
Skelly, Donna
Smith, Dave
Smith, David
Smith, Graydon
Smith, Laura
Smith, Todd
Surma, Kinga
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

Armstrong, Teresa J.
Begum, Doly
Bell, Jessica
Blais, Stephen
Bourgouin, Guy
Burch, Jeff
Collard, Lucille
Fife, Catherine
French, Jennifer K.
Gates, Wayne

Gélinas, France
Glover, Chris
Gretzky, Lisa
Harden, Joel
Jama, Sarah
Karpoche, Bhutila
Kernaghan, Terence
Mantha, Michael
McMahon, Mary-Margaret
Pasma, Chandra

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

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Todd Decker): The ayes are 68; the nays are 29.

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.

Visitor

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): We have two members who have expressed an interest in raising a point of order.

First, the member for Scarborough Southwest.

Ms. Doly Begum: It’s fitting that we’re giving thanks to our pages, because I would like to welcome back one of the former pages to the House. We have Dan Chikane from North Caribou Lake First Nation in Kiiwetinoong. It’s his first time back since he was a page in this House in 1968. Please welcome Dan.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Welcome back.

Wearing of hockey jersey

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Peterborough–Kawartha.

Mr. Dave Smith: Last night, my Petes took a commanding 3-1 lead in the OHL finals, and since we won’t be here next week—we will be back in the constituency—I need to know if the member from London North Centre would like to wear maroon and white or white and maroon when we return on the Monday.

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: Point of order, Speaker?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Question period is over.

On the same point of order, the member for London North Centre.

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: To the member from Peterborough: I’ll be wearing green and white, and I look forward to Mayor Leal raising the London flag at Peterborough city hall.

Member’s birthday

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Apparently, the member for Niagara West has a point of order as well.

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: Speaker, I’d like to ask all members to join me in wishing the member for Perth–Wellington a very happy birthday.

Business of the House

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The government House leader is rising on standing order 59.

Hon. Paul Calandra: Yes, Speaker. I thank all members for another productive week on behalf of the people of the province of Ontario. I wish everybody a happy Victoria Day. And then I will be reaching out to the opposition House leader over the constituency week to finalize the final two weeks of the sitting.

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

There being no further business at this time, this House stands in recess until 1 p.m.

The House recessed from 1208 to 1300.

Introduction of Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I wish to inform the House that we have a former member with us in the chamber today: The member for the riding of Simcoe North and the leader of the official opposition in the 41st Parliament, Patrick Brown, has joined us. Welcome.

Hon. Michael Parsa: I want to welcome to the House the family of page Lazo: Konstantinos Kasekas, Kate Kasekas, Vanna Kasekas, Elena Kasekas and Debbie Kasekas. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Charmaine A. Williams: It’s an honour and pleasure to welcome a good friend of mine since grade 9, Talibah Miller-Johnson. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Michael D. Ford: It’s my pleasure to welcome to the House today leaders from Pride Toronto, Sherwin and Bobby. I want to thank them for their work on an incredible Pride Month coming up in June. Welcome to the House.

Mr. Chris Glover: I’d like to welcome the members from Pride Toronto. We’re looking forward to a fantastic festival, a fantastic Pride Parade and a fantastic week in Toronto this year. Thank you so much for being in the House and thank you for all the work that you do in Toronto.

Mr. Sheref Sabawy: I would like to take the opportunity to welcome Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie and my old friend the mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown, as well as Regional Chair Nando. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: On behalf of the official opposition, I, too, would like to welcome the mayor of Mississauga, the mayor of Brampton and the delegation from Peel region. Welcome.

Mr. Deepak Anand: I would like to welcome the government relations officer Landon Tresise from the Canadian Fuels Association. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Government Agencies

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I beg to inform the House that today the Clerk received the report on intended appointments dated May 18, 2023, of the Standing Committee on Government Agencies. Pursuant to standing order 110(f)(9), the report is deemed to be adopted by the House.

Report deemed adopted.

Introduction of Government Bills

Hazel McCallion Act (Peel Dissolution), 2023 / Loi Hazel McCallion de 2023 sur la dissolution de Peel

Mr. Clark moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 112, An Act to provide for the dissolution of The Regional Municipality of Peel / Projet de loi 112, Loi prévoyant la dissolution de la municipalité régionale de Peel.

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

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Would the minister care to briefly explain his bill?

Hon. Steve Clark: Yes, Speaker. The proposed Hazel McCallion Act, if passed, would begin the process of making the city of Mississauga, the city of Brampton and the town of Caledon independent, single-tier municipalities. The bill would also allow the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to appoint individuals to a transition board. This would help Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon prepare to become single-tier municipalities on January 1, 2025, when the proposed changes would come into effect.

I’ll have more to say in ministerial statements.

Statements by the Ministry and Responses

Region of Peel

Hon. Steve Clark: Today I introduced legislation that, if passed, would begin the process of dissolving the region of Peel, effective January 1, 2025. I want to begin by recognizing the chair of the region of Peel, Nando Iannicca; Mississauga mayor, Bonnie Crombie; Brampton mayor, Patrick Brown; and Caledon mayor, Annette Groves, who are here for the announcement of this historic initiative by our government. Let’s give them a round of applause.

I also want to acknowledge the many members of council who are here today, citizens from Peel staff, obviously, who will be watching this announcement. Their presence in the chamber today is a good indication of the importance of this moment, and also the need for us to work amicably and productively in the best interest of Peel residents.

I want to take this moment to talk a bit about the namesake of the legislation, the late Hazel McCallion. Hazel was a champion for growth in her city and her region and central to the extraordinary progress we’ve all witnessed in Peel over the last decades. She also believed that the city of Mississauga was ready and able to stand on its own two feet, and that, as its own city, it would be able to face those challenges that the future provided. We’re honouring tat legacy today with this proposed legislation, which will provide Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon with the tools and the powers that they need to ensure long-term growth and long-term success, while ensuring public services continue to be provided and delivered reliably with stability and with respect for the taxpayer that funded it.

Today, the region of Peel has about one and a half million residents, and that’s expected to grow to over two million by 2041. It’s half a million more people who will be living in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon in the next 20 years, and I think we can all acknowledge they’re going to need homes to live in. To build these homes to the scale and to the speed that is required, the people of these three municipalities will need local governments that are not only nimble but efficient enough to get that job done.

Our proposed legislation, if passed, would begin the dissolution of Peel, and Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon would move to single-tier municipalities over the next two years. I expect all of the municipalities to continue to co-operate with each other and with the province to advance our shared provincial and municipal interests, including making sure that there are enough homes, and different types of homes, for the people who want to live there.

To aid in this process, if the proposed legislation is passed, I will be appointing an up-to-five-member transition board to help facilitate and support this change in local government. The board will also make recommendations to me on actions that I can take to help speed up and make sure this transition process is smooth. The transition board would also provide a wide variety of advice on a range of matters, from financial sustainability and how to allocate assets and liabilities, to looking at contracts and employment and determining service delivery models. We want to ensure that the public interest is protected throughout the change in Peel’s local governance structure, so the transition board would be able to have the power to request information on municipal decisions. If, in their opinion, those decisions are not in the best interests of the public or the future state of Mississauga, Brampton or Caledon, they could direct municipalities to alter those decisions.

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Speaker, this is a power that they will not use lightly, but I want to make sure that all three single-tier municipalities are set up for success, and just as we expect Peel, Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon to work together during the transition process, we also expect them to collaborate with the transition board so we can ensure the best possible outcomes for those 1.5 million people they represent. The single-tier system would provide the municipal leaders of those communities with the tools they need to plan for future population growth and to get more homes built faster.

I’m glad that our government can help in a matter that addresses the need for a modern and efficient local government system, one which recognizes the unique characteristics of Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon.

Hon. Monte McNaughton: Point of order.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Point of order: the Minister of Labour.

Hon. Monte McNaughton: Speaker, if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent to allow members to wear ribbons in recognition of May 18 being Vyshyvanka Day.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of Labour is seeking unanimous consent of the House to allow members to wear ribbons in recognition of May 18 being Vyshyvanka Day. Agreed? Agreed.

Vyshyvanka Day

Hon. Monte McNaughton: It’s an honour to rise in this House on Vyshyvanka Day, a holiday that celebrates Ukrainian culture and history and the traditional embroidered shirt the holiday is named for.

Today, people are marking this holiday in Ukraine, across Ontario and around the world, still under the cloud of Putin’s war of aggression. This year, we celebrate not only the many contributions that Ukrainians here in Canada have made to our province and our country but also that Ukrainian culture remains strong despite all attempts to destroy it.

Speaker, this Vyshyvanka Day, Putin continues his efforts to destroy Ukraine. He means not merely to conquer but to wipe out their identity and erase their history. He will succeed in neither. Ukraine is resisting his illegal invasion with unflagging courage and tireless endurance.

As Ukraine bravely re-establishes control of their land, we are learning the full extent of Russian atrocities: the torture facilities, the mass graves and the atrocities of Putin’s war. We can’t look away. This is the face of the Russian occupation: towns and cities turned into mass graves. There must be justice. As President Zelenskyy said, “Putin seeks to destroy our future, to destroy our nation, our character.” This is why Ukraine must fight and why we must stand with them.

Many of us were surprised and all of us are impressed by the astounding bravery of Ukraine’s resistance. The Ukrainian military and the Ukrainian people rallied behind President Zelenskyy. They defended their capital and drove the Russian army back from Kyiv and continue to push them back on multiple fronts. The struggle to free their homeland continues.

Canada and our friends and allies around the world have rallied to support Ukraine and to impose strong sanctions on Russia, Russian companies and Russian officials responsible for the illegal invasion. Ukrainians have been provided with weapons, ammunition and other much-needed support.

Vehicles proudly manufactured here in Ontario are on the front lines. We’ve seen Ontario-based businesses stepping up with plans to deliver 1,000 armoured vehicles to Ukraine this year alone. Our province’s manufacturing might and expertise is supporting Ukraine’s defence, but it’s the Ukrainians who fight, and they are defending freedom and democracy for all of us.

Speaker, many Ukrainians have had to flee Putin’s war of aggression, which has now displaced over eight million refugees. Ontario has become the refuge for more of those fleeing the invasion than any other province in the country. We have now welcomed over 56,000 displaced Ukrainians with open arms, and Ontario will continue to work in partnership with the federal government, across our government, businesses, unions, faith organizations, municipalities and other community groups, to ensure those coming here to Ontario have access to the supports they need to start a new life and a safe life here.

Under the leadership of our Premier, we’re doing everything we can to help those fleeing the war and arriving at our door, whether temporarily or to make Ontario their new home. Last spring, we announced supports including a dedicated job search hotline, access to health care, emergency income assistance, free kindergarten-to-grade 12 education, child care and more.

Our ministry has also provided $4.4 million to help new arrivals with language services, housing supports, employment services and mental health supports. These supports are helping to make sure Ukrainians arriving here in Ontario have access to the programs and services they need to start a new life here. Not only our government, but community organizations, employers, labour partners and people right across Ontario have come together to support those fleeing the invasion.

Ontario stands proudly with the people of Ukraine, and we’ll continue to stand with the people of Ukraine. Canada is home to over 1.3 million Ukrainians, the third-largest Ukrainian population in the entire world. Our countries are bound by the ties of friendship and family, bonds that unify all of us. We will help those who come to our shores to find sanctuary and rebuild their lives, and we stand by those who fight to free Ukraine from Putin’s illegal invasion, to restore their freedom and sovereignty. If he thinks he can erase an independent Ukrainian nation and a free Ukrainian people, we have seen that they will never, ever permit that to happen.

Ukraine must and will prevail. Glory to Ukraine. Slava Ukraini.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Responses?

Vyshyvanka Day

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: Today, Ukrainians, both at home and amongst the diaspora, and supporters of Ukraine, celebrate Vyshyvanka Day, which occurs on the third Thursday during the month of May. I am proud to speak on behalf of the NDP leader and our caucus to mark Vyshyvanka Day at Queen’s Park.

Speaker, I’ve had the opportunity to wear a vyshyvanka on numerous occasions—an embroidered shirt Ukrainians believe to be protection against the ills that can befall people, but also of all the good things we can experience in this life: love, loyalty and happiness. Aligned with this deep meaning behind vyshyvanka, my hope—our hope—for all Ukrainians, on this day and always, is protection against violence, hardship and oppression, and for lasting peace and freedom.

Across Ukraine, vyshyvankas of different regions have unique patterns, ornaments, materials and colours. This rich variety of motifs tells the story of a diverse Ukraine. However, it is a Ukraine unified through a beautiful traditional craft—embroidery—with every family having their own unique embroidered vyshyvanka. The vyshyvanka is therefore a symbol of a rich, diverse and resilient culture.

The Ontario NDP has always stood in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian community, and we will continue to do so. We won’t and must not forget, and we cannot lose sight of the fact that there have been hundreds of thousands of casualties and millions of people displaced because of the invasion by Putin. We will never turn a blind eye to the blatant violations of human rights and international law that continue to happen at this very moment.

We also cannot forget that many of the displaced have come to Canada. But even long before the conflict, Canada has been home to many people of Ukrainian descent, and Ukrainian Canadians have long-standing communities across the country. My riding of Parkdale–High Park is home to a thriving Ukrainian community, and since the beginning of the conflict, I have witnessed many moving instances of community care in support of Ukraine. In fact, this evening, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress is hosting a community parade at Jane and Bloor in my riding in support of those still fighting for freedom and democracy in Ukraine.

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There are many more examples of community care. Last September, the Ukrainian festival organizers hosted a solidarity march. The Ukrainian immigrant aid society, a non-profit based in my riding, has provided settlement support to refugees. There are many, many events that have happened and are continuing to happen. Many families have opened their arms and welcomed Ukrainian refugees into their homes.

Speaker, communities across Ontario and Canada are doing their part, and the provincial government must continue to do the same. It is important today to wear the vyshyvanka. It is also important for this government to promote, through action and policy, what the vyshyvanka stands for: resilience for Ukrainians in the face of adversity.

Region of Peel

Mr. John Vanthof: On behalf of the official opposition, I would like to respond to the minister’s statement regarding the act that was just introduced regarding the dissolution of the regional municipality of Peel. On behalf of the official opposition, as always, we will carefully study the act and vote on behalf of the residents of Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga. Our main focus will be on the shared infrastructure that they now share and the tax burdens of the various municipalities.

We look forward to studying the bill. I’m looking forward to working with the residents of that area to further their interests and the interests of Ontario.

Petitions

Hospital services

Ms. Catherine Fife: This is a petition regarding the Chesley and District Memorial Hospital, and there are 1,262 signatures.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Chesley and District Memorial Hospital, originally donated to the town with funds provided by the local Kinsmen Club, was dedicated as a tribute to those local residents injured or killed during the Second World War. This hospital has served the needs of the community of Arran-Elderslie for 79 years with strong support at all times from the residents of the town and other communities in the area as well as from the county and local municipal government; and

“Whereas three times—in 1976, 1978 and 1992—provincial governments have attempted to close the doors of this hospital. In each case local residents protested these moves and each time through their efforts the government backed down and the hospital was saved. Now with the current cancellation and/or reduction of ER services, there is yet another threat to the continued existence of our hospital; and

“Whereas the ER in Chesley hospital serves an area with a total population of 6,900 people. It delivers emergency medical care for the whole constituency of Arran-Elderslie township including the towns of Chesley, Tara, Paisley, and Dobbinton. It also provides services for those living in the nearby villages of Desboro and Elmwood and in the former townships of Brant, Sullivan and Bentinck. A large number of the residents are seniors and the area also includes a large population of Amish and Mennonite families. Many of these residents do not have access to a private automobile and are disadvantaged in the effort to reach health centres in larger communities by the long distance and lack of a public transportation system. They require close proximity to ER and hospital services and that proximity is best provided by the Chesley hospital; and

“Whereas the physician recruitment committee has advised that without a fully functioning ER, it is difficult to recruit and retain doctors and nurses who are interested in maintaining and increasing their skills and who are dependent upon ER duties to support or supplement their income; and

“Whereas Arran-Elderslie council sent a letter addressed to” the “Premier ... and the Minister of Health dated October 31, 2022, requesting action to address this situation and that letter remains unacknowledged and unanswered at this time;

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

“To keep our emergency department at the Chesley hospital open 24/7, by ensuring sufficient funding and fair compensation for nurses and physicians and to address the ongoing operational and labour issues that are impacting our vital emergency department service.”

I fully support this petition, Speaker, and will affix my signature and give it to page Kate.

Hospital services

Mr. Adil Shamji: I present a petition similarly related to the closure of the Chesley hospital.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas three times—in 1976, 1978 and 1992—provincial governments have attempted to close the doors of this hospital. In each case, local residents protested these moves and each time through their efforts the government backed down and the hospital was saved. Now, with the current cancellation and/or reduction of ER services, there is yet another threat to the continued existence of our hospital;

“Whereas the ER in Chesley hospital serves an area with a total population of 6,900 people. It delivers emergency medical care for the whole constituency of Arran-Elderslie township including the towns of Chesley, Tara, Paisley and Dobbinton. It also provides services for those living in the nearby villages of Desboro and Elmwood and in the former townships of Brant, Sullivan and Bentinck. A large number of the residents are seniors and the area also includes a large population of Amish and Mennonite families. Many of these residents do not have access to a private automobile and are disadvantaged in the effort to reach health centres in large communities by the long distance and lack of a public transportation system. They require close proximity to ER and hospital services and that proximity is best served by the Chesley hospital;

“Whereas Arran-Elderslie council sent a letter addressed to the Premier and the Minister of Health dated October 31, 2022, requesting action to address this situation, and that letter remains unacknowledged and unanswered at this time;

“Therefore we, the undersigned citizens of Arran-Elderslie and surrounding community, call on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to keep our emergency department at the Chesley hospital open 24/7 by ensuring sufficient funding and fair compensation for nurses and physicians and to address the ongoing operational and labour issues that are impacting our vital emergency department service.”

I agree with this petition, affix my signature and hand it to page Sophie.

Social assistance

Ms. Sarah Jama: I would like to submit a petition that was submitted to me by Dr. Sally Palmer from the School of Social Work at McMaster University, titled “To Raise Social Assistance Rates.” It reads as follows:

“Whereas Ontario’s social assistance rates are well below Canada’s official Market Basket Measure poverty line and far from adequate to cover the rising costs of food and rent:” which is “$733 for individuals on OW and $1,227 for” people on “ODSP;

“Whereas an open letter to the Premier and two cabinet ministers, signed by over 230 organizations, recommends that social assistance rates be doubled for both Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP);

“Whereas the recent small budget increase of 5% for ODSP still leaves these citizens well below the poverty line, both they and those receiving the frozen OW rates are struggling to live in this time of alarming inflation;

“Whereas the government of Canada recognized in its CERB program that a ‘basic income’ of $2,000 per month was the standard support required by individuals who lost their employment during the pandemic;

“We, the undersigned citizens of Ontario, petition the Legislative Assembly to double social assistance rates for OW and ODSP.”

And I forgot the next step of this submission—

Ms. Peggy Sattler: You affix your signature.

Ms. Sarah Jama: Okay. I affix my signature onto it, and I hand it over to page Leonard.

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Taxation

Ms. Andrea Khanjin: I have the following petition to table:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the federal government is increasing the escalated carbon tax by 14%, on April 1, 2023;

“Whereas carbon tax cost increase will put more pressure on consumers who are already struggling with inflation;

“Whereas we call on the federal government to stop the carbon tax, which is a tax hike that Ontarians and Canadians cannot afford;

“Whereas the government of Ontario is helping to reduce the cost of living by keeping taxes low, freezing and eliminating licence plate renewal fees and scrapping the requirement to have licence plate stickers for passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, motorcycles and mopeds and building on these measures in Bill 85, Building a Strong Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2023, the government continues to help Ontarians with the cost of living;

“Whereas we call on the Ontario government to urge the federal government to halt the carbon tax increase, that will raise the cost of everything;

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

“To support the passage of Bill 85, Building a Strong Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2023.”

I will affix my signature and pass it to our page Frederick.

Hospital services

Mr. Chris Glover: My petition is to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas the Haliburton Highlands Health Services corp. board of directors has, without consultation with the affected stakeholders, announced the permanent closure of the emergency department located in the municipality of Minden Hills, Ontario, effective June 1, 2023; and

“Whereas on April 21, 2023, Global News reported and quoted the mayor of Minden Hills township, that ‘there was absolutely no prior consultation with the county or township staff or elected officials’ relating to the closure announcement and that ‘this critical issue was decided by a virtually unelected board acting on its own and shrouded by secrecy’”; and

“Whereas Haliburton Highlands Health Services Corp. amended and restated bylaws, as amended July 16, 2020, under the heading ‘preamble’ in the recitals states that ’it is the intent of the Haliburton Highlands Health Services corp. to serve the population within the catchment area’; and

“Whereas the catchment area is defined within the HHHS bylaws to mean ‘the geographic area served by the corporation including the county of Haliburton and bordering townships,’ which, for greater certainty, includes Minden Hills township; and

“Whereas article 6 of the HHHS bylaws sets out the responsibilities of directors, article 7 sets out standards of care for every director and officer of the corporation in exercising his or her powers and discharging his or her duties and article 9 defines conflict of interest and outlines areas that may give rise to a conflict of interest, including pecuniary or financial interests, undue influence or adverse interest; and

“Whereas HHHS is subject to the Public Hospitals Act and the long-term-care act and other applicable legislation; and

“Whereas HHHS is guided by the strategic plan as approved by the board of directors, as may be extended from time to time and as posted on the HHHS website and that the operational plan is posted on the HHHS website is to be the means through which the strategic plan is implemented; and

“Whereas the permanent closure of the Minden ED was not contemplated in the public disclosure of the strategic plan nor any HHHS board minutes as posted and published on the website up to and including the date of the closure announcement; and

“Whereas the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has oversight responsibility, including the express authority granted under the Public Hospitals Act, to investigate hospital board financial and governance issues and, in cases where steps need to be taken in order to restore necessary public confidence in the local hospital or in its ability to meet local area needs, recommend that the government appoint a supervisor when it is in the public interest and for greater certainty; precedents for such actions exist by former governments in the province of Ontario for such actions; and

“Whereas numerous letters of complaint have been delivered to the Minister of Health of Ontario residents to provide a reasonable basis for the minister to investigate allegations including that the HHHS board of directors in the process of making the closure decision exceeded its mandate, violated the intention of its mandate and breached its bylaws under articles 6, 7 and 9, resulting in the closure decision that is not in the public interest;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to immediately launch a public investigation into the allegations against the HHHS board of directors and to direct the HHHS board of directors to halt the closure of the Minden emergency department pending the results of that investigation.”

I fully support this petition, will affix my signature and pass it to page Dominic to take to the table.

School boards

Mr. Ric Bresee: I’d like to present the following petition:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the basics of reading, writing, and mathematics are fundamental for student achievement; and too many school boards are jeopardizing student achievement by straying away from teaching the basics of reading, writing, and mathematics; and parents are being bullied and denied representation at school board meetings, and trustees are being bullied by other trustees;

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

“That the Legislative Assembly of Ontario authorize the Minister of Education to set provincial priorities in education in the area of student achievement, and authorize the Minister of Education to issue policies and guidelines setting out the training to be completed by board members, directors of education, supervisory officers and superintendents, and require boards to adopt codes of conduct that apply to members of the board.”

I fully support this petition, will affix my signature and provide it to page Leonard to bring.

Taxation

Mr. Andrew Dowie: This petition is to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas the federal government is increasing the escalated carbon tax by 14%, on April 1, 2023;

“Whereas carbon tax cost increase will put more pressure on consumers who are already struggling with inflation;

“Whereas we call on the federal government to stop the carbon tax, which is a tax hike that Ontarians and Canadians cannot afford;

“Whereas we call on the Ontario government to urge the federal government to halt the carbon tax increase, that will raise the cost of everything;

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

“To support the passage of Bill 85, Building a Strong Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2023.”

I will affix my signature and send it with page Kate.

Orders of the Day

J2M Collingwood Holdings Inc. Act, 2023

Mr. Saunderson moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr17, An Act to revive J2M Collingwood Holdings Inc.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

J2M Collingwood Holdings Inc. Act, 2023

Mr. Saunderson moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr17, An Act to revive J2M Collingwood Holdings Inc.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that it carry? Carried.

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

Third reading agreed to.

414087 Ontario Limited Act, 2023

Mr. Saunderson moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr20, An Act to revive 414087 Ontario Limited.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

414087 Ontario Limited Act, 2023

Mr. Saunderson moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr20, An Act to revive 414087 Ontario Limited.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): Mr. Saunderson has moved third reading of Bill Pr20, An Act to revive 414087 Ontario Limited. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

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

Third reading agreed to.

Ms. Andrea Khanjin: Point of order, Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): I recognize the member for Barrie–Innisfil.

Ms. Andrea Khanjin: If you seek it you will find unanimous consent to see the clock at 6.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Donna Skelly): Is there unanimous consent to see the clock at 6? Agreed.

Pursuant to standing order 100(e), there is no further business. This House stands adjourned until Monday, May 29, 2023, at 9 a.m.

The House adjourned at 1341.