Yesterday I attended the federal-provincial conference simulation in Waterloo. Waterloo region students come together to simulate the annual federal-provincial meetings where they discuss solutions to the problems the country is facing. We are fortunate to have teachers who believe it is imperative for students to truly understand the operations of the Canadian federal and provincial system and step into the shoes of politicians.

In partnership with the University of Waterloo, the first conference was launched in 1965, with Steven Langdon from KCI serving as the Prime Minister. Interestingly enough, Langdon went on to become an NDP member of Parliament.

Since then, Fed-Prov has been a highlight of the academic year for students across Waterloo, and they just celebrated its 59th year. Yesterday was also the inaugural launch at Wilfrid Laurier University, and this is the beginning of a truly progressive partnership with the Waterloo Region District School Board and WLU.

Speaker, this simulation is a unique opportunity for youth to gain deeper understanding of the decision-making process and the complexities of governance, something that we in this room know all too well. It fosters a sense of civic engagement and prepares young people to be informed and active citizens, which we need more than ever.

Thank you to the educators who continue to ensure that Fed-Prov continues year after year. I’m sure the future politicians that you are mentoring and supporting thank you, as do we in this Legislature.

My question is to the Premier. In the Auditor General’s annual report released last December, it was revealed that this Conservative government spent about $25 million on partisan ads. “The primary objective of these ads ... was to foster a positive impression of the government,” the report stated—$25 million spent on ads while Ontario experienced 203 emergency department closures; $25 million on ads while 2.3 million Ontarians did not have a family physician; and $25 million on ads while regions across northern Ontario declared a health state of emergency.

This government added insult to injury by opting for a Super Bowl ad, the most expensive ad on television, Speaker. Will the Minister of Finance or will the Premier please tell the citizens of this great province exactly how much of their money was spent on these fictional Super Bowl ads?

Interjections.

Speaker, not just one commercial from this government was aired during the Super Bowl; there were several commercials, which he’s bragging about.

In Waterloo region, I had—

Interjections.

Not just one commercial, Speaker; several. Money was flowing out of the Treasury Board from this place instead of people having access to doctors or to education.

In Waterloo region, I have a constituent who’s been waiting six months for a mammogram. Mammograms save lives. Is that a priority of this Premier? No, it is not. There are almost 300,000 people on a wait-list for mammograms. These tests save lives.

So I want to ask this Premier, who’s bragging about commercials in the LAX airport, can he explain to Ontario why he’s spending public money praising himself over the people of the province who you are elected to serve?

Interjections.

I want to say a special thank you to the good seniors in Willowdale for collecting signatures for this petition, which reads as follows:

“Support Bill 21, the Till Death Do Us Part Act.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas there are 38,000 people on the wait-list for long-term care; and

“Whereas the median wait time for a long-term-care bed has risen from 99 days in 2011-12 to 171 days in 2020-21; and

“Whereas according to Home Care Ontario, the cost of a hospital bed is $842 a day, while the cost of a long-term-care bed is $126 a day; and

“Whereas couples should have the right to live together as they age; and

“Whereas Ontario seniors have worked hard to build this province and deserve dignity in care” together; “and

“Whereas Bill 21 amends the Residents’ Bill of Rights in the Fixing Long-Term Care Act to provide the resident with the right upon admission to continue to live with their spouse or partner;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to direct the Minister of Long-Term Care to call Bill 21 to the Standing Committee on Social Policy to find a compassionate solution to provide seniors with the right to live together as they age.”

It’s my pleasure to affix my signature to the petition and give this to Sarah.

To the member from Algoma–Manitoulin: Northern members for years have been talking about the disconnect around timing around receiving information about locates. We heard from the member from Nicklel Belt that often, northern constituents make the call to dig responsibly to make sure that it’s safe to do so. But in turn, it takes so long to get that information back. Would you like to comment on that?