Good morning. Let us pray.

Prières / Prayers.

Resuming the debate adjourned on March 6, 2024, on the motion for second reading of the following bill:

Bill 166, An Act to amend the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act / Projet de loi 166, Loi modifiant la Loi sur le ministère de la Formation et des Collèges et Universités.

That concludes our members’ statements for this morning.

Applause.

This will be the last one. The member for Toronto–St. Paul’s.

I’m going to remind members that it’s best if you keep your introduction of your guests brief and devoid of any political commentary or partisan statement.

Members will please rise.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

Interjections.

I recognize the Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity.

We’re ready to start question period. I recognize the leader of His Majesty’s loyal opposition.

The Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.

Supplementary question.

To reply, the member for Thunder Bay–Atikokan and parliamentary assistant.

Supplementary question.

To reply, the Minister of Transportation.

Minister of Transportation.

The Minister of Transportation has a few extra seconds to finish up his answer.

We have with us in the Legislature a former member who was here for many years as the member for Leeds–Grenville: Bob Runciman. Welcome back to the Legislature. It’s great to see you here. Your timing, as always, is perfect.

We’ve long had a convention in this House that we don’t make reference to the absence of a member who might be away for any given reason from the House on any given day. I don’t think it’s a road we want to go down where we start drawing attention to whether or not members are attending a sufficient number of community events. I think if we give that some thought, we’ll conclude that that’s not a good road that we want to go down—if we think it through.

Start the clock. The next question.

Supplementary question.

The Attorney General.

The supplementary question.

To reply, the Premier.

The supplementary question.

Interjections.

Start the clock.

Once again, I’ll remind members to make their comments through the Chair.

The next question.

Order.

The Solicitor General can reply.

The Minister of Health.

The supplementary question? The member for Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas.

Order.

Next question.

The division bells rang from 1150 to 1155.

Mr. Sarkaria, on February 28, 2024, moved second reading of Bill 162, An Act to enact the Protecting Against Carbon Taxes Act, 2024 and amend various Acts.

On March 6, 2024, Mr. Jones, Chatham-Kent–Leamington, moved that the question be now put.

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

Mr. Sarkaria has moved second reading of Bill 162, An Act to enact the Protecting Against Carbon Taxes Act, 2024 and amend various Acts.

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 1200 to 1201.

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

Second reading agreed to.

I look to the minister for a committee referral.

It is now time to say a word of thanks to this group of legislative pages. Our pages are smart, trustworthy and hard-working. They’re indispensable to the effective functioning of this chamber, and we are indeed 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 now and continue your studies, and no doubt you 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 someday will take your seats in this House as members or work here as staff. No matter where your path leads, we wish you well.

Please join me in thanking this great group of legislative pages.

Applause.

The House recessed from 1206 to 1300.

Report deemed adopted.

Ms. Thompson moved first reading of the following bill:

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

First reading agreed to.

First reading agreed to.

Mr. Cuzzetto moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr42, An Act respecting the Luso Canadian Charitable Society.

First reading agreed to.

Mr. Tabuns moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 172, An Act to improve energy affordability through distributed energy resources and deep retrofits / Projet de loi 172, Loi visant à rendre l’énergie plus abordable grâce aux ressources énergétiques distribuées et aux rénovations majeures.

First reading agreed to.

First reading agreed to.

Would the member care to briefly explain their bill?