Tick-tock.

Today, I’m honoured to stand up and debate Bill 168, Stormwater Flood Prevention Act, 2024. I’m extremely proud of my colleague the member from Kanata–Carleton for introducing and debating her first piece of legislation in this chamber, and I’m hugely supportive of this bill and what it is trying to achieve.

Bill 168 acknowledges the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events and takes proactive steps to adapt Ontario’s stormwater management system. By investing in flood mitigation infrastructure and updating development guidelines, the bill aims to protect communities across Ontario from the devastating impacts of flooding, safeguarding homes, businesses and public infrastructure. This is crucial legislation. Flooding is the number one cause of public emergency in Ontario and it’s the most common natural disaster in Canada, costing Canadians more than any other climate issue.

I’m sure everyone in this House fondly remembers when I put forth my private member’s bill, Bill 56, Fewer Floods, Safer Ontario Act, 2022. Those were good times. It was, like this bill, aimed at protecting Ontarians from the risks of flooding.

I spoke with every member in this chamber about Bill 56. Many of them had experienced flooding themselves, as we heard from my colleague today how many ridings have been affected by flooding, and they’ve had to deal with it first-hand with their constituents. Riddled with hardship, floods have environmental, financial, mental and, of course, physical impacts.

Naturally, this government that claims they are addressing the major issue of flooding killed my private member’s bill. Well, Speaker, I’m hoping my colleague has better luck today, as the government has yet another opportunity to address flooding in Ontario and protect our communities right here and right now with Bill 168.

I’m not sure that the government reads the news, so I will let them know: The Desjardins Group recently announced it will no longer offer new mortgages in high-risk flood zones in Quebec. It’s the canary in the coal mine, because if other mortgage providers follow their lead, experts warn there could be major consequences for homeowners and the housing market. So wake up.

We also know, thanks to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, that 10% of homes in Canada are no longer insurable relative to flood risk. It is alarming. We cannot let this crisis get any worse. And yet—and yet, Speaker, the Premier said today he is only interested in building single-family homes. I can imagine that means they will want to do more of what they do best: sprawl on top of flood plains; more disasters endangering the people of Ontario, their well-being and their wallets.

They have slashed conservation authorities. They have killed environmental protections. They voted against Bill 56, and from the sounds of their debate, I doubt they will be supporting Bill 168 here today. I truly hope I am wrong in that thinking.

I want to once again thank and congratulate the member for Kanata–Carleton. Your hard work and advocacy for your community, the folks of Kanata–Carleton and all Ontarians is felt and heard so strongly today and every day in this chamber. I am in full support of your great legislation and will be voting for Bill 168, and I urge all members here to do the same. It’s a smart bill.