If I may build on the member’s introduction, I want to also welcome Dr. Deborah MacLatchy, the president of Wilfrid Laurier, who’s here. Thank you for joining us in the people’s House.

The Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

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

The division bells rang from 1144 to 1149.

Mr. Clark has moved private member’s notice of motion number 82.

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

Motion agreed to.

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 now will go home and no doubt will continue your studies, and contribute to your communities and your province and your country in important ways. We expect great things from all of you. Who knows? Maybe some of you will someday take your seats in this House as members or work here as staff. But no matter where your path leads you, we wish you well.

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

Applause.

The House recessed from 1155 to 1300.

It’s my great pleasure to recognize a long-term dear friend of mine. We went to high school together in Port Hope. Yes, it was the last millennium. But it’s great to have Harry Worsley with us today. He’s from Uxbridge, a commercial tree farmer. It’s great to see you, Harry. Thanks for coming. Welcome.

She’s actually not here, but I know she’s watching on TV because she said that she wanted to see petitions today, so I want to wish a happy birthday to my wife, Lorien Smith.

I’ll sign the petition and give it to page Parker.

I just want to say a big welcome to some of my constituency staff, Kam Sandhu and Saroj Gandhi, and a couple of constituents, Aftab Sehgal and Ranjit Bassi. Welcome to your House.

I beg to inform the House that today the Clerk received the report on intended appointments dated March 28, 2024, 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.

Mr. Ke moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 183, An Act to proclaim the month of February as Chinese Heritage Month / Projet de loi 183, Loi proclamant le mois de février Mois du patrimoine chinois.

First reading agreed to.

Today, Ontario is home to more than 820,000 people of Chinese origin. Since 1788, the Chinese community has been making a significant, progressive and enduring impact in Canada by helping to build critical infrastructure such as the Canadian Pacific Railway and improve the Canadian economy, while adding depth and character to the social fabric of our nation.

February is an important month for the Chinese Canadian community, because the Lunar New Year occurs during this winter season and represents a significant cultural observance and celebratory time. By proclaiming the month of February as Chinese Heritage Month, the province of Ontario publicly acknowledges and affirms its commitment to celebrate and educate future generations about the important role that Chinese Canadians have played and continue to play.

This petition is titled “Transform Ontario’s Energy Sector,” and it reads:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas our planet is undergoing significant warming with adverse consequences for health, for agriculture, for infrastructure and for our children’s future;

“Whereas the costs of inaction are severe, such as extreme weather events causing flooding and drought;

“Whereas in 2023 Canadians experienced the most severe wildfire season on record, 2023 was the hottest year on record, and 2024 is anticipated to be even hotter;

“Whereas successive governments over the last two decades have expanded gas plants despite public pushback;

“Whereas reports, such as those from RBC Climate Action Institute, Dunsky Energy and Climate Advisors, and the Sustainability Solutions Group agree that the government must immediately reduce our reliance on fossil fuels;

“Whereas the conclusion of the Ontario Energy Board regarding Enbridge’s plan for a multi-billion dollar methane gas grid expansion is ‘not responsive to the energy transition and increases the risk of stranded or underutilized assets’;

“Whereas Ontario must reduce our province’s reliance on fossil fuels and instead invest in new renewable energy projects to ensure we meet our provincial climate targets;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to pause the expansion of methane-fired electricity generation, and begin to wind down their use to just standby ‘peaker’ plants; expand and accelerate the procurement of electricity from renewable sources, while lifting the moratorium on offshore wind power, negotiating increased power transfers from Quebec and pursuing more conservation, demand management, and distributed energy networks; support the Ontario Energy Board’s recent decision recognizing the current energy transition, and its implications for new, small-volume customer methane-gas connections.”

I support this decision, will affix my signature to it and give it to page Anne.

It’s my honour to present the following petitions on behalf of a number of different wonderful educators and all-around good people: Steve Desmond, Tracy Morrison, Marcie Zavitz, Laura Cornish, Matthew Warren, Marianne Petovello, Leslie Bondy, Kate Campbell, Jacqui Shields, Jennifer Latella and Carol Lynn Bradley. And it’s titled “Keep Classrooms Safe for Students and Staff.”

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas students and education workers deserve stronger, safer schools in which to learn and work;

“Whereas the pressure placed on our education system has contributed to an increase in reports of violence in our schools;

“Whereas crowded classrooms, a lack of support for staff, and underfunding of mental health supports are all contributing to this crisis;

“Whereas the government of Ontario has the responsibility and tools to address this crisis, but has refused to act;

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

“Take immediate action to address violence in our schools;

“Invest in more mental health resources;

“End violence against education workers and improve workplace violence reporting.”

I fully support this petition, will affix my signature and deliver it with page Bhavna to the Clerks.

This petition’s entitled “Mental Health Services in Ontario.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas there is currently a lack of consistent mental health intake policies and care across Ontario when people seek assistance at hospitals;

“Whereas staff training and readiness to support patients with mental health issues at Ontario’s hospitals lacks consistency and is not sufficiently trauma-informed or evidence-based;

“Whereas current discharge procedures often leave vulnerable people without access to adequate care or support;

“Whereas ... 4,500 people” have died “by suicide each year in Canada and suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults ages 15 to 34; and

“Whereas the experience of Waterloo’s Roth family in the death of their daughter Kaitlyn has brought to light serious flaws in mental health discharge procedures;

We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to direct the Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions to earmark funding for dedicated training for staff providing mental health services with a focus on evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches, to review intake and discharge procedures to ensure consistency of care, and to provide funding for alternative destination clinics in communities across Ontario.”

It’s my pleasure to support this petition in honour of Kaitlyn Roth and sign my signature.

I have a petition addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario entitled “Pass the Safe Night Out Act.” It reads:

“Whereas we are experiencing a sexual violence epidemic, with Statistics Canada reporting in 2021 that sexual assault was at its highest level in 25 years and community support organizations reporting more crisis calls than ever;

“Whereas 65% of women report experiencing unwanted sexual advances while socializing in a bar or restaurant, and incidents of sexual assaults involving drugs and alcohol most often occur immediately after leaving a licensed establishment or event; and

“Whereas there is no legal requirement for the people who hold liquor licences and permits, sell and serve liquor, or provide security at licensed establishments and events to be trained in recognizing and safely intervening in sexual harassment and violence;

“Whereas servers in licensed establishments also face high risk of sexual violence and harassment from co-workers and patrons;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to immediately pass the Ontario NDP’s Safe Night Out Act to make Ontario’s bars and nightclubs safer for patrons and staff by requiring training in sexual violence and harassment prevention, by strengthening protections for servers from workplace sexual violence, and by requiring every establishment to develop and post a policy on how sexual violence and harassment will be handled, including accessing local resources and supports.”

I fully support this petition, affix my signature and send it to the table with page Emily.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“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...;

“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;”

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

I fully support this petition, affix my signature and send it to the table with page Olivia.

I have another petition that I’ve already read into the record once, certified by the Clerks, that asks the federal government to delay or stop the carbon tax increase on April 1.

I will sign this petition and give it to page Sarah to give to the Clerks.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Alzheimer’s disease affects over 250,000 people in the province of Ontario;

“Whereas it is estimated that approximately 400,000 individuals will be diagnosed with dementia by 2030;

“Whereas by the year 2050, more than 1.7 million Canadians are expected to be living with dementia, with an average of 685 individuals diagnosed each day;

“Whereas Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging and is irreversible;

“Whereas 69% of LTC residents are living with dementia...;

“Whereas strategies to mitigate stigma and combat ageism should be at the heart of the strategy;

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

“To urge all members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to build on the progress this government has made on building a patient-centred home and community care system.”

I fully endorse this petition, will sign it and give it to page Olivia.

I’m happy to sign it on behalf of the residents of Peterborough–Kawartha and give it to page Noah to take to the table.

I fully endorse this petition, will sign my name and give it to page Tyler.

This petition is titled “To Raise Social Assistance Rates.” It’s signed by residents from Port Dover, Cambridge, Sault Ste. Marie, Mount Hope, Dundas, Belleville, Pickering, Mississauga, Hamilton-Stoney Creek. It reads:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“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: $733 for individuals on OW and $1,308 for 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” OW and ODSP;

“Whereas small increases to ODSP have still left these citizens below the poverty line. Both they and those receiving the frozen OW rates are struggling to survive at 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.”

I could not agree more. I will affix my signature and give it to page Anne once again. And I want to thank Dr. Sally Palmer for sending these petitions.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Ontarians should get health care based on need—not the size of your wallet;

“Whereas Premier ... Ford and Health Minister Jones say they’re planning to privatize parts of health care;

“Whereas privatization will bleed nurses, doctors and PSWs out of our public hospitals, making the health care crisis worse;

“Whereas privatization always ends with patients getting a bill;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to immediately stop all plans to further privatize Ontario’s health care system, and fix the crisis in health care by:”

—fixing the damage caused by Bill 124;

“—licensing tens of thousands of internationally educated nurses and other health care professionals already in Ontario, who wait years and pay thousands to have their credentials certified;

“—legislating 10 employer-paid sick days;

“—making education and training free or low-cost for nurses, doctors and other health care professionals,” particularly in rural and northern Ontario;

“—incentivizing” them “to choose to live and work in” these parts;

“—funding hospitals to have enough nurses on every shift, on every ward.”

I support this petition, will affix my signature and give it to page Bhavna.

Resuming the debate adjourned on March 28, 2024, on the motion that this House approves in general the budgetary policy of the government.

It’s my honour to read the following petition into the record. It’s entitled “Health Care: Not for Sale.” It reads:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Ontarians should get health care based on need—not the size of your wallet;

“Whereas Premier Ford and Health Minister Jones say they’re planning to privatize parts of health care;

“Whereas privatization will bleed nurses, doctors and PSWs out of our public hospitals, making the health care crisis worse;

“Whereas privatization always ends with patients getting a bill;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to immediately stop all plans to privatize Ontario’s health care system, and fix the crisis in health care by:

“—repealing Bill 124 and recruiting, retaining, and respecting doctors, nurses and PSWs with better working conditions;

“—licensing tens of thousands of internationally educated nurses and other health care professionals already in Ontario, who wait years and pay thousands to have their credentials certified;

“—10 employer-paid sick days;

“—making education and training free or low-cost for nurses, doctors, and other health care professionals;

“—incentivizing doctors and nurses to choose to live and work in northern Ontario;

“—funding hospitals to have enough nurses on every shift, on every ward.”

I fully support this petition, will affix my signature and deliver it to the Clerks.

It’s a great pleasure to continue discussion of this budget motion and the government’s budget policies. And I was talking about the infrastructure investment that government is making over 10 years and I just want to emphasize how important it is having that long-term horizon—it’s not next year; it’s not up to the next election—it’s a 10-year program where the government is proposing to spend $190 billion, which is a record number in so many different sectors.

I was talking about transit and I mentioned the GO Transit investments, which are very substantial both in terms of infrastructure and service levels. I want to talk now about subways. The overall transit window over 10 years is $67.5 billion—a record. And subways are such an important part of the fabric of the city, particularly here in the GTA and particularly here in Toronto directly. There has always been a reluctance to invest in subways and get them done. That’s why, really, the city of Toronto did nothing for 30 and 40 years. That’s why so much of our transit system is above ground, with buses and streetcars, versus other big cities where they never stopped digging. Happily, our government uploaded the subway projects because I sat on the board of the TTC for three years and I saw first-hand how time after time after time—for example, the Scarborough subway was rejected. There’s always a reason not to put shovels in the ground because it’s not easy for neighbourhoods. We’ve seen what’s happening with the Eglinton Crosstown; it’s been very, very challenging.

Well, I’ll tell you what, folks: When that line opens, people then will say, “Okay, it was painful, but this is the benefit we get.” The same thing for Scarborough and what’s happening now with the three-stop subway there. I believe it’s called Diggy Scardust—if I’m not mistaken—digging actively. But whether it’s there or the Ontario Line, the north York expansion, the three-stop Scarborough subway, these are all being built.

The other thing I’d say is that there’s been an adjustment to the way these projects are done because what’s called the public-private partnership model, the P3 model, is seen to be not working as well in transit as it could. And so, to their great credit, Metrolinx has adjusted that model and that’s why all these projects are running ahead of time and no doubt they will be delivered on time and on budget. So I’m very much looking forward to that huge investment in transit in our community.

Because, by the way, let’s not forget: The members opposite talk frequently about the environment. You know what? Transit is a phenomenal investment for the environment. It gets people out of cars, off the roads, into efficient transit and it’s great for doing that, so that’s a great policy that our government is following.

I want to now just mention health care on the infrastructure side: Over 10 years, $48.5 billion of health care facilities—phenomenal number, and it’s so important. I won’t talk about the state of things when we came into government, but I’ll tell you what we’re doing: We’re fixing it, not just for tomorrow, but for the generations to come. And it’s $50 billion over 10 years, including close to $36 billion in hospital capital grants to support more than 50 hospital projects all around the province that would add approximately 3,000 new beds over 10 years. Just the magnitude of those numbers is just fantastic. Again, it’s not for tomorrow; that’s for the next generation, including:

—the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority of Moosonee, way up north. Comments were made about northern health care. We’re investing there;

—a new 17-storey tower at Queen Street and Victoria Street for the University Health Network St. Michael’s Hospital, to accommodate expanded emergency department and ambulatory services;

—redevelopment of the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus to become one of the most advanced trauma centres in eastern Ontario;

—support for the Windsor-Essex regional hospital, so important in that part of the province; and

—projects all over: Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, as well, partners with the University Health Network. So it goes on and on, which is such great news for these communities.

Long-term care, as well: We’ve spent $6.4 billion since 2019. The goal is to build 58,000 new and upgraded long-term beds in the province by 2028, such an important investment. You know, when I went to high school—I’ll be there in one of those beds in the not-too-distant future, perhaps. Anyway, hopefully, it will ease the way. But it’s so important for our seniors who built this great province and country of ours to have the kind of facilities that they need and deserve.

I will say here again, talking about the legacy of previous governments, that over 15 years, the previous government built 611 beds, I believe the number was, in Ontario. In my own riding of Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound—the great previous member, Bill Walker—in four years, there were about 950 beds, versus 611 in the whole province over 15 years. That just shows you the perspective that they had versus what we’re having, and we’re going to keep going and building, building and building until there’s enough beds for our folks.

Schools, as well: $23 billion, including $16 billion in capital grants over the next 10 years to build more schools all over the province—French and English public schools in Blind River; a new English school in Ottawa; St. Anne’s Catholic School in St. Thomas; and in Vaughan, a French Catholic school. In my own community in the great, thriving metropolis of Markdale, the Beavercrest school is being built. These institutions matter so much to our local communities, and that’s why our government is going to keep building. So it’s not just for tomorrow; it’s for our kids and their kids in the future.

All that to say, Madam Speaker, it’s just a great pleasure to stand up and support this motion and all the things that we are doing. Whether it’s in infrastructure, in program spending, in making life more affordable, we are there for Ontarians, and we’re going to keep going and make sure we get it done.

As of December 2023, Ontario had approximately 513,000 spaces in licensed child care centres for children zero to 12 years old, and as of December, there were more than 309,000 spaces for children zero to five enrolled in CWELCC, representing 92% of all spaces in this child care group. We’ve got early childhood learning all over. We’ve signed the $13.2-billion program. We will keep investing in child care, work with the community and make sure that those spaces are available for our kids and their kids.

I believe we left off with the member for Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound.

I thank the member across the way from Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound. My question, through you, Speaker: How does the government justify the lack of specific measures in the budget to support Niagara’s critical sectors like child care? Within this budget, it does not even mention the word “child care.”

Parents in St. Catharines know the government is underspending on their commitments, forcing families to sit endlessly on wait-lists for spots. Will this government explain why they refuse to provide a funding plan for providers that was due three months ago, and why they ignore this important affordable issue for families with little people?

Thanks to my friend from Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound. We serve on the committee, and we agree to disagree on many things, unfortunately.

You mentioned infrastructure spending in your comments. We’re unpacking some of the infrastructure spending that is in this budget. One of the items is really questionable. It’s the production of a new media studio over in Whitney Block—in the bunker, I call it, in the basement. It’s where the budget announcement happened yesterday. It was a cost of $300,000. Nobody called for it. There’s no rationale to have a separate media studio where reporters can only ask one follow-up question.

How was this decision made? Who made this decision? We have a media studio here in the building. We have the cabinet room. There was no reason for a second media studio which actually limits journalists asking the government questions.

Questions?

I want to thank the member from Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound. I always appreciate his financial knowledge when he speaks to these matters.

My question is regarding something that’s very important to my riding, and that is the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund and really the investments in infrastructure and how this will help this government meet its housing targets.