My question is to the Premier. A new report released by the Daily Bread Food Bank and North York Harvest found that one in 10 people in Toronto are now making use of food banks. That is double the rate of 2022. There were over 2.5 million visits in the past year to food banks in Toronto alone, a 51% increase. Food banks across Ontario are reporting similar increases as well.

It is clear that we are facing a food insecurity crisis in this province. Food banks themselves know that distributing food will not solve the issue. Food insecurity is a public policy issue requiring public policy solutions. My question to the Premier is, how is this government going to address the growing food insecurity crisis in Ontario?

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Ontario Place has been a cherished public space for over 50 years, providing joy, recreation and cultural experiences for Ontarians and tourists alike and holds cultural and historical significance as a landmark that symbolizes Ontario’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and public engagement;

“Whereas redevelopment that includes a private, profit-driven venture by an Austrian spa company prioritizes commercial interests over the needs and desires of the people of Ontario, and it is estimated that the cost to prepare the grounds for redevelopment and build a 2,000-car underground garage will cost approximately $650 million;

“Whereas there are concerns of cronyism by Therme Group Canada’s vice-president of communications and external relations, who was previously the Premier’s deputy chief of staff;

“Whereas meaningful public consultations with diverse stakeholders have not been adequately conducted and the official opposition has sent a letter of support for a public request to begin an investigation into a value-for-money and compliance audit with respect to proposed redevelopment of Ontario Place;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to halt any further development plans for Ontario Place, engage in meaningful and transparent public consultations to gather input and ideas for the future of Ontario Place, develop a comprehensive and sustainable plan for the revitalization of Ontario Place that prioritizes environmental sustainability, accessibility and inclusivity, and ensure that any future development of Ontario Place is carried out in a transparent and accountable manner, with proper oversight, public input and adherence to democratic processes.”

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

If the minister thinks that the licence plate sticker rebate helps those people in those food bank lineups, he needs to come to Scarborough and I will take him to the Bluffs Food Bank, and I will take him to the Feed Scarborough Food Bank and show him what’s happening there, because those rebates do not support the people.

Yes, that lineup has seniors. It has children. It has people who are on ODSP. You know, ODSP recipients are among the top demographic being forced to rely on food banks because we have legislated poverty. Government after government—not just this government; I know it’s the previous government as well—has legislated poverty policies. From children to seniors to BIPOC communities and communities in my riding of Scarborough Southwest, people are relying on food banks. Poverty costs, and the minister knows that. It costs our health care system, it costs our labour force and it’s costing our province.

The report also highlighted that guaranteed income security and the elimination of systemic poverty is a solution. My question is simple. Will the government—and I know the fiscal update does not address it. It does not address the crisis that we’re facing in our province. It does not address the crisis that we’re facing with the wage suppression—

The 2022 Daily Bread Food Bank report paints an alarming picture for the city, but especially for Scarborough. We have seen a 29% increase in food bank visits in Scarborough; that’s over 554,000 visits in 2021. Some 28% of adults reported missing a day’s meal because they did not have enough money for food—

Interjections.

Some 49% were skipping meals to make up for the cost of housing or transportation. This is one of the richest provinces—

Interjections.

Interjections.