Mr. Speaker, today it gives me great pleasure to rise and speak to the third reading of the Progress on the Plan to Build Act (Budget Measures), 2022. I will be splitting my time with my two terrific parliamentary assistants, the member for Oakville—where is he; he was right there—as well as the member for Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound.

On November 14, I introduced the 2022 Ontario economic outlook and fiscal review, and tabled our first-ever building Ontario progress report. This document and the fall bill highlight how our flexible and responsible plan is positioning Ontario to be ready to manage uncertainty and risk as the world faces emerging economic challenges. It is my honour to continue to discuss the highlights and showcase how we have progressed on our plan to build and to spotlight the new targeted measures in the fall bill that further advance our plan in our fall economic statement. I’m pleased to say we have made significant progress on our plan to build.

Je suis heureux de dire que notre plan pour bâtir progresse fort bien.

Mr. Speaker, the proposed legislative changes and amendments are part of our government’s plan to build Ontario. Our government is focused on getting things done. Our building Ontario progress report shows how we are making progress in attracting investments and creating good jobs. We have helped attract $16 billion in transformative auto investments in electric vehicles and EV battery-manufacturing plants in Ontario over just the last two years. We have invested $2.5 billion to help make Ontario a world-leading producer of, wait for it, low-carbon steel.

Our government is making progress in building Ontario’s workforce by training and educating students and workers to succeed not only today but for tomorrow. We have added over 11,700 health care workers, including nurses and personal support workers, to our health care system.

We are building infrastructure by getting more shovels in the ground on critical projects right across the province. Because of the previous government’s legacy of underinvestment, Madam Speaker, we have had to make up for years of lack of investment. Today, Ontario needs many things. It needs highways. It needs transit. It needs hospitals. It needs more schools. We are building to ensure the province is a leader in Canada and globally.

Aujourd’hui, l’Ontario a besoin de beaucoup de choses. Il a besoin de routes et de plus de transports en commun. Il a besoin d’hôpitaux et de plus d’écoles. Nous bâtissons et travaillons à faire de cette province un chef de file au Canada et à l’échelle mondiale.

We are building more long-term-care homes and more schools and subways and highways, and I’m proud to report that today preliminary fieldwork is under way for Highway 413 and early construction has started for the Bradford Bypass, which will serve the rapidly growing communities of Simcoe county and York region and help ease traffic in the greater Ontario area.

Madam Speaker, every person and family in Ontario, no matter where they live, is benefiting from the measures our government has implemented to keep costs down. We eliminated licence plate renewal fees as well as licence plate stickers, and we refunded the past two years of fees for eligible vehicles, helping to make life more affordable for nearly eight million vehicle owners in Ontario.

We temporarily cut the gas tax and the fuel tax, starting on July 1, 2022, to further contribute to everyday household savings across Ontario.

The Ontario Childcare Access and Relief from Expenses tax credit is supporting eligible families with their child care expenses.

Madam Speaker, our government knows we need to address the current labour shortages seen in Ontario. That is why we are focused on supporting job creation and economic growth. Everyone who is able and wants to pursue a job should be able to reach their goal.

Our government recognizes the incredible potential in each and every person in our province, and people living with a disability should not be punished for working. That’s why we are proposing to increase the amount a person on the Ontario Disability Support Program—also known as ODSP—can earn from $200 to $1,000 per month without impacting their income support. This measure would encourage people with a disability who want to increase their work hours to do so and promote more participation in the workforce while not penalizing them for doing so. It would allow the approximately 25,000 individuals currently in the workforce to keep more of their earnings and could encourage as many as 25,000 more to participate in the workforce.

Our government also recognizes that there are many ODSP recipients who cannot work, and they need our continued support. That is why in August we announced a 5% increase to ODSP rates and, going forward, we plan to adjust ODSP to a rate of inflation, beginning in July 2023. So when the cost of living increases, income support would increase as well. And as we increase support for ODSP recipients, we must also look at reforms so we can improve access and make sure those who need the support can get it faster.

Madam Speaker, we want job seekers to know they are not working alone. They have someone in their corner. That is why we’re investing in skills training. Our Skills Development Fund is supporting groundbreaking programs that give people the skills and training and connections to find and harness new opportunities, and I am pleased to share that we are investing another $40 million for the latest round of this program, bringing total funding for this round to $145 million.

High school students are finding out that in Ontario today they can have a great life in the skilled trades or when working with children, and that is why we are also expanding the Dual Credit Program. This program is creating direct pathways for high school students and learners seeking a career in the trades or early childhood education. Through this program, students are getting the opportunity to complete credits towards both an Ontario secondary school diploma and a college credential or certificate of apprenticeship. This program is giving them the opportunity to begin work earlier. So there is a future in building Ontario.

Ce programme permet à ces étudiants de commencer à travailler plus tôt. Bâtir l’Ontario est porteur d’avenir.

Madam Speaker, I will now take a few moments to share thoughts about some of the pieces of legislative business contained in this bill and some new measures from our fall economic statement.

Our government is proposing to temporarily double the Ontario guaranteed annual income—or GAINS—payment so senior recipients could receive a maximum increase of almost $1,000 per person in 2023. This temporary measure would last for 12 months, starting in January 2023, and is paid monthly. This step is one way we can help low-income seniors pay their costs.

Across the globe, everyone is facing a period of rising prices. During this period, it is important that Ontario helps those who need support the most. We understand the last thing people need is a tax increase at the pumps. That is why we are also proposing extensions to the cut to the gas and fuel tax rates to maintain the reduced tax rates at nine cents per litre. This extension would be until December 31, 2023. Through this measure, households would save $195 on average between July 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023.

We are also proposing to extend the current freeze on the salaries of members of provincial Parliament.

Interjection: Thank you.