Today, I’d like to welcome to the House representatives of the College of Veterinarians of Ontario; representatives of the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians; two veterinary technician students, Elizabeth Crouchman and Joner Kuo; as well as representatives from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and Farm and Food Care. Welcome to Queen’s Park. We’re going to have a good day.

My question to the member opposite is around the Ontario Veterinary College, which is in his riding. I’m sure he’s aware of the crisis that we have on our hands with regard to the need for more large-animal veterinarians. In this budget, we are demonstrating that we’re listening and we’re working for people across this province, introducing new skills and opportunities to meet the needs.

I ask the member opposite, surely you’re going to support this bill because you understand the need for more large-animal veterinarians and that by having the 2+2 program, seeing the University of Guelph and Lakehead University collaborate to address this crisis—I know we can count on your support. Is that not right?

I very much appreciate your devotion and the question as well. This is something that people across Ontario are talking about—not just pet owners, but Ontario livestock farmers as well.

I want to be perfectly clear that in terms of access to veterinarian services—this is an issue that’s across the nation, but here in Ontario, we’re taking action.

This past spring, we met with stakeholders from the veterinarian sector, and they identified very clearly that we needed to modernize. The fact of the matter is, the Veterinarians Act in Ontario hasn’t been looked at for over 30 years, but it’s our government that is taking action. We are working with our stakeholders to identify how we need to modernize, given the fact that there are new technologies and the scope of practice for both veterinarians and vet technicians has evolved. We need to get with the times and modernize our legislation in this province as well. It’s part of our Grow Ontario Strategy that we’re going to be moving forward with. I’ll speak more about it in my supplementary.

The member from Elgin–Middlesex–London will be leading these consultations across this province as he goes on tour. We want to hear, first and foremost, how the sector has evolved, how we need to modernize, and how we need to develop legislation in 2022 that creates less red tape and builds a stronger Ontario—because that’s what Bill 46 is all about.

As we look to grow Ontario, we want to make sure that people have their voices heard. We’re looking very much forward to an expansive consultation process that will identify the new scopes of practice that have evolved for vet techs as well as our veterinarians. First and foremost, the important aspect here is that we are engaging everyone in the veterinarian sector to make sure we get it right.

You’re welcome.

Speaker, we’re taking action—like the launch of a labour campaign and new training opportunities across the province.

We will also be taking steps to increase the number of large animal vets in Ontario, which leads me another initiative included in this fall’s red tape reduction package.

The outdated Veterinarians Act is one that has limited our province for a while now, and it’s time to bring it into the 21st century, so that farmers and pet owners alike are able to access the care their animals need. We have launched consultations to modernize and reform the Veterinarians Act, and I’m very pleased that our colleague and friend from Elgin–Middlesex–London is going to be leading those consultations. He will do an amazing job. I want to share with you that it’s very important that we do not keep outdated legislation holding back vets and vet techs from being able to work as effectively as possible across this province. That’s why the consultations to modernize the Veterinarians Act are very important at this time.

Our goal is to introduce legislation that, if passed, would equip vets and registered vet techs with the tools they need to meet today’s demands. For instance, our veterinarian on our farm is just a text away, and that’s invaluable. It gives us confidence in how we care for our livestock as well.

I think there’s much to be said about this amazing piece of legislation introduced and being debated today. The Less Red Tape, Stronger Ontario Act is another example of how our government is standing with our agri-food sector and building an even stronger, more secure sector that Ontarians can have every confidence in.

Another thing is modernizing a really important piece of legislation that talks to how we allow custom feeding amongst feeder cattle co-op members. To quote Jack Chaffe, president of the Beef Farmers of Ontario: “The proposed change to the ministry of agriculture and rural affairs act is a positive step that will help create new opportunities for business activity within the feeder cattle loan guarantee co-operatives”—or, as I know it, feeder finance—“reduce risks to lenders, and provide custom feeders with access to competitive financing.” This is so important as we try to attract new people to that sector, especially young and new farmers alike.

We’re also proposing changes to the Animal Health Act, which will allow a minister such as myself to take immediate action to protect animal and public health on the advice of the Chief Veterinarian for Ontario in response to an animal health crisis, much like we faced with the avian flu situation.

I want to quote the chair of Chicken Farmers of Ontario, Murray Opsteen. He said, “The health and safety of animals in our care is top priority for Ontario’s chicken farmers. This proposed amendment to the Animal Health Act will enable us to have greater confidence that during an animal disease emergency, our flocks and the Ontario food supply are protected.”

Speaker, at the end of the day, it is such a pleasure to see ministries, under the leadership of Premier Ford, working hand in glove, because reducing red tape and reducing barriers is what businesses in Ontario need. It’s our government that has been listening. It’s our government that is standing up every session—fall and spring—to continue to reduce red tape in this province. And because of that, our businesses will be stronger.