I appreciate the question from the member from Peterborough, because he lives it every day, as do I in my rural riding.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s from fuel to food—the cost for rural life is going through the roof because unfortunately Bonnie Crombie and Justin Trudeau have never met a tax they didn’t like. It’s affecting everything in rural Ontario, from getting to work to getting our students to school on our rural school bus transitways, and even down to driving seniors to their daycare programs, through to Meals on Wheels. This horrible Liberal carbon tax is causing the cost of everything to go through the roof, and therefore it’s jeopardizing the pillars of community that we need in rural Ontario.

Ladies and gentlemen, we all need to stand together and implore all Liberals, backed up by the NDP, to scrap the tax.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and welcome to the member from Lambton–Kent–Middlesex. I knew from day one he would see you here in this House.

To answer his question, ladies and gentlemen, the fact of the matter is, as we heard yesterday from the president of the Grain Farmers of Ontario, they are being stressed. The emotional toll of Liberal ideology is really becoming palatable. Last week, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture actually just released results of a survey that said what worries farmers most across Ontario—from Essex to Cornwall to Atikokan, they are worried about tax burden.

Speaker, I stand in this House every day proudly representing farmers across this province. But I stand in front of you today for the first time to say I’m worried. The corn is barely popping out of the ground, and I’m hearing across the province farmers worrying about the cost of drying that corn this fall. The cost is going through the roof, especially since the Liberal ideology saw the carbon tax increase 23% April 1. It’s a travesty.

I was so very proud when I joined the member from Lambton–Kent–Middlesex just last week, when we celebrated a provincial investment of $2.4 million into Parkhill Meats. We’re bringing processing close to the farmers. And that huge crowd that was there that included farmers that are going to benefit were celebrating our government, under the leadership of Premier Ford.

Furthermore, we have introduced a $25-million Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative. We also have a Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative. We also have a program to enable farmers to grow future opportunities. Again, we are standing up programs that are resonating and assisting farmers to offset the ridiculous pressure that is coming from Liberal—

Point of order.

We’re doing a lot to support our farmers, because, quite frankly, Jeff Harrison also went on to say, “It’s part of the added stress”—“it” being the carbon tax—“on farmers that they are expected to do the unachievable.”

But really and truly, farmers are part of the solution, Speaker. Through their crop rotations, cover crops and the embracing of best practices, grain farmers of Ontario are actually shipping almost 30% of all grains grown right here in Ontario around the world to 50 different countries. That matters. Then, there’s another significant percentage of their production that goes into baked goods right here in Ontario, which adds to jobs and again goes around the world in terms of satisfying demand for good produced food right here from Ontario.

But you know what, Speaker? The carbon tax alone is going to cause grain farmers of Ontario to pay—get this—almost $200 million in carbon tax alone this year. That’s why we’re introducing programs that understand the issue and—

I appreciate the question from the member from Scarborough–Agincourt. Quite frankly, I’m hearing from farmers and food manufacturers alike that the carbon tax is driving up the cost of production, the cost of food throughout this province, and we need to keep good companies like D&D Poultry in that member’s own riding thriving because Ontario looks for it and deserves it.

I’m hearing from farmers, as well, that it’s becoming an affordability issue, because the carbon tax is affecting them both financially and, quite frankly, emotionally, as well. Jeff Harrison, president of Grain Farmers of Ontario, is in the House today, and he recently has been quoted on record as saying that, reflecting on Liberal ideology about climate change, the Liberals were using a “vilification strategy” to pin the blame for climate change on farmers through exorbitant costs of the carbon tax and threatening to remove tools that farmers need to grow crops.

The Liberals need to stand up and admit they’re doing the wrong thing.

I’m very proud to welcome to the House the Grain Farmers of Ontario. We have President Jeff Harrison and the team from GFO: Crosby Devitt, Debra Conlon and Allison Hessels. Welcome to the House.

I want to rise in this House and acknowledge that, yes, the Ontario Greenhouse Alliance was here last week. I hope the members opposite heard loud and clear how the carbon tax is punishing the people who produce good-quality food close to home here in Ontario.

The carbon tax is now 30% of everyone’s energy bills, whether you are a chicken farmer or a greenhouse operator. Any relief that greenhouse farmers actually had was completely wiped out on April 1 with the 23% increase in the carbon tax.

Do you know what the irony is in this? HST gets charged on top of the carbon tax. So we have a tax on a tax.

Moreover, people need to understand that farmers need carbon. They’re part of the solution. In greenhouses, that carbon is needed to grow our food.

Why do the federal Liberals continue to punish—why does Bonnie Crombie stand with those federal Liberals and enable them to continue to punish Ontario—

It’s unfortunate, because right in the member from Chatham-Kent–Leamington’s area, there are four greenhouses that are looking to grow—but unfortunately, because of this Liberal ideology that is costing them to see an increase in the cost of production of food, they’re going to look to expand south of the border.

We’re going to see the tail lights of farmers leaving Ontario because of this punishing carbon tax.

People need to wake up and understand that Ontario farmers can be part of the solution. Scrap the tax.

I appreciate the question coming from the member opposite, but we need to remember that what we’re debating today is enabling legislation, and the regulations will be facilitated through that new college that will be created, should this bill pass. With that said, I trust the individuals who have come together to work together to realize this modernization.

I’d like to give a shout-out to the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, as well as the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians and all of the other professions that provide services to either pets or livestock throughout this province. I trust that when it comes to those conversations that need to be had to bring forward regulations, there will be much thought and responsibility given to that action.

I’m really proud of the modernization that we’re talking about in this particular piece of legislation. Whether it’s for livestock or pets, what we’ve done here is actually bring two professions under one college. In that, that team-based approach is going to improve access so that when you need care for your pet, it will be available to you, because the—

Well, thank you very much for that question.

Simply put, the expansion and recognition of the scope of practice in our veterinary clinics across Ontario, whether it’s urban downtown Toronto or in Rainy River, is going to improve access. Specifically, when I say that, I mean the recognition of the scope of practice for veterinary technicians is going to be a game-changer, quite frankly. If a veterinarian is tied up and somebody comes in or phones in requesting care, in teaming up with a veterinarian, the vet tech can now fully practise to their full scope of experience and training.

In terms of veterinary medicine, I want to share with everyone in the House and watching today that women particularly are outnumbering men when it comes to this professional career. I’m really proud to say that there’s an equalizer, because if you have the training, you have the expertise and you have the passion, anyone can be part of the team that offers enhanced professional care to animals.

The other thing I want to share is that we’re approaching the increase to veterinary medicine by increasing the number of classes in Ontario by 20. We’re also incenting veterinarians to work in northern and remote areas of Ontario by incenting them upwards of $50,000 over five years if they practise large animal veterinary medicine.

The fact of the matter is, that amendment and that notion is outside of the scope of this enabling legislation.

I love the name Kevin for a dog, by the way—well done. I trust that he’s getting exemplary care—

I have to say to Minister Cho, my husband said, as well, “Who would ever think I’d fall so in love with a dog?” I think we all think that way when it comes to referring to our pets. And we know there are young people throughout this province of Ontario that, because they love pets, want to pursue a career. With the Enhancing the Professional Care for Animals Act, I think we’re creating a bright future for anyone who wants to pursue that career.

Thank you.

Now let’s talk about the work that was done in committee. When this bill was considered by the Standing Committee on the Interior, members of the committee heard from a wide variety of stakeholders, with 13 presenting in person and many more sending in written submissions.

During a particular presentation to the committee, the College of Veterinarians of Ontario’s chief executive officer, Jan Robinson, in particular, expressed how the college could not be more thrilled that our government heard the need for the modernization of the delivery of veterinary medicine in Ontario.

I want to take a moment to give Jan a shout-out. She has been an absolute champion in making sure that we had the bandwidth to reach out to stakeholders, but most importantly, when we had to have tough discussions and we had to really nail down what the priorities were for affiliated associations and organizations, she took the lead and made sure that people understood the importance of team and the importance of reflecting on the breadth of care that some people choose for their animals.

So, Jan, I want to thank you sincerely for that.

I also want to give a shout-out to some vet techs: Elise Wickett and Kelsey Streef. They spoke on behalf of the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians during the committee presentation on Bill 171. They expressed the association’s strong support for what they believe is a comprehensive bill that will significantly enhance access to professional veterinary care in Ontario. Their enthusiasm and their points were well taken.

I think about Ashton Colvin, a vet tech who worked out of the Wingham veterinarian office, and she takes great care and pride in Maxi, her beloved dog at home. She said years ago that vet techs needed to be recognized for the expertise that they have, and I remember that conversation very well, when I was standing at their desk one day.

I think about the veterinary office that we visited, the clinic we visited in Thunder Bay. The veterinarian was very proud of his team of vet techs, and they were passionate and very eloquent in stating why the full scope of practice, expertise and training of vet techs should finally be recognized once and for all.

So those are some people who I can’t help but think of and thank for reaching out and really telling us what they thought in terms of the importance of modernizing this piece of legislation.

The Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians also made an important point that we could not have reached this particular stage we are at today without the collaboration of the College of Veterinarians of Ontario and the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, OVMA—and I want to give a shout-out to all of you at that particular association as well. Again, I appreciate the candour, the heart and the seriousness in which you brought forward not only your ideas but your concerns. I have every confidence going forward, when we move past this enabling legislation into regulations, if this legislation should pass, that you will work incredibly well with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario to work on regulations that make sense for the entire suite of services and care that people choose to access for their pets, for their horses and for livestock across Ontario.

I really value the relationship that was trusted so that the candid discussion could be achieved. It wasn’t lost on me, and I really want to take time to say thank you again to the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association for all they did to help us get to this point, as well.

Our partnerships have been crucial. As the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians stated, continued collaboration will lead to further advancements in the veterinary profession in Ontario. I couldn’t agree more. As I’ve said, this proposed legislation will, if passed, regulate both veterinarians and veterinary technicians, reflecting again on one profession, two professionals. It’s an approach and delivery of veterinary medicine in Ontario that will lead by example across Canada.

In order to reflect this change, the College of Veterinarians of Ontario would be renamed the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario. It is our government’s expectation that the college will develop regulations that provide a clear and broad definition of the scope of practice that is in line with the skills and training that vet techs possess. This is something that was supported in all written and verbal submissions to the Standing Committee on the Interior. Again, I appreciate everyone’s input in that regard.

Let me take a moment to share some of those written submissions. For example, Ontario Pork said, “Ontario Pork supports the delivery of veterinary care using a team-based approach and the importance of registered veterinary technicians in providing veterinary care. By enabling better access to veterinary services and the scope of care provided, the proposed bill will help ensure that farmers can receive veterinary care for their livestock when needed.”

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture said something similar. Speaking about bringing veterinary technicians under the same college as vets, the OFA said they believe “this will help to alleviate the workload of large animal veterinarians, especially in underserviced areas of the province, and increase producer access.”

While veterinarians and veterinary technicians are critical to animal care in Ontario, there are other service providers who also have a role. This bill recognizes that there are qualified and competent care providers who are not veterinary professionals, but they have an important role to play in animal health if owners choose to pursue their services.

We have taken an approach which continues access to care while also protecting the health and well-being of animals. The new act will enable regulations to be made to formalize exemptions for non-veterinarian practitioners and help assure the public that these animal care providers will be qualified and competent to provide safe care. These regulations will set out the terms, conditions, limitations, guidelines and prohibitions that will detail how these professionals can safely continue providing care to animals.

For example, pharmacists will be able to continue to compound, dispense and sell medication to an animal owner if they have a prescription for it—again, if this legislation should pass. We’re also enabling choice for pet owners by allowing them to fill their prescriptions through their vet or to get a prescription they can take to another store or pharmacist.

Another important aspect that was raised in consultation was access to ultrasounds for pregnant animals; in particular, small ruminants such as sheep and goats. If passed, this bill will ensure that ultrasound technicians who provide pregnancy checks—preg-checks; they’re important—for small ruminants will be able to continue to do so. Just to rephrase that, throughout Ontario, we have technicians who can go on-farm and, in a non-invasive way, facilitate preg-checks for sheep and goats. Their services are invaluable, and we just wanted to share that example as an exemption that will be well received by farmers.

This particular exemption, in allowing technicians to perform preg-checks on small ruminants, was also supported by stakeholders who wrote to the committee. For example, Ontario Sheep Farmers wrote, “Our organization was very happy to see the provision in the act allowing an exception for pregnancy ultrasounds performed on sheep. Ultrasound is an important tool used by our members to confirm pregnancy and ultrasound technicians are trusted members of our farmers’ animal care teams.” That was well said.

This bill, if passed, would also continue a number of key exemptions that exist in the current Veterinarians Act, such as the ability for farmers, their families and employees to provide care for their animals.

I think about our farm. Again, we live in a large, rural area. My husband has our veterinarian on speed-dial. They have a wonderful relationship, a trusting relationship. Our vet, Clayton, enables Dennis to care for our animals to the best of his ability.

Our act, if passed, would continue to allow farmers to use ultrasounds on their own animals, as is the current practice.

The bill does not propose to regulate lower-risk services such as grooming, hoof trimming or massage.

There are some animal owners, mainly owners of horses and dogs, who choose to seek chiropractic care for their animals, as well. This bill will, if passed, provide title protection for chiropractors and allow the college to make regulations to set out the parameters on how animal chiropractic care can continue to be offered safely.

Chiropractors working on animals would remain members of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario and would not have to be a member of two different regulated colleges. The committee did hear from the Ontario Chiropractic Association, who welcomed the opportunity to continue to consult as the regulations are created, and I trust that through this effort and the facilitation of discussion that will lead to solid regs, all parties involved will do what’s right to ensure that services can be available if an animal owner—or, in this instance, an owner of horses—chooses to access that particular service.

Again, I really appreciate the manner in which all parties have come together to recognize the importance of modernizing this particular piece of legislation. And should it pass, the College of Veterinary Professionals of Ontario would be required to consult with any profession which provides treatment that would be addressed in regulations and report those outcomes to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. This would include chiropractors.

Let’s talk about governance for a moment. With respect to governance, this bill also addresses the governance of the college. It would, if passed, add new objects to the college, including working with the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on access to adequate numbers of qualified, skilled and competent veterinary professionals. The proposed bill will also include a number of improvements that will enable the regulatory college to achieve positive outcomes. The proposed legislation would see the renamed college have six committees to oversee activities, ranging from accreditation, to licensing, to quality assurance, and disciplinary matters.

I’m going to focus on what the legislation calls “quality assurance” programming right now, because it breaks down into a couple of things. The college would be able to create requirements for continuing education for members, something that the College of Veterinarians of Ontario has requested and most other self-regulated professions require. Members of the college would be required to report if they suspect another member’s abilities are impaired by health or other issues, and there would be legal protections for members who make such reports in good faith. The college would be able to collect and make public more information about its members, similar to other regulated professions in Ontario. These professions, of course, are regulated throughout the province.

In a written submission to the Standing Committee on the Interior, the College of Veterinarians of Ontario said, “The college is encouraged by the inclusion of a mandatory quality assurance program for the practice of veterinary medicine that will help to ensure ongoing competency amongst its membership.”

Ladies and gentlemen, all of these proposed changes would bring the veterinary profession in line with other self-regulated professions in Ontario, and I’m very, very proud of that.

Again, if the legislation is passed, the council for the college would also be expanded to include veterinary technicians, representatives from a veterinary medicine program and a vet technician program as well as more members of the public. This would bring more perspectives to the table—in other words, bring different lenses to a situation when decisions are being made.

One of the concerns we heard during the consultations was that the complaint resolution process for veterinarians took far too long. This bill proposes to streamline that process, which will be incredibly good for both animal owners and veterinarians alike.

All in all, reaction to this bill has been very positive, both as we are consulting and at the Standing Committee on the Interior. I am proud that we took the time to consider stakeholder feedback and to incorporate it into Bill 171. After consulting widely, we feel confident that we are taking the right steps for both pets and livestock.

During the committee hearing, we also addressed the shortage of vets. I understand that the member from Mushkegowuk–James Bay raised some questions about how this bill would help improve access to veterinary care in the north. We recognize that there is a shortage of veterinarians in many rural and northern communities, and we are taking action to address this shortage through this bill and through additional initiatives.

As mentioned during second reading of Bill 171, I see this proposed legislation as one leg of a three-legged stool that supports our goal to improve veterinary care access across Ontario. We developed the Veterinary Incentive Program to encourage veterinarians to set up large practices in underserved communities. Under this program, up to 100 newly licensed vets are eligible to receive up to $50,000 over five years to practise on large animals in underserviced areas of the province. Since this program was announced late last year, nine veterinarians have been approved to receive this incentive. I’m really proud of that. We’ve taken what we’ve heard and we’ve taken action to make it so. I appreciate everyone who was involved in that particular initiative.

I think it’s also important to recognize that we have announced that we are investing up to $14.7 million to create 20 new seats in veterinary medicine programs in Ontario starting in September 2025.

I should note that technology is already playing a part in increasing access to veterinary care. I think it’s somewhat interesting that here we are today, on May 16—happy birthday to my brother, Dennis—in a week whereby, I understand, students desiring to pursue a career in veterinary medicine are actually being interviewed. So it’s kind of timely, if you will—the synchronicity of debating this bill in third reading and understanding that students aspiring to be a veterinarian are in the midst of interviews to determine whether they actually will be one of those new students in the full suite of opportunities that we are making available through this particular legislation. Again, that makes it somewhat surreal, but it underscores the importance—because, again, we need more veterinarians across the province of Ontario, especially northern Ontario, and in underserviced areas throughout rural Ontario.

We know that the veterinary profession in Ontario is revered, quite frankly, around the world. I give a shout-out to everyone—the colleges that I’ve mentioned already, through to the universities that are enabling this practice to become a career that people can be proud of.

I think it’s interesting; when we talk about advancing and modernizing not only this veterinarian legislation but services, we have to embrace technology as well. I mentioned before that my husband really values our veterinarian, Clayton, and when needed, he’s only a text away. Technology is changing the way veterinarians can support farmers and pet owners alike. We heard about how farmers, especially in northern Ontario, might be hours away from a veterinarian. In that particular situation, where distance could prove to be a hurdle that’s tough to get over, telemedicine can really help. While some vets and farmers, as I mentioned, in our own case on our farm, are using technology to their advantage, I anticipate that more vet techs attending to a patient and consulting with a veterinarian over the phone will happen more and more.

For instance, if passed, this particular legislation will—again, as I mentioned earlier—recognize the full scope of expertise and training that vet techs have. In order to increase access to care, if a veterinarian is on one end of the county and a call comes in on the opposite end of the county, technically—ideally—if this legislation should pass, under the veterinarian’s direction, a vet tech could go to that particular farm or pet owner in the north end of the county and start assessing the situation, and be in contact with the veterinarian to determine what the best next steps are. I think that is a tremendous example of how there will be so much value in modernizing this particular piece of legislation—and I thank everybody’s contributions in making it so.

Just to conclude, I want to share with everyone that, together with the vet incentive program, when we talk about increasing access to veterinarian care, the 20 new vet school seats and the proposed legislation that we are discussing today will help us care for our animals, whether they be pets, service animals or livestock. I believe the proposed legislation will work for animals and animal owners right across this province.

I appreciate the opportunity to have presented this piece of legislation, Bill 171, to the House. It’s important. Our agriculture and food industry is a significant contributor to our overall GDP, to the tune of $48 billion. We are an industry that is strong, poised to grow, and we need to make sure the professional services needed to support that growth are recognized in the manner in which they deserve. I think we’ve achieved that in Bill 171.

I’m so incredibly proud of the work that has gone into this bill, as well. Ladies and gentlemen, I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a shout-out to our team at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Ryan, as policy director, has owned this particular piece of legislation and all the activities that were needed to get us to this point, and he was supported incredibly well by Lindsay and Tara—Lindsay being director of strategy; Tara, of course, being chief of staff. Our entire team in our minister’s office has worked so incredibly hard to make sure we’ve nailed down proper communications, and we’ve worked incredibly well with stakeholders. I can tell you earnestly that we’ve had some tough discussions in order to get where we are today, and we need to recognize that people came to the table with the best intentions.

This enabling piece of legislation, if passed, will enable regulations to be put in place that will ultimately ensure pet owners, livestock owners and horse owners alike will have access to the professional care that they choose.

I also would like to take a moment to reflect on the debate that we’ve had leading up to this point in third reading, and I want to thank the members opposite—I want to thank the people for recognizing that we have done our homework and we’re getting it right. This has been—again, I remind everyone—something that has been asked for, for over 10 years, and I’m so incredibly proud to be able to work with a team that understood the importance, understood the realities that underscored the need to modernize this piece of legislation.

I feel strongly that this bill takes a balanced and risk-based approach to the practice of veterinary medicine, while continuing to protect animal health and well-being, all the while respecting all the professionals who at one point in time may get called upon to care for a loved pet.

Actually, when I think about it, we have a dog getting spayed in the Wingham Veterinary Clinic right now. I hope everything goes well.

Again, it’s because we love our animals that we need access to these services, not only at home in Huron–Bruce, but across this province of Ontario.

I can’t underscore enough how our entire team has worked so incredibly closely with the stakeholders throughout Ontario to reach this stage of third reading. We’re truly heartened to have received such thorough, thoughtful and instructive feedback and response to it. I submit to the members opposite and to everyone watching today that there has been so much work that has gone into it. I thank you for recognizing that. I’m sincere in saying that. I thank you for your unanimous support in second reading.

I understand that at the committee of the interior, there were good discussions, but as we tweaked it during clause by-clause, there were not a lot of adversarial comments. The tweaks that we made during clause-by-clause made sense. Thank you to all the committee members who saw the importance of what we were doing. We can’t state enough how important committee work is. I’m sincere in saying thank you to everyone who helped get Bill 171 through the committee stages, as well. I appreciate it very much.

Just to close, I want to recognize that it’s important to have a provincial lens on everything we do in this province. I’m really thrilled to be working with two gentlemen who represent—actually, the trifecta here, we pretty much represent all of Ontario, when we add in our valued colleagues from the north.

The member from Essex and the member from Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston are going to continue on this discussion and continue to share and tell everyone in the House today and people watching why modernizing this particular Veterinarians Act is so important in 2024.

At the end of the day, I feel it’s very important that our professionals who get up at any hour of the day—and I mean any hour of the day—to care for our animals need to be well supported. We’re doing just that if this legislation should pass.

Thank you very much. I’ll hand it over to one of my amazing PAs, the member of provincial Parliament from Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston.

It’s a pleasure to rise in the House today to continue our discussion on the importance of enhancing professional care for animals. I’m very pleased to be sharing my time today with my two amazing parliamentary assistants, the members from Essex and from Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston.

Before I begin, I also would like to give a shout-out to both MPP Flack from Elgin–Middlesex–London as well as MPP Jones from Chatham-Kent–Leamington, because they too have played an important role in shepherding this important piece of legislation through to where we are today.

Back to the MPPs from Essex and Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston, though: They’ve just recently begun their roles as parliamentary assistants in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and I want to say thank you. Thank you for jumping in with both feet and supporting not only this important piece of proposed legislation, but for jumping in and embracing the amazing work that gets done at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

I also want to go back to the MPP from Elgin–Middlesex–London. In his role as parliamentary assistant for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, he actually facilitated consultations on this particular proposed piece of legislation across the province. We all know that agriculture and food is very important to him, as well. I appreciate all the effort that went into it.

To the members of the Standing Committee on the Interior and everyone who presented at the committee and/or submitted written submissions as well, I’d like to thank everyone’s efforts. I appreciate that I’m hearing that there’s going to be unanimous support for this. We’ll see when the vote happens, but I can tell you with certainty that we took the time to listen, to understand and, most importantly, to work with our stakeholders to ensure we get it right.

The Veterinarians Act needed to be reviewed, because it was first introduced in 1989. It has served Ontario animals and animal owners very, very well over the past 35 years, but it’s 2024, and it’s time we take a look at modernizing and making sure that we are enabling access across this province to professional care that pet owners and farmers alike deserve and need.

In 1989, it was Jack Riddell who introduced the Veterinarians Act. At the time, Jack represented Huron–Middlesex. Huron, as you know, is very important to me. I think it is somewhat surreal but an absolute honour to continue to build on something that a farmer from Huron county put his heart into, to continue on today to make sure that his legacy lives on through the initial piece of legislation. I take this opportunity to bring it forward into 2024 and beyond in order to make sure that we have a modernized system that enables professional care for animals.

In the years since the act was first updated, the practice of veterinary medicine has evolved significantly, transforming the way that animals are cared for in Ontario. As discussed during second reading and at the standing committee, veterinary care is increasingly provided by a team of qualified professionals. This proposed legislation reflects that the reality of one profession of veterinary medicine comprised of two professionals, veterinarians and veterinary technicians, has to be recognized. Registered veterinary technicians have specialized education, training and experience in animal care and are vital in terms of that team approach to care in many veterinary settings.

Again, we know we have a shortage of veterinarians in northern Ontario, rural Ontario and remote areas across this province, and vet techs are ready to step up and say, “We’ve got the expertise. We’ve got the training.”

I know our veterinarians will embrace their approach as well, because again, one team, two professionals—it really makes sense today, in 2024, across the province of Ontario.

The current legislative framework, though, under the Veterinarians Act does not formally recognize the role of veterinary technicians. Do you know what? They have a very important role to play in animal care. By formally recognizing the role of veterinary technicians, we are expecting to enhance access to veterinary care and strengthen the animal care system in Ontario. By recognizing their complete scope of practice, it is our intent that this will result in more vet techs providing more treatments and services that they are trained to do and have the expertise to do, as well.

I know that RVTs, registered vet techs, and vet tech students are excited about having their role and training formally recognized.

Shortly before this bill was introduced, I really appreciated the opportunity to attend the AGM of the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians. While I couldn’t necessarily tell the registered vet techs in attendance that this bill was imminent, let me tell you, they knew and appreciated that we had been consulting on updating the Veterinarians Act. There were 1,200 people very excited about the future of their field of expertise.

Let’s take a moment, let’s pause and let’s go back to revisit how we got here today. Access to veterinary care has long been a challenge, especially in rural and northern Ontario. The College of Veterinarians of Ontario, the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, and the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians have been working together to advocate for changes to the Veterinarians Act for more than a decade. For more than a decade, they’ve been asking for this modernization, and I’m so proud to say it’s under the leadership of Premier Ford and our government that we’re getting the job done.

We knew the act was out of date, and we wanted to make sure any changes we proposed would help all animal owners, their animals, and our farmers. Husbandry is very important when you think about the priorities on-farm. In order to do that, though, we asked veterinarians, vet technicians, animal owners and farmers alike, animal welfare groups and others for their input. We took time, as I mentioned earlier, to listen to their concerns, their suggestions and their desires to see this particular act modernized.

In November 2022, my ministry launched a dedicated web page where the public was to submit ideas on how to modernize the Veterinarians Act.

Then, on March 1, 2023, we published a discussion paper and a proposal on the Regulatory Registry. My ministry also ran webinars where interested people could learn more about the proposal, ask questions and make comments. Through these consultations, we received more than 300 submissions. I was very impressed by that, and I thank everyone who took time to put pen to paper.

In order to make sure we heard from Ontarians from different parts of the province, the Associate Minister of Housing, Rob Flack, hosted seven round-table discussions.

Throughout these consultations, the majority of people told us they supported the proposed modernization of the Veterinarians Act. As a result of those consultations and taking into consideration more than 300 submissions, on March 7 of this year, I had the privilege of introducing this particular bill, Bill 171, an act to enact the enhanced professional care for animals act.

I want to thank all the members of this House for their support of this bill on second reading; in fact, Speaker, I was really over the moon, to be quite honest, to note that it was unanimous support.

Interjections.

I would respectfully submit to the member opposite that if he really cared for farmers, the best thing he could do is support our budget, because we are bringing so much relief all across Ontario thanks to the Minister of Finance. He is engaging all of us in terms of making sure Ontario remains affordable.

Talking about affordability, we need to recognize—yes, we have the amazing Beef Farmers of Ontario in the House today. I would like to share with you that they were part of a rally on April 2 that was hosted by the President of the Treasury Board in Holland Marsh. They came together with 25 other farming and rural organizations to stand up with the Premier and myself to send a direct message to the federal Liberals, as well as the queen of the carbon tax, Bonnie Crombie. That message is simple: Scrap the tax.

We’re on the ground with our farmers, standing with them.

I have to reflect on the fact that, historically, in early April, 25 commodity and farm organizations joined me in writing a letter to the federal Liberal government, and we made sure our provincial Liberal counterparts were well aware of it as well. With this letter, we provided proof of how the federal carbon tax is crippling the production of food here in Ontario and across Canada. We have all kinds of references.

I have a bill in front of me right now—just earlier this year, before that 23% increase, a farmer was paying $4,666 on his energy bill.

The member from Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock—she’s on the ground too. She loves her farmers. She asked specifically, “What are we doing?”

We’ve introduced programs to help farmers cope with the devastating ideology that is crippling and causing the cost of production to go up. It’s Mental Health Week, and I’m so proud that one of the many programs—

Recently—and I’ll never forget it—a Liberal member of Bonnie’s crew stood up with conviction and said that a carbon tax is good for everyone.

I suggest, respectfully, when you look at your markets or you consume fresh produce, you think about that 30% increase in cost of production. It’s time that you start caring. Demonstrate that you understand and will join us to scrap the tax—otherwise, they may just not care.

I want to share with the House an example of caring that came to us from Temiskaming Shores this past week. First responders and OPP officers made sure that a barn fire did not spread to our SPUD unit, saving valuable seed for potatoes, garlic, strawberries and raspberries.

Right now, on behalf of Hillside Farms and all of Ontario, I want to thank first responders, and I want to thank Mr. Aitchison, who ran into a burning barn with six OPP officers from the Temiskaming department to save 130 head of cattle—

By 30%.

And last but certainly not least, I’m pleased to say TOGA is in the House today. In addition to representing the Ontario Greenhouse Alliance—we heard about Jan and James—but I’d also like to welcome Rick Mastronardi, Albert Mastronardi and Richard Lee. We look forward to seeing you in the dining room from 5 to 7 this evening.

Mr. Speaker, I have to be honest here. I just met with Dairy Farmers of Ontario this morning. The fact of the matter is, time and again in this House I rise to talk about the investments that, under the leadership of Premier Ford and the support of this entire government—we are making historic movements forward in support of our agri-food industry. One example is the $1.7 billion that we’re investing over five years in partnership with the federal government through the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership. Another example is what we are hearing from the Dairy Farmers of Ontario today, because they’re ready to grow, and they know it’s with our government, with our leadership that their industry is going to continue to grow and flourish for generations to come.

Again, the meeting I had this morning with the Dairy Farmers of Ontario points to our Grow Ontario Strategy, where we’re going to be increasing the consumption and production of Ontario-produced food and beverage by 30% by the year 2032. The Dairy Farmers of Ontario were identifying how they can support that strategy, because I can tell you specifically the dairy farmers in southwestern Ontario, they’re ready to grow, and I am going to do everything I can to make sure that they understand they’ve got the full support of our Ontario government.

The thing that the members opposite could really do if they were sincere about helping farmers throughout Ontario is fighting that carbon tax, because—

Interjections.

Interjections.

I too would like to welcome the Dairy Farmers of Ontario, and in particular chair Mark Hamel, who hails from Elmwood, Ontario, and Roger Boerson, who represents the dairy farmers in Huron and Perth counties.

I would like to join the member opposite in inviting everyone to the reception later this evening, hosted by the Dairy Farmers of Ontario. And I promise you, there might be some really good curds for everybody.

Point of order, Speaker.

I’m pleased to rise in the House today and first and foremost acknowledge the great member from Thunder Bay–Atikokan, who’s doing a beautiful job advocating for his riding as well as all of northern Ontario.

We’re meeting with farmers every day, and just a couple of weeks ago, Drew Spoelstra, president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, joined the Premier and myself and the President of the Treasury Board at a rally in Holland Marsh. Drew spoke to people and shared that he dried 2,200 tons of grain last fall and it cost him $4,500 in carbon tax alone—and that was before the 23% increase that we realized as of April 1.

Drew explained that the carbon tax makes Ontario farmers less competitive against imports and it also makes Ontario products less competitive around the world.

Ladies and gentlemen, Beef Farmers of Ontario are in the House today and the chair of the BFO shared earlier this morning that 40% of all beef produced in Ontario is exported. So, for goodness’ sake, we need to be doing everything we can to make sure that Ontario farmers are competitive, not only in Ontario and North America but around the world.

The queen of the carbon tax needs to jam on the brakes of that minivan and—

Greenhouses are really getting hit hard. Drew, the president of OFA, also explained that one greenhouse relied on natural gas and their total energy bill of $13,614 included nearly $4,000 in carbon tax alone—and, again, that was before the April 1 increase.

Ladies and gentlemen, there’s one way that we can stand by farmers in Ontario, and it’s by joining together and telling the queen of the carbon tax to get to Ottawa and tell those federal Liberals once and for all to scrap the tax.

I’d like to welcome to the House the Beef Farmers of Ontario, particularly Chair Craig McLaughlin. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t give two beef farmers from my riding a specific shout-out: Mike Jeffries from Belmore and Jairus Maus from Cargill. Thank you very much.