Thank you to the minister. Good morning, members. I am pleased to rise in the Legislature this morning as part of the third reading of the Progress on the Plan to Build Act (Budget Measures), 2022. The people of Ontario deserve transparency and accountability when it comes to the acts and regulations and policies that may shape their lives. Openness, transparency and accountability are cornerstones of our government. Describing our plan for the people of Ontario to you today, as reflected in the third reading of the Progress on the Plan to Build Act (Budget Measures), 2022, as well as our 2022 fall economic statement, demonstrates how our government is being open, transparent and accountable.

Ontario’s Plan to Build: A Progress Update and the fall bill highlight how our flexible and responsible approach is positioning the province to be ready. The world faces economic headwinds, as well as emerging global changes and challenges, be they political, social, technological, business or health-related.

Since 2018, when our government was first elected, we have known that smarter and more efficient ways to manage the province’s public service and finances were needed. We’ve also known that investments in the people and economy of Ontario were also needed to support our collective well-being and prosperity.

Madam Speaker, over the past few years, our province, and the rest of the world, have faced challenges to our well-being and our prosperity unlike any of us have seen in our lifetime. The once-in-a-generation COVID-19 pandemic tested our resolve as a people and as a province. Through these tough times we stood together, supported one another and we made it through. When COVID-19 caused global economic uncertainty, we were there to support the people of the province of Ontario, but our economic recovery from COVID-19 has been uneven.

Despite progress in recent quarters, the real GDP in some industries still remains below the levels seen before COVID-19 struck in early 2020. The arts, entertainment and recreation, transportation and warehousing and accommodation and food services are sectors seeing continued growth challenges. Certain other industries, such as retail, finance and insurance, have seen growth well above pre-COVID levels.

With this unevenness as a backdrop, today we find ourselves navigating yet another challenging period. Over the next couple of years, we’re likely going to see economic turbulence. We recognize this, that the road ahead could be tough. We are not immune to what is being witnessed all across the globe.

In 2022 Ontario’s consumer price inflation reached a near 40-year high. Rising prices and the risk of an economic slowdown in the very near term are very real. We are suffering from high inflation because of the consequences of a worldwide pandemic and how Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine has impacted the whole world. Commodity prices have been impacted, fuelling inflation.

Here at home, we have seen rising interest rates and climbing prices of everyday goods. Families, seniors and the hard-working people of this province are feeling under financial pressure. It’s easy to wake up and feel unease about that every day—what today may have in store, let alone think about what may be in store tomorrow. Our government understands this feeling. That’s why we continue to offer meaningful support for workers, families, seniors, communities and businesses.

Instead of delivering broad, one-time support that could risk worsening our inflation, our government is thinking strategically and taking a different approach. We have introduced targeted measures that maintain our flexibility as we navigate the uncertainty that lies ahead, while supporting those who need it most.

We have a strong record of reducing red tape. Since 2018, the Ontario government has saved businesses $576 million in annual compliance costs. Our common-sense changes include such things as removing licence plate renewal fees, extending liquor licences to outdoor patio spaces and updating other regulations across government to make it easier and cheaper to comply with the rules. In total, Ontario’s regulatory burden on businesses and individuals has been reduced by 6.5%

The pieces of legislative business contained in this proposed legislation help to address a world today that is full of uncertainty and challenges. To support seniors, so many of whom are on fixed incomes and are especially vulnerable during a time of rising inflation, we are proposing to temporarily double the Ontario guaranteed annual income payment. This will be a temporary measure for 12 months and would start next month, January 2023. This way, our government is able to help about 200,000 of the province’s lowest-income seniors to meet their costs. During this time of rising prices, it is key that Ontario’s government supports those who need it most. We are proposing an extension to the gasoline and fuel tax rate reductions under the Gasoline Tax Act and Fuel Tax Act. Cutting gas and fuel taxes is one way this government has worked to keep costs down. Putting more money back into the pockets of the people of Ontario is what this and similar cost-reduction measures are all about.

In addition to being a parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Finance, I’m the MPP for the great riding of Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound.

Interjections.