 It is now time for oral questions and I recognize the Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. Thanks very much, Speaker. Speaker, my first question this morning is to the Premier. I think it's pretty positive that Ontario is finally joining the rest of the world and receiving vaccinations. That's a positive thing. But questions still remain about the, you know, the fair inoculation process, whether the inoculation process here in our province is actually going to be, you know, done fairly. And I asked the question this morning because I think there are still lots of questions that are, you know, swirling out there in Ontario about how this government intends or whether this government has a plan to actually make sure that those folks who need the vaccines the most are in fact going to get them first as opposed to folks who are going to decide to Q-jump. Mr. Prime, the Minister of Health. Thank you. Well, I thank the Leader of the Official Opposition for the question. There is a plan that has been developed that was based on the work of bioethicists. We did receive recommendations from them. The plan that has been developed is based on age and risk and making sure that our most vulnerable receive the vaccines first, which is why we have vaccinated the people who want to receive them in long-term care homes and 80% of them have also received their second vaccine. So we are well on our way to implementing our plan based on the plan that was developed with the assistance of the vaccine task force based on the work of the bioethicists who assisted us in that regard. The supplementary question. Thanks, Speaker. Back to the Premier. You know, it's really the case that the questions around people getting the vaccine who need them the first is even much more confusing because of the system that the government has put in place. It's a really confusing system. We have six regions that are going to go it alone and have their own registration. Then all of the other regions in Ontario are going to have their own registration and they're going to be a part of the provincial registration and then they're going to have hospitals registering and then they're going to have pharmacies registering. How is it that people are going to be able to understand this? Maybe folks are going to put their names on every single list, Speaker. So the question remains, how do we make sure that people who need the vaccine the most are actually going to be able to get it first when the process is such a confusing mess? Are you here? For you, Mr. Speaker, the only person that's confused is the leader of the opposition. This is the way we have to deal with it. So what I'm hearing from the leader of the opposition is maybe we shouldn't have pharmacies. We shouldn't have the family positions. We shouldn't have mass vaccination centres. No, this is all hands on deck, Mr. Speaker. And the great news is someone in Ontario will receive the one million dose today. So just to show you, everyone's pitching in and we're going to ramp that up. Along with AstraZeneca, the good news is again today at a shopper's drug mart, they're going to start pumping out the AstraZeneca and people will be getting needles in the arms. So I want to thank all the frontline folks, no matter if it's a healthcare mobile, unit's paramedics, frontline healthcare workers, mass vaccination centres, all the PHUs doing an incredible job. They're doing an incredible job. And once we get more vaccines, we're just going to ramp it up more. So thank you for the question. Final supplement. Well, in fact, Speaker, what we should have in Ontario is a plan instead of mass confusion and chaos that leaves, that likely leaves vulnerable people behind when it comes to getting the vaccinations first. And that's the concern that we have. And in fact, we're not alone in that concern, Speaker. Dr. Warner says this, if we don't, and I quote, if we don't have a structure and we don't have a framework and we don't have true criteria that can be enforced and checked, people will jump the queue and the people who really need the vaccine will be forced to wait. People who need the vaccine most in this government's chaotic plan are going to not get it. They're going to be forced to have to wait. So the question is, how will this Premier and his government make sure that people who need the vaccine the most will actually get it first? Premier, to you, Mr. Speaker, another great news. Zero mortality is a long-term care. You know, I could be quoting our doctors, too, as the leader of the opposition always quotes us, Dr. Warner. I'm sure he's a great doctor, by the way. But in saying that, Mr. Speaker, we're already rolling out the 80-pluses. And hopefully, very shortly, as we ramp this up, we're going to get through the 80-pluses. We're taking care of the most vulnerable people. And then I guess the leader of the opposition is questioning the ethics of the people of Ontario. I think that would be the worst thing in the world if a healthy young person tried to jump the queue and use the health condition for getting a vaccine. The difference between the leader of the opposition and ourselves, we actually have faith in the people of Ontario. The people of Ontario have got us through this pain loss, so we appreciate it. The next question. Once again, the leader of the opposition. Thank you, Speaker. My next question is also for the Premier. But I have to say a question. The ethics of a government that let 4,000 people die in long-term care in the first and second wave of this virus. But I do have to say, I mean, there are some positive things. There's no doubt about it. AstraZeneca's here. It's about to roll out. But the reality is everybody who needs a vaccine should be able to get it as easily as possible. And of course, as folks know, last week we talked to the government and started asking the government, rather not last week, a couple of days ago at the beginning of this week, about whether or not they're prepared to step up and support those frontline heroes those frontline workers who need to get vaccinated but can't afford to lose pay. And we asked the government to come forward and say to folks, if you need to get a vaccine, you need to have an appointment. You don't have to worry about losing a couple hours of pay. So the question is, will the government do the right thing here and make sure those frontline heroes can easily get their vaccine and protect not only themselves, but the rest of us as well. Can you hear me, Mr. Speaker? A tremendous amount. Thousands and thousands of frontline healthcare workers have already received their vaccine. We actually encourage them. My big concern is probably 40% may not get the vaccine. So we're encouraging them to come and get it done. We have sites all over the province. We'll have the mobile units going into regions. Well, the mass vaccination centers will have the family docs administering the vaccine as well and just to name a few. But talk about ethics, okay? Talk about ethics as we are working our back off. The same party, the leader of the opposition sent out a fundraising email to try to cash in on the tragedy of long-term care. Who does that? Who caches in on the tragedy of long-term care? And the same political party, the NDP, thought it would be appropriate to launch their campaign platform on the height of the second wave and using the second wave and then we're telling these long-term care to raise cash for the party. That's about as low as you can get, Mr. Speaker. The supplementary question. I think the Premier is a little confused and uncertain about the question I'm asking. I'm talking about frontline essential workers, folks that work in warehouses and in factories, folks that have been there begging groceries and working in community, folks that literally can't afford to lose pay to go and get their vaccine. This is a matter of fairness, Speaker. It's a matter of fairness to make sure that we do everything we can to help those workers to be able to get the time off that they need and not have to lose pay. So it's something that is not only about fairness, but it also makes sense. In fact, New York just passed legislation this week to give workers, all workers the time off with pay to go get their vaccine. Why is the Ford government turning their back on hardworking people, on frontline essential workers, on heroes, not only in terms of not giving them paid sick days, but not giving them the paid time off to go get their vaccines? Well, Mr. Speaker, I'll repeat what I said earlier on. Tens of thousands of frontline healthcare workers are getting their vaccinations. As a matter of fact, I talked to numerous CEOs of hospitals and people are just getting them at the hospital. They're getting vaccinated right there. So they don't have to take time off. But, Mr. Speaker, there's going to be vaccination centers open up right across this province, seven days a week, in a wide range of different areas to make it very convenient for these healthcare heroes to get vaccinated and even in long-term care. I know firsthand many, many of them, probably the vast majority of the PSWs there, were in line up at the long-term care and they were getting vaccinated. I think, I truly believe, leader of the opposition, is blowing this way, way out of proportion. Matter of fact, maybe she should do a little due diligence and find out how many actually are getting it at their place. Thank you. And the final supplementary. Mr. Speaker, maybe the Premier doesn't understand what an hourly-waged worker has to go through to try to meet the bills. I mean, I think that's what's going on here. No concept. Mr. Speaker, I'm talking about essential frontline workers in all kinds of workplaces that were working while the rest of us were able to stay safe at home. These are workers in places like Scarborough, Brampton, Etobicoke, Rexdale, all around the province. These workers were working and still are working and need to be given the opportunity to take time off without losing pay to get their vaccine. It is a matter of what people deserve in terms of our thankfulness for the work they've done. They deserve paid sick days, and they deserve to be able to get their vaccine and not lose pay. So will this Premier support this? I don't understand why he is so unwilling to support those essential frontline workers all around our province who have been there for us in every workplace. Just give them the time off with pay to get their vaccine so all of us can be safer and we can stop the spread. Premier? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, rather than playing politics on the backs of our healthcare heroes, as the Leader of the Opposition did with our long-term care tragedy throughout this province, these frontline healthcare heroes at the hospitals that I've talked to and I've talked to dozens of them, more than dozens. They're getting it done at the hospitals. I've talked to long-term care. Dozens, more than dozens, are getting it done right there at the long-term care. So we encourage the hospitals to continue protecting their frontline healthcare heroes, no matter if it's a long-term care or hospitals or any other area. We're going to continue doing it. I know our frontline first responders, they're getting taken care of as well. So we're covering all the bases, but it's not about us, Mr. Speaker. It's about all the people pitching in. Every single person, no matter how small, how large it is, everyone's pitched in Ontario, and we're doing so much better than the rest of the world and the rest of North America. We're going to continue on the path of recovery. Thank you. Thank you very much. Next question. Member for Essex. Thank you very much, Speaker. My question this morning is to the Premier. There's a report that's breaking or broke, rather, this morning on the CBC that shows that the ultimate reason the Premier is paving over wetlands and pickering seems to be for a giant Amazon warehouse. The main developers, the triple group, are looking to cash in on skyrocketing property values if they get their way. And they're making sure that this Premier knows that they're real close tight buddies because they cut the party, the PC party, a check for $5,000 just a couple of weeks ago. More than a coincidence, Speaker. If you're a big developer who needs an MZO right now, it seems that the world is your oyster. Yesterday, the Premier said he wants even more ministerial zoning orders. He will not put a stop to this. Speaker, why? Is this government bending over backwards to build another warehouse on top of protected environmental wetlands? Mr. Speaker, I always stand behind the MZOs, as all these other parties, as they change the green belt 17 times the NDP and the Liberals. Guess what, Mr. Speaker? We're expanding the green belt. We will not build on the green belt. We'll make sure we protect the green belt, unlike the NDP and the Liberals did for 15 years taking care of their developer buddies. But let me tell you something, Mr. Speaker. What I'm hearing from the opposition that the 1,000 affordable homes that we gave an MZO, we shouldn't do it. The MZO we're giving and putting homes in Hamilton, the leader of the opposition, I should call the people that are going to be in those homes and say, guess what? The leader of the opposition doesn't want it. And as for the 26,000 new jobs through the MZO and thank God, Amazon's building and expanding here along with other companies throughout Ontario, what should I do when we get through the recovery? Say no, let's go through the process that will take four years and everyone's sitting in the unemployment lands. You know, unemployment line, I should say. That's what the NDP believe in. Socialism, socialism doesn't work. Freedom, democracy, entrepreneurship works. Thank you very much. Thank you. Order the supplementary question. Speaker, no one in this province should be left wondering whether projects are being sold for political donations to developers. I feel the member has crossed the line. He's imputing motive, must withdraw. Speaker, if you're a worker, desperate for paid sick days, there's no MZOs and magic wands for you and the Premier won't even take your calls. But it's pretty apparent that the Premier will move heaven and earth to get these folks what they want. This is about a company whose owners donated big political cash in order to make millions of dollars on land speculation. Why is this Premier in the middle of this pandemic so ready to do anything he can to build a warehouse for his donor buddies? Premier wants your applause. Mr. Speaker, I have to laugh when I hear him speak. I don't even know who the heck the developer is to be very frank with you. But as a matter of fact, I'm just reading off my notes, the developer, whoever this person is, actually donated to Stephen DelDuca's writing, specifically to him, and also totaling over $20,000 with the donations from the group since 2014 and then including political donations. As I'm seeing this, Mr. Speaker, I'm reading off notes. Someone could give me a ton of money to figure out who this is. I don't have a clue who this person is. But anyways, in saying that, Mr. Speaker, let's be very clear this is about creating jobs. It's not about donations. Maybe they could be bought. I can't be bought. Neither can our party. That's the Premier to the floor. The next question. Member for Perth Wellington. Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Minister, I know that the opposition fails to understand why you issue minister zoning orders. These are local priority projects that municipalities identify to play a key role in the province's recovery. Projects like affordable housing and long-term care beds. Members of this House need to better understand how involved and engaged municipalities are throughout the ministerial zoning order process. Will the minister speak to the typical process working with municipalities that leads to an MZO? The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Thanks, Speaker, and I want to thank the member for Perth Wellington for highlighting this very important topic. Our government has been clear that every single minister zoning order issued on non-provincially owned land has been at the request of the local municipality full stop. Municipalities are in the driver's seat, not us. But, of course, a municipal request simply starts the process for the government. We need to do our due diligence. For example, we've been clear that we are expanding the green belt and will not develop any part of it. That's why I've rejected nine different MZO requests from municipalities that would have allowed development in the green belt. The supplementary question. Thank you, Speaker, and thank you, Minister, for that answer. I'm proud to represent made multiple requests for you to issue an MZO to allow a glass manufacturing plan. But following the concerns from residents, the company decided to suspend the proposal indefinitely. Then on Monday, the City of Stratford passed a council resolution asking for the minister to revoke the MZO. As a former municipal councillor myself, I have always encouraged local decision making. I have always respected the role of our elected municipal councils. And I know you've been clear that municipalities are in the driver's seats. Given this new request, will you revoke the MZO in Stratford? Thank you, Speaker, and again, I want to thank the member for Perth Wellington for the question. I also want to thank him for his letter that I've received. Our government has been always clear that we are committed to working with our municipal partners to advance their local priorities. Our government has been clear on that matter, and I want to reiterate that every single MZO issued on non-provincially owned lands has been at the request of the local municipality. Given that the City of Stratford no longer wishes to have the MZO in place to allow for the proposed development, I will be issuing the required 30-day public consultation notice to revoke this MZO. Thank you. Thank you. The next question member for Brampton East. Thank you, Speaker. My question is for the Premier. It has been months since Ontario has received vaccinations. Brampton is one of the worst-hit cities in this entire province by COVID-19. Yet the Premier has failed to give Bramptonians the details about when they're going to receive the life-saving COVID-19 vaccine. Frontline workers, seniors, at-risk communities don't know when or how they're going to be getting their vaccine. Now, Brampton has been a COVID-19 hotspot for months with no support from the Conservative Government. The healthcare crisis at our single underfunded and overcrowded hospital was bad before COVID-19 and it's worse now. Despite the fact that there's a light at the end of the tunnel with the COVID-19 vaccine, Bramptonians are still being left in the dark. Why does this Premier think it's okay to leave frontline workers in the dark and refuse to get Bramptonians the details that they deserve to know about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout? Premier. Through you, Mr. Speaker, I had a great conversation with the Mayor of Brampton. He was thanking us for all the things we're doing for Brampton and opening up William Osler. They're already on their way and vaccinating people 80-plus which they're doing a great job and throughout Brampton and if you look at the numbers, we're really focusing and it's been very transparent on the hotspots and Brampton was one of the hotspots so it was the Tobacco North and so was and so on so forth but we focused on Brampton and they per capita ended up with more vaccinations than a lot of regions and a lot of regions are wondering why Brampton why not me so on so forth but it's a hotspot so we focused on it so I appreciate the Mayor reaching out and having a great chat but you know something, Mr. Speaker we have some great news coming to Brampton on a couple fronts. I just can't wait till the budget rolls out and I look forward to taking over the three in the next election. Thank you, Speaker back to the Premier. The Premier loves to pretend to care about frontline workers but in cities like Brampton and others across Ontario where workers, frontline workers are risking their lives every single day going to work moving our economy they've been given no details on when they're going to receive the COVID-19 vaccine the people of Brampton and folks across Ontario they've done their part they have gone through the hardest months to stop the spread of COVID-19 and now they expect the Premier to do his job and prepare for this critical moment of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. If this Premier actually cared about frontline workers then he would immediately provide the details for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout now. Why is the Premier keeping communities that have been the hardest hit by COVID-19 like Brampton in the dark about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout? Premier? I appreciate the question from the opposition we're rolling it out big time in Brampton and there's no secret they're getting more than anyone now the good news is the family physicians in Brampton they're going to get the AstraZeneca so we have the mobile units in there we have the mass vaccination centres we have the PHUs going full steam we have the hospitals as well pitching in and they're doing a great job in the hospitals as well so we're throwing everything in the kitchen sink in the Brampton and you're going to see the numbers start coming down the people of Brampton are incredible I lived there for five years that's where I first moved when we got married so I have a really close spot in my heart for the people of Brampton so thank you for the question the member for wealth Good morning Speaker my question is for the Premier wetlands protect people businesses infrastructure and property from flooding they clean our drinking water they keep the Great Lakes clean and wetlands do all of this for free if we don't pave over them yet the government is ripping up environmental protections to destroy the Duffins Creek wetland these extreme actions are for what Speaker an Amazon warehouse an Amazon warehouse destroying wetlands for an Amazon warehouse pulling out all the stops for an Amazon warehouse so Speaker will the Premier prioritize the people over Amazon by revoking the MZO to destroy the Duffins Creek wetland The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Speaker the MZO requested by the city of Pickering supported by the region of Durham would help create over 10,000 jobs and boost the economy in that region we are as a government supporting these local municipalities the proposed change will ensure that priority projects that play a key role in the province's economic recovery located outside of the green belt do not face unnecessary barriers and delays after an MZO has been made this particular case that the member speaks about the proponent and the TRCA have entered a new agreement that will ensure the creation of ecological benefits that will meet or exceed the loss of the natural environment system this is a project that the region and the municipality have asked our government to provide and we've extended an MZO for that purpose at their request the supplementary question Speaker the city of Ajax which is directly affected by this decision has come out opposing this MZO we have the TRCA if you look at their report says they've issued a permit under duress and there's nothing that can be done to prevent or to fully prevent the damage that the government is doing with this MZO and now think about what small business owners must be thinking about you know first the government kept big box stores open and allowed them to sell essential goods why small businesses were closed now they're small business are having to compete with Amazon and the government is pulling out all the stops for an Amazon warehouse so speaker I'm asking the government will the minister will the premier put the people of Ontario first put small businesses first put the protection of our communities first by revoking the MZO that will allow the destruction of the lower Duffins Creek wetland Mr. Minister Mr. Minister first of all I'm not going to speak ill of a company that provides hundreds and thousands of jobs in the province but I am going to go back to the members question regarding this site the Ajax request happened after the city of Pickering and the region of Durham made the request to the government for the MZO I've talked about the proponent for the site in Pickering that he has an agreement with TRCA to provide the replacement of wetlands I also understand that since that time the mayor and the town of Ajax have put a request in regarding their property and understand that they were in strong opposition to the Durham live site I was sort of surprised to see it a speaker given the fact that Duffins Creek directly runs through the Annandale golf course which is the subject of this however municipalities do make these requests and today we are obviously under active consideration of any request that a municipality gives us thank you for the question the next question is for Flamborough Glanbrook and my question is to the minister of colleges and universities the parliamentary assistant to the minister represents Peterborough and that's why I'm sure he was very happy to hear that our government is investing $695,000 to increase mental health and addiction services for students attending Trent University and Fleming College this was excellent and welcome news as we know that students at colleges and universities across Ontario have had their mental health negatively impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak even though the majority of students are not on campus the government has a responsibility to make sure that our students are getting the support they need to succeed while attending college or university can the minister tell us what our government is doing to support mental health services on campuses and for students thank you very much Mr. Speaker and thank you to the member from Flamborough for that important question on mental health she's right, COVID-19 has been a very challenging time for students across the province of Ontario and that's why I was so proud to join the member for Peterborough and the minister of infrastructure for a historic announcement of over $695,000 to increase mental health services for those students attending Trent University and Fleming College Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned last week this funding will be used to enhance important mental health supports for students like increased access to mental health practitioners increased access to crisis counseling mental health planning additional FPHL counseling international counseling peer support etc this is critical supports for our students at a time when they need it most but Mr. Speaker, our commitment goes beyond our post secondary schools in Peterborough across the province we've made a historic $26,000,000 investment into mental health supports for students and I'll expand more on that in the supplementary thank you Mr. Speaker thank you Mr. Speaker and parliamentary assistant for the update we know that before the COVID-19 outbreak students on college and university campuses were increasingly facing mental health challenges according to the last national college health assessment survey of the Canadian student population in 2019 52% of students reported feeling depressed and that compares to 46% in 2016 69% experienced anxiety 12% of the students had considered suicide compared to 14% in 2016 and 2.8% of students reported having attempted suicide Speaker, those statistics are alarming and must change I hear in my constituency all the time from students and family members about the need for greater on-campus supports what is the government doing to address these concerns across Ontario's post secondary campuses and again thank you to that member for this important question as I mentioned this government's made a historic investment of over 26.25 million in mental health supports for post secondary students across the province of Ontario that's a 10 plus million dollar increase from last year at a vital time for students this investment supports a number of new and ongoing initiatives Mr. Speaker and that includes mental health grants to publicly assisted colleges, universities and institutes the good to talk mental health helpline for post secondary students new investments to support partnerships embedded in local communities to support student needs arising out of COVID-19 and a new virtual mental health app this premier recognises the challenges students are facing that's why we stood up on this historic 26.25 million dollar investment we've expanded the virtual learning strategy to support students with a 50 million dollar investment and 164 million dollar investment to expand capital supports for our colleges and universities next question for Hamilton West my question this morning is for the premier the environmental bill of rights provides Ontarians with essential protections yet this government has repeatedly and shamelessly violated this legislation in fact there's a letter from me on the minister of the environment's desk with these concerns late February big developers drop donations into PC party coffers and just days later magically this government tabled legislation and regulations to try to stop a lawsuit and pave over an environmentally sensitive wetland at Duffins Creek now there are concerns schedule 3 of bill 257 could violate the province's own environmental bill of rights especially because there was no consultation particularly with indigenous peoples why just days after taking big developer donations is the premier plowing ahead with a plan that could violate Ontario's environmental bill of rights Mr. Secretary again I want to correct the record of the member opposite every minister zoning order that our government has done on non-provincial lands has been at the request of the local council in fact the premier was absolutely correct this morning a speaker and he indicated that we did receive a request from the city of Hamilton for an affordable housing project in that community I want to thank MPP Skelly for making that announcement on my behalf again speaker the process is simple the municipality makes the request to the government and the government considers it there is no other process as the member opposite alludes to municipalities are in the driver's seat speaker mind the house that you can't correct another member's record you can correct your own supplementary question Mr. Speaker thanks for that mansplaining order order can ask the member to take your seat order can ask the member to withdraw Mr. Speaker you will know that Ontarians are outraged that the premier is pushing everyone aside and plowing ahead with this development rather than protecting the natural wetlands and now this government is prepared to rewrite laws retroactively just days after receiving developer donations Ontarians know that the environmental bill of rights enshrines their rights to comment and be notified proposals that impact the environment. Once again, it looks like this government broke our environmental laws. Will the government do the right thing and pull back from this disastrous plan? Thank you, Speaker. You know, again, our government has been crystal clear that municipalities are the ones who make the request for the MZRs. Not a proponent for a particular development, but the local municipality. As well, again, through you, Speaker, to the environment critic for the official opposition, I've denied nine requests from municipalities because the proposal included development of the green belt. And I have been on behalf of our government extremely clear that we will not accept a proposal to develop in the green belt. In fact, Speaker, we are involved. The member opposite talks about consultation. We're involved in a historic consultation on growing the green belt, which I hope based on input from Ontarians that we will have the situation where we will grow the green belt to a level that we haven't seen since it was created in 2005. So we encourage members from all sides of the House to participate in that consultation opportunity. And again, Speaker, through you, I want to thank the member for the question. The next question, the member for Glen Gary, Prescott Russell. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, despite the claims of government members, things are not going well inside of it. Laurentian University, with its extensive French language program and designated under the French Language Service Act, is being restructured by Bay Street bankruptcy lawyers. And yes, Bay Street technocrats will determine the future of one of Northern Ontario's most important institutions. Worse yet, it is Bay Street that will decide the fate of the status of French in Northern Ontario. Laurentian University has long been designated under the Act, Mr. Speaker. Under the Act, the government has a legal obligation to provide the funds required for Laurentian to comply with the French Language Services Act. Yet, I'm told that this government is still not meeting its obligation. My question is simple. Can the government confirm today in the South that will provide Laurentian University with a funding required to comply with the French Language Services Act? Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I thank the member opposite for that question and for her concern. Mr. Speaker, I do find it deeply concerning that that member opposite is referring to our judicial system referencing Bay Street. We have a proud history in this province of an independent judicial system. This matter is before the courts. As I've said previously, Mr. Speaker, this government does find that the reality at Laurentian University deeply concerning. We've been working to ensure that the students have access to the supports that they need, that there will be continuity of learning, Mr. Speaker. As this matter is before the court, I will provide a little more in the supplementary, but it isn't appropriate to comment any further as this matter, as I said, is before the courts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Quite frankly, that's not an acceptable answer because it's not about the matter being before the court or not. It's about the government respecting the French Language Services Act. That's separate of what's going on. Mr. Speaker, we know that the government just realized that the French Language Services Act exists, even if it's before my birth, but the government must respond to the question, frankly. Mr. Speaker, in order to comply with this act, the government must provide Laurentian University with necessary funding to offer quality French language post-secondary programs in Northern Ontario. Will the government comply with the French Language Services Act? Yes or no? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we will take no lessons from that member and her party after decimating the post-secondary sector, Mr. Speaker, after on the backs of students over a decade leading to some of the highest tuition costs in the country, Mr. Speaker. We put students first with a historic 10% reduction. Mr. Speaker, we've invested more into Laurentian University with stable supports of over $80 million a year. We've invested in the Northern Ontario Special Purposes Grant, $6.1 million per year. Graduate Expansion Grant, $7.9 million per year. We've stood to support Francophones across the province. In fact, it was this government that launched a university governed for and by Francophones in the province of Ontario. So we'll take no lessons from that member opposite, who's now part of the Independent Party on how to work collaboratively with partners in the post-secondary sector. We will continue to support students in this province and in... Order. The next question, the member for Perth Wellington. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week members of this House debated a motion on the importance of the Line 5 Pipeline. We discussed the impact of Line 5 on our province's economic future, energy security, and its importance to many sectors, including manufacturing and agriculture. It is clear, Mr. Speaker, that Line 5 isn't just a pipeline. It's a lifeline and one that supports thousands of people who work in well-paying, high-skilled jobs that help produce products we use every day. Most importantly, it is a supply that would be very hard, if not impossible, to replace if the pipeline shudders in May. Will the minister inform this House about the government's efforts to ensure the continued safe operation of the Line 5 Pipeline? Good question. Associate Minister of Energy. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and I'd like to thank the member for Perth Wellington for his question, all of his dedicated work on behalf of his constituents. Mr. Speaker, we've had two important debates over the past two weeks, and I thank colleagues on this side of the House for taking a strong stand on this important issue from day one. I'm proud that our government is fighting to ensure the continued safe and responsible operation of Line 5. We know that as many as 30,000 jobs are at stake and they're worth fighting for. I'm glad that the official opposition finally realized that it is appropriate to fight for families and jobs, and joined us in supporting our motion on Line 5 that recognized pipelines as the safest way of transporting energy resources. All of us have a role to play in advocating for these jobs to stay in interiors and recover from this pandemic. Mr. Speaker, and I can assure the member that this government and this premier will never stop fighting for those jobs. Thank you, Speaker. Member for Perth Wellington, that's your question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I want to thank the minister for reiterating the importance of Line 5 to our government. I know that the minister has been a steadfast advocate since day one. Mr. Speaker, we know that the continued safe operation of Line 5 is not just important to Ontario, but to our whole country. I know that my colleagues and I have been writing to their federal counterparts to advocate on this important issue. Can the minister please tell this house what he's heard about the federal government's response to the Line 5 issue? So should Minister of Energy to reply? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And as a member from Perth Wellington knows, our government has taken a Team Canada approach on this issue. We've been advocating nonstop for the continued safe operation of Line 5 since November. As the member said, many of us have written to our federal colleagues. In addition to the Premier's advocacy, both the Minister of Energy, Mines and Indigenous Affairs and the Minister of Labor wrote to their counterparts in Ottawa to express concerns over the impact of Line 5 on working class skilled trades jobs. And we were so relieved to hear the federal Minister of Natural Resources recently state that the Line 5 pipeline is, and I quote, a vital part of Canadian energy security and its continued operation is non-negotiable in the context of our relationship with our neighbors and friends to the south. Our government is glad to hear this news and looks forward to learning more about what the federal government has been doing on the diplomatic front to resolve this issue. And be assured, Mr. Speaker and the people of Ontario, we will continue to stand in unison and advocate with them to resolve this critical matter for the benefit of interior families. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The next question, the member for Kiwet, now. Good morning. My question is to the Premier. Ontario plays a lot of lip service to treaties. And Kiwet, Nonga, Yamatung First Nation is part of Treaty Number 9, a treaty that Ontario signed. Ontario has a relationship with Yamatung that they like to ignore until Ontario needs an EA's approved for roads and mining. Speaker, it's humane to let people live in tents in the middle of winter anywhere. But there are multiple families living in tents in Yamatung right now today. How can Ontario say it respects Treaty Number 9 when they do nothing to help Yamatung? The Attorney General for Swans. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you for the member cross for the question. We are engaged with with our First Nations and Treaty 9 in particular on so many different files, whether it be matters of vaccines, whether it be matters of justice, whether it be matters of services across the board, Mr. Speaker. And is there more work to do? Absolutely, there's more work to do. And that's why we're engaged every single day with our with our tremendous Minister of Indigenous Affairs and our federal partners as well. So we look forward to ongoing ability to move things forward. And certainly it is something that we value and we continue to want to work with them on every solution we can possibly find. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary question back to the premier. I'm not talking about programs and services and funding. I'm talking about treaties. This government has said that the treaty relationships are as relevant today as they were when the treaties were first signed. Speaker, Chief of Secoke Island First Nation would disagree. The IM said, oh, issued last week to destroy the Duffins Creek wetlands and packs local Aboriginal and treaty rights. Chief Alaroka stated that the local First Nations were not consulted or included in the dishes and making process. Destroying this land in the water source sends a message. And the message is there is no respect for First Nations, treaty rights in Ontario. Speaker, why does Ontario not respect treaty rights? Mr. Speaker, and again, I thank the member for his question and really his comment more than anything. The respecting treaty rights is something that the province is doing in so many fronts that we engage. In fact, we engage on issues that are outside of treaty rights. We engage on issues that affect communities across Ontario. And I'm not going to speak to any particular matter that the member is trying to advance just to say that we look forward to continued engagement. I think almost every member of our government has engaged with the First Nation on some issue of relevance. And I can tell you my department with the Indigenous Justice Division is really a shining example of the way governments can work with and inform internally in the bureaucracy as well as reaching out to the communities to make sure that their voices are heard. And we continue to look for opportunities to engage and advance the interests of First Nations through respectful dialogue at every level. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The next question, the member for Orléans. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Premier. Mr. Speaker, Highway 413 is redundant and unnecessary. It would pave over farms, forests, wetlands and portions of the Greenbelt and cost taxpayers billions. The government knows 413 would pave over 2000 acres of class one and two farmland, some of the most productive, excuse me, in the province. They know 413 will impact the Credit River and Humber River watersheds that flow into Lake Ontario and score and are the source of drinking water for millions of residents. Order. They know that 413 will cost Ontario taxpayers $6 billion or more and only save commuters 30 seconds. We know these things, Mr. Speaker, in part because of the report commissioned by our leader and our Liberal Party, Stephen Del Duca, who led the way and shelved Highway 413. Order. And so my question to the government is, will the government do the right thing and follow Stephen Del Duca's example and cancel Highway 413? Government side, come to order. Government House Leader Derspawn. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I don't even know where to begin on a question like that. First of all, let me just say this. Stephen Del Duca built an illegal pool on conservation lands. And after being a minister for so long, apparently he did not know about it. This is the same minister, Stephen Del Duca, who decided to build a GO train station where nobody wanted it, where it wasn't supposed to go against the advice of his officials. And the question is coming from a member who was in charge of a light rail system to build a light rail system that was over budget that was late and didn't work. I think the people of Ontario know they're well served by this party. Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. My supplement is also for the Premier. The governments use the cover of the pandemic to trample local interests. They've trampled local democracy by unilaterally changing election laws. They've trampled local environmental knowledge and concerns by limiting conservation authorities. They've trampled local land use and planning policies by using ministerial zone orders to exchange wetlands for warehouses, Mr. Speaker. And more and more cities are now coming out opposing Highway 413. They know spending billions of dollars on a useless highway won't save any time, but it will take away from investments in public transit, Mr. Speaker. So my question, with a $6 billion white elephant of a highway preparing to stampede across thousands of acres of farmland, hundreds of acres of sensitive greenbelt, will the government do the right thing? Will the government listen to local leaders and stop Highway 413? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I think we've already addressed on a number of occasions. We have to work, of course, closely with our partners in the area. There is an environmental assessment to do, Mr. Speaker. The leader of the Green Party actually asked about this a couple of weeks ago. And as I said then, if it makes sense, we'll do it. If it doesn't, then we won't, Mr. Speaker. But look, when it comes to protecting Class 1 farmland, this member should know that it was actually Stephen Del Ducca and his government went in office that evicted farmers from Class 1 farmland in my writing. Generational farmers who had been there for years evicted kicking and screaming from their farms so that they could build an ecological park, Mr. Speaker, on Class 1 farmland. It was that liberal government when we were trying to create the Rouge National Urban Park, the largest urban park in the country, and protect Class 1 farmland. It was Stephen Del Ducca and the liberals who refused to transfer the lands into the Rouge National Urban Park because they wanted to evict farmers and reforest the area, Mr. Speaker. Stephen Del Ducca is the worst thing for farmers. He's the worst thing for ethical government, and that's why the people who realize those things are not the time for it. Thank you. The next question, the member for Scarborough, South West. Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Premier. Government House Leader, come to order. Constituents. Order. I apologize to the member for Scarborough, South West. I'll give you extra time. Thank you, Speaker. Constituents in my writing have been writing to my office for weeks why their parents or grandparents cannot access vaccines, asking why Scarborough is being left behind. When vaccine registrations and pre-registrations for seniors over 80 and community health workers were open across the province, in many parts of the province, in Scarborough, people were left in the dark and had no option to book for a vaccine, because the portal in our region was not open yet. People are being told, were being told that the vaccine rollout actually took place. Pharmacies are open. Racksoles open. They run out. Portals closed. And then we're hearing from word of mouth that other places like Costco hasn't opened last night. This morning they're closed just all over confusion. People are deeply frustrated by the confusing nature of this government's vaccine rollout. And frankly, Speaker, the sheer incompetence of this government. So my question is, why is the plan, what is the plan for the heart hate communities like Scarborough? And when can seniors in my writing and the rest of Scarborough, frankly, because they have four writings from the government side, can get vaccines? And why is this government turning a blind eye on my community of Scarborough Southwest and, frankly, all the writings in Scarborough, Mr. Speaker? Mr. Bell. Thank you very much, Speaker. There is one plan for the vaccination of all of the people of Ontario. It is being distributed through 34 public health units in their own way because they know the geography. They know the people that live in their writing. What happens in Toronto and the best way to do vaccinations is going to be different than in Thunder Bay or other parts of the province. However, I can advise the member, through you, Mr. Speaker, that I visited a mass vaccination site in Scarborough the other day at Centennial College. It's working very, very well. They are able to process several thousand people there. It was quite busy, but it was moving very smoothly. People there don't seem to have a problem knowing where to go. They understand it very well. The system is working the way that was intended to. Cometary question. And Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all the health care workers, all the teams that are going out and vaccinating in Centennial that the minister is talking about. And it started this week. That is the unfortunate part that it started this week. When York appeal, other regions were getting it. Scarborough did not, despite being ground zero for this province when it came to call COVID over 20 percent of all COVID-19 cases in this province are in Scarborough. And yet the amount of vaccines that Scarborough has received is nowhere near equitable amount to that state statistic. We have learned from Scarborough Health Network that they currently have 10,000 dosage of vaccines, despite having the capacity to administer 35,000 of dosage. Scarborough Health Network has one of the highest COVID inpatient numbers for every hundred COVID positive cases. Scar SHN will have five admitted to the hospital. And I'm once again asking how can this government look at the statistics, look at the reality and still continue to overlook the critical need for an equitable vaccine distribution plan. Can this government commit to an equitable vaccine rollout strategy for communities like ours? Thank you. Well, the short answer to that is yes, we do have one plan. We do have a plan that's rolling out. We are dependent on receiving vaccines from the federal government. There was a shortage of vaccines, as everyone will remember in February. However, they are starting to come into in larger quantities now. And they are being equitably distributed across the province based on population and also based on those areas that are at higher risk. There are a number of areas that are at higher risk where there are more hospitalizations, more COVID cases and unfortunately more deaths. Those areas will receive more and we anticipate that Scarborough will share in that. But there is absolutely an equitable distribution. Scarborough is receiving its fair share and we will receive more vaccine supplies coming in very shortly, which will allow us to triple or quadruple the number of vaccines that can be delivered to people every day. But we still have to wait for receipt of those vaccines through the federal government. The next question is for Ottawa. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Premier. Speaker, the Long Term Care Commission has shown on Terrians, given us a clearer picture about the decisions the government made when it came to building an iron ring around long term care homes. Testimony from Dr. Alison McGeer confirms that both the ministries of health and long term care were presented with proposals allowing hospitals to support the long term care sector by getting residents out of three and four bed ward rooms. The ministries decided not to proceed with this life saving recommendation because it was deemed to be too expensive. Commission transcripts also revealed that the minister of long term care rejected calling in the military again because it would look like a failure. So, Speaker, through you, can the Premier explain to families of residents who have lost loved ones in long term care why, if he was sparing no expense, were these proposals rejected? Mr. Long Term Care to respond. Thank you, Speaker. Those, uh, those accusations are preposterous. They are unfounded. They are, um, they are wrong. And so our government, no doubt, invested one point three eight billion dollars to shore up this sector during COVID. There is no doubt that every measure, every tool was used and that no expense was spared. Dr. McGeer herself said in testimony to the Long Term Care Commission, quote, for me, a lot of this is second hand, unquote. The suggestion that Ontario rejected proposals based on cost are completely inaccurate and misleading. And so is the call to ask the member to withdraw the member to withdraw her own parliamentary remark withdrawal. Uh, it would be helpful if the member opposite were to provide the actual proposals to which he is referring, uh, and to, uh, and for everyone to see that those were costed proposals and indicate how they, how in fact, how they were rejected. Thank you. The supplementary question. Well, perhaps in the supplementary, the minister may want to explain by her Treasury Board submissions were rejected last February. But here's the reality, Speaker. The staffing challenge grew worse after the first wave. Ontario did almost nothing to address it. You know, by comparison, Quebec went out to hire 10,000 PSWs. They only got 7,000, but they paid them to train and they deployed them in October. Would it Ontario do $14 million to train and recruit PSWs? $42 million for security guards. And then the government announced a staffing strategy last week, eight months after Quebec did essentially the same thing. So I don't know how that announcement last week addressed what happened in the second wave. Maybe the minister could explain that because it question. I don't know if they're going to do time travel, but I don't think that's going to protect or did protect families in long term care. So why were these proposals? Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Long term care. Thank you, Speaker. I like to deal with the facts and the facts are that our government through its pandemic pay was able to recruit 8,600 and additional hires to stabilize the sector. 8,600 and more. They know you're the member opposite is confused. During the pandemic pay $461 million went to create 8,636 hires for long term care. And in addition to that, we have created an across the province program for PSWs. And I will also correct the member opposite. They were not PSWs through Quebec. They were. They did not attain 10,000. They were people trained in three weeks and sent out into the field. You the member opposite needs to get his facts correct. The next question, the member for Davenport. Good morning, Mr. Speaker. This question is for the Premier Speaker. When asked on Monday about the ministry memo that was warning of looming cuts to education funding, the minister assured us that funding was up and would continue. So it came as a real shock for parents and educators in Ottawa this morning, who are waking up to news that the region's largest school board is expecting to cut at least 167 teachers this fall. Speaker, students have faced a year of turmoil and are dealing with huge challenges in learning and in their overall well-being. Now is the time for us to be putting more caring adults in our schools, not less. How can the Premier justify a return to the kind of deep cuts he was making before this pandemic began? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I do know the changing position of the opposition parties. I mean, it was on February 5th where the member herself said, and I quote, the fact that they don't know where these hires occurred is deeply troubling. If they don't know where they, if they don't know, they shouldn't be in a word that I cannot say in this House, Ontarians with these numbers that they are coming up with, they're clearly not based in reality. That was February 5th and yet today the member purports that these critical investments were central to the safety of schools and with the odd not relapse. You have to choose one to the other. You actually can't have the benefit of both ways. On this side, the House, we know from day one that we hired 3400 more temporary teachers, 1400 more custodians. We know that we hired hundreds of nurses, 623 to support our schools, as well as over 400 EAs. We also know, Speaker, that before this pandemic, our premier invested more in public education, the former liberals at the peak of their spending. And we know as we look for September, we will continue to invest more than we did the year prior for areas of mental health, for learning gaps and to give young people the hope and the opportunity they deserve to reach their full potential in Ontario. Thank you very much. That concludes our question period for this morning. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has a point of order that you have. Thanks, Speaker. A point of order. I want to correct my record. In response to a question by the member for Hamilton West and Castro Dundas, I should have indicated that the government has ERO posting 019-3233 regarding the proposal she mentioned. It's posted from March 4th to April 3rd and I have a copy that I'll ask a page to send her. Thank you. Well, again, the member can correct their own record, not rebut something that was said in question period, but we have a point of order after question period. Pursuant to standing order 36a, the member for Guelph has given notice of his dissatisfaction with the answer to his question given by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing concerning revoking the MZO on the Duffins Creek wetland. This matter will be debated a bit today. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has been given notice of his dissatisfaction with the answer to her question given by the Minister of Colleges and Universities concerning the French Language Services Act and Revention University. This matter will be debated today following private members public business. Pursuant to standing order 36a, the member for Glenn-Garry Prescott Russell has given notice of his dissatisfaction with the answer to her question given by the Minister of Colleges and Universities. Pursuant to standing order 35a, the member for Glenn-Garry Prescott Russell has given notice of his dissatisfaction with the answer to her question given by the Minister of Education and Research. Pursuant to standing order 40a, the member for Glenn-Garry Prescott Russell has given notice of his dissatisfaction with the answer to her question given by the Minister for Communication and Development