 It is now time for oral questions. I recognize the leader of His Majesty's loyal opposition. Good morning, Speaker. I would like my colleagues here to imagine themselves as a migrant worker, a refugee who fled persecution, or a newcomer who came to Ontario with dreams of a good life. Now imagine you had an urgent health issue for which you needed treatment. On Friday, you'd be able to access care without having to worry about how you'd pay for it. But by Saturday, that care became a lot harder to access because this government cruelly eliminated the physician and hospital services for uninsured persons program. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Health. Will she restore this program to make sure no one risks going without receiving the care they need? Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. Thank you. I want to be very clear that that migrant worker, that internationally student who is here to be part of our school system are all and continue to be covered through their health system, through Ontario's publicly funded health system. There is no change in the way that uninsured persons will receive care in the province of Ontario. The change that occurred was as a result of a program that we put in place when travellers could not return home. We have removed that change because we have a system in the province of Ontario where individuals are covered for OHIP funded services and we have a number of pathways for individuals to get funding through their health care system, even without an OHIP card of course. I'll share more in the supplementary. Supplementary question. I'm really concerned about how out of touch this government is because what the Minister is saying does not square with what people out there are actually experiencing. I'd like my colleagues to imagine that you are actually working at a community health centre. An uninsured client has come in. Their needs are beyond what you are able to provide. On Friday you would have been able to connect them to the help they need so they can focus on getting better. But by Saturday your client has to make a decision between paying their rent that month or getting better. It's never too late to do the right thing, Speaker. Back to the Minister of Health. Will she reverse her decision so no one is forced to make such an impossible choice? I'm actually going to quote a staff individual who works at the Niagara Community Health Centre. Quote, we offer primary care services to folks with or without a health card. With or without a health card. There are 75 community health care centres operating in the province of Ontario that have a funding model that allows them to serve and assist individuals without a health care card. We have, of course, funding programs in place with midwifery, midwives, that ensures individuals who need assistance through the midwives program are able to do that with or without an OHIP card. There is no doubt that we want to protect the most vulnerable, but we also have to ensure that we have parameters in place to make sure unintended consequences don't occur and we end up in Ontario being the health care for everyone else who chooses to come here to access this system. Order. The final supplementary. Speaker, if this government spent less time in the back rooms and more time on the front lines, they would understand the impact of their choices. As it happens, I spent time with Niagara Community Health Centre workers last week. And the reality is that these programs the Minister keeps mentioning are woefully inadequate. I met with one CHC worker on Friday, Speaker, from Niagara. Her CHC has a budget of a little over $1,000 to help uninsured clients, just a $1,000 speaker. She told me, you know, that doesn't go very far. One year, just two clients. There are 500,000 uninsured people in this province. Back to the Minister of Health. If she won't restore the program, will she immediately boost investments in CHCs to make sure no one goes without the health care they need? And the Minister of Health to respond. Speaker, you know, another program that we have operating in the province of Ontario all across Ontario is, of course, Health 811, where individuals who have questions and concerns can deal and speak directly with the registered nurse. You know, we are returning to a program where there is no change in the uninsured persons and receiving care in the province of Ontario. And in terms of the members' question about expanding, I hope that as we continue to debate and vote on Bill 60, they will look at the expansions that are embedded in that legislation and vote to support expansions that are occurring and will be occurring because of the investments that our government is making in health to ensure that people get access to service in their communities. Thank you. The next question, once again, the Leader of the Opposition. Speaker, in the 11th hour, the government extended funding for virtual ERs for just three months. Too little, too late. The government's announcement came too late for most hospitals like Toronto's University Health Network, which is now having to close their virtual ER. Speaker, to the Minister of Health, will the government commit to making virtual ER funding permanent? Minister of Health. Perhaps the member opposite's information is not quite up to date. I, in fact, have spoken to University Health Network and they intend to continue the virtual ER program because they have seen the value in it. We worked with the OMA to extend that program as we work with the Ontario Medical Association to make sure where appropriate virtual care continues in the province of Ontario. Thank you. The supplementary question. That gives them three months, Speaker, right? This government likes to talk about healthcare innovations. Well, let's talk about innovation. Virtual ERs were a pandemic era innovation to reduce pressure on hospitals and keep healthcare public. They connected Ontarians to the care they needed and helped ease hospital overloading. But this government's last-minute 11th hour decision to extend and by just three months has effectively cancelled the program. Back to the Minister of Health, Minister of Health. This government is saying no to these public healthcare innovations. Minister of Health. Well, in fact, healthcare innovation is exactly what we love to see in the province of Ontario and I will give the member opposite a very specific example. In Renfrew County, they were able to ramp up a VTEC model that has ensured individuals who do not have direct connection and contact with a family physician now have a permanent solution. They did that innovation during COVID. We have now funded it because of the advocacy of the member from Renfrew to ensure that that program can continue. That's the kind of innovation we're encouraging. Speaker, it's not just virtual emergency rooms either. Hundreds of people gathered in Chesley in a town hall held by the local health coalition to talk about their fears around Bill 60. As their local ER again continues to have unexpected temporary closures, back to the Minister of Health, what do you have to say to the people of Chesley and the 158 other communities experiencing temporary ER closures due to staffing shortages? Minister of Health. You know, the public meeting that the member opposite referenced is actually community coming together to solve problems. They have a new hospital president and CEO who will bring that innovation and those ideas to ensure that absolutely the Chesley emergency procurement does not have the same challenges that they had last summer. It is important for the member opposite to understand that as our government expands the number of pathways for individuals to be able to train and become nurses in the province of Ontario like the Learn and Stay program. As we work with the College of Nurses of Ontario to ensure that individuals who are waiting to get their license assessed get that done quickly. We have made those changes, Speaker, and we will continue to make those changes. Why? Because we want to ensure that people who want to practice medicine and serve the people of Ontario can do it quickly in the province of Ontario. The next question, the member for Niagara Falls. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier. I am struggling with the high cost of living. A mom and dad are contacting my office about the price of baby formula going up 40% in the last three months. A product that is essential for many families with babies. Formula going from $50 in January to over $70 today is simply price gouging from companies like Loblaws. The Premier promised there would be consequences for retailers who price gouge unnecessary items. Speaker, that mom has a question for the Premier. Why is the Premier letting this to happen? Why is he breaking his promise? Thank you. I want to thank the member from Niagara. I'll tell you what we're doing, and I'll tell you a little bit about economics because I know the NDP don't have a clue about economics. I wouldn't trust him running my lemonade stand, but anyways, in saying that economics, what we're doing is gas prices. And the folks across the aisle they're for the highest carbon tax in the world. The member from Ottawa was preaching he wants the highest gas prices in the world, highest carbon taxes. That's what drives up the cost. Our government reduced the cost of gas by 10 cents a liter. I encourage the NDP, I encourage the Liberals not to fall and step with the federal government, end up for the people of Ontario, reduce the gas price, reduce the carbon tax, put money back in the people's pockets rather than just sit there and declare. Back to the Premier. We're asking about feeding a baby. That's what this question is about, sir. The Conservative budget does nothing to address the affordability prices. They refuse to stand at the price gouging corporations like the Westin. Companies are taking advantage of families that just trying to feed their children. Some families, listen to this speaker, some families are watering down baby formula to stretch it further. What kind of province are we living in where the Premier thinks it's okay for billionaires to make record profits while gouging families struggling to feed their babies? What will it take for the Premier to stand up these corporate bullies ripping off families in Ontario so we can feed our families? Thank you. The member from there voted against every single tax he decreased we've ever had in the legislature. He voted against putting money back into people's pockets when we scrapped the license as a sticker. You voted against putting money back into people's pocket when it came to 412 and 418. If it was up to the NDP and the Liberals, we saw what happened for 15 years, Mr. Speaker. The crisis went out of control. Companies left this province 300,000 people lost their jobs under their 15 years of destruction of this province. The economy is strong. Anyone who wants a job can get a job. Anyone who wants a great paying job in any sector we're leading North American economic development job creation. We're seeing more people come to our province, more jobs being created than anywhere in North America. Order. Thank you. Restart the clock. The member for Scarborough, Rouge Park. Thank you, Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. We know that Ontario has a unique and carefully cultivated entrepreneurial spirit. Yet for more than a decade under the previous Liberal government Ontario's entrepreneurs felt that the previous government did everything to punish people starting a business. But our government is focused on supporting small businesses like the ones in my riding of Scarborough, Rouge Park making sure they have the support they need to strengthen their economic success. Speaker, will the Minister please explain how our government is creating conditions for Ontario's entrepreneurs to succeed? Good question. Development, job creation. We all recall the days under the Liberals when Ontario's entrepreneurs were closing up their shops, frustrated with a government that made businesses too risky and expensive. But our government changed all that. Lower taxes, less red tape brought a revival of Ontario's entrepreneurial spirit. There were 85,000 new business opened in Ontario last year alone, Speaker. Three, expect even more. An additional $2 million is being invested into futurepreneur Canada. They'll help 18-year-old and to 39-year-old young business people with mentorship and loans of up to $20,000. Speaker, entrepreneurs once again can take that next step and know that their government is here to support them all the way. Thank you. The supplementary question. Thank you, Speaker. Thank you to the Minister for his answer. It's great to hear that our government continues to support Ontario's entrepreneurs with starting and growing their businesses. My writing of Scarborough Roche Park is home to a thriving and innovative economy for entrepreneurs. And starting a business is how entrepreneurs turn their dream into a reality. But as well, we all know that our government is working with risk. Speaker, will the Minister please explain what else our government is doing to help entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground? Mr. Director of Development, job creation and trade. Liberals made starting a business in Ontario costly and confusing. That is why our government reduced red tape, lowered taxes to $620,000 annually. And in addition to futurepreneurs, there's a wide range of other supports. Small business enterprise centres offer all the tools they need to start and grow their businesses. In the members' writing, he pushed very hard for $2 million in funding for Scarborough's Small Business Business Centre with a further $620,000 for their summer company and Starter Company Plus. That helps their area students and young entrepreneurs start their business in his writing. And we've provided more than $77,000 in digital transformation grants to over 30 businesses in Scarborough. Speaker, that is what this member is doing to help his entrepreneurs. Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Premier. Ontario is facing a mental health crisis. Across the province, people are crying out for help. Mental health organisations are able to keep up with rising inflation costs, staffing shortages and increased demands for services. All Ontarians should have access to high quality, easily accessible, connected supports when and where they need it. Speaker, why won't the Premier properly address the mental health crisis in Ontario? Why? The Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. Thank you for that question. Mental health and addictions is a priority for our government and that's why we're making crucial investments in mental health and addictions. We're creating a recovery-oriented system, a continuum of care by which everyone will be able to get supports and services as needed. And that's with respect to that making a $500 million investment annually over the next 10 years. In addition to that, recognizing the needs in the province, the Minister of Finance announced last week an additional investment of $202 million in support of housing. Why? Because it is one of the most important social determinants of health that must be addressed. That is investments that are being made by the province and it's being recognized by community members and perhaps in the supplemental, I'll give you some of the response from the service providers that are partnering with us to ensure that we deliver these services to the people of the province. Thank you for your question. Speaker, community agencies are facing a staffing crisis. Wait times for treatments grows longer and longer. I spoke to a woman who was sexually assaulted and nearly beaten to death. She lived in her car for months afterwards and she's been waiting for trauma counselling through the public health system for four months and counting. For $30,000 a month, she could pay $30,000. Kids wait an average 67 days for counselling and 92 days for intensive treatment. People are literally dying waiting for help. Why is this premier short changing public mental health services when lives depend on early and consistent access to care? The associate minister of mental health and addiction. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Mr. Speaker, once again I reiterate we are in need of it. In fact, Camille Queenville, the CEO of CMHA, the vital structural base funding commitment announced today is the largest by any government for community mental health and addiction care in a decade. It will significantly help community based mental health and addiction agencies provide high quality care, retain dedicated and committed staff and address rising operating costs. The budget is an overwhelmingly important part of what we understand the strain our sector is facing as we support Ontarians living with mental health and addiction challenges. It also demonstrates a desire to help those most vulnerable in society with respect to children and youth. A quote forwarded to me from Tatum Wilson, Children's Mental Health we are pleased that today's budget commits significant youth funding to mental health and youth mental health supports. Mr. Speaker, our partners are listening to our parties. Thank you very much. Question for Thorne Hill. Thank you Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Labor, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. The previous Liberal governments missed many opportunities to build up Ontario. They didn't invest in skilled trades training and did support the trades people who are the most vulnerable in our economy. As a result of their indifference and neglect, Ontario is not only facing a shortage of skilled trades worker, our government is also left to manage and correct health and safety issues for workers that should have been fixed years ago. As an example, workers on some construction sites continue to face issues accessing clean washroom facilities. This is wrong, disrespectful state. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister please explain how our government is supporting the health and safety needs of workers on construction sites. Thank you very much. Thank you to the member for Thorne Hill for this really important question. A Speaker in Ontario today about 600,000 people work in construction. Each and every one of them are heroes and it's time they got the dignity and respect they deserve. Mr. Speaker, politicians and others have looked down their noses at people in the skilled trades no more. Over the last two months my ministry inspectors have visited more than 1800 job sites and inspected their washrooms. They found over 240 washroom related violations. Missing doors, missing walls, no place to wash your hands and worst of all, no toilets on job sites. Speaker, in what other industry would this be acceptable? I have spoken to people who are building our communities not livestock. I have spoken to workers who tell me washrooms have been an issue for generations. This ends today. We are working for workers and making sure our washrooms are close to these heroes. The supplementary question. Thank you Mr. Speaker and thank you to the minister for that response and his dedicated work. The workers building a strong foundation should not have difficulty accessing clean and reliable washroom facilities while working. No one, especially those who are doing the necessary work to grow our province's economy, deserve this. Unlike the previous liberal government, we need to eliminate any barriers to entry for the skilled trades and we need to protect the health and safety of our workers. Our government must take direct action to protect and hold workplaces accountable for failing to uphold health and safety standards. Mr. Speaker can the minister please elaborate on what actions our government is taking to ensure health and safety standards are respected. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. I find it really interesting that the NDP and Liberals are heckling on this very important matter. It just goes to show you Mr. Speaker about workers in this province. But Mr. Speaker, under the leadership of our premier last month we announced our government is requiring cleaner washrooms for all 600,000 construction workers. We're doubling the number of washrooms on construction sites. We're mandating that they be clean private and well-lit. We're also requiring they have hand sanitizer when running water isn't possible and that large job sites have women's only washrooms. Mr. Speaker, it's unacceptable that anyone is making a career choice based on washroom quality. For over 100 years, Ontario's Minister of Labor had never done a washroom blitz. Under our government we launched the first one in history and the second blitz is starting this week. Only our government under the leadership of this premier is getting it done for our front line workers and our heroes, those construction workers. Mr. Speaker, in an emergency there's no worse feeling than being unable to contact emergency services or our loved ones. With the recent terrible acts of violence on the TTC having access to cellular service in the subway tunnels would make people feel safer in a crisis. The infrastructure is there but big telecom is not willing to use it. Does this government think that's right and if not what are they willing to do about it? Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member opposite for the question. We are all deeply concerned about the increased number of violent incidents on public transit in the last few weeks. All levels of government agree on the importance of ensuring that transit systems across the province are safe. We remain open to continuing discussions with our partners and we remain connected when they're riding public transit. That's why in 2020 our government took steps to improve connectivity and implemented free Wi-Fi on all GO buses and trains. As the member opposite knows, the TTC is operated by the City of Toronto and as such the City of Toronto is responsible for finding a resolution with the telecommunications carriers. I encourage the City of Toronto and the future mayor to find on this matter as quickly as possible. Thank you. We need to promote ridership on the TTC which includes more service and better service. The TTC has been trying for more than a decade to introduce self-service across the system but there has been no interest from the big three Rogers, Bell or Telus. Self-service on the TTC plays a role in public safety and is a measure that should already be in place but isn't. Does the minister agree that in 2023 self-service on transit is essential? If so, what action is she going to take to fix this? The minister of transportation. Thank you Speaker and I thank the member opposite for the question. I absolutely agree that self-service on public transit is essential and that's why our government took the important step in 2020 of ensuring that we have free Wi-Fi on GO trains and buses. Public transit system under the jurisdiction of the province of Ontario now has free Wi-Fi because we agree that it's essential. Mr Speaker, we've been supporting public transit for years especially throughout the pandemic. The province has given over $1.5 billion to the TTC to ensure that its system could remain operational throughout the pandemic. We work closely with the TTC and we continue to urge them to find a resolution to ensure that riders on the TTC have free Wi-Fi as soon as possible. Thank you. The next question, the member for Ottawa Vanier. It's a bit odd that on a day we are going to debate a motion to protect police officers. I need to ask about protecting the public from police officers. Police officers hold important responsibility and to maintain public trust and confidence in our police services, we must ensure that our police officers are held to the ground under conduct. Unfortunately, that has not been the case with a particular officer in Leeds County. Despite being convicted for drug trafficking, forgery and sexual assault, this officer has been on paid leave since 2015 even making it on the sunshine list during this time. Mr Speaker, if receiving three separate convictions for serious offences is not enough for a police officer to lose their job, how can the public trust officers task with their safety? So can the Solicitor General explain why officers who have been convicted of serious offences are not automatically released from service in our police forces? Thank you Mr Speaker and I want to thank the member for her question. Let me be clear, no one convicted of serious and disturbing crimes like these should be receiving a further funded salary. Our government brought forward legislation, the Community Safety and Policing Act, that once enforced will allow a chief of police to suspend an officer without pay if the officer is charged with a serious offence and this legislation as members know, replaces a piece of legislation that's over 30 years old. Our expectation Mr Speaker is those who keep our province safe uphold the highest standards of professional ethics and Mr Speaker we will accept nothing less. A supplementary question. Thank you Mr Speaker, I agree with the minister actually. Mr Speaker the Community Safety and Policing Act that the Solicitor General is referring to was passed in this legislation over four years ago. Receiving Royal Assent on March 26th 2019, yet it has still not come into force. For shame. Similarly the Community Safety and Policing Act received Royal Assent almost two years ago on June 3 2021 and has also not yet come into force. Mr Speaker when the legislature adopts legislation it does so because again active changes are deemed necessary to resolve important and often pressing issues in our society. Certain clauses in the Community Safety and Policing Act for example would have enabled a chief police to suspend without pay and a chief police officer I mentioned earlier just like the Solicitor mentioned the Accommodation sector Registration and Guest Act was meant to help better come back human trafficking, an urgent issue in this province. Speaker can the government please explain why it has decided not to into force important legislation adopted by this legislature. Thank you Mr Speaker and again I want to thank the member for her comment. Mr Speaker I have directed the Deputy Minister to complete the discussions with our associations First Nation and Indigenous Police Services as soon as possible so that we can move forward with the enactment of the new legislation. I want to repeat again that no one convicted of a serious crime and disturbing crime like these should be receiving a taxpayer funded compensation. I want to thank the members of the government and all those that keep our province safe to uphold the highest standard of professional ethics and Mr Speaker I'll repeat it we will accept nothing less. Next question the member for Brampton West. Thank you Mr Speaker my question is for the Minister of Transportation for the people who live, work or travel through the country. I would like to thank the members of the family and businesses in Brampton West that the potential for an easier community is important to them. Mr Speaker for this reason the voters of Peel region supported our government's pledge to build Highway 413 and elected PCMPP in every riding along the planned route. Highway 413 is essential to elevating congestion creating infrastructure. It is not only for the people of Brampton but is necessary for the overall prosperity of Ontario. Speaker can the Minister please explain how Highway 413 will contribute to supporting our province economy. To reply Minister transportation. Thank you my colleague for the question he is absolutely right Speaker the people of Ontario and Peel region spoke loud and clearly. I would like to thank the members of the family for their support. Mr Speaker they want to see Highway 413 built. The NDP and the Liberals are completely out of touch with the challenges Ontarians are facing right now. Toronto already ranks as the 7th most congested city in the entire world and our major highways are at or reaching and building new highways will ensure that our hospitals have the resources that they need and that our grocery stores shelves are stocked. The status quo that the opposition parties want to maintain is hurting Ontario families and it's hurting our economy. Ontario needs Highway 413 and our government is delivering. Supplementary question. Thank you Speaker and thank you to the minister for that response. I would like to thank the members of the family for their support. The next step is to move forward or Peel region will become quickly over well. The previous government ignored the need to build vital transportation networks to keep up with the DTS growing population and expanding business needs. The hard working people in my riding know Highway 413 will be in the same level as the 13 but now the federal Liberals and Mr Gibo are trying to stop this project. Speaker, can the minister please elaborate on how government's investment in critical highway infrastructure is vital for Ontario's future. Minister of transportation. Thank you the Liberals in the NDP's efforts to disrupt and delay this project. $400 million to the cost of our goods. If we don't get Highway 413 built, the goods that we rely on will only get more expensive. Speaker, we know that building Highway 413 is the right thing to do and we cannot afford any more delay. In March of 2020, the federal government wrote to MTO that Highway 413 did not meet the criteria for a federal impact assessment. Yet months before the last election, they moved the goalpost. That's why last week my ministry sent a letter to the federal government expressing that this is unacceptable, especially for a project that is so critical to our province. Mr. Speaker, it's clear that Minister Gilbo will do anything to stop this project from getting built. I encourage the opposition to support this project and I encourage the liberal MPs in Peel region to stand up in their caucus and to stand up to their federal minister. Support Highway 413. The member for Toronto Centre. Thank you Speaker. The government recently passed Bill 46 which doubled down on a band-aid solution to our court staffing problems. Instead of expediting efforts to hire more judges, retired judges can now return to work up to 75% full-time hours. A plan that is expensive, flawed and unsustainable. My question to the Premier is simple. Why won't his government clear the court backlog with the proper plan, which includes actually appointing more new full-time judges. The Attorney General. Thank you Mr. Speaker. And to paraphrase the leader of the opposition, if the NDP spent more time on solutions and less time on headlines, they might actually support us in what we're doing Mr. Speaker. I would be pleased to say that in Bill 46 that was brought by my my Honourable friend, the Minister of Red Tape Reduction, which indeed did make a positive change. I would love to say that the NDP supported us with that Mr. Speaker. But in fact of course, as you would expect, they did not. Now Mr. Speaker, in terms of adding more judges, we have added another judge Mr. Speaker. We've added a judge to Fort Francis recently and I think that's a fantastic addition. We're constantly doing improvements to make sure we have court capacity. And I would ask my friend across the way why in fact the NDP didn't support us in Bill 46 as we enabled more capacity of judges to attend in court Mr. Speaker. Thank you Mr. Speaker. The Honourable member did not answer the question so let me give him a new one. Last week the case of a police officer accused of sexual assault was thrown out not because of the merits of the case but because it was assigned to a semi-retired judge who took an extended vacation which then caused an unconditional unconstitutional trial delay. These kinds of scheduling issues are entirely predictable and they will happen more and more as this government increases our reliance on part-time judges. Our justice system is now being held together by duct tape. Speaker, is this government so out of touch that they don't recognize the long-term investments needed to ensure that people of Ontario get access to justice in a timely fashion? Again Mr. Speaker, if they spend more time on the front lines and less time on headlines Mr. Speaker, we would actually be able to work together to improve the system but we'll do it without them. That's okay Mr. Speaker. I'm not going to speak to any particular case but I cannot believe that the NDP are calling for me to interfere with judicial independence and scheduling of courts Mr. Speaker. I just cannot believe it. Next question, the member for Richmond Hill. Thank you Mr. Speaker. My question is for Minister of Infrastructure. Constituents in my riding of Richmond Hill and individuals and families across the province continue to rely on our hard-working hospitals when they need access to healthcare and medical services. Unfortunately, under the previous Liberal government, critical healthcare infrastructure was not a priority. The failure to make investment in projects that were important to communities left our healthcare system crumbling, overcrowded and prepared, especially when we needed it the most. While significant work is already underway in many communities to improve and expand our hospitals, there is still more work that is urgently needed. Question. Minister, can I ask the Minister to explain how our government is addressing the healthcare infrastructure needs? Health and fear. Minister of Infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, our government was elected with a stronger mandate to build Ontario, particularly build a resilient healthcare system. In our most recent budget, we are allocating $48 billion to expand hospitals across the province of Ontario. $2 billion of that are grants that will go to increase bed capacity, increase the number of operating rooms, as well as expand emergency departments in communities. Last week, Mr. Speaker, we released a request for qualifications. I know my seatmate is very thrilled about this. This will be a brand new hospital in eastern Ontario, Mr. Speaker. We want to make sure that if you are in need of care in the province of Ontario, you will be able to receive it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to our Minister. Not only have you been working very hard on infrastructure for a hospital, you've worked very hard on transportation and education. I thank you for that. Investment made by our government into a hospital sector remain vital and is welcome news for the people of my riding in Richmond Hill and all Ontarians. However, the infrastructure needs of our long-term care homes are equally important and deserve immediate action. Sadly, after 15 years under the leadership of the previous Liberal Government, their neglect and indifference resulted in long-term care homes that were outdated, in disrepair and overcrowded. Our government must address capacity issues in the long-term care system now. My constituents in Richmond Hill and the people of our province backed our government to get shovels on the ground to accelerate and the development of the long-term care homes. Speaker, can the Minister please elaborate on how our government is addressing the infrastructure needs in our long-term care sector? Minister of infrastructure. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Just like building hospitals, we are building long-term care homes across this province, Mr. Speaker. Regular long-term care homes, we are making sure that they are built with modern standards that they are safe and that they are comfortable places for their patients. Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Long-term Care, my Ministry of Infrastructure, we're working together to make sure that we address the long wait lists. We are on our way to building 31,000 new beds and upgrading 28,000 beds across Ontario. Mr. Speaker, you've heard me speak about the rapid delivery program where we build a long-term care home in 13 months in Ajax. Mr. Speaker, we are almost ready to open two more long-term care homes in Mississauga, which will activate 600 beds. Mr. Speaker, hospitals and long-term care homes, we are protecting our most vulnerable. Thank you. The next question, the member for Mishkegawa James Bay. Mr. Speaker, my question I put to the Prime Minister. Thank you. Question for the Premier. A very large housing crisis. But imagine facing it for 30 years. Imagine having no access to your own traditional land to expand and build on. This is a sad and reality for Ewa Piscat First Nation and many others. These communities have solutions but are stuck behind government red tape and pass around from one government to another. Premier, when is this government going to step up, put a plan into action with a long-term solution as it should and start helping First Nations, like Ewa Piscat? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the member opposite for the question. There is an urgent need for adequate housing to meet the basic needs of many First Nations, especially across Ontario's far north. For many First Nations in Ontario, this has meant living in houses that lack basic surfaces, such as clean drinking water and adequate heating, ventilation and insulation. While the federal government is responsible for housing on reserve, Ontario provides support for off-resort, reserve affordable housing, supportive housing, capital repairs and rent supplements for Indigenous people. We will continue to work with Indigenous communities and organisations to ensure the federal government is living up to its responsibility to provide good, safe housing to First Nations, Inuit and MAT people across Ontario. Let me remind the government that they are signatory to Treaty 9. Years have gone by, yet nothing is moving. Since 2014, there was a task force in place. Then in 2018, a memorandum of understanding. Then a renewed relation commitment signed by your minister in 2019. All Ewa Piscat gods so far are two plastic igloos as temporary housing. Premier, First Nations chiefs are telling us your government is not acting on any of their issues. I ask again, when will this government put things in motion and actually do the work that is supposed to be done? Thank you Mr. Speaker. And again, thank you for the question. On October 2018, our government announced an additional $2.1 million to help create 21 transitional housing units for Indigenous people enrolled in educational programs at the Matawa Training and Wellness Centre. In March, our government invested an additional $6.7 million in the Indigenous Supportive Housing Program, bringing the total annual investment to $30 million. We recognize how important culturally appropriate housing is for Indigenous communities and how critical these services are to improving the physical, mental, and social well-being of Indigenous people across Ontario. Through the Indigenous Supportive Housing Program, our government is more than doubling Ontario's annual investment in Indigenous Supportive Housing to ensure those at risk for homelessness have access to the resources they need and deserve. The next question. The member for Brampton East. Thank you, Speaker. I'd like to first congratulate the member for Mississauga Streetsville and the Associate Minister of Housing. My question to the Associate Minister is with the ongoing global economic uncertainty, our government continues to make significant investments in programs to help the most vulnerable in our province for people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. It is essential that they have access to the right housing supports and services they need. However, the reality is that Ontario has both an affordable housing crisis and a homelessness crisis. We have already worked underway to bring forward more measures to address the serious issues. Speaker, can the Associate Minister please explain what additional supports will be provided for those experiencing homelessness or for those who are at risk of homelessness as a part of our recent budget? The Associate Minister of Housing. Thank you, Speaker. I really want to thank the great member from Brampton East for the incredible work that he's doing in his writing. I'm so proud to say that the 2023 budget has provided an additional $202 million to the homelessness prevention program. And say 40% increased from the previous amount bringing the total close to $700 million in annual investments. Also, Speaker, collaborating with multi-ministries to ensure that the right supports are in the right place at the right time for those most vulnerable is so critical. Speaker, the housing supply crisis is impacting Ontarians right across this province and we know it will take time to fully implement the policies we have put forward. But I'm confident with this Premier and this Government we are heading in the right direction. Thank you. Thank you to the Associate Minister for that response. It's welcome news that the 2023 budget provides greater funding investments that focus on providing vulnerable Ontarians with the support they need to stay in their homes and to get the housing they need. For many Ontarians that need our help this funding will go a long way to improve their living situation that nature and scope of homelessness is different in every region and it's essential that our Government continues to work closely with community partners to make the most impact on reducing and preventing homelessness. Speaker, can the Associate Minister please explain how this additional funding will address the needs for individuals in the community? Thank you. Thank you once again to my colleague for the question. The best way to deal with homelessness is to be proactive and prevent it in the first place. We've heard from organisations and key stakeholders across the province who are pleased to see we are increasing funding for the homelessness prevention program and have expressed to us how much this means to them. For example, the Chief Accountability Office for the Canora District Service Board is grateful to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Government of Ontario for this historic increase in the homelessness prevention program and service managers ability to better address the needs of our communities. Addressing Ontario's affordable housing and homelessness crisis will take all levels of government to work together. The flexibility built into the HPP program will facilitate community driven solutions and addressing homelessness to increase supportive housing options for vulnerable people. Speaker, local service managers and representatives know their communities best and it is our job to ensure they have the tools and resources they need to deliver effective support to those who need it most. Thank you, Speaker. Thank you, Speaker. Through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, in AMO's response to the recent budget, they stated they are, quote, disappointed not to see commitments from the Government when and how the Government will follow through on its commitment to make municipalities whole from the fiscal impacts of Bill 23. Ontario municipalities are losing $5 billion in infrastructure revenue. Why is this Government breaking their word and cutting funding to municipalities and housing at a time when the need to support our municipal partners has never been greater? Mr. Missful Affairs and Housing. I know why the member opposite is a finance critic for the Democratic Party. Speaker, as I said in response to the Leader of the Opposition last week the number one and number two request from our municipal partners for the budget was more dollars for supportive housing and more wraparound services for mental health and addiction. We delivered on that budget something that at second reading the NDP voted against. You know who last week really let municipalities down? And Justin Trudeau. There was no infrastructure dollars in last week's budget for municipalities. There was no support for the City of Toronto and I had a great meeting on Friday with Deputy Mayor McKelvie thanking us for our commitment on supportive housing and on our contributions that we promised and there was no clarity on any of the provincial or territorial requests on housing as part of the National Housing Strategy we continue to be shortchanged for $480 million something that Jagmeet and Justin need to fix. Thank you Minister. My question is back to the Minister for Municipal Affairs and Housing. Peel Region has a housing master planned to build 2,400 new affordable homes on public land by 2028. The member for Brampton South even went to the announcement to celebrate the plan's launch. The problem is this Peel's housing plan is now in jeopardy of failing because the region is losing $200 million in revenue because of your government's bill 23. Minister how much money exactly are you going to give is the government going to give to Peel so their affordable housing plan can be revived. Thank you Mr. Mayor. Speaker the bottom line is that municipal support from the province is at an all-time high. We want to talk about taxing affordable housing in the middle of a housing supply crisis well I've got a message back to the NDP. The housing minister says no way. The member for Simcoe Gray Thank you Mr. Speaker my question is to the hard working Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. The Lake Simcoe watershed contains key natural urban and agricultural systems that are vital to Ontario and to the people in my riding of Simcoe Gray. As our government continues to build Ontario and grow our economy evolving pressures like population growth present ongoing challenges to our ecosystems and waterways. Some of my constituents have expressed concerns about the sustainability of land and water uses across Lake Simcoe. Our government must continue to respond to emerging issues and adapt with solutions to protect critical aspects of our environment. Speaker can the minister please explain what action our government is taking to protect Lake Simcoe now and for future generations. Good question. Minister of the Environment, Hon. Speaker Thank you Speaker and I thank that fantastic member for it's an important question. It's on the minds of many whom I've had the opportunity to visit in the Lake Simcoe region and that's why my ministry and the incredible team at Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks is working hard to implement the Lake Simcoe protection plan Speaker by working with partners including Indigenous communities, municipalities Speaker we recognize the need to manage and expand and lay the critical infrastructure required for growth while also protecting the environment. That's why I'm proud to say Speaker that working with communities there we've ensured that this government under the leadership of Premier Ford has made the largest single investment into phosphorus production in that Lake's history. That's building the critical infrastructure we need building the critical infrastructure we need to support tomorrow's growth while also protecting Lake Simcoe for generations to come and I'm very proud of the leadership of this Premiering Government. Supplementary question. Thank you Speaker and thank you to the minister for his response. I'm pleased to hear that our government is implementing measures to guarantee that the future of this vital resources protected. Under the leadership of our government we have seen improvements such as a decrease in the amount of algae in Lake Simcoe which greatly enhances water quality over the long term. It is evident that our government remains committed to improving the overall ecosystem of Lake Simcoe. Speaker can the minister please elaborate on how our Lake Simcoe phosphorus reduction strategy will support the neighboring communities. Minister of the Environment. Thank you Speaker. I appreciate again the question from the member opposite. Speaker we understand that more needs to be done to preserve and protect this valuable lake. That's why I'm again proud to say that this Premier made the largest investment in phosphorus reduction in that Watershed's history Speaker and we're working with municipalities right now and the region to implement that project. You know the first time I ever heard members opposite ask about this important phosphorus reduction initiative was when the member from Hamilton West Ancaster Dundas wrote to me asking why it hasn't happened sooner Mr. Speaker. You know it's not lost on me or anyone in the Lake Simcoe watershed that when that party had the opportunity to prop the previous Liberal Government up they voted to send sewage into Lake Simcoe the shallow receptor of body and it was just shocking. Shocking to Chief Big Canoe. Shocking to neighbouring municipalities. We're going to work with the member for a sector. Thank you very much Speaker. Conservative Bill 124 is an unconstitutional attack on the working people of Ontario. Superior Court of Justice Marcus Conan said Bill 124 infringes on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. On quoting Speaker the government was using Bill 124 in favor of the government. It is difficult to see how there can be an effective collective bargaining system when the employer has been given the trump card of compensation increases lower than the rate of inflation and lower than freely bargaining agreements. Speaker all enterians have paid the price of Premier's wage capping Bill 124. Just look at the staffing crisis that have hit our hospitals and our schools as workers quit feeling disrespected overworked or will he continue to attack workers by appealing the ruling from the Superior Court of Justice. President of the Treasury Board. Thank you very much Mr Speaker. This government has made historic and unprecedented investments into healthcare. And the fact is the members opposite for the leaders of the opposition and the opposition party have voted against every single one of those measures Mr Speaker. When we launched the largest recruitment of health and human resources in this province which attracted almost 14,000 nurses to register all of those measures that we put in place to make that happen the members opposite voted against every single one of those measures. Shame. When we increased healthcare funding last year by over 5.2 billion dollars Mr Speaker the largest increase in the history of this province the members opposite voted against every single one of those measures. Mr Speaker our government will continue to make historic and unprecedented investments into healthcare and we hope the members opposite support us in those investments. A supplementary question. Thank you Speaker he didn't even come close to answering the question. He only voted against bill 28 when you attacked education workers. How to accept your workers and we'll do it again. New Democrats believe that investing in nurses is the best way to improve access to timely, safe and quality healthcare but unfortunately conservative bill 124 treats healthcare heroes as healthcare zeros and as a result many nurses have left the profession we all know this. Those that remain continue to face increasing levels of violence, exhaustion, burnout and PTSD. As bad bill 124 is unconstitutional the Ontario Nurses Association went to arbitration Speaker and the arbitrator's decision increased benefits, wages, premiums and vacations for onus non-profit nursing home healthcare professionals. Speaker 60,000 of onus frontline healthcare professionals will be negotiating a new contract with the Ontario Health Hospital Association. My question is will the premier kill bill 124 over the conservatives continue to fight on chair's workers with this unconstitutional wage gap. Thank you Speaker and thank you to the member opposite for the question. In terms of nursing environments our government has invested 73 million over three years to train and provide clinical placements for over 16,000 psw's and nursing students in addition 35 million to increase nursing enrollment to add 2,000 nurses to the health care system 34 million over four years to increase enrollment at six indigenous institutes 100 million to add 2,000 nurses to the long-term care sector by 2024-25 eligible psw's will receive up to $6,000 a year. We also have a nursing program transformation partnering with MCU and LTC that will increase access to nursing and fully assisted colleges. Mr. Speaker we're investing in psw's nurses colleges and universities and international students international nurses and recruitment. Question period for this morning this house stands in recess until 1 p.m.