 It is now time for oral questions, and I recognize the leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, just on behalf of Ontario's New Democrats and our New Democratic caucus, I want to thank Tanya for all of her amazing support and work over the years. She truly has been a wonderful woman and a beautiful personality to work with here in the chamber and throughout all of the work that she's done. Thanks, Tanya, and good luck. Speaker, if you'll indulge me just one more time. Can I just say, Oskie Wewee? Hamilton won their game yesterday, and looking forward to meeting up with Toronto this coming weekend. But my question is actually a bit more serious, Speaker, in terms of topics, and it's for the Premier. As we know, Ontarians are rightly alarmed and a little bit worried about what's happening with COVID-19 these days. Of course, we all have seen our cases climb up to around the 1,000 mark on a daily basis. At this point, 9,994 Ontarians have lost their lives. I haven't got the stats from today, so that might quite actually be the grim milestone of 10,000 by now. If not, it will happen this week, likely. The Omnicron variant, as people know, Omnicron variant is extremely contagious and is in several countries around the world, including here in our country, in our province. There are lots of unknowns about whether the vaccines actually work on this particular variant. So my question simply to the Premier is, what's he doing to ensure Ontarians that they're protected from this latest variant, especially as we make plans to get together with loved ones over the holidays? Deputy Premier and Minister's Health to reply. I thank the leader of the official opposition for a question. Before I answer it, let me also say that on behalf of the government, we also recognize and thank Tanya very much for your years of dedicated service and your knowledge of this place, but also your incredible personality. And we can still see you smile even though you have the mask on. So thank you. Thank you. But in answer to the leader of the opposition's question, this, of course, is a concern for many of us. The best option, of course, is to stop the Omnicron variant from getting across the border. And so we are very pleased with the steps that the federal government has taken so far to ensure that we are testing all people who have returned or traveled from South Africa, Botswana, the Zotho, at Swatini, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe. But of course, we recognize that there may be others that may need to be added to the list since the two people who have already been diagnosed who were traveling from Nigeria. So I would expect that other locations are going to be identified and that's why we are continuing to ask the federal government to ensure that everyone is tested and comes into Canada regardless of where they come from. This is one of the most important things that we need to do to protect Ontarians and I'll speak further in the supplemental. The supplementary question. Thank you, Speaker. Well, Speaker, on the weekend, Dr. Uni, the head of the science table, said that the Omicron virus spreads faster than the Delta virus or so the Omicron strain rather spreads even faster than Delta. The Premier may recall that he justified finally giving Ontario workers three-paid sick days because the spread of Delta was faster than the initial coronavirus strain in Ontario. So at that time, the Minister of Labour has said sick days are, and I quote, to ensure that we continue to get people vaccinated as quickly as possible and protect workers sick from this virus. Well, the same threat is with us today, Speaker, and it seems to be getting worse. Will the Premier be extending paid sick days beyond December 31st and making them permanent for Ontario workers? And to apply the government hostages. The question from the Leader of the Opposition. Of course, as the Opposition Leader will know that we took steps immediately when COVID-19 at the beginning of the pandemic to ensure that our workers who were impacted by COVID-19 were protected. Speaker, we also, as you know, the Premier negotiated an over $1 billion program of paid sick days with the federal government. And we're going to continue to work with the federal government to ensure that programs to support Canadians throughout COVID continue to happen. Mr. Speaker, we'll continue to ensure that workers have access to paid sick days. Thank you. And the final supplementary. Well, Speaker, regardless of the recasting of history, we do have an important opportunity now to do the right thing moving forward. 17 schools have closed due to COVID-19. 712 schools have reported cases. Sudbury, Kingston and Algoma are responding with new restrictions. New variant Omicron is already here in Ontario, as I've already mentioned, and has been acknowledged by the Minister of Health. So the question is, will the Premier commit to extending paid sick days beyond December 31st and to make them permanent so that we can actually protect working people, keep them safe and reduce the spread of the Omicron virus? Mr. Speaker, I'm not sure why the leader of the opposition has to always go to the negative. This is what the province of Ontario has accomplished in its fight against COVID-19. We have ensured that workers are safe. We've ensured that they have access to paid sick days. The Minister of Education has ensured that our students have a return to school protocol that is safe, including investments in air purification. We've ensured that our medical officers of health across the 34 different regions have the tools that they need to fight COVID-19 in their areas. The Minister of Health has made sure that our frontline healthcare workers have the tools that they need. That is what has led to Ontario having one of the world-leading vaccinations. Almost 90% have a single dose and approaching 90% on both doses, Mr. Speaker. We're seeing tremendous uptake with kids from 5 to 11, Mr. Speaker. I think Ontario has done a great job. There's more work to be done, and we will continue to do the work that is necessary to lead Canada and to lead North America. Thank you. The next question. Once again, the leader of the opposition. Thanks so much, Speaker. My next question is also for the Premier. The Premier tweeted last week during his blustery comments regarding Barry Condo owners that, I quote, a contract is a contract and must be respected. Meanwhile, he let the 407 off the hook for a billion dollars in penalties stemming from their contract. The company started negotiating to break their contract with the government back in March of last year. And yet they still made $148 million in profits from tolls. Looks like a contract is a contract unless the Premier decides it's time to rip it up. How on earth can the Premier explain a billion-dollar write-off to corporate owners of 407 helping his buddies while surgeries, diagnostics are still backlogged and while schools are still not safe from COVID-19? Mr. Speaker and I thank the leader of the opposition for the question as she knows the COVID-19 pandemic had significant impacts on traffic levels on the 407 as well as Ontario's roads and highways. And these were unprecedented circumstances as Ontarians complied with stay-at-home orders while fighting multiple waves of COVID-19. And this resulted, Mr. Speaker, in the 407 invoking the relief clause under its contract with the Ministry of Transportation. Speaker, at the end of the day, this is a contractual issue. But our government took immediate action at the beginning of the pandemic to bring relief to drivers by freezing tolls on the 407 east, on the 412 and the 418 to deliver more relief to drivers. Mr. Speaker, the opposition talks about standing up for drivers. The NDP stood by while the Liberals under Stephen Del Ducco when he was Minister of Transportation signed a contract in 2015 that locked drivers into tolls on the 412 and the 418. We're focused, Mr. Speaker, on providing relief for drivers and that will continue to be our focus. Supplementary question. Well, Speaker, you don't throw stones when you live in a grass house. It was the Conservatives that sold the 407 contract in the first place and privatised all of those revenues for their buddies as opposed to in the benefit of Ontarians. So it's quite actually funny response from the Minister. The 407 does make hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue for their shareholders. That's because that's the way this party that's governing now wanted it to be. But they could have avoided, Speaker, the penalties in their contract altogether by, for example, reducing or eliminating tolls to attract more cars to the highway, which would have also, frankly, helped Ontarians, Speaker. But instead, they asked Premier Ford for a billion-dollar break and he gave it to them. Worse, a second billion-dollar break is on the table for 2021. My question is how, in the depths of this pandemic, could the Premier think a billion-dollar penalty to a private company should just be wiped away even as they continue to make huge profits? Mr. Speaker, as I said at the end of the day, this is a contractual issue. In response to the COVID-19, Mr. Speaker, our government took immediate action to provide relief to drivers across the province. We suspended the collection of interest on unpaid toll fees from Highways 407 East 412 and 418. We froze the scheduled increases to driver and carrier products, like driver's licenses and validation tags. We extended the validity of government driver vehicle and carrier fees to keep people safe and we froze the scheduled CPI increase to toll rates on Highways 407 East 412 and 418 that was scheduled to come into effect on June 1, 2020. Mr. Speaker, we are looking at ways to make life more affordable for Ontarians, especially drivers, as we're going through the next wave of COVID-19. Mr. Speaker, we are committed to affordability and that has been our focus since the beginning of the pandemic and will continue to be our focus as we continue to navigate COVID-19. The final supplementary. Well, thanks, Speaker, but in the laundry list, the minister forgot to mention that they gave the 407 a $1 billion gift. Look, they quietly made that decision back in April, behind closed doors. The public didn't have any idea of what the government was up to. They never told the public. The 407's own financial statement, Speaker, showed that it continues to make significant profits. And I quote, the company maintains sufficient liquidity and expects to be able to satisfy all of its obligations in 2021. So as you may know, I've asked the Auditor General to look into this fiasco, but the Premier and his team can clear this up right now. How could the Premier write off a billion dollars of penalties, especially when apparently he believes a contract is a contract and it must be respected. Well, if the Leader of the Opposition wants to talk about contracts, I wonder what she had to say back in 2015 when then-Minister of Transportation Stephen Del Ducca locked a contract in against drivers in Durham region to pay tolls for 30 years. Our government has never and will never sign a contract like that, Mr. Speaker. And so we certainly won't take any lectures from the Leader of the Opposition on this issue. Unlike the Del Ducca Liberals and the NDP who sat by, we're taking action to make life more affordable for Ontarians. Mr. Speaker, we took immediate action to provide relief to drivers across the province and we're continuing to look for ways to make sure that we provide affordable relief for drivers as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Order. Member for Renfrew Nipissing Pembroke will come to order. Member for Davenport. Thank you. Good morning, Mr. Speaker. This question is for the Premier. Speaker, as a new threat of a new variant looms large, the Delta variant continues to spread in our schools and cases are rapidly climbing among our youngest students. Cumulative school cases are now surpassing 7,000 and 17 schools have closed entirely. Something is not working. I wish the Premier would just admit that allowing class sizes to balloon and waiting until mid-November to release a testing plan has put another school year in jeopardy. With the risk profile changing, will he act now to ramp up in-school protections and take home testing before it's too late? Minister of Education. Well, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I want to remind the member opposite that the government in fact announced actions to deploy testing the first in the country to do so to all schools in the province of Ontario rapid antigen tests for every child going home this holiday to ensure a safe return in January. The government acted well before this variant has entered our shores in the context of strengthening elementary school protocols, restricting lunches to cohorts, requiring virtual events within schools really with the aim to reduce indirect and direct contact. We've extended the second term funding of $300 million to all schools to help build upon the hiring of over 2,000 staff supporting children. We have one of the lowest case rates for kids under 19 in Canada and we have one of the highest vaccine rates. We're taking nothing for granted. It's the basis for why we announced the extension of PCR take-home tests to all families for symptomatic and asymptomatic purposes. 157,000 kids have signed up to get the vaccine. That is promising. We'll continue to do whatever it takes to keep our school system safe. Is that for an extra question? Speaker, under this minister's watch, Ontario schools were closed longer than any other jurisdiction in North America and our kids are still feeling and suffering the impact of those closures. You'll excuse me and parents out there for being a little bit skeptical with a response like that from this minister and I'm going back to the Premier. Four more schools have reported new cases over the weekend in Thunder Bay. There are nine active outbreaks in Durham region schools and at least 23 schools with outbreaks in Ottawa. In total, 712 schools in this province have cases. The head of the science table has said we need to try to tread as carefully as we can to avoid more explosive outbreaks in schools. Our kids, our families cannot afford another school closure like last year. What actions is this government going to take today to keep our kids safe and our schools safely open? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. You know, it's not lost on parents that if the NDP were empowered, they would have closed schools and locked in our province for the entire duration of the year. They are the inconsistency of the new Democrats to reopen followed by a desire to close schools, reopen schools. That is your consistency, the fact that you are not following the best signs and the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health who has said the school system has been robust and safe which is why we've taken nothing for granted. Why weeks ago we announced the expansion of testing in our province, the only province in Canada to do so with the use of rapid test kits for all children. It's why we have a PCR take-home test. It's why we expanded ventilation in every single school and strengthened the protocols with an elementary school. Mr. Speaker, five in six secondary schools have not reported an active case and today six in seven elementary schools do not have an active case at all but we take nothing for granted which is why we accept funding, we've improved ventilation and we're working to make testing more available to more families right across Ontario. The next question, a member from Niagara West. Thank you very much, Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Finance. Speaker, as we know global supply chain challenges and economic uncertainty have driven prices in our province and many other jurisdictions higher but Ontarians want to know that their government is taking swift action to ensure that economic certainty and job stability remains now and into the future. All Ontarians deserve to know that their government is taking action to ensure that good jobs are being protected today and into the future. So Speaker, through you, what is the Minister planning to do to help protect Ontarians through these challenging times and to create the right conditions for future economic growth? And to reply, the Minister of Finance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and thank you to the member from Niagara West for that question, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This economic adversity couldn't come at a more challenging time. That is why we have a plan, a plan to build Ontario. As we all know, we inherited a province from the previous government where real investment in infrastructure never materialized to the level needed. That's why in our 2021 Ontario Economic Statement and Fiscal Review, we have a plan, a plan to support Ontarians by growing this province as the best place to do business, to work and raise a family. Mr. Speaker, we're going to say yes. We're going to say yes to investing in our healthcare capacity and investing $30.2 billion over the next 10 years to build, expand and enhance hospitals. Yes to supporting Ontario workers who are falling behind, including supporting them through minimum wage. And yes to getting shovels in the ground on roads, bridges, and that's why we've invested an additional $2.6 billion in funding to support the Ontario Highways program. It features more than 580 construction expansion and rehabilitation projects. Mr. Speaker, we are saying yes to building the foundation for our future prosperity. That's a lot of talk. That's a supplementary question. Mr. Speaker, and my thanks to the Minister of Finance for that response. I know many of my constituents are very glad to hear that this is a government that has their back. But my constituents also want to ensure that the work that is moving Ontario forward to build Ontario up and ensure future economic growth is maintained. Speaker, back to the Minister of Finance. Well, I appreciate that answer from the Minister. There is always more that can be done. And so could the Minister tell us what the government's plan is to take measures that will support hardest hit Ontarians where they need it most. Again, Minister of Finance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you again to the member for that question. Speaker, as we've said as a government, we are focused on affordability and we've been focused on that since day one. Our government continues to support households with the Ontario electricity rebate for residential customers, small businesses and farms. And we introduced the lift, the low income family tax credit for workers who had fallen behind, as well as expanded the care tax credit for families and caregivers. Bill 43 proposes to extend the seniors home safety tax credit to help seniors. Are those living with senior relatives making renovations on their homes to make them safer and more accessible? Speaker, these are just a handful of measures our government is taking to support Ontarians. It's all part of a plan to build on Ontario's future. That means getting shovels in the ground for highways, hospitals, housing, schools and high speed internet. We're making these investments to improve our healthcare and we'll continue to do so in the future. Thank you. Next, Member for Hundervitter, Block Street. Thank you, Speaker. Last week we were once again horrified by another terrible incident in private long-term care. J.C. Ruhala had to intervene to save her father's life. Her father was very ill from a urinary tract infection and moments away from sepsis if his daughter didn't fight the centre to call 911 and have him sent to a hospital. That happened at Hawthorne Place, one of the seven private long-term care facilities that were so bad during the pandemic that the military had to be called in and later published a long list of shocking and sickening deficiencies. After this, a hospital administrator temporarily took over and yet here we are again as though not a single lesson has been learned. We've seen enough. It's time to pull the plug on profit in long-term care and give residents a second chance at a life where the only priority is their health and dignity because they deserve so much better than what they're getting. Why won't this government do the right thing and take profits out of long-term care? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. To be very clear, it is this government that has put significant resources back into the long-term care sector, Mr. Speaker. We are providing a North American leading four hours of care. We're moving to that standard, Mr. Speaker. Of course that's been talked about for a long time in the province of Ontario by both a liberal government and the liberal NDP coalition from 11 to 14, but it's never done. This government is doing that with the resources that come with that. We're hiring over 27,000 additional PSWs. We're building over 30,000 new beds across the province of Ontario. Every community in this province will have access to a brand new state-of-the-art long-term care facility because of the work that this government is doing, Mr. Speaker. What we won't do is what the NDP are suggesting we do. Thousands of people out of work that we can buy and then close down long-term care homes. That's their plan. That's certainly not our plan. Mr. Speaker, thank you, and this question will show just how similar this Conservative government is to the Liberal government before them. Last week, the NDP private members bill, the Time to Care Act, was tabled again for the fifth time. This vital bill that would legally guarantee every long-term care resident in Ontario a minimum standard of four hours of direct care per day would not be passed. But whether it's a Conservative or Liberal government, this bill never gets to third reading because it appears that they don't want it to become law, but they also don't have the gall to vote against it. The clock is ticking. We have months before the left or the end of this session when all bills that have not been passed into law will die. Will this government right here, right now, commit to bringing more, will they make it die once again and show us what they really think? I truly don't know where the member has been because this government has already passed that level of care. I just mentioned it, a North American leading level of care, four hours of care, and to support that, we are putting billions of dollars behind that. We are hiring 27,000 new additional people on some 30,000 new long-term care beds in the system, Mr. Speaker. The only people that have never prioritized long-term care, in fact, are the NDP. And, of course, the Liberals. So the Liberals built 611 beds, Mr. Speaker. Now, in between 11 and 14, this party, the NDP, held the balance of power. Was long-term care their priority? No. Was education their priority? No. Was healthcare their priority? No, Mr. Speaker. And every single thing that matters to the people of the province of Ontario, the NDP could have put an end to the reign of terror of the Liberal Party, but they chose to support them for a stretch goal in insurance that they never really meant to take happen, Mr. Speaker. Next question. Member for Ottawa South. Thank you very much, Speaker. COVID case counts are rising and Ontarians are very concerned about the Omicron variant and its spread of the virus. Throughout this pandemic, this government has been indecisive and slow to act. And that has led to the unnecessary spread of the virus. It took 400 days, 400 days to get three temporary paid sick days. And that led to the unnecessary spread of the virus. We know that parents are going to need these days in the new year to take their children to get their second doses or take care of their children. So, Speaker, will the Premier do the right thing past Bill 7 today and provide 10 permanent paid sick days to every Ontario worker? Mr. Speaker, when you talk about being ready, let's be very clear what happened in the province of Ontario during this pandemic. This province was brought to its knees and had to go through the longer lockdowns in any other North American province. 800 people in intensive care brought this province to its knees. One of the richest provinces in Canada, if not the richest and one of the richest jurisdictions in North America brought to its knees because the previous government never made the investments in long-term care. Never made the investments in intensive care. Never made the investments to ensure that our frontline workers had access to PPE, Mr. Speaker. On every single matter, Mr. Speaker, the previous liberal government failed and in the dying days of their administration, they decided to bring in some sick days. Not good enough and that's why the people of the province of Ontario reduced them to 5, 6 or 7. I'm not sure what it is, Mr. Speaker, but people of the province of Ontario know that they can rely on this government to get the job done once and for all. Mr. Speaker, to the rest of the province, I would like to say that we need to take care of our sick days. Making 10-paid sick days permanent is only part of what this government needs to do and we know what needs to happen. Make vaccinations mandatory for frontline healthcare workers and education workers. Ensure an effective vaccine rollout for 5 to 11-year-olds and make vaccinations universal in schools. Expand third-dose booster testing and stop the harassment of our frontline healthcare workers and families. So, Speaker, will the premier do the right thing and address these gaps? Or is he still planning to end vaccine certificates and the pandemic on January 17th? Minister of Health to reply. Thank you very much, Speaker. Well, our government is taking the necessary steps. As of today, we have 89.9% of the population 12 and up having received their first dose. 87% having received two doses. We have appointments for 5 to 11-year-olds booked 157,900. We've also had 69,000 children aged 5 to 11 vaccinated within the last week, which is 6.4% of that population group and obviously the appointments are being booked. So, we are taking every step possible that we can take to protect the people of Ontario. Thank you. Next question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Northern Development and Mines Natural Resources and the Department of Health. We are taking every step possible that we can take to protect people of Ontario. We are taking every step possible that we can take to protect people of Ontario. Last week, I saw there was a news conference with the Minister of Energy and the Minister of Economic Development, Jobs, Creation and Trade about investing in a new electric arc furnace in the Agoma Steel facility in Sault St. Marie. After years of the North being ignored by the previous tell this House what this investment in Algoma Steel means for Ontarians. Thank you Mr. Speaker it's always a good day to rise in this house and talk about the great work that we're doing in Northern Ontario. Last week the afore mentioned ministers were in Sault Ste. Marie to announce funding to help build a new electric arc furnace for Algoma Steel something that wasn't possible under the energy policies of the previous Liberals. Algoma Steel provides good paying jobs and materials needed to build cars, technology, transit, hospitals, schools, and community infrastructure. And they're at the heart of Ontario's economic recovery. Investing in jobs in the North has been a priority for this government since day one and will continue to fight for good paying jobs and keep them right here in this province. Compare this to the Ontario Liberal Party who were supported by the NDP. They said no to jobs like the ones at Algoma Steel and as a result, waved goodbye to 300,000 manufacturing jobs during their time in government. Some parliamentary questions. Thank you Mr. Speaker and thank you to the parliamentary system for that impassioned answer. It's great to see that this government is standing up for Ontario jobs and making sure this province remains competitive while we recover from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. We all know that jobs are a priority for this government ensuring we keep jobs intact as we transition to a new greener technology is paramount. We know that we can support jobs while being environmentally friendly, but the approach has to be balanced. So Speaker, back to the Minister, what does this announcement mean for the environment? Thank you Mr. Speaker. The upgrades being made to Algoma Steel will leverage Ontario's clean energy advantage, 94% clean. It'll provide them with affordable and reliable supply of clean electricity for years to come. Clean made in Ontario Steel is a central part of Ontario's plan to build leveraging domestic production of cars, technology, transit, hospital schools, and community infrastructure and that's at the heart of Ontario's economic recovery. Our government continues to take action to support job creation investment in environmentally conscious ways for industry across North America just like we did last week for Algoma Steel. Mr. Speaker, we will continue to make strategic investments into the jobs of Northern Ontario because that supports all of this. Response. Thank you Speaker. My question is for the Premier. This weekend parents and children in North Bay were met by a crowd of angry megaphone wielding anti-vax protesters who screamed and cursed at them as they tried to take their kids to get their vaccine. Abby Blasecek took her seven year old boy to get his life saving shot and was screamed at through a megaphone called a murderer and thought and told that getting her boy vaccinated is genocide. Think about it. This is absolutely unacceptable speaker. Families like Abby. Abby's are already stressed enough and this is only making things worse. We asked you before children's vaccination started to pass the NDP's safety zone legislation to spare families from harassment. Will the government pass this bill by the leader of the NDP today or will they keep emboldening anti-vaxxers? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I think the member knows as we've talked about that there are already in place significant protections to ensure that that that people are safe. Mr. Speaker, the police do have the resources to ensure that I think the member is quite correct though in his assertion that this is completely unacceptable. I think we would all agree or at least most of us in this chamber would agree with the member and with the obvious anger that the member has expressed in his question, Mr. Speaker. It is very, very clear. It should be very clear to everybody that getting a vaccination not only is safe, it is the right way to get us through this pandemic. Mr. Speaker, if you love your family, if you love freedom, then you should get yourself a shot so that we can all get back to normal, Mr. Speaker. That is the best way for us to get out of this pandemic. And if you're one of those people who thinks that it is somehow smart or intelligent to go out there and protest families doing so, give your head a shake and think about it. Again, to the Premier Speaker, protests like this are exactly why the safety zone legislation we proposed can't wait. This should have been done months ago, Speaker, but the four government would rather pander to the anti-vax vote. Children like Abby's son need to this vaccine to stay healthy and keep going to school. And while Abby is relieved her son got the shot, she's worried that he's been traumatized by walking down an alley of hate and misinformation while adults yelled at him through a megaphone. Premier, every day that you delay these important protections is another day parents and kids are potentially at risk of sorts of protests that hurt Abby and her son in North Bay this weekend. Speaker, again, through you to the Premier, will you work with us to pass our safety zone legislation and finally commit to keeping our schools and hospitals safe? Premier Hosey. Again, Speaker, as noted earlier, there are tools already in place for our law enforcement officials to ensure that that people are safe. Speaker, with respect to pandering, I suspect that there are at least a number of our colleagues who would feel differently than the member opposite. Mr. Speaker, we have believed right from the beginning that the best way to get beyond this pandemic is to ensure that people get vaccinated. Mr. Speaker, that is why close to 90 percent of Ontarians have two doses. Mr. Speaker, that is why we are seeing five to 11 really book at an amazing rate. Mr. Speaker, now look, are there individuals out there who ought to be ought to know better? Absolutely. Are we all angry and frustrated that there are some individuals, a very small minority of individuals who are doing this to parents? Absolutely. Mr. Speaker, but as I said, we are as angry as the member opposite is. Response. But ultimately the tools, there are tools in place for law enforcement to ensure that all people are safe. And again, Mr. Speaker, the best way for us to get beyond this is to get vaccinated. Thank you. Next question, remember for York Center. Thank you, Speaker, to the Minister of Health. For a year and a half, the Premier and this government continued draconian measures against Ontarians with lockdowns and mandates. The Premier talks a good game. No one wants to see businesses open more than him. No one loves nurses more than him. He's against passports because it will create a two tier society. A month ago, the Premier said that vaccine passports will be lifted on January 17. But on November 24th, the head of the science table said that the probability that would drop passports in mid January is next to zero. So Speaker, who should Ontarians believe the Premier who says vaccine passports will end mid January or the head of the science table who says they won't? The Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. Thank you, Speaker. We should believe the chief medical officer of health, who is the chief person who is advising the government, who is looking at the clinical evidence, is looking at the trends, who's looking at the number of case counts in Ontario, who has said from the beginning when the plan came forward, this is what we are expecting to do. However, if plans change, if there is a sudden increase, if there is a variant that comes in that causes concern, then we will have to change the plan. But the people need to know with what is coming forward. That is what we expect will come forward. Subject always to the caveat that the situation might change. But we are doing everything in our power to ensure that the people of Ontario remain safe and healthy. For reports of aerosol transmission were available as early as spring 2020. We heard that the virus was transmitting through ventilation in New York restaurants as early as summer 2020. In July 2020, the New York Times wrote, yes, the coronavirus is in the air. Also in July 2020, the WHO said that the virus can be airborne indoors. But for two years, Canadian health authorities denied science by suggesting that transmission was droplet. You see, despite discussing ventilation, this government and public health authorities recommended plexiglass everywhere. Businesses spent thousands of dollars while some school boards put students behind a glass box. Four days ago, the head of the science table told global news that plexiglass may do harm more harm than good because it prevents ventilation. Does the minister understand that there is no universe in which both plexiglass and ventilation make sense? And will she listen to the head of the science table and instruct all places and businesses to remove plexiglass immediately? Minister of Health. Thank you, Speaker. Our government has always followed the advice and recommendations. The chief medical officer of health, who was also advised by the science table by public health Ontario and by others. They're epidemiologists. They understand the transmission of this virus. We understand that we need to continue to follow all of the health and safety precautions that we've always followed. Wearing a mask indoors or when we're in close contact with people, physical distancing, washing hands, all of those measures will remain in place to keep all of us safe and healthy and so that we can then move on with reopening Ontario. But we're not there yet. We need to continue to get more people vaccinated. That is going to be the most important thing we can do. Ventilation, of course, is always also important. But the most important thing right now is for more people to get vaccinated. And we're asking anyone who's not been vaccinated yet. Response. Please do so right away. Next question, the member for Mississauga Senator. Thank you so much, Speaker. Good morning. Speaker, Ontario is proud to be home to the largest Jewish community in Canada. Now that the celebration of Hanukkah has begun, this is an excellent time to recognize the tremendous contributions the Jewish community continues to make to Ontario. While this is a time of celebration, sadly, we have also borne witness to a disturbing rise in antisemitic hate and hate crimes in our province. This is a solemn reminder that our work to combat antisemitism is not done. Can the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism please inform the House about the actions our government is taking to eliminate racism and hate from Ontario? Why the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism? Well, thank you very much, Speaker. And I want to thank the member from Mississauga Centre for that important question. Mr Speaker, this also allows me the opportunity to wish the Jewish community very happy Hanukkah. Mr Speaker, and Ontario is, of course, proud to be home to the largest Jewish community here in the country. Our government is honoured to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish community and to continue to take strong action determined to fight antisemitism, Mr Speaker. Our government has absolutely zero tolerance when it comes to any form of racism, hate, including antisemitism. That is why we're working with our partners, like Ladd Canada and other community organisations across our great province as we work together to build a stronger, prosperous and inclusive Ontario. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Supplementary question. Thank you, Speaker, and thank you to the Minister for his answer. I also wanted to thank him for recently visiting Mississauga and celebrating Polish Independence Day with our community. Speaker, through you, I know the Jewish community in my riding will be pleased to know about the work our government is doing in collaboration with our community partners to rid Ontario of antisemitism and hate of all forms. This has never been more important than now, and I am proud to stand on this side of the house and support Jewish communities right across our beautiful province. Now that the Festival of Lights has begun and the menorahs are being lit, can the Minister please tell this house what our government is doing to shine a light on racism and hate wherever it may be hiding? Thank you. Mr. Citizenship and Multiculturalism. Well, thank you. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to thank the member for that question again on this side of the house. Mr Speaker, our government is absolutely committed to doing everything in its power and making the necessary investments that are needed. That's why in our recent fall economic statement, we are announced 8.1 million dollars in additional funding, Mr. Speaker, to fight anti-racism, anti-hate and introduce initiatives like doubling the anti-racism, anti-hate grant from 1.6 million dollars, 3.2 million dollars. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs had to say this, Mr. Speaker, we plot the government of Ontario for doubling the funding for anti-racism, anti-hate grant program, saying this program is critical step forward in addressing the rise in anti-semitism. Our government will always defend the right of every person to practice their faith, live their lives free of intimidation and hate. I look forward to taking part in the celebration over the holidays, Mr. Speaker, and I want to wish everyone happy Hanukkah once again. Thank you, Speaker. My question. Thank you, Speaker. My questions for the Premier. Families and especially women across Ontario cannot find or afford the childcare that they need to return to work. Even Jason Kenney's Conservatives in Alberta are now working with the federal government to create affordable childcare spaces, while Ontario families wait for this Premier to make a deal. I recently heard from Leah, a constituent of mine in Toronto Centre. Leah and her wife are delaying their plans to have a second child because they simply cannot afford to have two children in childcare at the same time. Leah told me, I quote, it doesn't make any sense. Why wouldn't you want to decrease barriers for most mothers getting back to the workforce? End quote. Premier, when can families like Leah finally expect your government to deliver on a deal for $10 day childcare in Ontario? Thank you, Speaker. You can certainly count on our government to stand up for Ontario's interests and children who want a fair deal from the federal government. We've met with the federal government twice, with the aim of landing a deal, one that delivers on $10 a day childcare, which is what the federal government has committed to for the people of this province. Obviously, we're ensuring that we get the federal government to request an investment to achieve $10 a day, not $20 or $30 or $40 a day, which I just think all of us would agree is not what the feds committed to. So we're working with them constructively to do that. We're making the case for more sustainability and more flexibility to support moms and dads across Ontario who need this support. We know childcare is too expensive. The former Liberal government has a disastrous record of increasing childcare costs by 400% over their tenure, 40% above the national average. Obviously, that's unacceptable. Our Premier is committed to increasing costs, increasing access, which is why we're at the table making the case for a fair deal, the lowest cost for all families in this province. Thank you, Speaker. Back to the Premier. Lea's family doesn't want to wait for this government to negotiate a deal that favours private big box childcare where taxpayers subsidized profits go to shareholders. When I asked Lea about this, she said, and I quote, I don't think my child's care should be profited off of. It creates shady motivations with worse childcare worker ratios, end quote. Families like Lea's are being clear with this government. They expect you to deliver a deal for affordable, high quality publicly funded, not-for-profit childcare in Ontario. When will this government stop shirking your responsibilities to Ontario families, invest in affordable childcare and sign a deal that gets $10 a day childcare for families in Ontario? Minister of Education. Thank you, Speaker. Unlike the new Democrats and Liberals who believe they know best for how parents raise their children, 24% of operators in this province are independently managed. They do a good job and they support access for families across Ontario. I would never denigrate hardworking childcare operators in the province of Ontario as the NDP just did. But what I will say is every single family deserves support from this federal government. We know that they currently contribute roughly 2.5% of Ontario's allocation for childcare. They've got to do much more, which is why we're at the table to make the case for a fair deal that gets prices down to $10 for families. When you reflect on the legacy of the former Liberals under the Dill-Duca Liberals where childcare rose by 400%, obviously every government, provincially, federally immunistic, we have to work together to get these prices down, which is precisely what we're doing, Speaker, by meeting with them, presenting our data, and making the case for more flexibility, more investment to deliver on a imperative of this government, which is affordability and increased access for all parents in this province. The next question, the member for Don Valley West. Very much, Mr. Speaker. And on behalf of our members, I want to just say thank you to Tonya Granton. Thank you for all the work that you've done over the years. Thank you for training me when I was a new MPP on committee. Speaker, my questions for the Premier or Minister of Education. The holiday season can be a warm and happy time of year, Mr. Speaker. It can also be a time of anxiety and worry, as we all know. This year, once again, we're all living with a degree of apprehension as COVID continues to be a threatening, morphing reality. I can remember as a young mom in the lead-up to Christmas juggling all the needs and expectations of my three kids, balancing my work in and outside of the home, and that feeling of exhaustion. But, Speaker, my worries were not about whether my kids would be fed or whether they would have gifts under the tree. My worries were not about who was going to look after them when I was at work. But those are exactly the worries of thousands of families across this province. Year in and year out, mothers in particular struggle to make arrangements for their children. When it's holiday time, those struggles are amplified. The gaps seem wider and more insurmountable. And in the middle of the night, the fear of not being able to look after your kids adequately can be a really dark pit. Speaker, I know that the answer from the minister will include a spin on what our government did or did not do while in office. But here's the thing, Speaker. Never for one moment in our time in office did we have a federal government putting $30 billion on the table to reduce childcare costs in Ontario. Why has this government not yet signed a childcare deal with the federal government? Mr. Speaker, it is just a matter of fact that under the tenure of the Nalduka Liberals, childcare rose by 400%. That is indefensible. And I think everyone would recognize in this legislature, Speaker, that families paid the price for that neglect. Where it was inaccessible, where it was inaccessible and unaffordable for too many moms and dads in Ontario, that is their legacy, one which the people of Ontario reject in the last election, which is why our government in the first budget introduced a tax credit for families to help them save money, roughly $500 a year. We know, Speaker, there's more to do, which is why we enhanced it during the pandemic. It's why we continue to sit with the federal government to make the case to get that balance. So long as it is equitable, it is sustainable, and it gets us to $10 a day, that's exactly what we're making the case to the federal government, and I'm proud that the Premier is standing up for the people of this province. And the supplementary question. Well, Mr. Speaker, you know, I could spend a lot of time in this house railing against the inaccuracies that come from that side of the house about what our government did or didn't do. But that's not my job. I know that's what we learned last week when we learned that the minister was going to be meeting with federal officials to hammer out a child care agreement, but that has not happened. And I know firsthand, Mr. Speaker, that negotiations between provincial and federal governments can be slow and they can be frustrating. But, Speaker, this federal government has been able to sign agreements with most of the other provinces and territories in the country. Now, Mr. Speaker, the conditions or Thunder Bay are not so very different from families in Calgary or Halifax. They all need child care that they can afford. Is the government serious about signing an agreement and when can we expect to hear that families in Ontario will share from the benefits of the $30 billion federal commitment? Mr. Speaker, we absolutely are looking forward to hearing from Mr. Speaker. I think it is unacceptable that when you had over a decade the privilege to serve the people of Ontario, it's not that child care just remains static. The member opposite that child care just remains static, it's that it actually got 400% worse under your tenure. That is your legacy. Families need the most expensive child care in Canada. That is your legacy. Government side come towards it. Premier is absolutely committed to getting a deal that reduces cost that increases access. I was proud to say with the Minister of Education to resume his answer. Please start the clock. Speaker, we the Minister of Infrastructure and I just last week announced additional 3,000 spaces, child care spaces, affordable spaces in schools. We have a plan to build 30,000 over five years. Last year alone 16,000 spaces were created 19,000 a year prior. We know there's much more work to do after the disastrous legacy of the former Liberal government. We're going to work hard to get a fair deal for the families we serve in this province. Speaker, my question is, when the minister first identified concerns about pollution from a spill in Hamilton's Shadow Creek in July 2018, neither the environment ministry nor the city of Hamilton informed the public about its magnitude. 24 billion leaders of sewage spilled over four years. Two years ago I rose in this house to ask why the ministry chose to dark. The answer from this government it wasn't the ministry's role. Now the Auditor General is stating the obvious. Of course the ministry environment has a role in ensuring the public is aware of spills in their community. So, speaker, my question will the minister apologize to the people of Hamilton for keeping this spill in the dark? Mr. Speaker, I would like to rise to answer a question. The first question I would add the critic in the NDP has posed on the environment. Very glad to rise to answer that question. Speaker, we understand obviously the impact that spills have across the province of Ontario. That's why as a government we've taken a decisive action. The new environment compliance hub Ontario is embracing a place of action across the province of Ontario. I think to recent funding initiatives that I've been a part of across the region and that member's region to support in better responding to spills I'll also add that budget 2020 improved wastewater management and committed funds to support municipalities to better handle spills. I know that the municipality without question challenges and we're working closely with that municipality to improve their wastewater management and all more to say in supplementary. Thank you. Supplementary? Thank you, Speaker. It's unfortunate that the minister chooses not to apologize to the people of Hamilton for keeping him in the dark but it's not just the people of Hamilton who are suffering under this government's abysmal track record on the environment. In the same damning report it's cost from responding to spills resulting in taxpayers and not the spillers paying for spills. The auditor estimates that hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars have been spent cleaning up the mess polluters made. So Mr. Speaker will the minister please stop denying and deflecting his responsibility and work with the opposition and work with community groups to keep Ontarians and their government. Thank you Speaker. Again, I appreciate the opportunity to rise to answer this question. Again, we value the input from the auditor general and value her recommendations. That's why after a decade of inaction a decade under which we saw a disastrous ability for Ontarians to work with their government to respond to spills. We know each one varies in nature. Some are more serious than others but it's dedicated scientists, it's dedicated leaders on the ground who are responding to this and we're working closely but we're not stopping there. Of municipal sewage systems consist of treatment plants and collection systems that are designed to convey and treat sanitary or combined sewage. We invested over 20 million in budget to address and learn something. The member for Hamilton West and Caster Dundes must come to order. The next question the member for York Center. Thank you Speaker to the Minister of Health. Last week I asked the minister about the lives lost as a result of the government's pandemic response. For the first time last Monday the Minister of Health admitted that lives were lost not just from COVID but as a consequence dilate cancer diagnosis and surgeries postponed by this government also cost lives? Does the minister accept responsibility for those lives and can she tell the Legislature how many lives were lost as a result of her actions directly or indirectly? Minister of Health. Thank you. Well what I can tell the member is that our goal from the very beginning of this pandemic is to protect the health and well-being of all Ontarians and every action that that we've taken has been to do just that. Vaccination was the most important thing, but in the beginning, we didn't have vaccination. We had to care for people in our hospitals, care for people with COVID, care for people with other issues. We had to delay some of the surgeries because our hospitals were full. So every step that we've taken since then, including with the vaccinations has been to protect and save lives. We've got over close to 90% of population, aged 12 and over vaccinated with the first dose, 87% with the second dose. We're working with children aged 5 to 11. We're going to be accelerating the age limits for the booster dose. As we're dealing with the original Delta variant, we have got Omicron. We're trying to contain that right now and make sure that it doesn't spread with the goal of saving as many people as possible in the province of Ontario. That is our responsibility, and that's exactly what we're doing. Supplementary question. Back to the minister, we all want to save lives. That's precisely the subject of my question. Lives were lost as a result of this government's pandemic response. It's a welcome but overdue admission. The increase in overdose, late cancer diagnoses, delayed surgeries, and one of the harshest and longest lockdowns in the world resulted in the death of countless Ontarians. The human toll of the government's response is the responsibility of this government. Ontarians should know how many people died as a result of the actions of this minister. But apparently there are no studies, no estimates, no thinking that actually went into assessing whether the response is deadlier than the pandemic itself. We know that Public Health Ontario told us that the increase in overdose among people under 50 is three times greater than all people that died from COVID. Excess mortality according to statistics count is three to one. How does the minister justify imposing deadly lockdowns without measuring or estimating how many lives may be saved and how many lives may be lost as a result of the catastrophe? She and the Premier perpetuated against the province of Ontario. Minister of Health to reply. To the member opposite, every step that our government has taken to deal with this pandemic has weighed the pros and cons of what the effect on the general population is going to be. But we know for a fact that the vaccination is the most important thing that we do right now and we have a very successful vaccination rate in the province of Ontario and one of the lowest cases rates in the world right now. So we are taking steps, we are moving forward, we are making sure that we don't leave anybody behind them because we know that we have had to postpone some surgeries. We've put over half a billion dollars into catching up with those surgeries and to making sure that our operating rooms can operate as many hours as possible to make sure they can operate on weekends over into the evening. We've also invested $3.8 billion into our mental health and addiction system with Roadmap to Wellness. We know that we need to put more resources there because we know that many people because of COVID-19, because of job losses for a lot of other reasons are experiencing significant mental health and addiction issues. That is what we have been turning our attention to even as we're trying to manage the vaccination rate to make sure that no Ontarian gets left behind. Member for London West. Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Premier. Speaker, families in London West are still waiting desperately for autism services for their kids. Virginia is a mom to two children with autism. One of her sons was among the 600 children selected for the OAP Core Clinical Services pilot, but she's not allowed to use the funding that was deposited into her account for the life skills supports her son requires. Meanwhile, her other son, who urgently needs clinical services, is one of almost 50,000 Ontario children forced to wait for needs-based funding. Speaker, when will this government stop ignoring the needs of children with autism and start providing them with the actual services they urgently require? Mr. Children, Community and Social Services. Thank you, Speaker, and thank you for the question to the member opposite. This has been an endeavor that our government has been committed to since the beginning of our mandate to address a long-standing neglect of children with autism and their families. And this is exactly why we doubled the funding from 300 million to 600 million. It's why we're implementing a world-leading program that has been created by the autism community for the autism community. This is a program that is comprehensive. It is needs-based. It is family and child center. We've incorporated behavioral therapy, including the ABA. We've also included mental health, speech language pathology. This is a needs-based program that uses nine domains of need to understand how we best serve the needs of children. So this is something that is going to serve tens of thousands of children. We are making sure this is rolling out. We are on target and we are getting the feedback from the 600 children that are now enrolled. Thank you for your question. That concludes our question period for this morning. We have a deferred vote on the motion for second reading of Bill 23, an act to amend the Residential Tenancies Act 2006 to implement various measures to stabilize rent. The bells will now ring for 30 minutes during which time members may cast their votes and I will ask the clerks to please prepare the lobbies.