 It is now time for Question Period and I recognize the Leader of the Official Opposition. Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. Yesterday, parents from across Ontario came to implore the Ford government to help their families with treatment or children with autism. Treatments that can cost as much as $80,000 a year. They are at their wits end, unsure of how to cope with the government's changes. And last night on CTV News, the Minister responded by suggesting that they could use the woefully inadequate government support to buy an iPad. Is that the Ford government's idea of a treatment plan, Speaker, an iPad? Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. Thanks very much, Speaker. Our plan is built on choice. And if parents think that a technological aid will help advance their child, then I want to support them in doing that. Let me read from some of the parents who have written to us about this program. Monica, a mom of an autistic teen appreciates the new plan, offers services to a range of children. Quote, my son was always deemed too high functioning to receive funding, but he needed OT. I ended up taking OT classes at the University of Toronto Scarborough and doing it myself. All of this plan will help her son. Speaker, I understand that there are a lot of parents that are concerned about this plan, but there are a lot of parents who are going to be relieved with this plan because 23,000 children were languishing on a wait list. And my obligation is to support all children, not just 25%. Supplementary? Speaker, after the Premier promised families so much, this Premier has done nothing to offer anything to parents. The promises were big, but the result was nil. All they've done is given the families of this province who have children with autism the expectation to have no hope. That's what they said yesterday. Give up hope. There's no hope left for you. In fact, that's literally what the minister said. No parent should have any hope. Meanwhile, parents who joined us yesterday are planning to sell their homes, cash in life savings, just to provide the support that the Ford government has yanked from them. When her party needed those parents' votes, the minister was happy to offer hope, Speaker. But now that she has the minister's office, she has nothing to offer at all. How can she justify that? I appreciate the leader of the official opposition wants to play politics and score political points off the backs of vulnerable families. There are 23,000 children in this province who have gone without support. We have increased funding in this ministry. The budget used to be $256 million. I have increased it during a time when the previous liberal government left us with a $15 billion deficit to $321 million. That we're currently receiving service that we will continue their funding throughout Christmas and had to go to Treasury Board for an emergency $102 million so that 25% of the children who were receiving support could continue to receive support. But if the member opposite is suggesting that I should do what the previous liberal government did and ignore 75% of our children in the province of Ontario with autism, think again. Final supplementary. Well, Speaker, what I wouldn't expect from a minister of the Crown is to tell parents to just forget about having any hope for the future for the services and treatments that their kids need. Parents from across Ontario feel they've been betrayed by this Ford government. Yesterday, the Premier removed the member from Lanark, Frontenac Kingston, from the Government Caucus for insulting parents with rude and dismissive comments. But frankly, Randy Hillier's insulting comments didn't hurt families as much as the minister's heartless scheme. And his comments weren't nearly as offensive as a minister who threatens autism advocates when they refuse to endorse or changes. Does the minister agree with the Premier's decision to suspend the member from Caucus? So why doesn't she think that she should also be resigning from Cabinet? Minister, to respond, I'll remind the House that we refer to members by their writing names or by their ministerial title as it, depending on the situation. Minister, respond. Thank you very much, Speaker. Thanks again to the member opposite for her question. But I remain resolute in the fact that three out of four children in this province have been denied service from their Ontario government, which is why I went to the Treasury and I asked for an increase in funding during a very difficult time in this province's financial history. We have now increased the budget to $321 million. We are doubling our investment into diagnostic hubs so we can get quicker diagnoses for children at a much earlier age. We believe in early intervention, which is why we're going to front end a lot of money for children between the ages of zero and five, where we know support will help them the best they possibly can. And we're going to a direct funding model so that parents can be enabled and empowered to choose the best services for their parents. So, Speaker, when I hear from the member opposite, try to play politics with these families in a very difficult, emotional file, I am very disappointed with them. I remain resolute and I remain committed to implementing this government's plan. Thank you. Next question, Leader of the Official Opposition. Thank you, Speaker. My next question is also for the Minister of Children and Community and Social Services. You know, the parents who joined us here yesterday and today aren't demanding the impossible, Speaker. They simply want the support that their children were promised by the Premier. With therapy and treatment, children who seem to be in their own worlds are able to communicate. They're able to feed themselves. They're able to tell their own parents that they love them. No parent should have to choose between selling their home and denying that to their children. But the Minister is not only doing that, she's telling parents that they should be happy. Does she think that's acceptable, Speaker? Thanks very much, Speaker. Let me tell you a little bit about Sarah who wrote in to Autistics for Autistics. She said what the province had available under the old OAP wouldn't be useful for my daughter. I paid a pocket for everything. She's anxious to see what the new program will offer. Why? Because we're empowering parents with choice. Whether that is with behavioral support, whether that is with technological aids, whether that is with caregiver training or respite support. We're offering choice. But more importantly than anything, Speaker, we are looking at the 23,000 children who are languishing on a waitlist with an endless no-hope insight for support for them and we are going to lift them up and provide them with support by investing in the diagnostic hubs with doubling that investment, ensuring that we have more support for Northern Ontario and ensuring that they have a direct fund so they can choose what works best for their child. I want to apologize. Start the clock. Supplementary. Speaker, it doesn't empower people when you take away their choices and that's what this government's doing. The choice they're leaving these families with is to sell their home to provide treatment. The choice they're leaving these families with is to cash in their RRSPs to provide treatment for their kids. The only people that have choice are the wealthy who can afford to provide the services for their children. We don't ask them to provide cancer services to their kids, do we, Speaker? No. And we shouldn't ask them to get more interested in the support that families can provide her than supporting them. Whether it's threatening a group of behaviour analysts with four long years if they don't publicly support a new funding system claiming to have the support of organisations for which they don't have support, the Minister has made it clear where her priorities lie. Why is she more interested in delivering positive headlines for herself and her government rather than delivering results for children with autism and the family members that love that? Minister? I guess she's angry. The whole place here gets that she's angry. But I'll tell you something that angered me. Opposition come to order. Order. That's what angered me. That's why I'm acting. Those 23,000 children who were languishing on a waitlist who are being ignored by the new Democrats who were ignored by the Liberals, those are my focus. I'm clearing the waitlist. Increasing diagnostic hub support. We're going to directly fund parents so that they have more choice for their child. But let me be perfectly clear, and I say this to the member opposite. If you think it's fine to ignore 75% of the children in this province that's your prerogative. But this government will stand for this. Remind all members once again. This is the provincial parliament of Ontario. You make your comments through the chair. Even in question period. At all times. Start the clock. Final supplementary. Here it looks like the minister mistook my disgust for something else. Parents are desperate for the treatment and therapy that their children need to thrive. That was clear yesterday. It's been years and years and years and the sad thing is this minister knows it. Treatment and therapy that the vast majority of them couldn't dream of paying for themselves and she knows that as well, Speaker. Treatment and therapy that they are selling their homes and remortgaging and going deeply into debt in order to provide. And she knows that too. Instead of offering help, however, the Ford government tells parents that there's no point in having any hope. Yesterday an MPP was booted from the government caucus for insulting parents. What is this? Isn't it more insulting to tell these parents that they should give up hope and settle in for four long years? Minister. I understand she wants to portray a certain narrative speaker. The problem is, however, when I saw the wait list of 23,000 children Opposition come to order. So we increased the budget for this program from $256 million to $321 million. We are doubling our investment into diagnostic hubs at CHEO, at Aaron Oak, at Holland Bloorview and other places including in the north. We are going to enable and empower families to have a childhood budget where they will work with Autism Ontario who we signed a $700,000 contract with to help navigate the system so mums and dads can best utilize that support. We're going to provide choice. Parents say that sometimes ABA doesn't work for their child but they would like a technological aid to help them. I'm going to give a quick answer to those I've seen across the province as I chore children's treatment center. Please understand this. This is a very important priority for this government. That's why this plan will be implemented and that's why we'll clear the wait list for 18 months. Next question. Leader of the Opposition. Thank you speaker. My next question is for the Minister of Health Ontario worried about the Ford government's plans to create a mega agency with a mandate to privatize in our health care system. Can the Minister tell us what frontline health staff she's consulted as she's developed this plan or is she still denying that the plan exists? The Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. Well I can absolutely tell the Leader of the Opposition that we are not looking at privatization. What we are looking at is strengthening of the system. You know and I know that there are concerns there are gaps there are problems in our public health care system as people are transitioning from hospital to home care or to long-term care. First of all we know there aren't enough long-term care spots. There's 30,000 people in Ontario waiting for a long-term care spot. We have 1200 people every day in hospitals across Ontario that are receiving care in hallways and storage rooms in hospitals and we know that there are thousands of people waiting for mental health and addictions treatment. So what we are looking at is a transformative plan but it is to strengthen our public health care system where people will continue to use their OHIP card to pay for their services. Supplementary. Thank you Speaker. Of course today we are joined in the legislature by the registered nurses from across Ontario many of the members in the chamber introduced them this morning and we're very pleased to provide the sort of care difference for patients. Their focus today is not on creating a new health mega agency or more for profit care in our health care system. It's investing in primary care and calling on government to fill the 10,000 nursing vacancies in Ontario hospitals. The Ford government has found money to pay Reuben Devlin to help sell privatization plans. When will they listen to nurses and start investing in frontline staff or hospitals because we need them desperately if we're going to tackle hallway medicine. Thank you Minister. To the leader of the official opposition we are intending to strengthen our public health care system. We're continuing our consultations with health service providers and with patients and families. Those consultations started from the day that I was declared and sworn in as Minister of Health and those conversations continue to this day. I have also had the opportunity to tour a number of our hospitals and speak with the health care professionals providing care in the frontline. They don't want to be taking care of patients in hallways. That's not what they were trained to do. It's putting incredible stress on them as well as on the patients and families that are receiving care. We want to end hallway medicine. We want to make sure that we can get people timely or access to treatment and we want to make sure that people continue to feel connected to their health care system throughout their lives. That is what we're working on and that is we are going to deliver the message. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. Last month I hosted a community awareness night about human trafficking in my riding of Chatham-Kent Leamington. Despite the subject matter being heavy, the event was a success with over 600 in attendance. My motive was to keep my community safe from these predators, as I'm sure you'll notice here in the legislature. Attendees were shocked to hear from local police, social workers and survivor support networks about how deep the crisis of human trafficking runs in Ontario and how young women and girls of all backgrounds some as young as 12 are being forced into sex work. Given that tomorrow is Human Trafficking Awareness Day, can the Minister explain how our government plans to bring awareness to this issue? My question is to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. Thank you very much, Speaker. I really appreciate the dedication the member from Chatham-Kent has put into this issue. I was very impressed that he had 600 people attend his public meeting and I'm looking forward to going back into his community to continue to support the work that he's doing. Obviously I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the great work that the Labour Minister Laurie Scott did in opposition and there's been a number of other members that have been doing some great work. So let me tell you and let me start with what we're going to do. We made an historic investment into Violence Against Women just before Christmas, $174 million that we are investing not only to support Violence Against Women but also to eradicate sex trafficking in our communities. I held a round table with the member from Renfrew who is our Natural Resources Minister and I'm working with the federal government at a task table and I'm very excited and I'm going to be today the member from Cambridge and the member from Mississauga Centre will be embarking on round table discussion throughout the province in order to around the people. I want to thank the Minister for her response and for taking such a strong stance against sex trafficking ensuring that our government works to educate Ontarians about this horrific practice. The sad reality is that this is a crime that impacts children about a quarter of victims of sex trafficking are under the age of 18. It even impacts our most vulnerable including the homeless who are targeted because they are particularly unguarded. Traffickers exploit their vulnerabilities and trap them in a cycle of abuse even when these girls manage to escape the effects are long lasting it's a crime that doesn't discriminate it can happen in our biggest cities and our smallest towns Speaker my question is two fold first what is the Minister doing to ensure young girls across Ontario are safe and second the actions are being taken for those fleeing violence in rural areas Thank you Congratulations from Cambridge who is my parliamentary assistant as well as a member from Mississauga Centre who will be embarking on round tables across the province meeting with law enforcement but also with victims and survivors and those who are working in this space and so I'm really excited that as we lead into human trafficking or sex trafficking as I call it because it is Ontario's dirty little secret and we're going to continue to support those efforts and I'll continue to work with the federal government so we can make sure that we have support across all jurisdictions and in terms of our rural support speaker thanks to the members of this male members of this caucus from rural communities across Ontario who have sought and seen violence against women we have invested 1.5 million in rural communities across Ontario we have invested 1.5 million against women we have invested 1.5 million dollars just for rural initiatives for communities like hers across the province Thank you Question for Kiwet Nong Mr. Speaker my question is to the Deputy Premier on January 16th Catholic First Nation declared a state of emergency due to black mold 87 out of that 128 homes are inhabitable I visited Catholic two weeks ago to see the state of the community for myself what I saw was very shocking I saw young children and babies covered in rashes and was told about elders about serious lung infections one parent told me about this 12 year old daughter about a rash on her face and neck so bad that she wouldn't leave her bedroom the mother was worried about her mental health Mr. Speaker two days ago the community lost a mother grandmother and wife Nashi Ombash passed away in Thunder Bay seeking treatment for pneumonia and breathing problems that her doctor said were likely caused by the mold in her home let me remind you everyone Ontario is a signatory to Treaty 9 and such has a legal obligation to all First Nation communities in the territory including Cat Lake I would like to know Mr. Speaker how the Deputy Premier plans to honour Ontario's Treaty obligation to Cat Lake in relation to the mold crisis in the community The Deputy Premier Minister of Indigenous Affairs Thank you Mr. Speaker I think I speak on behalf of all my colleagues in the Progressive Conservative Party that were deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Nashi Ombash First Nation we take the safety and well-being of all of our communities and in particular isolated and remote First Nations communities who are more vulnerable in certain circumstances as a top priority I've had discussions with the Chief and Council we're coordinating our efforts with respect to their declaration of an emergency response we continue to help them find solutions for their housing crisis and for their environment to live up to their responsibilities I've been in that position before where we've helped communities build new suburbs build housing so that their folks can have safer, cleaner environments to live in. Thank you Mr. Speaker many of my colleagues have committed to visiting and helping Cat Lake but this is not the same as living in these conditions for the entire lifetime the mold crisis in Cat Lake is now a public health emergency health and First Nations communities is a clear responsibility of the provincial government with urgency Mr. Speaker will the Deputy Premier send a community health assessment team to Cat Lake First Nations immediately a 12 year old girl and a community of Cat Lake cannot wait Mr. Speaker and I thank the member for his question as I said earlier we continue to work in a coordinated manner with all of our stakeholders and partners under the declaration of an emergency I've had a chance to live and work in Cat Lake over the course of a number of years we've had our discussions with the Chief and Council we're very productive we shared our profound disappointment for the federal government's responsibility for housing for ensuring that they have safe affordable clean housing we'll continue in our efforts to support Cat Lake First Nations thank you Mr. Speaker next question the member for Mississauga thank you Mr. Speaker my question today is for the Attorney General we on this side of the house have a deep respect for the important work done by law enforcement professionals we know that they are heroes keeping our community safe yesterday the Minister for Community Safety and Correctional Services introduced a very important piece of legislation Bill 68 the Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act Speaker the Liberals also had a piece of policing legislation Bill 175 it was plain and simple the most anti-police legislation in Canadian history I know that our hardworking Minister and Attorney General listened to our men and women in uniforms and worked tirelessly to get this bill right our police deserve nothing but respect for the work that they do with the Attorney General please tell us what frontline officers are saying about this government's proposed changes the Attorney General Mr. Speaker I'd like to thank the member for Mississauga Centre for her question our legislation will if passed provide transparency and clarity to police officers police chiefs and to the people of Ontario I'd like to let you know Mr. Speaker what Rob Jameson the President and CEO of the Ontario Police Provincial Police Association has said the work OPPA members do every day keeps the people of our province safe unfortunately challenges in the current legislation make it more difficult for the police to do their jobs the changes proposed by the government intend to empower police across Ontario to ensure community safety Mr. Speaker our government is committed to keeping our community safe and to giving our frontline officers the tools that they need to do their jobs supplementary thank you Madam Minister I'm happy to hear that our government for the people listened the concerns of all our police officers I believe that this bill is harmonized and respectful I know that the policemen and police women in my community in everywhere in Ontario will be happy about these changes I was concerned yesterday when I heard what was happening in the investigations if these people could not stop a suicide attempt or if they try to save a life by administering a first aid I'm thinking of this courageous people who faced the Danforth shooting on this side of the house we know that our police officers have all the right training and risk everything so we could be safe can the minister tell us how these changes will improve conditions for our police officers thank you Mr. Speaker I want to be clear our government knows that women in uniforms are everyday heroes to give more transparency and clarity we have a special unit we will concentrate our investigations where we need it meaning on the criminal activities within a service which is transparent, efficient and fair this bill will make it clear where there is obligation to say something such as when there is force used or there are really there is a death and when there is also someone who has been harmed and when there is sexual aggressions this bill meets the needs of all the TELIC judges recommendations and his independent investigation thank you next question for Windsor West thank you speaker my question is to the deputy premier last week I attended a rally at the MCCSS office in Windsor alongside almost 100 parents and workers who are disgusted by the conservative government's changes to the Ontario autism program the new plan leaves all children with autism to make do with less they will have access to less funding which means fewer hours of vital therapy and treatment it means children will not be able to reach their full potential and when they turn 18 they will be cut off altogether and forced on a wait list for adult support that is several years long will the deputy premier show some leadership and change this disastrous autism plan deputy premier minister of children community and social service thank you very much speaker I appreciate the member opposite bringing those concerns to the assembly I know she is a private member's bill later on today about developmental disabilities which we are pleased to offer our support in government I also want to just to clear up a misconception she may have because it appears that they are talking about wait lists in several years and people aging out of programs the real issue here is the 23,000 children by their Ontario government three out of four children in Ontario are on an endless wait list with no light at the end of the tunnel that is our motivation that is why we are moving to a direct funding model that is why we are increasing funding in diagnostic hubs and encouraging more investment in Northern Ontario we are going to continue to support this program I think it's important that the members opposite understand that this is the plan that will be implemented supplementary the real issue is that the minister thinks that their autism program is actually making it better for people in this province and that she actually thinks that 14 to 16,000 adults with developmental disabilities sitting on a wait list for four to five years for support is not a problem that's the issue with this minister back to the deputy premier in 2016 autism families fought tooth and nail to get the Liberal government to recognize that autism doesn't end at five now these families are fighting like hell again because not only is this government forcing children with autism to go without necessary therapy they are exclusively focused on Ontarians with autism under the age of 18 the deputy premier needs to understand that autism doesn't end at five it doesn't end at 18 either in fact there are many developmental disabilities this government must recognize that need additional support down syndrome, cerebral palsy fetal alcohol syndrome and many many more with the deputy premier past my private members bill Noa and Gregory's law ensure it actually makes it through committee back into the house supported at third reading and demonstrate that adults with developmental disabilities deserve this government support Can't take yes for an answer I said in the first question response that yes the government will be supporting her private members bill this afternoon with respect to inclusion and I did send her a note earlier in question period to let me know that we would be supporting the legislation but unfortunately I have a speech that I have to give in Colberg so I can't let my support this afternoon but you have it this morning so there's that but a Christine a mom of an autistic 11 year old child said under the OAP we had to pay for his therapies because they weren't ABA, why? These therapies were totally amazing for my son but the OAP seemed to think there was only one way to learn how to brush your teeth maybe the new plan will allow families to choose what's best for them and I'm proud to stand here today speaker and say yes that's what we're doing we're also going to make sure that there's going to be more supports in our school system from said Ottawa center who basically said yesterday we need to rethink the program because it will ruin our public school system does she believe autistic children should be included in our school system yes or no the member for Ottawa center come to order member for Windsor west come to order the member for Windsor west come to order next question member for Guelph my question is for the attorney general rape crisis centers provide essential services for women who need life saving and life affirming help right now the need for these vital services is on the rise but many centers operate at 1990 staffing levels yet your ministry is frozen a promise funding increase that right rape crisis centers desperately need right now minister when will you release this funding so frontline workers can deliver the services women in crisis need and deserve minister respond I'll say once again please make your comments through the chair the attorney general let me be clear our government has zero tolerance for sexual assault for harassment and for any form of violence against women or against anyone in our communities our government stands with victims of crime and all Ontarians who live free from violence that's why we're committed to providing victims with the services and the supports that they need my ministry is long with with the minister of community and social services are working hard to review the programs that our province offers and the funding commitments that the previous government made to make sure that we are supporting victims of crime in a way that meets their direct needs in their communities where they live and to do so in a sustainable way supplementary Mr. Speaker I think we all stand with women in crisis but we can't stand behind a funding review and deny rape crisis centers the funding they need right now the government was able to find money to give a tax cut to the 1% but they're not able to find money to help women experiencing sexual violence who need it right now rape crisis center staff have met with the ministry they've asked for when funding will be released so through you Mr. Speaker to the minister can the minister today let Ontarians know when the ministry will have an answer on whether these funds will be released minister let me be clear the previous Liberal government had 15 years to address the increase of sexual assault centers and rape crisis centers we're dealing with and they chose on the eve of election to promise much needed funding to these centers without attaching funding to that promise Mr. Speaker we take the need that these centers are facing very seriously and are working closely with those centers and with victims across the province to ensure that we are meeting the needs that they have and to do so in a sustainable way Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker my question is for the minister of government and consumer services yesterday the ministry the minister announced a plan for our government to reform Ontarian for most Ontarians buying a home is the most expensive decision they will make in their life but it's not just about expense every Ontarian should feel safe and secure too many Ontarians have told me this is not the case I have been told and I have heard a number of stories from many of my connoisseurs and from across the province about the stress and frustration they felt while dealing with Ontarian Mr. Speaker to the minister could you tell us what steps you are taking to deal with the problem faced by too many Ontarians when dealing with Ontarian Mr. Government consumer services Thank you very much Mr. Speaker and I would like to thank the honourable member from Mississaug Air Mill for his excellent question I too have heard stories of stress and frustration across this province for our government one thing is clear Tarion is broken that's why I was happy to announce yesterday and poor hope with my colleague the great member from Northumberland Peterborough our people is transforming Tarion our government is establishing a new separate regulator from Tarion from new home builders and vendors we are also exploring the feasibility of a multi provider model for new home warranties we are introducing new initiatives to better inform and protect purchasers of cancelled condominium projects and Mr. Speaker we intend to introduce proposed legislation that if passed would require Tarion to make executive board compensation publicly available and rebalance the board with the broader skills matrix through these actions Mr. Speaker we are cleaning the mess at Tarion in order to put the people of Ontario first and we are going to build subways supplementary Mr. Speaker I would like to thank the minister for the action he is taking to bring a relief to countless Ontario families Mr. Speaker I want to lay out some of the most common complaints I hear about dealing with Tarion first Tarion is unresponsive difficult to deal with and no transparent to make matter worse Tarion is responsible not only for the home warranties but also for regulating builders and vendors in the ministry the Honourable Justice Douglas Cunningham even addressed these issues in his 2016 independent report Mr. Speaker can the minister explain how his plan addresses these concerns as part of our plan to strengthen consumers protection in these problems Mr. Speaker Thank you very much Mr. Speaker and again to my colleague the Honourable Member for Mrs. O'Garon Mills for his excellent question unfortunately the previous Liberal Government did very little with the Honourable Justice Douglas Cunningham's report noted in Justice Cunningham's report is an inherent conflict of interest in the current structure of Tarion which is vulnerable establishing a separate regulator from Tarion for new home builders and vendors program will address this conflict of interest that currently exists and start to return trust to the people of Ontario our intent to introduce proposed legislation that if passed will make executive compensation at Tarion publicly available and rebounce the board for a more equal representation will create transparency and accountability at Tarion we will be consulting about the viability of a multi provider model for home warranties as well as listening to all those affected by issues with Tarion to ensure reforms deal with the root of the problem Mr. Speaker, these are just the first steps on the road to reforming Tarion and strengthening consumer protections in this province and we will continue to move forward with strengthening consumer protection for the people of Ontario Thank you Next question, Member for London West Thank you Speaker My question is to the Deputy Premier Speaker, London parents of children with autism are united in opposing the changes to the autism program whether they are on or off the waitlist two of these London parents are at Queens Park today Brandy Taps five year old son Henry was diagnosed with severe autism at age two Henry is a beautiful little boy who is non-verbal and incontinent after three years on the waitlist Henry started the autism program and has already made progress in just two months His parents are heartbroken that the changes to the program will rip Henry's therapy away from him Speaker, how can this government justify a plan that will deny Henry and thousands like him the intensive supports he is finally receiving Deputy Premier Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Thank you very much Speaker and thanks to the member opposite for bringing Brandy here today I appreciate her concern we are trying to bring forward a plan and we are going to bring forward a plan that is fair and equitable and sustainable there are 23,000 children in Ontario being denied support from their Ontario government so what we have done is put a plan in place that will clear the waitlist for diagnosis by doubling the investment into diagnostic hubs so that they can have choice whether behavioural therapy works for them or whether technological aids works for them we are going to empower parents for choice with a direct funding model and I am resolute in the fact that we must support every child not just 25% of them ignoring and turning a blind eye to three quarters of the children who are on a waitlist is unacceptable to me and I think it is important that the member opposite is truthful with her constituents and allows them to understand that that waitlist Speaker again to the deputy Premier Sarah Farance is also here today from London and her son is on the waitlist Sarah is the mother of another beautiful little boy three year old Mason Mason is non-verbal can be aggressive with others and runs off at any time after two years of desperately seeking answers Mason was diagnosed with autism in October and is now on the waitlist the estimated annual cost for Mason's therapy is $80,000 but the new program will only cover a tiny fraction of these costs without the therapy that Mason needs Sarah can't find a day care spot for him and she is terrified for his safety if she sends him to kindergarten in the fall Speaker how can this government justify a plan that will deny Mason who are on the waitlist the intensive therapy he is waiting for Speaker the member opposite has been in this house for the past three days where I have been very clear under the old plan the waitlist was endless for her to suggest to Mason's parents that he would get off a waitlist at any point in time is not it's unconscionable because she understands it's a false hope which is why we had to change the program we were not supporting three quarters of the children like Mason in the province of Ontario because they were languishing on a waitlist this way within the next 18 months Mason will be off of the waitlist Mason will be eligible for direct funding and Mason's parents are going to have to choose how he best gets support whether that's behavioral therapy whether it's a technological aid whether it's caregiver training or care speaker but we remain on this house declaring that waitlist in the next 18 months so children with Mason will get a fighting chance a member for Kitchener South has played thank you speaker my question is for the minister of community safety and fractional services Mr. Speaker our government for the people has remained committed to public safety across this great province the daily duties of a police officer are dangerous and the brave men and women of our police services deserve our respect and support Mr. Speaker the previous Liberal government's legislation Bill 175 represented a significant step backwards it was a step backwards for policing in Ontario at a time when the government the police and the people should have been partners in the name of public safety it demonstrated to the people of Ontario that the previous Liberal government did not respect the work that our police officers do to keep us safe Mr. Speaker could the minister please let us know our government's comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act will better provide support for police officers and keep people safe in my writing at Kitchener South Hasbler and across Ontario thank you Minister of Community Safety thank you very much speaker and to the member from Kitchener South Hasbler you have been a very busy parliamentarian and I very much appreciate your interest in Bill 68 members of our caucus have seen the incredible work that our police do each and every day to keep our family safe so much of this work is silent preventative and unseen but sometimes it requires to put them in harm's way and occasionally it requires them to make difficult life or death decisions in the blink of an eye every day our police officers can be counted on to protect us they have always had our back Mr. Speaker it's about time they have a government that has theirs and announced changes to protect police officers who attempt to save a life by delivering a laxon our government's comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act is based on the same principle the police should not be punished for keeping us safe and Bill 68 will ensure that that is the case thank you and certainly for all the work that you are doing for our police officers across this province Mr. Speaker as a member of this government for the people I am proud to stand here today and know that we have kept another promise that we made to the people in Ontario this proposed legislation will make good on our government's promise to fix the policing legislation the previous liberal government broke Mr. Speaker by proposing the comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act our government is acting on its commitment to restore the relationship between the government and the police to one of mutual respect and dedication Mr. Speaker can the minister highlight now for us some of the other key aspects of our proposed legislation Minister for the question it's time to put public safety first our government for the people is listening to police and our proposed legislation delivers rational solutions to fix the issues plagued by the previous liberal government's bill 175 the liberal bill included a laundry list of police services that could be privatized this created a fear that if you called 911 someone other than a police officer would show up at your door if passed our legislation will restore trust that in an emergency a police officer will answer your call the previous government's legislation did not consider the principles of fairness or due process for our police officers not only was this unfair it was disrespectful to the police officers to keep their lives to keep us safe if passed our legislation will make the disciplinary process fair to police officers police will no longer be treated as if they are guilty until proven innocent thank you question the member for London North Centre my question is for the deputy premier last week I had the pleasure of meeting Andrea and Eric the proud parents of five year old Henrik Henrik is autistic and was non-verbal before he began IBI therapy Henrik now attends kindergarten has friends makes eye contact and calls his parents mom and dad consistency and repetition are fundamental for children with autism but this government changes to the autism program puts Henrik's growth in jeopardy access to consistent therapy is necessary for Henrik to build on his progress parents tell me this government's new program will steal their children's smiles words and take away their friends under this government's plan Henrik won't receive the 30 to 40 hours of therapy per week he has so greatly benefited from appropriate support is not false hope Mr. Speaker why is this government forcing parents like Andrea to do more with less deputy premier Mr. Children Community and Social Service Mr. Speaker I want to say thank you to the member opposite for bringing Henrik's story to the legislative assembly he sounds like an amazing child and I'm glad that you're an advocate for him but let's be perfectly clear and I hate to sound like a broken record we have 23,000 children who are being denied support by their Ontario government today when I assumed office six months ago the first issue I was briefed on was the long wait list in the autism program as well as the fact that it was so I understand and I appreciate the passion from the member opposite but I have an equal passion to ensure that every single child in Ontario that has autism has access to support from their Ontario government and that is why we are going to clear the wait list while we doubled the investment into diagnostic sending more support to Northern Ontario and why we are going to introduce and empower parents for choice for the services that they believe are best suited for their child supplementary to the member for London Fanshawe Thank you Speaker my question is to Deputy Premier Maria Desai is a constituent of mine who has an eight year old son with autism Maria has said that the government's plan will only support her son for two months she is a seasonal worker with no health benefits with services being so expensive she is thinking of selling her home but her son still receives the therapy he deserves she told me my son cannot speak out against this he is non-verbal I need to be his voice this is going to be terrible for our family and others so Maria wants to know why won't this government commit to providing services for children like Maria's son the support they need and deserve thank you to the member from London Fanshawe for bringing her constituents concerns to the floor of this assembly and I do appreciate Maria being an advocate for her child and if I had the same beliefs I would probably be in the same boat but my commitment is to ensure that every single child in the province of Ontario who has autism has access to service from their Ontario government I don't understand why the NDP supported the previous Liberal Plan that excluded three out of four children I also don't understand why they don't stand out and defend those 23,000 children who are on an endless wait list with no end in sight Speaker we are standing on this side of the house and part of that side of the house to ensure that every child has a fighting chance and that their parents have the support they need to provide next question start the clock the member for Niagara West thank you speaker my question is speaker just recently in the long term care as well as the minister of infrastructure visited Hotel Dew Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre in Niagara to announce a $500,000 planning grant for the proposed expansion of rehabilitation services I've heard from many of my constituents who are grateful that our government is making the investments necessary to build a healthcare system centered around the patient and I want to thank the ministers for their commitments to the people of Niagara as well as the incredible staff at Hotel Dew Shaver and the nurses who are in the legislature today for their great service to so many who have benefited from their care can the minister please explain why these projects are so important not only for the region of Niagara but also for the province as a whole Minister of health and long term care I'd like to thank the member from Niagara West for his question and also for welcoming both me and the minister of infrastructure to Niagara as many of us know there is an increasing demand for services in Ontario Patients want to know that the care they need will be there for them when and where they need it and that's why I was proud to visit Niagara to announce a $500,000 planning grant for the proposed expansion project at Hotel Dew Shaver Our government is determined to ensure that everyone in Ontario has access to high quality reliable public health care that they expect and deserve This is one of the many essential health care projects we are proud to be investing in as we remain committed to building a public health care system that is centered around the patient Thank you Supplementary Minister for your answer After 15 years of liberal waste neglect and mismanagement Patients across Niagara know that they need and deserve better health care and providing support for better facilities rehabilitation services for my neighbours I know my constituents appreciate the work of the ministers and their commitment to meeting the needs of the families in the region So can the minister please explain how this planning grant aims at providing the best possible care for patients in Niagara before the first shovel even goes into the ground Minister Thank you very much I welcome the Deputy Premier and myself to his riding this month Mr. Speaker Infrastructure is more than steel bricks and mortar Infrastructure is about the people that it helps It is the facilities like the Hotel to Shaver where people with complex care needs get better It takes a lot of work to make sure good infrastructure is built in our province That's why I'm so pleased Mr. Speaker I'm excited to see how the development of these projects plans helps to expand rehabilitation options for both the members neighbours and the people all across this region and Ontario Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Mr. Speaker My question to the Deputy Premier Good morning Laurie has a daughter who was in turn eighteen She was recently diagnosed with autism and also suffers from mental health challenges last summer she has been unable to get access to the support she needs Speaker Lori's daughter will age out of the special services at home program and the Ontario Autism Program in September, likely without ever receiving any of the care that was promised. Speaker, can the Deputy Premier commit today to releasing those funds so this young girl comes off the waitlist and gets the help it's been proven she so desperately needs? I thank him for the question and I thank him for bringing Lori's story to the floor of this assembly. It's stories like hers that motivated me to clear the waitlist in the next 18 months because we feel it's unacceptable for children to languish on an endless waitlist without any level of support from their Ontario government which is why we're going to ensure that those three out of four children that are being denied support right now are given the support they are for their they need for their Ontario government. He also talked about special services at home. I would be happy to meet with the member opposite after question period to get more details with that particular program and have my staff work with his staff to see if there's a way that we can support her once she transitions out of into adulthood. That is a very important issue that we are looking at and I'll continue to work with the member opposite to address these issues. Member for Parkdale High Park supplementary. Thank you speaker my questions to the Deputy Premier. Parents in my riding have been contacting me furious and frustrated that the long waitlist to receive autism treatment continues despite the minister's claim that the waitlist will be eliminated. One such constituent is Lorena the mother of a wonderful little boy Brian. Brian has already been on the waitlist for almost two years. Lorena calls the ministry after the government's announcement only to learn that the waitlist is still another 18 months. Nothing's changed. Speaker can the minister tell Lorena why her son is being forced to wait years for a fraction of the therapy he needs? Minister what a great question I could have written it myself speaker because the entire motivation for the plan that we announced two weeks ago was to clear the waitlist for Lorena's son. That is what we want to do under the previous liberal government. That waitlist could have gone on for 18 years. That is unacceptable. It's unconscionable. It's unfair. It's unequitable. And I'll tell you something else. It was unsustainable. So what we have done is we have increased our spend in this ministry from 256 million which was budgeted to $321 million. We're double the investment into diagnostic hubs and once children are diagnosed they will then have an ability to be directly funded from their Ontario government for the first time in the history of this province. Every single child who requires support from their Ontario government will receive it and I'm delighted to go back to Lorena and let her know within 18 months I'll have that list cleared because the Liberals didn't get it done. Thank you Mr. Speaker. My questions for the minister of tourism culture and sports. I was Mr. Speaker to the minister I was pleased to hear that you traveled to Red Deer Alberto last week to meet with ministers responsible from sport all across Ontario to meet with the federal provincial territorial leaders at this meeting. I also understand that the minister attended the kickoff for the Canada Games while he was there. As we all know sports is a very big part of Ontario. It's ingrained in our DNA when we are born. When we're on the trails we're running we're swimming we're hiking and we're biking but as we've seen with many files by the previous government many things can be improved. So I wanted to ask the minister can you update this house on your meeting in Red Deer. Through you Mr. Speaker and to the member I'd like to thank you for that question. It was an honour for me to attend the federal provincial and territorial ministers of sport meeting in cold but beautiful Red Deer Alberta. While I was there I also had the chance to see team Ontario who were there for the 2019 Canada Games which kicked off just this past weekend. Ontario is sending a full contingent of 350 athletes 45 coaches and 52 other support positions including managers technical support and volunteers from 111 different municipalities from across the province. The Canada Games are an important part of the development of young athletes here in Ontario and across the country in developing and showcasing their tremendous skills. I'd like to take this spot wish team Ontario good luck the rest of the way and let members and those watching at home know that you can catch the games on Canada Games website and TSN until March 3rd. Good luck to team Ontario. Who's the time we have available for question period this morning? Point of order. Member for St. Catherine. Thank you. I'd like to welcome Liam Warren from St. Catherine's from the Francophone Youth Parliament today this morning in with the legislature welcome Liam and also I'd like to welcome my fellow co-workers from the hotel do shaver to make sure the expansion funding and shovels do hit the ground. Member for Toronto St. Paul's on a point of order. Sure. Since we don't sit on Fridays I wanted to give a special shout out to Girl Guides of Canada National Office located in my riding. Each year on February 22nd Girl Guides and Girls Counts across the world celebrate World Thinking Day. It is dedicated to the group of girls who took the lead in 1909 and demanded Lord Baden Powell who formed the Boy Scouts movement create something for the girls. This year's World Thinking Day theme is leadership. World Thinking Day is a special day to reflect on issues that are. I appreciate that very much. Thank you. Point of order. The Deputy Premier. Take this opportunity to welcome Angela Cooper-Bethwaite who is the president of RNAO. Welcome to Queens Park and the government House Leader on a point of order. Point of order Speaker. I just want to congratulate our member from Mississauga East Cooksville. Mr. Rashid. He and his wife Sophia had a brand new baby earlier this week. Welcome here to the air. Pursuant to standing order 38A. The member for Kiwet Nong has given notice of his dissatisfaction with the answer to his question given by the Minister of Indigenous Affairs concerning Cat Lake First Nation declaration of emergency. This matter will be debated Tuesday at 6 p.m. Thank to inform the House that pursuant to standing order 98C. A change has been made in the order of precedence on the ballot list for private members public business such that Mr. Miller, Perry Samoskoka assumes ballot item number 85 and Mr. Babikian assumes ballot item number 67. We have a deferred vote on government notice of motion number 30 relating to the allocation of time on bill 48. An act to amend various acts in relation to education and childcare. Call in the members. This is a five-minute bell. Please take their seats. Please take your seats. Please take their seats. On February 20th, 2019, Mr. Smith Bay of Quinty moved government notice of motion number 30 relating to allocation of time on bill 48. All those in favor of the motion will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the clerk. Mr. Smith Bay of Quinty, Mr. Walker, Mr. Wall, Ms. Thompson, Mr. Bethlenfall, Mr. Fidelli, Mr. Fidelli, Ms. Elliott, Mr. Eurick, Ms. Morrouni, Ms. Morrouni, Ms. McLeod, Mr. Clark, Mr. Clark, Ms. Yakibusky, Mr. Hardin, Mr. Hardin, Mr. Tavola, Mr. Tavola, Mr. Barrett, Mr. Beirut, Mr. Petipi, Mr. Petipi, Ms. Marto, Mr. Baley, Mr. Bailey, Mr. McNaw, Mr. Macnaw, Ms. Fullerton, Ms. Fullerton, Ms. Scott, Ms. Scott, Ms. Jones, Ms. Jones, Mr. Carr-Hollis, Ms. Feet, Ms. Feet, Mr. Smith, Peterborough Caworthy, Ms. Kanger, Ms. Pachini, Mr. Pachini, Mr. Crank, Ms. Crank, Ms. Y, Ms. Y, Ms. Tangley, Ms. Tangley, Mr. Bowman, Ms. Rashid, Ms. Rashid, Mr. Sandu, Ms. Crawford, Ms. Crawford, Mr. Anon, Ms. Cousetto, Ms. Dunlop, Ms. Dunlop, Mr. Kanapati, Mr. Kanapati, Ms. Babikian, Mr. Babikian, Ms. Babi, Mr. Payne, Mr. Payne, Ms. Tanigasa, Ms. Sabawi. All those opposed to the motion will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the clerk. Mr. Bisson, Ms. Singh Branson-Senor, Mr. Vantah, Ms. Horvath, Ms. Horvath, Mr. Natascha, Ms. Fife, Ms. Sattler, Ms. Begum, Ms. Begum, Mr. Mamakwa, Mr. Mamakwa, Ms. Yard, Mr. Yard, Ms. Carpoche, Ms. Carpoche, Ms. Shamantha, Ms. Lindo, Ms. Armstrong, Ms. Armstrong, Ms. Stiles, Ms. Stiles, Ms. Stevens, Mr. Gates, Ms. Gretzky, Ms. Gretzky, Ms. French, Ms. French, Ms. Andrew, Ms. Andrew, Mr. Hatfield, Mr. Hatfield, Mr. Birch, Mr. Birch, Ms. Burns-McGallan, Ms. Burns-McGallan, Mr. Arthur, Mr. Arthur, Ms. Sherbrook-Wang, Ms. Sherbrook-Wang, Ms. Bell, Ms. Bell, Mr. Glover, Ms. Glover, Ms. Morrison, Ms. Morrison, Mr. Rikosevic, Mr. Rikosevic, Mr. Hardin, Mr. Hardin, Ms. Montieth-Farrow, Mr. Montieth-Farrow, Mr. Hassan, Mr. Hassan, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Coteau, Mr. Coteau, Mr. Madame Lalonde, Mr. Shrine, Mr. Shrine. The ayes are 66, the nays are 36. The ayes being 66, and the nays being 36. I declare the motion carried. This House stands in recess until one o'clock this afternoon.