 It is time for a question period the leader of rematches Mr. Speaker to the Premier It was the last question period before Christmas went all through the house The ministers were retiring, but scandals they couldn't do without they see the waste highlighted with the auditor with care Will the Premier emit her hydro plan is unfair Start the block Well, mr. Speaker in the spirit of the question I want to wish everyone in in this house a very happy holiday and a merry Christmas People of the province at this time of year whether it's Hanukkah whether it's Christmas Celebration of lights celebration of light in darkness is really important And so I hope everyone has an opportunity to spend some time with the people who they love the most and now in in response to To the verse from the cross the way mr. Speaker. I will just say I will just say that our plan to Help people with their Electricity costs our plan to make the system more fair for people in urban centers and in rural centers Mr.. Speaker is just that it is fair and it is Meaning that people are getting an average of a 25 percent reduction in their hydro bills Supplementary the members and hella burdens for the lake spot. Thank you mr. Speaker back to the premier The ministers have briefing books reading with dread while visions of scandal dance through their heads The premier envisions ways the opposition she'll trap Why won't she close the education skills gap? The in terms of in terms of education in this province, you know, we're today. We are we're celebrating The move towards Recognizing supporting funding the Aboriginal technical Institute mr. Speaker We have students in in this province who are enjoying free tuition. We are Putting into our into our curriculum experiential learning and working with unions and working with Business mr. Speaker working with corporations to provide learning opportunities for young people We have put in place more supports for young people to get jobs and support employers to hire young people So mr. Speaker in fact in fact Education is a priority for this government. It always has been answer and it is why mr. Speaker We see companies coming to this province because of our highly skilled Final supplementary the members from the pn carlson on their rose such a Member sprang from their chairs to see what's the matter away to the chamber They ran in a flash will the Treasury stop paying for partisan ads with taxpayer cash There's in critics here mr. Speaker the The the verse from the other side Mr. Speaker as the as the member knows This is the only province in the country. This is the only government in Canada that has in place rules around Advertising mr. Speaker that we have put in place because because of egregious breaches of Partizanship in the past mr. Speaker and so we're very very Committed to that we have rules in place about partisan advertising mr. Speaker and those will stay in place because we believe and we are the first Government to put those in place and we believe that it's important that government advertising not be partisan That's why those rules are in place. Thank you New question the member from it was saying the Premier Speaker the families were nestled ice cold in their beds Well 12% more hydro cuts danced in their heads they prayed for relief from cold and from cough Can you please Premier promise you won't cut their hydro off? Thank you mr. Speaker and keeping with the Christmas theme, it's only that party that's talking about coal Which is something that Santa gives to 90 people mr. Speaker, and it's that side Getting all the poll this year mr. Speaker especially when you look at our hydro plan Our hydro plan gives a 25% reduction on all bills for families and as many as a half a million small businesses and farms mr. Speaker and now in their there, you know people's garnish she Thank you for the MPP for ancaster for that and the people's garnish she they're now sneakily Including our own platform in their bill mr. Speaker So what is it mr. Speaker are they sticking with coal or they didn't want to stick with green mr. Speaker on this side of the house We're sticking with green we want to ensure that our system is clean and reliable and green so that we can continue to Bleed breathe clean air not coal mr. Speaker like that. They're putting in everyone's stocking Supplementary remember from Elgin middle-sex London so the Minister of Energy rises to spin in QP People are asking for relief. We all hear the pleas But instead the minister rises and spins with a bluster again Will they give 12% off bills is the question we must hear here? Thank you mr. Speaker, we're actually giving 25% off mr. Speaker That's something that they voted against and so they can bluster and moan all they would like mr. Speaker But we're making sure that we're helping families in this province We're making sure that at the end of the year that people have seen a lower hydro bill Mr. Speaker not unlike what they did mr. Speaker where they vote against it every single time They vote against making sure that we have a clean system They vote against voting that we give people a reduction mr. Speaker and when you look at their plan Even even the independent energy analysis are saying all of these new costs will put pressure Mr. Speaker on making sure that we can continue to invest in hospitals invest in schools Invest in roads mr. Speaker building this province up is what we have been doing and we mr. Speaker will make sure that we can do this with a clean reliable and an affordable electricity system Final supplementary the member from Dufferin Kellen energy environment and the Minister of Finance even Infrastructure active and the member from Grant around the caucus room. They say will you introduce long-lasting energy relief today? Thank you much very much mr. Speaker we introduced long-lasting energy reductions mr. Speaker in July They're now talking about doing something mr. Speaker that will not reduce anybody's bills mr. Speaker It's actually gonna make it more difficult for people at the end of the day when you're talking about 12 billion dollars in cuts mr. Speaker 12 billion dollars in cuts. What are they gonna cut? What's programs mr. Speaker when it's talking about energy? Are they gonna cut the Ontario electricity support program that helps low-income individuals? Are they gonna cut the First Nations delivery tax up? Wrap up please mr. Speaker are they gonna cut the First Nations delivery tax credit? You know what mr. Speaker we've seen this before just like the Harris years mr. Speaker they're gonna cut and slash everything That's what they're known for mr. Spear we can guarantee that thank you I want to start by on behalf of Ontario's new Democrats wishing everyone the best of the holiday season and a merry Christmas and Emerging people to remember those in our communities that are struggling speaker my questions for the premier for more than a year I've been hearing the heartbreaking stories of Ontario families who are being forced to Receive their medical care and public hallways and storage closets and shower rooms inside our overcrowded hospitals And for more than a year this premier has said everything is fine And she and her health minister have accused anyone criticizing them of fear mongering But just yesterday the Ontario hospital Association said that our hospital system is indeed on the bright brink of crisis When will this premier finally admit that the hallway medicine crisis in Ontario hospitals isn't fear mongering It's what patients across this province are experiencing each and every day Mr. Speaker we have been very clear on the side of the house that we recognize that there is more that needs to be done in Healthcare consistently every year we have made changes. We have increased funding So mr. Speaker to suggest that somehow we've been complacent and we have not recognized that their challenges is just Not the case. It's not true. Mr. Speaker and we have Demonstrated that concern by in our last budget Increasing funding to hospitals by five hundred million dollars. Mr. Speaker. We have demonstrated that commitment by in the recent weeks Working to solve the problem of the the surge of need Because of the flu season mr. Speaker opening beds making sure that that capacity is expanded So on this side of the house mr. Speaker. We are consistently looking for solutions working with Organizations like the Ontario Hospital Association and sir working with nurses working with doctors mr. Speaker to suggest that we've been complacent is just not Accurate thank you supplementary speaker. They haven't been complacent They brought hallway medicine to Nurses patients and families have been pushing the premier and her minister to take action on the over crowding Crisis at every opportunity It's not a surge speaker beginning in May 2016 we started to release evidence of severe Overcrowding in hospitals such as Toronto sick kids London health sciences Hamilton health sciences the Sue area hospital Peterborough hospital Scarborough Ottawa hospital Thunder Bay's hospital Sudbury's Bradford general Atobicoke general and of course Brampton Civic and many many more After more than a year of hearing just how bad this crisis is why is the premier still ignoring it? Premier mr. Speaker putting five hundred million dollars into the budget is not ignoring the problem We are absolutely clear mr. Speaker that there needs to be continued support and increased support for the health care system That's why a three percent increase to hospitals across the board in the budget was what we put forward mr. Speaker So again to suggest that we are not working to solve challenges to suggest mr. Speaker that we don't recognize that Hospitals need support that long-term care needs support mr. Speaker that home care needs support that mental health needs support mr. Speaker We have added support added money in each one of those areas and we will continue to do so mr. Speaker We recognize that health care is a cornerstone of how we see ourselves in this province and how we see ourselves in this country Our publicly funded health care system is essential and we will continue to support it We will continue to increase support as the need increases Speaker this creamier shorted the OHA ask in the current budget by three hundred million dollars Just yesterday we released information showing that st. Joe's Hospital in Hamilton reached the dangerously high occupancy level of 139% of August in August of this year the hospital has anywhere between five and 31 people Waiting in the emergency room every day for an inpatient bed the premier solution for st. Joe's Hospital in Hamilton 24 temporary beds It would be laughable if it wasn't so terribly wrong for patients who need a proper hospital bed Not a stretcher against a wall without a call button without privacy and without the decency the dignity that people deserve in hospital When will this love government actually get it together and start fixing the problems they created in our hospital? Minister of Health and long-term care mr. Health long-term care. Well, mr. And mr. Speaker I Appreciate the Christmas and the holiday spirit from the PC party mr. Speaker I think it's important that we recognize of the quality of the health care system We have in this province when we look at hospital mortality rates when we look at cancer outcomes When we look at avoidable deaths from health outcomes compared to other provinces Compared to other developed countries mr. Speaker Ontario outperforms all other provinces and is close to the top of the OECD In fact, we have the lowest rate of potential years of life lost in Canada We have the best five-year survival rates for prostate breast Cholorectal and lung cancers in Canada our more Rate for these same for cancers is among the best in the world We need to be proud of the outcomes that we've achieved Collectively as a province in the society No question the leader the third question is also for the premier. You know what we have in this province We have the lowest number of beds per capita in hospitals. We have the lowest funding per Patient in hospitals in our country. That's what we have after 14 years of liberal government between April 2016 and April 2017 we should all remember that Brampton Civic Hospital treated 4,352 Patients in the hallway speaker the facility was overcrowded the day it opened the premier's Complete lack of understanding about the needs of this fast-growing community is absolutely shocking It mirrors her complete lack of compassion about the overcrowding and hallway medicine crisis that she created all across Ontario Does this premier really not get it speaker or is properly funding hospitals simply not a priority? Long-term care well mr. Speaker as we approach this holiday season I want to specifically recognize and acknowledge our health care workers across this province our health care planners our Doctors our nurses The frontline workers the support workers the administrators the support workers that are doing an exceptional job in this health care system And that exceptional job mr. Speaker is reflected in the results that we're seeing mr. Speaker We have the second highest second best rate for access to a family doctor in the province We have the second best survival rate for breast cancer in the entire OECD mr. Speaker we need to be proud of that mr. Speaker We have the Fraser Institute reported just last week that Ontario has the best Wait times in the entire country and so mr. Speaker we have wait times that are four weeks better than the second best Province that's thanks to our hard working health workers. Thank you for that investment supplementary Speaker yesterday I visited the hospital for sick kids right here in Toronto It's a world-class hospital an incredible provincial asset and the home to incredible professionals Who provide life-saving care to tiny little babies, but even at a prestigious hospital like sick kids They are struggling with overcrowding and with funding that just isn't keeping up when I was there talking to moms and nurses and other Health care providers the neonatal intensive care unit was at 114% occupancy Why has this premier driven Ontario's incredible hospitals like sick kids into an Underfunding and overcrowding crisis that's hurting patients and families each and every day Minister well, mr. Speaker we We know that there is more work to be done that there are further investments to be made That's why as the premier referenced half a billion dollars in this year's budget Half a billion dollars in last year's budget an additional hundred million dollars this fall Invested into our hospitals resulting in the creation of 1200 new acute care beds the equivalent of six community hospitals mr. Speaker and other important investments like the 125 individuals who know who up till last week resided in Toronto and GTA hospitals But didn't need to be there now they're in a rehabilitation environment an environment which reactivates them at the Humber site of the the fence side of the former Humber hospital mr. Speaker these investments and we're doing approximately 600 of those Rehabilitation investments to make sure that we're invested where our hospitals their CEOs their leadership and the Ontario Hospital Association Tells us where we need to make those investments. Thank you final supplementary Speaker six sick kids hospitals started yesterday with 337 patients, but they're only funded Budgeted funded for 288 patients. That's what the overcrowding crisis looks like just down the street from here There are six babies And all and all of those babies have families so six families shoved together in a single room Nurses are almost tripping over the equipment because there isn't enough space and now And there's also red tape that's taped around the babies areas on the floor where there should be walls To prevent the spread of infection sick kids is an incredible hospital There is no doubt about it But it has been starved starved of operating funding by this premier and for government and now the premier's temporary beds Aren't the real answer because sick kids hospital is literally so full Question run out of room when will this premier do the right thing make sure hospitals can keep up with growth and fund the capital Infrastructure expansion the kids sick kids hospital needs right now. Thank you Thank you Minister well, I will agree with this one point mr. Speaker that sick kids is a world-class Hospital mr. Speaker we increased their budget this year alone by nine million dollars We've added neonatal intensive care units to sick kids hospital this year where we gave them a planning grant mr. Speaker So we could plan for future Capacity that we could make those necessary Investments so it can continue to deliver that high quality world-class care Those are the investments that we're making in every hospital right across this province And I'll end by saying mr. Speaker we value and deeply appreciate the work of the Ontario Hospital Association The leadership across our hospitals across our health care system from the Frontline worker to the CEO and everybody in between and the volunteers that make our health care system great We value their investments their commitment their passion their compassion especially I think we remember at this time of year. Thank you Thank you speaker my question is for the premier Sadly this Christmas we have really bad news Santa's elves and his reindeer can't work all night through with so little time and joyful children at stake Will you give Santa an exemption? To bill 148 Well speaker this is It's going to be a lot of very happy families this Christmas speaker Because their mothers and their fathers will be earning These are people that have been earning eleven dollars and sixty cents an hour trying to raise families trying to buy Food speaker trying to buy Christmas presents trying to buy a Christmas tree speaker all the normal things that we want for each And every one of our families is contained in bill 148 Everything we try to do for the people we care about when we work and come home speaker is in bill 148 and the gringes across the aisle voted against Thank you supplementary the member from Prince Eric Hastings speaker Santa will know who's been naughty and nice He has his list and he's checking it twice The bad ones get cold But I'm told last year he missed you But this year he won't will he get his call from a vista? To me speak to the ministry minister of energy mr. Vanity Thank you, mr. Speaker. You know it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere we go You know mr. Speaker you look in in Ontario. You've got clean air. You've got clean Electricity, you know, I can't make it rhyme mr. Speaker. I was trying. I'm sorry I'm sorry. That's all I had But really at the end of the day mr. Speaker, you know hydro one has been working hard in this province to be a better run company And they're doing just that mr. Speaker winter disconnections have ended, you know, mr. Speaker They're actually going to continue to work hard to continue to be a better company And what we've done through our fair hydro plan is allow them to actually give a reduction to all of their customers in Rural and northern parts of our province of anywhere between 40 and 50 percent mr. Speaker and on that that is good Knows mr. Speaker because that is more money in the pockets of these people and like the minister of Labor said earlier that they can Do other things with that maybe buy more Christmas presents for their kids mr. Speaker Thank You speaker my question is to the premier Hydro bills have gone up three hundred percent under this liberal government and families across Northwestern, Ontario Are paying the price for decades of hydro privatization under this government and under the conservatives before them? Now we've learned that dry and regional hospitals hydro bills have increased by a staggering 44% in just five years The hospital is doing everything that it can to conserve energy They've made significant investments in retrofits yet their bills continue to soar Why is this premier letting down the people of Northwestern, Ontario and forcing our hospitals to take money out of frontline care? Just to cover up their soaring hydro Thank You mr. Speaker we've actually Worked hard with hydro one which is in that area mr. Speaker to reduce bills for all residential customers Between 40 and 50 percent mr. Speaker when I was in Atacocan early on mr. Speaker that agency that Entity said that the bills in that community have been reduced between 34 and 40 percent mr. Speaker So we're going to continue to work with these type of companies to bring forward this type of relief mr. Speaker when it comes to hospitals They have also been utilizing many of the programs that we have put in place Working with their LDCs and have seen significant savings mr. Speaker that they are now able to then put back into care And many of these hospitals mr. Speaker are talking about the the impact that the electricity has on their overall cost Mr. Speaker is only one percent answer so we've got programs in place that will continue to help these these Institutions and the residents of the province. Thank you supplementary Northern hospitals and northern families need a premier who cares about making life more affordable and stopping the cuts to our frontline Healthcare, but this premier keeps letting Northwestern, Ontario down Dryden regional hospital is suffering from sky high hydro cost because of the privatization of our hydro system by Liberals and conservatives alike our hospital is not getting the relief that it needs So they've come up with a capital plan that would allow the hospital to go off the grid Yet this government refuses to deliver the funding they need to implement that plan Why is this premier delivering one disappointment after another to the people who need healthcare and who also need to be able to Pay their hydro bills all across northwestern, Ontario Again, mr. Speaker since coming into office we've increased hospital funding by 54% Allowing us to treat more patients and provide better care and reduce wait times to some of the shortest in the country Mr. Speaker the reality is that hospitals send 1.6% on average of their total operating budgets on hydro and also mr. Speaker We just invested 50 million dollars in over a hundred hospitals to make sure that they can help them retrofit Mr. Speaker to even reduce their bills even more mr. Speaker that means that well over 90% of the hospital budgets go towards the the the rest mr. Speaker hiring nurses and doctors Keeping wait times low and ensuring patients have access to the high quality services that they need mr. Speaker when it comes to action When it comes to making sure that we're helping hospitals. We're helping individuals We're helping families right across this province or we're doing it with healthcare and we're doing the same with electricity Mr. Speaker Thank You speaker my questions to the minister of health and long-term care Our government has made significant investment in the drug benefits received by seniors in recent years and continues to provide One of the most generous programs for seniors in Canada and the seniors of my riding of Davenport are grateful for this as part of the 2017 budget our government is giving children and youth a better start in life by moving to make prescription medications free I know the minister at several times has spoken about how this step in providing free access to prescription medications For all Ontario's children and youth is just the first step towards a full provincial Pharmacare program could the minister of health and long-term care be able to update the house on the status of oh hit plus Ahead of its official launch next month. Thank you, mr. Thank You mr. Speaker and Mr.. Speaker I have to say I am so proud and so proud of this Premier for her leadership Province on this issue of Pharmacare and mr. Speaker it is true We're only weeks away from the biggest Advancement of Medicare in this province in generations, mr. Speaker. There are only a few short weeks to go until 4400 drugs become absolutely free for everyone in Ontario age 24 and under through oh hip plus and last week we officially launched a new Website where people can go and search for their medications and see that they will be available free of charge It's important to stress that oh hip plus will cover every single drug on Ontario's formulary as men healers Epi-pens diabetes test strips oral contraceptives cancer drugs and drugs for diseases Thank You minister I too am also proud to be part of a team that has worked to make this historic advancement Medicare I want to thank you and our premier for our leadership your leadership as we move to a full provincial Pharmacare program I have no doubt that this new program will improve access to prescription medications for more than four million children and young people And will help many families to afford the medications their children need to stay healthy I know that much of the focus when we look at prescription drugs for youth will be focused on access to antibiotics inhalers and Epi-pens I think all of us in the Legislature can agree how important that is But there are often accessibility issues for medications We do not often talk about would the minister be able to inform the house about the full scope of health options Oh hip plus will offer Thank You minister. Thank You mr. Speaker and the The reality of the Ontario drug formulary is that it will offer through oh hip plus more independence more Opportunity and more health for our children and youth Diabetes test strips and insulin for low-income families struggling to pay the bills every week will save them thousands of dollars each year birth control for the 22-year-old young woman at college pursuing a degree January 1st is going to be a historic day for Ontario not just for the four million children and youth will who will be receiving those drugs Absolutely free of charge mr. Speaker. I want to say again Just how proud I am of this premier this team and this government for the leadership that has been demonstrated And this is absolutely a first and a major leap forward We are 100% committed to continue working with the federal government for a national pharmacare program So these benefits can be extended to all Canadians You see the please No question the member from Leeds Grindel thanks as my question is to the premier the voters are Skeptical that is no lie, but we have to reflect and ask ourselves why from this side of the aisle It's plain to see Premier will you be accountable and sign the people's guarantee? Economic development and growth this is our economic development and growth. Thank you, mr. Speaker It is the last question period before Christmas and of my say I must say with much passion We will bring in a minimum wage of $15 with or without your attention We will lower energy rates. We will create jobs as well. This Christmas will be great for Ontario We're working to make things swell Supplementary the member from Russia own south To the premier in question period politicians they go back and forth when people want change for taxes and support for the north So I'll ask again because no answer was found. Will you sign the people's guarantee when I sit down? Minister finance mr. Speaker finance The halls of legislature are haunted by the ghosts of Christmas past mr. Speaker They bring to us today the likeness of the miser every knee's are screwed from across the aisle Who have wanted to make cuts to our and support our families to deny the gifts of our Christmas are of our province's prosperity? To share for all and on this side of the aisle mr. Speaker We thank the premier and the jolly red grandmothers of Ontario Who like Santa Claus care for all of our children? Thank you No question the member from Windsor West Since to the premier earlier this week my constituent Ida Harry shared with me the heartbreaking Experiences she has endured while trying to help get help for her 12 year old son Who lives and struggles with serious mental health challenges Ida's son has been on wait list after wait list He has waited for psychologists Waited for beds in support centers and waited in hospitals Ida wrote to me and I quote our children are victims of the provinces neglect to provide adequate mental health care for our youth I implore the province and its officials to do something now before it's too late end quote on Tuesday my NDP colleague from Hamilton Mountain introduced a motion that urges the government to eliminate mental health wait lists for children and youth Will the premier listen to Ida question and the thousands of families like her Eliminate the wait list and do something now before it's too late for Ida's son and others like him Mr. Children and youth services. Well, thank you. Thank you, mr. Speaker, and I want to thank the member for the question I want everyone here in the legislature and across the province to know that we're working hard to transform a system That's built for young people to get the best possible services necessary We recognize we need to do more as a government as people of Ontario to deliver better services to young people And we've been looking for ways to transform the system the moving on mental health strategy that we put forward a few years ago And we backed that up initially with a hundred million dollar investment has gone a long way But it's brought us to a point now where we do have lead agencies across the province Reorganizing the way service delivery is being delivered on the ground And I'm working with the Minister of Health to look for ways to further enhance youth mental health here in the province of Ontario because we want young people to get the service that they deserve when they need it You speak her on back to the premier on Tuesday my colleague from Hamilton Mountain also raised the issue of youth suicides She highlighted that the majority of people who are treated in emergency rooms after a suicide attempt are not getting the follow-ups with Necessary supports this certainly has been the case with Ida and her son when Ida's son attempted suicide They went to the emergency room where they waited for six hours Before speaking with a medical student and a counsellor and after that they were sent home They have made numerous trips to the hospital, but have not received the support they need Speaker Ida asked me in her letter and I quote does my son need to be on his death bed to get any help Speaker will the premier answer that question for Ida. Thank you Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker Again, you know my heart goes out to all the families in Ontario that have young people that struggle With mental health over the last, you know, 20 years even in fact, mr. Speaker over the last decade what we've seen with mental health challenges here in the province of Ontario is a huge huge growth and we think that's Partially because of the stigma stigma that's been removed from from mental health And we've been working hard as a government to to let people know that you know If they need services that they should go forward and and get those services We have a hundred and thirty thousand young people here in the province of Ontario that access services today We know that more is needed and that's why we continue to invest Mr. Speaker we've invested into 72 school boards to bring in mental health leaders in all of our school boards across the province We've provided funding to hire 770 additional mental health workers across the province We'll continue to do more to make sure young people get the help that they deserve. Thank you mr. Question remember from Trinity's vagina Thank you speaker. Good morning while the conservatives are entertaining us with their newfound talent I have a real policy question for the minister of international trade Speaker Attracting international investment and helping business compete on a global scale is part of Ontario's plan to create opportunity in the fairness For workers businesses people of this great province The house has seen the great work that the ministry of international trade has done so far in promoting Ontario globally I know that during these trade missions business to business communication is integral I also know that there is time for minister to speak to each business and learn about their global Sorry, their goal internationally Each interaction works to promote Ontario as a great place to do business question and discover As the trade mission to china and vietnam included it concluded last week could the minister share with us how thank you More exciting deals sign Thank you minister Thank you speaker. I want to thank the member from Trinity's brother honor for asking the question Because Ontario's plan to diversify trade is key to our continuous economic growth It's important to remember that trade does not only in more of goods Surfaces such as healthcare education and tourism are vital to trade Trade missions provide Ontario the unique opportunity to showcase our province's leading industry In this case tourism as a leader in global talent with a GDP growth rate higher than any other g7 country And the managing small business tax rate Ontario has much to offer This is why in partnership with tourism Toronto and we china has selected Toronto to host their 25th anniversary leadership conference in Ontario Speaker, this is an incredible opportunity for Ontario answer and I would like I would be delighted But the member from burlington could speak more to this. Thank you speaker. Thank you Thank you speaker. I want to thank the minister for the response And um, thanks in part to the investment that this government has made to our tourism industry The sector has been a key economic driver to the province I know Ontario's Toronto has competed in some of the biggest destination in the world for M. Way china bit And it's very exciting to to have being selected I know many of them will be visiting my downtown writing of tunis padina By choosing on terro to host their 25th anniversary leadership seminar M. Way china is giving a nod to Toronto at the world class city He also further demonstrated Ontario is a competitive destination for significant conventions National international conventions continue to be major economic driver in Ontario And we look forward to welcome M. Way china in 2020 Speaker can the minister speak to the benefits of this international question conference will provide. Thank you Minister minister responsible for tourism culture and sport minister tourism culture and sport Thank you, mr. Speaker, and thank you to the member for this excellent question The news about and we china 2020 is a direct result of our government strategic framework for tourism I want to thank minister chan and joanne belage and her team at tourism toronto as without their excellent collaboration and efforts This would not have happened We know speaker that tourism is a vital economic driver for ontario supporting Three hundred and eighty thousand jobs and generating over 32 billion dollars to our economy China is ontario's second largest contributor of tourism spending with over half a billion dollars coming from over 200 000 tourists So attracting international leadership events like amway china's 25th anniversary leadership seminar is great news It showcases ontario as a world class tourism destination while promoting investment opportunities And it will welcome over 10 000 distributors to toronto Generating an estimated 80 million dollars in revenue and tourism spending from toronto to niagara fall speaker We're delighted to welcome amway china 2022 toronto and very excited about what this is going to do for our economy Thank you new question Thank you very much, mr. Speaker. My question is for the premier When turbines still go up against a town's will Just like the gringe ignoring councils. This gives liberals a thrill They swear that the turbines are all science-based But will she admit real noise pollution proves that's just not the case It is the session before christmas And I note with much joy the kids in our land will have will enjoy plenty of toy Our unemployment rate is the lowest in years This christmas we may even enjoy a few beers from grocery stores nonetheless And so we wish you all the best of the season and hope that next year the opposition will engage with more reasons Thank you Thank you very much speaker When turbines must go but the liberals ignore The demands of the people as they'd loudly implore In the alley of carnage the snow piles so high But the need for a barrier will they always deny Thank you, mr. Speaker. It's still the session before christmas And it's almost done. It's nice to spend time in this house and even have fun We may be opposed to many an issue But when we leave this place rest assured we will miss you Let us focus This session on those that are in need And let us work together so ontario can still lead The member from naggar falls Thank you, mr. Speaker. My question is to the premier As a premier knows parlor manoke school the jewel of naggar lakes old town was closed Now the community is rallying together again to save parlor manoke This time they're fighting to keep the school in the old town And turn it into a community hub that gives back to the residents for generations to come I fully support these efforts However dspn has rejected an offer over the asking price from the town to buy the school Which would keep it in community hands the town previously gave the same building to the board for free They rejected the work done by the community to keep parlor manoke where it is And ensure it gives back to the community Will the premier intervene today and ask dspn to reconsider selling parlor manoke school to the town So it can be used as a community hub for the town Thank you speaker, I want to thank the member opposite for his question I've been almost in daily dialogue with him about this particular issue And I know that he is well aware that my ministry and I are also well aware of Of the conversations that are happening between the school board and in the town I sent a letter in fact to the the school board expressing the desire for For them to work together with the town and in the spirit of how do we look at the community Needs in this instance and and support the notion of a community hub Our government has has a policy a stated policy We have funding behind it to support community hubs across this province because we know how vital these public these public Locations are to communities and and in this instance, we are encouraging the school board to work together with the town So metric again. Thank you, mr. Speaker and again to the premier According to the education act the minister has the power to regulate the sale or lease of school sites We know that nagram lake has already endured the closing of parliament oak school We have many community organizations that have come to the table and supported this Including the lord mayor pat dart the town council and all of the residents of nagram lake Given that information Will the premier stand with the town council of nagram lake and the community and helps help us save parliament oak So it will remain in the old town for years to come. Thank you Thank you, minister So mr. Speaker, I am very supportive of any solution that allows The use of of this property For community community use and and that's why we have a stated policy to support community hubs And and that's why in fact we've been working together with the The school board and the town to To to really encourage them to to talk together to find a solution that best supports the the local community And that's exactly what is happening There is of course a process for the disposition of properties My understanding is that the school board has followed that that particular process But this is about what is the best Resolution for the local community and that is what that's what we are focused on That's what we're working to bring those two parties together the school board and and the town to talk about How do we resolve this for the best use for the community itself and we support that process Well, thank you speaker my question is to the minister of transportation Speaker keeping with the holiday spirit children across the province are very excited about the next few days and the next few weeks Time off from school presents under the trees. They have a lot to look forward to but speaker They're not the only ones who are excited about the great things that are coming Commuters across the gta will soon be receiving a very early Christmas present or let's call it a sixth day of Hanukkah present The present is a first edition as well speaker It is unlike anything the region has seen before and the best part speaker after years of planning And building we only have to wait a few more days So speaker with the minister, please provide more information on what this present is What makes it so unique and why commuters and the gta can't wait to open it on december 17th. Thank you minister transportation Thank you very much speaker I want to begin of course by thanking the member from beaches historic for being such a strong advocate for transit here in the gta That member is absolutely correct speaker Commuters in this region will be receiving one of the best Christmas or holiday gifts I can think of that a government can offer them speaker a new option for commuters to get from point a to point b Speaker this coming sunday december the 17th the toronto york's bedina subway extension We'll see its first day of revenue service in just three days that is speaker Commuters will have the opportunity to hop on board the first new subway extension in the gta to open up in 15 years And if this this of course speaker will be the first subway to cross regional boundaries By hopping on board the line one extension commuters will be able to move between the 416 and the 905 for a Single fare speaker and come this january. Thanks to this provincial government That fare will be only a dollar 50 if you're hopping on the gtc from go or the union pierce and express speaker tomorrow We'll be having a very exciting celebration with representatives from all levels of government to mark this wonderful occasion Well, thank you speaker I want to thank the minister not only for his answer But for this great gift he's giving our government is giving to the people of the gta Speaker i've no doubt that tomorrow will be an incredibly exciting day And that's the first ride on sunday morning That will be something for all of us to remember and on this side of the house We know that the reasons to invest in transit are absolutely clear It helps ease congestion. It promotes a better quality of life reduces greenhouse gas emissions It gives companies yet another good reason to invest in ontario and it saves commuters money Speaker it is clear that the ty sse An 870 million investment made by our government will support all of these important outcomes And that will make it money that has been very well spent Speaker i know this is just one of the very many transit projects that are going on in ontario Would the minister please provide us with more information and greater details A one else commuters in the region can expect to see in the years to come And thanks to our government's historic In transit Thanks speaker and i thank the member for his follow-up question Of course he is right The line one extension to york university in york region is one part of the integrated transit map that we are building speaker We're talking about go regional express rail. We're talking about the eglinton cross town the finch west lrt Here ontario and hamilton lrt's speaker extending go train service to niagra speaker Extending go train service to bowmanville speaker and doing so much more right across this entire region But coming back Coming back to the line one subway extension that opens up for service this sunday speaker The first train will leave the 905 will leave the city of on its 757 a.m I'll be on that train with my daughter's talia and grace and i strongly urge every single member here Regardless of where you live come down to the gta hop on that first train It truly is a day for transit celebration in the gta. Thank you very much Thank you, mr. Speaker and this is for the premier Now we may not be the north pole, but we are on the way there A no man's land we are not but the liberals just don't care A great opportunity exists with many jobs for fire Why do they refuse to develop the ring of fire? The minister of energy serve energy. Thank you, mr. Speaker just Just like how we can rhyme off the reindeer mr. Speaker I am very happy to rhyme off all of the investments that we make in northern ontario, mr. Speaker and let alone Just let's talk about sous-saint marie So sous-saint marie this year two million dollars for the institute of environment education and entrepreneurship $750,000 for the child and family center at sue college $900,000 for the waterfront and tennis center, mr. Speaker And oh hfc is supporting the art expansion of the hospice with a one million dollar investment, mr. Speaker You know, it just goes on and on mr. Speaker and ensuring the investments that we're making in northern ontario All the way for making sure we're four laning highway 69 making our roads safer, mr. Speaker with 173 million dollar Investment in that mr. Speaker. We're more than happy to talk about northern ontario because it's this government that's making those investments Said speaker back to the premier Now speaker we had some fun today with our question after all everyone has had a very busy session So I want to end here with levity and with something light Will the premier join us wish happy holidays? Merry christmas and to all a good night Thank you Minister Thank you, mr. Speaker. I do also want to take the opportunity to wish everyone a happy holidays a merry christmas, mr. Speaker and Celebration of life whatever you celebrate during this season, mr. Speaker I also think it's a good opportunity for us to to acknowledge. I think one mpp who won't be back here come next year, which is the Sherry de novo mpp from parkdale high park. I want to thank you for your service So with that with mr. Speaker We'll sure we'll see you around this place in the very near future, but uh, merry christmas everyone. Have a great holiday season Thank you new question the member from london west Speaker my question is to the minister of natural resources Speaker 16 months ago This liberal government decided to impose parking fees for the use of kimoka provincial park A park that was free for londoners to use for decades and is much loved by the estimated 100,000 people who used to visit each year One of my constituents bill boswell was recently informed by the park superintendent that a total of $67,000 has been collected in parking fees Assuming two people per car with each car paying for just one hour of parking This translates into 25,000 visitors over 16 months a drop in attendance of more than 75 Speaker does the minister think that a paltry $67,000 was worth depriving tens of thousands of londoners Including seniors people struggling with mental health issues others had lower fixed incomes from the benefits of using this park Thank you very much speaker and thank you very much to the member opposite for the question today Speaker, I wanted to really start out about how ontario parks does fund its management programs and all of the programs that are offered by Our ontario parks and there are 340 of them in the province of ontario Not all with services, but it's all funded through gate receipts. Mr. Speaker So all of the programs all of the trails All of the Infrastructure that the ontario parks manages all of the staff and all of the facilities that our visitors to our parks Enjoy are all paid for through the special purpose account. I know that there have been many users in Kamoka park and that it was unfortunate that We needed to move forward with another way of recouping some of the services that we've paid for that park Including new washrooms facilities new lighting new parking lot facilities that the users have been asking for. Thank you supplementary Speaker 75,000 londoners are no longer using this park Again to the minister the fees of five dollars and 25 cents an hour or 14 dollars and 50 cents a day We're imposed without any real consultation and with paving the only justification Since the fees were introduced in august 2016 thousands of londoners have signed my petition calling for the removal of the fees The park is really only accessible by car and the data confirms that the fees are creating huge barriers to access They are preventing londoners from reaping the benefits of the enhanced physical and mental well-being that comes with access to the natural environment Speaker will the minister do the right thing and remove the parking fees from kamoka provincial park Question, thank you Thank you speaker and again what I would like to say to everybody in this house Is that all of the incredible services that are in ontario parks? Provide for the people of ontario all of this staff that provides The resources that people enjoy when they visit the parks are paid for by gate receipts And it's also worth noting to the member opposite that each ontario provincial park has its own management plan And that management plan is set in in progress for many years So I don't have the authority to do that. It is the provincial parks and their management staff that step forward But what I can say to everybody in this house is that we have an incredible Opportunity in our province to enjoy many parks some with services Many visitors come to ontario specifically to see the parks and I want to thank everybody that works in our ontario Thank you new question the member from berry Thank you speaker my question is for the minister of natural resources and forestry On tuesday new legislation was passed titled the building better communities and conserving watersheds act 2017 as members of the house know from debating this legislation This bill provides important updates to our current land use planning system as well as our conservation authorities Giving more opportunity for ontarians to have their voices heard What some people might not know is just how important our conservation authorities are to us here in the province 90 percent of ontarians live in a watershed managed by a conservation authority Therefore my question to the minister is can you tell me what changes this legislation will bring to ontario's very important Conservation authorities and how these changes will benefit the people of ontario Thank you minister map from forestry. Thank you speaker And thank you very much to the hard-working member from berry for that question And thank you again for giving me the opportunity to talk about our great new legislation that i'm very proud of I know just how important this new act is to so many communities around ontario As I see firsthand the great work that the grand river conservation authority does In my own community of grand river and waterloo region and brantford i might add speaker By modernizing the conservation authorities act we've delivered some real benefits to the people of ontario Benefits like stronger oversight and accountability for conservation authority decision making More clarity and consistency in the services that conservation authorities provide An increased public engagement and conservation authorities to ensure the people have a voice in their local conservation authorities These important changes are necessary to ensure the environment will be there for years to come And merry christmas to all and to all a good break. Thank you supplementary Thank you, mr. Speaker and thank you to the minister for that answer when changes to the ontario municipal board were proposed last year The government held 12 town halls across the province to get feedback from the people of ontario Though through those town halls we heard opinions from winzer to ottawa from the gta to thunderbay And many members held town halls in their own writings People told us that too often the omb doesn't consider local perspectives when it makes decisions That too many decisions went to the board and that the process was complicated for community groups We heard that people want more say in how their communities are developed through bill 139 The minister of municipal affairs and the attorney general proposed legislation that would overhaul the omb And replace it with the local planning appeals tribunal bill 139 received royal assent this week My question for the minister is to bill 139 respond to the concerns we heard during consultation Speaker thanks to the member for the question speaker In years recently passed Planning was not fine. So our government decided to table bill 139 We consulted we discussed and we went to committee Bill 139 artificially delayed what a pity But persevere we did knowing what was at stake and progress although slow Indeed we did make with the help of mnrf and the ag Our ministry was diligent the results plain to see Bill 139 has received royal assent the will of the opposition tattered and bent Because in the end it was plain for all to see respect and deference for local decision making Is the right place to be thank you very much Thank you. We do have a We do have a few points of order that have been signified and i'll get to those in the moment But first i would like to take a moment to introduce Um a former twin dean of the house the member from carlton grandville from the 31st 32nd 33rd Carlton from the 34th 35th 36th Lanark Carlton from the 37 38th and carlton mississippi mills from the 39th mr. norm sterling Thank you Also in the house and had to leave was uh, mr. Gerard kennedy from york south in the 36th and park delhi park in the 37th and 38th apartment As i sat in my chair to hear members speak I could tell that the spirit had taken hold with a squeak When you awake from home tomorrow morning Know that you will have a smile on your face. It'll be without a warning And to and to ensure and to ensure that i do get home with a smile. My wife is in the gallery rosemary I'd like to recognize the leader of the third party on a point of order Thank you. Mr. Speaker. It's um actually my privilege to raise on a point of order Considering that this is the last day in the legislature for the member for park delhi park sherry denoval And as leader of ontario's ndp I want to just take a quick moment to thank sherry for all the work that she's done after many years of being A member in this legislature and I think we would all agree That her work particularly on lgbtq issues Would um is un unparalleled in any legislative Chamber across our country I believe that without that work without sherry being here that work wouldn't have ever been done From toby's law right up until the passing of the trans day of remembrance just the other day Her work on first responders and ptsd presumptive legislation Her work on anti-poverty issues and social justice It has been an amazing amazing journey Sherry is a passionate Committed woman who really does care about the well-being of Of everyday folks and she has put her heart and soul into her work here in the legislature And I know that her next journey At at the church where she is going back to as she says her best love Will also continue that amazing work in passion. So sherry on behalf of ontario's new democrats Thank you so much for your service here in the legislative Thank you Bring her on the same point of order Point of order mr. Speaker I just want to add my voice of thanks to sherry de novo for all the work that she has done for the people of ontario And for the people of park dale high park We can always we could always count on sherry to ask questions to raise issues that were of Serious importance to the people of this province and to her community And so we're very grateful to her for that and I will just say as a as a fellow member of the united church Often we are asked within the united church about how we are living our faith And I just want to say that sherry de novo without bells and whistles and without flaunting liturgy lives her faith she she brings her Consciousness of poverty and of the needs of people to this place She has always done that and I wish her all the very best in the next phase Remember from the key and carlton on the same point of order Thank you very much speaker to my dear friend sherry de novo. I'm really going to miss you We've been friends for the past 10 years sort of an odd couple but But we we have had an enduring friendship that I believe will last long past the time you leave here And when you go back to the cloth a lot of people probably don't know we were elected in a by-election in the same year And I've got a bit more seniority and starting to show in the gray hair I have on my head, but uh, but uh, we've we've developed a friendship And we have a number of mutual friends and every every session we would have an opportunity or every sitting We'd have an opportunity to go up for dinner and put politics aside and just talk about some of the issues that Deal with our families and we also had an opportunity to go to taiwan together And it was a very exciting trip that the member took with the member from ramford and it was in pembroke A member from lees in remville and the former members from beaches east york, and I'm not sure what atrinity spadina I believe And uh, it was there Overseas that we put partisanship aside and we were ontarians and canadians first and anybody that's ever taken a trip like that with their colleagues Really seems to unite our core values as canadians and we certainly got to share that Now i'm going to tell a little bit of a tale at a school We uh during that trip we wrote a song and we would sing it And so sherry decided when we got back from that trip That it would be fun at the end of the year to invite me and steve and john To the caucus party at the end of the year for the democrats And so sherry of course knows a lot of talented musicians And so she told her caucus that she had a band coming And her caucus thought it was the bear naked ladies And I think they were shocked when they one by one came down the staircase and saw these three tories standing in sherry De novo's living room to sing a very off-key song But you know what john yacobosky knows six thousand songs right up here So it was uh, it was really good So we came down and we had this song and it was our group came back together again And it was the three of us as well as the three new democratic members and we sang for the the Caucus and they still laugh about it taras and I were talking about it last week I apologize for using the members name speaker, but uh, but we came down and uh, they actually said we were better than the bear naked ladies And we I can't tell you the song because it was at the expense of the governing party But I don't think they'd be surprised But I think I just wanted to say because one of the things that the premier talked about and the leader of the third party Is the humanity of this woman this this wonderful mpp Who has right up until the last week that she served here Past the private members bill that I was proud to co-sponsor and so to you my friend I look forward to seeing you grace these halls as uh as as a clergy person But also as a friend to every member here and to that I want to conclude by wishing her a merry christmas as well as all of my colleagues Thank you speaker Minister of energy on a point of order. Thank you, mr. Speaker My point of order is uh a little less formal. I need to correct my record earlier. I said Earlier, I said hospitals are receiving 50 million dollars in funding for energy retrofit upgrades I should have said mr. Speaker the number is actually 64 million And I also would like to introduce jeremy dunton from my constituency office. Thank you Minister of Education, sorry speaker um speaker I would Really just uh take this opportunity to introduce uh, prianca nasta who is from my constituency office here today Mr. Community services community safety and congressional services. Uh, thank you, mr. Speaker Just now I mentioned the planning council And I'd like to recognize them you've all been mentioned, but you weren't here. Thank you for your good work Thank you very much speaker delighted to introduce a couple of individuals who work in my constituency office francesca Cesario and alessia rituti who are in the west gallery, and I believe we're also we are also joined by york university student marzi Agadi, thank you very much for being here today Governor house me. Thank you very much speaker. I also want to uh welcome and introduce very hard-working staff from my community office Please welcome jessica dawson terrilyn robison and shantel obertin at queen's park Over a minor point of order something i've always wanted to do a mode of water Apologies the good king wishlist hit their page and stand by me Member from member from beach Member from beaches east york Thank you speaker. I wanted to also welcome mr. Fisher. He taught my chief of staff dav belmore and his son clark And I wanted to welcome the queen's park Pardon The speaker I just saw behind me my constituency office who is here and they've been doing an excellent job in mississauga south Renda armstrong heaven draper and luke is also welcome to queen's park We do have a vote We we don't want to keep the lieutenant governor waiting although the democracy of all said that they had to wait so anyway, that's uh We do have something else to do After uh, so I please stay by after the lieutenant governor is finished. I'd appreciate it very much We have a deferred vote on the motion of third reading of bill 177 an act to implement budget measures to enact and amend various Statutes calling the members. This will be a five minute bill members. Please take your seats Take your seats, please On december 13th 2017 mr. Douduka moved third reading of bill 177 an act to implement budget measures and to enact And amend various statutes all those in favor, please rise one at a time be recognized by the clerk This win this was To Mr. Koto internship Mr. Mr. Nattisham, Ms. Armstrong, Ms. Fife, Ms. Campbell, Ms. Shamantha, Mr. Hatfield, Ms. Gretzky, Mr. Gates, Ms. French. The ayes are 48, the nays are 37. The ayes are being 48, the nays being 37, and I declare the motion carried. Third reading of the bill, twas in lecture, your presenter, the one. We have resolved that the bill be now cast and be entitled as in the motion. Government House later? Make it an honor of its. Pray be seated. May it please your honour. The Legislative Assembly of the province has its present meetings thereof passed certain bills to which in the name and on behalf of the said Legislative Assembly, I respectfully request your honour's assent. The following are the title of the bills to which your honour's assent is prayed. An act proclaimed the month of November, Lebanese Heritage Month. An act to establish the Lung Health Advisory Council and develop a provincial action plan respecting lung disease. An act proclaimed the trans day of remembrance. An act proclaimed Ontario Craft Beer Week. An act proclaimed the week of the artisanal beer in Ontario. An act proclaimed Korean Heritage Month. An act proclaimed the month of Korean heritage. An act proclaimed the day of Lauren Harris. An act to amend or repeal various acts and to enact three new acts with respect to the construction of new homes and ticket sales for events. An act to implement measures and to enact and amend various statutes. An act to implement measures and to enact and amend various statutes. An act revived James Guy Limited. An act revived Silver Merrill Corporation. An act revived Dr. Marchand Optometry Professional Corporation. An act revived 1428501 Ontario Limited. An act respecting the Beachwood Cemetery Company. An act revived 1701423 Ontario Inc. An act revived 1729293 Ontario Inc. An act revived Jeterence Canada Limited. An act revived J Van Elson Holdings Limited. An act revived Streetwise Holdings Limited. An act revived 608524 Ontario Inc. In the name of Your Majesty, her honor, the left-hand governor, daughter-sent to these bills. In the name of Your Majesty, her honor, the left-hand governor, daughter-sent to these bills. In the name of Your Majesty, your honor, the right-hand governor, sel'sha dealer. Mr. Speaker, if I may... This has been a long, busy and memorable year as we have all commemorated and celebrated Ontario and Canada 150. I thank you for your contribution to all those events to wish all of you a happy Christmas, happy holidays, a wonderful time with your family and friends, and a nice break. And may I also wish all of you, each and every member, a year ahead of good health, happiness, and peace. Thank you. Don't know how to bring sad news. It always has been difficult for me. But I have to announce to the House that this is the last day for this set of pages. I want to thank them for their wonderful contribution to this lovely place, and thank them and wish them a merry Christmas. I would ask your indulgence, I want to thank all of you. I know how hard you work. Not a lot of people know how hard you work, but I do. And I want to thank every member and all of your families for the wonderful work that you do, not just here, but in the communities. As this is my last Christmas as Speaker and as MPP, I offer you my commitment to continue to spread the word at how hard you work and the job you do, seven days a week. So I wish for you, on behalf of my wife, who's here, my family, merry Christmas, point of order to the Premier. On behalf of all of the members of the Legislature, I want to thank you because we know how hard you work, because we make you work that hard, so we wish you a very merry Christmas and a great holiday. Thank you. On a personal note, I want to echo the very kind words that were spoken about my friend, Reverend Dr. Sherry DeNovo, as you continue your journey, thank you for the passion that you've given all of us. Thank you for showing that people count. I appreciate you. There being no further deferred votes, this House stands recess until 1pm this afternoon.