 It is now time for oral questions. I recognize the leader of his majesty's oil opposition Thank you speaker and if I can take a second before we begin the last question period of 2022 I'd like to wish members on both sides of the house and all Ontarians a safe and happy holiday season with those they hold dear On behalf of the official opposition I'd like to also extend my thanks and best wishes to the wonderful staff of the legislative assembly for their incredible work On behalf of the people of this province The amazing cohort of pages. I thank you for your service these past few weeks. I really hope you enjoy the experience a Special farewell to our going sergeant at arms Jackie Thank you for your service your commitment to MPPs and the Legislature staff May the next chapter bring you the best that life has to offer and last but not least Although a number have already said this it remains to be said a huge Thank you from the NDP caucus to Kevin Modest Kevin has served our caucus in many capacities over many years His service to us and to the Legislature as a whole has been outstanding. We'll miss him greatly But we're delighted to be able to spend more time with his wife and two daughters. That's exactly how it should be. Thank you Kevin Speaker, thank you for your indulgence my question to the Premier Yesterday the Premier said the government is quote throwing everything they can at the health care system But it's clear whatever the Premier is doing is not working Hospitals are overcrowded Staff are burnt out and patients are waiting longer than they ever have in our ERs To the Premier why didn't this government do more to prevent the current crisis in our health care system? Thank you speaker and thank you for the member opposite's question because it allows us to once again highlight all of the Investments that we have been making, you know You talk about the challenges that are happening in our hospitals and emergency rooms today Imagine if we had continued on the path that the Liberals had started a son Imagine if we hadn't actually invested and ensured that more physicians more dirt nurses more PSWs We're trained hired and actually working in our system, you know as as recently as this morning We were able to highlight another Addition that will ensure that more people are protected by allowing pharmacists to actually not only dispense but give Pax slow it it means that those people those individuals who are at a bigger risk higher risk of Having symptoms that lead to an emergency department or a hospital now can get that prescription dealt with and filled in a pharmacy These are the things that we are doing that are making a difference in ensuring that our emergency departments in our hospitals are protected The house will remember was only a few short years ago that the Premier promised Ontarians that he would end hallway medicine Today not only is hallway medicine officially returned to Ontario Somehow this government has made the situation worse than it's ever been has the Premier forgotten his promise to Ontarians And I will say you know the individuals who are choosing to work in our health care system are Incredible they have done such amazing work frankly. What is a very challenging virus season? But again, I will say imagine if we didn't have 49 different communities with 9-1-1 models of care that allow Community paramedicine and paramedics to divert people who choose to willingly go to other pathways other than emergency room Imagine if we didn't have orange ambulance and having Having virtual medical doctor trials in northern hospitals No, we have made lots of investments that have made a difference in communities And we will continue to make those investments because we understand that as our population increases They not only need homes. They need hospitals, and they need health care workers. We are doing that work. Thank you Well, because there's no question that nurses and health care workers are Giving you a heroic effort to do what they can But our health care system is in crisis and this minister and this premier are sitting on their hands Families can't find a hospital to deliver their baby local ERs are closing Staff are having a wages suppressed and for what for this government to save a few dollars You know that is shameful the government is spending is sitting on billions of dollars of unallocated funds That can be spent on meaningful investments in health care right now Will this government commit to doing that today? Speaker as we embrace the innovation that our health care providers our hospital leaders are doing to ensure that they get that Service up and ensure that they have sufficient staff We have members of your own party suggesting that it is the wrong pathway. We are doing the work We will continue to make those investments We've seen in one program alone the emergency department locum program Temporary summer locum program has has been extended and as a result has provided funding for over 230,000 hours of emergency In decades Ensured that we're going to have two medical schools one in Brampton one in We have residency programs are increased Individuals who want to practice in the province of Ontario have that opportunity because we embrace them here in Ontario Thank You speaker through you to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing the minister has failed to show any objective criteria Evidence to explain how he chose which properties to remove from the green belt We've looked at each of the 15 areas proposed for removal removal from the green belt Trying to understand what criteria the minister may have used in every single one We found a strong political or donor tie to the PC party. Can the minister explain this disturbing pattern? Mr. Speaker, I think the minister has been actually very clear on that the lands chosen of course the lands that That are either serviced or close to areas that are serviced and in areas that require require Housing mr. Speaker now it is no surprise to anybody in the chamber that the NDP are against this Mr. Speaker, they're against people who build homes because they're against people from owning homes They can't say as the associate minister pointed out the NDP will never say the word home ownership It's just not something that they can grasp mr. Speaker These are the same group of people who voted against long-term care building long-term care in communities mr. Speaker 60,000 new long-term care beds for 60,000 seniors to get new homes they voted against it They voted against the policies that have brought to Ontario the highest number of purpose-built rentals in over 30 years They voted against it and now not surprisingly they're voting against the absolute dream that everybody has when they come to this country grow up in This country home ownership. They're against it Speaker flato developments is associated with at least two of the areas being removed from the green belt TAC construction owned by the powerful de gasprice family is associated with at least four when bill 39 passes and the government removes the Duffins Rouge Agricultural preserve from the green belt the minister will transfer nearly two-thirds of a billion dollars worth of public wealth To this powerful family of landowners and PC donors Why is the minister favoring these particular landowners and developers over others? Thank you very much speaker and thank my honorable colleague for the question mr. Speaker It's only the NDP that doesn't seem to understand that we're in a housing crisis in the province of Ontario and we don't know why they don't because Ontarians told us it's in the last election. They told us this in the last municipal election Every single person that was running for office was told that housing is a big issue But somehow it's not a big issue to the NDP. In fact, they'll oppose housing all along the way Mr. Speaker through one initiative the outgoing mayor the incoming mayor their current mayor have said we need homes mr. Speaker over 50,000 homes are going to be created as a result of this one initiative because of the great work of this minister of municipal affairs So once again, we'll be very clear as the NDP continues to say no to housing Respawn this side of the house and with the members on this middle who continue to shrink them on the other side We'll continue to fight for Ontarians for housing mr. Speaker Speaker in her 2021 report on land use planning on the Ontario auditor general noted how the minister favored certain Developers over others when deciding who should or should not get a minister's zoning order Seven developers received multiple MZO's the two who received the most were flato developments and tack construction The same developers that the minister has favored with multiple removals from the green belt the auditor general warned and I quote Such a pattern opens up the MZO process to criticisms of conflict of interest and quote Given the minister's pattern of preferential treatment for flato and the digasprous family Why shouldn't the public suspect the conflict of interest with his green belt decisions? Thank you very much speaker and again, I thank my colleague for the question mr. Speaker We've been very clear unlike the previous government and supported by the NDP along the way mr. Speaker We're not in any business of pitting people against one another. We're in the business of working in collaboration Build homes mr. Speaker Housing is a priority for us mr. Speaker. I'll just you don't have to take my word for it I'll tell you I'll read a quote from an accredited economist mr. Speaker dr Gilzo mr. Speaker had this to say in response to comments on bill 23 Dr. Gilzo who by the way, I should add is the policy advisor to the future Leader of the NDP had this to say mr. Speaker order. It's disappointing But not surprising to see municipality come out so hard against one of the most effective pieces to Lower prices in Ontario's housing legislation mr. Speaker He continued to say that the charges introduced the development charges on their bill 23 are excellent policy mr. Speaker We should have meaningful price effect mr. Speaker. We agree with experts. We need more housing Clock the next question the member for Toronto Centre Thank you, thank you speaker my question is to the premier and campments are growing across Ontario Mental health for Ontarians is worsening and this government has no plan in June of this year The big mayor's caucus called on the premier to personally host an emergency meeting to address the homelessness Mental health and addictions crisis facing cities across Ontario. That's six months ago Why has the premier not personally set up a date for the emergency meeting with the big mayor's caucus to come up with the Immediate and funded plan to address mental health and addictions crisis in Ontario To apply the associate minister of mental health and addictions Thank You mr. Speaker and thank you for that question, but I don't know where the member has been for the last three years There is a roadmap to wellness, which is a plan that was developed by this government back by a $3.8 billion investment $525 million in annualized funding Mental health in the province of Ontario So we have a plan and we have been standing behind the plan and developing Over-the-lifes band supports for children and youth for adults for people with addictions Building treatment recovery strategies and continuums of care to ensure that anyone gets the support where and when they need it Not only have we done it in the same southern Ontario But recently a 90 million dollar investment brought us 56% of which invested in northern Ontario So I don't know where the member has been but we've been active and ensuring that we build a system for all Ontarians Thank you very much speaker back to the minister I started off this session by telling the heartbreaking story of Raighton Katelyn Routh who died by suicide She was bright successful beautiful young woman her transition from child to adult in the mental health system went tragically wrong I've been in contact with the minister of mental health and addictions I'm grateful that he's met with the family and I believe that he listened to their pain quite simply Mike and Fiona Routh don't want any other parent to experience this tragedy because it was preventable Can the minister please share what the government is doing to ensure that mental health care is there? When someone has the courage to ask for help and that that care and support is appropriate Beaker and I thank the member opposite for that question We've had discussions about the needs of our children and youth ensuring that we build systems that Give the youth the supports where and what they need them. We've invested heavily as a government in developing At this point 12 plus 8 there'll be 22 in total with an additional 8 being slated to develop youth wellness hubs that are providing Care both primary care to children and youth Providing them the opportunity to get supports for eating disorders Which under the previous government we spent more money shipping kids to the United States for help rather than investing in our province to ensure that Every child has those opportunities for help when it comes to things like suicide and other issues that affect our youth It's a tragedy when we lose even one child But we are making the investments to ensure that the supports are there that are age appropriate and that ensure the kids get The supports where they need them whether it be in indigenous communities rural communities or in our urban centers We are making that difference as a government because our premier and our government believes in thank you very much Thank you, mr. Speaker my question is for the Minister of Economic Development job creation and trade Many entrepreneurs and workers choose to plant their roots in my writing of Halliburton Court The lakes Brock for many reasons with a high quality of life and ample opportunities There's no shortage of reasons why it's one of the best places to operate and grow business With the billions of dollars in investments that the government has been attracting across the province My constituents want to know that they are get also getting a fair deal and the government is there to help their businesses stay Competitive speaker can the minister explain what our government is doing to support businesses namely manufacturers in my writing Ontario cities are the most competitive places to invest and grow One reason for their success is our government lowering the cost of doing business by seven billion dollars annually and that has resulted in Record investments being made TS manufacturing in Lindsay invested five million dollars and added twenty five jobs and upskill jobs We invested seventy seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars to help support this local company by supplying cutting-edge sawmill and mining equipment Colonial log and timber in Lindsay they invested $1.3 million to double their log and timber framing Manufacturing with help of a hundred ninety five thousand dollars from our government They're creating jobs and gaining a competitive edge accessing new Markets speaker all this is because Ontario is open for business Thank You mr. Speaker and I want to thank the minister for all his great work and he can come to my writing any time And it's great to hear that the people in Halliburton Court the lakes Brock have not been forgotten by the government And it's also great to see that after years of liberal and NDP governments making business costly and expensive in Ontario Investments and small business startups have roared back to life under this government Speaker to keep this momentum going we need to ensure that entrepreneurs have Everything they need to be successful and to remain competitive on the world stage Mr. Speaker I want to ask the minister to elaborate on what our government is doing to support entrepreneurs who are looking to start and grow their business After years of liberal and NDP war on business our government is now supporting entrepreneurs with everything Or they need to succeed we are assisting entrepreneurs with support from a broad range of regional and small business centers co-ortha lakes small business center received $400,000 in addition to the almost $80,000 for their summer company and their starter company plus programs for young entrepreneurs Speaker close to 30 area businesses received $72,000 in digital transformation grants to put their businesses online Our government eliminated the red tape Unaffordable hydra rates and taxes that the liberals and NDP piled on to small order This is exactly what small business is needed to ignite their entrepreneurial flame speaker. Thank you Thank you speaker my question is for the premier Mental health care is not getting any better in our communities just last week. It was announced that Hamilton City Council had to cut Mental health and addictions program Because this government froze their budgets the wait list for treatments in Hamilton are staggering Ranging from six months to multiple years and this move will only be worse I did not realize that cutting program capacity was part of the government's road map To wellness so I'm asking will the premier commit to refunding programs so people in my community can get the services They need when they need them Minister social minister of mental health and addiction you mr. Speaker and I'm I'm surprised we are investing $525 million in new annualized funding each and every year in the province of Ontario to provide the support to everyone across the province of Ontario Including Hamilton, I mean mr. Speaker. I'm I'm always surprised when I hear of the opposition speaking about Investments and and the lack of investments by our government But when we came here we came as a government with all kinds of shortages as a result of previous government decisions Whether it was the liberals Deciding to send spend money to send her $10 million to be exact for 127 people to get eating disorders Help in the United States or the NDP cutting order team percent of the mental health beds in the province of Ontario under their leadership 9,645 hospital beds order they created a doctor shortage by capping medical school enrollment They said no to more acute mental care and cut $53 million from Ontario psychiatric hospitals And they voted no over and over again every time we try to make investments to improve the situation in the province So I don't understand why it is Thank you Speaker through you clearly the associate minister in this government are standing behind a plan that is not that is coming up short The CMAJ indicates a quarter of Ontarians are seeking mental health support. That's one in four Jordan Thomas of the London Center for Trauma Therapy says we've seen a lot of depression a lot of hopelessness a lack of vitality A loss of optimism about the future Will this government increase funding and expand OHIP coverage so Ontarians get the mental health care that they need Thank you, mr. Speaker and once again, I reiterate we started with a huge deficit when we first came into government This is the first government that actually created a portfolio so that there is someone that has their eye on investments Our investments are being made in each and every aspect and you know when you start with so many issues that have to be addressed We're addressing eating disorders We're addressing virtual care supports that came up as a result of a two-and-a-half year pandemic We're investing in the far north and providing land-based healing to indigenous communities to ensure that they get the order care Where and when they need it we're investing in withdrawal management, which is something that's Direly needed everywhere across the province. We've opened up addiction treatment beds 7,000 treatment spots have been opened under this government in addition to that is already here We have a bond we have a road map to wellness that ensures that investments are being made where and when they're needed So that people get the support Thank you St. Paul's and the member for Brampton North will come to order the next question the member for Thunder Bay Attic Oaken Thank You speaker. My question is for the Minister of Transportation Winter storms have a significant impact on the people and the economy of the north We were just at the start of this winter season and we've already seen the impact a major snowfall can have on our roads Road safety is an important concern for northern and indigenous communities, especially during the winter months A few weeks ago I was pleased to have my motion passed in this house calling for improved standards for clearing snows on highways 11 and 17 Speaker can the Minister of Transportation Please explain what our government is doing to act on that motion to make roads in northern Ontario safer during the winter months Thank you the member for Thunder Bay Attic Oaken for his great question and also for introducing his motion Which reminds us that there's always more that we can do to make our roads in the north safer Speaker, it's no secret that the winter months can be challenging for drivers, especially those in northern Ontario We heard loud and clear from northern Ontarians and members on both sides of this house about the need to improve northern road safety And speaker we acted our government is the first to create a new level of service that requires highways 11 and 17 in the north to be cleared within 12 hours after a winter storm That is four hours faster than the previous standard Ontario has a nation leading standard in place when it comes to winter maintenance, and we are ensuring that it stays that way Thank you speaker and thank you to the Minister for her response Just last week those sections of the Trans Canada highway in the north were forced to close for several hours due to poor driving conditions and collisions Residents in northern and indigenous communities deserve certainty when they have act that they have access to a highway network That will be safe and more importantly opened following the winter storm Speaker can the Minister of Transportation Please tell us what further actions our government is undertaking to help prevent northern highway closures during winter months Mr. Transportation Thank you again to the member for his question All of us in this house share a common goal, and that is keeping Ontario's roads safe for everyone We have over 1100 pieces of winter maintenance equipment ready to be deployed to be deployed within 30 minutes Following a storm in northern Ontario specifically our government is installing an additional 14 road weather information stations Including eight along highways 11 and 17 to help our contractors prepare and respond faster to winter weather events As part of our five-year plan to improve the rest area network We have also completed six major Rehabilitations of rest stops across the north including at the Manitoba border Speaker there will always be exceptional circumstances following a winter storm But our government is taking action to ensure that our northern highways remain open and safe following every winter weather event Thank You speaker a mother from my community wrote to me recently Her daughter was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder in October of last year. They got a referral for sick kids Over a year later. They are still waiting for that appointment They are far from alone tens of thousands of kids are on wait list for mental health services that can take up to two and a half years Speaker my question is to the Premier How long will the children of this province have to wait before they can get the health care service that they need? Thank You mr. Speaker and thank you for that question once again. It's extremely important that we remember we do have a road map to wellness that looks at the life span and the delivery of services that are age-appropriate For each and every individual in the province of Ontario We know that children and youth need accessible and reliable services if they're going to grow into healthy adults that particular situation is Unfortunate and it is something that I have my eye on to ensure That the system is built The 3.8 billion dollars over 10 years is looking at investing in the different Periods of time during the lifespan to ensure that the supports are there Since 2019 130 million dollars has gone to children youth mental health services And this the road map slates another 170 million dollars to be spent over the next three years Of the 194 million dollars that we invested during the pandemic related emergency funding response Additional funds were put into children youth supports and there are stepped up step down programs We've invested for youth wellness camps. We've invested in all One-stop-talk virtual walk-in supports as well as Thank you very much Thank you speaker one of my constituents I'll call her l is 15 and suffers from an eating disorder Like many in Ontario, she doesn't have a family doctor, but she has been referred to the eating disorder clinic at chi o However, the clinic is overwhelmed and unable to find her a spot She doesn't eat for days, but she's not sick enough to be admitted to an overcrowded hospital Her father worries. She needs to be dying before anyone will help her L and her parents are desperate for help Will this government finally act to ensure that mental and physical health care is available for children like l when they need it? Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addiction Once again, thank you. Mr. Speaker and thank you for that question eating of disorders is something that is very pronounced that we've noticed over the Pandemic and is something that we need to look at. This is something that we believe is as a result of isolation the school disruption And the social media exposure. These are things that are impacted on on children and youth in december of 2021 8.1 million dollars went to support specialized care for children and youth With these eating disorders, we open seven beds at chi o five at sick kids two at McMaster Children's Hospital This is in addition to 11.1 million dollars annualized reading disorder services 20 treatment spaces in underserved communities like Sudbury north bay and sous st Marie 10 new pediatric beds in north york and southlake 16 new spaces in Peterborough and Kingston and in november of 2021 we invested another 5.8 million dollars in sick kids hospital Easing access to treatment by expanding their outpatient eating disorder program Mr. Speaker our government is taking this issue very seriously our children are our sponsor And we need to invest to ensure that children get the support they need where when they need it in the province Thank you Next question the member for beaches east york Thank you Mr. Speaker and my question is to the premier and first i'd like to Thank the premier for this lovely gesture of the inaugural speeches that the new members receive It's a point i'm giving you but now i'm going to have to take away that point in my question So I may sound like a broken record here And but i need to because i'm hearing from all my residents and actually all your residents about What the green belt and because the government has misread the room on this on the green belt you really have The green belt is full of order much wetlands and water and sheds areas Order Stop the clock The member for Hamilton mountain will come to order the member for kitchen or connoisseur will come to order It was Restart the clock member for beaches east york has the floor. Thank you very much So we know the green belt is full of water wetlands and watersheds areas that protect our province from devastating flooding By absorbing storm water as we see more and more natural disasters Come out as a way as a result of climate change. We know what's going on in brazil right now We know what's gone out of west out east Climate change we should be trying to conserve these areas for all ontarians if we pave over them It puts people at financial and physical risk The average basement flood order flooding is $43,000 my question to the premier Do you believe that the choice to open up the green belt for development puts ontario at risk? For more flooding if not, please explain And the response to minister of natural resources in forestry. Thank you speaker and thanks for the question Let me be perfectly clear as we have been the whole time talking about this opportunity to build homes for ontarians Wetlands are not going anywhere in ontario. We are going to continue We are also going to build 1.5 million homes over 10 years We are also going to make sure that those homes are protected from flooding and any other natural disasters We are going to get the job done. Mr. Speaker both on the home front and on the ecology front and ontario is going to be the better And we know from your own housing task force that we do not need to go into the green belt to achieve our 1.5 million Homes goals which i'm happy to work with you on but not in the green belt And I know all of us here care about farmers. We've heard that over and over again You know how they feed us every day How hard they work many of us here are connected to farmers and farm the farming community Really getting under people's skin today. Love it. It's my christmas present to y'all So my question is Why would we remove ontario's only agriculture preserve duffins rouges? Why would we remove that if we care so much about farmers and farmland and question and will you be able to sleep at night Knowing that you bulldozed over our last agriculture preserve Last the members to make their comments through the chair once again I'll ask the member for kitchen economy still could come to order the premier to respond Thank you so much I want to thank my former colleague from the city of Toronto We spent a lot of time together and I have a great deal of respect Mr. Speaker you got to look at the total green belt. We've added 2000 acres more Since I've taken office the green belt has expanded But what I suggest to a member from beachless east york sit down Speak to your colleagues and why you changed it 17 times You change it 17 times We need housing. There's people in the gallery. There's people right here That are still renting They're renting. We need to build homes. We need to build 1.5 million homes. We have 300 000 people showing up Every single year. Are we going to put them in cardboard boxes? Are we going to put them in mud huts? No, they order home They want an affordable home And and mr. Speaker That gentleman right there voted 17 times to change the green belt And deducted the green belt Member for ottawa south will come to order and the premier will come to order The member for nagra falls will come to order The member for peter burl coretha will come to order Member for renfrew nipissing pembroke will come to order Start the clock next question the member for danton west Thank you. Thank you so much mr. Speaker. My question is for the minister of colleges and universities Ontario's colleges are critical in helping to provide our students with career focus education That addresses our province's labour needs and drives our economic prosperity Ontario's colleges produce graduates that go on to create jobs for others making lasting contributions to their communities And help to attract new investments and opportunities The minister's lifetime achievement award and the premier's award for college graduates Recognizes the tremendous contributions that help to make our province successful Speaker can the minister of colleges and universities speak about the well-deserved recognition of the recent recipients of the lifetime achievement award Thank you speaker and thank you to the member from brampton west for his question I had the honour of presenting the minister's lifetime achievement award to two outstanding leaders Who continue to make a lasting difference in ontario's public colleges The 2022 recipients are and say though the former president of george brown college And an was also the first female president of the college And maryland west moines former president and ceo of george and college and also my former boss So I know firsthand the amazing leadership that maryland provided to george and college These two exceptional women deserve recognition for their hard work Dedication and contributions on advancing ontario's colleges By acting as ambassadors of the college system. They have made a lasting mark on post secondary education in our province It was truly an honor to present them with the lifetime achievement awards In the supplementary question Thank you speaker and thank you to the minister for the response A quality education isn't just a means for a good job But to a great quality of life And when our poor secondary institutions like our colleges succeed, we all succeed Making higher education our top priority is critical to securing the economic success of our province as we move forward But mr. Speaker, but while it is a positive that our government acknowledges the great work of our college system We should also take the opportunity to recognize the great people and students that are in college campuses Speaker can the minister of colleges and universities elaborate on some of the worthy recipients Of this year's premier's award for college graduates Mr colleges and universities thank you speaker and thank you again to the member for the question The remarkable and inspiring graduates on ontario's world-class colleges Shows how our colleges are preparing students with the skills the knowledge and experience They need to have rewarding careers supporting the workforce of today and tomorrow The premier's awards for college graduates Recognizes individuals who have not only demonstrated outstanding achievement within their college experience Who have also made significant social and economic contributions to their communities and beyond Their incredible achievements from developing career training programs for young black professionals To adding canada's indigenous communities to google maps and google earth They are helping to strengthen our economy and make very real and tangible difference in the lives of ontarians The recipients of the premier's awards are perfect examples of the potential our college students have And why we should all have confidence in every student's future Speaker college students are making a lasting response And we are so proud of what these incredible young ontarians are accomplishing The leader of his majesty's royal opposition Thank you speaker speaker my question to the premier recently grassy narrows honored the 20th anniversary of their visionary efforts to protect their homeland From industrial logging and mining And yet the toronto star reported that this government has granted thousands of gold mining claims and proposes To allow clear cut logging on the area that grassy narrows is protecting To the premier when will this government stop the attacks on grassy narrows and start respecting grassy narrows indigenous protected area Mr. Northern development minister of indigenous affairs Thanks to sit with the chief of grassy narrows Not that long ago. We spoke about the opportunities in their communities building Mr. Speaker much needed infrastructure having a vision a shared vision for economic prosperity, mr Speaker coming to terms with a reality a harsh reality, mr Speaker that this government was the first to act on by indexing the pensions From from the mercury mr. Speaker We don't need to stand here and feel badly about the work that we do with grassy narrows Mr Speaker we continue to work with that community to ensure that they have the same opportunities that other indigenous communities in the surrounding area Have and want in forestry and mining mr. Speaker and in their interests of protecting the land. Thank you supplementary question Speaker again to the premier grassy narrows has been clear They need to protect their land so they can heal their people from the mercury poisoning legacy Instead this government continues to give out mining claims to gold prospectors and grassy narrows backyard Causing more fear and anxiety in a first nation that's already suffered too much Grassy narrows deserves safety and deserves a clear answer Will the government finally withdraw grassy narrows territory from mining and logging? Yes or no Mr. Speaker what this government will continue to do is strike an important balance not just for grassy narrows But the indigenous communities that sound that surround the city of canora mr. Speaker both with respect to Economic opportunities the mining sector and the forest sector mr. Speaker grassy narrows is in dire need for community level Infrastructure we work very closely with them and I've asked the chief We've sat down together to ensure those shared priorities come about mr. Speaker in that community There is a critical need for Places and spaces for young people to go mr. Speaker and this is the kind of thing that we're working on The indigenous communities that share trade E3 land with grassy narrows are excited about opportunities both in mining Forestry and mr. Speaker local infrastructure So that prosperity is a shared value and a shared opportunity once and for all in the canora district. Thank you, mr. Speaker Next question the member for flamborough land bro. Good morning, mr. Speaker and my question is for the minister of education Recently released EQ AO results confirm what parents already know Children excel when they are in class and are able to participate in school life Keeping our children in the classroom as our government has done is critical We know that the disruptions of the past few years resulted in learning loss Particularly among our youngest students Through you speaker to the minister of education How is our government helping our youngest students recover from disruption to in class learning? Very good. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker I want to thank the member for flamborough grand book for this question I think the first principle of ensuring children catch up is that kids remain in class and I am so Pleased that 73 of qp members endorsed our deal They'll provide stability for families for children and for educational workers the province of Ontario Uh, mr. Speaker Part of our plan to catch up is very much based in a principle of literacy and numeracy our foundational skills to ensure We increase graduation rates and create better links to better paying jobs That is our mission as a government ensuring young people remain aspirational and bold and that they're able to achieve their full potential That's why we launch the largest tutoring program in canada. Mr. Speaker in addition to that We also recognize reading is an important skill set. We saw from the entire human rights commission the The rights to read reports suggest the former liberal government's curriculum was outdated and didn't call the evidence The science of reading and so we reformed our language curriculum and we're ensuring every child kindergarten to grade two Get the screening assessments so that we improve their reading and we give them the supports they need to succeed in our economy The supplementary question the member for Burlington You know what I like Speaker studies from leading health experts reveal that mental health issues can start early in our young learners Particularly from the age of 15 onwards According to the Center for Addiction and Mental Health these students are more likely to experience mental health illness and substance use disorders Than any other group We know that mental health education can empower students with the knowledge skills and tools they need to assist in navigating their own mental health Often saving lives Speaker through you to the minister of education How will our government commit to supporting mental health education in schools? I want to first off just recognize the courage of the member from Burlington and her leadership in this Mr. Speaker we have since 2017 18 from the former liberal government We increased funding in mental health in a significant way. They were spending about 16 to 18 million per year We're now spending 90 million dollars a 400 increase in expenditure to improve outcomes for children This year there's 10 million dollars more mr. Speaker We increased learning mandated learning for the first time in Canada and mental health from grades kindergarten all the way to grade eight We were the first jurisdiction in the country to do that speaker And we also recognize that there's a role for public health nurses the critical role within our schools It's why we nearly doubled them providing mental health support And I want to assure the member from Burlington We will move forward with her motion to strengthen further mental health promotion Save lives and improve the lives of all children in this province Thank you very much speaker Speaker over the past few months we've had numerous tragic and terrifying incidents in high schools Including a number of incidents in schools across Scarborough speaker Students are experiencing immense difficulty Especially after the two and a half years of virtual learning With the lack of extracurricular activities students families teachers. They're all worried. They're scared They're worried about these students mental health, and I know the minister just spoke about it These students are dealing with trauma Anxiety we've even had stabbing shootings in our schools resulting in deaths multiple deaths in scarborough And these students speaker don't want to hear about a roadmap to wellness or a number Those are great, but we need the real actions in these schools So what they want to hear is what are the resources in place for our youths In schools and in our communities to ensure their safety and well-being. Thank you very much Minister of education Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the member opposite for the question I think we we all in this legislature are deeply concerned about the violence taking place near Or at schools in this province and frankly across the country We are shared the resolve to confront the violence with investment with staffing and support for our schools for our children and for our staff Mr. Speaker in addition to increasing funding a roughly 420 percent increase in supports. We also have targeted community-based organizations The pinball clements foundation for example speaker is being supported to help racialize children with sport and after school programs We've also ensured the cadent Tamil academy supports intergenerational trauma with mental health supports The muslim association of Canada with new targeted supports for students and for staff dealing with mental health and bullying We've doubled the black graduation program an amazing program that helps ensure higher success rates for racialized children We funded the child development institute to support children with behavioral issues and we've massively increased the kids helpful The member from burlington has introduced a motion to call on government to do more And I assured the member we will in the interest of saving lives protecting children and preventing violence in our schools Thank you speaker again to the premier speaker My office is working with three families facing similar struggles Each has a child who is self-harming has made multiple suicide attempts and is violent at home These families have been told their children's needs are too complex for community program options But they can't get inpatient care one family has been waiting months to hear about a placement in hamilton or niagra The second family is waiting to go on a wait list if a residential treatment option can be found The third child was placed in a group home and is now using and living on the street Speaker will this government commit to providing appropriate treatment options in london for children with some of the highest mental health needs Minister of mental health and addictions Dear minister speaker and thank you for that question in fact To complement the investments that are being made in education that are looking to assist children while they're at school Our government has also invested in the community based supports and services with a 5 increase across the board for children and youth services We've looked specifically at adding additional youth wellness hubs to provide those supports to individuals And these supports are reducing the amount of times that people need to go to emergency rooms Which means that the ones that are going that need the more acute care will have access to that And we've invested one of the leading causes of issues for young people And I don't know those specific cases Is eating disorders and those eating disorders lead to other complications whether it be an addiction So we've created the capacity and we are continuing to create capacity to ensure that the gaps filled and that kids Young people have the treatment options available to them wearing what they reside The next question the member for scarborough aging court Speaker With winter upon us more people will depend on our public transit systems for safe and reliable travel Public transit is vital service for individuals and families in many regions of our province While we know that our government has made significant transit investments Many of my constituents are looking for assurance that our government will continue to support our transit system during this period of economic uncertainty Speaker Can the associate minister of transportation? Please explain what our government is doing to support our transit agencies as we ensure their continued operation. Thank you associate minister of transportation Well, thank you very much speaker that member works really hard for the people of scarborough and I thank you for that question Speaker i'm also very happy to inform that member that yesterday we announced that we are allocating up to 505 million dollars so that municipalities can keep local transit systems Alive and deliver safe reliable transit services to the hardworking riders across this province including those in scarborough Speaker we heard from our municipal partners and we are stepping up to the plate once again with historic funding Delivered through phase four of the savory start agreement For instance nearly 348 million dollars is now being given to the city of tronald to support the ttc This is on top of the 1.2 billion dollars We've already committed to the city and the ttc through prior safe restart funding Speaker improving the transit network isn't just about laying down track providing discounts and more options to pay It requires supporting transit agencies so that hardworking people can get from point a to point b And do it seamlessly speaker. This is just the beginning with this funding We're making sure that we protect transit. We're getting it done for communities Speaker thank you for the associate minister for his response It is reassuring for many of my constituents and all ontarians That our transit network continues to provide reliable and accessible service for those who need it most Our government's recent funding and historic multi-billion dollar transit expansion plan will continue to assist transit riders across our province Our transit system must continue to be responsive to our community's need And now and in the future Speaker can the associate minister of transportation? Please explain What ongoing support our government is providing to our transit agencies. Thank you Thank you speaker the member is right It's about supporting communities and that means more than just creating a spider web of transit But it also means continuing to support transit agencies throughout the province Speaker face forward this funding on top of the two billion dollars that our government has already allocated Since 2020 under the federal provincial safe restart agreement provides such support It's historic funding frankly speaker and it kept municipal transit agencies running through a very difficult time that was the pandemic And these most recent investments will make sure we boost ridership in scarborough as well as around the province to ensure that riders Get reliably and safely to wherever it is that they need to go now speaker It's unfortunate that the ndp and the liberals voted against our previous safe restart funding and given their track record They probably say no to the recent 505 million dollars. However speaker Unlike the opposition we will continue to say yes to building world-class transit. Yes to connecting grid Yes to supporting transit agency speaker This is the only government that's going to get it done for commuters in ontario Thank you, mr. Speaker to the premier 8 000 ontarians with mental illness or disabilities are experiencing homelessness 216 people experiencing homelessness died on the streets of toronto last year two nights ago I was speaking with a young man in front of a shelter and he had been beaten up He had a broken rib and a broken cheekbone and he'd been discharged from the hospital And he was sleeping on the street in front of a shelter that had just been closed I phoned shelter services to see if they had a bed. There was nothing available. All the shelters in toronto were full The minister of children and community services has been boasting about a five percent increase to odsp rates Which is actually an inflationary cut to the premier Are you not ashamed that your government's destitution level odsp rates are leading to homelessness and death Ontarians with mental illness and disabilities The associate minister of mental health and addictions. Thank you, mr. Speaker and once again, thank you for that question I think that question underscores something that's significant that we need to address the social determinants of health If in fact we're going to make a difference and build a system and a continuum of care That's actually going to make a difference in everyone's lives. That's impacted by mental health or addictions and mr. Speaker That's something that our government has been doing We're taking a whole of government approach when it comes to the investments that are being made For instance with the solicitor general, we're building mobile crisis intervention teams that are geared to providing support and services To take individuals through crisis centers instead of taking them to hospital to emergency rooms with the minister of municipal affairs and housing We're working. He's doing incredible work and he's trying through the new legislation to build even more Homes for individuals, you know, he's raised. He's put in he's invested 500 million dollars annually To for the homelessness prevention program and I want to quote from the CEO of habitat for humanity Said this government's proposal to exempt affordable housing from development charges will provide certainty To all affordable housing providers and enable us to build more homes. Mr. Speaker. We are going to make a difference and build Thank you very much speaker my questions to the premier times are tough and coping is hard for anyone People also struggling with mental health issues are really up against it with nowhere to turn and dangerous waiting lists The editor general basically said we were doing a terrible job with youth mental health back in 2018 and now heading into 2023 We're terribly beyond capacity and things are really bad Ashley is a young woman in my community who has spent too much time asking and waiting for help She has a question for the premier. She asked quote at lake rich health Why is the wait time to see a psychiatrist over two years long? Why does it take a trip to the emergency room in active crisis to maybe be seen sooner? It always has to escalate, but all too often folks in crisis are sent home from the Home from the er and told to wait years and quote. So my question is ashley's question Why is the wait time to see a psychiatrist over two years long for youth in my community? Thank you Mr. Speaker and again, thank you for that question because it's something Where the very questions and a lot of the questions that are being asked here today are the reason that I'm standing here I'm in government because of the lack of effort from the previous government And the one before that Mr. Speaker, this is the first government government to meaning meaning Start the clock. Yeah, sorry. Yeah, sorry. I understand The business for next This country and maybe the entire The Sector to ensure that the supports are there for the people that need the supports Where and when they need them and I want lessons from the MVP who cut There is a lot going on at the moment Start the clock the member for nag or west next question As many new Canadians and new families are moving to our beautiful region And we also have a rapidly aging population and combined together these two factors are obviously Placing a great deal of pressure on our local health care facilities. Unfortunately, we saw the former liberal government cancel Not once but twice the new west Lincoln memorial hospital Now my question to the minister of infrastructure is if she could please provide an update to this house about what critical infrastructure Investments are being made in health care in the nag region Mr. Ventures structure Much mr. Speaker building hospitals is a priority for the people of Ontario I want to thank the member from niagara west for his hard work in helping to build He health care infrastructure in the niagara region in our most recent market update We are advancing on the construction of our hospital which includes south niagara hospital project Once completed the south niagara will be a full acute care hospital with state of the art 24 seven emergency department Magnostic therapeutic and surgical service. This is in addition to expanding the west lincoln memorial hospital in grimsby Which by the way, mr. Speaker was the very first hospital that our government announced when we were elected in So i'm very excited on these two projects supplementary To the minister my thanks to the minister for visiting nag or west to see the shovels in the ground in this Important project as it proceeds addressing the infrastructure needs of our province today is an investment in our future prosperity And in the needs of so many new canadians for too long communities across this province We're neglected by the previous liberal government and crucial infrastructure in so many communities fell by the wayside key infrastructure Requests were delayed ignored or passed over I know that our government is committed to building the infrastructure that is needed in each and every sector and every community of our province So my question to through you speaker is if the minister could provide more information to this house about the investments That are being made in communities across ontario minister of infrastructure Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker We were elected on a very strong mandate to build key infrastructure across the province of ontario Communities like brampton winds or durham were communities that were previously ignored by the liberal government not under our watch Mr. Speaker and brampton were building a new hospital which will include a 24 7 emerged department In southwestern ontario We're moving forward with the widening of highway 3 from sx to lemington And in durham region. Mr. Speaker the grand view children's treatment center in ajax is under construction There's there will be lots more to share in your 2023 includes our question period for this morning Of a number of members who've asked to raise points of order We'll deal with them one at a time first of all the government hosting Thank you very much speaker just rising in accordance with the standing order 59 Just from my members of course that we will be returning on tuesday february 21st and As I always do I look forward very much look forward to contacting the opposition house leaders and working closely to to Let them know Let them know what business will be coming ahead I also just uh want to on behalf of the government also Congratulate and and thank kevin kevin modeste for his His exceptional exceptional work here on behalf of you but on behalf of all of the house It is a very very difficult job a very very difficult difficult task being in the house leaders office Even more difficult that I would suggest being in the opposition house leaders office And he has done an exceptionally good job Of of doing it into his wife Shana rea his daughter rea and riley Congratulations or dad has done it an extraordinary extraordinarily. Good job, and we congratulate him Wish him all the best in the future Also just uh want to again speaker Thank you for a what was a wonderful reception last evening. I know we have many members had a great time was Very very nice to see everybody back after a couple of years hiatus to all of my colleagues on all sides of the house thank you for what was a very very productive session and Another more great work on behalf of the people of province of ontara by all members on on All sides of the house and of course to the To the wonderful staff here who have done extraordinary work in keeping this place going We set it before not only the only legislature that continue to sit during a covet in-person testament to their hard work But bringing us back strong and working very hard for us. We all thank you very much for your hard work And finally just to again to my my great my great team Thank you very much And again all members merry christmas happy new year happy holidays and be safe and we'll see you back not so soon Point of order the member for guelph. Thank you speaker I would like to invite everybody to Go to a celebration in room 230 Emancipation month canada will be there Celebrating the one-year anniversary of the first bill in ontario history That was cosponsored by members of all four parties with seats in the house So I want to give a special shout out to MPP's kanjin Hunter and lindo for being a part of that And I hope you can all go in and wish emancipation month canada well today I'd also like to take a moment as well on behalf of the entire green caucus the thank kevin The thank kevin modesta as well You know when we came here In 2018 I had no idea how this legislature worked And in the spirit of cross-party cooperation kevin was Just an invaluable guide to me and my team and helping us navigate this place Also, just want to take a moment to thank all the staff as well from the table to custodial services Security everyone else. Thank you for the great work you do and a special shout out to jackie Who sat right in front of me for the last few years for the great work you've done and wish you well in your retirement. Thank you speaker Member for ottawa south I'd like to correct my record and I have a few words. I'd like to say after that So on december the 6th in my late show. I'd like to correct my record For hansard. Yep. Sometimes you make mistakes The room and it starts the sentence for hansard the review added 21 urban river valleys and 17 marubels They were approved totaling. I meant to say 138 acres And then I mean another mistake is it remember you guys are opening up and I meant to say 11 000 acres And then another mistake. This is unbelievable. How many mistakes I made in this so and then in the 2017 plan We expended by 9 000 hectares, which is actually I meant to say More than 22 000 acres. Thank you Okay, and a second point of order Yep, I had a chance to say merry christmas yesterday. So I'm you're all here So I'm not going to be a hog and take up too much time. I do love you all we're all like one big family You know that And I um, but I wanted their two special thank yous um On top of my cog Who I love the most Kevin modeste Is a welcoming smart person Here in this legislature incredible knowledge But the best thing about kevin Is he's got the biggest heart? And I'm so glad to have Ed spend some time with kevin I didn't want to have to do it by coming to the opposition lobby, but it was worth it And I just want to thank him so much and really wish him well and And yesterday when uh, again, I had the opportunity to um hold the floor for a bit and Talk about us being a family. There's another part of our family Which are the people who work here the table The sergeant at arms everyone All the constables everybody who works in this place, you know, they're they were here before There's some of them that were here before any of us got here And they're going to be here After we're not here anymore because it goes past any of us And we owe them a great debt For the things that they do every day to keep us informed to keep us safe to keep us organized And to keep us in order Very very thankful for that And speaker You're their boss and we're very thankful for you. Very christmas Point of order the member or the minister for red tape production Because I just want to take a moment and recognize few friends that are here with us from india Bakrinder Singh gremit core amrit chima our steep work and welcome to legislature. Thank you Member for to miss green cock Thank you speaker on behalf of the official opposition. I'd also like to take a moment um, and I've spoken about kevin already the one thing that no one's said yet Is kevin has got the most amazing sense of humor Sometimes there's some people in this place who want to make me cry, but he always makes me laugh And I would also like to recognize everyone who works here who works for the people of ontario and That everyone who works here Does something that we couldn't operate if we weren't if they weren't here You know lots of times we're here at night and someone comes to clean the office the people in the cafeteria once again I couldn't survive without the cafeteria But It's it's it's an incredible place. So on behalf of the official opposition. I'd like to wish everyone Uh, joy and well, Merry Christmas, and I'm from my dutch friends. We got to catch dog. Thank you Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to give an introduction to dr David Jacobs who is here today and thank him for all the incredible work He does as a medical professional and for for everyone across this province. Thank you for joining us Next we have a deferred vote on the motion for third reading of bill 51