 It is now time for oral questions. And I recognize the leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, my first question this morning is for the Premier. For months, the Ford government insisted larger class sizes and mandatory online learning would be welcomed by parents and educators, and parents and kids paid the price. The Premier said it would make students more resilient. They hid reports in which parents, teachers, and educators warned them it would not work. And they picked a fight that closed schools across Ontario. Yesterday, the Minister of Education revised the government's position yet again. But parents want to hear from the Premier that these cuts were a mistake and the government will be repealing them entirely. Will he do that today? Questions to the Premier? For you, Mr. Speaker, parents, students, and teachers want a deal. And we've put a great deal in front of them and we'll see which way they go. Minister Leche confirmed the major moves we've made at the table. Massive, massive moves to again get the kids back into the classroom. It's a deal that keeps classes sizes low, Mr. Speaker. Invest in special education and math and maintains full-day kindergarten. Insurance merit is part of hiring and keeps compensation increases reasonable. What's more, Minister Leche announced that parents will have a choice on online learning. And I think that's going to grow organically. The kids are going to want to go online, so let's see what happens. But most important, Mr. Speaker, the unions have known about these moves for weeks and yet they continue to escalate. We want a deal to keep the kids in the classroom. Thank you. That's a question. Well, Mr. Speaker, with all due respect, the Minister made the announcement at a podium, not at a bargaining table. The Ford government is frantically back-boggling in the face of overwhelming backlash from parents, teachers, students, and school boards. All of whom have rejected the Premier's short-sighted and reckless classroom cuts. But the Ford government has a long way to go if it wants to earn anyone's trust. The Premier could start today by acknowledging that he was wrong from the beginning and apologizing to parents, to students, and to educators for the way that he's handled this mess. Government side, come to order. Premier, to respond. Mr. Speaker, our Minister of Education has done an incredible, incredible job. For the first time in 50 years, the teachers' unions are being held accountable. We support the hardworking front-line teachers. We talk to the front-line teachers that want to get back into the classroom and teach the students. That's their expertise. That's what we're doing working day in and day out, Mr. Speaker, to get a deal. We've increased spending on education $1.2 billion. That's $1.2 billion. We're investing $3.1 billion in special education funding, the highest levels this province has ever seen in the history of this province. We've announced a four-year, $200 billion mass strategy, Mr. Speaker, and we're going to continue doing everything we can to get the teachers' union to sign the deal and put an end to this nonsense. Well, the fact remains, Speaker, it's this government that created the nonsense in the first place, pretending that they were being reasonable. They said that every day, Ontarians were on board with their plans to fire thousands of teachers, to kick kids out of the classroom and force them onto the internet, and to cram everyone else who was left into overcrowded, underfunded and crumbling schools is the four government finally ready to admit that their failure to listen to parents led to the hot mess that we're in right now. Members, please take your seats. Stop the clock. If this starts again, as soon as I start the clock, I'll stand up again to stop the clock. We could be here till 12.30, one o'clock. Your choice. Start the clock. Minister of Education, respond. Mr. Speaker, it's time for a deal in this province, and we're taking action to deliver a deal for students in Ontario. And that's why, Speaker, yesterday I was proud to put forth a plan, a pragmatic plan that heeds the perspective and advice of parents. Mr. Speaker, in our announcement yesterday, we're ensuring that classroom sizes are effectively frozen for elementary and for high school students in Ontario. We are ensuring 100% investment in special education to help the most vulnerable. We're protecting all-day kindergarten. We're ensuring that merit guides the hiring of new teachers in Ontario. And, Speaker, yes, we are standing strong in the defence of a 1% fair increase for workers and for teachers. This is a good deal. It's a program that's going to help students succeed. And it's about time the teacher unions get to the table. Let's get this done. The next question. Once again, the leader of the opposition. Speaker, my next question is also for the Premier, but I do have to say it is long past time for a deal. It's not time for a deal. It's long past time for a deal in this province. This government said the last year making life worse for parents, for teachers, for students. They don't get to take a victory lap now that they've been shamed into backing down on the cuts that they never should have put on the table in the first place. This government's changes to class sizes and cuts to school boards through the lives of everyday families across this province into chaos. Thousands of teachers were laid off across the province. Some still haven't found work. Some went from full-time to occasional part-time work. Why did this government care so little about the damage that they caused, that they had to be dragged, kicking and screaming into doing the right thing by the kids of this province? Minister of Labor, come to order. Response? Minister of Education. Thank you, Speaker. We're fine to ensure that your son and your daughter is able to stay in school with a positive plan that ensures that every child in Ontario is given the investment they need to succeed. Speaker, in this deal, a plan we proposed yesterday, we are listening. We have ensured that classroom sizes are effectively frozen. We're ensuring that special education support is at 100% annualized investment to help those in need. Speaker, we're giving an opt-out. We're giving parents, putting them in the driver's seat, not the unions, not a politician, the parents of this province to decide what's best for their child. Speaker, this is a positive plan. Enough with the dithering, enough with the delay. Get to the table. Let's get this done. Supplementary question. Delusional government, Speaker. What a delusional minister. The Ford government can't expect to get praised by teachers, by parents, or by students for taking six months to admit that they were wrong. The time for them to listen was during the consultation that they utterly ignored. But thanks to their stubbornness, students across the province had to deal with thousands of their classes being cancelled. The government knew their plan was putting students' graduation and their very futures at risk. They knew this all along and continued down their ill-informed path. Will this government will this government apologize, apologize to the students, apologize to the parents, and apologize to the education workers and teachers in this province who they went out of their way to attack. Stop the clock. Ministry of the Environment, come to order. Member for Stormont, Dundas, Glen Gary, come to order. Member for Kitchener, Conestoga, come to order. Everybody else, come to order. Start the clock. Minister of Education, report. Mr. Speaker, we will never apologize for ensuring that Mayor and Guides hiring in this province for new educators in Ontario. We're not going to apologize. We are not going to apologize for the strong and the defensive a 1% fair increase for workers and wages for wages and for benefit speaker. We believe this is the right thing to do. What we also believe is the program we've unveiled is absolutely consistent with the price of parents. And now there's a choice before the unions. And I'm asking them to do two things. One, during this period of negotiation given the policy change of government the union should cancel their strikes and I hope in the supplemental the member opposite will stand with us and agree that strikes should be cancelled during a period of negotiation. That's a yes or no to the member opposite. The second question, Speaker, the second point of my request upon the unions is to accept that we need to see incremental movements when it comes to merit-based hiring. I want the best teacher to be the front of your child's class. It's a mission we're on. We're going to work hard at the table to get this deal done, Speaker. The final supplementary. Speaker, it is unbelievable that this minister continues to behave the way he's behaved all along that's created the problem that we now have in front of us and that parents and teachers and school boards and kids, most importantly have had to deal with for months and months and months on end. The fact is this government has made a mess of our education system. And we won't fix it with hastily arranged press conferences. The Premier can take a first step today, Speaker. Make it clear that all of his cuts are cancelled, not amended, cancelled completely. Get a team back to the table with a minister who's actually serious about getting a deal, not just getting attention. Will the Premier do that? Let the record be clear given the opportunity to affirm that the opposition stands against strikes during the period of negotiation there was no response. Silence from the member opposite. Parents want action. They want the tables at the table. Parents and students deserve every party to be at the table to deliver a deal that's good for students. And that's exactly what we're going to do. By keeping classroom sizes low, by ensuring merit-based hiring, by ensuring we stand strong in the defence of a 1% fair increase for public servants in this problem. But Speaker, the member opposite mentioned school boards and their concerns. Let me read the Ontario Public School Board Association said yesterday, quote, in our view this is a positive development, Speaker. And the fact is school boards, parents, workers acknowledge themselves that this is a positive path to deliver a deal. The time is now for the unions to cancel the strikes, get to the table. Let's get this done, Speaker. The member for Hamilton, East Stony Creek come to order. The member for Niagara Falls come to order. The next question, the member for Davenport. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This question is for the Premier. Yesterday, the Minister of Education tried a new spin on his disastrous plan to cut classrooms and on the government's terrible mandatory e-learning plan. And it is not hard to see why. Thanks to the consultation documents that we released this week that this government tried to bury, it is plain to see just how massively unpopular this plan is among parents and students and educators. Speaker, we are talking about 220 hours of in-person learning replaced by computers. We're talking about an average of 35 kids in each online class and we know that could go higher. And now the government thinks making parents jump through hoops to spare their kids will make it somehow more palatable. Speaker, instead of putting the onus on parents to opt their kids out from this terrible plan, why not just scrap the plan for mandatory online learning now? Mr. Speaker, thank you very much. The member's opposite have asserted that this discussion shall at the table. We agree and it has to do with the question of the classroom size reduction that the government is proposing. They asserted no. Mr. Speaker, I have confirmed and the media now have access to letters from February 24. Word says without reservation class sizes excluding online learning shall not exceed 23, Speaker. And the fact is we have been transparent with our intention to deliver a deal that keeps classroom sizes low that ensures investments return to the front of class that ensures that we maintain the line on 1%. But it enables us to keep classroom size as low, Mr. Speaker, to the question of online learning, you or anyone else is not best positioned to make a decision when it comes to child education. Their parents should make that decision. We believe in that principle. And parents should be in the drive. That's good. Supplementary question. Mr. Speaker, the minister is spinning so hard he's going to lift off. Back to the premier. Mr. Speaker, preparing our kids for the future should not mean pushing them into isolating online courses at the expense of in-person learning. For months, people have been trying desperately to understand why, why is this government refusing to back down from a scheme that so clearly jeopardizes student success? So clearly. Well, Mr. Speaker, a private panel this afternoon may shed some light. At the Canadian club later today, a group of private e-learning companies are gathering in Yorkville to discuss business opportunities in our public education system. Will the premier tell us today who stands to profit from this e-learning mess? Official opposition come to order. Minister of Education replied. Mr. Speaker, this government believes parents know best, politicians, not bureaucrats and not union leaders in the province of Ontario. The plan we brought forth ensures that students get to make that decision. Over the past 24 hours, I've heard from many parents, many students and teachers themselves. I want to speak to you about one example, Jovanna, who wrote and she said, as a parent of the system for 12 years, I can confidently say it is broken. So many investments made that never went to our kids. We need to help support kids directly. Let us start teaching for the century we're in, not the past. I want change, I want my kids in class. Jovanna, this government agrees. The next question, the member for Barry, Innes Still. Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the premier. Premier, over two years ago my riding, my home of Barry, was leading the province and the country in the wrong way. In April of 2018 Barry had the highest unemployment rate in all of Canada. That was followed in May by the highest unemployment rate in Ontario. This left families without hope and a loss of dignity that comes with a job. It meant increased hardship and uncertainty for many community business leaders that weren't certain about their fiscal future. Fortunately, Mr. Speaker, there is hope yet again. Since our government has come to office, Barry has turned around, especially when it comes to job creation. Could the premier share with this House about our government's actions and the positive results they were having in Barry? Questions to the premier? I want to thank an all-star member from Barry, Innesville. The plans that the mayor and our MPP have up there is absolutely staggering. I got to tell you, in 2018 before we got elected unemployment just shot through the roof right across this province losing 300,000 jobs. The good news is, my friends, in November and December of 2019 Barry created the environment for 2700 new jobs. Congratulations. Ken says 900 new jobs came in January of 2020. The unemployment now, I'm so proud to say unemployment is the lowest in decades now and it's a fair average of 5%. They're doing an incredible job creating new jobs. Matter of fact, I'm going to just quote Mayor Jeff Lehman said we have seen strong hiring locally. The strength has come from the manufacturing which we lost 300,000 jobs between the NDP and the Liberals between manufacturing and healthcare sectors. Thank you very much. Speaker, back to the premier. Premier, you are right about the tremendous turnaround happening in my riding and the numbers are truly showing the potential. I want to take this opportunity to highlight an innovative manufacturing company in my riding. SBS Drive Tech is the first North American subsidiary of a German based automotive parts company called Burger Group who opened its operations in Barry. I was proud to announce that we have received over $89,000 in investment from our government to help them operate and expand. Our government is creating an environment where business can focus on what they do best developing great products and building successful companies and successful communities. Can the premier share with this house the investments we've made in Barry and the positive impact has had all across the province? Mr. Speaker, I want to thank you. The investments we made in Barry we invested over $20 million in 11 new transportation routes and also invested in 30 new buses. That's $20 million back into Barry. But the economy is very simple Mr. Speaker. The way you generate jobs is by making sure you take the burden off the backs of companies that are debating whether to stay in Canada, Ontario or go down to the United States. We made sure we created an environment by lowering the WSIB premiums by 47% by making sure that we can have accelerated right-offs of $3.8 billion. 76% of all jobs in Canada were created right here in Ontario. We lowered the small business tax because we know a vast majority of the people in Ontario are business owners. We cut the red tape and regulations by $400 million. Thank you. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier. A month ago, the Premier unveiled with great fanfare his brand new shiny PC party blue license plates that he claimed would be more durable and more effective. Even I had faith the Premier could get right it's making license plates but clearly a lot can happen in a month after the government initially denied that there was a problem the Premier finally backtracked and said that his new plates would be recalled then he signed a non-disclosure agreement with 3M so that Ontarians would be kept in the dark. Speaker, will the Premier today do the right thing and table all the costs to Ontarians for issuing his new plates including all the shipping I answered in one second shipping, handling and manufacturing costs. Mr. Government consumer services. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker and I want to be crystal clear in all of this we actually listen to the concerns of Ontarians we have taken their feedback very seriously we have shared our plan forward and we're delivering very diligently a plan to work and reflect the feedback that we heard from Ontarians and because of that we're very proud of the path we're on and we certainly look forward to updating you as the plan progresses. Thank you very much. A supplementary question Speaker, thanks to the Premier's non-disclosure agreement with 3M we have no way of knowing what the Premier and 3M have agreed to in order to make the Premier's decision to go away so that's why today we've written to the Auditor General asking her to conduct a full review of this mess in her role as Auditor General she'll be able to review the contracts details without revealing any sensitive information about the contract Speaker, will the Premier do the right thing back our call to the Auditor and fully provide all documentation to the Auditor so that she can do the work that Ontarians are asking for the minister to reply against speaker on the path forward our government has responded our vendor has responded we've listened to concerns thank you very much the next question the member for Don Valley my questions for the Minister of Education yesterday the minister announced that the government had finally decided to listen to reason the government's new position is a significant back down and credit for that back down goes to all the clear voices of students and educators who made it clear that raising class sizes taking 5 to 10,000 adults out of schools across the province and forcing students to take online courses when no jurisdiction has demonstrated that mandatory online learning works for all students were all bad ideas the minister yesterday made it sound as though he was withdrawing all of those egregious policies but in fact that is not the case there are already hundreds of fewer adults in schools across the province this year than last year and the move to an average class size of 23 students will further reduce the number of teachers in our schools which in turn will mean thousands of fewer course options for students Mr. Speaker why is it still the position of this government that students in Ontario's high schools should do without thousands of courses because of this government's cuts Order Minister of Education reply Speaker how is it the position of that member to consents to a hiring of new educators in Ontario 100% based on union seniority how is that conceivable and consistent with the best interests of quality education in the province that is a fundamental question I think parents, principals and education leaders will like an answer too but this government seeks to remedy the failures of the past by bringing forth a plan that ensures that merit, yes diversity and quality guide the hiring of new educators in Ontario with respect to teachers in Ontario we're ensuring that they're in the front of class but we're ensuring we're able to keep classroom sizes low by ensuring we hold the line on the 1% wage and benefit ask for a deal the time for delay is no longer we have to see action parents have seen 300 days of bargaining and our government has made a move yesterday to deliver a positive outcome that ensures every child remains in class the time for a deal is now Thank you The supplementary question Mr. Speaker although the government has somewhat changed its tune on the mandatory aspect of the two online courses the two courses will still be the default unless parents opt their students out now Mr. Speaker as a mom my experience was that my children worked with their guidance councillors and were quite capable of putting together a plan for their learning and I can only imagine when my kids were in grade 11 or 12 if I or their dad had chosen to intervene in response to the announcement the Ontario Students Trustees Association has said and I quote we are still troubled by parents having to opt their students out of the e-learning state as opposed to high school students being able to make this decision for their own education I quote will the minister take the voices of these students into account and will he and his team now put together a real proposal to take to the negotiating table Order Mr. Education reply Mr. Speaker the nanny state principles of liberal parties clearly alive and well but Mr. Speaker we believe as progressive conserves parents know best and that's why we're giving them the information we're empowering them and their students make the best decision for their child but Mr. Speaker that's why we're providing a opt out we're providing them that optionality that I think they deserve Speaker this plan keeps classroom sizes low it ensures merit based hiring it ensures spec gets support is at 100% it's a good deal it's a deal that should be implemented my call the unions cancel the strikes get to the table let's get this done next question member for Brampton West thank you speaker my question is for the Minister of Health this is a government that listens to Ontarians for years Ontarians have been asking for a plan that will properly address mental health and addictions while 1.4 million Ontarians experience a mental health or addiction challenge each year care has too often been out of reach Speaker as the minister made clear yesterday during her announcement our government knows how important it is for Ontarians and their families to have access to mental health and addiction that's why our government has introduced a new plan for a comprehensive and connected mental health and addiction system can the minister tell us about the work that went into this mental health and addictions plan deputy premier and minister thank you Speaker and thank you to the member from Brampton West for this for this question yesterday the associate minister of mental health and addictions and I were very pleased to launch the road map to wellness and addiction system in Ontario this announcement follows extensive engagement with people with lived experience families caregivers front line organizations researchers and first responders with this plan we are enhancing the availability and quality of community based mental health and addiction services we are improving access finding innovation innovative solutions like the mind ability program expanding existing services and improving the quality of these services speaker our government has brought forward a plan that will ensure that on all Ontarians receive the care and support they need when and where they need it the supplementary question thank you Speaker and thank you to the minister for her answer it is clear that the road map to wellness provides a clear path towards offering Ontarians easier access to higher quality care and support missus speaker I'm glad the minister mentioned mind ability this program is the first of its kind in Canada offering therapy for Ontarians struggling with depression or anxiety two of the most common mental health issues I'm happy that this innovative new care option will be funded like just like OHIP and made available for no out of pocket cost to patients can the minister tell us more about mind ability and some of the other parts of our governments plan to better connect Ontarians with these services the associate minister of mental health and addiction thank you Mr. Speaker and I'd like to thank the member from Brampton West for his question Mr. Speaker I want to begin by thanking our Premier Doug Ford and our Minister of Health and Deputy Premier Christine Elliott for the great work that they've done you know the media this morning was talking about the strategy and said this is a game changer for the province and I couldn't agree more than one million dollars in annual funding to launch mind ability which will provide accessible evidence based cognitive behavioral therapy to Ontarians through mind ability individuals receive an assessment from a trained clinician and are offered a therapy program that addresses their unique needs it's important to note that mind ability includes face to face group and individual therapy as well as online modules workbooks telephone coaching and clinical counseling Mr. Speaker the road the road map to wellness will also expand community-based mental health and addiction services to improve the supports available to Ontarians thank you thank you Speaker through you to the Premier today frontline paramedics released a shocking report showing that ambulance shortages are on the rise in Ontario because of years of frozen health budgets under the liberal state of Ontario the frontline ambulance workers make it clear and I quote emergency medical services need adequate funding or the pressure on the system will increase until it reaches a breaking point can the Premier tell us why he is plowing ahead with cutting and merging Ontario's emergency services thank you thank you thank you and語 and Thank you and I'm none- ко to get patients get patients then answer the question and then you know emergency paramedics and so on to make sure that we can enhance the services and better the quality of services available to all Ontarians. Mr. Pine is continuing with his consultations regionally and we are awaiting the reports of his recommendations which will be expressive of everything that he's heard from emergency service providers. The Paramedics report is actually very clear and I invite the minister anytime to visit the Civic Hospital campus to see the backlog of ambulances. It can't unload because of the cuts. It is putting Ontarians at risk. Increasingly when they call 911 there's a chance there will be no ambulance available and you know what Speaker despite the laughing I hear from the opposite side it's not a funny matter because yesterday in Ottawa there were 19 ambulance crews who were unable to respond and they were stuck waiting at the Ottawa General Hospital. I don't find that funny and let me be clear Ontario paramedics are doing their very best despite these circumstances so I have a serious question for the Premier or the Deputy Premier. Are you going to be prepared today to tell frontline paramedic staff who are here with us that this is unacceptable and this has to change? This is a very serious matter. We take it very seriously. We are working very hard to deal with that situation. The situation in Ottawa I know is particularly of concern. We want to make sure that we can have the right people responding to care at the right time. We have put over $16 million to assist municipalities with funding for dedicated nurses to receive ambulance patients and return paramedics to the community faster. This is an issue that is also creating hallway health care. We know that it is. We are working very hard to make sure that our paramedics can be back out on the road doing the services that they are intended to do while we are still able to safely receive patients into the emergency departments in the hospital. It is something we are actively working on now and I thank you for the question. Next question the member for Ottawa South. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. My questions for the Minister of Health and Mr. I know that you're familiar with Surrey Place. It's just a stone throw from here and you know that they provide specialized care for persons living with developmental disabilities and since 2006 they've been receiving funding from the Ministry of Health for developmental disabilities primary care program which helps primary care physicians meet the very unique needs of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. That funding ended in April 2019. I know that Surrey Place put forward a proposal in advance of last year's budget and they heard nothing from the Ministry. So Speaker through you I'm asking the Minister to support this program that serves a very vulnerable population with very unique needs. Thank you Speaker. The Associate Minister of Children and Women's Issues. The proposal from Surrey Place. It's also incumbent on all governments to plan for the future and consider how demographics are changing. That's what we're doing and had the previous government understood that the sector would be in a better place today. Minister Smith has talked to families, adults with developmental disabilities and our service providers across the province about how we can do better to those that depend upon these services. What's been clear in these conversations is that many of these families are facing the same challenges today that they faced 10 or even 15 years ago. Our ministry is also connecting with our housing sector partners and community stakeholders to expand housing options for people with developmental disabilities and we will continue our conversations with individuals with lived experience and service providers in the coming months as we continue to explore new ways to improve supports for the families and individuals that we serve. Speaker this is program is I thank you for the answer. That wasn't the answer I think that families needed to hear. This is a program that's $450,000 a year, $225,000 from the Ministry of Health, $225,000 from your ministry. They do incredible work. This work is a center of excellence for primary care physicians. People living with developmental disabilities have very unique needs. They're hard to serve in primary care, in palliative care, in any medical setting. And this work it's it's critical to all Ontarians. It's supporting physicians. So it needs to continue. It's just that simple. You know, I think what I would like to hear in the answer is that you're going to connect with Surrey Place, talk to them about the work that they do, work with them to continue that work. It's really important work. I ask you, Minister, that you, your or your staff or your ministry speak directly to Surrey Place and help them continue this. It's not the member from the P and Carleton could let me finish the question. I know I know that order, order, order, order, stop the clock. Order. Number for Carleton, come to order. The Minister for Heritage, come to order. I'm going to give the member for Ottawa South a few seconds to place his question. I'm asking you to make that call. It's a serious question. It's on behalf of people whose voices are really hard to hear. So I'm asking the minister to listen to those voices. Thank you. Deputy Premier and Minister of Health to reply. Remember that this is a really important issue that we need to serve people with developmental challenges better than we have in the past. The work that is being done at Surrey Place is extraordinary. And I can tell you that we have reached an agreement with the Ministry of Health for an expansion of services at Surrey Place. The agreement is between the Ontario Government, Surrey Place and the Ontario Medical Association in conjunction with the physicians at Surrey Place. Over the next three years, the agreement will provide funding to expand physician services. The agreement is expected to stabilize the physician complement by supporting the recruitment and retention of physicians. This will increase access to care and address service gaps for an underservice and very vulnerable population. And of course, we will continue our conversations with Surrey Place in conjunction with the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. The next question, the member for Flanders-Landers. Good morning, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Associate Minister of Women and Children's Issues. Speaker, first responders play a vital role in our community. Police officers, firefighters, paramedics, correction officers frequently risk their lives to save ours. It's a tough job that requires compassion, commitment and understanding. And Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of witnessing this firsthand when I took part in a ride along with Hamilton police officers and training exercises with members of Hamilton's Fire Department. They are an incredible group of people. Can the minister please tell us what she is doing to ensure that more women pursue careers as first responders? Great question. The Associate Minister for Children and Women's Issues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to my friend and the wonderful member from Flanders-Landers for that great question. This week, I had the privilege of meeting with Inspector Veronica Eaton, who is the first female detachment commander for Aurelia OPP and several other female officers in my riding of Simcoe North. These women are blazing the trail for other young women by demonstrating their bravery, passion and leadership every day in our community. Speaker, women and girls across Ontario deserve to know that there is not only a place for them on the front lines, but an open invitation. We are seeing more and more women join the police force, firefighting services and becoming paramedics. It is inspiring to see this increase every single day and we want young women to be aware of these growing opportunities so they are encouraged to follow their passions. Speaker, we stand with the female first responders across our province. For the good of our province, these women serve, protect and support our communities and we thank them for the continued service. The supplementary question. Speaker, my supplementary question is to the Solicitor General. As the Associate Minister for Women and Children's issues noted, women play an integral role as first responders on the front line of each of our communities as police officers, fired service representatives as corrections officers and in paramedic services. And I'm encouraged that the Associate Minister's commitment to supporting women in their pursuit of careers as first responders build off strong women trailblazers in leadership roles. Can the Solicitor General share how these women who serve on the front line are taking the lead in keeping our communities safe? Thank you, Speaker and thank you to the leader from Glambrook. This is an important issue, particularly in the lead up to International Women's Day. The member is correct. Women are taking the lead in community safety across Ontario. No matter where you look, the examples are everywhere, whether it's Kim Greenwood, who's the Barry Chief of Police and past president of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, whether it's Fire Chief Cynthia Ross-Tustin, who is the Chief at the ESSA Fire Station and the President of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs. Felicia Hooper, Superintendent of the Ontario Corrections Institute, one of the many women in superintendents at Ontario's correctional facilities and in senior leadership roles in correctional services. Whether it's keeping local communities safe or tackling large province-wide crimes like human trafficking, our women on the front line are doing their job with ex-excelling. Thank you. Next question, the member for the Misdoming Caucus. Thank you. My question is to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Biosecurity and security of farm families are incredibly important to the food supply of this province, to the people of this province who produce our food. In a few minutes, we're going to be voting on Bill 156. What's it called? Security from trespass. Can the minister outline what funding has been attached to this act for things like training farmers how to de-escalate a situation in a case of citizens' arrest? Order. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to report. Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and thank the member opposite for the question. And Mr. Speaker, we've been hearing for some time that farmers no longer feel safe in their homes or on their farms. I'm proud to say that our government has heard these concerns and are taking action with this bill. That's why we're proposing legislation, if passed, would keep Ontario farmers, their families, our food workers and farm animals safe by reducing the likelihood of trespassing on farms and processing facilities. People have a right to participate in legal protest but this does not include trespassing on farms or interfering with transporting trucks, transporting livestock. Mr. Speaker, when someone trespasses on a farm they're unlikely to be aware of the sensitive biosecurity protocol in place. We trust our farmers to maintain some of the safest food standards in the world. Response. We supported them. Our legislation is designed to keep animals safe, healthy and protecting the integrity of our food supply. Mr. Speaker, we stand with our farmers and we continue to stand with our farmers. Supplementary question. Order. Thank you, Speaker. I fully agree with the minister on how important biosecurity and protecting farm families is. That's why I'm shocked. I am shocked that they say they're taking action but there is not one dime attached to this bill to train farmers how to deescalate, to train police officers how important this is. There's not one dime. Considering that this government cut the agriculture budget by 225 million dollars in the last budget, 25 percent the least they could have done is to actually put the funding in to actually help farmers protect biosecurity and protect their families. Why haven't they? Members, please take their seats. Order. Government side, stop the clock. Government side has to come to order. Start the clock. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Thank you very much for the supplementary question. I want to say I thank the starting of the question that you realize how important the biosecurity for our farms are. After question period, you cast a vote to pass this bill so we can get that job done. One of the things we didn't hear in our consultation from our agriculture community was that they needed more training to deal with the situation as it was. They needed the ability, the situation to be changed. When they call for help today, the law enforcement comes but they can't do anything because they don't have the tools to fix the problem. This bill will help that and I really appreciate his support for this bill and we look forward in a few minutes that you will get up and say I support that. Clock, the next question, the member for Chatham, Kent Leemings. My question is to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Mr. Speaker, it's been sometimes since our government has put forth bill 156. Farm trespassing has been an issue. Farmers have been facing for many years with increasing concern. Mr. Speaker, being educated about food in our grocery stores is essential. Too few people think about how it gets there and the source of measures our farmers take to make sure our food is safe. Farmers have felt like a lone voice for too long. Can the Minister please tell us about some of their concerns with the issue of farm trespassing? Good question. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker and I want to thank the member from Chatham, Kent Leemings for that great question. Many of us here in this on both sides of the House have farms in our communities. We've heard Mr. Speaker, we've heard from these farmers in our writings who either fear or have directly faced trespassers on their farms. Mr. Speaker, trespassing is simply unacceptable. Our government always has and always will protect the right to protest but this isn't the right way to do it. Our government has passed excellent legislation with the Paws Act which provides the right tools in this province for dealing with animal cruelty concerns. Anyone has a concern they don't have to go in. Call pause and it will be fixed. Farmers need, should have and live, not have to live in fear. Giving them the voice is proposed in this bill we will continue enforcing and we hope that we give the opposition's vote to do that this afternoon. Complimentary question. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker and thank you Minister for that excellent response. You know I'm encouraged by his words and I'm also encouraged by the content of this proposed legislation. We've also heard from thousands of people who feel that this legislation will give them the peace of mind they need to carry on doing the great work that they do. I echo the minister's sentiments. Trespassing on farms is never okay. Will the minister please share more about how this bill aims to deal with the issue of farm trespassing. Minister. Thank you again to the member from Saddam County, Leamington for that great supplementary question. Mr. Speaker the health and safety of farmers and farm animals is at the heart of this legislation. We are striking the right balance between the right to protest and ensuring that farmers have the protections they need. If this bill passed would set up a protected protected animal zones which are subject to fines if trespassed. This also covers animal transportation vehicles. The measures in the bill include fines of up to fifteen thousand dollars for the first offense and twenty five thousand dollars for subsequent events offenses. We are confident that we have struck the right balance with this bill to keep the legal right to protest and giving farmers and farm animals safety and peace of mind. We sure have. The next question the member for Scarborough South West. Thank you Mr. Speaker my question is to the Premier. After years of liberal inaction the cost of child care here in Ontario is out of control. Parents across the province are often spending more on child care than their mortgages or their rent. Speaker that's unacceptable. Now we have learned that thanks to the conservatives the cost of child care is going to increase even more. Conservative cuts mean that Peel Region has had to cancel their reduced child care fees initiative a program that many families rely on to make ends meet. My question is Mr. Speaker why is this government making life more difficult for families in Peel and across this province. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker I thank the member opposite for the question I agree after 15 years the former liberal government include indeed the cost of living rose the highest in the nation and the cost of child care rose the highest in the nation. Notwithstanding that taxation rose and and this is just unacceptable energy cost rose parents work harder and take home less that is wrong that's why I believe the people of this province turn to this political party to be put in charge to manage to ensure affordability is the cornerstone of our government's political mantra. That's why Speaker when it comes to child care we're investing over one billion dollars to build 30,000 new child care spaces right across Ontario and Scarborough and the regions are all across our province. Mr. Speaker we are supporting unlike the members opposite a principle of putting more money in the pockets of moms and dads and parents of this province a children's a children's tax order 75 percent of 75 percent of child care responses going to help 300,000 people speaker we're going to take action to make life affordable for parents of this province. The supplementary question again to the premier mr. Speaker the the investment that this government is making the FAO report shows that that money is actually not going to help families in this province it's not just parents in peel whose lives are now more expensive thanks to the Liberals and the conservative failures almost six million dollars cut in Toronto another five million in Helton 50 million dollars across this province in child care cuts this year this means that parents in places like Cornwall Waterloo and London County all are paying more for child care under this government mr. Speaker families in Ontario shouldn't have to choose between broken promises and half measures from the Liberals or the reckless cuts between from these conservatives so I asked the premier again why does he think that the families should pay more for child care when they're already paying tens of thousands of dollars every year thank you mr. Speaker minister thank you speaker in fact this premier believes family should pay less and that is why unlike any political party in this province we are supporting a tax credit directly to working parents putting money in their pockets to make the best decision for their child's future speaker at the 75% of child care expenses 30,000 new child care spaces speaker i'm very proud that we our government has helped construct both independent as well as government spaces of 20,000 last year loan speaker but in Milton 609 spaces are being built at the bishop reading catholic secondary school in north brampton 658 new elementary school places are being placed with child care rooms approval of 776 space elementary school with five child care rooms in north northeast oakville speaker we're putting money we're accounts we're making life affordable for parents we're building child care spaces that's a plan to make life affordable for parents in this province next question the member for thornhill thank you very much mr. Speaker i have a question to the associate minister of energy ontarians are fortunate to live in a province with a reputation for developing experts and leaders in the ever-evolving field of the energy sector we know that women make up approximately 50% of the canadian workforce however in the last 40 years they've only made up 25% of the overall workforce in the electricity sector however times are changing and we are now seeing an increasing number of women choose the energy sector as a career path could the associate minister of energy please inform this house of the progress being made when it comes to the participation of women in the energy sector associate minister of energy thank you for the great question from the great member from thornhill mr. Speaker much like our province's energy supply we need ontario's energy workforce to be diverse our government knows that having more women and energy contributes to diverse thinking within organizations in the energy sector minister rickford and ire pleased with the work being done by industry associations such as women and nuclear Canada which works to promote career interests and nuclear engineering science technology the trades and other nuclear related professions particularly when it comes to women and youth they're truly helping to lead the way a huge shout out to lisa mcbride for her great work as president of this great organization i know that minister rickford had the opportunity to speak with women in nuclear canada at the canadian nuclear association conference last week to recognize the important work that they are doing to encourage more women to enter the energy sector mr. Speaker we look forward to continuing to advance initiatives and organizations such as women in nuclear to ensure that an increasing number of women choose the energy sector as a career path thank you very much mr. Speaker and i just want to remind us that i graduated from the school of optometry at the university of waterloo in the 1980s when 75 percent of the class was male fast forward a few decades and we're now seeing the complete reverse where 75 percent are female in the stem profession with international women's day coming up this sunday the associate minister's update is certainly welcome news mr. Speaker it's great to hear about the work being done by the organization women in nuclear to break down the barriers for women entering the energy sectors workforce and maybe the associate minister could tell us a little bit more about other initiatives in the industry to promote careers in the scale trades science technology engineering and mathematics for women in energy minister thank you again and thank you to the member from thornhill for being such a great role model for women across our great province mr. Speaker i'd like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy international women's day this coming sunday we're fortunate in our province to have such incredible role models for young girls and women hoping to one day chart their own career path particularly in the energy sector and all the great women here in this house on both sides of the aisle who inspire young girls and women every single day later today i was will be speaking at the interior energy associations women and energy 2020 forum the title of this forum is a new decade this will certainly ring true to many in the industry an industry that for the past number of years has thankfully experienced an increase to the number of women in the sector's talent pool helping you reshape enteros and canada's energy industry for the better mr. Speaker with the support of industry organizations i'm optimistic for what the future of the energy sector has for our women across this great province the next question the member for spadina for york thank you mr. Speaker my question is for the premier the great lakes are at or near near at record high levels this year lake ontario is currently 19 inches over the long-term average for february in new york state the army core of engineers is putting up sandbags water barriers and building water diversions in manitoba they've announced three million dollars in funding for municipalities but in ontario this prime premier has only written the letter to the prime minister the risk of flooding is high this spring and if it's a wet spring the flooding will be worse than in 2017 and 19 homeowners along the toronto water front and all of the great lakes waterfronts are deeply concerned about the risk of flooding why isn't your government taking real action mr. natural resources for thank you very much speaker and thanks thank you to the member for the question as you know the devastating flooding across the province prompted the premier and myself to get active very quickly last year and we appointed a special advisor for flooding he's submitted a report in the fall of last year and we've been seized on that report multiple ministries of our government have been involved in the planning and devising a flood strategy that will be released very shortly in the in the coming days and I can assure you that we're working with the federal governments municipal governments all partners recognizing the challenges that the high water can bring to all of us and the role that nature and man play and we are seized on our responsibility continuing to do everything that we can to protect people and property in this province supplementary question thank you mr. speaker due to concerns around and elevated our water levels counselors in chatham kent called the state of emergency for the second time in seven months and they voted unanimously to close parts of eerie shore drive asking residents to stay away from their homes for up to eight weeks in new york homeowners affected by great lakes flooding could apply for up to 50 000 of state funding but in ontario there was no relief from the provincial government in either 2017 or 19 the 2017 floods cost the city of toronto eight million dollars in damages and all indications show that this flood could be worse instead of investing in flood protection your provincial government has cut 50 percent of the conservation authorities budget for flood management new york key and island neighborhood associations held a forum yesterday and i heard from many constituents who are worried about the impact of flooding so my question is will your government restore funding for the conservation authorities and will you provide funding or make funding available for homeowners to help them recover from what could be another year of disastrous floods minister of natural resources and for the for the question and i want to make it very clear that we made it clear to conservation authorities last year that they must focus on their core responsibilities of flood forecasting and flood management as partners of ours here in the ministry of natural resources and forestry but i also want to point out that our disaster relief assistance for ontarians drail through my colleague the minister of municipal affairs and housing has been actively involved when people have a claim and they are have been affected by flooding we have a program in place to assist ontarians for the flood damages and well i can't comment on what's being offered in other jurisdictions but i can say that the devil is always in the details and it's one thing to read a press release and hear something in the papers but you need to find out and drill down what is actually happening in those jurisdictions and i want to assure people in ontario again that we have been seized and focused on the challenges of flooding in this province since our last year's events and the receiving of Doug McNeill's report and we are focused and working with our partners to ensure that we do what we can we cannot control mother nature and people do understand that but we are thank you very much the next question the member for Adam can't eat anything thank you very much Mr. Speaker my question once again is to the Minister of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs Mr. Speaker our government has demonstrated time and time again that we are committed to helping Ontario's agri-food industry and this includes our great beef industry recently the minister announced that our government will be providing the beef sector with further support for provincially licensed abattoirs will the minister please tell us more about this announcement Mr. Mayor called for food rural affairs thank you very much Mr. Speaker and I want to thank the member from Chatham Cant Leamington again for the question recently our government announced support for Ontario's beef sector to grow and develop new markets by investing up to two million dollars in cost-shared funding that enhances operations at provincial licensed abattoirs this also involves investments up of up to $292,600 under the places to grow initiatives to help beef farmers of Ontario with marketing efforts to access markets emerging markets in Vietnam Korea Taiwan the Philippines and the European Union Mr. Speaker our government is open for business and that means support for our beef sector and help them feed the world a supplementary question thank you Mr. Speaker and thank you minister for that excellent response and I'm greatly encouraged by our government's support for the beef industry these sorts of investments will allow Ontario's beef industry to access new markets and provide them with further support in ensuring that Ontario has some of the best and safest food in the world Mr. Speaker would the minister please tell us more about what this support will do for Ontario's beef industry Minister Thanks again for the supplementary question Mr. Speaker food safety has always been the priority of this government to ensure that Ontarians continue to have some of the best and safest food in the world it is necessary that we continue to support the industry by providing this support our government will strengthen and grow provincial elicited abattoirs and helping to secure future economic growth opportunities for Ontario's beef farmers looking to diversity and to build new markets is an important step to ensure the success of this industry and I would just like to add bill 153 will help all these farmers doing what they need to do best was protect their people protect their animals and protect the safety of our food and I hope we all right after this question period stand up and vote in favour bill 153 Question period for this morning we have a deferred vote on a motion for closure on the motion for second reading of bill 156 an act to protect Ontario's farms and farm animals from trespassers and other forms of interference and to prevent contamination of Ontario's food supply calling the members this is a five minute bell and ask the members to please take their seats on December 10th 2019 Mr. Hardiman moved second reading of bill 156 an act to protect Ontario's farms and farm animals from trespassers and other forms of interference and to prevent contamination of Ontario's food supply Mr. Clark has moved that the question now be put all those in favour of Mr. Clark's motion will please rise one at a time and be recognised by the clerk Mr. Hardiman Mr. Clark Mr. Hardiman Mr. Clark Mr. Yerick Mr. Yerick Mr. Lecce Mr. Lecce Mr. Moroni Mr. Moroni Mr. Calandra Mr. Calandra Mr. Fidelli Mr. Fidelli Mr. Ford Mr. Ford Ms. Elliott Ms. Elliott Mr. Bethan Fowley Mr. Bethan Fowley Mr. Yacobusky Mr. Yacobusky Mr. Tobolo Mr. Tobolo Mr. Danlock Mr. Danlock Mr. Danlock Mr. Romano Mr. Tomson Mr. Thompson Mr. Downey Mr. Downey Ms. Fullerton Ms. Jones Ms. Jones Mr. Sakarya Mr. Sarkaria Ms. Scott Mr. Schott Mr. Cho Scarburnau Mr. Cho Scarburnau Ms. Surma Ms. Surma Mr. McNaughton Mr. McNott Mr. Cove Mr. Cove Ms. Candle Ms. Candle Mr. Bailey Mr. Bailey Mr. Pettipes Mr. Pettipes Mr. McDonnell Mr. McDonnell Mrs. Marteau Mrs. Marteau Mr. Harris Mr. Harris Mr. Cho Willardelle Mr. Cho Willardelle Mr. Gill Mr. Roberts. Mr. Robert. Mr. Cook. Mr. Cook. Mr. Sanders. Mr. Sanders. Mr. Anon. Mr. Anon. Mr. Gamari. Mr. Gamari. Mr. Kanapathy. Mr. Kanapathy. Mr. Babikian. Mr. Babikian. Mr. Sabawi. Mr. Sabawi. All those opposed to Mr. Clark's motion will please rise one at a time to be recognized by the clerk. Mr. Besson. Mr. Besson. Ms. Fife. Ms. Fife. Ms. Singh Brampton Center. Ms. Singh Brampton Center. Mr. Vantow. Ms. Horvath. Ms. Horvath. Mr. Natashack. Ms. Ch facade. Mr. sitting. Ms. Chandler. Ms. Bägham. Ms. Taylor. Ms. Armstrong. Ms. Stiles. Ms. Cournahan. Ms. West. Ms. West. Ms. Stevens. Ms. Gates. Ms. Morrison. Ms. Morrison. Mr. Rekhosevich. Mr. Rekhosevich. Mr. Hardin. Mr. Hardin. Ms. Monteferell. Ms. Monteferell. Mr. Hassan. Mr. Hassan. Mr. Frazer. Mr. Frazer. Ms. Wynne. Ms. Wynne. Mr. Hillier. Mr. Hillier. The ayes are 63, the nays are 37. The ayes being 63 and the nays being 37. I declare the motion carried. Simon has moved second reading of Bill 156, an act to protect Ontario's farms and farm animals from trespassers and other forms of interference and to prevent contamination of Ontario's food supply. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carried? Heard some noes. All those in favour of the motion will please say aye. Aye. Those opposed will please say nay. Nay. In my opinion the ayes have it. Call in the members. This will be a five minute battle. Mr. Hardin has moved second reading of Bill 156, an act to protect Ontario's farms and farm animals from trespassers and other forms of interference and to prevent contamination of Ontario's food supply. All those in favour of the motion will please rise one at a time and be recorded by the duct. Mr. Hardin. Mr. Hardin. Mr. Mroney. Mr. Mordroni. Mr. Calandre. Mr. Fedelli. Mr. Ford. Mr. Ford. Mrs. Elliott. Mrs. Elliott. Mr. Bethan Valdry. Mr. Bethan Italia. Mr. Clark. Mr. Clark. Mr. Yakubusky. Mr. Yakubusky. Mr. Tobolo. Mr. Tobolo. Ms. Fullerton, Ms. Jones, Mr. Sikarya, Ms. Scott, Mr. Cho, Scarborough North, Ms. Surma, Mr. McNott, Mr. Cove, Ms. Cangin, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Pettipese, Mr. McDonnell, Mrs. Marto, Mr. Harris, Mr. Cho Willedale, Mr. Gill, Mrs. Martin, Mr. Parsha, Ms. Skelly, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Pachina, Mr. Miller, Perry, Sam, Muskoka, Mr. Barrett, Mr. Osterhoff, Mr. Tanagasler, Ms. Fee, Mr. Babber, Ms. Hogarth, Ms. Kusendopa, Mrs. Tangry, Mrs. Y, Mrs. Carr-Halios, Ms. Park, Mr. Cusetto, Mr. Pan, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Rashid, Mr. Bauer, Mr. Smith, Peterborough Cawrther, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Cuck, Mr. Sandu, Mr. Narn, Ms. Gamari, Mr. Kanapathy, Mr. Babikian, Mr. Sabawi, Mr. Hillier, Mr. Vantoff, Ms. Fye, Ms. Singh Brampton-Senator, Ms. Horvath, Mr. Natashak, Mr. Tabas, Ms. Sattler, Ms. Shaw, Mr. Mamakwa, Ms. Begum, Ms. Taylor, Ms. Armstrong, Ms. Stiles, Mr. Kernahan, Mr. West, Mrs. Stevens, Mr. Gates, Mrs. Gretzky, Mr. Miller, Hamilton East Stony Creek, Mr. Singh Brampton East, Ms. Andrew, Mr. Hatfield, Mr. Birch, Ms. Burns McGowan, Mr. Arthur, Mr. Bourguin, Ms. Bell, Mr. Glover, Ms. Morrison, Mr. Rikosovic, Mr. Harding, Ms. Monte Thorell, Mr. Hassan, Mr. Fraser, Ms. Wynne, Ms. Wynne. As opposed to the motion, please rise one at a time and be reported by the clerk. The ayes are 100, the nays are 0. The ayes being 100, and the nays being 0. I declare the motion carried. Shall the bill be ordered for third reading? No. Okay. I look to the minister. Which committee? Justice. Yes. Refer to the committee, outstanding committee on justice. There being no further business this morning, this house stands in recess until three o'clock.