 It is now time for oral questions. I recognize the Leader of His Majesty's Royal Opposition. Good morning, good morning, Speaker. This question is for the Premier, Speaker. People in this province should expect quality health care that's available when they need it. But under this government, we're seeing critical services disappearing from communities. Emergency department closures are happening more frequently and they are staying closed longer. A new report from the Ontario Health Coalition reported a staggering 868 emergency department closures this year alone. So, Speaker, through you to the Premier, what possible explanation can this government offer to Ontarians who lost over 30,000 hours of emergency care this year? To reply to the Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. Thank you, Speaker. I've said many times that when individual hospitals have to make a very challenging decision based on the health human resources that they have available to them to temporarily close for an hour or a shift, a part of their operation, it is disruptive for a community. But that is exactly why our government has made such a conscious effort and investments in our hospital systems, in our health human resources, expanding the number of nurses in the province of Ontario, expanding the number of residency positions that are available for physicians in Ontario. We'll continue to do that work and we'll continue to expand the health human resources because we know how important it is to the people of Ontario. Supplementary question. The minister can try to spin this any way she wants. She can try to downplay it. But the reality is very different. The Ontario Health Coalition blames these closures on and I'm going to quote them, unprecedented failure of leadership by this government. Folks in Neuron, Perth and Wellington are experiencing multiple simultaneous closures. Durham had 51 closures this year alone. People in Clinton haven't had reliable access to an ER since 2019. Speaker, the holiday season is one of the busiest times for local hospitals and emergency rooms. What is this premier going to do to stop emergency department closures over the holidays? Thank you, Speaker. What we will continue to do is work with our hospital partners, invest, ensuring that we have alternative payment plans so that physicians have the opportunity to practice in those under-serviced areas. We have a new program in the province of Ontario, emergency department physicians being able to phone a friend and talk through issues. That has ensured that people actually have access when they need it. We now have in Northern Ontario physicians who are in our emergency departments having access to other physicians who have practiced for longer and are able to walk through specific issues. That one change alone has ensured that we have had no physician shortages or issues in Northern Ontario. There are signs of policy changes that are actually being suggested by our hospital partners and making an impact in our communities. The final supplementary. Phone a friend, Speaker. That's their fix? Are you kidding me? There are thousands of them whose emergency rooms and clinics have closed. 2.2 million Ontarians who don't have access to primary care. Because this government didn't fund the staff to keep it open. Hospitals and long-term care homes are being gouged by private staffing agencies taking over our healthcare system. Perth and Smith Falls hospital was forced to spend a whopping 2.8 million this year on temporary staff through private agencies. I've talked to local hospitals in Northern communities who are worried about making payroll. We need investment to finally address these staffing shortages. Will the Premier stand up and commit new hospital funding to ensure care is available in the patients of Ontario needed? Minister of Health. Where was the party opposite when we actually announced through our last budget an expansion of primary care? They voted against it. Where was the party opposite when we have made investments and made announcements of over 50 new capital expansions. Whether those are new builds in Niagara South, whether those are expansions in communities across Ontario. Where was the party opposite the NDP? They voted against it. We'll continue to make those investments. In last year's budget alone we had an average increase in our hospital budgets of 4%. Those are the changes that we make as a government to make sure that our hospitals and our community system is robust for us when we need it. Thank you. The next question, once again the Leader of the Opposition. This question is again for the Premier. The government's announcement to shut down the Ontario Science Centre and lay off staff and reopen it in a new building half its size is very, very unpopular especially for people in some of the most impacted neighbourhoods like Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park. It's a decision that also doesn't make a lot of sense to most people. The official Opposition NDP, we've unearthed yet another secret government document that's called Ontario Science Centre Modernisation Relocation Plans. Very interesting, but what's really notable about this document is the date. August 27th, 2021. Speaker, why did the Premier keep his plans for the Science Centre a secret during the 2022 election? Mr Tourism, Culture and Sport. Mr Speaker, thank you for the Leader for the question. I got this feeling that the word tourism is a bad word. We're talking about, now hang on for a second, tourism represents almost 36 million billion in economic activity. Just under 400,000 jobs Mr Speaker and 2,000 business related jobs and careers in tourism. Yet we talk about an opportunity, a destination. Tourism is about finding a place to go, drawing people in. Not just people in Ontario Mr Speaker, but people across Canada and maybe into the United States. It's driving tourism Mr Speaker. A destination is important whether it's a spa, common areas, water parks, paddling, walking and being casual in an area where you can sit and be quiet. All these great things that tourists like Mr Speaker they want to come to, they want to come here. We're making a destination a world-class destination Mr Speaker. The FOI secret documents that we've unearthed clearly show that the Premier had already made a decision to move the Ontario Science Centre to Ontario place nearly two years before he told the public. We also know it wasn't until later that year that the government commissioned their business case that would justify a decision the Premier had already apparently made. That business case was withheld from the public for another eight months despite repeated requests from opposition members to make it public. So Speaker, to the Premier why should the public trust a Premier who clearly believes in decision-based evidence-making instead of evidence-based decision-making? A response Mr Tourism Culture and Sport. Yeah, thank you Mr Speaker. As they say, two cases are better than one. Two business cases that suggested this is a wonderful opportunity. Opportunity that we'd like to think we want to explore for the people of Ontario. But more importantly, again back to that tourism word that everyone we're not everyone, just certain people don't seem to like. We talk about building up opportunity in Ontario in jobs and careers destinations, making an Ontario place that people want to come to visit and stay maybe an extra day or two longer because the destination is so special and the opportunity is an experience that those people and their families want to experience Mr Speaker. That's what tourism is about. People in Ontario do a fabulous job. Those working in the industry are doing a better job because of COVID. They're smarter, they are ready and they want people to come Mr Speaker. They want them to visit. They want them to stay. We want to welcome people. Yes. Final supplementary. Back to the Premier, but can I just say if this was such a great idea why did they work so hard to keep it secret for so long? People of Ontario by it, they know there's something dirty about this deal. Earlier this year the NDP released an FOI secret document showing that the government had already decided to pay for a new parking garage for thermal as early as January 2021. Nearly two years again before the public found out. We know they planned to move the Science Centre also nearly two years before the public found out. We can wait for the Auditor General's report tomorrow or the Premier can set the record straight right now. Is he building a half-sized science centre on top of the thermal parking garage to justify spending $650 million public dollars on a private luxury spa? I leave the Auditor General's choice of words. Response? Minister. Thank you for the question. The Science Centre. It's a fabulous place and they talk about space Mr. Speaker and though I wasn't in the business of real estate and development and designing I do know that there's something called common area when we talk about space. In common area is that area in a building that people move through that they don't necessarily stop and wait but they move through and it's part of the design and the existing Science Centre has fabulous and large common space areas. Well, the new Science Centre will not have that much common space because it will be more efficient more directed more targeted to exhibits and I believe Mr. Speaker that's what the Science Centre is about. Drawing people in, educating them creating, dare I say it again an experience, don't worry about the common area, worry about what they come to see Mr. Speaker. Those are the displays those are what's out there for people to learn from not hallways exhibition space. Question once again the leader of the opposition. I will just say not all kids have backyards or great big spaces to run around in and children who live in apartment buildings they deserve to have space too right? This government is busy planning Speaker while this government is busy planning for a luxury spa in downtown Toronto the people of Brampton are facing property tax increases up to 34% next year wild. That's because the government's plan to dissolve Peel Region is estimated to cost the city of Brampton more than 1.3 billion dollars Speaker so I'm going to ask the Premier how can he justify the largest tax hike in Brampton's history in the middle of a cost of living crisis Speaker I can say this the government is continuously focused on reducing taxes building more homes that has been at the core of what we have been doing since 2018 and we will certainly never allow a community to raise taxes so that the people in that community can't afford to live there it is only really the leader of the opposition who is consistently talking about increasing taxes on the people the province of Ontario when we've reduced it when we've reduced taxes she's actually voted against those reductions it was so bad that when we reduced taxes on the lowest income earning Ontarians virtually removing them from paying the responsibility of paying taxes the NDP actually voted against that because at the core at the core of what the NDP believe Mr. Speaker we have to be dependent on government we believe you give the people the tools to succeed and they will do just that they will succeed and we will continue on that Mr. Speaker end the supplementary question Speaker this deal between the Premier and the new Liberal leader is going to make life more expensive for 1.5 million people in Peel over 600,000 of them in Brampton alone and they don't know how their public services are going to be impacted but what they do know is that thanks to this conservative liberal deal their taxes are going up and up and up so back to the Premier of this province what does he have to say to the people of Brampton about their 34% tax hike Minister Ms. Fullfair is in house Mr. Speaker I'll say this to the people of Brampton I am very very confident that there will not be a 34% property tax hike unless of course unless of course there is an NDP council or an NDP mayor then all bets are off Mr. Speaker because we know the history of the NDP it's the same old song they're singing this is a party that's against the 413 we're virtually not virtually we're wiped out of Brampton Mr. Speaker because they are so old school they're against development they're against people they're against business they're over and over and over again Mr. Speaker this is a party that has no ideas their time in opposition is even their time in opposition is starting to come to an end colleagues because they are so bankrupt of ideas so Mr. Speaker we've created thousands of jobs across the province of Ontario we've cut taxes we've made investments in all of the important areas for the people of the province of Ontario consistently they have voted against thank you the next question the member for Bradford Grant thank you Speaker my question is for the Minister of Economic Development Job Creation and Trade under the previous Liberal Government supported by the NDP when global companies were considering locations to expand in Ontario was never on the shortlist businesses did not want to navigate through mazes of red tape while paying tax hike after tax hike when we came into office we immediately took action to scrap the Liberal NDP agenda of tax hikes and red tape now Ontario is the first place that comes to mind when companies want to invest and expand by creating the conditions for businesses to succeed we've seen record investments and job growth across the entire province of Ontario Speaker can the Minister highlight some of the recent investments that Ontario has welcomed thank you Minister of Economic Development Job Creation and Trade thank you Speaker well we were at the opening of Canos it's a IT company from Ireland just yesterday they announced and we did the ribbon cutting at their plant or at their facility in downtown Toronto 100 employees on their way up to hiring 300 employees again all because we have lowered the cost of doing business in Ontario we graduate 65,000 STEM grads each and every year welcome Canos and the 100 employees that they brought the week before we welcomed Unilever to downtown Toronto they're from the UK obviously they are open they have opened their worlds first and only AI lab right here in Ontario right here in Toronto 50 countries around the world to attract Unilever here and we won they have several hundred employees that they're will be employed here at their downtown operation in Toronto so Speaker we're very grateful and the supplementary thank you Speaker and thank you Minister for that response you would think that with more than 700,000 jobs created since we took office the Liberals and the NDP would realize that our approach of lower costs works but instead they continue to advocate for policies that would crush businesses penalize workers and destroy our economy while we have been laser focused on creating jobs and growing the economy the Liberals spent the last six months just to end up with a new leader who endorses the same anti-growth agenda as the NDP by reducing the annual cost of doing businesses by 8 billion dollars annually and cutting burdensome red tape we have seen job creating investments flood into the province of Ontario Speaker can the Minister please elaborate on other investments that and expansions Ontario has secured over the past few months thank you thank you Speaker last week last week alone we had several hundred million dollars in new investment shipyards is investing 107 million dollars in St. Catherine's so they can tackle the vessel life extension project that's 30 new jobs 3.4 million dollars in support through our government's amic operation MediCom 165 million dollar investment in London this is 140,000 square foot production facility that's being built 135 new jobs coming if you remember before the pandemic Speaker we made virtually no PPE here in Ontario today we make 74% of the PPE we buy once MediCom is up and running making nitrile gloves here in Ontario 92% of all PPE that we buy will be made domestically right here in Ontario next question thank you very much Speaker and my question is to the Premier Speaker this government decided that the Luxury Spa Act Bill 154 won't be going to committee or have any more time in this legislature but folks have real concerns in this bill the minister of infrastructure is being gifted the power to issue minister zoning orders Ontarians see that MZOs are a government gift for their insiders to fast pass process they don't get shovels in the ground faster they often don't have community buy-in but they do make some people stink and rich so my question is now that the minister of infrastructure has the power to issue MZOs who is going to get rich next thank you well Mr. Speaker I tell you what's going to happen and what has continuously happened in the province of Ontario is that the people of the province of Ontario economic development, job creation and trade just talked about a massive investment that is coming to Ontario this is on top of 27 billion dollars worth of other investments we all know that when they had the opportunity they literally drove out the auto sector you remember that the auto sector was gone they were transitioning to a service economy we said that we're going to reinvest bring jobs back to the province of Ontario so the member asked who's going to prosper the people of the province of Ontario Ontario Place will bring thousands of jobs it will bring thousands of tourists from all over all over Ontario all over the United States Mr. Speaker it is a destination that we should continue to be proud of but unfortunately under the Liberal and NDPs they allowed that destination to crumble we're bringing it back to life just as we brought it to life when Bill Davis was the premier we're going to bring it back to life and make it even better than before Thank you Speaker and my question is back to the premier Ontario Place is a public outdoor treasure globally recognized for its heritage because of Bill 154 neither the Environmental Assessment Act nor the Heritage Act will apply because of Bill 154 this PC government will be allowed to break the laws with impunity because of Bill 154 the Minister of Infrastructure now gets to issue MZOs she also gets a fancy Schmancy Luxury Spa as her legacy project Speaker we saw preferential treatment MZOs given out as party favors by the previous Minister of Housing so my question to the premier is who gets the first MZO from the Minister of Megaspa and where did they get to sit at the wedding Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing I tell you Speaker this is a party that is virtually being wiped out one member at a time they're fighting with themselves I tell you what's happening you know who's going to get new things the City of Toronto is going to get new buses and trains because of the deal that's what's going to happen our streets will be safer buses and our transit system will be safer because of this deal we will revitalize a destination that she calls a jewel we're actually going to revitalize it so people want to come back to it thousands of jobs will be created by this so who's going to prosper the province of Ontario will prosper it is a gift for all of Ontario Mr. Speaker I know the member has weddings on her mind she was just married recently I congratulate her for that Mr. Speaker I think we all do but it really highlights it highlights the problem of today's NDP right they stand for nothing they're angry at each other they're angry at the province they're angry at the people they're going to get a commission after election next question order, next question the member for thunder bay out at coken thank you speaker my question is for the Minister of Health our government was elected with a strong mandate to serve the people of Ontario after years of neglect and disrespect from the previous Liberal Government supported by the NDP Ontarians support us to make decisions that will make life better for everyone to address affordability concerns and ensuring that our health care system receives the support that it requires. Unfortunately our hospitals are having to deal with unnecessary rising operational costs thanks to increasing federal taxes, rising interest rates and ongoing international supply chain issues. Hospitals across Ontario should be able to focus their resources on providing frontline services not on taxes and red tape. Speaker could the Minister please inform the Legislature about how rising costs from increasing federal taxes are negatively impacting our hospitals to the member from Thunder Bay Atacokin for raising this very important issue. You know since the federal government imposed a carbon tax the financial burden is already making an impact on hospitals across Ontario. The federal government's carbon tax will impact Ontario's hospitals by increasing annual heating costs by $27.2 million for 2022. So what would that $27.2 million bought? Purchase it would have offered an additional 104,615 MRI operating hours providing scans for an additional 157 patients. These are real issues that are impacting our hospital partners and of course our patients. That's why our government will continue fighting the federal government's carbon tax on behalf of the people of Ontario. Thank you Speaker and thank you to the Minister for a response. While our government is advocating for all Ontarians, the opposition NDP and Liberals are oblivious to the far-reaching negative impacts that higher taxes and burdensome red tape are causing among many other things they're oblivious to. When it comes to accessing specialized health care services there are times when residents in northern Ontario need to travel to other parts of our province. I know that many of my constituents rely on vital programs like the Northern Travel Grant that help offset long-distance travel costs. While with costs for fuel and accommodation continuing to rise, it is not right or fair that residents in the north should have to endure these additional expenses just because they need medical care and services. Speaker, can the Minister please explain how increasing taxes and burdensome red tape are negatively impacting the people of northern Ontario? I would say the member is raising a very important issue that is actually costing all Ontario residents but particularly our northern residents to fill the car, heat your home and feed your family. Even though our government is always looking at ways to make life more affordable, including looking at changes to the Northern Travel Grant to ensure it continues to serve northerners in a way that is convenient and effective. We know the federal government is making that travel more expensive. Over the last number of months we have demonstrated the real cost of the federal carbon tax on families, on students, seniors and on our institutions and services the people of Ontario come to rely on. We call on members from across the aisles to join us in demanding the federal government repeal this tax that is disproportionate impacting northern Ontario. Next question, the member for Parkdale High Park. Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Premier. When asked for an update on the Eglinton-Crossdown Public-Private Partnership, Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster essentially said he would let the public know when he knows. After a decade under construction and over a billion dollars over budget, this response from Mr. Verster is unacceptable. What is it going to take to fire Mr. Verster? Minister of Transportation. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Our government has launched the largest expansion of public transit in the history of this province. Mr. Speaker, the NDP and the Liberals have voted against it every step of the way. Mr. Speaker, let's look at the Ontario line. 28,000 cars being taken off the road and what do the NDP do? They vote against that, Mr. Speaker. We were just announcing a milestone on the young north subway extension just this past Friday. Another large milestone of making sure we get shovels in the ground. That project will reduce travel time by 22 minutes, Mr. Speaker, but it will also put over 26,000 people 10 minutes walking distance to a transit station, Mr. Speaker, that under the leadership of Premier Ford, we have built an incredible 70 billion dollar program to support public transit across this province. It's about time that the NDP support that plan. Mr. Verster and you as Minister of Transportation, who's paying him a million dollars a year, have had multiple chances to explain significant operational failures. For the tens of thousands of people whose daily lives are disrupted and the hundreds of small businesses who have been forced to shut down, Mr. Verster's response is an insult. Is this government so incompetent that you cannot recognize massive failure or do you really like Mr. Verster that much? Remind the members to make their comments to the chair. Members, please take their seats. Mr. Transportation can apply. Mr. Speaker, the NDP have had multiple opportunities to support public transit in this province and they have said no every single time. Mr. Speaker, on one hand they want the highest order to support the Liberals and the highest carbon tax. On the other hand, they don't want to support 70 billion dollars of public investment into transit. They've got to pick a side like the house leaders that they stand for absolutely nothing. When we're taking cars off the road on the Ontario Line 28,000 cars off the road on the Eglinton West LRT extension, taking 6.5 fewer trips, 6.5 million fewer trips in your cars. And what did the NDP do to that? They vote against that every single time. Highest carbon tax from the NDP, no investment in public transit. They vote against it every single time under the leadership of Premier Ford. We will build highways. We will build roads. We will build some places. We'll build LRTs and change the transportation and we're going to cross the clock. Order? The House will come to order. The member for Waterloo will come to order. The government house leader will come to order. I think we're ready to start again. Start the clock. The member for Don Valley West. Thank you, Speaker. Every day we hear from people who are struggling to find a home. And when this government isn't busy blaming this province's challenges on other levels of government, we hear them talk and talk about a promise to build housing. But Speaker, just like they broke their promise to protect the Greenbelt Order, leading to the $83 billion Greenbelt Order scandal for which they're now under RCMP criminal investigation, just like they broke their promise to lower income taxes for middle income families. They're breaking their promise to get housing built. Speaker, they promised to build 1.5 million homes by 2031. But the current forecast is they will get just 870,000 houses built by then. And to date, cities have received more support from the federal government than through this government's building faster fund. My question to the Premier, when will he admit to the people of Ontario that once again, he has broken his promise to them and that his housing plan is failing? And to reply, the Premier. Sure, maybe you should go talk to your new leader that number one concern for their new leader is let's raise a million dollars because someone has to pay for my salary. That's what her number one issue was. That shows me you picked the wrong leader. Maybe you should pick the guy in the far back instead of that leader. Just a sec. We stopped the clock. The Premier, Premier, Premier, I had to stop the clock because I couldn't hear you. So just a second. House will come to order. Order restart the clock. The Premier has the floor. Your leader has the worst record in Ontario on building homes. And you have the nerve to say about building homes. Again, maybe you should sit down and have a heart to heart with your with your leader. She was against building the 413 that is critical to Brampton and Mississauga. She was against the carbon that she was for the carbon tax for 15 years. She was all in favour of taxing people. She raised taxes in Mississauga unprecedented response. That's that's what your leaders about. We're about lowering taxes, building the 413, getting rid of the carbon tax and building more. Remind the members to make the comments through the chair, not directly across the floor of the House. At each other. Order. Let's restart the clock. Don Valley West supplementary. Thank you, Speaker. Clearly, the Premier has worked up about our new leader as he should be. Ontario Liberals are incredibly proud of our new leader. Our MP, Bonnie Cromby, has a great deal of experience working to improve the lives of Ontarians, not just the like this government working to hold inside her friends. She's getting new developments approved. Mississauga once considered a suburb has been transformed under her leadership into a full fledged metropolis. In fact, last year, the city of Mississauga issued a record number of building permits and the city currently ranks fourth in the continent for the number of construction cranes. To imply the housing construction is in decline because of mayors like Bonnie Cromby is not only disingenuous, but deeply disappointing. Building 1.5 million new homes require something akin to a wartime effort. It requires cooperation with civil society and other levels of government. We cannot and should not be kneecapping them. Speaker, once again to the Premier. When will he admit his housing plan is not working and start working with, not against, our municipal government? I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. 10 million farmers and development agencies are working with, not against, our municipal partners to get the housing crisis solved. And the Premier? Through you, Mr. Speaker, this is a leader that said no to removing tolls, no to scrapping the license busy flying around in the private jet of her buddy, the developer that everyone knows who this developer is and is going to come back to haunt her, flying around in the private jet, going to her $5 million estate in the Hamptons, she's out of touch with the average worser. The next question, the Member for Burlington. Thank you Speaker. My question is for the President of the Treasury Board. In the past year we've seen emergencies like wildfires, floods and storms in all parts of Ontario. The people in my riding of Burlington and across the province are looking to our province in times of need. It's our responsibility to keep all Ontarians safe in the event of emergencies. We must continue to do all that we can to ensure our province is prepared as much as possible for any urgent situation that may arise. Speaker, can the President of the Treasury Board please share what our government is doing to strengthen emergency management and ensure that Ontario is prepared for the future? The President of the Treasury Board. Thank you the Member for Burlington for the question. Simply put, Speaker, there is nothing more important than the safety and the well-being of our families and our loved ones. Our government through emergency management Ontario supports emergency preparedness and mitigation and we coordinate response and recovery with our partners keeping the more than 15 million people in Ontario safe. This is a 24-7, 365-day-a-year job and I am so proud and grateful to all the dedicated emergency responders and personnel who do it. I'm pleased that our government has earmarked a $110 million investment to strengthen emergency management and to make Ontario even more safe and more prepared and I'll have more to say about those investments in the supplementary. Supplementary question. Thank you Speaker and thank you to the Minister for her response. It's encouraging to see our government demonstrate leadership in protecting the well-being of our families and our loved ones. The people of this province, including my constituents in Burlington, will be pleased to know that our government is taking every necessary step to keep them safe. The President of the Treasury Board spoke about the $110 million emergency management support we outlined in our last budget. Minister, can the Minister please explain how our government is spearheading a comprehensive emergency management plan and safeguarding our province through this investment? The President of the Treasury Board. Thank you again to the member for the question and for the opportunity to speak about the important investments that our government is making. One of the ways our government is ensuring that Ontario is safe, practiced and prepared is the Community Emergency Preparedness Grant. This new grant will help communities purchase critical emergency equipment and supplies, such as sandbagging machines or generators, or could be invested in emergency management training. This grant is a prudent and irresponsible investment that gives communities the tangible resources that they need to keep people safe when the next flood, wildfire or severe storm impacts our province. I look forward to continuing to work with local levels of government, First Nations communities and organizations to prepare for emergencies now and in the future. Next question, the member for Niagara Falls. Thank you Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier. The Ontario Health Coalition released their report today. Just this year in the province of Ontario there has been closures in 868 emergency departments and 316 urgent care centers. These closures are affecting my community at the Douglas Memorial Urgent Care Center in Fort Erie. Nearly half of the population of Fort Erie is over 55. 8,000 residents do not have a family doctor and there is no reliable public transit in town. Having an urgent care center open 24-7 can mean the difference between life and death for our residents. Speaker, when is the Premier going to stop fighting nurses in court, repeal Bill 124, properly fund our publicly health care system and ensure that every community has access to health care they deserve and need when they need it? Thank you. The Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. I'm going to again remind the NDP member that as we bring these investments forward, whether it is through the whole economic statement or our budgets, your party and you vote against them. So when we make changes legislatively for as of right that allows physicians who wish to practice in the province of Ontario to quickly do that without having to wait for their license to be transferred, the member opposite votes against that legislation. When we have capital investments of over 50 new expanded renovated hospitals, including of course in his own area with the South Niagara hospital, you vote against it. Now I will say you do show up for the photo op, but you vote against it when you have an opportunity to make a difference in your community. That's your legacy. Dan, I'll remind members to make their comments through the chair. My question, the member for Nickelbelt. Thank you, Speaker. The Ontario Health Coalition was able to identify 1199 vital hospital services closure. That's 868 ER, 316 urgent care closure, 11 obstetric closure, labour and delivery closure, ICU closure, lab closure. Every single one of these closures puts people health and lives at risk. The minister must be very proud. Her plan to create a crisis is working perfect. How many more private clinic will the minister be able to fund given this level of crisis? Mr. Speaker, I think it's important to remind the member opposite that in fact these were numbers that had never been managed and measured previously. There was no provincial government that was accessing and ensuring that hospitals made sure that data was here. And frankly, you cannot manage what you don't measure. We're measuring those changes and you know, I have to say the investments that we continue to make whether it is a 50 bed rehab expansion in Sudbury at Health Science North, whether it is a 72 bed expansion at St. Joe's, again, where was the NDP party? They were voting against these investments in their own community where again they will show up for the photo op, but when they can make a difference in their community and support those changes and investments, they vote against it. Thank you. The next question, the member for Haldeman Norfolk. Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the minister of transportation. There's nothing the people of Caledonia want more for Christmas than to hear the reconstruction of the Argel Street Bridge will begin. I've promised this house I will rise on this matter until shovels are in the ground. This is my fourth question related to the bridge since August 2022. A few weeks ago I sat in traffic in the middle of the bridge when the sound of sirens was heard. An ambulance was attempting to get across, cars had nowhere to go, the paramedic was clearly frazzled and people were panicked. This should not be happening on any bridge in this province and yet it's happening on a daily basis in Caledonia for the past few years. People of Haldeman County are fed up and they are tired of this government's inability to get the job done. So Speaker, through you to the minister, what is the date the reconstruction of the Argel Street Bridge will begin? The minister of transportation. Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, safety is the top priority for this government. As a minister of transportation, we have a budget of over $27 billion to invest in our roads, our highways and bridges. And I look forward to working with a member. We have made significant progress on that specific project. We appreciate the challenges that she has mentioned and we are working with the appropriate partners to ensure that that project is well underway, Mr. Speaker. But unlike the Liberals and NDP, our government is committed to making sure that we're building highways, we're building roads, we're investing in our bridges across this province. $27 billion in our budget, Mr. Speaker, over the next 10 years, which both the Liberals and NDP have voted against every single time. And a supplementary question. Thank you, Speaker. There we have it. No Christmas miracle in Caledonia this year. But rather more excuses than to hold any weight. The progress. I'd like to know what that progress is. The ministry. They kicked Laurie Harckhardt from her home, the Toll House, in 2019. She could still be living in her home. She's spent 35 years redoing. The lack of an answer leaves me to question. What it is holding up the reconstruction and why doesn't the minister just tell us the people of Caledonia, they're good people and they deserve a good reason. And maybe they'd be sympathetic if they actually knew what that reason was. But as I warn the previous minister, many fear the bridge is at risk of collapse. No government, no minister wants that on their hands. So Speaker, through you to the minister, could he clearly articulate why he's taking this risk and what it is that is preventing the reconstruction of the bridge? The minister of transportation. Mr. Speaker, we understand and appreciate that there are challenges across this province, but we have made a commitment to support investments, unlike the previous Liberal government for 15 years did absolutely nothing to support the bridges and highways across this province, Mr. Speaker. We are saying yes to investing in rural communities across including the Argyll Bridge. With the new five span steel arc bridge, Mr. Speaker, the design of the bridge replacement is complete and our government is in the process of obtaining final approvals to proceed with construction, Mr. Speaker. But thanks to the leadership of this government, we're investing in our roads. We're investing in our bridges, $27 billion. And that project will be a part of those investments, Mr. Speaker. Unfortunately, the previous Liberal government had 15 years and did absolutely nothing with their infrastructure, but we're going to continue to make sure we make the necessary investments, build bridges, build roads, build highways and build transit across this province. The next question, the member for Thorne Hill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Solicitor General. Our government recently announced the introduction of Bill 157, the Enhancing Access to Justice Act 2023. This proposed legislation contains several pivotal changes, including amendments to the Coroners Act. The Coroners Act currently requires a mandatory inquest for each construction-related death. And Bill 197 will introduce the creation of a coroner-led annual review and public report of multiple accidental construction-related deaths each year. These changes highlight our government's commitment to the safety and well-being of our workers. Speaker, can the Solicitor General please explain how the proposed amendments to the Coroners Act will allow for faster and more meaningful recommendations for construction-related death investigations? To reply, the Solicitor General. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I want to thank my colleague from Thorne Hill for the question. Any death, Mr. Speaker, is too many. Public safety is paramount and our government is committed to exploring any option that may prevent further deaths. And that's why my friend and colleague, the Attorney General, introduced Bill 157. And the member's right. The Coroners Act currently requires a mandatory inquest for each construction-related death. Our proposed change would require an annual coroner-led review of accidental deaths that occur at or in construction projects in the previous year. Mr. Speaker, the main intent of the proposed amendment to the Coroners Act is to prevent further deaths in the industry by reviewing construction-related trends and sector-wide issues and make recommendations that can be identified faster. Mandatory annual review of construction-related deaths will lead to quicker justice. In the end of the day, Mr. Speaker, a safe Ontario is a strong Ontario. A supplementary. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Solicitor General for his response. It's reassuring to hear that our government is going to make the process easier and quicker for families. Losing a loved one is a tragedy and one of the most terrible things to happen to a family. Anyone who has lost a member of their family in an accident reserves and deserves the right to an inquest and to be a part of the process. It is of critical importance that our government provide Ontario families with assurance in upholding their right to an inquest. Speaker, can the Solicitor General please tell the House how the proposed changes to Bill 197 will help bring justice to families? The Solicitor General. Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, thanking the member from Thornhill. And the member is right. The death of a loved one is the most terrible thing that can happen to any family. Our hearts go out to the families who lost a spouse and a sibling, a child or a parent. And I agree that the families need to have the right to request an inquest if necessary. And that is provided in Bill 157. Their request for an inquest will be reasonably considered by the coroner. The proposed change for Bill 157 will make the delivery of the facts for families that much more quicker. Mr. Speaker, these amendments would streamline the process bringing justice to families in an expedited manner. In the end of the day, Mr. Speaker, our government will always be there for our workers. The workers that help build Ontario every single day that keep us safe, we will always have their backs. The next question, the member for University Rose Hill. Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Premier. DejaDen Credit Union just released a report showing short-term rentals are having a negative impact on housing affordability. The report found that neighbourhoods with a lot of short-term rental listings see their rents rise faster, have lower vacancy rates and higher home sale prices. To increase the number of homes available for long-term rentals, DejaDen is calling for governments to crack down on short-term rentals in investment properties. My question is this. Can you move forward on this simple request? Minister, Ms. Warfair is in housing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me just say this. I, too, have concerns with that speaker, but at the same time, as we know, coming out of COVID, there are a number of challenges that we faced, in particular with respect to the landlord tenant board. That is why we put significant resources behind ensuring that we could catch up. I'm fully aware of the fact that, in many instances, people have turned to the short-term market because of the challenges with the landlord tenant board, as the member will know, though the Attorney General has put significant resources into ensuring that we can bring the case backlog up to date. Principally, many of these delays were, as a result, as you will recall, Mr. Speaker, we weren't allowing evictions during that time period. We were ensuring that people could stay in their rental homes. But it's also about additional supply, and that's why we're so focused on building more. 15,000 starts, but I do share the member's concerns. I am concerned about that. But I think we have to put in the climate to ensure that people who are in the short-term market feel confident about getting back into the rental market. Supplementary. When we're thinking about rental enforcement, that just perfectly relates to my second question. Back to the Premier. Justin is a University of Toronto student living in downtown Toronto. When his apartment was bought by a US investor landlord, he became a victim of a legal harassment to drive himself and his neighbours out of their homes. When his neighbours have given up and moved out, their landlord turns their homes into pricey short-term rentals where you can rent out one bedroom in an apartment by the week. That is the new reality for students in Toronto today. Justin and his neighbours have cold provincial bylaw officers begging for help, and no-one has returned their call. Can this government work with these tenants to enforce our rental laws? Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. I think that really high-level, I think the real problem there is that students have, they don't have the ability in many instances to live on campuses. We've seen in many communities across the province of Ontario that they have been frustrating the ability of our colleges and universities to build student housing on their campuses is one of the reasons why that we have said in the new year we are going to double down to make sure that we work with our partners in that sector so that we can get more student housing built. It is absolutely vital that we do that, Mr. Speaker, and as I said, we'll double down to make sure that we can get that accomplished. Thank you. Next question, the member for Mississauga, Aaron Mills. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. Ontario is experiencing historic labour shortages. There are currently about 300,000 unfilled jobs across Ontario and many of these vacancies are in skilled trades. Our government must continue to show leadership and take action by working with employers and unions to encourage more people to enter the skilled trades. By the year 2025, it is projected that about one in five jobs opening will be in the skilled trades. That's why urgent action is needed now more than ever. In the next decade, the loan on Ontario will need over 100,000 more people in the construction industry only. Question. Speaker, can the Minister please explain what actions our government is taking to address labour shortages in the skilled trades? The Parliamentary Assistant, member for Mississauga, Martin. Thank you, Speaker, and thank you to the member from Mississauga, Aaron Mills, for the important question. Our government is an omission to help our people enter skilled trades. That is why, Mr. Speaker, we are making historic investment to show our young people that these careers are one they can be proud of. The Minister was recently in Mississauga joined with the wonderful Minister of Education to visit our latest level up skilled trade fair across the province more than 28,000 young people, parents, educators attended our fairs last year getting hands on experience in Ontario's 144 trades. I'm proud to say that under the leadership of this premier we are seeing an increase in the number of apprentices signing up across the province up 24% last year alone to the workers of Ontario. We will continue to work with our partners in the industry. We will continue to make investments to fix the system and help more people find good-paying jobs. Thank you. Thank you very much. The supplementary question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is reassuring to hear that the skilled trades career fairs for our students are having such a positive impact on our young people. However, while we continue to see more young people taking an interest in entering the skilled trades, it is also concerning the fact that women are significantly underrepresented in this sector. Given the critical labour shortages, what we are encountering? Our government must address barriers that are creating challenges for women to enter the skilled trades. That's why our government must do all that we can to empower the next generation to explore this career. Speaker, can the parliamentary assistant please explain what our government is doing to break down barriers for women entering careers in skilled trades and construction industry? Again, the member for Mrs. Sagemal. Thank you to the member again for that wonderful question. Mr. Speaker, our government has been clear. Since day one, women belong on top floors and construction sites just as much as men. Full stop. Actions speak louder than words. We have made investment to support the training and retraining of women in the workforce, whether it is $650,000 to introduce to the electrical trade, $1 million to Goodwill Amity Programme, $225,000 to the Accelerator Carrier Programme, $700,000 for the Digital Project Programme, and many more. Mr. Speaker, earlier this year the government mandated employers must provide women on the construction site personal protective equipment that fits them properly. The steps we are taking are making a difference. We have seen almost 30% increased in women signing up for the apprenticeship. Mr. Speaker, minister sat with Natasha Ferguson, a young black woman who overcome these biases under the leadership of this Premier. We are breaking down barriers and working for our workers. Thank you. The member for Kiwetnaw. Mr. Speaker, to your Premier, Speaker, at the cost of living in the north is very high. A 2016 report stated that First Nations families in Northern Ontario spend more than half of their income on groceries to meet the basic nutritional requirements. Speaker, last summer I visited Kiwet and First Nations and I met April McKay, who has a community garden that provides fresh produce to Kiwewen. Speaker, is there any way that this government can help other people across the north like April who want to create community gardens and improve food security? Minister of Northern Government and Minister of Indigenous Affairs. Thank the member for this question and for the evolving discussion we've had on this topic. It's important that we recognize over the past couple of weeks some of those cost drivers, the carbon tax, et cetera, but having lived in the isolated communities, there's no question that food is very expensive, Mr. Speaker, and that doesn't just go to the cost of the food, it goes to the nutritional standards for the people living in those communities. So the short answer is absolutely, Mr. Speaker, food security is ready to move forward. The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund is already supporting communities like Yapmatoom First Nation, Nascandiga and Martin Falls have called for this. We have new partnerships at the University of Guelph and a great discussion with the Minister of Agriculture about how we can put these pieces together, provide the capacity to build community gardens, micro-farming, and other kinds of tax weeks, vertical growing, so that that kind of nutritional food can be built potentially year round in those isolated communities. Thank you. The supplementary question. Mr. Speaker, in line with the, when we talk about the cost of living on the First Nation, it is about 25% higher than the rest of the country. This past summer I visited Webequay and, Mr. Speaker, the price of gas was $4.59 per liter, but the few experts told me that it cost $2.50 per liter delivered. Whether by truck or airplane. Speaker, what is this government doing for the people in the North who need affordable gas for substance hunting and fishing? Minister of Northern Development, Minister of Indigenous Affairs. I thought we were going to continue talking about food security. That throws me for a bit of a loop. I mean, we have reduced the fuel surcharge on planes flying into the isolated communities. Of course, we continue to strenuously oppose the carbon tax, which is going to continue to drive the cost of gas up. I'm not sure what the member's opinion is, Mr. Speaker, but I can guarantee him that, Mr. Speaker, that we will continue to focus on reducing costs for isolated and remote communities, turning back to food security for a moment. Mr. Speaker, next week I'll be attending a conference and an MOU signing with Kikenomaga, Kikenjigewin, Employment Training Services, Kikenjigewak Tribal Council, Sulukau Area Management Board, Kiwetnokokimakinak, and the Island Lake communities from Manitoba who will converge to sign a memorandum of understanding, Mr. Speaker, to consolidate our food purchasing power and to explore options to grow food in their own communities. I'm going to be there, Mr. Speaker, because this is important for nutrition and affordability for isolated communities. Thanks, our question period. A couple of members have informed me they have points of order, but before we do that, I beg to inform the House the pursuant to Standing Order 9G. The clerk has received written notice from the Government House Leader, indicating that a temporary change in the weekly meeting schedule of the House is required, and therefore the afternoon routine on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 shall commence at 1 p.m. Point of order, first the member for Niagara Falls. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On behalf of my colleagues, I want to encourage all parliamentarians to join us for the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the award-winning Tour for Humanity bus by the Friends of San Jose and the City of San Jose. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On behalf of our members of the Central stressing on bringing back great joy and glory to the people of hockey, and by the Friends of San Jose and the City of San Jose, there was a reception during lunch between 12 and 1. You are all encouraged to join us as we celebrate the launch of Holocaust entertainment in Ontario. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Call in the members. This is a five-minute bell.