 It is now time for oral questions. I recognize the member for Waterloo. Thank you. Yeah, it was first, Mr. Speaker. I just want to say on behalf of Andrea Horvath in Ontario's official opposition, we want to wish everyone a happy and healthy Christmas season. My question is to the premier. The premier has not demonstrated the leadership in Ontario that was needed during this pandemic. He opposed vaccine certificates to help small businesses. He planned on scrapping them in January. And businesses are still in the dark about their use. He refused new safety zones around healthcare facilities, even as people waited through anti-vax protesters just to get their children vaccinated. Nurses have called his refusal to mandate vaccine workers in healthcare and education mandates cowardly. Nurses have said that. Speaker, this premier has been caving to anti-vaxxers this entire time. Does the premier not realize how dangerous it is to send these mixed messages out into the province of Ontario? Thank you. I have a question for the premier. Well, thank you. Thank you so much to the person across the aisle there, Mr. Speaker. But I'll tell you what we have done, Mr. Speaker. In every single category, we've had a robust plan, a robust plan that focuses on making sure that we're focusing on getting people to the testing stations, getting people to get a rapid test. Mr. Speaker, we have distributed 34 million tests in 40,000 sites. 40,000 sites, 34 million tests. That's more than every single province and territory combined in the entire province. We're making sure that we get 11 million tests out to the schools on packs of five. We're putting pop-up locations, all in malls and shopping centers and transit locations and workplaces to make sure it's convenient for people to get tested. We are going to focus on making sure we do everything we can to keep the people of Ontario safe. That's a great question. Speaker, this premier has not used this session to invest in the supports that people need in Ontario. He's diverted billions of dollars to two highways that pave over farmland, won't address congestion and will be a waste of money. Under his watch, hundreds of millions of dollars in grants went to businesses that didn't even qualify for his own poorly designed program. He gave the 407 a billion dollar gift behind closed doors. Meanwhile, so many Ontarians and small businesses needed support during this pandemic, but the premier did not show up for them. Why has this premier spent billions of dollars on his buddies when so many Ontarians are not getting the support that they need to make it through this pandemic with any integrity at all? Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. Thank you very much, Speaker, and thank you to the member opposite for the question. Our government has been focused on the health and well-being of Ontarians throughout this pandemic. We've spent over $5.1 billion since the start of this pandemic on increases to our healthcare system. We're putting an initial $1.8 billion in 2021-22 in hospitals, and we are supporting critical care capacity, investing in that $778 million to help hospitals keep pace with patient needs, $760 million to support hospitals with more than 3100 extra beds, and $300 million to increase surgical and diagnostic procedures. That's the extent of the investments that our government is making in the people of Ontario and the people's health of the province of Ontario. Final supplementary. Speaker, this premier has cut base education funding in this fall economic statement by half a billion dollars. He did nothing to support burned-out frontline healthcare heroes, which has directly resulted in a staffing crisis in our healthcare system. It's met crowded emergency rooms with long wait times and ICU struggling to find staff to help patients during this challenging time. And this premier refuses to do anything to address the crushing cost of living, thanks to his longstanding low wage policies. Why hasn't the premier put the people of Ontario first and ensured that they have the health and the education services they need to get through this pandemic? They deserve so much better. Minister of Education. There is no government in the history of this province that is investing more in public education in public healthcare than this premier, this progressive conservative government. We are doing so every single year and every successive budget. We've increased investment to hire more educators to hire more frontline staff within public education alone. We are on track to spend $200 million more dollars this year than we projected, which is already up $600 million speaker. We've allocated $1.6 billion for COVID resources. We lead the nation in ventilation investments, $600 million, 70,000 HEPA units in Waterloo, in every region of Ontario. We have HEPA units in every single classroom in schools with a mechanical ventilation. We now have expanded testing, the only province to send five take home tests in a kit to protect the holidays and ensure children are safe upon the return in the new year. This is leadership. This is proactive action to reduce risk. We have the lowest cases in the nation, one of them and one of the highest vaccine rates. We're going to continue to lead and protect this province. Thank you very much. My question is also to the Premier. Yesterday, the Minister of Health seemed to announce a brand new rapid antigen test policy right here in the legislature. She said and I quote, people come to our pharmacies in order to receive the tests. These are free of charge to the people who need them. Courtesy of the government of Canada, providing a number of the tests. Well, Speaker, this was news to pharmacies and it would be good news to Ontarians if the who have been stuck paying $40 when they go to a pharmacy to get one of the rapid antigen tests right now. That's what's happening in Ontario right now. In the science table's new report this morning, it's clear that rapid antigen tests are going to be an important tool in helping to keep Ontarians safe. That is the best advice that we have received. So just to confirm, will the Minister announced today, right here in this legislature, that this is Ontario's new policy, that anyone who wants a rapid test can walk into a pharmacy and get them free of charge? Thank you very much. Well, at the science table's brief that was recently released, essentially affirms Ontario's rapid testing strategy. Every week over one million rapid tests are deployed to thousands of workplaces, hospitals, home and community care settings, long-term care homes and schools and childcare centres across the province. As of December 6th, Ontario has distributed over 34 million tests, which is significantly more than all of the other provinces combined. In fact, Ontario has deployed nearly 60% of all rapid tests distributed in Canada. And for context, Quebec has deployed 5.7 million tests and British Columbia has deployed 1.16 million tests. So we do have a wide array of rapid testing alternatives available in Ontario, free of charge to people who need them. The only time that people are charged $40 is when they require a test for travel purposes. Other than that, if they're symptomatic or asymptomatic, but have been close to someone with COVID, they will receive a test free of charge. Supplementary? Speaker, the Premier's own staff told reporters that there are 5 billion tests still on shelves here in Ontario waiting to be distributed. And experts have weighed in saying that they want more rapid tests. The price of those tests shouldn't be a barrier. $40 is a barrier for many families. Dr. Uni, the head of the province of science table, said, and I quote, it makes sense from a scientific perspective to use rapid tests more frequently to make rapid tests more available in this province. Speaker, it is clear from the science table that the more we can use rapid tests, the better. So why does the Premier have 5 million of these tests sitting in storage instead of making them freely available this holiday season? When we are in a crisis with a new delta, with a new variant, there has never been a more important time, actually, to show some leadership and get those tests into the hands of Ontarians. Premier? To you, Mr. Speaker, as the Minister of Health Deputy Premier mentioned, we are distributing a million every single week. And if my opposition leader understands inventory control, that's going to last us about three to four weeks as we ramp up over a million a week. Again, we're going to malls, we're going to shopping centers, we're going to transit areas, we're going to workplaces, distributing all the rapid tests we can get out there. Again, if you add up all the provinces, as the Minister of Health mentioned, BC a little over 5 million. We have Quebec, I'm sorry, BC a little over a million, Quebec over 5 million. We've distributed 34 million tests, 40,000 sites. We're going to have pop-up centers around the province so people can come in. Right from holiday markets, Mr. Speaker, to high transit areas, that's what we're focusing on. We're going to continue making sure that we don't let the well run dry and have zero. We need three or four million in stock at all times until the inventory falls. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. The final supplementary. I can tell you, Speaker, that Ontarians aren't waiting for this government to get anything right. A local doctor from my area in Kitchener, Guadalupe, has launched an online campaign to get tests to all households. Dr. Dahlia Hassan, an ICU doctor said, and I quote, we want the provincial government to step up and deliver rapid tests to our community so that they can safeguard the public at large. That's what's at stake. Dr. Hassan has set up the Twitter account, COVID test finders, to help people get their hands on rapid tests. Her campaign is so popular that Twitter hashtag free the rats or rapid antigen tests was the number one trend in Canada yesterday. People are desperate. Why won't the Premier listen to the medical experts calling for more widespread rapid tests and make them freely available across Ontario before the holidays? People are waiting for this kind of leadership. So much is at stake. Do your job. Remind the members to make their comments through the chair. The Premier to reply. Again, Mr. Speaker, I'm just going to repeat the numbers until it sinks in. 34 million tests. That's more than every single province and territory combined. We're disturbing more than 60% of all the tests in the country. 34 million, 11 million tests because the great leadership of our Minister of Education are going out to every single student's household and they're in packs of five so they can be used for their parents, their siblings or there are anyone within the household. That's what you call proper distribution. We're getting our hands on every single rapid test. There's available in the entire country because we have a plan. We have a strong plan to get these out the door into households into workplaces into shopping malls and malls and in any area that we have large volumes of pedestrians. We're going to be there to make sure the people of Ontario get tested. Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Premier. Our communities, our schools have been demanding safe schools since the beginning of this pandemic. Sadly, those calls have gone unanswered. For us in St. Paul McMurray Junior Public School was also hit by closure. It closed from an outbreak bringing the total number across Toronto schools to 28 as of this week. McMurray's prayer parents and many others in our community have been calling for rapid tests for months. The member for Davenport and myself have written to the government amplifying this request. It was only once the outbreak was reported that support was received, too little, too late. Speaker, my question is to the Premier. Sending students homes with tests through the break is not enough. What about January, February, March, April, May, June? What is this government doing to rebuild trust in parents, teachers and education workers that sending kids back to school in the new year will in fact be safe? Thank you. Minister of Education. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. We have extended seconds from funding over $300 million under the Premier's leadership to ensure we hire more staff, to ensure schools remain safe. We've stepped up investment in every school in St. Paul's without exception, has better air ventilation because we got ahead of this virus by investing before September in improvements with large 60, actually 70,000 happy units within classrooms. That's making a meaningful difference. In fact, the science table acknowledged that in their last report. With respect to rapid tests, we are the only province in the nation to send home rapid tests on a proactive basis announced before Omicron even entered our shores because we are working and safeguarding the children every step of the way. We've expanded testing. We have PCR take home tests make lives easier for families and we've hired 2,000 additional educators, EAs, ECEs. These are making a difference. Five in six schools in this province right now at the peak of this wave have no active cases. We take nothing for granted. And I share the member's concern. We're doing everything possible to protect our children, keep them safe and keep our community strong and we'll continue to. Thank you very much. Supplementary question. Thank you, Speaker. What the member in the government side doesn't realize is if McMurray's calls were answered months ago, the school probably wouldn't have gotten closed. My question is to the premier. As kids were home last week from Monday to Friday, many parents were also forced to stay home and oversee their virtual learning without another option. While this government extended their broken paid sick days program, it still only covers three days. Speakers, some of our parents needed five days. Other parents needed 14 days to stay home with kids who were sick quarantining. For those without paid sick days, like the parent who works as a contractor and plumber who contacted me, that needed hit their family's income. Speaker, through you, can the premier explain why parents in St. Paul's and across Ontario at that are expected to take an income loss when they must stay at home with their sick children for the sake of our collective health and safety? Thank you, Speaker. Go ahead, House Leader, to reply. Speaker, I was announced just the other day that we were going to continue the sports that we put in place for workers right through to July, Mr. Speaker. We know we've known right from the beginning that we had to put supports in place for individuals during COVID. It is an extraordinary time. You've just heard the Minister of Education highlight some of the nationwide leading investments that we've made to keep our students safe. But at the same time, the premier knew right from the beginning that we had to keep our workers and our essential workers safe, Mr. Speaker. That is why he negotiated an over $1 billion program of support for our workers. There were some gaps in that that we had hoped would have been filled by a federal budget. When that wasn't the case, we stepped in to ensure that workers had access to additional paid sick days to close that gap. And as I said, the Minister of Labor and the Premier have announced that that will continue right through to the end of July. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Next question. The member for Aurora Oak Ridge is Richmond Hill. Well, thank you very much, Speaker. My question is to the great Minister of Energy. Minister, it was great to hear you speaking so highly of the nuclear power that has offered Ontario in this house just a couple of weeks ago. Speaker, I'm proud to be a part of government that has been a strong advocate for the nuclear sector. And we all know that clean and reliable electricity generated by nuclear facilities will be needed to continue powering Ontario's families and businesses in the years and decades ahead. Minister, can you tell us what you and your government are doing to increase Ontario's capacity to generate emissions-free, low-cost and reliable electricity? Good question. And for your applause, Minister of Energy. Thanks very much, and thanks to the great member for the great question. Our Premier and our government have never been shy about our support for nuclear power. And that's why it was such a pleasure, it was such a pleasure last week to be able to join OPG on World Nuclear Energy Day as we announce some incredible news for Ontario and the world, Mr. Speaker. The selection of OPG's technology partner for the Darlington SMR project. The announcement positions Ontario to be a global leader in new nuclear technologies like small modular reactors that represent tremendous economic and environmental opportunities for our province, our country, and the world, Mr. Speaker. Nuclear power is already the backbone of our energy system here in Ontario, providing 60% of our base load every day. It's reliable, it's competitively priced, and it's clean power, Mr. Speaker. And by building on our nuclear capacity, we're continuing our global leadership and we're on our pathway to net-zero emissions. Supplementary question. Thank you very much. And through you, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the minister for that excellent answer. And that's really fantastic news for our Ontarians. And I'm really glad to hear that our province is continuing to lead the way on this exciting new technology. Mr. Speaker, while the Liberals squandered Ontario's clean energy advantage and drove jobs out of this province, our government is restoring that advantage and building on it. Mr. Speaker, you mentioned that this project has a number of benefits to offer beyond just generating emissions-free, low-cost, and reliable electricity. Can you tell this House more about what the small modular reactor project at Darlington will do for the region and Ontario's economy as a whole? Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again, Canada's nuclear sector already supports 76,000 jobs in the nuclear sector here in Ontario and an expert supply chain. There are 220 companies in the supply chain here in Ontario. Operational regulatory experience here in Ontario means our province can be a first mover on this cutting-edge technology. And that's really important. It means even more good-paying jobs in the Durham region, Ontario's clean energy capital, but in communities across the province that are home to supply chain companies like Port Hope and Peterborough and Cambridge. Really, they're all across Ontario, Mr. Speaker. And there's a lot of interest from our colleagues in Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and Alberta, and other provinces and jurisdictions around the world. I can tell you, Speaker, that the world is watching what's happening at Darlington right now with this small modular reactor. It was the talk of the town in Paris, France, last week at the World Nuclear Exhibition. Thank you very much. The next question, the member for Tarshale High Park. My questions to the Premier. Speaker, a childcare report revealed yesterday that if the government doesn't sign a childcare deal by early next year, the province will lose a billion dollars in funding. That's money the province could use right now to lower fees for parents. Ontario is the only province without a deal, and if a billion dollars of funding isn't big enough a carrot, Speaker, I'm not sure what is actually going to compel this government to get a deal done. It's been 233 days since the federal government announced program details, and this government's stalling has led to a billion dollars worth of funding being at stake. Can the government assure parents that a deal will be signed as soon as possible so that this funding is not lost? Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the member opposite for the question. We would both agree that the legacy inherited under the former Liberal government is more accessible. 400% increase in childcare costs. All of our constituents pay that price. Every mother and father today pays the price for their inaction. Parents deserve better. In the first budget, our government introduced a childcare tax credit, which, yes, incrementally makes life more affordable. Regrettably for New Democrats and Liberals, you oppose that measure. When the Premier allocated a billion dollars to build 30,000 more childcare spaces for Democrats and Liberals coalesced to oppose it. Now, this government is committed to getting a deal, yes, as soon as possible. We provide the financials to the feds. They know what we need to get to 10 dollars. If they have the political will, they will respond in kind, get this deal wrapped up so that we can make childcare finally affordable after the 40% increase over the national average under the Dalduca Liberals. Mr. Speaker. We've made the case for affordability. We're going to stand up front trail and get the best deal, a fair deal and a fair deal. Thank you. Back to the minister. Speaker, continue delays hurt families. The report showed what most of us in this House already know. If a couple with two children cannot access subsidies, license childcare at any income is remarkable. Stop the clock. Apologize to the member for Park Dill High Park. Member for York Centre must come to order. Please restart the clock again. Park Dill High Park. Speaker, the report showed what most of us in this House already know. If a couple with two children cannot access subsidies, license childcare at any income level is remarkably unaffordable. Infant spaces in Toronto average $85 a day or about $1,700 a month. Parents are paying the price for this government's inaction. That's not fair or right. Speaker, again to this government, a billion dollars worth of funding is at stake. We've got 5 changing money for families in Park Dill High Park in a cross Ontario. Will the get the deal done? Mr. Speaker. Every single year new Democrats and Liberals vote against roughly $400 million in direct financial relief to parents through Ontario Child Care Attractory, which was enriched by the minister of finance in the last budget. That's half a billion dollars over three years. That makes a difference in savings directly to The Executive Director of the Association of Daycare Operators of Ontario said, quote, there are practical reasons why the Ford government needs to keep working to get Ontario's child care deal right. Ontario isn't just Canada's most populous province. It's one of the fastest growing and most diverse. Its child care system is more complex. In addition to government-run kindergarten facilities and child care owned by municipalities, there's a mix of large non-profit institutions. These small businesses account for 25% of our operators. Most are women-owned. Arriving at an assessment that includes all of these service providers may take some time, but respecting Ontario families means the deal needs to be flexible enough to support all of them to expand the range of options to support them. No government should be criticised for working towards this goal. We'll continue to work in good faith to land a good deal, a fair deal for Ontario families. Next question, a member for York Centre. Mayor Christmas speaker, my question is to the Premier. Almost four years later, the Premier broke almost every major promise he campaigned on. He campaigned on ending halloween healthcare. But we now have less healthcare capacity and less healthcare workers. He campaigned on lowering hydro rates by 12%, but hydro rates are up. He's running a global adjustment on steroids funded by the taxpayer. He promised to restore accountability to government. But he passed the Crown Liability Proceedings Act and used the North West Ending Clause to overrule the court to give himself an electoral advantage. He said he'll reduce car insurance rates. Yeah, right. Premier said, we won't have autism parents protesting on the lawn of Queen's Park, but he dismantled the autism program and the wait list is up from 23,000 kids to more than 50,000 kids. Will the Premier have courage to admit that on the items I just listed, its promise is made, promise is broken? And to respond, Government House Leader. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Well, when I look at the province of Ontario, I look at how we compare to every other jurisdiction with respect to our fight against COVID. I'm proud of the people of the province of Ontario, and I'm proud of most of the members of provincial parliament who have stood with us to fight COVID. But, Mr. Speaker, it's so much more. I look at the Minister of Transportation and the things that she is doing to bring transit opportunities across Toronto, the Ontario line. I am going to have a subway into York Region, something that we have fought for for so long. We're getting it done. I look at the Minister of Health and the investments that she is making to increase critical care and ICU capacity, something that should have been done ages ago. It is getting done. I look at the Minister for Long-Term Care, 30,000 beds, like 27,000 new PSWs, and I look at the Minister of Finance, and I say to myself, here is an economy that is roaring back to life. We've taken all of the jobs that we have lost, and we've added 100,000 new jobs with thousands left to be filled. I look at a province of promise, Mr. Speaker, despite... Thank you. Thank you. A supplementary question. Thank you, Speaker. Actually, the Premier campaigned on the Shepherd subway. He didn't campaign on the Ontario line, and the Ontario line is not even hard rail. I don't think that anyone told the Premier that it's not an actual subway. But, Speaker, no wonder the Premier gave the House Leader a $27,000 raise, but he can't get away with it. Hydro rates, promise broken. And hallway health care, promise broken. Restore accountability to government, promise broken. Reduce auto insurance rate, promise broken. Fix autism, promise broken. The Premier who campaigned on efficiencies and gravy trains is now doing a liberal giveaway tour. He's the conductor of the gravy train. But there's no greater promise broken than when they told Ontarians that when we had 70, 80, 90 percent, that we'll go back to normal and that we'll get to do things we get to enjoy. We've done what was asked of us, Speaker, and 90 percent of us are vaccinated, but the promise is broken. Did the Premier knowingly break this promise, or will he finally admit that they never had an exit strategy? Government House Leader. Mr. Speaker, I think this member's questions confirmed for me that one of the best decisions this Premier made was asking this member to leave our caucus and go sit as an independent, Mr. Speaker. I think that... Order. Every... Order. Government House Leader respond. Member for York Centre, come to order. Member for York Centre will come to order. Government House Leader has the floor. He says it's always personal for me. Well, yes, actually it is personal for me because I actually ran in this place to make a difference, Mr. Speaker. I ran because I didn't like what was happening to the province of Ontario. So is it personal for me? Yes, it is personal for me. Is it personal for me when the member stands up and talks down all of the things that will help us get out of COVID, Mr. Speaker? Yes, it's personal for me. Personal for me as it is to all of the members on this side and most of the members on that side. We may disagree once in a while, Mr. Speaker, but I can tell you this. The members of this House, most of the members of this House have seen Ontario become one of the best jurisdictions in its fight against COVID and an economy that is roaring back to life despite that member. But after June 2nd, we won't have to worry about... The next order. The next question. Next question. The next question, the number four. Renfrew. Nipissing Pembroke. Thank you very much, Speaker. In before I turn my question to the Minister of Agriculture, Rural and Food and Rural Affairs, I want to wish our son, Zachery, a 43rd birthday today and yesterday, our grandson, Leopold, a 6th birthday. To the minister, this week we have seen several announcements related to the expansion expansion of broadband connectivity throughout southwestern Ontario. Essex and Middlesex counties have received news this week that construction of new broadband infrastructure is now underway and thousands of households will soon have access to fast reliable broadband. I know that constituents in my in rural parts of my riding are often frustrated by the lack of reliable internet connectivity. So speaker through you to the minister what steps are being taken by the province to connect more Ontarians to fast reliable high-speed internet. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker and I'd like to thank the member from Renfrew Nipissing Prembrook for that important question because our government has made access to high-speed internet an absolute priority and we're walking our talk with another example just this past week we announced more than four 1400 homes businesses and farms in the Essex Middlesex County region will be receiving high-speed access you know this is representing a six point two million dollar infrastructure investment upgrades that are badly needed and our government is seeing this through you know there's going to be additional good news coming throughout the holiday season for our communities throughout rural Ontario because we're demonstrating that we are absolutely committed to nearly four billion dollars of infrastructure investment so every community in this province can have confidence that they have high-speed internet this is the largest single investment of high-speed internet in any province made in Canada in history and we have our thank you thank you very much supplementary well thank you very much speaker and back to the minister these announcements and this government's investments in broadband and cellular technology are undoubtedly positive for Ontario's rural families and businesses however I know from the farmers in my writing that agriculture is a 21st century business at the forefront of new innovations and in order to remain competitive Ontario's farmers need access to this type of infrastructure as well speaker through you can the minister of agriculture food and rural affairs tell us what targeted investments in broadband infrastructure will do to support Ontario's agricultural and agri-food businesses thank you very good well thank you speaker and I appreciate the focus on farmers because while high-speed access is very important to small business and families throughout rural Ontario our farmers are early adapters of the digital world and and new technologies because we have to remain competitive and we need this access that our government is providing because speaker farming has changed today farmers are embracing the digital world managing on a daily basis their nutrients they're improving animal husbandry they are looking to improve feed conversions and ultimate overall efficiencies so we're producing top quality food right here at home that Ontarians can have confidence in you know our government's investment in broadband and cellular access will absolutely enable farmers across this province to be outstanding in their field but I can tell you the innovations adopted in greenhouses as well are just helping our sector lead by example and Ontarians this Christmas season and through the holidays can have every confidence that they have great quality Ontario brawn food close to home thank you very much speaker speaker I recently told the Premier that somebody had 218 opioid overdose memorial crosses and now we have five more one of the new crosses directed by Rick Como Rick recently lost his granddaughter to Shana to an overdose Rick told me that Shana was very enthusiastic she described her as so sweet happy go lucky and loving but the addictions were just too strong to Shana was 27 years old she leaves behind a seven-year-old son a three-year-old baby girl the family's devastated to Shana's mom speakers in deep sorrow she's full of guilt even though she knows she did everything she could doubt her daughter my community mourns with Rick and his family last November there are 51 opioid overdose memorial crosses in Sudbury two weeks ago there were 218 today there are 223 my question today is the same as before how many more crosses will we have to erect before the Premier takes action on opioid addictions in Sudbury thank you mr. Speaker and thank you for the question from the member opposite you know mr. Speaker we know that Ontarians across the province of Ontario are fighting to beat their addictions and we know many of them have been reaching out for help that isn't any difference in anywhere in the province of Ontario and our government firmly believes that every Ontarian deserves to be fully supported in their journey from prevention to recovery and that's why mr. Speaker we announced 32.7 million dollars in new annualized funding for targeted addiction services and supports including treatment and care for opioid use disorder mr. Speaker these investments include 6.9 million dollars in provincial opioid response investments such as harm reduction supplies and supports over 18.8 million dollars in bed based investments for adults and youth who need intensive supports including adding 30 new youth treatment beds at Pine River Institute adding new adult addiction treatment beds as well throughout the province thank you thank you speaker back to the Premier Rick has a lot of experience with addictions he's recovered from drug and alcohol addiction and he's worked as an addiction addictions counselor for 35 years Rick was devastated when the police showed up at his door to tell him that his granddaughter to Shana was dead Rick told me if fentanyl was out when I was hooked on heroin I would have died it's Russian roulette every time you use Rick said trying to get help is like getting a slap in the face when people are ready for treatment they have to wait three six nine months and this stuff is killing people every day we need places they can help them today not tomorrow they can't wait if you make them wait they'll die right now there's no help for them I asked Rick what subway needs he said supervised injection sites and we need an opioid treatment center in Sudbury he said the Premier must know that the north needs help to not just in the south my question speaker the Premier how many more young people like the Shana have to die from overdose in Sudbury before the Premier finally decides to help Sudbury thank you mr. Speaker and once again I thank the member opposite for that question mr. Speaker we're very well aware of the issues relating to addictions and overdoses we are building through the roadmap to wellness a continuum of care to look after the needs of individuals because we know that treatment and recovery are an important part of the continuum of what needs to be done and mr. Speaker we're not just talking about it as previous governments have and done absolutely nothing because I'm here because of the fact that the previous government did nothing and our government has invested to date annually 525 million dollars and we will continue working to build continuums of care working with the service providers and ensuring that individuals that need the help get the help where and when they need it not having to travel to different parts of the province this is something that we've taken into account and if you look at the roadmap to wellness you'll see that those services are being placed throughout the province of Ontario and in remote areas utilizing other mechanisms to deliver those services thank you very much speaker my question is for the Premier speaker despite what the minister the Premier and their offices say the rats still aren't free rapid antigen tests are not free at drugstores they cost $40 a test compared to Nova Scotia new Brunswick Saskatchewan UK and Germany who are providing them for free they should be widely available and free for people they should have been in the hands of parents in September yet it's December and it's they're still not in the hands of parents that's incredible so speaker through you when will this government finally move to make rapid antigen tests free for all families here in Ontario and get them in their hands Minister of Health thank you very much people the tests are free and are available to the people of Ontario the only time that people need to pay $40 for tests is when they need it for travel purposes but if they're symptomatic or asymptomatic and having been in contact with someone with COVID they will be able to receive these tests free of charge so where they are available as more people head indoors and attend family meetings over the winter months access to publicly funded COVID-19 PCR specimen collection select pharmacies providing take-home PCR self-collection kits for eligible individuals allowing them to pick them up and return the specimens to the pharmacies expanding ID now and rapid PCR testing to select assessment centres and pharmacies across northern Ontario bringing a symptomatic testing directly to Ontario with pop-up testing sites in higher traffic public settings to provide vaccine education and help reduce the risk of transmission over the holidays in addition to all of that there are going to be rapid tests that are going to be distributed to every school child thanks to the Minister of Education they will have five tests to take home which can be used these are rapid tests they're going to make sure that our children are safe when they return to school and over the holidays the minister appreciates the difference between a rapid test and a PCR test that can take two days now I appreciate though the fact the minister's here every day to answer questions and that she doesn't see question period as a 22 minute one day a week endeavor so here's the thing Scott Moe Scott Moe Scott Moe set the rats free at all the co-op stores in Saskatchewan you know why he's done that because he knows it's important to get into the hands of people that's why he freed the rats in Saskatchewan and that's why we need to do it here inside come to order they cost pennies to make except the government and the premier and the minister are satisfied that some family may have to go to shop with dark Barton pay 40 bucks is they need a rapid test and they don't have another option because it's not available to them that's what happens if it happens to one family it's too many and it's been happening to more families than that so what is the minister and this government think about a test cost by a rapid test costing $40 in this province someone's charging $40 for a test that they're giving away for free in Saskatchewan tell me minister what does this government think about that I haven't heard you say a word stop the clock for a minute please minister of health please I've stopped the clock for a minute to allow the government members to stop tackling now they've stopped we'll start the clock again and allow the minister of health to answer thank you we have already distributed over 34 million rapid tests across the province of Ontario these are all being deployed in many occasions as requested through they're being deployed in schools are being deployed in hospitals in congregate settings and long-term care settings at work people who require them can receive them through the provincial portal or through their local Chamber of Commerce they are widely distributed so much so that I actually wrote to my federal counterpart minister to clothe last week asking the federal government to please approve more types of rapid tests so that we can distribute them even more that is something that the minister has agreed to do Ottawa will soon be delivering a larger number of rapid tests so we are distributing everything that we have and over a million a week is a significant deployment of rapid tests thank you very much mr. Speaker my question is the minister of finance I want to commend him for the stellar and balanced job he has done stewarding the needs of people and providing financial support to the people of Ontario during the pandemic speakers we all know Ontario's faced a once in a lifetime crisis that placed an incredible burden on our health care system our economy our families and our communities I remain proud that in the face of these unprecedented challenges the people of Ontario shown true compassion resolve and Ontario spirit through you speaker can the minister of finance tell us how the government is planning to ensure that all insurance have done and juror and injured will continue to contribute to combating COVID-19 thank you speaker thank you mr. Speaker Bruce Gray Owen sound for that terrific questions he's right about on Terence compassion and resolve mr. Speaker that's why bill 43 the build Ontario act our first pillar is protecting our progress because we're going to ensure that our frontline health care heroes have the resources they need mr. Speaker by saying yes to investing over 1.8 billion to support 3100 beds reduce surgical and diagnostic imaging backlogs and help hospitals keep pace with patient needs and yes to adding an upscaling over 5,000 registered nurses and registered practical nurses and 8,000 personal support workers to our hospital and health care system and mr. Speaker yes to expanding home and community care by investing 548 million dollars over three years to help hospitalize patients continue their recovery and rehabilitation at home mr. Speaker we are saying yes to fixing the years have neglected by the previous Liberal government in our health care and our long-term care system mr. Speaker thank you speaker my thanks to the Minister of Finance for that response and for the representation he provides the people of Pickering Uxbridge every single day speaker in his role as president of the Treasury Board he did in-depth analysis and he noted as he did in his comments that the health care system face long years of neglect under the previous Liberal government who again and again said no to building an entero for the future so speakers through you could the Minister of Finance tell us how this government is balancing working towards until his long-term prosperity will also protecting our progress mr. Speaker thank you again for the member for that question and the member is right Ontario needs a plan that looks to the future that's why the second pillar of our fall economic statement and fiscal update is building Ontario previous governments said no but we are saying yes to fighting gridlock and building the Bradford bypass and the 413 and over 400 projects in our highways and rehabilitation renewal program yes to working with First Nations working with the northern communities to build the roads that will unlock the economic potential of the Ring of Fire and yes to shovels in the ground to create jobs and build the housing long-term care capacity and public transit that Ontario needs mr. Speaker we know that tomorrow's prosperity depends on getting shovels in the ground today that's why we have a plan a plan to build Ontario plan to support on Terence by growing the province is the best place to do business to work and to raise a family. My question is to the Premier public statements by this government often reveal a deeply uninformed perspective on the indigenous people who have always lived on these lands and on whose backs the crown and non-indigenous people have disproportionately benefited statements these statements are out of step with reconciliation out of step with modern legal development and out of step speaker in keeping with the constitutional mandate of the honour of the crown. Speaker will Ontario ensure that advancement of development and treaty nine territory will only take place with the free prior and informed consent of all First Nations affected. Thank you Mr. Speaker our government takes the duty to consult very seriously and that's why we have engaged in conversations with all First Nations. We'll continue to ensure that we meet our obligation of consultation as we move forward. Thank you Mr. Speaker and the supplementary question back to the Premier. The Premier has publicly stated on numerous occasions that the ring of fire mining development is going ahead no matter what. We're doing it. If I have to hop on it but those are my self those are the kind of comments we hear. These statements reflect this government's intent whether the people of the country number nine consent or consider it safe and fair to do so. This is the very essence of colonialism speaker. How can the Premier possibly know what's best. For a place. He won't even visit. Well Ontario listen to the people who are worried about this project. You know that project that will change their ways of life permanently and commit to today to a consultation process and a ring of fire based on free prior and informed consent. Thank you Mr. Speaker our government has engaged in consultation throughout this entire process that's why we were able to sign an historic agreement with Martin Falls and Webequay First Nations for a permanent pathway roadway into those communities so they don't rely on winter roads moving forward. In addition to that Mr. Speaker our government has met with just this past week with the leadership of Mishkegawig to continue that ongoing conversation with them to make sure that we have that prior informed consent as we move forward with us. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Thank you Speaker my questions for the Minister of Energy as we look ahead to 2022 and do the reflection that comes with entering a new calendar year. Many countries and world economies will be reflecting on not only the status of the pandemic but also climate change and the future of energy use. The reality is most grids struggle to handle the intermittent nature of renewable sources such as solar and wind energy so more reliable baseload power is needed that is not coal fired. Many predict the natural that natural gas will have a comeback and there will be a global rehabilitation of nuclear power which is greenhouse gas free. Can the Minister share his vision for the future of energy in Ontario? Minister of Energy. Well thank you very much to the member opposite and first of all I'd like to congratulate her on her recent wedding Mr. Speaker and welcome to the club. I know that the member from Durham is very passionate about Ontario power generation and Durham is the clean energy capital of Canada Mr. Speaker over 6,000 megawatts of clean reliable affordable electricity come out of that region every year in Pickering and Darlington's facilities and we know that that is what has allowed us to shut down coal plants Mr. Speaker it's our investment into facilities like Darlington and the rehab that's going on there the refurbishment and at Bruce power as well the world's largest nuclear power plant over on Lake Huron Mr. Speaker 60% of our power every day of our electricity comes from those facilities here in Ontario we are a leader in that area and that's why last week we were able to make the announcement in her riding where OPG has selected GE Attache to build the first new nuclear since 1993 something that is going to help other jurisdictions around the world do what we thank you very much thank you speaker and it was a great announcement to hear last week that OPG is moving forward and choosing GE Attache as its technology partner to build the first grid scale small modular reactor in Canada at Darlington this technology has potential to be deployed to more areas of Canada and the world than can do reactors and at a better price point the emerging world accounts for two thirds of energy related carbon emissions yet lacks the cash and innovation base to invest or invent its way to a cleaner energy system we have that nuclear innovation base in Ontario what's the plan to get it to market Mr. energy so excited about this project Mr. Speaker and I know the member opposite it is as well this is the BWRX 300 it's a boiling water reactor that's going to be built right there on site at Darlington the key thing about this project in the world is watching this project because it has first mover status meaning we have the environmental assessments we have the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission that's approved this site for the first new nuclear small modular reactor that's going to be built there this is going to be a tremendous opportunity for jurisdictions around the world to get off carbon clean up their emissions and hit the targets that they've set in Paris and in other forums Mr. Speaker but particularly about this project GE Hitachi already has about a hundred employees here in the house leaders riding in Markham they're going to increase that to 700 employees in the development stage and then for the construction of the project and the members riding 1700 individuals will be working on that project there are already 76,000 people working in our nuclear sector in Ontario this project is only going to grow that and we'll be able to export this small modular reactor around the world the impact on our GDP is going to be astronomical Mr. Speaker I'm excited to thank you speaking my questions to the premier as you know I believe there are times when the government and the opposition can and must work closely together and times when we must raise our voices loudly against policy failures seniors in Niagara are left waiting for their booster shots when we know that they are vital to fighting the new variants Niagara Public Health is prioritizing vaccinating children I support that however it has put pressure on the pharmacies across Niagara to deliver booster shots to seniors quickly throughout the pandemic Niagara Public Health and pharmacists have been heroes and continue to be however they can use much needed support we ramped up the capacity before looking at the Omicron variant and and the incoming Christmas holidays if this government is serious about the booster efforts and vaccinating children will you ramp up capacity so seniors in Niagara that want to booster before the holidays can get it thank you very much mr. Speaker I appreciate the question as you know we've we have ramped it up in fact mr. Speaker and to the credit of the people the province of Ontario we've hit 90% with respect to the first and almost 90% on second doses and as a minister of education is highlighted on a number of occasions used from 5 to 11 I think we're approaching over 25% who have who have received their their first dose we also were one of the first jurisdictions to actually start initiating booster shots recently the age was lowered to 50 we have had a groundbreaking effort across the province of Ontario part of the massive investments that we've made the members right that we are offering these booster shots across multiple platforms we've gone into long-term care homes to make sure that they were given the first boosters they're available at at at pharmacies we will continue this effort and continue these investments so that not only the good people of Niagara but across the province we can continue to get not only the boosters but get our kids vaccinated double vaccinated speaker and maybe surpass even that 90% which is a world-leading figure right now supplementary thank you speaker back to the premier my team is scrambling to find open booster appointments for seniors that just want to be safe before Christmas holidays anyone who struggles to find one you can reach out to me directly in Niagara but it is getting harder and harder to find appointments one predominant pharmacy in Niagara is already booking well into January I have heard from seniors that have called around to every pharmacy before just giving up and hanging up Monday's expanded eligibility will make this worse speaker Ontario has the supply there are solutions the government could act on but they haven't seniors are stuck waiting and waiting because Ford's poor planning yet again they've been waiting weeks already and they still have to wait longer to find get their booster even as families are getting together over the holidays will this government act and treat seniors fairly by ramping up capacity today we actually have done just that the member will know that when we expanded eligibility it is still based on when you received your first dose somebody like me who well well not a senior yet mr. Speaker I won't be eligible to get my my booster into into January speaker to me it is wonderful news it is wonderful news to hear that so many people are lining up to get their boosters mr. Speaker this is really good news because we keep hearing from the opposition that somehow people aren't doing it because it's hard for them to do so but what I'm hearing from the from the member opposite is is that our efforts are working and they're paying off and that this 90% target that we have right now we are going to exceed and surpass that is wonderful news and I do encourage people keep looking keep booking we will keep making sure that not only do we have vaccines from the federal government but that we have somewhere for you to get that and people of Ontario can remain sick he's speaker my question is to the premier now speaker this is one of my last two questions I can ask this government before the year is out my riding of Scarborough Guildwood has been a COVID hotspot for two years now and with the new variant of concern ripping through schools and the community people in my riding are concerned and they're really looking to this government for action speaker with the rise of this this Omicron variant now it's the cases we see are going up and up and up and Ontarians and the people of Scarborough Guildwood are expecting action no one wants to see schools and businesses close no one wants another lockdown yet with 1290 cases today speaker what are the actions that this question and his government are planning to take and has yet not been announced to make the holidays safe for families will his government provide leadership and guidance before it is too late what measures are you planning to strengthen and to prevent and holiday bump in 2022 mr. Education mr. Speaker we obviously are taking action to keep families safe we share a broad level of concern about the Omicron variant which is precisely why the Minister of Health the Premier and our entire government has announced over the holidays there will be asymptomatic testing pop-up clinics across the province of Ontario within our school setting before Omicron even came to this country we announced the proactive deployment of five rapid antitune tests for every child in every school public and private to ensure communities are safe upon the return we've announced the extension of term 2 funding 300 million more dollars to provide more staffing and stability within our schools and we continue to improve the ventilation of the schools over 600 million dollars we're doing it in partnership with various ministers in this government to ensure their standards are improved right across 70,000 health units are in place as we speak as they were in September when school commenced we'll continue to work with the Chief Medical Officer of Health to do everything possible to keep these school settings as safe as possible Speaker back to the Minister and with the warnings that the science table has already suggested that by mid January we will be at 3,000 cases without factoring in the Omicron variant why is this government reluctant to proactively do what eventually you must do so I have understood in this house many times I have stood in this house many times asking this government for vaccine equity for hotspot communities like mine in Scarborough Guildwood we are again facing a rise in cases and action is needed to protect people in these hotspots we need vaccinations in schools during school hours we need fairness for families and speaker we are running out of time to implement these measures before the holiday break will the minister make boosters available to those 18 and over in hotspot communities now Mr. Vigication thank you very much Mr. Speaker we are very committed to expanding access to vaccines for all families it's why we've launched for 4 to 11 year olds a vaccine program that so far leads the nation with roughly one in four of these elementary students already one dose that's incredible progress by any measurement but we know there's more work to do for our high school students read over 80 percent double vaccinated we have one of the highest rates of immunization in the nation we are proud of that also in addition to high rates of vaccination we have speaker one of the lowest case rates for youth under 19 we have done that through ventilation through three-ply quality masks through expanded testing options and with respect to the ongoing work we've announced an additional three hundred four million dollars expansion of testing rapid antigen and PCR take-home tests which are making a difference to ensure our families our communities and our educators remain safe this holidays I'm going to first recognize the member for Ottawa South thank you very much speaker point of order I have some news that's really exciting and also kind of sad so many of you know Grace Johnson who's my executive assistant so the exciting part is she's going to be leaving my office on an adventure that she's been planning for a long time and Grace is I just want to say this out loud because I think you all know this because she knows more people than I do in here wherever Grace is she lifts up everybody around her I can't don't have enough time to say all the things that she's done to support me and all of us and she's just a wonderful person I'm sad to see her go but really happy at the same time so it's kind of a weird time so you know I used to say to Grace you know I get up every morning and I pray for grace and when I get here and I get to the office you're here sadly that's not going to be the case in the new year unless of course I find a new grace which is highly unlikely because she's not replaceable and I just want to say thank you to Grace and she's right over there I made her okay member for Scarborough Guildwood on a point of order a speaker if I just beg the indulgence of the House speaker but I would like to wish my nephew Jordan Oscar Isaac Hunter a happy first birthday tomorrow minister the environment conservation and parks on a point of order thank you speaker I too would like to rise on a point of order with exciting yet sad news for me speaker I've had the honor of working with my executive assistant Paige Wiggins since pretty much first getting elected as a new MPP it's been exciting to tackle the challenges of elected life but I've done so with confidence in having a page by my side from day one she's about to embark on a new exciting adventure which I was just told about a few days ago and and I wish her nothing but the best she's been a remarkable asset and I have not been able to do my job and the people of Northumberland Peterborough South have been better served having a page in our constituency office page Merry Christmas wishing you the best of luck in your future endeavors and we're sad to see you go thank you very much Mr. Speaker and I'd like to also congratulate Grace on all that she's done and she stood here as a the epitome frankly as a staffer that goes beyond the partisan stuff she's always bubbly she's always personal she certainly made John Frazier look a lot better and do a lot better things in this house but we could all learn from from Grace to to go across aisle to do the right things to do the proper things and not be partisan overboard yes we have a job to do grace you've been a great colleague a great ally a great friend we wish you all the well on Terrell's loss is certainly England's gain so all the very best in your future endeavors government House leader has a point of order to be very underwhelming Mr. Speaker I'm rising on the point of order standing order 58 to outline the status of business first to say that there will be no night sitting this evening Mr. Speaker and when we come back in February speaker we will of course be dealing with a motion that we have table with respect to the exciting broadcast standards of this based on the hard work of the Legislative Assembly Committee and before we leave to us speaker I would be remiss if I didn't thank you the clerk deputy clerk and the table officers the sergeant arms all of the security and peace officers who have kept this place very very safe throughout all of this Mr. Speaker I too have come to know Grace very well and she's been an incredible incredible asset especially when we were learning our job in the beginning quite quite frankly Mr. Speaker and they never were shy in helping us but also Bianca in Minister and Mr. Schreiner's office as well as Jasmine and Kevin in the opposition leaders house office and of course my own team Patrick Kelly who sits here and and is riveted by how exciting this place is all of the time and and of course Charlie who's who's now here all the time listening Owen in my office Monica in in my office Rachel in my office all do a tremendous work speaker and of course I too am losing my chief of staff for a short period of time she has been here Jessica Lippert for a very long time you all know her she is going to be leaving on maternity leave very soon I was thinking Mr. Speaker of asking for unanimous consent that we order her to call her child Paul Calandra Lawson but I suspect the house would not agree to that so I won't go down that road and finally a speaker just to say very Merry Christmas happy holiday seasons greetings to everybody here it is none of us signed up for what we've had to go through over the last number of months but I would think that all members of Parliament even the ones that I very much disagree with have risen to the occasion and represent their communities very very well Mr. Speaker and it is an absolute honor to serve with all of you thank you the board of the member for to miscommunicate on behalf of the official opposition I would like to congratulate Jess and make it very clear that I would say no to that you know motion but on behalf of the official opposition I would like to thank everyone for all the work they do and for the people we don't see like the people in the cafeteria every morning I fight very hard for that place and and the people who asked us ask us the seven questions every morning and the people sometimes we're here a bit late at night the people who come to clean our offices and I would like to say once in a while we're still there when they come and we we I love this place about because we all have such different backgrounds and I love it when our speeches are talked about our different back but please take the opportunity and I'm sure we all have to ask the people where they come from the people who clean your office to people it's amazing what this province in this country has offered we have issues here to fix but we live in an amazing place and we're about to enter into an amazing season and we have our differences and that will continue to happen and the fact that we can at least most of time try and settle these differences amicably is that the right word and I'd like to close by I never look good but the people who try Kevin and Jasmine they they have a hard job we all have hard job but Merry Christmas it's now time to once again ask the pages to assemble our pages are hard-working trustworthy and smart they are indispensable to all that goes on in this chamber and we're indeed fortunate to have them here our pages will now go home having made new friends with a better understanding of parliamentary democracy and with memories that will last them a lifetime in the coming years each of them will continue their studies and in time contribute to their communities their province and their country in important ways and who knows maybe some of them will someday take their seats in this house as members or a staff and we wish all of them well it's been wonderful to have pages back in the chamber this fall and I want to ask all members to please join me in showing our appreciation for this before I call the votes I want to express my sincere thanks to all of you the members of the 42nd Provincial Parliament of Ontario as well as all the staff who inform and support the work that we do we know that we are privileged to be elected to be here you're all staff and members alike empowered by the virtue of democracy we exercise the authority granted to us by the people and we are accountable to them we apply our best judgment to the challenges we face and we seek to encourage to inspire and to lead but that is not enough our collective vision must extend beyond the current electoral cycle past the challenging decade that we find ourselves in past even the next generation and it is in that spirit that we should reflect upon Garrett Nadie's magnificent carving above the main entrance to the chamber illustrating with gentle simplicity but overwhelming power the seven grandfather teachings the eagle meaning love unconditional and freely given the beaver meaning wisdom for the good of all people the turtle meaning truth so that we never deceive the bison meaning respect mutual and reciprocal the wolf meaning humility knowing we are all equal none better than another the raven meaning honesty in all our words and actions and the fair meaning courage to face down your adversaries with integrity and seek to do the right thing no matter what the consequences all freely given to all of us at this seat of parliament here by the Anishinaabe peoples who were here for centuries before settlers arrived timeless yes enlightening yes perfect for any governing authority including a provincial parliament like ours yes and as this year comes to a close our hearts are filled with gratitude for the people of Ontario who have demonstrated enormous resilience and perseverance extraordinary caring and compassion love wisdom truth respect humility honesty and above all courage God bless us every one Christmas we now have a deferred vote on the motion for closure on the motion for third reading a bill 43 enact to implement budget measures and to enact and amend various statutes on December 7th 2021 Mr. Bethel and Paul V move third reading a bill 43 on December 8th 2021 Ms. Kusendova moved that the question be now put the bells will now ring for 30 minutes during which time members may cast their votes on this Ms. Kusendova's motion that the question be now put and I will ask the clerks to please prepare the lines