 Although the face has changed, the demeanor hasn't. It's now time for a question period. The leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. At every corner in Whitby, Oshawa, I heard about the government's cuts to healthcare. Doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, technologists, and patients all told me the same thing. The impact of this government's cuts to healthcare are real. The Premier says she recognizes the importance of mental health services, but she cut 25 desperately needed staff at Ontario Shores Mental Health Sciences Centre in Durham late last year. This is on top of the 31 staff cut in 2013. Because of these cuts, some wait lists are now a year long. Mr. Speaker, does the Premier recognize how cruel it is to encourage those suffering from mental illness to seek treatment and then cut the very services they need? Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. First of all, welcome back everyone, and I want to congratulate Lauren Coe on his bio-election win and all of the candidates who put their names. Congratulations. Mr. Speaker, I know that the leader of the third party has asked a specific question about healthcare and I will respond to that first by saying that we have increased healthcare funding year over year. But, Mr. Speaker, all of that is within the context of our plan. We have a plan for growing jobs and growth in Ontario. We have a plan to invest in people and their talent and skills, Mr. Speaker. We are investing in infrastructure, which is creating 110,000 jobs a year right now, Mr. Speaker, and will build well into the future. We are working on providing retirement security for people in this province, Mr. Speaker. And we're working with businesses to make sure that we continue to be the number one jurisdiction for foreign direct adjustment, Mr. Speaker. That's our plan. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, again to the Premier. Not a single nurse or doctor in the province believes this government isn't cutting healthcare. Ontario Shores Mental Health Sciences Centre is a unique facility that offers mental health services to the entire province. Yet Ontario Shores is now preparing for its fifth straight budget freeze. Mr. Speaker, one in three people struggling with mental health issues are not receiving the care they need and deserve in our province. In fact, the PTSD support waitlist is almost a year long at that facility. In any other area of health, that would be unacceptable. Just last month, many from across the aisle tweeted and texted their support on Bell Let's Talk Day. So why won't the government put their money where their mouths are? Mr. Speaker, why isn't the Premier supporting Ontario Shores and other mental health facilities in this province to the level that patients deserve? Thank you. The investments that we are making in health, including Mr. Speaker, the $138 million more for mental health that was in our 2015 budget, Mr. Speaker. The increases that we have made across the board in healthcare, Mr. Speaker, amount to a 53% increase in healthcare funding, Mr. Speaker, since 2003 year over year increases in healthcare, which will continue, I would say, Mr. Speaker. All of that is within the context of our initiatives to grow our economy, Mr. Speaker. You know, we know that there is a national and, in fact, an international concern about the economy. We're very pleased that Ontario is leading Canada's economy, Mr. Speaker. We are the leading jurisdiction in terms of growth. And that is because, Mr. Speaker, we are making the investments that we know are necessary now and are needed for future prosperity. Thank you. Final supplementary. Mr. Speaker, again to the Premier, and I appreciate the talking points, but I'm going to ask a very specific question about Ontario Shores. The loss of 21 staff at Ontario Shores is having a devastating impact on the entire region. Their outpatient women's consultation service providing treatment for critical postpartum depression can only operate one day a week now. The geriatric memory clinic and traumatic stress clinic are facing record waiting lists. The Premier says she is committed to giving first responders quicker access to treatment of PTSD, but then she cuts funding to important facilities like Ontario Shores. Mr. Speaker, when will the Premier admit that she's forcing mothers, seniors and mental health patients of our province to pay for their scandals, their mismanagement? Because of your scandals, you're cutting mental health in the province of Ontario. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And the truth is that we actually spend more than $3 billion a year in this province on mental health and addictions. And it's always more complicated than the Leader of the Opposition would like to portray it because of those positions, he hasn't mentioned in fact that 33 new positions are being created. He hasn't mentioned as well that those and other vacancies will be made available to the individuals that he referenced earlier. He hasn't mentioned that those decisions were made after a substantial and comprehensive review, planning process included best practices, clinical practices, engagement and consultations with the community. And part of the solution as well, which I would hope the Leader of the Opposition would support, is where science has demonstrated and the outcomes prove that it's often better to care for people in the community. Community resources have doubled the funding in that lens for community supports and mental health. Thank you. New question. Leader of the Opposition. Mr. Speaker, again to the Premier. The Premier knows I've always said there's no monopoly on a good idea. That's why I applaud this government's recent decision to help protect the mental health of Ontario's first responders. Our first responders play a crucial role in protecting the public's safety and well-being. Unfortunately, the government's announcement does little to help those already facing serious and deliberating challenges of PTSD. Many of Ontario's first responders who have been diagnosed with PTSD have had their claims rejected by the Workplace Safety and Assurance Board. A fix to that problem exists from the member of Parkdale High Parks Bill, which would extend PTSD to first responders. Mr. Speaker, why won't this government fast-track Bill 2 and get our first responders the help they deserve? Question. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I know that the Minister of Labor is going to want to comment on this, but we recognize that PTSD is a significant risk, Mr. Speaker. We understand that it is a huge challenge for people who are living in these dangerous situations in their work every single day, Mr. Speaker, which is why we're bringing legislation forward, which is why we understand that prevention has to be part of those initiatives, Mr. Speaker. And we also understand that we need to work on what the presumptive component of that initiative would be. So we understand both parts of this, Mr. Speaker. The Minister of Labor is working with the first responders, with the community, Mr. Speaker, to come up with the right initiatives. But, Mr. Speaker, we know there has to be both. There has to be prevention, and we have to work on what the presumptive component of the legislation would be. Thank you. Stop on your feet. Mr. Speaker, again to the Premier, it has now been 155 days since I asked this government to act on Bill 2. In those 155 days, I have heard from countless firefighters, police officers and paramedics who need this government's help. That's 155 days that the government has turned its back on our first responders. The Minister claims there is legislation coming, but Bill 2 has been sitting on the order paper for 244 days. Mr. Speaker, why won't the Premier do the right thing? What is stopping from the Premier a pass in Bill 2 other than simply you don't like it because it's an NDP bill? It is the right thing to do. Do it. Mr. Speaker, because it's inadequate. It's an inadequate piece of legislation. It is not sufficient in and of itself, Mr. Speaker. It needs to be broadened. It needs to be... The member from Prince Edward Hastings will withdraw. It's not that it's wrong, Mr. Speaker. The core of the issue is there, but Mr. Speaker, we have been working. The Minister of Labor has been very, very clear that we understand and we have our building on work that we have been doing with first responders for years, Mr. Speaker. We are the government that has brought in presumptive legislation for cancers, Mr. Speaker. We've added diseases to that presumptive legislation. We know that PTSD is important. We're bringing in legislation, Mr. Speaker. It will be broader than Bill 2, which is a good start, and we need to get it right, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again to the Premier, we cannot afford to wait another 244 days. Police, paramedics and firefighters are provinces first responders are twice as likely to suffer from PTSD as anybody else. Just a month and a half into 2016, Canada has already lost 10 first responders to PTSD. Mr. Speaker, why is this government waiting so long to take action on this important topic? If there is problems that Bill amended, what you're actually doing is you're shrinking the scope. You are doing less. You're delaying. You're dithering. Do the right thing. Mr. Speaker, it's a pleasure to rise in the House and address this question because it is a very, very important question, Speaker. I think it's one that everybody in this House understands that the people that are on the front lines deserve the best from the government of Ontario. That's exactly what we're doing. The Premier has asked me to bring forward a comprehensive approach that looks at preventing people from getting PTSD in the first place. And for those people that get PTSD to make sure they get early identification, early intervention and early treatment, Speaker. Bill 2 is not good enough for the first responders in this province. It's a good start. We need to go much further than that, Speaker. When we do move ahead on this, Speaker, I believe that Ontario is going to become a leader in this regard, and that's what I want to see. And I will note, in the history of civilisation, the PC party has raised this issue three times. And now I'll send her to the chairman of the PCS. Order, please. New question. The leader of the third party. Thank you, Speaker. I'd like to start by wishing everybody a happy first day of session. Welcome back to the House. New Democrats are listening to Ontarians, Speaker, and this is what we're hearing. For most people, life is getting harder. This is to the Premier, Speaker. Families are struggling. And now the Liberals are making deep cuts to healthcare. Ask any nurse or doctor and they'll tell you exactly how these Liberal cuts are hurting patients. It means longer wait times for senior Speaker, fewer nurses in our hospitals and even more worry for families. Why is this Premier cutting healthcare when she knows that these cuts are hurting Ontarians? Thank you, Premier. Well, Mr. Speaker, once again, let me just say that year over year we are increasing healthcare funding every single year. We will continue to do that. We will continue, Mr. Speaker, to support the healthcare system. As it goes through a transformation, Mr. Speaker, we will increase funding in terms of community supports. We are increasing funding in terms of mental health, Mr. Speaker. The reality is, Mr. Speaker, that we are in the midst of a healthcare transformation, which is part of an economic growth, Mr. Speaker, that is incredibly important for the people of this province going forward. If we don't make the investments in people and their skills and their talents in infrastructure, Mr. Speaker, including healthcare infrastructure, if we don't make those investments now, we won't have the prosperity that we know we need going forward. So that's why our plan is working, including increases in healthcare funding, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Premier should know what's happening in Ontario. People are waiting 200 days or more for the home care that they need. Thousands upon thousands of seniors are stuck waiting for a long-term care bed. And the Liberals' freeze on hospital budgets has forced hospitals to cut nearly 1,200 registered nursing jobs in just over a year. Patients are suffering because of liberal cuts, but the Premier will not even acknowledge it, Speaker. She's more focused on helping her small group of friends profit off the sale of Hydro-1, Speaker. It begs the question, why does this Premier think that private profits are more important than patient care? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Here's what I think is critical. I think the $270 million that we put into home care, Mr. Speaker, home and community care in the 2015 budget, the $4.2 million for physiotherapy, Mr. Speaker, the $138 million that we put into mental health care, Mr. Speaker, in the 2015 budget, and I would ask the leader of the third party when the budget comes out in the near future that she look at the increases to health care funding that will be in that budget, Mr. Speaker. We know how critical health care is to people in this province. We know with an aging population how critical it is that we get that care right, Mr. Speaker, because there are families who are struggling with their elderly loved ones who are looking for the right kind of care. They may be looking for long-term care. They may be looking for home care, Mr. Speaker, and we need to make sure that we make those investments in order to provide that care for people across the province. That's what we're doing. I would urge this Premier to listen to Ontarians in their consultation on the budget and stop the further sell-off of Hydro-1. That's what I mean. He doesn't know what's happening in Ontario, Speaker. It's like she doesn't know that the start of January hospitals have cut hundreds of frontline health care workers in Windsor, in Hamilton, in Waterloo, in Sarnia. It's like she doesn't think about those patients, Speaker, who have waited months and months for surgery and are forced to watch helplessly as this government cuts the health care system. I try to put myself in their shoes, Speaker. It must be the most discouraging, frustrating and painful experience. Will this Premier take just a moment, Speaker, just a moment to think about those patients who are waiting for care and tell them why she thinks that they should wait even longer? Thank you. Well, Mr. Speaker, you know, the Leader of the Third Party asks that we listen to the people of Ontario, Mr. Speaker, and I know that the Leader of the Third Party understands that even in a narrow way in terms of the budget, because we listen on all sorts of subjects, Mr. Speaker, but in terms of budget consultations, we have talked to thousands of people across the province, Mr. Speaker, face-to-face, online, we have heard those voices, Mr. Speaker, we understand that there are concerns and, Mr. Speaker, those voices will be reflected in the budget that we bring forward. I think that the other reality is that the Leader of the Third Party doesn't talk about the other part of the equation. She talks about where there are challenges, but she doesn't talk about, for example, the three hospitals, Aurelia Soldiers Memorial, Hamilton Health Services, Ottawa Hospital, who are all advertising positions, Mr. Speaker, who are looking for nurses to hire, Mr. Speaker. That's the other part of the equation. New question, the Leader of the Third Party. The next question is also for the Premier. For most Ontarians, Speaker, life is getting harder, and this government just isn't helping. People are looking for good jobs that actually pay the bill, Speaker. Too many Ontarians find it harder than ever to get decent work and good paychecks. But rather than helping people, we see Liberals facing criminal charges for their conduct and a Premier who's more focused on helping private investors profit from the sale of Hydro-1. Why does this Premier not share the priorities of the people of this province? Mr. Speaker, I am acutely aware of the concerns that people have about the economy in this country and the economy globally. I know, Mr. Speaker, that people are concerned about the future, which is exactly why, Mr. Speaker, we are making the investments that we are making. It is exactly why our plan is designed to make sure that we do everything in our power to work with businesses like Chrysler, Mr. Speaker, to make sure that there are more jobs created in Ontario rather than fewer. It's exactly why we are moving on retirement and security, Mr. Speaker, so that people can look forward to a retirement that is secure. It is exactly why we are investing in people's talent and skills, and it is exactly why we are investing in infrastructure that is creating 110,000 jobs a year, Mr. Speaker, right now and economic growth into the future. That's why our plan is under way. Well, Mr. Speaker, here's what's happening in the Ontario that the Premier doesn't think about. Fewer than half, fewer than half, Mr. Speaker, of all workers in the GTHA are in permanent full-time jobs, fewer than half. Windsor has the highest unemployment rate in the country for five months and counting, and families feel like there are two different worlds in this province. There's an Ontario where the Premier protects her friends and insiders, and then there's one for the rest of us where families simply cannot keep up. Why is this Premier so far out of touch with the real priorities of Ontarians? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, again, I will say to the leader of the third party, there is no doubt that there are concerns about the national economy. I understand that. I understand that we are in a challenging time as a country. But the reality is that Ontario is leading growth in this country, Mr. Speaker. The reality is that our unemployment rate, Mr. Speaker, is below the national average. So there are 600,000 net new jobs that have been created since 2008-2009, including more than 40,000 over the last couple of months, Mr. Speaker, in Ontario. So the fact is that we are doing everything in our power, and it is working, Mr. Speaker, to keep Ontario on that track, to keep Ontario as a leader. It is our responsibility, given our diverse economy, given what's happening across the country, that we stay as strong and grow as much as we can, Mr. Speaker. That's exactly what we're doing. Well, Mr. Speaker, when the premier boasts of opportunity and growth, most Ontarians have one question, Mr. Speaker, and that is for whom? Who is really getting ahead here in Ontario? It's not the men and women who are out of work and too young to retire, but too old to start over. It's not the 300,000 families, Mr. Speaker, who have lost their good manufacturing jobs in this province, and it's certainly not young people, Mr. Speaker, who are stuck with an unemployment rate well above the national average. They want to know, Mr. Speaker, those folks want to know why isn't this premier working for them? Mr. Speaker, given the rhetoric of the leader of the third party, I would think she'd be very supportive of the initiatives that we have taken, Mr. Speaker, that are bearing fruit. So she'd be supportive of the $565 million in youth employment funding that we put in place, which has found thousands of young people in place, Mr. Speaker. She'd be supportive of experience in Ontario, where young people across the country are having an opportunity to have a work experience, Mr. Speaker, that would lead to post-secondary education. She would be supportive, Mr. Speaker, of the partnerships with business that have made us the number one jurisdiction for foreign direct investment. And that's a, you know, that's a statistic, Mr. Speaker, but the reality is that means jobs. That means jobs created here across the province. So, Mr. Speaker, I would expect that the leader of the third party would support all of those things, and as the leader of the NDP, that she would support the investments in infrastructure that are creating 110,000 jobs every year. Any questions? A number from Terry Salmond Stoker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question to you to the Premier. Premier, the Nippagon Bridge is a key asset to the province of Ontario. In December, I was able to drive across it with PC leader Patrick Brown. Little did we know that at the time that the two lanes of the bridge would only be operating for less than a month. When the Nippagon Bridge failed on January 11th, the only due tour available was through the United States. Today, people wishing to cross it still face delays and use the single lane that is safe to travel. Safe winter roads and reliable infrastructure are absolute necessities to the economy of Northern Ontario. The people of Nippagon have a right to know. Can't the Liberal government get anything right? Speaker, how is it possible that under the watch of this government such a key piece of brand new infrastructure was allowed to fail? Question. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much, Speaker. Thank you for the question. First Speaker, let me take just a quick moment to actually acknowledge the leadership shown by the Minister of Northern Development and Mines who also happens to be the local MTP for this community. From the very day that this incident took place, that member has actually shown tremendous local leadership. Speaker, I also want to acknowledge that all of the communities in the area, from Nippagon to Marathon to our First Nations partners in the area, Speaker, that I've had the chance to meet with directly the Nippagon patient and understanding and we work closely with them and will continue to do that, Speaker. What I've said and what the Minister of Northern Development and Mines has said is that we anticipate before the end of February, by the end of February, the second lane of traffic will be reopened on this bridge. It's important for us to make sure, Speaker, that we do get to the bottom of what took place, that we provide accurate information to the public and that we get that bridge reopened and operating safely as soon as possible. Thank you. And to the Premier, Speaker, the Nippagon bridge is as critical piece of infrastructure as we have in Ontario. It is a single link that connects the trans-Canada Highway. It is estimated that over $100 million of goods travel across Nippagon bridge each day. Uncertainty of travel times is slowing this flow of goods to market as a negative impact on the Northern economy and ultimately the entire province. Mr. Speaker, the construction of the Nippagon bridge has already been estimated to cost $106 million and the bridge failure will only add to the cost. The government has promised that the two lanes of the Nippagon bridge will be reopened by the end of February. So my question, Mr. Speaker, will the Premier meet this deadline or is it simply another stretch goal of this government? Good question. Mr. Speaker, thanks very much. I'll reiterate at the beginning of this answer as I said in my original answer that we do anticipate that the bridge will be reopened. The second lane of traffic will be reopened by the end of February, Speaker. But what I can't help finding curious from that member and that question, Speaker, specifically is that he seems to not remember that over the last 12 or 13 years, we are the government that's invested $1.9 billion to four lane highways in Northern Ontario, Speaker. And then in my, Speaker, that in my three years in this legislature, year after year, as we included more money to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars for highways in Northern Ontario, that member, that party, have consistently voted against the budgets that have delivered strong futures for the people of the North, Speaker. We're going to get the bridge reopened, and this year you should join with us to support a budget that will build this province up, Speaker. The member's taken a chance. New question. A member from Toronto, Danforth. Speaker, thank you. My question to the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. Climate change is one of the most important and far-reaching issues facing this planet. But by selling Hydro One, this government is making it more difficult for Ontario to take action on climate change. Hydro One is moving into the hands of private owners. They have no interest in conservation since they make more profit when people use more electricity, not less. Hydro One is now moving into the hands of private owners who have no interest in upgrading the grid and connecting to renewable energy sources, unless they're guaranteed fat profit and zero risk. Why? Why is the government making climate change action more difficult by selling off Hydro One? Question. Thank you. Thank you for the environment and climate change. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I'm always amazed at the ability for the NDP to spend money, but never tell us where it's coming from, Mr. Speaker. Please. Well, so you may have noticed, Mr. Speaker, that we're moving forward with a carbon market and price recovery. We don't have that revenue yet, Mr. Speaker. So we just committed to a major home rectific program to help people reduce their heating costs and cooling costs and jobs, a major electric vehicle subsidy program, an electric charging program. Well, that money didn't come from Pixie Dust in favor, Mr. Speaker. It actually came from trying to manage out of the difficult recession without increasing the tax burden and reducing services. So broadening ownership of part of a utility, which is terrifyingly ideologically framed for that party, but is in the world of most people a pragmatic solution to finding money to create jobs and build our economy, Mr. Speaker. And I'd be happy in the supplementary to elaborate. Thank you. Supplementary? Well, Speaker, I guess the minister didn't want to answer that question, so I'll go to the second part. Germany privatized much of its transmission grid in the 1990s, and now Germany realizes that they made a huge mistake. They now realize that if they're to move towards a low-carbon, renewably powered economy, that the public needs to own and control the grid. The government has often looked to Germany for lessons from its renewable energy transition. Will the government learn from Germany's great mistake and stop the further privatization of Hydro-1? Mr. Minister? Mr. Speaker, Germany is closing 11 nuclear plants right now, and I don't think we would do that given the implications that they've got coal coming back online. So I don't think we need to take lessons from Germany. But, you know, Mr. Speaker, one of the things this government realizes is that the world is changing at a very fast rate. You can go to Bering in my friend MPP Hogarth's writing and we were out there the other day. People are now buying homes with batteries, with inverters, with ground source heat pumps, with solars and cures, and they're buying that because they're net zero and they're actually called prosumers. They actually generate more revenue. One of the challenges for government is going to be managing those old industrial assets that we have to for another 30, 40 years. We have to get more life out of them. We have to look at new and innovative ways to get revenues from assets that are, quite frankly, in some cases, going to be less demand for and put them into assets like CERNs and other things of which there'll be greater demand for, Mr. Speaker. To most Ontarians, I think that's a sensible approach. It certainly seems to be to this government. Thank you. Can you talk to the member from Scarborough? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the minister responsible for the anti-racism directorate. Members of this House noted the anti-racism directorate was eliminated by the progressive conservatives in 1995, Mr. Speaker. Over a decade later, I'm proud to be part of a government reinstate in the Ontario anti-racism directorate. Canada and Ontario have long been bastions for principles like acceptance and like equality. While these values remain at the core of our cultural identity, the reinstatement of the anti-racism directorate by our government indicates our commitment to remove the social and economic barriers inhibiting true equality. I would like to ask the minister responsible for the anti-racism directorate to inform this House on why the new directorate was created. Thank you. Good question. Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to thank the member from Scarborough's River for the question and also thank the Premier for entrusting me with this responsibility that I take quite seriously. As every member of this House is aware, individual, systematic and cultural racism continues to create unfair outcomes for racial minorities in Ontario. And the time has come, Mr. Speaker, to remove social and economic barriers that prevent our province from achieving true equity. In order to address racism in all forms, our government is creating a new anti-racism secretaryate and by creating this new directorate, our government is demonstrating its commitment to building an inclusive province where everyone, regardless of their race, ethnicity or cultural background, has an equal opportunity to succeed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the minister. Under no circumstance should an individual's social status or economic potential be defined by the colour of their skin, their ethnicity or cultural heritage. Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly support the creation of the anti-racism directorate and the objective articulated by the minister. With Canada's population growth rate below replacement levels and our continued expansion dependent on immigration, achieving true equality is even more important. Mr. Speaker, as a member of this legislature and a diverse Canadian, I believe that this anti-racism directorate is an important next step for Ontario. With that in mind, I would like to ask the minister responsible for the anti-racism directorate how the directorate will go about achieving objectives. Thank you, minister. Thank you again, Mr. Speaker, and again, thank you to the member from Scarborough's River for the follow-up question. I know he's a strong supporter of equity here in the province of Ontario. Mr. Speaker, the anti-racism directorate's aim is to increase public awareness and awareness around racism by creating a more inclusive province to apply an anti-racism lens in developing, implementing, and evaluating government policies, programs and services. This newly established directorate will achieve this by working with key partners from education, community-based organizations, different institutions, and of course the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Mr. Speaker, racism continues to create unfair outcomes for racial minorities here in Ontario and by creating this new directorate is building an inclusive province where everyone has the equal opportunity to succeed and do well, and to build the province that we all aspire to become. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Question to the member from Kitchener, Conestova. Yes, well, thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Premier. Speaker, the latest Metrolinx numbers have revealed that the near empty UP Ghost Express has become even emptier. 170-seat trains rolling with less than six passengers. 2200 a day in December, well short of the 5,000 goal. All the while we flipped the bill for botched fare setting that was designed to pay for the unnecessary luxury terminal to train boutique access this government insisted on. Speaker, every day that the trains get emptier, the costs grow larger. And until the fares are lowered, people will take the more economical, accessible Uber option. Speaker, she's seen the numbers. She can tell us when she will move past assessment and discussion to actually act. Good question. Thanks very much, Speaker. I thank the member opposite for the question. Over the last number of days, both myself and the Premier and others at Metrolinx have discussed this very topic, Speaker. We've all said publicly, in fact just last week, we said publicly that we are currently analyzing the entire situation. We're looking at every option, Speaker. We understand that the ridership needs to come up. What we've seen this past weekend, of course, Speaker, is that there is a great deal of curiosity and interest and support for this particular service as it relates to linking Union and Pearson, Speaker, but also as it relates to providing more service or transit options for people in the West End of Toronto. So over the coming days, Speaker, we'll continue to conduct this analysis, we'll complete that work, and we'll respond accordingly as soon as we're ready, Speaker. Thank you very much. Thank you so much, Speaker. When we asked the government to take a look at their fare reductions, I didn't think you'd actually take me up and make them for free. However, it's not just the U.P. Express. Last month, we were stunned to learn that this government oversaw plans for a $250 million Union Station train shed renovation and forgot to make sure their promised electric trains actually fit. Oh, unbelievable. I mean, how can you approve a plan for a quarter million dollar train shed renovation and neglect to ensure that the trains actually fit in the shed a little bit. Speaker, this is a classic liberal plan. Spend first, ask questions later, steamrolling ahead with transit photo ops without concern for cost overruns and logistical challenges. This is a project that's already 25% over initial cost essence. Will the Premier tell us how much more it will cost to actually get her electric train in the shed? Good question. Minister. Thank you very much, Speaker. Of course, the team at Metrolinx working closely with the Ministry of Transportation has a plan over the next decade to literally transform the Go Network Speaker. That member representing the part of the province that he represents will be well aware that we made a commitment over the next decade to take the existing Go service, which is extremely popular and well used Speaker, and transform that into two way all day Go service . As part of that plan, we are increasing capacity at Union Station Speaker. But as I said to the member from Perry Sound in his earlier question, what I find remarkable is that witnessing that member in that caucus repeatedly, Speaker, vote against every undertaking from this government and this Premier to invest in more infrastructure to deliver more transit. They've opposed it and now they're opposition, Speaker. Maybe they can get their story straight. Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier. After having traveled across the province over the last month for pre-budget consultations, it has become increasingly clear to new Democrats that Ontario is divided. We heard some heartbreaking and painful experiences from the people of this province. On the one hand Ontario were a small group of powerful insiders who have the ear of the Premier are flourishing. Then there's the rest of Ontarians who are struggling to keep up. They're worried about finding good jobs. They're worried about keeping good jobs and retiring from good jobs. Premier, what does this government have to say to Ontario's youth who are struggling to find work? To people who are working three jobs to make ends meet, to people whose jobs are at risk after a lifetime of service? Well, Mr. Speaker, what I would say to people who are in those situations, who are struggling, Mr. Speaker, is that I understand that this is a challenging time. As I've said before, Mr. Speaker, it's a challenging time in the national economy. Ontario is leading that economy though, Mr. Speaker. Ontario is leading in this country in terms of job creation, Mr. Speaker, in terms of foreign direct investment jobs, in terms of investment, Mr. Speaker, which is creating jobs. So we are doing everything in our power to increase the growth in the province, Mr. Speaker, to stay as a leader in the country, Mr. Speaker. It is our responsibility as the largest province in the country, the most diverse economy in the country, to be strong, Mr. Speaker, particularly when there are other economies that are struggling. At the same time, Mr. Speaker, our investments in infrastructure, and I'm working with business, is working. We are creating jobs, Mr. Speaker, working together. We will continue to do that. Premier, the pre-budget consultations have been a stark reminder that the gap between those that are doing well and those who are falling behind is only getting wider. St. Catherine's, Niagara and Sudbury have unemployment rates of 8.6, two points above the provincial average. Windsor's unemployment rate is 9.3%, the highest in Canada. Windsor also has the highest youth unemployment rate in the country for the last five months and counting. These are not rates that warrant bragging rights. Unlike this government, new democrats are listening to families, to students and to seniors and they're saying that good jobs are hard to find and hard to keep. Premier, what does this government have to say to the thousands of Ontarians that are unemployed, underemployed and precariously employed under the Liberal government? I would say to the member opposite that I'm sure that she has listened with interest then as we have announced, as Chrysler announced, more jobs in Windsor than expected. That's a couple of months, where net new jobs of more than 40,000 and the vast majority of those are full-time jobs. I know that the member opposite is paying attention to those. In terms of listening to the people in the province, we did pre-budget consultations across the province. Nine weeks of engagement of in-person, online written and telephone engagement, 20 in-person consultations in 12 cities heard from 700 people. There are thousands of people from around the province from whom we have heard and we have heard their concerns. Their concerns will be reflected in the budget and the fact is, the plan we put in place working with the private sector because government doesn't create jobs, it's working with private sector. Thank you. My question is for the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade. International markets play a critical role in the growth of Ontario's economy. Trade missions are the best way for us to connect Ontario businesses with the international market. To boost Ontario's economy, we must attract new investments, facilitate partnerships and help businesses export globally. The premier and ministers have organized and led a number of international trade missions to do just that. In 2014, the premier and ministers mission to China secured $1 billion in investments and 1,400 jobs for Ontarians. Last year, another mission secured an additional $2.5 billion and 1,700 jobs. In January the premier departed for the first trade mission of 2016 to India. Will the minister question the minister? Could the minister please tell us about that mission and what it will mean for Ontario? Thank you. Minister? Thank you. Speaker for the question I want to thank the honourable member for asking. A speaker, early this month the premier led a world successful trade mission to India. This trade mission led us to city like New Delhi, Kandagav, Hyderabad and Mumbai through Ontario's expertise in sustainable development and urban infrastructure. Speaker, we were able to have wearable meetings with key Indian officials, leaders including the Prime Minister of India Prime Minister Modi which will help strengthen our economic ties with states and businesses. Speaker, we signed 65 new agreements between businesses and institutions from Ontario and India whether an answer $240 million creating more than 150 jobs in Ontario. Premier Will also signed MOUs with five Indian states. Thank you. Supplementary. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank the minister for his answer it is so good to see our government and our business and institutional stakeholders taking our going global challenge so seriously. Our natural links to India and the goodwill built up in this mission will improve the trade and investment relationship between India and Ontario in the future. A number of the MOUs appear to involve investments and opportunities for global growth for Ontario businesses and jobs here in Ontario. With 700,000 Canadians residing in Ontario we should be building stronger ties with India's business community. India may now be the fastest growing economy in the world and it's time for us to invest and reach out to that emerging economic power. Minister, can you tell this legislature how this mission will build a strong business relationship between Ontario and India? Minister of economic development and infrastructure. Minister of economic development and infrastructure. The Minister of International Trade outlined some of the successful outcomes achieved on this trip in terms of MOUs and investments landed and that's all extremely important. But also important Mr. Speaker are the opportunities to build stronger relationships with Indian businesses that will result in even more future investments and jobs. We met with numerous influential Indian companies including ESL, Tata, Tech Mahendra, Mitra, Burla, Hero Motorsports, High Tech Industries ICICI Bank and PayETN among many others Mr. Speaker. We identified many opportunities for future collaboration investment and partnerships and we went to bat Mr. Speaker for Ontario companies and communities from Novel Plastics in Markham, Ontario to Data Wind in Mississauga they landed significant opportunities demonstrating how successful Ontario companies can be when they go global. This mission was very successful and I look forward to following up on the many leads that we identified. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Thank you Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. After the events this past week of two violent domestic assaults resulting in the death of four people injured to a fifth in Odessa and Elmont and the three murders of women last fall in Renfrew County, the public is acutely aware that there are grave shortcomings and a failure by police, our correctional institutions and our courts ability to protect women and their families from domestic violence. However the many numerous recommendations by my colleagues from Halliburton, North, Lakesbrock and Renfrew, Niprosine, Pembroke have fallen on the deaf ears in the idle hands of this government. Speaker, the government is failing to protect women and their families from domestic violence but the public wants to know what my caucus wants to know and what I want to know is why. Thank you. Minister? The minister is responsible for women. The minister is responsible for women. Thank you Speaker and I thank the member for raising this important question. Violence against women is indeed a very serious problem, should never be tolerated in Ontario or elsewhere and this is a huge priority for me speakers and minister responsible for women's issues. That's why our government continues to take concrete action to make the province safer for women. I am aware of the cases that the member has raised and working very closely with my colleague the minister of community services and correctional services with the number of investments being made not just in our two ministries but also with the Attorney General and other ministries to take a coordinated approach to our response. Our annual funding to combat gender-based violence is approximately $456 million a year speaker that includes many initiatives not the least of which is our sexual violence and harassment action plan that was launched last year with the use of our premier for acting on legislative and program support initiatives associated with that and we are taking it very seriously. Thank you. Back to the minister of correctional services. Many of those guilty of domestic violence are sentenced to serve with a recommendation to serve their sentence in specialized treatment facilities for mental health and addictions in order to rehabilitate their violent behavior. However, there are often no vacancies in these facilities and the offenders are placed in general population not getting the treatment they need nor what the courts have ordered. Well, the court is expecting rehabilitation in reality this seldom happens. Speaker, our courts and our jails are failing each other and failing the people of Ontario. When will both our recommendations and those of the courts not be viewed with contempt and no longer fall on deaf ears and idle hands but be heeded by this government? Thank you. Thank you, Speaker and I appreciate again the member raising the important issue specifically around domestic violence and our Ontario women's director has implemented many initiatives to raise awareness and provide supports for victims this has been going on since 2004, Speaker. We have many programs and policies in response to that we have training of frontline professionals, we have public education campaigns and we have the employment training for abused and at-risk women and we have a language interpreter program, Speaker but as my colleague, the minister of community and correctional services has raised before, we are working very closely with our partners and we are releasing an attorney general to look at domestic violence to look at what happens when someone is released from a fence and what that means to the community and I'll be happy to follow up with the member directly further. Thank you, new question to the member from Timmins James Bate. My question is to the Premier Premier, top Liberals insiders are presently before the courts for their roles in both the gas plant scandal and the Sudbury by-election that's now multiple police investigations into the Liberals wrongdoing connected to your office, the office of the Premier. My question is is this a record that you're proud of? Thank you, Premier. Mr. Speaker, I know that the Government House Leader is going to want to say something on this front but I will just say that the circumstances around the event the investigation concerned and the events that took place before I was the Premier, I think the member knows that Mr. Speaker there is a matter before the courts it would be inappropriate for me to say more at this point so I will not Mr. Speaker. Well I thought the question was pretty straightforward was are you proud of that record? At the end of the day you're the Premier of Ontario you're responsible to that office and I asked you a question and obviously you decided not to answer it but this order to be forthcoming and working with whomever the police, the courts, whoever it is in order to get to the bottom of these things and be fully cooperative in the investigation of these matters yes or no? Thank you, Premier. I'm your House Leader. Well, Mr. Speaker, again I'm surprised that the first day back in the Legislature the member office is not spending time on issues that are important to Ontarians but to Muslim himself right now. Speaker, he very much is aware that these issues are over the course and any interference from this House will be highly inappropriate What Speaker I want to talk about is how proud we are the work that the Premier is doing when it comes to building Ontario up, when it comes to making sure that we're making historical investments in our infrastructure in every single community in the writing, by making sure that our health care continues to get better and better and our seniors are getting better health care in our communities. That education system Speaker in this province Finish please. Our education system Speaker in this province is one of the best in the world. Of course those are good things and the member opposite does not want to talk about those so of course what he does is trying to talk about a court case which he knows that we should not be discussing in this House I ask him Speaker that we should focus on issues that have to build a stronger economy in our province Thank you Thank you Mr Speaker My question is to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports and the newly appointed Minister responsible for the anti-racism secretariat Today the Minister will be bringing a bill before the House to proclaim Black History Month in perpetuity While Ontario was the first jurisdiction in Canada to proclaim Black History Month our government did so annually by passing the proclamation through cabinet We have a significant legacy of Black History here in Ontario a legacy that deserves to be celebrated and enshrined into law Could the Minister please inform the members of this House why Black History Month is so important and deserve our support Thank you Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Thank you Speaker and I want to thank the member for the question Ontario first proclaimed February's Black History Month back in 1993 and it was an important year because it marked the 200th anniversary of a law banning the importation of slaves into Upper Canada a motion enacted into law by our province's first Lieutenant Governor And I believe Mr Speaker this is one of the first signs of a pathway that Canada would be formally recognized as a very progressive culturally diverse multi-culture and a place that's built on equity These values are important to our identity as Canadian and as Ontarians centuries later Mr Speaker Mr Speaker if this legislation is passed it will proclaim February's Black History Month and it will ensure that Ontarians have an opportunity to reflect on the contributions of Black men and women here in the province of Ontario Black Canadian History Mr Speaker Ontario's history Thank you supplementary Thank you Speaker and thank you to the Minister Ontario and Canada have always been active on the global stage in recognizing human rights and denouncing racism and inequality Ontario was a beacon of hope to American slaves seeking freedom and the final destination of over 30,000 slaves who transversed the Underground Railroad We honour international figures who further equality like the late Nelson Mandela the first living person awarded honorary Canadian citizenship and a member and order of Canada Could the Minister responsible for the anti-racism secretariat please highlight the legacy left by our Black four bearers Thank you Minister Well thank you Mr Speaker and again I'd like to thank the member for the follow-up question I think it's important for us to recognize the contribution of Black Canadians who served here in Ontario Ontarians like Leonard Brathway MPP who served in this legislature and was a civil rights advocate and he fought really to ensure that equality was brought forward for all people here in Ontario People like Charlie Roche human rights activist and a lawyer here in Ontario and of course Mr Speaker Mary Ann Shad the first female of Ontario and of course Alvin Curling one of our many friends of many people in the legislature here Mr Speaker it is important for us to remember and to continue to celebrate the contributions of Black Ontarians Black Canadians here in Ontario and I'm very proud that this legislation will allow all of us here in the legislature to do that. Thank you very much Thank you Mr Speaker Mr Speaker my question is the Minister of Health the Minister is well aware of the impact his health cuts are having around Ontario my riding in Simcoe North will continue to feel the Minister's health cuts if he doesn't stop them. The proposed 5.2 million dollars in cuts to Georgian Bay General Hospital are atrocious. Mr Speaker the Liberals are cutting funding to medium sized hospitals across Ontario they are eliminating at Georgian Bay General top level services like emergency room healthcare and completely wiping out obstetrics. Mr Speaker is the Minister going to turn his back on the residents of Simcoe North and cut these essential services Thank you Minister health volunteer. Well thank you Mr Speaker and the leader of the opposition knows full well that no decisions have been taken by the hospital. First of all there was a report as a result of a process which was an open and public process that involved community consultation and involvement of the local Lynn as well and of course the hospital that made a series of recommendations that would ensure sustainability of that hospital and the highest quality of care going into the future. Those recommendations were received by the hospital in December. There had been no decisions by the hospital, there had been no decisions by the Lynn, there had been no decisions by the ministry but I do know that the leader of the opposition did prior to in fact making any effort to sit down and meet with the hospital fully and full understanding of the situation did go out into the public domain raise a lot of anxiety suggesting that these changes were imminent when in fact simply a set of recommendations that haven't been considered by those three levels the hospital the Lynn and the ministry Mr Speaker again to the minister the hospital has said very clearly as has the Lynn these are cuts they have to make because of the health budget that you have presented now what I find more shocking is on December 17th the minister released his paper patients first he said he wanted to strengthen health outcomes for indigenous and francophone communities well what is more hypocritical that putting out a paper in mid December saying that you the member will withdraw I'll withdraw the word hypocritical no comments just simply withdraw please Leon please well what is more wrong than releasing a paper promising support than cutting health care to those very same individuals the chief of Beau Salais first nation has written you and explained the impact of these cuts on the origin they general will hurt indigenous communities the mayor of Penitangu she has written you saying it will hurt francophone communities thank you thank you can the minister explain what is going to happen to the francophone populations suggesting that we should never review the sustainability of our hospitals that we should never get expert advice in terms of changes that can be made to improve the level of care and the quality of care that's being provided I think I recall I believe there were more than 100 recommendations Mr. Speaker made by this review that we received by the hospital in December we're currently reviewing those recommendations the Linn is reviewing those recommendations the hospital is reviewing those recommendations finally the member opposite did accept an invitation by the hospital to actually sit down and discuss them no decisions have been made Mr. Speaker and I would implore the leader of the opposition not to inflame the situation create anxiety where no anxiety is required of course the sort of information that he's alluding to the community input is precisely what we're looking to see we want to make sure that the quality of care is provided is the best possible care 100 recommendations the member knows that full well nothing's been decided Thank you Mr. Speaker Thank you Mr. Speaker my question is to the premier less than three months ago the 106 million Nippagon river bridge opened to traffic the minister of northern development and mines described the bridge as a government's crown jewel but less than two months later winter came and some bolts snapped in the cold the 106 million bridge buckled and failed the failure of this bridge has literally cut Canada in two how is it possible for the government to spend 106 million dollars without making sure that this bridge could withstand an Ontario winter and who is responsible for signing off the bridge that failed upon its first encounter with Ontario winter thank you minister of transportation thank you very much Speaker and I thank the member from Niagara Falls for the question as I said earlier today we anticipate that the bridge will be open the second lane of traffic will be open on the bridge by the end of February it's just really important to make sure that we have accurate information not only on this topic but all here in the south I should mention the line of all of the bridges that we have in the province of Ontario is done in accordance with the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code which means that it's capable of withstanding the necessary code design parameters for winds in excess of 100 kilometres an hour in climactic conditions including freezing temperatures well below minus 40 degrees celsius for 100 years the Ministry of Transportation has built a network a system of roads, highways, bridges and public transit across the province of Ontario it's these high standards that we hold ourselves accountable to and we'll have that second lane of traffic open by the end of February thanks very much the member from Cambridge showing a point of work thank you Speaker I'd like to welcome my friend and neighbour from North Dumpfrey Township John Holman to the legislature today I'm proud of the work he does as a firefighter thank you thank you Speaker I wonder if I might ask members of the legislature to join me in congratulating a member of our legislative security services Sergeant Bruno Romano on his recent wedding congratulations Bruno there are no deferred votes this house stands recessed until 3pm sorry one moment one moment I was halfway through but I did notice the leader of the opposition to correct my record I originally said the bill too sat on the order paper for 244 days which is actually correct it sat on the order paper for 589 days bill 2 was introduced in 2015 all members have an opportunity to correct the records this house stands recessed until 3pm this afternoon