 Therefore, it is now time for Question Period, the leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. Thank you and good morning, Speaker. My question is for the Acting Premier. Yesterday's election document is proof this government will say anything, do anything, and promise anything to cling to power. The government promised to balance the budget. Instead, their desire to cling to power will doom Ontario to six more years of deficits just to announce election promises that no one trusts they'll ever keep. Two billion dollars in new taxes on families and businesses. Skyrocketing debt that will further dilute the services families need. Mr. Speaker, does this government really believe that votes are for sale in Ontario? Mr. Speaker, this government believes that the priorities of Ontarians are first and foremost in any work that we do. In the last number of budgets that I've had the privilege of delivering, this is a sixth now, we've built in progressive measures while still growing the economy. This budget is about promoting more care when it comes to health care, mental health and addiction, childcare and seniors care. And, Mr. Speaker, on the other side, we're implementing measures to stimulate growth, to support businesses, to continue to be the leanest government anywhere in Canada and to grow our economy stronger. Mr. Speaker, the members opposite have voted against those very progressive measures. We have balanced the budget, we have a surplus of $600 million, and we're going to continue fighting for all Ontarians. Thank you. Back to the Acting Premier. Our Ontario families and businesses will be paying billions more in taxes as a result of this throw it against the wall and see what sticks election document. 1.8 million people will be paying more in taxes. This is a personal income tax increase that will take $275 million out of families' pockets. The government is adding to the employer health tax, hurting 20,000 businesses. They will each pay $2,400 more dollars a year. That's $45 million in taxes. If the government is raising taxes by $2 billion just weeks before an election, just imagine what they'll do if they got re-elected. Mr. Speaker, in 2016, we made it clear that we're going to eliminate the surtax, a hidden tax on tax to benefit Ontarians. Over 700,000 more will be paying less. More importantly, the member opposite talks about people's money in people's pockets. In this budget, we are providing $17,000 for child who require childcare. Over $1,000 more for seniors who require support. We'll continue to provide help where needed, especially when those who need developmental services. The member opposite is talking about mirroring the federal government's tax provisions for the highest payers, Mr. Speaker. Obviously, he thinks it's okay for the biggest governments, the biggest banks in our community, not to pay their fair share. I've heard a few comments from the opposition side that I would normally jump up and say that it's not to be said and withdrawn. I will from now on. People know better than that. Final supplementary. Back to the acting Premier. One of the key admissions, Speaker, on page 224 is that there are, quote, efficiencies to be found in the Ontario government. $1.425 billion in efficiencies to be precise. So over four years, that first year alone of efficiencies equals $6 billion. Now, when you add the second, third and fourth year, that's $14.4 billion annualized efficiencies. The Liberals are promising. When the PCs say efficiency, they screen cuts, but it's in their own budget. Speaker, if this undisciplined, spend-thrush government can show $14.4 billion in efficiencies, can you imagine what Doug Ford and the PCs are going to find? Can you see it, please? Thank you. Minister. Mr. Speaker, there's the crux of the matter. We have made it clear we are the leanest government anywhere in Canada. We find transformations where possible. We find savings of almost $2 billion every year, and we exceed our targets year-over-year. That's how we slay the deficit and that's how we come to balance. And we are going to come back to balance because we put a lot of prudence and reserves into our system. They're not just sawing into fat, Mr. Speaker. If they're taking our numbers and they're saying they're going to be able to provide even more cuts, because that's what they're talking about, cuts to services and programs. They're going to saw into bone. They're going to put people in harm's way. They're going to put our economy in harm's way. We are going to continue to support those that need it, and we're going to grow the economy, Mr. Speaker. After rule one, we're in warnings. We're in warnings. New question, the leader of the opposition. Questions for the acting Premier, who just admitted to 14.4 of real concern to Ontario businesses and families should be this government's dismal economic outlook. The budget projects $1 billion less in corporate revenues every year due to, quote, increased economic uncertainty caused by the U.S. corporate tax cuts. So the U.S. cuts taxes to make them more competitive and our government raises taxes. Speaker, their answer is to run us deep into deficits, hike taxes and make life more unaffordable for families. Speaker, why is this government doing the absolute opposite of what is needed to create jobs in Ontario? Well, let's talk about making life more affordable for Ontarians, Mr. Speaker. This budget is all about putting more money in people's pockets. We're providing free preschool. Member from the PN Carlton is warned. Finish, please. We're providing preschool childcare. That's $17,000 per child for a young family, Mr. Speaker. We're providing OHIP Plus, a universal pharmacare for every child, every young adult, 25 and under and every senior, 65 and over. We're now providing an Ontario drug and benefit plan that will provide $700 per family that otherwise would not have had it. We know we're lowering the community costs with the transit system here in the southern corridor, but in the far north we're providing even more support to help them as well with free tuition for every student that qualifies now that we've increased it. Mr. Speaker, they're going to vote against the people of Ontarians. Thank you. Back to the acting Premier. As CTV reported, quote, this budget had nothing for small businesses. Those owners were looking for some kind of relief. In the 2019 budget, they got nothing. And as the Coalition of Concerned Manufacturers rightly said, quote, true to form, the wind liberals did not support Ontario businesses in the budget. Not acceptable, not right, not going to be tolerated. This government has teamed up with Prime Minister Trudeau to attack small businesses. This isn't acceptable. Why have the liberals turned their backs on the engine of Ontario's economy? Mr. Speaker, the province of Ontario is the engine of Canada. We provide well over 40% of Canadians of Canada's economy. We have the lowest unemployment rate in two decades. We provide over 811,000 net new jobs. And in this budget, we're supporting 140,000 jobs every year through our record levels of infrastructure spending to support businesses and to ensure that we are competitive. That's why we're providing for more apprenticeship programs, skills and training. That's why we're accelerating our jobs and prosperity fund to attract that foreign direct investment. We are still talks in North America when it comes to that, Mr. Speaker. Again, the member opposite talks about small business. Of course, we're supporting small business. Even the employer health tax is supporting them. And we reduce their tax by 22%. The member opposite recognizes or should recognize that the private sector matters to them. Thank you. Thank you, Speaker. Back to the acting premier. Ontario families aren't the only ones concerned. This government's own expert witness at the pre-budget hearings, Craig Alexander of the Conference Board of Canada, weighed in yesterday. He said, quote, there really isn't a rationale for running deficits right now. Douglas Porter, the chief economist at BMO, said, quote, ideally you would like to see a government whose finances are in relatively strong shape. Stop the clock, please. Minister of infrastructure is warned. Finish, please. Ideally you would like to see government finances in relatively strong shape when we hit that heavy weather, quote. Only the PCs will bring back manufacturing jobs and restore fiscal responsibility in Ontario. That's right. Speaker, why is this government writing checks that are going to matter? Here, here. Good question. Good question. You see the face? You see the face? The member from Barrie is warned. Minister? All right, Mr. Speaker. Here's a history lesson on the PCs. In the last 40 years, there's only been eight balanced budgets. The PCs only delivered three, Mr. Speaker. And we did the rest. When it came time to support our manufacturing sector, that wasn't troubled during the greatest recession in history. They said it was corporate welfare, Mr. Speaker. They did not support our auto industry. When it came to Stelco, we supported our steel industry. And when it comes to servicing the debt, of which almost three quarters of it, it's for infrastructure and capital investment. They are voting against supporting constructions of roads and bridges and transit that matter to our competitiveness. And our interest on debt to service it is lower today than it was when they were in power by almost a half, Mr. Speaker. New question, the leader of the third party. Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the acting premier. Can the acting premier tell us what it costs to get a regular cleaning done at the dentist? Thank you. It's a fair question. And I understand where the member is coming from. We recognize that dental plans are important, especially those that don't have it. It is why we've introduced the Ontario Drug and Dental Plan for those that don't have those benefits. We are going to continue to support our young people through these programs. We've provided now for free pharma care for a much larger formularity than the member opposite was suggesting, and we're doing that for seniors as well. And when it comes to those that don't have those benefit plans, we're starting off by providing them at least $700 per family. We know more can be done, and we're going to continue to support that program. Thank you. Well, Speaker, I can let him know that it's at least $100 for a regular cleaning. Can the acting premier tell us how much it costs to have a cavity filled speaker? Thank you, Minister. Mr. Speaker, you know what it costs for a young family with toddlers, and they need to have them put in daycare, and they can't afford it? $17,000 is what this province is going to be able to provide for those families. And we're going to continue supporting those families with those that are most in need, and I recognize that we can always do more, and we are going to continue to build upon the very things that we put forward, and we're going to continue providing more health care, more pharma care, more seniors care, more mental health and addictions, and more support for families and putting more money in their pockets. Thank you. Final supplementary. Well, Speaker, a cavity would be about $200, so that's about $300 total for a regular cleaning and to have one cavity filled, a pretty standard visit to the dentist. Can the acting premier tell us, Speaker, how the liberal plan to reimburse $50 per child per year for dental work in Ontario would cover this one average visit to the dentist? Thank you, Minister. So that family that has a young child who needs cavities filled will now have more money in their pocket because they're saving $17,000 on child care and they should be supporting this project as well. New question. The leader of the third party. Thank you, Speaker. My next question is to the acting premier. Can the acting premier tell us how much it costs to have a tooth pulled? Thank you. Minister. The member again is asking about the requirements to enhance our dental plans. I get it. We're providing lots of support to the families of this province, including dental plans. We will continue to support them and if you want to pull my teeth, by all means, I recognize that the province needs to support the people of this province and we are doing just that in this budget and in our plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, Speaker, I can enlighten the acting premier for a simple extraction. It's about $140. For something more complicated, it can be as much as $250. Does the acting premier know how much it costs to have four impacted wisdom teeth removed or a root canal on a back tooth done, Speaker? Thank you. Does the member opposite know what it costs to provide drug plans for those that are chronically in need of that plan, which you are not providing in your plan? That is money that will go to the people of our province. And as I say again, seniors are going to get $1,000 more because of the programs we're putting in and young families are going to get substantively more in order to support their children. I understand we need to provide and we want to support the people of this province. We are having putting forward a plan that is sustainable and is costed, Mr. Speaker, in order to enable them to get the services and programs they need. Thank you. It's about $1,000 to have wisdom teeth taken out and that is without any complications at all. A root canal on a back tooth, Speaker, can cost as much as $900. Can the acting Premier tell us how the Liberal plan to reimburse just $300 for an average Ontario adult per year would cover the cost of a $900 root canal? Thank you. Mr. Speaker, the member again is talking about the cost of families on a range of issues. It's not just dental plans that cost families more money. There is a degree of burden that we're trying to support during that burden, but families as well as businesses do encumber costs. We in this side of the house want to make certain that we take a balanced approach to offset some of those costs in order for them to be better off. The net benefit from this plan is more money in their pockets to support by way of our savings. The member opposite can pinpoint on one particular instance and if they have low income and if they're unable to support themselves in sustaining it and we're building upon it the member opposite knows that there are other issues that are in this budget that they should be supporting for the benefit of the people of this province. Thank you. Thank you Mr. Speaker. My question is for the acting Premier. On page 191 of the budget the Liberal projections are astounding. They are flat out admitting that their policies are going to kill job creation. In fact, under the Liberals job creation would be cut in half within the next three years. Northern Ontario needs more jobs, not less Mr. Speaker. My question is how can this Liberal government write off job creation for the sake of trying to win an election? Thank you. Acting Premier. Minister of Economic Development. Thanks very much Speaker. I thank the member for his question. I'm a little bit confused as to why he could take the content from yesterday's budget and come to any other conclusion about the fact that our government, our Premier continues to be extremely positive and supportive of programs and funding that will help support on a strategic basis help support more job creation in this province. I know I've said this many times in the Legislature Speaker but since the depths of the recession every low a decade ago our province has created more than 800,000 jobs. Our unemployment rate today stands lower than it has at any other point for the last 17 years. That's because of the strategic investments that our government has made through programs like the Jobs and Prosperity Fund and yesterday's budget speaker which I'd be happy to elaborate on the follow-up answer there were significant number of funding over the next three years provided to continue to help us strategically invest and the people that are helping build up this province and I'll elaborate in a quick moment. Supplementary. Thank you. Back to the Acting Premier. Again the Liberals come clean with another they're admitting that we will be less competitive than the United States. They say recent tax reforms in the US is just one of the examples why. I represent a border city and our economies are intrinsically linked Mr. Speaker. We can't afford liberal policies that will drive jobs across the border instead of keeping them in Ontario. My question Mr. Speaker is why will this premier accept the fact that US tax reforms will make us less competitive why will she not help to make Ontario an open for business. Thank you Minister. Mr. Speaker I really don't understand how a province could be considered any more open for business than Ontario given the incredible economic story that we have to tell here. So specifically in the budget that was tabled yesterday over the next three years there will be nine hundred and thirty five million dollars if the budget's passed and new investments to specifically support something that we're calling the good jobs and growth plan speaker. So for example in order to help build Ontario's talent advantage we'll be investing four hundred and eleven million dollars over three years specifically to work closely with employers, colleges and universities to help people find a job retain that job or get a better job speaker. We're going to be renewing the jobs and prosperity fund with an increase of nine hundred million dollars over the next ten years for a grand total of three point two billion dollars since 2014-2015 speaker and there are a series of other funds that will be embedded within that extended or expanded jobs and prosperity fund. All of this speaker is part of the reason. This is part of how we've set the table over the last number of years for that economic success story that Ontario has become. We'll continue to make the right investment speaker. I would call on the member from Sault Ste. Marie and the Ontario Conservative Party to stand with us and support our business community so they can continue to create jobs in this province. Thanks very much. My question is to the acting Premier. I'm currently the agriculture critic for the NDP and I'm proud to represent a rural but I will always be a farmer. So I listen very closely to the finance minister's speech and not once did I hear the word agriculture or farmer or farm. So I read the document. I read the document. Order. Though the text of the document those words were missing. I think it seems that the Liberal government is forgetting the cornerstone of our agri-food industry. The supplementary to go to the Minister of Agriculture but let me very clearly state this. Even in the space yesterday I talked that length about the tremendous diversification of our economy and the importance for us to continue to advance in those investments. One of the biggest ones of all is agri-food processing and we have a fund that's all about agriculture and our rural communities. We introduced it in the budget to ensure that we continue to grow that and it's one of the biggest contributors to our GDP. I recognize that. Furthermore we just recently announced support for rural communities through engagement in our horse racing industry to secure that market as well and when you look at all the products that are produced by this province best quality around the world it includes as well as agriculture and fishing that are major exports and we recognize that importance and that's why we're working alongside other markets to ensure that we can continue to support the industry. Mr. Speaker we're very proud of our agricultural sector and the people of Ontario and our rural communities. Once again to the acting premier for years farmers have been asking for an increase to the RMP program which has been calved by the government. It was missing from the budget. Years they've been waiting for an expansion of the production insurance program. Funds for that were missing for the budget. The only really significant mention directly to the farm sector was that you were going to lobby your federal cousins for assistance for the damage that was going to be caused to the agri-food sector by the TPP. So you're asking for the feds to support agriculture in the budget document where is your support for the agriculture system? Thank you. Can you see it please? Can you see it please? Thank you. Minister of Agriculture for rural affairs. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker and it goes without saying the profound respect that I have for the member for to miss being Cochran but let me share a few things. He talks about risk management program the province of Ontario. We've ensured that there will be $100 million each and every year for that program. At the advice of the stakeholders we're doing a review of the RMP program the province of Ontario to make sure that every one of those dollars goes where it's needed within the non-supply managed sector of Ontario's ag economy. It was Ontario that took the initiative in the national business risk management program for our farmers to make sure that they meet Ontario farmer needs in the non-supply managed sector. There's never been anybody more that I've had the opportunity to defend Ontario's supply managed sector whether it's toxin Mexico City whether it was toxin Montreal whether it's toxin the one coming in Washington because we want to make sure that that stays intact. With regards to our jobs and prosperity fund we'll continue to invest in the agri-food sector in Ontario which is a driver at the largest sector in Ontario's economy $37.5 billion $800,000 predicated on 50,000 family farms in the province of Ontario. Good question. Thank you speaker. My question this morning is to the minister of finance and I want to start off by congratulating him on tabling his sixth budget. That was released yesterday has a focus on care and opportunity for the people of Ontario and it includes significant new investments in healthcare childcare home care and mental health. The budget also focuses on initiatives that make life more affordable and provide more financial security during this time of rapid economic change. On this side of the house we've taken significant measures to invest in more care and build opportunity for the people of Ontario and at my budget breakfast this morning with stakeholders from Davenport I can tell you they are pretty excited with what we have announced in the budget. We have made prescriptions free for everyone under 25 and over 65. We've made tuition free for over 225 students and now we've made childcare free for children aged two and a half until they are eligible for kindergarten. We know these investments will benefit all people in Ontario. Can the minister please provide more details on the fiscal plan that supports these investments? Thank you. Thank you Mr. Speaker and thank you to the member from Davenport and as you know and she mentioned that this is our sixth budget which I've had the privilege of delivering for the people of Ontario and each year we plan for the long term successes of this province. A balanced budget is by no means an end in itself. It's a means to end. It's a stronger Ontario. That's why we're using our fiscal strength to invest more in our people and our businesses here in our province. We're investing more but with fiscal prudence in mind. So we do have a path to balance. We have a prudent and sustainable plan to track back to balance and at the same time we ensure that we have a sufficient amount of prudence and reserves and contingencies for any shocks in the system. And we'll do it again Mr. Speaker. We'll provide for a balanced approach but not at the expense of the people of Ontario. Thank you Speaker and back to the Minister of Finance. So I'm pleased that the Minister has chosen to invest in the care that Ontario's depend on including the 225,000 students that are benefitting from free tuition. Why creating more opportunities for the hardworking people of this province to share in our economic prosperity. I know that this government has a history of balancing investments between Ontario's fiscal prudence which is why I'm pleased to see that there is a path to balance and I know Ontario's fiscal position remains strong. Without cutting and slashing the services that Ontarians depend on in fact many of the investments made in the budget will grow our economy by investing in the people of this province. Can the Minister please remind this House what we are doing to create more opportunity in this province while investing in Ontario? The government has always taken a fiscally responsible approach. We've invested wisely bringing this province out of recession and we've done this by investing and continuing to invest in Ontarians. That's why we're making sure that the peak deficit remains low at .8% of GDP and we're taking more strategic investments like childcare and to provide more choice for Ontarians more drug and dental programs to keep families healthier as well as the more independent and more longer and invest nearly 1 billion over the next 3 years for good jobs and growth plan. Through this we will build our talent advantage, increase our business competitiveness, drive our trade and invest in our infrastructure to a tune of 230 billion over 14 years a record level of investments that will build a legacy of opportunity for generations. Thank you. My question is as well to the Minister of Finance. I'm going to take a few days out from an Ontario election. Right now the Liberals are touring the province on the tax paradigm throwing money at everything that they ignored over the past 15 years. This government continues to show that they will say and do anything in order to cling to power. Just last year the when Liberals were committed and promised years of support. They announced a $6.7 billion deficit not for this year but for this year, next year, the year after that, the year after that, the year after that, and likely to infinity if they continue to be in government. So my question why is this government so committed to cling to power that they have thrown out any fiscal responsibility in their books and how does that Minister look at his friends on Bay Street? Thank you. So Mr. Speaker we have just come out of the largest recession in our history. We've taken the appropriate steps not to make across the board cuts as advocated by the opposition. We've continued to move. Member from Niagara West Glenbrook is warned. And we slayed the deficit. We balanced the budget and we have a surplus of $600 million and now we have a choice before us Mr. Speaker as the economy is growing slower than anticipated do we cut those very services in programs or do we invest more in hospitals and roads and bridges in schools and in child care? Do they want to cut the services that Ontarians depend upon and rely? Do they want to cut those programs that stimulate economic growth for the province? I say no Mr. Speaker we're going to invest, we're going to grow and we're going to support the people of Ontario. I can fix his response for him Speaker. What we really have in front of us is a $6.7 billion deficit. He has projected $14.4 billion in efficiencies or as he likes to call them cuts and we have a $325 billion debt and our debt interest payments are out of control. The Ontario credit card is maxed out thanks to that minister and that government. The Liberals had 15 years to fix all of these problems but only now. 69 days before an election do they even want to pretend to fix them. We are ready to fight on this side of the aisle for hard working Ontarians and put money back into the pockets of everyday people rather than take $2 billion to working Ontario taxpayers and why do they continue to rig up deficit after deficit after deficit. It might be sooner than you think. Good idea. Have a coffee. No, no, decaf. Minister. The member opposite wants us to want to remind us of the deficit that the progressive conservatives have led in this province for over 40 years has only been eight balanced budget three. We're only from the conservatives. And the member is now criticizing that we're the leanest government anywhere in Canada because of the transformations we make to be more productive. The member wants people to feel that it's important that we are the largest growth economy almost in the world. The member opposite doesn't like the fact that we have the lowest unemployment in two decades. We're almost at full capacity. The member opposite totally ignores that the GDP of our province is one of the largest in the world and our debt to GDP is manageable, Mr. Speaker. Furthermore, she talks about the cost of that debt. I agree. And it's why we have taken the steps necessary to lower that overall cost because when they were in power, we went to pay interest. Today, it's only 8 cents, Mr. Speaker. Can you see it, please? Can you see it, please? Thank you. New question? The member from Nicobal. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Minister of Finance. The people of Northeastern Ontario have been waited almost a decade for a PET scanner. Our community raised millions of dollars. We've done our part. Back in December 2015, this government promised to get a PET scan up and running in Sudbury. But today, we are still waiting. And yesterday's budget was one more disappointment and a long legacy of disappointment from this Liberal Government. Why does the Minister final budget completely ignore the need for a PET scan to service the people of Northeastern Ontario? Minister of Finance. Minister of Health. Well, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And of course, I know this is an issue that has been of some concern to the member opposite. But before I go into the details of the PET scanner for Sudbury, I just want to say that I am so proud to be part of a government that is making a deliberate choice to invest and to continue to invest in care for the people of Ontario by investing more in health care, hospitals, home care, mental health, long-term care and indeed dental care. So, as it relates to the Sudbury PET scanner, and I know our member from Sudbury has been very involved with this, a great advocate with the former Minister of Health, we have been investing some $4.6 million in capital spending to build additional space at the Health Sciences North for the new PET CT scanner. And this is in addition to the $1.6 million that was announced in December 2015 to cover the operating cost for the scanner at Health Sciences North which is still on track. Thank you. Thank you, Speaker. Since 2009, tens of thousands of people of municipal leader, of First Nations leader, of Church leader have been calling on this Liberal government to help us get a PET scanner in Sudbury. The San Bruno family, a grieving family is impossible. They have raised over $4 million to purchase this scanner. Health Sciences North has done everything that you've asked them to do but we are still waiting. Northerners have had to drive up to seven, eight hours on poorly maintained icy road all of last winter to get the care they needed in Southern Ontario. Why? Does this final budget does nothing to change that PET scanner up and running in Sudbury? I'm very pleased to rise to talk about the PET scanner that we are getting in Sudbury. That PET scanner is coming and that is thanks to this government we worked we worked with the community we made sure that we listened to the concerns and the community of Sudbury asked for a permanent PET scanner and that's what our community is getting not the mobile PET scanner that she advocated for Mr. Speaker we're making sure that we've got a permanent PET scanner it's going to be on track Mr. Speaker and it's going to open up before the end of 2018 Mr. Speaker I'm very proud of this government and our investments in healthcare and that the community of Sudbury is getting that PET scanner. Any questions? A member from Berry. Mr. Speaker my question is Mr. Director of Healthcare Minister of Health and Long-Term Care yesterday our government introduced a budget which includes significant investments in healthcare In fact the 2018 budget increases the healthcare spending by five per cent to reduce wait times, provide access to care and enhance the patient experience. Most importantly this budget includes funding for priority healthcare Mr. Speaker, this budget invests in our hospitals, in mental health, in our long-term care homes, in home care, in our world-class healthcare professionals. Mr. Speaker, we know that the people of Ontario want to age in their communities and the comforts of their homes. I, myself, have told my children I intend to be home until Stucley's funeral home comes to get me. Can the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care please inform this House of the investments our government is making in home and community care? Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and of course, thank you to the member from Barry for giving me the opportunity to discuss our government's plan to provide more care at home and in the community. As our population ages, our government has made it a priority to improve home and community care so that patients can receive care in settings that are as comfortable and convenient for them as possible. And that's why we're investing $230 million in home and community care. And that means that there will be 2.8 million more hours of personal support, the equivalent of 1,400 full-time positions, 284,000 more nursing visits and 58,000 more therapy visits. We're also providing $175 million to create 20 new hospices within three years. I want to thank my parliamentary assistance for that initiative. Speaker, these investments will keep people out of hospital and help more people get the care they need at or close to home and in the community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Minister, for that response, and thank you to the Minister and the Premier for all their hard work and dedication in ensuring access to high-quality care across the health sector. Mr. Speaker, we all know how valuable our skilled, compassionate health care workers are. Our 2018 budget would provide an additional $822 million for hospitals to ensure that they have the resources to continue doing an incredible job of caring for our loved ones. It also provides $300 million over three years to increase staffing in long-term care homes. That means every long-term care home in the province will benefit from an additional registered nurse on staff. Mr. Speaker, we also heard yesterday that our government is investing in one of the largest groups in our health workforce, personal support workers. Speaker, can the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care please share with this House what our budget is proposing to support PSWs? Minister of Health? Well, thank you again to the member for that question. And I know the third party is particularly interested in this topic, as they asked a question on this topic yesterday. We do know that how critical PSWs are to the health and well-being of Ontarians and as the population ages and more medically complex clients require care, the role of PSWs in our health care system will continue to be critical. And that is why, over the next three years, we will invest $23 million to add 5,500 PSWs to the workforce in underservice communities. A $38 million training and education fund for new and existing PSWs will ensure that they have the tools they require to support our loved ones. And a $65 million investment over three years in retirement security for PSWs. It's so vital that we recognize and support PSWs as trusted and valued members of the health care team. And we're committed to supporting them to provide quality care to them, our most vulnerable Ontarians, wherever they may live. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. You have a question? The member from Wellington, Hulton Hills. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. Tucked away on the last page of the budget papers document tabled in this house yesterday, in fact the last paragraph in the budget papers was an indication that the government intends to, and I quote, amend the Climate Change Mitigation and Low Carbon Economy Act with respect to the reimbursement of expenditures incurred by the Crown for the purposes of funding initiatives that are reasonably likely to reduce or support the reduction of greenhouse gas and quote, reasonably likely? Give us a break. Will the Minister finally admit that this is proof positive that their carbon tax policy is nothing more than a liberal slush fund? Thank you, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. Thank you, Speaker, and thank you to the member opposite for that question. When it comes to the green investment fund, Speaker, we take our responsibility very seriously. As we know, climate change, of course, is one of the most serious problems that our province and the world is facing right now. That's why we implemented our cap and trade system. We've implemented the cap on pollution for businesses and we've allowed investments of $1.9 billion this year in programs that help Ontario residents and businesses make affordable green choices. So through the Green Ontario Investment Fund, we're able to help businesses and consumers to save money and reduce their carbon footprint with things like electric vehicle infrastructure and retrofits for homes and social housing and schools and hospitals, colleges. What I believe the member opposite is talking about is a minor accounting detail that was recommended to us by public officials. Thank you. Supplementary? Speaker, the Minister seems to be unaware of what is in the budget papers document. It's on page 307 of the budget papers document. I would suggest you look at it. Reasonably likely is subjective. It will mean different things to different people. For a Liberal government on its last legs, it is a loophole so large that they will want and they will try to drive a diesel-powered truck through it. Again, this confirms that we've been saying all along the Liberal government carbon tax program is a liberal slush fund. We know that they will say anything to stay in power. But today will the Minister finally acknowledge the truth to this House that their carbon tax policy is more about revenue generation than reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Thank you. Minister? To the Minister of Finance, please. Minister of Finance? So, Mr. Speaker, let me reassure everyone in this House. This market approach to cap and trade has sourced over $2 billion for the province of Ontario to invest by law that we put in this House into green energy to reduce emissions. The members opposite in this House are choosing not to do that. They're choosing actually to do away with our leadership in this green business. And the Auditor General has recommended this very approach that we've implied in that document. So we are abiding by the accounting principles, but more importantly, we're dedicating every dollar to green investments to reduce our emissions, and that's why the House should be supporting that too. Thank you. Any questions? We're in the third party. Thank you, Speaker. Questions for the Acting Premier? Desperate times call for desperate measures. And for the hundreds of workers who work at Hamilton's specialty bar in my community, their families, and hundreds of pensioners in my community, times are indeed desperate. Of course, you'd never know it reading the Liberal budget. Not once does it refer to the steel industry. Hamilton's specialty bar faces liquidation if something isn't done to extend the negotiating window with a buyer who wants to keep making steel. Even City Council passed a resolution last night to ask the Premier to take an active role, to step up to keep the mill viable until the sale goes through. Will she, Speaker? Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Secretary of Economic Development and Growth? Thanks very much, Speaker. I thank the leader of the NDP for her question. I understand there are concerns that have been expressed regarding this very serious issue. I would say that on this side of the House we are disappointed, of course, to hear the news that's coming out of Hamilton's specialty bar. We have, as a government, been monitoring the situation with respect to Hamilton's specialty bar throughout the process of receivership. We will continue to work with them as they go through this process and ensure that they have all of the resources necessary. I'd be happy to elaborate a little bit more in my follow-up answer to the supplementary. Thanks very much, Speaker. Thank you. Supplementary. Well, Speaker, it's action that's needed. It's not just monitoring. It's not just well-paying steel jobs that are in danger here. It's the pensions for hundreds more who gave their working lives to Hamilton's specialty bar. But we've been here before, unfortunately. Still, there's no commitment from any level of Liberal government that pensioners go to the front of the line in the case of creditor liquidation. If steel and the thousands of auto sector jobs that depend on a viable made in an Ontario steel industry were important to this Premier and her government, why weren't they in the budget? Thanks very much, Speaker. I think the leader of the NDP for the follow-up question, I would say, as I said in the outset, that we will continue to monitor the situation and make sure that all the necessary steps are taken as the process unfolds, Speaker. But I would say, because the broader context of the question deals with the steel industry and its health here in the province and over the last number of weeks, as that particular industry, which employs indirectly and directly somewhere in the neighborhood of 53,000 people across the province, including in Hamilton and the Sioux and elsewhere, obviously supports the thriving auto sector that we have here in this province. This government and our Premier, as we face threats, for example, from the south of the border with the threat of having tariffs being applied by the American administration on steel, this government was the government speaker that was fighting hard on this, that was relentlessly engaging with the Americans that worked closely with our federal partners so that Canada was able to receive a qualified exemption, and as a result of those steps and many other Speaker, we were able to celebrate the fact for the time being that we have that qualified exemption. In the meantime, this Premier, our Finance Minister, and all government will stand up for our workers and our businesses, including in our domestic steel industry, Speaker, and we'll continue to monitor the situation with Hamilton Barr, and I appreciate the question from the leader of the NDP. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you, Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Transportation. Yesterday, our Minister of Finance introduced Ontario's 2018 budget. Speaker, this budget includes an unprecedented $79 billion commitment to transit over the next 14 years. This money will go to delivering critical transit projects right across the province. Speaker, this budget clearly lays out our plan for care and opportunity. When I speak to my constituents about what opportunity means to them, affordability is always top of mind. For many commuters in the City of Toronto, taking transit is a necessity, but it also comes with a cost. Members in my community are concerned about overcrowding in Toronto transit system. They want to see real relief, and a huge part of that is providing affordable alternatives to Toronto's local transit network. Speaker, will the Minister of Transportation provide the member of this House with more information on how Budget 2018 will help making transit in the City of Toronto more affordable? Thank you. Minister of Transportation. Thank you, Speaker. I want to thank the member from Trinity Spadina for his unwavering commitment to delivering real results for his community. Our government knows that we need to keep making transit a more convenient option for commuters, and a critical part of that is making it more affordable. That's why I'm so pleased that Budget 2018 includes our government's commitment to reducing GO and UP Express fares for travel within the City of Toronto to just $3 on a presto card. This will take effect in early 2019 and put GO and UP Express fares in line with adult TTC fares, which will help make GO and UP Express a real choice for commuters travelling within the City of Toronto. Not only will this make our transit network more affordable, we know that it will also help address capacity challenges on the TTC network. So whether it's building new transit or leaving more money in the pocket of commuters, our government's absolutely committed to improving your commute, whether you live in Etobicoke, Scarborough, Liberty Village, or the Downtown Corp. This will make a real difference to transit commuters. Thank you. Supplementary. Thank you, Speaker. I want to thank the Minister for the answer. I'm pleased to hear about our government's commitment to make our transit network more affordable. Speaker, I know the fare integration is top priority for our team at the Ministry of Transportation. An existing approach to fare in our region is complex and finding a solution requires significant amount of planning and cooperation. Our government has taken a number of measures to reduce barrier and making commuting across this region simpler and more affordable. Most recently, prior to the budget 2018, we introduced a $1.50 discount for transit riders transferring between GO Transit or the UP Express or the TTC. Metrolinx has found that GO Transit and UP Express and TTC transfers grew by 23 percent in both January and February of 2018. Compared to 2017 total, it's a significant increase. This discount is helping to save commuters on average $720 per year. Speaker, can the Minister please provide more information to the member of this House how budget 2018 will help make it easier to move between the different transit systems in our region? Thank you. Minister. And thank you to the member from Trinity Spadina for his question. So in addition to the $3 flat fares for GO and UP Express trips within the City of Toronto, our government is also reducing the cost of taking the GO for transit rider at a number of stations across the GTHA. We are also creating a $3 flat fare for GO trips that are less than 10 kilometers. These changes will come into effect also in early 2019 and will be making, will make taking transit a much better option for commuters deciding to, between taking their car to work or hopping on the GO. We've also heard that a major challenge for commuters is having to pay two full fares when using both the TTC and their local transit service in the 905. That's why, as committed in 2018, we'll work with the TTC and a number of local transit agencies to introduce real discounts to transit uners who transferred between the municipal transit network. Your question to the member from Bruce Cray on South. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My question is the acting Premier. Premier Wynne once said, and I quote, I think everyone here knows that eliminating the deficit is the most important thing we can do to move to economic growth. Mr. Speaker, if that's the case, why is the Premier running six straight years of deficits? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, we have balanced the budget. We've slayed the deficit. We have a surplus of $600 million. And going forward, everyone in this house has a choice to make. Do we continue to not build and invest in the things that matter to the people of Ontario, given that our growth in our economy is more temperate than when we anticipated? Do we continue to not to build in prudence and reserves and contingencies to ensure that we do not find ourselves in a position where we are not able to offend for those most in need? We have chosen to make those investments at less than 0.8% of our GDP so that we can continue to support them and grow our economy. And that's exactly what we're doing. We're putting more money in people's pockets. We're helping our young families succeed. We're ensuring our seniors have better care and we're going to continue to support childcare up to $17,000 for child so that they too can get a better start in life. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, supplementary. Thank you, Speaker. Again, back to the acting Premier. And the people inside and outside the House will have a choice of whether the trust of government that continues to break promises year after year. Premier Wynn said, and I quote again, I actually believe that fiscal prudence and a strong economy are connected. I think that they are absolutely connected and that's why we have remained committed to our elimination of the deficit. Fiscal prudence, strong economy, not what comes to mind when people think about this liberal government. In fact, they're going to drive our debt up to $400 billion. Mr. Speaker, what happened to fiscal prudence and a strong economy? Thank you, Minister. And Mr. Speaker, we have built in fiscal prudence and we have a strong economy. We outpaced Canada and the G7 and the majority of the United States. And that's only because of the investments that we make to stimulate that growth. Unlike the member opposite who will have us slash those investments, not make the investments in infrastructure like roads and bridges, schools and hospitals, or high speed rail or broadband that we're now introducing in this budget to make our rural community stronger, Mr. Speaker. They're going to vote against those very measures and we will continue to support our families, put for and support mental health and addiction and more supports for hospitals, more supports for our seniors care. All of these things matter and enables people to have a greater opportunity to share in the prosperity that this province now enjoys. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And of course, the member from Windsor West. Thank you, Speaker, to the acting Premier. Recently, this Liberal government decided that auto workers should have fewer emergency leave days and scheduling protections than every other worker in Ontario. Yesterday, we learned there is no auto strategy in budget 2018. There are workers in Windsor, Oshawa, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brampton, Peterborough, St. Catharines and across the province who are left wondering why this Liberal government chose to neglect them yet again. Auto workers deserve a comprehensive plan for the sector that will protect jobs and growth in our communities. They deserve a government that supports and respects them. Speaker, should we assume that the Liberals are simply adopting the old conservative mentality to just let the auto sector die? I can serve Labour, Mr. Speaker. You serve Labour? Speaker, thank you very much for that question, Speaker. And I don't think there's any government in the history of the province of Ontario that's done more to ensure that we have a stable, secure auto sector in this province, Speaker. The job creation ratio that goes along with that sector is one that's appreciated, Speaker, by all members on this side of the House. The investments we've made in that are proof positive, Speaker. We work along with Unifor. We work along with the parts plan, Speaker. And I don't think there's any better evidence than yesterday when the budget was presented, one of the people that was most outspoken in praise of this budget, Speaker, was Jerry Dias, Speaker, the President of the Auto Workers Union. Speaker, if you want clear indication, he was telling us this is a very socially progressive budget. Nobody understands auto like Unifor, Speaker. I think we've done a tremendous job ensuring that Ontario has a stable economy and auto is a huge part of that, Speaker. Thank you. Thank you, Speaker. Thank you, Speaker. The minister can talk about respecting the auto sector, but I have received hundreds of emails, phone calls, and petitions from auto workers across Ontario. They have told me that they have contacted the Premier. They've contacted the minister of labor, even conservative members in their writings. But the Liberal government's discriminatory about the Liberal government's discriminatory regulation, and they have been ignored. No response. Only new Democrats have been standing in solidarity with these workers. On April 22, 1,000 of these auto workers are coming to Queens Park. They are rallying to show this Liberal government just how fed up they are with being pushed aside. I'll be there, and other new Democrats will be there. Speaker, will the Premier, the minister of labor, or anyone in this Liberal government be here on April 22 to meet the auto workers and explain why they chose to discriminate against them? Minister, Speaker, the minister of economic development and growth, Travec and development and growth. Thanks very much, Speaker. I want to take a moment to echo what the minister of labor said in response to the first question about not only the ongoing and incredible support that our government has provided to Ontario's auto sector, but also what that success has meant for our economy, Speaker. So, for example, since 2004, our government has invested $1.4 billion in auto, leveraging $16.4 billion and creating a retaining speaker more than 82,000 jobs. Those are jobs, Speaker. We've also helped to attract investment since fall 2016, including investments at Chrysler and Ford's facilities in Windsor, Speaker, in Woodstock and in St. Catharines and in Honda's facility in Alliston, not to mention the rest of the supply chain, Speaker, which we know employs tens of thousands of other skilled Ontarians. I would say, Speaker, in 2017, for example, we know over 100,000 direct jobs in the auto manufacturing sector, vehicle assembly and parts. This is why we specifically take these investments, Speaker. And I look forward to continue to work closely with all aspects of the auto sector. So, we can continue to try. I remind the member of when I stand, you sit, and also that we're still in warnings. New question, the member from Kingston and the Islands. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Seniors Affairs. As I'm sure you know, seniors make up the fastest growing segment of Ontario's population, and today there are more than 2 million seniors in our province, and that number is expected to double in the next 25 years. Seniors have spent a lifetime contributing to their communities and to the economy. They continue to do tremendous work, as is the case with seniors in my riding of Kingston and the Islands. We need a government that is willing to make impactful investments in care so our seniors have the supports they need to live healthy and active, independent, safe, and socially connected lives. This government knows seniors are wanting to remain in their homes for as long as they can, like my colleague from Barrie. Last November, your ministry announced $155 million in investments to support aging with confidence on Ontario's action plan for seniors. Mr. Speaker, with the Minister of Seniors Affairs explained to this House how the budget of 2018 continues to invest in care for Ontario seniors. Thank you. Minister of Responsible Seniors Affairs. Thank you, Speaker. I want to begin by thanking the member from Kingston and the Islands for this very important question, and for giving me the opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to discuss how our government is choosing to continue to invest in care for our seniors. In November of last year, Mr. Speaker, we announced the aging with confidence, $155 million plan for seniors. But at that point, Mr. Speaker, I had made it very clear that that was just the beginning and that there was more to come, and we have kept our promise, Mr. Speaker, and I'm so proud that yesterday in our 2018 budget, we took another step in ensuring that seniors can continue to live in their own homes as long as they can, as the member from Barrie so talked about. And that's why, Mr. Speaker, the new seniors healthy home program will provide up to $750 annually to seniors age 75 years or older for every eligible hospital. Thank you. Nice try. Nice try. I go by the clock. I beg to inform the House that pursuant to Standing Order 71B, the member from Nipissing has notified the clerk of his intention to file notice of a reasoned amendment to the motion for second reading of Bill 31, an act to implement budget measures and to enact and amend various statutes. The order for second reading of Bill 31 may therefore not be called to date. Recognize the member from Carlton, Mississippi, Mills on a point of order. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to introduce guests of the Trillium Party of Ontario. We have two candidates. We have Lucy Guerrero, representing Humber River, Black Creek. We have George Garvita, Scarborough, Guildwood. We have supporters of theirs, Hilda Sembrano, Marco Garcia Ramirez, Rich Persaud, All-You-Muiawa, Agi Bolade, Gilda Trinidad, Silva Beatriz, Maria Pesnino, Rabarri Arias, Susanna Giron, Edith Atollin and Tolin, Rosario Sanchez and Norma Lanuzza. Welcome. Thank you. Member from Sioux St. Marie on a point of order. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very honored to invite today and welcome to the legislature special guest, Michigan State Senator Wayne Schmidt in the rear of the gallery and his wife, Kathleen Shannon, and his two sons, Ryan and Daniel. Welcome to Queen's Park. Welcome. I have a sad announcement to make. I don't like making this announcement, but I have to make this announcement. I have to inform you that this is the last day for our pages. We want to thank them for their hard work and their such a short period of time and their wonderful work here at the legislature. And finally, I wish all of you an opportunity to come together with your families during Easter and all of the other holy days that are celebrated during this month and this week. And I wish you have some time with your family. God bless you all. Therefore, there are no deferred votes. This House stands recessed until 1 p.m. this afternoon.