 It is now time for oral questions. I recognize the member for Tamiska Minkakar. Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Premier. And this is a question about the ethical standards the Premier holds for himself and his staff, a matter of public importance. Speaker, yesterday, CBC News reported concerning revelations regarding the Premier's friend Jason Kenney, leader of the United Conservative Party of Alberta. According to CBC, email addresses linked to certain Conservative domain names were fraudulently attached to Conservative Party memberships and used to cast ballots in the party leadership race. Among the domain names was DeanFrench.ca. Has the Premier talked to Dean French, his Chief of Staff, about this incident? I had difficulty hearing the member's question because of the interjections that were coming from the government side of the House. I asked the member from Niagara West to come to order. I'm going to call upon the Premier to reply. Well, through you, Mr. Speaker, I was in the same boat as you. I couldn't hear what he was saying over there. But I can tell you one thing. This is going to be a great day for Ontario. It's a great day. We're turning the province around. We're putting more money back into taxpayers' pockets. We're respecting the taxpayers and we're going to continue doing this for the next three years. Again, to the Premier, a former Conservative member of Alberta's legislature has written the RCMP about this matter. He alleges that the Kenney leadership campaign used fraudulent emails to intercept personal identification numbers needed to cast a ballot in the leadership race. And CBC reports that some of those addresses to a website bearing the name of Dean French, the Premier's Chief of Staff. The Premier's office said yesterday that Dean French no longer owns that web domain. When did he cease to own the website that bears his name and does he know who owns it now? Premier? Host leader. Questions referred to the government? Host leader. Speaker, this is a pathetic line of questioning. It's a shame that the Ontario NDP feels that it has to do the bidding of the Alberta NDP. And Rachel Notley, who's about to go down in flames in the Alberta election next week, Mr. Speaker, there is nothing to this whatsoever that feels in any way with government policy here in the province of Ontario. I can't believe that with a budget, a budget about to be tabled in Ontario, a budget that's going to work towards our promises of ending hallway healthcare, creating good jobs in Ontario, putting more money back in the pockets of Ontarians, that the member from Northern Ontario wouldn't be standing up and advocating for jobs in Northern Ontario, ending hallway healthcare in Ontario. Instead, he's on a partisan trip on behalf of Rachel Notley and the NDP in Alberta. Host will come to order. We start the clock. Final supplementary. This concerns the ethical standards the Premier sets for himself and staff in his office. It's a matter of public record that the Premier is in support of Jason Kenney and has bid to become Premier of Alberta. Now we see a website bearing the name of the Premier's Chief of Staff suddenly appear at the allegations concerning Jason Kenney and election fraud. Has the Premier instructed his Chief of Staff to turn all relevant information over to the RCMP officers who have been asked to investigate this matter? Mr Speaker, even the CBC today, even the CBC, Mr Speaker, is reporting that it's not Dean French's website. It has nothing to do with Dean French. It has nothing to do with our government here in Ontario. I think it's absolutely shameful and it's a desperate attempt for this NDP party here in Ontario to try and prop up the NDP in Alberta. A government that has seen hundreds of thousands of jobs leaving Alberta, Mr Speaker. A government in Alberta that has increased taxes, a government that has made it more difficult to live affordably in the province of Ontario. It's exactly what we don't want to see here in Ontario. The policies of the NDP in Alberta would be the policies of the NDP here in Ontario. We don't want to have any part of that, Mr Speaker, and the people of Ontario didn't either. That's why they voted for us. The House will come door to door. The government side will come door to door. Restart the clock. The next question, the member for Essex. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. My question is to the Premier. This question is also about the ethical standard that the Premier holds for himself, his staff, and as a matter of public importance. The Premier has made no secret of his close friendship with Jason Kenney. The Premier flew out to Alberta to campaign with him and I think the Premier even referred to his relationship with Jason Kenney as a bromance. Mr Speaker, we've since learned that the RCMP has launched an investigation into possible voter fraud. And now there are new revelations from the outside bearing the name of the Premier's Chief of Staff. What assurances can the Premier offer that no one in his office or in his party is in any way implicated in these matters? Well, through you, Mr Speaker, thank you for the compliment about the bromance. You know something? I think the world of Jason Kenney. The people of Alberta have been punished way too long. People are losing their job by flying. They've had roadblocks from Premier Motley. It's just over and over again. But guess what, Mr Speaker? There's a blue sweep going right across this country here to visit us in Ontario. Government House Leader has to come to order. Minister of Children, Community and Social Services has to come to order. Start the clock. Supplementary. Speaker, the Premier may not take these allegations seriously, but thankfully the RCMP are taking it very seriously in Alberta right now. Speaker, late night, last night on the CBC's The National, even Jason Kenney, the Premier's bromance friend, has had to admit that these new revelations were concerning. The RCMP are currently conducting an investigation. And a website bearing the name of Dean French, the Premier's Chief of Staff, is tied up in the middle of all this. Speaker, if Dean French no longer controls the website, who does and why is it linked to voter fraud in the province of Alberta? Minister of Natural Resources. Question is referred to the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. Well, thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I want a question because this line of questioning, it has reached a new low in this house. As a matter of fact, we might be able to use some of those questions to help us dig some of those subway tunnels that we're going to bring transit to the city of Toronto because they're about below anything that's seen in this house before. But the reality is here, we're in a historic day in the province of Ontario where we're going to deliver the best budget and the first really great budget in 15 years in this problem. Questioning that is absolutely nothing to do with what is going on here in the province of Ontario. A budget that is going to lift people here in the province of Ontario, change the channel from 15 years of destruction under the Liberals. We are turning things around under the leadership of Premier Ford. You should get on board with- Can we start the clock? Final supplementary. Speaker, this is a chance for the Premier to set an ethical standard for himself and his caucus. They should actually be thanking us for that opportunity if the following investigation, when police find that there was evidence of election fraud and that Dean French, the Premier's Chief of Staff, was directly involved. What action will the Premier take? Questions been referred to the Minister of National Resources and Forestry. Well, we'd like to give the NDP an opportunity to change that line of questioning and something that brings positive results for the people of Ontario. Here we are today, April 11, 2019, a historic day for the people of Ontario. A budget brought forth by my colleague, the Minister of Finance, Vic Fidelli, that is going to change- Member for Essex will come to order. I apologize to the Minister. Conclude your answer. Just trying to help them out, Speaker. Here we have an opportunity for the NDP to actually join with us. We've had 15 years of negatives from the people on the other side who are now- cannot form an actual party. Now we have a chance to turn Ontario around. Our first budget, listen to what we're saying. Get on board with us. This is going to be a great day for the people of Ontario. Thank you, Mr Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Education. Yesterday the Toronto District School Board released their accounting of what the government's cuts to education will mean to them. And it's not good. The Toronto School Board alone will lose over $28 million next year, requiring them to make cuts and offer students less programs, less opportunities. And let's point out also, with the existing shortfall that already exists, they're going to be down about $55 million. When will the Minister learn that every dollar taken out of our education system leaves our young people worse off? Question calls to the Minister of Education. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. And first of all, I'd like to respond by saying, the PC government of Ontario is going to be investing in education like never before. And I'm going to carry on with regard specifically to TDSB. You know, I appreciate the fact that there are some school boards experiencing financial pressures of teacher salaries and benefits due to proposed changes in class size. However, Speaker, school boards are left in this position as a result of poor negotiated local collective agreements. That's the reality. And so the fact of the matter is, the Ministry of Education does not have any authority over locally-bargain collective agreements. And so we're going to be working with school boards as we go forward. As I mentioned on the onset, we're going to be investing in education and we're going to help school boards get it right. Thank you very much. Supplementary. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I think the Minister, and I'm going to go back to the Minister here, needs to go back to Minister's school and learn something about how we fund education and how collective agreements are bargained in this province. The Toronto District School Board has already raised the alarm bell about the government's cuts to education, saying they will be forced to eliminate 800 high school teaching positions. That means fewer course offerings for students like art and shop classes and music and technology that help foster well-rounded kids. It means larger class sizes and less one-on-one attention. And it means less opportunity for our young people. Instead of gutting our education system, will the Minister go back to the drawing board and come back with a plan that actually works for students? Thank you very much. Well, thank you very much and I look forward to sending some correspondence over to the member opposite to explain really how it works. But that said, I am so excited about our plan for education here in Ontario. It's a plan for education that's going to work for you and teachers and parents and everybody in this province because we're getting education in Ontario back on track. We've listened to 72,000 individuals that took time, thoughtful time to contribute their ideas and their suggestions to get it right. And that is exactly what we're going to do by focusing on math, by focusing on STEM, by making sure that we have an education system in Ontario that's sustainable because our students deserve the very best in education so that they have confidence in their career paths. And that said, we're also going to be recognizing the importance of skill trades and actually sculpting our education programs to make sure that they are relevant for jobs and careers, not only for today but into tomorrow and the future as well. Thank you. Next question, the member for Scarborough, Rouge Hart. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday was a historic day for Ontario. For the first time ever, the Ontario government is taking the lead in building new subways in this province. Our premier announced a 28.5 billion expansion to our province transit network to get Ontarians moving. This transit plan is for the 21st century by far most money ever invested to get shovels in the ground and to get new subways built. Commuters across GTHA want seamless network that will get them to work on time and back to their friends and families faster. This is especially true for the residents of Scarborough who has been waiting for over 30 years for access to the subway system. Mr. Speaker, this is promise made, promise kept. Can the premier please detail us how government for the people's transit system will benefit the residents of Scarborough and connect them to a truly regional transit system? Questions to the premier. Through you, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the great MPP from Scarborough, Rouge Hart. I can tell you for nine years we fought for the people of Scarborough to get subways. Yesterday we finally blazed a new trail for every single person, the 630,000 people that live out in Scarborough that have been starving for subways for 30 years. Now they're going to be able to expand the opportunity where they work because they're going to have rapid transit in Scarborough, a three-stop subway and it was very personal, Mr. Speaker. My brother Rob Stardiff wasn't for him. We wouldn't even have a Scarborough subway right now. People of Scarborough, we said we're going to deliver a subway. We're delivering a subway to the people of Scarborough. Restart the clock. Supplementary question. Thank you, premier, for that answer. It's great to hear that our government for the people is sticking to our promise to finally delivering transit to the residents of Scarborough. For decades there has been little new transit built. Our subway system has not kept up with the growth of GTAJ. Technology in the subway is outdated and much needed maintenance has been put off for far too long. My constituents want to be able to get to work and home on time, leaving more time for what matters. Can the premier tell us more about our government's 28.5 billion transit plan is breaking down barriers to make subway work more for the people in more communities like Scarborough? Premier? Through you, Mr. Speaker, again I want to thank our MPP for the question. But who gets more thanks than anyone? The best. Minister of Transportation. You know, someone that takes a true leader to put this plan together, the largest transit plan, not only here in Canada but in North America, 28.5 billion. And our minister was the one who created this plan, who's going to execute this plan and get Ontario moving once again. He's taking care of the people of Scarborough. He's taking care of the Eglinton line going west all the way to the airport. And I talk to a lot of people that work up the airport. Over the top, second largest employer in Canada, the airport is. And then our Crown Jewel, our Crown Jewel is the Ontario line. Minister of Transportation, his idea, he is transformed. Thank you. Next question. House come to order. Restart the clock. Question is a member for University of Roswell. Thank you, Speaker. My question is for the Premier. In the past, we've seen governments make big grand promises on transit only to find out that the realities on the ground are way off from what was first announced. Yesterday, the Premier drew lines on a map and pulled numbers out of a hat to try to explain how much his new plan would cost and when it would actually be delivered. Could the Premier show us the evidence, the planning studies and cost estimates for how he got to these magic figures? Minister of Transportation, referred to the Minister of Transportation. The member opposite for this question. Yesterday was the historic day for the province of Ontario. Mr. Speaker, we sat with the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Infrastructure, Monty McNaughton, my PA, Kinga Surma, Stephen Leche, and PA, Mr. McNaughton, and Christine Ogre and Tobacco Lakeshore. All together we announced a historic build for the City of Toronto and helping the GTA. We are going to build the long-related relief line called the Ontario Line, Mr. Speaker. Build the young extension, Mr. Speaker. We are going to build into Scarborough three stops of what the people would like and finally we're going to go to the west of Edmonton underground for the people of Tobacco and make sure that we can get out there to the airport. Mr. Speaker, the NDP should be happy about this build. It is affecting their own constituents. It's given them a better transit opportunity but most of all, Mr. Speaker, it's creating the regional transportation network that we need in the GTA. Mr. Speaker, the Ontario Government of the PC Party is going to build, build, build. Thank you. The government side will come to order. Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry will come to order. Member for Essex will come to order. Restart the clock, supplementary question. Back to the Premier. The City of Toronto has already spent several years and millions of dollars on plans for the relief line. The Premier now wants to rip all these plans up and start all over again. How can the Premier defend starting again from scratch? When we know that will mean delays, it will mean Torontonians are stuck in overcrowded trains and stations and it means people in Scarborough will be stuck in buses for years. Wow. Question. Thanks again, Mr. Speaker, for that question. You know, the member opposite herself was in the technical briefing prior to the announcement. So she has seen the plans and how detailed the operations are going forward and I can tell you right now, Mr. Speaker, we are going to utilize the plans that have already been developed to this part but we're going to extend it further, Mr. Speaker. We're not just going to build the relief line. We're going to build the Ontario line which goes from Ontario please up to the Ontario. We're not going to build one stop in Scarborough. We're going to build three stops in Scarborough. We're going to utilize those plans but let me hear. Maybe the NDP should stop and listen to what the regional mayors are saying to this announcement. Mr. Mayor, Scarpetty, the Young North Subway extension is on the move. I am thrilled with the provincial government's 228.5 million transit. Mr. Speaker, the Mayor of Vaughn, Vaughn and York Region's voices are heard. Commuters in Vaughn, York Region, the GTG look forward to access transit. Mayor John Tory, I'm happy they have committed themselves to a very substantial investment in public transit. Thank you. Start the clock. The next question is for Thorn Hill. Minister of Transportation, yesterday the Premier, Minister of Transportation, Minister of Infrastructure, the Parliamentary Assistant for Transportation, the Parliamentary Assistant for Infrastructure and the member from Etobicoke Lakeshore made a huge transportation announcement. Our government for the people made a commitment during the election to get the people of Ontario moving and part of that commitment was to upload the responsibility of the subway infrastructure and build subways faster and more effectively. We are doing just that. Yesterday our government unveiled a new transit map, a vision for the 21st century with connections to communities and to jobs and places that have never been joined by the subway system before. Can the Minister of Transportation share with this legislature how our transit plan will benefit my riding of Thorn Hill? Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank the member for Thorn Hill for that question. I've got to say the member from Thorn Hill daily talks to me about improving transit into the region. I thank you very much for it. Mr. Speaker, as I announced earlier, it was a historic day for the province of Ontario. We had quite a turnout from the media and people that were interested in this announcement. The Premier, the Minister of Infrastructure, the Parliamentary Assistant, Steve Leche, King of Surma and Christine Hogarth from Etobicoke Lakeshore. It was a great day announcing a $28.5 billion investment in expansions of the subway system. The member of Thorn Hill should be grateful to know and happy that the Young North extension is going to benefit her riding and her constituents. Mr. Speaker, they're growing populations. There's growing demand to utilize transit. And that's why we're going to build outside of the city limits. We're going to expand to where it's needed. The Young extension will be 7.4 km extension north from Finch Station connecting Richmond Hill, Vaughn and Markham to the subway system. And Mr. Speaker, I have more to say on our supplemental. Thank you. Supplementary. Thank you to the Minister for that great response. And Mr. Speaker, our government is delivering on our promise to build a regional transportation network. And the residents of Thorn Hill are thrilled about this announcement and the transit connectivity that will be unlocked to countless job opportunities for people across the region. It was great to see Mayor Scarpitti, Barrow, Bevilacqua, as well as Regional Chair Emerson at the announcement yesterday showing their support for this historic investment. Mr. Speaker, transportation is not something to play politics about. The people of Ontario and the GTHA have waited long enough. It's time to invest and build new transportation so that the people of this great province can get to work on time, get home faster, get to family and friends sooner, and maybe get to see a game downtown every now and then. Can the Minister of Transportation tell us more about the benefits of the Young subway extension? Mr. Speaker, and thanks again to the member from Thorn Hill for that question. People from north to south of the Toronto region will be connected to new jobs and new opportunities. And the Premier and I have challenged officials to ensure this line is in service as soon as possible. We will build it in conjunction with the Ontario line and this line will open soon after that line is up and running. We're doing this because we've talked to transit users and heard their frustrations, crowding and delays that just don't go far enough. People are accounting us to make their commutes better and to get started right away. For years, construction, for extensions and new lines, everything's been stuck in red tape, Mr. Speaker. We've taken out decisions, we've cut away the red tape and we're going to build, build, build, Mr. Speaker. Next question. Member for London North Centre. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Education. Yesterday I asked the Minister to name homophobia and transphobia to recognize the day of pink. The Minister deliberately refused to thereby contributing to the exclusion of LGBTQ plus students, first excluded from Ontario's regressive 1998 curriculum and now even excluded from international days meant to recognize and support them. How can LGBTQ plus students and families count on this Minister to combat homophobia and bullying in our schools when she won't even acknowledge its existence in this chamber? Thank you very much. I appreciate it very much. I think it really matters in terms of what is said in the public domain and again, words backed up by action is so, so important and it all starts with respect on every single side of a situation. It starts with respect and that's why I am so proud of the health and physical education curriculum that we're developing and we're going to be releasing in September of 2019. Students today need to know and respect one another and accept one another and use technology safely and know and accept what healthy relationships look like so we can put an end once and for all to homophobia and transphobia. Seriously, this is so not a place to play politics on believable that these people are taking a serious subject and trying to play politics when I, as Minister of Education and this entire government, the PC government of Ontario are trying. Thank you. Speaker, I'm glad to hear the Minister finally use those words but she's a day late. Instead of addressing for discrimination head on we've heard the Minister resort to name calling using the letters NDP to change into different words using poisonous rhetoric like failed liberal ideology when talking with the health and physical curriculum and using dismissive terms for Ontarians such as certain groups. Speaker, exclusion is dehumanizing. Instead of condemning discrimination the Minister has said that she embraces healthy relationships. At the same time, this Minister has made it hard for LGBTQ plus students to learn about what healthy relationships look like. She's delayed teaching about important issues like gender expression until grade 8. LGBTQ plus students deserve the same access to information that their heterosexual peers have. Does the Minister believe LGBTQ plus relationships are healthy relationships which deserve equal recognition in the classroom? Thank you very much Mr. Speaker and I am really pleased to stand any day in this House to talk about where we've landed when it comes to health and physical education curriculum because again 72,000 people chose to get engaged be it telephone town halls or online surveys or actually taking time to submit written ideas, suggestions, concerns that we all took into consideration and at the end of the day we've landed in a really good place when it comes to health and physical education even organizations like the provincial physed organization. They said every student is going to recognize themselves in our health and physical education curriculum and it goes beyond this is the first time ever we're going to be addressing mental wellness mental health and wellness starting in grade 1 right through to grade 12 and the fact of the matter is we're hitting the mark with this health and education this health and physical education curriculum no matter how the members opposite try to paint it I'm very proud of where we're going. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker my question is for the premier good morning premier it's still morning I know you're excited it's like Christmas look I want to in a sense say it's your government's first budget and it's an important day in the life of a government so I want to wish you in a nonpartisan way good luck and that families will be looking for things inside your budget that are important to them and those measures speakers for you to the premier they'll be looking for in that budget we'll all be in the lock up everybody our staff are there looking right now and we're digging down so we know that one of those measures in the budget is to spend millions and millions of dollars on taxpayers of taxpayers money on partisan election advertising pop up their friend Andrew Scheer does the premier think that that's appropriate premier to reply that is the pot called the kettle black unbelievable they wasted hundreds of millions of dollars with their propaganda ads telling the people of Ontario all the great things meanwhile they were misleading the public the premier has flipped sorry mr. Speaker I tried to put it back in there mr. Speaker as they were wasting billions of dollars of the hard-earned taxpayers money we ended up with a 15 billion dollar deficit that's 15 billion dollars that every single man woman and child is going to have to pay back we're going to have a responsible budget we're going to have a thoughtful budget and at the end of the day we're going to do this responsibly and we will balance we will balance that budget eventually and make sure that we put more money into the taxpayers pocket thank you very much mr. Speaker so I will I'll take that is that he believes that that spending is appropriate so simple question just in the interest of transparency this is serious this is serious serious stop the clock the government side will come to order allow the member for Ottawa South to place his supplementary question start the clock once again the member for Ottawa says will you be registering as a third party in the federal election thank you mr. Speaker questions to the premier you know something will you I can't even take the member seriously mr. Speaker we are going to be working for the next three years three months making sure we fix the problem do you know why we're going to fix the problem the people up there those young students need a future they want once they graduate they're going to want a job they want their parents to be able to afford to put them through university they want to make sure they have a responsible government and that's exactly what we're going to deliver on this budget thank you the next question the member for Etobicoke Center my question is for the deputy premier minister of health and long term care mr. Speaker our government promised to make mental health and addictions a priority during the election I have been hearing from my constituents that they cannot access the mental health services they need and where they need them with one in five Ontarians affected by mental health it is clear that this issue affects every person in the province directly or indirectly can the minister please inform the members of this legislature what our government is doing to address mental health in the province of Ontario the deputy premier welcome long term care thank you to the member from Etobicoke center for her question this is an important issue for the people of Ontario and our government believes that no one should have to wait long periods of time to receive mental health and addiction services that's why we are investing 3.8 billion dollars to expand our mental health programs and services across the province we have already announced the first wave of funding that includes adding more than 50 new mental health beds but of course there's a lot more to do we've also held a series of engagement sessions across the province to understand what additional supports and services are necessary we look forward to hearing from all members of the legislature on this issue these discussions will help inform our decisions as we establish a connected and comprehensive mental health and addiction system in Ontario and we will continue to make mental health a priority in this government to address the needs of all Ontarians thank you Mr. Speaker back to the minister every day our dedicated police officers work tirelessly to keep our communities safe these brave men and women frequently put themselves in harm's way or witness highly traumatic events in the course of their duties tragically far too many officers and their families have suffered as a result police officers face a unique type of stress and the current system isn't responsive to the realities frontline officers encounter on a daily basis Mr. Speaker can the minister please tell this house how our government is addressing the mental health crisis in the Ontario Provincial Police Minister to reply questions referred to the Solicitor General thank you Mr. Speaker I know that she understands very well how important this is to our government and I appreciate your advocacy and assistance you know it's heart breaking when we hear that 15 OPP officers have taken their life and we need to do a better job to protect the people who frankly have done such an excellent job protecting us the OPP officers have always answered when the people of Ontario have called for their help and it's now time for our government to step up and assist them it's why our government was proud to announce in conjunction with the Ontario Provincial Police Association launching a new integrated mental health support program for OPP officers and their families this is something that is critically important to our government we're going to get it right and we're going to partner with the people who can provide the service and make it better for our frontline officers thank you very much next question remember for Sudburne thank you speaker my question is to the minister of labour minister of labour has a vital role in the province and a responsibility to show leadership when it comes to collective and labour relations in Ontario on Monday the member for Oshawa asked the minister a question about the premier's characterization of elected union leaders as thugs speaker the minister didn't provide an answer so I'd like to give her a second chance does the minister responsible for labour relations in the province of Ontario agree with the premier that labour leaders are and I'm going to quote thugs or will she take this opportunity to distance herself from the premier's comments name questions to the minister of labour well mr. Speaker I just want to inform the member across the way of what the ministry of labour actually does it's it's required by law to act as a neutral overseer for the labour relations process in the province of Ontario we as the ministry of labour provide neutral conciliation and mediation services with the aim of helping bargaining parties conclude collective agreements without work disruptions so mr. Speaker we want the two parties to come to the table to the employer and the bargaining units the ministry of labour has an excellent record 98% of all agreements are reached without strikes or lockout the ministry of labour provide services mediators conciliators to help both parties deal with that so mr. Speaker I just want to clarify that for the member opposite the role of the ministry of labour in the issues and to the question that he asked thank you very much the minister told me what the ministry does I'm asking about the comments the premier made about calling union leaders thugs so to quote the minister or so from last week we have in the province of Ontario with this party and this government a good working relationship with unions which is a great sentiment that was echoed today by the premier made who called the elected union leaders thugs Ontarians need to have faith in the principles of good faith of the ministry so will the minister of labour clearly state that the premier's comments were unacceptable thank you the minister of labour the president of the treasury ward mr. Speaker she's referred to the president Mr. Speaker yesterday we were pink for bullying anti-bullying it's beyond me to understand where this member opposite through you is coming from mr. Speaker our premier is for every Ontarian he's for every family he's for every worker and today is a special day because my good friend and colleague the minister of finance is going to deliver the best budget in the history of Ontario today recommending jobs we're getting people moving the jobs and mr. Speaker we're going to get moving on a path to balance that's what we're going to do next question the member for Perth Wellington thank you speaker my question is for the minister of labour for 15 years northern Ontario suffered as the liberal government threw up roadblocks and barriers that prevented entrepreneurs companies and resource users from investing in and contributing to the economic development of northern Ontario so speaker I know our government is working hard to repair the damage done by the liberals we are taking concrete steps to remind the people of northern Ontario yes their provincial government does in fact care about the well-being of Ontario families who live north of berry this week the minister made an announcement that will make northern Ontario's mining industry safer and more prosperous so I asked the minister would you please inform the house on what our government is doing to protect northern Ontario miners and encourage safe economic growth in the north minister of labour thank you mr. Speaker and I thank the member for Perth Wellington for all his hard work that he does in this legislature and for his constituents and on Tuesday I had the great pleasure of visiting the ministry of labour materials testing laboratory in Sudbury where I announced our government's investment of almost $2.6 million in a new tensile testing machine expected to be operational by next spring this state of the art machine will be able to test both wire ropes and synthetic ropes which are likely to be used in the future our PC government's new investment will put Ontario on the leading edge of mine safety for the next 25 years mr. Speaker rope safety is essential for mine operators to ensure their mines are operating safely and reliably this new machine will help to keep Ontario workers and the mining sector safe our government is bringing good jobs and investment in the north of Ontario to make sure that the rest of the province and northern Ontario is open for business and open for jobs thank you thank you speaker and I'd like to thank the minister for her commitment to the safety of all workers in this province including minors this exciting announcement is great news for northern communities benefiting from our investments in mining test facilities we are delivering on our promise to attract new investments to the industry because it creates so many opportunities especially in northern communities we are attracting new investments in Ontario as we move forward with our open for business mandate speaker can the minister please tell the members of this house about how our government is making Ontario's mining sector open for business back to the minister minister of energy northern development like the minister of labour the ministry of northern development of mines is committed to the safety and evolving safety technologies for our mines and we are also interested in actually opening mines the previous government has a poor record in these regards seven years, eight years 15 years for mines to open it's ridiculous that's why the premier and I struck a mining working group we have leaders from all aspects of this industry finance, prospectors people who build large scale mines and operate them and we're looking forward to a brighter future for the mining sector and I'm excited about this afternoon as a northern MP from our caucus delivers a budget that lays out a new horizon for prosperity for northern Ontario so from Timmins to Kirkland Lake to Cappascasing and Red Lake I'll be able to go and talk about that prosperity for northern Ontario and tell them that the members thank you thank you my question is for the minister of francophone affairs the ombudsman of Ontario announced his plan wanting to replace the independent commissioner of francophone affairs the ombudsman said that there would be people who would be laid off in the new office and I'm going to the media information the three positions will be eliminated and now there are 14 employees there the francophone minister promised that there would be no layoffs within the ombudsman's office did you change the truth what does this minister has to say to Franco-Ontarian with respect to her promises the new reality of the french commissioner thank you mr. speaker what I would like to say to the member of the opposition and to Ontarians and to the Franco-Ontarians is that the work of the commissioner will continue within the ombudsman's office all the monitoring provisions that exist in the ombudsman's office the recommendations will be continuing and the complaints will continue I would like to ask the member to stop telling francophones in Ontario that there will be no more commissioner because it's not the truth mr. speaker the important work and the monitoring will continue mr. speaker within the ombudsman's office mr. speaker the fact that we're changing the title does not meet the needs of francophones furthermore we learned that the francophony assembly of Ontario has been excluded of the budget in camera meeting the the AFO said that people were laid off and during an interview with the media the minister criticized the association saying that it should be there for all francophones of Ontario it is troubling that the spokesperson of Franco-Ontarians has been excluded from the in camera meeting a few hours after the minister criticized them in the media how come your ministry is excluding this person from the most important political moment of the year thank you mr. speaker as the minister of francophone affairs I have the honour to work for all francophones in Ontario our government will continue to take care of Franco-Ontarians priorities we will improve first line services for all Franco-Ontarians mr. speaker we will encourage economic growth all this will be explained today we will talk about it in the budget which will be presented by the finance mr. mr. speaker we are working for all frame francophones chamber francophone francophones francophones next question Dr.development job creation entree under the leadership of already created over a hundred thousand jobs for the people of this province. I know that our government is committed to reducing red tape and burdensome regulation. By making life easier for job creators, we are going to create more opportunities for the people of Ontario. Mr. Speaker, that is exactly why we passed Bill 66 last week. On the government benches, we're happy about creating jobs and opportunities. Unfortunately, the members opposite are not. The member for Parkdale High Park said during debate that, quote, the best social program is definitely not a job. Could the minister outline for this House why the member is wrong and the steps our government is taking to give Ontarians the dignity of work they deserve? Well, thanks very much to my good friend from Brampton for that question. I'm very happy to correct the member opposite in her response during debate. As my friend, the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services always says, the best social program in Ontario is a job. And while the NDP, Mr. Speaker, might not believe that the people of Ontario do want jobs and they want opportunities. On this side of the aisle, we're working hard to create jobs after 15 dark years under the Liberals where more than 300,000 manufacturing jobs left the province. If the NDP had their way, Mr. Speaker, that kind of trend would continue in Ontario. Let me quote the member from Kingston and the islands during debate on Bill 66 talking about manufacturing jobs. He said, they're the jobs of the past. I wonder how his counterparts from Oshawa and Windsor feel about that, Mr. Speaker. Sounds like a socialist agenda on that side of the house. That's the real NDP for you. We're doing everything we can to reduce red tape and make sure that Ontario is open for business. Mr. Speaker, thank you back to the Minister and thank you, Minister, for the response. It is unbelievable that the member of an opposition would dismiss a sector that employs hundreds and thousands of people across Ontario. While the real NDP may think manufacturing jobs aren't worth fighting for, we know that's not true. They are well-paying, highly skilled jobs. Mr. Speaker, red tape is holding back our job creators, especially our small businesses. During debate on Bill 66, the member for Guelph said, quote, if this legislation were about making life easier for small business, then I'd be on board. I know our bill does exactly that. But the member for Guelph voted against it. Could the minister please outline for the House how our government is making life easier for small businesses? Well, thanks again for another great question from my good friend from Brampton. You know, the parliamentary assistance that I've spoken to, we've spoken to hundreds of small businesses. We take an office and they've told us what they need to succeed. They need government to get out of the way. Look, I know the opposition thinks that if a small business can't deal with red tape, then they should just close down. They've pretty much said so during debate and during committee. In the words again of the member from Kingston and the islands, asking for relief from red tape is, quote, reflective of lazy management. Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we want small businesses to focus on what matters most. That's creating good jobs, focusing on their business, and focusing on their customers, Mr. Speaker. And that's why we've been hard at work in cutting red tape. And I hope the member from Guelph will support us as we continue on this quest to make Ontario open for business, to restore Ontario's competitiveness, and to bring Ontario back to its rightful place as the biggest... Thank you. Next question, member for Charles Central. Thank you, Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. Speaker, the Investing in Women's Futures Fund provides grants to women's organizations for services like job training, counseling, and support for women experiencing violence. For the past 11 days, these organizations have been without funding. In that time, the Women's Own Resource Centre in South River has lost all of their staff. Women's Place in Canora is facing closure. And in my writing, the Times Change Women's Employment Service has reduced staff and will have to reduce their hours. And the list goes on. Will the Minister confirm that these vital women's organizations will receive their funding that they need in today's budget? Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. I'd like to thank the member opposite for her question, an important question, but I'll tell you something. At 4 o'clock today, for the first time in 15 years, there will be a path forward for all women in Ontario to a better path to balance to protect what matters most to all of us. But I'm not going to comment on what's in that budget. That's for our finance minister, Vic Fidelli, to do at 4 o'clock today when we set our path to balance for all Ontarians, women included. Women's Setters from across Ontario were invited to submit applications for the Investing in Women's Futures program earlier this year. And following confirmation of today's 2019-2020 budget, we'll be able to determine based on the review and approval of individual applications. I'm very excited, though, Speaker, for the first time in 15 years, Social Services, which are the backbone of Ontario, will be protected and sustainable as a result of our path forward. Thanks, Minister Fidelli. Thank you. Supplementary question. Speaker, where has the minister been for the last 11 days when women would have been out? I heard the story of Toronto women of a Toronto woman named Ray who accessed services at Times Change and she wrote a passionate letter about the training that she received. She said, and I quote, Every one of these services was essential to my employment. I would not have succeeded without using these services. By coming into Times Change step by step, I gained knowledge and I gained confidence and I'm very grateful, end quote. Can the minister promise stable funding for these life-saving organizations? The member opposite asked where I've been for the last 11 days. I can tell you where I've been for the last 13 years in this assembly watching the former Liberal government to the finance minister later today on what those budgets will be and will go forward accordingly. But let me be perfectly clear, when this government took office, we made a commitment to women fleeing violence in their communities, in their homes. That's why we are investing, I distort, 174.5 million dollars to ensure that they're supported and 11.5 million of that was as a result of my colleagues, my male colleagues who've taken a strong stand in rural Ontario. So I'll stand here again, as I've always said, it takes strong women to support vulnerable women. It also takes strong men to support vulnerable women. Thank you. Stop the clock, stop the clock. Restart the clock. The member for Chatham-Kent, Leamington. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Transportation. Last week, the Minister of Transportation visited my riding of Chatham-Kent, Leamington to celebrate a huge milestone in public transportation, one that will make life easier for people going between Leamington or Kingsville and Peely Island. A ferry is not just another form of transportation. Speaker, it's a link between communities and the ferry plays a significant role in the daily lives of my constituents. Many attendees at the announcement last week were there because for many of them, ferries are an integral part of their life. Whether it's local business owners or farmers transporting goods to and from the island or relying on the ferry to get to work, ferries play a big role in the economy in everyday life. So, Speaker, my question to the Minister is simply this. Could the Minister share with the Legislature the wonderful news that he delivered to my riding last week? Thank you, Minister of Transportation. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and thank the member from Chatham-Kent, Essex for that question. And it truly was a wonderful day just the other week with the member and also former Mayor of Healy Island, Rick Mass. It was a great celebration. It was a cloudy day, but a warm crowd, Mr. Speaker. It was celebrating the fact that the Healy Islander 2 is now in service. In fact, April 6th at 8 a.m., it went into service. And that Healy Islander 2 will be able to be part of the transportation of over 50,000 people that travel to Healy Island every year. And these ferries are there for their safety and to make sure they get there on time. In fact, this Healy Islander 2 will be faster than the former ferry that was there and also carry more passengers and more cars. This new ferry is going to benefit the local economy of bringing more tourists to Healy Island and make it easier for businesses to move their goods. This is just another one of the important services our government supports very much. Supplementary. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. We did have a great day last week down in Leamington at the beautiful Healy Islander 2. I had a getting ready for its first launch. So again, thank you, Minister, for your response. You know, I know that the residents of Chatham-Kent Leamington and myself were thrilled with this announcement. Replacing the original Healy Islander, which is nearly 60 years old, will provide more modern and reliable service. And everything our government does, every program, every policy and every service change, we put people first. We value the experience of Ontarians. Our government is providing relief to the people of Healy Island and Essex County reducing wait times for the new larger ferry. Can the minister please share more important details about the Healy Islander 2? Minister. Mr. Speaker, for that question and since its arrival in Ontario, the ship's crew have worked diligently to complete extensive training and ensure that the new ferry met all the necessary safety requirements, Mr. Speaker. The Healy Islander 2, as I mentioned earlier, is significantly larger. It will carry 400 people and up to 34 cars. The larger vessel is going to help improve the local economy, improve tourism and improve recreation for everyone, not only in this whole area. I invite all Ontarians to take a trip in this summer to help support the local economy. Mr. Speaker, this is just another way that we're supporting local economy and especially tourism. This is a government going forward, whether it's by boat, by car, by bike, by air or by subway, Mr. Speaker. We're going to invest in Ontario. We're going to get this province moving. We're going to make Ontario a place to stand and a place to grow. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the minister of training colleges and universities. Because of this government's elimination of the Youth Job Link program that helps young people find employment and the Employing Youth Talent Program which helps employers, small business owners with job training and wages for young people, the Key's Job Centre in Kingston lost over a million dollars in funding on April 1st. Minister, it is already challenging enough for young people in Kingston to find meaningful employment opportunities because youth unemployment rate is higher than the national average and double what it is for the rest of the province. Will the minister admit this was wrong and commit today to reversing these callous cuts? Minister of training, colleges and universities. Speaker and thank you to the member opposite for that question. We promised the people of Ontario to create good jobs in Ontario and make Ontario open for business. And that is why our government passed the Making Ontario Open for Business Act and it is shameful that the NDP refused to support legislation that will create good jobs for people across Ontario. We want to make it easier for individuals to join the trades and the complex convoluted and constraining system that was previously in place under the Liberals did the opposite. The Premier was clear with the people of Ontario in a campaign that our government will fill the skills gap provide the training and increase apprenticeships for our young people, for those who need to be re-skilled and re-trained and we are well on our way and I will take no lessons from the NDP. Question period for this morning for Suic point of order the member for Toronto St. Paul's I didn't get a chance to this morning but I just wanted to welcome Winona Public School Afrocentric Alternative School Chocolate Middle School and the University of Ryerson they mean a whole lot to me and welcome to all the students and children in our house. Point of order Mr. Speaker I want to welcome my friend Glen Hodgson who along with Trent and Autumn Hodgson are visiting Queen's Park today welcome. Mr. Richmond Hill on a point of order I can't be. Thank you Mr. Speaker I would like to welcome my great supporter from Richmond Hill Mr. He is joining us at the public gallery. Welcome to Queen's Park and I know that you will be very excited with today's budget presentation. Thank you. Pursuant to standing order 38A the member for Sudbury has given notice of his dissatisfaction with the answer to his question concerning the Premier's comments. Question given by the Minister of Labor concerning the Premier's comments this matter will be debated Tuesday at 6pm. We have now a deferred vote on the motion for second reading of bill 87 and act to amend various statutes related to energy. Call in the members this is a 5 minute bell. We now ask the members to take their seats. On March 28, 2019 Mr. Philips moves second reading of bill 87 all those in favour of the motion will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the clerk. Mr. Richard will now be seated. Mr. Ford. Mr. Clark. Mr. Hardim. Mr. Pettipi. Mr. McDonnell. Mr. Jones. Mr. Kuhl. Mr. Kuhl. Mr. Mar. Mr. Sarkari. Mr. McCanon. Mr. Harris. Mr. Fee. Mr. Kajin. Mr. Kran. Mr. Rashid. Mr. Smith. Mr. Crawford. Mr. Kazeta. Mr. Kuzeta. Mr. Drive. Mr. Carpaccio. Mr. Kareham. Mr. Dabin. Mr. Taramus. Mr. Darling. Mr. Dabyn. The ayes are 69 the nays are 37. 37. I declare the motion to carry. There's no points of order during the vote. Pursuant to the order of the House, dated April 10th, 2019, the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on General Government. Now I can entertain points of order. The Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. I just wanted to challenge the member from Sudbury to wear an Ottawa 67 jersey on Monday after we eliminate his Sudbury wolves tonight. We're having a very civil question period until you've brought up the hockey. Are there any other points of order? This house is in recess until 1 p.m.