 It is now time for oral questions, and I recognize the leader of the official opposition. Thank you, Speaker. Before I give my first question, I'd just like to take note that it's the Caritage Month, the month of April, and wish everybody from a very diverse community across our province a happy Caritage Month. My question, Speaker, is for the Acting Premier. Late Friday, the Ford government announced that they're cutting funding for six overdose prevention sites. Public health experts said that the 21 sites that the government was originally allowing was grossly inadequate, and now we're down to 15. The government has acknowledged that these sites save lives. In the midst of an opioid crisis that's gripping our province, how can this government justify this cut? Questions to the Acting Premier, Mr. Premier. Thank you, Speaker, to the Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister. Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Thank you very much, Speaker. It's interesting how the NDP choose to spin the announcements. On Friday, we actually announced 15 safe injection sites, as they should be. Toronto, Ottawa, London, Hamilton, Guelph, Niagara Region, Kingston, Thunder Bay. It's important that we get this right, because this is only one component of making sure that our streets are safe and our people are safe. These sites are part of a larger process and a larger ability for our government to make sure that when people have addictions, when people need help, they have a government who's willing to step up and make sure that those addiction services and treatments are available to them. I'm proud of the fact that we've announced those 15 sites as the... Thank you. Supplementary. Well, Speaker, it's nothing more than basic math. 21 minus 15 equals six sites closed by this government. That's what that means, Speaker. More than 1,200 people died of the opioid-related overdoses in 2017. This is a public health disaster. And if you have a loved one struggling with addiction, you know that these sites can be the difference between life and death, literally. The government knows this. The Minister of Health certainly knows this. Will the acting Premier tell the Premier today that this decision needs to be reversed and he needs to fund the overdose-preventing sites required across the province to save lives? Minister. Thank you, Speaker. Through you, you know, the NDP continue to throw discontent. You know, the first tranche of 15 were announced on Friday. We are actively working with communities who need the services to make sure that the entire wraparound process is there. This is not just about injection sites. This is about making sure that people who need the services for treatment, who have access to treatment, it will be there when we need it. And, you know, the member office at the NDP seem to believe that the only pathway are consumption treatment services. Our government believes that when people need help, when people are reaching out for help, we want to wrap around those services. We want to make sure that the treatment is there, that options are available. So that the drug use does not continue and our streets become safer. Because ultimately, at the end of the day, we need to protect our streets and we need to protect our people to make sure they get the treatment they need. Thank you. Final supplementary. Well, Speaker, when someone dies of an overdose, they don't have any options left. They no longer have life. The opioid crisis is killing people on a daily basis in our province. At a time when the government should be taking the lead and trying to save lives, instead they're cutting support to people and families who desperately need it. And they're abandoning communities from Ottawa to Thunder Bay and leaving them to deal with the public health prices all on their own. How many more people have to die before the government reverses this decision and takes this crisis seriously and funds the needed overdose prevention sites from one end of the province to the other? Members, please take your seats. Minister. Speaker, I think it's important that we turn down the rhetoric a bit. And again, I will let the people of Ontario know the position come to order. And we'll continue to be six consumption treatment services sites in the city of Toronto. In the city of Ottawa, there continues to be service. In London, in Hamilton, in Guelph, in Niagara, in Kingston, in Thunder Bay. Applications continue to come in. Applications continue to be reviewed. But let me be clear. This is not just about consumption sites. We have to also focus on treatment to make sure that people have the treatment that they need to get out of a life of drugs, to get out on a pathway to be safe and our communities to be safe. Speaker, I'm proud of the work that our Minister of Health has been doing on this very critically important file. There is no one more qualified in the province of Ontario to make sure we get it right. And I'm proud to stand behind Christine Elliott as our Deputy Premier. Restart the clock. The next question. Again, the Leader of the Opposition. Speaker, my next question is for the Premier. But I have to say I'm devastated by that response. And I think it's this government pulling the wool over their own eyes and not acknowledging the crisis that is upon us. That's been ongoing for years now. To the acting Premier, last week, 1,500 women and men in Windsor learned that they would be losing their jobs at the Chrysler Assembly plant. Can the acting Premier explain how the Ford government is responding to yet another devastating announcement of job loss in Ontario's auto sector? The acting Premier. To the Minister of Economic Development. Economic Development, job creation. Thanks very much, Speaker. There was good news and bad news last week on the auto front. Mr. Speaker, there was a great announcement in Cambridge with Toyota where they announced a new line of RAV4s. It was devastating news at the same time at FCA in Chrysler. You know, it's been 15 long years of liberal mismanagement here in Ontario that has put those jobs in jeopardy and put jobs in Oshawa in jeopardy as well. Mr. Speaker, I can tell you that we've been in constant communication with FCA since we became the government of Ontario working with them to ensure that Ontario became a more friendly environment for them to do business in. Mr. Speaker, and I can tell you that the introduction today of the federal government's carbon tax does nothing to encourage future expansion in Ontario when it comes to our auto sector or any manufacturing jobs as a matter of fact. Thank you. Supplementary. Families hit hard by job loss want to know that their government will fight for their jobs and the next generation of auto jobs here in Ontario. But what they've seen from the Ford government hasn't inspired a lot of confidence, Speaker. When GM announced that they'd be abandoning production after nearly a century in Oshawa the Premier shrugged and said, they're gone, they're done, there's nothing we can do. Over 4,000 auto sector layoffs have been announced since this Premier took office and hundreds more of spin-off jobs are going to follow. Does the acting Premier think their plan is actually working? The Minister of Government and Consumer Relations has to come to order. Minister to reply. Mr. Speaker, I can tell you that in constant conversations, not just with FCA or General Motors but with all of the automakers here in Ontario they will tell us loud and clear there is a change when it comes to the focus of the government of Ontario. For 15 long years the previous Liberal government was bringing in policies that was making it more difficult for them to be competitive in Ontario. Those same policies, Mr. Speaker, that were making them uncompetitive were supported by the NDP, the official opposition here today. The federal government has come in today with a carbon tax, Mr. Speaker, which is making it uncompetitive for automakers and all manufacturers in Ontario. The NDP wants to not just have the highest carbon tax in Canada or North America they want to have the highest carbon tax on the globe, Mr. Speaker. Now that is going to make Ontario an uncompetitive jurisdiction. We've been doing everything we can to make sure that Ontario is open for business and open for jobs, and that includes jobs. Well, Speaker, last week the Premier said the auto sector needs to react to the market. At a time when the auto sector is embracing new technology, clean energy and reducing emissions, the Ford government scrapped the rebates for cars like the Chrysler Pacifica that was manufactured at that Windsor plant and they've ignored industry experts who said that this would hurt sales. So now they are reaping what they sowed. The Premier says car makers should follow the market trends. Why is he ignoring the market trends, Speaker? Members please take their seats. Mr. Speaker, to the member opposite, maybe the NDP believes that the government should be paying for people's vehicles. We don't believe that the government should be paying for people's vehicles. We are here to create an environment where those automakers can be successful and we've been working with FCA. We've been working with General Motors, Toyota, Honda and Ford to ensure that we're doing everything we can to make the competitive. But we're not going to buy people's vehicles for them, Mr. Speaker. We're going to get rid of the job-killing, regressive, cap-and-trade carbon tax that the wind government brought in. We are lowering electricity rates in Ontario and that's why last week the Minister of Energy sitting right behind me committed to reviewing electricity rates specifically for the auto sector. That's why we got rid of Bill 148, Mr. Speaker. That was driving businesses out of Ontario at a record pace. We're doing everything we can to make Ontario a competitive jurisdiction for building cars and trucks. Order, start the clock. Next question. Once again, the Leader of the Opposition. Speaker, my next question is for the Acting Premier but I can tell you what new Democrats believe in is saving good jobs and helping people are worried about with good auto jobs in our province. Other jurisdictions are fighting. Fighting to attract investment in next-generation vehicles and clean technology. The Ford government is fighting electric car makers in court and scrapping incentives to buy Ontario cars like the Chrysler Pacifica that is built in Windsor. Other jurisdictions are fighting GM's decision to move production. The Premier says the ship has sailed. Why does the government think this is a plan that's working when 4,000 people are losing their jobs? Questions to the Acting Premier. Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation. Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker. The federal government is bringing in a carbon tax in Ontario today. In case you hadn't noticed, that's going to drive up the cost of everything we buy, including gasoline at the pumps, Mr. Speaker. And the NDP don't think that's enough. They want to have the most expensive carbon tax on the planet, Mr. Speaker. How do you think that is going to impact vehicle sales here in Ontario? The member opposite asked specifically about alternative fuels. I can tell you that we're working with these auto makers in our driving prosperity auto plan. It's the first phase of our auto plan, which makes investments into research and innovation, training for new jobs in the auto sector, Mr. Speaker, which is exactly what those in the auto sector told us that they needed. They needed the retraining so they can update their employees, their hard-working men and women to create the vehicle of the future. That's how we're investing in our auto sector, Mr. Speaker. The largest carbon tax on the planet doesn't do that. Thank you. Supplementary. Well, what the government has done, Mr. Speaker, has taken away people's options and choices because they've gotten rid of the rebate and now they can't go to electric vehicles because they can't afford it. It's about affordability, Mr. Speaker. That's what it's about. People want a government that is ready to fight for good auto jobs today and the next generation of Ontario's auto industry. Instead, they see a Premier whose message to auto workers is, your jobs are gone, the ship has sailed. For the 1,500 people who learned that they're losing their jobs last week, license plates that say open for business sounds like a pretty sick joke. Will the government admit that their job strategy isn't working? Stop pretending that slapping a campaign slogan on a license plate is a substitute for a plan and start working on a strategy to fight for these jobs and the next generation of auto manufacturing for our province. Stop the clock. I'm going to ask the government's side to allow the opposition members to ask their question without yelling across the floor at them such that I can hear the questions. And I'll start calling you out by name if need be again. If need be, we'll move to warnings. Start the clock. Mr. Grover, thanks very much. Maybe the leader of the opposition hasn't seen the stats can't numbers, Mr. Speaker. 132,000 full-time jobs have been created. While the NDP was out there calling on people to boycott, to boycott vehicles that were made by General Motors in Ontario, we were busy working with General Motors to ensure that they would continue to invest in Ontario, invest on the vehicle of the future. That's what they're doing. Hundreds of jobs are coming to the Innovation Centre at General Motors in Markham. And I know the folks in Markham that represent Markham on our side in our government are excited about that because we are working with those automakers for future investment in Ontario. The NDP can boycott vehicles. They can call for the highest carbon tax on the planet. That's not going to create investment in Ontario. We're open for business and creating jobs. Restart the clock. Next question, the member for Whitby. Here, my question is for the Minister of Finance. Speaker, today is the first day legal bricks-and-mortar cannabis stores are permitted to open their doors in Ontario. On this side of the House, Speaker, we know that it must be a priority to protect our kids, keep our roads and communities safe and combat the illegal market, including illegal stores and online delivery services. Could the Minister please tell the legislature what people should expect as we begin to see legal stores? Minister of Finance. Thank you, Speaker. And thank you to the member from Whitby for the question. We know that one of the best ways to combat illegal market is to ensure that people are able to access legal cannabis grown by producers licensed by Health Canada. Now, unfortunately, due to the national cannabis supply shortage created by the federal government, we ended up taking the responsible approach and introduced a temporary cap of 25 stores to ensure the private retail outlets will have enough supply to meet customer demand. We expect to see 10 of those 25 stores open today with others opening in the days and weeks to come. In the meantime, customers can purchase cannabis from our licensed stores or the Ontario Cannabis website, OCS.ca, which they can identify by the Ontario authorized retail seal that all stores in the OCS website display. We're taking a responsible approach and remain committed to moving to an open allocation of licenses once we have certainty surrounding the federally regulated supply of cannabis. Dr. Mantry. I'd like to thank the Minister for that information and would also like to understand what the government is doing to shut down these illegal stores that we're still seeing in some communities. Speaker, we've all seen reports that suggest some or most of these illegal stores have ties to and are funding-organized crime. I believe that they are a dangerous and serious threat to our communities. Speaker, my constituents in Whitby know that this government is committed to keeping our communities safe. Can the Minister please tell us what Ontario's doing to close the doors of these illegal stores? Minister of Finance. Community safety and correctional services. Minister of Community Safety and correctional services. The question from the member from Whitby, I know that this is something that is very near and dear to his heart because he wants to keep his community safe. Since October 17th of last year, we've seen 190 illegal stores closed. We know that illegal stores have connections with organized crime and are incredibly dangerous to our communities. That's why the OPP has been working proactively with our municipal police services to shut down these illegal pot shops. We've already seen police lay over 260 charges under the Ontario's Cannabis Control Act against people selling cannabis illegally. We've also seen over 30 charges laid against landlords for allowing their properties to be used for illegal stores. And we've had over 100 charges laid against people for purchasing cannabis from illegal sources. If you want to purchase cannabis, you need to be certain that you are shopping at a licensed retailer. Thank you. Thank you. Next question is from the member for Nickel Belt. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Acting Premier. Ontarians want to have their say on the government's new health bill which opens the door to unprecedented levels of for-profit delivery of healthcare. 1594 Ontarians applied for a spot to speak to the bill, but the government limited the number of presenters to just 30. Ontario is a democracy. The government never put out any discussion papers on these changes. They never put out any public consultations on these changes. Why is the government so afraid to let Ontarians have a say in the future of our healthcare system? Questions for the Acting Premier. I understand that in politics we are not always going to agree. But I know the member opposite well, I believe, and I know how committed she is to making sure that a healthcare system is patient-centered and is going to actually help that patient travel through the continuum of care from assessment to treatment to palliative all the way through. And as I said previously, the Minister of Health, the two excellent parliamentary assistants who sit behind me have been actively engaged with talking to Ontarian residents, to talking to people who are on the front line providing these services and trying to find the best pathway to make sure that we get to a patient-centered model. Because at the end of the day we may disagree on how we do it, but I think we all understand in this chamber that ultimately it must... Thank you. Supplementary. My office has been receiving calls from Ontarians from across the province. They want to share their experience. They want to share their ideas at the committee hearing for the government's bill. Natalia from Mississauga lives with a chronic condition and frequently finds herself in the emergency room. She wants to have her say. She wants to share some solutions. Kathy from Toronto has been waiting for three months for home care since her husband, Hip, was replaced. She's been paying out of pocket. She wants to share her experience and her ideas. And Lina from Scarborough wants to ask who to complain to when her long-term care home doesn't hire qualified PSW. Those are only three of the 1,564 people who ask to present on the government's health bill but will never have a chance to be heard. Why is this government doesn't want to hear from Natalia, from Kathy or from Lina? Minister. Thank you, Speaker. As you know so well, there is a component of the public consultation period that includes written submissions. I would include those individuals to come forward with their stories because, frankly, they will reinforce the need for why we need to do this very transformational work. You know, I'm going to give a very personal example. The Minister of Health recently visited the Headwaters Health Care Centre in Orangeville and she spoke to paramedics. She spoke to crisis intervention people. She spoke to police officers. She spoke to individuals who actually work on the front line in our emergency as paramedics and talked about how the opportunity to coordinate that care from, as I said, from assessment right through to palliative is so critical to make sure that the patient is always at the front and forefront of what we do. The two parliamentary assistants are very capable Deputy Premier and Minister of Health have been doing that work. Thank you. Question? A member for Kitchener South-Huspler. Thank you, Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Economic Development job creation and trade. Ontario has the best auto workers in the world. Each and every day in our auto sector in Ontario building the cars and the parts that drive our economy and our communities. The Minister, Premier and members of our caucus joined some of those hardworking men and women in my riding of Kitchener South-Huspler on Friday. They stood alongside Toyota executives, community members and our front line auto workers to celebrate the launch of the new Toyota RAV4. Can the Minister outline for the House the importance of the announcement for Ontario's auto sector? Minister of Economic Development job creation and trade. Thanks, Speaker. It was great to be there along with a member who asked the question and her colleagues in the Kitchener Waterloo Cambridge area for this exciting announcement that Toyota made on Friday. And the Premier was there, of course, meeting with those great auto workers who do such a fantastic job, those great jobs that are putting food on the table, making kids through college and university and just making life better. You know, it's exciting to see this kind of an announcement being made at Toyota with the launch of the RAV4 there. And it was great to be there to celebrate with them. It's a great facility. You know, Mr. Speaker, the RAV4 is the best-selling SUV in North America. And the Toyota plants in Cambridge and Woodstock have won 16 JD power awards for vehicle quality. Our government's glad to see that Toyota is committed to building the RAV4 right here in Ontario. And, Mr. Speaker, that's not the only good news that's coming from Toyota. Stay tuned. There's more good news coming from Toyota very soon here in Ontario. Supplementary? Thank you, Speaker. And thank you to the minister for his answer. 9,000 people work at the Toyota plants in Cambridge and Woodstock. This announcement was an opportunity for them to celebrate the hours and hours of work that they put in every week, making some of the best cars in the world. But we know that our auto sector in Ontario has been falling behind. The news from FCA Windsor last week is a reminder of just that. I know that our government is committed to creating an environment where automakers want to invest and create jobs. So could the minister please inform this House what we are doing to support our auto sector and make more Ontario more competitive for auto investment? Minister. Thanks to the member again for the question. Speaker, while Friday was a great day for workers at Toyota in Cambridge, it was a heart-wrenching day for those at Fiat Chrysler in Windsor. Our message to the auto workers in Windsor is clear we're always going to fight for your auto jobs and we're always going to fight for the auto sector. A few weeks ago, back in February, the Premier and I announced the first phase of our auto plan driving prosperity and the Minister of Energy just last week made a commitment to review industrial electricity rates, particularly for the auto sector. We're investing in worker training, we're investing in research and innovation. We're cutting through the mountains and mountains of red tape, Mr. Speaker, that are making Ontario an uncompetitive jurisdiction. Thanks to the former Liberal government supported by the NDP, the Liberal government's massive carbon tax imposed today on Ontarians, the one that the NDP want to see exploding to the highest carbon tax on the planet. Mr. Speaker, we won't stand for that. We're standing for jobs. Say to the member for Northumberland, Peterborough South, the member for Scarborough-Gildwood and the member for Waterloo, you can't yell across the floor at the other side. We start the clock. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. With your indulgence, I just want to take a minute to thank all my colleagues from every side of the house for their messages of condolence and support over the week. I received a message from the Premier, a call from the Premier I really appreciated, the love and support from our leader and my entire caucus has meant the world to us. My dad fought for social justice, fairness and equality. I know he would want me to be here today. So unfortunately for the Premier, the government, the big tough guy's back in the house. With that, with that Speaker, I know that today is April the 1st, so I half expect the Premier to pop up and let us all in on this elaborate prank that he's playing on us, because late last week the news broke that the Ford government was planning to rebrand Ontario license plates with one of their slogans from the campaign. Speaker, can the acting Premier tell us how much the taxpayers of Ontario will be paying for their mandatory PC party vanity plates? Minister of Finance. Thank you. To you, Teras, I just want to say fathers never stop loving their sons and sons never stop loving their fathers. Speaker, to the Minister of Government and Consumer Services. Your Government and Consumer Services. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and to the member for the question. Under the leadership of Premier Ford, Ontario has become business friendly province once again. We're open for business and we're open for jobs. It would be only fitting that our commercial plates in one way or another reflect this. After 15 years of liberal mismanagement running our province into the ground supported by the NDP, it's time that we say to the world we are open for business. If we're up to the NDP they would increase the cost of doing business in a chiral. They support the job-killing regressive carbon tax introduced by the federal Liberals that raising costs for business as well as anyone who owns a car buys groceries. The fact Mr. Speaker, for 15 years under the Liberals on chiral businesses dealt with costly burdensome regulations and red tape that drove jobs out. We are doing the opposite. We're promoting we're open for business. We're open for jobs and we're proud of that. Thank you very much, Speaker. The Minister's response sadly proves that the joke is on the taxpayers of the province when we have to pay for vanity plates for the Premier's ego. The Premier clearly spends a lot of time thinking about cars and vans. We all remember the detailed blueprints he provided for the reclining leather couch in his personal pleasure wagon but forcing cars to sport a vanity plate with a PC party slogan at taxpayer's expense that you can't keep off the books. Speaker will the acting Premier tell us what research the government has proving that the main barrier to attracting business in Ontario is a lack of appropriate messaging on license plates and while he's at it can he tell us what projects will cost the people of Ontario. Members, please take your seats. Minister, your reply. Well, Mr. Speaker, to the member cross, I can tell you it's a lot less than the Premier wants to for the people of Ontario. Mr. Speaker, this NDP opposition wants the highest carbon tax not only in Ontario, not only in Canada, they want the highest tax in the world. We're going the other way. Under the leadership of Premier Ford we're going to become business friendly province once again. Mr. Speaker, our government has actually lowered the cost through the freezing of driver fees, Mr. Speaker, to make life more affordable. We're going to fight the progressive carbon tax to keep the cost of goods down across the province, Mr. Speaker. We are committed to putting more money back in people's pockets and putting the people back at the center of everything we do and we're proud under Premier Ford to say that Ontario is the only country in the world that every opportunity we can, whether it be through license plates or signs of the border or just every day in our actions and our communities, we're open for business. We start the clock. The member for Thunder Bay, Superior North. Mr. Speaker, my question is that the Minister of Energy, Northern Development of Mines and the Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Speaker, the Northern Industrial Electricity Rate Program or the North Space Industries in reducing their energy costs and maintaining the sustainability of their operations. Whether it's the mining, forestry or the steel sectors, the near program has substantially reduced costs for energy costs, allowing these major Northern employers to continue to operate while they bring energy efficient plans to their operations. Our previous government, in fact, made this program permanent, recognizing that this assistance was vital to the successful long-term operation of these businesses. So my question to the Minister is, will you continue to support our major Northern industries through the Northern Industrial Electricity Rate Program? Thank you. The Minister of Energy, Northern Development of Mines and the Minister of Indigenous Affairs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate the member's question. Obviously this subsidized program has been important to major industries, but it hasn't been enough. Frankly, Mr. Speaker, major forestry and mining operations are complaining about two important things from that last government's legacy. The unpredictable and high cost still of energy to energize those forestry and resource operations, and of course the job killing carbon tax, which we removed, and now the federal liberals have implemented. I can't help but think, Mr. Speaker, that what's on the minds today of people who operate resource projects, forestry operations, mining operations and manufacturing across Northern Ontario are thinking about this job killing carbon tax. Presidents of colleges who cover massive regions of Northern Ontario are thinking about the increased cost they're going to have to pay, Mr. Speaker, as a result of a job killing carbon tax that was brought in by that government and has now been reintroduced by the federal liberals, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary. Thank you, Speaker. Well, Minister, I will take that as a yes. You will continue with the Northern industrial electricity rate program, a very important one for all across the major resource industries across the north. Another program that provides benefits to Northerners is the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, which over the past 30 years has created or retained over 25,000 jobs all across the north. The NOHFC is truly one of the key drivers of the northern economy and a vital part of future development in the north. So my question is for you, Minister, is this a simple one? Can Northerners expect that the fund will remain in place at its annual allotment so that all parts of the north will continue to benefit from this key economic development fund? Minister. Mr. Speaker, what Northern Ontarians will continue to benefit from is a government that's committed to reducing costs, reducing costs for businesses, for forestry operations, and for mining operations, Mr. Speaker, making targeted strategic investments in businesses across Northern Ontario, Mr. Speaker. Just 10 more sleeps. The member will have some of the information that he might need, and I can assure him that the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund will continue to be a key driver for creating economic opportunities across Northern Ontario, unlike the job-killing carbon tax, Mr. Speaker, which was introduced by that government, Mr. Speaker, making life more expensive for the people all across Northern Ontario and now was reintroduced by the Federal Liberals, Mr. Speaker. That's going to affect Northern Ontario's economy, and we're going to hold those member of Parliament and the NDP opposition for wanting to have the highest carbon tax in the world, Mr. Speaker. We will. Government side, come to order. Start the clock. The next question is a member for Simcoe North. Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. The daily duties of a police officer are dangerous, and they see tragedies that none of us would ever want to see. 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. It is estimated that over a 30-year career, a frontline police officer is exposed to more than 900 traumatic events. These can include very serious incidents such as fatal car accidents, murder victims, sexual assault victims, and child fatalities. Mr. Speaker, could the Minister please tell this House how our Government is addressing the mental health crisis in the Ontario Provincial Police? Great question. Questions to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Thank you. I know this member from Simcoe North knows the issue very well considering the OPP headquarters is located in Aurelia, so thank you for the question. In Ontario, we're heartbroken, knowing that 13 OPP officers have taken their own lives to suicide since 2012. My heart goes out to the families and the colleagues of these OPP. The OPP is basing a mental health crisis and they should not have to face it alone. The OPP have always answered the call when the people of Ontario have asked for their help and our Government is here to do the same for these courageous men and women. Last week, I was proud to announce with Rob Jamison that our Government is resuring with the Ontario Provincial Police Association to launch a new integrated mental health support program. This new program will provide seamless support to deliver the right treatments at the right time for both OPP officers and their families. Thank you, Speaker. Supplementary. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Minister for her response. It is reassuring to hear the OPP officers won't be left to face the challenges of stress and trauma alone. As a member of this Government for the people, I am proud to stand here today and know that we are protecting our frontline officers just as they protect us. As the Minister said the OPP headquarters is in my riding of Simcoe North in Aurelia, but also personally my partner is a police officer so I know the stress our officers face. Mr. Speaker, could the Minister please share more about how our Government is providing services and supports to these everyday heroes? Minister. Thank you. The OPP officers and their families will have access to confidential and personalized mental health supports and services with this new program. These services will be accessed through a one door approach to ensure the essential frontline workers can quickly and easily and confidentially be connected to the supports that they need and deserve. This new program will provide continuous support and guidance from beginning to end so that the patients receive at the right time. We are aware that many officers serve in remote locations far from our urban centers where treatment is provided. These geographic barriers have prevented OPP officers from accessing the treatment they deserve in the past. We are changing that. We are going to use technology and innovation to break down those barriers and to ensure every OPP officer gets the help they need regardless of where they serve in Ontario. Thank you. I want to remind all the members that the use of technology in the chamber is actually technically prohibited but we've allowed members to use them if they're using them unobtrusively. Obviously, it's totally inappropriate to be taking photographs in the chamber during question period by any member if that's happening. Start the clock. The next question Member for Parkdale High Park. Thank you, Speaker. My questions to the Acting Premier. As of today, vital overdose prevention services without provincial funding. Six overdose prevention sites including St. Stephen's Community House and Street Health were thrown into chaos when their application to become a consumption and treatment centre was rejected. Just last week in Ottawa, five people died in five days of an overdose but instead of investing in programs that saved lives, this government has stopped funding for a site in Ottawa. Why is this government cutting overdose prevention services while people are dying? Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Again, I will remind the member opposite and the NDP that the government on Friday announced 15 consumption treatment services and in the interests of clarity, let's name those. The Fred Victor Centre in Toronto, the Parkdale Community Health Centre The Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre The Regent Park Community Health Centre The South Riverdale Community Health Centre The South Riverdale Community Health Centre The Toronto Public Health is on hold but we are actively working on this file and on the Minister of Health the two parliamentary assistants have been engaged in this file from when we were appointed government there are a lot of parts to this piece and it is not frankly just about consumption. We need to make sure that the Niagara Centre has to come to order Member for Hamilton East, Stony Creek has to come to order Start the clock, supplementary Back to the acting premier We've heard from organizations across the province that they could not meet the arbitrary requirements this government put in place to become a consumption and treatment site that is struggling to complete the onerous application process Northern and rural communities that have fewer resources to jump these hurdles are being left without overdose prevention services for their communities The poisonous drug and opioid overdose crisis requires flexible response and immediate funding When will the minister treat the poisonous drug and overdose crisis as the public health emergency it is and remove the barriers that the overdose prevention sites Minister Members please take their seats Minister So I think it's important that the NDP understand that the ministry has actively worked and is consulting with individuals and municipalities who are providing these services but let's be clear, 15 have been approved and are operating across Ontario The suggestion that in some way there are onerous application processes doesn't match with what is happening on the ground and the reality is that 15 across the province of Ontario are engaged. We are continuing to review applications we are continuing to work with the individuals providing the services and the municipalities because communities also have a say in this they want to be part of the conversation about what actually makes our streets safer what actually provides the service that people are looking for and it's not only about consumption sites it's about treatment, it's about access to things that will actually improve people's lives Thank you The next question is the member for Kitchener, Conestoga Thank you Mr. Speaker My question is for the minister of natural resources and forestry We are open for business and open for jobs One of the bedrock industries in Ontario is the aggregate industry which supplies raw materials needed to build the things we depend on like our homes, hospitals, schools and bridges all while providing thousands of quality well-paying jobs I was pleased to see that our government hosted an aggregate summit with the industry on Friday in Bolton and that we are continuing to reduce red tape and create work we are doing to support the development that is beneficial to this sector Questions to the minister of natural resources and forestry Thank you very much I want to thank the member for his question and for his advocacy for open for business, open for jobs I was pleased that so many of my colleagues were able to join me for that summit including the ministry of community safety and correctional services my colleague the minister of municipal affairs and housing from Peterburg, we had a very productive morning on Friday we met with industry and municipal and industrial partners to discuss how we can reduce barriers while maintaining our commitment to managing potential impacts from aggregate extraction The previous government built barriers. Our government will always support development that builds our communities as we make Ontario open for business and open for jobs Supplementary Thank you to the minister for that answer I know that my constituents agree with the Ontario stone sand and gravel association who welcomed the message from the minister that the province is now open for business The aggregate industry is an important driver to our economy and critically important to our quality of life and we need to continue to reduce barriers that create an environment for growth and a better environment for development It's important that the industry is able to provide input as we find solutions that work for everyone Could the minister update the house on the information taken from the aggregate summit Minister Thank you speaker again I want to thank the member for his question as we look at how Ontario manages pits and quarries we want to work we want to hear from everyone if they have not done so already As the member has said aggregates are the raw materials that help build our schools, our homes, our hospitals, our bridges and our roads and are the foundation of industries that strengthen our economy and create high quality well-paying jobs What some in this house may not be aware is the environmental leadership shown by the industry as they use innovative techniques to rehabilitate former aggregate sites I would like to close by thanking all the attendees at the aggregate summit Our government values their input as we make Ontario open for business and open for jobs Thank you very much Next question the member for Waterloo Thank you very much Mr. Speaker my question to the minister of education I recently had the privilege of meeting with 40 grade 10 students from Resurrection Catholic secondary school I'll be sending their concerns over to the minister Mr. Speaker they're smart and that's why they're worried about how this government's plans are going to affect their education for example the students already do some coursework online so I asked them how many of you prefer online classes over classroom learning not one student put up their hand but under the new plan they will be forced to spend hours online and they won't be able to graduate unless they do so why did the minister not consult the students in the province of Ontario on these changes it is their system after all Questions to the minister of education Thank you very much I'd like to start off by saying you know what we have to make sure the member opposite reference the fact that students are smart yes they are and we need to enable them to utilize every tool available to them and push that bar and that's why we're excited about the e-learning that we're bringing forward to Ontario from one quarter to another and do you know what actually I have teachers I have parents and I also have students that are excited about the plan that we have they're embracing it because they realize that in so many cases from board to board it's already happening and so you know we're going to be working with our education partners to make sure we get it right for all intents and purposes when the rhetoric's not presented first people love the plan that we're bringing forward thank you very much you know the minister of education should be focused on creating an education system that puts students at the centre of it that's how you build a strong partnership these cuts will affect students students who want to grow up and become plumbers, teachers, doctors auto workers they have no idea what their next year of school will look like because of this government during the discussions one student asked so is the government doing this all just for money these changes don't make sense to them or anyone in education so students see right through this government and because of this minister students are now convinced that money is more important than their education system a quality public education system will serve everyone in the long run you build a strong democracy so why is this government balancing the budget on the backs of students in the province of Ontario minister to reply thank you very much speaker and you know what no one is buying any of the rhetoric that is coming from that side of the house speaker we listened to 72,000 people in their input and with their desire to get education back on track 15 years of experiments and ill-conceived ideologies that led this past government to fail our students and people from one corner of this province to the other are excited that we're finally the PC government of Ontario is finally getting education back on track we're going to be focusing on the basics we're focusing on math we're focusing on financial literacy we're focusing on STEM we're focusing on making sure they graduate and life skills that they need to be successful and you know what speaker people can't wait to hear more about what we're going to be doing so stay tuned and be engaged thank you very much next question is for the minister of energy northern development and mines for 15 years the previous Liberal government treated northern Ontario as an afterthought the tragic consequences of their neglect that investment and jobs have left Ontario for other jurisdictions as mills closed and resource development projects simply never got started now we have the federal liberal bill C69 which will add unnecessary delays and hurdles to the approval process putting even more jobs in the resource sector at risk can the minister update the house on how our government is standing up for the people of northern Ontario in the province open for business and open for jobs Mr. Benarty thank you Mr. Speaker and I appreciate the question for the member from Perry Sound, Muskoka and his support and joining us with the fight against all of these barriers that northern Ontario has faced over the course of time it's true Mr. Speaker the job killing carbon tax imposed by the previous Liberal government here in Ontario and now set to implement today a leader Mr. Speaker in Thunder Bay a Buck 40 in Ear Falls this morning Mr. Speaker $1.30 something in Canora the people of northern Ontario matter than a bunch of stomped on pole cats but Mr. Speaker I can tell you that take great comfort in the strategic investments that we're making across northern Ontario Algoma Steel Lake of the Woods Brewing Company helping out the forest sector the minister of natural resources masterful job Mr. Speaker and the national strategy for forestry Mr. Speaker we're thinking those folks in poor Francis Mr. Speaker and our support for them in ensuring that they have a vital economy Mr. Speaker in the forest sector moving forward we're standing up for jobs for people across northern Ontario Mr. Speaker a supplementary question and thank you to the minister for that answer Mr. Speaker in the forestry sector alone tens of thousands of jobs were lost under the previous Liberal government that continues to deal with the after effects of a government that prioritized the concerns of special interest groups and environmental radicals and this happened with the unwavering support of the NDP it's reassuring to see that northern Ontario finally has ministers that care about the people and jobs in the north northern Ontario welcomes the repeal of the far north act and the development of a provincial forestry strategy can the minister please share with me how these measures will help ensure that northern Ontario is once again open for business and open for jobs to the minister of natural resources forestry thank you very much and I again thank the member for the question and I would just like to take a moment to recognize the hard work done by the minister of energy northern development mines on this file he has been a passionate advocate for northern Ontario in cabinet and caucus and was absolutely wonderful to have him participate in our forestry roundtable in canora earlier there are challenges facing the forestry industry in Ontario no question and many of them were brought about by the lack of understanding and the ignoring of the problems by the previous Liberal government and that isn't why it's been so important for us to hold these forestry roundtables we've had a chance to hear directly from the sector about the problems they've faced for the past 15 years and what we can do to remove some of those barriers for success in that industry we're going to show that Ontario is once again open for business open for jobs and show our commitment to this industry that is sustainable for generations to come if it is treated properly thank you thank you speaker my question is for the minister of children community and social services the front-line Thunder Bay staff at the Ontario Child and Youth Advocate office are packing up Indigenous youth in the north are losing their services and their advocates that means Indigenous youth in care will have nowhere to turn when they need help where will they turn when their case workers aren't listening or understanding when they want to return to their communities or their plan for care falls apart Minister why are you leaving Indigenous youth in care with nowhere to turn when they need help Minister of Children Community and Social Services I'd like to thank the member opposite for her question it's a very important question as we talk about children in custody and in care and in particular children who are in care that are Indigenous and we are committed as a government to expanding children's aid societies that are Indigenous led and we are committed to providing customary care throughout Ontario as I've mentioned many times in this house I think that's a strong legacy for us to build on and I think where we can be leaders in the rest of the country let me be perfectly clear we are committed to improving the outcomes of Ontario's child protection system through the creation of three new round tables dedicated to sharing ideas for improvement one of these will be Indigenous led for children in care and they will consist of those with lived experience as well for the others will be children in care and youth in custody their membership will have direct access to decision makers including myself and that is why we are committed as a government and as a ministry to ensuring the greatest protection of all of our children but this was a decision made in the fall economic statement by the Ministry of Finance and that's why we are proceeding the way we are supplementary my question is for the Minister of Children Community and Social Services there is no plan there is no plan to ensure Indigenous youth in care have uninterrupted access to advocacy services we are talking about some of the most vulnerable children and youth in our province who are slow to trust and with good reason when they have a problem they will be asking where is my advocate Minister where is the plan Minister Thanks Speaker perhaps the member opposite didn't listen to the first response the plan is this we have moved investigative powers and the oversight powers over to the ombudsman who we believe can provide us with stringent and robust support and he is an independent officer of this assembly or we are working with him in addition we are expanding Indigenous led child welfare agencies across the province Ontario I am proud of that we are leaders in Canada we are leaders in North America I have indicated to the member opposite that those children who are Indigenous that will be part of a round table discussion that will speak directly to me as a table as well as other decision makers so we can improve child welfare protection in the province of Ontario in addition as I have mentioned many times in this legislature we will be embedding within my ministry a child advocate who will report directly to me next question is the member for Carlton Thank you Mr. Speaker my question is for the Attorney General and responsible for Francophone affairs we just celebrated the Francophonie week and it is important for the government to do last Friday the Attorney General and responsible for Francophone affairs went to Sudbury to say good news she launched a pilot project for better access to justice in French can the Attorney General can talk about a visit to Sudbury the announcement that she made and the people she met in Sudbury Thank you I wish to thank the member for the question Mr. Speaker I went to Sudbury to see the justice court I was able to meet people from Francophone paralegals I had the pleasure to announce a new initiative from the government to improve access to justice service in French the collaboration of tribunals and other people will improve access to justice in French to have better support and services in French for that this access be faster complimentary Thank you Mr. Speaker I wish to thank the Attorney General to continue the work she's done before to support the French development through the province for a quick access to justice in French is very important I know that the minister responsible for French Francophone affairs I've met a few people and underlined the investment in the cultural infrastructure in Sudbury can she talk about other discussions she had with Francophone in Sudbury Procurat General Mr. Speaker we will support to a better access in French we'll invest 3 million dollars in a larger Sudbury and I had the pleasure to be there with the members of Sudbury for Sudbury in Nicolbal the last days will be a gathering place for those who love art and will contribute to the cultural life in Ontario on the other hand I went to see and I met people with the case we discuss their support to eliminate the obstacle to development Mr. Speaker has been tabled Order in Council 490 2019 dated March 28th 2019 appointing Diana Sudbury Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth April 1st 2019 May 1st 2019 and all the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services has a point of order. Thank you Speaker I want to introduce 7 representatives from Diabetes Canada please indulge me in welcoming Matt, Ethan, Zeppelin, Don Stacy, Charlene and Jake Reed Thank you I rise on a port of order to congratulate my CA and her husband Joel on the birth of their first child On behalf of the Provincial Legislature I would like to welcome 3-year-old Isaac Gill to the City of Greater Sudbury The Member for Waterloo on a point of order Thank you Mr. Speaker I just want to welcome John Tibbets who is the President of Conestoga College The Member for Orléans on a point of order I wish to welcome to the City and a team who made a presentation this morning I want to thank them for the work they do in Orléans and in the Greater Ottawa region Speaker on a point of order I just heard you say that you tabled the appointment of the temporary advocate and I just want to point out it's always been a practice in this place that the government in consultation with the recognized parties goes through a process by which we agree on who is going to be one of those officers I realize this is just for a month but I want to put you on notice this should have been something that you talked to the official opposition about and you did not It's not a valid point of order but obviously the message has been sent The Member for Humber River Black Creek Thank you Mr. Speaker Sonica College This House stands in recess until 1pm