 It is now time for oral questions. I recognize the leader of his Majesty's loyal opposition. Thank you, Speaker. Good morning. This question is for the Premier. Speaker, journalists at the Toronto Star are investigating a controversial government program that has caused many Ontarians to unnecessarily lose their driver's licenses and their livelihoods. Public servants prepare detailed answers to reporters' questions, but according to records uncovered by Freedom of Information, the offices of the Premier and of the Minister of Transportation blocked them from going out. 35 questions should have had 35 answers, but your government muzzled staff on every answer. So my question is to the Premier. Why did the Premier and the Transport Minister try to keep this information from the public? The Minister of Transportation. Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. Mr. Speaker, Ontario's roads are among the safest anywhere in North America. And mandatory reporting for physicians and optometrists has been in place in this province since 1968. The Ministry of Transportation oversees a rigorous process that adheres to national medical standards. And Ontario's program is closely aligned with that of other provinces. Mr. Speaker, multiple statements were provided to the reporter, including an in-depth briefing with subject matter experts from the Ministry of Transportation on the Driver Medical Reporting Program. Now Mr. Speaker, the goal of the program is to protect the public from individuals who have a medical condition that makes it unsafe for them to drive. We are continuing to review all programs within the Ministry of Transportation to make sure that our roads remain the safest in North America. A supplementary question. Again, Mr. Speaker, 35 questions, not one answer. And every indication that this government muzzled civil servants. Mr. Speaker, this is not the first time this government has interfered in the work of the independent public service. In fact, just last month, the Premier and this same Minister were caught with holding important information about public transportation projects from the public. Mr. Speaker, I agree with Democracy Watch. This is the kind of dangerous undemocratic secrecy that covers up wrongdoing and abuse and prevents problems from being solved. So again, Mr. Speaker, back to the Premier. What exactly was his office trying to hide? Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I'm happy to repeat the response that I gave previously. Mr. Speaker, multiple statements were given to the reporter in question, including an in-depth briefing by Ministry of Transportation officials on the program itself to answer their questions directly. Mr. Speaker, with respect to the building of the largest public transit infrastructure program anywhere in North America, Metrolinx has been working closely with community groups and with affected stakeholders. Over 100 meetings were held with City of Toronto officials since the beginning of the program, since City Council itself voted in favour of our subway program. Over 30 meetings were held with a specific member of the opposition, Mr. Speaker, to discuss their concerns about issues that are affecting their community members. Mr. Speaker, we're going to continue to work closely with the city and with members. Thank you. The final supplementary. Mr. Speaker, more than 280,000 Ontarians had their licenses revoked for apparently medical reasons over 10 years. Ontarians deserve a government that they can trust. They deserve a government that's straight up with them. But instead, they're getting this pattern of secretive behaviour, questionable deals with insider developers on the green belt, secret mandate letters, mysterious contingency funds, sneaky minister zoning orders, and now they're squashing information and the facts about this licensing program. If the Premier has nothing to hide, why won't he be transparent with the people of this province? Mr. Speaker, I hate to disappoint the Leader of the Opposition, who clearly wants to construct a narrative that has nothing to do with the facts themselves. Mr. Speaker, in 2020, our government published a study in conjunction with the University of South Wales and Sunnybrook Health Centre. That study looked at the medical reporting program in Ontario over a 10-year period and found that our program was effective and it saved lives across the province. That is the purpose of the program. As I have said, we have met, we have provided multiple statements to the reporter in question, including an in-depth briefing that that reporter participated in to pose his questions directly to subject matter experts. Mr. Speaker, we're going to continue to evaluate the program to make sure that it meets the needs of Ontarians and keeps our roads as safe as they've been among the safest anywhere in North America. No answers from this government. No transparency. Thank goodness we have some accountability, because this morning the patient ombudsman released their annual report. They received more than 3,000 complaints last year with one common theme, a lack of staffing and a lack of access to care. Hospitals are struggling under this government staffing crisis, and worse, the ombudsman is warning that this government's expensive, ideological push toward two-tier health care is only going to prolong this issue. My question is to the Premier. Will you stop taking nurses to court, get the lights back on in public operating rooms and get Ontarians the health care they need? Mr. Speaker, and first of all, I'd like to thank the patient ombudsman. Since the office of the patient ombudsman has been in existence, they've been a valuable tool to assess where we need to make improvements. There is no doubt that the investments that we've made in terms of learn and stay program, colleges and universities who allow nurses, lab technicians and paramedics in Northern Ontario to be able to have their tuition and books covered is making a difference in terms of our ensuring that we have sufficient health human resources. I have to point out a very successful partnership that we have with the College of Nurses of Ontario where in the summer we directed them to ensure that individuals who are internationally educated had their applications assessed and ultimately approved and licensed in the province of Ontario. Historic 7,000 new nurses in the province of Ontario are practicing today that really have been there. Thank you. Supplementary. But more are leaving every day, right? More are leaving every day, so you can't keep up. Anybody who's had any experiences in the health care system over the last few years knows this. Speaker, it gets worse. Yesterday, we heard from experts in the Ministry of Health and the Ontario and Ontario Health at Public Accounts Committee. They acknowledged that the lights are off in public hospital operating rooms while this government hands million-dollar contracts to for-profit clinics. And as our health critic asked multiple times yesterday, I want to also ask the Premier, why are you denying public hospitals the opportunity you're giving to for-profit companies for additional surgeries and diagnostic imaging? Good question. And the Premier is to reply. Mr. Speaker, I will give the facts. Sure facts. Since 2018, Mr. Speaker, over 60,000 nurses, 8,000 new doctors registered here in Ontario, more than over in the history of our province. And the fact is, and I want to thank the colleges of nurses for bringing on 12,000 new nurses last year. As they said, not us, that was a record. But even better, Mr. Speaker, we have 30,000 nurses in our colleges and universities being trained to get into the field. That's what we're doing. It feels like the twilight zone in here. I don't know where this Premier and who he's talking to. But he isn't talking to Ontarians. I'm not talking to Ontarians. This is not the reality of what's happening out there. The thing is, Speaker, this government's plan, this two-tier plan is unnecessary. It's time-consuming and it's totally wasteful. We already have the infrastructure we need to shorten the wait times. But because of this government's staffing crisis, one-third of Ontario's operating rooms aren't running at full capacity. Speaker, to the Premier again, will this government fund public hospitals to properly use existing OR space instead of giving those funds to for-profit clinics? Minister of Health. Speaker, with the greatest of respect, we have and we are, since the condemnable to hospitals across Ontario to ensure that they can ramp up ORs when they have capacity. $8 million. And last year alone, we offered hospitals the opportunity to expand their OR by over $300 million. We've made those expansions and our hospital partners have truly stepped up, but we are not stopping there because this is not an either-or. This is an and. We can also expand our community surgical and we've done that in Windsor, in Kitchener Waterloo, and in Ottawa through the expansion of existing infrastructure and community care that is now allowing more people accessing cataract surgery. We're getting the work done. The next question, the Member for Ottawa, West, again. Thank you, Speaker. While our kids are struggling without adequate supports, teachers and education workers are burning out from working short staffed and our school boards are so underfunded that they're talking about closing schools, this government is not even spending the funds they promised to. The Financial Accountability Office reported last week that the government has underspent on schools by $432 million so far this year. Just think how many schools $432 million could keep open, or how many EAs that could pay for. Why is this government failing to invest in our kids? Minister of Education. We are investing an additional $880 million this school year alone because we are committed to helping kids patch up after a global pandemic that has sent so many children back in this province around the world. When it comes to mental health we've increased funding by $490 million for special education. That funding is up to the highest levels in the history of Ontario at $3.2 billion, $90 million more. When it comes to building schools with $9 billion capital commitment over the next decade to build, modernise and renew our publicly funded schools after a decade of darkness under the former Liberal government. We are going to continue to invest in each and every budget to get these kids back on track. Supplementary questions. We're not actually investing if the money doesn't get out the door. Let's put this underfunding in concrete terms. In a precarious financial situation because like many school boards they were forced to pay $70 million out of their own reserves for the government's COVID measures. You heard that right? Despite the government having billions in unspent COVID relief funds they made underfunded local school boards put the bill. Now with their reserves depleted and not enough funding from this government the TDSB is looking at cutting 485.5 staff positions for their budget. 485 teachers EAs, child and youth workers ECEs and custodians gone when kids are already not getting the help they need. Will the Minister of Education commit today to repaying school boards for their COVID expenditures and giving them the resources they need to provide kids with more supports not less? Mr. Speaker if the members of the opposition were still committed to increase staffing in schools they would not have opposed 7,000 additional staff hired in the province by this progressive concern of government. That is your record. Systematically opposing investments in publicly funded schools to hire more psychologists more psychotherapists more educators, EAs and ECEs that is the record of the GDP and the Liberal Party under this party, under our Premier in more resources in a tutoring program that never existed in this country, the largest ever $175 million to allow hundreds of thousands of kids to get small group tutoring. Mr. Speaker we expanded investments because we know we need to lift the standards when it comes to reading, writing and math getting back to the basics helping these kids succeed and will continue in every single year continue to increase the investments in our children. Thank you Mr. Speaker my question is for the Minister of Economic Development Job Creation and Trade Ontario is home to the largest life sciences sector in Canada which employs thousands of workers in high skilled jobs but with competition growing south of the border and in other parts of the world we need to remain competitive if we are going to continue attracting these important and critical investments Mr. Speaker will the Minister please tell us how the government plans to promote the province as a place where global companies and entrepreneurs choose to invest and ensure that services offered and products made here in Ontario, benefit Ontario Minister of Economic Development Job Creation and Trade Mr. Speaker last week we were thrilled to welcome Novartis as they opened a brand new office in downtown Toronto and now more than 150 Ontario employees working for Novartis including 50 in that brand new state of the art office in the Mars building this investment from Novartis is creating more well-paying high skilled jobs while strengthening Ontario's world-class life sciences sector this comes on the heel speaker last week's announcement from AstraZeneca creating 500 well-paying jobs at the Canadian R&D hub in Mississauga these back-to-back investments in Ontario are a vote of confidence for our thriving life sciences sector and Mr. Speaker it is a strong signal to the rest of the world that Ontario is the best place to invest and grow and the supplementary question Thank you Mr. Speaker and thank you to the Minister for his answer there is no doubt that Ontario's booming life sciences sector has contributed to the province's economic prosperity but in order to continue attracting game-changing investments Ontario needs to demonstrate that it is able to compete with other jurisdictions and show that we are open for business Speaker will the Minister please share how this government is ensuring that Ontario is a top tier global jurisdiction and Ontario's innovation Minister of economic development Thank you Speaker under the previous government Ontario was unable to compete for investments in the life sciences sector leaving our hands tied and reliant on other jurisdictions for critical medicines that's why we released the province's first life sciences strategy in more than a decade by $15 million life sciences innovation fund with other important commitments to the industry Speaker we have attracted nearly $3 billion in life sciences investments in just the last 24 months that puts 70,000 skilled employees working in more than 1900 life sciences firms because Ontario has the formula for success and everything global companies need to survive and thrive next question the member for my question is for the premier power they have talked a whole lot about the overcrowding problems in our hospital unfortunately last week in Collingwood a 32 year old was seriously injured at work it took almost eight long hours until they were able to find a hospital with a vacant ICU bed to meet his needs what does the government have to say to families who are victims of the overcrowding problem they promised to fix five years ago the deputy premier and minister of health thank you speaker when I heard about that story I was stating news for the family and the friends of that individual but I want to be clear that was not as a result of hospital capacity issues that was as a result of someone who was going to a hospital that needed a much higher level of care so now if we look at the investments that our government is making over 50 new capital projects in our hospital systems new hospitals in Brampton new hospitals in Windsor in Ottawa in Niagara we are investing to ensure that hospitals have the expansion plans and we've done that through again 50 different capital builds that are now supplementary Speaker the health care crisis in our hospital is real the overcrowding crisis in our hospital is also real the impact on the quality and the timeliness of care that is available to people this time the consequences are a dead worker a young widow and a father less 2 year old son how many more families will be broken before the government addresses the health care workers crisis in our overcrowded hospitals so again speaker that news is to that family those friends that community but I also want to offer some hope to the people of Ontario that we have 50 new hospital builds that are happening in the province of Ontario whether those are brand new facilities expansions or additions it speaks to the fact that we as a government are making that commitment and ensuring that when people need care it is available in their own community that individual and that family absolutely devastating without a doubt but the care that was needed and necessary for that individual was in another hospital and they were being taken of course by orange when unfortunately he succumbed to his injuries next question the member for Niagara west my question is for the minister of agriculture food and rural affairs Ontario's agri-food sector is vital to the success of our province yet high costs of inputs supply chain challenges inflation geopolitics and volatility in the markets continue to impact Ontario farmers and the important work that they do for our farmers to succeed they need to know that the government will supply them with the investments that they need to improve their productivity competitiveness and resilience our farmers and agri-food partners expect governments of all stripes to improve food production and food security Speaker could the minister please explain what measures this government is taking to support this crucial sector Mr. agriculture food and rural affairs thank you very much Mr. Speaker and thank you to the member from Niagara west for his question I want to assure everyone listening today that the Ontario agri-food sector continues to be a number one priority for our government and I'm very pleased to share that we created through a federal initiative in the fall of 2021 in Guelph a Guelph statement that provided the framework for a negotiation to realize greater investments through a federal provincial partnership and the member from Niagara west just witnessed last week a historic signing whereby minister Bebo federal minister of agriculture and myself signed a 1.77 billion dollar agreement to deliver for Ontario farms like the suite of business management stewardship initiatives and investment in strategic priorities will be realized because of this historic agreement the future is bright for Ontario thank you very much supplementary question member for Niagara west Mr. I was very thankful to be able to be a signatory witness to this historic agreement and it's significant that this agreement was signed in Niagara and it's a collective and diverse growing regions in the entire country I'm proud of the contributions that farmers in Niagara and across the rest of this province make to our great province and I know that we all see and value their hard work and sacrifice now I know this agreement represents a positive measure to support growers and farm families in my riding and so many across this great province but our farmers know and our government knows that more can always be done each of these various agricultural groups has unique needs, concerns and faces different challenges Speaker could this new agreement how will this new agreement benefit and support our various sector partners could the minister tell this house Mr. Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs Speaker this agreement that we signed last week represents a 25% increase over and above the last partnership that we had with the federal government and it will continue to see farmers and our agri-food sector grow forward it complements the strategy that we introduced last fall and more importantly it complements initiatives already in place for instance we have a ministry advisory committee known as the soil action group that informs how we move forward to ensure that farmers have the tools and best practices available to them to see yield increase year over year moreover we're introducing initiatives to support innovation and research so our processors in tandem with the good work of our Ontario farmers are processing more food not only to satisfy Ontario demand but demand across Canada and around the world the future is bright I am so very proud of how our commodity organizations are working with our government here in Ontario to make sure Thank you very much Thank you the next question Thank you speaker to the minister of health last week I talked to Ms. Gulnar Basanji who is a constituent of mine she called me because she suffers debilitating spinal pain and her pain specialist said you need surgery she tells me she's not been able to even get on a waiting list with an orthopedic surgeon surgeons tell her they have waiting lists two years long there's no point in taking her name the minister help her and others to avoid this kind of unnecessary suffering minister of health so I'm happy to work with the member opposite on the specific case file that he's referencing but you know it's passing strange that as we are talking about bill 60 and the expansion of community surgical and diagnostic in community you are asking a question that would actually assist so by allowing us to expand community and surgical units in community it will ensure that there is more space and more capacity for the very challenging surgeries that the member opposite speaks of I'm happy to help the individual he's referenced but I would also like you to seriously take a look at bill 60 and explain to that constituent why you are opposing it Order Supplementary question Speaker the minister knows that if she actually put the money into the hospitals as they are now and opened up OR times people would be getting the surgery they need now Ms. Basanti takes powerful pain killers to deal with her pain she's frightened she might become addicted to them she can't get the surgery seen ease right now and what the minister says she's going to have to wait for this bill to pass that doesn't help her today I'll give you her phone number will you commit to talking to her personally helping to address her problem or explaining why she has to suffer needlessly Minister of Health So again I will ask the member opposite why they are concerned about bill 60 when we are in fact allowing that expansion to happen and respectfully we have already done that expansion in our public and funded hospitals by ensuring in the last number of years over $800 million available to hospitals to make sure they can span their OR capacity but you know what speaker it's not really about the money it's ensuring that those individuals who are on those wait lists get access to surgery quickly so they can go back to their families back to their community back to their jobs we are improving the patient experience by expanding clinical and surgical diagnostic in community those initiatives the next question the member for Guelph here $9.6 billion that is the direct economic benefit of Ontario's Greenbelt farming, recreation and tourism create over 177,700 jobs in Ontario's Greenbelt generating rural economic activity and community prosperity Greenbelt lands contribute $3.2 billion of ecosystem services such as flood protection those jobs that GDP and those benefits are at risk because of the premier scheme to open the Greenbelt for development all of that harm makes absolutely no sense speaker because the government's own housing task force has clearly stated that Greenbelt farm lands are needed to build housing so why is the premier risking jobs and prosperity by breaking his promise not to open the Greenbelt for development Minister of municipal affairs and housing well speaker in 2005 a typical Ontario home sold for $263,000 last year the average Ontario home sold for $932,000 more than a 3-fold increase in 17 years a young family even those making a decent income simply can't afford to buy a home that meets their needs in their budget our government is committed to fixing that the housing affordability task force laid out a road map the government's made some changes that in sense getting affordable housing non-profit housing in the ground we're going to continue to build off that but if the member opposite thinks $932,000 is an acceptable status quo to support he's living in a dream world speaker supplementary question speaker with all due respect to the minister the housing affordability crisis has gotten worse in the last five years under this government's watch I want to build more homes in affordable communities that's why I've introduced bill 44 and bill 45 to get rid of exclusionary zoning and to build homes that people can actually afford in communities they can actually afford to live in the housing affordability task force has put forward 55 recommendations the government's failed to follow many of them as a matter of fact they're absolutely contradicting one of the most explicit ones which was to not open the green belt for development experienced planners have shown that we already have enough land proved for development to build 2 million homes 2 million home speakers in communities where people can afford to live sprawl is hugely expensive so can this premier explain why the government is creating so much risk and harm opening the green belt for development making life less affordable for people and to reply the premier Mr. Speaker again I just want to set the facts the member from Guelph has the least amount of housing starts in the entire province the entire province he's not for affordable housing he is not for affordable housing Mr. Speaker or he'd be pushing it matter of fact Mr. Speaker who is against housing at the University of Guelph he was shot it down right on the property University of Guelph so guess what Mr. Speaker I spoke to a parent and their kids have to pay $2,500 outside the University of Guelph because there's not enough rental not enough housing we have a housing crisis Mr. Speaker and I'd like to ask the member from Guelph were you going to house the 300,000 people that are showing up every single year he doesn't have a solution he wants to complain the Liberals change the green belt 17 times the members to make their comments to the chair the house will come to order the house will come to order start the clock the next question the member for new market Aurora question is for the minister of red tape reduction our government is taking the lead on making Ontario better for people and businesses improving unnecessary redundant and outdated regulations recently we debated the less red tape stronger Ontario act it's an important package that proposes 28 changes to improve Ontario's competitiveness build stronger supply chains and develop a more resilient agricultural sector one of the proposed changes will allow Ontario to begin the process of permitting carbon capture and storage activities in a phased and responsible manner this is an important step in helping critical industries transition to a low carbon economy creating, supporting and sustaining jobs across Ontario Speaker can the minister of red tape reduction the economic benefits of moving forward with this important initiative Minister of red tape reduction Thank you Mr. Speaker I want to thank the member from new market Aurora for that important question as part of the less red tape stronger Ontario act our government is proposing amendments to the oil, gas and salt resources act to end the prohibition of carbon capture and storage activities here in Ontario we know there is a massive economic potential in adopting carbon capture and storage and other low carbon technologies Mr. Speaker we also know that some of the other provinces are already taking advantage of the carbon capture and storage technology which has helped create thousands of new jobs Speaker this technology is good for the economy it is good for the environment and we need to make sure we're not and we're doing everything we can to support them and make sure that they are competitive on this side of the house we will always say yes to good Ontario jobs Thank you Speaker and thank you to the minister for that excellent answer I'm excited about the potential of carbon capture and storage right here in Ontario we know that reducing red tape is an important step in unlocking Ontario's economic potential last month the Canadian federation of independent business released its annual provincial red tape report card where they grade each province on their efforts to reduce red tape and regulatory burdens over the last year Ontario was recognised as a leader in our country in prioritising red tape reduction with special recognition in the creation of a stand alone ministry while this is encouraging news we all know that more needs to be done to ensure that we are lifting burdens and removing barriers when it comes to red tape Speaker can the minister please share how government is saving people and businesses and money by reducing red tape Mr. Red tape production Thank you Mr. Speaker I want to thank my colleague for that excellent question once again this year Mr. Speaker Ontario received the highest ever placement in 13 year history of the CFIB red tape report card being recognised with the golden scissors the one to watch for award for regulatory modernisation permitting and licensing Mr. Speaker it's fair to say that our work to reduce red tape is being noticed across the country thanks to our ongoing efforts to reduce red tape it is saving businesses and consumers time and millions of dollars in savings Mr. Speaker all together over half a billion dollar in compliance costs Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker make no mistakes under the leadership of our premier Ontario will always show strong leadership when it comes to reducing red tape and continue to make Ontario more competitive Thank you Mr. Speaker Thank you Mr. Speaker My question is to the premier Shadeshna and her neighbours have problems with their condo they're cold because their units have not had heat for weeks this winter and they're unsafe because their building is being broken into and the property manager refuses to improve security they're also concerned because there is no effective regulator agency or tribunal that can step in and help them I believe this has got to change premier this is my question can you strengthen and improve the condo tribunal so Ontario condo residents have a place to go when they face issues like these Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker our government takes matters of consumer protections in the condo sector very seriously and I will never stop taking necessary action to protect Ontarians across the province and Mr. Speaker my ministry actually did welcome the auditor general's feedback on Ontario's condo sector and has already begun consulting on ways to actively improve and expand condo authority tribunal and its powers and I had a very fruitful conversation with the member opposite in regards to the tribunal we are never stopping our efforts to improve protections for all Ontarians and ensure they have a safe and secure place they can call home Thank you The next question Member for London North Centre Premier the condo tribunal is not doing nearly enough to protect residents the minister of government services and consumer protection already has the fixes in front of him they need to be implemented Member for London North Centre Thank you Speaker Back to the Premier the minister of government services and consumer protection already has the fixes in front of him they need to be implemented the condo tribunal is not doing nearly enough to protect residents my constituent Charlene told me that the board president where she lives unilaterally fired the construction company mid project and hired his own cousin now residents have to pay enormous payments for the lawsuit the lien and pay again for construction they're worried that they're going to be paying more and condo fees than their mortgage some are moving out or relying on friends you listen to condo residents like Charlene and strengthen the condo tribunal so that Ontarians have protections public and business service thank you very much Mr Speaker actually we are listening to the residents and we are listening to stakeholders across the province when it comes to the condominium condominium tribunal authority it is this government actually that is making condo boards fair and more transparent and improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of Ontarians who call condo a home speaker we will continue to work with the condo sector to implement the changes suggested by the attorney general and ensure the condo owners across the province are provided with the treatment they expect and deserve and Mr Speaker we will continue to work with our stakeholders and work with the recommendations that were provided to us by the auditor general to make sure that Ontarians deserve and feel good when they are making the biggest purchase of their lives thank you next question the member for Don Valley East thank you Mr Speaker my question is for the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services one of the most important jobs of government is to preserve and protect the well-being of its citizens particularly its most vulnerable and on this fundamental task there is near universal agreement that this government has failed over and over and over again my perspective on our healthcare system is of course well known but I'm equally stunned at the manner in which the Ontario autism program has essentially collapsed consider this there are well over 60,000 children waiting for services on the OAP the OAP wait list has more than doubled since 2018 and the government has fallen so far that it has declined on its commitments that it has thrown up its hands and stopped reporting on statistics anymore families are spending tens of thousands of dollars to access services selling their assets and putting their lives on hold without bringing up hollow promises can the minister explain to the autism community and Ontarians how the Ontario autism program has become such a failure under this government's leadership Minister Children, Community and Social Services Thank you speaker for the opportunity to clarify the facts when we formed government it was very clear that the previous liberal government had failed to deliver the program needed to support thousands of children and had a fraction of the children that were ever going to receive any support under that previous program it's why our government immediately doubled the funding to the Ontario autism program it's why our government has five times as many children enrolled and receiving supports than the previous government previous liberal government and that's why we have created access OAP with care coordinators who help people navigate through the system a comprehensive system that we heard from people they wanted occupational therapy, speech therapy mental health supports and we added those in we've been listening to the autism community that's why we created a program designed by the autism community the supplementary Mr. Speaker this government has a very consistent pattern promised lots of money only for it to never materialize the minister can try to revise history if she wants but the reality is that MCCSS is failing to meet its own required operating standards and as per the last FAO report has under spent by nearly half a billion dollars in August only 888 children with autism were registered in court therapies many more children can't even get a diagnosis meaning they can't even join a waiting list and my LA just texted me a few minutes ago saying that I'm not going to be able to do this I'm not going to be able to do this I'm not going to be able to do this I'm just texting me a few minutes ago saying we got another materials from a constituent about how OEP is harming is harming children my question how well the minister resurrect the Ontario autism program on the vine under this government minister children community and social services that's pretty stunning that is a stunning commentary from the member opposite who obviously is lacking information or facts of exactly what we are doing have expanded. We have expanded the diagnostic hubs. We have created capacity at children's treatment centres that the previous Liberal government never bothered to do because it never provided the funding or the capacity to deliver the services that we are now catching up on because the previous Liberal government never did it. And they were supported by the NDP and they said no budget after budget to the largest expenditure in the Ontario history for children with autism. They said no to the children's treatment centres across Ontario. They said no to the Ontario process for the Access OAP to provide care navigation to children's families who were vulnerable and needed support. You said no, no, no. We said yes, yes, yes. Members please make your comments through the chair. The next question. The member for Peterborough, Corortha. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. Every year more than 1 million Ontarians experience a mental health or addiction issue. This can have a serious impact on the quality of life and that of everyone around them. Last year one person died every week from an opioid poisoning in the city of Peterborough. Unfortunately services have been unequal and inconsistent with too many gaps in the system. As a result, those who need help are too often unable to find it. Other provinces such as Alberta are seeing success by investing in a recovery oriented system of care. Speaker, can the Associate Minister please explain how our Ontario government is approaching treatment and recovery programs for the people of Ontario? That's a good order. The Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I'd like to thank the member opposite for that question. I know that he's being a tireless advocate for the people of Peterborough, Corortha on this issue. I want to thank him as well for his work. Alberta is certainly seeing success with her program and I applaud them for it. We will always look for successful models wherever they can be found and make sure that we incorporate what we know will work here in the province of Ontario. The goal of our government is to provide people with substance use issues, treatment and recovery so that they can live a drug-free life. And to meet these unique needs, our approach is to make unprecedented investments in building a continuum of care that provides low barrier access to critical treatment and recovery facilities. We are also ensuring that naloxone, drug testing facilities, harm reduction and consumption and treatment sites are available across the province. Mr. Speaker, we have a model where we have supports for individuals and it's being funded through. Thank you very much. A supplementary question. Thank you to the Minister for the response. The sad reality is that Ontarians are struggling to find the help they need when experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge. Our government made a commitment to do something about it and I know the minister recognizes that there is no linear path for anyone who needs supports and he's spoken repeatedly about the continuum of care. In Peterborough, we're listening and collaborating with various partners to build a system that meets the needs of the people where they need it and when they need it. Speaker, can the Associate Minister please elaborate on how our government is providing services to support my community? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I was saying, our investments through the Roadmap to Wellness, the Addictions Recovery Fund, youth wellness hubs, mobile crisis intervention teams, we're building a continuum of care and particularly in Peterborough, we've established the opioid response hub in downtown. We're piloting an innovative non-residential recovery program right to heal, significantly expanding withdrawal management services and just recently drove two new mobile mental health clinics off the parking lot. Perhaps most importantly, Mr. Speaker, we're working with community health providers to add 12 new addiction treatment beds in Peterborough through the Addictions Recovery Fund. But let's be clear, this isn't the end of our work, it's just the beginning. Not only in Peterborough but across the province of Ontario. This government is going to continue working for the people of the province of Ontario by expanding and improving our continuum of care. Thank you. Next question. Members for Thunder Bay Superior North. Thank you, Speaker. 60,000 older Canadians are the victims of neglect, financial, psychological, physical and institutional abuse. Elder abuse prevention Ontario works very hard to help older Canadians escape abuse. However, they have not received a funding increase in the 20 years of their existence. So they're working on a shoestring, they've got a lot of volunteers, they are so burnt out. Will the Premier ensure that the Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario organization receives an increase in their annual grant to at least match the rate of inflation? Thank you, Mr Speaker. I'd like to thank the member opposite for such an important question. Social isolation is the enemy number one for our seniors. That is why our government has invested in programs to make sure seniors stay fit, healthy and connected in their communities. To combat social isolation and the fight against the ageism, we have invested over 22 million dollars into more than 1500 senior 20 degree grants. Seniors are the backbone of this province and we will continue to make Ontario plays with seniors thrive. Thank you. And the supplementary question. Thank you, Speaker. During COVID, when so many seniors experienced extreme isolation, rates of abuse increased by 250%. Yet the government chose this time to actually cut elder abuse prevention funding. So they went from a budget of 900,000 which is not a lot considering that they have to, they're supposed to cover the entire province, but they went down to 800,000. That's a very significant cut and that was during COVID when seniors were isolated and really needed the help. Will the government live up to its obligations to older Ontarians and increase funding for the important work of preventing elder abuse? Thank you again for the question. The pandemic has put significant strain on the lives of seniors in Ontario. That is why we have invested 59 million dollars since 2018 to fund really 300 senior active living centers across the province. They deliver activities program that keep senior active and socially connected. Through our senior fairs we are helping seniors connect a local organization and each other all across Ontario. These are a few of the ways we are fighting social isolation and helping seniors stay healthy, active and socially connected. Thank you. The next question, the member for Oakville North Burlington. Thank you, Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. Sadly gender-based violence and domestic violence continue to endanger the safety of many women in our province. No woman should be subjected to violence in any form. Everyone deserves the right to be supported and feel safe in their homes and in their communities. It is crucial that those affected by violence and exploitation receive the supports they need while offenders are held accountable through the justice system. I know that our government is breaking down barriers so women who have experienced violence can receive the help they need no matter where they are in the province. Responding to this issue must remain a priority. Question. Speaker can the Minister describe our government's ongoing commitment to end violence against women. Minister of Children, Community and Social Services? Thank you, Speaker and thank you to the member from Oakville North Burlington for that important question. Everyone has the right to live in safety and with dignity, free from intimidation and the threat of violence. It's that simple. We're building on that ongoing work to support women and survivors of gender-based violence and connect them to needed services and supports with $8 million in additional funding over the next four years for dedicated provincial crisis lines to help more women get the help they need when and where they need it most. This investment is in cooperation with the federal government as part of the national action plan to end gender-based violence. We are grateful for the federal government's partnership as we build capacity to support survivors and we look forward to continuing to work together to eliminate violence against women. The supplementary question. Thank you, Speaker and thank you to the Minister for her response. I know that all members of this legislature agree that every woman has the right to live in safety and with dignity, free from intimidation, coercion and the threat of violence. The need of now is timely intervention and access to a variety of supports to help women who are at risk where and when they need it. The government must ensure we are supporting survivors who are escaping violent situations and providing them with the supports they need to enable them to start new lives with futures free from abuse and free from fear. Speaker, can the minister please explain how investments made by our government will lead to tangible outcomes for women across our province who are experienced violence. Minister Children, Community and Social Services. Thank you, Speaker and thank you again. These crisis lines are free, confidential and available 24-7 to help ensure those affected by violence or sexual exploitation can access supports they need anywhere anytime. In addition to 24-hour crisis counseling, the lines offer triage support such as referrals to women's shelters and specialized programming to help survivors rebuild their lives and heal from trauma. This investment supports multiple organizations including the Assaulted Women's Helpline which provides services in over 200 languages, FEMADE, which offers crisis counseling and referral services for Francophone and French-speaking women. TALK for Healing which provides culturally responsive services for Indigenous women and their families in urban, rural, remote and First Nations communities. Working together we can end violence against women and we're going to continue towards this important goal. Thank you very much, Speaker. My question is to the Premier. More than 65,000 people in the London area do not have a family doctor including almost one quarter of the patients who go to St Joseph's Hospital urgent care, a significant increase since just last year. Rukia lives in London West and she has been listed with Health Care Connect for almost two years. She was diagnosed with cancer after an ER visit last year and was treated with surgery. Without a family doctor, she has no choice but to keep going to the ER for all monitoring and follow-up care. Speaker, whatever this government is doing is not working. How much longer do Londoners have to wait before they will be able to find a family doctor? Thank you very much, Speaker. I hope the member opposite has received a copy of the Your Health document that has been circulated to all MPPs because it actually highlights in that document exactly the expansion that we have in order to expand the number of family health practitioners and primary care practitioners practicing in the province of Ontario. In fact, since our government formed government, we have had over 1800 new family docs practicing in the province of Ontario. Of course, we also have two, not one, two new medical schools that are being built and in fact in Brampton alone, we are going to have new family docs who are registered and practicing their studies, starting to practice their studies in September of 2024 because we were able to work with a partnership with the City of Brampton to find an existing building, renovate it and get those students in training as quickly as possible. I'm proud of the work that we're doing. Dr. Maitre, once again, member for London West. Thank you, Speaker, again to the Premier. Catarina Alexander-Wills also lives in London West. She's been looking for a family doctor for four years, so long that her health care connect listing expired and had to be resubmitted. She hasn't had a physical in almost 10 years despite her family history of medical concerns. Moe Alagiti is a nurse and has been looking for a doctor for her family since she moved to London in September 2021. Another constituent emailed me on Friday she's pregnant and needs regular care. Speaker, does this Premier understand that forcing people to go to urgent care or the ER after a serious problem develops is not only costly to the system but bad for patient health? Mr. Health. Thank you, Speaker. You know the member opposite is highlighting exactly why we as a government have made these investments since 2018 and in fact if you would review the your health document I hope you share with those constituents you will see that our expansion for primary care model has already happened and in fact in the City of Haldeman-Corthal Lake's rock as well as Minister Todd Smith's writing we have expanded primary care and nurse led practitioner clinics because we understand that they are a model that is working very effectively and ensuring that the people of Ontario have access to a primary care physician when they need it. We are continuing to do that work. We are continuing with those expansions of primary care, nurse led practitioner clinics, and working with our partners to make sure that we have all. Let's talk the clock for a second. The member for Brampton North and the member for Waterloo if they wish to have a conversation. We're in midst of question period and we still have a few seconds so we'll start the clock again. The member for Peterborough-Corth. My question is for the Associate Minister of Women's Social and Economic Opportunity. Our government is building a province where all women and girls are empowered to succeed. That starts with getting more women into jobs than ever before. Women entrepreneurs are essential to our province's economic success accounting for nearly 20 percent of all small and medium-sized businesses in Ontario. I was proud to join the Associate Minister at a roundtable hosted by the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce. We had the opportunity to hear from many women leaders in my community. From our discussion many women identified that they continue to experience challenges barriers and red tape in starting and scaling up their businesses. Speaker what actions is our government taking to support the advancement of economic opportunity for women in our province? The Associate Minister of Women's Social and Economic Opportunity. Thank you Mr. Speaker. I was thrilled to be in Peterborough recently with the member and we had a great opportunity to engage with local businesses and join a roundtable with the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce. We heard firsthand accounts of some of the many unique and disproportionate economic barriers women face when starting or scaling up their businesses. That's why our government is taking a multi-pronged approach to unlock more opportunities for women in the modern post-pandemic economy. We are supporting women as they enter and re-enter the workforce with programs like the Investing in Women's Future program and the Women's Economic Security programs. And we are opening opportunities for women to pursue entrepreneurship as a flexible career path with the Regional Innovation Centre and small business enterprise networks. We are breaking barriers helping businesses grow and getting it done because we believe that when women succeed Ontario succeeds. Thank you. That concludes our question period for this morning.