 It is now time for oral questions. I recognize the leader of this Good morning speaker this question is for the premier Today the public galleries are full of people who have come here to advocate for core services for autistic kids They have come here to remind the government that there are over right now over 60,000 autistic children on the growing wait list They have come to hold the government to its promise to clear the backlog Speaker my question is to the premier Will this government finally provide the funding needed to get these kids off the wait list and into the services they need? Would you apply for the government the minister of children community and social services? Thank you speaker The facts that we have doubled the funding we have five times more children receiving services than any Time under the previous liberal government and and let's be clear when we came to office We understood that the old program under the the liberal government had had a little prospect for delivering Services to 75% of the children who were waiting and that's why we have doubled the funding It's why we have created a comprehensive program that is created by the autism community for the autism community It's why we've expanded beyond the ABA services. It's why we've added in and we heard people They wanted speech language pathology. They wanted occupational therapy. They want to mental health services, and we've done that We've launched foundational family services entry to school program caregiver mediated early years program core clinical services as well And that's why we build access OAP to support families through every step of their journey with care coordinators And we're already seeing results over 40,000 children are receiving support today almost five times more. Thank you The supplementary question This government's words don't hold any weight With these families that are here with us today because it doesn't match their reality not one bit The wait list has more than doubled since the conservative government came into power children are waiting a minimum of Four years for any kind of services or even assessment Four years that can make all the difference for that child's quality of life And this government is sitting on almost six and a half billion dollars Unspent so back to the premier back to the premier you promise to fix the autism program Will you make good on your promise and clear the wait list? Thank you, Speaker and that's exactly why we expanded the diagnostic hubs and Unfortunately, the government the opposition sitting across from me has not Supported those in in its votes it voted against it Our government is the one that is providing the services creating the program a world-leading program The previous liberal government promised results and only delivered support to 25% of the children and as of January Every child in the program had been invited to enroll with access OAP. It's our government that is creating this world-leading program We have created access OAP. We've been reaching out to families through emails through phone calls Through letters to make sure that people are aware of the registration process for access OAP This is a comprehensive program created by the autism community for the autism community and we're implementing it It's astonishing that this government never admits the problem never even acknowledges it More than 60,000 children are waiting for core services. That is nothing to be proud of and For context like that's 2,500 classrooms of children think of it that way, right? You want to know the real story Here's the real story by last August this government had registered fewer than 900 kids for support at this rate It's going to take 66 years just to clear the existing backlog None of us are going to be here in 66 years But I mean the families here today have come to Queens Park from across the province to tell their stories To be heard to demand change after this government's Shocking failure to support autistic children and they deserve real accountability But only one conservative MPP has agreed to meet with them. Thank you speaker My question is to the Premier and to his government. Will you meet with these families? I need to point out that I no longer to caucus with the government time impartial the response Minister thank you speaker We knew that the the program for autism that we inherited from the previous government supported by the NDP Was not a program that was serving families as it needed to do and that's why we built a new program That's why we listened at town halls across the province to make sure that we understood That's why we created different streams foundational family services caregiving mediated early years program entry to school program urgent response services. We listened People wanted mental health services. They wanted speech therapy. They wanted occupational therapy We listened and we put that into the program. We created access OAP so that it would be Independent intake organization that would help families navigate with care core coordinators This is a needs-based program based on domains of need It allows families to have their own unique needs response This is a program that is world-leading That is never been done before in that we understand a research and it is based on research and clinical evidence And we'll continue to implement this important program. Thank you. The next question I have another important question, but I just want to say it's disgraceful that this government will not meet With the families that are here today You've been you've been in this office It's your mess now It's your mess now speaker under this government's watch The mental health crisis facing Ontario has also only gotten worse We've proposed a solution that would make a real difference in people's lives Reduce the waitlist for children's mental health care invest in improved crisis response Expand therapy access and boost community mental health care and we've put forward an opposition motion for debate this afternoon for an 8% Emergency stabilization investment in community mental health care. My question is to the Premier. Will he support our motion? The Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Mr. Speaker and thank you for that question. Mr. Speaker our government takes mental health in the province of Ontario very seriously I'm the first minister appointed to look after mental health and addictions issues in the province We came up with a roadmap to wellness, which is a basic plan a foundational document that looks after life span So it looks after investments required for children and youth for adults for seniors for people with addictions and concurrent disorders We backed it with a 25 million dollar a year plan 3.8 billion dollars over 10 years Seeing the crisis another 90 million dollars February of last year was invested to create 400 treatment beds Which is the equivalent of 7,000 treatment spots throughout the province of Ontario Not just in southern Ontario everywhere in the province of Ontario Mr. Speaker the investments continue when we speak about the Made with respect to mobile crisis intervention teams over 40 million dollars have been put in place to create low barrier access For individuals needing supports. So yes investment. Thank you very much Minister speaker talks about road map to wellness. It's a road map to nowhere right now I'll tell you we are in a mental health crisis in every community in this province But in indigenous and northern and rural communities the government's not even trying to pretend They're just failing miserably. We've got epidemic rates of suicide homelessness addictions The Canadian mental health associations show skyrocketing demand for their services, but in Algoma, they're only getting a 2% increase in base funding over the past 10 years 2% in Canora, they got just 2% over the last 22 years They need an 8% Emergency stabilization investment today. So my question again to the Premier You're sitting on you've got unspent 6.4 billion dollars unspent question Will he support our motion this afternoon to provide that 8% emergency fund? So should minister Mr. Speaker once again, I reiterate the province of Ontario this government is making Substantial unprecedented investments throughout the province of Ontario to assist anyone in need for instance You mentioned indigenous communities indigenous communities is a focus of the work that we're doing providing land-based healing Opportunities to allow indigenous communities to look after the needs of the people in their communities Rural and remote communities. We're investing in mobile health units to allow individuals access to care Which way they not otherwise get given the fact that there are large distances to travel, mr. Speaker We continue to make investments and work with all service providers in the province of Ontario To ensure that people are getting the supports they need I look back at what we inherited as a government and I've got a call out once again What's the NDP did they reduced 13% of the mental health beds? They took away 9,645 hospital beds across the province Thank you Speaker I don't even know what to do with that mental health care is life changing, right? It's also order cost saving. It's cost saving order of hospital beds You have less 9-1-1 calls and you know what it saves lives and that's why today We were gonna go all out on this issue Because people in Ontario cannot wait any longer and I'm sure there's not one of us in this entire room That hasn't seen the impact on our families and in our communities. So let's do it 8% emergency stabilization investment into CMHA. That's 24 million dollars So my question to the Premier today Premier please will you take just half a percent of that 6.4 billion that's been scrolled away unspent Help people get the mental health care. They so desperately need today Mr. Speaker once again, I reiterate The government in the province is making investments across the board in education by providing prevention And opportunities to help and help young people with their mental health Unprecedented investments in the in the mental health for children and youth. We've made investments last year increasing 5% to the community based children and youth supports We've continued making the investments and speaking with and understanding the issues that need to be addressed in the province of Ontario We have an opioid crisis We're working to ensure that the supports are in place to assist individuals that want to recover from an addiction Mr. Speaker once again I can't stop but think of what the implications were when the ndp were in power and they cut 53 million dollars Of funding to the psychiatric hospitals order implications that that had with the fact that we have a shortage in hh Today directly related back to the fact that glaces were eliminated Thank you very much. Thank you the next question the member for Windsor west Thank you. Speaker. What a shameful answer from the minister people in this province are dying because they cannot access the mental health supports They need and that's the kind of answer you give Speaker my questions to the premier Ontario is facing a mental health crisis More Ontarians are seeking mental health supports and demand for services has significantly increased under this conservative government Across Ontario people are experiencing anxiety depression and burnout at higher rates Yet face funding for the canadian mental health association has fallen significantly behind the rate of inflation The mental health strategy for canada recommends raising mental health funding to approximately five point billion dollars in Ontario Alone speaker speaker will the premier commit to treating mental health care as health care and provide the desperately needed funding for mental health supports Members make your comments through the chair the associate minister of mental health and addictions Thank you. Mr. Speaker and thanks again for that question because it highlights what we know The fact that investments have to be made and the government is making unprecedented investments But the investments that it's making are ensuring that the continuum of care is being dealt with The children and youth are being looked after our adults are being looked after our seniors are being looked after Focusing on addictions and the concurrent disorders that need to be addressed the 400 treatment beds that have been opened The 7 000 treatment spots that have been created. These are all Increasing capacity to be able to assist individuals and mr. Speaker We're focused on culturally appropriate and sensitive services creating low barrier access to individuals in need Ensuring that the supports are there when and when they need them If they're ready for them to recover But the harm reduction provisions that we've put in place are also Responsible mr. Speaker. We are building a system for the province of Ontario After the neglect of the previous government supported by the ndp The supplementary question Thank you speaker about 28,000 children and youth were on wait lists for mental health treatment in january 2020 That was under this conservative government more than double 2017 according to children's mental health Ontario Again under this government Those supports the needs for those supports has gotten even greater between 2020 and now Estimates show that more than 200 000 children with serious mental health issues have no contact with the mental health care system Again under this conservative government Windsor my community has one of the longest wait times in the province for intensive children's mental health care an average wait of 588 days a failure minister Children can't wait. They need access to services immediately Speaker will the premier commit today to capping wait times for mental health care for children and youth Mr. Speaker Clearly children and youth need accessible and reliable services if they're going to grow into healthy adults And since 2019 $130 million has gone to children and youth mental health services via the roadmap to wellness road map slates another $170 million over the next three years Education 90 million dollars for school-based supports 20 million dollars For an across-the-board 5 funding increase to all government mental health Agencies during cova that was done and it has improved and it has helped the organizations We're proud of our youth and wellness hubs which have been created now and stand at 22 across the province of Ontario including one In sagamuck an indigenous community Road map to wellness outlines the vision for children and youth Early interventions response kids from harmful behaviors and is a great return on investment and we will continue to build A future for our children to ensure that they have the mental health supports where when they need them Thank you Thank you, speaker My question is for the minister of labor immigration training and skills development In every community paramedics are on the front lines each and every day saving lives These everyday heroes work tirelessly to bring us medical care when we need it the most paramedics along with ambulance communication officers regularly encounter risk and traumatic events that can impact their health and safety Under the previous liberal government that was propped by the NDP There was no advocacy no action on behalf of these essential emergency workers to address their industry specific risk They had years to act instead. They chose to ignore the needs of our frontline workers Speaker can the minister please explain how our government is protecting the health and safety of these workers Labor immigration training and skills development. Thank you very much and I want to thank the member for Scarborough Rouge for this very important question Speaker interiors paramedics and ambulance communication officers are truly heroes In our health care system They are innovative and always willing to take on new roles to support our government in building a more comprehensive And connected health care system Our government created a standalone committee under section 21 of the occupational health and safety act To develop resources that address unique health and safety risks that these frontline heroes face every single day serving our families and our communities This new paramedic services committee will complement the existing first response or committees for fire and police services While providing a focus channel for recommendations from experts employers and workers Both labor leaders and chiefs in all paramedics Have been calling for this committee now for more than 20 years and under the leadership of our premier Our government is getting it done for them And this supplementary question Thank you speaker and thank you to the minister for the response It is clear that workers in this sector are valued by our government and our priority is to advocate for the support Protection and safety that they deserve the risk that paramedics and ambulance communication officers face Are separate and distinct from the other health care workers Professionals and they are in track with patients in unpredictable and complex situations Under the leadership of premier minister of health and this minister Actions such as this announcement demonstrate our government's commitment to foster safe Workplaces speaker. Can the minister please elaborate about how the new paramedic services section 21 committee will improve safety for this sector Mr. Labor Mr. Speaker our government was pleased to address this long outstanding request as our government recognizes and supports the important work of this sector In our health care system This announcement demonstrates that our government listened to unions including a uniform qp sciu and opsu Representing frontline paramedics and ambulance communication officers as well as the strong advocacy from paramedic chiefs and the antero association of paramedic chiefs Which represents every paramedic service across the province This committee is a great opportunity for paramedics ambulance communication officers and paramedic chiefs to make important recommendations and provide practical guidance for employers and workers The creation of this committee is a vital investment in the physical Emotional and psychological well-being of our paramedics and ambulance communication officers Our government mr. Speaker is working for workers and building a stronger antero that leaves no one behind Thank you speaker In ontario there are over 28 000 children and youth waiting for community mental health care With wait times as long as two and a half years Cutting wait times to 30 days will ensure timely access to care It will help prevent needs from worsening and wait list for more acute services from growing Providing early intervention programs will also cost the province less And reduce the burden on our health care system I've been able to build to cap wait times for children and youth mental health to 30 days Speaker kids can't wait My question to the premier will you pass it? The associate minister of mental health and addictions Thank you, mr. Speaker Children and youth have the highest mental health care needs of any age demographic. We know this This informs every investment we have made and will continue to make In 2022 we invested another 31 million dollars in new annual funding to reduce weightless and support the mental health and well-being Of children and youth we are innovating on new ways to treat children and youth And new means for them to access care This means 3.5 million dollars and to step up step down live in treatment program Helping move kids through levels of intensive treatment 2.1 million dollars virtual walk in counseling connecting youth To a clinician by phone text or video chat a million dollars for children and youth telehealth services 4.5 million dollars for one stop talk virtual walk in counseling program for children and youth mr. Speaker We're innovating. We're working with the sector. We're ensuring that the kids have the supports they need Where they need them. Thank you Speaker to the minister my questions to the minister of health and addictions In Niagara, we know what is at risk if we do not cap wait times for children that need mental health services This is because we have nearly 900 children on a wait list for mental health services with past zones A core mental health service provider in nigra Last week we heard from teachers ringing the alarm bells about children's mental health However, this problem deserves the comprehensive response because most of past zones referrals come In the summer when the schools are closed Minister will your office consult with the experts in the field today Create a cap for wait times and ensure these core service organizations get the funding they need in the upcoming budget Mr. Speaker and once again We know the needs of the children in terms of the supports that are required to ensure that they have mental health Supports and the initiatives that we're working on our initiatives initiatives to increase access to supports Addressing increased demand as a result of the cove 19 pandemic because that has had implications as well on their on their mental health We're working to decrease wait times We're looking to improve the quality of care that for children and youth And yes, I have and will continue to meet with all stakeholders to ensure that we understand the needs Not just of the children youth in general but on a region by region basis And that has been the way we've done our work to date We've attended meetings. We've had round tables throughout the province in thunder bay in indigenous communities throughout the north in southern Ontario and of course with children youth mental health Mr. Speaker, we're more prepared than any government in Ontario's history to build an accessible equitable and accountable mental health system Thank you. Next question. Remember for Whitby Well, thank you speaker. My question is to the associate minister of transportation Many people in Whitby Ajax, Bowenville And Pickering want to be more connected to the great Toronto area under the previous liberal government supported by the NDP The people of Whitby and other parts of Durham region were promised speaker year after year that new transit investments would be made Nothing ever materialized nothing They're tired of waiting They expect our government to take action And deliver on extending much needed transit infrastructure for the people of the region of Durham Speaker, can the associate minister Please update the house on the progress of the Bowenville gold expansion project Thank you speaker and thank you to the member for the question and his outstanding work on behalf of the residents of Whitby Speaker, I'm really happy to let that member know that Metrolinx will be announcing the successful construction manager of the transformational Bowenville go extension later this spring This successful manager will be chosen from the four candidates that were shortlisted By Metrolinx following a very promising proposal window that was closed last October Speaker, this is a major step that our government is taking in delivering that game changing commuting service for go transit For the people of Durham with two way all day rail service to Bowenville In fact speaker our 20 kilometre extension of the lakeshore east line Will make it easier for people to connect to local transit work health care education and other critical services across Durham region Speaker while the opposition Widen the transit gap for decades. This government is getting it done for the great Speaker, thank you to the associate minister for the update on this very important project This is encouraging news For many individuals and hard-working families in my riding Transit infrastructure expansion is vital For Durham region as it will help connect the people Not only of my riding but other ridings in the region of Durham to their families Work and increase access to critical services With the population of the great of toronto area expected to increase significantly over the coming years Investments in transit expansion are needed now To ensure frequent and convenient service for the years to come Speaker we can't afford to delay or hold back transit investments Speaker now is the time to build Now is the time to get Ontario moving Speaker can the associate minister please elaborate on our government's actions to deliver transit for the hard-working people Of the region of Durham Thanks speaker and the members absolutely right the time is now because we have a growing population in this province With hundreds of thousands of people moving here every single year and that means we need to build Transit fill the gap that was left by the opposition That's exactly what we're doing as next steps metro links will continue to work to advance infrastructure and service planning while engaging With Durham region to make sure that we can deliver this vital project speaker This is going to be a game changer for the people of Durham region and bowmanville go extension That means that commuters will be able to take a train Every 30 minutes and go back and forth to union station bowmanville go and everything in between Speaker what's more the riders will save 15 minutes in their commutes along the corridor so they can more easily get to work appointments wherever it is that they need to go Speaker it's clear that the ndp when they propped up the liberals for decades did nothing to build transit This is the only government getting it done for the people of john and for commuters in ontario A member for toronto st. Paul's Thank you speaker anti black racism wrecks wrecks havoc on the souls of black people 400 years and counting Health care workers among others have long called for this government to recognize anti black racism as a public health emergency Detrimental to our physical and mental health Our naos black nurses task force study surveyed 205 black nurses and nursing students across ontario and found 88 percent Had reported experiencing anti black racism and discrimination at work My question is to the premier Will you join several cities across the province? And take a solid step towards recognizing the impact of anti black racism on black ontarians By declaring today The first monday in march annually as black mental health day Look what I can tell the member this There are avenues and opportunities for members to bring an important piece of legislation for it through the private members Bill process another member another member has had At least one bill passed in the in the previous parliament sounds like an interesting initiative when that we'd certainly Be very supportive of Consider I'm assuming that you want to hear the answer. So I'll Continue on if that's okay So I would assume that the minister or the member would appreciate bringing forward a private members bill that the entire house could consider As you know, mr. Speaker, this government has passed more private members bills Then almost any other government in its entirety and we use house time to debate and pass those bills The member opposite would know this because that member also had a private members As did the member seatmate and as did a number of members sitting on that side So I'd be very happy as house leader to consider that in the process of private members business We actually have tabled the bill so the government can pass it today if they want and this is the same government that thought a thousand dollars Was enough of a budget line to address racism across ontario in the anti-racism direction a thousand dollars That's a shame speaker far too many black children and adults Walking while black shopping while black driving while black learning while black or having a mental health crisis While black means experiencing of racial profiling harassment discrimination disproportionate use of force and sometimes sadly death by law enforcement Both the target if they survive And their families and the larger communities are left fraught with confusion fair anxiety and depression Anti-black racism is a structural and social determinant of physical and mental health Premier can you share with us what your government is doing along with your 2023 budget allocation? To specifically address black mental health in ontario specifically black mental health in ontario Thank you To apply the minister of citizenship and multi-cultural well Mr. Speak I'd like to thank the member opposite for such an important question I'd like to start off by saying ontario strength is in our diversity We are home from people from all around the world The diversity of our people skills backgrounds cultures and fates Enriches our society in so many ways including our black community On this side of the aisle We are focused on building a stronger safer more inclusive ontario Where people from all walks of life can live work and prosper Not as why our government is investing in programs to combat racism and hate in all its forms promote diversity and inclusion And ensure that all Ontarians have the tools opportunities and supports They need to succeed and reach their potential Mr. Speaker We will can always be a champion and a strong voice for diverse communities And everything they do to make our province the great place it is The next question the member for scarborough gildwood Thank you speaker It's an honor to rise and present my question on behalf of the people of scarborough gildwood as I've done for the better part of a decade My question is to the premier We know that the pandemic has been challenging for all ontarians And we know that this is especially true when it comes to our children for years Our teachers have been having to deal not only with the important job of educating our children But also juggling covid protocols and outbreaks including many months of online learning What is well also well known is that the pandemic disruption in our schools resulted in learning gaps for our children and a report of burnout among And under supported teachers and education workers And now the FAO reporting that the government underspend our education budget by 844 million dollars This while school boards are having to consider a return to pre-pandemic staffing levels Speaker Why is this government taking money away from school boards at a time when our students needs are at an all time high And to respond the minister of education. Well, thank you very much, mr. Speaker I want to assure the member opposite that this government has increased funding this school year alone by 650 million more dollars Investments in publicly funded schools a sharp contrast to the closure of schools under the former liberals Hundreds closed and opportunities closed with it. Mr. Speaker. We are building new schools We're investing in a modern curriculum aligned with labor market needs. So young people get a good job We're ensuring mental health is increased from when the former liberals at the peak of spending at 18 million dollars in Ontario schools It is today 400 higher it is a 90 million each and every year we've increased those expenditures because we believe in these kids And with respect to staffing speaker There are 7,000 additional education workers in our schools almost 900 additional teachers Because we know our funds needs support Particularly because of the pandemic and the learning loss that has been realized in this problems and around the country This premium will continue to invest to give our kids every opportunity to achieve their potential supplementary question Act of the premier year after year quarter after quarter This government is holding money back in reserves We have all heard and the minister said this morning that there is a roadmap to wellness Which has been in place Sit for the last three years Speaker in 2022 2023 the annual Ontario school Survey sites that 91 percent of schools are currently reporting need in student mental health and well-being Just last week people for education reported They actually sounded the alarm. It shouldn't be a silent alarm every member of this house should hear it 95 percent of schools report needing some or more support of students mental health and well-being Only nine percent of schools are having regularly scheduled access to mental health and addiction specialists or a nurse And 46 percent of schools are reporting having no access at all Speaker can the minister explain how that they can say that they have a plan for mental health and well-being Giving only $45 per student for mental health. Why is this government holding back at a time when our students Thank you The associate minister of mental health and addictions. Thank you, mr. Speaker and once again I reiterate that there is a roadmap to wellness that specifically looks at the needs of children and youth During the education period which includes in which it includes Prevention education and building resiliency, which is extremely important and that is being funded as the minister stated before 90 million dollars for school-based supports annualized in addition to that mr. Speaker We're looking at 31 million dollars in new annual funding to reduce weightless and support in the community Which is where the supports are needed for treatment 11 million dollars annually so children and youth with eating disorders can heal closer to home Another very important issue that needs to be addressed if we are going to help children and youth in addition to that We've invested in beds Your men house leader will come to order the member for scarborough gildwood will come to order The minister has a couple more seconds to finish his response. Mr. Speaker investments in children's Mental health in the hospitals seven new beds at chi o five at sick kids two at McMaster children's hospital 130 million dollars response since 2009 through the roadmap to wellness. There is a plan We're implementing the plan and we are making a difference in the lives of children and youth throughout the province of ontario The next question the member for grant for grant Thank you speaker. My question is for the minister of labour immigration training and skills development I first want to thank all of my firefighter colleagues across our province for protecting our communities These everyday heroes work tirelessly to protect our province and in return they deserve care and support The nature of a firefighters work is dangerous and unpredictable The challenges they encounter can cause lasting impacts on their health and well-being Tragically cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters accounting for more than 74 percent of line of duty deaths in 2022 On average 50 to 60 firefighters die of cancer yearly in canada Half of whom are in ontario speaker. Can the minister please explain our government's actions to increase protections for our firefighters Thank you labour immigration training and skills development Thank you very much and I want to thank the member for uh bramp for bramp for that question But most importantly to the member thank you for your service to your community as a volunteer firefighter. Thank you on behalf of ontario Mr. Speaker our premier is a tireless advocate for emergency responders who keep our community safe And his passion for supporting them is well known Our firefighters are heroes that put their lives on the line every single day When others run out of burning buildings, they're running into them On friday, I was proud to join our solicitor general and our friend greg horton the president of the interior professional firefighters association who proudly represents more than 12 000 firefighters in communities right across the province Together we announce that our government is expanding coverage for firefighters who get pancreatic and thyroid cancer This change will make it faster and easier for these heroes and their families to access the compensation and supports they deserve Thank you speaker and thank you to the minister for his response speaker firefighters provide a vital service to all of our communities The health and safety of these first responders must remain a priority Recently the world health organization reclassified firefighting to its highest level of health and safety occupational risk for cancer Too many firefighters have suffered with Or lost their lives to cancer Our government must demonstrate leadership to implement preventative measures Early detection and support for these first responders who serve the people of my riding and of in all ontarians speaker Can the minister please elaborate on how our government is implementing changes to better protect and support Our firefighters. Thank you Well, thank you the member Speaker we're making these changes so that firefighters who are sick can focus on getting better We're streamlining a firefighters workplace illness claim making it easier for them and their families to get quicker access to benefits and services While providing peace of mind to those who are suffering This change will apply to all 30 000 firefighters who are full-time part-time and volunteers as well as those firefighters employed by a first nation span council furthermore the coverage expansion we announced is retroactive to january 1st 1960 allowing those who have suffered from these cancers in the past And their loved ones to get the supports that they deserve Speaker our government will always stand up for those firefighters who put their lives on the line every day for all of us The next question the member for hamilton rotten. Thank you speaker My question is for the premier On average four children a week end up in a hamilton emergency room for self-harm There has been a significant uptake of children engaging in self-harming behaviors yet the waitlist for treatment continues to grow The health and well-being of our children is critical, but they are not getting the help they need I wrote to the minister back in january about this issue and I have yet to receive a response So i'm asking once again Will this government support our our children and commit to investing in hamilton's youth mental health programming and to build human resource capacity associate minister mental health and addictions My question again children and youth are extremely important and providing supports and services to them Is a priority for our government and we have made it a priority Whether it be the investments in the education system Whether it be the investments in community-based treatment whether it's specifically aimed at things like eating disorders self-harm Investments are being made and we are working to reduce the waitlist There have there has been as I mentioned before 11 million dollars invested Specifically to deal with eating disorders so that kids can have the supports any closest to home We invested eight point eight point one million dollars to create seven beds at chio Five at six sick kids and two at McMaster. So yes, we are listening We know that there are needs and McMaster got two beds as well in addition to that 130 million dollars In 2019 or since 2019 Have been has been invested as well and our youth wellness hubs, which is providing an incredible resource to kids between the ages of 12 and 24 if you Thank you supplementary question the members for trauma center Thank you. Thank you speaker parents with Anti lgbtq views recently disrupted a your catholic school board meeting saying hateful comments such as catholic schools should not allow Transgendered or lgbtc students to attend with rising hate crimes Ontario needs to ensure that all students are safe the premier must use his political voice to condemn discrimination and hate Against the queer and trans communities who are being bullied and targeted for violence My question speaker is will the premier fund to s lgbt Mental health supports and commit today to developing a policy to guarantee the mental health and safety of all students In every single publicly funded ontario school including the catholic schools We believe that every single child in this province has a right to be in school to learn in school Free from intimidation from bullying and from violence every single child Irrespective of their faith or heritage or orientation color of skin place of birth Every child and they need to hear that their government stands with them Recognizing that they face disproportionately high rates of mental health and suicide ideation We know this is real and it's why the government continues to make the case that our school system must be inclusive And must be respectful and welcoming for all of these kids that they know that they are loved in our school system Unconditionally by the staff and the communities that work with them. We have increased funding in mental health We've actually worked with Eagle Canada And leveraged them every single year through the priorities fund of the ministry of education to support those Most at risk within our schools Thank you speaker My question is for the minister of colleges and universities In my writing of Chatham Kent Leamington St. Clair college is a vital education leader with a long history of exceptional athletics and academics In fact this past weekend they captured the men's OCAA basketball championship Like all post-secondary institutions in Ontario St. Clair college serves a critical function to prepare our students for today's jobs and the economy of the future Unfortunately worldwide economic challenges and rising inflation costs are now impacting the financial stability of post-secondary institutions My constituents want to ensure that fine institutions like St. Clair can continue providing high quality education For future generations our government must take bold action now to ensure stability in the sector Speaker can the minister of colleges and universities? Please explain what actions our government is taking to help maintain the financial stability of Ontario's post-secondary education sector I the minister of colleges and university Well, thank you, mr. Speaker our post-secondary institutions and research institutions are important sources of job creation Skills trading research innovation commercialization and obviously great athletes as well Making them leading contributors to our overall economic growth I'm thrilled to stand up today to talk about what our government is doing to support the sector And our students including launching our new blue ribbon panel Announced last week the blue ribbon panel will provide advice and recommendations for keeping the post-secondary education sector financially stable and focused on providing the best student experience possible Led by dr. Allen Harrison and an incredible group of panel members This team will support my ministry in keeping ontario's post-secondary institutions on stable footing now and into the future As we all know ontario's institutions like st. Clair college in the members region Support the province of the economy in a number of ways including by preparing people for the labor market Engaging in research and supporting the prosperity of local communities And supplementary question You speaker and thank you to the minister for a response Our post-secondary education and research institutions are important sources of job creation skills training commercialization and innovation The strength of our province's economy is built on the knowledge skills And expertise that are gained from our post-secondary education system Students who attend institutions like st. Clair in my writing are curious about what they can expect from this panel My constituents want to know further details about how this new panel will work to make a real difference in the post-secondary education sector Speaker can the minister please elaborate on the structure and function of our governance blue ribbon panel That's a great question Well, thank you, mr. Speaker and thank you to the member for being a great advocate for st. Clair college Over the coming months the research and consultations with key stakeholders About the actions ontario can take to improve the financial sustainability of post-secondary sector to support colleges and universities In developing a skilled workforce and to promote economic growth and innovation Specifically the panel members will work to provide advice on how we can enhance the student experience and increase access to education Reward excellence within the sector Improve labour market alignment and find ways to keep education affordable for students and their families This will help support the quality accessibility and sustainability of the post-secondary education sector now and into the future So learners can continue to get the skills and education needed to get good jobs And meet labour market needs and again, I'd like to congratulate the basketball team from st. Clair college on their recent gold medal then Next question the member for nagra center Thank you, speaker through to the premier last week the nagra regional government declared a state of emergency for mental health Homelessness and addiction nagra continues to be hard hit with hundreds of people on wait lists that continue to grow There are over 800 children on the wait list at past on mental health regional police have seen an increase of 238 in calls involving persons in crisis in the last five years The nagra region and local agencies continue to do great work in a system with inadequate funding from this government Will the premier acknowledge our state of emergency and commit to deliver more funding and support for mental health services In nagra right now. Yes or no associate minister mental health and addiction. Thank you, mr. Speaker and When we deal with issues of mental health and addictions We do look specifically at different regions to assist in the nagra region One of the things we did was open two mobile health units so that the units would be able to provide supports Especially in the rural areas where it's difficult for people because of transportation to be able to access the services Children and youth mental health supports are being placed throughout the province of ontario including through our Youth wellness hubs and the youth wellness hubs are providing low barrier Supports to individuals that allows children between the ages of 12 and 24 to be able to Attend a place where they can get wraparound supports for everything from primary care to mental health care supports We've worked with and will continue working with the stakeholders in the nagra region to provide the supports necessary to assist the Children in that region the way we're working with all other regions to provide supports Thank you My question is to the premier speaker in the face of an unprecedented health and homelessness crisis londoners have rallied behind A transformational whole of community response to help those struggling with homelessness mental health and addictions With leadership from local agencies hospitals emergency services police businesses developers and city council Our community is united in making system level change And a generous donor family has galvanized 35 million dollars in direct community funding But speaker london can't do it alone Will the premier commit today to funding the hubs and supportive housing units that are core to this first of its kind local strategy Social minister, thank you, mr. Speaker and once again We have been working with the stakeholders in london to understand the needs of the community We've worked with them with cmaj. There is a crisis hub Which diverts individuals away from the hospitals and provides them with the kind of supports and services they need To effectively give them the treatment and the supports that they need We understand in the continuum of care that there are different aspects And we are making investments whether it's withdrawal management treatment beds Housing to support the individuals as they transition out. These are all aspects of the roadmap to wellness They're all parts of the continuum of care And they all are part of the social determinants of health that go to the very underlying issue of addictions So we are making those investments and building that continuum of care again after neglect over 15 years by At the previous time it's very difficult to put all of these in place and ensure that they're all working together But we are filling gaps. We are working with communities to to stakeholders Thank you And the next question Remember for brampton west Thank you, mr. Speaker. My question is for the solicitor general The people of my riding are greatly concerned about the ongoing problem of car thefts Many interians rely on their family car to commute to work and take their kids to school Unfortunately reports of criminal activity targeting cars are becoming a regular occurrence In brampton recently released data indicates that since 2019 car thefts have risen 97 percent in peel region I want to echo the words of brampton mayor patrick brown who stated We can't accept auto theft as a way of life in canada's biggest cities The city of brampton is home to a culturally diverse population Good neighbors and a friendly people. It's not home for criminal activity Speaker can the solicitor general please explain what actions our government is taking To address this ongoing issue Listener general Well, mr. Speaker, mr. Speaker I'd like to thank the member from brampton west and for his leadership in his community and thank him for the question And let me say this absolutely straight Car theft is absolutely Unacceptable everyone deserves to feel safe in their own homes Communities and in their own vehicles We're proud of our record investment and working hand in hand with law enforcement To tackle automobile thefts across ontario And our government is investing over 61 million dollars in new technology For the police that will allow them to identify stolen vehicles much faster such as the automated license plate reader And we're also investing 267 million dollars through the community safety and policing grant program We are always listening to police on methods tools and support That they can use to keep their community safe Mr. Speaker everyone deserves to live safely in their community and our government will not stop until absolutely everyone is safe A supplementary question Thank you speaker and thank you to the solicitor general for his response Auto theft is not minor criminal activity. This is organized crime National and international criminal networks don't just resell stolen cars to generate money The money they collect is used for further crimes such as drug trafficking arms dealing and human smuggling Criminal activity and fraud are among the factors that impact overall claims costs for ontario's auto insurance consumers Car theft claims have increased by 31 percent in ontario since 2020 and mr Speaker unfortunately every auto insurance customer is now bearing the cost of these criminal activities Speaker can the solicitor general please elaborate on how our government's investment Will support our local police partners in addressing this ongoing issue The solicitor general Well, mr. Speaker and once again, I'm very grateful to my friend my colleague from brampton west Just a few weeks ago. Halton police seized seized 35 vehicles that were stolen from across to the toronto area On their way to dubai mr. Speaker the estimated value of these cars was over 2 million dollars I'd like to thank halton police their regional auto task force and especially chief steve tanner for carrying out this operation It is due to the tireless efforts of people like chief tanner and his police officers that keep ontario safe I want to say one more thing We are imploring the federal government to increase border protections And I've said and as I have said in every conversation with minister mendicino meet me at the border and see for yourself Thank you, mr. Speaker My question is to the premier We have correction officers visiting us today We've been put in front on the front lines of ontario's mental health crisis That's because when people can't get the health care and the services they need in the community They end up in ontario's overcrowded and under staff jails Ontario's chief corner has found that this system is broken and is killing people Almost twice as many deaths in custody in 2020 2021 than just two years earlier speaker Will the premier listen to correction officers here today? And ensure they have the staff the resources and the training they need to deliver on people's basic human rights Well in custody. Thank you Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank the member for the question and we're delighted as was said earlier That we have members of ops you right here with us today and we are We are appreciative of their commitment to keep our province safe I want to say that our government is acting in spending and investing over 500 million dollars to modernize our correctional facilities Our government is acting in hiring over 1400 new correctional officers Some of which just graduated last week and our government is acting again, mr. Speaker understanding that employee wellness is important and we are providing resiliency training for frontline staff And improving managerial awareness of mental health issues through mandatory training We will always mr. Speaker appreciate and acknowledge the hard work done every day by everyone that keeps ontario safe Thank you, mr. Speaker, and I always appreciate the response But if you cared about correction officers and paramedics, you would do something about bill 124 Speaker my question is to the premier Community addiction services of nagra or case on is a vital social service agency In nagra for those dealing with mental health and addiction issues Unfortunately, those important service for my community Are getting harder and harder to deliver Case on has not seen an increase to their base funding since 2020 And expect only a two percent increase this year They have a waitlist and in many cases can't meet the support and resource levels necessary to help their clients Speaker Will the premier commit to working with case on and providing the necessary funding They need to address the mental health and addiction crisis We have in agra so they don't have to lay off employees. Thank you The associate minister mental health and addictions. Thank you, mr. Speaker and thank you for that question I would very much like to meet with case on and understand what their needs are We have had round tables in nagra to try to understand what the needs of the community are And as I mentioned earlier, we're making investments So that we have the funding we do have the funding in place to implement the roadmap to wellness and ensure that Supports and services are there across the board for children and youth and for adults So I will certainly take you up on that offer and have an opportunity to meet with them and discuss What other needs are there and how we can continue supporting all the regions in the province of ontaria including the agro Thank you Thank you very much Point of order the member for kitchen mcconestoga Peter speaker I just noticed that yin de ward is up in the the members gallery. I just wanted to welcome him from clack here today Includes our question period for this morning. We have a deferred vote on