 It is time for oral questions. I recognize the leader of His Majesty's Royal Opportunity. Thank you. Good morning, Speaker. My question is to the Premier. Any disillusion of Peel region will require serious thought and care from this government. There are a lot of moving parts and billions of dollars are at stake for taxpayers in Brampton, in Mississauga and in Caledon. But as we've seen, whether it's with Bill 23 or the cancellation of Peel chair elections or the ending of regional planning responsibilities, this Premier has a record of imposing sudden, massive changes on municipalities without consultation or careful review, leaving municipalities and taxpayers to deal with the resulting chaos. How can the people of Peel trust the Premier to get this right? And to reply, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. I disagree with the leader of the opposition. The Premier has been clear on this issue and what our shared intentions are. We're committed to working with all of our municipal partners to ensure that they have both the tools and the autonomy to deliver efficient and effective services to their constituents. This is an issue that's long been discussed within Peel region. As I said earlier, the Premier has been very clear on his intentions and will have more to say later in the day, Speaker. A supplementary question. Well, Speaker, back to the Premier. Last week we reminded the Premier and the Minister of Municipal Affairs of their promise to make municipalities whole for revenue losses that were caused by Bill 23. We told them that Brampton would need to raise taxes by 80%. 80% to cover these losses. Now they're worried about losing as much as a billion dollars in infrastructure. But the Minister seems to forget all about his promise to make municipalities whole. The Premier even compared Peel municipalities to beggars seeking a handout. How can Peel residents have any confidence in this restructuring process when the Premier and the Minister have shown them such disrespect? Thank you very much. Speaker, the region of Peel has some of the largest and fastest growing communities in our province. We have been very clear that we will continue to work with them. We recently appointed an auditor for all four Peel communities with a very clear vision that we want to set those municipalities up for success. All three of the municipalities, Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon all are part of our expansion of strong mayor powers. All of them have been very, very clear back to us. They've committed to our housing targets, and they're ready for success. And the final supplementary. I encourage the Minister to go listen to the people of Brampton. Their municipality is indeed growing at an extraordinary rate. But time and time again this government makes Bramptonians many promises but delivers nothing but half measures. I get why people are worried about this government's latest plan. They deserve better. In 2019, the government announced a regional government review. Three months of consultations, and the review received over 8,500 written submissions, but then the government suddenly dropped the whole idea. The report and the recommendations have been kept secret ever since. Just so Peel residents and other Ontarians have access to all the relevant information, will the Premier order the release of the 2019 report? Harrison Housing. Well, thanks, Speaker. You know one thing that the Leader of the Opposition didn't talk about? The results of last year's election. Right now, all of those seats in Peel Region are government seats. The opposition, you know, let's face it, there's a bit of revisionist history over on the ventures over there. We will continue to work with our outstanding Peel Region MPPs and the government. We'll continue to work with our three great mayors and those great councils in Caledon, Brampton and Mississauga, and we want to give a clear message to the people who live in Peel Region. No matter whether you live in Caledon or Brampton or Mississauga, we want to ensure that the process results in those same online services that those people expect today and they'll expect in the future. One more question. Once again, the Leader of the Opposition. Before I go to my next question, let me just say, I wonder how those people in Brampton are going to feel next election when their taxes have gone up 80% under this government. Order. Order. Order. Order. Order. On the side, come to order. On September 15, 2022, a company controlled by Michael Rice of the Rice Group bought 687 acres of protected farmland in King Township. Less than two months later, the government announced that this property would be removed from the green belt. But now we've learned that Mr. Rice discussed the development of this land with King Township and Southlake health officials in June before he bought the land and perhaps even as early as January of last year. It makes no sense for Mr. Rice to propose the development of protected green belt land. He did not even own yet, unless, and my question is to the Premier, did someone in the government tip him off about the green belt plan? Shocking, Mr. Speaker, that somebody was talking about building a new hospital in York Region, the new Southlake hospital. In fact, Mr. Speaker, we were actually talking about building a new Southlake hospital before the last election. Yes, Mr. Speaker. It's been no secret. We've never made a secret of the fact that the people of York Region, especially Southlake, needed to be rebuilt. I just don't understand how it is that the leader of the opposition is not aware of this because we've not tried to hide the fact. In fact, we went into an election telling the people of the province of Ontario that we were going to make $50 billion worth of investments in health care because we had to rebuild a health care system that was left so sorely lacking by the Liberal and NDP Coalition, which ignored health care for 15 years. It is no secret, but welcome to the party. Perhaps now you will consider voting in favour of this massive investment now that it is no longer a secret to supplementary questions. Speaker, it's not about what this government says is going to be built or not. It's about who has access to this government to get these favourites. That's what this is about. Clearly, before that June meeting, Luca Bucci, the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, left the ministry and took a job as the new CEO of the Ontario Homebuilders Association. The President of the OHBA at the time was Bob Schickendanz, whose company owned the King Township property that would then be sold to Michael Rice on September 15th, and then removed from the green belt less than two months later. Follow along here, Speaker. Did Mr. Bucci or any other government official know about any of the green belt removals prior to September 15th, 2022? Mr. Speaker, as important it is that you follow along. I think it's very clear that the people of Ontario followed along in the last election, right? She says it's not important about what gets built and what doesn't get built in the province of Ontario. Well, I disagree. It actually is important what gets built and what doesn't get built because under the Liberal and NDP Coalition, nothing got built, Mr. Speaker. That's why our hospitals were crumbling. That's why we didn't have subways for over 30 years. There was a delegation here from Great Britain. They managed to get subways built in London. We had to wait 30 years for Toronto for Minister of Transportation. This Premier, they got subways built in Ontario. So I would say to the leader of the opposition, it does matter what gets built and what gets built and what is not built. And under this government, things get built and when they're in charge, nothing happens. Mr. Speaker, back to the Premier. Back to the Premier. The Conservatives' narrative is totally off here. They better get their stories straight. Last week, the Narwhal reported that officials in the Premier's office were where changes to the Green Belt as early as August. And Michael Rice was pitching a development proposal for his soon-to-be-acquired Green Belt land as early as June or maybe even January of last year. The timeline here doesn't make any sense. Why did the Premier and the Minister tell the Integrity Commissioner that they only knew about the Green Belt removal scheme in November when the Premier's inner circle clearly knew long before then? Thank you. The opposition suggests that the narrative is off. I suggest that it is the leader of the opposition, the NDP, who haven't got on with the narrative. We went to the people of the province of Ontario and said that we were going to continue to build prosperity in the province of Ontario by building roads, highways, new long-term care, by investing in our auto sector, by bringing jobs back to the province of Ontario, and what we have seen is record growth in the province of Ontario. This is an opposition party that went to the people with the message that she's delivering now and the people of the province of Ontario massively turned their back on that particular party, Mr. Speaker. In fact, they returned the Progressive Conservative Party with a larger majority than when we left. They reduced the opposition by 10 seats. This is a leader of the opposition who ran unopposed for the leadership because nobody else wanted to lead the party, Mr. Speaker. I think we got the narrative right, the economy is showing that we're getting it right, and the people of the province of Ontario... Order. Order. Order. Order. Start the clock. The next question, the member for Kiwetnaw. Miigwe, it's a speaker. My question is to the Premier. Speaker, the leadership and the members from the Ojibwe's of Garden River First Nation traveled here today to enforce a long overdue promise of the 1850 Treaty to their people that that treaty promised them land that Ontario and Canada took back for mining, timber, and farming. Mr. Speaker, will this government honour the 1850 Treaty and give back the land Ontario owes to Garden River First Nation? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for the question and let me too welcome the delegation, the chiefs, and the entire members of the community that have come here. We have, I think, a very good tradition of working with Indigenous partners to ensure that, in fact, I think this government has secured more agreements than any other government in the past. But that doesn't suggest that the work is done by any account, Mr. Speaker. I know this is something that is before the courts right now and as you can appreciate, Mr. Speaker, when something is before the courts, there's very little more that we can say on the matter, but the Premier has said, as the minister has said, we remain committed to working with Indigenous partners to not only settle land claims across the province of Ontario, but ensuring that Indigenous communities participate in the economic growth because they are the leaders that will help us shape Ontario of the future, Mr. Speaker. There's such an important part of it. We owe them that, Mr. Speaker, and I know that they are as excited to work with us as we are to work with them. Can that answer your question? We need to start talking about self-determination. We need to start talking about self-governance. We need to start talking about treaties. Honour the treaties. Speaker, First Nations and Ontario are partners in the development of this province. We know that. You know that. The future prosperity for all of us depends on implementing the spirit and intent of the treaties. Again, the prosperity of Northern Ontario depends on the respect of those treaties. Does Ontario agree that this means respect for the environment, so any agreed upon development in the north can happen sustainably, responsibly, and with the full involvement and the full consent of First Nations? Thank you, Speaker. A really good question from the member, and I think he hits nail on the head in a lot of respects. I don't think we need to start working with First Nations. We need to continue working with First Nations. I think he's highlighted it on many occasions as have our partners, Speaker, that this is a partnership. This is a nation-to-nation discussion, Speaker. First Nations are, in many respects, not only our partners, but they are our teachers when it comes to how we can ensure the economic prosperity not only of Northern Ontario, but of all of Ontario. So we will continue to work with our partners, not only the First Nations community, but across the province of Ontario to ensure that as the economic riches of the north, which have become so important in the economic development, not only of Southern Ontario, but all of Canada, that it is those relationships that we have with First Nations community to help guide us and help lead us the way to that economic prosperity that is so important to all Ontarians. The member for Grantford Grant. Thank you, Speaker. First Nations for the Minister of Finance. Much like the rest of the world, Ontario is experiencing the effects of global economic uncertainty. Ongoing supply chain disruptions, inflation, and increased interest rates have created financial pressures for people across Ontario. Individuals, families, and businesses are looking to our government for help during these challenging times to provide them with much needed support so that life is more affordable. We need to see that our government is continuing to focus on legislation, investments, and other initiatives that will provide real relief financially, and that our government has a strong plan for the future. Speaker, can the Minister please explain how our government is continuing to work on behalf of Ontarians during these challenging economic times? Thank you. To apply the Minister of Finance. Well, thank you, Speaker, and thank you to the terrific member for that question. You know, Mr. Speaker, the people of Ontario re-elected our government with a plan to get it done, to keep costs down and to support the people of Ontario while getting roads and hospitals, schools, and infrastructure built that Ontario needs. We have a responsible plan to ensure that the promise remains on a strong and steady economic path forward. In fact, Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to see that Moody's, the credit rating agency, has recently changed Ontario's credit from stable to positive. Mr. Speaker, this reflects our government's commitment to prudent responsible fiscal management and a strong economy. We have laid a strong foundation on which we will continue to build Ontario. Supplementary question. Thank you, Speaker, and thank you, Minister, for that response. It is great to hear that our government is consistently introducing measures that will put money back into the pockets of taxpayers and is building up Ontario's future with infrastructure and investments that will benefit everyone. That said, the people of Ontario expect that their government will continue to look for more ways to reduce costs so that life is more affordable. Unlike the previous Liberal government that was out of touch with the people of Ontario, our government must remain committed to focusing on issues that will help to improve everyday life. Speaker, can the minister please explain how the priorities in the 2023 budget will help to make life more affordable for the people of Ontario? Thank you. Mr. Finance. Thank you again, Mr. Speaker, and thank you again to the member for that question. You know, Mr. Speaker, we are making transit more affordable by eliminating double fares for most local transits, services in the Greater Golden Horse Shoe Area when communities are also using go transit services. Mr. Speaker, for low-income seniors in Ontario, these in certain times are even more challenging. That is why we are temporarily doubling the guaranteed annual income system, also known as GAINS, those payments until December of 2023. And, Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Speaker, we are proposing to expand that GAINS program starting in 2024 to 100,000 additional seniors eligible for the program that increase in recipients and do justice benefits so they can deal with inflation. This all builds on our previous measures, including cutting the gas and fuel tax until December 2023 and eliminating license plate. Thank you. The next question, the member for Windsor West. Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Premier. Residents of Windsor Essex are deeply concerned to know that numerous Code Red and Code Blacks have been declared due to shortages of available ambulances and this government's continued systemic underfunding of health care in Ontario. From 2021 to 2022, there was an alarming increase of 4,833 Code Red minutes. Three months into this year, Windsor Essex is at nearly 900 Code Red minutes plus another 2,257 Code Black minutes. This is the dangerous reality in Windsor Essex and this government continues to fail to address it. Speaker, will the Premier commit today to addressing this disturbing reality and ensure residents in my community have access to timely emergency services when they need it? And to apply the Parliamentary System to Minister of Health, Member Craig Lawrence. Thank you, Member opposite for the question. Our government knows that the status quo is not working and that is why we've been making all the changes we have, why we introduced the Your Health Act and why we've got the largest Health Human Resource Recruitment Retention and Training Initiative in Ontario's history to address any concerns such as the ones the Member opposite has mentioned. And recently, in fact, this Tuesday, our Minister of Health and our Minister of Colleges and Universities were in Owen Sound to announce training programs, learning stay programs to ensure 2,500 post-secondary students in nursing, paramedic and medical laboratory technology students would get training covered by the government and what we're doing is making sure that those programs are available. This is building on programs that we announced in March of 2022. And we think that this is part of the solution to make sure that we have the Health Human Resource and make sure that the emergency rooms are operating. Your supplementary question. Thank you, Speaker. The Mayor and Council of Essex passed a motion this week and have written a letter to the Premier calling for immediate action for our region. Mayor Bondi said, and I quote, we implore the authorities to imply an immediate and comprehensive review of our hospital offload delays and staffing crisis in our front line. Ambulance offload processes and hospital volumes are merely two contributing factors. If nothing tangible is done, local families risk experiencing catastrophic consequences, end quote. Speaker, will the Premier immediately address the concerns of the Essex Council and the alarming healthcare crisis we're experiencing across Windsor Essex with the increasing Code Reds and Code Blacks? Absolutely. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Our government is taking action to ensure on terms of access to the care they need and when it comes to the ambulance offload delays we have a many-step process we put in place. We're returning ambulances to communities faster through the dedicated offload nursing program. We've increased ambulance availability by about 600,000 hours with that program. We're providing timely and appropriate care in community through the expansion of our 9-1-1 options. We're investing in new technologies through the Central Ambulance Communications Centre and we're doing all these things to make sure and also helping with transport of non-medically for medically stable patients so they don't have to use ambulances and we're maximizing, as I said, our health human resource capacity. Speaker, this year we've increased dedicated offload funding to over $23 million for 27 municipalities and that's seven additional municipalities receiving that funding for the first time. We're going to continue to make sure that our ambulances can be in the community, not waiting in hospitals and that our emergency rooms are well stacked. Question, the member for Brampton North. Thank you, Speaker. My question is for the Associate Minister of Transportation. Many commuters and families, myself included, and my riding at Brampton North rely on the GO Train Network to get to downtown Toronto and to travel across the rest of the GTA. Those same commuters and families were left behind when the previous Liberal government broke their promises on GO Transit Service. Because of their failed leadership, our government inherited a transit system that was outdated and in need of many improvements. That's why our government must build transit infrastructure that will improve travel, create local jobs, and boost our economy. Speaker, can the Associate Minister please explain how our government is bringing fast and convenient GO Transit services for the people in my riding and across Ontario? Good. The Associate Minister of Transportation. Thank you, Speaker. A Bodala Badia question from the member this morning. Shukriya Badia. Speaker, make no mistake, we're building the GO Network after the Liberals failed to do so. Last week, I joined the Premier and Minister Maul Rooney to announce we recently finished building terrific new infrastructure improvements at Bramley GO and Brampton. These fantastic enhancements include a brand-new accessible station building, a spacious parking garage with over 2,000 parking spaces, and tremendous bus-related infrastructure with a whopping 18 new bus platforms so riders can get off Bramley GO and connect to local Brampton transit with ease. Our upgrades are making Bramley GO an essential hub for 12,200 daily riders that it will have in 20 years' time. Speaker, unlike the opposition who failed to expand the GO Network and build transit of any meaningful way, this government is getting it done for commuters in Ontario. Thank you, Speaker. And it's great to see how our government is improving the GO Transit Network as it will help to better connect people and communities. A new and improved Bramley GO Station will offer riders better and more convenient service. The people of Ontario are looking forward to a modernized GO Transit system that will meet our transit needs for years to come. Our government must continue to build Ontario by delivering on our commitment to bring relief and new opportunities to transit users. Speaker, can the Associate Minister please elaborate on the progress our government is making on expanding the GO Transit Network to get it done for commuters all across our province? The Associate Minister of Transportation. Speaker, let's be clear. This government is taking the biggest transit expansion plan in history at 70 and a half billion dollars and making it a reality for the commuters in this price. This includes the GO expansion program, the member from Waterloo, Heckels, but votes against two-way all-day GO in her own riding after asking it for it for decades. But, Speaker, we continue. Order. Mr. Speaker, is the floor. Thank you, Speaker. Despite the heckling of the opposition who opposes transit even in their own riding, we're getting it done. For example, Millicon GO train station has a fine new East platform and a south tunnel for riders. Speaker, that's not the only enhancement we're bringing. We're also bringing enhancements such as a second track and platform, canopies and integrated shelters, a renovated existing platform and two brand new pedestrian tunnels with elevator, Speaker. It's not just about expanding the grid. It's about making it more affordable. It's about making the rider experience more enjoyable. Speaker, this government is getting it done for commuters in this price. The next question. The member for Nickel Belt. Thank you, Mr. President. My question for the Minister of Health. My question for the Minister of Health. As a very hard time meeting, it's 24 hours a day, seven days a week obligation to their emergency department. They serve many seniors, many amish and Mennonites families who do not drive. They know vulnerable people are dependent upon them. Chelsea's hospital face human resources shortages. They need more resources. They need this Minister's help. Hospitals are the biggest responsibility of a Minister of Health. We all know that the Minister is all in when it comes to helping investor build our private clinics that we don't need. But the people of Chelsea who are here today wants to know what this Minister is going to do to help public hospital like Chelsea who is struggling right now. And to respond, the Minister of Colleges and Universities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the member for the question. It's very interesting. Every day you're all talk, talk, talk about more doctors and nurses. But every time you have to vote, it's no, no, no. Every one of you voted last week against adding additional nurses, PSWs, doctors to the system. This week I was with the Minister of Health where we kipped off the announcement for the Learn and Stay Grant, which will actually affect your community through Cadrian College and through Laurentian University. We've already seen 1,300 students registered for this program. So amazing to see that nurses you know you vote against Bill 60, but you have a chance today to stand up and vote for the budget. Which will again include more doctors and nurses. So I ask you today to stand up and vote and support the budget so we can see more health human resources added to the system. It's going to remind the members to please make their comments through the chair, not directly across the floor of those. Start the clock. Supplementary question, the member for Ottawa's Centre. Thank you, Speaker. One of the questions back to the Health Minister, was whether the hospital was closed last Saturday when a nurse had to call in sick. That meant one less OR for major trauma incidents in our city. But you know what was open last Saturday? The for-profit corporation that's been operating at the Riverside campus of the Ottawa hospital and poaching nurses from our existing hospital infrastructure. Now this minister and this government I'm going to assume is going to assist. There's no link between these things. We have a president of the nurses at the Ottawa hospital, Rachel Muir, who says there is. So Speaker, will today be the day finally that this government comes to grips with this obsession of for-profit health care and how it is hurting our hospitals? The member for Niagara West will come to order. Minister of Colleges and Universities can reply. Thank you to the member again for the question. And we're talking about health human resources and including adding additional health human resources. More doctors. The member for Kitchener's Centre will come to order. The member for Kitchener Conestoga will come to order. I think he knows what he said. Minister of Colleges and Universities. Thank you Mr. Speaker. We're talking about adding additional health human resources to the field. More doctors, more nurses, more PSWs and yet every opportunity, we bring forward the opposition, Liberals and NDPs vote against these every single time. We have record numbers of students right now who are wanting to become nurses. We're adding incentives like the new learn and stay program. Investments in hospitals, long-term care centres, students want to join the health sector and yet every opportunity that comes before you, you vote it down. You talk about wanting more doctors and nurses and yet every time there's no no no. Today we vote for Budget 2023 and I hope that all members in this House stand and support adding additional health human resources. Once again, stop the call please. One more time. I'll remind the members to make their comments through the chair, not directly across the floor of the House. Will I say it again? The member for Renfrew Nipissing Pembroke will come to order. Start the clock. The next question. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Premier. Mr. Speaker, earlier this year the emergency room in Chesley, Ontario had its hours limited from 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Chesley residents who have emergencies outside of bankers hours according to this government they're just out of luck. Coupled with our family doctor shortage Ontarians are left with fewer and fewer options and residents of Chesley are understandably angry. Last month hundreds of Chesley residents protested the ER's extended closures even organizing the petition that will be read in the record later today. Mr. Speaker, the people of Chesley have had enough of this government's inaction as the province's health care crisis sweeps through their community. Will the Premier drop his appeal to Bill 124, address the staffing crisis adequately fund our hospitals and keep emergency rooms open across Ontario? Mr. Speaker, honestly it's bad enough when the NDP asked questions because they held the balance of power but the Liberals were actually in power for 15 years across the province of Ontario and what did they do? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Now when the NDP were in power they reduced the acute care beds in our hospitals down to 18,000. They took thousands of beds offline. The Liberals then doubled down but then they went even further they actually cut the health care spending across the province of Ontario while they were in power and while there was a federal government, a conservative government that was increasing funding by 6% a year to health care. That is the record of the Liberals. The Liberals helped bring this province to its knees. They underfunded small hospitals across the province of Ontario and now this member has the nerve to get up and say, do something about it? Well we are. We started making investments not only in our small and medium hospitals but by rebuilding them and by bringing thousands of additional health care workers on. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Well you know what this government has done? This government has ensured that the ER and Alexandria has been closed 38 times from last year to this year. The government has ensured that the ER and Perth was closed for three straight weeks last July. They ensured that the emergency room at the hospital was closed for three straight weeks last July. They continued to blame others after five years in office having not actually accomplished a whole heck of a lot. The health care crisis in Chesley is not a one-off. It is merely the tip of the iceberg. Unless this government changes course it will happen again and again and again. Mr. Speaker, for the people in Chesley without a family doctor who can't drive a half an hour attack and need emergency room access, Mr. Speaker, what does the Premier recommend they do in a medical emergency? The province of Ontario did the right thing in 2018 when they elected a conservative government to fix the bungling of 15 years of Liberals. How dare this member get up and talk about small town Ontario? This is a member whose government closed schools in small town Ontario. This is a member whose government starved in a small town Ontario hospital to death, Mr. Speaker, so that they could take funding from small town Ontario and put it into hospitals in their own writings. They closed down acute care beds. They laid off nurses. They didn't build long-term care, Mr. Speaker. That is the record of the Liberal Party. What have we done? You want to know what we've done? We're building 50 brand new hospitals across the province of Ontario. We're expanding them. The small town Ontario said it is absolutely incredible that for 15 years they starved you. We took their budgets and we equaled them to what is happening in big Ontario urban communities. We're hiring more doctors with more medical schools. The government side will come to order. The next question, the member for Scarborough aging court. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Red Tape Reduction. After 15 years of previous Liberal government, Ontario was left with the highest regulatory burden in the country. Companies found themselves tangled up in endless and complicated regulations. What's worse is that under the watch of the Liberals, more than 300,000 manufacturing jobs were backed up and left Ontario. That's why in 2018 Ontario's entrusted our government to clean up the mass that was left behind. The people of our province expect that our government will implement measures that will pave the way for better services and make it easier for businesses to invest in Ontario. Minister, please share some of the steps our government has taken to make businesses more competitive in Ontario. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the member from Scarborough aging court for that important question. We all know the previous Liberal government supported by the NDP obviously spent 15 years creating unnecessary burden for people in the province of Ontario. As a matter of fact there is no budget regulatory burden in the country when we took over in 2018 but what have we done since 2018 we brought forward 10 different pieces of legislation in this house to help reduce that regulatory burden. 10 pieces of legislation that have helped reduce over 16,000 different red taper requirements that Ontarians and businesses have to face in our province and we continuously encourage of Ontarians and businesses to bring forward ideas that we can work on and make life easier for everyone, Mr. Speaker. I also want to point out that we have not to date received a single idea from the members of opposite Mr. Speaker simply because I don't think they care about red taper. Thank you, Minister Speaker. It is always good news for the people of Ontario when our government is streamlining the process by getting rid of outdated and unnecessary regulations. Our government continues to prove that there are innovative solutions that save people and businesses time and money. To date the work of Ministry of Red Tape reduction has saved businesses nearly $700 million in annual compliances costs. However, our government must continue to look for more opportunities to reduce regulatory burdens to make it easier for Ontarians to access services. Speaker, can the minister please share how our government's latest red taper reduction bill will do more to make life easier for people and businesses in Ontario? Mr. Red Tape Reduction. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the member for being here. I was proud to introduce our 10th red tape production called the Red Tape Stronger Economy Act. If passed, of course it will help get broadband built faster across our province in various communities. It will help businesses and non-profit organisations adopt digital meetings and other virtual practices. It will protect electricity rate of fines imposed on utility companies, Mr. Speaker. Those are just few of the highlights from the latest bill that we have before the House. In fact, I'm proud to say that this was the largest piece of legislation that our government has brought in so far in this session, Mr. Speaker. Why? Because we understand unnecessary burden, unnecessary red tape is holding our economy, holding our economy, and we will continue to work hard each and every day to eliminate those unnecessary barriers, Mr. Speaker. Next question, the member for London Fanshawe. Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Premier. This week the FAO report confirmed what experts have been mourning the government for about some time. The implementation of the $10 a day childcare program is under threat because of low pay and low income. The FAO only stays in the childcare sector for just three years. Does the government's plan include creating not-for-profit spaces with good paying jobs? Mr. Speaker, the greatest single threat to affordable childcare is the ideological aversion of new democrats and liberals that would have opposed 30% of childcare operators for being in the deal because you oppose the inclusion of ideology instead of practical reductions and savings for working people in the province of Ontario. This Premier got a deal done, not any deal, a better deal with a billion more dollars on the table and extra year funding guarantees and yes, Mr. Speaker, a commitment to increase wages for the very workers who make a difference in our childcare centres. Mr. Speaker, we're increasing wages by a dollar per hour per year. We instituted for the first time a dollar per year to go even further. Let's work together to make childcare affordable. This year, the average rate went from $46 a day on average to $23 a day, 50% saving, a major step forward. Let's do this for families in Ontario. Mr. Speaker, the FAO estimates that over 220,000 additional spaces will be required to fulfill the demand for a $10 childcare worker. With 16,000 childcare workers needing to be hired by 2026 in order to meet the demand, early childcare educators are leaving the field faster than they can be trained. We've been urging the government to create an early years and childcare workforce advisory commission. Will the government commit today to prioritizing a $10 a day childcare and make sure that childcare is a career that we can do. I appreciate the question, members opposite, we can agree that ECs play a critical role. It is a profession that is worth entering with great opportunity. Of course, while we're increasing their wages and strengthening the supports we're providing for the workers, we're also putting an emphasis on reduction in fees and increase of access. Mr. Speaker, under the former Liberal government, one of the legacies of childcare fees for working parents, it became a choice of staying home or working in undermined labour market participation of women in the economy. We're finally getting this done, but we stood up to the federal government for a better deal that includes more affordability, more spaces and more federal investment. Mr. Speaker, we'll continue to stand with those workers, stand with families, reduce fees, and work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Ontario's greenhouse grown fruit, vegetables and flowers account for a significant contribution to Ontario's agri-food sector. Through implementing new technology and innovation within the sector, Ontario's greenhouse continue to be at the forefront of the agri-food sector. Consistent, reliable, premium quality infrastructure, a global leader and a universally trusted brand of choice. The economic activity generated by Ontario's greenhouse alone contributes to more than $2.3 billion to Ontario's GDP and have created over 28,000 jobs. Can the Minister share what the government is doing to support the growth of this important agri-food business? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the question from the MPP from Peterborough because this is something we need to celebrate. It's really important that people across Ontario understand that Ontario's greenhouse vegetable sector and fresh flower sector actually represent over 81% of Canada's total greenhouse vegetable exports. 81% of exports. We are a food power house in Canada, and we're working with the sector for an all government approach to make sure that the right supports are in place. For example, we continue to work with the greenhouse sector and introduce programs like the Grow Ontario Marketing Initiative to help grow markets, not only in Ontario, but around the world. We're working with our colleagues to reduce red tape, introduce research initiatives, and we're working with greenhouses to ensure that when international conditions, for instance, the HEPA filter system that we introduced, the list goes on and on, but the important part is the... Supplementary? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier this week we welcomed the Ontario Greenhouse Alliance to this house. Greenhouse grown flowers generate more than $900 million in farm gate sales in 2021, and continue to innovate to grow greenhouses. The partnership between the Ontario chapter of Flowers Canada and the Ontario greenhouse vegetable growers represented by Toga, yes, it's true, we had a Toga event, is a formidable economic powerhouse with the ability to truly strengthen Ontario's economy. Toga's members are protecting crops and flowers from environmental extremes, preserving and recirculating water and nutrients, and growing greenhouses around to ensure that we have safe, local, fresh food supply throughout the year. Can the minister elaborate on how this government is supporting the desire to increase exports of our fresh products? Thank you very much, Speaker. I want to touch on the fresh flower market here in Ontario, and thank you to the member opposite from Peterborough for recognizing the Toga party that was held here, because the Ontario Greenhouse Alliance is so much to celebrate. In fact, I was speaking to one grower that specializes in fresh flowers, and I want to quote something that he shared. They had a really good market leading up to Mother's Day, and not only in Ontario did they satisfy demand across the province, but he also stated that $1 million worth of flowers growing in Ontario was sold into the U.S. market, and I know the finance minister will appreciate this, because selling those flowers was translated into $1.35 million returning to Ontario so that we can continue to build Ontario, invest in our greenhouse business, and most importantly, continue to grow good Ontario jobs. And Speaker, that's exactly why we stand with the members of the Ontario Greenhouse Alliance and farmers across this province to meet market challenges and to help them realize growth opportunities. Thank you. Number four, Niagara Falls. Thank you. My question is to the Premier. The Fortary Race Track will have their 126th opening day next Tuesday. Right now, they're under attack. After reaching an impasse in their attempt to resolve ongoing issues, the Fortary Race Track filed agreements with the Canadian Trade Commission for targeted anti-competition behaviour by Woodbine. Woodbine has enforced a strict cross-stabling policy and routinely running B-level races as an A-level track at the expense of the Fortary Race Track. Speaker, will the government step in and have Woodbine end this behaviour to ensure to ensure the future of the Fortary Track? Thank you. Minister of Finance. Well, thank you Mr. Speaker and thank you to the member opposite for that question, that very important question. And as the member opposite knows, there has been a complaint filed that he just referenced in front of the competition Bureau, so I can't get into specifics and comment in detailed fashion on that, but I will say this and I think the member opposite knows this, that the previous government was willing and prepared to allow for the collapse of the horse racing industry caused the potential loss of 23,000 jobs and 27,000 dead horses Mr. Speaker. So we are supporting the horse racing industry Mr. Speaker. In fact, during the pandemic we negotiated terms to have a long-term funding agreement to provide additional support through a very challenging time for the industry and this will give the industry time to recover Mr. Speaker and preserve local employment to enter 15 race tracks until 2026. Supplementary? Back to the Premier. Woodbine has been granted tens of million dollars from taxpayers in purse money by this government yet they continue to take action which is directly harming the Fordyre race track. Woodbine refuses to work proactively with Fordyre in the scheduling of the Prince of Wales race tracks which would allow both triple crown races to be highlighted and well attended in the province. Thrillbred tracks in Ontario should be working together. Woodbine is doing the opposite. Speaker, I ask the government to do the right thing. Support horse racing in this province and rein in this behaviour by Woodbine and Mr. Jim Lawson the CEO. Thank you. Mr. Speaker our government really understands the important role that horse racing industry provides to many of our communities across Ontario. In fact, a few of my colleagues who were around in opposition at the time, you fought for the horse racing industry. You stepped up for all those jobs in many communities around Ontario and Mr. Speaker in fact did the member opposites own writing if it weren't for the tireless work that my colleagues on this side of the house and then the middle over there there they are. That would be countless jobs that were lost countless communities that would have suffered Mr. Speaker. We stand with the horse racing industry and continue to support the horse racing industry so thank you for your support and that's all I have to say. Next question my question is for the minister of public and business service delivery Ontario knows that technology is evolving, improving and changing faster than ever before. In many ways it can often seem like the changes are happening more quickly than what the people and business can keep up with. For individual families workers and businesses who wish to access online services that technology need to be convenient and reliable. It is important and necessary that Ontario keep pace with new technology so that businesses can remain competitive and people can access the information services that they need. Speaker can the minister please explain what our government is doing to ensure that Ontario adapt up to date digital technology. Thank you. Minister of public and business service delivery Thank you very much Mr Speaker and thank you to the member from Markham Townhill for his question. The position of this government is very clear as both Premier Ford and Minister of Finance have said it on numerous occasions we cannot afford to be an offline government in an online world. This mindset is driving change and innovation in government and it's helping us adopt cutting edge technologies like the cloud by moving away from old outdated tech and towards the cloud. Speaker we are making the services that Ontarians count on more reliable more affordable and above all else safer than ever before. Speaker I'm also very proud to say that our province is not is a leader not only in Canada but in North America as well and around the world as well. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Mr Speaker Thank you Minister for that response. It is a reality that cloud technology experience in tremendous growth. The minister explained that cloud technology will provide an added message of safety. While this good news report from the media about security breaches, leak information and identity theft from computer hackers. The safety and security of personal information is an important and serious issue. The people of Ontario need to be confident that our government can ensure that provincial services and agencies have strong cyber security measures in place. Mr Speaker can the minister explain how our government is implementing technology that will safeguard the personal information for all Ontario. Thank you Mr Speaker. Thank you very much Speaker and again thanks to the member for his question. Speaker as the member just mentioned in his first question, technology is evolving very quickly. Unfortunately this also means bad actors who want to steal Ontario's personal information in place to inflict damage and disrupt services. Speaker that is why our government is never letting its guard down and the added benefit of cloud technology means that we can keep Ontarians safe thanks to the improved stability, reliability and security that this new technology brings. Speaker as Ontario's economy and population continue to grow under our government. The need for us to keep up the pace grows as well and under this Premier and this government we are delivering digital transformation for a smarter more modern and efficient government that serves people and businesses of our great province. Thank you Speaker. My constituent Robert is on ODSB and was faced with an impossible choice at Walmart to buy diabetic socks or food. Every diabetic knows that proper socks prevent ulcers, infections and ultimately amputations. So Robert's choice was really about going hungry or potentially losing his toes or feet. 85% of diabetic amputations are preventable with proper care. ODSB is legislated poverty as we all know. Low rates means that Robert is an expert at stretching a dime into a dollar but still it isn't enough. When will the premier listen to experts and double ODSB to lift people with disabilities out of poverty and to save people like Robert from losing his limbs? Thank you very much Speaker and I thank the Honourable Member for the question. I just want to remind every single Ontario of the decisions that have been made by this government. We have made the largest increase to ODSB rate in decades. We have increased the income threshold from $200 to $1000 so that more Ontarians can keep more money in their pockets. Mr Speaker, every single decision that we've made, you'll hear time and time again the members from opposite both parties talk about affordability for Ontarians yet when it comes to actually supporting and doing something about it they vote against it Mr Speaker. It's always when the lights are on the cameras rolling they'll say one thing but when it comes to action Mr Speaker this is the lights, camera no action party Mr Speaker. We will stand up for every single Ontarian Mr Speaker. We will make sure that no one is left behind in this province. That now means Mr Speaker the NDP has to stand up and tell the people of this province why they continue to vote against it in a single manner. Supplementary question? Thank you Speaker over a million Ontarians are being left behind by this government living on ODSB and that number continues to grow. As reflected in their flawed budget this government's minuscule changes to ODSB is not enough simply not enough. When Robert is choosing between food and medical necessities that tells me it's not enough. ODSB barely covers a few pairs of socks a year. I don't know about the premier but I need to change my socks daily. Why does this government sell people living with ODSB by insisting that they get a job? Even as the ODSB application process tells them to describe their disability in detail. Why? Mr Speaker and I thank the honourable colleague again for the follow up. Again I just want to remind the member here is what they voted against the increase to support for Ontarians on the ODSB the largest increase in decades they voted against it. Aligning it to inflation which as of July 1st will further increase for Ontarians they voted against it. The $200 limit which was increased to $1000 so that more Ontarians who can and are able to work can get out there and earn more Mr Speaker. What did they do? They voted against it. Again every single measure that this finance minister has put forward not just in this recent budget not in the fall economic statement the budget before that every single measure that we put forward is more affordable for Ontarians the NDP votes again. They'll say one thing here on the House but all is sure Ontarians you have nothing to worry about. This side of the House and the majority will continue to Thank you Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Energy. Earlier this week the minister responded to some questions about all the work that our government is doing in continuing to support the provinces economic growth through these include investments in the electric vehicle and EV battery manufacturing industries particularly with the new Volkswagen Gigafactory to be built in St. Thomas. The minister was asked about the capacity of our current energy grid and its sustainability for the long term and I'm pleased to hear in his response that our government is addressing the Ontario's energy infrastructure needs through a number of different measures including the Ontario's competitive procurements. Speaker will the minister please provide additional information about Ontario's competitive procurement process for our energy grid system. Speaker I want to start by answering this question by saying I want to correct my record because on Monday I talked about the Oneida project which was the largest battery storage project in Canada but on Tuesday that all changed Mr. Speaker we're going to have a larger battery storage project in Haggersville and the second largest is actually going to be in that member's riding in Greater Napa-nee Mr. Speaker so we're continuing to add clean generation to our system as a result of the ISO's competitive procurement that came out on Tuesday we learned that 740 megawatts of new energy storage generation is going to be available to our province Mr. Speaker that's enough to power a city the size of London and it's a 400% increase in clean energy storage no not not London England but London Ontario Finance Minister I should point that out with the folks from London this is great news as our province continues to see record multi-billion dollar investments Mr. Speaker and we build 1.5 million homes over the next decade we're going to need the power thank you very much question period has concluded