 It is now time for oral questions. I recognize the leader of the official opposition Speaker my first question this morning is to the premier Ontario's regional public health units are only now getting a better look at the chaos in store for them from this government's public health scheme Yesterday, we saw the preliminary geographic boundaries for the premier's reckless scheme to eliminate 25 public health units Large cities like Ottawa and Kingston will now share a public health unit. Whereas the Renfrew public health unit will be sliced down the middle Who did the government consult to drop these boundary speaker? Minister of Health for the minister of health and long-term care For the question, but in fact the boundaries have not been decided upon yet There is a numerous consultations that have yet to happen. There were some discussions that happened by phone last week with their Medical officer of health upon the suggestion of boundaries, but they are only Suggestions they have not been decided upon. There's a lot of consultation particularly with municipalities that has yet to happen Well speaker it's clear that the government's proposing that to for example Waterloo Peele Halton Wellington and wealth regional public health units All merge into one chief medical officers in Hamilton and Niagara are still struggling to figure out how the merger of their Regions don't even work much less what the impact will be on the services that they provide to people in those communities Well, the government cooks up these schemes behind closed doors People who actually work in public health every day are worried for their communities and their jobs Why is the government keeping public health units in the dark while they force through these risky changes? Proposal is to make sure that we modernize our public health system to be able to Go on to two crises in public health that do occur from time to time and we can probably expect It's going to occur even more frequently in the future. So we need to be ready for it That's what we're preparing for as for the public health units being left in the dark That is absolutely not the case. They have been consulted. They have had conversations There are many more discussions that have yet to be had and as I indicated in my previous answer No boundaries have been decided on yet That was going to be decided after appropriate consultations with municipalities with the public health units and with others Well speaker to cut first and plan later is irresponsible to do that Here's the check on our regional health care systems will impact every single part of our province and this kind of chaos will Only harm the people who depend on their services and I find it disgraceful that cabinet ministers are Prospects be speaker because I can tell you people in public health are certainly not laughing They are very very very concerned in response to the news in Waterloo regional in Waterloo regional chair Karen Redmond said this I have great concerns the farther you move away from local decision-making the greater the opportunity there is for less responsive and accountable Decisions why is the premier reducing accountability and imposing a one-size-fits-all scheme on communities across Ontario? The modernization of our public health system is something that we've been working on for months and the change from the 35 units of public health to 10 is something that is we are working on through the Through the consultations that are necessary with the appropriate people involved So this is not something that's just been thought up in the last minute This is something that's very purposeful has been thought about in great detail by many people And it's something that is going to be subject to further consultations that the people who are going to be dealt dealing with this on The front lines we want to make sure that our local public health units are going to be able to respond to Issues that are going to come up from time to time. There are outbreaks of certain diseases That's going to continue, but we so we need to be ready We are ready at the Ministry of Health that we are want to make sure that local health The next question leader of the opposition Thank you, speaker. My next question is also to the premier yesterday The Toronto District School Board released their proposed operating budget for this year Which had a 42 million dollar hole because of the government's cuts to education in the past of the school board has Been able to make up shortfalls in their budget without affecting students in the classroom But this year the board says it's not possible The programs and services for students will need to be scaled back is what they're saying Is the premier ready to admit now that his education cuts are actually hurting students? Through you mr. Speaker our government is about making sure the students are ready for the new economy Making sure that they're ready to get out in the work world the numbers that the TD is the numbers that the TDSB Put out was Absolutely reckless they put these numbers out to the public premature Opposition order before they even know the numbers. They're just throwing these numbers out arbitrarily Our ministries numbers are totally opposite mr. Speaker and it's disheartening that they move forward with these figures without first Attempting to even verify the accuracy of these numbers. It's the old-scale tactics. Mr. Speaker Political stunts like this only serve to cause anxiety with parents and with students fine over the past 15 years There's been zero oversight Zero oversight and accountability when it comes to the education spending at our school boards Ask the member for Davenport member for Waterloo to come door Start the clock supplementary question Well speaker the premier only knows that needs to hold up a mirror to see reckless out of control and premature Puts to education is hitting is the French immersion and extended French program Students will now have fewer opportunities to participate in French immersion because the board is first forced to reduce the number of pathways Into the program and fewer students are able to be bused into schools to access the program Does the premier believe that forcing schools to cut essential programs like French immersion will actually help students succeed? Well this year mr. Speaker, we're giving the TDSB Three billion dollars and mr. Speaker. We're asking them We're asking the TDSB to find three quarters of one percent Efficiencies three quarters of one percent of efficiencies, but guess what the school board doesn't instead mr. Speaker They go out and waste taxpayers money They spent over seven hundred thousand dollars to replace some locks locks on schools the TDSB These are great ones to replace one electrical outlet. They spent three thousand dollars for two dollar and fifty cent outlet They spent three thousand dollars to install it This is even better one of those whiteboards the whiteboards that cost a hundred and twenty seven dollars The school board went out and spent risk one five hundred dollars mr. Speaker on a whiteboard This is reckless spending over and over again. We see this and come to one school mr. Speaker Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Well, I think the premier should check if it was a whiteboard or a smart board, maybe he doesn't know the difference speaker Because of the premier's education cuts the international language program the international International baccalaureate program the outdoor education program side come back all seeing cuts There will be fewer Psychology staff fewer supports for teachers to boost their skills in science math and technology and fewer opportunities for students to learn music and art Is this the kind of change the premier thinks our students deserve speaker? premier Mr. Speaker, I think the public needs to know how they waste money at the school board Seven hours mr. Speaker seven hours. They hired someone to hang three pitchers seven hours But it even gets better for a Company up that spent seven hours hanging three pitchers to come two days later And they took eight hours to hang three more pitchers up mr. Speaker. It's outrageous spending we see They went out and spend a hundred and forty three dollars on a pencil sharpener That is reckless. They cut one single key a single key that cost five dollars at a home depot They spent a hundred and forty seven dollars to cut one key At our age McGregor at our age McGregor they need a little bench My mr. Speaker the school board hired four guys to come by to move one bench That's the reckless spending. We're gonna stop. We're gonna make sure Restart the clock next question the leader of the opposition I knew the premier wanted to be the mayor of Toronto now He wants to be the superintendent of Toronto District School Board my questions to the Attorney General today's Globe and Mail Today's Globe and Mail provides more details of a disturbing incident last year in which Dean French the Premier's chief of staff Ordered senior political aides to direct police to raid cannabis stores the day the marijuana became legal With the goal of getting people in handcuffs on the noon hour news the Globe reports that the Attorney General Attended a follow-up meeting in which these same staff were reprimanded by Dean French the Premier and senior cabinet ministers for not following through on Mr. French's orders can the Attorney General confirm that she attended this meeting and if she did Did she actually take the time to explain to the Premier how inappropriate it is for politicians and their staff to attempt to direct police? Referred to the solicitor general might not get it but I think the vast majority of Ontario residents understand that our goal is to compete complete and and Ensure that our families and our communities are safe The fact that chiefs of staff and ministers frankly are asking for updates Suggests that we want to make sure that the policies and legislation that we are bringing forward is actually making a difference to the frontline officers You know I Continue to appreciate and understand and I wish the NDP would that these illegal cannabis shops Fund opioids fund human trafficking fund guns and gangs in our community We must shut them down and the only way that we can do that is Monitor to make sure that the policies and legislation that we have brought is actually making a difference to the frontline officers That's what we're doing. That's what our staff are doing and we will continue Start the clock supplementary Well speaker the government staff who refused to do Dean French's bidding did so for a very good reason In a democracy the government does not dictate who police investigate or how they conduct investigations It's a concept sadly that the Ford government seems to have a problem inside come to order the attorney general However has a unique role at the cabinet table and this is exactly the sort of moment when she should have spoken up Why did she not speak up speaker? Interrupt again, but I have to call members to order Premier must come to order The Minister of Children Community and Social Services must come to order the Minister for Infrastructure must come to order the Minister for Economic Development Job creation and trade must come While I'm at it the member for Eglinton Lawrence will have to come to order the member for a topical center will come to Start the clock So sir general to reply You know our our government understands and appreciate how important law and order is in the province of Ontario And we will continue to monitor the activities of these illegal cannabis shops because as I say speaker This is a source of funding for guns and gangs in the province of Ontario This is funding human trafficking in the province of Ontario Illegal cannabis shops are funding opioid prices in our communities Why it's important that we know that these illegal cannabis shops shut down then I can't I can't Chiefs of Staff need to have the input the Minister for Infrastructure will come to order The Minister for Infrastructure is warned The leader of the opposition will come to order the leader for the member for Waterloo will come to order For repeated interjections if you're wondering why The member for Kitchener Conestoga will come to order The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing will come to order The Premier will come to order I want to apologize to the solicitor general for interrupting her response But I had to call one of her colleagues to order because of repeated interjections Start the clock the next question the member for Aurora Thank you speaker speaker my questions to the Premier Mr. Speaker the federal government adopted the job killing carbon tax on April 1st Sadly for the people of Ontario. It was no April fools joke people across the province from all walks of life are Feeling the impact of the carbon tax Hospitals universities and colleges businesses and seniors across Ontario are paying the price No one's exempt the Prime Minister better take note because Canadians are growing angry Mr. Speaker can the Premier please update the legislature on the status of the carbon tax challenge Premier I want to thank a great MPP from Aurora Oak Ridge is Richmond Hill. He's a champion like the rest of these champions Mr. Speaker have an opportunity to host Premier Scott Moll from Saskatchewan and and talk about the carbon tax and the effects It's taking place right across this province right across this country. It's not a coincidence Mr. Speaker every Premier that ran against the carbon tax has won from PEI to New Brunswick to Quebec, Ontario Manitoba Saskatchewan in Alberta the people of Canada do not want a carbon tax It's a job killing tax. It puts a burden on the backs of every single family in the entire country It puts a burden on every single company that exists Everything is going up my friends Everything the people up there buying today is going up in price in the stores. Their gas is more expensive Everything is more expensive. Thank you Thank you Thank you, Speaker and I thank the Premier for his very eloquent answer as always. Mr. Speaker Ontario will be paying 648,000 for a year because of the federal government's costly carbon tax Instead of having a federal liberal government that is looking to make the lives of Ontarians more affordable We have a government in Ottawa that is doing the complete opposite The Prime Minister has an anti-competitive agenda and the people and the job creators in my riding are feeling it every day Mr. Speaker the same motley crew that brought Ontario to this dire state is now playing an encore for all Canadians Now that now thank goodness that our Premier is working hard every day to make it easier to get ahead in this province once again Mr. Speaker will the Premier reassure Ontario's of his commitment to defeating this carbon tax? Premier I'd like to thank the member for the question. Mr. Speaker. I can assure every Ontario resident we're going to use every tool in our toolbox to fight against the most Progressive worst tax this province has ever seen again. It makes us uncompetitive every company I talked to makes us uncompetitive mr. Speaker, but through our great minister of environment He's come up with an incredible plan to make sure we have clean air clean lakes clean parks We're leading the entire country with 22 and a half percent emissions reduction as the rest of the country is a positive five We're minus 22 and a half percent We're gonna hit our 30 percent target in the next 11 years and guess what mr. Speaker? We did it without a carbon tax Mr. Speaker in October the people will decide in this country if they want a carbon tax or not and I'm betting that they Thank you. Thank you Start the clock the next question the member for Kuwait. No Meegwet mr. Speaker When I get by up my question this morning is for the premier Recently there was a devastating fire in the community of Kachinama except in Inawak also known as big truck lake Five community members died in this fire a mother and four of her children All under the age of 13 Chief Donnie Morris Has issued a declaration of emergency because of the fires impacts on the community Using Jordan's principle will the government help The youth communities youth who are most affected by the fire in need mental health supports The question Minister of indigenous affairs energy northern development of minds to the minister Share I know on behalf of my colleagues our deepest condolences with the victims family and indeed the community of Kachinama Kuzib in Inawak, I had a chance to speak to chief Donnie Morris a person I've known for a great number of years We pledged our support not just in the immediacy of the investigation by the coroner and various other Urgent supports, but to continue to provide any supports that he requested He said that he would be in touch with me as those needs arose and I pledge Additional support for mental health services as they would be required It was a good conversation under a difficult set of circumstances and we remain committed to supporting that community during this difficult time Supplementary question Back to the premier The fire in the big truck lake is the latest to claim lives in the First Nation fires in Pekanjicum Mashiki gogumai and one in my lake also had very tragic outcomes First Nation residents are 10 times more likely to die in a house fire than the rest of Canada It's not good enough to just to feel bad It's not good enough It's not enough to just to have those moments of silence There are actions that could be taken to make events like this less likely So it doesn't happen again We're the government Commit to working with First Nations to improve fire safety in our communities Minister Thank You mr. Speaker, and I want to recognize my colleague the Minister of Children Youth Services who spoke About Jordan's principle at the House of Commons Last week the member opposite is is right. It is more than just about moments of silence and action It's more about action. Mr. Speaker. That's why we responded to this fire Very quickly reached out to the chief in fact Resources from the government of Ontario were mobilized immediately the chief acknowledged that and we remain committed to supporting The community We'll take our cue from the leadership of that community in terms of what additional support they will be required and it will be there Mr. Speaker, thank you Next question the member for Oakville North Burlington My question is for the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Speaker it is very clear that Ontario has a housing crisis Homes are too expensive to buy or rent and supply just hasn't kept up with demand Last year three-quarters of Ontario households couldn't afford the average price of a resale home More than half of renters found the average rent for a two-bedroom just too much for their budget That is if they could even find a quality rental in the first place This is the result of 15 years of neglect by the previous liberal government They increased red tape every chance they got making it even more difficult to build the housing our province so desperately needs Can the Minister please explain to this house and to the people of Ontario? What our government is doing to increase housing supply in Ontario? questions to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Thanks, Speaker and I want to thank the incredible member from Oakville North Burlington Speaker I was honored to speak this morning at the Toronto Region Board of Trade about more homes more choice And the members right it's clear that after years of mismanagement and in action on this file by the previous government There's a shortage of housing in Ontario There are not enough homes for individuals and families who need it speaker. It takes 10 years 10 years to to build a low-rise or high-rise housing development in the GTA Our plan and legislation aims to speed up the time it takes to build housing across all of Ontario by cutting red tape Reducing unnecessary delays Duplications and barriers. This is going to make it easier to build more homes and provide more housing choices more quickly while maintaining protections to people's health and safety and the environment speaker Supplementary question Thank You speaker and thank you minister for that answer Speaker it is clear more housing of more kinds needs to be built Unfortunately, there is a major backlog of legacy cases at the local planning appeals tribunal It is a two to three year appeals process at a time when Ontario is in a housing crisis speaker This is unacceptable. It's estimated. There are approximately a hundred thousand housing units that are caught up in those legacy cases at the tribunal That's a hundred thousand Desperately needed homes and rentals that can't get built or three years worth of construction in Ontario waiting to be approved Speaker can the minister tell this house? How the tribunal will be able to expedite decisions made more quickly in order to get more housing on the market. Thank you Again, I want to thank the member for that excellent question speaker. Thanks to the support of our fantastic Attorney General Speaker that's a 45% increase We're proposing changes that will broaden the tribunals jurisdiction and in major land use planning appeals Allow it to make the best planning decision We're also proposing to To changes to encourage the use of mediation to simplify the processes and remove Potential delays. We're also giving the tribunal greater discretion Regarding its fees to make sure that the barriers are removed for those seeking to launch an appeal We're moving towards speaker a more cost recovery model so that develop a response a more for the system Not the people of Ontario these changes are going to eliminate the backlog Reduce the delays and ensure the LPAT can unjam that log jam and get units created for the people who thank you Mr. Speaker my question is to the premier Last week it was released that the Minister of Labor is cutting 16 million from the office Task with preventing injuries and deaths in the workplace The minister is cutting 16 million from the office Despite the fact that it's not taxpayer funded and does not impact the government's bottom line Speaker Workplace deaths are going up And up not down My question to the premier is this How many more workers need to die in workplaces? Bowery he stops at cutting the services designed to protect them To the minister of labor. Thank you, mr. Speaker, and I thank the member opposite for the question We've actually increased our health and safety budget enforcement by over half a million dollars, mr. Speaker We take the safety of workers in this province very Seriously, so look at in order to help to protect what matters most We asked our partners at the health and safety associations to find 12 million dollars in savings by exploring opportunities to implement efficiencies leveraging third-party revenue Restricting discretionary spending items such as non essential hiring traveling training and events. So You know, mr. Speaker, we had important decisions to make Putting people as a priority. We have looked at health and safety programs We have worked with the partners that deliver these health and safety And mr. Speaker, there are other avenues of revenue for them to provide the program, mr. Speaker But we have as I say again Increased our enforcement budget by half a million dollars. Thank you Mr. Speaker again to the premier When asked about the government's 16 million cut to health and safety a lawyer with the industrial accident victims legal clinic said and I quote It will ultimately lead to more accidents No one person should go to work in the province of Ontario And not know if they're coming home at the end of day to their families slashing funding designed to protect workers Forcing training sessions online and creating unaccountable classes will make workers less safe The government said they are slashing health and safety in this province because it's cost efficient So my question is this What exactly is the value of a life of a worker to this government? Labor Mr. Speaker, I mean I have to reject the premise of this question Of course the health and safety of workers are about most importance to this government We actually increased our spending and occupational health and safety enforcement by half a million dollars Yes, we have the Ontario health and safety associations. We work with those partners We told them the reality of the province's financial situations These are private organizations that receive revenue funding from multiple sources Look at mr. Speaker We have the priority of workers in mind in health and safety. We increased The enforcement budget by half a million dollars, mr. Speaker There are other revenue source for health and safety programs to be delivered mr. Speaker. We'd worked with our Partners in these programs mr. Speaker You know Modernizing health and safety programs so more people can actually get health and safety programs is not a bad. Thank you Thank you Question the member for Don Valley West very much mr. Speaker my questions for the premier Yesterday afternoon in the legislature at the end of debate a young woman stood in the members gallery to express her dismay That the government members had not supported an opposition day motion put by the NDP to declare a climate change Emergency and to develop a real plan to deal with that emergency The fact is mr. Speaker that Ontario had taken action to reduce pollution The fact that the minister of the environment can stand in his place and claim Confidently that Ontario is on track to meet its targets is because another government our government did the heavy lifting Government side will come to order the government side will come to order apologize the member for Don Valley West once again Start the clock Mr. Speaker mr. Speaker everything we undertook was based on evidence and science and so do the minister of the environment The member for Don Valley West is an elected member of this house and has every right to ask a question just like any other member of this house And I need to be able to hear her And this is twice that the government side in huge numbers has showed her down. It's not acceptable behavior Restart the clock member for Don Valley West mr. Speaker the young woman yesterday was challenging this government to care for the future She was asking this government to think about her ability to live safely and securely to have children of her own Free of the ravages of extreme weather and environmental degradation Can the premier please explain how the cancellation of successful programs that have led to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions How the redact how the deletion of those programs will safeguard the future for that young woman and her entire generation the question is to the premier minister of energy Referred to the minister of energy Well, thank you Thank you, mr. Speaker Another another great opportunity a little bit rich coming from that member mr. Speaker we saw what those projects Cost the people of ontario 17 to 48 cents a kilowatt mr. Speaker while liberal insiders Got rich and the people of ontario families seniors and small businesses took the hit especially out in northern ontario I can't think mr. Speaker of a larger transfer of wealth and what occurred Under the previous liberal government and their irresponsible decisions mr. Speaker Around especially industrial wind turbines mr. Speaker. This was a dramatic error mr. Speaker We have introduced legislation to fix the hydro mess act It's just been passed and we're well on a path on the path mr. Speaker to fix what they broke Thanks be before because When that member was sitting in the federal parliament Stephen Harper stood up and took credit for canada being a leader in reduction of greenhouse gas emissions Because of what was being done Optimistic and they should be but they are worried about the environment as they should be They're also worried about their education And their parents are worried about their ability to care for their younger siblings So this whole question is about the future mr. Speaker They see this government removing the very supports that they rely on Cutting for pupil funding that will result in larger class sizes Increasing online courses in high school when we know from the research that fewer students will complete those Courses reducing student assistance grants that will mean higher debt and less access to post-secondary education Cutting a billion dollars in social services that the Thank you. Thank you Thank you Minister of energy to reply. Thank you minister of environment Mr. Speaker, I'm I'm sure it must be frustrating for the member from dawn valley west to see the programs that That she put in place the programs that failed the programs like a cap and trade program Mr. Beak a program that the auditor general explained to the to the then premier, but she would Members going to transfer hundreds of millions of dollars to california. Mr. Speaker Why does she like california better than ontario? Why does she like california taxpayers better than ontario taxpayers? It must be upsetting to see a program put in place that is actually going to hit targets On this targets like the programs that she put in place a program that isn't based on benefiting liberal insiders But benefiting the people of ontario, mr. Speaker Our program is going to hit the targets that her federal prime minister who she stood beside agreed to the 30% targets Our program is going to do that without a cap and trade program without a carbon tax and without Subsidizing and picking winners and building electric truck factories for for born buffett or the other things that she's supported Mr. Speaker, we have a real plan for ontarians and it's a thank you The house will come to order Restart the clock the next question the member for hastings lenox and adington Well, thank you mr. Speaker and my question today is for another minister who makes things happen our minister of infrastructure Hey last friday last friday I had the chance to join the minister in the municipality of tweed in my riding for a very exciting announcement We announced funding for 49 rotor bridge project right across this province These projects are part of our government's commitment to invest in critical infrastructure where it matters most These 49 projects are the first that our government nominated in a 10-year 30 billion dollar infrastructure program Known as the investing in canada infrastructure program Colleagues, this is an amazing news for rural and northern municipalities in ontario Smart infrastructure investments. They create jobs They grow the economy and they protect what matters most to our families and our communities our students and our businesses here in ontario The minister tell us more about this program and how it impacts the people of ontario Mr. Speaker our government ran on a mandate to get ontario moving We announced funding for better roads and bridges in 49 different communities across ontario and friday and mr. Speaker This is only the beginning The majority of these projects can get started in this construction season with federal government support I was glad to see last week mr. Speaker that my honorable friend minister champagne Declared that ontario's priorities were his priorities He said he would work to speedily approve these projects and mr. Speaker That is the right thing for the federal government to do mr. Speaker these projects are valued at over $78 million and this commitment is more proof that our government is protecting what matters most to the people Good roads and bridges get people to work in homes safely so they can spend more time with the people they love Mr. Speaker and minister thank you for that good news great news Asking your continued guidance and support for our rural and northern communities This announcement demonstrates that our government is absolutely committed to making the right infrastructure announcements Mr. Speaker friday's announcement back in my riding took place outside the boundary ridge on hawkins bray and the municipality of tweed And i know personally from talking all the people there how it impacts them and how much this investment for replacement will Absolutely positively affect their lives in that community Mr. Speaker six of these projects are located in my riding municipalities such as tweed stone mill tutor kishel Hastings highlands carlo mayo And tines and natives will benefit from over nine foot four million dollars in funding for road and bridge projects Mr. Speaker can the minister tell us more about these 49 projects and how they are helping people right across the province of interior minister Mr. Speaker and i would be happy to answer that excellent question Mr. Speaker small and medium-sized towns are the fabric of our province Projects just like the boundary bridge our infrastructure that people need These investments are essential to the local quality of life and prosperity They create jobs grow our economy and shape the future for hardworking families in ontario I can only imagine mr. Speaker How much more we could accomplish if the previous liberal government supported by the opposition ndp Did not leave us stuck with a 15 billion dollar deficit Mr. Speaker, we're excited about these 49 projects We are now awaiting approval by the federal government to go ahead If they can do this we can get shovels in the ground almost immediately Mr. Speaker, we're protecting what matters most and getting Ontario moving again Our government is working harder smarter and more efficiently to make life better for the people of this province Question the member for beaches east york Thank you. Speaker. My question is for the premier last week We learned that the government is cutting funding for the poverty reduction strategy office in half Defunding the office by seven point five million dollars The poverty reduction strategy office works to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty Identify systemic barriers and eliminate chronic homelessness Instead of investing in strategies to alleviate poverty the government has shown its true priorities Can the premier please explain why once again his government is making cuts on the backs of our most vulnerable citizens Question is for the premier Mr. Children's Community Social Services heard to the minister of children community and social services Remember In this assembly one in seven Ontarians live in poverty almost a million people rely on social assistance That costs this province 10 billion dollars, but does nothing to restore dignity What does restore dignity is the creation of jobs in the province of ontario Since this government has taken office we've been able to work with industry and business leaders to create an additional 160 000 jobs In addition to the 200 000 jobs that have remained vacant Which is why we are reforming social assistance so that those people who are Who are employable across this province have the dignity of work have the Compassionate of a group society where they're working with individuals and we know speaker that the best social program is a job I understand that the members opposite would rather trap people into poverty Response government and this party want to lift them up so that they can succeed and that's exactly What does that restart the clock supplementary question and its recent poverty reduction strategy report the government stated as the minister Just now that she's committed to supporting those who need it the most But you cannot support those who need the help the most when you cut funding for the poverty reduction strategy office in half You can't reduce poverty in ontario when you don't understand how poverty works as the minister just demonstrated You can't reduce poverty in ontario when you don't understand what systemic issues Perpetuate it and when you don't have a plan and a commitment to making that change Can the premier explain how the government thinks slashing the poverty reduction strategy funding will actually help those Living in poverty many of whom cannot work Which is why the idea that a job is the solution is absolutely ridiculous Thank you minister Nova Scotia where there wasn't big government neighbors Position come to order one another and we made sure that those who could work could find suitable employment I have no idea why the members opposite are so defeatist why they are so opposed to a good day's work And the salt is paying I can tell you that the government for the people is committed to ensuring that we provide wraparound supports for those who can work that is why I'm working with the minister of So we can best provide the best wraparound supports for those who are employable to get into those 300 and some thousand jobs that we know exist in this province That's why we're working with the minister of health so that we can provide the best mental health supports We possibly can and that's why we're working with the minister of education So we can try to get more affordable day care for moms single moms out there Who might have to stay on social assistance rather than get a job because they don't have affordable child care. We have Thank you. Thank you Thank you The member for ottawa center has to come to order The member for windsor to comesy has to come to order the member for hamilton mountain has to come to order For repeated interjections in the last round of questions Start the clock I recognize the member for lannark frontenac kinkston Thank you speaker speaker. My question is for the minister of children community and social services I've worked well with the minister in the past as advocates to end violence against women Last week i've met with erin lee executive director of lannark county interval house Which provides critical services for victims of domestic violence Erin is very concerned and troubled that the ministry Unilaterally and without notice cancelled 53 thousand dollars in funding In addition none of the interval houses and women's shelters have received their 2019 budget package Or their contract for services Minister, this is not efficient. It certainly lacks accountability To have women's shelters operating without a budget Will the minister commit to ending the practice of unilateral and hidden Funding decisions that harm those who help victims of domestic violence Questions to the minister children community and social services. Thanks very much speaker I too met with erin lee last week of the interval house We had all 48 of the coordinating committees for violence against women Join us last week to talk about some of the issues that we face in the ground But before I I go into that I want to say one thing to the member opposite The reason we have a 1.5 million dollar frontline rural strategy is in essence because of two three members of this assembly Who I serve with an opposition and one is the member from lanark front neck lenox and addington The other is the member from rem for nipissing pembroke and the third is from the member from leeds in grenville Three strong men who have consistently time and against stood in this legislature And that's why we are investing an historic 74 million dollars into violence against women That's why above and beyond the previous liberal administration We've increased the budget toward violence against women for an additional two percent And I'll get into the more specifics in the supplemental, but I do want to congratulate the member for always standing true Thank you Thank you minister. Yeah, yesterday during statements I mentioned that elected representatives ought to practice in government what we preach well in opposition The mcc ss year The year over year estimates show a reduction of 17 million dollars For women shelters in supports for victims of violence from 172 to 155 million In opposition, we both were very critical of government for leaving agencies and organizations in the dark on their funding Yet we still have today these shelters operating in uncertainty Without this critical budget information both the shelters and the women and children they serve Are living in the dark Minister will you call erin lee and all the shelters this week and we reveal what their budgets are for 2019 Minister to reply Thanks very much speaker as I mentioned I met with erin lee as well as all 48 Community groups last week We're going to continue to have those conversations in fact I've spoken with the minister of health about convening a meeting with uh with her with respect to mental health issues But let me be perfectly clear where it comes to the numbers the member opposite is stating these perceived reductions are due to the elimination Of unfunded and unallocated resources from the liberal campaign budget. That was irresponsible Many of us in the social service types of portfolios have had to contend with a fictitious budget That was written on the back of a napkin when it became clear We ensured in this government that we increase the spend by almost two percent or 11.5 million dollars In order to support women's shelters across the province of ontario My office continues to work with them and we will continue to make our commitment to eradicate violence against women As well as sex trafficking in the province of ontario. There will be no fear so critic than me on that file. Thank you speaker Thank you The next question the member for durham. Thank you speaker Possible for women's issues Over the weekend. It was great to see so many memories and videos shared on social media celebrating mothers across ontario Our mothers are so often the most important women in our lives. I can say that's true in my case Unfortunately women still face barriers right here in ontario Too often women earn less than their male counterparts And countless women in our communities are confronted by sexual and domestic violence Minister, can you please tell us how the government's working to break down these barriers and help keep women safe across the province? Legislature being a very strong advocate for women who are fleeing domestic violence as We're dealing with sex trafficking I've been a strong advocate in this assembly for many years whether that is making queen's park more family friendly So members like christina might as can bring their daughter under the floor of this assembly I've been a strong advocate of making sure that we continue the work of the Saving the girl next door by lori scott making sure that we're actually talking about eradicating sex trafficking in the province of ontario We're working with members of this government to ensure that we continue to project a woman's right to choose And we were very clear about that just yesterday, but speaker. Let me be perfectly clear last week. I had the 48 Community groups that support violence Against women's initiatives, and we're going to continue to work with them That's why we have an historic investment of 174.5 million dollars 1.5 million dollars as I mentioned in the previous question Dedicated to frontline support For those in rural communities, and we're going to continue to stand up and we're going to continue to ensure that our voices are heard But let me be perfectly clear. It's up to strong women to support vulnerable women, but it's also Thank you. Thank you Thank you, speaker violence against women has significant economic costs. I think people sometimes forget that It's estimated that the economic impact of spousal violence in canada is 7.4 billion dollars that amounts to roughly 220 dollars per canadian While we've made progress to achieve greater gender equality We must have women fully engaged in the political discourse Speaker, can the minister please tell us how she's engaging women in this political discourse in ontario Minister, thanks very much. As I mentioned I convened Ontario's 48 existing violence against women coordinating committees just last week some tremendous women and men from across the Province making sure that we protect our most vulnerable We must continue to have this conversation however because it is easy particularly within Within this ministry where ontario's most vulnerable people rely on us to succeed that we continue to tell the uncomfortable stories and the Truths that are out there Which is why we're going to continue to work with those Coordinating committees bring in other ministers so that they understand how we intersect And and help violence against women and the survivors of that we also want to make sure that we provide best possible outcomes Speaker, we need to look and see what those what those issues are At our in our all of our communities and I think when we look at Building up society and we build up women We must also make sure that men are part of that conversation Which is why just last friday was pleased to spend some time with grade seven and to 11 male students Who are talking about manning up and I think that we all have an opportunity here to talk to the men in our Lives to make sure that they're protecting the most vulnerable women in society. Thank you The next question the member for kitchener center. Thank you, mr. Speaker. My question is to the premier Since september I have asked every minister responsible for anti-racism for a briefing. These requests have gone unanswered In pursuit of answers. I was told to be patient and to wait for the estimates Which I which I was assured would show the government's plan for anti-racism work While the anti-racism directorate was listed in the estimates I was disturbed to see that there was only $1,000 dedicated to quote anti-racism initiatives Mr. Speaker, can the premier please explain to the people of ontario what kind of work $1,000 can do to combat racism Which is sadly on the rise in the province Referred to the solicitor general. Thank you speaker, you know Um, the the member opposite is using numbers that frankly have no basis in fact We have relied on the The the anti-racism directorate to drive our legislative agenda The the opus employees that work in this director do excellent work And we use that when we are doing things like updating the comprehensive ontario police services act When we look at policy changes, we make sure that there is Their voice and their input impact is is very important to us No, there there is no doubt that anti-racism in all its forms is completely unacceptable to our government And we will continue to we will continue to work with our partners to make sure that we drive decisions based on that input Thank you supplementary question Thank you, mr. Speaker again to the premier The story that these estimates tell us is that the conservatives are just not interested in doing racial justice work They're unwilling to take concrete steps towards racial equity There's money allocated to staff and advertising, but no money to do the actual anti-racism work No money to invest in the organizations and programs which are making progress on these issues And no money to resource the black indigenous jewish and muslim anti-racism subcommittees That this government quietly disbanded despite hate crimes being on the rise Does the premier believe that we can solve racism with $1,000? Thank you, speaker, you know again, I will say I will reinforce that there is no room In a in a ford government that would in any way Allow anti-racism to continue in the province of ontario We are actively engaged in working with the directorate. We will continue that work, but let's be clear We are asking everyone across ontario to play a small part in ensuring that we bring ontario's fiscal Health opposition come to order in a small way We will ask all organizations and agencies that are transfer partners that are part of our Ability to ensure that ontario's fiscal health returns to balance because at the end of the day We have to make sure as a government as uh citizens that we protect what matters most We will do that. We will do that with the excellent Partners that we have and we will make sure that we are bringing forward policies and ideas that actually Thank you My question is to the minister of agriculture food and rural affairs This past june our government was elected with a mandate to stand up for ontario's rural northern and indigenous communities These regions had long been neglected by the previous government. In fact, mr. Speaker My pre predecessor famously called northern ontario no man's land Over those 15 years ontarians saw investments grind to a halt and those looking to grow and expand their business Face roadblock after roadblock after roadblock outdated and redundant red tape and lack of infrastructure and resources and meaningful dialogue with our municipalities Prevented these regions from reaching their full economic potential Mr. Speaker can the minister please tell the house about the work our government is doing to ensure that ontario's rural communities Remain sustainable and viable places to live work and raise a family The minister of agriculture food and rural affairs Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker and I want to thank the member from the thumberland peter borough south for that Excellent question Our government is committed to working with our rural communities to ensure they have the resources They need to attract investment create jobs and boost economic development That's why last week I was proud to announce that our government has committed to revitalizing the rural economic development or red program The rural economic development program will continue to support projects that diversify and grow local economies It will now also target more impactful projects tangible community benefits such as reducing the burden for applicants and creating efficiencies In program delivery This program is just one of the tools that our government is utilizing to ensure that ontarian's taxpayer dollars are respected While delivering results for our rural communities Thank you supplementary question Thank you, mr. Speaker and thank you to the minister for his response and for the work He's doing to promote rural economic development I know that rural residents in my riding are happy that our government is creating more opportunity for rural ontario We're creating an environment where our job creators can thrive Especially those in rural ontario in less than a year. Mr. Speaker We've seen investments open two streams rural and northern public transit that have meant shovels in the ground in my community Shovels in the ground in my colleagues community and across rural ontario Because our government knows that when our rural communities thrive ontario thrives Could the minister please expand upon how our government is supporting job creation and economic growth across rural ontario minister to reply Mr. Speaker, I'd like to refer to the minister of economic development job creation and trade Thanks, I'd like to thank the minister of agriculture for sharing this morning And I'd like to thank my good friend and my neighbor in eastern ontario Mr. Puccini for the question this morning Our government came into office with a commitment to create jobs not just in the big cities like Toronto and in Ottawa but to ensure that we're creating good jobs right across ontario, mr. Speaker And that's why we're reducing red tape across ontario. That's why we're lowering the hydro rates And that's why we're lowering taxes so that businesses across ontario can succeed We're creating an environment where job creators can create more jobs through bill 66 restoring ontario's competitiveness act Mr. Speaker, we removed burdensome red tape affecting our agriculture sector And I'd like to thank again my colleague the minister of agriculture for helping out on that file Making it easier for farmers to register online to eliminate costly outdated standards Under the milk act and reducing paperwork for meat processors as well Mr. Speaker all good things to create jobs in rural ontario We're working with our communities to ensure that ontario is open for business Restart the clock next question member for spadina fort York. Thank you, mr. Speaker My question is to the premier speaker in november the premier's minister of finance said and I quote I look at the young people who are here today and I think about the debt that you are inheriting and it saddens me What saddens me mr. Speaker is that this government is directly downloading $414 million in student debt onto young people Is the premier not saddened by the hundreds of millions of dollars in additional debt that students have to take on because of his Calvary cuts to osap Question is to the premier minister of training colleges and universities To the minister of training colleges Thank you speaker and thank you the member opposite for the question Our government is taking action to deliver on its promises to the people of ontario And restore trust and accountability in ontario's finances We promise the people of ontario to create good jobs And we want to ensure that ontarians have the skills they need to fill those jobs Post-secondary education is critical to the future of ontario and our next generations Our government has been clear that we will balance the budget in a responsible manner And deliver on our promise to restore Accountability and trust in ontario's finances the previous liberal government Created a 15 billion dollar deficit made ontario the most indebted subnational Jurisdiction in all of on all the world and was spending 40 million dollars a day more than they brought in If left unchecked the deficit will put essential services like healthcare educated Thank you. Thank you very much Thank you, mr. Speaker again to the premier in october the minister of training colleges and universities said in this house And I quote Unlike the previous liberal government. We know that we have a responsibility to our young people to invest in their education And not to leave them with an unsustainable debt load for their children and grandchildren Here's a contradiction here Now there's a contradiction between the minister's words and the actions of this government yet when the minister Fails to understand is that her actions to cut 650 million dollars from colleges and universities and over 400 million dollars from osap Will leave our children and grandchildren with even more student debt Why does the premier and his ministers want students to start their life under a mountain of debt? Thank you, speaker and again, thank you the member officer for the question speaker Unlike the previous liberal government propped up by the ndp. We are balancing ontario's budget in a responsible manner while protecting What matters most to the people of ontario and if left unchecked the deficit threatens essential services that the people of ontario rely on In terms of the figure, you know and the things you mentioned I can say that the figure represents post-secondary reforms Including our historic 10 reduction intuition for all ontario's intuition relief And by lowering tuition across the entire province Our government is ensuring that all qualified ontario students Have more access to high quality skills training and education Speaker we are focused on protecting the services that matter most to the people of ontario. Thank you. Thank you Pursuant to standing order 38a the member for kitchens center has given notice of her dissatisfaction with the answer to her question Given by the solicitor general concerning Resourcing the anti-racism work in ontario this matter will be debated tomorrow At 6 p.m. Government house leaders inform me has a point of order. Thanks speaker I seek unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice regarding the parliamentary assistance responding to the late shows scheduled for tuesday may 14th 2019 Government house leaders seeking the unanimous consent of the house to put forward a motion regarding the late shows tonight agreed Once again the government house leader speaker I move that notwithstanding standing order 38b the parliamentary assistant to the minister of environment may respond to the late show scheduled for tuesday may 14th By the member for brampton center in place of the parliamentary assistant to the premier And that the parliamentary assistant to the minister of municipal affairs and housing may respond to the late show scheduled for tuesday may 14th By the member for guelph in place of the parliamentary assistant to the minister of finance and that the parliamentary assistant to the minister of health May respond to the late show scheduled for Tuesday May 14th by the member for Essex in place of the parliamentary assistant to the Premier Government house leaders move that notwithstanding standing order 38 b the Parliamentary Assistant Minister the environment risk may respond to the late show Scheduled for Tuesday May 14th by the member for Brampton Center dispense Dispense Is it all is it the pleasure the house of emotion carry carry Point of order the member for Parkdale Hyde Park. Thank you speaker I just like to welcome Parkdale Hyde Park constituent Krzysztof Levinsky who is a practicing physician assistant at Toronto General Hospital. Thank you This house stands in recess until three