 It is now time for oral questions. I recognize the leader of His Majesty's Loyal Opposition. Thank you Speaker. Speaker is now clear that the Premier has decided to ignore his medical officer of health and his advice to address the health care crisis faced by our children. That decision is clear to anyone who has seen him every day since the public health officials in this province urged adults to wear masks indoors to protect children. Without saying a thing the Premier has told parents they're on their own and they can only hope that the overstretched doctors, nurses and health care workers can protect their children as we go through this respiratory crisis, this hospital crisis. When did the Premier decide that the children of Ontario were expendable? Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. As we've said many times the difficult and complex fall that was predicted has materialized and we have three viral threats and it's changing with every wave. Initially we had personal protective equipment, we had adult ICUs, we had adult war beds that needed attention and now it is pediatric ICUs and frankly it is because not of COVID but because of RSV and influenza and that is why we plan for that. We've said this many times we made investments in the NICU units, we made investments in pediatric hospitals and we expanded our health human resources across the board and beds across the board in hospital. But as Dr. Simpson noted it's not unusual for 14 and 16 year old patients to be looked after in adult ICU beds that is commonly done and that is what is happening now. We're making sure that we have the resources for our children and that they get the best care possible and we know our health care workers will deliver it. Thank you, Speaker, again to the Premier. Well, Minister of Health yesterday told us the province had planned for this surge of illness and put policies in place to protect our children. We just heard that repeated. But if this was a plan it was a terrible one. Pediatric emergency rooms are bursting at the seams. Hospital CEOs are desperately calling for help and they have to implement emergency measures including moving children who need intensive care into adult hospitals. The minister's quote plan has created chaos and put children at risk. Will the Premier finally speak up and tell us how we can possibly defend this mismanagement? Thank you Mr. Speaker and I understand the member opposite may have prepared his question before he heard my answer but I actually address that very concern. Dr. Simpson, the Public Health Officer for Ontario Health said it's not unusual for 14 and 16 year old patients to be looked after in adult ICU's. That is commonly done. And that is what is happening now. But as Dr. Simpson also noted, what is important to emphasise is that all pediatric patients will be seen when they come to hospital. If they require admission then we will look after them. Like Dr. Simpson said, I have great faith and confidence in our health care providers across the province. They are expertly trained to support all of our health care needs and will do whatever it takes to make sure our children get the care that they need. Supplementary, final supplementary. Thank you Premier. We all know the Premier will use the long wait times, the overcrowding, the emergency room closures to justify bringing in US style health care to Ontario. He'll say we need to innovate just like Mike Harris did when he privatised our home care system. The private home care providers were going to do things better, faster, cheaper. Remember that Speaker? Well today we all know that none of that happened. Why is this government so determined to dismantle our publicly funded, publicly delivered health care system? Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. I just have to say I thought the opposition was trying to ask questions about what was going on in hospitals today, not some fantasy that they think might be happening in the future. But let's just talk about what's happening in our health care system and what's happened in the past. In the 2012 Auditor General's report on health human resources, it was revealed that Northern Ontario had a shortage of 200 physicians or 40,000 hours of care and yet little was done. But who held the balance of power at that time? I think that was these guys, the opposition, the NDP. The former Premier admitted that she was freezing hospital spending for years and in 2015 eliminated 50 medical residency positions from Ontario. And they defended that decision when 800,000 Ontarians were without a family doctor by saying quote, we are scaling back to make better use of our health care costs. This reduction came at a time the same year with 250 nurses being laid off. You supported them every step of the way. We're fixing the system. Thank you. I remind members to make their comments through the chair. The next question, the member for Sudbury. Thank you Speaker. Questions for Mr. Education. I'll also get the page to pass over these QP education support worker forms to them as well. Students deserve an EC in every classroom speaker and parents need an EA for every student that needs personal care to attend school. People across Ontario depend on custodians and cleaners to protect the health of our children. Instead of money for ECEs in every classroom or additional funds for EAs, the government passes the burden to parents to go out and hunt down scarce private resources. Why doesn't the Conservative government think that it's worth properly investing in the people and the public school support that parents already have available in our schools to help their children catch up and be successful? I'm just going to remind the House that we're not going to ask the pages to deliver notes during question period anymore. Start the clock. Minister of Education. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. What I can confirm to the member office is that under our progressive concern of government, we have hired nearly 7,000 additional education workers supporting our kids within our schools. Mr. Speaker, not only have we hired more, we pledge to continue funding 1,800 additional education workers and 800 teachers that will support our kids within our schools part of our program before the union. Mr. Speaker, we fulfilled our end of the bargain. We said we would repeal Bill 28, and that was the biggest barrier to getting a deal. And then 48 hours after doing so in good faith, they announced a strike notice. We said we would increase pay, $335 million more this week compared to last week. A material improvement for every worker, especially for the lowest paid, and they've still rejected the offer. We now have moved to a flat rate, a demand of the union not to differentiate wages for lower and higher income. We did that too, and we still don't have a deal. And I think, Mr. Speaker, it is abundantly clear what the fault line is preventing union from accepting a deal. It is a desire for higher wages, and our kids should be in school on Monday. Thank you, Speaker. I don't mind delivering these over to the minister myself. It's important to hear some of the actual workers instead of ignoring them. Sean and Julia are the parents of two old children with autism in my writing. They reached out to my office to express how much their education support workers mean to them and to their children. These workers keep June and Chaz safe. They help them to learn and be successful and happy at school each and every day. More support workers are needed to help support kids like ours to integrate into mainstream classes. When schools don't have the staff, parents like us have to pay ABA staff out of pocket or our kids can't go to mainstream class to work in integration. When your family relies on education support workers for the well-being and safety of your child, and this government creates conditions that drives them away from the profession, that's really scary. These workers are truly essential. This is not about money. This is about knowing that the workers that children get to know, workers that parents trust and depend on would not only be here for their kids today but continue to be here for their kids in the future. My question, Speaker, is when will the premier admit that wanting kids with exceptional means to have support for the entire school day, not just a fraction of the day, is not about money, it's about kids. Thank you for the question. Mr. Speaker, if we're going to highlight stories of the impact on children with special education needs, and I'd hope the member of SO would accept that that child who depends on routine should be in school on Monday. And they should not be out of school again. Again, just two weeks later, this is what's becoming a casual invocation of a strike notice on every few weeks in this province, every few years. That's not acceptable. And the NDP wants to normalize strikes because they were standing with the union when kids were out of school. They should be standing up for parents. Stand with this government. Let's get a deal. Let's keep kids in class. Mr. Speaker, frankly enough is enough. The minister makes more than $160,000 a year. He's calling workers to feed their children. I'm going to ask the government side not to do that again. Sorry, at the clock. Member for Sudbury has the floor. The minister makes more than $160,000 a year. He's calling workers to feed their children to food banks greedy. The minister says his offer is generous, but it doesn't even keep up with inflation, let alone let them get ahead. The minister calls $1,600 a year a generous offer, but it's one-tenth of what every backbench NDP got when they promoted the parliament to the assistant. The minister says there's been 222,246 lost days since 1988 and in terms of school years, that's 11 and a half years. Stop the clock. Stop the clock. Stop the clock. Stop the clock. Take a seat. The government house leader will come to order. Minister of Economic Development Trade will come to order. The member for Kitchener Conestoga will come to order. The member for St. Catherine's will come to order. The government house leader will come to order. Start the clock. The member for Sudbury still has some time. Thank you, Speaker. It made them touch you when I talked about how much money they made. The minister has been saying there's been 2246 lost days since now they've come to order. And in terms of school years, that would be 11 and a half years. Nobody is buying the spin. People are tired of the minister's games. Parents saw through what the conservatives did last time. My question, Speaker, is when will the concerned government take the time and energy they waste on spin and just sit down and negotiate a fair deal that'll put education support workers in every class and keep them there? Mr. Speaker, it isn't about the money, but the hashtag was 39K is not okay. This entire campaign has been under the guise of insisting upon higher pay on the backs of kids. We have significantly increased the pay $335 million in a week. We provided a flat rate. We are maintaining the best benefits and pensions and sick leave. And even still, the never-ending moving yardstick and goalposts of QP accept the deal before us, accept yes, and make sure that kids in this province stay in school every single day, Speaker. The next question, the member for Niagara Centre. Thank you, Speaker, through you to the Premier. Yesterday, in a move no one asked for or recommended, this government, with absolutely no consultation, tabled a bill that would allow them to appoint regional chairs in Niagara, York, and Peel. Just four years ago, Speaker, in the middle of the municipal election campaign, this government cancelled regional chair elections in these regions, elections in which citizens were electing their chair at large. They didn't trust citizens with free and fair elections. Now, Speaker, they don't even trust democratically elected councillors to choose a chair. Now the Premier is going to handpick who he wants to rule in his stead as he hands them additional powers to do his bidding. Why is the Premier showing such disdain for municipalities and turning local democracy into his own personal sandbox? I'd like to know why Jeff Birch doesn't support a great parliamentarian like Jim Bradley. So I'm going to ask the Minister to refer to his colleagues across the floor by their by their writing, as opposed to their personal name. Can you complete his answer? So Premier Ford made it crystal clear to Ontarians that the building, the Stronger Mayor Building Homes Act was just the start. That we wanted to ensure by the time those two new mayors were sworn in in Ontario's two largest cities, Toronto and Ottawa, he made it crystal clear that that was the start. So the announcement yesterday in Bill 39 which was pretty obvious that New Democrats don't support, just to add to the lit order of housing initiatives, this government has done, we've done over 90 since 2018 and every single time we try to increase housing supply and actually provide an opportunity for a young person to realize the dream of home ownership. The response? New Democrats vote against it. So it's no surprise, Speaker, that this member and their party under the leadership of Merritt Stiles is going to not support. Once again, I'm going to ask the Minister to refer to members by their writing name. The same courtesy that each of us would expect of each other. Order. Supplementary question. Thank you, Speaker. It's absolutely ludicrous at a time when he is failing education workers and children. Pediatric ICUs are over capacity and we're in an affordable housing crisis. This premier is laser focused on autocratic changes to municipal government. The premier isn't just appointing elected positions. He's also expanding strong mayor powers to allow for minority rule while removing environmental protections and gutting conservation authorities. Here's what AMO said about the government's recent housing bill. The province has offered no evidence that the radical elements of the bill will improve housing affordability. It is more likely the bill will enhance the profitability of the development industry at the expense of taxpayers and the natural environment. That's AMO who are not even invited to the bill 23 hearings that the government just shut down this morning. Speaker, will the premier admit that he sees municipalities and local democracy as nothing more than a delivery system for his decisions and a way to shop around farmland and green space to his country? Mr. Mr. Speaker, I think there's one word that really articulates what New Democrats position on housing in Ontario is and that's banana. That's what New Democrats want. They want high housing prices. They want young people to have no vision, no dream of home ownership again and again and again. New Democrats stand up for bananas. We're going to stand up. The next question the member for Brampton Thank you, Speaker. My question is for the minister of economic development, job creation and trade. The 2021 consensus listed the city of Brampton as Canada's fastest growing urban centre. Yet for over a decade under the previous liberal government citizens of Brampton felt abandoned. We would continuously raise our health care challenges and increasing unemployment rate. But after a decade of empty liberal promises last year it's our government that delivered on the long-promised second hospital for the people of Brampton. The people of my riding are finally starting to see the Brampton it's getting its fair share. But questions remain about employment in the city. Speaker, what is our government doing to ensure that my constituents have good, secure, well paying jobs not only for themselves but for generations to come? Brampton has been a key auto assembly jurisdiction for decades which is why our government led the Stalantis conversion to EV shoring up thousands of jobs for further decades. And we also fund the parts makers through our Ontario Automotive Modernization Program. In Brampton East OAMP supported Nahani Steel Tipco RPPL and SHW pumps with more than 385,000 in funding. This boosts our supply chain competitiveness getting them ready to build the cars of the future. Since 2019, Speaker OAMP has leveraged 36 million dollars in investments private investments from 150 companies creating over 820 jobs. To the member from Brampton East let your businesses know that OAMP has opened another intake just this week to assist even more businesses in Brampton to create good paying jobs. Thank you Speaker and thank you to the minister for his answer. It's great to hear that our government wants to help Brampton's automotive sector. But Speaker, these are big investments which only apply to a small number of large businesses. While these large businesses provide employment for hundreds of people in my writing what about the businesses, what about small businesses and start-ups? Small businesses and start-ups bring dreams to a reality I personally know many constituents who rely on their small businesses to provide food for their families. We all know starting a business is hard work and filled with risk. We need to help entrepreneurs in the city of Brampton to start and grow their business. Minister of Economic Development Well sadly the Liberals made starting a business and then running a business almost impossible in the province of Ontario. Mountains of red tape, unaffordable hydro and high taxes all a recipe for disaster. That's why our government has consistently reduced red tape lowered taxes and fixed that hydro debacle. Businesses are now saving $7 billion in costs every single year and now we provide entrepreneurs all the tools they need to grow their business. In Brampton we fund their small business centre with over half a million dollars annually. We provide over $200,000 to their summer company and Starter Company Plus to help students and young entrepreneurs start their businesses and we provided more than $65,000 Thank you Thank you very much Thank you Speaker and my question is to the Premier Do you remember when the Premier promised up and down he'd never touch the green belt? I do too. Yesterday this government tabled a bill to repeal the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve Act. This repeal will end the protection of 4,500 acres of prime green belt farmland in Durham. About a third of this land is the landowner Silvio DeGaspers who acquired these farm properties for next to nothing two decades ago. Mr. DeGaspers has donated boatloads to the PC party since the Premier's election including to the Premier's leadership campaign and his riding association. The only thing standing in the way of Mr. DeGaspers's ability to make untold millions of dollars is the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve Act and the Premier's government just made that go away. So yesterday was protected in perpetuity. Does the Premier understand how shady this looks? Mr. Mispel-Fersen housing to reply. Well Speaker this section of Bill 39 is the legislative piece of the consultation that we began with Ontarians a couple of weeks ago. We posted on the registry our intent to have 15 properties that will provide the minimum of 50,000 housing units and in exchange we are also growing the green belt. We are ensuring that over 2400 acres of prime agricultural land and significant land like woodlots and wetlands are part of the green belt. So at the end of the day the green belt will be expanded and I want to put that 50,000 homes in perspective. These are all properties that are close to being serviced. They are exactly beside an existing urban area. And again in the supplementary I will talk about the significance of that minimum 50,000 homes in relationship to our 1.5 million homes. Thank you Speaker. Mr. Degasper has also donated to the Writing Association of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. He has also tabled the bill to repeal the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve Act. The damning articles from the Toronto Star and the Narwhal highlight just how rotten things have gotten. In addition to the rural agricultural lands Mr. Degasper and his well connected family are poised to profit immensely from other lands that are also being removed from the green belt. According to the CBC the Degasper family owns three parcels of land in Richmond Hill and they bought green belt land in Vaughan that is also being removed remarkably lucky timing. This Premier has frequently accused the previous government of political corruption. So my question is what does the Premier think we should make of these questionable green belt deals? The land that the member talked about in the first part of the question will provide a significant opportunity for housing. It's a property that's been discussed for many many years. The outgoing Mayor of Pickering actually wrote to the government and suggested that this property should be part of a future development. So this property has been debated in public since the early 2000s regarding about its opportunity to provide housing. The specific Cherrywood property will provide 5,000 of the 50,000 homes that the government is proposing with this posting on the green belt and to put it into perspective the best housing start year since 1987 was last year with 1,000 homes. The average over the last 30 years of the amount of homes that are being built in Ontario the average over 30 years is 67,500. So I think the member can understand what the government's order the member for Burlington. Thank you Speaker. My question is for the Associate Minister of Women's Social and Economic Opportunity. The COVID-19 pandemic has left many families across Ontario dealing with many challenges. Sadly the pandemic has increased the frequency and severity of domestic violence for many women in our province. According to the Ontario Association there have been 43 femicides in Ontario within the past year. Living a life free from violence is a fundamental human right but gender-based violence continues to be a significant barrier to achieving gender equality in Ontario. Speaker can the minister update this house on our government's work to end gender-based violence? Associate Minister Thank you Mr. Speaker and I want to thank the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Colleges and University for your commendable work and providing wrap around support. Well Mr. Speaker over the break I had the privilege of attending the 40th annual Federal Provincial Territory Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women which was capped by the announcement of the first National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. Ontario's endorsement of the 10-year National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence includes a framework for anyone facing GBB to have reliable and timely access to protection and services no matter where they live. Mr. Speaker the Action Plan is anchored by five pillars, supports for victims and survivors and their families prevention, a response of justice system, implementing indigenous-led approaches and social infrastructure enabling environments and I'm really happy that this agreement marks a milestone investment on Ontario's path to end gender-based violence. Thank you. Speaker the pandemic has disproportionately impacted women. Women's experiences at home, their health, their work and their economic well-being have all been negatively impacted. Order. We also know that women already bear a disproportionate role in childcare and caregiving responsibilities. That's why I support our government expanding the Investing in Women's Futures Program to more communities across our province. It opens the door to financial freedom and economic security for these women and is foundational in violence prevention. Speaker can the Associate Minister please share further details on how the Investing in Women's Futures Program expansion will proceed. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Thank you again to the member from Burlington for the question. The member is correct. Financial empowerment and security is the foundation in violence prevention and that's why I was really proud to be able to announce alongside with the Minister of Finance and my colleagues from Durham that our government will expand the Investing in Women's Futures Program to up to 10 additional service sites. Mr. Speaker, the call for proposal has just closed and I can share with the House that we've received about 136 applications and my ministry is currently reviewing those applications building on the programs that give ground support. Mr. Speaker building the programs that give women wraparound supports to overcome barriers, build their skills and gain employment is a key step for women entering and re-entering the workforce. So this investment of 6.9 million over the next three years for the ten Thank you very much. The next question the member or the leader from His Majesty's Loyal Office Thank you Speaker. My question the Minister of the Environment this House hasn't heard much from the Minister for the Environment lately and no wonder his government's record on the environment and climate change has sunk to new lows. This government is gutting conservation authorities it's going to allow development on flood plains during a climate crisis it's ramping up greenhouse gas emissions from our electricity system it's doubling down on unnecessary highways that will make congestion and emissions worse and it's destroying the green belt on behalf of a few donors and PC donors. What wisdom can the Environment Minister share at the climate conference in Egypt when he's enabling some of the worst attacks on the environment I've ever seen here in Ontario? Thank you very much Speaker. He has greetings from the Minister from COP 27. He's glad to be there representing Ontario and indeed Canada. We'll take no lessons from the opposition when it comes to our climate change plan we're very proud of our climate change plan in fact we are on target to meet or exceed our commitment for 2020-30 reducing emissions by 30% below 2005 levels and some of the things we have done for example electric vehicle production we're going to lead the world we have massive investments in EV battery production taking place in the Windsor Essex area we have changing furnaces to our electric at both St. Marie and Hamilton steel mills which will be the equivalent of taking cars off the road so I say to the Leader of the Opposition we are well on target to meet or exceed our guarantees for 2030 and we're very proud of our made in Ontario climate change plan. The Minister for the Environment has been silent during his government's lobbyist driven attacks on climate on the green belt on conservation authorities, on farmland on wetlands and on and on after the Minister returns from Egypt and is back on the job will anyone in Ontario even notice Thanks again to the Leader of His Majesty's Loyal Opposition I want to expand on that yes we are making sure that the environment is number one priority in this ministry however let's be clear we were elected in a massive majority by answering the call that Ontario gave us to build Ontario and we're going to the two are now I say to the Leader they're not mutually exclusive we are able to build Ontario and provide what is needed for the increase in population coming over the next couple of decades and we are able to do that while respecting and protecting the environment to walk and chew gum at the same time I understand the people on the other side unfortunately all they want to talk about is blocking our efforts to do what is necessary to make sure that Ontario continues to lead we will get it both done both done and will protect the environment start the clock next question member for Scarborough Guildwood Thank you Speaker my question is to the Premier the Premier and his Minister of Education has created ongoing chaos in our education system and confusion for everyone they have put students parents everyone through the ringer their heavy handed approach with the notwithstanding clause to force an agreement upon QP was shameful and heavy handed this government did the right thing with the repeal of Bill 28 has been restored but now we need to see a fair deal that is reached at the table QP asked for $100 million to improve the conditions in the classrooms this is so that they can have more ECEs in every kindergarten classroom and improve the learning environment in our schools that is so desperately needed Speaker will the Premier be willing to work with the majority of Ontarians and put an offer to QP that increases the services to our students so that we can have peace in our public schools Minister of Education Thank you very much Mr Speaker I can confirm to the member opposite that we have increased funding in public education by $3 billion when the Liberals were in power we have hired nearly 7000 workers when the Liberals were in power we have another 1000 educators in our schools when the Liberals were in power we have done that because our government and our party believes in publicly funded schools it is why we are increasing investment each and every year it is why in this proposal before the union we are increasing salaries by $335 million we are increasing opportunities for benefits for compensation for pensions and of course for sick leave which we know is generous in this province especially compared to other provinces it leads the nation to have your increasing wages and as the member opposite rightfully recognized we have withdrawn the bill 28 we did our part it is now up to the union to do their state the table not to walk away from our kids so the children in this province could stay in school Supplementary question Speaker back to the Premier in my riding of Scarborough Guildwood Helen says my grandson in grade 3 is behind he is in grade 4 there are no EAs in the whole school I am sure there are many who could use extra support after COVID many are behind many will get lost yet we never hear about this in the news we need to support education workers for all children tutors are not the answer Speaker this minister just said that they believe in public education but that is not where their actions confirm in fact this government on the morning of an election gave Ontarians who have cars $2 billion in checks were issued to them recently in your fall economic statement $1.2 billion was returned in the gas tax so people if this government believes in public education why is it that you are shamefully putting political tactics and wedging parents with education workers instead of making the classroom investments in public education that are required right now so that our students can catch up and our students can learn what is required is to get a fair deal at the table are you going to get it done once again I will ask the government side not to interrupt opposition members who took the plots during their questions Minister of Education the only way for students to get ahead and catch up as the member opposite noted is for them to be in class on Monday and we believe so strongly that children should be in school it is always perplexing when I don't hear liberals or democrats raise a question to the government about the impact on children on families and on the economy when strikes take place it's as if you could decouple the impact on children from all of your questions this entire week and yet we know the impact on children on special education families on those who need physical mental access benefits from our schools that's why speaker we brought forth a plan as we committed to the people of Ontario to a draw build 28 to increase funding and spending for wages by 335 million more dollars week over week we've also committed to a flat rate which they required which we have moved on and speaker we are maintaining their sick leave and their pensions and their health benefits which few in the private economy could say they have as well we've brought forth a program that's designed to respect our workers and keep kids in the classroom next question the number for Carlton thank you Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker when people become victims of crime they can face tremendous harm and trauma which extends into all facets of their lives these effects can persist for years and in some instances can have lifelong negative implications many victims feel isolated and will withdraw from their families friends work and community our government must stand up for victims of crime by providing them with the needed support and intervention Mr. Speaker through you could the Attorney General please share with us the importance of recognizing individuals and organizations that support people who have faced victimization due to crime thank you thank you Mr. Speaker I would like to thank my friend and colleague for the chance to highlight and honor the contributions of individuals and organizations across Ontario who have been recognized through the Attorney General's Victim Services Awards of Distinction we all know in the face of unprecedented challenges dedicated professionals around Ontario generous volunteers outstanding organizations they've all demonstrated an irrepressible drive to raise awareness of victims issues increase access to crisis intervention services and provide compassionate service and support in times of need this esteemed recognition highlights the dedication and compassion of professionals organizations and volunteers working to support people who have experienced victimization due to crime the award also recognizes the courageous efforts of individuals who have been personally impacted by crime and are now working to raise the profile of victims issues in this province including rural, northern and indigenous communities thank you Mr. Speaker thank you Mr. Speaker and thank you to the Attorney General for recognizing the individuals and organizations who continue to dedicate themselves to supporting victims of crime our government must understand that providing support to victims and their families is crucial in their recovery and contributes to overall community well-being the people of my riding of Carlton are grateful for the work carried out by the dedicated individuals and organizations who assist victims of crime throughout the national capital region and all of Ontario Mr. Speaker through you can the Attorney General please share with the House an example of leadership demonstrated by a previous recipient of the Victim Services Award in support of their community thank you Attorney General thank you Mr. Speaker I'm thrilled and we have posted on the website the previous winners from last year and the year before but here's the good news from across across the aisle and on this side to bring to the attention of individuals and organizations who have done great work for victims who are supporting them and providing services the award deadline the nomination deadline has been extended to December the 9th of this year and I further information is available obviously on the web page it's available on the Attorney General's twitter feed and I just ask you to highlight for individuals often they provide service and they don't feel they're worthy of recognition but they are and I would encourage you to encourage them to make sure they get the nomination in last year we gave awards to individuals and organizations in Thunder Bay and Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa, Oshawa, Sarnia, Thornhill, St. Catherine's Burlington and Whitby and this year Mr. Speaker I hope and expect to have nominations from the field again thank you Mr. Speaker next question for Scarborough Southwest Mr. Speaker the 2022 Daily Bread Food Bank report paints an alarming picture for the city but especially for Scarborough we have seen a 29% increase in food bank visits in Scarborough that's over 554,000 visits in 2021 28% of adults reported missing a day's meal because they did not have enough money for food I'm not sure what you're laughing 49% were skipping meals for the cost of housing or transportation this is one of the richest countries or richest provinces I'm talking about over 554,000 people who went to the food bank last year stop the clock government house leader will come to order is there still some time was there still some time start the clock Minister of Finance can reply well thank you Mr. Speaker through you to the member opposite for that question I'm sure the member opposite was here in the house on Monday when we tabled the fall economic statement which is helping many people who are struggling many people are feeling the pinch at the grocery store many people are feeling the pinch at the pumps feeling the pinch with rent and with mortgage rates going up Mr. Speaker that's why we moved early to provide relief increasing minimum wage lowering the income tax rebate for increasing it so that people making a lower income could take more money in their pockets it's why we gave the license plate stickers back it's why the Minister of Housing is getting houses built so there can be affordable housing in Ontario it's why Mr. Speaker we doubled the guaranteed annual income supplement for over 200,000 low income seniors Mr. Speaker and it's why we increase the earning exemptions for people on Ontario disability from $200 to $1000 many of whom said that is a game changer for people on disability Supplementary question Speaker if the Minister thinks that the license plate stickers help those people in those food banks lineups he needs to come to Scarborough and I will take him to the Lofts food bank I will take him to the food Scarborough food bank and show him what's happening there because those people those rebates that does not support the people and yes that lineup has seniors it has children it has people who are on ODSP ODSP recipients are amongst the top demographic being forced to rely on food bank speaker because we have legislated poverty and governments not just this government I know it's the previous government as well but the government has legislated poverty policies from children to seniors to BIPOC communities and communities in my riding of Scarborough South West people are relying on food banks poverty costs and the minister knows that it costs our health care system it costs our labour force and it's costing our province the report also highlighted speaker that guaranteed income security the fiscal update does not address it it does not address the crisis that we're facing in our province it does not address the crisis that we're facing with the wage suppression thank you thank you members place your question Mr. Finance can respond well thank you Mr. Speaker so let's let's go back in time a little bit in 2011 and many will remember in 2011 what happened the NDP supported the Liberal government for three years now when they had the opportunity for those three years if they really believed that they needed to support people on disability let me ask you this Mr. Speaker let me ask all of Ontario this question did they index ODSP payments to inflation no they did not when they had an opportunity to do that this is a government that is acting that is why we increased the ODSP payments by 5% it's why for the first time since the program was set up over 20 years that it's getting indexed to inflation Mr. Speaker and that's why we increased the ODSP let's go to the next question the member for Don Valley North thank you Speaker the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted gaps in our healthcare system caused by the negative and indifference from the previous Liberal government Speaker we cannot afford to repeat the mistake of the past we must ensure that people in our province can access the healthcare service they need when they need them we know that international educated nurses in every communities are eager to work by expressed concern over the lens registration process can the Minister of Health update this House on what our government is doing to make it easier for international educated nurses to work here in Ontario thank you thank you very much Mr Speaker and thank you to the hard working member from Don Valley North for the question and for his advocacy for international educated healthcare workers Speaker this government is breaking down long standing barriers so that health professionals can work here in Ontario no matter where they come from these changes will finally bring more internationally educated healthcare workers into our healthcare system faster helping to care for Ontarians when they need it so far this year through our supervised practice experience partnership program and in total the College of Nurses has registered 5,848 international educated nurses working in partnership with the College of Nurses of Ontario and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario these changes will support our record breaking historic recruitment plan and make it easier and faster for healthcare professionals to be trained in Ontario supplementary thank you Speaker and thank you for the parliamentary assistance for that response it is great to hear that changes are being made to have internationally educated nurses work in Ontario much sooner but as a government we must do more Speaker the tired nurses in our in my writing of Don Valley North want to return to work and assist those in need once again but unfortunately they have faced barriers in applying for enslavement our government must act now to find a solution to bring these nurses and others with medical expertise back into practice can the minister provide more details on what else our government is doing to expand our healthcare workforce thank you thank you very much Speaker thank you again to the member for that question the important changes that will come into effect immediately include allowing internationally educated nurses to register in a temporary class and begin working sooner while they work toward full registration making it easier for non-practicing or retired nurses to return to the field by introducing flexibility to the requirement that they need to have practice nursing within a certain setting creating a new temporary independent practice registration class for physicians from other provinces and territories making it easier for them to work up to 90 days in Ontario additionally even more changes will come into effect on January 1st including requiring health regulatory colleges to comply with time limits to make registration decisions prohibiting health regulatory colleges from requiring Canadian work for the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to reduce duplicate language proficiency testing for immigrants who want to practice here together these changes are going to help make sure we have the healthcare workers we need in Ontario next question thank you thank you question for the Minister of Health their health providers to alleviate the burden they face their Hearst Hospital had made a proposal for an extra anesthetist anesthetist my office spent two follow up letters for a response I have given two letters in person to the Minister now the Hearst Hospital is facing another crisis they need a minimum of 10 doctors playing presently they have 6 and 2 are retiring soon my question Minister if we can't get an answer for an extra anesthetist will the Minister agree today in the next two weeks to meet with the Hearst Hospital to address these two crisis so that we can find a solution so desperately needed for the Hearst area thank you very much Mr. Speaker and thank you the member opposite for the question I haven't seen the letters you referred to and I can't speak to the Minister's schedule but our government does understand the unique health care challenges in the north and we're committed to ensuring that everyone in Ontario has access to the health care that they need while physician supply across Ontario is projected to consistently exceed population growth leading to an average annual net increase of approximately 581 physicians each year until 2029 we know that there are still some northern communities that have trouble recruiting and retaining doctors which is why our government is investing in initiatives to help improve access to business and services across the north and this includes for example 32 million this year for resident salaries and benefits medical education and training allied health professionals and remote First Nations family residency programs at the northern Ontario medical school we'll continue working to make sure everyone on Ontario has the health care that they need thank you my question to the Premier the government can't ignore our health care crisis any longer in Niagara only 17% of patients are receiving MRIs within the provincial target times the average wait time in Niagara is 164 days a constituent in my community has informed my office their 90 year old mother Joyce who requires an MRI has severe back issues we'll have to wait until August 2023 the Niagara community rallied to raise funds for another MRI machine the Niagara health received funding to run the Niagara MRI machines so why is this happening we know that Niagara has not been spared from the provincial health care staffing crisis when will the Premier work with Niagara health address our health care staffing issues in this province our outrageous MRI wait times repeal bill 124 and at least ensure Joyce can get an MRI in a reasonable time frame and not have to wait until August thank you thank you very much Mr. Speaker and thank you the member opposite for the question our government has got a record investment in recruitment, retaining and training new health care providers and we're making sure we have health care providers across the system the College of Nurses of Ontario has reported that in the first eight months of this year they registered 12,800 nurses that is a record so our changes and our investments are having an effect and I understand that nobody likes to wait for diagnostic imaging and diagnostic imaging has caught up our surgical backlog we've had the diagnostic imaging actually exceeding targets that existed before although there may be one reason why this individual is waiting I understand that Niagara has just got a new MRI machine so I hope she gets her MRI very shortly opposition come to order the next question the member for Glen Gary Prescott Russell thank you Speaker my question is for the Minister of Francophone Affairs COVID-19 has had an important effect on the Francophone of Nordic Ontario which is half of the Nordic of Canada our government has done several investments to protect the economy when there was an announcement regarding these funds in my writing we could see the impact can the Minister tell us a bit more about the second step of these funds to promote the commerce between provinces Member for Mississauga thank you Speaker thank you to my colleague for his question which is a very important question I'm glad to work with him to promote Ontario Francophonie in his writing and in the whole province I would also like to congratulate the person receiving this prize this company attests the quality of the product of Francophone Ontarians communities this prize the Ontario Quebec Francophonie prize is a way of recompensate our companies to promote inter-provincial commerce and innovation which are at the very centre of these efforts the efforts made by our government this is meant for companies who have Francophonie at the heart of their strategies thank you thank you Speaker and thank you for the Minister and the Parliamentary Assistant I'm glad to hear that there are initiatives to promote Francophonie in my writing we have a very dynamic Francophone community that contributes to our local economy we want to promote these companies so that they can be more prosperous Speaker can the Minister and her Assistant explain a bit more the value of Francophonie as an economic advantage thank you Speaker and thank you again for this question, yes of course it's the goal of our ministry to reignite Francophonie the future of Francophone language the beautiful language of Molière is promoted by this prize by means of which we attest the importance of this language and Francophone companies in our province these remind us of the excellence of Francophone projects and this contributes to strengthen the relationship between our provinces entrepreneurs and companies that are Francophone contribute to the promotion of Francophonie and I want to remind everybody that our government takes Francophonie as a priority essential for economy, thank you thank you Speaker my question is to the Premier I know that he's arrived so that your timing is perfect because just a second that actually stop the call that statement did in fact cross the line in terms of making reference to the absence of a member and again I don't know why I have to keep explaining this it's in all of our interest not to do that let's not do it again order the next start the clock member's Toronto Centre is the floor thank you Speaker and my question is still for the Premier because of the changes to building that are coming under the Physicians Services Act this will effect will come into December the first of 2022 Physicians like those who are actually practicing at virtual only care clinics such as connect clinic will have to stop delivering gender affirming care gender affirming care Speaker as many will know is life saving care care that connect clinics 1500 patients as well as 2000 weight listed patients will then lose access by the end of this month many of those patients live in rural communities they are without access to family doctor many of them are actually reliant on virtual care it's the only access to care that they have will the government commit to alternative funding plan in order to meet the needs of trans and gender diverse people in Ontario thank you very much for the question and thank you Speaker on March 28th a three year 2022 a three year Physician Services Agreement was ratified by the Ontario Medical Association and its members and it's a true milestone as it is the first time that a deal has been reached in over a decade without an arbitrator under the new virtual care framework the ministry in the OMA are implementing a new pricing structure for virtual care something which didn't really exist before the pandemic that ensures that patients are receiving services through the avenue that best reflects a patient physician relationship video versus telephone we want to be clear all medically necessary virtual care services including initial patient visits by telephone will be continued to be insured under OHIP patients will continue to have access to clinically appropriate virtual care where virtual care is the appropriate service like in rural and remote mental health services we're going to make sure that Ontarians get the care that they need and we're making virtual care permanent for the first time ever thank you speaker unfortunately that did not answer the question speaker my second question is to the premier the patients waiting for gender affirming care want a concrete answer they're hoping to have it today yesterday I tabled my private members bill gender affirming healthcare advisory committee act this house on numerous occasions and previous governments have actually created working groups advisory committees round tables on their work it actually helps them build better programs and services and legislation for the people of Ontario will this government support that bill will this government stand for the trans and gender diverse community November the 20th it's trans day of remembrance it's coming up many of the members will be attending those events will you be able to pass this bill today thank you thank you very much Mr. Speaker for the question we want to this government wants to make sure that every Ontario has the health care that they need and deserve and Ontario funds team based care such as community health centres and family health teams to improve access to primary care for vulnerable populations and trans populations many primary care teams run primary care programs as part of their LGBTQ plus services or specific clinics for trans populations providing interdisciplinary primary care services including mental health services for their clients in addition to the many groups that provide services to the trans community there are two specific family health teams that have dedicated trans programs the kuchaching family health team for trans health services and the queen square family health team in Brampton for trans health gender health community and there is also the sure burn health community health centre which provides guidance and resources that could be used by all primary care providers when caring for transgender individuals Ontario also funds over 500 community based mental health and addictions providers across the province these are services targeted to LGBTQ plus and available through many of the agencies free of charge thank you that concludes our question for this morning