It’s my pleasure to participate in today’s third reading debate on Bill 60. I’d like to thank the member from Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston for sharing his time with me today.

Speaker, Ontario’s population is projected to increase by almost 15% over the next 10 years. The population of seniors aged 75 and older is expected to increase from 1.2 million to 1.8 million over the same period. We need to continue to grow our health care workforce to meet the needs of our growing population.

Last fall, our government began our work to develop the integrated capacity and health human resources plan for Ontario. We are analyzing current gaps in our system, anticipating needs over the next 10 years and determining solutions to address growing needs in health care. Unlike previous governments, our plan will focus on how to meet this demand through investments, health human resources and innovative solutions.

This year, we are building on this work and shifting our focus to working directly with leaders in our health care system on a workforce plan that includes where to prioritize current and future resources, addressing minimizing system gaps and building a strong health care system for the long term. We will also look at specific strategies for increasing the number of health care professionals, starting with physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, registered practical nurses and medical laboratory technologists.

We’ll also look at the retention of our health care workforce through incentives, leveraging programs like the Learn and Stay program. We will ensure we have a greater understanding of each community and their needs, and that we have a plan to recruit and retain the health care workers needed, including family doctors, nurses, specialists and other health providers. We will prioritize areas most in need, like rural and remote communities, where gaps already exist. This plan will incorporate the lessons learned from COVID-19 and ensure we are prepared and equipped to meet the health care needs of Ontarians for years to come.

Speaker, that’s why this legislation is so important to the people of Ontario—it builds a framework to ensure that care will be available when and where people need it across the whole province. With that framework come historic investments in new hospitals and adding more beds. Since 2018, we’ve added 3,500 more hospital beds. But we aren’t stopping there. We’re moving quickly to expand and modernize Ontario’s hospitals, to ensure you are able to connect to quality care, when and where you need it.

Our investments over the next 10 years will lead to $40 billion in health infrastructure across the province. These investments will increase the number of people hospitals can care for, build new health care facilities, and renew existing hospitals and community health centres. As of the end of 2022, we have already approved 50 hospital development projects that will create more than 3,000 new hospital beds in communities across the province by 2032. We are also investing $182 million this year to support vital repairs, maintenance and upgrades to Ontario’s hospitals. New and redeveloped hospitals with more space to care for patients will ultimately lead to shorter wait times and less hallway health care.

To staff these new, upgraded facilities, we’re launching the largest health care recruiting initiative in our province’s history. Ontario has the most dedicated and highly trained health workforce in the world. They step up day in and day out to keep you and I and communities across the province safe and healthy. We’ve made significant progress recently to increase the number of health care workers available to provide care and support. Together, we’ve come so far. Over 60,000 new nurses and nearly 8,000 new doctors—

I was able to listen to Jillian Lynch address the crowd. Jillian is here today, and she is a young professional who is unstoppable in her drive to help others. Jillian is the example of selflessness and strength. She grew up with her family not far from where I live in St. Andrews West, along with her brother Myles, who had a lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis. Myles Lynch was the first Canadian to successfully undergo three double lung transplants at SickKids here in Toronto.

Myles tragically passed away on December 31, 2021, after bravely living life to the fullest. In the months before his passing, Myles had told Jillian to chase after every dream without hesitation.

Jillian has been committed to sharing Myles’s story and giving back to the institutions that helped Myles and her family.

Jillian is chasing dreams and changing the world. This young lady has quite the impressive résumé. Hopefully, Speaker, I’ll have enough time to share some of her accomplishments. Jillian has become a sought-after public speaker for the non-profits that had supported her family. Jillian has delivered speeches for the SickKids Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Canada, Federated Health Charities of Canada, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Jillian delivered 178 presentations for the Heart and Stroke Foundation within four months to companies across Toronto, raising $1.6 million. Jillian also dedicated cycling across Canada to raise funds for SickKids in Toronto. She was recognized as a top 30 change-maker under 30.

I know your community is proud of your work, Jillian. I have no doubt your parents are proud of your drive and determination. Myles would be quite proud of the accomplishments and advocacy, Jillian. Keep up the amazing work.

This week being National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week, I’d like to welcome Jillian Lynch to the House today. Her brother was the first to have three double lung transplants here at SickKids in Toronto.