As I said when we highlighted this pilot project that is available at Holland Bloorview, Hamilton, CHEO and SickKids, it really is an opportunity to make sure that those youth, those children have those wraparound services. It is a very exciting pilot project, and we will monitor very carefully to see how they can actually improve the access to service for those young people and their families.

I will remind the member opposite, a pilot project means that we need the data, we need the material to see whether it is an effective one. As I said that day at the announcement, if this turns into a program that will help many people and many families, we will absolutely work together to ensure that we can expand it.

That is exactly the reason why we have introduced the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act—and we ask the members to continue to support it—to support students across the province, in building off the approximately 8,000 additional staff hired since 2018; improving accountability and transparency by allowing the minister to set priorities in important areas and subjects on student achievement, like reading, math, and requiring school boards to update parents on progress; requiring school boards to publicly post their multi-year board improvement plan that reflects the priorities of student achievement and accountability to parents; and directing school boards to increase engagement by reporting to parents on student achievement and ensuring parents have easy access to the information they need to make meaningful engagement with their children’s educational success.

This is why we are asking for accountability—because we continue to believe that students are very important in our province, and we continue to want them to be successful.

Thank you to the member for this question and for the amazing work that he does for his constituents.

Madam Speaker, the opioid crisis has hit northern communities particularly hard, and that’s why we are focused on building a continuum of care that covers the entire province. Of the 400 new treatment beds and 7,000 new treatment spaces that have been created through the Addictions Recovery Fund, over half of them have gone to northern and Indigenous communities.

Our investments through the Roadmap to Wellness and the Addictions Recovery Fund have funded things like the mobile crisis response teams, mobile mental health clinics, wraparound supports, and treatment beds that are filling the gaps in care that have been experienced by those in the north.

Madam Speaker, through our ongoing partnerships with amazing community organizations like St. Joseph’s and Dilico Anishinabek Family Care in Thunder Bay, Canadore College in North Bay, and Algoma Family Services, we’re making sure that the wellness of northern Ontarians will never again be an oversight.

Since 2019, our government has invested over $130 million to improve and expand those services, and just last year we added another $31 million in annual funding to reduce wait-lists so that kids can get help sooner.

We’ve also provided funding for the creation of 22 youth wellness hubs across the province of Ontario, including one that’s scheduled to open next month in downtown Sault Ste. Marie. We’ve funded a youth wellness hub in Sagamok in one of the Indigenous communities. And along with our friends up north in Kenora–Rainy River, along with the Kenora Chiefs Advisory, we’ve funded beds for children and youth who are of Indigenous and non-Indigenous origin. Madam Speaker, the—

Je voudrais souhaiter bonne fête à ma femme aujourd’hui. C’est sa fête, mais ça fait 40 ans qu’on est ensemble. Chérie, on fête notre 40^e, puis aussi, on fête notre 25^e. Bonne fête, encore.

My question is for the Premier.

This government announced their new pilot program, connecting children and youth with specialized care, on March 9, partnering with three hospitals, including the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Sonjia, a mother of a child with autism, shared with me that she called CHEO on the very day of the announcement, and staff had no idea what she was talking about. They could not answer any of her questions on who could enrol, how to enrol, or what the program specifically offered. She could not get the basic information, let alone enrol her child. Staff told Sonjia they would follow up with her. When she called back two days later, the program was already filled.

How can the Premier boast about a pilot program when their government cannot even ensure the hospitals who are administering the program—

The ayes are 70; the nays are 18.

Point of order.

Mr. Fraser moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 104, An Act to amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 with respect to personal emergency leave and the establishment of an employer support program for such leave / Projet de loi 104, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2000 sur les normes d’emploi en ce qui concerne le congé d’urgence personnelle et la mise en oeuvre d’un programme d’appui des employeurs relatif à ce congé.

It’s just to, on standing order 59, outline the order of business for the week when we return and to thank all members, again, for what was a very productive week for the people of the province of Ontario.

On Monday, May 8, when we return: In the afternoon routine, there will be a ministerial statement on sexual abuse prevention month; in the afternoon, third reading of Bill 71, Building More Mines Act.

On Tuesday, May 9: In the morning, third reading of Bill 71; in the afternoon routine, a ministerial statement on the Ministry of Francophone Affairs’ annual report; in the afternoon, third reading of Bill 71, Building More Mines Act; and in the evening, the member for Hastings–Lennox and Addington’s Bill 99, Garrett’s Legacy Act.

On Wednesday, May 10: In the morning, there will be third reading of Bill 75, Queen’s Park Restoration Act. In the afternoon, third reading of Bill 75 will continue. And in the evening, the member for Davenport will be debating Bill 100.

On Thursday, May 11: In the morning, third reading of Bill 75, Queen’s Park Restoration Act. In the afternoon, colleagues, there will be five tributes to deceased members of provincial Parliament. Then, we will continue on with third reading of Bill 75, Queen’s Park Restoration Act. Additionally, in the evening, the member for Brampton East will have private member’s motion number 49 concerning mental health initiatives in schools.

At the same time, Madam Speaker, I hope all members will—and, of course, I know all members will—be taking time out on May 6 to enjoy celebrations across the province of Ontario and right here at Queen’s Park in honour of the coronation of His Majesty, King Charles III.

Finally, to the colleague in Scarborough–Guildwood and the colleague for Kitchener Centre, both who have indicated that they will be leaving their seats at—I guess in the member for Scarborough–Guildwood’s case, prior to the final registration, and Kitchener Centre at the conclusion of this session—we will be allotting both of those members time to give their farewell addresses, as has become the custom in this place, on our return.

Deferred vote on the motion for second reading of the following bill:

Bill 102, An Act to amend various Acts relating to the justice system, fire protection and prevention and animal welfare / Projet de loi 102, Loi modifiant diverses lois relatives au système judiciaire, à la prévention et à la protection contre l’incendie ainsi qu’au bien-être des animaux.

Just to remind everyone that Monday, May 1 is D-day—it’s Doctors’ Day. So don’t forget to say thank you to all of the physicians and doctors who have helped you.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Haliburton Highlands Health Services board of directors has, without consultation with the affected stakeholders, announced the permanent closure of the emergency department located in the municipality of Minden Hills, Ontario, effective June 1, 2023;”

They petition the Legislative Assembly as follows: “that a moratorium of this decision be implemented by the Ministries of Health and Long-Term Care immediately for a period of a minimum of one year to allow for consultations with” the “affected stakeholders to occur.”

I fully support this petition, will affix my name to it and ask page Christopher to bring it to the Clerk.

I’d like to welcome to the House, from the “save the Minden ER” group, Richard Bradley and Laura and Patrick Porzuczek. Welcome to the House, guys.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Haliburton Highlands Health Services board of directors has, without consultation with the affected stakeholders, announced the permanent closure of the emergency department located in the municipality of Minden Hills, Ontario, effective June 1, 2023;

“We, the undersigned, petition” the Legislative Assembly “that a moratorium of this decision be implemented by the Ministries of Health and Long-Term Care immediately for a period of a minimum of one year to allow for consultations with” the “affected stakeholders....”

I fully support this petition, will affix my signature and pass it to page Akshitha to take to the table.

I have an incredibly important petition on the Minden ER.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Haliburton Highlands Health Services board of directors has, without consultation with the affected stakeholders, announced the permanent closure of the emergency department located in the municipality of Minden Hills, Ontario, effective June 1, 2023;

“We, the undersigned, petition” the Legislative Assembly of Ontario “that a moratorium of this decision be implemented by the Ministries of Health and Long-Term Care immediately for a period of a minimum of one year to allow for consultations with all affected stakeholders to occur.”

I fully support this petition, will affix my signature and deliver it with page Maya to the clerks.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Haliburton Highlands Health Services board of directors has, without consultation with the affected stakeholders, announced the permanent closure of the emergency department located in the municipality of Minden Hills, Ontario, effective June 1, 2023;

“We, the undersigned, petition that a moratorium of this decision be implemented by the Ministries of Health and Long-Term Care immediately for a period of a minimum of one year to allow for consultations with all affected stakeholders to occur.”

This is a very important petition for the people of Minden. I will add my signature to those numbers and give it to page Mridul to take to the table.

Tomorrow is the Day of Mourning, as we all know. Earlier this morning, the Minister of Labour and I both spoke. We would like to have unanimous consent for a moment of silence for all workers who have been killed, injured or suffered an occupational disease.

Point of order, Speaker.

The petition I am going to read is as follows:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Haliburton Highlands Health Services board of directors has, without consultation with the affected stakeholders, announced the permanent closure of the emergency department located in the municipality of Minden Hills, Ontario, effective June 1, 2023;

“We, the undersigned, petition that a moratorium of this decision be implemented by the Ministries of Health and Long-Term Care immediately for a period of a minimum of one year to allow for consultations with all affected stakeholders to occur.”

I’m proud to affix my signature and send this back to the table with page Sophie.

I have a petition for the Minden Hill emergency department, to save the emergency.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Haliburton Highlands Health Services board of directors has, without consultation with the affected stakeholders, announced the permanent closure of the emergency department located in the municipality of Minden Hills, Ontario, effective June 1, 2023;

“We, the undersigned, petition” the Legislative Assembly of Ontario “that a moratorium of this decision be implemented by the Ministries of Health and Long-Term Care immediately for a period of a minimum of one year to allow for consultations with all affected stakeholders to occur.”

I fully support this petition, and I will give it to Leonard to bring to the Clerk’s table.

Madam Speaker, to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Haliburton Highlands Health Services board of directors has, without consultation with the affected stakeholders, announced the permanent closure of the emergency department located in the municipality of Minden Hills, Ontario, effective June 1, 2023;

“We, the undersigned, petition that a moratorium of this decision be implemented by the Ministries of Health and Long-Term Care immediately for a period of a minimum of one year to allow for consultations with all affected stakeholders to occur.”

I fully support this petition, will affix my signature and pass it to page Kate to take to the table.

I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Haliburton Highlands Health Services board of directors has, without consultation with the affected stakeholders, announced the permanent closure of the emergency department located in the municipality of Minden Hills, Ontario, effective June 1, 2023;

“We, the undersigned, petition that a moratorium of this decision be implemented by the Ministries of Health and Long-Term Care immediately for a period of a minimum of one year to allow for consultations with all affected stakeholders to occur.”

I’m happy to add my name to this petition and to give it to page Olivia to bring to the Clerk.