I appreciate the question from the member from Whitby. Of course, we share Durham region and are grateful for any measures that keep us safe. But I also wanted to respond back with what I have heard from victim services about the need. Those impacted by violence—their needs are not being met. Victim services’ core funding across the province—they have not had reasonable core funding increases in years, and the funding formula is not tied to the numbers of clients. So they’re still receiving the same amount of funding today to serve 10,000 clients in our region that they were when they were serving only 3,200.

When we talk to the folks who do that unbelievable work for victim services, they are bringing real solutions to the table. And I would ask this government to consider how we retain that staff to do that unbelievable caring work when they are paid $37,000 yearly. The burnout and turnover is astronomical, and this is a government that is choosing to let that happen.

I have here some speaking remarks from Eva Reti, the Durham Region Hospice board chair. She had presented to council in Ajax and talked about the future of the 10-bed hospice residence in Whitby, which is one of three locations approved by the Ministry of Health. She outlined the challenges, that their original tender process in January—well, the project came in approximately $3.5 million more than originally estimated, which is a reflection on the broader world, the current construction situation since the pandemic. And so it’s back to the drawing board, it’s back to the door-knocking, and it’s back to the fundraising. They are plugging away, but to know that they had the government supporting them in a very real way that would bring this care and benefit into the community and to more communities—what a difference that would make in Ontario.

When you talk about the impacts of poverty when it comes to health, I want to read from a letter here, a family physician has written a prescription about a patient. He said this man, his patient, “has requested this letter of support regarding income security programs. He is currently receiving benefits under the Ontario Disability Support Program. With the rising cost of housing, rent, energy, utilities, food etc., he and others on ODSP are struggling to maintain good health. These individuals invariably reside in small, congregated or at times poorly maintained housing units which can have a negative effect on their mental and physical health. Spending most of their monthly benefit on rent leaves limited funds for proper nutrition and recreational activities. A poor, nutritionally depleted diet is a risk factor for many chronic diseases leading to increased morbidity and mortality and subsequent increased cost to the health care system.”

His doctor is writing doctor’s notes about how bad it is for patients in poverty.