I would like to take the opportunity to welcome Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie and my old friend the mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown, as well as Regional Chair Nando. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Last night, my Petes took a commanding 3-1 lead in the OHL finals, and since we won’t be here next week—we will be back in the constituency—I need to know if the member from London North Centre would like to wear maroon and white or white and maroon when we return on the Monday.

I want to start answering this question by saying I want to correct my record, because, on Monday, I talked about the Oneida project, which was the largest battery storage project in Canada, but, on Tuesday, that all changed. We’re going to have a larger battery storage project in Hagersville, and the second-largest is actually going to be in that member’s riding, in Greater Napanee.

We’re continuing to add clean generation to our system as a result of the IESO competitive procurement that came out on Tuesday. We learned that 740 megawatts of new energy storage generation is going to be available to our province. That’s enough to power a city the size of London, and it’s a 400% increase in clean energy storage—

This is great news, as our province continues to see record multi-billion dollar investments. We’ll build 1.5 million homes over the next decade; we’re going to need the power—

On behalf of the official opposition, I, too, would like to welcome the mayor of Mississauga, the mayor of Brampton and the delegation from Peel region. Welcome.

I would like to welcome the government relations officer Landon Tresise from the Canadian Fuels Association. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

The ayes are 29; the nays are 66.

It’s fitting that we’re giving thanks to our pages, because I would like to welcome back one of the former pages to the House. We have Dan Chikane from North Caribou Lake First Nation in Kiiwetinoong. It’s his first time back since he was a page in this House in 1968. Please welcome Dan.

Point of order, Speaker?

I thank the honourable member for the question.

I just want to remind every single Ontarian of the decisions that have been made by this government. We have made the largest increase to ODSP rates in decades. Further than that, we have increased the income threshold from $200 to $1,000 so that more Ontarians can keep more money in their pocket.

Every single decision that we’ve made—you’ll hear, time and time again, the members opposite from both parties talk about affordability for Ontarians, yet when it comes to actually supporting doing something about it, they vote against it. It’s always when the lights are on and the camera is rolling, they’ll say one thing—but when it comes to action, this is the lights, camera, no action party.

We will stand up for every single Ontarian. We will make sure that no one is left behind in this province.

That now means the NDP has to stand up and tell the people of this province why they continue—

I just want to remind the member, here is what they have voted against: the increase to support for Ontarians on ODSP, the largest increase in decades—they voted against it. Aligning it to inflation, which, as of July 1, will further increase supports for Ontarians—they voted against it. The $200 limit, which was increased to $1,000 so that more Ontarians who can and are able to work can get out there and earn more—what did they do? They voted against it.

Again, every single measure that this finance minister has put forward, not just in this recent budget, not in the fall economic statement or the budget before that—every single measure that we put forward to make life more affordable for Ontarians, the NDP votes against. They’ll say one thing here in the House—but I’ll assure Ontarians: You have nothing to worry about. This side of the House, and the majority, will continue—

My question is for the Minister of Energy.

Earlier this week, the minister responded to some questions about all the work that our government is doing in continuing to support the province’s economic growth through new investments. These include investments in the electric vehicle and EV battery manufacturing industries, particularly with the new Volkswagen gigafactory to be built in St. Thomas. The minister was asked about the capacity of our current energy grid and its sustainability for the long term. I was pleased to hear in his response that our government is addressing Ontario’s energy infrastructure needs through a number of different measures, including competitive procurements.

Will the minister please provide additional information about Ontario’s competitive procurement process for our energy grid system?

I’d like to welcome the members from Pride Toronto. We’re looking forward to a fantastic festival, a fantastic Pride Parade and a fantastic week in Toronto this year. Thank you so much for being in the House and thank you for all the work that you do in Toronto.

Speaker, I’d like to ask all members to join me in wishing the member for Perth–Wellington a very happy birthday.

Yes, Speaker. I thank all members for another productive week on behalf of the people of the province of Ontario. I wish everybody a happy Victoria Day. And then I will be reaching out to the opposition House leader over the constituency week to finalize the final two weeks of the sitting.

London, England?

It’s my pleasure to welcome to the House today leaders from Pride Toronto, Sherwin and Bobby. I want to thank them for their work on an incredible Pride Month coming up in June. Welcome to the House.

The Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Our pages are smart, trustworthy and hard-working. They are indispensable to the effective functioning of the chamber, and we are very, very fortunate to have had them here.

To our pages: You depart having made many new friends, with a greater understanding of parliamentary democracy and memories that will last a lifetime. Each of you will go home and continue your studies, and no doubt will contribute to your communities, your province and your country in important ways. We expect great things from all of you. Who knows? Maybe some of you will take your seats in this House as members or work here as staff someday. No matter where your path leads you, we wish you well.

Please join me in thanking this group of legislative pages.

Applause.

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

Bill 101, An Act to establish the Advocate for Older Adults / Projet de loi 101, Loi créant le poste d’intervenant en faveur des personnes âgées.

The division bells rang from 1148 to 1153.

On May 17, 2023, MPP Vaugeois moved second reading of Bill 101, An Act to establish the Advocate for Older Adults. All those in favour, please rise and remain standing until recognized by the Clerk.

Second reading negatived.

Deferred vote on the motion that the question now be put on the motion for third reading of the following bill:

Bill 85, An Act to implement Budget measures and to amend various statutes / Projet de loi 85, Loi visant à mettre en oeuvre les mesures budgétaires et à modifier diverses lois.

Call in the members. This is a five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1157 to 1158.

On May 18, 2023, Ms. Kusendova-Bashta moved that the question be now put.

All those in favour of Ms. Kusendova-Bashta’s motion, please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Mr. Pirie has moved third reading of Bill 85, An Act to implement Budget measures and to amend various statutes.

Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? I heard some noes.

All those in favour of the motion will please say “aye.”

All those opposed will please say “nay.”

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

Call in the members. This is a five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1201 to 1202.

All those in favour of the motion will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.

Third reading agreed to.

First, the member for Scarborough Southwest.

On the same point of order, the member for London North Centre.

There being no further business at this time, this House stands in recess until 1 p.m.

The House recessed from 1208 to 1300.

Report deemed adopted.

Mr. Clark moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 112, An Act to provide for the dissolution of The Regional Municipality of Peel / Projet de loi 112, Loi prévoyant la dissolution de la municipalité régionale de Peel.

First reading agreed to.

Yes, Speaker. The proposed Hazel McCallion Act, if passed, would begin the process of making the city of Mississauga, the city of Brampton and the town of Caledon independent, single-tier municipalities. The bill would also allow the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to appoint individuals to a transition board. This would help Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon prepare to become single-tier municipalities on January 1, 2025, when the proposed changes would come into effect.

I’ll have more to say in ministerial statements.

I also want to acknowledge the many members of council who are here today, citizens from Peel staff, obviously, who will be watching this announcement. Their presence in the chamber today is a good indication of the importance of this moment, and also the need for us to work amicably and productively in the best interest of Peel residents.

I want to take this moment to talk a bit about the namesake of the legislation, the late Hazel McCallion. Hazel was a champion for growth in her city and her region and central to the extraordinary progress we’ve all witnessed in Peel over the last decades. She also believed that the city of Mississauga was ready and able to stand on its own two feet, and that, as its own city, it would be able to face those challenges that the future provided. We’re honouring tat legacy today with this proposed legislation, which will provide Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon with the tools and the powers that they need to ensure long-term growth and long-term success, while ensuring public services continue to be provided and delivered reliably with stability and with respect for the taxpayer that funded it.

Today, the region of Peel has about one and a half million residents, and that’s expected to grow to over two million by 2041. It’s half a million more people who will be living in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon in the next 20 years, and I think we can all acknowledge they’re going to need homes to live in. To build these homes to the scale and to the speed that is required, the people of these three municipalities will need local governments that are not only nimble but efficient enough to get that job done.

Our proposed legislation, if passed, would begin the dissolution of Peel, and Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon would move to single-tier municipalities over the next two years. I expect all of the municipalities to continue to co-operate with each other and with the province to advance our shared provincial and municipal interests, including making sure that there are enough homes, and different types of homes, for the people who want to live there.

To aid in this process, if the proposed legislation is passed, I will be appointing an up-to-five-member transition board to help facilitate and support this change in local government. The board will also make recommendations to me on actions that I can take to help speed up and make sure this transition process is smooth. The transition board would also provide a wide variety of advice on a range of matters, from financial sustainability and how to allocate assets and liabilities, to looking at contracts and employment and determining service delivery models. We want to ensure that the public interest is protected throughout the change in Peel’s local governance structure, so the transition board would be able to have the power to request information on municipal decisions. If, in their opinion, those decisions are not in the best interests of the public or the future state of Mississauga, Brampton or Caledon, they could direct municipalities to alter those decisions.

Speaker, this is a power that they will not use lightly, but I want to make sure that all three single-tier municipalities are set up for success, and just as we expect Peel, Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon to work together during the transition process, we also expect them to collaborate with the transition board so we can ensure the best possible outcomes for those 1.5 million people they represent. The single-tier system would provide the municipal leaders of those communities with the tools they need to plan for future population growth and to get more homes built faster.

I’m glad that our government can help in a matter that addresses the need for a modern and efficient local government system, one which recognizes the unique characteristics of Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon.

It’s an honour and pleasure to welcome a good friend of mine since grade 9, Talibah Miller-Johnson. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Today, Ukrainians, both at home and amongst the diaspora, and supporters of Ukraine, celebrate Vyshyvanka Day, which occurs on the third Thursday during the month of May. I am proud to speak on behalf of the NDP leader and our caucus to mark Vyshyvanka Day at Queen’s Park.

Speaker, I’ve had the opportunity to wear a vyshyvanka on numerous occasions—an embroidered shirt Ukrainians believe to be protection against the ills that can befall people, but also of all the good things we can experience in this life: love, loyalty and happiness. Aligned with this deep meaning behind vyshyvanka, my hope—our hope—for all Ukrainians, on this day and always, is protection against violence, hardship and oppression, and for lasting peace and freedom.

Across Ukraine, vyshyvankas of different regions have unique patterns, ornaments, materials and colours. This rich variety of motifs tells the story of a diverse Ukraine. However, it is a Ukraine unified through a beautiful traditional craft—embroidery—with every family having their own unique embroidered vyshyvanka. The vyshyvanka is therefore a symbol of a rich, diverse and resilient culture.

The Ontario NDP has always stood in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian community, and we will continue to do so. We won’t and must not forget, and we cannot lose sight of the fact that there have been hundreds of thousands of casualties and millions of people displaced because of the invasion by Putin. We will never turn a blind eye to the blatant violations of human rights and international law that continue to happen at this very moment.

We also cannot forget that many of the displaced have come to Canada. But even long before the conflict, Canada has been home to many people of Ukrainian descent, and Ukrainian Canadians have long-standing communities across the country. My riding of Parkdale–High Park is home to a thriving Ukrainian community, and since the beginning of the conflict, I have witnessed many moving instances of community care in support of Ukraine. In fact, this evening, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress is hosting a community parade at Jane and Bloor in my riding in support of those still fighting for freedom and democracy in Ukraine.

There are many more examples of community care. Last September, the Ukrainian festival organizers hosted a solidarity march. The Ukrainian immigrant aid society, a non-profit based in my riding, has provided settlement support to refugees. There are many, many events that have happened and are continuing to happen. Many families have opened their arms and welcomed Ukrainian refugees into their homes.

Speaker, communities across Ontario and Canada are doing their part, and the provincial government must continue to do the same. It is important today to wear the vyshyvanka. It is also important for this government to promote, through action and policy, what the vyshyvanka stands for: resilience for Ukrainians in the face of adversity.