I want to touch on the fresh flower market here in Ontario—and thank you to the member opposite from Peterborough for recognizing the TOGA party that was held here.

The Ontario Greenhouse Alliance has so much to celebrate. In fact, I was speaking to one grower who specializes in fresh flowers, and I want to quote something that he shared. They had a really good market leading up to Mother’s Day, and not only did they satisfy demand across the province, but he also stated that $1 million worth of flowers grown in Ontario was sold into the US market. I know the finance minister will appreciate this, because selling into the US market translated into $1.35 million returning to Ontario, so that we can continue to build Ontario, invest in our greenhouse business and, most importantly, continue to grow good Ontario jobs.

Speaker, that’s exactly why we stand with the members of the Ontario Greenhouse Alliance and farmers across this province to meet market challenges and to help them realize growth opportunities.

Thank you to the member opposite for that very important question.

As the member knows, there has been a complaint filed, which he just referenced, in front of the Competition Bureau so I can’t get into specifics and comment in a detailed fashion on that.

But I will say this—and I think the member opposite knows this: The previous government was willing and prepared to allow for the collapse of the horse racing industry, and that would have caused the potential loss of 23,000 jobs and 27,000 dead horses.

We are supporting the horse racing industry. In fact, during the pandemic, we negotiated terms to have a long-term funding agreement to provide additional support through a very challenging time for the industry. This will give the industry time to recover, preserve local employment, and provide support to Ontario’s 15 racetracks until 2026.

Our government really understands the important role that the horse racing industry provides in many of our communities across Ontario. In fact, a few of my colleagues who were around in opposition at the time—you fought for the horse racing industry; you stepped up for all those jobs in many communities around Ontario. In fact, in the member opposite’s own riding, if it weren’t for the tireless advocacy of my colleagues on this side of the House and in the middle over there, that would be countless jobs that were lost, countless communities that would have suffered.

We stand with the horse racing industry. We will continue to support the horse racing industry.

Thank you for your support. That’s all I have to say.

Thank you to the member from Markham–Thornhill for his question.

The position of this government is very clear: As both Premier Ford and the Minister of Finance have said on numerous occasions, we cannot afford to be an off-line government in an online world. This mindset is driving change and innovation in government and is helping us adopt cutting-edge technologies like the cloud. By moving away from old, outdated tech and towards the cloud, we are making the services that Ontarians count on more reliable, more affordable and, above all else, safer than ever before.

I’m also very proud to say that our province is a leader not only in Canada, but in North America as well, and around the world, when it comes to the adoption of cloud technology and always making sure—

Speaker, as the member mentioned in his first question, technology is evolving very quickly. Unfortunately, this also means that bad actors who want to steal Ontarians’ personal information are also finding new ways to inflict damage and disrupt services.

That is why our government is never letting its guard down. The added benefit of cloud technology means that we can keep Ontarians safe thanks to the improved stability, reliability and security that this new technology brings.

Speaker, as Ontario’s economy and population continue to grow under our government, the need for us to keep up the pace grows as well. Under this Premier and this government, we are delivering digital transformation for a smarter, more modern and efficient government that serves the people and businesses of our great province.

Earlier this week, we welcomed the Ontario Greenhouse Alliance to this House.

Greenhouse-grown flowers generated more than $900 million in farm gate sales in 2021—and continue to innovate to grow this target.

The partnership between the Ontario chapter of Flowers Canada and the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, represented by TOGA—yes, it’s true, we had a TOGA event—is a formidable economic powerhouse with the ability to truly strengthen Ontario’s economy. TOGA’s members are protecting crops and flowers from environmental extremes, preserving and recirculating water and nutrients, and growing year-round to ensure that we have a safe, local, fresh food supply throughout the year.

Can the minister elaborate on how this government is supporting the desire to increase exports of our fresh products?

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery.

Ontario knows that technology is evolving, improving and changing faster than ever before. In many ways, it can often seem like the changes are happening more quickly than what people and business can keep up with.

For individuals, families, workers and businesses who wish to access online services, the technology needs to be convenient and reliable. It is important and necessary that Ontario keeps pace with new technology so that businesses can remain competitive and people can access the information and services that they need.

Speaker, can the minister please explain what our government is doing to ensure that Ontario adopts up-to-date digital technology?

It is a reality that cloud technology is experiencing tremendous growth.

In his response, the minister explained that cloud technology will provide an added measure of safety. While this is good news, we regularly hear reports from the media about security breaches, leaked information and identity theft from computer hackers.

The safety and security of personal information is an important and serious issue. The people of Ontario need to be confident that our government can ensure that provincial services and agencies have strong cyber security measures in place.

Mr. Speaker, can the minister please explain how our government is implementing technology that will safeguard personal information for all Ontarians?

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.

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.

My constituent Robert is on ODSP and was faced with an impossible choice at Walmart this week: to buy diabetic socks or food. Every diabetic knows that proper socks prevent ulcers, infections and, ultimately, amputations, so Robert’s choice was really about going hungry or potentially losing his toes or feet. Some 85% of diabetic amputations are preventable with proper care.

ODSP is legislated poverty, as we all know. Low rates mean that Robert is an expert at stretching a dime into a dollar, but still, it isn’t enough.

When will the Premier listen to experts and double ODSP to lift people with disabilities out of poverty and save people like Robert from losing his limbs?

As reflected in their flawed budget, this government’s miniscule changes to ODSP are simply not enough. When Robert is choosing between food and medical necessities, that tells me it’s not enough. ODSP barely covers a few pairs of socks a year. I don’t know about the Premier, but I need to change my socks daily.

Why does this government insult people living on ODSP by insisting that they get a job, by telling them to go back to work, even as the ODSP application process tells them to describe their disability in detail?

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?