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?

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.

Point of order: the Minister of Labour.

Point of order.

Today, people are marking this holiday in Ukraine, across Ontario and around the world, still under the cloud of Putin’s war of aggression. This year, we celebrate not only the many contributions that Ukrainians here in Canada have made to our province and our country but also that Ukrainian culture remains strong despite all attempts to destroy it.

Speaker, this Vyshyvanka Day, Putin continues his efforts to destroy Ukraine. He means not merely to conquer but to wipe out their identity and erase their history. He will succeed in neither. Ukraine is resisting his illegal invasion with unflagging courage and tireless endurance.

As Ukraine bravely re-establishes control of their land, we are learning the full extent of Russian atrocities: the torture facilities, the mass graves and the atrocities of Putin’s war. We can’t look away. This is the face of the Russian occupation: towns and cities turned into mass graves. There must be justice. As President Zelenskyy said, “Putin seeks to destroy our future, to destroy our nation, our character.” This is why Ukraine must fight and why we must stand with them.

Many of us were surprised and all of us are impressed by the astounding bravery of Ukraine’s resistance. The Ukrainian military and the Ukrainian people rallied behind President Zelenskyy. They defended their capital and drove the Russian army back from Kyiv and continue to push them back on multiple fronts. The struggle to free their homeland continues.

Canada and our friends and allies around the world have rallied to support Ukraine and to impose strong sanctions on Russia, Russian companies and Russian officials responsible for the illegal invasion. Ukrainians have been provided with weapons, ammunition and other much-needed support.

Vehicles proudly manufactured here in Ontario are on the front lines. We’ve seen Ontario-based businesses stepping up with plans to deliver 1,000 armoured vehicles to Ukraine this year alone. Our province’s manufacturing might and expertise is supporting Ukraine’s defence, but it’s the Ukrainians who fight, and they are defending freedom and democracy for all of us.

Speaker, many Ukrainians have had to flee Putin’s war of aggression, which has now displaced over eight million refugees. Ontario has become the refuge for more of those fleeing the invasion than any other province in the country. We have now welcomed over 56,000 displaced Ukrainians with open arms, and Ontario will continue to work in partnership with the federal government, across our government, businesses, unions, faith organizations, municipalities and other community groups, to ensure those coming here to Ontario have access to the supports they need to start a new life and a safe life here.

Under the leadership of our Premier, we’re doing everything we can to help those fleeing the war and arriving at our door, whether temporarily or to make Ontario their new home. Last spring, we announced supports including a dedicated job search hotline, access to health care, emergency income assistance, free kindergarten-to-grade 12 education, child care and more.

Our ministry has also provided $4.4 million to help new arrivals with language services, housing supports, employment services and mental health supports. These supports are helping to make sure Ukrainians arriving here in Ontario have access to the programs and services they need to start a new life here. Not only our government, but community organizations, employers, labour partners and people right across Ontario have come together to support those fleeing the invasion.

Ontario stands proudly with the people of Ukraine, and we’ll continue to stand with the people of Ukraine. Canada is home to over 1.3 million Ukrainians, the third-largest Ukrainian population in the entire world. Our countries are bound by the ties of friendship and family, bonds that unify all of us. We will help those who come to our shores to find sanctuary and rebuild their lives, and we stand by those who fight to free Ukraine from Putin’s illegal invasion, to restore their freedom and sovereignty. If he thinks he can erase an independent Ukrainian nation and a free Ukrainian people, we have seen that they will never, ever permit that to happen.

Ukraine must and will prevail. Glory to Ukraine. Slava Ukraini.

On behalf of the official opposition, I would like to respond to the minister’s statement regarding the act that was just introduced regarding the dissolution of the regional municipality of Peel. On behalf of the official opposition, as always, we will carefully study the act and vote on behalf of the residents of Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga. Our main focus will be on the shared infrastructure that they now share and the tax burdens of the various municipalities.

We look forward to studying the bill. I’m looking forward to working with the residents of that area to further their interests and the interests of Ontario.

I present a petition similarly related to the closure of the Chesley hospital.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Chesley and District Memorial Hospital, originally donated to the town with funds provided by the local Kinsmen Club, was dedicated as a tribute to those local residents injured or killed during the Second World War. This hospital has served the needs of the community of Arran-Elderslie for 79 years with strong support at all times from the residents of the town and other communities in the area as well as from the county and local municipal government;

“Whereas three times—in 1976, 1978 and 1992—provincial governments have attempted to close the doors of this hospital. In each case, local residents protested these moves and each time through their efforts the government backed down and the hospital was saved. Now, with the current cancellation and/or reduction of ER services, there is yet another threat to the continued existence of our hospital;

“Whereas the ER in Chesley hospital serves an area with a total population of 6,900 people. It delivers emergency medical care for the whole constituency of Arran-Elderslie township including the towns of Chesley, Tara, Paisley and Dobbinton. It also provides services for those living in the nearby villages of Desboro and Elmwood and in the former townships of Brant, Sullivan and Bentinck. A large number of the residents are seniors and the area also includes a large population of Amish and Mennonite families. Many of these residents do not have access to a private automobile and are disadvantaged in the effort to reach health centres in large communities by the long distance and lack of a public transportation system. They require close proximity to ER and hospital services and that proximity is best served by the Chesley hospital;

“Whereas the physician recruitment committee has advised that without a fully functioning ER, it is difficult to recruit and retain doctors and nurses who are interested in maintaining and increasing their skills and who are dependent upon ER duties to support or supplement their income;

“Whereas Arran-Elderslie council sent a letter addressed to the Premier and the Minister of Health dated October 31, 2022, requesting action to address this situation, and that letter remains unacknowledged and unanswered at this time;

“Therefore we, the undersigned citizens of Arran-Elderslie and surrounding community, call on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to keep our emergency department at the Chesley hospital open 24/7 by ensuring sufficient funding and fair compensation for nurses and physicians and to address the ongoing operational and labour issues that are impacting our vital emergency department service.”

I agree with this petition, affix my signature and hand it to page Sophie.

This is a petition regarding the Chesley and District Memorial Hospital, and there are 1,262 signatures.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Chesley and District Memorial Hospital, originally donated to the town with funds provided by the local Kinsmen Club, was dedicated as a tribute to those local residents injured or killed during the Second World War. This hospital has served the needs of the community of Arran-Elderslie for 79 years with strong support at all times from the residents of the town and other communities in the area as well as from the county and local municipal government; and

“Whereas three times—in 1976, 1978 and 1992—provincial governments have attempted to close the doors of this hospital. In each case local residents protested these moves and each time through their efforts the government backed down and the hospital was saved. Now with the current cancellation and/or reduction of ER services, there is yet another threat to the continued existence of our hospital; and

“Whereas the ER in Chesley hospital serves an area with a total population of 6,900 people. It delivers emergency medical care for the whole constituency of Arran-Elderslie township including the towns of Chesley, Tara, Paisley, and Dobbinton. It also provides services for those living in the nearby villages of Desboro and Elmwood and in the former townships of Brant, Sullivan and Bentinck. A large number of the residents are seniors and the area also includes a large population of Amish and Mennonite families. Many of these residents do not have access to a private automobile and are disadvantaged in the effort to reach health centres in larger communities by the long distance and lack of a public transportation system. They require close proximity to ER and hospital services and that proximity is best provided by the Chesley hospital; and

“Whereas the physician recruitment committee has advised that without a fully functioning ER, it is difficult to recruit and retain doctors and nurses who are interested in maintaining and increasing their skills and who are dependent upon ER duties to support or supplement their income; and

“Whereas Arran-Elderslie council sent a letter addressed to” the “Premier ... and the Minister of Health dated October 31, 2022, requesting action to address this situation and that letter remains unacknowledged and unanswered at this time;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“To keep our emergency department at the Chesley hospital open 24/7, by ensuring sufficient funding and fair compensation for nurses and physicians and to address the ongoing operational and labour issues that are impacting our vital emergency department service.”

I fully support this petition, Speaker, and will affix my signature and give it to page Kate.

You affix your signature.

I would like to submit a petition that was submitted to me by Dr. Sally Palmer from the School of Social Work at McMaster University, titled “To Raise Social Assistance Rates.” It reads as follows:

“Whereas Ontario’s social assistance rates are well below Canada’s official Market Basket Measure poverty line and far from adequate to cover the rising costs of food and rent:” which is “$733 for individuals on OW and $1,227 for” people on “ODSP;

“Whereas an open letter to the Premier and two cabinet ministers, signed by over 230 organizations, recommends that social assistance rates be doubled for both Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP);

“Whereas the recent small budget increase of 5% for ODSP still leaves these citizens well below the poverty line, both they and those receiving the frozen OW rates are struggling to live in this time of alarming inflation;

“Whereas the government of Canada recognized in its CERB program that a ‘basic income’ of $2,000 per month was the standard support required by individuals who lost their employment during the pandemic;

“We, the undersigned citizens of Ontario, petition the Legislative Assembly to double social assistance rates for OW and ODSP.”

And I forgot the next step of this submission—

I have the following petition to table:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the federal government is increasing the escalated carbon tax by 14%, on April 1, 2023;

“Whereas carbon tax cost increase will put more pressure on consumers who are already struggling with inflation;

“Whereas we call on the federal government to stop the carbon tax, which is a tax hike that Ontarians and Canadians cannot afford;

“Whereas the government of Ontario is helping to reduce the cost of living by keeping taxes low, freezing and eliminating licence plate renewal fees and scrapping the requirement to have licence plate stickers for passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, motorcycles and mopeds and building on these measures in Bill 85, Building a Strong Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2023, the government continues to help Ontarians with the cost of living;

“Whereas we call on the Ontario government to urge the federal government to halt the carbon tax increase, that will raise the cost of everything;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“To support the passage of Bill 85, Building a Strong Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2023.”

I will affix my signature and pass it to our page Frederick.