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 By moving away from old, outdated tech and towards the cloud, we are making the services that Ontarians count on more reliable, more affordable and, above all else, safer than ever before.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.

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.

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?

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.