My question is to the Premier.

Residents of Windsor-Essex are deeply concerned to know that numerous code reds and code blacks have been declared due to shortages of available ambulances and this government’s continued systemic underfunding of health care in Ontario. From 2021 to 2022, there was an alarming increase of 4,833 code red minutes. Three months into this year, Windsor-Essex is at nearly 900 code red minutes, plus another 2,257 code black minutes. This is the dangerous reality in Windsor-Essex, and this government continues to fail to address it.

Speaker, will the Premier commit today to addressing this disturbing reality and ensure residents in my community have access to timely emergency services when they need them?

“Ambulance off-load processes and hospital volumes are merely two contributing factors. If nothing tangible is done, local families risk experiencing catastrophic consequences.”

Speaker, will the Premier immediately address the concerns of the Essex council and the alarming health care crisis we’re experiencing across Windsor–Essex with the increasing code reds and code blacks?

My question is for the Premier.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, the emergency room in Chesley, Ontario had its hours limited from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Chesley residents who have emergencies outside of bankers’ hours, according to this government, are just out of luck. Coupled with our family doctor shortage, Ontarians are left with fewer and fewer options, and residents of Chesley are understandably angry.

Last month, hundreds of Chesley residents protested the ER’s extended closures, even organizing the petition that will be read into the record later today. The people of Chesley have had enough of this government’s inaction as the province’s health care crisis sweeps through their community.

Will the Premier drop his appeal of Bill 124, address the staffing crisis, adequately fund our hospitals, and keep emergency rooms open across Ontario?

The health care crisis in Chesley is not a one-off; it’s merely the tip of the iceberg. Unless this government changes course, it will happen again and again and again.

For the people in Chesley without a family doctor, who can’t drive half an hour when they’re having a heart attack and need emergency room access, what does the Premier recommend they do in a medical emergency?