Thank you to my colleague from Thornhill. As we made very clear almost a year—Friday’s a year. In the election last year, we made a very clear commitment to build 1.5 million homes, and I’d also like to highlight the two other major parties in this place also committed to doing that.

We’re actually taking action on that, Speaker, which this housing supply action plan bill does in Bill 97 through our protections for tenants and homebuyers, but also, again, the proposed provincial planning statement and those aspects, even in the city of Thornhill, reducing duplication and ensuring that there’s one planning document. Right now, there are two, and that causes confusion and extra red tape for housing construction. So working with—whether that’s mixed use, whether that’s condos, whether that’s semi-detached housing, ensuring those houses get built in all communities across Ontario.

My question is to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. We are working with tenants across the city of Toronto whose purpose-built rentals are slated to be demolished. They’re terrified because they’re worried they’re never going to be able to get back into their homes once the construction of the new, bigger building is complete.

This government is looking at creating new rental replacement laws, and this is my question: When I look at the Residential Tenancies Act, there’s no guaranteed right of return for a tenant who’s evicted because of demolition. There’s no guaranteed right of return. In this government’s new rental replacement bylaw, are you going to allow cities to guarantee a tenant’s right to return to their home?

Response? The member from Perth–Wellington.

Third reading debate deemed adjourned.

On the day before Pride Month, my message is simple: The Pride flag should fly in every school board in Ontario tomorrow. We’re hearing from queer organizers and communities that they are braced for the possibility of violent protests and demonstrations linked to the rising hate targeting the 2SLGBTQ+ community across Canada. In Ontario, we don’t have to look far to find examples of this, as the York Catholic board decided this week to not fly the Pride flag this June.

And this backlash is not just about Pride and queer rights. School boards across the province, including in Waterloo, are facing pushback as they work to accomplish equity work—work, I might add, that is not only important in terms of student success, but is also mandated by the ministry. Every student in Ontario deserves to feel safe and welcome, and they deserve access to visibility and support.

Yesterday, the Premier offered a no comment on this issue. The minister himself—the Minister of Education—expressed his disappointment. I want to tell the minister; your disappointment does not help queer kids feel safer at school.

I’ll reiterate: The Pride flag should fly in every school board in Ontario tomorrow. In fact, with the rising tide of hate directed at the queer community by a vocal minority, displays of visibility like flying the Pride flag are particularly important this year. The Ontario NDP is proud to stand with the 2SLGBTQ+ community in solidarity.

Well, the government has been clear, Speaker. Despite the mischaracterizations by the NDP about our consultation on rental replacement, we’ve listened to our municipal partners, and we’ve also been straight-up with Ontarians. At the end of the day, when the process is completed, the tenant should still be allowed to move back into an apartment at the same rental rate, with the similar features to the unit they had vacated.

It’s a process we’ll continue to collaborate on with municipalities. They’ve been very helpful throughout this process. They’ve given us some great suggestions and great advice, and it’s been some of that advice, through consultation, that’s helped inform the government on the path moving forward.

Again, the opposition is always going to see a ghost around every corner when it comes to government policy. We’re going to continue to stand up with our municipal partners and listen to them.

I’d like to talk about having the honour of attending Girls Inc. of York Region Spirit of the Girl breakfast last Friday in my riding in Newmarket. Girls Inc. of York Region focuses on supporting the resilience of young girls and women and has served my community for over 40 years. Their research-based programs encourage girls to thrive socially, academically and emotionally in an affirming environment, providing gender-specific support to girls of all backgrounds.

It was my privilege to announce at the breakfast on Friday that our government has funded this meaningful work with two grants totalling over $400,000 through the Ontario Trillium Foundation. This will help expand their innovative after-school programs to three new schools as well as help increase capacity to support girls and young women in York region. Specifically, this funding will enable them to expand staff training, provide a social worker for counselling and wellness checks and expand fundraising efforts.

I am so happy to see Girls Inc. of York Region empowering girls and young women to meet emotional and academic challenges with resilience, especially those who face various barriers. I am proud that our government will help them expand this crucial work. Thank you to Girls Inc. for making sure no girl is left behind.

Mr. Speaker, today I have a very sad statement. Today, I’m paying tribute to deceased OPP officer Steven Tourangeau who was killed in an automobile accident this week. Steven Tourangeau was a native of Essex county. He entered law enforcement and last held the rank of detective constable with the Huron county OPP. He was 35. He is survived by his wife, Danikah, and his three sons, Everett, Luke and Drew.

My wife Jackie and Steven were first cousins. Steven’s mother and my wife’s mother are sisters. And I know this family very well. Steven’s father, Marcel Tourangeau, is a loving pépé with a big heart. Steven’s mother, Kathy Tourangeau, is a dedicated mémé with a heart of gold. They are good people, beautiful people, and this is a tragic loss.

Today, my heart goes out to the family and to all the grieving parents who have lost a child before their time.

One code red, black or zero is one too many. That means few or no ambulances or paramedics are available to respond to emergencies. Another code black was called in my community again just last night.

Under this Conservative government, code blacks, reds and zeroes are becoming normal, and that is not acceptable. Ontarians deserve to have the confidence that if they have the medical emergency, they can call 911 and receive help quickly.

Paramedics are burning out at an alarming rate, and this government isn’t taking the necessary steps to help our crumbling health care system. In fact, they are actively making the situation worse. The staffing crisis in hospitals leads to longer wait times to transfer patients to the care of nurses and doctors. Paramedics are held up in the hospitals instead of being on the road to save more lives. Bill 124 must be repealed today.

Last week was Paramedic Services Week. I thank every paramedic in Windsor-Essex and across the province for their dedication to serving their communities.

In October 2022, my NDP colleague MPP Shaw tabled a motion calling on the Conservative government to provide necessary funding to end instances when ambulances are unavailable to respond to an emergency. The motion passed unanimously. However, in March 2023, the Financial Accountability Officer reported the government is withholding $6.4 billion in much-needed support. The Conservative government must honour their promise, properly fund the public health care system, support front-line health care workers so they aren’t doing their jobs without adequate support, and ensure code reds, blacks and zeroes are not the normal in Ontario, because lives depend on it.

It is of course with great pride that I rise today, and for the first time in franchise history, the Wellesley AppleJacks are the Schmalz Cup champions. Wellesley willed their way to the Ontario Junior C championship with a 3-to-2 win over the Clarington Eagles earlier this month.

Noah Bender, a rookie goalie for the AppleJacks, was named tournament MVP.

Congratulations to coach Ryan Gerber and the rest of the staff, and of course, their great leadership.

Thank you for the players, fans, volunteers and sponsors that made this historic season possible.

They had a heroes’ welcome in Wellesley earlier this week, complete with a fire truck escort through the streets for their championship parade.

We have a lot to celebrate in Wellesley as we are set to open a new and improved Wellesley arena next year. The community centre will feature a hockey rink, two soccer pitches, spaces for a youth drop-in centre and seniors’ centre, a walking track and a gymnasium. The province is contributing over $16 million to the roughly $22-million facility. We got the arena built together, but you guys got us a banner to raise.

Speaker, I have one question for you: How do you like them AppleJacks?

On Monday, May 29, Steven Tourangeau donned the uniform of the Ontario Provincial Police, ready to serve and safeguard our rural communities. Regrettably, Speaker, Steven’s return home was not to be. Detective Constable Tourangeau, a valued member of the OPP Perth county detachment and an integral part of the Huron-Perth community street crimes unit, met a tragic fate. His life was abruptly cut short in a devastating collision between his police cruiser and a school bus in Zorra township.

At the age of 35, we mourn the untimely loss of Constable Tourangeau—a loss that reverberates deeply throughout our community and the entire Perth County OPP Detachment. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Danikah, and their three young boys.

Speaker, it’s incumbent upon us to acknowledge that we can never fully repay the debt we owe to our first responders—those stalwart individuals who place themselves in harm’s way each and every day to safeguard our well-being.

Let us also remember the tragic fate of David Stewart, the school bus driver, who met an untimely end. For over a decade, David dedicated his days to driving a school bus, his second act following a successful career as a motorcycle and small engine mechanic. He leaves behind his cherished wife and best friend, Wendy, whom he shared 47 years with. David was a loving father to four daughters and a source of immense pride as a grandfather.

My thoughts and prayers go out to both families, burdened with unimaginable grief during this difficult time. I want to let them know that the people of Ontario stand united, offering our support and unwavering solidarity.

I want to congratulate the Seasons Centre for Grieving Children, which is based in Barrie, Ontario, who received the 2022-23 Attorney General’s Victim Services Award of Distinction from our Attorney General, Minister Doug Downey.

The Seasons Centre for Grieving Children offers services at no cost to families and opens its doors to participants aged five to 24. The centre relies totally on fundraising and generous corporate and personal donations.

The Seasons Centre for Grieving Children is extremely pleased that they have received this award, and I am pleased to welcome them here today. They’re joined today by Hope from Seasons Centre, their mascot. She has been travelling around many places and hopes to raise awareness of childhood grief. The Seasons Centre has done a lot of work, and this afternoon, I hope many people will be able to meet Hope to spread the word for children experiencing grief and learn more of how they can bring these great services to their own community.

Today, we have members in the gallery, Rowley Ramey and Johanna Stockley, who do so much work for the centre, helping families and children. I hope everyone here can join me for a round of applause to thank them for all the work they and their team do.

Love ’em.

Members’ statements.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and a wonderful Wednesday, everyone. There is nothing gutsier than a gutsy walk. The Crohn’s and colitis society of Ontario does amazing work supporting people suffering from this chronic illness. Over 300,000 Canadians already have it, with someone new being diagnosed with Crohn’s or colitis every hour in Canada. There are no known cures for Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, and that is why we need to walk.

For my family, this debilitating disease is quite personal, as my powerful and passionate daughter Becca was first diagnosed with Crohn’s at 16. She has learned to live with this diagnosis, navigating health care systems both in Ontario and British Columbia, travelling through Asia, working, studying and trying to live a full life. She is now 23 and realizes that she will never fully be able to plan ahead in life as Crohn’s has a way of flaring up just when you least expect it. Becca McMahon, like others, puts on a brave face and tackles the world with courage every single day.

Today, I would like to encourage my fine-feathered colleagues to take part in this tremendously important crusade this Sunday, June 4, 10 a.m., all over Ontario. Be gutsy. Join the gutsy walk.

Thank you. I will reiterate again that it is incredibly challenging for local leadership to make these decisions, because they want to ensure that there is capacity within the system. The Haliburton Highlands leadership had made a determination that it is safer for the community to have consolidated two emergency departments into one at the Haliburton site.

But the member opposite talks about legacy, and I want to talk about the legacy that we are leaving future Ontarians when we expand two new medical schools in the province of Ontario in Scarborough and in Brampton. I want to talk about a legacy where, for the first time ever, we have worked with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario to ensure that individuals who practise medicine in the UK, in Ireland, in Australia and in the US are getting their licences expedited because of the work that we’re doing with Bill 60.

I want to talk about—

I’d like to introduce Rowley Ramey, the managing director of the Seasons Centre for Grieving Children, along with Johanna Stockley, the office manager. They’re here in the gallery, and they have Hope upstairs on the fourth floor. We hope you come upstairs and see her later.

That concludes our introduction of guests for this morning.

The Minister of Health.

I would like to welcome my mayor and council members from the city of Richmond Hill this morning. Under the leadership of His Worship, I would like to welcome the mayor, David West; deputy mayor, Godwin Chan; and ward 6 councillor, Michael Shiu, as well as chief of staff, Emily Houdi. They are accompanied by my husband, Albert Wai. Welcome, everyone, to Queen’s Park, and I look forward to our meeting after question period.

We’re pleased to welcome representatives of the Canadian Franchise Association here for their numerous meetings and a lovely breakfast this morning. We had the pleasure of meeting with Sherry McNeil, the president and CEO, along with members that included John Prittie, Kirk Allan, Clark Harrop and Scott Munnoch, and there are many more.

I’d like to welcome a great Ontarian, a great community advocate, my friend Ashley Steinfeld, husband to Jimmy Steinfeld and father to Brixton and Grayson. Welcome to the Ontario Legislature.

Speaker, it’s my pleasure to introduce the people from the Canadian Franchise Association. I hope you have wonderful meetings at Queen’s Park today.