My question is for the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. Ontario holds immense potential for entrepreneurs and businesses in the advanced manufacturing sector. Our province offers a highly skilled workforce and abundant opportunities, making it an ideal location to establish and expand business operations. Yet, to stay ahead of their competition, our businesses and entrepreneurs want to know that our government is committed to helping their businesses invest in the latest technologies and the best talent.

Speaker, can the minister please elaborate on how our government is supporting businesses, particularly manufacturers, in the province of Ontario?

Speaker, can the minister please provide further details on how our government is supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs to expand their ventures?

I just need some confirmation from the member opposite. Is he suggesting that registered nurses in the province of Ontario should not have a choice in where they work, or in which areas they work?

We have, as a government, made a commitment and put money on the table to ensure that we have the largest expansion of nurses in the province of Ontario. It is unprecedented. The Minister of Colleges and Universities and myself visited—

Interjections.

I can tell you, when I talk to nurses, when I talk to physicians, when I talk to hospital CEOs, they are very, very happy that we are actually making investments to ensure that we have programs like the Learn and Stay program, a program that actually means if you are ready and wanting to stay in an underserviced area, we will cover your tuition and your book costs. In fact, in Owen Sound, when together the Minister of Colleges and Universities and I spoke to that hospital, every single one of those Georgian College nursing students have applied and are part of that program. It is working, Speaker, and we will continue to make those investments.

Well, Mr. Speaker, the laws are clear in this province, and we expect every employer to abide by those laws. That’s why I’ve been very clear that breaking the law in Ontario can never be the cost of doing business. That’s why in our Working for Workers legislation, we’ve increased health and safety fines for companies that break the rules. We’re cracking down on temporary help agencies, Mr. Speaker, to be the first government in the province to set up licensing for companies in the province that use temp help workers.

Mr. Speaker, I’m really proud that we announced last week that for the first time we’re recognizing international credentials here in the province of Ontario for those newcomers that come to our province who have been educated elsewhere around the world, that we’re moving to recognize those credentials by eliminating the Canadian work experience requirement. Mr. Speaker, we’re going to continue every single day working for all workers in this province.

My question is to the Minister of Labour, Speaker. Earlier this month, the Naujawan Support Network, a worker support network in Brampton, wrote to the minister to highlight how investigations and enforcement of wage theft complaints to the ministry are dramatically down under this government.

They have asked the minister to reply by June 1 to set up a meeting to discuss this important issue. Will the minister agree to meet with the network to learn of their concerns?

This information comes directly from the ministry, the result of a freedom of information request: In 2014, there were 18,000 employment standards investigations. In 2021, that number dropped to 8,000.

Speaker, I want to quote the letter, actually. The workers whose wages are being stolen “regard the ministry as weak and ineffective—an institution that cannot enforce the orders it issues, and that will not prosecute employers who ignore the orders. Some employers are so carefree towards the ministry that they mockingly encourage their workers to file employment standards claims, believing they will never face serious consequences even if those claims are successful.”

Speaker, does the minister think it’s acceptable that millions of dollars—actually, $9 million—owed to workers in Brampton and elsewhere in the last year has been pocketed by greedy employers?

To reply, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.

Interjection.

Start the clock. Minister of Health.

Supplementary? The member for Nickel Belt.

Minister of Health.

By lowering the cost of business by $8 billion every single year, we have made Ontario the most competitive place to invest and grow. This is the case all across the province, including in our rural and regional communities.

SBS Drivetec in Barrie recently announced a $2-million investment in their auto parts manufacturing plant. Their facility makes components for both combustion and EVs. With a $300,000 investment from our government, they will fully automate their manufacturing process on their assembly line and create new jobs. Speaker, SBS Drivetec adds to the over $1 billion in investments and the 1,800 jobs created through our Regional Development Program, and it builds on the $25 billion in EV investments we’ve attracted to Ontario.

Speaker, for-profit health care staffing agencies are hurting our hospitals. One of these firms is Canadian Health Labs. This company has convinced hundreds of burnt-out nurses and PSWs to leave their workplaces, offering them double the salaries they normally earn. Their head lobbyist is former Prime Minister Paul Martin. The company made $154 million from 500 nurses and PSWs they’ve hired out of our public health care systems and public workplaces. Their plan is to hire as many as 5,000 people.

Can the Minister of Health confirm if she has met with this company and contracted Canadian Health Labs to work in Ontario?

This question is for the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Access to health care professionals has become increasingly challenging for many Ontarians, which is also impacting people on the Ontario Disability Support Program. ODSP recipients have been contacting my office consistently, seeking assistance in finding a doctor to fill out essential forms. These forms are necessary for their special diet needs and to review their eligibility for benefits. The inability to obtain these forms puts them at risk of losing income support and benefits.

Is the minister willing to commit to a temporary pause on medical eligibility reviews and provide extensions to recipients who are unable to find a health care professional to fill out their medical forms until more health professionals become available?

My question is for the Minister of Transportation. As we approach the summer season, many people are looking forward to visiting some of our province’s top tourism destinations, such as Niagara Falls. However, connecting to the Niagara region by car from other areas in Ontario can be challenging. Traffic congestion and gridlock on highways can lead to delays and frustration. With so much to see, do and enjoy in the Niagara region, there need to be more options for convenient travel to this part of our province. Tourism is vital to Ontario’s economy and our government must do all that we can to encourage more people to visit Niagara.

Mr. Speaker, can the minister please explain what steps our government is taking to make it easier to travel to the Niagara region?

Mr. Speaker, can the minister please explain how our government is expanding public transit across our province?

Mr. Speaker, again, employers know the laws in this province, and the Ministry of Labour will ensure that those laws are upheld. But it was under a Progressive Conservative government under Premier Ford that we increased the number of inspectors in this province to the highest in Ontario history. We now have over 500 inspectors inspecting thousands of businesses, including 200 employment standards officers. In fact, in the last five years alone, we’ve recuperated over $110 million in lost wages for workers across this province. We’re going to continue to work every single day for all workers in this province.

My question is to the Premier. May 29 marked the start of National AccessAbility Week. The week is ending and there’s little to celebrate by way of accessibility here in the province. Over the last few years, we’ve seen announcements and ideas around accessibility, but no real changes to meet markers around physical infrastructure. On top of this, disabled people can’t find accessible places to live, are excluded from schools, are being kicked off specialized transit services like Wheel-Trans and are disproportionately criminalized. They’re also still living on social assistance rates below the poverty line.

When will the government stop treating disabled people in this province like second-class citizens and get back to making Ontario accessible by 2025?

Speaker, the worth of a person exists outside of their ability to produce, and in this province, disabled people cannot access public transit, free and fully funded health care, accessible housing, or live lives free of discrimination. As a sitting MPP, I also have struggled with getting trapped in places in Toronto due to inaccessible subways.

Enough is enough, and we are people too. When will this government honour the legacy of David Onley and get back to making Ontario accessible by 2025?

Interjections.

Thank you to the member opposite for asking this very important question. National accessibility awareness week is very important to this government and to me personally. Mr. Speaker, there is no better advocate for accessibility than this Premier and the Minister for Accessibility. They understand accessibility and inclusion require long-term vision. Every dollar on infrastructure is a dollar being invested for people with disabilities.

I would also like to thank the leadership of the Minister of Labour. Just this morning, we announced over $4 million in the Skills Development Fund. This marvellous fund will support local organizations like the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and the Geneva autism centre. This makes sure people with disabilities have the right programs and right services to find meaningful training and jobs. When we break down the barriers in our province, we’re helping all Ontarians live in a better—

Mr. Speaker, project by project, community by community, we are making Ontario more accessible every day.

I thank the member for the question. After over a decade of Liberal inaction, it is our Progressive Conservative government that is investing in the Niagara region to unlock its full potential.

Earlier this month, I joined Premier Ford and my colleagues to announce more GO train service between Union Station and Niagara Falls. The expansion of GO train service will connect more people to jobs, housing and to Canada’s top tourist destination. Families across the GTA now have more options to get to the Niagara region, as GO train service has increased by two daily round trips and an additional round trip on weekends. That’s a total of 21 round trips per week. So whether you’re heading to a winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake or seeing the falls up close, families have more access to GO Transit to explore the beautiful Niagara region.

Our government is also funding four additional weekday express trains during the busiest hours. Trains will travel in both directions on Lakeshore West and offer more express service between Hamilton, Burlington and Toronto.

Speaker, this investment will not only shorten travel times for everyday commuters, but it also supports tourism and economic growth. And with the $15 weekend travel pass, families can enjoy unlimited travel anywhere on the GO train network. Our government is making it easier to get where you need to go and we will—

The supplementary question.

The next question.

Supplementary question?

Member for Richmond Hill.

I want to thank my honourable colleague for the very important question. My colleague alluded to the investments we’re making to make sure that every single Ontarian succeeds and thrives in the province—that means every single person across the province. I can tell you through Journey to Belonging, our long-term vision for a province, where every single person—those with disabilities—have a chance to not just succeed and thrive, but make contributions in their communities. That means access to employment.

Thanks to the Minister of Labour, Mr. Speaker, doing great work to make sure we connect those with disabilities across the province to employment. Why, Mr. Speaker? Because they belong in their communities. They’re contributing members. We want to make sure that not only do they do that, but they help us with the jobs that are not being filled and, as a result, have a higher income across the province.

I urge the member across, and my colleagues in the NDP, to support us in initiatives where we say help us so that not a single person is left behind in this province. That’s our vision—

My question is for the Minister of Northern Development and Indigenous Affairs. The ongoing impact of global high interest rates and inflation continues to create challenges for all Ontarians. Unfortunately, the current economic climate is impacting people of rural, remote and northern communities far greater than other parts of the province.

Communities in northern Ontario are facing unique barriers for job creation and business development. Sadly, the previous Liberal government ignored the economic potential in rural, remote and Indigenous communities and drove many jobs out of the north. It is vitally important that our government takes action to keep the north competitive and improve the quality of life for northern Ontario residents.

Can the minister please explain how our government is supporting prosperity and opportunity in the north?

While it is clear that many northern communities that were forgotten under the previous Liberal government are now quite optimistic because of the meaningful investments made by our government, our government must continue to do all that we can to work with our northern partners to foster innovation, in order to build stronger and more prosperous communities.

Speaker, can the minister please explain how our government is continuing to support economic development in communities across the north?

I appreciate the answer, but in my riding there’s not sufficient access to a health care professional. That’s a fact.

The province recently announced that it is investing to help people with disabilities find meaningful jobs with businesses in their communities. That’s, undoubtedly, great; however, it is important to consider that many of these individuals will likely need accommodation to successfully integrate into the labour market.

The duty to accommodate under the Ontario Human Rights Code specifically requires that a person with a disability provide to the employer information about relevant restrictions or limitations, including information from health care professionals. Given this requirement, how are they supposed to meet this obligation without access to a medical professional? What is the minister’s plan to effectively remove barriers to employment for people with disabilities?

Thank you for the question. It is a very important one, to make sure that we have primary care access across Ontario, which is why in our Your Health plan and under Bill 60, we’ve actually set aside an expansion of 18 new primary care practitioner-led clinics.

Today, right now, of course, as an MPP and an advocate, I would hope that you are also encouraging individuals to seek out those community health centres that are sited in communities across Ontario, to make sure that individuals who need that very important paperwork filled out by their primary care practitioner have that option.

There are a number of investments that we have made, but I would hope that, as an advocate, you would make sure that you talk about and share what is already there and, primarily, community health centres are a perfect example of that service.

My question is for the Premier. Our communities are searching every day for missing vulnerable loved ones here in Ontario: children, youth, adults and seniors who, when they go missing, do not meet the Amber Alert criteria, including Nathan, a 37-year-old man with Down syndrome who has now been missing for 19 days from Toronto.

Over two months ago, my private member’s bill, Bill 74, Missing Persons Amendment Act, was discharged and referred to committee. Speaker, through you, I ask the Premier: Why are you not bringing back Bill 74 and providing another resource for police to use while searching for a missing and vulnerable loved one who may still be close to home?

Speaker, again: Will the Premier do the right thing and bring Bill 74 back to the table?