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?

I want to thank the member for Hastings–Lennox and Addington for his work here in the Legislature on behalf of his constituents.

It was a beautiful, sunny, bright day in northwestern Ontario. Business leaders and Indigenous business leaders gathered to discuss the opportunities. In the morning, we talked about supporting and unlocking communities in transition and surging as a result of resource-based activities and tourism. We also talked about opening northern Ontario for international business. We talked about the need for the province to maintain and stay focused on reducing red tape for businesses, the modernized Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and the northern energy assistance program to make sure we had that competitive advantage to compete globally.

The good news is that we were very well received by these business leaders. We’re looking forward to building out the kinds of projects, Mr. Speaker, that can complete an exciting supply chain that very much includes northern Ontario.

I mentioned it was a bright sunny day. It turned partly cloudy, Mr. Speaker, because I chaired the discussion on processing and refining of our critical minerals in northern Ontario, and I had to tell the folks at the table about the recent vote here in the Legislature and the lack of support from the NDP for mining, which means processing in northern Ontario, northwestern Ontario. It could only mean one thing, that NDP stands for “Not Doing Processing.” What an incredible opportunity—

Interjections.

The member, frankly, knows that the bill was discharged directly to committee so that we could make improvements to the bill. The member also knows, because the member was in the House, that we passed a motion earlier this week that authorized committees to do their work over the summer, which would include the member’s bill.

In fact, I spoke to the family when they were here. The member is aware of that. We have talked directly about it, that we would be dealing with this bill, because of the importance and because of the flaws that were in the bill.

The member, to my understanding, agrees with that. The whole House agrees with it. I’m uncertain what confusion there is. So again, the whole House voted unanimously to bring back committees over the summer because, as you know, on this side of the House we are constantly working on behalf of the people of the province of Ontario, and we will continue to do that over the summer for our communities.

Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.

The next question.

The next question.

My question is for the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The agri-food sector in Ontario employs 750,000 people and is vital to our province’s economic prosperity. In order for the agri-food sector to continue to grow and expand its markets, there must be a stable workforce to meet both current and future demands for services and products. That’s why our government must continue to make investments that will strengthen competitiveness, innovation and resiliency within the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based industries.

Speaker, through you, can the minister please explain what actions our government is taking to build up the workforce in the agri-food sector?

Speaker, can the minister please elaborate on how this investment made by our government will help young people in Ontario prepare for careers in the agri-food sector?

A year ago, the Minister of Labour promised to raise WSIB income replacement rates to 90% of pre-injury wages. This increase has not taken place. Then, the WSIB cut the cost-of-living allowance for injured workers by a further 2%. While cutting benefits and creating new red tape for injured workers to wade through, the government then took $1.2 billion out of the fund and gave it back to their corporate buddies. Now, they’ve commissioned a report to say that the time to appeal WSIB decisions should be cut to one month.

An injury at work has thrown your life completely upside down, and now the government is telling you that if you want the compensation to which you’re entitled and which your family needs, you’re going to have a month to appeal a bad WSIB decision.

The Ontario NDP believes that no worker should ever be unjustly denied access to WSIB. Does the minister share that commitment, or will he be cutting the time to appeal WSIB claims?

Ontario’s tribunal system is broken. There are huge delays. It’s difficult to navigate, and it’s hard to find legal assistance. And yet, when workers make it through the system, a lot of them are finding justice. Claims that have previously been denied are being approved on appeal, and it’s completely life-changing. Well, it seems that the government wants to take even that hope away from people by cutting the time for appeals. Workers deserve justice. It’s the right thing to do. But when WSIB is not there for workers, guess who pays? The public.

Will the minister do the right thing and commit not to cut the appeal time for WSIB claims?

Mr. Speaker, first I want to thank all of those hard-working men and women who work for the WSIB, who are there every single day helping those injured workers across the province. They do great work everywhere, in all of our communities.

It was only a decade ago that the WSIB was on the brink of bankruptcy. Under the leadership of Premier Ford and this government, we brought in new leadership, a new board of directors, a new chair of the board—new leadership at the WSIB to build a better system for workers and employers.

I’m proud of the changes that we’ve made in our recent Working for Workers 3 legislation, truly historic legislation. We’re expanding pancreatic and thyroid cancer to presumptive coverage to firefighters across the province. This is going to help every firefighter, whether they’re full-time, volunteer, First Nations firefighters. And we’re making it retroactive to January 1, 1960.

There is no government in literally a generation that has done more for workers across this province than Premier Ford and the PC government. We brought forward three historic, game-changing pieces of legislation: Working for Workers 1, Working for Workers 2, and Working for Workers 3, and we’re not done yet. There’s more to come.

I appreciate the question from the member from Carleton because I’m very proudly standing in this House to say that our government is planning today for the future jobs of tomorrow. That includes our agri-food sector. Through our Grow Ontario Strategy, over the next 10 years, we have set a target to grow employment in our agri-food sector by 10%.

A key to attracting people is pulling them in and making them aware of the amazing jobs our sector has at a young age. That’s why the 4-H program in Ontario is so, so important. I had the pleasure just last week of sharing with people across this province how our government is continuing to invest in agricultural leadership development. One way is through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership program, whereby we’re investing $2.3 million over the next three years in Ontario 4-H. That is continuity and certainty for this program as they expose young people to the amazing opportunities in careers in the agri-food sector.

We’re engaging diverse communities through this program. We are ensuring that the four jobs that are waiting for every one individual graduating from agriculture or a food service program will have jobs available to them. This funding will benefit the already 6,000 4-H members and young people wanting to work in the agri-food sector in Ontario.

The supplementary.

My question is for the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism.

Ontario’s diversity is one of our greatest strengths, with people from all backgrounds, faiths and walks of life. All people in Ontario deserve to be respected, no matter where they come from, what they believe or how they worship.

Unfortunately, we are not immune to the rise of incidents of hate and intolerance that we are witnessing across Canada and indeed around the world.

Acts of discrimination, hatred and violence have no place in our communities. That is why our government must take action to implement measures that will combat hate and protect the people of our province.

Can the minister please explain how our government is building safer, stronger and more inclusive communities?

It’s reassuring that our government is taking meaningful action to protect our communities and to combat hate wherever it exists. All Ontarians deserve to feel safe in their communities and should be able to live and worship without fear that they will be targeted.

Communities in my home region of Brantford–Brant are similar to other places across Ontario where there are people from a wide variety of faiths, beliefs and backgrounds.

The people of Ontario expect that our government will continue to put measures in place that will protect their safety and security.

Speaker, can the minister please elaborate on the scope of the Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant and how this will benefit organizations across Ontario?

I have two visitors to introduce today. I have lexicon legend Lynn Murphy, who was the first women editor hired by CBC Radio news. Woohoo! Her husband was, many of you may know, Bill Murphy. He was a reporter in the press gallery at Queen’s Park in the 1960s for CBC Radio news. And then I have lovely Louise Cass; she’s a globally acclaimed artist and a former archaeologist. It’s their first time—well, it’s Louise’s first time to the House.

Madame Gélinas moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 116, An Act to amend the Health Protection and Promotion Act with respect to sodium content in food / Projet de loi 116, Loi modifiant la Loi sur la protection et la promotion de la santé en ce qui concerne la teneur en sodium des aliments.

Point of order.

Interjections.

The bill is simple. It amends the Health Protection and Promotion Act to prohibit the selling or offering for sale of any food whose sodium content exceeds the maximum amount prescribed by the regulations. When prescribing the maximum amount for a food or class of food, the Lieutenant Governor in Council must not prescribe an amount that exceeds the applicable global sodium benchmark established by the World Health Organization.

Ms. Khanjin moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 117, An Act to proclaim Skilled Trades Week / Projet de loi 117, Loi proclamant la Semaine des métiers spécialisés.

From 2011 to 2021, over 31,000 Ontarians were the victims of gun-related violence. In 2021, there were 114 firearm-related homicides in Ontario, the highest of any province in Canada.

Promoting prevention, intervention and healing is necessary to reduce and ultimately eliminate gun violence. Awareness of this problem of gun violence is a first step in this process, and therefore, this bill proclaims the first Friday in June in each year as the Provincial Day Against Gun Violence in Ontario.

Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to welcome to the House Nathan Zhu, Sharon Ho, Pixie George-Benjamin and Jennifer Volk, along with a number of others here today to defend education.

The supplementary question?

The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing can reply.

The next question.

Member for Nickel Belt.

Call in the members. This will be a five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1140 to 1145.

All those in favour of the motion will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Motion agreed to.

Deferred vote on the motion for second reading of the following bill:

Bill 5, An Act to amend various statutes with respect to workplace violence and harassment policies in codes of conduct for councillors and members of local boards / Projet de loi 5, Loi modifiant diverses lois en ce qui concerne les politiques en matière de violence et de harcèlement au travail prévues dans les codes de déontologie des conseillers et des membres des conseils locaux.

The division bells rang from 1149 to 1150.

All those in favour of the motion will please rise and remain standing until recognized by the Clerk.

Second reading negatived.

Deferred vote on the motion for third reading of the following bill:

Bill 91, An Act to enact two Acts, amend various Acts and revoke various regulations / Projet de loi 91, Loi visant à édicter deux lois, à modifier diverses lois et à abroger divers règlements.

The division bells rang from 1154 to 1155.

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 as entitled in the motion.

Third reading agreed to.

The House recessed from 1159 to 1500.

First reading agreed to.

First reading agreed to.

First reading agreed to.

First reading agreed to.

My question is for the Attorney General. Crime doesn’t just affect victims immediately following an incident; trauma can negatively impact them for the rest of their lives, often requiring long-term support. The effects of traumatic events can have lifelong implications as well as a possibility of negatively affecting their families and larger communities. It’s imperative that our government stand up for victims of crime, not only through promoting public safety but also by providing them with the support that they need.

There are many heroic individuals and organizations throughout Ontario that provide support to those who have been victimized. Their dedication, advocacy and leadership make a positive difference in the lives of those they are helping. Can the Attorney General please share with us how we recognize these individuals and organizations that support people who have faced victimization due to crime?

This government’s plan to build on the greenbelt is very alarming. In a letter I received from the federal Minister of Environment, Minister Guilbeault, concerning your actions on the greenbelt, he writes in part: “There are portions of Ontario’s greenbelt that contain critical habitat for species listed under the federal Species at Risk Act. Environment and Climate Change Canada officials have reached out the government of Ontario officials to ensure that the provincial and federal laws designed to support the identification, protection and mitigation of harm to species at risk and their habitats of concern are respected in the provincial approach to housing.”

So, my question is very simple, and I ask it on behalf of so many Ontarians who are very concerned with your government’s approach to housing: What steps are you actually taking to protect species at risk as you rush to pave over wetlands, agricultural lands and the greenbelt?

With so much at stake, why are you risking federal intervention and why are you further endangering our already vulnerable species, biodiversity and our green spaces in this province?