Vraiment, c’est le NPD qui se cachait toujours. Quand nous avons ces politiques pour augmenter les services pour les Ontariens, c’est le NPD qui se cachait chaque fois.

They say don’t hide behind a collective agreement. I don’t know, colleagues. We’ve been sitting here constantly—for months—and they keep talking about the importance of respecting collective agreements. I appreciate the member opposite for confirming that it is Progressive Conservatives who actually honour the workers of the province of Ontario, day in and day out.

Let me tell the member very clearly: I will not do what he asks. I will not turn my back on a collective agreement that was signed by the workers of the province of Ontario. I’ll let him explain to conservation officers, to the workers of the province of Ontario, why they want to open up those hard-fought collective agreements and turn their backs on the workers. Conservatives will never do that—

Interjections.

My question is to the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. On April 21, I received a letter signed by this minister stating that conservation officers did not deserve to be reclassified, thus denying them wage parity with other enforcement officers. So imagine my surprise when, 10 days ago, this very same minister stated that conservation officer classifications are being reviewed with OPSEU, together with the ministry director of enforcement.

Well, OPSEU was as surprised as I was and described the minister’s statement as not accurate and misleading the public. So I ask: Will the minister come clean on the truth? He has the power. Does he—

I ask the minister, does he or does he not intend to reclassify conservation officers to give them wage parity with other enforcement officers?

I have to say, the Minister of Natural Resources is working very closely with his partners on this.

It really is exhausting to listen to the NDP. Question after question today has been about the NDP wanting something that they have voted against. Let’s see: The members for Windsor vote against hospitals and then say they want hospitals. The members from Toronto vote against subways and roads and expansions in Toronto but then say they want them. The members for Sudbury and the northern members vote against miners and the work that we’re doing to protect and improve the economy in the north and then say, “Oh, maybe we should do something about that.”

I’m going to give some unsolicited, unpaid advice to the NDP: What happens in a Parliament is that we bring things forward and when you want them and they’re supported in legislation you vote in favour of it. When you vote against things, what happens is that you don’t get it, but thankfully, a Progressive Conservative government is moving on all of these things, including adding more conservation officers to the province of Ontario, and that member voted against that.

On Monday, June 5, we will start in the afternoon. We will continue third reading of Bill 102, Strengthening Safety and Modernizing Justice Act, 2023. In the night sitting, we’ll continue third reading of Bill 112, the Hazel McCallion Act.

On Tuesday, June 6, in the morning, there will be third reading of Bill 102, Strengthening Safety and Modernizing Justice Act. Before question period, Minister Michael Ford will be seeking unanimous consent for a moment of silence to mark the anniversary of the London, Ontario, truck attack. In the afternoon, third reading of Bill 102, Strengthening Safety and Modernizing Justice Act, and third reading of Bill 98, the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, will be debated. In the evening, the member for Etobicoke–Lakeshore’s private member’s motion number 50.

On Wednesday, June 7, in the morning, third reading of Bill 98, Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act. In the afternoon, third reading of Bill 98, Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act. In the evening, the member for Markham–Unionville’s private member’s motion number 56.

On Thursday, June 8, in the morning, we’ll have third reading of Bill 98, the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act. Before question period, despite his vigorous objections, we will be honouring the outgoing Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, even if we have to hold him in his chair to hear the accolades from all sides of the House. The afternoon session is yet to be determined. And currently scheduled in the evening for private members’ business would be the member for Ottawa Centre’s Bill 54, which is the WSIB Coverage for Workers in Residential Care Facilities and Group Homes Act, 2022.

My question this time is for the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery. I just spoke about the value of tourism, and those entrepreneurs and businesses are vital to Ontario’s economic prosperity.

Starting and growing a business can be incredibly challenging when trying to navigate complex processes to obtain permits, follow regulations and create jobs. While these are necessary requirements, accessing government services should not be complicated and difficult. The faster businesses can get up and running, the faster they can pursue their dreams and help to build a stronger Ontario. That’s why it’s up to our government to remove obstacles that create unnecessary delays so that business applications can be processed easier and more efficiently.

Speaker, will the minister please explain how our government is making it easier for businesses in Ontario to access the government services that they need?

As a former IT guy, I know that when it comes to providing government services, we can’t be an off-line government in an online world. Any initiative that makes it easier for businesses to get up and running is a positive step that will contribute to their eventual successes. It is essential that our government continues to listen to the business community and to implement solutions that help to move Ontario forward.

Speaker, will the minister please elaborate on how this new single-window access system will help to improve services for businesses here in Ontario?

Supplementary.

Start the clock. The next question.

There being no further business this morning, this House stands in recess until 1 p.m.

The House recessed from 1144 to 1300.

Afternoon meeting reported in volume B.

Point of order, Speaker. I’d just like to make an introduction to some visitors we have today at Queen’s Park. We have Mr. D.S. Bains, who is here from Punjab, the former Home Secretary for the state. We also have with him Mr. Paramjeet Johal and Gursharan Sidhu, who are also visiting us today in the Legislature.

The situation of having no wage parity is a lack of political will and a lack of respect for conservation officers. Stop hiding behind a collective agreement. The government needs to finally give the conservation officers the respect and the increase they deserve.

You have the ability to intervene. You have done it in the past, including in this House when you added associate ministers’ titles to your MPPs.

Les agents de conservation sont demandés de porter des vestes anti-balles, d’emporter des armes de poing. Ils sont demandés d’adresser des situations de danger.

Ce qu’ils demandent depuis des années c’est d’être rémunérés pour l’ouvrage qu’ils font. Je pense que c’est la moindre des choses, comme gouvernement, qu’on doit adresser. Puis de dire que c’est la faute de l’opposition officielle, c’est se tirer de la situation.

To the Premier: Will your government do the right thing and give conservation officers their fair compensation, similar to other enforcement officers?