My question is for the Minister of Education. With Ontario’s population growing rapidly and an increasing demand for workers in many sectors, we need to make sure that our students are properly equipped for the jobs of the future. Sadly, the previous Liberal government failed to update critical elements of the curriculum, which left too many young people unprepared for the emerging global economy.

Since taking office in 2018, our government has demonstrated unprecedented leadership in addressing these urgent needs. Our students deserve to learn fundamental concepts and skills that will prepare them for the workplace of tomorrow. Speaker, through you, can the minister please elaborate on how our government has updated Ontario’s education curriculum?

It’s projected that by 2026, approximately one in five job openings in Ontario will be in the skilled trades sector. That’s why our government must continue to make critical investments that will benefit our students for years to come and will help to strengthen the economy of tomorrow.

Speaker, through you, can the minister please explain what our government is doing to prepare students for careers in the skilled trades and technology sectors?

I want to thank the member from Carleton for this question. I think many parent are seized with this question: How are we helping to set kids up for success in this economy? Mr. Speaker, one of the most fundamental ways we can enable the success of young people is to make sure they are learning skills relevant for the job market today. And so in the legislation before this House, the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, we have a provision that will mandate, as a matter of course, that the government, every three years at the least, must update curricula to keep it relevant to the labour market and to the skill sets young people need to succeed.

In addition, this coming September we’re very proud to be unveiling a new language curriculum that aligns with the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Right to Read report, invoking a phonics-based approach to learning again that’s going to help young people read, particularly children with special education needs. We’re hiring 2,000 more staff, particularly literacy-focused teachers, to get this right. And we know a modern curriculum will help kids succeed in a changing world around us.

This coming September, we have a new technology course being unveiled, and then next September the entire technology curriculum will be unveiled. It’s all part of a broader plan to ensure that, with the disruptions happening in the economy around us, we are ensuring young people have the skills necessary, from financial literacy to coding, learning about skill sets fundamental to help them have a leading-edge job, a good-paying job when they graduate from Ontario schools.

My question is to the Premier. Ontario’s own Education Equity Action Plan directs school boards to undertake work that will “eliminate inequities in the education system.” Most school boards have taken this responsibility to heart. They understand that it impacts student achievement and well-being. But there has been significant and damaging pushback in communities. In Waterloo, both public and Catholic school boards have faced outright vicious hatred.

Boards are doing this important equity work as directed by the government, and yet Ontario school boards are receiving very little support from the ministry. I’m asking today very clearly: Does the Minister of Education stand behind Waterloo public and Catholic school boards, their trustees, their directors of education and their students as they undertake this important equity work?

Earlier this week, when the Premier was asked whether he thinks the York school board should fly the Pride flag in June, he said “no comment.” A failure to comment is a failure to stand up for equity. There are no neutral positions on this.

When those who oppose equity in our schools hear the Premier’s refusal to comment, they feel emboldened. They assume, rightly or not, that he agrees with them and is making space for those voices. Does this government realize the damage caused by saying “no comment” on matters of equality and equity?

Interjections.