Speaker, what we will do is we will continue to prioritize making sure that we eliminate and decrease the wait times. People do not want to wait for their surgeries. How do we do that? We do that through the passage of Bill 60. That means individuals—a physician who practises in British Columbia—can come to Ontario, cut through the red tape and begin serving their communities here in Ontario. How do we do that? We do that through Learn and Stay programs that, as of yesterday, had 4,000 nurses—part of that program to ensure that as they get their tuition and education costs covered, they are prepared to serve in underserved communities. We’re doing the work. We’re making those commitments. And absolutely, Bill 60 will expand the surgical and diagnostic centres across Ontario. Why? Because people are sick and tired of the status quo and are sick and tired of waiting for their surgeries.

Interjections.

In January, it was a great honour to be able to expand surgical diagnostic centres specifically for cataracts in Windsor, Kitchener-Waterloo and Ottawa. That means that individuals who are waiting for cataract surgery in the province of Ontario have their wait times shortened. What does that mean? It means they get back to their families. They get back to their community. They get back to work. It is exactly what your members lobby me for on a weekly basis and what the people of Ontario deserve.

“I’m here to say that Bill 60 is a good start in eliminating Ontario’s surgical backlogs. We are pleased to see this government introduce significant changes to our system that will better serve Ontarians within a publicly funded system. Overall, this bill sets up a good framework to create a system of surgical care that is patient-centred and promotes patient choice.” That comes from the president and CEO of SE Health.

I’m hoping for a little leadership here. Maybe take a little responsibility? You’re facing one of the—

Interjections.

To the Premier: Will the government prioritize sick Ontarians over their insider friends looking to make a buck?

Speaker, there are new reports about a growing number of registered private health care lobbyists with ties to the Conservative Party—more insiders lobbying their friends and their former colleagues. Case in point: A former staffer for the Premier is now lobbying for “publicly funded, privately delivered” care, only he registered as a lobbyist before this government announced they were starting to issue private surgical contracts. How convenient.

To the Premier: Were these insiders given a heads-up about the expansion of private surgery delivery in Ontario?

Speaker, the Office of the Integrity Commissioner reports that there are nearly 1,200 lobbyists registered to influence this government on health policy; that’s more than on nearly every other issue combined. Many are lobbyists for for-profit, private health care companies that offer nearly identical services to those covered by OHIP, only they let the richest pay out of pocket to cut the line and access services faster. They’re swirling like vultures over what’s left of our health care system, and they’re looking to cash in on Ontarians’ health.

I’m going to ask again: When will this government prioritize sick Ontarians over their insider friends looking to make a buck?

Interjections.