A question for my friend from Niagara West: Schedule 30, Protecting Farmers from Non-Payment Act—I’m curious as to if and how that will benefit any of the farmers in our region of Niagara.

I stand before you today to urge this government to access and evaluate funding for women’s health across the board. That is research, it is education and it is services.

I stand today inspired by the dedication of local friends and health advocates April Hamm and Jessica Plenzick, who collaborated to arrange a significant event at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in St. Catharines. To a packed house, on the last day of endometriosis month—legislation that actually was passed by my colleague here in this chamber, the member from Davenport—they showcased a film, Below the Belt, and proceeded to have a powerful panel discussion by the inspiring health professionals. There was a question asked, and it was a simple one: Why? Why are we not talking about endometriosis anymore—a common condition that impacts one in 10 women, a condition that suffers from bias and prejudice?

Women’s health has been underfunded and under-researched for many years. Women’s health is put into reproductive categories. It is a systemic issue. We need to change it. This needs to be changed.

I want to recognize the passion of these advocates. However, I cannot do this without recognizing how much more still needs to be done.

I urge this government to prioritize women’s health by increasing funding for research, education and services that address the unique health needs of women. Let us work together to ensure that every woman in Ontario receives the care and support she deserves.

Well, to be very candid, because the bill only just got tabled this week, I haven’t heard that much yet, but I’m sure I’ll be hearing a great deal in the days to come. But I have heard a lot from—well, I guess my generation, our generation—young people in general and not just young people but all Ontarians about the need to ensure that there’s flexibility in digital access.

The MPP for Carleton will know well, as I know well, that even though there’s more and more ease with which to access things nowadays, using online social networks and, of course, the Internet as a means of being able to participate, this also creates a huge amount of pressure to be at everything then, and physically we can’t be. You’ve had this experience, I’m sure, every Remembrance Day service; you’ve had this experience, I’m sure, on the weekend in your riding, where you have events that are 45 minutes apart, but you have 15 minutes to get from one to the other, so you’re either going to be late to every single one—well, one of the ways that we can obviously address that is calling in virtually. I think the same thing applies to a lot of these, whether it’s condo board meetings or other meetings in our communities. Where they’re able to use an online avenue, that’s very helpful.

I can assure the member opposite, as I mentioned earlier in my remarks, one of the things we do is we listen to every single Ontarian out there. I also want to remind the member opposite: Whereas the previous Liberal government, obviously, in some parts where it was supported by the NDP, spent decades drowning our province in red tape—but for the first time, we now have a ministry that is fully dedicated to eliminating red tape for all Ontarians.

How do we do this? Obviously we do this in consultation; we do this making sure that all of our partner stakeholder community-members—businesses, non-profits, charitable organizations, you name it—are part of those discussions, including First Nations, to make sure that, hey, we’re not doing something that’s going to benefit the downtown elites of the province or the city of Toronto, but we’re addressing the issues and concerns that impact real people out there. How can we help them succeed? How can we make their lives easier? How can we reduce the cost of doing business?

I am proud of the fact that this is our 10th piece of legislation that we’ve introduced as a government, and through the previous nine packages, we’ve helped eliminate nearly $700 million annually from the backs of Ontarians. And we recognize we have a lot more to do. Assuming this piece of legislation makes it through the Legislature and goes on to become law, this will be another—hopefully—over $100 million, and we have far more work to do.

Ça me fait plaisir de parler du projet de loi 91 pour réduire le « red tape », comme on dit. J’en ai parlé souvent en Chambre—j’ai parlé souvent de la communauté d’Attawapiskat qui demande depuis 30 ans d’avoir une extension à leur réserve. Je demanderais au ministre qui a parlé de leur fameux projet de loi, mais j’ai regardé dans le projet de loi puis je ne vois aucune mention. Mon collègue de Kiiwetinoong, il en a parlé amplement des « issues » qu’on a dans les Premières Nations, puis encore d’Attawapiskat, qui est dans un processus encore de 30 ans de faire l’expansion de leur réserve. On voit que c’est tout le temps radio-silence.

Il me semble que si on veut réduire du « red tape », comme ils utilisent—le ruban rouge, si je peux utiliser le terme en français—ne serait-ce pas une bonne réduction de ruban rouge de réduire le « red tape » pour les Premières Nations et adresser le problème d’expansion de réserves comme dans la communauté d’Attawapiskat?

Further questions?

Second reading debate deemed adjourned.

Today, Jewish residents and communities in my riding of Eglinton–Lawrence and around the world will mark the start of Passover, usually an eight-day festival. Also known as Pesach, this holiday commemorates the miracle in which God passed over the houses of the Israelites during the 10th plague—also 400 years of slavery endured by the Jewish people in ancient Egypt and their 40-year journey to the promised land. Throughout the entire period, Jewish law forbids eating any hametz—or foods with leaven.

Centred on family and communal celebrations, Passover is one of the most beloved of all Jewish holidays. The main ritual is the Passover Seder, a festive meal during which families and friends will gather to read and discuss the story of Passover, recite prayers and consume symbolic foods like matzah or unleavened bread. To everyone marking Passover, Chag Pesach Sameach.

Later this week, Western Christian denominations will also celebrate Easter. Following the 40-day period of fasting and prayer known as Lent, Christians will gather to celebrate the holiest time in the Christian calendar.

This week is Holy Week. The Easter Triduum includes Maundy Thursday, which commemorates the washing of the feet and the Last Supper of Christ with the apostles; Good Friday, marking the crucifixion and death of Jesus; and of course Easter Sunday, marking the resurrection of Christ.

Religion, which literally derives from the Latin word “religare,” which means “to tie one to their community,” and the common participation in ritual it includes, helps to give meaning and purpose to life and comfort in times of hardship—all things that I believe we could use more of in modern times.

To all my constituents, a joyous and meaningful Easter and Chag Pesach Sameach.

This morning, I would like to show much-deserved recognition to a member from my riding. I was introduced to Carolyn Karle during my campaign, and I am proud to now call her a friend. Carolyn founded the DEK Foundation, named after her daughter, Dayna Elizabeth Karle, who she unfortunately lost to a devastating drug overdose. Dayna was only 31 years old when she succumbed to her disease. Dayna is described by friends and loved ones as an energetic, vibrant and beautiful soul. When Dayna started to face mental health challenges, it became unmanageable, and she was unable to get access to the resources she needed to fight it.

Carolyn and I both agree that drug addiction can happen to anyone. There is no discrimination when it comes to issues with mental health and addiction, and it truly affects all walks of life. Carolyn was able to turn this devastating loss into strength, and she works tirelessly in the foundation she started to help those struggling with addiction. Carolyn was recently recognized by her community and received Thunder Bay’s 2023 respect. Award.

The DEK foundation provides necessities to those struggling from mental health and addictions, giving them the needed love and support they deserve. I’d like to thank Carolyn for her relentless work, and I look forward to working closely with her to end the stigma and to build a secure foundation of support systems for the constituents of Thunder Bay and region. Thank you, Carolyn.

April marks the beginning of Sikh Heritage Month.

My great riding of Brampton West is home to a large, vibrant and prospering Sikh community. Sikhs have a long and proud history that spans over 500 years. We are known for our commitment to equality, social justice and service to humanity. These values are deeply rooted in our faith and have guided us through some of the most challenging times in history.

We believe that there are three duties a Sikh must carry out: naam japna, which is keeping God in mind at all times; kirat karō, which means earning an honest living; and vand chakkō, which means sharing one’s earnings with others. In English, this can be summed up by praying, working and giving.

Mr. Speaker, the Sikh community has made immeasurable contributions to building our province and this proud country, from the days when those early Sikh pioneers arrived in Canada to the present day, when this nation stands tall as a leader for equality, diversity and compassion. The history of Sikhs in Canada is a story of compassion, hard work, persistence and progress.

Therefore, I invite the entire House to join in the annual Khalsa Day Parade on April 30 in Toronto with friends and families and enjoy this open, public celebration of Sikh heritage.

Mr. Speaker, today I want to highlight a major concern in my riding of Don Valley East. For so many of my constituents, increased violence in schools, places of worship and public transit has become a reality of daily life, and people are worried about their personal and family safety.

When people fall through the cracks, one of the stops is often public transit. We need to create a safety net that catches them before they get there.

This is about getting vulnerable people the supports that they need. We know that anyone can turn to violence and that anyone can commit a crime, but we also know that building a stronger network of support systems will reduce the risk for everyone.

During the pandemic, as an emergency physician, I saw how rates of child abuse and domestic violence increased because people were stressed to their limits by cost of living, by isolation, by fear, by other things. Worsening access to health care has also meant that people can’t get the mental health and addictions supports that they need.

Mr. Speaker, this government can’t keep pushing public safety onto the municipalities. While there may be some superficial promises in the budget to address social well-being, we all know what a promise from this government is worth. It’s time for this government to stop talking and start delivering.

This means getting serious about tackling hatred in our communities, defending against Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and racism in all its forms. And it means tackling gun violence by getting weapons off the street and especially out of the hands of youth.

This government—this province—has an obligation to keep the people of Ontario safe, and we must hold them to it.

A week ago Saturday, I visited the Carpenters and Joiners Union Local 494 training facility in Tecumseh, alongside MPP Leardi and Essex MP Chris Lewis. What a great day it was. We had the incredible opportunity to see the union’s apprenticeship competition and seeing which among the children’s playhouses in competition destined for Hiatus House would win top marks. What a fantastic cause.

Under the leadership of Shawn Ramey, Brandon Fitch and Tomi Hulkkonen, the competition is just one of countless examples of Local 494 giving back to our community.

Local 494 represents general carpenters, acoustic technicians, resilient floor layers and pile drivers and welders in Essex and Kent counties and have truly built a cutting-edge, 21,000-square-foot training facility.

Our government is providing $224 million in the current budget for a new capital stream of the Skills Development Fund to leverage private sector expertise and expand training centres, including union training halls such as the Local 494 site, to provide more accessible, flexible training opportunities for workers.

With nearly 300,000 jobs going unfilled in Ontario, many of which are in the construction industry, local trade unions are doing their part to ensure that their members are well prepared today as we continue to build a better Windsor–Tecumseh and a better Ontario for future generations.

I rise today to recognize the important work of Circle of Care, part of Sinai Health, a non-profit organization that delivers nutritionally balanced meals to seniors and those with complex health needs.

With the help of over 200 compassionate volunteers and staff, they deliver more than 280,000 meals annually to our elderly community members.

Last month, the March for Meals month, I joined them in delivering meals to a seniors-only apartment in Richmond Hill called Rose Town, where we visited our elderly Ukrainian and Russian neighbours.

Speaker, from the smiling faces, I can tell the meal delivery service has gone above and beyond in providing vital support to our vulnerable population. The service has also alleviated the worries of many family members who may not be able to visit their loved ones. I am so happy that those who deliver the meals for them also make great friends with them and check in on them on a daily basis.

Again, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to the entire Circle of Care team. Thank you very much.

The region of Durham’s public health unit is receiving $1,645,000 from our government to help deliver a variety of initiatives and support critical public health programs and services over the next two years. The announcement made recently by region of Durham government MPPs is part of an investment of nearly $84 million by the province to support public health units across Ontario. Consequently, Durham region public health can look forward to enhanced health care services as our government reaffirms its commitment to investing in the well-being of the communities that comprise the region.

Ontarians can rest assured that we’re determined to alleviate health care costs while ensuring exceptional care for all residents of Durham. By prioritizing initiatives that promote health and prevent illness, we can build a stronger, more resilient region of Durham and create a brighter future for all hard-working families in that region.

As we sit here in the House once again, Highway 11, the Trans-Canada Highway, has just been closed north of North Bay—I was trying to look it up; I think it’s the 14th time since January 1. This is the Trans-Canada Highway, the link that connects our country—the cross-country traffic. There are two ways to go across Canada through Ontario: Highway 17 or 11. Believe it or not, in the wintertime, Highway 11 is the safest route, and it has been closed numerous times. Not only is the commerce stopped, but as we speak, there will be people stranded along that highway, because that highway is our main street.

The link is once again broken. I’m not blaming anyone. I’m not blaming the contractors. I think they’re doing their best. I’m not even blaming the government; the government is trying to do a few things. But we have to realize that something is drastically changing and we need to address it. I’ve lived there my whole life, and it has never been like this—that every time there’s a snow, the country is paralyzed. We need to work together right now. The government in power needs to look at what we do to change that so we are not the bottleneck in this country.

I have the privilege of welcoming to the Legislature today two strong constituents from the riding of Niagara West, Ken and Bev Byberg. Welcome to Ontario’s Legislature.

Good morning. It gives me great pleasure to welcome to this House members of the Amalgamated Transit Union, including John Di Nino, president of ATU Canada; Marvin Alfred, president of ATU Local 113; Crystal Cadeau, Frank Malta, Renee Coutinho, Eric Tuck, Chuck Fitzpatrick, Hariqbal Bal, Jacques Racine, Jay Khawaja, Jack Jackson, Jamie Larkin, Andrew Salabie and Amandeep Gill. Welcome to your House.

Speaker, to the Premier: Will he join the minister and admit the Conservatives’ plan is failing?

Yet again, this government is focused more on themselves and their friends than on real Ontarians, because if they would listen to real Ontarians, they would realize that they have to do a whole lot better than this. People can’t afford places to live, Speaker. And what is this government telling them? They won’t fix their failing housing plan; they would rather build luxury homes on the greenbelt; and that their insider friends are more important.

Speaker, back to the Premier: Will you at least bring back real rent control to get Ontarians some relief?

Back to the Premier: How is this going to help somebody who can’t afford their rent this month?

From a multi-generational family of community leaders—especially today, on the eve of Passover—I welcome Stacey Granovsky and her son Boaz Granovsky. Welcome to the Ontario Legislature.

I am pleased to welcome the following representatives from the University of Guelph here today: Dr. Charlotte Yates, Dr. Gwen Chapman, Dr. Malcolm Campbell, Mellissa McDonald, Shannon Weber, Amy Aitchison and Megan Alberts. Please join us this evening in the dining from 5 until 7:30 for the reception. Thank you.

I’d like to welcome Jan Westcott and the crew from Spirits Canada here today and invite them to the reception this evening. We will all have fun there.