My question is to the Premier.

This Conservative government is expected to spend an estimated $650 million in taxpayer dollars to build an underground parking lot at Ontario Place, only to then hand it over to Thermëa, a private Austrian spa company, in a secret agreement. In the hearings at city hall last week, we learned that this enormous price tag for taxpayers is being justified with a highly inflated estimate of 14,000 visitors per day. That’s 4,000 more than the CN Tower and the ROM combined; 3,000 more per day than Canada’s Wonderland.

My question is, will the Premier make Ontario’s agreement with Thermëa public and explain to the people of Ontario what we are getting out of this deal?

Thank you for asking that good question.

Mr. Speaker, the member from Windsor–Tecumseh is doing a marvellous job advocating for seniors in his riding.

Our government is working for all seniors in the province so they can live comfortably with dignity.

Thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we are proposing to expand the Guaranteed Annual Income System program. Thanks to the leadership of the Minister of Finance, we are providing financial support to more low-income seniors. This program will make sure that when their costs go up because of inflation, our support for them will go up as well.

Our government takes the well-being of seniors very seriously. Increasing our investment will help our vulnerable seniors. They deserve to have steady and reliable programs, services and income supports. That is why we are proposing, through the budget, to invest an additional $1.5 million into seniors community grants.

Our government will always be here to provide services that build a strong Ontario that supports seniors.

I will repeat the member’s words: “well used.”

I have been the minister now for a little bit of time, and every single time I have visited the site, it is not enjoyed by Torontonians or Ontarians.

Mr. Speaker, we are leasing the lands to a tenant, and we are preserving the pods and the Cinesphere as part of the heritage pieces of Ontario Place.

We are going to bring Ontario Place back to life, back to what it was many years ago, when millions of people would come to the site and enjoy it with their families.

Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Labour.

Last week, we were all shocked to hear about the 64 Mexican nationals who were labour-trafficked here in Ontario.

Advocates across the province are calling for an end to the exclusion of migrant workers from Ontario labour laws.

The minister, when boasting about the new Working for Workers 3 act, his legislation, told the Toronto Star that his ministry is establishing an anti-trafficking team—changes to ensure that workers like these in this story will be protected.

Can the minister clarify exactly how the Working for Workers 3 act would have ensured that these migrant workers would have been protected?

My question is, what is the minister doing to ensure that migrant workers like these, who contribute to our province, will be protected?

In his response, the government House leader talked about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and that it’s very important for agriculture and for many sectors. We acknowledge that. But, when we see news reports about workers being abused, outside of temporary foreign workers—we want to know what action the government is actually going to take to protect the foreign worker program from people who are abusing it.

This act is a continuation of a number of acts that we’ve brought in place since forming government to improve working conditions for the people of the province of Ontario; for the workers who are helping build a bigger, better, stronger province of Ontario. The bill that is before the House right now, of course, strengthens that end. As the minister said, it will take serious actions on what the minister called “scumbag” employers who do not follow the rules.

What we’re doing when it comes to workers, Mr. Speaker, is ensuring that we have a workforce, by working with the Minister of Colleges and Universities and the things that the Minister of Labour is doing—that we have a workforce that can support the incredible infrastructure investments that we are making across the province of Ontario, and the workforce that is needed because of the investments that the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade has brought to the province of Ontario. That’s over 600,000 jobs that have been created in the province of Ontario, because of the environment that we have put in place.

We need 300,000 jobs that are still unfilled, and it’s because of the hard work of this government that we will meet those targets and continue to build—

The member, of course, knows that the Temporary Foreign Worker Program is a program that we, in co-operation with the federal government, implement, and that these workers are so important to the province of Ontario, especially in our agricultural sector. That is why we have stepped up consistently to make sure that those workers are protected.

But when it comes to the NDP and workers, let’s talk about the NDP themselves and their own post-mortem of their election. Let me tell you what they said. They said that they should have been better. They outspent their rivals and they had a diminished Liberal party, and yet the NDP dropped to 31 seats from 40, lost 813,000 votes—and were the only party to do so. They have suggested that in order to get better, they have to do a better job of connecting with workers, like the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario has done. Congratulations.

When the cameras are on, you can always depend on the NDP to say something that is important. They try to take credit for the things that we have done. But when the cameras are off, they vote against it. Whether it’s on protecting workers, whether it’s on health care, whether it’s on bringing jobs to the province of Ontario, they say one thing and do another. You don’t have to take it from me. Their own post-mortem from the last campaign suggested that they got it all wrong, and it suggested that if they are ever to regain power—which they have never had but one time—they have to be more like the Conservatives and listen to the people of the province of Ontario. Maybe then they’ll do a better job of attracting votes.

The ayes are 69; the nays are 0.

I’ll remind the members to make their comments through the Chair.

The Minister of Infrastructure to reply.

There being no further business this morning, this House stands in recess until 3 p.m.

The House recessed from 1142 to 1500.

All those in favour of the motion will please say “aye.”

All those opposed will please say “nay.”

In my opinion, the ayes have it. Call in the members. This will be a 30-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1502 to 1532.

Mr. Calandra has moved that, pursuant to standing order 77(a), the order for second reading of Bill 74, An Act to amend the Missing Persons Act, 2018, be discharged and the bill be referred to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy.

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

Motion agreed to.

I’d just like to wish a happy ninth anniversary of her 29th birthday to the member from Carleton.

“Whereas in the First and Second World Wars, over 7,000 First Nation members, as well as an unknown number of Métis, Inuit and other Indigenous recruits, voluntarily served in the Canadian Armed Forces; and

“Whereas countless Indigenous peoples bravely and selflessly served Canada at a time of great challenges for Canada; and

“Whereas this spirit of volunteerism and community marked the life of the late Murray Whetung, who volunteered to serve in the Second World War; and

“Whereas many First Nations individuals lost their status after serving in the wars off-reserve for a period of time; and

“Whereas despite this injustice, many continued to recognize the value in continuously giving back to their community; and

“Whereas the values of volunteerism and community are instilled in the army, air, and sea cadets across Ontario; and

“Whereas the Murray Whetung Community Service Award Act establishes an award for the cadets and tells the story of Indigenous veterans’ sacrifice and mistreatment;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“To urge all members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to support the passage of the Murray Whetung Community Service Award Act, 2022.”

I fully endorse this petition, will sign my name to it and give it to page Ethan to take to the table.

My question is for the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility.

Seniors in Ontario want the ability to live their lives independently and to be active and socially connected in their communities.

In fact, just last night I had a wonderful opportunity to listen to Nadia, who lives in East Riverside, about how important support for seniors really is—especially their ability to socialize.

Across our province, many seniors are currently struggling with the high costs of food, everyday goods and services. For seniors with limited incomes, the current economic climate translates into ongoing hardship and difficulty. Seniors across Ontario are looking to our government to put forward measures that will provide them with the direct help and support that they need.

Can the minister please explain how our government is working on behalf of seniors during these uncertain economic times?

It is truly reassuring that our government is focusing on actions and investments that will support vulnerable low-income seniors by expanding and annually indexing the GAINS program.

Under the strong leadership of the Premier and this minister, our government is demonstrating respect for the hard-working men and women who have built our province.

As Ontario’s population continues to age, our government must continue to respond to the needs of seniors and provide them with the support that will improve their overall quality of life.

Can the minister please explain more about the expanded GAINS program?

I have some more petitions from the Wolfe Island ferry and Glenora ferry workers.

“Petition to the Legislative Assembly...:

“Whereas the Wolfe Island ferry and Glenora ferry have had serious service disruptions due to a staffing crisis created by the Ontario government; and

“Whereas residents and visitors to Wolfe Island have been trapped on the island for up to 12 hours with no way to leave, even for emergencies or work; and

“Whereas Glenora ferry has had a reduced schedule during this year’s busy tourism season, creating hours of lineups and delays for passengers; and

“Whereas the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) ferry workers are drastically underpaid in comparison to the rest of the marine industry, causing recruitment and retention issues; and

“Whereas instead of paying competitive wages and hiring more permanent staff, MTO has contracted out the work to Reliance Offshore,” which is “an out-of-province, private temporary staffing agency, which charges up to twice as much hourly as ministry staff earn; and

“Whereas contracting out the work is a waste of our public funds on a stopgap solution that doesn’t provide long-term stability to our ferry system;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“(1) Fix our ferries—stop the service disruptions and reductions caused by ministry understaffing.

“(2) Repeal Bill 124, which has imposed a three-year wage cut on already underpaid ferry workers during high inflation, and pay them fair, competitive wages”; and finally,

“(3) End the outrageously expensive contracts with private temporary staffing agencies and hire permanent Ministry of Transportation ferry workers to work and live in our communities instead.”

I fully support this petition, Speaker. I’ll have page Keya bring it to the table.

I just want to correct my record from earlier. In response to my honourable colleague from Thunder Bay–Superior North, I indicated that there was an increase of $2.2 million in supportive housing—in fact, it’s $202 million of increase. Thank you very much—

Interjections.

I’m very proud to rise in this House to present this petition on behalf of Churchill Public School, as well as the Elementary Teachers of Toronto.

“Petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from the Elementary Teachers of Toronto to Stop the Cuts and Invest in the Schools our Students Deserve.

“Whereas the Ford government cut funding to our schools by $800 per student during the pandemic period, and plans to cut an additional $6 billion to our schools over the next six years;

“Whereas these massive cuts have resulted in larger class sizes, reduced special education and mental health supports and resources for our students, and neglected and unsafe buildings;

“Whereas the Financial Accountability Office reported a $2.1-billion surplus in 2021-22, and surpluses growing to $8.5 billion in 2027-28, demonstrating there is more than enough money to fund a robust public education system;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly ... to:

“—immediately reverse the cuts to our schools;

“—fix the inadequate education funding formula;

“—provide schools the funding to ensure the supports necessary to address the impacts of the pandemic on our students;

“—make the needed investments to provide smaller class sizes, increased levels of staffing to support our students’ special education, mental health, English language learner and wraparound supports needs, and safe and healthy buildings and classrooms.”

I will proudly affix my signature to this petition and send it with page Skyler back to the centre table.

I will read in my petition:

“Whereas in the First and Second World Wars, over 7,000 First Nation members, as well as an unknown number of Métis, Inuit and other Indigenous recruits, voluntarily served in the Canadian Armed Forces; and

“Whereas countless Indigenous peoples bravely and selflessly served Canada at a time of great challenges for Canada; and

“Whereas this spirit of volunteerism and community marked the life of the late Murray Whetung, who volunteered to serve in the Second World War; and

“Whereas many First Nations individuals lost their status after serving in the wars off-reserve for a period of time; and

“Whereas despite this injustice, many continued to recognize the value in continuously giving back to their community; and

“Whereas the values of volunteerism and community are instilled in the army, air, and sea cadets across Ontario; and

“Whereas the Murray Whetung Community Service Award Act establishes an award for the cadets and tells the story of Indigenous veterans’ sacrifice and mistreatment;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“To urge all members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to support the passage of the Murray Whetung Community Service Award Act, 2022.”

I will affix my name to this and give it to—

Petitions.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas in the First and Second World Wars, over 7,000 First Nation members, as well as an unknown number of Métis, Inuit and other Indigenous recruits, voluntarily served in the Canadian Armed Forces; and

“Whereas countless Indigenous peoples bravely and selflessly served Canada at a time of great challenges for Canada; and

“Whereas this spirit of volunteerism and community marked the life of the late Murray Whetung, who volunteered to serve in the Second World War; and

“Whereas many First Nations individuals lost their status after serving in the wars off-reserve for a period of time; and

“Whereas despite this injustice, many continued to recognize the value in continuously giving back to their community; and

“Whereas the values of volunteerism and community are instilled in the army, air, and sea cadets across Ontario; and

“Whereas the Murray Whetung Community Service Award Act establishes an award for the cadets and tells the story of Indigenous veterans’ sacrifice and mistreatment;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“To urge all members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to support the passage of the Murray Whetung Community Service Award Act, 2022.”

It’s a very valid petition, Mr. Speaker. I sign my name and give it to page Jonas.

I want to read a petition on behalf of Kitt Tremblay from London and thank them for submitting this.

“Demand Fair Funding for Provincial Schools.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the provincial schools for the deaf and blind provide high-quality education in an accessible, supportive and affirming environment; but

“Whereas under successive Liberal and Conservative governments, these schools have been faced with deep cuts and are under constant threat of closure; and

“Whereas these cuts have led to fewer teachers, support staff and less specialized support and resources for students with disabilities; and

“Whereas provincial schools for the deaf and blind have seen programs, resources, staff and services cut and downsized to a skeleton staff while key infrastructure like pools and heating systems are left in disrepair; and

“Whereas deaf and blind children are being denied access to services and programs, or forced onto growing wait-lists for services from the resource department, including painful waits for psychological and psychoeducational assessments; and

“Whereas parents of students at the schools have been forced to advocate in the media and at public rallies because the ministry has not addressed their concerns;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to:

“Call on the Ontario government to immediately increase funding for services, staffing, infrastructure and resources at the provincial schools, and act to improve transparency and accountability while improving the working and learning conditions at the provincial schools.”

I fully support this petition, Speaker. I’ll give it to page Morgan to take to the table.

I really want to thank Dr. Sally Palmer for her advocacy and for getting these petitions and presenting them to me. This petition is, “To Raise Social Assistance Rates” in Ontario.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Ontario’s social assistance rates are well below Canada’s official Market Basket Measure poverty line and far from adequate to cover the rising costs of food and rent: $733 for individuals on OW and soon $1,227 for ODSP;

“Whereas an open letter to the Premier and two cabinet ministers, signed by over 230 organizations, recommends that social assistance rates be doubled for both” OW and ODSP;

“Whereas the recent small budget increase of 5% for ODSP still leaves these citizens well below the poverty line, both they and those receiving the frozen OW rates are struggling to live in this time of alarming inflation;

“Whereas the government of Canada recognized in its CERB program that a ‘basic income’ of $2,000 per month was the standard support required by individuals who lost their employment during the pandemic;

“We, the undersigned citizens of Ontario, petition the Legislative Assembly to double social assistance rates for OW and ODSP.”

I certainly support this petition, will be signing it and giving it to page Mikaeel.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas in the First and Second World Wars, over 7,000 First Nation members, as well as an unknown number of Métis, Inuit and other Indigenous recruits, voluntarily served in the Canadian Armed Forces; and

“Whereas countless Indigenous peoples bravely and selflessly served Canada at a time of great challenges for Canada; and

“Whereas this spirit of volunteerism and community marked the life of the late Murray Whetung, who volunteered to serve in the Second World War; and

“Whereas many First Nations individuals lost their status after serving in the wars off-reserve for a period of time; and

“Whereas despite this injustice, many continued to recognize the value in continuously giving back to their community; and

“Whereas the values of volunteerism and community are instilled in the army, air, and sea cadets across Ontario; and

“Whereas the Murray Whetung Community Service Award Act establishes an award for the cadets and tells the story of Indigenous veterans’ sacrifice and mistreatment;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“To urge all members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to support the passage of the Murray Whetung Community Service Award Act, 2022.”

I will affix my name to this petition and give it to legislative page Jonas to bring to the table.