It’s now time for questions.

I appreciate the presentation from the member from Oakville. There’s a lot that speaks to me in this bill, having worked in various construction industrial sites. And the one that will come back to haunt me, thanks to Google, is the matter of construction—personal protective equipment. There’s only a limited number of sizes for vests, for hard hats, for work boots, and sometimes it just doesn’t seem right. You’re not getting the best-fitting equipment. I’m wondering if you could elaborate a bit on the proposed PPE changes that are present that help keep women and men with diverse body types, certainly like mine, safe on work sites.

I, too, would love to be able to talk about presumptive legislation for firefighters, but it’s not in the bill. I, too, would love to talk about women needing to be supported with things as small as having a washroom on their work site when they work in a construction site, but it’s not in the bill.

But I also want the government to really think about homemakers. They are not in this bill. They are not covered by the labour laws. This is such a small step. Homemakers are hired by all sorts of for-profit home care agencies who know full well that they are not covered by the labour laws, so they abuse these women day in and day out. Bring them under the labour laws. We have a labour bill right here, right now. How hard would it be to say that homemakers will be covered by the labour laws?

I was glad to listen to the member opposite talk about Working for Workers. Toward the end of his remarks, he was painting a picture of what it is like for workers to want to come home at the end of the day and get to where they want to go and spend time with their families. I’m glad that the government is thinking about what life is really like for workers, because one of the things that is happening is—albeit it’s a flawed program—the COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit, only three days. We’ve got concerns with it in the first place, but it ends on the 31st, and then there’s going to be nothing. Right now, we’re hearing from workers that they want to be able to take time to get well, that they don’t want to go to work sick. There’s nothing in this bill.

Why won’t this government support 10 paid sick days, any paid sick days? Why won’t they support workers as they do their best to stay healthy and well with their families?

Speaker, I’m relatively new to this House and I will admit that I’m oftentimes perplexed by some of the presentations made in the House. A little while ago, we heard the member from Niagara Falls speaking about the things that are not in this bill. And in that, I always thought that as we presented speeches here, we were supposed to speak to the items that are in the bill. So I really appreciate the member from Oakville for speaking to the items that are in the bill.

But I would like to ask the member from Oakville, if I could, what else has this government done to provide services and support to the workers here in Ontario?

Thank you to the member from Windsor. You are absolutely correct that, traditionally, a lot of these construction and even skilled trades have been male-dominated. That’s changing, but in order to encourage more trades, we need to reach out to people. We need to reach out to women. We need to reach out to people who come in different shapes and sizes. You’re absolutely correct: Not all PPE, not all construction helmets, fit certain people, so I think by broadening what we are doing, it will allow more people to come into the trades.

We’ve certainly had great feedback. I can tell you that Victoria Mancinelli from LIUNA is absolutely thrilled that we’re also bringing women’s washrooms to large construction sites. About 10% of construction workers today are women. We need to ensure that they have a safe environment where a simple thing—I know it sounds simple—like just going to the bathroom in a safe environment makes them feel more comfortable.

I will, however, also congratulate the Ford Motor Co. of Canada and Ford North America. I will also congratulate Premier Ford and Minister Vic Fedeli for the great work they did in ensuring that not only is Ford staying here, but we’ve got new plants being built in Windsor and St. Thomas. We are attracting more auto investments than you can imagine. It’s team Ontario. It’s a team effort.

I would like to ask a question to the member from Oakville, because he did raise the Oakville plant—which isn’t in the bill, by the way—and just did it again. But let’s be clear on what happened in the auto industry: The auto industry, including the Oakville Ford plant, was saved by that bargaining committee. It was the bargaining committee that went to the bargaining table.

It was Premier Ford, very clearly, who said that ship had sailed in Oshawa. Very clearly, he said that. Also, when they laid off 1,000 workers in the Windsor plant under Local 444 and the president tried to call, they wouldn’t return his call for a year.

I want to be clear to everybody in this room: It was Unifor and that bargaining committee and those incredible workers, who produce some of the best products in the industrialized world—as a matter of fact, I think the Canadian auto worker is the best in the world—and who saved those plants.

My question to you is: Can you just say thank you to the unionized auto workers on the bargaining team?

Further questions?

Twenty years ago, I arrived in Toronto with my family, like so many immigrants before us, searching for a better life. We started to rebuild our lives, and the city services were there to help us along the way. I used to spend hours at the Parkdale library, working on my university applications. As a young woman, I felt safe on public transit, exploring all that the city had to offer. I fell in love with Toronto. It was a place full of optimism, potential and promise.

Over the years, I’ve seen the city’s spark slowly fade away. The decline is hard to ignore. We have big issues to tackle, like affordable housing, reliable transit, the climate emergency and a new deal on city finances. But the city must also be able to deliver basic services properly. Right now, walk out the door and there’s garbage everywhere, overflowing and broken bins. Winter comes every year, and we still haven’t figured out proper snow clearing. Homelessness has spiked, with more and more unhoused people seeking refuge on the TTC because there isn’t space in the shelter. There are potholes on every street. The limited recreation programs for kids are getting even fewer. Basic things aren’t being delivered properly.

We’ve all been worn down by the last 12 years. It’s time to turn the corner. We cannot be a world-class city without first getting the basic things right. To my fellow Torontonians: A mayoral by-election is upon us. We have an opportunity here. Let’s get the basics right. Let’s demand it.

I rise this morning to give this House good news: Troublemaker Radio is back. What is Troublemaker Radio? Troublemaker Radio is a podcast we started up in our MPP office to lift up and spotlight the hard work of community organizers who sometimes have to ruffle a few feathers to get some things done. It is inspired by the great American politician Representative John Lewis, who once said, “Do not get lost in the sea of despair. Be hopeful. Be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month or a year; it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”

President Biden is in our country. I wish him well, and I wish him all the best in his meetings with the Prime Minister. But when I think about the great legacy of our friends and neighbours in the United States, I think of John Lewis, who we lost in 2020.

And I’m excited to tell this House that our first episode of Troublemaker Radio that we’re going to be bringing back is going to feature someone who is going to make a lot of great trouble in this place, Sarah Jama, someone who is going to roll into this place next Monday and is going to give us the kind of spirit from the great city of Hamilton we so desperately need in this place, give us that optimism, give us that courage to fight for social justice.

I am so glad to feature a conversation with Sarah Jama on Troublemaker Radio. I invite all members of the House to tune in, because we have a lot to learn from her, and we have a lot to learn from each other. If you have ideas on what we should put on the podcast, shoot me an email. We can’t wait to talk to you.

It’s an honour to rise in the Legislature today. Before I get into my member’s statement, I would like to wish all those people celebrating the beginning of Ramadan a Ramadan Mubarak.

We have taken concrete action to support workers in this province. We’ve had recent legislation that has increased the fines for employers who do not comply with health and safety laws. We’ve established foundational rights and protections for digital platform workers such as rideshare and delivery workers. We are also addressing Ontario’s historic labour shortage by allowing out-of-province workers to register in their profession or trade within 30 days, helping them find good jobs faster.

Our government is committed to continuing this work and improving the employment experience for all workers. Just on Tuesday this week, our government announced it is tackling the province’s labour shortage and getting more people into rewarding careers in the skilled trades.

In my town of Oakville, we are proud to be home to two great labour organizations, the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 793, led by Mike Gallagher, and we’re also fortunate to have the Labourers’ International Union of North America, also known as LIUNA, led by Joseph Mancinelli, who is the international vice-president and regional manager of central and eastern Canada. I want to take this time to acknowledge and thank them for their critical role in building Ontario’s infrastructure. We’re proud to have you based in Oakville.

To all the workers here in Ontario, thank you for contributing to the work of Ontario.

Thunder Bay has a strong hockey community with no fewer than seven players currently in the NHL coming from our great city and region. In fact, Thunder Bay and northwestern Ontario have produced the highest number of NHL players per capita than any other city. But, today, I’d like to speak to you about the Lakehead University Thunderwolves hockey team. The Thunderwolves had an outstanding season this year, capturing their first OUA West Division crown since 2008. This was a major achievement for the team, and they should be commended for their hard work and dedication.

It’s important to recognize the individual achievements of the team as well. Head coach, Andrew Wilkins, was named OUA West Coach of the Year, while defenseman Josh Van Unen was awarded OUA West Rookie of the Year. Defenseman Troy Williams was also recognized for his contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion within the team. In addition, forward Spencer Blackwell earned an OUA West Division First-Team All-Star team nod, and defenseman Kyle Auger received an OUA West Division Second-Team All-Star team nod. As well, Josh Van Unen and goaltender Christian Cicigoi were named to the OUA West Division all-rookie team.

In conclusion, the Lakehead Thunderwolves hockey team had a fantastic season, and their achievements are a testament to their hard work and dedication. I congratulate them on their success, and I will look forward to seeing what they will accomplish in the future.

I apologize to the member. We are out of time for debate.

Second reading debate deemed adjourned.

Speaker, everyone in London recognizes the homelessness crisis, and understands the dire need to ensure unhoused, marginalized Londoners have supports to rebuild their lives and finally be safe. More than 200 people have died on London’s streets in the past three years. No one among us should be able to turn and look away from human suffering and preventable tragedy.

In response to this mounting crisis, London city council engaged a broad spectrum of Londoners in their Health and Homelessness Summits. They created a collaborative plan known as the Health and Homelessness Whole of Community System Response, which will create 24/7 community hubs with on-site care, as well as build the desperately needed 100 supportive housing units this year and 600 in total.

London leaders have stepped up. After an historic $25 million gift by an anonymous London family, millions more have been donated by London’s amazing business and community leaders who have rallied to join the fight. The Health and Homelessness Fund for Change, fundforchange.ca, is administered by the London Community Foundation. The need is there. Community support is there and engagement is there.

London is a leader, Speaker, but we can’t do it alone. The province now has a chance to stand with London and support this noble and worthy cause. I echo the calls of community leaders, experts, local organizations and city council. I encourage the province to provide emergency homelessness funding to London in the 2023 budget.

Local politics in Windsor-Essex was turned on its head this month. The revelation, you ask? The new Lego Windsor and Essex Politics page on Instagram. Riley Richard, the page’s creator, depicts local political leaders from across our region in all of their four-centimetre yellow mini-figure glory.

Riley’s mission: to reverse declining voter engagement through creativity and positivity in politics.

Riley’s many human skills shine through in his work—his graphic design, his knowledge of history and his knack for noticing detail, right down to our hair. If our Legislature is destined to have young Ontarians like Riley sitting here in these very seats in the future, we can truly be optimistic for a bright number of years ahead. I encourage all Ontarians to visit @legowindsorpoli on Instagram to see Riley’s handiwork in action.

Riley, on behalf of all of us here at the Ontario Legislature, thank you so, so much for being part of the solution.

I’d like to congratulate the U13A Cornwall Typhoons girls’ hockey team on winning the 2023 Good Deeds Cup by Chevrolet Canada. The official announcement was made by Hockey Night in Canada host Ron MacLean Saturday night.

The Good Deeds Cup is a challenge for minor hockey teams across Canada to take the values they learn on the ice—determination, leadership and teamwork—and use them to support their communities off the ice.

I want to acknowledge and congratulate the players: Anneke, Makya, Hailey, Charlotte, Mya, Annabella, Mackenzie, Leightyn, Teagan, Abygail, Sarah, Lexi, Olyvia, Embry, Jane, Sloane and Lilli, as well as their coaches, trainers, managers and the parents for their efforts in supporting and inspiring our community.

With over 300 good deeds performed, the team won the grand prize of $100,000 to donate to a charity. The Typhoons chose the Beyond 21 Foundation in Cornwall, who do important work. Beyond 21 helps adults with developmental disabilities identify their dreams and empowering them to learn the skills and build the connections they need to achieve them.

Once again, congratulations to the U13A Cornwall Typhoons girls’ hockey team. You have certainly made a big difference in the lives of many in Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry.

It may be budget day, but it’s hockey day every day in this country, and based on my member’s statement, that’s what I want to talk about today. It is my pleasure to rise in this House today to share an exciting opportunity for the community of West Lorne, which is on the western edge of my riding in Elgin–Middlesex–London.

Impressively, Speaker, West Lorne is the only Ontario finalist for the Kraft Hockeyville competition. This is a Canadian competition, with West Lorne, again, being the only community representing our province with promise and pride. The winning community will get to host a future NHL game and receive $250,000 to upgrade their arena.

West Lorne’s arena dressing rooms are too small and—get this—of late, it’s often difficult to keep their ice frozen. Just imagine a growing and thriving community in Canada with a faulty ice rink.

Over the past 17 years, Kraft Hockeyville has proudly awarded $4.5 million to 93 communities throughout Canada, and we thank them for their hometown support. Voting for this competition opens on March 31 at 9 a.m. and closes on April 1 at 5 p.m. I sincerely ask and encourage all members of this Legislature and those watching from home to support our small-town southwestern Ontario community of West Lorne. For more details on how to vote, you can google “Kraft Hockeyville.”

Thank you very much.

Durham College in my riding is partnering with the Schulich Foundation, who recently announced a game-changing program, Schulich Builders, a scholarship program dedicated to students pursuing a career in the skilled trades. In its first year of operation, more than $3 million is committed to combat labour shortages and to highlight the importance of the skilled trades, with $300,000 going directly to Durham College students.

Don Lovisa, the president of Durham College, says that with these scholarships, they will continue to lead the way by developing knowledgeable and experienced skilled trades graduates, able to step into rewarding careers that can make a difference in Durham communities.

I’m proud to promote the skilled trades and support Durham region students pursuing their rewarding career path in the skilled trades.