We’ve added more hospital beds in four years than the former Liberal government did in 14 years. Hospital capacity is at record highs. Emergency department wait times are coming down. And we’ve started to shorten wait times for key surgeries.

The highest hospital capacity, under the former Liberal government—not even during COVID—was 98%, with 1,087 patients waiting in hallways.

We’re addressing all of those things. Nearly 100,000 people have been connected to convenient care at a pharmacy in their community for common ailments. We know we need to do more, which is why we have asked the federal government to take their fair share of funding and give it to the provinces for health care. We know we need to address more of these concerns.

We knew we had an aging demographic that was coming, and that former Liberal government did absolutely nothing to prepare for what was coming. This government is addressing those concerns.

To the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

The Speaker is in no position to determine the veracity of statements that might be made during question period or during debate, but I would encourage members not to engage in personal attacks which inflame the passions of the House.

Start the clock.

I appreciate the question from the member opposite.

When it comes to acting to build a more sustainable environment, this government is acting. We’ve spent a record investment in public transit, taking millions of cars off the road. That member voted against it. When it comes to climate change impact assessment—the first of its kind—that member voted against it. When it comes to countless commitments—working on getting housing built for our next generation—he voted against it. What is his solution? His solution is to punish low-income and middle-class families with a carbon tax that is so punitive that we would drive jobs out and impoverish an entire generation of Ontarians.

When it comes to acting, we’re working with industries like Algoma and Dofasco—the largest industrial decarbonization in Ontario’s history. We’re going to continue doing that, ensuring green jobs for generations to come.

My grandfather came to this country and worked in the steel sector. He would be proud to know that this government is decarbonizing, working with industry, expanding jobs.

If that member spent a little less time crowing and harassing people outside health clinics and actually sitting down with job creators, with research institutions, he would know that when it comes to GHG reductions, Navius, an independent world leader, validated this province’s plan to reach our climate goals by 2030.

We’re going to continue working with industry and investing record amounts in public transit, which he voted against; record amounts in housing, which he voted against; record amounts to ensure that we can build a more sustainable future, taking meaningful action, working with industry. I just wish he would join us and bring meaningful solutions, instead of harassment—

Interjections.

My question is for the Minister of Mines.

In my riding of Thunder Bay–Atikokan, mining represents a vital and vibrant part of our economy and our future. I am proud of the fact that there are approximately 850 Thunder Bay residents working at mines and hundreds more employed by service and supply companies that support this critical industry.

I had the opportunity this past week to meet with many in the industry at the PDAC conference, and it was great to see such a large representation from Thunder Bay and region present.

Our government must realize the potential for continued growth in this sector in order to strengthen the supply chain for electric vehicle production and technologies of the future. Securing this supply chain will benefit not only my riding of Thunder Bay–Atikokan, but its effects will support people all over the north and our entire province.

Can the minister please describe the current status and outlook for the mining industry in Ontario?

Yesterday, the FAO provided their analysis on the government’s health sector spending plan, and the numbers are clear and scathing. Their five-year plan is $21.3 billion short. The FAO said, “The province has not allocated sufficient funds to support existing health sector programs and announced commitments.”

The Conservative government promised five years ago to end hallway medicine. Under this government, a record number of people are waiting in the halls—1,300 people per day. Under this government, there have been 145 emergency room closures, and wait times for admission have passed 20 hours, on average.

Talking about investments does not equal providing care.

My question is for the Minister of Finance. Will the minister spend the money the government said they would or will their word once again come up short?

While the government boasts about record investments, Ontarians see record ER closures, record numbers of nurses leaving the profession, and a record shortage of family doctors.

The government has shortchanged our health care funding by $21.3 billion, and while the federal Liberal government has pledged to cover half of that, this Conservative government appears to have no plan to pay their share.

My question to the Minister of Finance: Will he commit to putting the necessary money in the budget to address this shortfall or will he leave the people of Ontario short?

Thank you for the question from my colleague.

This week, I attended the PDAC conference in Toronto. It’s the world’s largest mining conference. It attracts investors. It attracts mining companies. It attracts the manufacturing sector. It attracts service companies, including 100% Indigenous-owned companies like Black Diamond Drilling from Wahgoshig First Nation. They’re all there. We had an incredible presence from Team Ontario touring all around that conference. The conference is abuzz with what’s happening, with what this government is doing to ensure that it’s creating the conditions to come up with innovations, with innovative solutions for challenges that the industry is currently having.

Ontario, under this Premier, is getting it done so that the mining industry can do what they do best: build the critical minerals mines of the future to secure the supply chain for the EV revolution.

My question is to the Premier.

The Rideau Canal Skateway is closed this year, for the first time since it opened in 1971. It’s a major loss to our city—and millions lost to local tourism. Experts are pointing the finger at climate change, but frankly, we should be pointing the finger at Ontario’s inaction on climate change.

Speaker, we’re living in a climate emergency.

When will this government act like we are living in a climate emergency?

I’m going to actually cite a research document to which he’s accountable. In 2021, the Auditor General said Ontario was on track to meet—wait for it, Speaker—20% of its climate emissions by 2030. That’s not even half of a pass, and we hear the minister crowing about action.

While Ontario continues to not act, eastern Ontario maple syrup producers are sounding the alarm. They’re sounding the alarm on earlier springs, on the expensive nature of boiling sap with a lack of support from this government on modern equipment. They are still suffering from the windstorm that hit our province in May 2022, with zero help from this government or that minister.

We know that this minister and the government will act immediately for big polluters—they’ll repeat their talking points—but what will they do to support small businesses that have been hurt and are trying to grapple with our climate emergency?

Supplementary question?

I want to thank the member opposite for the question.

Obviously, mental health is a huge priority for this government. That’s why, when we were first elected, we ran on a promise to invest $3.8 billion over 10 years into mental health and addictions. We’ve been doing that every year. We have an annualized increase in funding of $525 million going out to various community groups. And we want to make sure that we have the care that people need, which is culturally sensitive and appropriate care.

We’re very proud of the investments we have made—$525 million additional in annualized funding, which is a significant investment into that sector—and we’ll continue to work to do more.

Thank you to the minister for the response.

It is good news that our government’s presence is recognized and well-received by mining industry leaders. In the past, the importance of the north was all but ignored, with a failure to invest in northern Ontario’s mineral exploration and development sector. Our government recognizes the importance of the north and must continue being proactive and forward-looking, knowing that the future is optimistic for the mining industry.

Can the minister please explain how our government is implementing strategic initiatives to strengthen the mining sector?

The tourism industry is vital to our economy, and I think everyone knows that. It supports almost 400,000 jobs across this great province.

Tourism activity is rebounding, yet when I speak to tourism operators and employees in my community, they express concerns about the future. Operators wonder what the future may hold for the upcoming tourism season. As well, job seekers, particularly students already trying to plan for summer jobs, wonder whether tourism is a good option to explore.

Can the minister please provide information on the status and outlook for our tourism sector?

Many people in my riding, again, rely on tourism for their jobs and have appreciated the various support grants that the ministry has provided that saw them through tough times of lower attendance at their venues and activities.

Tourism is vital to our province’s overall economic prosperity and is helpful in enhancing the overall quality of life and well-being of Ontarians.

As a government, we must continue to provide investments and supports where needed, as I know we have done.

Can the minister please explain how this government is supporting and collaborating with the tourism industry?

In the middle of a mental health crisis, Hamilton is losing two critical mental health agencies due to chronic underfunding by these Conservatives. The Canadian Mental Health Association will now be required to take on these services, but this is an agency that is also struggling to keep up.

We put forward a very important motion to offer emergency stabilization funding for CMHA, and the Conservatives—wait for it—voted no.

Why are you adding to the crisis by denying funding for these vital services?

Mr. Speaker, I think the Attorney General answered that—

Interjection: Wow. Fascinating.

Mr. Speaker, I can confirm for the NDP that the people of the province of Ontario relegated the Liberals to just seven or eight seats again, reduced the size of the official opposition, and increased the size of the Conservative government on this side of the House and that side of the House because they like what we are doing: bringing prosperity, hope and optimism back to the province of Ontario.

But you can continue to weave that tale that somehow that’s what it was.

We’ll continue to work hard for the people of Ontario, and I suspect the people of Ontario will continue to show their support for this government.

As the member opposite knows, I can’t speak directly to the case, as it’s still in front of the courts. We will appeal the matter. I can tell you that we were disappointed with the results, and we look forward to the dissent being given proper care at the Supreme Court.

In the year leading up to the last election, this Conservative government passed legislation that used the “notwithstanding” clause to strip Ontarians of their right of free speech. It suppressed the right of environmentalists, education and health care workers, and others to pay for advertising critical of the government.

The Ontario Court of Appeal has just ruled that the Conservatives’ legislation trampled on Ontarians’ right to vote in the last election.

Will this government apologize to the people of Ontario for robbing us of our democratic right to a fair election?

The Conservative government is politicizing the appointment of judges, allowing it to appoint Conservative-friendly judges.

Three times, this government has used the “notwithstanding” clause to strip Ontarians of their legal rights and fundamental freedoms under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The Court of Appeal has just ruled that the Conservatives violated Ontarians’ right to vote in the last election. Is your appeal of that decision an indication that you intend to not respect the democratic rights of Ontarians in the next provincial election?

Thanks again for the question from my colleague.

Our government, under Premier Ford’s leadership, has a very clear vision for this province. We are the first government focused on connecting supply chains in the north and south, so Ontarians across the province can share in economic benefits. Unlike previous governments, we are leveraging Ontario’s strengths in the mining and manufacturing sectors to build an integrated supply chain for EVs.

That’s why our government launched our Critical Minerals Strategy, and we will continue to execute on this plan.

I had the privilege of announcing the next round of recipients of the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund at PDAC this week. This fund leverages the expertise and innovation we have in Ontario’s critical minerals sector by funding research and development projects to secure the supply chain for critical minerals. The projects range from mining and mineral processing to the recovering and recycling of critical minerals. There are too many successful projects leveraging this fund to talk about in this short time, but what I can say is Ontario is taking action by making strategic investments—

Supplementary.

My question is for the minister of mental health.

When people, especially young people, can’t get the help they need, they turn to our emergency departments. But we know that these Conservatives have underspent on our health care by almost $6 billion, and emergency workers, as we know, are struggling.

The tragic story of Gord Lewis and the not-criminally-responsible verdict for his son has to be the most unimaginable consequence of your underfunding. The Lewis family shared that Jonny went to 10 emergency rooms seeking help in the 36 hours before Gord was killed.

In light of these tragedies, why are you closing your wallets and closing your hearts to people who are suffering?

Thank you for the question.

From when this government was first elected, it made a point of making substantial, unprecedented investments in mental health and addictions. It worked with all of the stakeholders and continues to work with children and youth mental health, CMHA and all the other agencies to build a continuum of care.

This is the government that created the Roadmap to Wellness. This is the government that created a ministry to work specifically on mental health and addictions and create the networks necessary to provide the supports for individuals.

We have identified where those gaps exist, and with a $525-million investment on an annualized basis, we’re building the system, filling the gaps, and ensuring that everyone in this province gets the support, the care, the help they need when and where they need it.