SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

Ontario Assembly

43rd Parl. 1st Sess.
February 21, 2023 10:15AM
  • Feb/21/23 10:20:00 a.m.

I want to highlight an incredible not-for-profit in my St. Paul’s community that I’ve met with, Cystic Fibrosis Canada. CF is the most common fatal genetic disease affecting children and young adults in Canada. Ontario has an estimated 1,500 people living with CF. There is currently no cure.

CF mainly affects the digestive system and lungs. It causes chronic lung infections which destroys lung function, and eventually leads to death for most people with CF.

The drug Trikafta has been a game-changer for people with CF. At list price, it costs approximately $300,000 per patient per year. Ontario provides the drug for free through OHIP+ to those 24 years and younger who don’t have private insurance.

However, many parents are faced with a dilemma that must be fixed: If you have private insurance that won’t cover Trikafta, your child cannot access the drug through OHIP, so you can either pay two deductibles, one for private insurance and one for the Trillium Drug Program, or remove your child from your private insurance to access the drug through OHIP, leaving your child without dental coverage, paramedical supports and other important pieces. This is a decision no family or single parent should have to make.

Cystic Fibrosis Canada is calling on the Ontario government to create a new deductible-free specialized drug program for drugs for rare diseases so all who need them can get them, and to coordinate with private insurers and drug manufacturers to immediately reduce the financial burden Ontarians face in accessing life-saving medicine.

I hope this government will listen and help save lives in my community and across the province.

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  • Feb/21/23 10:30:00 a.m.

I would like to introduce Émile Maheu and Anne Vinet-Roy from AEFO to Queen’s Park today.

I’d also like to welcome Janine Le Forestier, mother of my friend the late environmental activist Jenni Le Forestier, to Queen’s Park today, as well as Deborah Martin-Downs, a respected Canadian aquatic biologist and former chief administrative officer for the TRCA and former member of Ontario’s Greenbelt Council, and all the people who are here today as part of the Greenbelt Promise coalition.

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  • Feb/21/23 10:30:00 a.m.

I want to thank our friends from the Lung Health Foundation that met us this morning. Charmaine, it’s nice to see you particularly from Ottawa Centre. You left behind your kit, so we’ve got to get that back to you, because it’s got information I think you need for the rest of the day.

Also, I want to thank my very good friend Fred Hahn for being here in the House. You play a big role in giving us the best advice. Thank you, Fred. We love you, CUPE.

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  • Feb/21/23 10:30:00 a.m.

I’d like to welcome Michael and Lorraine Harris, sitting over here. Their organization is My Place in This World, which is a school program to celebrate Black excellence and achievement in our society. Thank you for coming today.

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  • Feb/21/23 10:30:00 a.m.

I’d like to introduce my new legislative assistant Daniel Jolic. I’ve known him since 2017. I’ve watched him grow into an exceptional young man. He’s now in his first year of law school at U of T and I know he has a very bright future ahead of him. Welcome to the Ontario Legislature, Daniel.

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  • Feb/21/23 10:30:00 a.m.

It’s a real pleasure to welcome to this House members of the Ontario Federation of Labour executive: Patty Coates, Ahmad Gaied, Janice Folk-Dawson and Rob Halpin.

I’d also like to recognize members of Greenbelt Promise who are joining us here today—it’s a long list: Brad Merrill, Lilly Noble, Katie Krelove, Marilyn Osborne, Janet Patterson, Dave Pearce, Brody R., Karen Rathwell, Wendy Roberts, Lisa Schumph, Catherine Scott, Sharon Sommerville, Robert Spence, Marta Stiteleler, Carolyn Stupple, Michelle Tom, Peter Varty, Elizabeth Ward, Roz Vincent-Haven, Marijan Vranic, George Wheeler and Nelly Young. Thank you, and welcome to our House.

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  • Feb/21/23 10:30:00 a.m.

Today, I focus on our government’s support of workers. Career training and skill development opportunities change life for the better.

Ontario invests in workers to provide job prospects, career training and education options such as the PSW training fund program. This investment reaps rewards. Karen, a constituent in my riding of Don Valley North, received financial support from the $54.7 million in funding our government invested in the PSW training program. Karen is grateful for the help, and today, she contributes as a working PSW in health care.

People like Karen who benefit from paid training programs also strengthen our health care system by addressing a shortage of PSWs in the province. Together, we work hard to inspire optimism and promote excellence in Ontario’s workforce. We rely on the skilled workforce to deliver the services we need, especially as we rebound post-pandemic.

As Ontario continues to stimulate and fuel the resilient economy, we will continue to invest in workers and their promising future and ours.

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  • Feb/21/23 10:30:00 a.m.

I beg to inform the House that Marit Stiles, member for electoral district of Davenport, is recognized as the leader of His Majesty’s loyal opposition.

Applause.

—a request by the member for Davenport, Marit Stiles, to the Integrity Commissioner for an opinion pursuant to section 30 of the Members’ Integrity Act, 1994, on whether the member for Leeds–Grenville–Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, Steve Clark, has contravened the act or Ontario parliamentary convention;

—a report entitled Costing Climate Change Impacts to Public Infrastructure: Linear Storm and Wastewater from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario;

—a report concerning the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, and the Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, from the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario;

—a request by the member for Whitby, Lorne Coe, to the Integrity Commissioner for an opinion pursuant to section 30 of the Members’ Integrity Act, 1994, on whether the member for Thunder Bay–Superior North, Lise Vaugeois, has contravened the act or Ontario parliamentary convention;

—a report entitled Ontario’s Credit Rating: Winter 2023 Update from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario; and

—a report entitled Economic and Budget Outlook: Winter 2023 from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario.

Also joining us in the Speaker’s gallery today are members of the Ontario Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

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  • Feb/21/23 10:30:00 a.m.

I rise with a heavy heart to commemorate the life of OPP officer Greg Pierzchala. The 28-year-old was fatally shot on December 27 while responding to the call of duty. He saw a vehicle in a ditch near Hagersville and wanted to help. That is the kind of person he was. It was Officer Pierzchala’s first official day on the job, and it was his childhood dream since he was five years old to be a police officer. His whole life was dedicated to service.

His memory will always be alive and well in Barrie, Ontario, where he attended St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School. There, he participated in numerous teams because he believed in teamwork and helping everyone reach their full potential on his team. His mindset and discipline were driven by his love for martial arts. He served in the Canadian military; he was a member of the Grey and Simcoe Foresters. He served as a Polish Highlander. He will always be remembered as someone who had a strong sense of duty for his country and community and was an exemplary police officer.

We have never lost so many police officers in this province in such a short period of time. The death of Officer Pierzchala could have been avoided, since the two individuals who murdered him were out on bail for heinous crimes and should have been behind bars. That is why our Premier joined the Ontario police and Premiers from across the nation in a plea for the federal government to address our country’s failed bail system.

I want to ask all members of this Legislature to not forget Officer Pierzchala, who was the embodiment of putting service above self, was a true hero in life in everything he did. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and the Polish community who will always remember his acts of kindness and his deep sense of duty.

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  • Feb/21/23 10:40:00 a.m.

I just wanted to welcome the members of the AED Foundation and CARE who are having an MPP reception at lunch in room 230. I would like to see everybody come out and thank them for all the great work they do for cardiac in Ontario.

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  • Feb/21/23 10:40:00 a.m.

If you seek it, you will find unanimous consent for the House to observe a moment of silence in remembrance of Provincial Constable Grzegorz “Greg” Pierzchala of the Ontario Provincial Police who was tragically killed in the line of duty on December 27, 2022, in Hagersville, Ontario.

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  • Feb/21/23 10:40:00 a.m.

Good morning, everyone. It’s lovely to see you and be back here with you, and I’m looking forward to building a better Ontario with you. Hope you had a great break.

Today, I would like to introduce some more crusaders for the vital greenbelt, and I don’t have all their names, but I have their ridings, so that you are well aware of who’s here, because they’re your lovely constituents. They’re from the wonderful ridings of Kitchener Centre, Wellington–Halton Hills, Guelph, Cambridge, Parkdale–High Park, Mississauga Centre, Kitchener–Conestoga, Don Valley North, Don Valley East, Willowdale, St. Catharines, Dufferin–Caledon, Oakville North–Burlington, Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry and beautiful Beaches–East York.

Also in the chamber is a former Liberal MP for King-Vaughan, Deb Schulte. She was also a cabinet minister and Greenbelt Task Force member.

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  • Feb/21/23 10:40:00 a.m.

I’d like to welcome Karen Littlewood, president of the OSSTF, along with Dan Earl, Kaitlyn Reed and Munib Sajjad, ainsi que nos amis de l’AEFO, Anne Vinet-Roy et Émile Maheu. Bienvenue.

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  • Feb/21/23 10:40:00 a.m.

I’d like to welcome members from the architectural conservancy: Richard Longley, Diane Dent, Kae Elgie, Diane Chin, Shannon Kyles, Mary Walton, Susan Ratcliffe, Alysson Storey, Alison Creba, Charlotte Mickie, Deb Crawford, Catherine Nasmith, Doug Evans, Paul Farrelly, Marlee Robinson, Michelle Bullough, Zoe Goluch, Justine Tenzer and, finally, Kanika Kaushal.

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  • Feb/21/23 10:40:00 a.m.

Before I do my introductions, I’d like to share with the House that today is Losar, Tibetan new year, and I’d like to wish Tibetans in Ontario and across the world a very happy new year. Losar Tashi Delek.

Speaker, in the galleries I have my OLIP intern, Téah U-Ming; placement student from University of Toronto, Alex Boross-Harmer; and my new constituency assistant, Margarita Tsetsekas.

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  • Feb/21/23 10:40:00 a.m.

We have a few guests for the Chronic Disease Awareness Day, starting with Sarah Hobbs, who is the chief executive officer of Alliance for Healthier Communities, as well as Kim Fraser, the chief executive officer for Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre.

Also from Alliance for Healthier Communities, we have Marie-Lauren Gregoire Drummond. She is the director of communications. We have Zakaria Abdulle, who is the government relations and policy lead, as well as Sanya Budhiraja, who is the communications and event planner. I also want to wish Angela Preocanin, first vice-president of ONA, a welcome to Queen’s Park.

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  • Feb/21/23 10:40:00 a.m.

Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker, and it’s good to see everyone again.

I would like to take the opportunity to welcome a constituent of my riding, Mrs. Pam Spence. Pam is a stroke survivor whose passion and dedication for stroke and cardiac rehabilitation programs have made her a leader within the community. In December, Mrs. Spence received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee award for her work. Thank you to her and her husband, Dave, for being here today.

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  • Feb/21/23 10:40:00 a.m.

From my riding of York South–Weston, I would like to welcome the Early Development Childhood Initiative for all the work that they do in York South–Weston, but particularly during Black History Month and all the work they do elevating our Black community in my riding and across Ontario.

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  • Feb/21/23 10:40:00 a.m.

I’d like to welcome the executive from the OFL and OSSTF, and I’d like to give a special welcome to Ronnie Blackburn who is an intern in my office and has been doing some great research work for us.

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  • Feb/21/23 10:40:00 a.m.

I’d just like to introduce my new staff, Wendy Wei. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

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