Mr. Speaker, we insist that kids are in class. We believe we are here because CUPE decided on Sunday to put this province on a strike footing for Friday, and that is unacceptable. These kids have paid enough of a price with the pandemic and the recent strikes just three years ago.

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We have an obligation to keep kids in the classroom. I urge the members opposite to stand up for kids and work with this government to keep kids in class, where they belong.

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Mr. Speaker, we never walked away from the negotiating table, but the union is walking away from two million children this Friday and it is unacceptable. The government has—

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We need kids in school; every parent knows this. Our government will deliver on a plan and a promise to provide stability for kids who have endured so much from this pandemic. I urge the members opposite to stand up for kids and vote for this bill.

The Premier is right: There is one party in this House that is standing up for kids on the backdrop of a never-ending strike in the province of Ontario.

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I urge the members to have the courage of their convictions, stand up for their constituents and vote for stability in the classroom.

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In addition to providing investments in our schools, we are increasing salaries every year, 10% over four years; maintaining a pension and the best health benefits, 131 days of sick leave; and absolute job security that many people watching could only dream of.

Mr. Speaker, we want kids in the classroom. We believe they have a right to learn and we will stand up for their parents—the million parents—who deserve this government to get the job done and provide stability for the people we all represent.

Let’s be clear: The average worker makes $27 an hour—in Toronto it’s north of $32, Mr. Speaker.

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Mr. Speaker, in the words of a mother from Stittsville—she said, “I’m truly counting on your government to get kids back in school where they belong.” Tom from Whitby, a supply teacher, said, “I can tell you not a single parent wants a strike. You guys are doing the right thing. Please stick to your guns.”

Mr. Speaker, a message for Tom and for every parent in this province: We hear them. We will stand up for them, and we’re going to ensure these kids stay in school tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, that’s your record. The member seems to find it comical—not parents who are scrambling to find child care today. You have a choice: Vote for this bill, stand with families and ensure kids are in the classroom tomorrow.

Our commitment is to keep kids in the classroom, although I am reminded by a statement from 2018 from the Liberal Party, who said, “The NDP will let strikes carry on indefinitely because they’ll never be able to use back-to-work laws. What does this mean for York University students?”

Could the Liberal Party of 2018 please stand up? Because we’re using back-to-work legislation to ensure kids are in school, to provide stability for the children we all represent. We have an obligation to kids, and I’m going to move forward with legislation—

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For that individual worker, who we thank for her work in our schools, she should know that her pay will go up each and every year in the contract, 10% over four years. She should know that her benefits will be maintained for her and her family, that her pension will continue to be indexed to inflation, unlike the majority of workers in this nation, Speaker. And I can confirm that she will continue to have job security, which many people through the pandemic did not have.

We are committed to the workers of this province, but we also believe we have to stand up for our kids. I wish the NDP would do the same.

Speaker, we will ensure kids are in the classroom. That is the obligation we made to the people of Ontario.

I want to read a message from Ian, from my colleague the member for Burlington. Ian said: “I just want to thank you for your government introducing Bill 28. The kids have had enough disruption in their education over the past three years, and I’m very happy to see the Ford government standing up to the CUPE. Please continue to advocate for the kids of Ontario.”

Mr. Speaker, these are the voices we are hearing from parents, those that are desperate to see their kids get back on track, desperate to see them have the social and emotional interaction, the learning, the mental health benefits that come with our schools. And so, Speaker, we’re moving forward with the bill.

Regrettably, as it is, we’re in this place in the first place because we presented CUPE with a path to a voluntary settlement. They refused. They insisted on the strike. Therefore, the government will bring forth and move forward this legislation that provides stability for the people of this province.

Not one time, for the record state, has a Liberal or New Democrat asked the union to withdraw the strike on two million kids. Am I the only one, are we the only ones who are somewhat concerned with the impact on kids? I guess we are. I find that quite troubling, that only Progressive Conservatives are standing up to ensure kids are in school.

I’m urging the members opposite to put the interests of children first. Vote for this bill. Let’s make sure kids are in school, Speaker.

What I will note is a quote from Larry from London, a retired educator, a vice-principal, who said, “The students have already lost so much over the past two and a half years—lost education, effects on their mental health. Send a message to the unions that kids belong in school.”

We firmly agree with this former educator, who himself has seen the adverse impacts of disruption. In response to the union’s decision to proceed with the strike, the government brought forth legislation to avert the strike and to keep kids in school, where we believe they belong.