This week, the NDP tried to convince this PC government to increase the rates for ODSP and OW. People are hurting. Doubling the rates would make a real difference to real people who:

—cannot find safe places to live that they can afford;

—are in debt to the utility company because they will never have enough to pay rent, buy food and pay the bills with such a small cheque;

—are celiac but can’t afford gluten-free food to keep from getting sick;

—during COVID, could never afford to bulk-buy food to stay home more often and had to pay to take transit and take more risks than others;

—could never stock up to save money or shop when things are on sale because they are forced to buy what they need when they have the money;

—need to clothe themselves and their growing kids—kids who more often get bullied;

—deserve to feed their family nutritious and real food;

—don’t want to be forced to live beholden to skeezy landlords who take advantage of their desperation;

—need a phone but have no access to credit and must pay the highest rates, usually without data;

—don’t get extra money to replace their bed or belongings when they get bedbugs from substandard housing;

—can’t afford a ticket to a hockey game;

—would love to see a movie or have dinner out with friends, but can’t budget for it;

—want to live with a spouse or companion without losing their independence or money;

—want to work without having that money clawed back; and

—want to live but are choosing to die because the torment of poverty is inescapable.

Who can survive in today’s world on $1,200? No one. Who deserves to suffer in legislated poverty day in and day out with no compassion from this government or end in sight? No one.

This government has chirpy and flippant slogans like, “The best social program is a job.” Well, Premier, those who can’t work can’t, and for the record, the best social program would be compassionate and fair. Raise the rates.

My statement today celebrates the most renewable and sustainable industry in the world: agriculture and food. Throughout the last number of weeks, I have enjoyed listening to my colleagues’ statements in this House recognizing the many summer and fall fairs that have taken place throughout our province. I am excited to announce the culmination of Ontario’s fair season begins this Friday night, here in Toronto at Exhibition Place, where the country truly does come to the city.

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Since 1922, the Royal has crowned a century of champions in livestock, poultry, equine and food. Today, the Royal has grown to be the largest indoor agricultural and equestrian event in the world. A win at the Royal is special, whether you are pickling, making butter tarts, raising beef cattle, marketing dairy genetics internationally, or showing a six-horse hitch, you will experience the strength and vibrancy of rural Ontario.

Every year, over 300,000 people come to the fair to celebrate the very best food, livestock and horsemanship Canada has to offer. The Royal is happy to welcome you and your families back in person for the 2022 fair starting this weekend. Come to Exhibition Place and discover the sights, the sounds and the smells of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. If you want to better understand how your food comes to your plate every day, please come to the Royal.

Finally, if you had a meal today, thank a farmer.

Now we know why Premier Ford didn’t have time to appear before the Emergencies Act inquiry: He was busy preparing his latest assault on the charter of rights. Bill 28, which prohibits education workers from striking, also prevents them from petitioning a court to restore the right that was just taken from them; that is, it invokes the Constitution’s “notwithstanding” clause, exempting it from the charter’s scrutiny for the next four years.

This move builds on a record of distrust by not releasing the mandate letters. The principle of transparency would demand that the Premier release these letters. He has chosen not to. He has gone to the Divisional Court, he has gone to the Court of Appeal, he has gone to the Supreme Court of Canada, and he’s even gone to the courts to prevent the people of Ontario from finding out how much all of these court visits are costing. We are learning that his choices against transparency go deeper. This Premier went back to the courts this week to keep the cost of all of these battles a secret.

I bring this up today because the Premier has been asked to testify at the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa. Appearing would be a simple act of transparency. Once again, he has gone to the courts to not testify. But as a basic act of responsible government, he should choose to release the mandate letters, reveal the cost of the court cases around them, and appear before the emergency commission in Ontario. If you want to restore trust and accountability, you actually have to show up and do the hard work.

I am happy to rise in the House today and speak about COPD Awareness Month in November. Early detection of COPD dramatically increases life expectancy and quality of life.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a slowly progressing lung disease that makes it harder to breathe. By 2030, COPD is expected to be the third leading cause of death in Canada and around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I spoke to many general practitioners, family doctors, respirologists, specialists in lung disease and organizations such as COPD Awareness Canada and the lung association of Ontario. After my research, I came to know that many times the patients are not aware that they are suffering from COPD.

COPD is characterized by a narrowing of the airways that makes breathing increasingly difficult as the disease worsens. Everyday, simple tasks that we take for granted—walking up the stairs, getting dressed in the morning, carrying groceries from the car to the front door, doing house chores—can feel debilitating for those with COPD.

In the majority of cases, COPD is diagnosed in people over 40 years old. The most common symptoms include a cough that lasts longer than three months, coughing up mucus, and feeling short of breath while doing routine activities.

Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of COPD and accounts for approximately 80% to 90% of all new cases of COPD, including others.

While COPD is incurable, it is possible to treat and manage. A diagnostic test called a spirometry test can detect the presence of COPD.

In Ontario, approximately 10% of adults—or 900,000 Ontarians, according to the Lung Association—are living with COPD.

Mr. Speaker, my private member’s Bill 157, COPD Awareness Day Act, 2021, received royal assent on June 3, 2021. According to the bill, the third Wednesday in November of each year was proclaimed as COPD Awareness Day.

We are being joined today by a contingent from Renfrew county, including Warden Debbie Robinson, a number of municipal representatives, county staff and local entrepreneurs.

Renfrew county is the largest county in Ontario, incorporated in 1861. Speaker, many of my colleagues claim to come from the most beautiful part of Ontario, but I actually do. Today you will have the opportunity to hear first-hand just what a fantastic place Renfrew is. Without question, it is Canada’s white-water capital, as well as being home to some of the most picturesque vistas anywhere in the province.

Renfrew county is populated by people who work hard, play hard and pray hard. The county was built on and still relies heavily on our forestry industry. Agriculture is also a key industry back home. And as the world changes and continues to get smaller, tourism is becoming more and more important as an economic driver as well.

Today you will also have the opportunity to meet with some of the most creative and innovative people anywhere, particularly when it comes to the delivery of health care in rural communities. Renfrew county was the birthplace of community paramedicine, a service that has been adopted in many rural areas since. It also created the Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre during the pandemic. VTAC, as it is better known, provides an important medical service, particularly to those without a family doctor, and we are grateful that our government has continued to support it. It could be adapted for use anywhere in Ontario as a permanent component of our health care system.

I want to thank our good friends from the county for bringing their message here today. I encourage everyone to visit them in rooms 238 and 230 and get yourself a taste of good old Renfrew county hospitality.

I just wanted to quickly welcome a fantastic member of our team at the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Tim Wontorra. Welcome, Tim.

I also want to welcome members from ACORN Canada, who have come here to talk about affordable housing and living with dignity in Ontario—particularly Ashley Reyns, who deserves to be in this House. This is their House, too.

I am thrilled to introduce our newest team member, Tony Mantul and I am so happy to have some family here I haven’t seen for a long time from New Jersey: my three cousins David, Suzie and Paul Ham, and my beautiful aunt, my dad’s younger sister—hard to believe they’re related—Judy Ham. Thank you so much for visiting the Legislature.

I would like to say thank you to Sofia Marra, who was a page here from St. Paul’s. I know it’s her last day, so I’m just thanking her for her wonderful work and saying a great “hello” to her parents, who also allowed her to be part of this fantastic program—and also giving a shout-out to ACORN Canada, our friends who are always advocating for tenants’ rights. I’m right alongside you.

Later today I am reintroducing my Murray Whetung private member’s bill, so I have members of the Whetung family here: his daughter Joanne Seymour, her husband, Phillip Seymour, and their son, Dean Seymour; Murray’s son Lorenzo Whetung; his granddaughter Emily Whetung-MacInnes; his granddaughter Ashkineeg-kwa Whetung; great-granddaughter Rian Whetung; great-grandson Callum Whetung-MacInnes; and—their flight has been delayed, but they will be here shortly—Regional Chief Mel Hardy and Elder James Mishquart.

I would like to recognize the members of ACORN Canada, Parkdale People’s Economy, as well as the Justice for Queen and Clothes. I believe that they were trying to get in the House. I’m not sure if they have been allowed in as of yet, but they did want me to deliver a letter on their behalf to the Premier, as well as the Minister of Housing, should they not be permitted into the House. They were rallying outside of Queen’s Park this morning.

In addition to the contingent in 228 and 230, I have in the members’ gallery today: Warden Debbie Robinson, from Renfrew county; Reeve Peter Emon, from Renfrew, also a county councillor; Reeve Dan Lynch, from Arnprior, a county councillor; and the chief of paramedics in Renfrew county, Mike Nolan. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Dans la tribune du Président ce matin sont les stagiaires de la Fondation Jean-Charles-Bonenfant qui travaillent avec les députés à l’Assemblée nationale du Québec : Ali El-Samra, Carolane Fillion, Gabriel Moreau, Powen-Alexandre Morin et Charles-Étienne Ostiguy. Bienvenue à Queen’s Park.

I’d like to introduce Karissa Singh, who is an OLIP intern in my office. Karissa has had a very eventful first week, but she’s already proved to be a great member of the team. Welcome, Karissa.

This week marks the beginning of Diabetes Awareness Month in Ontario. Every three minutes, someone in this country is diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. In the next 10 years, diabetes—both type 1 and type 2 being diagnosed—will increase by 26%. For those living with pre-diabetes, about half will develop type 2 diabetes if no intervention is made.

The medications, devices and supplies required to treat diabetes can cost people thousands of dollars annually. One quarter of people living with diabetes have reported that these additional costs affect their adherence to their prescribed treatment regimens, which has significant risks to their short- and long-term health.

Diabetes also adds immense cost to our health care system. People with diabetes are over three times more likely to be hospitalized with cardiovascular disease, 12 times more likely to be hospitalized with end-stage renal disease and almost 20 times more likely to be hospitalized for a non-traumatic lower limb amputation, compared to the general population.

Improving the health of people with diabetes will have a direct impact on the costs associated with the disease. The cost burden will decrease with improved prevention efforts and better care, as more people with diabetes will be diverted from acute care and will enjoy a higher quality of life with increased function and productivity.

We need a provincial strategy for people with diabetes now more than ever.

As the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Health, I would like to thank and introduce the Medical Laboratory Professionals’ Association of Ontario. Thank you very much for that lovely breakfast this morning and thank you Jeffrey Dale, CEO of the Eastern Ontario Regional Laboratory Association, for the great chat. Welcome to Queen’s Park. Bienvenue à Queen’s Park.

I am delighted to welcome Meredith Patterson, the proud mother of page Pearl Clarke, who has joined us today along with Pearl’s grandfather, Neil Patterson, and his wife, Jay DuBoisson. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

It is my pleasure to introduce Monique Farrell. She is the mother of page Molly Farrell—sorry Molly—who is leaving us today, so she came and saw her daughter.

I also want to thank all of the members of the medical laboratory associations that are with us today. Thank you for being here today.

Similar to my colleague just now, I want to welcome the Medical Laboratory Professionals’ Association of Ontario who are in the public gallery above, their staff and board members including Jessie, Lorraine, Michelle, Jeffrey, Andrea, John and Robin who are here in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to discuss how Ontario’s government can further aid our fourth-largest health care profession and support patient health in Ontario. Thank you for being here today.