I wish the Minister of Education would put that much energy into actually bargaining a fair collective agreement with these—

Interjections.

Speaker, why is the Premier attacking workers and why is he especially focused on women-led professions, like nurses, health care workers—Bill 124 ring a bell?—and education workers?

My question is for the Premier. In the last few days, I have heard from education workers who have expressed disappointment and they’ve expressed fear over the government’s attack on their rights with the introduction of Bill 28. I heard from one constituent, Angela; she’s an educational assistant. She’s 60 years old. She works three jobs and she can barely make ends meet. I want the Premier to know that parents support Angela and they also are shocked at how little money she actually makes in her job. This Premier thinks that Angela and her colleagues should lose their right to collective bargaining and continue struggling to support themselves and their families. This Premier also feels they should be content with a minimal increase that doesn’t recognize historic inequities. This Premier also gave 88% of his caucus a 13%-plus pay increase with a stipend increase.

Will the government just admit that instead of being for the people, they’re really just here for themselves?

In the 2021 economic outlook and fiscal review, the Minister of Finance said, “For too long, the workers of our province have been taken for granted.... Take-home pay for many workers has not kept up with rising costs.” He said this, and continued by saying, “During the pandemic, the workers of Ontario had our back. And our government has theirs.” Well, these statements clearly need to be called into question, especially given Bill 28.

The government also—and this is worth noting—this government has the money to respect workers in the education system by paying them fairly. You have the money. So why is it that the government said all the right things to workers just ahead of the election, but post-election, they have forgotten all of their principles, all of their morals and all of your promises?

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.

My question is to the Premier. This government has shown contempt for the Charter of Rights and Canada’s Constitution, the highest law in this land. This government has shown contempt with legislation that is really bullying—this bill is a bully bill—for the front-line education workers and the students that they support. This government has shown contempt for all of our government workers with Bill 124.

The Premier and his minister have single-handedly created chaos in our education system and confusion for parents in our communities. Their heavy-handed approach is forcing an agreement upon 55,000 CUPE workers, 70% of whom are women. They are the lowest-paid workers in our education system, and this is just the beginning of negotiations.

Speaker, can this Premier tell this House what he has next for the other education workers? ETFO, OSSTF, all of the other education workers: What do you have in your back pocket for them?

Thanks to the hard-working member from Oakville North–Burlington for that terrific question. Colleagues, we are in uncertain times amid global economic uncertainty. She’s absolutely correct. We know that the people of Ontario are feeling those challenges. That is why we are maintaining a flexible plan and will continue to invest in building the critical infrastructure and services that people rely on, like highways, education, public transit, schools, hospitals and long-term-care homes.

Our government will always work to support people and businesses in these uncertain times. For too long, we had a Liberal government that continued to impose new taxes upon new taxes, increasing the financial burdens on the people of Ontario. Our government’s plan will build a stronger Ontario and put more money back into people’s pockets, the hard-working people of this province.

But I am confident in our province. I am confident in the resilience of the people of Ontario and I am confident in our plan to build Ontario, Mr. Speaker. We have a strong plan to build infrastructure, train workers, and restore our manufacturing capacity, while keeping costs down for people and businesses. We have a strong plan for Ontario, and by being flexible and demonstrating restraint, we can overcome any challenge that comes our way.

Minister of Education.

Interjections.

Interjection.

Start the clock. The supplementary question.

The Minister of Education can reply.

Restart the clock.

The member for Scarborough–Guildwood will come to order. The President of Treasury Board will come to order. The Minister of Infrastructure will come to order.

Start the clock. Minister of Education, please reply.

Let’s all cheer for using a hammer for the most vulnerable people in our education system.

To the Premier: I’ve heard from an education assistant who is homeless. She’s sleeping in her car and in homeless shelters. Education workers have experienced a 10% inflationary cut to their wages over the past decade, and your plan is to impose an additional 5% inflationary cut this year. Their pay is now so low that many cannot afford food, shelter or shelter for themselves or their children. Will your government ensure that our education workers are not forced to live on the streets or to access food banks?

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—

Interjections.

Interjections.

Interjections.

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.

My question is for the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Recently in my community and surrounding area of Sault Ste. Marie, also known as Baawaating, several events were held to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The weekend for truth and reconciliation in Baawaating was a two-day showcase of Indigenous arts, culture and heritage that were held in partnership between Indigenous Tourism Ontario and the Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, which is an Indigenous institute in my riding.

This event’s overall success and benefits cannot be understated in recognizing truth and healing in creating a path forward. One of these events showcased a special drone show that was used to illustrate a creation story about truth and reconciliation that was told by a local elder and former Ojibway teacher of mine, Barbara Nolan, which she narrated in both Nishnaabemwin and English.

Based on the success of the first-time event in my riding, can we count on our government to continue to provide these significant investments for Indigenous events throughout Ontario?

Interjections.

Some of the things you could have enjoyed over the weekend were shopping in an Indigenous vendor marketplace. You could have had some Indigenous food. You could have learned about Indigenous tourism experiences in Ontario and enjoyed some local Indigenous music. Since 2018, our government’s focus on supporting Indigenous tourism has contributed to Indigenous cultural expression and preservation.

To the minister: Can you please detail what further investment our government is making towards creating jobs for Indigenous people and expanding tourism offerings across the great province of Ontario?

The member for Sault Ste. Marie raises a great point. I’d like to thank him, and I’m happy to hear that the $185,000 provided to Indigenous Tourism Ontario through our Reconnect Ontario program achieved the intended result. This Weekend for Truth and Reconciliation in Sault Ste. Marie was one of the several Indigenous festivals and events we are supporting. This year, more than half a million dollars has been provided for events across Ontario.

I agree with the CFO of Indigenous Tourism Ontario, who recently said, “Indigenous tourism is no longer an emerging market. It’s one of the sectors consumers are demanding when they travel in and to Ontario.” That’s why we’ve invested $1.65 million since 2018 to Indigenous Tourism Ontario to create and encourage visits for operators and jobs and business communities. We will not stop working towards our goals and working with them.

Just a few weeks before, I toured Manitoulin Island to announce $300,000 to Indigenous Tourism Ontario through the Pan-Regional Fund to support unique and authentic experiences in our province. “ITO is extremely thankful for the fantastic contributions provided by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport,” ITO’s CEO and president said during the announcement. “We couldn’t continue our work to improve the socio-economic conditions of Indigenous people through tourism without support like this.”

We will continue, as I said earlier, to show our support and act behind it.

My question is for the Solicitor General. My constituents are concerned about the reports of increasing crime in the region of Peel and across this province. Peel is a great place to live, with vibrant communities, friendly neighbourhoods and positive economic growth and development. Peel is a place for hard-working people. However, my constituents in the riding of Mississauga–Malton have seen an increase in violence and crime in their neighbourhood.

Our government has a strong record of supporting the police and cracking down on crime, but clearly more needs to be done, especially in light of the recent events. Speaker, my question to the Solicitor General: Please explain how our government and local police services are tackling crime in communities like Mississauga–Malton.

Mr. Speaker, it is reported that Peel police conducted an extensive investigation into a Canada-US smuggling ring that resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of illegal drugs. The dedicated officers of Peel Regional Police, some of whom are here as well, are deserving of our thanks and gratitude for ongoing support in our region, especially for their recent successful operation.

To the minister: We’ll appreciate it if you can provide details on the excellent work done by Peel police services in securing the largest drug bust in their history.

The custodians at the Ontario French school board make $18 an hour. I’m hearing from parents and students who want our education workers to make a living wage. Parents and students marched with our education workers on Tuesday at Queen’s Park to demand that the government return to the negotiating table, and they will be marching with us on Friday to demand that this government give these workers a living wage.

Parents and students are angry that you are stripping Ontarians of their charter rights. They are demanding that you get back to the negotiating table so that there’s no disruption to our education system and that our workers, the people who serve our children every day, are making enough money to pay for the basics. Will you do that?

My question is to the Premier. I want to bring up the story of an education assistant in Niagara: Michelle Branch. Michelle knew she was never going to be rich doing what she does. She said as a university- and college-educated single mother, she thought she could do this work and provide more for her family—help pay for her mortgage, insurance, groceries and all the things her daughter needs. This is a female-dominated workplace, and once again, like the nurses and the health care workers before this, this government is continuing to keep women down.

Will the Premier answer why this government is refusing to bargain in good faith with education workers—passionate education workers—that are struggling to make ends meet?

I have been sent pay stub after pay stub after pay stub from education workers this week. The vast majority of them are making barely over a minimum wage. I hear about veteran education workers of 30 years having to watch their colleagues finish their work at school and then go to McDonald’s for a night shift.

Melanie O’Neil is an EA and a parent and knows the value of and need for staff—qualified, professional, skilled and experienced staff—who feel valued and motivated to do their jobs and who will stay long-term.

Premier, given the fact that you are willing to table this massive bill to trample the rights of education workers, were you ever really bargaining in good faith for parents and the staff that make our schools work and keep our children safe and our classrooms clean?

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.

Supplementary.

The Minister of Education.

I’d like to thank the member from Mississauga–Malton for his question.

Monsieur le Président, tous ont le droit de se sentir en sécurité chez eux dans leur collectivité.

I have a personal connection to what’s happening in Peel because I’ve been there and I’ve seen for myself. I’ve been to division 11, which responded to Constable Andrew Hong’s tragedy call. I’ve been to the 911 call centre and met with the operators there. I want to recognize the leadership of Peel.

We know that our brave men and women that serve in services across Ontario, but particularly in Peel, have made a massive sacrifice to serve. We thank them. We will always have their backs. They can depend on our Premier and our government, today and every day; aujourd’hui et tous les jours.

Monsieur le Président, je suis fier de soutenir nos policiers et tous ceux qui assurent la sécurité de l’Ontario tous les jours.

I want to thank the honourable member for his question. It is an important point. There are more than 40 treaties of adhesion that cover the province of Ontario, in the past and present day. We have a responsibility to make sure that the people of Ontario, through Treaties Recognition Week, have an opportunity to access information that will help better inform them of the lands they’re living on.

For our purposes, the government takes this responsibility very seriously, and, over the course of next week, as my learned colleague has said just moments ago, there are events across the province that will bring and draw attention to this. In the meantime, we will remain focused as a government on ensuring that these treaties are honoured, respected and carried out as they should be.

For far too long, Indigenous communities have been held back by this, so honouring the treaties and moving beyond those treaties to ensure that communities are involved in things like forest management plans, the incredible opportunities in the Ring of Fire, and the opportunity for a young Indigenous person to have a clear path to a job for a better set of economic circumstances for them, their families and their communities, are a top priority.

Thank you to the member for such an important question. Our government has a zero-tolerance policy for any form of sexual violence or harassment. As a mother of three post-secondary-aged daughters, I know first-hand the feeling as a parent of wanting your kids to enjoy everything the post-secondary education journey has to offer, while still worrying about their safety and their well-being.

One of the first actions I took as Minister of Colleges and Universities was to participate in sector-wide consultations to determine how, as a sector, we could better address instances of sexual violence on campus. What we heard across the board is that we need to find ways to not only empower survivors but also deal with the issues surrounding the prevalence of power dynamics and secrecy in many instances of sexual violence.

If passed, Bill 26 will tackle just that. It will prevent any instances of sexual violence committed by a faculty or staff member from going unreported and prevent those who commit acts of sexual violence from moving from one institution to the next under the protection of non-disclosure agreements. I look forward—

In speaking with many of those faculty and staff members, the changes we are proposing in Bill 26 are long overdue and desperately needed in the sector. Specifically, these changes would give institutions stronger tools to address instances of faculty or staff sexual misconduct against students, prevent the use of non-disclosure agreements and further require institutions to have sexual misconduct policies in place.

Our government will always do what is necessary to keep the people of Ontario safe. As minister and mother, I encourage members of our faculty and staff across the post-secondary sector to stand with me and our government to make sure that students are safe on campuses.