We are committed to keeping children in class. We made a clear commitment to the people of this province that we will stand up and ensure kids are in school without disruption right to June. Nothing should get in the way of that commitment. Mr. Speaker, we gave the union an opportunity, and with great regret they said no. They are going to proceed with the strike on Friday and impose further hardship on the children we all represent.

We have to speak for kids in this debate. We have to give them a voice in this discussion. We have to ensure they are able to be in the classroom learning the fundamentals they have missed over the past two to three years, keeping in mind, Speaker, that just three years ago they faced union-driven strikes and then a global pandemic. We are going to do everything possible, as we have to date, to ensure children remain in class—

Interjection.

When you hear these stories of individual children and the plight they have faced over the past years, it is incumbent on everyone in this Legislature to ensure that they are in a classroom, supported, loved and cared for by their educators and with their friends. Our plan to catch up is premised on keeping them in the classroom. So yes, Speaker, we are going to stand up and ensure children remain in school without disruption right to June.

Interjection.

Mr. Speaker, when we gave the union an offer to avert a strike, to withdraw their commitment to strike on Friday, they regrettably doubled down on their demand for a nearly 50% increase in pay—a $19-billion increase for the taxpayer when applied sector-wide, because we know whatever we do with education workers becomes the minimum standard with our educators and those unions. So, Speaker, we brought forth a reasonable offer that preserves in-class learning and protects the rights of children to learn. We’re going to continue to do everything possible to keep kids in the class.

But what we will not accept is a strike on children after this global pandemic and recent strikes by the unions just two to three years ago. Children should be in the classroom, and our government will do everything possible and take the action that families want to keep their kids in front of their teachers in the classroom in every region of this province.

Interjections.

Member for Davenport, come to order.

I’m going to ask the House to come to order, and I have to say this: If members continue to ignore my requests to come to order, I will move to warnings—no choice—and then we know what happens after that if I’m ignored.

Start the clock.

The member for Eglinton–Lawrence to reply.

Thank you to the member opposite for the question.

Obviously, we’re doing everything we can to make sure the ambulances are there when they’re needed, and we have a four-point strategy in place to decrease ambulance offload times, which is holding up some of the ambulances, including: returning ambulances to the communities faster; providing timely and appropriate care in the community; increasing non-ambulance transport services for medically stable patients; and we’re maximizing health human resource capacity.

We’re doing all of those things as well as updating O. Reg. 257/00 under the Ambulance Act, which allows other health care professionals, including physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists to provide patient care in addition to paramedics in air ambulance or other configurations where that is necessary.

We’re going to make sure that we build a better health care system here in Ontario.

After decades of underfunding, it is this government that has made unprecedented investments in our health care system. We’re investing $77.5 billion into our health care system this year. Health care funding has increased at 6.2% year over year, the largest increase on record, including an over $5-billion increase in base funding and 8.9% increase in base funding, which is unprecedented. No previous base funding increase has been that increased year over year.

We’ve added 3,500 new hospital beds; we’re in the process of adding another 3,000. We’ve added 11,700 health care workers. The College of Nurses of Ontario recently said that they’ve added over 12,800 new nurses before the year ends—the most ever recorded. This government will get it done.

Education support workers are the backbone of our schools, but most can’t make ends meet. In August, I told the Premier about Charity. She was the full-time education support worker who relied on food banks to help feed her children—food banks, Speaker. I asked the Premier then if he would commit to a pay increase so that education support workers like Charity wouldn’t have to rely on food banks, and today that answer is a resounding no.

The Conservative government is set to impose a contract on education support workers, denying them the right to bargain a fair wage. Speaker, why does the Conservative government think it’s acceptable to force workers to work for so little?

Last week, I met with a roomful of education support workers, and Kori was one of them. She is a single mom of two. She loves her job as a cleaner and works hard to ensure that students are safe and that they have a healthy school environment. Kori told me she recently had to move in with her parents just to make ends meet. Kori is underpaid and she’s overworked, Speaker. She wants a fair wage so she can support her children while doing a job she loves—a job that is important.

Will the Conservative government and the minister finally recognize that education support workers like Kori deserve more than a nickel so they can support students’ success?

Speaker, this is not how you build a quality education system. Our kids will have less support in schools if the Premier keeps chasing away education workers with these poverty wages. CUPE will be at the table all week, ready to negotiate with the Conservative government. Will this government commit to not tabling pre-emptive legislation and instead return to the table and bargain a fair deal that will invest in our schools and education support workers?

My question is to the Premier.

Ambulance shortages have recently become a recurring problem in Waterloo region and across Ontario. Two weeks ago, during a code red, ambulances were coming into Waterloo region from Guelph-Wellington for backup—only for Guelph-Wellington to end up in a code red the following day. At one point, 600,000 people did not have access to an ambulance or a paramedic. In Waterloo region, we’ve lost 17 paramedics since January, largely due to burnout and lack of time off.

It’s literally a matter of life and death that Ontario is this ill-equipped to care for its growing and aging population. So I ask the Premier, I ask the minister, I ask anyone on that side of the House: How would you feel if you and your loved one experienced a medical emergency and no one was there to answer the call? What would you do? Because that’s where the province of Ontario is at right now.

According to Dave Bryant, who is the co-VP of CUPE 5191, the Region of Waterloo Paramedics Services, they have the highest number of code reds the region has ever had within a 24-hour period on September 26. A local paramedic told me that, at one point, there were five full hours where no ambulances were available, and offload times ranged from seven hours to 22 hours.

When the minister—or the parliamentary assistant—says that they’re doing everything they can, clearly that is not correct, because you have Bill 124 on the books. This is wage-suppression legislation. It is pushing health care workers and nurses out of the province of Ontario. And with all due respect, you actually have the money to recognize and respect health care workers in Ontario.

So how can this government continue to sit by idly when another crucial part of our health care system is collapsing and you are sticking to your speaking points?

The supplementary question?

The Cultivated B’s expansion into Ontario is game-changing for the people of Burlington and their entire region. Their $50-million investment will create 200 well-paying jobs and boost the local economy, and it will secure Ontario’s position as a global leader in biotechnology.

When companies look for investment opportunities, they look for a place that has a skilled workforce, supports growth and investment, and is open for business. That’s the message we heard from Cultivated B and other German companies when we were on our recent mission to Germany and Austria. They want certainty. They want a reliable, stable business environment, and they want safe communities for their employees. This exciting investment by the Cultivated B sends a really strong message that Ontario is the perfect place to invest and grow.

We also invested $415,000 in Burlington’s small business enterprise centre to offer entrepreneurs everything they need to turn their ideas into a business and another $106,000 for their Summer Company to help students and young entrepreneurs start their business. This is how our government is helping entrepreneurs.

The priority of this government is to ensure that when workers go to work, they come home safe after the end of a hard day’s work. The pandemic was certainly challenging for the entire world, but we were the first in Canada to bring in job-protected leave. If anyone needed to stay home because of the pandemic, their job would be protected.

Furthermore, we hired more than 100 new health and safety inspectors to ensure that workplaces are safe in this province. We’ve done more than 100,000 health and safety inspections to ensure that employers and workers are working in a safe manner, and we’re going to continue every single day, ensuring that workers in this province have the safest workplaces in the country.

Mr. Speaker, we’re going to continue every single day to have the backs of workers in this province to ensure that when they go to work in the morning, they come home safe to their family at the end of a hard day’s work.

Again to the Premier: At least 108 Ontario workers died from work-related COVID infections under a government that for more than a year denied workers paid sick days so that they could recover and keep their co-workers safe. The evidence is clearer than ever that paid sick days save lives. This government waited far too long to introduce temporary paid sick days and then didn’t provide enough days for sick workers to get well, forcing them to go back to work sick and putting their co-workers at risk.

Will this government pass my bill, the Stay Home If You Are Sick Act, this month so that every Ontario worker can access the 10 permanent paid sick days they deserve?

Ontario is seeing strong economic growth and great new manufacturing investments. We only have to look at the $5-billion investment made by Stellantis in building a new EV battery plant as a positive example. This trend toward a greener electrical transportation sector and the return of manufacturing jobs to Ontario is positive news, Speaker.

As the economy grows and greater electrification of industry continues, my constituents in Whitby are wondering about the strength of our energy grid for the future. Can the Minister of Energy assure my constituents and all Ontarians that we will have the power we need for the future?

My constituents are pleased that Ontario is increasing the electrification of our energy grid, from transportation and increased EV uptake to green steelmaking. However, my constituents want to know why the province will procure some natural gas generation as a component of the overall procurement strategy.

Minister, is procuring natural gas generation a step in the opposite direction?

Last week, the Toronto Star revealed that workers who were forced to work in deemed-essential manufacturing jobs died in larger numbers from COVID than any other sector, more than even our embattled health care workers. Under this government’s watch, hundreds of vulnerable workers in Ontario were dying while making things like floor tiles, bubble gum and jerry cans.

Throughout the pandemic, Speaker, I have asked the member opposite to provide clarity on what criteria defines “essential,” and they’ve failed to answer. But surely, the Premier of this province would know something as critical as the meaning of “essential work,” based upon which a policy, a major policy of life and death, was determined.

My question is simple: Premier, please define what is “essential work.”

My question is for the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. Last week, the minister and I were in Burlington at the Cultivated B to announce the opening of a new 130,000-square-foot manufacturing and innovation hub. This company is performing ground-breaking work in the field of biotechnology and cellular agriculture. Not only are they true leaders in innovation, but their over $50-million investment will bring 200 jobs to my community.

Speaker, will the minister tell us why the Cultivated B, a German company, chose to invest here in Ontario?

I’m proud to represent the great people of Burlington, a city that is home to a thriving and innovative economy of entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, under the previous Liberal government, the goal of entrepreneurship was not supported. Many hard-working individuals faced excessive red tape, barriers and obstacles.

Speaker, will the minister please explain what our government is doing to help entrepreneurs in my riding start and grow businesses?

Mr. Speaker, as you know, last week Commissioner Carrique was before the federal inquiry into the federal government’s really historic first-time use of the federal Emergencies Act. That testimony will continue. And I’m sure the commission will report back to the Parliament of Canada on the federal government’s use of the federal Emergencies Act.

As you know, Mr. Speaker, when a state of emergency was on in the province of Ontario, we had a select committee that would review the state of emergency in the province of Ontario. That select committee met on a monthly basis. I appeared in front of that select committee during that time when the protests were happening in Ottawa. The Solicitor General at the time appeared in front of it. Prior to that, the Minister of Health and Deputy Premier appeared in front of it. Other officials from the government of Ontario were in front of it.

As you know, when the state of emergency provincially ended, there were two reports issued and debate in this House. On both occasions, debate collapsed in this House when the NDP agreed that it was the right course of action.

Having said that, we still are ensuring that we are working with and assisting the commission by providing cabinet-level documents to the federal inquiry, as well as ensuring that the Deputy Solicitor General and the commissioner of the OPP, who recently testified, are made available.

I appreciate the interest from the member opposite.

When it comes to adaptation resiliency, investing in the future, this Premier is taking decisive action, be it in manufacturing of clean steel—we’ve taken decisive action that has resulted in the equivalent of over two million cars off the road—be it the first-ever Critical Minerals Strategy that is working in partnership with Indigenous leaders in the north to ensure that we’re going to continue being a leader in electric-vehicle manufacturing and attracting over $16 billion in investment into this province.

We’ve also—working with stakeholders like the insurance bureau on the climate change impact panel—worked on the first-ever adaptation climate report in the province’s history, and we’ll continue working with all levels of government to ensure that we build resiliency and adaptation, not just today but for generations to come.

If that member wants to be part of action, then join and actually act. Work with your local organizations’ Canada-Ontario agreements, the Great Lakes Local Action Fund. Work with local groups on the many funding envelopes open today to take meaningful climate action. The reason she is not is because they’re not actually interested in that; they’re interested in cheap political points. We’re interested in clean jobs of the future, taking meaningful climate action, and we’ll continue to do that.

The government House leader.

My question is for the House leader. Across the world and in Ontario, we are seeing effects of climate change, with extreme heat, floods and forest fires. These events rip through communities, costing people their well-being, money and, in severe cases, their lives. Experts like the Insurance Bureau of Canada are sounding the alarm. The Intact Centre at the University of Waterloo tells us that for every dollar invested in climate adaptation, the return is $3 to $8 worth of cost avoidance.

Recently, I announced the creation of an all-party climate change committee. Emergency preparedness is a non-partisan issue, and we need to work together to ensure our residents are aware and ready and protected for the future. My proposal reflects the House, with four Conservative members and one member from each of the other parties, reaching out to stakeholders and reporting back within six months.

Will the government put forward my all-party climate change committee motion to show the people of Ontario that they are serious about climate adaptation and emergency preparedness?

The benefits of climate mitigation are global; the benefits of climate adaptation are local. My all-party climate change committee would focus on the local to ensure Ontarians are ready, aware and protected. Why wouldn’t you want this for your riding? Why not work collaboratively across party lines, with keen members all across the chamber who have already shown interest? Why not save the people of Ontario hardship, finances and unnecessary grief by planning ahead with protection in mind? And why not show true leadership and actually lead on emergency preparedness and climate adaptation?

Our province’s labour shortage is impacting the financial well-being of families across Ontario. Our labour shortage increases the cost of items they purchase every day. It is disrupting businesses and the supply chain and threatens economic stability.

The Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement nominee program is vital to help fill critical vacancies in our labour market and help support jobs in my riding. Unfortunately, this agreement will expire this fall. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development: What is our government doing to not only renew this program but help to expand it?

Thanks for the thoughtful question.

The experts at Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator have been clear: Generation from natural gas plays a key role as a flexible, adaptable source of electricity that can respond quickly to periods of heightened demand.

The member is correct that we can’t move backwards—and we’re moving forward on the days that we’re bringing manufacturing jobs that were once fleeing our province back to our jurisdiction and sent electricity prices skyrocketing.

That’s why we’re looking at every option to ensure that Ontario doesn’t experience blackouts and brownouts. By maintaining our reliable and affordable grid, we’re also enabling electrification in other sectors, like transportation, resulting in a net reduction in emissions in Ontario.

Just one example is green steelmaking. As he mentioned in his previous question, Algoma and Dofasco switching to electric arc furnaces is going to mean emissions reductions equivalent to taking two million cars off the road.

We’re going to ensure that we have the reliable, affordable, clean and safe power that Ontario needs to keep our economy moving forward.

My question is for the Premier.

It’s Halloween and Ontarians are accustomed to seeing and hearing about spooky things today, but nothing prepared me for a video I saw this weekend. I saw a video of Tyler Russell, an organizer with the hate group Canada First, receiving a call from what sounds like this Premier on February 11, 2022. After our exchange, Speaker, I’ll be posting this video to my Twitter account. This happened on February 11, in the middle of the convoy. If it is in fact the Premier taking this call from Mr. Russell, promising Mr. Russell, as you will see, that it was about ending vaccine mandates and COVID restrictions—that was his priority.

Can the Premier confirm if this in fact was him and why this conversation was even happening when my city was under siege?

The people of Ottawa need you, Premier—Speaker, through you, we need him to come clean on whether this in fact was a conversation he had in one of our worst moments of the convoy occupation crisis. I want to know if there were other members—did the Premier talk to Pat King? Did the Premier talk to Tamara Lich? Did the Premier talk to some of the people who were organized at a high level, infiltrating our city, blocking our city, harassing residents? It is a matter of public interest.

The Premier has been silent beyond talking about policing and jurisdiction. Other members of Parliament, other political office-holders who are not members of federal jurisdiction have had the courage to come testify in Ottawa.

Again, is this the Premier in this video? Will he come to Ottawa to testify?