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?

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.