My question is to the Premier. In September, alongside my colleague from Toronto–St. Paul’s, I wrote to you about reports that Niagara hospitals turned away sexual assault survivors from receiving a local sexual assault evidence kit due to staffing shortages. Over the last three years, nearly 30 Niagara survivors had been asked to travel as far as Burlington or to come back later. Survivors need to be put first, not have their justice put at risk.

Niagara Health is seeking additional funding to support their staffing shortages for their sexual assault hospital program. They’ve heard nothing from this government. Today, will you approve that funding request? And will it explain why survivors in Niagara are being left behind?

New Brunswick as well reported that survivors had been turned away. However, last week they announced sweeping changes. Simply, this is about priorities. It’s about women. It’s about justice. Niagara Health, our nurses and front-line staff are going above and beyond, doing the best they can. However, they need more support. They need more funding.

Can the minister assure women that Ontario’s hospital response programs are not understaffed across this province, and that it will find ways to make sure this situation never, ever happens again?