Good morning. Let us pray.

Prayers.

Today we are honoured to remember and pay tribute to a former member of our provincial Legislature, the late Mrs. Julia Munro, who was the MPP for Durham–York during the 36th Parliament; York North during the 37th and 38th Parliaments; and York–Simcoe during the 39th, 40th and 41st Parliaments.

Joining us in the Speaker’s gallery is Mr. David Warner, who was Speaker during the 35th Parliament. We are also joined by Jane McKenna, who was the member for Burlington in the 42nd and 40th provincial Parliaments.

Mrs. Munro’s family is watching the tribute from home this morning.

I’ll begin by recognizing the member for Oshawa.

It is a privilege to rise in this House today to pay tribute to the late Julia Munro. As the longest-serving female MPP in Ontario’s history, Julia truly was a trailblazer for so many of us sitting in this Legislature today, but she was also a friend and a mentor.

Beloved in her community of York–Simcoe and adored by her husband, John, and daughter, Genevieve, Julia’s dedication to public service touched so many, and she continues today to be nothing short of an inspiration for men and women alike.

Julia entered the political arena at a time when it wasn’t always easy for women to do so. And as a new politician, I can tell you that she encouraged me as a female politician in so many ways.

Julia was always herself. She was fierce, but she was always elegant and poised, and that’s why she was referred to as Lady Munro here at Queen’s Park but also across York–Simcoe.

Julia battled cancer, but she kept working. She was elected six times and represented the various iterations of York–Simcoe for 23 years.

There is little doubt that Julia’s work and advocacy has made a lasting impact for generations. The Bradford Bypass, which is a project that our government is moving forward with, was championed by Julia for 23 years. She recognized the need for this connecting link because of the growth in our communities, and she was right. It was her work that got the first environmental assessment done in 2002. That is a significant milestone for this project. And to this day, people across our riding are supportive of this project. Our government will get it done, and I know that Julia would be pleased and her family should be proud.

Before entering politics, Julia was a teacher for more than two decades, and in this role she had a lasting impact on the lives of so many residents of York–Simcoe. It was always so lovely when I got the chance to see her interact with one of her former students, which happened quite often as we travelled around the riding together. They would hug her, they would share a memory with her, and they would always thank her for being a wonderful and inspiring teacher to them. They never forgot her. They looked up to her, and how could they not? As a teacher, Julia understood the importance of protecting the interests of the next generation.

Julia also understood the importance of our history and the fundamental democratic principles that define us as Canadians, which she demonstrated by introducing the Magna Carta Day Act in 2014. The principles of the Magna Carta set the foundations of the English system of common law and are reflected in our Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms. When King John proclaimed the Magna Carta in 1215, he proclaimed the principles of our democracy: that no one, not even the crown, is above the law.

I’m so pleased that former MPP from Burlington Jane McKenna is here today, because it was under Jane’s leadership that we reintroduced Julia’s PMB, and our government was so proud that we were able to make that a reality and that this PMB was passed unanimously in 2020.

It’s not just in the Legislature that Julia promoted democratic values, it was everywhere she went, including on the road. Her licence plate frame proudly displayed the motto, “Democracy: Don’t wear it out,” and as Minister of Transportation, I have a great appreciation for this. In fact, I even asked her if I could take over that licence plate cover, and she said I’d have to earn it.

Through her unapologetic stance on key issues, Julia went on to introduce six bills in the Legislature and managed to garner respect across party lines. She was a fierce advocate for her constituents at Queen’s Park, and she never took that privilege for granted. Her commitment to her core values and beliefs helped create a legacy that will continue to shine brightly for generations.

Thank you to John and Genevieve for sharing her with us for so many years and for supporting her and encouraging her. I can tell you that Julia is deeply missed in her former riding, but her legacy is long-lasting and will live on. As the MPP for York–Simcoe, I am humbled to be continuing much of the important work that Julia started many years ago.

Applause.

On this beautiful day, I too would like to take time to honour the legacy of Julia Munro, or Lady Munro, as she was so affectionately known around the Legislature. With 23 years of service as MPP of Durham–York, York North and, finally, York–Simcoe, she is remembered as the longest-serving woman MPP and an inspiration for women in politics in this province and beyond.

After working as a history teacher in Markham and Newmarket for 24 years, Lady Munro made the bold choice to run for office in 1995, when she won with an impressive margin. Among her many roles, Lady Munro worked as a parliamentary assistant to Premier Mike Harris, deputy opposition House leader, and deputy House Speaker. The work she did during her time as an MPP was pivotal, and she went on to introduce six bills in the Legislature before her retirement from politics in 2018.

Each year, on June 15, we continue to honour Lady Munro on Magna Carta Day, as was mentioned before, through the Magna Carta Day Act (In Memory of Julia Munro, MPP), which remembers the document King John affixed in 1215 that introduced key principles that hold true in democratic societies today, including equal justice for everyone, freedom from unlawful detention, the right to a trial by jury, and rights for women.

Lady Munro was known for her passion for animals in her personal and professional life. As an animal lover myself, I’m grateful for the important work Lady Munro did to protect the well-being of our furry friends. Her bill, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act, 2001, helped to ban puppy and kitten mills and prevent the inhumane treatment of animals. Our pets become a part of our family, and Lady Munro’s work has helped to protect them, as they so deserve.

Lady Munro was truly a trailblazer for women politicians in this province. At a time when it wasn’t a given for us to have a seat at the table, she got involved. As a mother and wife myself, I know first-hand how difficult it can be to step up and pursue a path in politics. She sacrificed time with her family to advocate for her community and make meaningful change, which we can still see the effects of to this day.

Women and girls in this province can look to Lady Munro as an inspiration and to see that, yes, you can and you should have a voice in politics. Across party lines, having women in the Legislature is crucial to creating an equitable and equal political landscape in this province, and Lady Munro was a shining example of this.

I’d like to leave you with the quote that was mentioned before—I can’t believe she had this on her licence plate; I think it’s amazing: “Democracy: Don’t waste it.”

Ontarians are lucky to have had her serve as a representative.

I am proud to continue her legacy as a woman in this Legislature, and I so strongly respect the work she did during her long service as an MPP.

May she continue to rest in peace.

Applause.

The member for Beaches–East York.

Orders of the day? I recognize the government House leader.

The House recessed from 0921 to 1015.

My riding of Thornhill is filled with hard-working, innovative self-starters. I talked about them a bit in my maiden speech yesterday. And on the topic of hard work, I want to pay special tribute to the many hard-working people with small businesses within Thornhill who came here with very little and created something from nothing.

With that being said, I would like to show praise to a local business in our riding known as Yosef Mokir Shabbos, owned by a man named Moshe Wolfson, whose journey originates in Israel. He came to Canada not so long ago in hopes of a better life for himself and his family. This new takeout business offers a huge selection of fish and prepared food, with more than 40 types of salads, dips and meals that will help our busy families put food on the table. And I forgot to mention, Mr. Speaker: The food is completely kosher—very delicious.

The name of his storefront, Yosef Mokir Shabbos, comes from Jewish folklore. The story presents itself with a poor man who buys a fish, only to discover a diamond within that fish. He uses this to feed his family and provide for a future. This is exactly what Moshe did, a newcomer in 2017 with little to nothing. Then he opened a takeout restaurant amid the pandemic, employed individuals and serviced our community, leading him to open a second store just a few weeks ago. He continues to be an inspiration not only for myself, but the rest of the innovative and hard-working community that resides in Thornhill—just one Thornhill success story depicting solid determination and starting from something that was nothing, and then growing into something more and then something more.

I will continue to work hard for the people of my community, Mr. Speaker, cutting red tape for businesses and building for a stronger Thornhill and Ontario.

I’m honoured today to rise to pay tribute to the late MPP Julia Munro, known affectionately as Lady Munro. As a respected educator and exemplary MPP from 1995 to 2018—an incredible 23 years; the longest-serving woman MPP in Ontario’s history. She was a trailblazer and a fierce advocate for her constituents and her students.

Mrs. Munro was known for having friends on both sides of the aisle. It wasn’t until yesterday, when I was going through Hansard, that I stumbled upon a tribute she actually paid to me, for the role I played in advocating for the Waste-Free Ontario Act in 2016. But that’s the type of person Julia was—somebody willing to work across party lines and share the spotlight with others to put people first.

I first met Julia in the early 2000s, when I was working with the Holland Marsh Growers’ Association to promote local food and farmers, and I can tell you, she was a fierce advocate to support and nurture local food sources and the farmers that grow that food. As a hobby farmer and gardener, Lady Munro knew the value and the importance of nurturing those local food sources.

As a staunch supporter of democracy, rural communities, small businesses and especially animals, Ms. Munro was an exemplary political model for so many people, including myself.

Speaker, I want to leave us with her commitment to democracy. Now, more than ever, that legacy of her commitment to democracy is needed in our world, and we will be forever grateful for the work that she did in this House for our province.

And so to her family who’s watching, I want to thank you for sharing Lady Munro with us. May she rest in peace.

Applause.

No further business.

I am honoured to recognize the successful inaugural season of our local Scarborough Shooting Stars, the eighth franchise within the Canadian Elite Basketball League. The Shooting Stars completed their debut season this summer, playing their home game at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre right here in my riding of Scarborough–Rouge Park. I’m so proud that they made it to a nail-biting championship this year. They fought hard to the end, coming just short to the Hamilton Honey Badgers. We were proud to have celebrities such as Drake and J. Cole rooting on our team alongside residents across Scarborough.

The Shooting Stars are uniting residents across Scarborough to catch a game and to root on our local team. They are also inspiring youth across my riding to get involved in sport, focusing on the amazing values of leadership, teamwork and discipline. This is having a real contribution within our community and is certainly bringing positive energy into Scarborough.

I’m looking forward to watching this team and their fan base behind it grow as we prepare for many seasons to come. I am sure this championship for Shooting Stars is right around the corner.

This past Saturday, I met with members of the Brant Curling Club to celebrate two grants from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, totalling just under $549,000, at their first annual fundraising golf tournament dinner. These grants were used to install new refrigeration equipment and insulate and clad the exterior of the ice shed. This will not only extend the life of the facility but also save thousands of dollars in energy costs annually and also help them remain viable and recover during the pandemic.

Pre-Confederation Scottish newcomers wanted to help alleviate the long Ontario winters with some kind of sporting activity and wondered if curling might be the way to do so. Well, they were right.

The Brant Curling Club is used by a variety of community organizations for meetings, celebrations, team-building events and fundraisers.

At one level, there appears to be little in common between the curling that came to Upper Canada in 1759 and today’s game. Then it was irons; now it’s granites. Then it was outdoors on natural ice; now it is indoors on artificial ice. But one thing that remains is the warmth and camaraderie that still exists, embodied in the Brant Curling Club’s tag line, “Where Friends Meet.”

I would like to give a big thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation. These grants will allow the Brant Curling Club to purchase state-of-the-art ice-making equipment, improve the appearance of the building, accommodate gatherings and serve our community better while maintaining their viability during the pandemic.

What can you do with an empty lot? A lot of people think nothing. But in Sudbury, the Five Cent City believes in making connections through community. So once a year, they take over a 40-by-80 parking lot and they bring the community together.

From the outside, it looks like a basketball event, because they have free-throw contests, they have three-on-three contests, they have slam-dunk contests. But in between, they talk about mental health. They talk about addictions. They talk about struggle and support. They talk about lived experience. They provide free haircuts. They have pizza and snacks, music and fun. And that’s what they can do with nothing. Can you imagine what we could do if mental health and addictions were properly funded across the province?

Tomorrow is International Overdose Awareness Day. Northern Ontario remains the hardest-hit. Thunder Bay district has the highest rate of overdose deaths in the province, more than four times the provincial average. Sudbury district has the second-highest opioid death rate, and northern Ontario’s mortality rate has more than doubled and we do not have enough help.

Tomorrow is international overdose day, and I’ve heard the Minister of Health is going to be in Sudbury. I am hopeful she is there to announce funding for Sudbury’s supervised consumption site, and I’m hopeful that she continues to announce funding across the province, particularly in northern Ontario. Because in the Five Cent City, we’re tired of saying, “Thanks for nothing.”

Last week, on the 31st Independence Day of Ukraine, I was honoured to join the Premier, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, and the Ukrainian ambassador, Yuliya Kovaliv, at the Lighthouse Artspace in Toronto for a special preview of the incredible new exhibit titled Ukraine: Land of the Brave, which will soon open as part of the Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival, from September 15 to 18. I want to encourage all members to visit. Proceeds will support the purchase of medical and evacuation vehicles in Ukraine.

I want to thank the Mississauga companies, like Musket Transport and Cyclone Manufacturing, that have worked together to send humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

I also want to thank Ontarians, including many in my own community, who have welcomed Ukrainian refugees into their homes and into their communities—over 25,000 in the last six months. While I can’t name all of them here, I do want to thank the Sheridan Park Family Church for helping to collect donations of food, clothing and other supplies for refugee families now staying in local hotels. They will join a vibrant Ukrainian Canadian community in Mississauga that has an incredible, positive impact on Ontario—from athletes, like the Toronto Maple Leafs legend Johnny Bower to entrepreneurs like Igor Antonoff, a long-time resident of Port Credit. Ontarians will always welcome refugees, and our government will always ensure they have access to the resources and services they need.

Once again, happy independence day. Slava Ukraini.

It’s an honour rise in the Legislature today to share the great news of another important investment in Sarnia–Lambton by this government of Ontario.

Sarnia–Lambton’s Lambton College has developed an international reputation as one of the best applied research post-secondary institutions anywhere in Canada. Last Friday, on behalf of the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, I had the honour of announcing that the government of Ontario will be supporting another important research project at Lambton College by investing nearly $600,000 in the Lambton Water Centre research project at the college.

Water is such a vital resource for everything we do in Ontario. As a province, we are blessed with access to an abundance of fresh water. And because of that, the Lambton Water Centre at Lambton College has been leading research into how companies of all sizes can develop, improve, optimize and enhance our water-related technologies. This large investment by the government of Ontario in Lambton College will be used to support research operations, including equipping college facilities with the latest technology, and supporting researchers to attract and retain the top research talent.

This is great news from the government of Ontario. By supporting groundbreaking research at Lambton College, our government is helping to advance new discoveries and innovation, and foster new business and career opportunities in Lambton county.

I might also add, I had the opportunity and the privilege Sunday last to introduce the Solicitor General, Michael Kerzner, to the Lambton College Fire School, another renowned facility in Lambton county as well.

Thank you again, Mr. Speaker, for the time.

This is my first member’s statement in the House, and I want to recognize that August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day.

People use drugs, and this has been true throughout all of human history. But drug use should never be a death sentence. I’m worried that this government hasn’t acted because those who use drugs are oftentimes, and largely disproportionately, Black, Indigenous, racialized, trans, sex workers and people living with mental illness and/or disabilities.

Speaker, drug users’ lives do matter. Overdoses don’t exclusively happen to other people’s families. If stigma has not already taken the life of someone you know, mark my word, it will soon.

We know the solutions to preventing overdose deaths include decriminalizing drugs; making drug supply available freely and a guarantee of free supply with available testing; and funding affordable and supportive housing and supportive beds for those seeking treatment.

As I close my remarks, I especially want to acknowledge the workers and organizations leading change on the front lines, especially those in Toronto Centre and beyond. There are too many to name in the time I have. But to those on the front line, you have all been to too many funerals. And when things finally change—and they will—it will be because of the difficult and life-transforming work you are doing today.

Good morning, Mr. Speaker. I am always proud to rise in this beautiful chamber to speak about Beaches–East York.

I recently attended a picnic organized by Pegasus Community Project. After a two-year hiatus, it was a great chance to reconnect. For those who don’t know this organization, Pegasus is a grassroots group founded in 1994 by Marie Perrotta, along with a small group of women, to help adults with developmental disabilities who were finishing school and had few options for continuing to learn and to adopt adult roles in their community.

Along with its daily programs, Pegasus boasts its annual inspirational film festival, a yearly fashion show and the Pegasus Shoppe, a social enterprise community thrift shop with proceeds that directly support the Pegasus project and employ present Pegasus participants. Mr. Speaker, it’s an incredible space.

Pegasus is evolving to meet the needs of aging participants experiencing difficult challenges. Opportunities to expand programming depend on funding from every level of government as well as private sponsorship. Unfortunately, two of the organization’s beloved members passed away earlier this year, and a memorial fund for Gavin Moore Burns has been set up specifically to fund programs for aging participants.

One of my critic roles is that of seniors and accessibility, with the goal of helping both seniors and people with disabilities stay independent, active and socially connected. Support must include all members of our population.

We’ve seen critical cuts to health care, a decline in autism services, mental health supports diminish, and support for important organizations like Pegasus become a rare find. We have an obligation to make sure that they and others are able to survive and thrive.

I’d like to introduce Christopher Dopking. He’s the principal of Emmanuel Christian school in Madoc, Ontario, from my riding. Welcome.

The spirit of Uganda is in this House today, I’m excited to tell you, Speaker. The Kamengo Cultural Troupe arrived just moments ago. They are Chris Mutebi, Brian Muluuta, Pauline Nakamanya, Sharif Ssenkumba, Deo Kakande and their incredible manager, Jimmy Sebulime. In honour of Emancipation Month, they’re going to be performing in rooms 228 and 230 after question period. I invite all members to come.

Speaker, I want to thank you personally for your help and the help of the assembly protocol for helping our friends get here.

Happy Emancipation Month, everybody.

Mr. Speaker, the only ones saying no, really, are the opposition. We are saying yes to improving the health care system. We’ve been doing that since day one.

It’s about building an integrated system. That’s why we started with Ontario health teams. We’ve grown the system. We’ve added new nurses. We’ve added 58,000 new and upgraded long-term-care beds, 27,000 additional health care workers in long-term care alone. We’re adding new medical schools in Toronto. We’re expanding in Brampton and, of course, in Durham, Speaker.

But ultimately, what Bill 7 is about, and what the opposition refuses to acknowledge, is that when somebody is being discharged from a hospital, somebody who is already on the long-term-care wait-list—these are people who want to be in a long-term-care home—experts, doctors and medical professionals all will agree that the best place for somebody to get that care is in a long-term-care home. I’m going to continue, as all of us will on this side and Conservatives on that side of the House, to fight for those seniors who want to be in long-term care and who want better care.

It gives me great pleasure to recognize a significant anniversary coming up in two weeks for one of Canada’s oldest and storied regiments in the Canadian Armed Forces. Durham region’s own Ontario Regiment will celebrate its 156th anniversary on September 14, 2022, making Oshawa’s regiment among the oldest continuously serving reserve militia units in Canada and one of the most senior armoured regiments in the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps.

Having first originated in 1866 in Whitby, Ontario, as the 34th Ontario Battalion of Infantry then redesigned as the Ontario Regiment in 1900, the Ont Rs or “black cats” have heroically served Canadians and citizens of the world through various military campaigns.

The unit fought with distinction in several theatres during World War II, beginning with the Allied Invasion of Sicily in July 1943 through to the Italian campaign of the war, seeing action in the fierce Liri Valley and on to Ortona. Most notably, in 1945 the unit entered the northwest European theatre, where it fought with distinction in the Dutch campaign, winning honours at Arnhem.

Along with many battle honours, a significant number of the regiment’s soldiers have volunteered for active duty with NATO in Germany, United Nations missions in Cyprus and Bosnia, the Golan Heights, Cambodia, the former Yugoslavia and, most recently, the NATO-led engagement in Afghanistan.

I’m proud to offer congratulations to the unit’s Honorary Colonel Robert Chapman; Honorary Lieutenant Colonel Nancy Shaw; incoming Commanding Officer of the Ont Rs, Lieutenant Colonel Christian Caron; the officers and soldiers.

Faithful and Prepared—Fidelis et Paratus.

To the Premier: Yesterday, the government confirmed that they would be saying no to the front-line workers and families who say Bill 7 will be devastating for them.

Forcing seniors to pay steep fees and move hundreds of kilometres away from loved ones is not a solution to our health care crisis.

Will the government do the right thing, pull Bill 7, and start listening to the front-line workers and families who can give us the real solutions to the health care crisis?