Thank you to the member opposite for the question. In fact, we are doing a lot of the things that you mentioned, including investing in centralized wait-lists. The Your Health plan, which was announced earlier this year, has some of those very things in it, including the centralized wait-lists.

Ontario leads the country in how many people actually benefit from a long-term, stable relationship with a family doctor or primary care provider—over 90% of Ontarians. But we can do more and we will do more.

That’s why we’re increasing training opportunities at the same time by expanding team models of primary care across the province, which we announced, again, in the Your Health plan. Work is under way to train the next generation. We’re adding physician spots, including 450 new spots for physician training, 52 new spots for physician assistants, 150 new nurse practitioner spots, 1,500 additional nursing spots and 24,000 PSW spots. By adding these new health human resources to Ontario’s workforce, more team-based care will be made available to Ontarians.

My question is to the Premier. Kerrie and Daniel, who are here today, are owners of a newly built condo at 1 Yorkville Avenue. Since moving in, they’ve faced a whole host of problems—faulty equipment causing false fire alarms, amenities that were promised that have still not been built. Their home is still a construction zone.

Now, Kerrie has complained to her property manager, her condo board and government regulatory agencies, but no one is helping her and the problem remains.

A report written by the public accounts committee gives us a road map for what we need to do to give condo residents the protections they need, and this government signed off on that report as well. To ensure condo residents live in safe and well-maintained homes, when will this government turn this report’s recommendations into law?

Thank you to the good member from Thornhill for the question.

Our government has been working closely with sector partners, youth with lived experience, and advocates to inform a redesign of Ontario’s child welfare system.

To protect youth during the pandemic, we introduced a moratorium on youth leaving care as they normally would. We took that opportunity to re-examine how youth leaving care were supported and committed to improving that process.

With the Premier’s leadership, we’re taking action to enhance the system so that youth are supported. The Ready, Set, Go program, launching on April 1, 2023, will provide youth transitioning out of care with life skills and supports they need to pursue post-secondary education, skilled trades training and employment opportunities.

This will come with continuing funding to support their needs. Those pursuing a post-secondary program or training in skilled trades and apprenticeships will receive further support.

Thank you to the member opposite for the question. The Ontario Fertility Program provides publicly funded in vitro fertilization and artificial insemination, including intrauterine insemination and fertility preservation, for eligible patients and as an uninsured service through agreements with participating fertility clinics across the province. Under the program, the government contributes to the funding of unlimited cycles of artificial insemination, including intrauterine insemination and fertility preservation, and one cycle of IVF per patient.

Recently, last fall, we announced a new fertility clinic opening up in Windsor, to be able to provide fertility treatments in that part of the province, with an annualized funding of $1.5 million. What we’re doing is trying to bring services closer to patients, and that’s an example of it.

We know that many other provinces across Canada are facing pressures with health human resources, but our government has been taking steps for a long time to make sure that we have new and upskilled health care providers, including 8,000 more upskilled personal support workers and 5,000 more upskilled nurses.

This government is doing everything it can to ensure that the services are there when people need them and where they need them, and we’ll continue to make those investments.

My question is to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Our government must take action to support children and youth in the welfare system. Children and youth in the system face additional barriers throughout their lives. They are more likely to experience traumatic events such as homelessness, mental health concerns, unemployment, lack of education, and involvement in the justice system. Every day that passes, as these children get older, it becomes more and more challenging for them to move beyond the setbacks and losses that they have experienced. Governments should be helping these children, and all children, to get a good start so they can lead fulfilled, supported and happy lives.

Mr. Speaker, can the minister please elaborate on what our government is doing to help these children and youth achieve better lives?

We know that having a strong support system from a very young age helps children and youth obtain the practical life skills they need to lead successful lives. It’s imperative that youth in care receive access to the same opportunities as their peers by providing them with support for education and skills training.

It is reassuring that the objectives of the Ready, Set, Go program are designed specifically to provide concrete knowledge and skills development for these young people. Can the minister please explain how this program will help provide children and youth with the tools they need?

In a few weeks, one of Canada’s first fertility clinics is closing its doors after 50 years of helping families grow. The fertility clinic at London Health Sciences Centre has helped bring more than 4,500 babies into the world since opening in 1972. These services are shifting to a private clinic, Omega, due to a lack of funding.

Speaker, what does this government have to say to the thousands of families who depended on this vital public service?

What we need right now is action to address the hospital crisis and a plan to recruit, retain and return health care workers in our public hospitals, not further privatization. Why does this government want Ontarians to settle for less when it comes to creating their families?

The supplementary question.

Thank you to the member for the question.

We have record numbers of students who are entering the nursing profession, and we are ensuring that we have more nurses as we move forward with our plans, and this is in no part due to the NDP and Liberals, who do not support us every step of the way. We continue to make investments in registered nurses, registered practical nurses, PSWs. Every time, the opposition votes against those measures.

We are allowing our colleges and universities to now offer stand-alone nursing programs across the province, and this will ensure that nursing students can practise in their areas and continue to be professionals in those areas. As part of Bill 60, we’re hiring more health human resources, but we’ve also expanded the Learn and Stay program that is now not only there for nursing students but also for lab techs and paramedics, and this is in exchange—free tuition—to continue practising in those areas after graduation.

We will ensure that more students are entering the profession as we continue to build Ontario’s world-class health care system.

Last week, our government introduced the Your Health Act, 2023, which outlines our plan to provide Ontarians with a better, more convenient health care experience closer to home. If passed, our plan will reduce wait times, recognize credentials of out-of-province health care workers and respond directly to the changing needs of our health care system.

As part of this plan, we are working to hire more health care workers. That starts with ensuring that the next generation of those workers have access to high-quality, high-calibre education right here in Ontario. This includes moving forward with the largest medical school expansion in more than a decade and adding thousands more nursing spots and schools across the province. Unlike previous governments, we are getting it done for the people of Ontario.

My question is for the Minister of Colleges and Universities.

Mr. Speaker, we need to continue to strengthen the health care workforce in our province. After years of neglect and inaction from the previous Liberal government, access to health care in rural communities suffered. The people in my riding of Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound were negatively impacted when it came to ensuring that we have the same level of access to health care compared to major cities. We must educate more health care workers across our province now, to ensure no region is left behind. Together, let’s build a health care system that better cares for our communities and keeps our province strong.

Can the Minister of Colleges and Universities please elaborate on what additional measures our government is taking to strengthen our health care system?

Investing in the future of Ontario’s health care system starts with providing a high-calibre education for those who want to work on the front lines. Earlier this year we announced our expansion of the Learn and Stay grant, a key component of Ontario’s plan to stay open. I’m happy to say that the Georgian College, Owen Sound Campus is part of this program.

The grant, which we announced in March 2022 for students who enrol in nursing programs, has now expanded to include paramedic and medical laboratory technologist programs in priority communities. Eligible students will receive full, upfront funding for tuition, books and other direct educational costs in return for working and caring for people in the region where they studied for a term of service after they graduate.

Grant applications for the 2023-24 academic year opened this spring, targeting 2,500 eligible students at over 20 institutions. Right now, students can go online and see a full list of eligible schools and programs on the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant website and learn more about how they can apply.

My question is for the Premier. Hamilton Health Sciences has 270 patients waiting in hospital who cannot be discharged because they are waiting for alternative kinds of care, such as long-term or home care. This has gotten so bad that Hamilton hospitals have resorted to keeping these patients in a satellite health facility. Clearly, Bill 7 and its promise to free up bed space by sending seniors up to 70 kilometres away is not working for Hamilton.

It has been four years of empty promises from this government. Will the Premier commit to repealing Bill 7 and finally focus on providing the funding our health care system needs?

These problems are getting worse, not better. Why is the Premier sitting on $3.5 billion in contingency funds instead of ensuring we have a strong health care system that people can rely on?

My question is for the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. First of all, thank you for your visit to my riding on Friday and meeting with some of the town seniors.

One of the concerns our seniors brought forward is accessibility barriers which keep them from being socially connected and affect their physical and mental well-being. Inclusive communities mean accessible communities, and they want our government to continue to champion accessibility, ensuring our province is welcoming and accommodating for everyone.

Speaker, can the minister please explain to the House how our government is ensuring that our province is accessible for everyone?

Under the previous Liberal government, the needs of seniors and people with disabilities were, unfortunately, not a priority. That is why the funding our government is providing through the Inclusive Community Grants Program is significant for supporting all Ontarians, including the people in my riding. Funding from this program will ensure that individuals will be able to remain active and connected within our community of Ajax and the Durham region.

Speaker, can the minister please elaborate on how the Inclusive Community Grants Program is helping to create a barrier-free environment for the people of my riding?

The supplementary question.

Start the clock. The next question.

Thank you to the minister for her response. Rural and remote regions have struggled for many years to attract the health care professionals their communities need. That’s why our government must ensure that Ontarians, regardless of their community size, receive the required health care support. While the Learn and Stay grant is a very promising program, students and the local health care system in Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound need reassurance that they will receive the necessary support from our government as we move forward.

Can the minister please explain further about this program and how interested students can apply?

Of course I would not repeal Bill 7, because it’s actually working for the people of Ontario. It’s what we said right from the beginning: We wanted to bring a better quality of care closer to home for people, the right care in the right place at the right time.

As I have been travelling the province, I have been visiting a lot of long-term-care homes, and one unique feature in every home that I visit is people who come up to me and say, “My mom was in the hospital” or “My dad was in the hospital and we’ve transitioned into a long-term-care home. I don’t know why we waited so long to do it because the quality of care is so much better.” Just two weeks ago the same story, but this time from somebody who was a patient in a hospital, said the same thing—that the quality of life that she has is so much better. She’s made friends. She’s out and about more. She has seen a real change in her own attitude.

We’re going to continue to do more. How the member could help is by voting in favour and supporting some of the investments that we’re making in long-term care. We’ve added 58,000 beds, many in her own riding, but she’s voted against all of those investments. Hopefully, she will see differently in future.

When it comes to ALC, Speaker, here are the numbers: We’ve helped place over 5,400 ALC patients into long-term care. Over 4,800 ALC patients—have added more long-term-care beds. We have added over 2,100 beds to the long-term-care system. These are beds that have been taken out of circulation for isolation for COVID.

But let’s hear what people are saying. The CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital: “Every bed is a valuable bed, and as I said, when dealing with three viruses, had we not done this we would have been in a crisis.”

Let’s look at what the member for Nickel Belt, France Gélinas, said: “Alternate level of care. It’s a fancy word that means that you really would like ... to be supported someplace else, but you have no choice but to stay at the hospital.” I completely agree with her. That’s why we brought it on.

Catherine Fife, the member for Waterloo: “These are patients who should not be in a hospital. They should be in long-term care or in retirement or assisted living options.” I agree with her and that’s why we’re making these investments.

Interjections.

Thank you to the member for asking such an important question. The member from Ajax is doing a marvellous job championing accessibility for everyone.

It was my pleasure to join the MPP from Ajax to announce $15,000 in funding as part of our Inclusive Community Grants Program. Thanks to the leadership of the Premier, since 2018, we have invested over $2 million into 60 Inclusive Community Grant programs like this one, to help build inclusive and accessible communities across Ontario. This program is here to help build a better Ontario for communities across the province.

It does not matter how big or small a community is, we can all work together to build a better Ontario that is inclusive for all.

My question is to the Minister of Infrastructure. Reliable access to high-speed Internet is a necessity for all Ontarians. It keeps family and friends in touch with each other, helps us work and study, and connects Ontario businesses with customers worldwide. Connecting people in rural, remote and Indigenous communities from every part of our province to reliable high-speed Internet will help create good jobs and ensure that we build an economy that remains a world leader.

Speaker, can the Minister of Infrastructure please elaborate on what investments our government is making to ensure that the people of my riding have access to high-speed Internet service?

We know that Internet is not a luxury in this day and age; it’s a necessity. Access to fast, reliable Internet ensures that everyone is connected to vital services like health care and education, and allows everyone to participate in the digital economy.

I understand that the Ministry of Infrastructure has taken a new, modern approach to procurement—an approach that guarantees fiscal responsibility for the taxpayer of Ontario. Could the Minister of Infrastructure elaborate on what her ministry is doing to expand Internet service for all families across Ontario?

In the Thunder Bay regional hospital, because of Bill 124, the wages of people who sterilize medical equipment have fallen so far below inflation that these workers have to take on additional part-time jobs just to survive. In their words, “We sure went from heroes to zeros in a hurry.”

Will the government ensure that these workers earn a wage that reflects their important contributions to our public health care?

I would like to introduce the students from the elementary school Paul-Demers from my riding. They’re visiting Queen’s Park. Welcome to the Legislature.