This year marks the 60th anniversary of my union, USW Local 6500.

I often credit the training support and opportunities I had as a steelworker with my success as a parliamentarian. In fact, during my inaugural speech in 2018, I said, “This world is thirsty for leadership, and my union gave me the training and opportunities to become a leader. They celebrated with me when I was successful and they supported me when I was struggling. I would not be here today if it weren’t for the Steelworkers. I wouldn’t be in this House, in this chair or in the position I have with my family.”

As well, I often say that Steelworkers make great leaders. That’s not only a reflection of Local 6500’s ongoing commitment to the community, but of the fact that my local, Local 6500, has produced three district 6 directors, a Canadian national director, and an international president.

Closer to home, Local 6500 has always taken a leadership role. Our union members sit on boards, and they help raise funds for local charities. We develop excellent stewards and committee members, and effective occupational safety, health and environment reps.

Because of Local 6500, Sudbury no longer looks like a moonscape. Our members perform safety investigations and coroner’s inquests. We negotiate fair contracts and represent our members at grievances and arbitrations. The list goes on and on—from children’s Christmas parties to mental health and addictions, to retiree support with WSIB.

For the past 60 years, USW Local 6500 has been a shining example of the iconic phrase, “The union makes us strong.”

Happy anniversary to Local 6500.

My question is for the Minister of Education. I’ll get the page to pass over these CUPE education support workers forms to him as well.

Students deserve an ECE in every classroom.

Parents need an EA for every student who needs personal care to attend school.

People across Ontario depend on custodians and cleaners to protect the health of our children.

Instead of money for ECEs in every classroom or additional funds for EAs, the government passes the burden to parents to hunt down scarce private resources.

Why doesn’t the Conservative government think that it’s worth properly investing in the people and the public school supports that parents already have available in our schools to help their children catch up and be successful?

Sean and Julia are the parents of two children with autism in my riding. They reached out to my office to express how much our education support workers mean to them and to their children:

“These workers keep June and Chaz safe. They help them to learn and be successful and happy at school each and every day.

“More support workers are needed to help support kids like ours to integrate into mainstream classes. When schools don’t have the staff, parents like us have to pay ABA staff out of pocket or our kids can’t go to mainstream class to work on integration.

“When your family relies on education support workers for the well-being and safety of your child and this government creates conditions that drive them from the profession it’s really scary.

“These workers are truly essential.”

This is not about money. This is about knowing that the workers that children get to know, workers that parents trust and depend on, will not only be here for their kids today but will continue to be there for the kids in the future.

My question is, when will the Premier admit that wanting kids with exceptional needs to have support for the entire school day—not just a fraction of the day—is not about money but it’s about kids?

Interjections.

The minister says there have been 2,246 lost days since 1988, but in terms of school years, that’s 11 and a half years—

Interjections.

The minister has been saying there have been 2,246 lost days since 1988; in terms of school years, that would be 11 and a half years. Nobody is buying the spin.

People are tired of the minister’s games. Parents saw through what the Conservatives did last time.

My question is, when will the Conservative government take the time and energy they waste on spin and just sit down and negotiate a fair deal that will put education support workers in every class and keep them there?