Mr. Speaker, when people become victims of crime, they can face tremendous harm and trauma, which extends into all facets of their lives. These effects can persist for years and, in some instances, can have lifelong negative implications. Many victims feel isolated and will withdraw from their families, friends, work and community. Our government must stand up for victims of crime by providing them with the needed support and intervention.

Mr. Speaker, through you, could the Attorney General please share with us the importance of recognizing individuals and organizations that support people who have faced victimization due to crime?

Mr. Speaker, through you, can the Attorney General please share with the House an example of leadership demonstrated by a previous recipient of the victim services awards in support of their community?

The supplementary question.

Interjection.

Ma question est pour la ministre de la Santé.

The health minister asked for ideas from our health providers to alleviate the burdens they face. The Hearst hospital had made a proposal in March 2021 for an extra anesthesiologist. My office sent two follow-up letters for a response; I have given two letters in person to the minister.

Now the Hearst hospital is facing another crisis: They need a minimum of 10 doctors; presently they have six, and two are retiring soon.

My question: Minister, if we can’t get an answer for an extra anesthesiologist, will the minister agree today to meet with the Hearst hospital in the next two weeks to address these two crises so that we can find a solution so desperately needed for the Hearst area?

Thank you to the hard-working member from Don Valley North for the question and for his advocacy on behalf of internationally educated health care workers.

This government is breaking down long-standing barriers so that health professionals can work here in Ontario, no matter where they come from. These changes will finally bring more internationally educated health care workers into our health care system faster, helping to care for Ontarians when they need it. So far this year, through our Supervised Practice Experience Partnership program, over 900 internationally educated nurses have been matched with hospitals, and in total the college of nurses has registered 5,848 internationally educated nurses.

Working in partnership with the College of Nurses of Ontario and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, these changes will support our record-breaking, historic recruitment plan and make it easier and faster for health care professionals to be trained in Ontario.

The important changes that will come into effect immediately include allowing internationally educated nurses to register in a temporary class and begin working sooner while they work toward full registration; making it easier for non-practising or retired nurses to return to the field by introducing flexibility to the requirement that they need to have practised nursing within a certain period of time before applying for reinstatement; and creating a new temporary independent-practice registration class for physicians from other provinces and territories, making it easier for them to work up to 90 days in Ontario.

Additionally, even more changes will come into effect on January 1, including requiring health regulatory colleges to comply with time limits to make registration decisions, prohibiting health regulatory colleges from requiring Canadian work experience for the purpose of registration, and accepting language tests provided under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to reduce duplicate language-proficiency testing for immigrants who want to practise here.

Together, these changes are going to help make sure we have the health care workers we need in Ontario.

I haven’t seen the letters you referred to, and I can’t speak to the minister’s schedule, but our government does understand the unique health care challenges in the north. We’re committed to ensuring that everyone in Ontario has access to the health care that they need.

While physician supply across Ontario is projected to consistently exceed population growth—leading to an average annual net increase of approximately 581 physicians each year until 2029—we know that there are still some northern communities that have trouble recruiting and retaining doctors, which is why our government is investing in initiatives to help improve access to physician services across the north.

This includes, for example, $32 million this year for residents’ salaries and benefits, medical education and training, allied health professionals and remote First Nations family residency programs at the northern Ontario medical school.

We’ll continue working to make sure everyone in Ontario has the health care that they need.

My question is to the Premier.

The government can’t ignore our health care crisis any longer.

In Niagara, only 17% of patients are receiving MRIs within the provincial target times. The average wait time in Niagara is 164 days. A constituent in my community has informed my office that their 90-year-old mother, Joyce, who requires an MRI for severe back issues, will have to wait until August 2023. The Niagara community rallied to raise funds for another MRI machine. Niagara Health received funding to run the Niagara MRI machines. So why is this happening? We know that Niagara has not been spared from the provincial health care staffing crisis.

When will the Premier work with Niagara Health, address our health care staffing issues in this province, reduce our outrageous MRI wait times, repeal Bill 124—

Let’s go back in time a little bit. Many will remember in 2011 what happened. The NDP supported the Liberal government for three years. If they really believed that they needed to support disability, let me ask you this, Mr. Speaker—let me ask all of Ontario this question: Did they index ODSP payments to inflation? No, they did not, when they had an opportunity to do that.

This is a government that is acting. That is why we increased the ODSP payments by 5%. It’s why for the first time since the program was set up over 20 years ago that it’s getting indexed to inflation. That’s why we increased the earning exemption for the hard-working people of Ontario.

Interjections.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted gaps in our health care system caused by the neglect and indifference of the previous Liberal government. We cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past. We must ensure that people in our province can access the health care services they need when they need them.

We know that internationally educated nurses in every community are eager to work, but have expressed concern over the lengthy registration process. Can the Minister of Health update this House on what our government is doing to make it easier for internationally educated nurses to work here in Ontario?

It is great to hear that changes are being made to have internationally educated nurses work in Ontario much sooner, but as a government, we must do more.

Speaker, retired nurses in my riding of Don Valley North want to return to work and assist those in need once again, but unfortunately, they have faced barriers in applying for reinstatement. Our government must act now to find a solution to bring these nurses and others with medical expertise back into practice.

Speaker, can the minister provide more details on what else our government is doing to expand our health care workforce?

Question?

Yes, that statement did, in fact, cross the line in terms of making reference to the absence of a member. Again, I don’t know why I have to keep explaining this. It’s in all of our interests not to do that. Let’s not do it again.

Interjections.

Start the clock.

The member for Toronto Centre has the floor.

—and at least ensure Joyce can get an MRI in a reasonable time frame and not have to wait until August—

Thank you to the member opposite for the question.

Our government has got a record investment in recruitment, retaining and training new health care providers, and we’re making sure we have health care providers all across the system.

The College of Nurses of Ontario has reported that in the first eight months of this year they registered 12,800 nurses. That is a record. So our changes and our investments are having an effect.

I understand that nobody likes to wait for diagnostic imaging, and diagnostic imaging has caught up—our surgical backlog. We’ve had the diagnostic imaging actually exceeding targets that existed before—although there may be one reason why this individual is waiting. I understand that Niagara has just gotten a new MRI machine. So I hope she gets her MRI very shortly.

On March 28, 2022, a three-year physician services agreement was ratified by the Ontario Medical Association and its members. It’s a true milestone, as it is the first time that a deal has been reached in over a decade without an arbitrator. Under the new virtual care framework, the ministry and the OMA are implementing a new pricing structure for virtual care—something which didn’t really exist before the pandemic—that ensures that patients are receiving services through the avenue that best reflects a patient-physician relationship, video versus telephone.

We want to be clear: All medically necessary virtual care services, including initial patient visits by telephone, will continue to be insured under OHIP. Patients will continue to have access to clinically appropriate virtual care where virtual care is the appropriate service, like in rural and remote mental health services. We’re going to make sure that Ontarians get the care they need, and we’re making virtual care permanent for the first time ever.

This government wants to make sure that every Ontarian has the health care they need and deserve. Ontario funds team-based care, such as community centres and family health teams, to improve access to primary care for vulnerable populations and trans populations. Many primary care teams run primary care programs as part of their LGBTQ+ services, or specific clinics for trans populations, providing interdisciplinary primary care services, including mental health services, for their clients.

In addition to the many groups that provide services to the trans community, there are two specific family health teams that have dedicated trans programs: the Couchiching Family Health Team for trans health services, and the Queen Square Family Health Team in Brampton for trans health/gender health in the community. There is also the Sherbourne community health centre, which provides guidance and resources that could be used by all primary care providers when caring for transgender individuals.

Ontario also funds over 500 community-based mental health and addictions providers across the province. These are services targeted to LGBTQ+ and available through many of the agencies free of charge.

My question is to the Premier. I know that he has arrived, so his timing is perfect. Because—

Interjections.

Because of the changes to billing that are coming under the physician services act that will come into effect on December 1, 2022, physicians like those who are actually practising at virtual-only care clinics such as Connect-Clinic will have to stop delivering gender-affirming care. Gender-affirming care, as many will know, is life-saving care—care that Connect-Clinic’s 1,500 patients, as well as 2,000 wait-listed patients, will then lose access to by the end of this month. Many of those patients live in rural communities. They are without access to a family doctor. Many of them are actually reliant on virtual care; it’s the only access to care that they have.

Will the government commit to an alternative funding plan in order to meet the needs of trans and gender-diverse people in Ontario?

My second question is to the Premier. The patients waiting for gender-affirming care want a concrete answer; they’re hoping to have it today. Yesterday, I tabled a private member’s bill, Gender Affirming Health Care Advisory Committee Act. This House, on numerous occasions, and previous governments, have actually created working groups, advisory committees, round tables to inform the government on their work. It actually helps them build better programs and services and legislation for the people of Ontario. Will this government support that bill? Will this government stand for the trans and gender-diverse community? November 20 is the Trans Day of Remembrance. It’s coming up. Many of the members will be attending those events. Will you be able to pass this bill today?

Je tiens à remercier le député de Glengarry–Prescott–Russell pour cette question importante, et j’ai hâte de travailler avec lui, de faire rayonner la francophonie ontarienne de son comté et, aussi, partout en Ontario.

Je tiens aussi à féliciter la Ferme Avicole Laviolette, lauréate de ce prix. Avec un personnel 100 % bilingue et des produits de qualité, cette entreprise témoigne de la qualité de l’entrepreneuriat franco-ontarien et de son rôle de moteur de croissance pour la francophonie.

Le Prix du commerce Ontario-Québec en francophonie est une manière de récompenser l’excellence et l’innovation de nos entreprises francophones.

La promotion du commerce interprovincial et l’innovation sont au coeur des efforts de coopération de nos deux gouvernements, et ce prix fait rayonner les entreprises qui mettent l’atout francophone au coeur de leurs stratégies d’exportation et de développement.

Les entreprises lauréates de cette deuxième édition du Prix du commerce Ontario-Québec en francophonie nous rappellent l’excellence de l’entrepreneuriat francophone. En desservant une clientèle ontarienne et québécoise, ce prix contribue à renforcer les liens d’affaires entre nos deux provinces.

Les entrepreneurs et entreprises francophones contribuent à la prospérité de l’Ontario, et je rappelle que notre gouvernement considère que la francophonie est un atout économique essentiel.

Ma question est pour la ministre des Affaires francophones. La COVID-19 a eu un impact important sur l’économie de l’Ontario et du Québec, qui représentent ensemble plus de la moitié du PIB total du Canada. C’est pourquoi il est impératif de créer de solides réseaux commerciaux internes pour soutenir les efforts de reprise économique.

Pas plus tard que mardi, les lauréats du Prix du commerce Ontario-Québec en francophonie ont été annoncés. Je suis fier d’apprendre que la Ferme Avicole Laviolette, située dans ma circonscription de Glengarry–Prescott–Russell, est lauréate de ce prix.

Monsieur le Président, la ministre des Affaires francophones peut-elle nous en dire un peu plus à propos de la deuxième édition du prix et son importance pour encourager le commerce interprovincial?

Je suis heureux d’entendre parler d’initiatives qui contribuent à promouvoir l’entrepreneuriat francophone. Dans ma circonscription de Glengarry–Prescott–Russell, nous avons une communauté franco-ontarienne dynamique qui contribue à notre économie locale. Nous, en tant que gouvernement, devons promouvoir ces entreprises et veiller à ce qu’elles demeurent prospères.

Monsieur le Président, est-ce que l’adjointe parlementaire à la ministre des Affaires francophones peut nous en dire davantage sur ce prix, ainsi que sur l’immense valeur de la francophonie comme avantage économique?

Thank you, Speaker. I’m just rising on standing order 59 to lay out the business for the coming week.

On Monday, November 21, in the afternoon: opposition day number 3 and, further into the afternoon, Bill 39, the Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022.

On Tuesday morning, November 22, we will continue on with Bill 39. In the afternoon, there will be tributes to deceased members of provincial Parliament. In the evening, we will be dealing with Bill 15, standing in the name of the member for Oshawa.

On Wednesday, November 23, in the morning, we’ll continue with Bill 23. In the afternoon, we will again continue with Bill 23. In the evening, we will deal with the motion for Bill 24, standing in the name of the member for Nickel Belt.

On Thursday, we’ll continue with Bill 23 again. And before question period, I will note that we will observe a moment of silence for the Trans Day of Remembrance, in accordance with the legislation that was passed in a previous Parliament. In the afternoon, we will deal with Bill 23, and in the evening we will deal with Bill 4, standing in the name of the member for London West.

I’m seeking unanimous consent that, notwithstanding standing order 74(b), the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy be authorized to conduct public hearings on Bill 23, An Act to amend various statutes, to revoke various regulations and to enact the Supporting Growth and Housing in York and Durham Regions Act, 2022, this afternoon.

Deferred vote on the motion that the question now be put on the motion for second reading of the following bill:

Bill 36, An Act to implement Budget measures and to enact and amend various statutes / Projet de loi 36, Loi visant à mettre en oeuvre les mesures budgétaires et à édicter et à modifier diverses lois.

That concludes our question period for this morning.

That the bill should be ordered for third reading; and

That the order for third reading shall be immediately called and the Speaker shall immediately put the question on the motion for third reading without debate or amendment. Agreed? I heard some noes.

The division bells rang from 1146 to 1151.

On November 15, 2022, Mr. Bethlenfalvy moved second reading of Bill 36, An Act to implement Budget measures and to enact and amend various statutes.

On November 16, 2022, Ms. Fullerton moved that the question be now put.

All those in favour of Ms. Fullerton’s motion, please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Mr. Bethlenfalvy has moved second reading of Bill 36, An Act to implement Budget measures and to enact and amend various statutes. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? I heard some noes.

All those in favour of the motion will please say “aye.”

All those opposed will please say “nay.”

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

Call in the members. This is a five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1155 to 1156.

All those in favour of the motion will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Second reading agreed to.

The House recessed from 1200 to 1300.

Afternoon meeting reported in volume B.

The ayes are 74; the nays are 30.

I will send it to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs.

Point of order, Speaker.

That the bill should be ordered for third reading; and

That the order for third reading shall be immediately called, and the Speaker shall immediately put the question on the motion for third reading without debate or amendment.

Point of order, Speaker: I do want to correct my record. When speaking on behalf of Helen from my riding of Scarborough–Guildwood, I said that her grandson was in grade 3. Actually, her grandson “is three grades behind. He is in grade 4. There are no EAs in the whole school!!! I am sure there are many who could use extra support. After COVID, many are behind. Many will get lost.”