I’m excited today to introduce—not only because he shares the same name as myself—Nolan Stoqua. He is here from Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry as a member of the page program. Nolan attends school with my children at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Ingleside and was just elected prime minister of the student council. I’d also like to introduce Earl McBean, who is here to support Nolan today.

I’m really excited. We have a very special guest here in the Legislature. He is the perennial host of my family Christmas, a father to three children, a wonderful brother to my mother. Please join me in welcoming my uncle Dave.

I would like to welcome Michau van Speyk and Bruce McIntosh from the Ontario Autism Coalition. Thank you for joining us.

I’d like to introduce the members from Merit Ontario who are at Queen’s Park with us today: Dan Gueguen, Gordon Sproule, Mark Rintoul, Ron Worrall, Terrance Oakey, Cam Besseling, Domenic Mattina, Steve Stecho, and Merit Ontario president and CEO Michael Gallardo. And, of course, who keeps him in line? His executive assistant, Mary Farrell. Please welcome them to Queen’s Park. Remember the reception tonight in rooms 228 and 230.

Good morning, everyone. I would also like to welcome Susy Whiskeyjack from Slate Falls First Nation. Welcome.

I rise with a heavy heart to honour and give my deepest condolences to the families of Constable Morgan Russell—or Mo, as he was known by close friends—and Constable Devon Northrup. They paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and embodied the South Simcoe values of teamwork, integrity, respect, compassion and so much more. These professionals in their field served in the emergency response unit and touched the lives of countless individuals.

I had the honour to know Constable Northrup and had an opportunity to do a ride-along with him where I learned about all his work in the mental health field. Both Constables Northrup and Russell were passionate and devoted to serving those facing mental health challenges and finding ways to better support youth in our region. Constable Russell could have retired years ago, but insisted on serving his community for many more years.

As Staff Sergeant Chalmers reminded us, the greatest contribution that we can give to these heroes in life, and their families, is to take responsibility for the youth in our community and to connect with the children and young adults in our lives—not just via text message, but a call to check in and let them know that they are loved and supported. A simple call, hug or kind word can change a day in the life of someone who is experiencing difficult times and sadness. Do not let it go unnoticed, and do not be afraid to ask for help. If we don’t change the ways that we do things, more people will get hurt.

As Madelaine, the daughter of Constable Russell, reminded us, our police officers, our first responders, our men and women in uniform who serve are not just those who serve our community but they are beloved by their beloved spouses, parents, family members and friends.

To the Northrup family, to the Russell family: I want to let you know that Constables Northrup and Russell will not be forgotten. They will remain as heroes in our hearts and throughout our community for years to come. Our government, our community and the South Simcoe police have your back.

I want to ask everyone to join me here in this Legislature to pay gratitude to Constable Russell and Constable Northrup.

I’m proud to rise today to celebrate the first annual Hungarian Heritage Month in Ontario. This past Friday, I was proud to join the Ministers of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, and Mental Health and Addictions, and the MPP from Flamborough–Glanbrook here at Queen’s Park to help raise the Hungarian flag, together with officials from the Hungarian consulate and Hungarian Canadian community leaders.

On Sunday, we celebrated Hungarian Republic Day, which marks two important events: 66 years ago, the Hungarian people revolted against Soviet tyranny and oppression, and exactly 33 years later—and 33 years ago—Hungary became a democratic parliamentary republic.

Again, Speaker, on behalf of Hungarian Canadians in Mississauga and across Ontario, I just want to thank members from both sides of this House for supporting my private member’s bill earlier this year to create the first Hungarian Heritage Month in Canada and to recognize a community that has contributed so much to Ontario.

Later this week, the President of Hungary, Katalin Novák, will visit Ontario. She is the first woman elected President of Hungary and also the youngest president in the history of Hungary. I look forward to celebrating Hungarian Heritage Month together with her, and I know that all members will join me in welcoming her to Ontario.

We have with us in the Speaker’s gallery today a delegation of ambassadors and chargés de mission representing the following countries with francophone populations: Belgium, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia, Togo and Vietnam. Please join me in warmly welcoming our guests to the Legislature today.

With the fall and winter season upon us, a potential resurgence of COVID-19 and flu season is fast approaching. In addition to the province’s strong vaccine program to help protect Ontarians, it is important to remind the public that practising handwashing and good home hygiene help to provide an additional layer of defence against the risk of contracting COVID-19 and the seasonal flu.

Speaker, I want to thank American Hygienics Corp. for their generous donation of sanitizing wet wipes to help further protect our vulnerable citizens and seniors in the community of Don Valley North. I sincerely thank them for their care and kindness. These wet wipes are being distributed by a team of dedicated volunteers who work diligently to support seniors and marginalized people in our community who don’t always have the resources to access wet wipes.

Speaker, I’m proud to recognize the compassionate members of my community who so often put the needs of others ahead of their own. I am thankful for the constituents of Don Valley North who consistently demonstrate that their priorities are in the right order.

If you seek it, you will find unanimous consent for the House to observe a moment of silence in remembrance of Morgan Russell and Devon Northrup of the South Simcoe Police Service, who were tragically killed in the line of duty on October 11.

I will take one second, as a member of the class of 2006, to welcome back the member from Nepean. Welcome back, sister—courage.

Speaker, since the beginning of this year, Ontario’s ERs have been closed more than 100 times. Those closures are happening in rural areas, places like Chesley. Their ER is closed until the end of November because of a shortage of nurses. Just a few weeks ago, most of Chesley’s residents packed into a meeting to fight for their community hospital. This government has left Ontarians with no credible plan of action to address the crisis in our health care system.

For the Premier: Why has the Minister of Health neglected her duty during this difficult period?

There are consequences when health care isn’t there when people need it. Recently, Eleanor wrote to me about the passing of her daughter, Amelia. Amelia was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, and she was diagnosed late, with her screening pushed from November to February. By then, her cancer was so advanced, the only thing doctors could do was palliative chemotherapy.

Eleanor is a retired nurse. She knew that Amelia’s diagnosis was likely fatal, but with earlier screening and better access to care, Eleanor believes Amelia would have lived more than the five short months from diagnosis.

Speaker, these are real-life impacts of the government’s inaction on health care. Will the Premier and minister commit to meaningfully invest in our health care workers so there are no more stories like Amelia’s?

In September, a four-year-old child with a broken arm was left waiting more than four days for minor surgery at McMaster Children’s Hospital. These types of delays can have dramatic impacts on growing kids.

Speaker, these tragic stories are driven by staffing shortages that are now commonplace. How much worse does the crisis in our health care system have to get before the minister and the Premier give nurses and front-line health care workers the support that they need?

From the beautiful riding of Essex, please welcome Mr. Daniel Allen, who just yesterday was invested with the Order of Ontario, and his wife, Pamela Allen.

After decades of underfunding, this government has made unprecedented investments in our health care system. Health care funding has increased 6.2% year over year, the largest increase on record, including over $5 billion in base funding, which is an 8.9% increase. No previous government has increased base funding by such a high amount year over year.

We have added over 3,500 new hospital beds, and we are adding an additional 3,000. We’re in the process of building and upgrading 58,000 long-term-care beds. And we’ve got a $40-billion investment in 52 new hospitals and additions, and $1 billion for home and community care expansions.

We’re investing in our health care system. We’re going to make sure that Ontarians have the resources they need in hospitals and other health care facilities so Ontarians get the care that they deserve.

Our government has been focused on ensuring that Ontarians have the care that they need, where they need it. Ontario Health—Cancer Care Ontario is the government’s adviser on cancer and the renal system and flows more than $2 billion to hospitals to support direct patient care every year.

We’re working very hard with Ontario Health, which oversees our overall cancer strategy, to make sure that we have the critical programs we need and the services we need to make sure that Ontarians, like Amelia, get the care that they need in a timely way.

Certainly, we’re making significant investments to address the province’s surgical backlog. We’ve also dedicated $6.5 million to pediatric hospitals to support them to ramp up surgeries. We’ve also provided $4.6 million in more funding for hospitals to add additional acute care beds: nine at CHEO—10 acute care beds there as well—and three ICU beds at Sick Children’s Hospital.

The member for Barrie–Innisfil has informed me she has a point of order.

I’ll ask members to please rise.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

I am delighted to welcome Dr. Collin Clarke, who is here today from London West. He is the proud father of today’s page captain, Pearl Clarke. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

I want to wish a warm welcome to my nephew Marshall, who is part of our current page contingent. Thank you for being here, Marshall. I also want to acknowledge his mom, Sarah, and brother Bryce, who are watching from the gallery upstairs.

I want to acknowledge that we have a number of members from the Association of Major Power Consumers in Ontario. They are present today for their annual advocacy day. I also want to extend an invitation to join us this evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the legislative dining room. Welcome to Queen’s Park, and I look forward to speaking with you soon.

My guests are not here yet but I’m going to introduce them anyways because they are on their way. I want to welcome Chief Mary Duckworth of Caldwell First Nation, Larry Sault and Ian Duckworth and Doug Heil, who are councillors with Caldwell First Nation. When they come, welcome to Queen’s Park.

I think the member opposite would agree that this is certainly a policing matter and not a political matter. This is a federal commission which is looking into the federal government’s invocation of the federal Emergencies Act. We are providing assistance to the commission by submitting key cabinet documents and of course ensuring that witnesses are available to the commission.