Thank you, Speaker, for the opportunity to visit Yellowknife as part of the Canadian parliamentary association. Their Parliament in the Northwest Territories is driven by consensus, and I think that all members of this House will agree that public education is one of our most important responsibilities as a Legislature.

Our public education system was the hardest hit in the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The harsh reality is that our students have missed more school days than any other jurisdiction in North America. As a result, our public education faces an urgent race to catch up, but, again, this challenge represents a steeper climb for some more than others.

Added to this, we have entered the flu season and we’re continuing to manage the latest COVID variants. This means that more disruption is likely. More supports are needed in our public education system, not less. And yet, alarmingly, the government continues to underspend when it comes to public education.

Speaker, while families during this time need support to manage the inflation crisis, direct payments to parents while taking away those precious resources from the classroom are not addressing the gaps in learning that students currently face. I see that in my own riding in Scarborough–Guildwood where many students are struggling to reach grade level in reading.

All students do not require the same level of supports to catch up, and that is why it is critical that solutions are put forward by the government that are equitably designed to meet the needs of all Ontario’s learners. The best place for this investment is in our public education system.

Remarks in Oji-Cree.

Fall is hunting season across Ontario. In Kiiwetinoong, in far northern Ontario, it’s something that we all do and practise. We have to understand that hunting is a way of life for all of us in the north. It brings families together; it brings communities together. And it’s important to acknowledge that. I see all the pictures, all the stories from all the hunters up north, whether it’s moose, whether it’s the fishing that happens in the north.

For me, hunting is a way of life, as I said. Hunting is part of who I am as a First Nations person. I will continue these ways of life, to pass down to the children and the grandchildren that are forthcoming.

Sometimes people ask me, “What is ‘land back’?” “Land back,” to us in the north, is going back to the land. “Land back” is building a cabin in these forests, in these lands. “Land back” is relearning your language. It’s a gift that we have from our ancestors and one I am proud of and that I will pass on for generations to come. Meegwetch.

On Sunday, October 16, I had the honour of attending the Six Nations Veterans Association annual Remembrance Day parade and service in Ohsweken. The beautiful, sunny, fall day did not mask the seriousness of the occasion honouring First Nations veterans that fought in every major conflict that Canada has ever been in.

Speaker, the Six Nations Remembrance Day ceremony is very personal to me. The liberation of the Netherlands, from September 1944 to April 1945, played a key role in the culmination of the Second World War, as the Allied Forces closed in on Germany from all sides. The First Canadian Army played a major role in the liberation of the Dutch people, who had suffered terrible hunger and hardship under the increasingly desperate German occupiers. Six Nations soldiers were among Allied soldiers that fought town to town, canal by canal, pushing back the occupying German forces from the country of my birth, the Netherlands.

The First Canadian Army also played a leading role in opening Belgium and the Netherlands’ Scheldt estuary gateway to the port of Antwerp, a key city in the region. More than 7,600 Canadians died in the eight-month campaign to liberate the Netherlands, a tremendous sacrifice in the cause for freedom.

And, Speaker, I will wear a poppy with a deep sense of pride, lovingly made in my riding of Brantford–Brant by Tuscarora hands that remind me of the sacrifices made by First Nations, Canadians and Allied troops in Europe.

Family physicians are an essential part of our health care system, but far too many Ontarians currently do not have a family doctor. According to a recent study, 1.8 million Ontarians do not have access to a regular family physician. This includes many residents of Ottawa West–Nepean. I have heard from many constituents who are desperately searching for access to a primary care physician, but to no avail. One local doctor wrote to me that her office has no less than 10 people walking in every day hoping to find a family doctor taking on new patients.

Family physicians, meanwhile, are experiencing burnout, and too many of them are currently closing their practices. They are contacting my office to ask for help in finding additional resources that will allow them to keep serving patients. These family doctor shortages have serious implications. Erin Bain, one of my constituents, was recently informed that her doctor is closing her practice. Her doctor is under 40, but she has experienced so much stress over the past few years that she is walking away from the profession of medicine. Erin and her parents, who are in their seventies and live with chronic health concerns, are now frantically searching for a new doctor, hoping they won’t be forced to go to the emergency room for routine care.

Wait times at Ottawa hospitals are already over 12 hours. We can’t afford patients who need non-emergency care ending up in the ER because of a doctor shortage. We need this government to take the crisis in health care seriously, invest in all parts of our public health care system and make sure everyone gets the health care they deserve.

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.

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.

Good morning, Speaker, and everyone. From Anishinabek Nation, we have Deputy Grand Council Chief Travis Boissoneau and Jackie Lombardi. From Sachigo Lake First Nation, we have Dean Beardy and also Robert Barkman. We have Chief Lorraine Crane from Slate Falls First Nation; Chief Lefty Kam from Bearskin Lake First Nation; Councillor Cynthia Fiddler from Sandy Lake First Nation; also, Allen Tate, Freddie Shakakeesic, Mike Loon; Anne Chabot and also Frank McKay from Windigo First Nations Council.

Also, I have some guests visiting all the way from Vienna, Austria: Lucia Huemer and Gerald Wolf. Thank you for being here.

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.