Let me just acknowledge the incredible leadership of the member from Carleton, who has been standing up and holding the school board and, particularly, OSTA to account.

We have taken action from the beginning.

We launched an audit of this board to understand the long-term fiscal sustainability, to make sure parents have reliable, dependable transportation services for their children.

We increased wages to $23 an hour—a significant lift in wages for workers, particularly for our bus drivers; we increased statutory benefits, providing 13%—which did not exist in the past; we’re paying for 10 statutory holidays, which didn’t exist in the past; we’re paying for four days of annual training and dry runs; we are increasing respect for the workers, which is why the Ontario school bus association has endorsed our plan.

For Ottawa, specifically, we provided $75 million, and yet they couldn’t get the job done. The French school boards in the same region, with larger territories and fewer kids, are able to do it. So we’ve now made a clear message to the Ottawa Student Transportation Authority and the school board that we’re auditing them, we’re expecting better, and we’re going to ensure the better delivery and more consistent delivery that the families of Ottawa deserve.

My question is for the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility.

I want take this opportunity to highlight funding provided through the Seniors Community Grant Program to the Markham Museum, a wonderful organization in my riding. Thanks to this investment, the Markham Museum received over $24,000 that will be used to offer programs to help seniors keep healthy and socially connected.

Throughout their lives, seniors have helped build and contribute to Ontario’s quality of life. They deserve opportunities to be involved in activities and programs in their local communities—

Interjections.

Can the minister please share more information about the Seniors Community Grant Program and how it is making a difference for our seniors?

Under the leadership of the Premier and the minister, the Seniors Community Grant Program is making it possible for local organizations to have a direct impact on the lives of seniors in Ontario.

Seniors Community Grants are an amazing way to support unique, community-driven projects. Constituents always contact my office asking about what programs are being offered for seniors and how to access the tools and resources available for them.

Can the minister please share further information about how people and organizations can learn about the programs and services that are available for seniors?

Thank you to the marvellous MPP from Markham–Unionville for the question. He is doing an incredible job in advocating for seniors and making a difference in his riding.

I’d like to thank you again for inviting me to celebrate this exciting news at the Markham Museum. All the staff and volunteers have done an excellent job to create a wonderful attraction for the whole community to enjoy. They will now be able to offer more hands-on programs, like pottery classes for seniors. They are creating opportunities for seniors to get creative, to learn together and be together. What exciting news for our seniors.

I want to thank the hard-working member for Burlington for that important question.

I don’t think I need to remind the members in this Legislature or Ontarians about the failed policies of the previous Liberal government for 15 years—of course, supported by the official opposition NDP—when we saw jobs were fleeing, businesses were leaving the province, and Ontario was becoming uncompetitive to do business in.

Thanks to the government, under the leadership of Premier Ford, since 2018, we’ve been working hard to reverse that trend—thanks to the 11 different red tape packages that we have introduced in the Legislature, which has helped to reduce 16,000 different kinds of pieces of red tape. That is now saving Ontario businesses nearly $950 million in annual compliance cost savings.

We know we have more to do, and we will continue to work hard each—

On this side of the House, our government understands the importance of helping businesses, which are the backbone of our economy, and what it means to continue to make our province competitive and continue to allow our businesses to compete on the world stage.

Thanks to the initiatives that our government has brought forward to date, just last year alone there were 85,000 new businesses that started in the province of Ontario; there are over 700,000 jobs that we have created since taking office in June 2018.

We recognize the importance of making sure our businesses are spending time creating jobs, investing money into their businesses, rather than having to worry about filling out unnecessary forms.

We will continue to work—

Our government must continue to implement measures that clear the unnecessary burdens placed on job creators. Whether you’re a business owner looking to expand and grow, or trying to access government programs and services—the last thing anyone wants to do is to navigate a needless web of complicated processes and paperwork.

While the previous Liberal government operated under the assumption that more red tape is better—starting and growing a business is hard work.

By eliminating unnecessary red tape, our government is creating an environment that drives new investments and helps to grow the economy without compromising public safety and environmental protections.

Can the minister please explain how cutting red tape is supporting economic growth in the province of Ontario?

Thank you. Supplementary.

I apologize to the member for Markham–Unionville, who has the floor.

Start the clock.

You can finish your question.

The good news for tenants across the province of Ontario is that we have the highest starts with respect to purpose-built rentals that we have seen in over 15 years.

One of the real reasons we’ve had such challenges in the rental market is because people just were not getting into building.

Most people who have rental apartments, frankly, are the moms and pops out there who make investments, whether for their futures—and they bring on new allocations. I know that was something my parents did. They wanted to come here. They worked very hard. They sacrificed a lot. They bought little stores in East York with two apartments on top, and that is how they planned for their retirement.

We have to do our best to support landlords. We have to do our best to support tenants. But the best thing we can do is to bring more supply on. We have rent control across the province of Ontario, which is going nowhere. At the same time, we’re building more supply so that we can bring down the costs, because—it’s a simple fact—when there is more to choose from, those rents will come down.

Most of the landlords across this province are people just like my parents were. Do you know what my parents did? They worked very, very hard seven days a week, and they bought two small properties with apartments on top. Do you know what we did when we were kids? We didn’t go away for March break. We went to those apartments and painted; we fixed them up. That is what we did. My parents weren’t greedy landlords, just as the 80% of landlords who are out there, who do the exact same things that my parents did, are not greedy.

That is the difference between them and us—we don’t think that hard-working people who make investments are greedy. We thank them for the investments that were made. But what we do do is ensure that we hold everybody responsible—both tenants and landlords.

We’re working together to bring more supply online. I know that the Attorney General also increased resources at the landlord and tenant tribunal. Do you know why? Because we can do more for all people in Ontario.

October marks Women’s History Month in Ontario, a time to honour the struggles and celebrate the achievements and resiliency of women, girls and gender-diverse people. As we reflect, we hold a profound sense of gratitude. We recognize the tenacious efforts and unwavering spirit of women who have paved the way for progress and equity. But we must also acknowledge how far we still have to go.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of a historic milestone: Agnes Macphail’s election as the first woman to serve in the Ontario Legislature, in 1943. For almost 80 years prior, there had only been men serving in this House. Agnes Macphail also holds the esteemed honour of being the first woman elected to Canada’s House of Commons as a member of Parliament.

Women’s history isn’t just about acknowledging the pioneering roles like Agnes’s but understanding the values and the tireless advocacy that women have stood for. Agnes championed women’s rights, prison reform, disarmament. As a member of the Ontario Legislature, Agnes was instrumental in propelling Ontario’s equal pay legislation, a pivotal step towards gender equity in the workplace.

History often highlights remarkable figures, but it is equally vital to recognize that the history of women is also woven from the countless everyday actions, sacrifices and the perseverance of nameless and faceless women. These are our mothers, caregivers, mentors, PSWs, registered nurses, teachers, education workers, women in food and retail, and many others.

This month is about honouring their profound contributions to society and reminding us that progress and change stem from collective efforts. We must remember that Women’s History Month is not only a time for celebration, but it’s also a call to action.

As I’ve said before, it is a reminder that while we have made progress, there is still more work to be done. We need real action to support women, especially Black women, Indigenous women, racialized women, LGBTQ women, gender non-conforming women and women with disabilities who have disproportionately been impacted by social injustice.

We must address the barriers, enhance representation and champion initiatives that empower women in all facets of life. All women should have the opportunity to thrive and, collectively, we must work to create the necessary social and economic conditions for that. We need to understand that affordable housing is a human right. Housing issues are women’s issues. “Equal pay for equal work” is not a mere aspiration, but a fundamental principle.

We must recognize that Bill 124 stands as a barrier to achieving fair compensation for our public servants, including health care workers—the majority are women. Economic issues are women’s issues.

As we commemorate Women’s History Month, let this be a source of inspiration for all of us to continue our collective efforts towards a brighter and more equal future. After all, Speaker, women’s rights are human rights.

Unfortunately, Sudbury has one of the highest opioid overdose death rates in the province. Speaker, 112 people died last year in Sudbury-Manitoulin—that is nine deaths a month, which is three times the provincial average.

The Spot, Réseau Sudbury’s supervised consumption site, saves lives. They’ve had almost 1,000 visits and reversed all 15 overdoses that happened on-site. Despite the life-saving work, the workers at the Spot received layoff notices, and the Spot will be forced to close by the end of the year. That’s because they haven’t received a single dime of provincial funding from the Conservative government. People in my city are dying. This is a provincial responsibility. The city of Sudbury has already contributed almost $1 million to keeping the Spot open. They can’t afford to do it anymore. And they should never have had to pay the Premier’s bills in the first place.

Réseau has been waiting since August 2021 to hear about provincial funding—that’s more than two years. Opioid overdose deaths aren’t waiting for the Conservative government to decide to get into the fight.

My question: How many more people in the north have to die before the Conservative government gets off the sidelines and provides this life-saving funding?

Interjections.

The best way to support seniors is to bring them together to get active and connected.

My ministry works with the OACAO, the Older Adult Centres’ Association of Ontario, to put together seniors’ active living fairs. These fairs help seniors find resources, connect to local organizations and to each other. Coming up in October, there will be seniors’ fairs from Perth to Toronto, Thunder Bay, Windsor, Kenora and more. Events like this are an excellent way to spread awareness about all the programs and services available.

I encourage all members to host events for seniors in their own communities.

Thank you for that question. We’ve actually been having discussions about that. We’ve spoken quite a bit about the importance of building a continuum of care, where treatment and recovery are the focus.

That is what we have been doing everywhere in the province, including in Sudbury. We’ve opened numerous beds to ensure that people who are looking for help and need help get that help. Unfortunately, with the situation that we had at Leslieville—it has forced us to look at the consumption and treatment sites, to determine the impact it is having on public safety, as to where they’re located. A review is taking place, and we are expecting a response that’s going to look at what we can do to ensure the safety of people in the neighbourhoods where these consumption and treatment sites are located. Until then, the process is under review.

We recognize the importance of building that continuum of care. We will continue making investments that are based on building and ensuring that people get the help where and when they need it.

I rise on standing order 59 to thank colleagues for another productive week on behalf of the people of the province of Ontario, and to wish all members a very happy Thanksgiving.

On Monday, October 16, there will be a debate on opposition day number 2 and on Bill 135, the Convenient Care at Home Act.

On Tuesday, October 17, in the morning and afternoon we will be debating Bill 135, the Convenient Care at Home Act, and in the evening, private members’ business standing in the name of the member for Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound.

On Wednesday, October 18: in the morning, Bill 135; in the afternoon, Bill 135, the Convenient Care at Home Act; and in the evening, private member’s motion number 63, standing in the name of the member for Perth–Wellington.

On Thursday, October 19, in the morning and in the afternoon session, we will be debating a bill that will be introduced early on in that week, and in the evening, the member for Chatham-Kent–Leamington’s private member’s motion number 64.

Members will please take their seats.

To respond, the Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

Welcome back.

It is now time to say a word of thanks to our legislative pages. Our pages are smart, trustworthy and hard-working. They’re indispensable to the effective functioning of this chamber, and we are indeed fortunate to have had them here.

To our pages: You depart having made many new friends, with a greater understanding of parliamentary democracy and memories that will last a lifetime. Each of you will go home now and continue your studies and no doubt will contribute to your communities, your province and your country in important ways. We expect great things from all of you. Who knows? Maybe some of you some day will take your seats in this House as members or work here as staff. But no matter where your path leads you, we wish you well.

I ask the members to please join me in thanking this group of legislative pages.

Applause.

There being no further business this morning, this House stands in recess until 1 p.m.

The House recessed from 1147 to 1300.

I beg to inform the House that today the Clerk received the report on intended appointments dated October 5, 2023, of the Standing Committee on Government Agencies. Pursuant to standing order 110(f)(9), the report is deemed to be adopted by the House.

Report deemed adopted.

Today I rise in celebration of Women’s History Month, which is marked every October in Ontario and across Canada.

Women’s History Month is an opportunity to recognize the contributions that women have made to their families, their communities and workplaces across the province. It’s also an opportunity to celebrate them for inspiring the women and girls of today, who are continuing to advance gender equality, challenge the status quo and make Ontario a better place to live, work and play for all.

This year’s theme, “Through Her Lens: Celebrating the Diversity of Women,” especially highlights the outstanding achievements and significant contributions of women from diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous, francophone, racialized, rural, immigrant and disabled women, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals.

Speaker, I would like to use my time to talk about just a few of these notable Ontario women. Angela James, born in Toronto to a Black father, led the Canadian women’s hockey team to four women’s world championship gold medals between 1990 and 1997, bringing women’s hockey into the mainstream and becoming one of the first three women to be inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame.

Rosalie Silberman Abella became both the youngest and first pregnant person to become a judge in Canada when she was appointed to the Ontario Family Court in 1976. She then became the first Jewish woman and refugee to be appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Speaking of the Supreme Court of Canada, there’s Michelle O’Bonsawin, born in Hanmer to francophone Ontarian and Indigenous parents, who became the first Indigenous person to be appointed just last year.

There’s Elizabeth Bagshaw, born and raised on a farm in the Kawartha Lakes area, becoming one of Canada’s first female physicians and the medical director of Canada’s first birth control clinic in Hamilton in 1932, when it was still illegal for women to make decisions over their own bodies.

After years of the federal government failing to build a new school in her community following a diesel fuel leak, there’s Shannen Koostachin of—I’m sorry for missing the name—

Interjection: Attawapiskat.

Interjections.

Lastly, I would like to recognize Mary Ann Shadd Cary, who, following the passing of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 in the United States, founded a private school for the children of freedom seekers in Windsor. She also became the first woman publisher in Canada, having established her own newspaper, the Provincial Freeman, to share her ideas on abolitionism and women’s rights and showcase the accomplishments of Black women in Canada.

Speaker, these history-making women and girls paved the way for many more—like us, right?—and especially those from diverse backgrounds to pursue their dreams and live full lives here in Ontario.

Every day, women enrich Ontario with their unique experiences, knowledge and perspectives. Whether they are innovating in the science and technology sectors, starting and running their own businesses, building homes for young families, educating the next generation of leaders, growing our food or caring for our most vulnerable, the full participation of women is imperative to our province’s present and our future.

Speaker, our government recognizes that when women succeed, Ontario succeeds. That’s why we are taking decisive action across ministries to help women and girls thrive at home, at work and in their communities. This includes supporting affordable child care options; increasing exposure to STEM and the skilled trades at an earlier age; making workplaces safer; and offering targeted training, skills development and employment opportunities for women experiencing social and economic barriers, all of this to increase their participation in the workforce and gain financial security and independence, especially in sectors where we have been traditionally under-represented. Over the coming months, we will continue to work with sector partners to help more women across the province achieve the success they need and the success they deserve.

Speaker, before I conclude, I would like to draw my colleagues to a few other days of significance for women and girls marked in October. Yesterday, October 4, was Sisters in Spirit Day, a day to honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. We show our support and our love, and we also are creating opportunities for healing and having the conversation to listen to the stories.

This year, a monument was unveiled in the city of Kenora, in the great riding of Kenora–Rainy River, to remember the lives lost by senseless intimate partner violence. Those three women are remembered, and it marks a day of importance for us to all acknowledge.

On October 11, we celebrate International Day of the Girl. It’s a day to recognize the unique challenges and inequalities faced by girls, and the need to protect their rights and create more opportunities for their prosperity.

Finally, on October 15, we will mark the International Day of Rural Women. It’s an opportunity to recognize the invaluable contributions of rural women to our food systems and their role in sustaining our families and communities and fighting against hunger and malnutrition.

Speaker, it’s because of these trail-blazing women of the past that women today have the rights and opportunities that were denied to their predecessors. This October, I invite all of us, all Ontarians, to learn about the history of women in our province, celebrate their outstanding achievements and participate in Women’s History Month activities in your local communities. Each and every one of us plays an important role in fostering a more equal and inclusive Ontario, full of social and economic opportunities for women and girls. Why? Because when women succeed, Ontario succeeds.

The deputy government House leader has moved that pursuant to standing over 7(c), the House shall continue to meet past the ordinary hour of adjournment—

Interjection: Dispense.

Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carries? Carried.

Motion agreed to.

I move that pursuant to standing order 7(c), the House shall continue to meet past the ordinary hour of adjournment until midnight on the following dates: Wednesday, November 15; Thursday, November 16; Monday, November 20; Tuesday, November 21; Wednesday, November 22; Thursday, November 23; Monday, November 27; Tuesday, November 28; Wednesday, November 29; Thursday, November 30; Monday, December 4; Tuesday, December 5; Wednesday, December 6; Thursday, December 7; Monday, December 11; Tuesday, December 12; Wednesday, December 13; and Thursday, December 14, 2023.

This petition is titled “To Raise Social Assistance Rates,” and it reads:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Ontario’s social assistance rates are well below Canada’s official Market Basket Measure poverty line and far from adequate to cover the rising costs of food and rent: $733 for individuals on OW and $1,227 for ODSP;

“Whereas an open letter to the Premier and cabinet ministers, signed by over 230 organizations, recommends that social assistance rates be doubled for both” OW and ODSP;

“Whereas the recent small increase of 5% for ODSP still leaves these citizens below the poverty line, both they and those receiving the frozen OW rates are struggling to survive at this time of alarming inflation;

“Whereas the government of Canada recognized in its CERB program that a basic income of $2,000 per month was the standard support required by individuals who lost their employment during the pandemic;

“We, the undersigned citizens of Ontario, petition the Legislative Assembly to double social assistance rates for OW and ODSP.”

I fully support this petition, will affix my signature to it, and I want to thank Sally Palmer for collecting the signatures on this petition.

I have a petition “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Haliburton Highlands Health Services board of directors has, without consultation with the affected stakeholders, closed the emergency department located in the municipality of Minden Hills, Ontario, on June 1, 2023; and

“Whereas the loss of service is jeopardizing the lives of residents in the community;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to direct the Minister of Health to use her powers under section 9.1 of the Public Hospitals Act to immediately reopen the Minden emergency department.”

I agree with this petition. I’m affixing my signature and giving it to page Minuka.

I want to thank the Save the Minden ER people for coming and delivering those petitions today.