Thank you very much for your heartfelt and eloquent and passionate speech, to the member from Niagara.

My question is, do you think that there are other important things that the government, all of us, should be addressing and dealing with besides playing games with the greenbelt?

I appreciate very much and thank the member for his remarks on this important piece of legislation. I know the member talks a lot about his labour background, and I admire that. Earlier in my life, I was a rebar bender and a crane operator, so I have worked in a labour environment for a little while. And obviously, the member had a great success, because he talks a lot about his Maple Leafs tickets—and I don’t know whether they’re gold tickets or platinum tickets, but obviously, he did very well. I saw him going to a Leafs game once.

But my real question is, aside from the fact that—the most important thing, in my view, that this bill is doing, is any changes to the greenbelt in the future require a legislative change. That’s a very significant change and a much more open process. Isn’t that something that the member can support, this important change to the process in the future?

Please refer the bill to the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure And Cultural Policy.

It’s now time for questions and answers. Questions?

Mr. Calandra has moved second reading of Bill 136, An Act to amend the Greenbelt Act, 2005 and certain other Acts, to enact the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve Act, 2023, to repeal an Act and to revoke various regulations. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? The motion has carried.

Second reading agreed to.

Orders of the day? I recognize the deputy government House leader.

The House recessed from 1002 to 1015.

The Ministry of Transportation has given the green light to start early planning work for the Sheppard subway extension, which will examine connecting the current terminus of Line 4 at Don Mills station with the future Scarborough subway extension.

As part of this work, Metrolinx has also been tasked with investigating a possible western extension from Sheppard-Yonge station to Sheppard West station at Allen Road. Accordingly, Metrolinx is launching three community consultation meetings this November to seek the input of the community to extend the TTC’s current Line 4 along Sheppard Avenue. Input and feedback received from community members during the consultation is an important component of the initial business case recommendation.

Finally, after years of failed promises, endless debates and redundant votes, the Sheppard extension is one step closer to realization. Commuters in Scarborough deserve the same access to reliable public transit as people living in downtown Toronto. Delivering safer, faster and more convenient travel options to our commuters is my ultimate goal.

It is my honour and privilege to serve the residents of Scarborough–Agincourt.

Promise made, promise kept.

Yesterday, on November 1, an unprecedented 12 Waterloo region ambulances were on off-load delay for up to 15 hours; St. Mary’s Hospital—same day—10 ambulances waiting to off-load. Paramedics say that they are facing a crisis that can no longer be ignored. This is dangerous. It’s happening across Ontario, with no cure offered by the Ford government.

Off-load delays occur when paramedics cannot transfer the care of the patient over to the hospital due to a lack of space or staffing, so they are stuck waiting, instead of responding to calls, usually waiting in a hall in a hospital or a parking lot.

When people call 911, it’s because they need an ambulance, they need a paramedic, they need medical assistance. It’s not one of the calls that you make and you’re saying, “Well, I can stay on hold for an hour.”

Code reds occur when there are no ambulances available to respond to calls. In Waterloo region, there were 87 code reds over the first nine months of 2022, a major jump from 21 in the past year. John Riches, chief of paramedics, calls this deeply concerning. Paramedic services is currently losing the equivalent of three 12-hour ambulance shifts per day to off-load delay.

Waterloo is resilient. They have brought in their own local solutions, but let’s be honest: The province needs to acknowledge that this is a real issue affecting Ontarians. Code reds should not be the new normal in the province of Ontario.

Film production in Ontario contributes over $3 billion in economic activity and supports over 45,000 jobs. Film production and festivals support and provide cultural bridges, connecting diverse communities and fostering dialogue and understanding.

With Mississauga–Malton serving as a central hub for several of its major activities, the International Film Festival of South Asia, IFFSA, celebrated their 12th film festival as a shining beacon of cultural celebration, artistic exploration and economic vitality for Ontario. IFFSA Toronto made a significant economic impact. By attracting local and international participation, it enhanced Ontario’s reputation as a global cultural hub. IFFSA is actively working to strengthen the South Asian film production and distribution industry in Ontario by promoting the various credits and supports provided by the government of Ontario and fostering wider international connections.

Through the IFFSA Talent Fund, the festival fosters homegrown talent and extends its impact throughout the year with a comprehensive learning series and various year-round activities.

My best wishes for IFFSA Toronto to continue being a cultural and economic catalyst in Ontario as it evolves and expands as a symbol of Ontario’s commitment to cultural diversity and creativity.

As Remembrance Day draws near, it becomes even more important for us to honour the brave Canadian heroes who have sacrificed so much to defend our freedom, rights and democracy. During times of war, every Canadian in every province, regardless of age, came together in their own way, all aiming for a common goal, which was peace. Our brave men and women gave their lives for freedom and peace, not just for us, but for future generations.

Remembering their sacrifice is vital. We must never forget the courage and commitment they showed. We must never forget the likes of an Oakville resident whose name stands etched on the Bronte Cenotaph. This cenotaph, located in the centre of Bronte Village by the lake, honours those individuals from World Wars I and II and Korea.

It stands in Chris Vokes Memorial Park, dedicated to Major-General Christopher Vokes, an Oakville resident and distinguished World War II veteran. Major-General Vokes exemplified courage. He led the 1st Canadian Infantry Division through several battles in Italy and Germany; the most famous, of course, which many know, was the capture of Ortona.

While the park recognizes Major-General Vokes, the Bronte Cenotaph is a tribute to everyone who served. It tells us we must always remember, and I hope that everybody in Ontario will take time this November 11 to remember the brave individuals who gave their lives for our country. Lest we forget.

Mr. Speaker, time is money. The time wasted in the Conservative government’s shady greenbelt deals, digging a hole and filling it in, getting it done and then getting it undone, has delayed the building of housing.

Time is money. A minister resigned and staff were replaced. The new minister, after he took the time to get up to speed, even had to compensate municipalities. Pickering and Grimsby spent $442,000 for time spent working on greenbelt removals. Others will have to be compensated for the time wasted on shady, undone urban boundary expansions.

Time is money. Now, interest rates have gone up. Housing projects are stalled. Why didn’t the Conservative government follow their own task force, or any of the task forces from cities across Canada, since rents started taking off in 2018? Why didn’t they eliminate exclusionary zoning and make it legal to build the medium density and mixed neighbourhoods we need, instead of waiting for the federal government to hold their hand and show the way?

Time is money. Now, the Conservative government is following the federal lead and cutting the HST on purpose-built rentals. That’s great, but why wait to have their hand held by the federal government? Why couldn’t they have done this much earlier? This government has wasted the time of Ontarians, wasted their money and wasted this province’s opportunity to prosper and thrive.

Last Sunday, it was my pleasure to be at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 6 in Owen Sound for a great event put on by the Billy Bishop Museum honouring nine local veterans in our Grey-Bruce community.

Colleagues, as you may know, Billy Bishop was a Canadian flying ace in the First World War. He was officially credited with 72 victories, making him the top Canadian and British ace of the war. He also received a Victoria Cross. What you may not know about Billy Bishop was that he was born and grew up in the great community of Owen Sound. Billy Bishop’s home on 3rd Avenue West is now a wonderful museum where visitors can learn more of the history of this great Canadian hero.

Last Sunday, the Billy Bishop Museum and Owen Sound Legion again hosted a wonderful event to honour nine local veterans. The event was attended by many family members and friends of the honourees because, as we know, when veterans serve, their families also serve. We heard about the amazing service of these veterans, their perseverance, their dedication and their commitment to our country.

Sergeant Terry Bates, Private Alvin Cameron, Leading Seaman William Cutting, Lieutenant Luella Denton, Private John Des Jardine, Lieutenant-Colonel James Gale, Ordinary Seaman John Garvey, Sergeant Leonard Smith and Sergeant Wallace Sprung: Thank you to all these nine great Grey-Bruce veterans. Your actions have given us the way of life we are so lucky to enjoy today.

The Premier said the greenbelt is a scam, but we know that it’s important for the environment and that it’s the heart of our agricultural industry in Niagara. It’s an important part of our local economy, through the wine and grape-growing industry.

My riding and the riding of Niagara West account for nearly 90% of all grapes grown in Ontario. Local farmers are suffering due to a lack of support, an unfair tax structure on 100% Ontario wine, and limited shelf space for local wines at the LCBO. Farmers watch their grapes rot on the vine while the government ignores their struggles. It’s not right that the Conservatives prioritize wine from other countries over local wines. We need a level playing field and support for our local industry, our grape growers, and the land they work on.

The LCBO must step up and provide more shelf space for Ontario wines. Our local wineries create jobs, boost tourism and drive our economy. They deserve better.

It’s time we come together to protect our greenbelt and support our Niagara wine and grape-growing industry. We must ensure our farmers can thrive, not just survive. The time is now to stand up for our local economy and the environment we hold dear. Let’s make Ontario’s greenbelt and wine industry stronger than ever.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. As noted by the member from Simcoe–Grey, this year marks 100 years since Dr. Banting and Dr. Macleod received their Nobel Prize for their discovery of insulin to help people with diabetes. Before that discovery, people with diabetes were people dying of diabetes—and now they are people living with diabetes.

Speaker, did you know that 30% of Ontarians live with diabetes but only 11% are actually diagnosed?

Living with diabetes can be a full-time job. Those with diabetes need to be pharmacists, dietitians, doctors and mathematicians in their everyday lives. This is why our government continues to support Ontarians living with diabetes. In March 2022, we added the life-saving, real-time glucose monitoring systems to the ADP program, leading to better self-management, leading to healthier lives. And then in April of this year, our government passed a motion made by the amazing MPP for Eglinton–Lawrence for the Ministry of Health to develop a framework on chronic diseases, including diabetes.

What started as Banting’s research project to save the life of a 13-year-old boy on the brink of death has now become an entire life-saving medical sector.

Mr. Speaker, I’m very proud to be part of a government that continues to work towards improving the lives of Ontarians living with diabetes.

I’m pleased to welcome to the Ontario Legislature regional councillor Chris Leahy and regional councillor Steve Yamada. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Today in the members’ gallery we are joined by a delegation of Ontarians who have lost family recently in Israel or had family members who have been taken hostage. I want to welcome them to their House and tell you: We see you, and we thank you for being here.

It’s a privilege to rise here today to speak about one of the most important days of the year: Remembrance Day. It’s the day when we all take pause to remember the immense sacrifices that Canadian men and women made in World War I, World War II, Korea, Afghanistan and countless peacekeeping operations around the globe.

It is truly hard to imagine what our veterans have done and continue to do to fight for the freedoms that we all so enjoy in Ontario and Canada.

In my riding of Perth–Wellington, we are fortunate to have a great sense of patriotism and pride in our veterans. In my own family, Speaker, my great-uncles helped liberate Rome in World War II.

The town of Arthur is known as Canada’s most patriotic village because of its extraordinary effort in the Second World War. It holds a series of beautiful murals and monuments in the downtown core to honour those who have fought.

Earlier this year, the city of Stratford lost an amazing World War II veteran: Art Boon. He was a veteran of the Normandy invasion on D-Day, a tank crew member, someone who shared his stories with the next generation countless times and was the long-time MC of the Stratford Remembrance Day ceremony. This will be the first year without Art’s presence.

Speaker, I know all of us in this place are truly grateful for Canada’s men and women who don the uniform day in and day out. Lest we forget.

We have with us a former member in the Legislature again today, the member for Kitchener Centre in the 38th, 39th and 40th provincial Parliaments, John Milloy. Welcome back.

Go ahead.

Speaker, with your indulgence, I’d like to introduce two groups. Today, it’s my honour to introduce legislative page captain Clara Brunet’s mother, Beth Belanszky; father, Jean-Pierre Brunet; as well as Clara’s brother Oliver. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

I’d also like to welcome members of the Canadian Alopecia Areata Foundation. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes unpredictable hair loss, which can affect anyone at any age. I’d like to welcome CanAAF president, Carolynne Harrison; CanAAF board member and fundraising chair Lauryn Harrison; Richard Harrison; and Stewart MacPhee. I hope you enjoy your time at the people’s House.

I, too, have the honour of introducing the consul general of the democratic State of Israel, Idit Shamir, who is joined by a delegation of Canadian families whose relatives have been abducted or taken hostage or, worse, murdered by Hamas. It is an honour to welcome you to our House of democracy.

I would like to welcome the Ontario Association of Medical Radiation Sciences, including Greg Toffner, Kati Tuomi, Erin Arps, Anna Gasior, Stephanie Shiplo, Hema Merai and Derek Brown. Welcome to your House.