Speaker, Mr. Faqiri’s death demonstrates how harmful it is when mental illness is criminalized in our justice system.

Mr. Faqiri was held in solitary confinement while waiting to be assessed for mental health treatment. His family wants answers about why Mr. Faqiri was not transferred to a hospital earlier, why they weren’t able to visit him and what he may have experienced during his 11 days in custody.

Ontarians deserve systemic change in our justice system, Speaker, and people in mental health crisis deserve help, not violence. Aside from Mr. Faqiri’s family, racialized, Black, Indigenous communities across the province are closely monitoring the recommendation coming out of the coroner’s inquest.

To the Premier: What will this government do to take steps to address the deadly mix of systemic discrimination and mental health stigma in the justice and correctional systems?

Thank you to my colleague across for the question. Any death is too many. Any death is a tragedy. And as my friend opposite knows, we do not speak to an ongoing inquest. It would be completely inappropriate. She also knows, Mr. Speaker, that the purpose of an inquest is to determine the circumstances surrounding a death and, if appropriate, make recommendations that may prevent further deaths. Our government continuously works to make sure policies in corrections are in line with best practices.

Again, Mr. Speaker, this is a complex issue, and we cannot speak to an ongoing inquest.

I’ve seen it for myself as I’ve toured our correctional complexes: I have met with the native inmate liaison officers—the NILOs; I’ve met with the chaplains. Mr. Speaker, I stay close in contact with the OPSEU union representatives as well. And at the end of the day, our government is taking this matter seriously, and we will reduce, where possible, and eliminate inmate experiences in segregation conditions.

While this government sits on a multi-billion-dollar slush fund, refusing to help people struggling with the cost of living, food bank use has hit record levels in Ottawa. One in seven Ottawa residents is currently food insecure. In 2023 alone there have been nearly half a million food bank visits in Ottawa. A growing number of food bank users are employed full time and still can’t put food on the table.

When is the Premier going to get serious about solving the affordability crisis by reinstating real rent control, increasing social assistance and raising the minimum wage?

While Ottawa food banks are extending hours into evenings and weekends to accommodate people who have full-time jobs and can’t go at any other time, this government is eroding the social safety net at every turn. We know what the solutions are and the Premier can implement them today if he wanted to. Put a stop to price gouging. Reinstate real rent control. Increase Ontario Works and ODSP. Raise the minimum wage. Why is the Premier busy pretending to be helpless instead of doing his job and helping people?

My question is for the Minister of Energy. We’ve spent much of this week talking about how the carbon tax is raising the cost of everything. That is why our government must continue to work diligently to find practical solutions to make Ontario’s electricity grid more affordable, cleaner and more reliable. For example, the minister has previously explained that installing a hybrid heat pump can save families $280 a year while also cutting their home heating emissions by a third.

Can the minister please share information about the cost-saving energy initiatives that our government has already put in place?

Well, I just want to inform the member—first of all, thank you for the question. I don’t know if you have read the stats on ag production and what we’re shipping out and exporting around the world. We’ve exported, just on ag products, over $20 billion. If you want to add in food, beverage and ag, we’re over $52 billion that we ship out of this province. They have never had a better crop ever than last year.

We’re going to continue supporting our farmers, supporting the workers that are working there. We have a massive industry. It actually goes right down to—6% of our GDP is just ag products alone. It equals about $42 billion overall.

So any time you want to come by my office, I’ll inform you on what we’re doing in the agriculture, food and beverage sector.

The Solicitor General.

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

Bill 131, An Act to enact the GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023 and to amend the City of Toronto Act, 2006 / Projet de loi 131, Loi édictant la Loi de 2023 sur le financement des stations du réseau GO et modifiant la Loi de 2006 sur la cité de Toronto.

The division bells rang from 1143 to 1148.

On November 22, 2023, Miss Surma moved Bill 131, An Act to enact the GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023 and to amend the City of Toronto Act, 2006.

On November 22, 2023, Mr. Sandhu moved that the question be now put.

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

Miss Surma has moved third reading of Bill 131, An Act to enact the GO Transit Station Funding Act, 2023 and to amend the City of Toronto Act, 2006.

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 another five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1153 to 1154.

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

Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.

Third reading agreed to.

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

The House recessed from 1200 to 1300.

Report continues in volume B.

The ayes are 72; the nays are 27.