We all know that when we make access easier, we get results. We get results by lowering the demand in the rest of our health care system. There is an inequity right now for women who cannot gain access to contraception. We have an opportunity in a few minutes, as legislators, to change all of that, to make sure that every woman in Ontario who needs contraception will be covered and will be getting contraception through our health care system.

Why is it that, after discussion, after reading hundreds of letters from women who need this to happen, we are still debating this issue? This is a non-issue, Speaker. This is a service that needs to be covered by the government, end of story. Will the members of the Conservative Party stand up for women’s rights and vote in favour of that motion?

Premier, shelters and transition houses are bursting at the seams. Many children and women have nowhere to go. The sector is facing critical staffing shortages and turnover as wages in this sector have been brutally shut down and stifled because of this Conservative government’s Bill 124. While they should be expanding programs to meet the demand, they are struggling to keep their doors open on shoestring budgets that are not tending to the operational needs.

Yesterday, a front-line worker shared how they are fundraising for food for their clients. Another spoke of how their organization’s funding expired, reversing progress made for women and children fleeing violence.

Again, my question is back to the Premier: Will he commit to ending gender-based violence today by creating a sustainable needs-based funding model for this sector? Will he support these workers and can Bill 124?