SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

Ontario Assembly

43rd Parl. 1st Sess.
December 4, 2023 09:00AM
  • Dec/4/23 11:00:00 a.m.

Thank you to the member for that question. We are taking our time and reviewing the 31 recommendations from the blue-ribbon panel’s report. We’re working very closely with Colleges Ontario and the Council of Ontario Universities as well. We’re putting working groups together to work directly with my ministry on those recommendations.

But we launched the blue-ribbon panel because we wanted independent and expert-driven advice to help form a practical and principled way forward for the sector. I’ll tell you, if we wanted to waste tax dollars, we would have called it the orange or the red panel.

But while the Liberals and NDP blew their chance to prioritize students when they held the balance of power, our government will always put the needs and future of students first. Unlike our blue-ribbon panel that focused on a shared approach to supporting post-secondary education in Ontario, the Liberals and NDP previously partnered in blowing through spending, blowing off the needs of students and blowing off their responsibility to the taxpayers of this province. That is why our government struck a blue-ribbon panel to ensure that the student experience and access to education—

My ministry has already begun working with institutions on a financial accountability framework that will allow for early detection of financial challenges and require immediate action to correct bad practices. In order for our sector to be sustainable for the long term, institutions need to take leadership and review their operations from top to bottom. From governance practices, program offerings, day-to-day operations, and everything in between, colleges and universities across the province need to become the best possible version of themselves. This is not a change that will happen overnight, but it is one that is necessary so that students, families and of course the taxpayers can have confidence that every dollar is being allocated appropriately and with complete transparency.

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  • Dec/4/23 11:40:00 a.m.

Thank you once again for that question. We are presently in a review with respect to the consumption and treatment sites. We all know what happened in Leslieville. We all know that we need to ensure public safety. We have an independent individual who is reviewing the consumption and treatment sites to ensure the public safety, as well as that the safety of people using the sites is taken care of. Until that decision is made, the decision is on pause as to what will occur. In addition, if there are concerns, I’ve mentioned that there is a possibility of contacting the individual doing the review and providing them with your views with respect to the issues.

But, Mr. Speaker, one thing I have to say is that the situation we’ve had when it comes to addictions and having a treatment continuing—this government is the one government that understands the need and is building the continuum of care to ensure that the needs of individuals are met, wherever they are in the province.

Mr. Speaker, I listen to the questions being raised by the opposite side, and I ask myself, why did we to where we are in the province? You should look at your own record and the reckless nature of the record you had when you were in government and supporting the Liberals in the past.

Interjections.

Interjections.

Interjections.

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