My question is to the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. With the forest fire season around the corner, we can’t help but reflect on last year’s fire season. In 2023, Ontario and Canada experienced one of the most challenging fire seasons in recent memory. That’s why our government must not lose our focus on the importance of keeping Ontarians and our natural resources safe. It is essential that we do all we can to protect communities across the province in supporting the brave men and women who are on the front lines responding to wildland fires.

Speaker, can the minister please tell the House what actions our government has taken to strengthen Ontario’s fire ranger workforce?

Speaker, can the minister please explain what actions our government is taking to improve fire ranger recruitment and retention?

Thank you to the member from Sault Ste. Marie for the question. Speaker, I’ve said many times that we have what the world needs right now to fuel the EV revolution right here in northern Ontario, especially in Timmins.

Under Premier Ford’s leadership, the critical minerals investment strategy was announced, backed by $45 million in innovation and exploration investments. These investments were not supported by the NDP.

It’s clear our efforts are working. I recently joined Canada Nickel’s announcement that they are looking at Timmins, to build two new mineral processing facilities here in Timmins. Our $500,000 Critical Minerals Innovation Fund investment helped Canada Nickel research and develop innovative processing techniques that will be used at these facilities to produce clean nickel and clean steel.

Thanks to our government’s sound strategy and investments, we are securing major investments from battery plants in the south to processing plants in the north—

Speaker, these facilities will bring more jobs, increase Ontario’s processing capacity, and make Timmins a pillar of the supply chain we are building to fuel the EV revolution. One facility is going to be the largest nickel processing centre in North America, while the other will be the largest stainless steel and alloy production facility in all of Canada.

When asked why he chose Timmins, CEO Mark Selby said, “You’d be very hard-pressed to find anywhere else in the world that has the unique combination of advantages we can find right here in Timmins.” I couldn’t agree more. But these projects aren’t just about a better future for Timmins. They’ll create a better future for everybody in Ontario, especially Indigenous communities. Canada Nickel has been working with First Nations from the start, and Chief Bruce Archibald of TTN proudly voiced his continued support for these superb projects.

We have the opportunity of a lifetime in our province, and thanks to Canada Nickel, we are turning opportunities into realities, proving again that there’s no better place to invest and to do business than right here in Ontario.

Thank you.

Supplementary?

I want to thank the minister for his answer. This is amazing news, not just for Timmins and northern Ontario, but for all of Ontario.

These facilities will ensure that the minerals from Timmins are getting processed in Timmins, boosting local employment opportunities and creating sources of nickel for the North American electric vehicle supply chain.

Speaker, the opposition has made it clear, based on their voting record, that they do not believe in the potential of the mining industry in northern Ontario. They would rather rely on minerals from overseas to fuel the electric vehicle revolution.

On this side of the House, we believe it is our obligation to ensure critical minerals are developed and processed right here in our wonderful province of Ontario.

Will the minister please tell us more about how these processing facilities are going to help us build a made-in-Ontario supply chain for electric vehicles?

My question is to the Attorney General. In 2022, we found out that the Attorney General was personally interviewing candidates to be Ontario’s next Chief Justice. Now the government is openly admitting that they are seeking conservative candidates.

So in interviewing Chief Justice candidates, what questions did the Attorney General ask? Did he ask the candidates who they vote for? Did he ask how the candidates would rule in certain cases? Did he give the candidates instructions on the political agenda that they’d be expected to carry out? And does the Attorney General think it’s appropriate for a government under criminal investigation by the RCMP to be so involved in the selection of judges?

In interviewing candidates and assessing their conservative credentials, is the minister asking judicial candidates to override their constitutional responsibility to provide people with a fair and impartial hearing, or is he asking them to make judicial decisions based on political bias?

There were four candidates who applied to become the Chief Justice, and as I’m charged with making that decision—the establishment thought that maybe they should make the decision for me and give me a recommendation. I thought that wasn’t really the appropriate way to go forward. I sat down with each candidate for an hour. Politics never came up. It’s not appropriate. The opposition may not understand. Judges don’t take direction and it would be foolish to try. It would be crossing a line.

What I was interested in in those interviews was their understanding of the court system across the province because it’s very unique. We can talk about the northwest and the northeast and how Ottawa is different than Windsor. Look, Mr. Speaker, it’s a very complex system. I wanted to hear their plans to help keep the courts moving properly.

I would challenge the member opposite to go through the 89 judges that I have appointed so far and tell me that it is not a balanced list. I have appointed excellent judges. They are the cream of the crop right across the board, and I couldn’t tell you who donated or voted Conservative. I really could not tell you.

Thank you to the member for the question. I’m always thrilled to be able to talk about our great fire rangers here in Ontario and how we are supporting them.

We’re going to play a little game called, “Did you know?” Did you know that the previous government’s base funding for fire fighting was $69.8 million and we raised that to $134.9 million? Did you know that, last fall, we invested an additional $20.5 million to support our fire rangers, support new aerial suppression technologies, support science and innovation, including entering into collaborative research agreements with universities and building capacity to work with Indigenous communities in wildland fire management? Did you know that? Because that’s what this government is doing to support our fire rangers every fire season since we’ve taken over.

Mr. Speaker, we have their backs. We have the backs of the communities in northern Ontario, the individuals, the infrastructure that Ontario needs to continue to grow, and we’re going to keep everybody safe.

What are we doing to help more people come into the fire ranger network? We’re reimbursing them for tuition costs to help remove that barrier and providing more equipment bonuses for them to make sure that what they need is covered. We’re providing, for the first time, standby pay and on-call pay.

This is a tough job, Mr. Speaker. We recognize that. We celebrate the men and women who answer the call and do this on behalf of Ontarians. We will always have their back. We are always looking for new ways to support them, and we’ve got more good announcements coming up to support our fire rangers right here in Ontario.

I seek unanimous consent that, notwithstanding standing order 40(e), five minutes be allotted to the independent members as a group to respond to the ministerial statement today on Black History Month.

I seek unanimous consent of the House that, notwithstanding standing order 100(a)(4), five minutes be allotted to the independent members as a group during private members’ public business today.

In budget after budget, we’ve made investments in the judicial system in terms of the administration. We finished the courthouse with 73 more courtrooms, 63 plus 10 meeting rooms. We have done a ton of work to modernize this system, more work than has been done in decades.

The member opposite and her party, and the Liberal Party, voted against every single step forward and keep talking about defunding police and yanking supports out of the system, redirecting those supports.

I can tell you, let’s just talk about any part of the system and the investments that we’re making; they are historic. We have moved the system forward decades in a matter of years, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we have revolutionized the way that the courts work. We are seen across the country as leaders. A former federal Attorney General said to me, “You know, with the COVID money that you got, you were the only province that was deploying it the way it was meant to be done.” I am very proud of that fact.

We are doing things that couldn’t be done for decades, that wouldn’t be done for decades, because the Liberals weren’t paying attention and the NDP were focused on the social worker side of everything. We’re focused on the offenders. We’re focused on the victims. We’re focused on making sure the administration runs exactly the way Ontarians expect it to, and we’re going to keep that up.

Thank you to the terrific member from Hastings–Lennox and Addington.

Crushingly high interest rates are hurting families right across the province. We’ve called on the Bank of Canada to do the right thing and stop raising interest rates—in fact, start lowering those interest rates. When the price of gas is making life harder and less affordable for the millions of Ontario drivers, we stepped in and we cut the gas tax, providing savings right across the province.

Now, Mr. Speaker, we all know that the carbon tax unnecessarily is driving up inflation and harming the pocketbooks of Ontarians. We continue to call on the federal Liberals to do the right thing, listen to the people and end the carbon tax.

My question is to the Premier. The newly appointed chair of the judicial appointments committee is a registered lobbyist for an American gun manufacturer. The Premier then claimed that he wanted to quadruple down on violent offenders, but it’s actually on his watch over the last six years that we’ve seen offenders going free because the criminal justice system is literally collapsing under this government’s neglect.

Chronic underfunding has led to critical understaffing, which has led to the critical courtrooms being closed, which also means that serious cases are being thrown out because they have missed their basic administrative delays.

Will the Premier explain to victims of crime in Ontario why his focus is naming gun lobbyists to the judicial appointments committee as opposed to being laser-focused on funding and fixing the broken court system?

Under this government, court delays have exploded, forcing judges to release violent and gun-related offenders because they have not had their trials completed in a constitutionally allowable time frame. What I think Ontarians want to understand is, how can we have a Premier that has no respect for the charter rights of Ontarians?

Speaker, will the Premier own up to his track record and let Ontarians know how many sexual assault charges, how many impaired driving charges and how many gun-related charges have been thrown out because of the dysfunctional court system, because they can’t get their trials done in time, because they refuse to fund the courts properly and they refuse to fix the system?

Interjections.

My question is for the Minister of Finance. When I’m out speaking with my residents across Hastings–Lennox and Addington, one thing keeps on becoming very, very clear: I hear constantly about affordability, specifically how unaffordable it is to fill up their gas tank, to heat their homes, to light their stoves. The federal carbon tax is raising the price of everything. Families in my riding and across Ontario can’t afford higher taxes that the opposition Liberals and NDP seem to want to impose, and the members opposite are failing to recognize that the rising cost of consumer goods is quickly becoming unsustainable.

So, Speaker, can the minister please tell this House how we are fighting for the people of Ontario to make their lives more affordable?

It’s an absolute pleasure to introduce Navi and Ana from Sai Dham Food Bank who are here to discuss looking for a sustainable revenue model to support our youth and give back to the community. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

I thank colleagues for a scintillating week here at the Legislature this week and for all of your hard work.

Next week, on Monday, March 4, in the morning, as the Speaker announced, we will be coming back at 9 a.m. We will begin with the third reading of Bill 157, Enhancing Access to Justice Act. In the afternoon, there will be opposition day motion number 1 and then we will continue on with third reading of Bill 157.

On Tuesday, March 5, in the morning, there will be third reading of Bill 157 and then that will continue in the afternoon. For private members’ business that day, it will be motion number 77 from the member for Mississauga Centre, which is on lung cancer screening expansion.

On Wednesday, March 6, in the morning: Bill 166, Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024. In the afternoon, there will be a debate on concurrence in supply. At 6 p.m., there will be private members’ business, Bill 158 standing in the name of the member for Cambridge, which is the Group of Seven Day Act.

On Thursday, March 7, in the morning: Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act. In the afternoon, there will be a ministerial statement on International Women’s Day. In the afternoon, we will return to Bill 166. Private members’ business that day, standing in the member for Mississauga–Lakeshore, is motion number 81, halting the alcohol escalator tax.

I am pleased to be sharing my time today reflecting on Black History Month with my colleague the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism.

Mr. Speaker, Black history is Ontario’s history. The journey of Black Ontarians throughout our history is interwoven into the very fabric of our province and was critical to several milestones achieved by Ontario.

Ontario was a founding province of Canada back on July 1, 1867, but in 1812, more than half a century earlier, Black Canadians took up arms in defence of this land, fought, bled and died in order to preserve and safeguard the future of a country to come.

Richard Pierpoint, a former slave who escaped the cruelty and inhumanity of slavery in the American South, settled here in Ontario and fought for this colony against American expansionism. He and other Black Loyalists who joined this cause understood like no other that their fight was about more than simply winning a war; it was about maintaining their freedom. Because to lose in 1812 would have meant that this land of liberty would have become the territory of a slaveholding country. To lose in 1812 would have meant no Canada 150, no mosaic of multiculturalism and no “True North strong and free.” Their stories make up Ontario’s rich history, and how they have changed the face of our nation, from Confederation right up until this very moment.

My point is that Canadians of African descent have been living for, fighting for and dying for Canada before there was even a Canada to speak of. This is a history that we too often don’t know about and it is a crucial part of why, under the joint leadership of both the minister and parliamentary secretary of education, Black history will now be a core part of the curriculum for Ontario’s students in grades 7, 8 and 10. This knowledge will inspire and empower students to learn about these contributions, to reflect on reconciliation and the road ahead as we continue working together to build a province that welcomes everyone.

As a Black woman, an MPP and a member of cabinet, I feel that I am a voice for the community in my constituency here in the Legislature and across the province. I’m honoured to be a Black woman in a leadership role with a voice at the table, and I am so grateful to this Premier for choosing me to be a part of his cabinet, to serve as the first Black person, man or woman, in a PC government cabinet in Ontario’s history. I made history and our Premier was a vehicle to make that history happen.

I’m proud to be one of the many Ontarians who are working to make our province the best that it can be. Black History Month is about honouring the legacy and the important contributions of Black people who help make Ontario a more inclusive and diverse province.

This very Legislature has made its share of Black history. In 1963, Ontarians elected MPP Leonard Braithwaite as Canada’s first Black parliamentarian at either the federal or provincial level. Then of course there is the glorious trail-blazing path of the Honourable Lincoln Alexander. Not only was he Canada’s first Black MP, he was also the first Black person to serve in a vice-regal position in Canada, as Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor.

Speaker, the government of Canada’s theme for Black History Month this year is “Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build.” That theme is why I believe Black History Month is an ideal opportunity to look ahead and find ways to work together to strengthen Ontario’s proud and historic Black community. Acknowledging that there is still a lot of work to be done in this province to overcome anti-Black racism and determination, it is an important step to achieving equity for all Ontarians.

As we work together to bring more women into the forefront of our economy, I see first-hand the barriers that many women face in empowering themselves economically. Research shows that Black, Indigenous and other racialized women are more likely to be majority owners of small businesses than other women. They exemplify the Ontario spirit, taking a chance to build a better future for themselves, their families and Ontarians at large. However, these women face even greater barriers when starting and scaling up their businesses. That’s why Ontario has been leading a range of initiatives and commitments to empower women to be successful and to help build a strong Ontario together.

One program I’m particularly proud of is the Women’s Economic Security Program. This program provides training for low-income women to equip them with the skills, the knowledge and experience to get a job or start a business and increase their financial independence. Participants can also access wraparound supports such as child care, transportation, food and referrals to other services.

Our government, with the help of our community partners, is tearing down the barriers that have stood between women and building their dreams. I’d like to thank organizations like Roots Community Services that put a particular focus on black women in entrepreneurship, making sure they have the supports that they need for success.

Speaker, I invite this House and all Ontarians to take a look at the phenomenal number of black women entrepreneurs and business leaders who are making their mark in every field. Even as we work to remove the barriers and empower more women, Black History Month provides us an opportunity to reflect on the injustices and the inequities the community has faced throughout history, some of which continue to this day.

That brings me back to the late Lincoln Alexander. Last month, I saw the unveiling of the bust commemorating this larger-than-life trailblazer, whose father worked as a railroad car porter and whose mother worked as a maid. The Honourable Lincoln Alexander’s bust will be on permanent display in this Legislature’s west wing, where it will be viewed by thousands annually, in particular the schoolchildren who will walk through the halls and see someone who reflects them and their community and be inspired.

That’s the same way I feel now when I come into this Legislature and I see students sitting around. Representation is so important. Now, when students look down in this room, they see representation in every part of this House, in every government. That is so important. They will see themselves and the indelible contributions. They will see him, the Honourable Lincoln Alexander, and the contributions he made to Ontario’s history.

As I told the House last year and to every young Black person watching today, if you can see me, you can be me. You are strong. Your voice is important. You are powerful beyond measure. When it comes to celebrating Black History Month, and when it comes to realizing Black potential, visibility is not just a possibility; it’s a necessity.

I want to thank you all. Happy Black History Month. Let’s keep moving forward and building on the progress that we’ve made.

The Attorney General.

Attorney General.

I understand the member for Ottawa–Vanier has a point of order.

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

The House recessed from 1149 to 1300.

Signed by the Lieutenant Governor.

Members may take their seats.

Report deemed adopted.

Mr. Byers moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr39, An Act to revive 1082472 Ontario Limited.

First reading agreed to.

I recognize the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism.

It is always an honour to rise side by side and follow Ontario’s Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity, as she is an incredible trailblazer and champion for, of course, women and children and girls right across the province but also Ontario’s Black community. It’s always a pleasure.

Mr. Speaker, as the minister said, every February, Ontarians commemorate Black History Month. This time provides an opportunity to reflect on the rich culture and history of Ontario’s Black communities and the critical role they have and continue to play in shaping our province to everything it is today.

This year’s theme of Black History Month is “Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build.” This theme calls on us to remember the contributions, expertise and dedication shown by generations of Black leaders who came before, and how their efforts have helped break down barriers and strengthen communities. We celebrate those who blazed the trail and remain focused on empowering the next generation of leaders who are continuing the legacy by taking up the mantle and are actively driving positive change in communities right across our province, from Windsor in the west to Ottawa in the east, to the southern tips of Lake Ontario, up to the far north.

In this House, we have exceptional Black leaders on both sides of the aisle. I would specifically like to acknowledge my colleagues the Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity as well as the members from Ajax and Scarborough Centre, whom I have the privilege to serve with each and every day. Each of these members continues to work tirelessly as advocates for their communities and as champions for Ontario’s Black communities here at Queen’s Park. They have shown to young people from across the province that they, too, can aspire to greatness and one day may take their rightful seat in this chamber as well.

Throughout Black History Month, I have had the pleasure of getting out into communities to meet with local Black leaders and Black-led community organizations, and I have had the opportunity to see first-hand the important work they do to support and empower their fellow community members.

In Ottawa, we met with staff, student leaders and athletes from St. Pius X school; in particular, students Sam and Binae. It was inspiring to see how they were using their platform as student athletes to increase representation of Black youth in athletics and the arts.

In Durham, we joined the MPP for Ajax and the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Education in meeting with Durham Region Association of Black Professionals and Entrepreneurs. This business collective helps Black-owned businesses in Durham gain access to the resources needed to take their businesses to the next level through networking and connection building. In addition, the association also provides Black youth with guidance and mentorship programming to pursue post-secondary education, as well as guidance for those participants pursuing careers in STEM and entrepreneurship.

In Etobicoke, we met with the Delta Family Resource Centre to tour their business incubator hub and learn about how the centre is actively working to connect Black youth with critical skills training in IT and entrepreneurship, to provide work-relevant education and help young people establish a network of business leaders to help launch their careers.

These are just a select few examples of outstanding leaders I have had the privilege of meeting with during Black History Month. They, along with the thousands like them from across Ontario, are the unsung heroes of our province and represent the very best of the Ontario spirit. They have given back to their communities in immeasurable ways. And through their ongoing commitment and dedication, they continue to live up to the words of the Honourable Lincoln Alexander, who said, “It is your duty to set a higher example for others to follow.”

Mr. Speaker, our government recognizes the vital role these organizations and those like it play in empowering Ontario’s Black communities, and we remain a proud ally and partner in supporting the vital work they do.

Earlier this month, my ministry announced an additional investment of $16.5 million into the Economic Empowerment Stream of the Black youth action plan. This will provide organizations with a proven track record of empowering Black children and families with the resources they need to increase capacity and scale up their organizations to support and empower even more Black youth and young professionals right across our great province. This investment builds on the over $138 million invested into the Black youth action plan since 2018. I am proud to say that over 60,000 Black youth, young professionals and families have benefited from the BYAP-funded programming during that time, including more than 5,000 youth and young professionals helped through the economic empowerment stream specifically since the launch in 2020.

Yet, despite our best efforts, we know that even today, there remain barriers that continue to hold Black Ontarians back, preventing them from reaching their full potential. During Black History Month, we celebrate the undeniable progress that we have made while simultaneously recognizing that there is still more work to do.

We know the important role education plays in raising awareness and dismantling barriers. That is why, under the leadership of the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Education, alongside the minister, I was proud to join my colleagues for a truly, truly special day. That day was earlier this month, when our government announced Ontario would be mandating education for grade 7, 8 and 10 students on the history and contributions of Black leaders and change-makers who shaped our province and country, ensuring the next generation is equipped with the knowledge and understanding of the injustices of the past and how they too can be allies for the community.

As we close the chapter on Black History Month, our government remains as steadfast as ever in our commitment to being a partner and advocate for Ontario’s Black communities. This work does not end when February does. We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the community to build bridges, dismantle barriers and make the investments needed so that all can chase their dreams and reach their full potential.

The diversity of our communities is precisely what makes Ontario such a vibrant place to live, work and raise a family. We as Ontarians take great pride in this diversity and all the ways in which it strengthens the fabric of our province. When we all work together to support and uplift each other, our potential is truly limitless.

Let us all continue to be inspired by the trailblazers who came before us. And let us continue to empower those who are currently driving positive change in communities across the province of Ontario. Together, we can ensure a better and brighter future and build a stronger Ontario for all who choose to call Ontario home.