I, as well, met with the Ontario Trial Lawyers Association this morning. I see that one of the people that I met with here, James Page, is in the House. I want to welcome him and thank the other members that I met with: Nital Gosai, Barbara MacFarlane and Mike Santilli. Thank you very much and welcome to your House.

That concludes our members’ statements for this morning.

I recognize the government House leader on a point of order.

I recognize the leader of His Majesty’s loyal opposition.

If you seek it, you will find unanimous consent to allow members to make statements in remembrance for the late Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, 18th Prime Minister of Canada, with five minutes allotted to His Majesty’s loyal opposition, five minutes allotted to the independent members as a group and five minutes allotted to His Majesty’s government.

It’s a pleasure to rise today on behalf of the official opposition to share our deepest condolences on the passing of the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, Canada’s 18th Prime Minister.

I want to start by offering, of course, our most sincere sympathies to the family of Prime Minister Mulroney: his wife Mila; our colleague the President of the Treasury Board and the member for York–Simcoe; Ben, Mark and Nicolas; and all of his grandchildren, family, friends and loved ones as they find themselves in the midst of such a huge loss. I want you to know that as you find yourselves navigating through this new grief, a nation is grieving right alongside you.

Brian Mulroney’s commitment to Canada and its people cannot be understated. He’s left a legacy that will be remembered and recounted for generations to follow. I want to reflect for a moment on what that legacy means as we face, in this moment, the very real and looming threat of climate change. Every day we are breaking new records—and not the good kind—but climate change denialism persists as a major challenge.

Decades ago, when climate activism wasn’t as loud or as visible, Brian Mulroney campaigned for the planet. Under his leadership, Canada broke ground on a number of environmental policies. It was Prime Minister Mulroney who led the signing of the acid rain treaty with the United States. It was a unique first step in managing cross-border pollution. As well, there was the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty to ban CFCs that were burning a hole in the ozone layer. That’s still one of the most successful international environmental treaties.

I could go on listing his environmental accomplishments: the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the Environmental Protection Act, ratifying the Convention on Biological Diversity, recognizing conservation of biodiversity as a common concern of humankind—under Prime Minister Mulroney’s leadership Canada was the first industrialized country to do so. His government released the Green Plan, with millions in funds and policies to bring carbon emissions under control. For Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, the environment and the Earth’s well-being was not a partisan issue. He understood the importance of coming together to save the planet that we all share and his actions on this matter reflected that.

Many will also remember that under Prime Minister Mulroney’s watch Canada was one of the first countries that Nelson Mandela visited upon his release from prison after nearly 27 years. We don’t have to tell anybody in this room, probably, but Prime Minister Mulroney repeatedly called for the release of Nelson Mandela and he took on Margaret Thatcher to impose sanctions on the apartheid regime. Back when I was a young thing, that was an issue that I cared very deeply about. And while there’s no question that, certainly, the fight for liberation in South Africa was won by South Africans, by people organizing and resisting, sanctions were an absolutely critical factor in applying international pressure to the apartheid state.

Personally, I saw another side to that role that Canada played, because Canada also used, under Prime Minister Mulroney, our international development heft to support the front-line states in their resistance against apartheid as well.

My family’s life changed under Prime Minister Mulroney’s policies. We were living in Newfoundland, and my father got a contract doing work for CIDA in international development in southern Africa, working with the SADC states. At that time, there was enormous resistance to apartheid in South Africa. His project was to ensure industrial energy conservation was taking place in those front-line states. What was important about that was it allowed for those states to remain independent of the South African apartheid state. It was a critical thing. It was another way—and I think there were many of these tactics that were used by Canada in that moment—to use our policy and our money and our decisions to put pressure to end apartheid. It’s something that changed my life, and it changed my family’s life.

Mr. Mulroney’s legacy is folded into Canada’s story, and that’s quite a legacy to leave. He also leaves a more personal legacy for many of us in political life, as a mentor and as someone who was always willing to reach across party lines to give advice. He even left me a message or two, I will say.

I was reminded at Ed Broadbent’s memorial not very long ago—another great Canadian—of their friendship. A friend of mine was reminding me that at the inaugural Broadbent Institute gala a number of years back, Mr. Mulroney sent in a lovely little video, and it started out with him saying, “Hello, Brian Mulroney here. Bet you’re wondering what I’m doing at the Broadbent gala.” I know they had a very close friendship and respect for each other, and I think that was very important to Mr. Broadbent as well.

On the other side of someone’s passing, the loss feels so huge. It is huge, and it is sometimes insurmountable. This morning of tributes is our human attempt to fill the vacuum that can otherwise feel so overwhelming. As we remember a Prime Minister and a global leader, we are really remembering a person: a brother, a father, a husband and a valued community member.

So to Caroline, to Mr. Mulroney’s family, I can only hope there is some solace and smiles and warmth to be found in the very rich life that Brian Mulroney led. And I say this again: Those whose lives were touched by your father across this country and around the world are standing right beside you. I hope you’re all feeling our support that is there with you today.

It’s an honour today to rise to pay tribute to the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, Canada’s 18th Prime Minister.

Brian Mulroney’s impact on Canada and the world was significant: the fight against apartheid in South Africa, the GST, fighting acid rain and championing free trade. It was free trade, John Turner and Brian Mulroney that got me off the couch in 1998 to go and knock doors in Ottawa South, and that was the spark that led me here some 25 years later.

Since then, I’ve come closer to his position on free trade. That’s the thing about political legacies: Our victories, our mistakes, our missed opportunities are always looked at through the lens of the present. They’re subject to debate. There is a legacy that is more important, and that is the mark that you leave on people’s hearts.

Our colleague the President of the Treasury Board introduced me to her father at the tribute to another great leader, former Premier Bill Davis. And I don’t remember his words as much as I remember how he made me feel—warm words of encouragement, a genuine interest. After that conversation, I thought to myself, I understand why Brian Mulroney is so special, but it wasn’t until reading the tributes that poured in after his death that I realized his lasting legacy. There was a recurring theme: He was always the first to call a colleague or a political rival who had suffered a defeat, a victory, a personal loss or was just having a hard time. He took time with them. He left an impression on everyone he met. Not only was he a friend to many, most importantly, he was a dad, a grandad, a husband and a son.

In closing, I’d like to use some of Brian Mulroney’s own words to pay tribute to him. Late one night, he asked Arthur Milnes, who helped him write his memoirs, to review a passage he wrote about the death of his father, Ben. I’ll try to get through this. “In the evenings I would take him in my arms like a child—he was losing weight very quickly—and carry him downstairs to the living room so he could watch TV and tune in to the CBC ... news. In those days the lead announcer was Earl Cameron, who always concluded his newscast with the words, ‘This is Earl Cameron saying good night from Toronto,’ and my dad unfailingly replied with a smile, ‘Good night, Earl.’ He continued to do this right to the end.”

To the Mulroney family: I’m sure that your father is in his dad’s arms right now.

Next, the member for Guelph.

I rise today to remember the remarkable life of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who sadly passed away last week. Prime Minister Brian Mulroney had a massive impact on Ontario and Canada. His vision and his leadership profoundly shaped our nation.

Serving as Prime Minister from 1984 to 1993, he challenged the status quo for a better country from coast to coast to coast. He championed economic and tax reforms to build a stronger economy. He was the driving force behind the Canada-US Free Trade Agreement and later NAFTA. He’s the reason that today we do over $1.2 trillion in two-way trade with the United States every single year.

He was a larger-than-life figure who not only reshaped Canada’s political landscape but also its place on the world stage. He gave our country confidence that we never had before. He carried great influence with global leaders like President Ronald Reagan, President George H.W. Bush and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. And he used that influence to play a leading role in ending South Africa’s racist apartheid system and in the international response to the Ethiopian famine.

Prime Minister Mulroney was instrumental in negotiating the landmark acid rain treaty. He knew that a strong economy and a strong environment go hand in hand, and it’s a lesson that I carry with me today.

Even after politics, he never stopped serving the people. He became an elder statesman, an adviser to so many of us.

On a personal note, he was a mentor, he was a role model and a friend. I have so many fond memories of him. I used to call him when I needed advice. When I was faced with a tough decision, he was always quick to answer the phone. And he had the best stories. If you’ve ever heard Prime Minister Mulroney’s stories—he had the best stories, and he always had a way to lift you up. I used to tell him after our chats that I felt so inspired and ready to take on the world.

Mr. Speaker, I’ll tell you a personal story: My mother, when she was sick—she loved the Prime Minister. He gave her a CD. I don’t know if people realize there’s a CD out there of the Prime Minister with all his songs and with his voice. She would be playing it all the time. I came home one day and heard Brian Mulroney’s voice singing, and I thought, “Okay, Mum, where’s he hiding?” She had his CD, and I thought, “Boy, wouldn’t this be an appropriate time to give him a call?” I gave him a call. He answered, and I said—I always called him “Prime Minister”—“Prime Minister, I walked into the house and my mum was listening to your song.” He said, “Can you pass the phone to your mother?” I passed it to her, and he started to sing. By the time he was done, my mother was a puddle on the floor. He was such a true gentleman.

Brian was so proud of his family: his wife, Mila; his four children, Caroline, Ben, Mark and Nicolas; and his many grandchildren.

I see so much of Brian’s best qualities in Caroline. I see the kindness, the intelligence and selfless service. I told him—just bear with me. I told him that when his daughter—because anyone knows that when you have a daughter—sons are sons; they’re great too. But when you have a daughter—now his daughter was stepping into the big leagues. She was coming down here, and I think—when you talked to him about Caroline, you could hear it; you could see it in his eyes. She was the apple of his eye. I think I gave him comfort—and not that she needed this, believe me. Caroline is one of the smartest, toughest women I know, and everyone knows that. I said, “I will protect her with my life. I’ll make sure I look after her.” The ironic thing is she’s protecting me and looks after me all the time. It just gave him comfort. When you would talk to Caroline about her dad, she would light up, just light up. You could see the glow in her face.

I just want to say, our prayers are with the Mulroney family, and especially Caroline. On behalf of the people of Ontario, I want to offer our condolences, our prayers, our thoughts to the family.

And I want to thank you for sharing your dad with us, Caroline, for so many years. While he’s left us now, he leaves behind a legacy as a trailblazer, as a visionary, as one of the greatest Prime Ministers in Canadian history, as a great man. He’ll be dearly missed by all.

I just want to say thank you to his family and to the Prime Minister for serving. May God bless Brian Mulroney.

Applause.

I thank the members for their eloquent tributes as together we give thanks for the life and public service of the Right Honourable Martin Brian Mulroney. We should almost have a recess.

It is now time for oral questions.

The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

I appreciate the question from the member opposite. Look, I think I’ve addressed that on multiple occasions, as has the Integrity Commissioner. What we’re continuing to focus on is ensuring that we put in place the conditions that will help more homes be built across the province of Ontario.

Look, we inherited a situation in the province of Ontario where the previous Liberal government, supported by the NDP, frankly, have put obstacle after obstacle in the way of getting homes built. Those obstacles have led us to a housing crisis which we have been relentless in trying to get resolved.

Now, Mr. Speaker, during the time of the Liberals, you saw housing starts either decrease or be levelled below what was required. Since we have come to office, since we’ve started removing those obstacles, you are seeing year after year not only the highest level of purpose-built rental housing ever in Ontario’s history, but you’re also seeing that housing starts have averaged up each and every year. So we’re going to continue to remove the obstacles that were put in the way by the previous Liberal government, and we’re going to continue to build more homes for the people of the province of Ontario.

Look, we inherited an absolute mess—not just a mess that led to a housing crisis, a budgetary crisis. We inherited a mess that saw manufacturing leave the province of Ontario at record levels. It is no secret that when this government took office, we wanted to remove those barriers. Those barriers that we have been lifting have seen record job creation across the province of Ontario.

More people setting up businesses in the province of Ontario, billions of dollars’ worth of economic investment, hundreds of thousands of people coming to this province for the hope and opportunity that this government has allowed to flourish across the province means more homes need to be built. We’ll remove the obstacles that the Liberals put in the way, and we’ll get the job done.

But getting back to the facts as they stand, in the province of Ontario we inherited a situation in 2018 that saw Ontario not only in a housing crisis but in an economic crisis. We were faced with a situation where we needed to balance the budget, we needed to reduce taxes and we needed to eliminate red tape that was stifling growth across the province of Ontario.

Now, housing affordability isn’t just about removing obstacles, Mr. Speaker. I can remove all of the obstacles that I want, but housing affordability also has to do with people’s ability to—

Interjections.

You want housing affordability? We’ll remove obstacles. Help us keep taxes down so more people can afford those homes.

We had the highest over-regulated economy in Canada, and now we have removed those obstacles. We removed that unnecessary red tape and regulation. The Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade has attracted over $28 billion worth of investment to the province of Ontario. Where before, manufacturers were leaving Ontario, now they are coming back and fighting to be part of this economy. That is what we are accomplishing. Where before our students were failing in school, now they are not only leading Canada; they are leading the world. We’re putting more money back in the pockets of the people of the province of Ontario, but unfortunately, the high-inflation, high-spending, high-debt policies of the federal Liberal government have led to a crisis that is seeing interest rates putting too many people out of the ability to buy their first home.

Interjection.

This question is for the Premier. Recently, through a freedom of information request, the NDP has obtained nearly 4,000 pages of records from the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing that discussed the Premier’s infamous greenbelt grab. The documents include emails that were forwarded to Ryan Amato, the former chief of staff to the former Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. One thing that kept coming up in these documents is several uses of the phrase G-asterisk or G-star.

So my question to the Premier is, does the Premier have any idea what that means or why it would be used in internal communications with Mr. Amato and the minister’s office?

So my question back to the Premier: Was anyone directed to avoid or conceal references to the greenbelt in their written communications so they could avoid being captured in a freedom-of-information request?

So I’m going back to the Premier again, hoping for an answer: Did anyone in the Premier’s office direct others to avoid email or use code words when discussing the special project of carving up the greenbelt, and when is the Premier going to be disclosing this to the RCMP?

Interjections.

Speaker, back to the Premier: The reason this is important is because it is part of a growing mountain of evidence that the government has deliberately tried to cover up the details of its $8-billion greenbelt grab. Last year, the Auditor General uncovered evidence that government officials had inappropriately used personal email accounts and devices when discussing the greenbelt grab. Today’s FOI shows more of the same between Mr. Amato and Mr. Sackville in the Premier’s office.

Back to the Premier again: Is it standard operating procedure to have staff use personal devices and accounts when discussing the “special project” known internally as “G*”?

Speaker, the stench of this scandal has seeped into everything this government touches. That’s the truth.

The Information and Privacy Commissioner has already warned the government, I’ll remind them, about deleting emails and concealing information through the use of personal emails and personal devices after we uncovered that government officials were already doing that.

Deleting emails related to this massive government policy, using personal accounts or not, is in contravention of the law. When the Liberals did that, someone went to jail.

So back to the Premier: Why did your staff delete emails related to the greenbelt grab?

We know it wasn’t just emails. The Premier has admitted to using his personal phone for government business. He says it all the time, every day, and yet he refuses to share his phone records. Why? What is he hiding?

Brown envelopes, coded messages, burner phones, Speaker—at every turn, it looks like the Premier’s office took deliberate steps to cover their tracks. We’re going to get to the bottom of it. We sure will, or the RCMP will, because this government is under criminal investigation. But they could come clean right now, and they might help themselves.

Speaker, I want to ask the Premier again: When will he finally own up to his role in this scheme, or do we have to wait for the RCMP?

Interjections.

Member for Hamilton Mountain will come to order.

The supplementary question.

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

The next question.

I’ll remind the Leader of the Opposition that when the Liberals broke the law it was the NDP that kept them in power, which has led to the economic catastrophe that was the province of Ontario in 2018.

Now, we have moved on so many fronts to restore Ontario as the engine of the Canadian economy. Look, we’re doing things that put more money back in the pockets of the people of Ontario. Look at what the Associate Minister of Transportation has been able to accomplish with respect to One Fare. Now, they talked about it a lot, but they were never able to get it done. This government got it done. That’s about $1,600 in the pockets of the people of Ontario.

We are able to build subways. Do you know why? Because we’re focused on getting results for the people of the province of Ontario. Now, they announced it a million times. They kept announcing and announcing and announcing, getting nothing done. We’re building hospitals and long-term-care homes in parts of the province that have never had them before. We are restoring Ontario as the best place to live, work, invest and raise a family, not only in Canada but the entire world.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker, once again, we know what this is all about: It’s about their campaign to stop Highway 413, and we will not listen to them. The people of this province elected us to build Highway 413. In fact, they lost three members for being on the wrong side of that.

Everything that this government has done under the leadership of Premier Ford has put more money back into hard-working families of this province, whether it’s 10 cents a litre on the gas tax; whether it’s removing tolls on the 412 or 418, which that member voted against when this Premier put that forward; or whether it’s removing $125 val-tag fees from each car or truck that an individual owns in this province.

And on top of that, we are fighting against the 23% increase of the carbon tax that’s coming on April 1. I hope that member also raises her voice to the federal members that she knows and her counterparts to make sure that we keep more money in the pockets of hard-working families in Ontario.

My message to both the Liberals and the NDP is: Get out of the bubble. Come to cities like Brampton. Come to cities like Mississauga. Travel the streets and roads all across this province, whether they’re in northern Ontario, southern Ontario, and listen to the drivers. We need to build more infrastructure. We need to build the Bradford Bypass. We need to build Highway 413, and as we do that, we’re going to continue to fight against punishing policies like the carbon tax, which is about to go up by 23% on April 1.

We will continue to fight for hard-working families in this province and put more money back into their pockets.

My question is to the Minister of Transportation. When the 407 was built, there was a plan for it to be paid by 2027 and then we would own it. Instead, the Conservatives sold it for a song, the tolls have gone up about 300%, and the 407 ETR owns us. The 99-year lease was highway robbery, actually.

People resent that the 407 tolls are out of control. People want to get where they want to go, and this government could save people time, make the 401 safer and improve the flow of goods. We proposed a solution to help, and this government voted against it.

So my question is, why isn’t the government willing to talk about the 407 and toll relief?

So let’s take the tolls off the trucks, get the trucks off the 401 and make traffic better for everyone. Let’s renegotiate the 407 ETR contract. Everyone knows traffic congestion is already brutal, but we could do this now.

So my question is, when will this Conservative government be willing to do something about the 407?

My question is for the Minister of Finance. The carbon tax drives up the price of everything from filling up our cars to heating our homes in the winter. It hurts our economy and punishes the hard-working people and businesses of our province.

At a time of high interest rates and high cost of living, Ontarians need more financial relief, not another tax. While our government has been speaking up against this punitive tax since day one, the opposition NDP and independent Liberals continue to ignore its harmful impacts. Ontarians deserve better from their elected officials.

Speaker, can the minister tell this House what our government is doing to protect Ontario families and businesses from the high cost the Liberal carbon tax has on gas?

H-S-T. H-S-T.

The member for Orléans, come to order.

Supplementary question.

Minister of Colleges and Universities.