I appreciate the question coming from the member opposite, but we need to remember that what we’re debating today is enabling legislation, and the regulations will be facilitated through that new college that will be created, should this bill pass. With that said, I trust the individuals who have come together to work together to realize this modernization.

I’d like to give a shout-out to the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, as well as the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians and all of the other professions that provide services to either pets or livestock throughout this province. I trust that when it comes to those conversations that need to be had to bring forward regulations, there will be much thought and responsibility given to that action.

I’m really proud of the modernization that we’re talking about in this particular piece of legislation. Whether it’s for livestock or pets, what we’ve done here is actually bring two professions under one college. In that, that team-based approach is going to improve access so that when you need care for your pet, it will be available to you, because the—

Thank you so much to the minister and to the parliamentary assistants for bringing forward this legislation, the Enhancing Professional Care for Animals Act.

I’m wondering if the minister can tell us a little bit more about how the proposed changes will enhance access to professional animal care—and specifically, the changes to the scope of practice for vet techs and their ability to participate in team-based care to the full extent of their abilities and training—and how that will help improve access for us who have fur babies to come in and have them taken care of.

Again to the minister: During the hearings on this bill at committee, we heard about the veterinary legislative oversight acts that are in place in other jurisdictions—BC, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Florida—that all include non-profit veterinary services in their veterinary legislation.

My question to the minister is: Can she assure all of those veterinarians who want to be able to provide non-profit delivery of veterinary services that the regulations under this act will be expanded to enable that in this province?

Further questions?

Third reading debate deemed adjourned.

We are facing unacceptable wait times for MRIs in Niagara right now. Right now, our community faces a staggering 306-day wait time for MRIs—a wait time that nearly doubled in the past year.

Since 2016, we have fought tooth and nail to secure additional funding to increase MRI operating hours. In 2021, we received funding to operate a brand new MRI machine. And yet, despite these efforts, our wait times have only worsened. Why are we in a dire situation and waiting 306 days? People in Niagara should not be forced to endure unbearable waits for medical procedures, yet here we are, waiting endlessly while our health care deteriorates.

This crisis will become another excuse for the government to push for privatization of our health care services. But let me be clear: Privatization is not the answer. It only benefits the wealthy few who will leave the rest of us suffering.

We must hold the government accountable for its failure to prioritize the health and well-being of our communities. It’s time to demand action, to demand change. We cannot allow our public health care system to continue failing us.

This government has committed to the funding to ensure Niagara residents have access to MRIs. So what is happening at Niagara Health? We cannot allow our health care to fail on purpose.

Speaker, 306 days, frankly, is unacceptable to the residents of Niagara.

Our government, under Premier Ford’s leadership, is getting it done by building Highway 413. In the coming year, by 2025, we will move ahead with construction and get shovels in the ground as a part of our plan to build Ontario.

With Halton, Peel and York regions all set to grow at incredible speed, our government is saying yes to building the critical infrastructure our province needs by building the roads and highways that will keep these communities strong and thriving.

Highway 413 will bring relief to the most congested corridor in North America. Preliminary design, environmental assessment work and consultations are under way for the new route. During construction, Highway 413 is expected to generate up to $350 million in real GDP and support 3,500 good-paying union jobs, such as heavy-equipment operators, drilling and coring contractors, concrete and steel workers, utility contractors, environmental specialists, laboratory technologists, safety inspectors, and so many more in the industry. Once completed, not only will it improve our productivity and encourage economic growth by getting goods to market faster, but it will also have a measurable impact on the quality of life for Ontario drivers so they can spend more time with their families and less time stuck in gridlock.

Speaker, we are delivering on our promise to build Highway 413 with our plan to fix gridlock and make life easier and more convenient for millions of drivers in the GTA and across Ontario.

We’re getting it done. We’re building Highway 413.

Today, my colleague MPP West and I wish we were in our ridings so we could join the 900 health care professionals holding a rally at Health Sciences North. You see, Speaker, these workers have been working without a collective agreement since June 2022, two long years ago. Today, May 16, is the long-awaited arbitration date.

We support workers.

I know that there are shortages in 15 different classifications of health care professionals, from respiratory therapists, pathologist assistants, lab technicians, radiation therapists, medical radiation technologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, pharmacy technicians, prosthetic and orthotic technicians, perfusionists—and the list goes on. These shortages cause delays in tests needed for diagnosis, delays in care and treatment plans, and missed care altogether. All these delays lead to extended hospital stays, hospital overcrowding and hallway health care.

The top reasons why health care professionals leave their work are pay and working conditions.

So I sure hope that the arbitration brings them what negotiations were not able to bring: fair wages and good working conditions.

To all of the health care workers out there and allies at the rally today, I value your important work. We wish we could be there with you. I sure hope that after waiting for two years, you get a good collective agreement.

Solidarity.

On a point of order: Pursuant to standing order 7(e), I wish to inform the House that tonight’s evening meeting is cancelled.

It’s a pleasure for me to rise to talk about OSAID, Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to address some of OSAID’s amazing student delegates at the 2024 launch of SAID Day.

OSAID was established in 1987 and is the only student-led anti-impaired driving initiative in Ontario.

Impaired driving used to just refer to drinking and driving; now it includes anything that impairs one’s ability to operate a vehicle safely. Impairment can be caused by alcohol; drugs, both legal and illegal; fatigue; texting while driving; and even things like loud music or loud friends.

Last year, OSAID won the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario’s initiative of the year.

These young people are to be commended for their outstanding leadership and service in their schools and their communities. We know effective educational and awareness programs like OSAID have the power to shift attitudes, change behaviour and lead to safer driving practices.

Thank you to OSAID and to the team of dedicated students, volunteers and directors for continuing to remind us that the decisions made behind the wheel affect not just your own life, but the lives of countless others.

It’s Building Safety Month. Ontario’s building officials play a critical role in tackling the province’s housing supply shortage, while keeping us safe in accordance with the building code.

Since 1976, the Ontario building code has set the minimum standard for new and existing buildings in the province of Ontario. The code impacts our daily lives, from establishing safety standards in our homes to ensuring public spaces are accessible for all, and to establishing innovative approaches as we work to meet our ambitious goal of building 1.5 million homes by 2031.

We cannot unlock Ontario’s housing potential without keeping up with the latest innovations and standards.

That’s why I am proud of our government’s release of the 2024 Ontario building code, the largest building code update since 2012.

The new addition provides opportunities to accelerate the construction of new housing projects, such as the expansion and the use of encapsulated mass-timber construction, while ensuring the buildings in Ontario continue to be among the safest and the most accessible in North America.

I’m proud to be a part of a government that continues to work with municipalities and builders to deliver on our mandates to ensure that all Ontarians have access to safe and secure housing.

In 2018, I was riding my bicycle along Bloor Street and a vehicle pulled past me, stopped, and a passenger got out the back door. There just was not time for me to react. I ran into the door. The bicycle was damaged. I was injured. I ended up with a horseshoe-shaped bruise on my thigh. That was one of 132 dooring incidents in the city that year.

I actually got off quite lucky. I’ve since spoken with another gentleman who was also doored. He was pushed under a truck when he got doored, and he’s a quadriplegic. Sometimes dooring incidents even lead to death.

So I’ve been thinking about this, and I’m thinking there’s a technical solution to reduce and potentially eliminate doorings.

Today in the Legislature, we’ve got engineering students from the University of Toronto who have developed a device that goes on side-view mirrors. If a bicycle or another vulnerable pedestrian or a vehicle is coming up the side of a vehicle, it will send out an alarm. It will send out a light, and it will prevent the person from opening the door, so that we can reduce the number of doorings.

Today, I will be introducing a motion in the Legislature to mandate these devices on all ride-share vehicles in the province of Ontario, to be paid for by the ride-share companies three years out. I’m hoping that the government will pass this motion and help us to reduce and potentially eliminate doorings in the province of Ontario.

It’s an honour to rise today to say thank you to the Guelph Climate Action Network and the Guelph-Wellington Coalition for Social Justice for organizing a community climate forum on May 4. I was so impressed that over 160 community members came out on a beautiful Saturday afternoon to problem-solve and discuss real actions we can take to address the climate emergency. I left the meeting inspired and energized by the people power in that room.

People talked about how vital local food, public transit, cycling and walking infrastructure, more homes in existing neighborhoods, and waste reduction are to reducing climate pollution. They talked about the need to disconnect their homes from dirty fossil gas and install heat pumps as a way to save money heating and cooling their homes. They made it clear to me that they want Ontario to invest in low-cost wind and solar, not expensive, dirty gas plants, and they don’t want any more four-lane highways in the greenbelt. Most of all, they told me they want a livable, low-carbon future for their children and grandchildren. They want a government that’s going to invest in preparing our communities for the climate emergency that we’re experiencing—the floods, the droughts, the fires.

I want my constituents to know that I hear you, and I will work hard at Queen’s Park to bring forward the solutions you want and that we all need.

I’m honoured to share a touching moment from this past Mother’s Day. With four children and seven grandchildren of my own, I deeply understand the joys and challenges of being a mother.

As we celebrated Mother’s Day this past Sunday, I rise today on behalf of the people of Richmond Hill to pay tribute to the remarkable women who enrich our lives in countless ways: our mothers.

I recently attended a heartwarming celebration organized by the Catholic Community Services of York Region. It was a poignant event that celebrated the incredible mothers in our community, emphasizing their resilience and boundless love. Sitting among fellow mothers and their families, I was moved by their stories of sacrifice and unwavering support. It was a reminder of the profound impact mothers have on our families and communities.

Let us reaffirm our commitment to advocate for the well-being of mothers in Ontario. You are appreciated, cherished and celebrated, not just only on Mother’s Day, but every day.

I was pleased to join the Minister of Health last month for a very important virtual announcement which will positively affect many families in Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston. A new regional pediatric surgical program was launched to address the wait-list for surgeries for children and youth in eastern Ontario—part of this government’s investment of an additional $330 million each year in pediatric health services in our hospitals and community-based health care facilities.

Led by the Kids Come First Health Team, this initiative brings the CHEO day surgery program to two sites: the Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital in my riding of Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston, and the Brockville General Hospital in my neighbour MPP’s riding of Leeds–Grenville–Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes.

Funding will go toward equipment and training at the Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital, including pediatric advanced life-support skills as well as general and orthopaedic surgery.

My thanks for the hard work and dedication of Mary Wilson Trider, who just recently retired from her position as CEO of the Mississippi River Health Alliance, which includes the Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital; Nicholas Vlacholias from Brockville General Hospital; and Alex Munter, CEO of CHEO.

Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the government is providing significant financial support to hospitals and communities to improve how they deliver pediatric care, ensuring families in Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston and across the province can access care easier, faster and closer to home.

I’d like to introduce Lynne Innes in the House. Lynne is the president and CEO of Weeneebayko Area Health Authority, WAHA, since 2019, and is a key partner for health in the James Bay coast.

Welcome to Queen’s Park.

I’m very pleased to be able to introduce my constituent and friend, Emilie Coyle, who is the executive director of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies. I’m so happy to see you this morning, Emilie.

I’d like to introduce Tolu Sami and Grace Tongue from the uOttawa Enactus club, who led their team to win the national Enactus Canadian Tire Environmental Sustainability Challenge award. Welcome and congratulations.

I’d like to welcome a good friend and my political assistant from Ottawa who is joining us here in Toronto today: Dave Williams.

I’m very pleased to introduce members from the Ontario Hospital Association. Welcome to Queen’s Park.