In my riding of Niagara Falls, Fort Erie and Niagara-on-the-Lake I have Niagara College—this member talked about education—which is $12 million in debt, with 12,000 students, because of this Conservative government. Then, just down the road, Brock University: $25 million in debt, 19,000 students.

My question is pretty simple: Why do you think the Conservative government is deliberately underfunding our post-secondary education, which is going to harm our students?

Yes, thank you.

I first want to begin with commending the member from Spadina–Fort York for his work as a firefighter previously. So I’m going to ask you if you and your party will support our government’s efforts to expand the PTSD coverage for wildland firefighters and other front-line heroes to address their unique mental health challenges. As we know, the work that they do is very difficult. We’ve expanded WSIB coverage quite significantly since coming to government through our Working for Workers. So I would like to know if you will be supporting that.

I think we all support firefighters whenever we can; I think that’s pretty clear. What I don’t understand is, we raised this as a party before you did Working for Workers 4. Why do you think this government didn’t include that particular part in Working for Workers 4 and waited till number five and had to put it in because of what was said by this NDP government?

The following are the titles of the bills to which Her Honour did assent:

An Act to enact the Protecting Against Carbon Taxes Act, 2024 and amend various Acts / Loi édictant la Loi de 2024 sur la protection contre les taxes sur le carbone et modifiant diverses lois.

An Act to amend the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998 respecting certain Board proceedings and related matters / Loi modifiant la Loi de 1998 sur la Commission de l’énergie de l’Ontario en ce qui concerne certaines instances dont la Commission est saisie et des questions connexes.

An Act to amend the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act / Loi modifiant la Loi sur le ministère de la Formation et des Collèges et Universités.

An Act to implement Budget measures and to enact and amend various statutes / Loi visant à mettre en oeuvre les mesures budgétaires et à édicter et à modifier diverses lois.

An Act to revive 1000151830 Ontario Inc.

An Act to revive Qui Vive Island Club Inc.

An Act to revive Richard Crosby Investments Limited.

Further questions.

Thank you.

My question to the member is: Does the opposition not agree that requiring employers to maintain clean, sanitary and healthy washrooms in all workplaces—does that not uphold the dignity for all workers, especially our female workers looking to enter the skilled trades?

Good afternoon, colleagues. I rise today to talk about Bill 190, Working for Workers Five Act, 2024, that was introduced by the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. As the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Education and as a professional with a background in HR, I’m happy to speak to this bill.

Today, I would like to focus my attention on a couple of items, specifically, opening the pathways to skilled trades and increasing fairness for job seekers and employees.

Speaker, we are building a better Ontario for the future. That future needs workers that can build and maintain the infrastructure that we need. We know there’s a huge shortage of skilled workers in Ontario. The majority of skilled tradesmen and women are retiring or approaching retirement, leaving a gap in the labour market. As the demand for skilled trades workers continues to grow in the manufacturing and construction sectors, our government is committed to taking action to ensure that our province has the tradespeople to grow and prosper. We need to remove the stigma and introduce students to technical education, teaching them important skills that may eventually lead to a good-paying job and career in the trades.

That’s one of the reasons why the Ministry of Education is making it mandatory for students to take at least one technical education course starting this September. Programs like the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program support skilled trades initiatives in secondary schools. OYAP is a specialized program in high school that allows students to explore apprenticeships and consider careers in the skilled trades, generally starting in grade 11 or grade 12, through their school’s co-operative education program.

Building on OYAP, our government is creating a new stream to further increase interest in the trades: FAST, Focused Apprenticeship Skills Training. This training program will allow students in grades 11 and 12 to participate in apprenticeship opportunities through co-op credits. Students would work toward their high school diploma. Upon completion of this program, they would receive a new seal on their Ontario secondary school diploma recognizing their dedication to learning a trade.

The FAST program would allow students to focus their senior-level courses in co-op, accelerating their entrance into a skilled apprenticeship. FAST would also help to address dropout rates and provide students who are at risk of dropping out of school the opportunity to pursue different pathways to completing their high school diploma.

I’d like to share a quote from Cathy Abraham, president of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association: “We welcome the new OYAP FAST program and thank the Ministry of Education for listening to feedback received from stakeholders during its robust consultation. School boards recognize there is a need for more students to pursue opportunities in the skilled trades as part of a modernized secondary school program. This plan recognizes the importance of exposing students to the skilled trades while also ensuring they remain connected to their school, increasing the likelihood that they will graduate. We look forward to further dialogue with the Ministry of Education on other aspects of implementation, to help ensure student success in whatever path they choose.”

I want to take a moment to talk about a skilled trades program that I have been a huge supporter of that I learned about probably about a year or so ago. At Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School in Burlington, there is a construction shop class that builds tiny homes. This project exposes students to a number of different skilled trades including carpentry, construction, electrical and plumbing, offering them hands-on experiential learning. Not only does this class have a wait-list, but the majority of the students in the class are women.

The Working for Workers 5 legislation pursues measures that will encourage more women to join the skilled trades. Our government’s message is clear: Skilled trades are open to everyone. Our government is proud of the steps we’ve taken so far, and we’ve seen the results. In the past year, the percentage of new entrants to the skilled trades who are women is up by a historic 28%. We’re going to continue pursuing measures that will encourage women, just like the women at the Notre Dame tiny homes construction class, to join the skilled trades and make sure the doors to these in-demand careers are open to everyone.

Changes that we’re proposing in this legislation will require employers and constructors to maintain washroom facilities and provide menstrual products based on the size and duration of the project. Encouraging more women to get involved in the trades fosters an accepting, inclusive environment and also makes Ontario the first jurisdiction in Canada to require menstrual products on construction sites as part of occupational health and safety requirements.

I was recently at an event that celebrated women coaching other women. There was a young lady who was a guest speaker. She told us about her journey as a student where she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do, but after taking an apprenticeship program, she became an electrician. She has now purchased her first home at the age of 25. She has a thriving business and is encouraging other women, young and not so young, to explore a meaningful career in the trades. By opening the pathways into the skilled trades, we are making it easier for students and giving women a chance to take a different direction in their career.

We’re also encouraging mature workers to leverage their existing skills and education. The Working for Workers Five Act, if passed, will allow mature workers to meet alternative criteria that leverage their existing skills and experience, providing them a chance at a second career in an in-demand field and a well-paying job.

Speaker, our government continues to remove barriers through a new online job matching platform for new and prospective apprentices, to network and share opportunities that match their skills. We have also, since 2020, invested over $1.5 billion in the skilled trades through programs like the Skills Development Fund that support training in different sectors. This is because we know that in order to build Ontario, we need skilled workers and tradespeople working along side us.

Also in this bill, we are proposing to make the hiring process more transparent. As someone who has worked in human resources for the greater part of my professional career, I understand how important it is for employers to adopt clear, transparent and respectful recruitment practices that include notifying candidates on the outcome of their interviews. From an employer’s perspective, providing no communication to candidates following an interview is a sure way to leave a bad impression. It can also negatively impact an organization’s reputation and its ability to attract talent in the future.

I’m sure we all know someone who has gone through a very rigorous recruitment process, only to never hear back on the status of their application. Once that experience is shared, other qualified candidate may choose not to pursue opportunities with that organization. This information alone can be enough to deter a candidate from applying and illustrates the importance of providing constructive feedback to candidates and at the very least informing them that they will not be progressing.

Further, when a candidate receives no feedback for weeks following a first or second round interview, they may presume that they have been unsuccessful and there is an increased chance they will either reject a job offer, have lost interest or will have found a job elsewhere. From a candidate’s perspective, hearing back from a perspective employer is an opportunity to ask for feedback, to learn from their experience and for closure.

This legislation, if passed, would also require potential employers to state on the job posting if the position is vacant or for future consideration, enhancing transparency for job seekers and ensuring they invest their time and resources wisely.

The Working for Workers Five Act builds on the previous Working for Workers legislation. If passed, Ontario will continue to lead the country with new initiatives, including the OYAP FAST program, providing supports to encourage more students to pursue careers in the skilled trades. Thank you.

And you’re on it.

But what I want to talk about is that this bill, about working for women, completely ignores the women that work in gender-based-violence organizations across the province. They have to fundraise for their wages. They have had to start a food bank for their own workers. They’re dealing with more and more complex, traumatized cases, as we see an epidemic of gender-based violence, which this government refuses to declare as an epidemic. So why would this government exclude and ignore not only the voices of sexual assault survivors but the voices of women that work in that sector?

Thank you very much to the MPP for Burlington. While we agree with you that women in the trades are very important, there have been many, many governments that have been trying to encourage women in non-traditional trades, so we support that.

While we think it’s very important that women have clean washrooms, that any worker has clean washrooms is what we he need in this province. Making period products available is great. I think that’s really important.

But you talked a lot about hearing the stories of women. Your government and you voted to discharge Lydia’s Law directly to committee and silence the voices of women who wanted to talk about their experience of sexual assault and having their cases thrown out of court. Sexual assault perpetrators, rapists, went free: 1,300 last year; over 1,000 the year before.

Why did you vote to discharge that bail and not support workers and women workers in this province who want to have their stories heard?

Questions? I recognize the member for Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas.

As the member opposite mentioned earlier in her comments, this legislation has been referred and sent to committee, where we’ll deal with it faster and hear from women’s voices directly.

I will now return to messaging that’s on the bill, about women, and would just like to read a quote, perhaps, that speaks to women who are working in the trades and their input. We heard from Karen Pullen, chair of Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen:

“Today’s Working for Workers Five bill includes welcome measures that will improve conditions on job sites across the construction industry in Ontario. Clean, functioning washrooms should be the right of every worker, male or female. Providing menstrual products on every job site is a tangible way to level the playing field for women on site.”

Point of order, Speaker.

On Monday, May 27, in the afternoon, government motion number 3, which will recognize newly elected members, and third reading of Bill 171, Enhancing Professional Care for Animals Act, 2024.

On Tuesday, May 28, in the morning, Bill 194, Strengthening Cyber Security and Building Trust in the Public Sector Act, 2024; in the afternoon, a bill to be introduced; at 6 p.m., the member for London–Fanshawe, Bill 191, Childcare and Early Years Workforce Strategy Advisory Committee Act, 2024.

On Wednesday, May 29, in the morning, third reading of Bill 188, Supporting Children’s Futures Act, 2024; in the afternoon, third reading of Bill 188, Supporting Children’s Futures Act, 2024; and, at 6 p.m., my friend the member from Windsor–Tecumseh’s Bill 193, Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Amendment Act, 2024.

On Thursday, May 30, in the morning, third reading of Bill 99, Garrett’s Legacy Act (Requirements for Movable Soccer Goals), 2023. In the afternoon, third reading of Bill 188, Supporting Children’s Futures Act, 2024; and, finally on Thursday, May 30, at 6 p.m., the member for Sudbury, Bill 118, Injured Workers Day Act, 2023.

Point of order, Madam Speaker.

It’s a little disheartening to hear the rather flippant comments that are coming from the other side—the opposition—here today, almost as if we haven’t taken the time or the thought to consult with many different stakeholders on this bill, including women.

I just wanted to get your take, to the member from Burlington, as a woman. I think it’s very important that we recognize we have a very diverse caucus made up of folks from all across the province, all different creeds, races and a very large representation of women who have input into these bills as well. As a woman, I just wanted to get your comments on how you think that we’re able to move forward and we’re pushing the envelope. No matter what the NDP say, we are going to do what is right and what is best, and I want to get your take on that.

Thank you so much to my colleague. I will share that in my constituency office in the riding of Burlington, I have met with a number of different stakeholders, including the West End Home Builders’ Association, who has a group called Women in Industry. I have heard from women in the skilled trades who work at the Centre for Skills Development, also in my riding of Burlington, and I have also met with the women boilermakers in Burlington. What I continue to hear from women is they may go through and that they may pursue a career in the skilled trades, but one issue that came up time and time and time again was accessibility to washrooms that were lit and that were within a reasonable proximity to the job site, that they were clean and that there was an availability of menstrual products.

Good afternoon, colleagues. Promoting Leisure Activities for Youth Act, 2024, PLAY: It’s very simple. We all remember the joys of playing growing up. Over time, we’ve learned more and more about the physical, mental health and academic benefits of play. For our kids, it can be as easy as running around outside or picking up a ball and bouncing it with their friends. But participating in sports and extracurricular activities as a child can help set you up for a healthier lifestyle as we age. And while it is sometimes harder for us old guys to play, it remains a critically important life skill and health habit, one that is much easier if it’s developed at an earlier age.

As a dad, one of my greatest joys is seeing the important life lessons my son takes away from his participation in sport: important lessons about fitness, about teamwork, leadership and commitment, the ability to persevere through difficult moments, to remember that it’s never over until it’s over.

In fact, Madam Speaker, one of the important benefits of sports was recently brought to my attention, and I think it is particularly important and poignant given what’s happened in the Legislature this week: 94% of women in the C-suite played sports, including 52% of them playing high-intensity university sports. Three quarters of women in leadership surveyed said that a background in sport can help accelerate their careers.

En tant que père, l’une de mes plus grandes joies est de voir les leçons de vie importantes sur la condition physique, le travail d’équipe, le leadership et l’engagement que mon fils apprend grâce à sa participation aux sports.

During the pandemic, too many of our kids were forced to put the ball down. They were forced to stop playing. Recess was nonexistent; organized sports were cancelled or seriously watered down. Many kids were stuck indoors, and their physical and mental health suffered.

Coming out of the pandemic, families are facing an affordability crisis not experienced in a generation. With higher grocery prices, higher mortgage payments, higher energy costs, families are tightening their belts. And while we could debate until the cows come home the cause of the affordability crisis, one thing is for certain: It’s impacting our kids, and it’s making it harder for families to afford many of the extras. Families of all shapes and sizes, of all income levels, are looking for ways to save. For some, this means cutting out the little extras. For too many, it means cutting out essentials. But we must do everything that we can to ensure that our kids’ physical and mental health doesn’t suffer as a result.

Fee inflation is pushing too many kids out of sports. Too many families can no longer afford to participate in organized sports and extracurricular activities.

Nous devons faire tout ce qui est en notre pouvoir pour que la santé physique et mentale de nos enfants n’en souffre pas. Trop de familles n’ont pas les moyens d’inscrire leurs enfants à des activités sportives et extrascolaires organisées.

In Ontario, the richest province in the country, one in four kids from middle-class families don’t participate in any organized activity or sport—one in four. That number gets worse as income levels go down. Think about it: One in four middle-class kids don’t participate in any organized activity or sport. What could be more middle class than waking up Saturday morning, getting the kids to the rink with a hockey bag in one hand and your Timmy’s in the other, or heading to the field on Friday night to see the human cluster of kids surrounding a soccer ball as it criss-crosses the field? That, for many, is the Ontario dream, and one in four middle-class kids can’t participate. With skyrocketing fees, too many families can’t afford to keep their kids playing.

Moreover, in a recent report by ParticipACTION, only 39% of children and youth ages five to 17 in Canada met the recommendation of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity of physical activity every day—39%. We need to get more of our kids playing. Making it easier for mom and dad’s pocketbook is a great place to start. Giving parents some financial relief, making it financially more viable to put their kids or to keep their kids in sports and extracurricular activities can make a real difference in their lives. It will make our kids healthier. Healthier kids mean healthier adults; healthier adults mean reduced burden on our health care system.

We know the strains that our health care system is facing at the moment. We have 2.2 million Ontarians without a family doctor. That number is going to double in the next three years. We have emergency rooms that are closing, sometimes for a couple of hours, sometimes for a couple of days, sometimes for a couple of weekends, sometimes, we fear, maybe permanently. Everything we can do to create a healthier population we should be doing.

We need to start to view children’s sports and physical activity as a critical and integrated part of our health care system, because if we can be healthy and stay healthy, we can stay out of the doctor’s offices and we can stay out of the hospital.

Nous proposons de permettre aux parents de choisir plus facilement de faire participer leurs enfants à des activités de loisir. Nous voulons que le choix soit un peu plus facile. Si elle est adoptée, la loi sur la promotion des activités de loisir pour les jeunes créera un crédit d’impôt non remboursable de 1 000 $ pour les activités extrascolaires pour les enfants.

What does this bill do? This bill proposes to make it a little bit easier for parents to choose to keep their kids in leisure activities. We want the choice to play to be a little bit easier. If passed tonight—and I hope the government will join us in voting for this—the promoting leisure activities for youth act would create a $1,000 non-refundable tax credit for children’s extracurricular activities. We want this to be as inclusive as possible. These activities would range from anything from hockey and football to drama and art. Our goal—and as I mentioned, it’s a goal that we hope the government will join us in—is to help families to keep their kids playing.

Over the last number of months, Ontario Liberals have proposed an array of affordability measures to help families. Before Christmas last year, we proposed removing the HST from home heating. That proposal for a common-sense tax break was rejected by the government.

We are debating here tonight a proposal to create a $1,000 tax credit for families to keep their kids physically fit and engaged in extracurricular activities. We hope the government will join us in that.

Earlier this week, we proposed a massive tax cut to small businesses, a small business tax cut that could save those businesses up to $18,000 a year—over $1,000 a month, Madam Speaker, to help small businesses, which are the heart of our economy, to continue to invest in their communities, to continue to invest in human resources and skills development in our communities across the province, to ensure that we have that workforce that we need to ensure that those services are being provided in our communities, and to ensure that the economic benefits are achieved from all of their hard work and their creativity as entrepreneurs.

Ontario Liberals are proposing common-sense tax measures to help Ontarians during these difficult economic times, and we hope that the government will join us in that common sense approach. Cost, Madam Speaker, should not be the barrier to the academic, the mental health, the physical health and the social benefits that extracurricular activities provide.

Further questions?

Seeing none, Mr. Piccini has moved second reading of Bill 190, An Act to amend various statutes with respect to employment and labour and other matters. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

I recognize the deputy government House leader.

Mr. Blais moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill 178, An Act to amend the Taxation Act, 2007 to provide for a non-refundable tax credit to encourage children’s extra-curricular activities / Projet de loi 178, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2007 sur les impôts pour prévoir un crédit d’impôt non remboursable afin d’encourager les activités parascolaires des enfants.

Further debate?