Always pleased to have former municipal colleagues in the House, and today is a great day to do that. Peter Kelley, who’s the mayor of the township of Muskoka Lakes, is here and former councillor Barb Bridgeman, who’s also a great community champion. I welcome them to Queen’s Park.

I’m going to recognize the member for Kiiwetinoong on a point of order.

I recognize the member for Kiiwetinoong.

Point of order, Speaker: If you seek it, you will find unanimous consent to allow me to speak for 10 minutes regarding the historic significance of recognizing Indigenous languages in this Legislature.

ᒪᐘᐨ ᓂᒥᓄᐍᐣᑕᐣ ᐁᐸᐦᑭᓂᑯᔭᐣ ᒋᐊᓂᔑᓂᓃᒧᔭᐣ ᐅᒪ ᑭᐦᒋᐘᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐣᐠ

ᐅᑵᓄᐘᐠ ᑫᔭᔭᒥᐦᐃᑕᒪᐘᑿ ᐍᑎ ᑮᐍᑎᓅᐣᐠ ᑲᐏᐣᒋᓭᐘᐨ ᐱᒼᐸᐦᑐᐏᓂᐣᐠ

ᑲᐏᓃᐣ ᐅᑰ ᐁᐦᑕ ᐃᑵᓅᐘᐠ ᑮᐍᑎᓅᐣᐠ ᐱᒼᐸᐦᑐᐏᓂᐣᐠ ᑲᐏᐣᒋᓭᐘᐨ

ᑲᐦᑭᓇ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓄᐘᐠ ᒥᓯᐍ ᐅᒫᑲᒥᐠ ᐅᐣᑕᕒᐃᐅ

ᑭᑭᑫᐣᑖᒥᐣ ᐁᔮᐠ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓃᒧᐏᐣ ᐊᔑᔾ ᐁᓂᐘᓂᒋᑲᑌᐠ

ᒥᔒᐣ ᐅᐦᑭᑑᑕᐣ ᐁᐦᐊ ᐅᑭᒪᐏᐣ ᐁᑲ ᒋᔭᐸᒋᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᒧᐏᐣ

ᐅᑵᓄᐘᐣ ᐃᓑᑯᓄᑲᒥᑰᐣ ᑲᑭᐏᔑᐦᑐᐘᐨ

ᒥᔒᐣ ᐊᔭᐘᐠ ᐆᒪ ᑲᑭ ᒪᓀᓂᒥᐣᑢ ᐁᐏᐍᒥᐦᑎᑯᔑᒧᐘᐨ

ᒥᔒᐣ ᐆᒪ ᐊᔭᐘᐠ ᐁᑮ ᑲᓯᓂᐣᑤ ᐆᒪ ᓲᐸᐣ ᐁᔭᐸᑎᓯᓂᐨ ᐁᐊᓂᔑᓂᓃᒧᐘᐨ

ᒥᔒᐣ ᑲᔦ ᐊᔭᐘᐠ ᐆᒪ ᑲᑭᒫᓀᓂᒥᐣᑢ ᐁᐸᐦᑭᑌᐏᐣᑢ ᐁᑭᐦᒋᐊᓄᐦᑭᐦᐃᐣᑢ ᐁᔭᓂᔑᓂᓃᒧᓇᓄᐘᐣᐠ

ᓂᒥᓄᐍᐣᑕᐣ ᑕᓑ ᐆᐅᐦᐍ ᑲᑭᔑᑲᐠ ᐅᐍ ᑲᔭᔭᒥᔭᐣ

ᑫᑲᐟ ᐅᑯ ᓂᑎᓂᒪᐣᒋᐦᐅ ᐁᐘᓂᑑᑕᒫᐣ ᐁᒪᒪᓂᔭᐣ ᓂᑎᓀᑕᐣ ᐅᐦᐅᐍ ᒣᑿᐨ ᑲᑲᑭᑎᔭᐣ

ᒥᑵᐨ ᓂᑎᓈᐠ ᑲᐦᑭᓈ ᑭᓇᐚ ᐆᒪ ᑲᔭᐱᔦᐠ ᐍᑎ ᑲᐃᔑᔭᐱᔦᐠ ᐁᒁ ᒥᓈ ᐆᒪ ᑲᐃᔑᔭᐱᔦᐠ

ᒥᑵᐨ ᑲᐦᑭᓈ ᑭᑎᓂᓈᐚ ᐅᐍ ᑳᐃᔑᐏᒋᑳᐸᐏᑕᐏᔑᔦᐠ

ᒫᐘᐨ ᑭᐦᒋᓀᑕᑿᐣ ᐅᐦᐅᐍ ᑲᑐᑕᒪᐣᐠ

ᐅᑵᓄᐘᐠ ᑲᔦ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓄᐘᐠ ᑲᑲᓇᐘᐳᐚᐨ ᒫᐘᐨ ᑭᐦᒋᓀᐣᑖᑿᐣ

ᐅᑿᓄᐘᐠ ᑲᔦ ᐊᔭᐘᐠ ᑲᑭ ᐱᒧᑐᐘᐨ ᓂᑎᔑᑭᔑᐍᐏᓂᓈᐣ

ᒥᑵᓄᐘᐠ ᓂᑫᓃᐣ ᑭᔮᐸᐨ ᑲᐅᐣᒋ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓃᒧᔭᐣ

ᐊᐍ ᑲᔦ ᓂᒪᒪ ᑲᔭᐱᐨ ᓂᑭᒫᒪᒋᐏᓂᐠ ᐁᐹᐸᒥᔭᔭᐣᐠ ᐸᑿᒋᔭᐦᐃᐣᐠ

ᒥᔭᐍᑎ ᑭᔭᐱᐨ ᑲᐅᐣᒋ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓃᒧᔭᐣ ᐊᐦᐊᐍᑎ

ᐁᑿ ᑲᑭᓈ ᐅᑵᓄᐘᐠ ᑷᑕᑭᔭᐠ ᐆᐢᑳᑎᓴᐠ ᐊᐘᔑᔕᐠ ᑭᑐᓯᓯᒥᓇᓇᐠ ᐊᒥᑵᓄᐘᐠ ᑫᐏᓇᐚ

ᒋᔭᓂ ᑭᐦᑫᓇᑕᒧᐘᐨ ᒋᔭᓃᑭᐦᑫᑕᒧᐘᐨ ᒋᓂᐦᑖ ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᒧᐘᐨ

ᑫᑭᓈᐘ ᑲ ᐊᐣᑐᑕᒣᐠ ᐆᒪ ᒥᓯᐍᑳᒥᐠ

ᑭᐦᑭᓅᐦᐊᒪᐏᐠ ᒋᓂᐦᑖ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓃᒧᐘᐨ ᒋᓂᑕ ᐊᓂᔑᓇᐯᒧᐘᐨ ᑭᑕᔭᓄᐚ

ᐊᔕᔾ ᑫᑳᐟ ᑭᑢᓯᔭᐦᑭ ᓂᑫᓂᐣ ᐆᒪ ᑲᑭᒪᑕᐱᔭᐣ ᐁᐏᑕᐱᒥᓇᑯᐠ ᐆᒪ

ᓂᔑᐱᒧᑲᓇᑲ ᐅᑖᓇᐠ ᑭᐦᒋᓇᒣᑯᓯᐱᐣᐠ ᓂᑭᔕ

ᐅᐍᔖᓑ ᓂᑭ ᓇ ᐯᔑᐠ ᑭᒉᐦᐋ ᐅᐍ ᓂᑭᓈ

ᐅᐍ ᐁᐏᐦᑐᑕᒪᐣ ᐁᐏᐊᓄᔑᓂᓂᒧᔭᐣ ᐆᒪ ᑭᐦᒋᐘᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐠ

ᐊᐦᐸᐣ ᑲᒫᒋᐊᔭᒥᐦᐊᐠ ᑭᓂᓯᑐᑕᐏᐣ ᐊᔕᔾ ᐁᓂᐘᓂᐦᑐᔭᐣ ᑭᑎᔑᑭᔑᐍᐏᐣ

ᐁᓂᑯᐠ ᐊᐦᐸᐣ ᑲᑭᒪᒐᔭᒼᐸᐣ

ᒥᐍ ᐁᐦᑐᒋᑫᒪᑲᑭᐣ ᐅᑵᓄᐘᐣ ᑐᐦᑲᓇᐣ ᑭᐦᒋᐘᑲᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᐁᑲ

ᐁᓂᐘᓂᐦᑐᔭᐣ ᓂᑫᓂᐣ ᑲᑭᓇᓄᐦᑭᔭᐣ ᑭᑢᓱ ᐁᓂᐘᓂᐦᑐᔭᐣ ᓂᑭᓂᐢᑐᐦᑖᐠ

ᓂᑭᓂᐢᑐᐦᑖᐠ ᐃᐍ ᐁᐘᓂᐦᑖᐘᐠ

ᒥᑵᐨ ᔖᓑ ᓂᑎᓀᐣᑕᐣ ᐊᐦᐸᐣ ᐅᐍ ᑲᐸᑭᑎᓂᑯᔺᐣ ᑭᔭᒼ ᐅᑯ ᒋᔭᓂᔑᓂᓃᒧᔭᐣ ᐅᐦᐅᒪ

ᒫᐘᐨ ᓂᒥᓄᐍᑕᐣ

ᑫᑭᔐᑊ ᑲᐘᓂᓑᑲᔭᐣ ᐅᒪᒥᓇ ᐁᐅᐣᒋ ᐱᒪᓯᓇᐦᐊᒪᑯᔭᐣ

ᐊᐦᐊ ᐅᑵᓄᐘᐠ ᓇᒣᑯᓯᐱᐃᓂᓃᐘᐠ ᑲᑭᑯᑢᓱᐘᐨ ᑲᑭ ᑭᐸᑿᐦᐘᑢᐸᐣ ᐆᒪ ᒣᑿᐨ 2008

ᒥᐍ ᐅᐍ ᑲᑭᔑᑲᓂᐠ ᐁᑭ ᓴᑭᒋᐦᐃᑢᐸᐣ ᐅᐍ ᑲᑭᔑᑲᓂᐠ ᒣᔾ 28

ᐯᔑᐠ ᐁᑎ ᐊᐱ ᐅᑭᒪᐦᑲᓇᐠ ᐅᓇᐦᔓᐍᐏᓂᓄᐘᐠ ᐆᒪ ᐱᑯ ᐊᐳᐘᐠ ᓂᐘᐸᒪᐠ ᐅᑯ

ᒥᐅᐍ ᑲᑭᔑᑲᓂᐠ ᐁᔭᐚᐨ ᐅᑕᐦᑭᒧᐚ ᐁᑲ ᐁᒥᑲᑕᒧᐘᐨ ᐅᑕᐦᑭᒧᐚ

ᐊᒥᐍ ᑲᐃᓀᐣᑕᒪᐣ ᐁᑿ ᑲᔦ ᒪᐘᐨ ᓂᒥᓄᐍᐣᑕᐣ ᐊᐦᐊ ᓂᒪᒪ ᐆᒪ ᑲᔭᐨ

ᐅᐍ ᑲᑎᐱᓑᑲᐣᐠ

ᐁᑿ ᑲᔦ ᓂᑐᐣᒋ ᒥᑲᐏᐣᑕᐚ ᓂᑕᑕ ᐊᔭᑐᐠ ᐅᓇᒋᑕᐣ ᐅᐍᑲᔭᓂᐠ ᐅᓇᒋᑕᐣ

ᐅᐦᐅᐍ ᔕᓑ ᑲᔦ ᓀᑲᐃᑭᐟ ᓂᑫᓂᐣ ᓂᑎᔑᐸᐦᑯᓭᐣᑖᐣ ᐅᒪ ᑲᑐᑕᒪᐣᐠ ᐆᒪ ᐅᐣᑕᕒᐃᐅ ᑲᐸᑭᑎᓂᑲᑌᐠ

ᐊᐣᔑᓂᓃᒧᐏᐣ ᑲᐸᑭᑎᓂᑲᑌᐠ ᐃᐍ ᓂᑎᓀᐣᑕᐣ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐣ ᑭᐦᒋᐅᑭᒪᐏᑲᒥᑯᐣ ᐍᑎ ᒥᓯᐍᑲᒥᐠ

ᐆᒪ ᑲᓇᑕ

ᑫᐏᓇᐘ ᐅᐍᓂ ᐊᐦᐸᐣ ᒋᑐᑕᒧᐘᐨ

ᑫᐏᓇᐘ ᐃᐍᑎ ᐊᑕᐚ ᑲᔭᐳᐘᐨ ᑭᐦᒋᐅᑭᒪᐏᑲᒧᐠ ᑫᐏᓇᐘ ᒋᔭᐣᑕᒋᑫᐚᐨ

ᐊᒥᐍ ᐁᐃᔑᓇᑿᐠ ᐁᒪᒪᐤ ᑲᐸᐏᓇᓄᐘᐣᐠ ᐁᐏᑕᓄᐦᑭᒥᑐᓇᓂᐘᐣᐠ ᐁᑲ ᒋᐘᓂᐦᑐᔮᐣᐠ ᐃᓀᓄᐘᐣ

ᓂᑎᔑᓂᔑᐍᐏᓂᓇᐣ

ᒫᐘᐨ ᑭᒋᓀᐣᑕᑿᐣ ᑫᑯᐣ ᐃᐦᐃᐍ

ᐅᐍᑕᓑ ᓂᑲᐃᐦᑭᐟ ᒥᓇ ᑲᔭᓂᔑᓂᒧᔭᐣ ᐊᒥᒪ ᐁᐅᒋᓭᐠ ᓂᑕᓂᔑᓂᓃᐘᑎᓱᐏᓇᐣ

ᐅᐍ ᑲᔭᓂᔑᓂᓃᒧᔭᐣ ᐊᒥᒪ ᑲᐸᐸᒥᔭᔭᐣᐠ ᐊᐦᑭᑲᐣᐠ ᒥᐍ ᐁᐅᐣᒋ ᒥᓄᔭᔭᐣᐠ ᐃᐦᐃᐍ ᐊᐦᑭᑲᐣᐠ

ᒪᐘᐨ ᐅᑯ ᑭᐦᒋᓀᑕᑿᐣ ᐅᐦᐅᐍ ᐊᐸᐣ ᒪᓑᑲᐏᓯᐏᐣ ᐊᐸᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓄᐘᐠ ᐊᐦᐸᐣ ᐁᓂᒪᒪᐤ ᑲᐸᐏᐘᐨ

ᒥᐍ ᒋᔭᓂ ᐸᓯᑷᔭᐣᐠ ᐅᓴᒼ ᐊᔕᐃ ᑭᓄᐍᓑ ᑭᑿᑿᑕᐦᐃᑯᒥᐣ ᐃᑵᓄᐘᐣ ᐅᑭᒪᐏᓇᐣ

ᐅᑭᒪᐠ ᐏᑕᓄᐦᑭᒥᔑᔭᐣᐠ ᐏᑕᓄᑭᒧᐍᐣ ᐏᑕᓄᑭᒧᐍᔪᐠ ᐊᒥᐍ ᐁᐃᑭᑐᔭᐣ

ᐆᒪ ᒥᔑᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓄᐘᐠ ᐅᑕᓇᐠ ᑭᑭᑐᐘᐠ ᐁᑲ ᐏᐦᑳ ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᒧᐏᐣ ᒋᔭᒥᓇᓄᐘᐣᐠ ᐅᒪ ᑭᐦᒋᐘᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐠ

ᐁᐦᐊ ᐯᔑᐠ ᑭᑭᑐᐸᐣ ᑊᕒᐊᐣᐠ ᐱᕒᑎ ᐁᑭᓇᑲᓄᐸᐣ ᐅᒐᓑᑯᓂᒥᐣᐠ ᐁᐅᐣᒋᓭᐨ

ᑲᐏᓂᐣ ᐏᐦᑲ ᑭᑭᑐᐸᐣ ᒋᔭᓂᔑᓂᒧᓇᓄᐘᐣᐠ ᐅᒪ ᐘᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐠ

ᓄᐣᑯᒼ ᑕᓑ ᑲᑭᔑᑲᐠ ᐸᐦᑲᐣ ᐃᔑᓭ

ᐊᐦᐸᐣ ᓴᑫᐣ ᐁᐸᑭᑎᓂᑲᑌᐠ ᐅᐍ ᐃᔑᑭᔑᐍᐏᐣ

ᒥᐍ ᒪᐘᐨ ᐅᑯ ᒥᑵᐨ ᑲᐦᑭᓇ ᓂᑎᓇᐠ ᑭᒉᐦᐊᐠ

ᒥᑵᐨ ᑲᐦᑭᓇ ᓂᑎᓇᐠ ᐅᐢᑲᑎᓴᐠ

ᐍᒥᑎᑯᔑᐘᐠ ᑲᔦ ᐆᒪ ᑲᔭᐳᐘᐨ ᐅᑭᒪᐠ ᐃᐦᑵᐘᐠ ᐅᓑᑭᓂᑯᐘᐠ

ᒥᑵᐨ ᑲᐱᔕᔦᐠ ᐆᒪ ᑲᐱᓇᒋᑕᒣᐠ

ᐊᐦᐃ ᒥᐦᐃᒫ ᐁᐅᐣᒋ ᐅᐣᑎᓇᒪᐣᐠ ᒪᓑᑲᐏᓯᐏᐣ ᐅᐍ ᑭᔭᐸᐨ ᑲᐱᒪᐦᐃᐍᔭᐣᐠ ᐅᒪ ᐊᐦᑭᐣᐠ ᐃᐍ ᐁᐅᒋᓭᐠ ᐃᒪ ᓂᑎᔑᑭᔑᐍᐏᓇᐣ

ᐁᑿ ᑲᔦ ᓂᐘᐦᑯᒥᓇᐣ ᑲᐘᐦᑯᒪᔭᐣᐠ ᐱᒪᑎᓱᐏᓇᐣ ᑲᔭᒪᐣᐠ

ᐁᑿ ᐅᒪ ᐊᐦᑭᐣᐠ ᑲᔭᔭᐣᐠ ᒥᐱᑯ ᐁᐅᐣᒋᓭᐠ ᐅᐦᐅᐍ ᐃᔑᑭᔑᐍᐏᐣ

ᐃᐦᐃᐍ ᑲᔦ ᒋᒥᓄ ᐱᒪᑎᓯᔭᐣᐠ

ᒋᒥᓄ ᐏᑕᓄᐦᑭᒥᑎᔭᐣᐠ ᐅᒪ ᑲᐦᑭᓇ ᑲᔭᔦᐠ ᒪᐘᐨ ᑭᐦᒋᓀᑕᑿᐣ

ᐁᑿ ᒪᐘᐨ ᐅᑯ ᓂᐦᑭᒋᓂᑕᐣ ᑲᐸᑭᑎᓂᔑᔦᐠ ᒋᔭᓂᔑᓂᓃᒧᔭᐣ ᒫᐘᐨ ᓂᓇᓇᐦᑯᒼ

ᒪᐘᐨ ᓂᑭᐦᒋᓀᑕᐣ ᓂᑌᐦᐃᐣᐠ ᐁᑿ ᐆᒪ ᓂᑎᐯᓂᒪᑲᓇᐠ ᓂᐘᑯᒪᑲᓇᐠ ᑲᐦᑭᓇ ᐁᔭᐳᐘᐨ

ᑲᐏᐣ ᐃᑯ ᓇᐣᑕ ᓂᑭᔑᓂᐦᑲᑕᓯᐣ ᐁᓑᑲᒼ ᐊᐦᑯ ᐁᔭᔭᐣ ᐁᒧᔑᐦᐃᑯᔭᐣ ᐅᐍ ᑲᐃᔑᓭᐠ

ᒥᐍ ᐱᓇᒪ ᒥᓂᑯᐠ ᑕᐘᐨ ᑫᔭᔭᒥᔭᐣ ᐁᑿ ᒥᓇᐘ ᓂᑲᐃᑭᐟ

ᑭᐦᒋ ᒥᑵᐨ ᒥᑵᐨ ᑲᐃᔑ ᓇᑐᑕᐏᔑᔦᐠ ᑲᐃᔑ ᐸᑭᑎᓂᑯᔭᐣ ᒋᔭᔭᒥᔭᐣ ᐅᐍ ᒣᑿᐨ ᑲᑭᔑᑲᐠ

ᑭᐦᒋᑭᔑᑳ ᐅᐦᐅᐍ

ᑭᐦᒋ ᒥᑵᐨ

Applause.

ᒥᑵᐨ

ᑭᒉᐦᐊᐠ ᑲᐃᔑ ᑲᓇᐍᓂᒥᐣᑢ ᑲᓇᐍᓂᒧᐍᐏᐣ ᐍᑎ ᐘᐘᓇᐘᑲᐣᐠ ᐍᑎ ᑲᔦ ᑭᐍᑎᓅᐠ ᑲᐏᓂᐣ ᑿᔭᐠ ᒋᓭᓂᐠ ᑲᑲᓄᐍᓂᒥᐣᑢ ᐃᒪ ᑭᒉᐦᐊᐏᑲᒥᑯᐣᐠ ᐁᑳ ᑌᐻ ᐁᒥᔑᓇᑎᐦᑭᐣ ᐁᑕᑿᒋᓇᑐᑭᐣ ᐅᑯ ᐃᑵᓄᐘᐣ ᑲᔦ ᑲᐃᔑᑲᓇᐍᓂᒥᑢ ᑭᒉᐦᐊᐠ ᐍᑎ ᐘᐘᓇᐘᑲᐣᐠ

ᒥᔭᐦᐸᐣ ᐊᑯᓯᐏᑲᒥᑯᐣᐠ ᐁᐃᔑᓂᔕᐏᐣᑢ ᐁᑿ ᐊᐸᐣ ᐁᐏᐣᑕᒥᓭᑭᐣ ᐃᑵᓄᐘᐣ ᒪᓑᑭᑭᐏᑲᒥᑯᐣ ᐃᒪ ᑫᑭᔭᐘᐸᐣ ᐃᒪ ᑭᒉᐦᐊᐏᑲᒥᑯᐣᐠ

ᐊᓇᐦᐱ ᐚᐦᐍ ᐅᐣᑕᕒᐃᐅ ᑫᑭ ᓇᓇᑲᑕᐍᓂᒪᐸᐣ ᐃᐍᓄᐘᐣ ᑭᒉᐦᐊᐣ ᐍᑎ ᑮᐍᑎᓅᐠ ᐁᑿ ᒋᑭᔭᑭᐸᐣ ᑫᐃᔑ ᑲᓇᐍᓂᒥᐣᑢ ᐃᒪ ᐁᑿ ᒥᓇ ᒋᐸᑭᑎᓇᑲᓄᐏᐨ ᔓᓂᔭᐣ ᐃᐍ ᒋᑲᓇᐍᓂᒪᑲᓄᐘᐨ ᐃᒪ ᑭᒉᐦᐊᐏᑲᒥᑯᐣᐠ ?

Applause.

ᐅᐦᐅᐍ ᑲᔭᓂᒧᑕᒪᐣ ᐍᑎ ᐘᐘᓇᐘᑲᐣᐠ ᑲᑲᐯᔑᐘᐨ ᑮᐍᑎᓅᐠ ᑲᑲᐯᔑᐘᐨ ᐊᒥᐍ ᑲᔭᓂᒧᑕᒪᐣ

ᐁᑿ ᐍᑎ ᑲᑲᐯᔑᐘᐨ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓄᐘᐠ ᐍᑎ ᐍᒥᑎᑯᔑᐘᐠ ᑲᔦ ᐍᑎ ᐘᐘᓇᐘᑲᐣᐠ ᑭᒪᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑫᐘᐠ ᐅᑭᒪᐣ ᐊᔕᐃ ᐁᓇᐣᑕᐍᐣᑕᒧᐘᐨ ᐃᐍᓂᓂ ᒋᑭ ᐅᔓ ᒋᒋᑲᑌᓂᑭᐸᐣ ᐃᐍᓂ ᑲᑮ ᐃᔑ ᐸᑯᓭᓂᒪᑲᓄᐘᐸᐣ ᒍᔑᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐃᐦᐃᐍ ᑭᒉᐦᐊᐏᑲᒥᑯᐠ

ᐅᐍᔕᓑ ᑲᐃᑭᑐᔭᐣ ᒪᐘᐨ ᐃᑯ ᐁᐦᐱᐅᐘᐨ ᑭᒉᐦᐊᐠ ᒥᔭᔕᑕᐘᐨ ᐁᓂᐦᑕᒥᓭᑭᐣ ᐅᑵᓄᐘᐣ ᑭᒉᐦᐊᐤ ᐏᒋᐦᐍᐏᐣ

ᐆᒪ ᓇᐣᑕ 2018 ᑲᑭᔭᐦᑭᐘᐣᐠ ᓂᔁᓯᒥᑕᓇ ᑭᑢᓯᔕᑊ ᓂᐯᐏᓇᐣ ᑭᒉᐦᐊᐅ ᓂᐯᐏᓇᐣ ᑿᐃᐣ ᒪᔑ ᒍᔑᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐃᑵᓄᐘᐣ ᐆᒪ ᑲᑭ ᓇᑕᐍᒋᑲᑌᐸᓃᐣ ᐅᒪ 2025.

ᐊᐦᑎ ᐏᐣᑕᐣ ᐅᑭᒪ ᐊᓇᐦᐱ ᑫᑭᐅᔑᒋᑲᑌᑿᐸᐣ ᐅᑵᓄᐘᐣ ᐘᐘᓇᐘᑿᐣᐠ ᓂᐯᐏᓇᐣ ᐊᔕᐃ ᓂᑯᑢᓱ ᐊᐦᑭ ᐊᐘᔑᒣ ᐁᐱᒥᓭᐠ ?

ᑐᐦᑲᐣ ᑷᑕᑭᔭᐠ ᑭᐦᒋᑵᐘᐠ ᑷᑕᑭᔭᐠ ᑭᒉᐦᐊᐠ ᐱᐦᐅᐘᐠ ᓂᔁᓱ ᐊᐦᑭ ᓂᐯᐏᓇᐣ ᐁᐱᑐᐘᐨ ᑭᒉᐦᐊᐠ ᑲᔑᑲᐯᔑᐘᐨ ᑲᐏᓂᐣ ᒋᐏᒋᐦᐃᑯᐘᐨ

ᑲᐏᓂᐣ ᑕᑅᑌᓭᓯᓄᐣ ᐘᐦᐊᐍ ᐅᑭᒪᐏᐣ ᒋᑭᐊᔑᑕᒪᑫᐸᐣ ᐅᑵᓄᐘᐣ ᒋᑭᐅᔑᒋᑲᑌᑭᐸᐣ ᐅᑵᓂᐘᐣ ᑭᒉᐦᐊᐏᑲᒥᑯᐣ ᐃᐍᑎ ᐘᐘᓇᐘᑲᐣᐠ ᑮᐍᑎᓅᐠ ᐁᑲ ᐊᔕᔾ ᐍᓴ ᑭᓄᐍᓑ ᐱᐦᐅᐘᐠ

ᐊᓇᐦᐱ ᐘᐦᐍ ᐅᑭᒪᐏᐣ ᑲᑭᑭᑐᐦᐸᐣ ᐆᒪ 2018 ᑲᔭᐦᑭᐘᐠ ᐃᐍ ᒍᔑᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐅᑵᓄᐘᐣ ᓂᔁᓯᒥᑕᓇ ᓂᑯᑢᓯᔕᑊ ᓂᐯᐏᓇᐣ ᑭᒉᐦᐊ ᓂᐯᐏᓇᐣ ᐍᑎ ᐘᐘᓇᐘᑲᐣᐠ ᐊᓇᐱ ?

Meegwetch.

Some things are bigger than politics, and I believe that’s one of those moments this morning. Meegwetch to the honourable member for that question.

Speaker, what’s bigger than politics also is making sure that we take care of those who took care of us. I’m also honoured to see that the member’s mother is here. Happy birthday to her.

Interjections.

While we have a larger capital plan to build and redevelop 58,000 new spaces in Ontario. We understand there are unique challenges when it comes to rural and northern areas, particularly when it comes to Indigenous communities. That’s why our government has specific programs catered towards Indigenous communities.

I was just in Temiskaming Shores to announce 128 new spaces, predominantly for the Indigenous communities there, part of a larger plan of 18 projects associated with First Nations; 997 new and 221 upgraded beds. We’re going to continue to work with that member to make sure we address the needs in Sioux Lookout.

While we work on the challenge of Sioux Lookout, we have produced results when it comes to the Indigenous communities through long-term care. I look to Niagara Falls, 32 new spaces; Toronto Centre, 128 new spaces. As I said: 18 projects, 997 new spaces, 221 redeveloped spaces specifically for First Nations.

I want to go back to Temiskaming Shores, when I was there, talking about Indigenous services delivered in native languages with culturally appropriate care. This is hugely important to me. I come from a culturally diverse background. I understand the importance of that in your life. Our seniors deserve to live out their golden years understanding and speaking the language that they spoke, eating the foods that they’re accustomed to. This is hugely important to the Premier and to this government.

Speaker, I commit to work with that member to make sure that we get this done for Sioux Lookout. Please come to my office and we’ll continue this journey along the path to building those 76 new spaces.

I appreciate the question. As I said yesterday, if the leader of the NDP has any additional information that she would like to share with the Integrity Commissioner, I invite her to do so. I have full confidence in the Integrity Commissioner’s ability to continue any investigation that he needs to do.

At the same time, we’re going to continue to work on the priorities of the people of the province of Ontario: growing the economy, building homes, building schools, reinvesting in health care, transit and transportation—all of the priorities that the people of the province of Ontario elected us to focus on back in not only 2018 but in 2022. We’ll continue to focus on those priorities because building a bigger, better, stronger, safer province of Ontario is exactly what we’ve been focused on, and we will not be strayed from that mission.

It is indeed a historic day here in the Legislature. I want to use this opportunity to raise another issue of great concern to so many people across this province. This question is for the Minister of the Environment.

Yesterday, the opposition deputy leader, the member from Kiiwetinoong, and I asked this government questions about the ongoing mercury poisoning of the people of Grassy Narrows First Nation. The Minister of the Environment answered that there was going to be a meeting today to discuss the findings. So my question is, can the minister share details with this House on the scope of that meeting?

I’m going to ask the minister more specifically: Will the Premier be in attendance at that meeting today? Will the minister? What other members of cabinet will be at that meeting and how long do the people of Grassy Narrows have to wait?

I’ve got to tell you, Speaker, if this was happening anywhere else in the province of Ontario, that kids were being poisoned by the fish they eat, the water they drink, this government, I would hope, would do something.

It has come to my attention that none of the ministers, since 2018, have even set foot in Grassy Narrows. I want to know when this minister or somebody else from this government is going to go to Grassy Narrows, is going to treat this issue with the urgency that it demands and stop the poisoning of the people of Grassy Narrows.

Interjections.

But anyway, this question is for the Premier. Yesterday, the NDP revealed that the Premier’s chief of staff, Patrick Sackville, was routinely using his personal email account to do government business. This matters because Mr. Sackville told the Integrity Commissioner under oath that he does not conduct government business on personal email.

Well, today, Global News is reporting that Mr. Sackville was using his personal email as recently as late 2023—that’s after the greenbelt scandal broke—and that means that Mr. Sackville not only gave false testimony under oath to the Integrity Commissioner about using his personal email, but he then doubled down and kept using it, knowing perfectly well that it was wrong.

So my question to the Premier is, when is he going to demand his chief of staff’s resignation for giving false testimony?

On October 17, 2022, Ryan Amato sent Mr. Sackville a list of criteria for removing lands from the greenbelt on behalf of all of their insider friends, and that was sent to his personal email. The email was dated 10 days before the date that Mr. Sackville told the Integrity Commissioner, again, under oath, that he was first briefed on the greenbelt removal criteria. He also said, under oath, that he had no knowledge of this email and that he had no idea how Ryan Amato obtained his personal email account.

Well, let me shed some light on that, because now we know that Mr. Sackville routinely uses his personal accounts for government business, contrary to what he told the Integrity Commissioner, again, under oath.

So my question, and perhaps the Premier will get up and answer it this time—I want to know: Has the Premier spoken to his chief of staff about the consequences of giving misinformation to the Integrity Commissioner?

To reply, the Premier.

Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

As I mentioned yesterday about the meeting taking place today, one of the things that we also need to reflect upon is the fact that the first order of business for this government, one of our first acts when we formed government in 2018, was to correct a wrong. That wrong was the issue that is in question today.

One of our first acts back in 2018 was to index the mercury benefit payments for people who had not seen increases for inflation in as many as 30 years. We’re committed to continuing to correct that wrong, and as a result, the people saw their monthly payment amounts more than double beginning in November 2018, in addition to the retroactive payments.

We know that there is no quick fix or no quick solution, and many of these issues are historic, complex and multi-jurisdictional. There is a lot of work that needs to be done, but we’re dedicated to achieving progress on these issues.

If you look at June 2022, the Mercury Disability Board marked the opening of a new clinical space in Kenora, along with the successive launch of reformed achievement clinics. But as I mentioned, more work needs to be done. That is why our government remains committed to working with Indigenous communities towards remediation of mercury contamination in the English and Wabigoon rivers. As I mentioned, we have committed to several studies, many of them Indigenous-led studies. We’re following those recommendations. There’s a meeting with experts and the panel—that will be later today—and we’ll continue to meet later this week as we move forward on progress on this issue.

But, Speaker, as I mentioned, this is a very complex issue. It has been a historic issue. It’s multi-jurisdictional. But know that this government will continue to correct a wrong and have a path forward.

Speaker, the Red River Métis, Inuit and Ontario First Nations are calling on Ontario to retract its 2017 identification of the “six new historic Métis communities” in the Ontario region. There was never any consultation with First Nations to recognize these new communities in areas across Ontario where Métis never existed.

Will the minister explain why his ministry refuses to share evidence with First Nations about these so-called Métis communities?

This government needs to consider their evidence. When will Ontario stop providing misinformation to proponents about consultation owed in First Nations territories to these Métis communities when there isn’t any evidence they existed historically?

I want to congratulate the member on an extraordinary and historic day. Way to go, Sol.

I have met with the Chiefs of Ontario as well as a number of Indigenous leaders, chiefs from across the province. I’m seized of this matter. There have been many discussions, and my ministry as well as a couple of other ministries are gathering information to provide for those chiefs at an appropriate time. Some of the elements of this matter are before the courts, Mr. Speaker, but we will continue to ensure that the interests from section 35 rights and so forth of First Nations people in this province are preserved and protected.

My question is for the Minister of Energy.

I’m proud to be standing here today in this Legislature to bring forward the concerns of my constituents in Milton.

Speaker, due to the impact of the rising Liberal carbon tax, Milton residents are facing unaffordable gas, groceries—

Interjections.

At a time when the cost of living continues to rise, the federal government decided to take more money out of people’s pockets by hiking this tax by 23% last month. Ontarians do not deserve this punitive tax.

Unlike the Liberals, our government is powering Ontario’s growth with clean, affordable and reliable energy.

Speaker, can the minister please tell this House why the carbon tax does not, cannot and will not bring us the energy efficiency that our government is achieving through our clean energy program?

Interjections.

Families in Milton and across Ontario are looking to enjoy summer months without having to pay more for food, fuel and other necessities. We’re asking the federal government to show some compassion and not burden Ontarians with another costly carbon tax hike.

Speaker, can the minister please explain how our government is supporting businesses, families and workers in Ontario as we fight the carbon tax?

Again, if the Leader of the Opposition has additional information and she says she has provided additional information to the Integrity Commissioner, then I have full confidence in the Integrity Commissioner to undertake his review.

At the same time, we are going to continue to do what is important for the people of the province of Ontario.

We inherited a government back in 2018, supported by the NDP every step of the way; an economy that was faltering; a manufacturing sector that had been—

Interjection.

What are we doing? We have a plan to continue to rebuild the economy. It is about rebuilding infrastructure, rebuilding hospitals, schools, roads, bridges, and we’re—

The member for Hamilton Mountain, come to order.

We had 15 minutes of respectful dialogue in this Legislature this morning. Let’s see if we can keep that up.

Interjections.

The government side, come to order.

I apologize to the member for Milton for having to interrupt him. He can place his question.

Restart the clock. Minister of Energy.

The supplementary question.

A day of firsts here—congratulations to the member from Milton on his first question in question period.

Again, I want to congratulate my good friend from Kiiwetinoong, as well, for his words this morning in Oji-Cree. To me, he’s known as “kitchi-animohsh”—if the interpreter is still there. That means “the big dog.” We love the member from Kiiwetinoong.

Speaker, we can do this. We can have the energy that we need in our province for our growing economy without having this punitive tax that the member for Milton is talking about. And we’re actually doing it.

There are a lot of firsts in this province. We’re building the first new nuclear small modular reactor at Darlington right now. We’re building the first large nuclear in the province in over 30 years. That’s going to be happening out at Bruce. We’re building a beautiful transmission line. Wataynikaneyap Power is here. We see the wonderful people—Margaret is here from Watay Power, and I’m going to talk a little bit more about some of the things we’re doing in northern Ontario in my—

One of my favourite events since becoming the Minister of Energy was with the member from Kiiwetinoong and the folks from Wataynikaneyap Power in northwestern Ontario and Kezia, actually, in her home community of Kingfisher Lake First Nation, when I was there with the member and we linked that community to our green, emissions-free electricity grid that we have in Ontario so they can prosper in places like Kingfisher Lake, North Caribou Lake First Nation, Wunnumin First Nation. I actually look forward to joining the folks from Watay next month when we celebrate the completion of that product, linking 16 First Nations communities to our clean provincial grid.

Those are just a couple of examples of how we can do this without—

Good morning, everyone. The Ministry of Education asked the Toronto District School Board to submit business cases for schools that urgently need a renovation or a rebuild. The priority was for shovel-ready schools. The criteria included accommodation pressures, school consolidation, facility condition, and access to French-language schools.

Nowhere in the list of criteria do we see the requirement for the school to be in a Conservative riding, but alas, that seems to be the main stipulation for success. Speaker, my question to the Premier—

Interjections.

My question is for the Premier. Speaker, the dangers of heat stress at work are real. Without meaningful legislation, Ontario’s workers will continue to face the threat of heat-related injuries, sickness and even death.

Everyone deserves to be safe in the workplace. Everyone deserves to come home safe from work when the day is done. The growing threat to human health and worker safety posed by climate change must be taken seriously. We need more than work refusals.

My question, Speaker: Will the Premier begin this crucial health and safety work by better recognizing heat stress under the Occupational Health and Safety Act?

Speaker, section 43 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act ensures that any worker in Ontario who feels that they’re subject to unsafe working conditions has the right to reject work.

We’re working across Ontario to ensure record investments to build the infrastructure of tomorrow. We’ve got working-class men and women on the job working to build a better, stronger future for Ontario, and they’re protected by robust protections in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, I would add, that has been strengthened under this Premier and the leadership of this government.

We’ve got countless men and women in building trades who, I would add, are now supporting this government because of the record protections, because of the steps we’re taking to bring women onto job sites, removing barriers for women and for racialized communities. We’re going to keep doing that, keep strengthening the Occupational Health and Safety Act, continue to strengthen protections under the Employment Standards Act and ensure Ontario is a competitive province that is booming once again with record housing, record transit and record investments in hospitals and schools, all of which are going to ensure a growing working middle class.