2026-05-27 Question Period

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[00:00:00]Of course, you may come back at 1:00 to introduce your guests. It is now time for question period.

[00:00:09]I recognize the member for Humber River Black Creek.

[00:00:13]Speaker, grocery prices are out of control. Ask the working mom I met in Scar Bro last week who just wants to buy a hot meal for her children after a long shift. Instead of making the cost of food cheaper, this government took money out of people's pockets to buy the premier a private luxury jet. Yesterday, we tabled a bill to scrap the tax on all groceries and bring more competition to the billionaire grocery monopoly.

[00:00:41]Embarrassingly, they voted no. After their restless night sleep, we're giving them a second chance to do the right thing today. Will they side with us to bring down the price of groceries or will they side with the billionaires yet again?

[00:00:58]>> Recognize the Minister of Finance.

[00:01:01]>> Madam Speaker, thank you again.

[00:01:04]>> Madam Speaker, to the me through you to the member opposite. Will you side with us?

[00:01:09]>> Let's think about that for a second.

[00:01:11]When we cut the gas tax, which is saving people 10 cents a liter at a time when uh the price of gas has gone up, did they side with us?

[00:01:19]>> No.

[00:01:21]>> The member opposite uh did you hear that answer? So when when we cut the small business tax by over 30%, helping 375,000 businesses right across Ontario. Did you side with us?

[00:01:36]>> No.

[00:01:37]>> I heard a no, Madam Speaker. Oh, >> Madam Speaker, when when we uh put one fair in place, saving commuters $1600 a year, did they side WITH US?

[00:01:49]>> NO.

[00:01:51]>> MADAM SPEAKER, WHEN we table $12 billion of savings into the pockets of individuals and families in this province, did they SIDE WITH US?

[00:01:59]>> NO.

[00:02:00]>> MADAM SPEAKER, THIS IS THE PARTY OF YES, they are the party of no.

[00:02:05]>> That's an honorable member of a black drink. Playtime's over, MINISTER. HE'S SO OUT OF TOUCH. After listening to that, I suggest he puts down the champagne and steps out of the limousine.

[00:02:17]Let me GET THIS STRAIGHT. LET me get this straight. This government spent $30 million for a private luxury jet with a custom gourmet kitchen, BUT THEY WON'T TAKE THE TAX OFF OF rotisserie chicken at a grocery store. WHY?

[00:02:38]MINISTER OF FINANCE.

[00:02:42]>> Tax the chicken. Yes, I heard that. Tax the chicken. They're calling. Mad. Madam Speaker, you know, when we we got into power and uh you know, I'm from Durham and Pickering and the member from Whitby is here and the member from Durham who's hard at work at his table there.

[00:02:58]and and we campaigned on taking the tolls off the 412418 thanks to the leadership of the member from Whitby and taking the tolls off the 407 East. This is saving the daily commuter $7,200.

[00:03:13]Did they side with us?

[00:03:15]>> No, Madam Speaker. So every opportunity this member and that party and that party have had the opportunity to put more money back in the pockets of hardworking families, hardworking individuals, hardworking people who run businesses right across Ontario. Did they side with the people of Ontario?

[00:03:33]>> No.

[00:03:34]>> And did we support the people of Ontario?

[00:03:37]>> I rest my to the member for Humber River Black Creek.

[00:03:42]>> Boy, did the minister sail by that question. Makes you wonder if their next big toy purchase will be a luxury government yacht.

[00:03:52]>> Speaker, this government voted against making food cheaper. They voted to allow predatory surveillance pricing. And the premier even said, "God bless the billionaire grocerers.

[00:04:06]>> Our bill will mean cheaper food and more competition." So, IT'S LAST CHANCE. WILL THE premier side with us and make groceries more affordable for families?

[00:04:16]Or will he side with the billionaire grocery monopoly?

[00:04:27]>> Minister of Finance. You know, uh, I wish that when we launched the $30 billion of tariff relief to support individuals, families, and businesses, given the threat on tariffs from uh, our neighbor to the south, did they support the $30 billion? Absolutely not. And, Madam Speaker, let's go to another place, the most vulnerable in Ontario.

[00:04:49]When no government in history in Ontario indexed ODS payments to inflation, no government in history indexed for water will come to order. The member for St. Cath will come to order in Ontar.

[00:05:06]Madam Speaker, did they support us? They did not. Madam Speaker, this is what leadership is about. This is what building an economy for all is all about. We're taking care of every the most vulnerable, the patients, the students in Ontario. We're building Ontario with record infrastructure. It's about time they recognized that and supported that.

[00:05:27]I recognize the member for Waterlue. Uh thank you so much, Madam Speaker. My question is for the premier. In 2019, the auditor general made several recommendations to ensure timely justice for survivors of sexual assault. She recommended that the attorney general prepare a progress report on intimate partner violence and sexual assault cases annually review the victim response program and the independent legal advice program. And for good reason. Uh, seven years later, Madam Speaker, these have not been actioned.

[00:05:56]Why does the attorney general refuse to fix Ontario's broken justice system?

[00:06:04]>> I recognize the member for Hamilton Mountain.

[00:06:07]>> Thank you.

[00:06:11]>> Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I I thank the member opposite for the question as it gives us an opportunity to be extremely clear. The people of Ontario and this government have no tolerance for sexual assault. Anyone who commits these horrific crimes will and must be held accountable. Victims of sexual assault deserve justice and a justice system that has the capacity to make sure that the cases are heard in a timely manner. And Madam Speaker, this means us, our government, investing half a billion dollars in 2027 and 2028 to help the courts address backlogs and manage a growing number of complex cases they continue to hear. Madam Speaker, this means appointing 52 new judges to the Ontario Court of Justice and hiring nearly 700 additional prosecutors, victim support, and court staff to ensure victims and justice victims get the justice that they deserve.

[00:07:09]>> For the member for Waterlue, Madam Speaker, since I tabled Lydia's Law, so many survivors of sexual assault have come forward because they too were denied justice in Ontario. A survivor from a 2020 case against Toronto-based neurologist Alan Gordon was delayed and then dismissed due to court delays. And she told me I was being gutted, retraumatized, degraded, and called a liar. My abuser was not found guilty, but I was sentenced to life. We did our job by coming forward, and now we're asking the attorney general to do his job. Speaker, the attorney general has the chance today to support our private members bill, Lydia's Law. Will he do so?

[00:07:52]Member for Hamilton Mountain.

[00:07:54]Madam Speaker, our government is taking action to put victims first and hold offenders accountable for sexual assault and gender-based violence across government. This is underscored by our ongoing commitment to investments. And this includes, and this is only a fraction of what our government has done to date, $2.3 million to expand the independent legal advice, 5.6 6 million for child victim witness programs, $10.6 million to the partner assault response program, $1.4 billion to address and prevent gender-based violence, 13.5 million to support women and children, and I find it rich but not surprising that this question is coming from the member opposite who has voted against each and every one of these investments we have put forward to support victims across this province.

[00:08:46]Member for Waterl Thank you, Madam Speaker. This government seems very committed to the ongoing court backlogs which are denying survivors justice in Ontario. And and these are the numbers.

[00:09:00]These are the numbers. Uh 1,639 sexual assault cases were withdrawn or stayed before trial in 2025. When I raised these concerns about the Sloka case where 48 women were deemed unreliable, the attorney general described my actions as victim trolling.

[00:09:19]Let me be clear. When survivors come to us and they ask for our help, uh our job is to bring those concerns here to Queens Park. That is not trolling. That is the work that we do, Madam Speaker.

[00:09:31]And if Lydia's law passes today, the attorney general for the province of Ontario will actually have to do his job. Now, I would accept his apology for the victim trolling, and I would work with them to strengthen the justice system in Ontario to the attorney general. Will you support Lydia's law today and apologize for those comments and bring hope to sexual assault survivors in Ontario?

[00:10:02]Member for Hamilton Mountain.

[00:10:03]>> Thank you. Thank you, Madam Speaker. And again, I thank the member opposite for the question as it gives us an opportunity to be extremely clear. Our government has continued to support victims every step of the way. Our government is ensuring we and survivors of crime have access to resources and tools to ensure that they are getting through the justice system smoothly and quickly. Again, this includes 52 new judges to address a backlog, 700 additional crown prosecutors, victim support and capital. Madam Speaker, it is important that we continue working across government to find more and better ways to support victims of crime, their families, and community.

[00:10:57]>> President, I recognize the member for AS.

[00:11:00]>> Thank you, Speaker. We recently learned that 70% of high school students are now opting out of mandatory online learning.

[00:11:07]The data has shown that students and parents don't want it. Our educators know that it isn't the best for learning. It's clear that this government is trying to save money on the backs of future generations by pushing digital materials of all forms.

[00:11:21]Meanwhile, they're shortch changing our economy instead of preparing students for the future. So, Speaker, does the premier think he knows better than students and families?

[00:11:33]>> Minister of Education. Uh well I guess what the member failed to also mention is that uh close to 50,000 students have continued to take online courses because it provides them a value valuable opportunity to take courses in many instances that they would not have otherwise had the opportunity to take.

[00:11:49]We're hearing from students in all parts of the province in particular some of our northern communities who have said that online courses have given them the opportunity to take a course that they would have never otherwise been able to do. So, the whole point of it is, and he mentions it in his his question, some students have decided to opt out. You know why they've decided to opt out, Madam Speaker? Because you're allowed to opt out. That's the whole point. Some students are in, some students are out.

[00:12:14]It's about optionality for the students so that they can decide what is best for them. And I'm very very pleased, Madam Speaker, that so many have taken up the opportunity to take not only online courses because it is part of building a system that puts our students first by listening to students, parents, and teachers and giving our kids the best opportunity to succeed.

[00:12:35]>> The member for Ajax.

[00:12:36]>> Thank you, speaker. The minister might talk about options, but at Hamilton Catholic, the mandatory grade 10 civics and careers course is only delivered online. That's the only option for students. So with this government, kids are being pushed to learn remotely.

[00:12:50]Workers well need to be in person. And the premier gets to work from his cottage this summer. Maybe that's why he wanted to buy his own private jet.

[00:12:57]Here's the reality on the ground. Online e-learning courses mean online exams where AI can be used instead of students showing their work. There's no software provided by the ministry for secure exams and no requirement for in-person exams with pen and paper. It means that a student needs to log in just once a week for attendance purpose purposes while some are walking around the hallways and hanging out in the hall in the washrooms. So much for this government getting tough on attendance.

[00:13:27]So speaker, how can our young people learn about career pathways, financial literacy, and participating in our democracy only online?

[00:13:37]>> Minister of Education. Madam Speaker, I know that this uh this member worked for the Durham District School Board. So, I guess if the experience at the board that he was working for is that kids were wandering the hallways and not doing work, it speaks more to his experience at a board that he was working for than it does in the rest of the province. I mean, this coming from a Liberal party that said that kids didn't have to do exams anymore, right? And now he's worried about kids doing exams.

[00:14:00]This comes from a Liberal party that said kids didn't even have to go to school anymore, that they could mail it in and still get 100% on their courses.

[00:14:08]He's voting against a bill. He voted against a bill that we put forward that said kids had to do mandatory exams, that kids had to show up to school, that kids had to participate. He has voted against that. Then has the nerve to get up and ask a question about kids participating in school. So I would say to this to the member opposite, I appreciate that the board that you are a high level member of was a disaster.

[00:14:29]That's why we are fixing school boards across the province. It's too bad that you didn't support any of that. But I tell you what I have faith in. I have faith in the students. I have faith in the teachers and we are going to give them the tools that they need to give our kids the best opportunity to succeed.

[00:14:44]>> Member for a jack. Thank you, speaker.

[00:14:46]The minister wants to talk about attendance and exams, but it's the approach of his own government that is actually putting that entirely to the side. You can't build a strong economy without a strong education system, without investing into our kids and the future. This government, it's cutting OSAP. It's bringing down the quality of our education system and it's making it harder for young people to get ahead.

[00:15:08]It's failing young people on all fronts.

[00:15:10]So what we're seeing at Hamilton Catholic and other boards, the push to move civics and career entirely online, minister, entirely online is going to make it even more difficult for young people. So how does that prepare kids for the workforce or career pathways or understanding our democracy? How does that ensure students can learn the financial literacy component that's in the curriculum? Speaker, is the premier trying to dumb things down and avoid teaching our kids the fundamentals?

[00:15:39]>> Minister of Education, >> dumb things down. And this coming from a member, there was no financial literacy when the Liberals were uh were in charge of the education system. The civics course has been modernized, Madam Speaker, to ensure that our kids have every opportunity to understand parliamentary democracy and what makes it so the best way of giving government to the people of this uh of uh of frankly parliamentary democracy. We should all be proud of under progressive conservatives. We have the highest graduation rates. We have increasing standards and literacy. We are seeing our students succeed in a way that they have never done before. It is by you know on how are we doing that colleagues? by looking at everything the Liberals did, throwing it out, and starting over. And what does that mean?

[00:16:20]Investing in our schools. A record level of investment in building new modern schools. They closed 600. We're building hundreds of schools. 179 projects with over 200 currently in the pipeline.

[00:16:32]Madam Speaker, we're updating the curriculum and you know what we're doing? We're listening to teachers.

[00:16:37]We're listening to students. And we're listening to parents because they are what matters in the education system, not liberal idea. recognize the member for Chico.

[00:16:47]Thank you, speaker. Speaker, my question is for the premier.

[00:16:52]I believe in an Ontario that works for everyone and I and that our schools will work for our students, our parents, and our educators. But today, too many students are being left behind. The Independent Ontario Auditor General recently reviewed special education services in our schools and the findings were shocking.

[00:17:15]To quote from the report, "The ministry did not provide clear guidance on the circumstances under which schools could refuse a student entry which resulted in students with special education needs being sent home when schools could not meet their needs." Speaker, does the premier believe it's acceptable in Ontario for students with special education needs to be sent home from school instead of being taught in class?

[00:17:43]>> Minister of Education, >> I guess it's uh it's Liberal Leadership Day today, colleagues. Uh uh I guess that's what we're going to see. You know what, Madam Speaker? Here's the here's the difference between conservatives and and liberals, right? We see a problem and we're fixing that problem. Now look, as I've said in the house a number of times, I don't think parents care that the Minister of Education gets up and talks about the record levels of investment in special education, the record levels of investment in education. You know what they care about? I think what they care about are the results and are the things that we have put in place, whether it's special education, whether it's the courses, are they giving our students the best opportunity to succeed? And in some boards, we're seeing yes, special education is working better in some boards than other boards. Well, what is it that is making some boards more successful than other boards? That's what we want to know, Madam Speakers. If it means more money, that's okay. But if it means that we have to change the system so that all students have the opportunity to succeed better, we're actually going to do that as well.

[00:18:43]Because I know the Liberals and the NDP, the only solutions that they ever have is put more money in the in the system regardless of what the outcomes. For progressive conservatives, it's about outcomes and how you can make sure that people succeed.

[00:18:55]Member for Ontar Lake.

[00:18:59]Speaker, I checked the answer and the last time the premier said special education in this house was in March 2020, >> six long years ago.

[00:19:10]Back then, he said Ontario was turning the corner in education and he trumpeted billions being invested in special education. That was six years ago.

[00:19:23]Today, students with special education needs are being sent home from school instead of being taught in class. It's wrong and it's embarrassing.

[00:19:33]>> Imagine the heartbreak of the parent hearing time and again that their school can't teach their child.

[00:19:41]Speaker, what is the premier going to do to stop the shameful practice in Ontario of students with special education needs being sent home instead of being taught?

[00:19:52]Minister of Education.

[00:19:53]>> Just to the member opposite, it'll take a little bit more than that to be successful in your leadership. Uh uh this was a member who is this is a member who has not talked about special education the entire time. Colleagues, this is literally only the third time I have got up to answer a question on education. Now all of a sudden the Liberals care about education. Nobody believes that for a second. Not for a second. Because when we came to office in 2018, the ministers of education who preceded me had to increase funding to special education by over 36%.

[00:20:24]You know why? Because the previous Liberal government starved special education. You know what else they did?

[00:20:30]They closed schools. We've had to invest record levels to build new schools across the province of Ontario. So, while they were closing schools, firing teachers, starving the system, we're reinvesting. And you know why we're doing that, Madam Speaker? Because we understand that what matters in the education system is outcomes. And the only way that you're going to have positive outcomes is by ensuring that students have the resources, that teachers have the resources, and that it's a system built on listening to parents, students.

[00:21:00]>> The member for tropical.

[00:21:04]>> Thank you, speaker.

[00:21:06]The auditor general found that in 2023 24 46 school boards collectively spent $398 million more than they were funded for by the province to support special education needs in the classroom. She cited that the need for special education support for kids had grown faster than what was funded. The Minister of Education just blamed school boards and trustees. Speaker, this is not a governance issue. This is a funding issue and it will only get worse. Yesterday we learned that the Tdsb will see another $6.4 million drop in special education funding next year.

[00:21:49]Yet, of course, when the premier needed a private jet, >> $29 million was easily available.

[00:21:56]>> It's about priorities. Will the premier do the right thing by parents and children and fund special education in Ontario's classrooms?

[00:22:07]>> Minister of Education.

[00:22:09]>> We've done just that, Madam Speaker.

[00:22:11]Over $3.85 billion increase in special special education since we got here.

[00:22:15]Like this comes from a Liberal party that spent a billion dollars to try to save two seats. Right. That's this Liberal party. What we're concerned about, I don't blame school trustees and school boards for what is happening in special education. what's happening in the education system. I actually blame the previous Liberal government that for 15 years ignored education entirely. You know what they did? They put a little extra money here. They put a little PEP project here. They didn't care about student outcomes. So, while math scores were plummeting, the Liberals said, "It's okay. Let's keep going." What we're doing is saying this, "Let's bring a more consistent level of education across the province. The Ministry of Education has to step up and support that consistent level of education. We want our students to succeed.

[00:22:58]curriculum to match the jobs of tomorrow and the investments that we are making.

[00:23:03]They have to show results because that's what parents care about. That's what our teachers care about and ultimately that's what stu students need. A system that supports them.

[00:23:15]>> Recognize the member for curriculum. Uh, mig speaker. Uh, I learned a few weeks ago that the Ministry of Transportation uh, remote airports office in Thunder Bay walked away from the Northern Ontario Aviation Committee.

[00:23:30]>> At the same time, at the same time, this government um, is forcing an expansion to Billy Bishop Airport that nobody asked for. Why is this government walking away from their responsibility to improve air transportation in Northern Ontario?

[00:23:51]>> The member for Grand East.

[00:23:53]>> Thank you very much, Speaker.

[00:23:55]And um to the member opposite's question, speaker, Billy Bishop Airport is going to help and expand modernize air transportation throughout this province, not just for international transportation, speaker, but those members that are in the north. Last week I had the opportunity to talk to many people from the north during committee hearings and the conversations that we were having were all about how this is going to expand air transportation not only for those individuals that are traveling down from the north to Toronto to have medical appointments visits uh their friends and family go to sporting events and games speaker but it's also going to help hospitals send more doctors up into the or north and bring more uh patients and doctors down back into the airport and utilizing that between Toronto uh in downtown Toronto's core Speaker, for those patients now that now now they now have to travel down to Pearson and go down to uh the hospitals here in downtown Toronto.

[00:24:44]They're adding another 40 to 50 minutes to their commute. Speaker, this is going to get them to the care they need faster. Thank you.

[00:24:49]>> Back to the member for Quick.

[00:24:53]>> Um you know uh for uh the Ministry of Transportation to use uh Northern Healthcare as an excuse to expand uh >> Billy Bishop Airport.

[00:25:06]It's just outrageous, you know, speaker.

[00:25:10]Um, it just it does not make sense. Uh, we have 27 gravel air strips in the north that need to be modernized. 27.

[00:25:23]And, uh, through the speaker, uh, when will this government properly fund the safety, the infrastructure of these gravel air strips?

[00:25:33]>> Priority. Member for Bmpton.

[00:25:40]Member for Bmpton East.

[00:25:41]>> Thank you very much, speaker. And again to the member, we're working hard to make sure Northerners have the opportunity to connect with Toronto and look at as the work that we've been doing, speaker, is not only on air transportation, but the Northlander as well. The members opposite voted against the Northlander and we're bringing it back. We're making sure that we're connecting northern communities to Toronto speaker. And when we're talking about airport modernization and expanding, that's $140 billion to Ontario's GDP. And northern hospitals and northern communities support that investment, speaker. It gets patients down into the city faster and more reliably. And when we take a look at the investments this is going to make, speaker, it's about 20,000 jobs. Uh that's going to add to the core.

[00:26:20]Speaker, it's going to let people travel more conveniently and faster. And I'm sure that a lot of members here will be taking those flights back and forth because it'll be more convenient for their communities. Thank you, speaker.

[00:26:32]>> I recognize the member for Ottawa Van.

[00:26:36]>> Speaker, the supervisor appointed by the government to the Ottawa Culture District School Board is forcing the board to cut 83 teaching positions and two principal and vice principal positions for the next school year.

[00:26:50]Those are just not numbers on a spreadsheet. Those are adults who could help reduce class sizes, support students who are struggling, and make schools safer. Parents, educators, and students have been clear. Our schools need more adults, not less. Yet, after years of underfunding, this government continues to shift the blame instead of taking responsibility for the growing pressures facing our education system.

[00:27:19]So my question to the Minister of Education, now that Bill 101 gives the government even greater control over all school boards, can parents expect more cuts to classrooms and fewer supports for their children?

[00:27:35]Minister of Education.

[00:27:37]>> Actually, the the the member will know that the problem in in the Ottawa Carlton District School Board was the fact that trustees were uh so dysfunctional uh that many of the parents in that board decided to send their kids to different school boards.

[00:27:48]We saw an increase in the Ottawa Catholic uh system, a significant increase in that system while the Ottawa Carlton uh system decreased. So, some of the the challenges that the the member opposite mentions is that there are just fewer students who will be in the class in the in the school. So that means that there will be reduction in some of the staffing for sure. Having said that, most of the reductions in staff as the member will know happens through attrition. So there will be nobody ultimately in the final analysis who will lose their job. Now what the supervisor did do was cut executive positions at the Ottawa board itself in the administration offices. That's over a million dollars worth of savings that are at the administration office that will be put right back in to the classroom uh coming in September.

[00:28:29]>> Member for Ottawa Vanet.

[00:28:32]Madame President, >> Madam Speaker, the minister promised that the franophhone school boards would be protected to be to have a governance for franophones.

[00:28:47]However, the what they give to the commission stops all school boards to it stops school boards to participate in uh conferences and events. It is ironic coming from a minister who travels internationally to participate in international school boards.

[00:29:15]I challenge him to look at the abuses in the franophhone school boards. I'm asking him, will he come back to his position and allow the franophhone school boards to govern and to be able to do their own work to ensure the survival of school boards in French >> between conservatives and and liberals, right? So what the member is asking me to do is restore funding to trustees so that they can go on conferences and that they can go on uh uh on other uh other other events. Right? So the answer to that is the the answer to that is absolutely not. I'm not going to do that. The boards themselves and the the professionals who work in the boards themselves, they can continue to do that because that's an important part of the work that they will do to help build their uh their system. Madam Speaker, uh so they're going to continue to do that.

[00:30:07]But a direct answer to the member, no, I will not allow a trustee to expense conferences and uh and association memberships. The job of the trustee is to represent their is to represent parents is to represent and ensure that the funding that is being sent to them is being used in an appropriate fashion.

[00:30:24]That is what a trustee does. And to compare the work of a trustee to a minister of the crown or to an MPP shows a complete lack of understanding of the role of a I recognize the member for Alberto Lakes.

[00:30:38]>> Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Health. Our government is working hard to ensure every person in Ontario can connect to high quality primary care, no matter where they live. Last month, I had the pleasure of visiting the Court of Lakes Family Health Team where I announced that our government is investing over $1.8 8 million to connect more than 5,000 people in my community to a primary care provider. This funding will be used to hire additional health professionals, thereby improving access to comprehensive team-based care. This builds on the success of last year's expansion, which has already seen over 2,000 people in my writing attached to the high quality primary care that they need and deserve. Speaker, can the minister highlight how our government is meeting its goal of attaching every Ontarian to a primary care provider by 2029?

[00:31:34]>> Minister of Health.

[00:31:36]>> Well, thank you very much, Speaker. And to the member for Hallebertton Cora Lakes Brock, of course, a staunch advocate and a registered nurse. Thank you for your advocacy.

[00:31:50]Through our $3.4 $4 billion primary care action plan. Our government is in fact on track to attach every single person in the province to a primary care provider by 2029.

[00:32:01]In fact, we've exceeded our 202526 target by 10% attaching over 330 people to ongoing care this past year alone.

[00:32:11]Today I'm pleased to announce our government is investing over $3.5 million to connect nearly 7500 people in Atobbico Lakeshore to primary care.

[00:32:27]>> We are investing 235 million to connect 500,000 people to primary care across Ontario. It is unfortunate that the member from Atobbico Lakeshore chose not to invest and vote in that investment.

[00:32:42]>> Back to the member for Cora Lakes Albert Lakes Brock. Uh thank you madam speaker and thank you to the minister of health for all her hard work and sharing this important investments. I must say however that it is truly unfortunate to see the member for atobico lakeshore refuse to stand in support of this important investment that is being made in her community. Speaker, residents in Northern Ontario are connecting to primary care at historic rates. In the member for Thunder Bay Superior North's community, the Port Arthur Health Center Family Health Team has exceeded their patient attachment target by over 180%.

[00:33:23]Connecting more than 7,000 residents to team-based primary care. Speaker, can the minister outline what else residents of Northern Ontario can expect from our government? Natural Resources will come to order. A recognized Minister of Health.

[00:33:38]>> Thank you. Uh again, the the member from Hallebert and Cor and Lakes Barack really raises an important issue of how we are across Ontario doing this expansion and of course the success of the Port Arthur family health team. I'm delighted to announce that two primary care teams in Thunder Bay Superior North will be directly benefiting from the 2026-27 expansion of our primary care action plan. The Nipicon District family health team is receiving nearly $1 million and the Marathon family health team is receiving nearly 600,000 to collectively connect approximately 3,000 more people to ongoing primary care.

[00:34:17]Unlike the NDP and the Liberals, we will continue to invest. We will continue to ensure that across Ontario we have these investments impacting our local communities. Thank you, speaker.

[00:34:29]Recognize the member for SE.

[00:34:32]>> Thank you, Speaker. This morning, I tabled a motion calling on this government to use the existing powers under the Environmental Protection Act to protect residents living near the former GM site in St. Cathine's. Last week, the city used and issued multiple infractions over the dangerous conditions of the property where residents have long raised concerns about asbestous, PCBs, and contaminations.

[00:34:59]Will you, Minister, use the province's existing tools to ensure this site is cleaned up and made safe for the community and existing neighborhoods around?

[00:35:10]Minister of the Environment, Conservation, Parks. Thank you uh Madam Speaker and I I thank the member for St. Cathine's for the question. We as the government of Ontario are committed to the protection of human health and our shared environment in every way. That is the primary mandate of the Ministry of the Environment Conservation and Parks.

[00:35:29]Now, we began to monitor this situation in 2023.

[00:35:35]We received dust complaints originally during the construction of the storm water management system and at that time we required the property owner to implement dust mitigation measures.

[00:35:45]During our most recent site visit on April 22nd, 2026, no offsite impacts were observed and drone observations confirmed. There were no on-site activities that could generate dust.

[00:35:59]Now, we are aware of the concern about PCBs. That issue has been resolved. The work has been completed that we directed to be done. Follow-up monitoring has confirmed that PCBs are no longer an issue in the storm water. We're aware of the municipalities directive and order and we support that and we'll continue to monitor that situation with our ministry officials. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

[00:36:22]>> Back to the member for St. Cather.

[00:36:24]>> Thank you, speaker, and thank you for the answer, Minister. However, I would have loved to have been able to relay that a couple of weeks ago to my residents. Um, we have not heard from you in my office, but speaker, local residents are tired of fingerpointing and delays. While this contaminated site continues to sit in the middle of a community and a neighborhood, the city has now taken action within its authority, but municipalities cannot shoulder the financial burden of the remediation alone. The province already has enforced tools to hold polluters accountable. Will the minister commit today during this question period to use those powers and ensure the former GM site in St. Cathine's is cleared of cancercausing chemicals in the ground.

[00:37:19]>> Back to the member uh the Minister of the Environment.

[00:37:22]>> Thank you, Madam Speaker, and and again, I appreciate the member's concerns. The issue of the protection of our shared environment is not a partisan issue. We stand with you in our desire to assist in the situation. I can tell you that we are well aware that untreated storm water was being collected and stored on site at at one time. This matter was referred to our Ministry of the Environment Conservation and Parks Enforcement and Investigation Branch for potential investigation. As this matter may be subject to investigation, would be inappropriate to speculate further, but our government expects that all regulated parties can and will follow Ontario's strict environmental laws and we will take appropriate action if we see non-compliance that is identified.

[00:38:10]Thank you, Madam Speaker.

[00:38:12]question. I recognize a member for Dawn Valley West.

[00:38:16]>> Thank you, speaker. My question today is from a Dawn Valley West constituent, Vivian, who's concerned about this government's cuts to education.

[00:38:25]She writes, "Since the province suspended the elected Toronto District School Board Trustees in 2025 and installed a supervisor, the scope of what's being eliminated has been staggering. More than 600 teaching positions cut for the next school year.

[00:38:40]That includes 175 teachers in schools serving students with the greatest needs and 95 ESL teachers who work with children still learning English. 15 specialized kindergarten classrooms designed for children with complex disabilities are being closed. Outdoor education programming is ending. The class- size cap to protect grades four through eight has now been overturned by the proincially appointed supervisor.

[00:39:09]>> Question. threw you to the education minister. What about these cuts is good for our kids?

[00:39:17]>> Minister of Education.

[00:39:18]>> Uh and the member mentioned ESL cuts.

[00:39:20]Madam Speaker, the member will know, of course, that the ESL funding was cut by the federal government, not by the provincial government. The member mentioned the outdoor education centers.

[00:39:29]The member will also know that the outdoor education still exists in the pro in in the city of Toronto. What we have done is moved away from facilities that were owned uh by the city of Toronto that required millions upon millions of dollars worth of upgrades and renovations to make them safe for the kids to attend. That's not something I think that the board of education, the Toronto board of education should pay for, but that's why we're ensuring that other opportunities uh for outdoor education uh still exist. The member mentioned that there there there may be some fewer teachers in the system.

[00:39:58]That's as a result of 5,000 fewer students going to the Toronto District School Board. uh none of those uh those reductions will uh will mean uh uh teachers are losing their jobs. As a matter of fact, there are far far more uh retirements coming in the Tdsb than there are uh um uh surplus notices. Uh Madam Speaker, in the supplementary, if she would like to talk a little bit more about some of the additional investments that we are making in the Tdsb to put more money back in the classroom, I'd be delighted to do that.

[00:40:24]>> Back to the member for Don Valley West.

[00:40:28]Speaker, the minister's ideological talk about consistency is harming our kids.

[00:40:33]Robots are consistent. Kids learning needs are not. The education minister and his highly paid supervisor are cancelling the model schools program at Tdsb, which supports kids like children in my writing in Thorncliffe Park who come from higher needs areas. He seems to believe the fiction that every student starts from the same place.

[00:40:54]Speaker, that is just simply not the case. Think of an Afghani refugee child in Thorncliffe Park starting her first day of kindergarten at Fraser Mustard.

[00:41:03]Very different from a children born to English-speaking parents in a wealthy neighborhood in Toronto. Schools like Thorncliff Park Public School, Fraser Mustard, Sunny View, and Parklane schools for children with complex disabilities benefited from having more staff through that model school program.

[00:41:22]Through you, speaker to the education minister. Will you reverse your harmful cuts so you don't harm these kids?

[00:41:31]>> Minister of Education, >> the member mentions the model schools.

[00:41:34]Now, of course, the challenge that we were having, the TDSB was having with some of the model schools was that uh enrollment was absolutely cratering in uh in these model schools. There was simply not enough people to go. And what we know from education professionals is that when there are not enough students in a school, the educational experience and opportunities for those students greatly diminishes. So what we're doing is ensuring that all South is closest to their home and that they have the resources that they need. I don't need to take any lessons from the member opposite. When I started school a long time ago, granted, I didn't speak a word of English. I only spoke Italian but I made it through by support of educators who help me better understand uh English and my parents also. Uh so we understand this but the best way to help a child succeed to succeed is by delivering for them the tools and the resources that educators need so that they can succeed. Giving the parents an understanding of what it is that they can expect for their kids. What we want is for all kids to succeed, not specific targeting of specific communities just for specific electoral purposes. I want all kids to have the understanding that Ontario is behind them and that we'll give them the best opportunity for the best future possible.

[00:42:48]>> Question.

[00:42:54]>> I recognize member for Al Manatulan.

[00:42:59]>> Thank Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Rural Affairs.

[00:43:05]Rural Ontario is the backbone of our province. From family farms and smalltown main streets to the forestry, mining, and agriculture sectors that power our economy and define our way of life. It's home to hardworking families, small businesses, and entrepreneurs who keep our province moving. But speaker, rural communities face real pressures from rising costs and global economic uncertainty to US tariffs on local employers and jobs.

[00:43:33]>> Supporting them is not the work of one ministry alone. It takes a whole government approach with partners right across the government delivering for rural Ontario. Speaker, can the minister please share with the house how our government working together across ministries is supporting rural communities and ensuring that they have the tools they need to grow and thrive.

[00:43:55]>> I recognize the Minister of Rural Affairs.

[00:43:58]>> Thank you very much speaker. You know, I I appreciate the question very much from the member from Agma Manatulan because it allows me the opportunity to stand in front of the house today as Minister of Rural Affairs to say how incredibly proud I am of the support from Premier Ford to enable a whole of government approach in support of our small rural northern communities. For instance, I announced on behalf of the Minister of Finance that we increased by $100 million, the Ontario Municipal Support Partnership Fund that sees support to our our communities that will enable them to address local priorities and critical services across Ontario.

[00:44:38]Another ministry that we've worked with is the Ministry of Infrastructure. We're seeing $400 million invested through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund.

[00:44:46]And I'd be remissed if I didn't touch on the Ministry of Transportation support that we're seeing through $30 million invested through the Ontario Transit Investment Fund as well as the $13 million for winter road maintenance.

[00:44:58]There's still more much more to talk about and I look forward to the supplemental.

[00:45:03]>> Back to the member for Oklahoma Manuel.

[00:45:06]>> And thank you speaker and thank you to the minister for that incredible update.

[00:45:10]It's great to see our government on the ground listening to communities that for too long were taken for granted under the previous Liberal government.

[00:45:18]Speaker, last week the minister traveled to Timmans to host a rural summit on the heels of the Federation of Northern Ontario municipalities.

[00:45:26]This event brought together municipal leaders, business owners, not for-profit and rural champions from across Northern Ontario. Speaker, can the minister please share with the house what came out of the recent rural summit in Timonss and how our government is helping plan for the future of our rural communities in the north and beyond.

[00:45:46]>> Minister of Rural Affairs. Well, first things first, speaker, I want to share with the member from Agma Manatulan, a very prevalent message that I received while we were at Phenom is the incredible job he's doing representing his writing of a man. I hear that too.

[00:46:02]>> His colleagues love the work that he's doing, his municipal colleagues. And uh I want to touch on the fact that when we kicked off our rural summit series, we had the opportunity to touch on the 10 programs that the Ministry of Rural Affairs is facilitating right across this province by an amazing team on the ground in rural and northern communities. The other thing we did was we updated the the business owners, the municipal leadership as well as not for-profit organizations on what our strategy enabling opportunity is achieving. And we highlighted again the whole of government approach that we're taking to support our small town communities. And the fact of the matter is we also highlighted the rural Ontario development program. And I want to give a shout out to the Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nation Economic Reconciliation because he shared with me communities like Pickle Lake.

[00:46:56]Recognize the member for Toronto Center.

[00:47:00]Thank you, Speaker. Exactly 6 years ago today, 29year-old Regis Kchinsky Pakquette was in crisis when her loved ones called 911 for help. Shortly after the police arrived, Regis fell 24 stories to her death. The coroner's inquest into Regis's death is finally beginning. Her family and friends are watching from the gallery, still fighting for accountability and justice.

[00:47:24]This government has a responsibility to keep Ontarians safe, including those who are black, racialized, living with mental illness or disabilities, and seeking help. Speaker, my question on behalf of Reg's parents is, will the premier commit today to reforming the coroner's act so that the recommendations from those inquest, including the one that is reviewing the moments leading to Regis's death, are binding with real consequences.

[00:47:52]Recognize the solicitor general.

[00:47:54]>> Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, and I want to thank the member from across the way. Any loss of life is tragic anywhere in Ontario at any time. And the member opposite knows that the purpose of a coroner's inquest is to determine the cause of death. And Madam Speaker, when the chief coroner of Ontario calls an inquest, that's exactly what will happen. We can't prejudge now what the recommendations will be in the case of this inquest. But, Madam Speaker, in each case, when recommendations come forward from an inquest, they are reviewed. They're considered, and in some cases, they're even acted on before the inquest is actually finished because we take our safety. We take the concerns of everyone in Ontario very seriously. I say to the member opposite, the coroner's inquest will proceed. The coroner will do his work and we'll find out what happened.

[00:48:48]>> Good answer.

[00:48:50]>> The member for Cocktail High Park. Thank you, speaker. I was there in my writing the day Regis died in that angry morning crowd staring at the police tape that marked her last breath. And I have to say, Minister, with respect, your answer will leave cold comfort in my community's pain.

[00:49:10]>> Regis Cortinsky Pakquette, her family, her friends, her community deserve justice and a government that acts to show that black lives matter. For decades, speaker, black lives, indigenous, racialized Ontarians have demanded a groundup overhaul of police oversight and the SIU. Everyone in Ontario should be able to trust that the police are meaningfully accountable to the communities they serve. Will this government listen to black, indigenous, racialized Ontarians and reform the Special Investigations Unit Act so that police oversight is independent, honest, and accountable?

[00:49:55]recognize the member for Hamilton Mountain.

[00:49:57]>> Thank you, Madam Speaker. And I do want to echo the comments that the solicitor general has also mentioned. Any loss of life is tragic, especially when it happens to a young person within our province. You know, the SIU is an independent agency that investigates police involved deaths, serious injuries, and allegations of sexual assault free from any interference of the public, police or government. The SIU has a mandate to conduct comprehensive investigations in an effective and timely manner. And that is exactly what we are expecting the SIU to deliver. While the SIU is independent and we do not comment on its operations on this specific matter or any other, we expect the SIU to carry out its mandate to the highest standards possible.

[00:50:47]Recognize the member for beaches.

[00:50:50]>> Thank you very much, Madam Speaker.

[00:50:53]Speaker, May is Get Outside Month, and what better way to celebrate than by announcing a plan to shut down five outdoor education centers in the Tdsb.

[00:51:03]It's not the typical way to promote nature and health, but alas, the Ontario government plans to do just that. These facilities provide unparalleled opportunities for students and teachers to establish valuable relationships and to develop hands-on vital skills, to practice land-based learning, and to improve overall physical and mental health. For many students, outdoor education centers present an incredible opportunity to explore the natural world in ways they have never done before, especially new Canadians and marginalized populations. Nurturing resilience, independence, and confidence throughout the entire stay. Children often return home flourished.

[00:51:45]>> Speaker, my question to the premier, why deprive generations of children from the sheer joy of learning at outdoor education centers, >> Minister of Education.

[00:51:59]>> Well, this is going to surprise you, Madam Speaker, but I agree.

[00:52:04]>> I agree with the member opposite. uh outdoor education opportunities are very important across the province of Ontario, especially in the city of Toronto. That is why we are ensuring that that opportunity still exists for the students at the Tdsb. Now, what we're not doing is we're not going to be spending millions upon millions of dollars upgrading cityowned facilities uh that over the years the trustees neither invested in nor the city invested in. I think the people of the of the province of Ontario and the city of Toronto would rather us invest in those facilities that are working well in giving those students the opportunity to get out and enjoy uh enjoy out uh outdoor learning activities. That is why centers will still stay open. Those centers that are working that are uh uh are modern and give the students the best opportunity will stay open. those facilities that had been neglected, that should have been closed some time ago.

[00:52:58]Well, those ones will be closed, Madam Speaker, because I'm sure the member opposite as her time on council would know that some of them needed a lot of repair. I wish he would have put >> back to the member for Beaches East.

[00:53:10]>> Thank you. Well, I was on council with the premier, so he should have done the same, I guess. Speaker, >> when education is when education is treated like a business, teachers become dollar amounts and students are seen as nothing more than test scores. This government fails to see the real value of education, putting children first and ensuring we are providing the best possible learning environments and that absolutely includes outdoor experiential learning. The skills being developed are endless. survival, sense of place awareness, systems thinking, ecological literature literacy and cannot be duplicated inside a classroom. Looking at the costbenefit analysis, the worth of outdoor education centers is priceless.

[00:53:56]Speaker, my question to the premier, why not focus on solutions to keep outdoor education centers open like partnerships and other shared uses?

[00:54:05]>> Back to the Minister of Education.

[00:54:07]That's music to my ears, colleagues.

[00:54:09]Partnerships because because partnerships are a very important part of uh of giving a a wholesome educational experience. So the member opposite uh will know that very soon we will announce some additional partnerships to actually expand opportunities for kids to get that outdoor uh education that is so important. So I I look forward to the member's support on these uh these partnerships that we'll be announcing very soon. But she she talks about the premier. Well, the premier actually did make those investments when he was on council. That is why Hillside and Monocliffs will remain open.

[00:54:42]Unfortunately, those facilities that were outside uh of the premier's area and where conservatives >> member for John Valley North to be old, outdated, and not the best opportunities for students to succeed.

[00:54:57]Now, I see what the Liberals would want.

[00:54:59]They would want to spending money upgrading old outdated facilities as opposed to putting more money into the classroom and giving the students the best opportunity to succeed.

[00:55:11]>> I recognize the member for Burlington.

[00:55:14]>> Well, thank you, speaker. My question is for the associate minister of women's social and economic opportunity.

[00:55:21]As Ontario's economy continues to grow, employers across our province are looking for skilled workers to help meet labor demands in important sectors such as technology, construction, and clean energy. Speaker, women are seeking opportunities to participate in these growing industries and build rewarding careers for themselves and for their families. However, many of them still face barriers when it comes to accessing training or mentorship, workplace supports, and advancement opportunities in some of these high growth sectors.

[00:55:55]Our government must continue to support programs that connect women with the skills, the tools, and the opportunities they need to succeed in high demand industries and strengthen Ontario's workforce for the future. Speaker, can the associate minister please explain how the new well fund will help connect more women to opportunities in Ontario's growing?

[00:56:17]>> I recognize the associate minister of women's social and economic opportunities.

[00:56:22]>> Thank you, Madam Speaker, and thank you to the member from Burlington for that question. Our government is committed to ensuring that women have opportunities to participate and benefit fully from Ontario's growing economy. But we do have a challenge and that challenge is retaining women in high growth se sectors like the trades, clean energy and cyber security. And I've heard loud and clear from multiple stakeholders and from roundts that if women had support to navigate obstacles and challenges, they would have stayed in their careers.

[00:56:53]At the same time, women who have experienced human trafficking need help and support to rebuild their lives, develop skills and confidence in a career of their choice. And that is exactly why we launched the Women's Economic Leadership and Legacy Fund or the WE Fund. It's an 11 million investment that will help women gain the skills, supports, and leadership opportunities needed to succeed in high growth sectors. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Member for Jonson.

[00:57:24]>> Well, thank you, speaker, and thank you to the associate minister for that response. It's encouraging to hear how our government is supporting women through programs that provide mentorship, workforce training, and leadership opportunities. Speaker, many women across the province of Ontario continue to rely on local community organizations to help overcome barriers to employment, to education, and financial independence. These organizations understand the unique wi the unique needs of women in their communities, including those balancing caregiving responsibilities, rebuilding after trauma, or entering industries where women have traditionally been under represented. That's why we're supporting community-based programs that provide flexible, locally driven services that create pathways to stable employment and long-term success for women across the province of Ontario.

[00:58:20]Speaker, can the associate minister please explain why our government chose a community-based approach for delivering the well fund?

[00:58:28]>> Good.

[00:58:28]>> Back to the associate minister for a response.

[00:58:31]>> Thank you, Madam Speaker. And you know, the member from Burlington makes some important comments. You know, we need to support the community organizations that are doing the work of helping women rebuild. And the wealth fund is here because of the important work our government is doing and seeing women be in leadership positions. And I want to thank the president of the treasury board who just really understood the importance of supporting women and the minister of finance for his commitment and also the minister of community and children's social services. Listen, this is an important fund that is going to community organizations across Ontario and it will provide practical supports including mentorship, leadership training, financial literacy, career coaching, and job readiness programming to help women stay in the field and climb that ladder to success because we know that when women succeed in Ontario, Ontario succeeds. Thank you. I recognize the member from Mushkaw James Bay.

[00:59:32]Since January 7, Campus Casing has been supporting about 240 evacuees from Sheshawan First Nation who were forced from their community because of water contamination.

[00:59:44]>> Our local hospital has stepped up to provide essential cares and service without additional provincial support or funding. As of May 20th, campus casing hospital alone has already seen 396 emergency room visit with 510 hours of care logged. This places enormous pressure on the emergency departments, frontline workers, and hospital budget.

[01:00:06]Will the minister commit today to provide emergency funding and long-term strategy for hospital supporting evacuees?

[01:00:15]>> Minister of Health.

[01:00:18]>> Thank you very much, speaker. The member opposite raises an important issue that unfortunately we deal with almost on an annual basis and that is supporting our communities that host evacuees. Uh we have always and we will continue to make sure that they have the necessary support whether it is in terms of visiting uh physicians and other primary care providers, clinicians who can step in and support and short-term basis or of course longer term where we will um assist them. financially if and when there is an opportunity for additional costs as a result of supporting these evacuees.