The House met at 0900.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Now a moment of silence for inner thought and personal reflection.

Prayers.

Orders of the Day

Consideration of Bill Pr36

Hon. Steve Clark: Speaker, I seek unanimous consent that the member for Essex be allowed to move second and third reading of Bill Pr36, An Act to revive 2417633 Ontario Limited, on behalf of the member for Thornhill.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The government House leader is seeking unanimous consent that the member for Essex be allowed to move second and third reading of Bill Pr36, An Act to revive 2417633 Ontario Limited, on behalf of the member for Thornhill. Agreed? Agreed.

KCI Property Investment Inc. Act, 2026

Ms. Pierre moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr27, An Act to revive KCI Property Investment Inc.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Pursuant to standing order 89(b), the bill is ordered for third reading.

KCI Property Investment Inc. Act, 2026

Ms. Pierre moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr27, An Act to revive KCI Property Investment Inc.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.

Third reading agreed to.

P. Gregor Medicine Professional Corporation Act, 2026

Ms. Shaw moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr29, An Act to revive P. Gregor Medicine Professional Corporation.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Pursuant to standing order 89(b), the bill is ordered for third reading.

P. Gregor Medicine Professional Corporation Act, 2026

Ms. Shaw moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr29, An Act to revive P. Gregor Medicine Professional Corporation.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.

Third reading agreed to.

Vaughan Basketball Inc. Act, 2026

Ms. Fairclough moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr31, An Act to revive Vaughan Basketball Inc.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Pursuant to standing order 89(b), the bill is ordered for third reading.

Vaughan Basketball Inc. Act, 2026

Ms. Fairclough moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr31, An Act to revive Vaughan Basketball Inc.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.

Third reading agreed to.

2417633 Ontario Limited Act, 2026

Mr. Leardi, on behalf of Ms. Smith, moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr36, An Act to revive 2417633 Ontario Limited.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried?

Second reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Pursuant to standing order 89(b), the bill is ordered for third reading.

2417633 Ontario Limited Act, 2026

Mr. Leardi, on behalf of Ms. Smith, moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr36, An Act to revive 2417633 Ontario Limited.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.

Third reading agreed to.

338026 Ontario Limited Act, 2026

MPP West moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr37, An Act to revive 338026 Ontario Limited.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Pursuant to standing order 89(b), the bill is ordered for third reading.

338026 Ontario Limited Act, 2026

MPP West moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr37, An Act to revive 338026 Ontario Limited.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.

Third reading agreed to.

Ontario Wildlife Holdings & Sanctuary Corp. Act, 2026

Mr. Riddell moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr38, An Act to revive Ontario Wildlife Holdings & Sanctuary Corp.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Pursuant to standing order 89(b), the bill is ordered for third reading.

Ontario Wildlife Holdings & Sanctuary Corp. Act, 2026

Mr. Riddell moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr38, An Act to revive Ontario Wildlife Holdings & Sanctuary Corp.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.

Third reading agreed to.

778624 Ontario Limited Act, 2026

Mr. Bailey moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr39, An Act to revive 778624 Ontario Limited.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Pursuant to standing order 89(b), the bill is ordered for third reading.

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778624 Ontario Limited Act, 2026

Mr. Bailey moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr39, An Act to revive 778624 Ontario Limited.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.

Third reading agreed to.

Step by Step Investments Inc. Act, 2026

Mr. Pang moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr40, An Act to revive Step by Step Investments Inc.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Pursuant to standing order 89(b), the bill is ordered for third reading.

Step by Step Investments Inc. Act, 2026

Mr. Pang moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr40, An Act to revive Step by Step Investments Inc.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.

Third reading agreed to.

2771280 Ontario Inc. Act, 2026

Mr. Sabawy moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr41, An Act to revive 2771280 Ontario Inc.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Pursuant to standing order 89(b), the bill is ordered for third reading.

2771280 Ontario Inc. Act, 2026

Mr. Sabawy moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr41, An Act to revive 2771280 Ontario Inc.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.

Third reading agreed to.

R&J Drago Consultants Inc. Act, 2026

Mr. Coe moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr43, An Act to revive R&J Drago Consultants Inc.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Pursuant to standing order 89(b), the bill is ordered for third reading.

R&J Drago Consultants Inc. Act, 2026

Mr. Coe moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr43, An Act to revive R&J Drago Consultants Inc.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.

Third reading agreed to.

1092167 Ontario Inc. Act, 2026

Mr. Sabawy moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr44, An Act to revive 1092167 Ontario Inc.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Pursuant to standing order 89(b), the bill is ordered for third reading.

1092167 Ontario Inc. Act, 2026

Mr. Sabawy moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr44, An Act to revive 1092167 Ontario Inc.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.

Third reading agreed to.

Jinghua Trading (Canada) Ltd. Act, 2026

Mr. Pang moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr45, An Act to revive Jinghua Trading (Canada) Ltd.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Pursuant to standing order 89(b), the bill is ordered for third reading.

Jinghua Trading (Canada) Ltd. Act, 2026

Mr. Pang moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr45, An Act to revive Jinghua Trading (Canada) Ltd.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.

Third reading agreed to.

Base31 Community Association Act, 2026

Mr. Allsopp moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr46, An Act respecting Base31 Community Association.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Pursuant to standing order 89(b), the bill is ordered for third reading.

Base31 Community Association Act, 2026

Mr. Allsopp moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr46, An Act respecting Base31 Community Association.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.

Third reading agreed to.

Consideration of Bill Pr49

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the government House leader.

Hon. Steve Clark: I seek unanimous consent that the member for Essex be allowed to move second and third reading of Bill Pr49, An Act to revive 2343967 Ontario Inc., on behalf of the member for Mississauga–Malton.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The government House leader is seeking unanimous consent that the member for Essex be permitted to move second and third reading of Bill Pr49, An Act to revive 2343967 Ontario Inc., on behalf of the member for Thornhill. Agreed? Agreed.

2343967 Ontario Inc. Act, 2026

Mr. Leardi, on behalf of Mr. Anand, moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr49, An Act to revive 2343967 Ontario Inc.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Pursuant to standing order 89(b), the bill is ordered for third reading.

2343967 Ontario Inc. Act, 2026

Mr. Leardi, on behalf of Mr. Anand, moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr49, An Act to revive 2343967 Ontario Inc.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.

Third reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the member for Essex.

Mr. Anthony Leardi: No further business.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): There being no further business, this House stands in recess until 10:15.

The House recessed from 0919 to 1015.

Members’ Statements

Violence link training

Ms. Effie J. Triantafilopoulos: Yesterday, I filed a private member’s motion calling on the Ontario government to ensure that crown attorneys and crown counsels are educated on the connection between animal cruelty and gender-based and family violence. Research shows that animal abuse is not an isolated act—the connection between cruelty towards animals and violence against people is well documented. In fact, experts refer to it as the “violence link.”

The report of the Ontario Standing Committee on Justice Policy recognized animal cruelty as one of the risk factors for future interpersonal violence. The statistics are deeply troubling: 75% of abused women report their partner threatened or harmed their pet; nearly 90% of women in shelters report their partner abused their companion animals.

Through my previous private member’s motion, Keira’s Law, Ontario mandated education for judges and justices of the peace on intimate partner violence and coercive control. This motion builds on that important progress, calling on prosecutors to be better equipped to identify warning signs, assess risk earlier, support victims more effectively and strengthen public safety outcomes.

Protecting animals and protecting people are not separate conversations; they are deeply connected and our justice system should reflect that reality.

Developmental service workers

Ms. Peggy Sattler: Over the last two weeks, London West constituents with loved ones who rely on developmental service workers have reached out to share their anxiety, fear and heartbreak as they watch vulnerable family members struggle to adapt to unfamiliar replacement workers, disrupted routines and a loss of programs and supports they rely on.

At the same time, they understand how years of underfunding have pushed the developmental services sector to a breaking point. They are clear that they value the compassion, dedication and hard work of the front-line staff who support their loved ones, and they want these workers to be fairly compensated.

Front-line social service workers across Ontario, including nearly 600 Community Living London workers who are members of OPSEU Local 166, are taking a stand. They are demanding recognition from the Ford government of the importance of the work they do and the vulnerable adults and children they support. They are refusing to accept the unsafe staffing levels, growing wait-lists and mounting pressure caused by decades of chronic underfunding.

The Ontario NDP stands with these workers. They deserve to be compensated for lost wages after this government’s unconstitutional Bill 124, just like other public sector workers.

I am proud to show my solidarity today. We will continue to demand stable, sustainable funding because high-quality social services are worth fighting for.

Graduation ceremonies

Ms. Stephanie Bowman: Each year since being elected, I’ve had the privilege of attending graduation ceremonies in my riding of Don Valley West. They are some of my favourite events. They’re a chance to celebrate young members of our community, to hear about the highlights of their school year and to wish them the best as they embark on their next chapter. It’s a chance to remind them that they have an entire community behind them and wishing them well.

Unfortunately, this year is different. As we know, the Toronto District School Board is now being run by a supervisor appointed by the Minister of Education. Here’s an excerpt from a message from a TDSB principal: “We have received specific direction from our board to refrain from having political speakers address our students directly.”

So here, today, from Queen’s Park: Congratulations to the 2026 graduating classes of the high schools and middle schools in Don Valley West. This is such an exciting time for you. Enjoy celebrating your accomplishments and anticipating your next chapter. I look forward to seeing you soon, and I wish you a safe, happy, fun summer.

Primary care

Mr. Anthony Leardi: So far, under our government’s primary care action plan, 2,000 people have been able to access primary care in the riding of Essex. And now I have more great news for the riding of Essex because, due to a collaboration between the Harrow family health team, the Amherstburg Family Health Team and the Lakeshore Community Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic, another 4,000 people will now be added to primary care in the riding of Essex. That brings the grand total of people now being connected with primary care in the riding of Essex to 6,000 individuals. Our primary care action plan is working for the riding of Essex.

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I want to congratulate the great collaboration between our health care partners: the Harrow family health team, the Amherstburg Family Health Team and the Lakeshore Community Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic. This is a fine collaboration, bringing health care, primary care, to people in the riding of Essex where and when they need it.

Culturally responsive mental health services

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: I rise to call urgent attention to the need for culturally responsive mental health services for Ontario’s Chinese Canadian community following the devastating closure of the Asian Initiative in Mental Health, known as AIM, at the University Health Network. The Chinese Canadian community is the second-largest ethnocultural group in the GTA and in Ontario.

For 23 years, AIM provided pioneering, culturally responsive psychiatric care to over 4,500 patients. The majority of these new patients are now coming from outside of UHN’s Toronto catchment area for mental health support. AIM’s abrupt closure without consultation disrupted vulnerable patient care, dismantled a multidisciplinary team with cultural and linguistic expertise, and eroded community trust. This has directly increased the risk of crises, emergency visits and readmissions, thus driving up health care costs.

Despite clearly documented linguistic, cultural and systemic barriers to mental health, Asian communities are too often perceived as less in need.

But we are fighting back. The RE-AIM Coalition has garnered thousands of petition signatures and endorsements from over 60 organizations. The coalition has made powerful deputations to UHN this February, and yet they refuse to restore this service even on a trial basis. This urgent issue of equity and fairness calls on the Minister of Health to act responsibly and direct UHN to immediately reinstate the AIM clinic for Chinese Canadians in Ontario.

Woodstock Truck Show

Mr. Will Bouma: It’s a pleasure to rise in the House today and recognize the tremendous success of this year’s truck show in Burford, an event that has grown into one of the most remarkable community traditions.

What began in Woodstock in 2014 as a simple effort to sell calendars featuring trucks and raise funds for a worthy cause has evolved into something truly extraordinary. Twelve years later, the show attracts an incredible 315 trucks from all corners of North America and has raised over $100,000 in support of the Ontario Special Olympics. In fact, last year, I had the privilege of attending the Ontario Special Olympics in Brantford and presenting medals to some of the most grateful, joyful and inspiring athletes that I have ever met. Knowing that this event helps support those athletes makes its success even more meaningful.

The truck show brings together families, friends and visitors for a weekend filled with concerts, fireworks, great food and a welcoming atmosphere that showcases the very best of Brandford–Brant. This year’s turnout was particularly impressive, with approximately 3,500 people attending the show in Burford. That’s more people than the town’s entire population.

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Jennifer and Chris, along with the many volunteers and organizers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this event together year after year. Keep up the great work.

Highway safety / Riding of Timiskaming–Cochrane

Mr. John Vanthof: Summer is here, and summer often means road trips. My colleagues and I from the north have been pushing very hard for safer roads. We’ve seen a few changes: We’ve seen more enforcement; we’ve seen more MTO officials. We’d like to thank the government for taking some notice. There’s a long way to go, but we give credit where credit is due. The government has moved on inspecting trucking schools—again, give credit where credit is due—but there’s a long way to go.

But safe roads are especially important, especially in summertime because northern Ontario is a beautiful place to visit. I encourage everyone to come to the whole north. In my riding, you can come to Temagami. Lake Temagami is one of the most beautiful lakes in the province. There’s the polar bear habitat in Cochrane.

One of my favourite events is the return of the New Liskeard Bikers Reunion from July 3 to 5. There are thousands of bikes that come from all over the country, and there are not just bikes anymore—there are classic cars, quite a few sports cars. If you happen to see an old black Triumph puttering around with an orange helmet, stop and say hello. I’ll be happy to talk to you.

Anyway, welcome to summer and as always welcome to northern Ontario.

Women in politics

Mrs. Michelle Cooper: I rise today honoured to stand in this chamber alongside 46 female members of provincial Parliament. Since women first gained the right to vote in Ontario in 1917, and to run for office shortly after, more than 100 women have served in this Legislature. Each has helped shape a stronger more representative democracy for the people of Ontario.

This progress is meaningful but is not without the ongoing realities and challenges women continue to navigate. Women are leaders in this chamber, in their workplaces, in their communities, while also balancing the many roles they hold in their lives as wives, partners, mothers, daughters and granddaughters.

In recent months, I’ve had the privilege of visiting various all-girls schools in my riding of Eglinton–Lawrence, including Bais Yaakov, Eitz Chaim, Havergal College and Loretto Abbey to name a few, where I have met with bright and engaged young women who represent the future of our province.

What struck me most was their excitement seeing a woman serving as their local MPP. Their thoughtful questions about leadership and public service were a reminder that representation matters. When young women see women leading, they see new possibilities for themselves and gain the confidence to believe that their voices, ideas and ambitions belong wherever decisions are made.

Government investments

Mr. Lorne Coe: I’m honoured to share how our government is supporting local tourism in the region of Durham. BMK Event and Promotions will receive $35,000 through the Ontario Arts Council and the Ontario Creates program. This funding will help BMK Event and Promotions to develop and present Durham Summerfest 2026 on August 22 and 23 at the Ajax Downs racetrack.

Speaker, I’ve seen first-hand the difference that inclusive community events make in the region of Durham. What’s clear is that these events don’t just foster togetherness, they also create valuable jobs and boost local economies. That’s why I’m proud that our government showcases the diverse culture and talent of residents in Whitby, Ajax and the entire region of Durham.

Chabad of Guelph

Mr. Mike Schreiner: I rise today to congratulate Rabbi Raphi Steiner on the recent approval of the Chabad of Guelph to move forward with its expansion project.

I also want Rabbi Raphi and the Jewish community in Guelph to know we stand with you against the hateful anti-Semitic act that happened in the most recent vandalizing of the pop-up Chabad location in Guelph.

Speaker, Chabad of Guelph has served the community since 2012, inspiring the Jewish community of Guelph to discover and celebrate their heritage in a safe and welcoming environment. The expansion also includes the first Jewish daycare in Guelph, with 49 spots funded through the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system. This brings more affordable child care to our community at a time when young families are just struggling to get by.

I would like to thank the MPP for Wellington–Halton Hills and the MPP for Perth–Wellington for helping me in advocating for funding for this project. I’d also like to thank the Minister of Education for responding to our call for fair funding for child care spaces in Guelph-Wellington. I’d also like to thank the county of Wellington and the city of Guelph for supporting this project.

Speaker, affordable child care makes a real difference in people’s lives, and these are the kinds of projects we should all get behind and support.

Report, Integrity Commissioner

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I beg to inform the House the following document was tabled: the annual report of the review of expense claims covering the period April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, pursuant to the Cabinet Ministers’ and Opposition Leaders’ Expenses Review and Accountability Act, 2002, from the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario.

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Introduction of Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): It is now time for visitors, and I believe we have a special guest to introduce.

Hon. Michael Parsa: Good morning, colleagues. I have a very special guest in the House, indeed, but first I want to introduce Barbara and Tanya from L’Arche Daybreak, and I want to introduce my very good friend Amanda, who participates in all the walks with me at every single charity event. She is my dear friend from Richmond Hill, never misses a charity walk with me—my wonderful friend. Thank you for being so awesome, Amanda. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Stan Cho: Hard to follow that one up, but we’ve also got a really funny guy in the Legislature today. If you don’t know who he is, check him out on Instagram. Comedian Leonard Chan is here with his wife Jackie, who took his last name, thus becoming the only Caucasian Jackie Chan I know of. Welcome to the Legislature.

Hon. Charmaine A. Williams: I welcome students from Central Peel Secondary School in my riding of Brampton Centre. Today we recognize 11 students who made history as the first Canadian team to win the grand prize in the Gerard K. O’Neill Space Settlement Contest, competing against over 23,000 students worldwide. Their project, Project Saoirse, presents an ambitious vision for the future in space.

I also want to celebrate additional Central Peel students who earned seven awards in the NSS “Live in a Healthy Space” competition and their teacher and space club adviser, Simona Matei, whose leadership helped make these achievements possible.

Please join me in congratulating their outstanding achievements. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Ernie Hardeman: I’d like to welcome Rocio Salinas and Lindsay Tribble from the Tillsonburg chamber of commerce and Mike Crabbe from the Woodstock chamber of commerce. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Lee Fairclough: I’d like to welcome Julia Nelson from my riding of Etobicoke–Lakeshore, who is the page captain today, and I’m pleased to welcome her family—Amy, Ian and Miles—to Queen’s Park.

I’d also like to introduce the students from Ontario Student Voices and the Conestoga student union. Welcome to Lynn Courville, Arvin Baradaran-Rajabzadeh, Alex Nguyen, Rajveer Singh and Bisman Kaur. Thank you very much. Welcome to your House.

Ms. Laura Smith: I would like to welcome Morris Maron from my constituency office and friends Eleanor Millar and her wonderful son Ethan. Welcome to the House.

Mr. Tom Rakocevic: I welcome my family: my wife Aleksandra and my sons, Aleksandar and Ilija. Welcome again to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Logan Kanapathi: I’m happy to welcome my good friend Nada Rajkumar. He’s an exemplary leader with 41 years of distinguished service in Canadian podcasting and pioneering Tamil radio in Ontario, Canada. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Aislinn Clancy: I want to give a shout-out to the Kitchener Rangers, who won the Memorial Cup. Go Rangers!

Ms. Stephanie Bowman: I would like to welcome a few guests from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce here today for their advocacy day: Daniel Tisch, president and CEO; Julie Martini, VP of public affairs; and Shelly Anwyll, VP, business development and member experience. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Stephen Lecce: I do want to welcome Dan Tisch as well as members of the Vaughan chamber and the King chamber. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Laurie Scott: I’d like to welcome Terry Guiel and Rizzan Santos from the Lindsay and District Chamber of Commerce. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Natalie Pierre: I would like to introduce Terry Caddo, president and CEO of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce and Kelly Hoey, executive director of HIEC, ApprenticeSearch.com and Ontario Career Lab.

Mr. Tyler Allsopp: I would like to welcome representatives from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and its network of local chambers and boards of trade from across the province. Today’s group is participating in the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s 11th annual advocacy day.

I would like to give a special shout-out to Suzanne Andrews, Duarte Da Silva and Jill Raycroft from Quinte West, Prince Edward county and Bellwood chambers of commerce.

MPP Tyler Watt: I would like to welcome the inspiring folks from Ontario Student Voices: Shadé Dias, Samiya Khan, Sai Pradivya Sammeta, Hishram Clifford, Raili Tyrvainen and Kai Fucile Ladouceur. Welcome to your House.

Mr. Robert Bailey: I would like to welcome Ethan Brown from the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: I would like to invite the chamber to join me in welcoming the 70 members from the RE-AIM Coalition.

Mr. Dave Smith: I would like to welcome Brenda Whitehead from the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce and my former EA Julia Facca, who says I never recognize her when she’s here.

MPP Monica Ciriello: I would like to welcome members of my Hamilton Mountain youth organization: Mateo, Brooklynn, Julia, Noah, Onil, Eva, Ornina, and a friend and colleague, Dave.

M^me Lucille Collard: I would like to welcome Eric Thiele, a first-time comer to Queen’s Park and a student from Queen’s. He is starting articling here in Toronto. Welcome to your House.

House sittings

Hon. Steve Clark: First, I want to advise the House that the night sitting scheduled for this evening is cancelled.

Pride Month

Hon. Steve Clark: Madam Speaker, if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent for members to make brief statements for Pride Month, with five minutes allotted to the government, five minutes allotted to His Majesty’s loyal opposition, five minutes allotted to the third party and two minutes allotted to the independent members as a group.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The government House leader is seeking unanimous consent for members to make brief statements for Pride Month, with five minutes allotted to the government, five minutes allotted to His Majesty’s loyal opposition, five minutes allotted to the third party and two minutes allotted to the independent members as a group. Agreed? Agreed.

I recognize the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism.

Hon. Graham McGregor: I didn’t have a chance during introduction of visitors. I just want to welcome the Shrestha family: Puja, Kiroj and Sarin. Their son Sarvin is a page from my riding. I will be having lunch with them later today. Please give them a round of applause for being here.

Applause.

Hon. Graham McGregor: Good morning. It’s a true honour to stand before the House and recognize June as Pride Month. Happy Pride to everyone in Ontario.

Ontario is proud to be home to a vibrant, diverse and resilient LGBT+ community. Now, Pride Month, Speaker, is often associated with parades, flags and celebration, but of course it is far more than that. Pride is a movement rooted in courage, shaped by advocacy and sustained by people who continue to push for safer communities and a unified society.

While moments like the 1969 Stonewall uprising remind us of the challenges that sparked the Pride movement, it also highlights the progress we have made as a people, as a government and as a society. It reflects the progress still to be made and the shared responsibility that we all have. It’s about building a future that ensures future generations learn from lessons of the past, where everyone can live openly, safely and with dignity, regardless of who they are, who they love or how they identify. At its heart, Pride is about belonging. It’s about recognizing that diversity is not a barrier, but a strength.

LGBT+ communities are enriched by different identities, cultures, experiences and perspectives. They carry multiple identities, and for many, those identities shape both opportunity and challenge in profound ways, which means our work must be thoughtful and intentional. It means ensuring that no one is left behind. It is about ensuring that there are no youth that are scared to use their voice, and that all members of Ontario are able to find their voice. And in order for us to create opportunities for everyone to succeed, we must listen, learn and act.

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We also know that progress is not guaranteed. Across our province and beyond, we’re seeing a troubling rise in hatred and division, which reminds us that the values that we hold, such as respect, acceptance and unity, must be actively protected, and that responsibility belongs to all of us. It’s about showing up for one another, standing up against discrimination and supporting each other whenever and however we can. It’s about being allies not only in words but in action. Sometimes this means speaking out; sometimes it simply means creating space for someone to feel seen, heard and valued, and every act matters.

Our government works every day to build a stronger, more prosperous province where everyone can thrive, including members of the LGBT+ community. In the past three years, we’ve strengthened the Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant to address and combat hate across Ontario, spending $58 million to combat hate, including for the LGBT community. I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank my colleague the member for Newmarket–Aurora for her advocacy to make sure that Pride parades are eligible for that grant and getting that done, and they are.

I think about when I did this speech last year. I got some text messages from friends saying, “Thank you for the recognition.” It kind of resonated with me, the importance that people are seen by leaders in this House. I think it’s great that these are mainstream issues for all parties: the Liberals, the PCs, the NDP, the Greens—all accept that people, regardless of who they love or how they identify, belong in Ontario, should feel safe in Ontario and claim ownership of this House, the people’s House, the Legislative Assembly.

I lunched with a friend recently who only came out seven years ago. We were 22, 23 at the time when he did. I remember when he came out to me and he talked to me and he said that he wasn’t sure how I would react. It broke my heart to hear that because I’ve always tried to be as inclusive and accepting as I can, but I realized that sometimes when you just don’t say the words, people don’t know.

So similar to those friends that sent me texts last year, I think about a kid sitting at home right now who maybe is afraid to be who they are, to love who they want to love, identify how they want to identify. And I think: What a great thing it is today that you’ve got leaders from all different parties in the House that are all standing up, proudly saying, “Happy Pride.” Hopefully that gives those kids at home the courage and some peace and some happiness, frankly, from that acceptance from the seat of government here in Toronto, in Ontario, at Queen’s Park.

From the bottom of my heart, from my family and from the PC caucus to everybody celebrating in Ontario, happy Pride.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the member for London North Centre.

Mr. Terence Kernaghan: It’s my honour to provide remarks on behalf of the official opposition to recognize Pride Month.

We are at a crossroads with regard to equity, dignity and respect for one another. Across North America and beyond, hard-fought gains are being questioned, demonized and eradicated.

Everyone in this great House easily recognizes that the Ontario NDP has been at the forefront of advancing 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, passing more legislation in support of the community than any other political party in Ontario’s history. Our first gay caucus was actually formed in 1976, Speaker, and I want to thank members of our current Ontario NDP queer caucus for their work showing us that love conquers hate.

Today, I want to speak about inclusion, acceptance and the world that is possible when people can live authentically. Living authentically is something that most of us take for granted; it’s the norm for us. And that, my friends, is the definition of privilege. It’s not my intent to insult anyone with that. It is important, though, that we recognize our place in this world and the benefits that we enjoy. But what happens when you try to walk in someone else’s shoes? It may just open your minds and open your hearts.

To all members: Think for a moment what it would have been like to be barred entry from the hospital room of the person you love because systems, policies and laws blocked you from holding your loved one’s hand as they lay dying. That world was not too long ago.

Today, I want to focus my comments on the trans community, who are frequently the targets of anger, hatred and violence. Speaker, in this world, name-calling and hearkening back to some mythic good old days, many can’t seem to grasp that trans people have existed throughout human history, along with the gay community. The first recorded examples of homosexuality are from 2400 BC, and trans people from 1200 BC in Egypt. Despite claims to the contrary, this is not new news; in fact, the first trans political organization in the United States was founded in 1895.

What I wish most during Pride Month is that the most zealous anti-gay politicians took a good, honest, objective look at themselves before they spewed hatred. Far too often, the most hateful anti-gay people find themselves pushed out of the closet after being caught in same-sex affairs. As Hermann Hesse wrote, “If you hate a person, you hate something in him that is part of yourself.”

Trans people face barriers to housing, employment, health care and many aspects of social life that people take for granted. They are often the subject of political debate rather than being recognized as human beings deserving of dignity and respect.

We saw this during the controversy surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Khelif at the Olympic Games. Following her victory, social media became flooded with false claims and speculation about her gender. The incident exposed how quickly misinformation can spread and how readily people can direct hostility towards those perceived to be different. Even after facts emerged, many of the same harmful narratives persisted.

I ask every member in this chamber: For a moment, imagine what it would feel like to feel fundamentally unseen by the world around you, to have others insist that you are something that you know you are not. Imagine facing that reality while also confronting misunderstanding, hostility and discrimination. Have you honestly considered how difficult that would be?

If this Legislature is legitimately and authentically standing up to the ridiculous dictator to our south, we would ensure that 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, especially those of the trans community, are protected.

I implore you all to sit down and talk with a trans person. Listen to them with openness and with empathy. What you will learn will help you grow. It will help you think. It will help you be a better human.

To Ontario’s trans family, thank you for your courage, your resilience and your determination in the face of prejudice, hatred, violence and adversity. You have succeeded in spite of it all. You are the most courageous, strong and tenacious among us. You remind us of the strength of the human spirit and the dignity inherent in every person.

While I have your attention, I do want to put in a shameless plug for the Pride festival fund—a request of $1.5 million. It would be a truly progressive move from this government.

I want to thank you all for marching in Pride, celebrating Pride and remembering Pride’s roots. Pride is and always has been a protest—a protest for respect, for equality, for dignity and for human rights. Pride is also a celebration of resilience, community and the enduring belief that every person deserves to live openly and authentically. It’s a celebration of the indomitable human spirit and the intrinsic dignity we all possess.

Happy Pride, everyone.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the member for Nepean.

MPP Tyler Watt: I rise today to recognize Pride Month, a time to celebrate the resilience, contributions and diversity of the LGBTQ+ people across Ontario and across our country.

I also want to acknowledge the remarks made by my colleague from London North Centre and the remarks made earlier by the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. I also want to acknowledge the fact that we have a Premier that marches in Pride and celebrates Pride, and that is something for us to all celebrate.

In a time when discussions around identity and belonging can too often become polarized, it matters when members of this Legislature, regardless of party, take the time to recognize the importance of Pride and the people that it represents. That recognition sends a message that every Ontarian deserves dignity, respect and the opportunity to be their true, authentic self.

Pride Month is often associated with celebration, and rightfully so. It’s a chance to celebrate how far we’ve come. We celebrate the generations of advocates, activists, community leaders and everyday people who fought for a society where more of us can live openly and honestly than ever before.

But Pride is also about reflection. It is about remembering those who came before us and the sacrifices that they made. It is about acknowledging that the rights and freedoms many of us enjoy today were not guaranteed. They were earned through courage, perseverance and a belief that a better future was possible.

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Sometimes people ask why Pride is still necessary today, and the answer can be found in the history of Pride itself. Pride did not begin as a celebration. It began as a movement. It began because LGBTQ+ people were told they could not be themselves; they could not openly love who they loved and could not fully participate in society without fear, discrimination, harassment and sometimes even arrest. The first Pride marches were acts of courage. They were led by people who risked their jobs, their reputations, their relationships and, in some cases, their personal safety simply for demanding equal treatment and recognition under the law.

Because of their courage, generations that followed gained rights and freedoms that many once thought were impossible. People can marry the person they love. They can serve openly in our military. They have equal protections in law that previous generations could only dream of. But Pride remains important because history teaches us that progress is never guaranteed. Rights can be challenged. Communities can become targets of misinformation or prejudice. Around the world, we continue to see LGBTQ+ people face discrimination and violence for being who they are.

And that is why Pride continues to matter. It is a celebration of how far we’ve come but is also a reminder of the work that remains. It is an opportunity to educate, to build understanding and to ensure that future generations know both the struggle and the triumphs that brought us to where we are today. Most of all, Pride matters because everyone deserves to know that they belong.

As someone who is a part of the LGBTQ+ community, Pride Month is deeply personal to me. I know what it feels like to wonder whether you will be accepted. I know what it feels like to carry uncertainty about whether people will see you for who you truly are, and I know how powerful it can be when someone tells you that you belong exactly as you are.

For many young people across Ontario, that message remains as important as ever. And while we have made tremendous progress, we know that challenges remain. Too many LGBTQ+ people still experience discrimination, bullying, isolation, homelessness, high suicide rates and barriers to accessing support.

Around the world, and sometimes even closer to home, we continue to see efforts to divide people or question their place in society, and that is why Pride continues to matter, not because it is about one community standing apart from others but because it is about reaffirming a simple principle that every person deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and compassion.

The good news is that I continue to see reasons for hope. I see it in young people who are growing up with the confidence to be themselves. I see it in parents who support and advocate for their children. I see it in educators and health care workers, faith leaders, employers and community organizations who are creating spaces where people feel safe, welcomed and valued.

Most importantly, I see it in countless Ontarians who choose kindness over division and understanding over fear. Pride Month reminds us that progress is not inevitable. It requires all of us to continue building communities where everyone feels that they belong, but it also reminds us of something equally important: Change is possible.

So, today, let’s celebrate the diversity that strengthens our province. Let us honour those who paved the way and let us continue working towards an Ontario where every person, regardless of who they are or who they love, can live with pride, safety and hope for the future. Happy Pride Month.

Mr. Mike Schreiner: It’s an honour today to rise to celebrate Pride Month. I’ve had the privilege of marching in many Pride parades, and I have always been inspired by how people come together and show solidarity and allyship with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. I ask the government to answer the call of Pride festivals for increased funding due to security cost increases, because it is essential, now more than ever, that we honour and celebrate the history, the struggle and the resistance that Pride represents, resistance to anti-queer violence, hate and systemic injustices that we still so sadly confront today.

Pride is about us coming together and standing up for change, resisting oppressive norms and creating the space for every person to be seen, heard, cared for and included.

It takes so much courage. It takes so much strength and courage to combat hate with love, to confront violence with solidarity and to overcome injustice with pride. And thanks to the activism of the queer community, we can be proud of how far we have come as a province.

But we have so much more we have to do. I’m especially concerned about the rising levels of targeted attacks on trans folks and the pushback on 2SLGBTQAI+ symbols in some corners of society.

So, Speaker, I call on my colleagues: We all have a special responsibility as elected leaders to stand up against hate and to act against hate.

I am proud that all four parties have stood up in this House today to stand in solidarity with the queer community. We can do better. We must do better.

Happy Pride.

Applause.

Question Period

Cost of living

Ms. Marit Stiles: This question is for the Premier. In all of 2026, the government has only been in session in this Legislature for 29 days—less than a month. Twenty-nine days, and here is what the Premier had time for: buying a luxury private jet, hiding his phone records, cutting OSAP, making a mess of our books and throwing taxpayers to the wolves.

But he had no time to cut the tax on groceries or actually put money back in people’s pockets.

So to the Premier: Why hasn’t this government taken any real action to cut costs for Ontarians this session?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The Minister of Finance.

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: Thank you, Madam Speaker, and through you to the member opposite: I don’t know where the member opposite has been for that time that we’ve spent in the Legislature. Every single day, we talk about how much more money we are putting in the pockets of families and individuals—some $12 billion, as represented in the budget.

Madam Speaker, her party did not vote for the budget. She did not vote for the measures in the budget, including the 30% tax cut for small businesses—the economic engine of this province. Where have you been?

Or how about the day we put forward the HST cut in the budget? We put that in the budget. They did not vote for the budget.

This is a party, this is a government, this is a team that is working every single day on behalf of all Ontarians—families, individuals and businesses—to make sure that they can survive and thrive in this great province.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the Leader of the Opposition.

Ms. Marit Stiles: That’s a whole lot of talk, but here’s the truth: They forgot to include their HST cut in their own budget. In any other workplace, a mistake like that would cost you your job. Yet another promise that they couldn’t keep; yet another relief that they couldn’t deliver on time—just gross incompetence.

So, Speaker, meanwhile, we know that they were voting to scrap the grocery tax. I want to ask the Premier to stand in his place and explain to the people of Ontario again why they have failed so miserably to make life more affordable for people.

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: Madam Speaker, tell that to the 42,400 people that got a job last month in Ontario—new jobs—putting food on the table.

By the way, the HST cut that she refers to is going to create 21,000 new construction jobs, boost the economy by $3 billion and keep alive the dream of home ownership for so many Ontarians.

And yesterday, I had the honour to stand with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and our great MPP from Carleton—oh, he’s sitting up front here today; welcome—to announce an historic $8.8-billion deal to get houses built in this great province and keep the dream alive for Ontarians.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the Leader of the Opposition.

Ms. Marit Stiles: Well, Speaker, they probably should have put the HST cut in the budget then.

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But, look, if you’re one of the Premier’s wealthy buddies, everything is pretty good. Life is getting better every day, that’s for sure. But for the rest of us, life is just getting harder.

This is a morally and financially bankrupt government trying to dress up a half-a-trillion-dollar debt as fiscal prudence. Give me a break. The interest on this debt alone is costing the people of Ontario $16 billion a year, and we’re not even getting anything for that—no relief at the grocery store, no relief at the gas pump, just higher bills.

Has the Premier just completely given up on making life more affordable for the people of Ontario?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Doug Ford: I just want to remind the Leader of the Opposition she voted against the 10.7 cents a litre. You don’t care about the people.

We care about the people. We led North America, Madam Speaker, in job creation in April, as we saw everything get dumped across the country—minus 19,000. And the US we beat by 680% more jobs than the entire 350 million people, because we’ve created the conditions and the environments for companies to come here—over $222 billion of investment right here in Ontario.

As they vote no against building subways, they vote no against building hospitals, they vote no against building highways and bridges and roads, we’re going to keep creating more jobs, more infrastructure, more construction jobs, more health care jobs, more manufacturing jobs. And we led North America with over 9,000 manufacturing jobs in April alone.

Cost of living

Ms. Marit Stiles: That just shows you, this is the most out-of-touch government this province has ever seen. Their priorities in this 29-day-long session have been about what? Destroying the Toronto Islands, taking over school boards, taking over municipal governments, taking from the taxpayers to buy a luxury private jet for their Premier.

But the priorities of working people and their families are very different, Speaker. They want better health care, they want safer highways and, you know what, they want cheaper groceries.

Why is this government denying Ontarians the basics?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Doug Ford: Madam Speaker, President Trump is at it again, calling us the 51st state. There’s going to be one guy going down to Washington to tell them that we’ll never be for sale, we’ll never be the 51st state, but the Leader of the Opposition—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Order.

Hon. Doug Ford: As we ship 74.5% of all goods down to the US, the Leader of the Opposition wants me to go down to Washington and tell the US, “We don’t want your investment. Never invest in Ontario.” That’s what you believe in. That’s the message.

About $5 billion of investment over at Toronto airport—by the way, Madam Speaker, she wants to blame us. I looked into it; it was under the Liberals that Porter Aviation sold it to Nieuport.

You know something? I will welcome $5 billion of investment off our American friends all day long. I differentiate between the great American people and President Trump that—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Leader of the Opposition.

Ms. Marit Stiles: I want this Premier to start working for Ontarians, not American billionaires. That’s what I want.

What is so remarkable, Speaker, is that they want to be out of touch. Their own caucus Chair voiced concerns that he was hearing from his constituents over the Premier’s private luxury jet, and he got canned for it. He got canned for it.

The Premier is not listening to anyone. Rather than spending this session making life easier for families, the Premier was too busy managing his own scandals.

How is it possible that a Premier can care so little about the issues that are facing everyday families in the province of Ontario?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Order.

I recognize the Minister of Energy.

Hon. Stephen Lecce: Being out of touch is for the Leader of the Opposition with a straight face to make a claim that she would vote against a gas tax in an energy crisis. Being out of touch is voting against a budget that reduces the cost of homes by $100,000 on a young family. Out of touch is, in an economic war, voting against a 30% reduction in corporate income taxes for small businesses.

You are so deeply, deeply focused on the image of your own leadership, with your own deputy leader turning their back on you—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Through the Speaker.

Hon. Stephen Lecce: —maybe the problem in this House is not the judgment or the character of this government, but it’s the incompetence of the leadership of the opposition.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I will remind members to make their comments and questions through the Speaker.

I recognize the Leader of the Opposition.

Ms. Marit Stiles: Right. Well, Premier, it’s pretty clear that not only has this Premier been completely out of touch with the people of Ontario—and this 29-day session certainly proves it—but he has actively betrayed the people of Ontario. He spent their money on a luxury private jet, he sold out the Toronto waterfront to American investment bankers and he changed the laws of this province to hide his cellphone records. That is what he has been busy with.

In the last 29 days that we have sat, the government had time to cut OSAP, to buy a private luxury jet, but they couldn’t find time to support a grocery tax cut for hard-working families. I want to ask the Premier if he will stand in his place today and apologize for spending this session betraying the people of Ontario.

Hon. Doug Ford: Speaker, tell that to the 10,428 messages that I called back, and I listened to the people. Tell them that we don’t want any foreign investment anymore, that we don’t want the $5 billion that will create thousands and thousands of jobs, that will make it more convenient to millions and millions of people travelling all around the world, not to mention all across Canada.

We know, Madam Speaker, that 70% of the people want that airport expanded, and 100% of the people are in favour of us cutting taxes, to make sure we put more money into their pockets.

And as you’ve heard, we gave a 31% tax break to over 375,000 companies across Ontario, as you want to raise taxes. You want to gouge the taxpayers.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Through the Speaker.

Hon. Doug Ford: You want to gouge the businesses. If it was up to you and the Liberals—we saw what happened: 300,000 jobs were chased out of the province—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Question?

Government accountability

Mr. John Fraser: My question is for the Premier. It looks like it’s our last day, and I just can’t give up that easily, because Ontarians need an answer. They need an answer to why the Premier’s close friend and associate Carmine Nigro can sue the government for $500 million and then get a secret payout that none of us are allowed to know about. My colleague from Orléans yesterday said, “It’s like the Premier saying to taxpayers, ‘Here’s the bill. Don’t ask any questions.’”

How can the Premier justify a secret payout to his close friend and associate Carmine Nigro that none of us are allowed to know about?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The Minister of Transportation.

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: We’ve answered that question many times. We don’t get involved in that process. Our Premier doesn’t get involved in that process, nor do I, Madam Speaker.

What we can talk about is, for 15 years, the Liberal government, when they were in power, built absolutely nothing in this province. We’ve talked about their legacy of upside-down bridges that they’ve built, transit that they didn’t invest in, but we were busy getting shovels in the ground. The Scarborough subway extension, a place that the previous Liberal government neglected, refused to put shovels in the ground to—we’re getting rapid transit to the people of Scarborough, Madam Speaker.

We’re delivering on One Fare. That’s putting $1,600 back into the pockets of hard-working Ontarians, including those in Scarborough, who are using transit every single day.

Madam Speaker, we have been focused on building. Whether it’s Highway 413, the Bradford Bypass or getting our historic $70 billion of investment into public transit, we’re going to continue to build.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I will ask for order.

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Back to the leader of the third party.

Mr. John Fraser: These folks can’t deliver a transit project on time and on budget. But they can deliver a massive, multi-million dollar cheque to Carmine Nigro at lightning speed for literally nothing. People can’t get from A to B in Scarborough, but the Premier is busy shovelling money out the door with reckless abandon to his buddies.

So I’ll ask again: Speaker, can the Premier somehow justify this massive, multi-million dollar payout to his close friend and associate, Carmine Nigro?

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: Madam Speaker, we face record gridlock in this province because, for 15 years, they built absolutely nothing—not a highway, no transit.

We’ve been busy delivering on those priorities. We’ve got the Finch West LRT open, the Eglinton Crosstown open. We’ve got shovels in the ground on the Bradford Bypass, a project that is going to support thousands of good-paying jobs.

Let’s take the Scarborough subway extension, a project that they have voted against almost every single time they’ve had an opportunity to support it in the House. That project supports 3,000 good-paying jobs. The Ontario Line supports 4,000 good-paying jobs. Every single one of those projects supports thousands of good-paying jobs for Ontarians across this province. They vote against it every single time.

But that’s what their record was: For 15 years, they neglected this province. They drove 300,000 manufacturing jobs out of this province, and they built no highways and no transit. We’re changing that. We’re getting shovels in the ground, and we’re getting the job done.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The leader of the third party.

Mr. John Fraser: I’ve asked this question two dozen times. Obviously, the Premier can’t defend it, because he hasn’t responded.

The question is: Where are they going to hide this settlement at Metrolinx? Are they going to bury it in the Eglinton Crosstown budget, or are they going to bury it in the expensive delays in the Scarborough subway? Or will they divide it up amongst 125 VPs at Metrolinx? Just where is the Premier going to hide this? What cupboard are we going to find it in?

I’ll ask the Premier again. Maybe he can answer this question the 25th time. Let’s try, Premier: How do you justify a multi-million dollar massive secret payout to your friend and associate Carmine Nigro while Ontario families are struggling?

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: Madam Speaker, you can ask it another dozen times, the answer doesn’t change—myself or the Premier do not get involved in that process.

But what we do do is we build transit, something they didn’t do for 15 years. In 2018, in fact, the opposition called it “back of a napkin.” Guess what? We’ve got shovels in the ground on the Scarborough subway extension, a project that the previous Liberal government not only abandoned but refused to invest in. The people of Scarborough are going to get rapid transit because this government believes in the people of Scarborough and wants to deliver transit to those hard-working people in that part of the city.

We’re delivering the Ontario Line, the first time in over 60 years that there are tunnel-boring machines in the downtown core. Because of this Premier, our government has put forward a vision that transcends the next four to eight years. It looks at the next 50 to 100 years, because we believe in investing in Ontario and we believe in making ourselves more competitive and productive as a province.

Government jet

Mr. John Fraser: I said before that the Premier’s luxury private jet will never go away, and apparently it hasn’t. Ontarians are still mad, and apparently the Premier’s caucus is as well. And some heads have rolled—not because it was their fault. It’s because the Premier still believes he really deserved that luxury private jet. He really wanted to sit in it. I have something for him later.

Speaker, the PC caucus feels the same way as Ontarians do. They’re mad, and they should be. The question they’re asking is: Did the Premier lose his way before or after he bought the luxury private jet?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The Minister of Transportation.

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: Madam Speaker, what we’re doing and what we’re focused on is delivering for the people of this province.

For 15 years, what was the record of the previous Liberal government? Over 300,000 jobs fled this province. We had the highest energy rates that were impacting families across this province. They implemented cap-and-trade policies that made it more expensive for people to eat, for groceries.

We have been focused in on making sure that we’re getting shovels in the ground. Thousands of jobs are being supported by this, our transit expansion plan. As I said, the Ontario Line—over 4,000 jobs are supported by that expansion plan that they have voted against.

Let me remind them of their objection to the 413 and Bradford Bypass, the Ring of Fire projects that they couldn’t get off the ground because they don’t believe in investing in this province. That is what we have been focused on and that is what we are going to continue to deliver: a $100-billion investment into transportation infrastructure across—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the leader of the third party.

Mr. John Fraser: Speaker, I can just imagine the PC caucus singing that famous Joni Mitchell song that was covered by Nazareth, This Flight Tonight, and the line that says, “Turn this crazy bird around.”

So the luxury jet is a symbol. It’s a symbol of the Premier who, after eight years, has lost his way. It’s a symbol of a divided caucus. It’s the symbol of a bloated government. Speaker, the luxury private jet is never going away. It’s never going away, Premier. You own it; you shouldn’t have gotten it, because you’re going to own it right till the end.

So I’ll ask the Premier once again: Premier, did you lose your way before or after you bought the luxury private jet?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The Minister of Finance.

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: Madam Speaker, I think the opposite is true. This member opposite is losing his way because he’s chasing his tail, going around in circles, asking the same question.

Where was he last week when the Premier announced the defence strategy—43,000 new jobs, $6-billion contribution to the economy, tax revenue to the people of Ontario.

Where was this leader when the Minister of Energy announced a refurbishment in Pickering, small modular reactors in Darlington and the Bruce Power and the Wesleyville nuclear investments? That’s going to cause over $800 billion of GDP and tens of thousands of construction jobs.

Madam Speaker, that is what the people of Ontario elected us to do: to build the economy, grow good jobs, make sure that every worker is protected. And when the Premier goes down to Washington, you know what he’s doing? He’s fighting for every single Ontarian, all 16 million people.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the leader of the third party.

Mr. John Fraser: The Premier has a chance not to go 0 for 6 this morning, so here’s the thing. The Premier’s got to ask himself this question: Just who in my caucus is going to hit the ejector seat from this jet?

It’s hard to speak truth to power, especially when you’re on the inside. When the power or the Premier doesn’t like what you have to say, they punish you. You pay the price. But the Premier is the one who is really paying the price because he’s got a caucus that is not happy with him. He’s got Ontarians that are not happy with him. He’s lost his way. After eight long years, he’s tired, he’s out of touch and he’s lost his way. You’ve got one more chance, Premier.

Speaker, did the Premier lose his way before or after he bought the luxury private jet?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Minister of Tourism.

Hon. Stan Cho: Speaker, I want to thank the past, present and future leader of the Liberal Party because he truly encompasses what is wrong with this party. I mean, this is a party that ruled Ontario for 15 dark years and has nothing to show for it except record debt.

And now, what are they saying no to? They say no to the largest transit expansion plan in the history of North America at $70 billion. They say no to $30 billion in roads, bridges and highways, many of them in their own ridings. They say no to $50 billion in health care expansion and infrastructure. They say no to $220 billion in investment from foreign countries in this province. They say no to a $250-billion infrastructure investment into this province. And now they say no to building out the most iconic waterfront in the province and redeveloping Toronto’s waterfront and redeveloping—they say no to everything—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Order.

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I recognize the member for Nickel Belt.

Forest industry

M^me France Gélinas: Premier, on Friday, I met with the workers being laid off due—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I am asking the members to refrain from speaking to each other across the aisle, or you will be warned and then you will be asked to leave the chamber.

You may restart your question.

M^me France Gélinas: Premier, on Friday, I met with the workers being laid off due to the closure of Interfor sawmill in Nairn Centre, a one-industry community of 320 residents. So 129 mill workers, dozens of loggers and truckers are all losing their jobs. They are worried. They don’t want Nairn to be decimated. They want to work. They know that when the auto sector and when the steel industry got hit by the American tariffs, solutions were put forward to save these workers’ jobs.

What is the government doing to keep the 129 workers working at the sawmill in Nairn Centre?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the member for Newmarket–Aurora.

M^me Dawn Gallagher Murphy: I thank the member opposite for the question. Ontario is standing up for our forestry workers while the United States keeps hammering our mills with unfair tariffs and illegal duties. These punitive measures punish both sides of the border, and our government has been working closely with the federal government to ensure Ontario’s forestry sector gets the support it needs. Ontario has delivered over $355 million in targeted investments to help mills modernize, cut costs, as well as protect jobs through initiatives like the forest biomass program and the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program.

Ontario joined the federal government in Ottawa to announce over $220 million in Ontario-targeted tariff relief support.

It is clear the time for action is now, Madam Speaker—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the member for Mushkegowuk–James Bay.

Mr. Guy Bourgouin: Back to the Premier: Despite investment, forest workers in northern communities are dealing with layoffs, and mill closures that are happening right now. The Ontario NDP forest strategy would establish a mills-at-risk task force to work with industry, unions, communities, First Nations to stabilize operations before closures happen.

Premier, your plan does not address the right-now situation. What good is a long-term road map if workers don’t have a mill to go back to?

M^me Dawn Gallagher Murphy: For nearly a decade, the Liberals, pumped up by the NDP, stood by while Ontario’s forest sector lost ground, with closures, job losses and declining competitiveness across the province. In 2022, our government stepped in and we took action, launching Ontario’s first-ever forest sector strategy and putting real investments on the table, now totalling over $355 million to stabilize this sector and support workers and communities.

With rising US duties and tariffs creating new pressures and market uncertainty, a strategic shift was needed, and that is exactly what we’ve introduced in our road map to protecting Ontario’s forestry sector. Speaker, the defend, adapt, grow road map builds on the work that we have done with a coordinated—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the member for Don Valley West.

Government accountability

Ms. Stephanie Bowman: Every year, Metrolinx receives a letter of direction from the Minister of Transportation. The 2024-25 letter tells Metrolinx to “keep the ministry informed on any issues and mitigations impacting schedule, budget delivery and progress on priority transit projects.” So when Metrolinx is sued for half a billion dollars for air rights it needed for the GO expansion project, the agency was expected to inform the minister. When the settlement offer for $78 million was rejected, Metrolinx must have informed the minister. When the final settlement was being negotiated, the minister must have known.

Speaker, through you to the Minister of Transportation: Will he deny again having knowledge of this deal, or will you finally tell taxpayers how many millions of dollars your agency paid to a close friend of the Premier?

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: The answer remains the same. We don’t get involved in that process. I don’t get involved in that process. The Premier doesn’t get involved in the process.

But what we do is tell Metrolinx to build public transit because for 15 years, the previous Liberal government built absolutely nothing, especially in places like Scarborough, Madam Speaker. They promised, then cancelled projects in Scarborough.

Guess what? We delivered for the people of Scarborough. We’re getting three stations, eight kilometres built in that city because the people of Scarborough deserve high-speed transit—100,000 people will ride that every single day—just as we have delivered the Crosstown and the Finch West LRT. Hundreds of thousands of people are riding those transit systems because we are focused on getting shovels in the ground.

We are focused on building public transit for this province. We’re changing the way people travel across this province because we know it is about productivity and it’s about getting people out of gridlock, something that 15 years of neglect has caused record—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the member for Don Valley West.

Ms. Stephanie Bowman: Speaker, there are only two possible reasons why the minister will not say how much taxpayer money his agency—his government—agreed to pay the Premier’s close personal friend: Either he doesn’t really know, so he is not doing his job, or he is hiding the number to protect the secretive Ford Conservative government.

The Metrolinx Act states it “is an agency of the crown.” Metrolinx is accountable to this minister. The act says Metrolinx “shall conform with” government “objectives, plans, policies and strategies....”

It’s laughable for this minister to say he has no knowledge of how much taxpayer money is being paid out to Carmine Nigro.

Through you, Speaker, to the minister: Will he take accountability for this air rights scandal, or will he keep blaming Metrolinx and fire the CEO and the board?

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: Madam Speaker, for the hundredth time, we don’t get involved in that process. I don’t, nor does the Premier.

What’s laughable is the record of the previous Liberal government on building transit projects. They can’t speak to a single project that they completed because they neglected their duty to build in this province. Now, when they have the opportunity to support projects like the Ontario Line, the Scarborough subway extension, what will they do? They will vote against it.

Last year, we had a record year at Metrolinx. Over 76 million people, Madam Speaker, used the GO or UP Express network. That is because of the investments that we have been making. Whether it’s the first weekend train—regular service—to Kitchener or whether it’s making sure on the Lakeshore East and Lakeshore West lines that we continue to increase service, we are delivering record amounts of investment into public transit, something they neglected for 15 years when they had the chance to build.

Housing

Mr. Lorne Coe: My question is for the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Ontarians want to see our government take practical action to help get more homes built faster across Ontario and restore affordability so that more families can achieve their dream of home ownership.

Speaker, one of the biggest challenges we continue to hear about is the cost of building, including development charges. When those costs increase, they are awfully felt by homebuyers. That’s why it’s critical that we work to remove barriers to housing construction and help create the conditions needed to increase supply.

Yesterday, our government announced that we’re opening applications for a new program designed to reduce building costs and speed up the construction of new homes. Speaker, can the minister explain how the Development Charges Reduction Program will help lower the cost of building, support municipalities and get more homes built across Ontario?

Hon. Rob Flack: It was a great day in the nation’s capital yesterday. I was joined by the Minister of Finance, the member from Carleton and a lot of great stakeholders—including the Big City Mayors, AMO, ROMA, NOMA, FONOM, OHBA, BILD, FRPO, RESCON and more—to announce $8.8 billion in relief and reductions of development charges in this province.

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As you know, affordability is an issue in this province. We’re dealing with it head-on. We’re going to be working with our municipal partners to lower development charges so we can get shovels in the ground faster to get needed infrastructure put in place.

Municipalities will work with it—have a share in the cost. If they eliminate the DCs by a minimum of 30%, they will qualify to get this needed infrastructure funding spread out over 10 years. Speaker, this is a game-changer, along with the historic HST rebate.

More in the supplemental—we’re getting the job done. More homes are being built faster.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the member for Whitby.

Mr. Lorne Coe: Back to the minister: Speaker, this is great news for municipalities, for builders and, most importantly, for the hard-working families waiting for homes.

In my community, I hear from young people who want to buy their first home, families who need more space, seniors who want to downsize and workers who want to live closer to their jobs. They all understand that we need more supply, and they want to see governments working together to make that happen.

This Development Charges Reduction Program is another major step forward in lowering the cost of new homes. It builds on the work our government has done through HST relief, housing-enabling infrastructure investments and legislation to cut red tape and speed up approvals.

Speaker, can the minister explain how this program fits into our government’s plan to lower costs, cut red tape and make housing more attainable for hard-working families across our great province?

Hon. Rob Flack: Again, thank you to the member for his excellent question.

As we’ve talked about in this House time and time again, we have a housing crisis but, more importantly, I think we could call it an affordability crisis. We’re dealing with it head-on.

Not only are we working with our big cities that charge development charges, there will be, in the future—the near future—a stream of funding for small, rural and northern communities. This is going to benefit all municipalities—all 444 across this province.

I’ve said it all along: It takes too long and it costs too much to get homes built, and with this HST relief, coupled now with the DC reduction program, we’re seeing action. We’re going to see more.

In fact, over 5,000 new sales have taken place since we announced the reduction of the HST; 14,000 were sold last year—new builds last year—in the whole province. That’s over a third already in less than two months.

Speaker, the job is getting done. Affordability is back on the menu.

Public safety

Ms. Sandy Shaw: My question to the Premier—good morning, Premier.

Last month, in Hamilton, two youth were gunned down and killed. One, a 16-year-old boy, Nabil Askafe, was fatally shot inside a crowded downtown mall, and shockingly, a 14-year-old male has been charged in his murder.

And yet, while this government is spending tens of millions of dollars on public safety advertising, funding has ended for youth-serving agencies that actually do the work of keeping our communities safe.

Why is this government spending millions of taxpayer dollars on ads instead of funding preventative, safe and supportive programs for youth in Ontario?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Solicitor General.

Hon. Michael S. Kerzner: I’m proud of our record of standing with Ontarians to protect them. I’m proud of our record of graduating more police officers than ever before. Last year, there were 2,100 new police officers that came to police services, including in the member’s riding of Hamilton.

But, Madam Speaker, we spend hundreds of millions of dollars—I think, just in the last four years, $1 billion in the Community Safety and Policing Grant, grants that help police services like Hamilton Police Service, which is a flagship service in keeping Hamilton safe and making sure that they have the specialized units and the resources to fight crime in that municipality.

I want to thank the men and women in the Hamilton Police Service and the Hamilton Police Association that work hard every day.

Madam Speaker, we’re not going to stop when it comes to working hard to keep people safe. That’s how you protect—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the member for Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas.

Ms. Sandy Shaw: Minister, I’ve heard directly from Hamilton police that they cannot do it alone. They need community agencies working with them. Hamilton police recently reported that the number of Hamilton youth involved in violent crime reached a five-year high. Among youth, possession of weapons for kids aged 12 to 17 rose by a staggering 265%. This government’s lack of funding and cuts to youth services is making the problem worse, and it is risking community safety.

Speaker, there are solutions. The city of Hamilton plans to establish a youth wellness hub. So, instead of spending millions on advertising, will you provide the funding that is desperately needed in Hamilton?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Hon. Michael Parsa: I thank the honourable member for the important question. As the Solicitor General has said, we’re laser-focused on making sure that every child and every youth in this province has the opportunity to succeed and thrive. The work we’re doing is on prevention, Madam Speaker, on community support.

The honourable member would know that in the most recent budget, we increased funding on these prevention supports. Whether it’s the Youth in Policing Program, whether it’s the Youth Outreach Worker Program—all of these programs, we increased the funding in budget 2026. Unfortunately, the member opposite and her party voted against these increased measures, Madam Speaker.

We are investing in youth, as we know they’re the future of this province, and we won’t stop. We want to put them right back on track again. We want to make sure they have every single opportunity to succeed and thrive. While they’re involved with the youth justice system, they need that program, they need that support to be able to get right back on track.

I thank my colleague the Honourable Solicitor General for his partnership and the work that they’re doing. In fact, the Premier—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the member for Scarborough–Guildwood.

Public transit

MPP Andrea Hazell: My question is to the Premier. Scarborough is not asking for special treatment; Scarborough is asking for the truth. This government promised the people of Scarborough and my riding a subway for a set price on a clear timeline for 2030. Today, that promise is broken. The cost has nearly doubled to over $10 billion; the opening is delayed to 2033. And while families struggle to afford groceries, this government is treating their tax dollars like a personal vault.

Speaker, we have seen this before: the disastrous Eglinton Crosstown, the slow-motion Finch West LRT. This is a pattern of failure. Metrolinx is responsible for these massive expansion projects, but the one project Metrolinx has delivered on time is the $31-million payroll for its VPs—124 vice-presidents.

Through you, Speaker, to the Premier: Will he tell the people of Scarborough and Ontario today who he will fire for the billions of taxpayer dollars wasted on—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the member for Scarborough–Agincourt.

Mr. Aris Babikian: I’m so happy that the member opposite keeps asking me these questions about Scarborough because it gives me pleasure to enlighten her with the facts on the ground. The facts on the ground contradict what she is stating in this House.

Madam Speaker, we have been working hard for eight years to fill in the gap that 15 years of Liberal government left in Scarborough. We are building the Scarborough subway. We are building a new hospital. We built a new diagnostic centre, with a $36.6-million support investment from the Ministry of Health. The projects are ongoing, and they continue to build. We are there—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the member for Scarborough–Guildwood.

MPP Andrea Hazell: It’s very clear that that member does not speak to his constituents and he’s so out of touch with what’s happening in Scarborough with transportation. Speaker, I just came from the media studio where I called for a public inquiry into the Scarborough subway extension, and I did not stand alone. Scarborough Southwest residents said clearly that every extra transfer matters, every delayed bus matters and every hour lost commuting is an hour stolen from families.

This morning, one UTSC student shared that her family depended on transit, and when her mother was diagnosed with cancer, the subway delays added to her mental decline.

This is what this government does not understand. It’s the pressure and the pain the people of Scarborough are suffering through three and four buses connecting.

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Through you, Madam Speaker, to the Premier: Will he call for a public inquiry now, or is he telling the people of Scarborough their time, their money, their trust and their hard-earned tax dollars are not his problem?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility.

Hon. Raymond Sung Joon Cho: Madam Speaker, I’ve been in politics 35 years in Scarborough, so I know what the Liberals have done for Scarborough: Nothing. Every election time, Liberal members, they all say, “Subways, subways, subways.” And, after the election, nobody mentions subways. That’s the Liberal promise. During 15 years of Liberal government, what did they do for Scarborough? Nothing.

While we are in government, Premier Ford—this party and government built two subway lines. They didn’t build anything. While we’re government—we are opening up a new hospital in Scarborough, and we are having a new medical school in Scarborough. When they were government—nothing.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I’ll remind the government side that when you cheer, you’re taking time away from your own member to respond to the question.

I recognize the member for Kitchener Centre.

Supportive housing

Ms. Aislinn Clancy: I live next to the most infamous encampment in Ontario, the same one the Premier is threatening to use the “notwithstanding” clause on to get rid of. So I know deeply about the impact of homelessness on my community.

I’m proud of my community’s answer to homelessness. In Kitchener, we know that homelessness ends with housing, not bulldozers, police officers and security guards. That’s why, right across the street from the encampment, we built the Making Home project, with 44 units of supportive housing. We gathered with love, generosity and compassion and raised $10 million. Perimeter Development contributed $1 million, the federal government contributed $9 million and the city and the region pitched in. But since October, those beds have been empty, waiting on provincial operating dollars to open their doors.

My question to the Premier: If you want to shut down that encampment, will you provide the operating dollars to open the 44 supportive housing beds sitting empty across the street?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The Minister of Health.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: The member raises an important issue, which, of course, we dealt with in our most recent Ontario budget with a $53-million investment to actually enhance and expand access to supportive housing, which partly will be used in our HART hubs, or our homelessness and addiction recovery treatment hubs. But I must point out to the member opposite and the constituents that she is speaking to in Kitchener Centre: Why did you vote against that $53-million investment?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): A reminder to direct your questions and responses through the Speaker.

I recognize the member for Kitchener Centre.

Ms. Aislinn Clancy: So 141 beds a year is inadequate when we have 85,000 people homeless in Ontario. That money’s all spoken for and the issue’s bigger than that, thanks to the policies of this government.

These are people’s family members, their grandmas. We have a doubling of seniors who are homeless in Waterloo region, and we know that the “notwithstanding” clause will only make it illegal to have nowhere to go. Instead of doing what the judge ruled and giving people with no housing somewhere to go, we end up playing a cruel game of Whac-A-Mole.

AMO says 85,000 people are homeless, but that number will rise to 300,000 if we do not build enough affordable and supportive housing that people need.

The federal government is ready to build. They are building supportive housing in other provinces, but Ontario is sitting idle while the Premier wastes taxpayer dollars to advertise that they’re doing something instead of using that money to actually do something.

Will this government step up with operating dollars to ensure that people with no homes have access to a roof and food?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hon. Rob Flack: Thank you for the question from the member opposite. I think we all well know that homelessness is chronic in this province. It’s taken seriously by this government. It is also this government that’s investing close to $1.7 billion a year to support this chronic condition.

That being said, Speaker, I want to point out that I had the opportunity to meet with the federal Minister of Housing yesterday while we were in Ottawa announcing the historic $8.8-billion DC reduction cut. He and I have agreed to sit down this year at the federal, provincial and territorial meetings to talk about how we can develop the next iteration, the second National Housing Strategy, to tackle homelessness in a more effective way. So continue to advocate. Continue to give us your questions—give us solutions as well—and we will take them to the table and build a better province for everyone. Everyone deserves a roof over their head.

Agri-food industry

M^me Dawn Gallagher Murphy: My question is for the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. It is Local Food Week here in Ontario. It’s a time to celebrate the hard-working people who go the extra mile to ensure that we have all the access to homegrown, world-class products.

Our agri-food sector employs one in nine people across this province and plays a vital role in communities across Ontario. From the farmers growing our food and the truck drivers delivering it to the local restaurants serving fresh Ontario ingredients, this is a vital sector that keeps our province moving. That’s why buying local is so important. It supports farmers, food producers, restaurants and grocery stores, while helping strengthen local economies across Ontario.

Through you, Speaker, can the minister please tell the House what steps the government is taking to promote Ontario—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The Minister of Agriculture.

Hon. Trevor Jones: Good morning, Madam Speaker. I want to thank the exceptional member from Newmarket–Aurora for highlighting the importance of Local Food Week.

Speaker, I want to begin by thanking the hard-working people across Ontario’s food sector who promote and showcase Ontario-grown every day. Their care and hard work keep the food sector strong, competitive and trusted around the world. Local Food Week is a great reminder for all of us to support local, whether it’s at a grocery store, farmers’ market or your favourite local restaurant.

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of joining the members from Vaughan–Woodbridge and Newmarket–Aurora to present Foodland Ontario awards to the people promoting and recognizing in-season fresh, local food at the retail level. Our government will continue to stand up for food during Local Food Week and every day.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the member for Newmarket–Aurora.

M^me Dawn Gallagher Murphy: Thank you to the minister for coming to my riding of Newmarket–Aurora to recognize the Newmarket Metro store at Davis and Leslie as they were awarded the excellence awards for the Foodland Ontario retailer awards. It is great to hear that we are celebrating the hard-working people and businesses whose work helps ensure Ontario families can continue to access healthy, safe and locally grown food.

But, Speaker, we know that supporting local food is not limited to one week. Buying Ontario-grown and Ontario-made products is something we should encourage year-round. No matter the season, choosing local helps support Ontario farmers, food processors, small businesses and workers across our province.

Our government is committed to promoting local food and strengthening awareness. Speaker, can the minister please tell us what steps our government is taking to ensure that people can support our local farmers, food producers and—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The Minister of Agriculture.

Hon. Trevor Jones: Madam Speaker, today, Premier Ford and I began our day early at the beautiful Ontario Food Terminal with the people that get up early every day: the farmers, the vendors, the drivers and the workers. They get up early every day to bring fresh, safe food from our farms to our tables across Ontario. These are the foods grown in our greenhouses, in our fields, and these are the people that are protecting Ontario alongside our government. We’ll continue to provide support for Foodland Ontario, to promote what’s fresh, what’s local, and we did that yesterday.

Madam Speaker, everyone in this House got a package thanking them for promotion because it begins with us to promote all of the good things that are grown in Ontario every day.

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Culturally responsive mental health services

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: For 23 years, the Asian Initiative in Mental Health clinic, also known as AIM, operated at UHN Toronto Western Hospital. They provided culturally safe, in-language mental health care for Chinese and other Asian patients. Their 4,500 patients came from across the GTA and beyond, but the AIM clinic was closed last year without consultation or adequate notice. Patients, families and community organizations were suddenly left in the lurch.

The gallery today is filled with former patients, community advocates and health care leaders who are here for a simple answer to a simple question: Will the Minister of Health stand up for the Chinese and East Asian communities today and use her ministerial powers and have UHN restore AIM’s life-saving mental health services?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The Minister of Health.

Hon. Sylvia Jones: As we continue to expand our mental health and addiction access throughout the province of Ontario, it is unfortunate to see the NDP and the Liberals often voting against these investments.

Whether it is in our youth wellness hubs that we have now operationalized across Ontario, whether it is in our homelessness and addiction recovery treatment programs where we are seeing now 29 different programs across Ontario working together with community agencies, I look at the investments that we are making in our communities and the impact that they are having, and I continue to pause and wonder why when we, as a government, invest in—whether it’s 500 new supportive mental health beds, why the member opposite continues to vote against these investments.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The member for Hamilton Centre.

MPP Robin Lennox: Speaker, 40% of Ontarians report unmet mental health needs, and many more are paying out-of-pocket just to access care. Many communities, including the Chinese Canadians who attended AIM, cannot access culturally competent care in their primary language.

To the Premier: Given one third of Ontarians will experience a mental health concern in their lifetime, will you commit to delivering universal mental health care that guarantees culturally competent care for all Ontarians?

Hon. Sylvia Jones: I would respectfully ask the member opposite: When we invest and fund an additional 500 mental health beds across Ontario, will she support that investment by voting with a positive? When we invest in the first PTSI centre for first responders in North America, working directly with Runnymede Healthcare Centre, will she support that investment to make sure that our first responders—our firefighters, our police officers, our paramedics, our emergency room physicians and nurses—have the opportunity to get unique and tailored treatments and services for their PTSI that they received while protecting the people of Ontario? Will the member opposite support it? We have made continuous and regular investments with mental health and additions.

I will say, I have to speak out and say to the federal government: We need you to be part of the solution. We had a partnership with the federal government that is literally—

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the member for Etobicoke–Lakeshore.

Accessibility for persons with disabilities

Ms. Lee Fairclough: Speaker, I want you to imagine for a minute you are a person who regularly uses a wheelchair or a walker, or you’re a family with a stroller, and you’re on your way to visit family in Etobicoke–Lakeshore. You get off the train at Mimico GO station, you look around for the accessible exits, you look around for an elevator, and you can’t find it. You can’t get down from the platform. You know why, Speaker? Because it doesn’t exist. The station is not accessible.

This week is AccessAbility Week in Ontario, a time to reflect whether public spaces are truly accessible to everyone, per the AODA laws. To the Premier: When will he ensure that people can get down from a train platform if they use a wheelchair or a walker at Mimico GO station?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Minister of Transportation.

Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: Accessibility—and I had the opportunity to work with Minister Raymond Cho as well—is something that we take very seriously and something that we are implementing across all of our GO network, including Mimico GO, as we continue to revitalize that station. From elevators to ramps, this is something that is a foremost priority for us as we build new and as we continue to upgrade the stations that are currently in the system.

That said, we continue to invest in the largest expansion of public transit in the history of this province at over $70 billion in the next 10 years. Part of that investment is ensuring that we are compliant and that we are ensuring that we have the accessibility ramps and other services available for people to use and utilize. That is a key commitment for Metrolinx and something that we will continue to deliver on.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Back to the member for Etobicoke–Lakeshore.

Ms. Lee Fairclough: Speaker, through you, respectfully to the Minister of Transportation: It has been years since there have been conversations started about Mimico GO station and making it accessible. The community is still waiting for what the final plan will look like. It has been eight long years with this government.

The minister is all talk about the fancy transit project investments, including the Premier’s tunnel under the 401—but we have this situation?

The deadline to be AODA-compliant has long passed. People arriving in wheelchairs or with a walker can’t get down from the train platform. This government cares more about rewarding their friends with air rights above the transit stations than what they’re doing for people using the transit.

Accessibility at the GO station matters to the people in my riding. So, through the Speaker, when will the Premier get back in touch with what matters to people and make Mimico GO accessible?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility.

Hon. Raymond Sung Joon Cho: Project by project, community by community, Ontario is becoming more accessible every day. Every dollar this government invests in infrastructure is a dollar invested in accessibility.

We are working with all levels of government to meet, achieve and exceed the goals of the AODA. All 444 municipalities have an accessibility plan that sets out how they will implement AODA standards. This is how we are driving accessibility. Project by project, community by community, we are getting it done.

Member’s birthday

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I recognize the leader of the third party on a point of order.

Mr. John Fraser: Point of order, Speaker. Big news: It’s the member from Etobicoke–Lakeshore’s birthday today. Happy birthday.

Singing of Happy Birthday.

Legislative pages

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I’d now like to ask the pages to assemble in the chamber.

It is time to recognize and thank this exceptional group of legislative pages who have served at Queen’s Park over the past two weeks.

To our pages: Thank you for the enthusiasm, your commitment and professionalism you have brought to your roles each day. We have truly been fortunate to have each of you here.

As you prepare to return home and back to your schools for the remaining weeks of the school year, we hope you take with you a greater appreciation for Ontario’s parliamentary democracy, your new friendships and experiences that you will remember for years to come. We have every confidence that you will continue to accomplish great things in the future.

For now, I wish each of you a safe journey home and continued success in your studies. As many of you prepare to begin high school this fall, I hope you will embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead and enjoy a well-deserved summer with family and friends.

I invite all members to join me in thanking this remarkable group of legislative pages.

Applause.

Deferred Votes

Protecting Ontario’s Streets and Communities Act, 2026 / Loi de 2026 visant à protéger les rues et les collectivités de l’Ontario

Deferred vote on the motion that the question now be put on the motion for second reading of the following bill:

Bill 119, An Act to enact two new Acts and to amend various other Acts / Projet de loi 119, Loi édictant deux nouvelles lois et modifiant diverses autres lois.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Call in the members. This is a five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1200 to 1205.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): On May 28, 2026, Mr. Kerzner moved second reading of Bill 119, An Act to enact two new Acts and to amend various other Acts.

On June 1, 2026, Mr. Clark moved that the question be now put.

All those in favour of Mr. Clark’s motion, please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Ayes

• Allsopp, Tyler
• Anand, Deepak
• Babikian, Aris
• Bailey, Robert
• Bethlenfalvy, Peter
• Brady, Bobbi Ann
• Bresee, Ric
• Calandra, Paul
• Cho, Raymond Sung Joon
• Cho, Stan
• Ciriello, Monica
• Clark, Steve
• Coe, Lorne
• Cooper, Michelle
• Crawford, Stephen
• Darouze, George
• Denault, Billy
• Dixon, Jess
• Dowie, Andrew
• Downey, Doug
• Firin, Mohamed

• Flack, Rob
• Ford, Doug
• Gallagher Murphy, Dawn
• Grewal, Hardeep Singh
• Hamid, Zee
• Hardeman, Ernie
• Jones, Sylvia
• Jones, Trevor
• Jordan, John
• Kanapathi, Logan
• Kerzner, Michael S.
• Kusendova-Bashta, Natalia
• Leardi, Anthony
• Lecce, Stephen
• McCarthy, Todd J.
• Mulroney, Caroline
• Oosterhoff, Sam
• Pang, Billy
• Parsa, Michael
• Pierre, Natalie
• Pinsonneault, Steve

• Quinn, Nolan
• Racinsky, Joseph
• Rae, Matthew
• Riddell, Brian
• Rosenberg, Bill
• Sabawy, Sheref
• Sandhu, Amarjot
• Sarkaria, Prabmeet Singh
• Sarrazin, Stéphane
• Saunderson, Brian
• Scott, Laurie
• Smith, Dave
• Smith, David
• Smith, Graydon
• Smith, Laura
• Thompson, Lisa M.
• Tibollo, Michael A.
• Triantafilopoulos, Effie J.
• Vickers, Paul
• Williams, Charmaine A.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): All those opposed to Mr. Clark’s motion will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Nays

• Armstrong, Teresa J.
• Blais, Stephen
• Bourgouin, Guy
• Bowman, Stephanie
• Burch, Jeff
• Cerjanec, Rob
• Clancy, Aislinn
• Collard, Lucille
• Fairclough, Lee
• Fife, Catherine
• Fraser, John
• French, Jennifer K.
• Gates, Wayne
• Gélinas, France

• Gilmour, Alexa
• Glover, Chris
• Gretzky, Lisa
• Hazell, Andrea
• Hsu, Ted
• Kernaghan, Terence
• Lennox, Robin
• Mamakwa, Sol
• McCrimmon, Karen
• McKenney, Catherine
• McMahon, Mary-Margaret
• Pasma, Chandra
• Rakocevic, Tom
• Sattler, Peggy

• Schreiner, Mike
• Shamji, Adil
• Shaw, Sandy
• Smyth, Stephanie
• Stevens, Jennifer (Jennie)
• Stiles, Marit
• Tabuns, Peter
• Tsao, Jonathan
• Vanthof, John
• Vaugeois, Lise
• Watt, Tyler
• West, Jamie
• Wong-Tam, Kristyn

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Trevor Day): The ayes are 62; the nays are 41.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I declare the motion carried.

Mr. Kerzner has moved second reading of Bill 119, An Act to enact two new Acts and to amend various other Acts. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): Shall the bill be ordered for third reading—which committee?

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Hon. Michael S. Kerzner: Madam Speaker, to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy, please.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): The bill is therefore referred to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy.

I recognize the government House leader.

Hon. Steve Clark: Speaker, Her Honour awaits.

Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario entered the chamber of the Legislative Assembly and took her seat upon the throne.

Royal assent / Sanction royale

Hon. Edith Dumont (Lieutenant Governor): Pray be seated.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): May it please Your Honour, the Legislative Assembly of the province has, at its present meetings thereof, passed certain bills to which, in the name of and on behalf of the said Legislative Assembly, I respectfully request Your Honour’s assent.

The Deputy Clerk (Ms. Valerie Quioc Lim): The following are the titles of the bills to which Your Honour’s assent is prayed:

An Act to amend the City of Toronto Act, 2006 and the Municipal Act, 2001 in relation to codes of conduct / Loi modifiant la Loi de 2006 sur la cité de Toronto et la Loi de 2001 sur les municipalités en ce qui concerne les codes de déontologie.

An Act to enact the Constable Joe MacDonald Public Safety Officers’ Survivors Scholarship Fund Act, 2026 and to amend various other Acts / Loi édictant la Loi de 2026 sur le Fonds Joe MacDonald de bourses d’études à l’intention des survivants d’agents de sécurité publique et modifiant diverses autres lois.

An Act to enact the Fare Alignment and Seamless Transit Act, 2026 and to amend various Acts / Loi édictant la Loi de 2026 sur l’harmonisation des tarifs et l’intégration des transports en commun et modifiant diverses lois.

An Act to enact the Building Billy Bishop Airport Act, 2026 / Loi édictant la Loi de 2026 sur la construction de l’aéroport Billy Bishop.

An Act to revive KCI Property Investment Inc.

An Act to revive P. Gregor Medicine Professional Corporation.

An Act to revive Vaughan Basketball Inc.

An Act to revive 2417633 Ontario Limited.

An Act to revive 338026 Ontario Limited.

An Act to revive Ontario Wildlife Holdings & Sanctuary Corp.

An Act to revive 778624 Ontario Limited.

An Act to revive Step by Step Investments Inc.

An Act to revive 2771280 Ontario Inc.

An Act to revive R&J Drago Consultants Inc.

An Act to revive 1092167 Ontario Inc.

An Act to revive Jinghua Trading (Canada) Ltd.

An Act respecting Base31 Community Association.

An Act to revive 2343967 Ontario Inc.

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Trevor Day): In His Majesty’s name, Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor assents to these bills.

Au nom de Sa Majesté, Son Honneur la lieutenante-gouverneure sanctionne ces projets de loi.

Hon. Edith Dumont (Lieutenant Governor): Madam Speaker, would you permit me to say a few words?

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): I will.

Hon. Edith Dumont (Lieutenant Governor): Very briefly, and because I have tendency to talk more and more because I feel more and more comfortable in English, I will read something to you all.

Thank you to all members of this House for your hard work, both at Queen’s Park and throughout Ontario, serving your communities and our province. As you prepare to leave this chamber very soon and return to your constituencies, may you be guided by the Seven Grandfather Teachings represented in the carving over the doorway: love, wisdom, truth, humility, respect, courage, honesty.

Et, madame la Ministre Mulroney, j’aimerais simplement vous souhaiter le meilleur pour la prochaine étape de votre vie.

Merci. Thank you. Chi meegwetch.

Her Honour was then pleased to retire.

The Speaker (Hon. Donna Skelly): This House stands in recess until 3 p.m.

The House recessed from 1219 to 1500.

Members’ expenses

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): I beg to inform the House that the Speaker has laid upon the table the individual members’ expenses for the fiscal year 2025-26.

Introduction of Visitors

Mr. Rob Cerjanec: I’m pleased to welcome a page from Ajax, Arshiya Anand from Alexander Graham Bell Public School; her mother, Shikha Anand; and her grandmother Suman Anand to the Legislature today. Welcome.

Ms. Aislinn Clancy: I want to introduce Lehel and Peti Borsos.

Welcome to your House.

Mr. Lorne Coe: I’d like to welcome to the Legislature Karey Anne Large, CEO of the Whitby Chamber of Commerce. She’s accompanied by Andrew Lee, vice-President.

Hon. Nina Tangri: I just want to welcome David Wojcik from the Mississauga Board of Trade here for the advocacy day with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. Welcome, David.

MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: I wanted to introduce these visitors who came in to join us this morning, but we ran out of time. In particular, there were 70 members from the Re-AIM Coalition. This is a broad group of Asian Canadian leaders in health care as well as social service organizations. I won’t have time to name them all, but I did want to personally identify that these were very important people who led this group—that includes Amy Go, Christina Lee, Winnie Ng, Judy San, Dr. Ted Lo, Dr. Josephine Wong, Aseefa Sarang, and Dr. Joseph Wong.

Hon. Doug Downey: This morning, I didn’t get a chance to introduce Julia Facca from my office, Taryn Bratz from my office, and two individuals from the ministry, Lia Sioumkas and Sho Yaqubi.

To correct my record from yesterday: I introduced Peter Wardle as the president of the Law Society of Ontario; in fact, he is the treasurer of the Law Society of Ontario.

Mr. Tom Rakocevic: I welcome Elif Genc, former NDP candidate for Vaughan–Woodbridge, and Viyan Kaya, both of them representing the Canadian Kurdish Community Centre.

Mr. Logan Kanapathi: I’m pleased to recognize Vedha Palayadan, a legislative page from the beautiful riding of Markham–Thornhill. She’s a student at Parkland Public School and has been selected for this distinguished opportunity. She’s also accompanied by her father, Shibi Kunhiparambath.

Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Deepak Anand: I’d like to take a moment and welcome Ilesha Pannu, the granddaughter of my good friend Piarra Pannu. She is actually an intern at the Ministry of Health and is doing a great job. She’s going to go places. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

MPP Jamie West: I’d just like to wish all of my colleagues a very happy Thanksgiving. I look forward to seeing you after Thanksgiving.

Mr. Ted Hsu: I want to welcome to this House Karen Cross and Brian Hope, who are visiting here today from the Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce.

Introduction of Bills

Ray Hunking Trucking Limited Act, 2026

Mr. Kernaghan moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr54, An Act to revive Ray Hunking Trucking Limited.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

First reading agreed to.

J.C.C. Corp. Act, 2026

Mrs. Cooper moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr53, An Act to revive J.C.C. Corp.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

First reading agreed to.

Diverting Waste from Landfills and Reducing Greenhouse Gases Act, 2026 / Loi de 2026 visant à détourner les déchets destinés aux sites d’enfouissement et à réduire les gaz à effet de serre

Ms. McMahon moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 134, An Act to amend the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 / Projet de loi 134, Loi visant à modifier la Loi de 2016 sur la récupération des ressources et l’économie circulaire.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

First reading agreed to.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Does the member wish to briefly explain the bill?

Ms. Mary-Margaret McMahon: I’m proud to work across party lines and with my illustrious colleague from Kitchener Centre, the MPP who does so great for her community. Together, we worked on this private members’ bill, Diverting Waste from Landfills and Reducing Greenhouse Gases Act, 2026.

This bill amends the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, as I mentioned. A new section 7.1 provides that no more than 60 days after the section comes into force, the minister shall establish a working group to review source separated organics programs and to study the most effective methods for diverting organic waste from landfill sites.

We know our landfills are getting to capacity—including Toronto’s, which will be at capacity by 2034. We want to do everything we can to mitigate that and to stretch out that timeline as much as possible—as well as any other landfill sites—and we want to be diverting organics the proper way.

Swahili Heritage Month Act, 2026 / Loi de 2026 sur le Mois du patrimoine de la langue swahilie

MPP Wong-Tam moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 135, An Act to proclaim the month of July as Swahili Heritage Month / Projet de loi 135, Loi proclamant le mois de juillet Mois du patrimoine de la langue swahilie.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

First reading agreed to.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Does the member wish to briefly explain the bill?

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MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam: I’m so proud to be putting this bill forward, which is co-sponsored by the honourable members from Humber River–Black Creek, Hamilton Centre, and Parkdale–High Park.

This bill, should it be passed, will enact the Swahili Heritage Month Act, which will then ensure that the month of July in Ontario will be known as Swahili Heritage Month.

Speaker, I want to just recognize that Ontario is home to thousands of Swahili speakers and their families. They have called Ontario their home since the 1960s. They deserve to be celebrated and honoured for their cultural, artistic and economic richness that they have brought to all our neighbourhoods.

This is a beautiful language that has been spoken in eastern and central Africa and across the global African diaspora, including here in Ontario. This is a beautiful language that is already recognized by UNESCO with world Swahili heritage day, which is celebrated every single year on July 7.

I know that this means a lot to this community, and we’re very proud to bring this bill forward on their behalf.

Responsible Flyer Delivery Act, 2026 / Loi de 2026 sur la distribution responsable de dépliants promotionnels

Ms. Bowman moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 136, An Act to regulate the distribution of promotional materials at private dwellings / Projet de loi 136, Loi visant à réglementer la distribution de matériel promotionnel aux logements privés.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

First reading agreed to.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Does the member wish to briefly explain the bill?

Ms. Stephanie Bowman: The Responsible Flyer Delivery Act is a response to concerns I’ve heard from constituents in my riding of Don Valley West. In fact, the idea came from a constituent.

As home break-ins have increased in my riding, we need to find ways to make homes less of a target. One thing that can help reduce this problem is ensuring that homes look lived in. When solicitors leave behind flyers and they are not removed quickly because people are not home—perhaps they’re away at work or away on vacation for an extended period—criminals see these homes as unattended and are therefore a potential target.

This bill, if passed, would prohibit private organizations from leaving flyers and other promotional materials in a visible location—in particular, when they could be left in a mailbox.

Keeping Our Kids Safe Online Act, 2026 / Loi de 2026 visant à assurer la sécurité de nos enfants en ligne

Ms. Clancy moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 137, An Act to create a committee respecting the online safety of children / Projet de loi 137, Loi créant un comité en matière de sécurité des enfants en ligne.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

First reading agreed to.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Does the member wish to briefly explain the bill?

Ms. Aislinn Clancy: The harms of Internet use, cellphones and technology are well documented, and it’s past due that this government creates protections and education to help protect our kids from online harms.

This bill proposes to put a committee together to plan for and create curriculum in the K-to-12 section for misinformation, disinformation, gambling, violent pornography dependence and mental health, to make sure our kids are prepared, to set limits on social media and AI chatbots in schools, and that we create accountability measures for the tech companies that cause harm to our kids.

Social Media Age Restriction Plan Act, 2026 / Loi de 2026 sur le plan imposant une restriction d’âge à l’égard des médias sociaux

MPP Lennox moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 138, An Act to establish a plan to implement social media age restrictions / Projet de loi 138, Loi établissant un plan pour imposer une restriction d’âge à l’égard des médias sociaux.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

First reading agreed to.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Does the member wish to briefly explain the bill?

MPP Robin Lennox: I’m very proud to co-sponsor this bill alongside my colleagues the MPPs for Nickel Belt, Waterloo, and Parkdale–High Park.

We know that social media use is a significant concern among our youth and that excessive screen time and social media are associated with a number of mental health concerns among young people.

This bill directs the Minister of Health to work with relevant stakeholders and the federal government to develop a strategy to ban social media use among children under the age of 16.

Homes You Can Afford in the Communities You Love Act, 2026 / Loi de 2026 pour des logements abordables dans les communautés que vous aimez

Mr. Schreiner moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 139, An Act to amend the Planning Act with respect to housing policies in official plans and by-laws / Projet de loi 139, Loi modifiant la Loi sur l’aménagement du territoire à l’égard des politiques en matière de logement qui figurent dans les plans officiels et les règlements municipaux.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

First reading agreed to.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Does the member wish to briefly explain the bill?

Mr. Mike Schreiner: This bill provides solutions to the housing crisis by building homes people can afford in the communities they know and love while protecting farmland and the greenbelt, by amending the Planning Act to require official plans to contain policies that authorize, in areas of settlement, fourplex and four-storey low-rises, as well as mid-rise housing developments from six to 11 storeys on major streets.

Motions

House and committee sittings

Hon. Steve Clark: I move that, notwithstanding standing order 7, when the House adjourns today, it shall stand adjourned until 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, and

That for the duration of the adjournment, the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be authorized to meet at the call of the Chair; and

That the following standing committees be authorized to meet during the adjournment for the consideration of estimates:

—the Standing Committee on Justice Policy;

—the Standing Committee on Social Policy;

—the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy;

—the Standing Committee on the Interior;

—the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs; and

That the Standing Committee on the Interior be authorized to meet during the adjournment for the consideration of Bill 109; and

That the Standing Committee on Justice Policy be authorized to meet during the adjournment for the consideration of Bill 119; and

That the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs be authorized to meet during the adjournment for the consideration of pre-budget consultations; and

That the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be authorized to attend the 2026 Legislative Summit of the National Conference of State Legislatures in Chicago, Illinois, from July 26 to 30, 2026; and

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That the Standing Committee on Public Accounts be authorized to attend the 2026 Canadian Council of Public Accounts Committees conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from August 22 to 26, 2026.

I ask for unanimous consent.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): The government House leader is seeking unanimous consent for his motion. Agreed? I heard a no.

I recognize the government House leader.

Hon. Steve Clark: Speaker, I move that, notwithstanding standing order 7, when the House adjourns today, it shall stand adjourned until 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2026; and

That for the duration of the adjournment, the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be authorized to meet at the call of the Chair; and

That the following standing committees be authorized to meet during the adjournment for the consideration of estimates:

—the Standing Committee on Justice Policy;

—the Standing Committee on Social Policy;

—the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy;

—the Standing Committee on the Interior;

—the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs; and

That the Standing Committee on the Interior be authorized to meet during the adjournment for the consideration of Bill 109; and

That the Standing Committee on Justice Policy be authorized to meet during the adjournment for the consideration of Bill 119; and

That the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs be authorized to meet during the adjournment for the consideration of pre-budget consultations; and

That the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be authorized to attend the 2026 Legislative Summit of the National Conference of State Legislatures in Chicago, Illinois, from July 26 to 30, 2026; and

That the Standing Committee on Public Accounts be authorized to attend the 2026 Canadian Council of Public Accounts Committees conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from August 22 to 26, 2026.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): The government House leader has moved that, notwithstanding standing order 7, when the House adjourns today, it shall stand adjourned until 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2026; and

That for the duration of the adjournment, the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be authorized to meet at the call of the Chair; and

That the following standing committees be authorized to meet during the adjournment for the consideration of estimates:

—the Standing Committee on Justice Policy;

—the Standing Committee on Social Policy;

—the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy;

—the Standing Committee on the Interior;

—the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs; and

That the Standing Committee on the Interior be authorized to meet during the adjournment for the consideration of Bill 109; and

That the Standing Committee on Justice Policy be authorized to meet during the adjournment for the consideration of Bill 119; and

That the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs be authorized to meet during the adjournment for the consideration of pre-budget consultations; and

That the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be authorized to attend the 2026 Legislative Summit of the National Conference of State Legislatures in Chicago, Illinois, from July 26 to 30, 2026; and

That the Standing Committee on Public Accounts be authorized to attend the 2026 Canadian Council of Public Accounts Committees conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from August 22 to 26, 2026.

Does the government House leader wish to speak to the motion?

Hon. Steve Clark: Absolutely. I want to thank you, Speaker, for allowing me to speak to this motion. I was actually a bit surprised that I didn’t get unanimous consent. It was four years ago that the Minister of Red Tape Reduction, when she was deputy government House leader, moved the motion that the House adjourn and come back the Tuesday after the municipal election. I was hoping to have the same success that you had, Minister Khanjin. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.

So I’m pleased to join in the debate. Lots has changed in the last couple of years when it comes to debate in the House. I first want to start with a thank you. I want to thank the opposition members for their assistance with our government policy.

Interjections.

Hon. Steve Clark: Yes, let’s give them a big hand. Credit where credit is due.

The opposition does require a thank you because we set a schedule up, through you, Speaker, to sit through the end of the week, and we were certainly prepared to sit until Thursday. That was the plan. But I want to thank the opposition parties. They collapsed government bills multiple times in this session to help us get to this motion today, two days early. The House collapsed second reading of Bill 75, Bill 95 and Bill 105. They collapsed debates on second reading of Bill 109, third reading of Bill 9, third reading of Bill 97 and also the Chief Medical Officer of Health motion. One of those bills was the budget, so it was great that the opposition let us pass that with a little bit of speed.

Interjection.

Hon. Steve Clark: It is true. Check your record, buddy.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Order, please.

Hon. Steve Clark: So this was a very productive session. Again, I want to thank the opposition parties for helping us. We, as a government, introduced 10 government bills; we passed nine, alongside seven private members’ motions and 27 private bills.

It’s been a very rewarding session where we’ve been able to deliver on our plan to protect Ontario workers and families, to keep costs down for them, to create new opportunities for trade, to cut red tape, attract investment and build critical infrastructure protecting Ontario, protecting health care. Those were all the things that we were able to accomplish.

I think the one thing that we were happy about—and we were very transparent with the opposition—was that we tabled a bill about the HST rebate on new homes. We were very transparent. We asked for their support. We were able to move that bill forward faster. For eligible new home buyers it saves them $130,000 on a $1-million home. They voted against it with the budget, but then they redeemed themselves because we had this rare moment of co-operation—

Interjections.

Hon. Steve Clark: Thank you—where we were able to do this.

Let’s go back and listen to what happened the last time I moved one of these motions. There was a lot of talk from the opposition, and I listened to the opposition. I listened to them. They were very worried about the fact that I had time-allocated a number of bills at six and a half hours for second reading. I was, again, very transparent. Other than the HST bill and the budget, I said we would let those bills go to nine hours, rather than time-allocate them at six and a half. We said that every one of those bills, other than the two that I mentioned, would go to committee hearings. Because that was another issue: “Oh, my goodness, we didn’t have committee hearings.” So we allowed the opposition exactly what they asked me for. We let more debate take place in this House, both at second reading and third reading.

Interjections.

Hon. Steve Clark: They don’t like the truth being told in the Legislature. You hear them? They don’t like the truth being told.

Then we also ensured that we had committee hearings for all those bills.

I want to make sure people realize that, if this motion passes with the good graces of members of the Legislature, yes, there will be a few weeks in June and July when there are no committee hearings scheduled. But starting the week of July 27, committees are going to meet—the week of July 27. They’re going to meet the week of August 3. They’re going to meet the week of August 10. The week of August 17, Speaker, we all know, will be the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference, where we will be in Ottawa. We’ll come back after Labour Day, we will have all of the estimates processed, and we will all go to the plowing match. You all had a plowing match flyer on your desk today for September. We will all be there. Then we’ll go through the estimates. We will have, as I said, public hearings earlier in July and August on Bill 109. We’ll travel the province—again, something that I heard from members opposite that we needed to do.

When we come back, when we have our September and October sittings of committees, we’ll get all of our estimates done before the House comes back after the municipal election, and we’ll also get public hearings on Bill 119, which passed second reading today in the House.

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A lot of the complaints that we heard in previous Parliaments, the government listened, and we were able to put those motions in place today. The big complaints that the opposition had in the House, we addressed those complaints. So it was quite natural for me to think that history was going to repeat itself and I was going to get unanimous consent just like Minister Khanjin did in the 2022 election.

In the 2022 election, we made a decision—and it was a fantastic one—that we would showcase our municipal partners, that we wouldn’t sit in the lead-up to that election because we didn’t want to interfere in those municipal elections. We’re taking that past precedent from 2022 and we’re applying it in 2026 to come back on the Tuesday after the municipal election.

Again, Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to thank the opposition for helping us in this session deliver on our agenda. I want to thank the Premier for his great leadership. We’ve been able to do a lot since we took over government in 2018. We’ve been able to have record investment—some $222 billion in investment in our province since 2018. We’ve had over a million new jobs.

Let’s face it: I live on the border. My riding is on the border. I remember very vividly when we literally had people from Ogdensburg coming across the border trying to poach our industry under the Liberal regime, and the Liberals didn’t care. They did not care about losing 300,000 manufacturing jobs. But things have changed. Things have changed under Premier Ford. We’re protecting Ontario. We’re going to take the opportunity.

I want to challenge the opposition. I want to challenge every single one of you: Look at the Premier’s schedule over the next several months. Look at how much he’s going to criss-cross this province, criss-cross North America. I hope you all read what he said today on social media about the fact that, despite what Donald Trump tweets in the middle of the night, we will never agree to be the 51st state.

I want Premier Ford to be on that plane to go down to Washington, Utah or North Carolina while we’re not sitting. Rest assured, you’re going to see members of the government—ministers, parliamentary assistants—not just go to committees, but they’re going to criss-cross the province every single week until we come back on October 27.

I’m pleased to table this bill. I’m pleased to have addressed the concerns of the opposition parties that they had last year. We were putting forward this motion so that we could move forward, Speaker. Have a great break week and have a great break time.

I’ll defer my time.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): I recognize the member from Timiskaming–Cochrane.

Mr. John Vanthof: It’s always an honour to speak in this House, and today on the motion regarding stopping the House a couple of days early and bringing back the House much later than is traditionally the case.

I’m going to respond to some of the issues that the government House leader pointed out. Actually, I agree with a few and disagree with many. It’s a poison pill motion with some actually good things in the middle, which is kind of typical of the way this government operates.

But before I get into it, and I don’t want to run out of time: We all work hard during the summer when the House is not sitting. I’m not going to deny that. I’d like to wish everyone a good time with the little time we all get with our families.

I'd like to thank all the staff here for all the incredible work they do. As is my custom, I’d really like to thank the people in the cafeteria, because this is the only place I eat. And as you can see, I’m pretty well fed.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the Sergeant-at-Arms. He is retiring. He has been an excellent, excellent person to work with.

In response to the government House leader thanking us for working with the government: We try. We try to make this Legislature work the way it should. When the government proposes a bill that we can work with, that isn’t too egregious, we let debate collapse so it can go to committee. We’re not ashamed of that; we try to make the government work. I wish it was the same on the government side when we propose a bill to take the HST off all food in this province. The government—no. They just—“No, it wasn’t our idea. It’s not our idea. We’re not going to do it.” We try to make the government—we try to work for the people of Ontario. I believe we all try to work for the people of Ontario.

We’re happy that committees are going to—that’s the good part; we don’t want committees to stop. So although we oppose this motion—because we oppose that the Legislature is so curtailed, that the time we spend here is so curtailed.

For members who haven’t been here a long time, this Legislature serves an incredibly important purpose, and this government is missing that point. This is the only place in Ontario where 124 people from incredibly different backgrounds, from incredibly different places, can bring their viewpoint on the issues of the day. And this session, we’ve sat 29 days.

The government wonders why it’s so confrontational. Well, it’s so confrontational because there is a lot of pent-up anger, and not just among the opposition. There is a lot of pent-up anger among the people of Ontario.

The government consults with people who they want to consult with, who support them, but the majority of the people of Ontario, in fact, didn’t support the government. They won the election, and I’m not contesting that. But if you look at who voted and how many people voted, there’s a lot of people whose voice isn’t heard when the government only sits for 29 days.

Why the government doesn’t like to sit, really—let’s put it really simply, and you may disagree, but the government, particularly the Premier, does not like question period. We don’t need to go too much further. He does not—they don’t—like question period. Why? Because in question period, they’re often held to account. They don’t like being held to account. I don’t know if you remember, Speaker, but this government actually created their own press media studio across the road where no one else is allowed but whoever the government approves. They don’t like media scrutiny either, and here is the one place where that scrutiny is possible. So they want to spend as little time in this arena—and that’s what this is. It’s an arena. It’s not really a sport, but this is the citizens’ arena, and they want to spend the least time possible having to defend their actions in this arena, in the arena of Ontario. That is what this whole motion comes down to.

The government says, “Well, we don’t want to interfere with municipal elections.” This is the government that created unelected regional chairs and gave them strong-mayor powers, but they don’t want to interfere in municipal elections. You can’t have it both ways—well, you can. You can be a majority government and do those things and then wonder why the system doesn’t work. There’s a reason why we have a democratic process and why people are elected. And just because you don’t like some of their decisions—why it isn’t a good idea to appoint people and give them more power than elected people. There’s a reason, and you’re trying to do the same thing here.

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The government House leader said that the government has put forward some very, I would call it, interesting legislation.

Ms. Jennifer K. French: Heavy-handed.

Mr. John Vanthof: Yes. “Heavy-handed” is good.

He mentioned $200 billion that they brought in in investment, which is great. That’s something I’m going to bring up when the committee meets about the agriculture bill, just as a point of interest.

I believe the Premier said today that he’s proud of bringing so much foreign investment in Ontario—great. Yet, at the same time, the government is putting forward a bill to limit foreign investment in agriculture. So why is foreign investment great for everything else—

Interjections.

Mr. John Vanthof: No. Why is it great for everything else, but we have to worry about farmland? It’s a legitimate question, and hopefully this committee will actually delve into that. Foreign investment in the processing sector in agriculture is just as dangerous, if you’re going to go down that road, because if you can’t process what you grow, you also can’t feed the people. So speaking about feeding the people—that’s a good example of what this government is missing.

Remember, when you first got elected, you had all those little brass plaques—government “for the people”? Everybody had a little brass plaque.

Interjection.

Mr. John Vanthof: Oh, yes. The member from Bay of Quinte didn’t get his brass plaque.

They quit that. That went the way of the blue licence plate. The brass plaque went about the same time.

You all had “for the people”—but what it should have said is “for some of the people, sometimes.”

You’re certainly not for the 85,000 homeless people in this province—a number that has doubled since 2022. There could be some who say, “Oh, homeless people.” Well, they’re people. They’re also in front of stores. In my small town, we’re having to lock public spaces because these people are falling through the cracks. And do you know what? I fully support police officers, but having more police officers moving these people away so they are at another corner isn’t the solution. Perhaps we could have come back sooner and actually talked about real solutions, real programming to actually help. But you’re not doing that. It’s not just the NDP who are talking about that. We met with FONOM yesterday, and they’re talking about the same issues. We’re having so many people fall through our cracks.

You’re talking about how your government has never spent more in the health care system than you are—I’m not arguing that. But is that money being spent effectively, or is it lining the pockets of private profiteers? In many cases, yes, it is. When I hear, “Oh, private clinics are so great”—well, do you know what? Private clinics aren’t coming to northern Ontario.

There are a lot of things that you claim. The Conservatives claim to be effective with financial affairs—you’re not. You’re not looking for what’s actually the most effective way to spend the public dollar. You’re looking at what’s the most effective way to spend the public dollar to benefit your friends, and maybe help Ontario—maybe. That is the wrong way to do it, and Ontarians are suffering.

So if you think that we don’t need to talk about these issues and that’s why we don’t need to come back until basically—

MPP Jamie West: Are you sharing your time?

Mr. John Vanthof: No, I don’t need to.

So if you think that everything is running so well, perhaps you could tell that to the million people in Ontario who are using food banks under your watch, and one in four have full-time jobs.

So are there things that we should discuss here? Yes.

The government House leader can say “It’s a very productive session” from the government’s point of view, but is it a productive session from the people’s point of view? Are you actually looking at the issues that are affecting all the people of Ontario? I think you would have to agree with me that there are many, many people in this province who don’t feel that the government of the day is looking at their situation—people who are employed—

Interjection.

Mr. John Vanthof: Leave me alone.

MPP Jamie West: Just doing my job.

Mr. John Vanthof: We’re going around.

MPP Jamie West: Just doing my job.

Mr. John Vanthof: People who are employed but still have to go to a food bank—I don’t think that they would agree that everything is so rosy.

When a person goes to a hospital and waits 33 hours before they’re admitted, I don’t think that they would agree that the government is doing their job.

Is a government open for criticism? Yes. Every government is going to get criticized. But should a government actually face the criticism and show up to answer those questions? Yes. And our question is, why don’t you?

Is it great that we can see the Premier’s schedule, as the government House leader said? Great.

It’s kind of interesting that you’ve passed legislation so that we can’t see the decisions made by the Premier or the government, even retroactively. That’s the one that hurts the most. Cabinet confidentiality, we get—but retroactive protection of someone’s cellphone after he does government business with taxpayers’ money on his cellphone? Those records should become the property of the people of Ontario, because the bills are the property of the people of Ontario. They end up paying the bills, but they can’t see how the decisions are made. That is an incredible travesty.

And this side seems incredibly proud—they did a standing ovation—of striking out freedom-of-information laws. They thought it was just great. They won’t think it’s so great when the next government repeals it—because it will come out. And if I can give you another little hint of why it will come out, if you will remember when you were first elected, you struck a special committee—it was effectively a witch hunt—and you were going after the previous Liberal government on the Fair Hydro Plan. Mark my words, when your reign ends—and it will—and you keep doing things like buying jets and building islands, the next government, regardless of who it is—and I can guarantee, if I have anything to do with it, those records will be unearthed, all of them. You can smirk. You can laugh. But that is the way this business works.

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We are entrusted with the power to invest the people’s money. We are entrusted with their health. The government is entrusted with so many things, and you’re expected to be accountable for your decisions.

The fact of the matter is, with this motion, it’s once again proof that you don’t want to be accountable, because this whole thing is about—the cabinet, and particularly the Premier, does not like question period. That’s what this is about. He doesn’t like question period because he does not like being held to account, but at some point, he will be.

Something I also like to remember, to remind his members, is that when the jet was uncovered, what was the Premier’s first reaction? The Premier’s first reaction wasn’t, “Yes, I goofed on that one. I never should have done that.” The Premier’s first reaction was, “The cabinet”—

Mr. Guy Bourgouin: Approved.

Mr. John Vanthof: It was approved unanimously. Everybody was on side. He threw you under the bus.

And if you think that when your government falls—and it will. If you think that the Premier is going to take the fall for some of you or any of you, ever, you’re sadly, sadly mistaken.

That’s why we are going to vote against this motion—and I hope that you consider, as well, to vote against this motion and perhaps tell your House leader to bring it back and bring us back at a normal time so we can actually have true debate and really help the people of this province.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Further debate?

MPP Tyler Watt: I will be sharing my time with the member from Ottawa South.

Before I begin discussing this motion, I just want to wish everyone a great spring and summer.

I want to thank all of the staff here at Queen’s Park who have made this experience so wonderful. It is truly the honour of my life to represent Nepean.

The nurse in me wants to remind everyone, whether you’re an MPP, you’re a legislative staffer, you work at Queen’s Park, to remember to take care of yourselves, unplug when you can and do stuff that brings you joy, so we can recharge.

Now I’m going to get into eviscerating this motion. Here we are again—another motion to adjourn put forward by this government, to go on summer break early and come back late, nearly five months later. This government has a habit of trying to rise early whenever it finds itself on the hot seat for the scandals that it’s in. We saw it in the last session—roughly $10 million in the Skills Development Fund grants flowing to a non-profit involved with a strip club, and other things involved with Kory Teneycke.

This session, they’ve outdone themselves with record-high scandals—and I must congratulate you on that. It must be a new record. Let us walk through some of them to understand why this government has decided to rise early.

It has been more than two and a half years since the RCMP opened its criminal investigation into the greenbelt scandal, and the issue is still being held up in court. This government has gone through every undemocratic loop to make it disappear, most recently using its own budget bill, Bill 97, to retroactively rewrite Ontario’s freedom-of-information law—so much for being the most open and transparent government in the history of Ontario, with that one. The purpose of this simply was to shield the Premier’s office, alongside his cabinet, especially after that court ruling that the Premier needed to release his cellphone records. But Ontarians are not letting you off the hook. This Premier stood in front of the public and promised he would not open the greenbelt to any kind of development. Then, the next thing we learned was that well-connected developers stood to gain an estimated $8.3 billion from this government land swap.

This Premier tells Ontarians to keep him at his word and then goes behind their backs to benefit his close friends and associates time and time again.

And now we will be away from the Legislature for nearly five months. That’s five months that this government will keep the case stagnant. That is five months that this Premier will spend avoiding scrutiny in this House. That is five months that the public will continue to be left in the dark, unable to use FOIs to access the Premier’s phone records and to find out what else this government is trying to keep secret from us.

There are a bunch of other scandals I could bring up: the $400-million parking garage next to the private spa; the gravy plane—a really hot topic not only in this Legislature, but it has really hit the general public.

I have people coming up to me in the grocery stores talking about the jet, because it just goes to show how hypocritical this Premier is. He says, “I’m for the people,” but he wanted to spend $29 million on a private luxury jet for himself, when he already had a Premier’s plane that he could be using. This government had been working on that purchase since mid-January, and a US$500,000 letter of intent was signed on January 19 of this year, quietly running the numbers with Bombardier before any of this was public. When it came to light, Ontarians were rightfully furious. When they were deciding whether to buy groceries, to pay rent, their mortgage, or perhaps medications, and having to split their medications because they can’t afford them anymore, this Premier was choosing the leather in his jet. And even after returning it, taxpayers are out nearly $200,000 in fees. That alone could save some of the custodians who are being fired at the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board in my riding right now.

This session, we sat for only 29 days, not even a full month. Yet, during such little time in this House, this Premier and his cabinet were more fixated on closing the deal on the luxury toy jet rather than on completing the Scarborough subway.

Here’s what I’m hearing directly from people in Nepean—because let’s be honest, it was no secret that we were going to probably leave early and come back late. We’re just repeating what we did last year—although I think it’s even longer this time around. What I’m hearing from constituents in my riding about the toll of the rising cost of living and what it’s taking on their lives—“I am writing to convey the sheer desperation and suffering I am experiencing under the current economic conditions. The acute shortage of stable employment and the crushing cost of housing have pushed us to the brink of poverty.”

Here’s another quote: “The relentless pressure to survive is taking a toll on our physical and mental well-being. The constant stress of choosing between paying rent or buying basic groceries causes severe sleep deprivation, chronic anxiety, and exhaustion. We are working around the clock just to fall further behind.”

We’ve heard about and we’ve seen and we’ve debated about this government’s priorities, but we are not actually addressing all of the sectors that are in crisis. Let’s talk about health care. The minister loves to brag about numbers, loves to give stories about parent health care workers coming up to her and congratulating her for what a great job she’s doing. I’m a registered nurse. I still work in a hospital. You can talk to any health care worker, and they will tell you how bad the system is right now. We can’t just keep slapping billion-dollar funding increases on hospitals and thinking that the problem is going to fix itself. That is part of the issue because hospitals are taking the brunt of pretty much everything right now. But we need to be investing in the community, in access and prevention and addressing why people are going to an emergency hospital in the first place. Is it because they have a chronic issue that hasn’t been dealt with? Is it an actual health care emergency? Is it because there’s no walk-in clinics available and it’s their only choice?

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This health care minister loves to talk a big game about this world-class health care system we have, but the TOH is firing over 200 nurses right now. We have a nursing shortage and TOH is firing nurses because of the underfunding from this government.

Let’s talk about education and the firing of custodians and support staff in my riding. Everything is in complete disarray with Bill 101 and this absolute takeover from this government. I’m deeply concerned about the amount of centralizing of power this government has done in almost every single ministry they have. You’re going to have a busy summer because you have centralized so much power to the ministers and now this is all going to fall on you. You won’t be able to blame the feds or the municipalities anymore.

This is on you now, and Ontarians are feeling the hurt. Ontarians don’t feel they are getting ahead. They feel that life is way worse and way harder than it was eight years ago—eight long years of this government. Ask anyone, “How has your life improved?” They will give you the honest truth. Their access to health care hasn’t gotten better. Their wages haven’t gone up. The job market is abysmal. Houses aren’t getting built. The education system is in crisis. Our education system used to be something we could be so proud of, but go talk to teachers, go talk to education workers, go talk to students about the state of our education system and they will tell you the reality.

The problem with this government is that they don’t listen. They don’t listen to people actually on the front lines and that is what should be driving the legislation we’re putting forward here. As a government, we should be sitting down with people and saying, “What can we do to improve your lives?” What are the issues that you are facing in schools and what can we do to improve your lives—instead of just a complete takeover by the minister who clearly has a chip on his shoulder towards teachers, education workers and unions.

I’m going to quickly end with OSAP. OSAP and what this government has done to OSAP has fired up young people. They’re still talking about it. They are still mobilizing. I’m still getting emails, calls and direct messages on social media because they cannot believe that this government has once again slapped them in the face.

When they changed the OSAP grant system to make it into loans to young people who are already struggling to afford their cost of living, and this government said, “You need to take on more debt to get that education and training to enter a workforce—a workforce that we desperately need people in, but you need to take on more debt,” it has lit a fire under them. I’m excited to see that they are paying attention, that they are mobilizing and they will be around to help vote out this government in this next one.

To end here, I will not be supporting this motion. We need to be here. We need to be representing the voices of our constituents, and the fact that we’ll be away for five months, to me, is absolutely ridiculous.

Now, I will pass it along to my colleague from Ottawa South.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): I recognize the member from Ottawa South.

Mr. John Fraser: I have a point of order here. Standing order 3 defines a routine motion as “any motion … made for the purpose of fixing the days or times of the meetings or adjournments of the House, or its committees.” It is strictly procedural.

The government House leader’s motion, however, did not simply set out the timing of the committee meetings; rather, the motion went further by setting out particular business that each committee is permitted to study. Such specifications go beyond the definition of a routine motion and would be better placed within a substantive motion, which requires notice and should be fully debated by the House during orders of the day, like any other substantive motion of the government.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Does anyone else wish to speak to this point of order? I recognize the member from Guelph.

Mr. Mike Schreiner: I rise to raise concerns about this motion, but before I do that—

Interjection.

Mr. Mike Schreiner: Oh, sorry.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Would anyone else wish to speak to this point of order? Then we will take a brief recess to work with the table.

The House recessed from 1605 to 1613.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): I wish to thank the member from Ottawa South for his point of order. After reviewing the standing orders and the precedence of this House, it is my ruling that this motion is in order.

A routine motion is defined in the standing orders as follows: “‘Routine motion’ means any motion, including motions under standing order 7, made for the purpose of fixing the days or times of the meetings or adjournments of the House, or its committees; establishing or revising the membership of committees, and the meeting schedule thereof; arranging the proceedings of this House; or any other motion relating strictly to the technical procedure of the House or its committees and the management of the business thereof.”

The motion before the House authorizes committees to consider certain business, which falls within the bounds of a routine motion. Additionally, this is consistent with previous practice of the House, specifically on December 11, 2019.

I return to the member for Ottawa South for the remainder.

Mr. John Fraser: Well, I thank the Speaker very much for his ruling. I appreciate you taking the time to do that. I obviously accept your ruling.

But there is actually something out of order in this government, and that is that this government doesn’t think they have to be here. Somehow, the House leader is saying, we’re going to be doing all these things.

Accountability is part of what our jobs are. This is accountability. Out there is accountability. Being here to talk about what the government is doing, coming together to do that, is accountability.

That’s what’s out of order with this government. You’ve got a government that doesn’t want to answer questions. You’ve got a government that doesn’t want to sit. We will sit 59 days this year—55 days. It’s incredible.

This place is about balance. It’s about making sure that we hold—you hold—your government, our governments, to account. And it’s not going to happen if we’re not here. It doesn’t work. You know that. I know that. Everybody over here knows that. And if you’re on this side of the House, you would be as exercised as we are that this is happening.

Notwithstanding what the House leader says about participation in committee and the government being busy out there making announcements, this place is important. Being accountable is important.

I’m not going to talk about the luxury private jet, but I just said it again. I had to get one more in because I won’t get another one in for another—how many days is it? Does anybody know?

Mr. Adil Shamji: One hundred and forty-something.

Mr. John Fraser: One hundred and forty days.

Interjections.

Mr. John Fraser: One hundred and two days. I’ll get it in outside of here, but you know what, this place is important. The reason that we’re here is for us to hold the government and the ministers to account. That includes members on the other side.

When we’re not here, we’re not as connected to the people who are responsible for ministries, the ministers, the Premier.

What the government is doing is wrong. I thank you for your time, Speaker.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Further debate?

Mr. Mike Schreiner: I rise to raise concerns about this motion, Speaker, because I believe in democracy, and democracy is about people having access to their government to hold their government accountable.

But before I get into that, I want to thank some people who help make democracy work in this place. I’d like to thank all the legislative staff, the table, the people who work in our cafeteria and food services. I’d like to thank the Sergeant-at-Arms, who will be retiring, and the entire security staff. I’d like to thank, especially, the people who clean our offices and the washrooms and keep this building running smoothly. I’d like to thank the broadcast staff, the Hansard table, everyone who helps make democracy work.

Every time I walk into this building—and I’ve been walking into it for almost a decade as the MPP for Guelph—I pinch myself that I actually have the privilege of working here, in the seat of democracy in Ontario.

It may be an imperfect place—and it is an imperfect place, and democracy is imperfect—but, man, it’s the best form of government we have.

And whenever a government restricts debate, shortens the amount of time the Legislature meets, gives the public less access to this place, that is a threat to democracy. Right now, it’s happening in a time when you see a deterioration of democratic participation south of the border and in countries around the world.

Speaker, we sat 29 days this spring, and then we’re going to take 102 days, or five months, off and sit for a few more weeks. How is that honouring democracy? And, yes, I agree with the House leader that having committees meet over the summer and travel is important work. And I admit when we all go home to our ridings, that is really important work.

We’re all going to keep working. I want the public to be very clear: We’re all going to keep working. But the public debate, where government is held accountable, where people have time to come here and voice their concerns, talk about their vision, their hopes and dreams for the future—that is being restricted. It’s being increasingly denied, and that is a threat to democracy.

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Last year, at this time, there were major protests happening out on the lawn and in communities around Ontario against Bill 5, which is an unprecedented power grab by the government to essentially create lawless zones where Indigenous consultation, environmental protections, worker health and safety laws, and local and provincial planning laws can essentially be overturned and all the power is centred in cabinet and the Premier’s office. We were starting to have Idle No More 2.0 protests in northern Ontario.

And what did the government do? They said, “Oh, we have to take a break. We have to take a break.” And they did an extended recess until the end of October to quiet down people’s concerns.

Then we came back. We came back for a few weeks last fall and the slush development fund scandal was exposed. We found out the government was giving $2.5 billion out to lobbyists, to PC-connected insiders, to programs that the independent, non-partisan public service—who I thank for their job as well—said were the low-scoring things. That got money. And the high-scoring proposals and projects did not get money because they didn’t have the lobbyists to connect them to government.

What did the government do in the midst of that scandal? They said, “Oh, we’re going to take an extended break and not come back when we are supposed to, in February, because we don’t want to be held accountable for that scandal.”

So then we come back and we’re here for 29 days, and what does the government do? They rush through a budget bill without any committee hearings that essentially creates the most restrictive freedom-of-information laws in the country. They don’t want people—ordinary working people—to be able to honestly know what government is doing, who the Premier is meeting with, who he’s talking to, who he calls, who he texts, who is making decisions, who is lobbying, what’s happening with our money. They don’t want that to happen, so we have a midnight sitting to ram that through.

As a matter of fact, they rammed through one of the most important things that the government passed, that I’ll actually compliment them on: the removal of HST on new homes. They got it done so fast that they had to write another bill to fix what was in the budget bill. It would have been nice if they had actually gotten that one right in the first place, one of the good things they actually did. That’s what happens, Speaker, when you rush things.

We had one of the largest protests I’ve seen in a long time at the end of last week here, with people saying, “You know what? Don’t privatize our health care. Send back the private luxury jet and actually invest in people instead of billionaires.”

So what does the government do? They’re like, “We don’t want to be held accountable. We don’t have to answer to people. We don’t have to be honest with people. We don’t have to be transparent with people. So now we’re going to take another five months off.”

The people of Ontario are smart. They can see through this. They can understand that this is a government that’s evading accountability and responsibility, that this is a government that doesn’t want to honestly answer the tough questions. Whether it’s at question period or at committee, they don’t want to answer the tough questions.

What could we be doing? Right now, in the province of Ontario, we are facing the worst housing affordability crisis in the province’s history. It has never been so hard in Ontario to buy a home or pay the rent and put groceries on the table.

Now, the government has done a couple of things to help start addressing that in the last few weeks. They’ve made changes in development charges, and they’ve removed the HST off new homes.

What they could do is actually pass a bill that would legalize multiplexes as of right in the province and mid-rise homes as of right in the province so we can quickly build homes that people can afford in the communities they know and love without paving over our farmland, our wetlands and the places we love in Ontario. As a matter of fact, I just introduced a bill that would do that, in the House, about an hour ago. That would allow us to take advantage of the fact that the government has removed the HST from housing, which is going to expire next spring. So why not take advantage of it quickly by legalizing multiplexes and mid-rises so people can get building right now, this summer or at least this fall?

But no, the House isn’t going to be here to pass legislation like that, to actually bring forward solutions that the government’s own Housing Affordability Task Force has put forward. The government continues to say no to building homes that we can afford.

Speaker, this fall, education is going to be a big issue. Negotiations with education workers’ unions start. I hope they go well because I don’t want to see any labour disruptions in our schools. I don’t want to see that. But you know what? If we need to do something around that—maybe add some money to the budget so we actually can reduce class sizes and pay people decent wages—we won’t be able to do that because we won’t be here, Speaker. We won’t be here to be able to do that.

Right now, we have five active wildfires in northeastern Ontario—two new ones just in the Sudbury area. The budget this spring cut wildland firefighting by $120 million. So you know what? Maybe we’re going to need to be here to actually do something to address the fact that we’re heading into another tough wildfire season. It’s amazing that it’s starting so early. But we won’t be here to do that, Speaker. We won’t be able to do that because we’re not going to sit for five months.

Right now, social service workers, the people who support the most vulnerable in our communities, are on strike. People with developmental disabilities, in particular, are especially being affected. Maybe we could pass something that would allocate a bit more money to address this issue, because Ontario is dead last in the country when it comes to funding social services. But, Speaker, we won’t be here. We won’t be here. We won’t be able to do that either.

Over and over again, when you talk to families who are just struggling to put food on the table, pay the rent or their mortgage—the fact that Food Banks Canada’s poverty report just came out and gave Ontario a D-, the lowest in the country.

People are struggling, Speaker, and they want a government that’s going to take action. And instead of taking action, this government is taking five months off—not even giving people the opportunity to come here and talk about their challenges.

I want to close with one final thing. One of the ways that members, and especially opposition members, can do things for their constituents—and it’s something that doesn’t get talked about a lot, but I think it’s important—is to have the opportunity to walk across the aisle—as a matter of fact, I see people having conversations right now—to talk about challenges that are happening in their ridings. Or maybe, when I’m travelling around the province, somebody gives me a great idea that I want to share with a minister. One of the best ways we can do that is when we’re here, sitting, and we can have those conversations here in the House or in the hallways. That’s not going to happen, because we’re not going to be here for five months.

There’s a lot of important work that gets done in this place that’s not going to happen. That’s why I’ll be voting against this motion, Speaker.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Pursuant to standing order 32(b), the time allotted for afternoon routine has expired.

I am now required to put the question.

Mr. Clark has moved that, notwithstanding standing order 7, when the House adjourns today, it shall stand adjourned until 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2026; and

That for the duration of the adjournment the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be authorized to meet at the call of the Chair; and

That the following standing committees be authorized to meet during the adjournment for the consideration of estimates:

—the Standing Committee on Justice Policy;

—the Standing Committee on Social Policy;

—the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy;

—the Standing Committee on the Interior;

—the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs; and

That the Standing Committee on the Interior be authorized to meet during the adjournment for the consideration of Bill 109; and

That the Standing Committee on Justice Policy be authorized to meet during the adjournment for the consideration of Bill 119; and

That the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs be authorized to meet during the adjournment for the consideration of pre-budget consultations; and

That the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be authorized to attend the 2026 Legislative Summit of the National Conference of State Legislatures in Chicago, Illinois, from July 26 to 30, 2026; and

That the Standing Committee on Public Accounts be authorized to attend the 2026 Canadian Council of Public Accounts Committees conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from August 22 to 26, 2026.

Is the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? I heard a no.

All those in favour of the motion, please say “aye.”

All those opposed to the motion, please say “nay.”

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

A recorded vote being required, we will call in the members. This is a 30-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1631 to 1701.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Will members please take their seats?

Mr. Clark has moved that, notwithstanding standing order 7, when the House adjourns today, it shall stand adjourned until 10:15 a.m.—

Interjection: Dispense.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Dispense?

Interjection: No.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): ––until 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2026; and

That for the duration of the adjournment, the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be authorized to meet at the call of the Chair; and

That the following standing committees be authorized to meet during the adjournment for the consideration of estimates:

—the Standing Committee on Justice Policy;

—the Standing Committee on Social Policy;

—the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy;

—the Standing Committee on the Interior;

—the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs; and

That the Standing Committee on the Interior be authorized to meet during the adjournment for the consideration of Bill 109; and

That the Standing Committee on Justice Policy be authorized to meet during the adjournment for the consideration of Bill 119; and

That the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs be authorized to meet during the adjournment for the consideration of pre-budget consultations; and

That the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be authorized to attend the 2026 Legislative Summit of the National Conference of State Legislatures in Chicago, Illinois, from July 26 to 30, 2026; and

That the Standing Committee on Public Accounts be authorized to attend the 2026 Canadian Council of Public Accounts Committees conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from August 22 to 26, 2026.

All those in favour of the motion will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Ayes

• Allsopp, Tyler
• Anand, Deepak
• Babikian, Aris
• Bailey, Robert
• Bethlenfalvy, Peter
• Bouma, Will
• Calandra, Paul
• Cho, Raymond Sung Joon
• Cho, Stan
• Ciriello, Monica
• Clark, Steve
• Coe, Lorne
• Cooper, Michelle
• Crawford, Stephen
• Cuzzetto, Rudy
• Darouze, George
• Denault, Billy
• Dixon, Jess
• Dowie, Andrew
• Downey, Doug
• Firin, Mohamed

• Flack, Rob
• Ford, Doug
• Grewal, Hardeep Singh
• Hamid, Zee
• Hardeman, Ernie
• Jordan, John
• Kanapathi, Logan
• Kerzner, Michael S.
• Khanjin, Andrea
• Leardi, Anthony
• Lecce, Stephen
• Lumsden, Neil
• McCarthy, Todd J.
• Oosterhoff, Sam
• Pang, Billy
• Parsa, Michael
• Piccini, David
• Pierre, Natalie
• Pinsonneault, Steve
• Quinn, Nolan
• Racinsky, Joseph

• Rae, Matthew
• Riddell, Brian
• Rosenberg, Bill
• Sabawy, Sheref
• Sandhu, Amarjot
• Sarkaria, Prabmeet Singh
• Sarrazin, Stéphane
• Saunderson, Brian
• Scott, Laurie
• Smith, Dave
• Smith, David
• Smith, Graydon
• Smith, Laura
• Tangri, Nina
• Thompson, Lisa M.
• Tibollo, Michael A.
• Triantafilopoulos, Effie J.
• Vickers, Paul
• Williams, Charmaine A.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): All those opposed to the motion will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Nays

• Armstrong, Teresa J.
• Blais, Stephen
• Bourgouin, Guy
• Bowman, Stephanie
• Cerjanec, Rob
• Collard, Lucille
• Fraser, John
• French, Jennifer K.
• Gates, Wayne
• Gélinas, France

• Gilmour, Alexa
• Glover, Chris
• Gretzky, Lisa
• Hsu, Ted
• Kernaghan, Terence
• Mamakwa, Sol
• McCrimmon, Karen
• McMahon, Mary-Margaret
• Pasma, Chandra
• Rakocevic, Tom

• Schreiner, Mike
• Shamji, Adil
• Shaw, Sandy
• Vanthof, John
• Vaugeois, Lise
• Watt, Tyler
• West, Jamie
• Wong-Tam, Kristyn

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Trevor Day): The ayes are 61; the nays are 28.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): I declare the motion carried.

Motion agreed to.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Orders of the day?

Hon. Steve Clark: I move adjournment of the House.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Mr. Clark has moved the adjournment of the House. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? I heard a no.

All those in favour of the motion, say “aye.”

All those opposed to the motion, say “nay.”

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

Call in the members. This is a 30-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1707 to 1737.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): Mr. Clark has moved the adjournment of the House.

All those in favour, please rise and remain standing to be counted by the Clerks.

All those opposed to the motion, please rise and remain standing to be counted by the Clerks.

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Trevor Day): The ayes are 57; the nays are 28.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee): I declare the motion carried.

This House now stands adjourned until 10:15 a.m., October 27, 2026.

The House adjourned at 1739.