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Legislative Priorities for Next Session
Fighting for action to confront the province’s exploding health care crisis will be a top priority when the legislature returns October 25. This government has left the crisis to rage on and worsen when the legislature was shut down, and in the weeks since, the warning signals coming out of hospitals have only gotten louder.
We have seen children’s ICUs hitting capacity and SickKids hospital recently stated their ER is experiencing wait times of up to 12 hours. Hallway medicine is back with a vengeance, which is sending patients into spaces like gyms. Rural communities are grappling with weeks-long emergency department closures.
We should be giving health care workers competitive benefits and wages and helping internationally trained professionals onto the frontlines, not driving them away with wage-capping legislation. We should be investing in our public health care system, including using Ontario’s $2.1-billion surplus to help shore up staffing, not diverting funding to for-profit private clinics.
This government is also determined to hold back the wages of education workers and let the staffing crisis spill over into Ontario’s schools. The government has to stop chasing education workers away by freezing their wages below inflation — they’re the caring adults helping students in our classrooms, and the people driving our kids to school by bus.
The Official Opposition is also urging the government to address the skyrocketing cost of living. The Consumer Price Index for September 2022 showed food prices up 10.4% year over year in Ontario. Natural gas rates, which have nearly doubled in the last year, went up again on October 1.
We should be doubling ODSP and OW rates. We should be cracking down on greedy corporations that are raking in profits under the guise of inflation. And we should be rolling out a comprehensive plan to deliver homes people can afford that includes bringing back real rent control, cracking down on speculators who drive up home prices, and paving the way for missing middle housing like townhomes.
Province Announces “Catch Up Payments” for Students
As part of its Plan to Catch Up, Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced the Ontario government has launched Catch Up Payments, offering parents $200 or $250 per child to help children catch up.
Starting Thursday, October 20, parents with school-aged children up to 18 years old can apply for payments of $200 for each child, while parents with school-aged children with special education needs, up to the age of 21, can apply for $250. Applications are open until March 31, 2023.
Government funding is not keeping up with inflation and schools are being forced to make cuts. The Financial Accountability Office reported that Ontario’s education system will have a $12.3 billion shortfall by 2029-30. At the same time, the government is giving out cheques directly to parents, yet our schools desperately need the funding. Struggling students need supports inside our schools right now with smaller classes, more educational assistants, and more mental health supports.
The announcement follows the recent release of the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) 2021-22 results showing that 59% of Grade 3 students, 47% of Grade 6 students, and 52% of Grade 9 students met the province’s mathematical standard. This is the first year assessments could take place following the COVID-19 pandemic, and the first time since this government promised to revamp Ontario’s math curriculum.
Contract talks recently broke down between the government and Ontario education support workers (educational assistants, early childhood educators) who are in a legal strike position as of November 3rd. Unfortunately, the government is using the EQAO data against our hard-working and underpaid education workers who are struggling to get by and accessing food banks just to make ends meet.
Bivalent Booster for People 12+ and Flu Shot for 5+
As of Monday, October 17, everyone aged 12 and over is eligible to get a bivalent COVID-19 booster dose if they have completed their primary COVID-19 vaccine series.
Also starting November 1, flu shots will be available through your health care provider, public health unit and in participating pharmacies. Flu shots may be given at the same time, or at any time before or after COVID-19 vaccine, for individuals 5 years and older. Find out more at ontario.ca/flu.
Appointments can be booked now through the COVID-19 vaccination portal or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre (PVCC) at 1-833-943-3900. Eligible individuals can also book an appointment directly through public health units that use their own booking systems, Indigenous-led vaccination clinics, participating health care providers and participating pharmacies.
In addition to getting vaccinated, those over 60 years of age can also access antiviral treatments such as Paxlovid if they have COVID-19 symptoms. Learn more about COVID-19 treatments and review your eligibility by using Ontario’s antiviral screener tool, speaking with your health care provider or calling 811.
Ontario Place Virtual Public Consultation
The Ontario Place Redevelopment Team announced that it will be hosting a virtual public consultation event on Ontario Place’s proposed public realm design options and the Environmental Assessment process on Thursday, October 27, 2022, 5:00-7:00 pm. Details here.
Feedback is said to also be shared online starting on October 25, 2022 through the virtual public engagement room.
The province claims it has engaged with the public many times, but the frustration is that the government has made decisions in secret, announced their plans, and then held after-the-fact public consultations. Read my op-ed here.
My office has organized an Ontario Place workgroup. If you’d like to join, please email my office and we will add you to the list.
Ontario Proposes Doubling Fines for Unethical Developers
The Ontario government is proposing to double the maximum fines for unethical builders and vendors of new homes who unfairly cancel a new home project or terminate a purchase agreement. The penalties collected would enable the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) to reimburse consumers affected by such terminations.
The proposed changes fall under the New Home Construction Licensing Act (NHCLA), and if passed, would increase existing maximum financial penalties from $25,000 to $50,000 per infraction, with no limit to additional monetary benefit penalties. Under these changes, unethical developers could see fines for hundreds of thousands of dollars for each unfairly cancelled contract, and could also face the risk of permanently losing their builder’s licence.
Transparency for Self-Driving Trucks
The Globe and Mail and The Logic recently reported that Ontario has quietly allowed Loblaws to put self-driving delivery trucks on the road, and may have provided funding for their efforts.
We all want Ontario to continue to be the fastest-growing tech hub in North America. To live up to that goal, we need the government to communicate openly with the public. It’s concerning to learn that self-driving trucks have hit the road in Ontario without any signal from the government, or information about important considerations like cost and safety. The public deserves accountability and transparency and I will continue to monitor this activity by the government.
Jean Lumb Awards 25th Anniversary
On Saturday, October 22 at 11:30 am, I have the honour of attending the 25th Anniversary of the Jean Lumb Awards at the Jean Lumb Public School, 20 Brunel Court. Nine outstanding high school students of Chinese heritage will be recognized for their excellence in academics, athletics, community services, innovation, dignity of life, leadership, and defence of the environment. A Special 25th Anniversary Award of Excellence will be presented to Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer. More information available here.
Legislative Page Program
The recruitment period for the spring 2023 session of the Legislative Page Program is now open until November 30, 2022. Each year, high-achieving, community-oriented Grade 7 and 8 students from across Ontario are chosen to serve as Legislative Pages. This unique opportunity in Toronto allows selected students to become involved in Ontario’s parliamentary process, meet key figures, and make lifelong friendships with like-minded peers. More information available here.
Attorney General’s Victim Services Awards of Distinction
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2022-2023 Attorney General’s Victim Services Awards of Distinction, which will be held in spring 2023. The deadline for nominations is Friday, November 25, 2022 by 11:59 pm EST. The nomination package is available on the Ministry’s website.
This program recognizes exceptional achievements in service to people who have experienced victimization due to crime. It also honours the courageous efforts of individuals who have been personally impacted by crime and are now working to raise the profile of victims’ issues in Ontario, including in rural, Northern, and Indigenous communities. For more information, email the Planning Committee at AGVSAD@ontario.ca.
The Crown, Cricket and Canada Student Essay Contest
The Ontario Schools Cricket Association is offering a creative competition for Ontario elementary and secondary school students. The contest is partly funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage and supported by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. More information is available here.
This is a unique opportunity for students to explore these topics while also learning more about the game of cricket. Those who submit a top essay will receive official recognition from the Premier of Ontario, and prize money of $3,000 will be awarded to the winner(s). Contest deadline is November 15, 2022.
Toronto Arts Foundation Awards Nominations Open
The nomination portal for five Toronto Arts Foundation awards is now open. Awards are presented to artists, cultural leaders and businesses in recognition of artistic excellence, cultural leadership and contribution to the arts. Full details here.
Nominations are being accepted until November 28, 2022 for the following awards: Arts for Youth Award, Breakthrough Artist Award, Margo Bindhardt and Rita Davies Award, Muriel Sherrin Award, Emerging Jazz Artist Award.
MPP Scrolls for Special Occasions
Turning 30, 40, 80, 90 or 100? Celebrate a significant birthday with a certificate from my office.
Is there a new addition to your family? Send the name of your baby, the parents’ names and other relevant information and we’ll send a “Welcome to the World” certificate to celebrate this special event. Email us at cglover-co@ndp.on.ca.
Vaccine Clinics
See all vaccine clinics here.
Construction & Road Closures
See all announcements here.
Fun Things to Do
Howl'oween: The Bentway is inviting all local dogs and their owners to participate in a costume contest and parade, complete with amazing prizes, music, a festive photo selfie station, warm drinks, and local fur-endly vendors. Register here. 250 Fort York Blvd. Oct 29.
CityPlace Halloween Crawl: Trick or Treat in CityPlace along Fort York Blvd between Spadina & Bathurst. A trail map will be provided where candies will be handed out! Oct 31.
Joe Shuster Way Pumpkin Parade: 3rd Annual event taking place in Rita Cox Park. Oct 31.
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