>> Good afternoon.
I'd like to start today
by sharing some really
exciting news.
I have been in touch
with my friend, Québec
Premier François and he
has agreed to lead a
delegation of ministers
to Ontario.
For the first ever
Ontario/Québec summit
between our two
governments.
It will take place next
Tuesday, September 8
and Wednesday,
September 9.
This
summit is happening
at a critical juncture
in our history.
As Canada's two
largest economies
and most populous
provinces
, relying on the
significant relationship
,
lying on the strong
partnership
will be more important
than ever
.
As we work
to counter
US protectionism.
As we work
to get our economy
back on track
and as we work together
to move the country
forward
, because
my friends,
I truly believe
, I know
that with Ontario
and Québec
working together
,
our two great provinces
coming together,
to economic powerhouses
collaborating
on mutually beneficial
economic priorities
,
we will be unstoppable
.
I'm going to
repeat that.
We will be unstoppable.
These figures are
staggering that I'm
going to give you.
In 2018,
the joint GDP, gross
domestic product, of
Ontario and Québec
was a staggering
$1.3 trillion.
I'm going to repeat that,
$1.3 trillion.
Together,
we are an economic
juggernaut.
Our two provinces
working together
can create the
strongest economic union
in North America
.
Those are big numbers.
And in the next
few weeks,
Québec's Premier will be
aching over as the
chair of the Council of
Federation, leading the
Premier's table and we
need to support
each other.
We need to work together
to advance our shared
goals and that's why we
are coming together at
this critical moment,
the head of the Council
of
Federation meeting in
Québec city on September
24, to discuss the
issues that matter most
to the people of our
two provinces and the
entire country.
Economic recovery
Terry -- recovery
,
US protectionism,
health, trade and
infrastructure and many
other shared priorities.
What we say together
will be important to the
Prime Minister, to the
federal government, to
our partners over the
border and all
Canadians.
So I'm really looking
forward to welcoming
primarily go -- the
Premier of Québec
.
Because when it comes to
getting our economy on
track, it's all hands
on deck right now.
That's why we are here
today and it's great to
be back in the beautiful
city of Hamilton with my
fellow James and his
team of the
International
Brotherhood of
electrical workers and
the fine folks from
Ontario's building
trades unions.
They are doing absently
everything and they are
working to support
our young people
and train more
skilled workers
for the jobs we need.
And I'm so happy
to be here
with my minister
of labour,
Monte McNaughton,
as well as my MPD's,
Don Skelly, (inaudible)
and (inaudible).
We are doing
a terrific job
delivering results for
people living right in
this area.
In fact, we are
building two new schools
for the Hamilton area,
including 49 more
childcare spaces.
We added
19 more GO Train trips
a week and extended 25
existing trips on the
Lakeshore West line
to West Harbor
go Station.
And we are providing
$24.8 million
through the federal
safe restart agreement
help the city
of Hamilton
continue
to provide muscle
services
that people rely on
each and every day.
And as we work to build
modern infrastructure
across the province, we
are desperately in need
of more electricians
, welders, carpenters
and construction workers
to help get
the job done.
We need more skilled
workers and
it's a good problem to
have, but it's a problem
we need to solve by
working with these folks
.
These guys a real
champions.
I love each and every
one of them.
That is why I am proud
to announce today that
our government is
investing $37 million to
provide skills training
to over 18,000 people to
help them upgrade their
skills or pursue a new
career.
This is $37 million to
help training providers
like IBEW, like Leona
and the members
of the Ontario's
building trades unions,
as well as Ontario's
colleges, universities
and employers, provide
young people, jobseekers
and our veterans with
hands-on training
for in demand skills.
And in most cases,
the training
will be
(inaudible) of charge.
These kinds of
investments in people
and talent are absently
critical as we worked
together to get our
economy firing and also
orders once again.
So I want to thank Mr
McDonald, James and all
the labour and academic
business partners for
stepping up to offer
these important training
programs.
Thank you, God bless
the people of Ontario.
On a passed over to
Minister McNaughton.
>>
Thank you very much
Premier and I want to
thank Steve from
the local IBEW
and everyone at the
trades Council for
hosting us today.
I'm delighted to be here
with the Premier, the
parliamentary
assistance, Skelly,
Velma and of course, our
great parliamentary
assistant, Jane McKenna.
A few years ago, it
would've been hard to
imagine a scene like
this, with dozens of
labour leaders
representing hundreds of
thousands of workers
, standing shoulder
to shoulder with the
conservative Premier
and labour Minister
, and yet here
we are today.
I wanted to know there
is a reason for this.
It's because we are
working together.
To make workplaces safer
and to ensure
good meaningful globs
-- jobs are being
created.
We are moving forward in
a spirit of cooperation
for the good
of everyone.
And it takes
two to tango.
So thank you
to the provincial
building trades, to Leona
, to the painters,
carpenters, dry welders,
electricians,
armed workers,
insulators, form
workers, plumbers,
springs or fitters and
the boilermakers.
To the workers your
building Ontario up.
The $37 million we are
announcing today will
help 15,000 people gain
the skills they need
to find jobs
or to retrain
for new careers.
That includes $450,000
to bring more women
into the trades.
Because these jobs
are meaningful and
well-paying,
but you often
, they go to men.
We need to change that.
Before I go, I want
to acknowledge
the death of a local
worker yesterday.
One death on the job is
one too many for me.
I do want to express my
condolences to this work
is family, friends
and colleagues.
Will be thinking of him
and so many others this
weekend as we
commemorate Labor Day.
The partnerships
we've forged
and the work we
have left to do.
Thank you.
Steve, over to you.
>> Thank you minister.
On behalf of my
executive and
membership, I would like
to thank Premier Doug
Ford and the other MVPs
for taking the time to
come to our facility and
speak with our dedicated
and imaginative
dirty persons.
We really appreciate
your interest in the
logical trade and the
importance of compounds
of training to ensure
both worker and public
safety.
We want -- it's
wonderful to see these
programs and investments
to make people across
the province aware
of the opportunities
available in the trades.
In Ontario, building on
construction trades
woman projects will
bring more women into
the trades through
sessions for trainers on
leadership, mentoring
and had to recruit more
women into the trades.
Something we are
particularly proud of.
I'd also like to thank
the government for
the investments
made in the
construction industry,
helping to ensure
Ontario as a critical
-- gets the critical
structure
-- in the structure
needs to maintain the
economy.
I can tell you that our
industry, like others
,
has struggled to deal
with COVID-19.
Even during the height
of the pandemic, our
industry persevered,
ensuring essential
services were maintained
safely and
professionally.
The IBEW electrical
workers
and our contract
partners will continue
to be here for
a community.
And we look forward to
working with you and our
government to ensure
Ontario not only
recovers but grows
stronger.
I will turn things over
now to permanently
assistant Jane McKenna.
Thanks again.
>>
The Parliament
tree assistant
for the labour,
training and skills
development and the NPV
for Burlington,
it is an honour to join
today's exciting
announcement
on new investment in
skills training for
15,000 Ontarians.
Our government values
the workers and
businesses that help
build Ontario.
We note the demand for
skilled workers is on
the rise.
That's why it's all
hands on deck with the
training providers,
including labour unions,
employees, colleges
and universities.
We all have a
role to play.
By providing
opportunities for the
thousands of people to
upgrade their skills
and train for new jobs
, we are making it easier
to build rewarding and
life-changing careers
in skilled trades.
Very proud to support
the Premier and Minister
McNaughton
in this important work
to promote the skilled
trades and attract more
young and talented people
to these vital
professions.
I look forward
to continuing
to advance this
key priority
in the months ahead
as we continue
to implement
Ontario's plan
for recovery.
Now I'd like to invite
my colleague and my
friend, MVP
Donna to say
a few words.
>> I want to thank
the premier and
Minister McNaughton for
coming today to make
this
very important
announcement.
It's always a pleasure
to see my colleague
and VP Jane McKenna
.
As MVP for
(unknown term) it is
exciting to hear about
these investments that
will make a difference
in the lives of young
people and jobseekers in
the Hamilton area and
right across Ontario.
And I'd like to thank
Ontario's building
trades unions for all
their hard work to make
these training programs
available
during these
extraordinary times.
It will be a
key component
of our provinces
economic recovery.
Thank you all for coming.
>> We will go to
the phone line...
>> Before we go
to the phone
, (inaudible)
is over there.
Can you come over
here for a minute?
This is what I mean
when we are promoting
women in trades.
There are two
journeyman...
they are going to change
that by the way,
journeyman.
Don't be shy.
To my training
and two are experts
and are just doing
an incredible job.
You know, as
I always say,
I'm a little biased
when it comes to living
in a household
with five women
and I do, I
tell my girls,
"You can keep going.
Does do anything.
You can do it better and
go out there and kick
some guys but."
So way to go.
Thank you very much.
That's great.
(Applause)
>> I always mention once
you have a trade, you
have a for life.
You can move around, you
can be an entrepreneur,
you can do anything once
you have the trade.
They were showing me how
to connect the light
switch and make sure I
don't like to keep
myself and I said I
always leave it to
trained professional
electricians.
I stay away from
electrical stuff.
So ladies, thank
you so much.
Stay safe.
Thank you.
(Applause)
>> OK.
Grosbeak we will go
to the phone one for
questions.
One question and one
follow-up please.
>> I see Joseph over
there and my buddy
Patrick.
How are you guys doing?
These guys are
champions over there.
>> First question.
>> First question
from Randy
from Doug and Mike.
-- (unknown term).
>> Hi Randy.
>>
Hi Premier.
(inaudible) told
me this morning
, it is the individual
teacher's decision
whether or not
they think that their
workplace is unsafe
and that they have
to make the decision
whether or not
they should (inaudible)
work.
You worry about teachers
coming into the
classroom,
thinking there is
social distancing and
then using their right
to refuse unsafe
work to walk away?
>> I hold confidence and
all the principals and
teachers going
back to school.
They are going to be
the backbone of this
program and everything
I've heard from all her
MVPs across the province
and what I've seen
personally, they are
doing a great job.
The number one thing I
hear is that they are
excited to have
the kids back.
I just spoke to another
teacher earlier today as
well and same thing.
They are excited to see
the kids and I have all
the confidence in the
world that our teachers
are doing a great job
they're doing along with
the principles.
>> Follow-up?
>> Nevertheless, there
is the eventuality for
this to happen.
Are you
afraid to use the power
legislature to stop
anything like that?
>> I want to work
with them.
Honestly Randy,
this is the time
to disagree and fight
with someone.
Was just all work
together and get through
it and everyone
has stepped up
to situations that are
probably 1000 times worse
.
So I have confidence
they are going to do
everything they can.
You have thrown
everything we possibly
can at the reopening of
the schools.
$1.6 billion, 625
nurses, 1300 floor
cleaners.
170 million in total to
hire more staff if they
needed.
And that's just
a fraction.
I can run through it all
, but we have thrown
everything we can
and are cooperating
with all the groups.
So I just look forward
to the schools opening
and the kids going back
safely and the teachers
have a safe environment
to teach in.
Chris peek next question?
>> Question comes from
Michelle from Canadian
press.
>> Hi Premier.
A quick question for you.
Also Randy referenced
it earlier this morning.
(unknown term) has
been calling for the
reinstatement of some of
the sick days that were
stripped out
.
She is arguing that this
is in accordance with
public health advice for
people to stay at home
if they are in well or
if they suspect they
might have COVID-19.
(inaudible) is not a
proposal you will
willing to consider?
>> Again, I want to
emphasize that I think
the world of
our teachers.
I truly believe they are
fairly compensated and I
wish them all the best.
I would help them anyway
I can and I think it's
fair to say that
they get 120
-- 131 six days, 120
days at 90% and 11 days
at 100%.
But they are doing
a great job.
This way.
I could not do what
the teachers do.
I couldn't do it.
Some people are cut
out for it and others
aren't.
They're incredible.
And I have all the faith
in the world they are
going to do an
incredible job and get
our kids through this
year's school year.
I truly believe in them.
>> Follow-up?
>> On that note,
focusing on teachers,
it has to do with the
issue of collapsing
classes again.
I know you spoke to it
earlier this week and
you were getting
information on what was
happening.
We are hearing more
about that.
We are hearing that it
is happening fairly
broadly and that there
is schools for there is
some classes that
(inaudible) but yet
classes haven't
collapsed yet.
(inaudible) all 30
students in a room.
Does that affect you and
is that -- would you
offer your active
support?
>> The money is there.
What I understand from
the school board,
the schools have
enough space.
That's really good
considering the size of
the DSP.
We had a good
conversation with the
director to give
suggestions
and said, we will be
there for you if you
need our help
and need to transfer
any kids into other
areas.
We will be there
to support that.
But if all schools have a
, there is five schools
I was told this morning
that are pretty tight,
but we will be there.
All the plans are in.
We are ready.
They are ready.
I'm not
saying there is not
going to be bumps.
There will be bumps.
I'm sure
of it as I'm
standing here.
But I have confidence in
the teachers, principals
and school boards.
Everyone is pulling in
the same direction now.
>> Next question?
>> Nest question from
Katrina from the
Hamilton spectator.
>> Hi Katrina.
>> Hi Premier, thanks
for taking my question.
We have spoken with a
nurse who worked at the
Roseland retirement
residence which was
evacuated during a COVID
19 outbreak in May.
16 residents died.
The nurse spoke out
about alleged negligence
at the home and the
(inaudible) was later
stripped but she was
inspired by the temp
agency that hired her.
This was a whistleblower
who stepped up to help
our community in the
early stages of the
pandemic and then she
was punished for it.
What is your government
doing to strengthen
whistleblower
protection?
>> There is a law on
whistleblower
protection.
They can't just get rid
of someone like that.
They have to
be protected.
And all she was doing
was doing her job.
If she saw problem,
good for her.
I congratulate her.
And by the way, we took
the license off that
long term care home.
So at the end of the
day, they aren't
operating any longer.
But by all means, she
shouldn't have lost her
job and there is plenty
of work out there in
long-term care so if she
needs to find a place to
find employment, we will
find her a place in a
heartbeat because we are
in desperate need.
And we are in desperate
need of more nurses too.
They go back to school
and other areas.
I said yesterday, the
DFW's, they are
incredible people,
underpaid, overworked.
I heard the head of the
union, I agree with her.
Stop talking, let's
start getting action.
So moving forward the
Minister of Health and
the treasury, we
calculate us.
They deserve more money
and that's the bottom
line
and I am going to
(inaudible) immediately.
>> Follow-up?
>> Thank you.
And I am wondering, what
is your reaction to the
proposal from Leona to
build the LRT line for
3.5 billion using a mix
of public and private
cash and is the proposal
being looked at by a
government
and transportation tax
force and does it change
or government interest
in the LRT project?
>> I had a great meeting
with Mayor Eisenberger
and we have agreed that
we are going to work
together.
And I love Leona.
I have said it over
and over again.
There is something
special about Joseph
that he think outside
the box.
He really does.
He's blazing a new trail
and now we say everyone
should take a page out
of their book on how
to do public/private
partnerships and work
together and let's what
we are doing.
In the mayor and I
agreed we are going to
do everything we can to
get us moving forward,
to listen to the task
force and help
MO to anyway we can.
Even if we get some of
it going, we have $1
billion.
Here's a shout out for
the federal government.
For the federal
government, we need your
help.
We need you at
the table.
I know we want you, but
they often showed up
yet.
So once we get the
support of the federal
government, the
provincial government
and public/private
partnerships like Leona,
we can get it going.
And as the mayor and I
said, even if we get
half, get two thirds,
get anything going, we
can add onto it.
But the critical thing
is get the shovels in
the ground.
My theory in life is
there's always a way to
make things happen.
They may not happen
overnight, but there's
money sitting there.
So my friend, Deputy
Prime Minister, you
always support us, the
people of Hamilton need
your support.
>> Next question?
>> Next question comes
from Hailey Cooper from
(inaudible).
Please go ahead.
>> Thank you,
hi Premier.
The CNN
is casting doubt over
its future after
cancelling this
year's fair
resulted in a $6
million loss and it is
now calling on
government for
financial help.
We all know money is
tight right now.
But is there some cash
the province will ear
for the CNE and if so
, what is the limit
or a figure?
>> I think that will
fall under the Ministry
of tourism.
That's been around for
over 100 and something
years and everyone has
gone to the CNE and I am
willing to help them.
If the city is valued
-- willing to help out
and we get the feds, we
can all pitch in.
Because it's critical
we keep the CNE going.
Every single one of us,
old guys like myself,
remember going dead to
the CNE with my $10.
I'm really aging myself
now, but five or $10 and
you'd be down
there all day.
I would never forget.
You get the 25
with my $10.
I'm really aging myself
now, but five or $10 and
you'd be down
there all day.
I would never forget.
You get the $0.25
spaghetti.
So my buddy over at
Primo, we are good pals,
we need to get back to
that dollar spaghetti or
something.
On the double bubblegum
in the food court.
It was fun and we
need to help them.
It's something we can't
let go of the history of
the CNE.
Acre speak follow-up?
>> Thank you.
My follow-up, there
are growing concerns
throughout the taxi
industry about insurance
rates.
So most insurance
companies that are
approved to provide
commercial insurance for
taxicabs of withdrawn
from the industry.
So only to remain.
They are not accepting
any new business.
By the end of this year,
only one of those will
remain, forcing taxi
owned drivers onto
facility at a cost of
$15,000-$20,000 per
year.
That's compared to
about $6000 a year.
So the industry is
calling for an amendment
to regulation 6642
include taxis in locked
transfer mythology
vehicles.
Will your
-- locked transfer with
all of the vehicles.
What will your
government do
to protect this
industry from paying
that tens of thousands
of dollars per year?
>> Myself and my brother
Rob have a very close
relationship with the
taxi industry for a long
time.
I'm going to support
these people.
People got devastated.
Some of these people pay
two or $300,000 for
their license.
Now it's next to nothing.
And I got to help
these people.
They have to put food
on their table.
So I like to talk to the
Minister of Finance.
We will make sure we
crack this and the
insurance companies,
you've got to give these
guys a break.
That drives me nuts.
I'm not saying they're
doing this, but you've
got to be fair
to everyone.
These insurance
companies are making big
bucks over the years.
A lot of them have
stepped up.
But we will be
onto them.
Don't worry.
I'm all over this one.
>> Last question?
>> Last question comes
from Cynthia at City
News.
>> Hi Cynthia.
>> Either Premier.
The first question today
is for my colleague
(inaudible).
She is asking me
to ask you about
(inaudible) good
morning America
and the key in the
flight to (inaudible)
this fall.
What you have to
say about that?
Are you concerned that
people will be safe and
socially distanced and
it could contribute to
more COVID-19 cases
at the end of the day?
>> Cynthia is a good
point but again, if we
just practice the Golden
rules, social distance,
wearing a facemask,
washing your hands,
we just have to
follow those rules
and follow the chief
medical officer's
protocols and
guidelines.
And
we will be better off.
But just please,
don't be out there
going to these big
parties.
I know the chief
medical officer appealed
his concern.
He was going around
there was a lot of big
parties in backyards.
No facemasks.
It's critical
that we do it.
We had 44 cases
in peel alone.
Over 30% of the whole
province stop so folks
in peel
, you can't be out there
having tons of people
over with no facemasks
because
it just spreads right
across the board there.
>> Follow-up?
>> Thank you.
My next question
is about ODSP.
Yesterday, I did a
story examining it
and the numbers
are quite concerning.
In the last
25 years
, ODSP increased
by $239.
That's only $0.65
a day.
People are trying
to survive
on $1169
a month
,
sometimes they get food
stamps, but it's not
enough.
There is one man
he was two dollars
a day to eat.
Some people are
so desperate
that they are exploring
assisted dying because
they say they can't
afford to live.
Is there a stigma
against people with
disabilities?
This is been going on
for more than two
decades and is your
government willing to
examine this and try and
change this and make
things
, make life easier for
people with
disabilities?
>> Absolutely.
We'll have to
support it.
I always believed this.
We always have to
support the people that
are unable to support
themselves and I asked
the Minister of social
services once he deducts
CERB
and so on and so forth
and the whole formula, I
think the people ended
up with a couple of
hundred dollars more.
I know it's not much,
but we do have to be
there to support them.
And then they have
another program for
people that are working
part-time and collecting
ODSP that they can earn
up to think was over
$2000, $2200
approximately.
But there are people
that just physically
can't take care
of themselves.
Those of the people we
should be taking care of
and we will.
So I want to make sure I
have a discussion with
the minister.
It's very, very
important we take for
people who can't take
care of themselves.
But the people that are
able to work, I don't
(inaudible) anyone.
Once these jobs come
back, we expect you to
work.
Simple as that.
If those jobs out
there, work.
If you are healthy,
work.
Because you contribute
back to society.
>> Thank you everyone.
Grosbeak thank
you everyone.
Thank you.
