Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Hon. Stephen Crawford

It’s great to rise in the House in support of this motion by my great colleague the member from Mississauga East–Cooksville. Artificial intelligence and advanced technologies are transforming absolutely everything, from how we work to how we make decisions to even how we advertise goods and services. These new systems mean new possibilities and greater productivity and solutions to problems that once seemed impossible. At the same time, however, they can also sound less reassuring to some people out there who may not be trusting of such sweeping changes brought about by technology. To their credit, I would argue that asking difficult questions is a necessary part of responsible innovation. The objective should not be to tell people that they have nothing to be concerned about. It should be to demonstrate that risks are being identified, that safeguards are being established and that people remain firmly in control. If people trust the process and believe the outcome will improve their lives, then I would say we’ve done our job. The answer is not to resist every new technology, nor is it to adopt technology without considering the consequences. The answer is to build trust. Emerging technologies must be rigorously tested, the risks must be understood and the people responsible for their use must remain accountable. By bringing conversations like this into the public eye, like the member for Mississauga East–Cooksville has done with this motion, what we are doing is building a strong foundation that will help these promising technologies move forward without compromising safety and consumer awareness. Speaker, this is a good motion which I can support. It helps responsible innovation succeed. It helps protect Ontario consumers. These are the same principles which work for my ministry. At public and business service delivery and procurement, we lead enterprise-wide technology, data governance and cyber security across the Ontario government. We modernize public services, oversee public sector procurement and establish safeguards for the responsible use of emerging technologies. What’s more important, however, is how each of these responsibilities across objectives always remains the same: to use innovation to deliver better results while maintaining the trust of the people we serve. Speaker, consumers everywhere should feel confident and informed when making investments and spending decisions. That is exactly why Ontario must continue to embrace innovation and do so responsibly—because innovation and responsibility are not competing objectives. When strong guardrails are in place and people remain at the centre of our decisions, each strengthens each other. That is how innovation becomes progress and how progress earns trust. Our success will require continued collaboration between government, industry, consumers, researchers and technology leaders. By working together, I know we can harness the benefits of emerging technologies, all while maintaining public trust, security and safeguards that Ontarians expect and deserve.

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The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee)

Further debate?

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Mr. Rob Cerjanec

Through you, Speaker, I’m pleased to stand in support of motion 72, brought forward by the member from Mississauga East–Cooksville. I believe Ontario should be a leader in responsible AI innovation and talent development, which is why I introduced Bill 61, the Ontario Artificial Intelligence, Talent and Innovation Strategy Act. But leadership in AI isn’t just about investment and growth; it’s about earning and maintaining public trust. AI is already transforming every aspect of our lives, so when it’s used unethically, I think all of us—and I think that is why this motion is good, that it’s important that we address it. From scams targeting seniors to fake real estate transactions on online marketplaces to political misinformation, the irresponsible and dangerous use of AI has been inherent in various ways in our lives. So it’s important that Ontario learn from international best practices and develop a made-in-Ontario approach. We don’t necessarily need to reinvent the wheel. We can look to what other jurisdictions are doing. The European Union’s AI Act, for example, requires a disclosure of AI-generated and manipulated content, particularly deepfakes, to reduce deception and misinformation—specifically requiring the disclosure for AI-generated or manipulated images, audio or video that could appear authentic to the public. I’m thinking of the recent Toronto mayoral race. One of the mayoral candidates had produced a video so good, people thought it was AI, but it actually wasn’t. So it’s really important that we’re putting these kinds of labels on AI-generated content so that, whether you’re a senior or someone else in our province, you will know right away how that material has been created to inform your own decision-making. Imagine travelling two hours away to find something that isn’t actually what was represented. That’s why I do think this motion is important, Speaker. Thank you.

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The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee)

Further debate?

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Mr. Brian Riddell

I’m pleased to rise and speak in support of this important motion tabled by the member for Mississauga East–Cooksville. Artificial intelligence is changing the way we live, we work, we communicate and do business. It’s creating new opportunities for innovation and economic growth, and Ontario is well positioned to be a leader in this rapidly evolving field. At the same time, as this technology becomes more sophisticated and more widely available, we must also recognize the challenges it presents. For many Ontarians, artificial intelligence seems like something from the future, but the reality is that it’s already part of our everyday life. People encounter AI-generated content when they shop online, scroll through social media, research products or watch advertisements. In many cases, they don’t even realize that that image, video or audio they’re seeing was created or modified using artificial intelligence. That is why this discussion matters. At its core, this motion is about trust. Consumers make decisions every day based on the information presented to them. They trust that products they are seeing are being represented accurately. They trust that advertisements provide a fair depiction of what’s being offered. And they trust that they can make informed choices for themselves and their families. As artificial intelligence becomes more advanced, maintaining this trust becomes increasingly more important. Imagine an online advertisement featuring a product image generated entirely by AI. Imagine a promotional video that has been digitally altered in ways that are difficult to detect. Imagine audio that sounds completely authentic even though it was produced by a computer. These technologies are becoming more common, more accessible and more convincing. That doesn’t mean they are inherently negative. In fact, many businesses use artificial intelligence responsibly to improve efficiency, enhance customer experiences and create new products and services. But consumers should have confidence they are understanding what they are seeing and what they are hearing. That is why this motion focuses on transparency, because transparency empowers consumers. It provides information, supports informed decision-making and builds confidence in the marketplace. Speaker, I also appreciate that this motion is measured and practical. It does not presume that every use of artificial intelligence is problematic, nor does it propose a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, it calls on the government to monitor developments, assess emerging uses of AI in advertising and product representations and examine possible options to improve transparency. That is exactly the kind of approach we should take when dealing with rapidly changing technology. Public policy works best when it is informed by evidence, guided by real-world experience and responsive to changing circumstance. This motion helps ensure Ontario remains informed, prepared and focused on protecting consumer confidence while continuing to support innovation. As technology evolves, so must our understanding of the impact on the public. I am proud to support this motion, and I encourage all members of this House to do the same. Thank you very much.

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The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee)

The member has two minutes to reply.

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MPP Silvia Gualtieri

Today I want to begin by sincerely thanking the members for their thoughtful remarks. I also want to thank community organizers, AI leaders and all those who were my sounding board in advancing this motion. Thank you for your support. Let me wrap up with a simple question: Why act now? Let’s act because the people overwhelmingly want disclosure, and the industry increasingly supports it. But also, let’s act because Ontario has an opportunity to lead. Advancing this motion reinforces our reputation as a forward-looking jurisdiction that adopts new technology confidently and protects its people while doing so. Transparency allows innovation to continue while ensuring Ontarians are protected from potential harms. Speaker, this motion is a first step, not a final answer. It asks the government to advance measures, to design something proportionate and workable, with input from businesses, consumers and experts. But it sends a clear signal about our direction: that in Ontario, people have the right to know when AI is helping shape what they are shown and sold. Ontarians already believe it. Responsible businesses already see the value in it, and the foundation is already in place. And so, I urge all members of this House, regardless of party, to support this motion and to help build a marketplace where innovation and honesty move forward together.

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The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee)

The time provided for private members’ public business has expired. MPP Gualtieri has moved private members’ notice of motion number 72. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? I heard a no. All those in favour of the motion will please say “aye.” All those opposed to the motion will please say “nay.” In my opinion, the ayes have it. A recorded vote being required, it will be deferred until the next instance of deferred votes.

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Vote deferred.

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The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee)

All matters relating to private members’ public business have been completed. We will now move to the late show.

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The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee)

Pursuant to standing order 36, the question that this House do now adjourn is deemed to have been made. The member for Ottawa South has given notice of dissatisfaction with the answer to a question given by the Minister of Transportation. The member has up to five minutes to debate the matter, and the minister or parliamentary assistant may reply for up to five minutes. I recognize the member from Ottawa South.

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Mr. John Fraser

It’s great to come back to what I would call a legacy late show. It was five months ago—a little bit more—that I asked for this, and I hope it is worth waiting for for all those remaining in the chamber tonight. I’m not sure that’s going to happen. We might have to go through a bit of a primer about what this story is all about. Mr. Carmine Nigro, a close friend of the Premier, owns a company that bought 35 acres of something called air rights. Air rights are this thing that’s above a building, or on top of a building—it’s literally air. It’s the right to build in the air. The interesting thing is he owns the air but not the land beside it or the land under it, so it’s pretty hard to build anything on it. Anyway, he tried to buy it and eventually ended up buying it. Here’s the thing: Number one, he’s a close personal friend of the Premier—at the table at the family wedding. He was chair of the LCBO, chair of Ontario Place, appointed to Invest Ontario and he got an MZO in Kawartha Lakes, so he’s doing pretty well. He kind of won the Ford government lottery. But he wasn’t happy with that win. There is a $500-million prize out there. So that $500-million prize—he said, “I’m going to go for it.” A sitting Premier’s appointee sues the government, through his company, for $500 million for something called air rights that he couldn’t actually build and, from what I understand, never actually paid for. The story gets stranger. It’s “believe it or not,” really, with this story. Why would he sue? Why would he sue for something that he couldn’t build on, really didn’t own? Because he knew there was money there. So, he sues. He sues and then Metrolinx—which is the company that he’s suing that’s an arm of the government, and it’s taxpayers’ money—says, “Look, you know what, we’ll give you $75 million to go away”—$75 million for air that you can’t build on and you don’t actually own. And what does he say, or what does his company say? “No, I don’t want $75 million. I’m not taking it. It’s worth more than $75 million, these air rights”—it’s not even land; this thing that you couldn’t build on, that he didn’t actually own. “I want more than that.” So, of course, it goes on and on, and eventually, the government says, “We’ve settled. We’ve settled with Mr. Nigro’s company.” Reasonably, taxpayers—all of us—say, “Well, how much did you settle for?” The government is like, “Well, that’s not your business.” “But it’s our money.” “Well, it’s not your business. It’s a secret; it’s commercially sensitive.” Okay, just wait. It’s commercially sensitive why? Because you gave him money for something he couldn’t actually build on and never really owned? The point is here, every day, more and more Ontarians are falling behind. They can’t afford groceries. They can’t afford their rent. They can’t afford gas. Thousands of people have been cut off at the knees and abandoned by this government who simply went to get support to get training, to get a better job, to make sure their families have a better life. Those people are being abandoned, and the government is giving likely more than $75 million—I think that’s fair to say, I think that’s reasonable, if $75 million was turned down. But the government would say, “We don’t need to tell you. We’re not accountable. Go away. Talk to the hand. It’s not your business.” It’s your money, but “it’s not your business.” So the simple question is, why won’t the government just disclose that? Why won’t they tell us? What are they trying to hide? Are they trying to hide the colossal cover-up they have in OSAP? Are they trying to hide the money they gave to strip club owners in the Skills Development Fund, or the family dentists? Or the money they gave to Keel Digital Solutions and couldn’t actually tell us when they did the audit or why they did the audit, and now it’s all coming out in court, and the Godfreys aren’t too happy—they’re appointees too, but now they’re talking about the government in not-so-nice terms. Anyways, it’s great to be back. Thanks for staying for the late show, and I look forward to the response.

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The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee)

I recognize the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Transportation.

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Mr. Hardeep Singh Grewal

Thank you to the member for the question. The leader of the third party knows nothing about what it takes to build, Speaker. This province has been sent backwards by the previous Liberal government. It took our government to take charge and finally get things moving again in this province. All the previous government did was study, study, study and never deliver on anything and tell people things are coming, but nothing was really coming. It took the leadership of this Premier and this government to make sure that we’re actually moving and working in the interests of the people. We’re building highways and we’re building subways—the largest transit infrastructure investment in the history of not only this province but in the history of North America. Time and time again, they’ve stood in the way of what people voted for in Ontario, whether it’s expanding highways, delivering critical public transit projects. They’re against building. While they do nothing, our government is focused on real change, getting shovels in the ground, getting people moving across our province. Under the leadership of Premier Ford, we’ve shown, and we understand, how crucial it is to build transit infrastructure not only for tomorrow’s economy but for decades to come, Speaker. That’s why we continue to make historic investments in transit, enhancing the quality of life for commuters across the province, delivering better connectivity for all. This includes a $70-billion investment, like I said earlier, in the largest transit expansion in Canadian history—and like I said, in North America as well. It’s more than just about getting people from A to B; it lays a foundation for the integral part of tackling gridlock, slashing travel times and helping support our province’s economic growth and prosperity as we continue to deliver on our mandate to protect Ontario. Speaker, our government continues to make steadfast progress in the largest subway expansion, but simply put, we’re building for the people of Ontario. We’re building for the future, the next generation of Ontarians, to make sure that they have the infrastructure they need to get to where they need to go faster and more reliably. Across the province we’re moving forward with projects that will create jobs, strengthen connections between communities and help Ontario remain competitive. This is how we cement our spot in an economic powerhouse, attract investment and build for the future. In Toronto, the new Ontario Line subway will bring more than 15 new subway stations, putting nearly 230,000 people within walking distance of reliable transit and connecting more residents to jobs, housing and opportunity. We’re also extending the Eglinton Crosstown West LRT by more than nine kilometres through the Eglinton Crosstown West extension, bringing us one step closer to a rapid transit connection from Scarborough all the way up to Mississauga, Speaker. Meanwhile, the Yonge North subway extension will bring the TTC’s line 1 further north into York region, improving access to rapid transit for residents of Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill and making it easier to travel throughout the region into downtown Toronto. Speaker, in the east end, we’re also advancing the Scarborough subway extension, which will add nearly eight kilometres to TTC’s line 2 subway. These transit investments are about shaping the future of transportation right here in the province. Our government is delivering on innovative infrastructure that will serve our growing communities and meet the needs of our communities for generations to come. Beyond our subway investments, we’re moving forward to build the Hamilton LRT, a 14-kilometre transit line that will add 17 stops across the city, accommodating almost 50,000 riders each day, Speaker. With each of these projects, our government is cutting commute times for the people of Ontario, reducing congestion on our roadways and keeping people moving across the greater Toronto-Hamilton area and throughout the province. Every day, more than 120,000 Ontarians rely on our GO trains to get to work, to get to school and their appointments. Our government remains focused on delivering faster, more frequent service to support communities on these important matters. Speaker, our actions speak louder than words. We’re building the largest GO expansion that this province has ever seen. As a part of our investment to build, more than $15 billion have been contributed to that very same GO Expansion Program, and over the past year, we’ve marked several milestones. We’ve recently started major construction of the Grimsby GO, an all-new station on the Lakeshore West line that will save residents up to 30 minutes to get to the nearest GO station. We’ve completed major upgrades at the Bloor GO/UP station to support increased capacity on the Kitchener line and improve local connections to transit. We’ve launched daily round trips between Toronto and Stratford, making it easier for thousands of tourists to access the world-renowned Stratford Festival. And we’ve introduced the first-ever weekend service between Kitchener and downtown Toronto. Work is under way to expand Durham College Oshawa GO station so students don’t have to worry about getting to and from class. Speaker, we’re not only expanding GO service across the network; we’re making transit more affordable. Last year, we extended the One Fare program, allowing riders to transfer between GO Transit and the TTC. And we’re doing so much more to ensure that people have fast and reliable transit—

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The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Ric Bresee)

I beg to inform the House that the second late show scheduled for this evening, standing in the name of the member for Ottawa South, has been withdrawn. There being no further matters to debate, pursuant to standing order 36(c), I deem the motion to adjourn to be carried. This House stands adjourned until 9 a.m. tomorrow.

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The House adjourned at 1903.

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