Ontario legislature resumes, throne speech tomorrow

Ontario’s legislature will resume today for the first time since the re-election of Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative party.

Today, members will return to vote for a speaker, followed by the throne speech tomorrow. It will be read by Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell. The speech is expected to outline the government’s new agenda and budget.

Health care, affordability and education are expected to be three issues to dominate question period on Wednesday, when opposition parties are expected to press the government.

Hospital staffing shortages have had to force some hospitals across Ontario to temporarily close their emergency rooms. Many advocate groups are calling on Ford to repeal Bill 124, which limits salaries for health care workers.

Meanwhile, the cost of food in Ontario is another issue expected to be debated, as well as the topic of public school education workers unions returning to the bargaining table with the government.